Clarion, I love you but there’s nothing wrong with my leggings!

Today is World Mental Health Day — a time to reflect, raise awareness, and support wellbeing for all. This year’s theme, “Access to services – mental health in catastrophes and emergencies”, reminds us to prioritise mental health care, especially in times of crisis.

I spent the day at the Crown Court in Oxford, finding out more about the criminal justice system. Court delays and overcrowded prisons are getting in the way of the justice we all expect to be there should the unthinkable happen.

🏊‍♂️ Great to join Headteacher Rachel Salmons and Cllr Leigh Rawlins yesterday to celebrate the reopening of the Sonning Common Primary School swimming pool — a brilliant asset for the school. Well done to everyone who helped make it happen!

There are people right across our country, who have voted Conservative all their lives, but are now switching to the Liberal Democrats.

It’s infuriating to see Homes England continue to pursue this harebrained plan. I’m asking the Ministry of Defence to intervene and put a stop to it www.bbc.com/news/article...

I was proud to stand alongside my colleague Adam Dance and others as we brought forward a Ten Minute Rule Bill calling for universal neurodivergence screening in primary schools.

It was a privilege to visit Watlington Primary School last week and learn about the incredible support in place for young carers.

I wrote to the government to ask them to give Humanists in England and Wales the same wedding rights that exist in Scotland. The response promises this will happen, but I'm disappointed with the very long, non-committal timeline.

People spreading antisemitic hate and inciting violence against Jews are getting away with it. We fear the government’s approach will do nothing to tackle that while undermining the fundamental right to peaceful protest.

In my maiden speech to parliament I warned Tory leadership hopefuls against leaving the ECHR. Kemi Badenoch has now surrendered policy making to Farage - just how far can the Tories fall?

I signed @pippaheylings.bsky.social ‘s letter to Kemi Badenoch condemning Conservative attack on the Climate Change Act

This morning I brushed up on my knitting skills at the repair cafe in Sonning Common. So many skills being shared all in an effort to reduce waste and increase reuse!

I learnt so much about our precious chalk streams by getting into the water! With thanks to fellow volunteers and the RTCT for a fantastic morning

I’m deeply saddened at the terrible loss of life and injuries sustained in the attack on Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue on Yom Kippur. My thoughts are with the victims and wider jewish community

This morning, I had the pleasure of joining Helen from the Open Spaces Society and Kate & Stephen from The Ramblers for a walk around Henley. Both organisations work nationally and locally to protect and expand public access to the outdoors—a cause that benefits us all. 🌿🚶

Fantastic to attend the Walk for Parkinson’s with colleague Clive Jones MP (Wokingham) in Henley. 14 walks were held over the country raising more than half a million pounds! Well done all!!

Brilliant to attend the River Thame Catchment Partnership meeting in Stadhampton with River Thame Conservation Trust. Lots of great learnings!

Fantastic well deserved win for England today! Such skill, guts and pride on show today

🚲 Great to visit Goring recently and meet with Cllr Maggie Filipova-Rivers and local residents to talk about cycling in the village and wider transport and infrastructure issues.

Freddie van Mierlo, MP for Henley & Thame met with local residents in Sonning as part of a community-led climate lobby. The event followed a Mass Lobby of Parliament in July, where more than 5,000 constituents from across the UK came to Westminster to advocate for stronger action on climate change.

Last week I joined residents and campaigners in Sonning Common for a local climate lobby, part of the national Act Now, Change Forever campaign. It was a thoughtful, honest conversation about what climate action means here in our community — and what more we need to do.

Great to be at the Lib Dem Conference today🌟 Fantastic to meet so many exhibitors and hear about the work they’re doing.

It was great to speak @freddievanmierlomp.bsky.social about the importance of referring people with symptoms for urgent full blood counts to diagnose (or rule out) leukaemia earlier. Thank you for visiting our stand #LDConf

This week in Parliament I asked the Minister: what’s an acceptable wait for justice in rape cases, and what’s the plan to fix it? Survivors face 363 days from charge to completion—delay and harm, not justice. Recognition is welcome, but action is urgent.

Earlier this year, sepsis rocked my family. Swift intervention and awareness made all the difference—hours mattered. Huge thanks to JR staff for their outstanding care. Lord Mackinlay of Richborough has been a powerful advocate and is an inspiration for his work on sepsis.

What is happening in Gaza is a genocide. And the President of the United States is doing nothing to stop it. Keir Starmer must raise this with Trump during the state visit.

Great to attend the Opera Industry Drop-In at Westminster last week and catch up with Garsington Opera on their brilliant work bringing world-class performances to audiences. 🎭

Great to catch up again with Debbie at the brilliant Watlington Rainbow Nursery. I’m reaching out to all early years setting in the constituency to learn more about the issues they face and truth about the governments ‘free’ childcare hours.

I recently spoke in Parliament about the impact of pavement parking—a concern I hear often from constituents with disabilities, sight loss or mobility aids. It makes everyday journeys harder and more dangerous. Councils need proper powers to act. Everyone deserves safe, accessible streets

Great to attend the Henley Mayors Civic Ceremony today at St Mary’s in Henley-on-Thames. A great day in the civic calendar, with the service very ably delivered by Father Jeremy

🎉 Fantastic family day at the Henley farm show and great opportunity to catch up with local farmers ✅ Ice cream ✅ Facepainted ✅ Vicky the cow ✅ Pigs ✅ AND A SHEEP SHOW! With thanks to all the chairman and all the organisers and volunteers!

I welcome the planning application to redevelop Warneford Hospital – delivering a modern mental health hospital, research centre & new Oxford graduate college. I’ve campaigned for it in Parliament – but funding & a transparent planning process remain vital www.oxonld.uk/news/article...

I recently visited Banana Tree in Henley to hear how rising costs and the NI increase are affecting casual dining. Many guests are visiting less or or opting for cheaper alternatives. I’ve since written to the Chancellor with colleagues to call for urgent support for the hospitality sector.

Today in Parliament I raised the threat to Chalgrove Airfield! Last night Polish and Dutch jets defending European airspace may have been manufactured and tested in Chalgrove. Yet this vital site faces demolition under the proposals from Homes England to build a new town

Today I led a debate in Westminster on our National Trails, including the Thames Path and the closed Marsh Lock Horsebridge. I’ve been campaigning to reopen it with local Brownie Claudia. Funding for plans is secured but there’s still a long way to go!

Today I called in Parliament for better investment and care for our treasured National Trails - especially the Thames Path and Ridgeway. I also again highlighted the need for Marsh Lock Bridge to be repaired! www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

I spoke in Parliament this week on the Devolution Bill. I raised concerns about splitting up countywide services like social care. I remain supportive of a single unitary for Oxfordshire to avoid duplication, confusion and a risk of weaker services

This week (before Angela Rayner resigned!) I asked the deputy PM why the government is backing proportional representation (of sorts) for mayors but not MPs

Henley & Thame MP Freddie van Mierlo, along with local councillors, have slammed plans for a new town in Chalgrove, saying it puts national security at risk. The proposed site is currently home to the Martin Baker Aircraft Company's site and airfield which makes ejector seats for military aircraft.

On Monday I joined Cllrs Judith Edwards and David Turner to visit Martin Baker and recommit to fighting the Airfield development. What we learned was even more worrying than I thought - this proposed development is a threat to U.K. security www.oxonld.uk/news/article...

I am pleased to have gained a commitment from the government to go further in reducing the burden of cost of childcare and I’ll be holding them to account to deliver

I challenged the Foreign Secretary to sanction Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Sadly he declined to answer

It was an absolute joy to present the prizes for the Regatta for the Disabled on Saturday - especially the prize for the 'most enthusiastic'. Thrilled to be able to support this wonderful event yet again! Already in the diary for next year!

Failing regulator Ofwat has let Thames Water off the hook. It has allowed TW to pay only 20% of its pollution fines, and the rest in FIVE years time! This is an admission that Thames Water is insolvent. www.ofwat.gov.uk/ofwat-confir...

Today marks the 80th anniversary of VJ day and the end of WWII. We remember all those who fought in Asia and the Pacific, and whose bravery and sacrifice secured our freedom.

Congratulations to all the students receiving their exam results today! Whatever your results, remember this is just one step on your journey. There are many pathways to success, and support is available if you need it. Wishing you all the very best for the exciting opportunities ahead

Our Tory police and crime commissioner should hang his head in shame. No, the public should not be asked to confront criminals. It’s dangerous and irresponsible. Please, if you’re witnessing a crime or the victim of one, call the police

This week I had the chance to visit Thames Valley Air Ambulance — a charity doing truly life-saving work across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire. They rely entirely on charitable donations. If you can, please consider supporting their vital work. 💛 www.tvairambulance.org.uk

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