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.

This is yet another chaotic and last minute u-turn from the Government. Farmers have been put through so much uncertainty and anguish as a result of these plans - but I am proud that the @libdems.org.uk led the fight to help secure this climbdown.

As Hanukkah comes to an end, my thoughts are still with all those affected by the horrific terrorist attack on Bondi Beach last week. Jewish communities should not have to live in fear and we must do all we can to end the scourge of Antisemitism. Chanukah Sameach!

St John’s the Baptist Church in Chipping Sodbury looked beautiful for the Carols by Candlelight service last night. A lovely service, a lovely way to start Christmas week.

I had a great time handing out finish tokens at the first ever QEII Playing Fields Junior Park Run in Yate. Thanks to all the volunteers, including Santa! There was a great turnout of kids and we were even serenaded by a violinist from the BBC Concert Orchestra!

As Chris Rea almost said, I’m getting the train home for Christmas!

The National Farmers Union estimate that £52.8m is lost every year due to rural crime. We must ensure that those responsible are brought to justice and that incidents are properly investigated. Today I pressed the Attorney General on what they're doing to make this happen.

Here is a summary of what I did last week as your MP

With Donald Trump making the United States becoming an unpredictable ally, it’s important that we are prepared for all eventualities. That’s why last week I pressed the Foreign Minister on the need to properly update our National Security Strategy.

It was lovely to walk around Thornbury after holding a surgery in the town and see the Christmas decorations. The town centre is looking festive!

Labour's push to introduce mandatory digital ID is deeply flawed and risks undermining our proud history as a liberal democracy. @libdems.org.uk oppose this and I will continue to fight to stop these wasteful plans - which would cost billions.

I've raised the issue of Pilning's 'Megashed' and the effect it's having on local residents in an Adjournment Debate in the Commons. I will continue to push for a change in the planning laws to stop these developments happening without resident's concerns being taken into account.

ICYMI: The moment Parliament voted to back our bill on a UK-EU customs union. The Prime Minister must listen to Parliament.

Today @libdems.org.uk MPs forced and won a vote on @alpinkerton.bsky.social's bill to cut the Brexit red tape with a new UK-EU Customs Union.

The botched Brexit deal is costing Britain £90bn a year. It's time to turbocharge our economy with a UK-EU customs union. MPs must back our bill today.

Here is a summary of what I did last week as your MP.

Chipping Sodbury Christmas Sunday was a lot of fun. Lots of stalls and lots to do. Santa’s Float was a highlight! Also popped into the Christmas bazaar at St Lawrences Catholic Church to draw the raffle.

I had a lovely morning on Saturday delivering leaflets and meeting people in Pilning (despite the weather!). I had lunch at the Just As You Are Tea Cottage; supporting a small business on Small Business Saturday.

I was delighted to support White Ribbon Day this week, standing up against violence against women and girls.  This year’s theme of ‘We Speak Up’ urges men to use their voices to help create a world where everyone is safe, equal and respected.

It was great to be at the Abbotswood Light Up Christmas event on Saturday. Laura and her team did a great job and I enjoyed listening to the festive songs. It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

On Friday, I am hosting drop-in surgeries in both Charfield and Cromhall. Get in touch at [email protected] for more details.

It was great to meet up with Joel, Mark and the team at Royal Mail's Yate Sorting Centre this morning. We discussed how they are coping with the Black Friday and Christmas rush, and how they are tackling some delivery problems. They need more posties! careers.royalmailgroup.com/gb/en/job/33...

An anniversary to celebrate for walkers, but there’s more to do.

Here is a short summary of what I got up to last week as your MP.

Thank you to everyone at Great Western Air Ambulance for showing me around their headquarters in Almondsbury, and of course the helicopter! They have flown over 2,000 missions so far in 2025, treating on average 6 critically ill or injured patients every day.

They were very busy when I visited the Royal Mail sorting office in Thornbury. It isn’t just the run up to Christmas, they are also extra busy delivering Black Friday purchases. Thanks to manager Nick King and the staff for showing me around - and training me up!

Today’s budget was a mixed bag. There are some measures that are welcome - including steps to cut energy bills for families, freezing rail fares and prescription fees, and the scrapping of the two child benefit cap. However they squandered the chance for real change.

This week is UK Parliament Week, which is fitting as all eyes turn to Westminster today for the Budget. I am pleased that more than 30 events are taking place across Thornbury & Yate, raising awareness of the work Parliament does and helping children understand our democracy.

The continued Russian attacks on Ukranian energy infrastructure are deeply concerning and causing huge disruption for civillians. That's why it's vital we learn from this to safeguard our own energy security.

Our region has been overlooked and ignored by successive Governments for far too long. Ahead of tomorrow's Autumn Budget, the @libdems.org.uk are clear that the South West cannot be ignored.

A temporary site for the Banking Hub in Thornbury will be opening in early December at Turnberrie's Community Centre. A lease has also been completed on the permanent home for the Banking Hub and work has started on the site at 47 High Street. www.cashaccess.co.uk/hubs/thornbu...

With the Budget just days away, it's certainly a busy time to be an MP. Here is just some of what I got up to recently:

Local hospitality businesses are suffering thanks to measures in the last budget. We are calling for an emergency 5% cut in VAT for the hospitality sector. It’s something that has the backing of local businesses, including Raphael Herzhog, the General Manager of Tortworth Court Hotel.

During my maiden speech in Parliament I called for the Government to freeze rail fares. I’m pleased the Government has listened to repeated @libdems.org.uk calls to do so and are now freezing fares until 2027 - which help commuters across our area.

High streets are struggling, with pubs, restaurants and cafés shutting their doors. Cutting VAT on hospitality and energy would put money back in people’s pockets, support local jobs, and give the country a much-needed boost.

The next time Reform UK come looking for your vote at an election, claiming to love our country - remember that these are the kind of people they appoint as their leaders. www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c8...

Liberal Democrats are fighting to save the high street AND cut your cost of living. Our plan would cut your energy bills, slash VAT for hospitality, and put £270 back in your pocket.

The earlier flood alert issued by the Environment Agency has been updated to a flood warning. A flood warning means that flooding is expected; you should act now if you're in an affected area around the River Frome. Areas most at risk include St John’s Way in Chipping Sodbury.

A flood alert has been issued around the River Frome by the Environment Agency. Areas most at risk include St John’s Way in Chipping Sodbury and Damson Bridge. Take care and avoid walking, cycling or driving through flood water.

I have raised in Parliament my disappointment that Oldbury will miss out as the site for the new small modular reactors. I am very unhappy with the government’s handling of the announcement.

It's disappointing that Oldbury has missed out hosting the new small modular reactors. It would have been a big boost to our local economy, providing low carbon energy for the country. Building in Anglesey smacks of a Labour attempt to shore up its vote in the Welsh elections

Hospitality is on its knees. A 5% VAT cut would give our economy and our high streets the lifeline they need.

So many women and girls lack confidence in the criminal justice system. That's why yesterday I pressed the Justice Minister on the need to ensure police and prosecutors are better trained to understand the trauma of survivors.

The BBC isn't perfect. But it remains an institution defending British values against a populist, Trump-style takeover. Party leaders must unite to defend it.

The government needs to stand up for a truly independent BBC free from political meddling. That means sacking Robbie Gibb and ending the political grip on the BBC board.

Here is a snapshot of what I did last week as your MP.