Lib Dems gain seat off Reform in council by-election

Liberal Democrats strongly oppose Heathrow expansion. See my contribution in response to the Government’s statement earlier this week 👇 hansard.parliament.uk/Lords/2025-10-…

Interesting chat with @transenv about the size and weight of new cars and the impact on our roads. The vehicles on display show the huge growth in car size.

See below the background to my recent question on rail fares 👇

Will the government change the rail sector to give passengers confidence they’re getting the right fare for the right journey? In this episode of Inside Lords Questions, we hear from @carolinepidgeon.bsky.social who quizzed the government on when it intends to simplify rail fares.

Wonderful to see the new #secretmaps exhibition at the @britishlibrary last night. A really fascinating exhibition and beautifully presented. Well worth a visit!

I’ve pushed the Government today, as part of their rolling stock strategy, to secure the right finance partners such as Eurofima to help with the cost effective procurement of new passenger trains.

Pleased to have secured a future review of buses last night including for rural areas and SEN bus services. @LibDemLords voted in favour of a £2 bus fare cap scheme for socially necessary bus routes. Sadly neither the Conservatives or Labour joined us in the lobby. 🚍🚌🚍

Once again @deaconbluemusic.bsky.social rocking London last night at Wembley. Absolutely fantastic concert. 👏👏👏

Last week I spoke in favour of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill. Two days of passionate speeches from across the House. You can read my contribution here: hansard.parliament.uk/Lords/2025-0...

I was delighted to speak earlier in the week - at a @LibDemLords fringe meeting alongside @shaffaqmohd @markpack - about the work of our group in the House of Lords.

Superb Lib Dems in England event on diversity last week chaired by Shaffaq Mohammed - a great panel and lots of good practice shared and discussed. Thanks to our panel Carl Cashman, Mo Waqas and Cllr Samia Haq.

Today I pushed the Government for a date by when passengers can expect simplified rail fares so they have the confidence they are not being ripped off every time they catch a train.

🚀 Thank you so much for your support @carolinepidgeon.bsky.social 👉 If you'd like to join Caroline and support my VP campaign sign up here forms.gle/5p9NqKYYE5U4... 🔶 Find out more here www.victoria4vp.com

Fantastic to celebrate the latest new open public space thanks to Tideway Tunnel near Blackfriars. Delightful to see HRH Princess Royal opening the beautiful space. And to catch up with old colleagues such as Victoria Borwick.

Today I asked the Government about action to address nitrous oxide misuse amongst drivers. This apparent trend is a deadly danger on our roads. I’ve pushed the Government to look at what is needed to detect and deter this dangerous practice.

Thank you Caroline! Want to endorse my campaign? Sign up at www.josh4president.co.uk

Today I spoke to my amendments to the Planning Bill to make it easier, faster and cheaper for people without driveways to be able to charge an Electric Vehicle through cross pavement solutions.

Today I asked when will passengers see a simpler, transparent new range of rail tickets ahead of Great British Railways. Passengers are fed up with the complexity of rail fares.

This week I raised concern that the Government’s pause of the electrification of the Midlands main line from Sheffield to London, has left Sheffield as the largest city in Britain without an electrified railway and shows Labour letting down South Yorkshire.

A wonderful evening with @RachelBentleyNB at @WaterlooEast seeing a fantastic play - Can’t kill the spirit - written by the wonderful @rgclondoncomms - very special indeed. 👏👏👏

This week I asked the Government about what it was doing to prevent the introduction of the EU’s Entry/Exit system from causing transport congestion and disruption to freight and pushed for pre-registration systems to help.

A lovely morning out in Bromley supporting Laura McCracken and @BromleyLibDems in their Council by-election. Lovely response on the doorsteps. 🔸🔸🔸

Good to support Roy Pounsford and the local Lib Dems in the Fulham Town By-election today.

An interesting experience travelling in an autonomous vehicle around the streets of London this morning! The technology is moving at pace and the safety of the ‘driving’ was impressive. Lots more to do before such vehicles are mass produced. Thanks to @wayve and Admiral Group.

With heatwaves a regular occurrence I asked the Government today what investment it is making to ensure transport infrastructure is fit for extreme weather.

At the 2nd reading of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill I raised the need to make installing EV charging infrastructure easier for the many households who don’t have off street parking, and the need to use transport infrastructure for solar panels.

At Public Services Committee this week we questioned the Government Minister on issues with the Child Maintenance Service. I asked about improving the online portal for parents so they can use the service when suits them rather than spending hours on the phone.

Today I spoke about the Conservative mismanagement of the HS2 project, a text book example on how NOT to deliver major infrastructure. I welcome the reset under Mark Wild’s leadership.

Today I raised with the Minister the great reporting from Jim Waterson @London_Centric and the need for comprehensive insurance for hire bike operators given the serious injuries A&Es are seeing, known locally as “Lime Leg”.

Having used EGNOS, I know it is an important system for differential (ie pin-point accurate) GPS systems. It is also important that Europe has an independent system that does not rely upon the whims of an increasingly unstable USA.

I spoke in a debate today about reinstating the UK’s membership of EGNOS, a European satellite navigation service which helps in particular smaller, regional airports with safe navigation. It was another casualty of Brexit.

Really good to see first hand a fully electric HGV. We need to invest in charging infrastructure to move freight to cleaner transportation. Interesting zero emission mandate campaign for trucks.

I’ve asked the Government today to consider using AI to better detect and block bot-driven booking abuse for driving tests, to tackle the huge waits and rip off third party operators.

In responding to the regional growth statement I questioned where the transport investment was for rural areas such as Cumbria, Shropshire, Norfolk, Devon and Cornwall, as well as further questions re rail investment. But v pleased to see the Metrolink to Stockport in the plan!

Every Londoner deserves a voice at City Hall. Yet disabled people have no dedicated champion fighting for their rights, needs and inclusion. Help us change this. Sign our petition calling for a London Disability Equality Champion here bit.ly/41iaC1Z

The PM told me today that he would do everything he can to get desperately needed aid into Gaza, but words are not enough and I will hold him to account until we see action.

With approx 14.5 million parking fines this year, today I have pushed the Government to go further than the long awaited code of practice for parking, and to introduce a regulator to protect motorists and ensure transparency across the system.

Today I pushed the Government to work to help move passengers from short haul international flights to international rail, based on superb report from Campaign for Better Transport re use of the Channel Tunnel. This would save CO2 emissions and improve international rail connectivity. Win win.

Thank you for joining us to today @carolinepidgeon.bsky.social (and @rachelbentleyld.bsky.social too)! Really great to speak to so many people and pick up some issues we can help with.

Great to be out talking to residents today in Dulwich with @richardwingfield.bsky.social and @swklibdems 🔸🔸🔸

What a huge honour to receive the Freedom of Southwark today. Wonderful to be joined by my Ward colleague for 12 years James Gurling OBE, Richard Wingfield, Simon Hughes and our fabulous Southwark Lib Dem Council group.

Wonderful to be able to celebrate @carolinepidgeon.bsky.social being granted Freedom of the Borough of Southwark this morning! She's done so much for our community. Congratulations Caroline!

Great to have taken part in The Late Debate last night talking about immigration, local elections and 25 years of the Mayor and London Assembly.

Interesting to talk with the aviation industry today about all the sustainable aviation initiatives across the country.

And the importance to have the London Assembly as a check on the Mayor with their £22bn budget.

A letter to The Guardian.

🔶More councils under our control than Conservative. 
 🔶Our 7th set of gains in a row - our best ever winning streak. 🔶First time in history Liberal Democrats have beaten Labour and the Conservatives in local elections.

Ed Davey hails Lib Dem success in local election