It was great to celebrate today's Chinese New Year with the Hong Kong community in Yate on Saturday. Thank you to all the volunteers who put on such a fantastic event, it was packed with people enjoying the festivities.

I had a great visit to the Bristol and Bath Science Park with other regional leaders to see the @bristoluni.bsky.social amazing Isambard AI supercomputer, more powerful than all the UK’s other supercomputers combined! I also saw the @uniofbath.bsky.social IAAPS propulsion systems research facility.

I asked the minister why pharmacies in Thornbury and Yate aren’t getting more referrals from GPs - and getting paid for their work.

It was great to visit the 1st Ram Hill Scout Group where the HQ was a hive of activity. They have spaces for Scouts, but have 75 younger children on the waiting list and need volunteers so more kids can enjoy scouting. If you are interested in helping contact [email protected]

I've been to see the latest work on the Badminton Road M4 bridge - and ask when it's going to open.

We need a full public enquiry into the involvement of the British establishment in the Epstein network so that we can get the full truth of the matter and the victims get the justice they deserve.

I am supporting Owain’s Law. It campaigns for brain cancer patients who in some areas are being denied treatment because their tissue samples aren’t being stored properly. It means they miss out on personalised treatments and advanced diagnostics. This postcode lottery must end.

A speculative application has been made for 900 homes in Coalpit Heath, on fields around Frog Lane. This is separate to proposals for homes off Roundways. It’s not in the local plan and I don’t support it. A consultation runs from Monday: www.landatfroglane.co.uk

When Keir Starmer made Peter Mandelson his US Ambassador – even after his Epstein links were well known – did he think at all about Epstein's victims? The Prime Minister's answer simply wasn't good enough. Epstein's victims deserve far better.

Don't forget, I am holding surgeries on Friday. Get in touch if you'd like to discuss an issue with me.

I spoke in the Commons earlier and questioned the Prime Minister’s judgment over appointing Peter Mandelson as US Ambassador in the first place.

A Girl Guiding survey showed girls want to participate in sport, but a third feel they are expected to do different exercise and sport because they are girls. So I was delighted to join a rugby session by Girlguiding Bristol and South Glos, the RFU and @bristolbearscf.bsky.social

I visited Yate Fire Station today to meet Matt Cook, the Chief Fire Officer of Avon Fire and Rescue and the Yate crew. It was a fascinating visit to find out about the challenges they face. I will be writing to ministers about the financial problems facing the service.

Today's government announcement on pensions is a big blow to millions of WASPI women. This heartless decision turns its back on those seeking fairness. I’m standing with @SteveDarlingMP to demand the compensation the Ombudsman recommended. We will keep fighting for justice.

Choose a brighter future, join the local party using the link below ⬇️ www.libdems.org.uk/join-local

The u-turn on business rates may help pubs in Thornbury and Yate, but other leisure venues won’t benefit. I raised in Parliament the example of The Play Shed in Yate.

I have secured a Government promise of action by the end of this Parliament over ‘fleecehold schemes’ where households on private estates face unregulated service charges. It’s happening across Thornbury and Yate. The minister’s answer was short, sharp - and very welcome.

Today is Holocaust Memorial Day, when we remember the six million Jewish men, women and children who were murdered, and the millions more murdered under Nazi persecution. hmd.org.uk/what-is-holo...

The rain today didn't stop us getting out and about in Frampton Cotterell to meet local people.

I had a very productive meeting with Aviva managers about flooding in Thornbury and Yate. The insurer predicts up to 30% more homes will be at risk of flooding in the future nationwide. We discussed the changes they want Government to make to help residents cut the risk of flooding and subsidence.

I have raised the issue of unacceptable delays in the Child Maintenance Service in parliament today.

Trump is acting like an international gangster. The Prime Minister has tried appeasing him for 12 months and has failed. It's time we finally stood up to him and united with our European allies to make him back down.

I am thrilled with the news that train services in Yate will run on a 1/2 hour frequency permanently. This is something I have campaigned hard for alongside local councillors and raised in Parliament. It also means that the new Charfield station will be able to run hourly trains

I was delighted to sign a petition calling for Hugh’s Law, supporting the parents of seriously ill children. It calls for paid, job-protected leave and financial support for parents when a child is critically ill, ensuring they don't face poverty or job loss during a crisis.

I had an interesting visit to Bristol Water’s Purton Treatment Works. Although it’s in Gloucestershire, it provides drinking water for Thornbury and Yate . Each day it can produce over 150 million litres of water, over half the 280 million litres of water customers consume daily

I have secured a meeting with the minister to try and secure government support for Gympanzees. This Aust based charity is looking to open the UK's first fully accessible exercise, play, and social centre for disabled children and young people.

Local people battling Government departments demand an end to delays, not the introduction of digital ID as the Minister claimed. If the Government wants to stop the u-turns it needs to start talking - and listening - to people before it makes decisions.

Watching the Jenrick Press Conference: Really hoping a journalist asks him in the manner of Mrs Merton: "What was it about losing the Tory leadership contest that helped you realise that the Tories had broken Britain?"

I have pressed the Energy Secretary to make sure cheap renewables translates to cheaper bills

The Lib Dems have been pushing for action on "fleecehold" - where owners of new build freehold properties have to pay a management company to maintain facilities like open spaces that councils would have looked after in the past. If this affects you, let the Government know your views.

We had some lovely weather to get out and about to meet residents in Wickwar

I have had a catch up with Chantal and Mark from Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire. They continue to do great work with people needing help in Thornbury and Yate.

It was a pleasure to get out and about to chat to people at my open surgeries in Wickwar and Hawkesbury Upton. If you want to talk over an issue at an upcoming surgery, email me: [email protected]

I have pressed the rail minister on continuing 1/2 hourly trains for Yate Station and the Severn Beach line.

A reminder that if you'd like to attend, please contact my office.

Whilst the government’s partial u-turn on the family farm tax is welcome, with high land prices in Thornbury and Yate it may not help all local farmers.

Why is Labour giving Trump a free pass to break international law? We know what happens when US Presidents launch illegal wars. It’s why the Liberal Democrats opposed the Iraq War and it’s why we condemn Trump’s law-breaking in Venezuela today.

I have secured a meeting with the minister to discuss the prisoners who recently absconded from Leyhill Prison. It’s unacceptable for prisoners with a history of violence like this to be placed at Leyhill.

If you'd like to attend, please contact my office.

Happy New Year! I hope 2026 is a good year for you. A special mention to Barry Turner of Oldbury-on-Severn who got a BEM in the New Year Honours list for his service to the local community.

Merry Christmas!

My office is now closed for Christmas until 2nd January 2026. We will be periodically checking emails for urgent issues only. If you have an emergency please call 999. If you need Council services, their contact details can be found here: beta.southglos.gov.uk/contact-us

With Christmas just around the corner, here’s a quick look back at some of the things I did last week.