I was honoured to attend local Remembrance services today alongside residents across Wokingham, paying tribute to those who gave everything for our freedom. I also continued to help raise donations for the Royal British Legion. Here’s what else I did this week:

Evidence Week in Parliament is in full swing, and on Tuesday I had the brilliant opportunity to speak with Professor Sian Taylor Philips about health screening. Her insights were on population screening programmes for cancer, during pregnancies and for newborns were invaluable.

55% of cancer deaths in the UK are from rare and less common cancers, that’s why charity coalitions like Cancer52 are vital in addressing the underrepresentation of these cancers. These inequalities in research and funding must be addressed for the sake of patients and their families.

Last week, I attended The Royal College of Pathologists’ reception, which outlined the importance of including pathology in the NHS 10-year health plan. I spoke with Tim Bennett from Illumina and Dr Sian Morgan, the Head of Laboratory at NHS Wales, about vital genomic testing and lung cancer.

It was a pleasure to attend and speak at the ‘Next Ten: Accelerating Ambition in Cancer Care’ event in Parliament, which set out what cancer care must look like in the coming decade. Earlier diagnosis, improved access to medicine and accessible clinical trials are vital in the future of cancer care.

Last week, Leader of the Wokingham Borough Council, Stephen Conway, Deputy Chief Executive and Chief Finance Officer at the Council, Graham Ebers, and I met with the Funding Floor Group. We discussed how to support the Constituency and Council being impacted by funding shortfalls.

I had a busy week helping collect donations for the Wokingham Poppy Appeal and joining a march before the Wokingham Lions' fireworks display. I also urged the Prime Minister to meet the 62-day treatment target under the National Cancer Plan. Here’s what else I did this week:

In Wokingham, many mainstream schools are declaring that they are unable to meet the needs of children with SEND. Every child deserves a place at school, that’s why I called for a debate to radically improve the availability of specialist provision for children with SEND.

Yesterday, I attended the Tackling the Erosion of Hong Kong’s Autonomy roundtable in Parliament to mark the launch of Hong Kong Watch’s report. Academic, legal and activist experts came together to discuss important topics including Hong Kong’s increasingly diminished political autonomy since 2020.

1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men will experience domestic abuse in their lives, that’s why it is vital to understand the signs of abusive relationships. @loosewomen.bsky.social’s ‘Facing It Together’ campaign is highlighting the key signs that friends and family can spot to support their loved ones.

Farage's proposed plan to force the UK out of the European Convention of Human Rights would hugely undermine our basic human rights, Ed Davey led the fight against Farage's damaging plans. I and my fellow Liberal Democrat MPs were proud to support him in Parliament today.

Today, I attended an event organised by Breast Cancer Now, the UK’s largest breast cancer charity whose mission is to ensure that everyone diagnosed is supported to live well by 2050. I was delighted to join fellow MPs in “wearing it pink” to show our support for everyone affected by breast cancer.

Meeting the 62-day treatment target is vital for patients living with breast cancer, but this has not been met by any NHS trust in 10 years. Today, I urged the Prime Minister to rectify this legacy left by the Conservatives and make meeting the target a key part of the National Cancer Plan.

1 in 3 children with epilepsy aren’t getting the support to fully participate in school, that’s why Individual Healthcare Plans (IHP) are vital to support pupils. At Young Epilepsy’s reception, I spoke with a young constituent about how his epilepsy is affecting his attendance and the need for IHPs.

The fastest rising cause of liver cancer deaths in the UK, one of the least survivable cancers, is fatty liver disease. Today, I urged the Government to include the diagnosis and treatment of fatty liver disease in the National Cancer Plan, which I called for last year.

Last week, I took part in the Swallowfield Litter Pick helping to clear rubbish from roadsides and attended the REME Freedom of Wokingham Parade and met many veterans and serving soldiers. I also hosted a debate on the impact of NHS workforce levels on cancer care. Here is what else I did last week:

Kaleidoscopic UK have raised concerns that abusers are able to manipulate courts by acting as victims themselves. Today, I called for a debate in Government time on how we can best implement experts to advise the Judiciary to prevent this, and support victims of domestic violence.

The cuts to the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund are failing families by making accessing vital therapeutical support much more difficult. Yesterday, I urged the Government to address the detrimental impact the cuts are having on families across the country.

The Local Housing Allowance (LHA) is meant to help those on low incomes access the secure housing that they deserve. But for years, this allowance has remained frozen. The Government must urgently act to end this freeze and implement support for those that need it most.

The small boat crossing crisis was created by Nigel Farage and the Conservatives following the botched Brexit deal. This crisis cannot continue in the way it currently is, so I urged the Government to negotiate further return agreements with EU countries.

I was delighted to welcome Ed Davey back to Wokingham last week, where we called for Thames Water to be put into special administration and for future bills to be prevented from increasing. We also visited the local charity, The Cowshed, and met with its brilliant volunteers and CEO Sally Russell.

I welcomed Ed Davey during his visit to Wokingham last week, where we called for Thames Water to be put into special administration and visited The Cowshed charity. I also attended Send Voices Wokingham’s Local Offer Live event and celebrated Diwali. Here’s a few of the other things I did:

I’d like to wish a very happy and joyful Diwali to all those that celebrate today. I had the pleasure of attending celebrations last weekend in Winnersh and Lower Earley, which brought families, friends and the wider community together in the festivities.

16 - 24-year-olds must visit a GP more often than any other age group to be diagnosed with cancer. This is a dreadful statistic. That’s why I urged the Leader of the House to allow a debate on increasing access to GPs as part of the National Cancer Plan.

The disruption on Evendons Lane caused by Thames Water is significantly affecting the community, from delaying school runs to diverting customers away from local businesses. I am contacting Thames Water to urge for an earlier completion to the sewage works and end the disruption.

Last week I had the privilege of opening Wokingham's newest Indian and Bangladeshi restaurant, Ranga Lounge, and met their brilliant staff. Local businesses like Ranga Lounge are vital in Wokingham, and I was delighted to welcome yet another asset to our community.

I had the pleasure of opening many brilliant businesses and facilities in our community this week, including the new Ranga Lounge restaurant and the refurbished Arborfield Village Hall. I also completed the Wokingham Lions' Autumn Walk for charity. Here’s what else I’ve done this week:

It was wonderful to see Hurst’s local shop given a new lease of life by Baweja Superstores at their grand opening today. Local shops are the backbone of our communities, and the many residents I spoke to were delighted to see their village shop back up and running after many months.

Local convenience stores are facing huge obstacles, including the Government’s increase to employer NI contributions and organised shoplifting. I recently had the pleasure of visiting one of our local stores, ran by three generations of the same family, to discuss their concerns.

Yeldall Manor provides emotional, social and psychological support to men struggling with addiction, and I had the privilege of visiting their recovery centre recently. I spoke with Yeldall's CEO and trustees about the importance of community rehabilitation and further government support.

The Lib Dem conference came to a close this week, where I met with many charities and businesses, including Cancer Research UK and the Mental Health Foundation. I also named local businesses and the Royal Berkshire Hospital in my speeches. Here's what else I have done this week:

16–24-year-olds have to visit their GP more times than anyone else before getting a cancer diagnosis. Cancer diagnosis is not something that can wait. @teenagecancertrust.bsky.social are calling for faster cancer diagnosis to save more young lives, and ensure their needs are met.

I had the opportunity yesterday to meet with many charities, groups and organisations making a huge difference on a national level and local level. It was brilliant meeting with Centre for Care, the MCS foundation, the Royal College of Radiologists and the Lib Dem Friends of Hong Kong.

Small local businesses in Wokingham are the backbone of our local economy, and the story is no different throughout the UK. It is essential that we help small businesses to cope with energy costs and shortages so they can continue to contribute greatly to our community.

Nearly one in three people with dementia in the UK are living undiagnosed – a dreadful statistic. Early diagnosis is so vital, yet so difficult. That’s why I met with Alzheimer’s Research UK to learn more about their fight for more accessible and less invasive early diagnosis.

Yesterday was a great opening day at the Lib Dem Conference, especially as it started off with Ed Davey’s impressive band marching skills! I made speeches on hospitality, highlighting many local businesses. I also spoke about the RBH & met with the End Violence Against Women Coalition.

In my role as chair of the Thames Valley APPG, business across Berkshire have warned me of Britain’s skills shortage. We must improve the connection between education providers and employers, and we Liberal Democrats must continue to consider ourselves as the party of education.

It’s the first morning of Conference 2025, which I began by giving a speech on saving emergency care in our hospitals. The RBH’s A&E department isn’t built to deal with the huge number of patients it sees every day – this must stop. We need our new RBH sooner rather than later.

This week, I called on the Government to urgently reform the SEND system and to invest more into arts education in the UK. I also celebrated the inspiring local nominees and winners of BBC Berkshire’s Make a Difference Awards. Here are some of the other things I’ve done this week:

Last night, I had the privilege to join the Royal Berkshire Hospital’s Annual General Meeting. The resolve and dedication of its brilliant staff in the face of such difficult conditions never fails to amaze me, and I will keep fighting for the hospital’s rebuild for its patients and staff.

LFW is an iconic staple in the UK’s creative industry, inspiring trends not only in style, but in sustainability too. But there would be no LFW without creatives, that’s why we need investment in creative education so we can continue to promote UK businesses and the arts on a global scale. 1/3

Every child deserves to be supported and empowered to grow and thrive. In Wokingham, many children with Education, Health and Care Plans are out of school due to the lack of schools able or willing to meet their needs. That’s why I called for vital reforms to the SEND system.

I had a very busy week in Westminster; I urged the Government to address the ongoing famine and killing in Gaza, and to give fairer funding to councils. In Wokingham, I attended a charity fundraiser and visited local businesses. Here are some of the other things I did this week:

Pratham UK is a brilliant charity focusing on innovative solutions to address the gaps in India’s education system, especially for women and girls. That’s why I visited local business YunikuLondon’s charity fundraiser for Pratham UK last night for education equality worldwide.

Behind every statistic is a person living with blood cancer.  It takes listening to those with lived experience to understand the challenges and to shape better care.  This #BloodCancerAwarenessMonth, I’m proud to stand with Blood Cancer UK and those affected and call for urgent action.

It was great to tour Siren Craft Brew yesterday with owner Darron Anley, who founded the local Finchampstead business over a decade ago. It’s growing dynamic business like Siren that bring so much to the local community and I will continue to urge the government to support local owners.

The Russian drones seen over Poland on Tuesday were a clear sign that Putin is testing NATO. Starmer must urge Trump and G7 members to seize $300bn in frozen Russian assets held in their countries and funnel it into Zelensky’s defence efforts – exactly what I’ve called for.

The Lib Dems have repeatedly called on the government to place further sanctions on Israeli ministers, Prime Minister Netanyahu and his cabinet. Today, I asked if Foreign Office Minister Hamish Falconer MP would deem them responsible for the famine and continuing killings in Gaza.

Brain cancer is more deadly among children and adults under 40 than any other cancer but receives just 1% of funding. As a member of the APPG on brain tumours, I attended a Brain Tumour Justice event and met with patients, families and advocates of a widely neglected cancer.

The local Kimel Cafe is doing amazing work hiring neurodivergent young people and including them in the community. That’s why I urged the Government to provide more support to excellent businesses that support neurodiverse people and to encourage other businesses to follow suit.