I met with residents, Cllrs & reps from @somersetcouncil.bsky.social & @nationalhighways.bsky.social at the Eagle Tavern Junction to discuss long-standing safety & congestion concerns. Thank you to everyone who attended — I’ll keep working with local councils to push for improvements to this route.

Good news – from 29/11, the West of England Line between London Waterloo & Exeter St Davids will return to an hourly service, meaning more regular trains stopping at Crewkerne & Yeovil Junction. It’s a big win for our communities and for everyone who relies on the line.

This morning I was honoured to plant a tribute on behalf of Yeovil in the House of Commons Garden of Remembrance — to remember and give thanks to all those who have served and sacrificed for our country.

I met Honeywell in Parliament to hear about their work in Yeovil and beyond. As one of Yeovil’s largest employers, Honeywell plays a key role in our local economy & the UK’s aerospace industry. Great to discuss how we can keep supporting innovation, investment & skilled jobs.

I was pleased to join The Speaker and colleagues from across the House to mark 75 years since the rebuilding of the Chamber after its destruction in the Second World War. A powerful reminder of our resilience and democracy.

Last week I attended a drop-in on Churchill Time — a proposal to move the clocks forward by an hour all year. It could save households over £400, boost wellbeing and road safety, and add billions to the economy. A simple idea to make better use of daylight.

Great to pop down to The Mad Hatter in Yeovil on Friday. What a great display of costume props for Halloween we are so lucky to still have a shop like this. It’s one of a kind.

Children with special educational needs are being failed by a system already at breaking point. Delaying vital SEND reforms until 2026 is an absolute betrayal of families who’ve waited far too long for change: www.yeovil-libdems.org.uk/news/article...

Farmers across Somerset are already struggling after one of the hardest years in memory — the Government’s refusal to reverse the unfair Family Farm Tax is a real blow. Read more here: www.yeovil-libdems.org.uk/news/article...

Last month I visited Yeovil and heard about the difficulties faced by parents because of the closure of the local maternity unit. Thanks to the tireless work of @AdamJamesDance.bsky.social and campaigners, it's reopening.

A date has finally been set for the re-opening of Yeovil Maternity Unit – 21 April 2026. While this is welcome news, it’s still a long way off. I’ll keep holding the Trust to account to make sure services return safely and without further delay.

[email protected] & @adamjamesdance.bsky.social have joined brave #Somerset parents in calling for an end to the "scandal" surrounding #SEND funding: www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/2553937... #LDReporter

This morning I joined @gideonamos.bsky.social & the Somerset SEND Army at County Hall to call for better support for children with SEND. The system is failing too many families — I’ve raised this in Parliament many times and will keep fighting for change. Every child deserves the chance to thrive.

Too many children with dyslexia still miss out on early support – that must change. I’m proud to back the Voice Petition with Jamie Oliver and the British Dyslexia Association, giving families & teachers the chance to share their stories directly with Gov. Add your voice👉 dyslexiavoicepetition.com

This morning in Ilminster with @AdamJamesDance.bsky.social I joined a fantastic baby sensory class and met new parents to discuss the ongoing crisis in maternity care across Somerset.

Which MPs have committed to #MakeHealthEqual at #LDConf? From @alpinkerton.bsky.social​ to @adamjamesdance.bsky.social, 11 more have joined our growing network of champions — MPs promising to put the building blocks of health at the heart of national policymaking. 👉 bit.ly/4nUnfdm

Great to meet young people from Preston School, Yeovil, at #LibDemConf with @youngenterprise.bsky.social. They showcased a brilliant project based on their school’s poly tunnel – thinking about sustainability, return on investment & impact.

Local families will be concerned to see Yeovil District Hospital named in the national maternity review. I am pleased the Health Sec has listened to the concerns I raised. Now we need clear timelines, stronger communication & safe, compassionate care parents can trust. www.gov.uk/government/n...

Great to be at Yeovil Does Pride last weekend. A brilliant celebration of love, equality and community spirit. Thank you to everyone who made it such a welcoming and positive event.

Thank you @eddavey.libdems.org.uk for joining me in Ilminster today. It was great to meet local parents together and hear their experiences first-hand.

Schools are under-resourced, underfunded, and children are paying the price. @AdamJamesDance.bsky.social has introduced his bill calling for universal neurodivergence screening in primary schools to support pupils across the country.

1 in 7 school children are estimated to be neurodivergent. I left school a year early with poor results, it took me decades to realise I wasn’t thick! @adamjamesdance.bsky.social is introducing a bill that will help a huge number of dyslexic and neurodivergent children. Watch his fantastic speech:

I’ve raised this before and will keep raising it. My constituents – some as young as 11 – want Britain to do more to protect peace and get aid into Gaza. I will continue to hold the Government to account.

📜 'By helping teachers identify needs earlier, we can prevent more children from reaching crisis point and reduce demand on the most intensive forms of provision' @adamjamesdance.bsky.social

Best of luck to everyone getting their GCSE results today. Whatever your grades, they don’t define you or your future. Support is always available: youngminds.org.uk

Three months on from the temporary closure of Yeovil’s maternity unit, the Trust’s update gives little clarity on when and how services will safely reopen. Families and staff deserve answers. Read my full statement here: www.yeovil-libdems.org.uk/news/article...

The closure of Yeovil’s stroke unit is dangerous. Only 13% of patients would be treated on time if taken to Taunton — compared to 74% at Yeovil. I’m calling on the Government and NHS Somerset to pause the plans and protect local care. We deserve better: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

The NMH contract is absolutely critical for Yeovil, but as Leonardo makes clear, there is also real potential in the AW159 and AW101 programmes. I’ll keep doing all I can to champion Somerset’s world-class helicopter industry and protect jobs in our community. www.flightglobal.com/defence/nmh-...

Half of all maternity units in England are now rated inadequate or requires improvement. That is a national emergency. In @politicshome.bsky.social, I’ve written about why the Government must stop ignoring this crisis, and what we need to see happen now. www.politicshome.com/opinion/arti...

"The government needs to stop making policy about #disabled people without them" @adamjamesdance.bsky.social 👏👏👏 #BinUCBill

#Yeovil MP @adamjamesdance.bsky.social has vowed to fight for "vital" inpatient beds at #Crewkerne Community Hospital as #Somerset health bosses eyes changes as part of the government's ten-year plan for the #NHS: www.chardandilminsternews.co.uk/news/2531921... #LDReporter

I spoke to Richard Lawrence of @itvnews.bsky.social about how the closure of Yeovil’s maternity unit is leaving newly qualified midwives in limbo. They want to stay in Somerset, but without a clear plan, we risk losing them. I’ll keep fighting to bring services back.

I’ll be on Sunday Politics West on BBC One at 10am tomorrow with Amanda Parr, joined by Kerry McCarthy, MP for Bristol East (Labour) and Bristol City Cllr Lorraine Francis (Green). We covered a range of important issues - tune in if you can!

In Westminster Hall, I invited Health Minister @skinnock.bsky.social to visit Ariel Healthcare in Chard, where GPs are working in a building that isn’t fit for purpose. He responded positively—and I’ll be following up. GPs and patients in Chard deserve better.

I asked the Minister for a timeline on the new medium-lift helicopter contract. It’s clear we’re all watching this closely. I’ll keep pushing to make sure Leonardo in Yeovil is firmly in the running. Our local aerospace industry deserves strong backing.

Public voting is now open for Business Leader of the Year at the SME National Business Awards. A great chance to celebrate Yeovil’s business leaders making a real impact. Nominate or vote here: www.smenationals.co.uk Nominations close: 18 July Voting closes: 8 August

Countless people rely on this support to stay in work and just go about their daily lives. To strip that away from them is not only senseless but cruel. Ministers must change course.

'Over half of England’s maternity units are now rated inadequate or in need of improvement. That is not just a local failure. It is a national disgrace.' @libdems.org.uk MP @adamjamesdance.bsky.social explains the crisis facing maternity services.

Does the #NHS in #Somerset have enough funding? Will the #spendingreview make a big difference? Local MPs @gideonamos.bsky.social, @adamjamesdance.bsky.social, Sir Ashley Fox and @rachelgilmourld.bsky.social made their views clear in a recent debate: www.somersetlive.co....#NHS#Somerset#spendingreview#LDReporter

I spoke on NHS funding, raising concerns about the future of Yeovil Hospital. From the loss of our stroke unit to the closure of maternity services, local care is under real pressure. I urged the Minister to commit to properly funding & supporting our hospital and NHS staff.

I had a brilliant time at the East Somerset District Cub Camp, where I was honoured to judge the Cubs’ fancy dress competition—what an amazing display of creativity! A huge thank you to everyone for the warm welcome. It’s wonderful to see Scouting thriving in our community!

The Chancellor had a chance to deliver real change for Somerset – but instead, we got more empty words and no real support for local services, schools or farmers. Read my full response to the Spending Review here: www.yeovil-libdems.org.uk/news/article...

As we wait for the Spending Review, the Govt must invest in our NHS, schools, and social care – not cut them. Rural areas like Somerset need a fair deal too. Our farmers must be supported, not forgotten. 🔗 www.chardandilminsternews.co.uk/news/2522784...

I spoke in @freddievanmierlomp.bsky.social’s debate on ADHD support today. As someone with ADHD, I called for universal screening in primary schools and better teacher training. Every child deserves to be understood and supported.

"With the right support, you can achieve great things." Watch @AdamJamesDance.bsky.social tonight at 9pm on Channel 4 Jamie Oliver’s Dyslexia Revolution.

Tonight at 9pm on Channel 4, Jamie’s Dyslexia Revolution airs — and I’m so proud to have been featured. As someone with dyslexia, it means the world to see Jamie Oliver championing this issue. Please tune in and be part of the revolution. #DyslexiaRevolution #ComeOnBridget

Great to visit Yeovil Sea Cadets & Royal Marine Cadets — so impressed by the energy, discipline and pride of the young people involved. Thanks to all who made me feel so welcome (especially Mark, who promised not to tip me in the water!)

#Somerset's MPs have united to condemn the "disgraceful" decision to close maternity services at #Yeovil Hospital: www.somersetlive.co....#Somerset's#Yeovil#LDReporter #NHS @adamjamesdance.bsky.social @rachelgilmourld.bsky.social @sarahdykeld.bsky.social

I asked the Health Secretary what impact the Yeovil Maternity Unit closure would have on public health and patient safety. The response gave no reassurance. I'll be raising this again tonight in my adjournment debate — calling for answers and action. 📺 parliamentlive.tv/Commons

#Yeovil MP @adamjamesdance.bsky.social has vowed to keep fighting for the town's maternity services as #NHS bosses confirm no decision on its future will be taken until August at the earliest: www.somersetlive.co....#Yeovil#NHS#LDReporter #Somerset