Starmer must condemn Trump’s illegal actions in Venezuela

Millions of people across the country are being left waiting anxiously, in pain or needing treatment because they can't see their GP.

Incredibly proud to represent a party that's putting forward genuine ideas and policies about how to move our country forward. Instead of scrapping with the official opposition, the government should listen to the constructive ideas and opposition from the Liberal Democrats.

Changes to agricultural property relief have the potential to put hundreds of family farms out of business - some after centuries of feeding their communities. Even some Labour advisers consider that the Government needs to rethink this flawed policy.

This will come as a great relief to many smaller family farms in the south west, but it will not exempt all farms here. It is a win, but there remains so much uncertainty for farmers at this time, including the future of the Sustainable Farming Incentive. 1/3 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Residents and visitors alike know how special our landscapes are here in Devon. I welcome the Government’s commitment to maintaining protections, but let's be vigilant until it is proven that rumours were baseless. www.sidmouthherald.co.uk/news/2570390...

My office is now closed until 5th January 2026. I wish all a very happy Christmas and best wishes for the New Year. More information on local changes over the festive period can be found at eastdevon.gov.uk/christmas and middevon.gov.uk/christmas-info

Parliament is now on recess for Christmas and the new year. Here's some of what I got up to on the last week of term:

Residents and visitors alike know how special our landscapes are here in Devon. I welcome the Government’s commitment to maintaining protections, but let's be vigilant until it is proven that rumours were baseless. www.sidmouthherald.co.uk/news/2570390...

Foodsave, Op Rudolph and Honiton Library - what a great team of teams.

Susceptibility in young people to sudden cardiac arrest can go undetected. Marion from Sidmouth does so much to raise awareness and fund screening, with the help of Cardiac Risk In The Young. They save lives. www.c-r-y.org.uk

The changes to agricultural property relief will have a huge impact on small farms, not least those without family to take over. I will stand firm in my opposition, and am glad at least some Labour MPs agreed.

I first raised concerns about the family farm tax before last year's Budget, and I have opposed it resolutely ever since. I will be voting against it in the Finance Bill this evening, and I encourage MPs from all parties to join me. www.sidmouthherald.co.uk/news/2568929...

#Homelessness happens all year round, not just at Christmas. Yet it is at #Christmas, when many of us are warm and well-fed, that our thoughts might turn to people on the streets. Last week I visited Gateway, a charity in #Sidmouth that supports homeless people in the town...

Keir Starmer needs to stand up for the BBC against Trump's outrageous $5bn lawsuit and protect licence fee payers from being hit in the pocket. Trump wants to interfere in our democracy and undermine our national broadcaster. We cannot let him.

Here's some of what I got up to last week:

Horrified by the sickening terrorist attack in Bondi Beach. My prayers are with the families of those tragically killed. As Jewish communities come together to celebrate Hanukkah, we must stand together against violence and hate. Light will always triumph over darkness.

Children with SEND deserve real support, not empty promises.

A fantastic result for Steve and the @libdems.org.uk team in Seaton. I look forward to working with him in his new role as a Councillor at @eastdevon.bsky.social, to help improve the town.

Andrew the postman put up with me asking about what it is like to deliver his round in Beer. I'm grateful to everyone at Seaton sorting office this morning for their insights.

I am canvassing in Seaton ahead of a council by-election tomorrow. I have nipped into Tesco. I hope that their second-hand bookshelf tells us something about how the town intends to leave the Tories on the shelf.

Reflecting on my morning with Operation Rudolph, it occurred to me that this initiative is what is meant by ‘community’. The Community Empowerment Bill could have a significant impact on important facilities, such as Seaton Hospital. www.sidmouthherald.co.uk/news/2568291...

🚨BREAKING🚨 MPs have voted to PASS our bill to establish a UK-EU customs union. The Prime Minister must now listen to his own MPs, drop his self-imposed red lines and finally go for proper growth through an ambitious trade deal with the EU.

The Priority Services Register is a free service designed to provide additional support to people that might need it 🤝 By joining, you can receive tailored assistance from your energy supplier to meet your specific needs. Learn more: https://ow.ly/ItbZ50Xn7KR

The Office for Budget Responsibility predicts digital ID will cost £1.8bn by 2030, yet rural Devon has among the worst phone and broadband connectivity in the country. Surely bringing that up to standard would be a far better investment?

I had fun yesterday at Honiton Tesco supporting the wonderful Operation Rudolph, which supports people on low incomes at Christmas time, across local communities. Thank you, Sharon and all at Op Rudolph - operationrudolph.com

I welcome this commitment to funding for bus services, but it needs to be apportioned properly to ensure rural routes, like many through East- and Mid Devon, are able to continue for the long term. www.sidmouthherald.co.uk/news/2567397...

This is welcome news for our local environment, and I commend the authorities in halving the rate of fly-tipping over the past year. We need proper coordination between councils, police, and the Environment Agency to fully address the issue www.sidmouthherald.co.uk/news/2567041... 1/2

"Nigel Farage should be here tonight apologising to the British people." @LibDemDaisy.bsky.social on how Brexit has driven the small boats crisis ⬇️

Here’s my take on last week’s Budget: www.midweekherald.co.uk/news/2566205...

Why is the Prime Minister ignoring his own Chief Economic Advisor, who recommended a Customs Union with the EU to boost growth? Instead he's choosing to hike taxes in a cost of living crisis.

The US-Russia 28 point "peace" plan was a recipe for Russia to recover, rearm and renew its attacks. The US must be able to hold Russia to commitments that it makes, or else the West should expect further aggression in the future. 1/2

The tide is turning. Even the Telegraph is now admitting the damage the Brexit deal has done to the economy.

This week I have:

"If the government is serious about growth, then they must support the small businesses, they are the backbone of our economy." Edward Morello

Assets of Community Value, such as Seaton Hospital, should be protected. People who use the hospital need certainty that the status they demanded will give the strongest protections possible.

The challenge of securing critical minerals is partly a recycling challenge, but it will require better use of the resources we have in Devon, too. This will help to free the UK from the stranglehold that China has on critical minerals.

Emma from Sidmouth is one of thousands of people across Devon who care for their loved ones, on top of their day job. I am pleased that the Government used some warm words about carers in the Budget. Carers need certainty for the long term too.

Who remembers that Brexit campaign slogan from 2016? 🤔

Today the Government had the opportunity to end the cost of living crisis, get Britain growing again and repair the £90bn Brexit black hole - by fixing our trade with Europe. It didn't.

The ability to travel at a reduced rate on subsidised routes is vital in those rural areas that still have a bus service. Concessionary travel for young people and older people is essential - particularly for those who don't have a car or cannot drive.

This was a botched Budget by a Chancellor who’s diagnosed the disease but won’t administer the cure. Despite promises to cut the cost of living and grow the economy, the Government still refuses to fix our trade relationship with Europe and repair the £90bn Brexit black hole.

"We desperately need a budget that puts growth back into the UK economy." @CalumMillerLD.bsky.social

Budget Day - Devon seems to have come to London

Cannot wait for GBNEWS and Nigel Farage to join the barricades about an arch Trump critic having his words censored by the BBC - they must be absolutely furious about this 🤔

I enjoyed speaking to Radio Exe's Devoncast about this week's Budget, my interest in foreign affairs, the value I place on a sense of community, and more. Take a listen: www.radioexe.co.uk/devon/podcas...

Farmers are already having to cope with the family farm tax, climate change and sell-us-down-the-river trade deals. On top of that, farmers are being left in limbo over the Sustainable Farming Incentive. The Government cannot afford to treat farmers like this.

Here’s what I’ve been up to this week

Nathan Gill; A traitor who was at the very top of Reform UK, aiding and abetting Russian adversaries, has been sentenced today. Reform UK should be ashamed. Britain deserves better.

Having an open and transparent democracy makes it harder for foreign actors to meddle in our politics. Openness is as relevant today as when the Nolan principles were first published.