We do need to urgently increase defence spending and it's good that the PM is finally realising it. He should adopt the @libdems.org.uk proposal for defence bonds to generate £20bn over the next two years. A serious plan to get the cash boost our armed forces need. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Navalny showed incredible bravery standing up for freedom and a democratic Russian future and was murdered for it. Now we know how, it should redouble our resolve to resist Putin and that begins in Ukraine. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Starmer is finally waking up to the threat of relying on Trump for our security. The PM should be personally leading negotiations to get us into the EU SAFE defence fund and adopt the @libdems.org.uk defence bonds for an urgent cash injection for our armed forces. www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cn...

I'm pleased to see the High Court overturn the absurd proscription of Palestine Action. Labour abused the parliamentary system to get them proscribed, but it was clear this was a blatant misuse of terror legislation. Just think how much police time was wasted with this nonsense.

It was great to meet Royal Marine Commandos at Parliament ahead of their deployment to Norway for a NATO exercise. They showed us their kit and spoke about the vital work they’re doing to keep us safe in an increasingly unstable world.

The situation in Iran is shocking. The regime’s brutal crackdown has reportedly cost tens of thousands of lives. The UK Government must go further and proscribe the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, the Ayatollahs’ iron fist, as a terrorist organisation.

We need to know how the Government plans to deal with Iran - and with Donald Trump’s plans for Iran. @jamesmaccleary.bsky.social and I have written to the Defence and Foreign Secretaries today asking them to hold Iran’s leaders to account and to tell Parliament their plans.

The cruelty of Putin's war in Ukraine has reached new levels. These attacks are designed to make civilians suffer. Children and the elderly shiver as Putin tries to break them. Deliberately targeting civilians is a war crime and Putin is a war criminal. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

I am appalled that the Government has once again chosen to ignore the WASPI women’s demand for fair compensation. These women were failed by poor communication and shifting goal posts. They deserve justice, not delay or dismissal. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

There is great irony that the man Reform have selected to win Gorton and Denton for them is the same man (in his previous life as a serious academic) who co-wrote a superb book called National Populism that dissects the very same ideas he now promotes.

Today is Holocaust Memorial Day, marking 81 years since the liberation of Auschwitz. We remember the six million Jews murdered for being Jewish and honour the survivors. As witnesses grow fewer, we must bridge generations and ensure their memories are never forgotten.

I asked the Government to commit to a new Medium Lift Helicopter contract. This is a vital capability, with Leonardo in Yeovil the only bidder. Ministers should stop waiting for the Defence Investment Plan and commit now so production can begin.

It's time to get serious about funding defence. Everyone is saying we 'must do more' but it's all talk. Our plan to issue bonds for funding defence will raise £20bn and give our allies the reassurance that Britain is serious about defending Europe. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Starmer’s US policy lies in tatters. Trump is now punishing the UK and NATO allies just for doing the right thing. Time for the PM to stand firm against the bully in the White House, and work with European and Commonwealth allies to make him back down from this reckless plan.

Donald Trump just falls back on this behaviour every time he doesn't get what he wants. Greenland is not for sale and it is high time for the PM to stop pandering and work with our European friends to stand up the bully in the White House. www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c1...

Deeply concerned by reports from Uganda about the conduct of elections and treatment of opposition leaders and election officials. UK Government must work w/ election observers, regional organisations and other partners to ensure a fair outcome of votes. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Russia’s shadow fleet keeps Putin’s war machine funded. Stopping that matters. Today the MoD has assured me this operation is taking place in line with international law – unlike US actions in Venezuela. The rules exist for a reason, and the UK must not be complicit in breaking them.

I asked the Foreign Secretary about what she is doing to ensure the US does not violate international law from British bases. She told me British forces always uphold international law (which I am glad to hear) but made no comment about the US or their use of our bases.

The Government should be worried about young people leaving Britain. They are our future. A youth mobility scheme with the EU would let young people live, work and travel across Europe without being forced to emigrate for opportunity.

German Chancellor Merz is right when he says: "We are seeing more and more clearly that Russia’s aggression was and is part of a plan targeted against the whole of Europe," It's critical we are in lock step with our European friends to protect ourselves. www.reuters.com/world/china/...

The UK has rejected access to the EU’s €150bn SAFE defence fund - a serious mistake. At a time of increased aggression from Russia and other hostile powers, turning away from coordinated European rearmament is deeply short-sighted. 🧵

It is great to see the govt inching in the right direction on Europe. Joining the Erasmus scheme is just common sense and is something the @libdems.org.uk have been calling for. The next step is to establish a new Youth Mobility Scheme with the EU. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

The Foreign Secretary must summon the Chinese Ambassador to demand Jimmy Lai's immediate release and the quashing of this trumped-up conviction. The CCP is hell-bent on suppressing civil liberties & the rule of law in Hong Kong. The UK has a unique obligation to act. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

🇺🇸 The US National Security Strategy is a dystopian document. 🇪🇺 It is an attack on European democracies from a government led by a man who has a poor track record on respecting election results. 🇬🇧 The UK government must stand up to this baseless attack on democracy here at home, and across Europe.

The President of Venezuela is for the Venezuelan people to choose, not the US President Maduro has no legitimacy, having no evidence for his election “win”. But that doesn't justify Trump’s actions in the Caribbean. The US is acting with impunity, taking lives without evidence.

Parliament has just voted to cut Brexit red tape - passed on a knife-edge after the Speaker’s tie-breaking vote. My Lib Dem colleague @alpinkerton.bsky.social's Ten Minute Rule Bill calls for a bespoke UK–EU Customs Union. It’s the right move to fix our trade relationship with the EU.

The Ajax tank is 9 years late, injuring our soldiers and costing £6.3bn. This isn’t good enough. I’ve asked the Government what contingency plans exist if Ajax slips further so we can still meet our NATO commitments. As the US pulls away we must be ready to protect ourselves.

It was a real privilege to meet Željko Komšić, the President of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Bosnia is a country that rarely receives much international attention, but its success is crucial for peace and security in the Balkans.

A positive step with Norway, but not enough. With rising Russian activity, Britain needs a long-term, properly funded maritime strategy and deeper European cooperation to defend our critical undersea cables and restore credible UK capability. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

We are in an increasingly unstable world. Russia is waging its hybrid war on the West and meddling in our elections. Meanwhile they continue to fight their war in Ukraine. China is also getting ever bolder, and we are seeing instability across the Middle East and Africa.

🇧🇦 Bosnia is on the front line of Russia’s hybrid war. 🇷🇺 Putin-backed Republika Srpska is destabilising the region. 🇬🇧 The UK left the peacekeeping mission Operation Althea during Brexit - we need to return. Time to rejoin this vital mission and secure peace. 🇬🇧🇧🇦

I have written to the Justice Secretary to ask for clear, unambiguous assurance that no one has been wrongly released from HMP Lewes, that thorough checks have been carried out, and that safeguards are strong enough to prevent this from ever happening.

Half of veterans report mental health problems, but the support just isn't there. There is a huge problem with substance abuse and homelessness among veterans. Mental health is often the cause. We owe them a huge debt and as a society we must look after them better.

The government say there needs to be strong justification for delaying Sussec council elections again. I hope they will tell Sussex Tories that wanting to cling onto power isn’t that. It’s time for elections, it’s time for change in Sussex. Read their reply to my call for votes to go ahead 👇

I’ve written to the Def Sec following today’s damning Public Accounts Cmmt findings on the Afghan data breach. The Cmmt says Govt has "not given [it] confidence sufficient action has yet been taken” to stop this happening again. We need an independent inquiry - and real accountability.

The MOD’s own figures are damning: 67% of servicewomen faced sexualised behaviour last year, and nearly a third thought about leaving as a result. Britain cannot defend itself if it cannot protect the women who serve. Time for real change and proper accountability. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

🐣 We need to End the Cage Age. I was really pleased to attend Compassion in World Farming's event in Parliament, alongside my fellow Lib Dem MPs Victoria Collins and Lisa Smart. 🐔 We must act to ensure hens are kept in suitable spaces, and not in cages the size of an A4 sheet of paper.

This is really welcome news but why they ruled it out in the first place is a mystery. I will keep pressing the govt to agree to fair compensation for Waspi women who have been let down so badly. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

We were promised that the proceeds from the Chelsea FC sale would support Ukraine. Instead, there are alarming signs that only a fraction is accounted for. This is unacceptable. The Government must act now, and use every legal tool available, to get this money to Ukraine where it is urgently needed.

This is a snapshot of our future that shows why the UK must step up to counter these threats. War is no longer just ships and planes, it is drones and cyber too. As we spend more on our armed forces it is critical that these new threats are recognised. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

I had the honour of going to Remembrance services in Lewes and Ringmer. 2025 marks 80 years since WW2 ended in Europe. As we remember those who gave their lives for us, we must be aware of the threats to our freedom we see today as our world feels more unstable than ever. We will remember them.

Out of such a horrifying attack, it is really great to see the bravery and selflessness of ordinary British people shine through. Thank you Sam. You have put yourself in harm's way and saved lives. You deserve all the praise coming your way. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

I asked the Foreign Secretary about the Russian shadow fleet that is smuggling oil and gas across the world, funding Putin's barbaric war. 76% Russian Gas is shipped on a UK owned or insured vessels. This is £45 billion worth of gas. This is huge for Russia's budget 🧵

I really welcome this. Scaling up our military strength is not just about tanks and ships. It is also about morale. Our troops could be asked to put their lives on the line to protect us. The least we can do is give them somewhere decent to live. www.bbc.com/news/article...

A horrifying incident overnight. I really hope the nine people injured make a full recovery. Good to hear that police have the suspects in custody. So concerning to hear about another serious knife-related incident. www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cm...

We cannot expect to recruit and retain female soldiers if they do not feel safe. It is critical that the govt accelerate reforms to keep women safe in our armed forces. Jaysley Beck's tragic story should never be repeated. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

☀️ We need to transition from fossil fuels to renewables. 🏢 We don't need to put solar on prime farmland, but on dead space like rooves and car parks. 🛢️ Russia has fuelled its war with the profits from oil and gas and acted as a stark reminder of our need to transition away. #climatechange #solar

🇨🇳 I was asked about the case of the Chinese spies in Parliament on BBC Politics Live. 👉 Labour and the Tories need to stop pointing fingers and start learning lessons to protect our democracy from hostile foreign powers, like China and Russia. 🧊 This is unfortunately only the tip of the iceberg.

🌳 It was really great to visit the Lewes Climate Hub and do a Q and A for their members. I heard their concerns about: 🪧 The right to protest 🇺🇳 The UN Special Reports for women and maritime protected areas 🎣 Bottom trawling 📝 And I signed the Make Polluters Pay pledge

🐘 The Govt refuses to engage with the elephant in the room which is the Tories' botched Brexit deal. 🤷 They are obsessed with growth, but refuse to consider the biggest thing holding Britian back. 🇪🇺 This is why the @libdems.org.uk are calling for a customs union to really reset our relationship.