🚌The 9.30am rule is outdated and unfair, creating barriers for disabled people. 🤝Andy Burnham’s plans to scrap it in Manchester are welcome - but without proper funding, many councils can’t follow. ❌ We need urgent ENCTS reform and national funding so every disabled person can travel freely.

Last month, Wes Streeting announced what families have long fought for: a full statutory public inquiry into TEWV NHS Foundation Trust. After years of ignored warnings, governance failures, and preventable deaths, real accountability is finally on the table. 👇Read more here:

Today’s announcement adjusting the government’s proposed changes to Agricultural and Business Property Relief, is a welcome one. 🧵1/4

❌ This Budget was yet another blow to British farmers. ⚠️ Despite clear warnings, the government refused to reverse the family farm tax. 👨‍🌾Farmers are the backbone of our economy and food security - they deserve real support, not policies that put family farms at risk.

🎄As Parliament rises for Christmas recess I want to wish all my constituents in Harrogate and Knaresborough a Merry Christmas. ☃️ Politicians take themselves too seriously sometimes, so here is my take on the 12 days of Christmas with just some of what I’ve been up to this year!

Last week’s peerage list shows the House of Lords is still used to reward loyalty, connections and convenience - all dressed up as democracy, at a cost of £371 a day per peer. If we want a true democracy, it’s time to end this patronage palace and abolish the House of Lords.

Businesses face a triple hit from this govt: higher minimum wages, increased employer NICs and soaring business rates. Across Harrogate & Knaresborough, firms say this is unsustainable. Govt must change course now - cut business rates, scrap the NI hike & back local business, before it’s too late.

📉 Support for Digital ID has plunged from +30% to -14%. After years of leaks and IT failures, the public clearly doesn’t trust this Government with their data. ❌ Scrap the surveillance plans and focus on the NHS, the cost-of-living crisis, and essential services.

Our SEND system is failing & families are paying the price. I’ve spoken with parents forced to give up work because their children aren’t getting the support they need. No one should have to choose between earning a living and their child’s care. We urgently need an overhaul of SEND provision.

🎄 Mind’s 5km Mental Elf Race in Knaresborough is truly one of my favourite highlights of the festive period. 🏃‍♂️ It was an absolute privilege to start the race, and take part, for the second year in a row! 1/2

Started the day at Fountains Abbey parkrun 🏃‍♂️ Getting closer and closer to a sub 25min 5k!

Today I held my first ever post-Budget business breakfast at the Cedar Court Hotel. It was fantastic to be joined by tax and financial planning experts to unpick what the budget means for local businesses and our area. 1/2

My pitch for a Yorkshire Parliament 👇

Great evening out knocking on doors in Harrogate, hearing from residents about the issues that matter most. Then had the pleasure of chatting with some of our brilliant local Girl Guides for UK Parliament Week!

It’s disappointing the River Nidd at the Lido has again been rated poor for bathing water quality. This cherished spot remains unsafe because Yorkshire Water puts profit before environment. OFWAT must be replaced with a regulator with real teeth to hold polluters to account & clean up our rivers.

Suicide rates haven’t fallen in two decades, and thousands of lives are being lost each year. I urged greater support for charities like The Jordan Legacy, whose work is vital in prevention. The Govt must act now to give these charities the resources they need to reach more people & save lives.

🤝After a fantastic summer meeting residents across the constituency, I’m taking my tour to local supermarkets this weekend! 💬Come along to any of my stops to ask questions, share your thoughts, or have a chat. 👋I look forward to meeting as many constituents as possible.

🍺 Our pubs are the heart of our community - but too many are struggling to survive. 👏 Today I met with British Beer & Pub Association, they and the Lib Dems share the same goal: helping our pubs thrive. 💰 That’s why I’m proud the Lib Dems are calling for an emergency VAT cut for hospitality.

Speaking with BBC North Yorkshire today about the closure of Sherburn House in Knaresborough. Adult social care is in crisis and we need a proper solution. We can’t fix the NHS unless we fix social care. 1/2

Find my thoughts on today’s WASPI statement here 👇

Last week, I outed myself as a gamer, something I don’t really ever talk about, and contributed to a debate on consumer protections for gamers. Now spending my evening trying to figure out how to play Europa Universalis V. I said if I was elected I would be unapologetically me!

👏 Great to be out knocking on doors this week with some of our fantastic Harrogate Town and North Yorkshire Councillors 🔶 Door after door, we heard how Lib Dems at all tiers of government are making a real difference locally - working hard for residents all year round!

Lovely morning for parkrun round the stray - ahead of bonfire night and fireworks there this evening!

It is right that Ofwat blocked Yorkshire Water from paying boss bonuses. For too long, water firms have rewarded failure – paying executives millions while polluting our rivers. Accountability can’t stop here - we need real action to clean up our waterways and put people before profit.

I’ve written to the PM renewing my call for a full, judge-led inquiry into failings at TEWV. Reviews haven’t delivered the change patients and families deserve. Only a proper inquiry can bring accountability and lasting improvement. The Govt must act now to improve care and rebuild trust.

I am appalled by the horrific attack on passengers aboard a train on Saturday evening. My thoughts are with all those affected – the victims, their loved ones, and everyone who witnessed such a traumatic event. 🧵1/4

As a supporter of assisted dying and a member of the Commons Bill Committee: The JCHR should be doing a full legislative inquiry to guide implementation, not a token one-off session. And the Lords must not seek to block or kill a Bill that has been passed by the elected House.

It is regrettable that the Joint Committee on Human Rights has taken this approach to the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill. In my view, a last-minute, one-off and narrow evidence session is woefully inadequate. My letter to the Chair of the JCHR in full 👇

Out in Ripon this afternoon with Lord Dick Newby, lending a hand to Tom and the team in the Ripon City Council by-election. Lots of positive conversations on the doorstep!

Great evening knocking on doors in Bilton Woodfield. Lots of people said, “But there aren’t any elections!” True - not until 2027! But Lib Dems never stop working for our area. We’re out all year, not just at election time.

This afternoon, I joined Liberal Democrat colleagues to block Nigel Farage’s Bill, which would have ripped up people’s rights and withdrawn the UK from the ECHR. We will keep fighting for our freedoms – the UK will not become a Trump-style America.

Veterans dedicate their lives to protecting our country, yet often they’re left without the support they need. The Armed Forces Covenant is meant to protect them - but it’s failing. Words on paper mean nothing without action. The Govt must act now to ensure no veteran is left to struggle alone.

🗓️ The planning committee has deferred a decision on Harrogate Spring Water’s proposed expansion, kicking the can down the road instead of standing up for our precious woodland. 1/3

This weekend, I was on BBC Look North to discuss key issues, including: ⚡ Energy & Nuclear Power – Households and businesses need relief on energy bills now. Nuclear can help bridge the gap as we scale up clean, renewable alternatives. 🧵1/3

Last week, I spoke in Parliament on cancer care & NHS workforce challenges. ✅Urged action to make the NHS a sustainable, rewarding career. ✅Highlighted Harrogate Hospital & Community Charity’s support for patients & staff. ✅Recognised the excellent work at the Robert Ogden Centre. 🎥Watch more

🚨 Big decision THIS WEEK! 🚨 💧 Harrogate Spring Water wants to expand, and chop down Rotary Wood to do it. ❌ I’ve objected to the plans, but I want to know what YOU think. 🗳️ My friend Andrew at Suffrago is polling local people - have your say here👇 suff.ag/QEQ1P4

🌟Great to highlight the incredible work of the Great Start in Life Foundation in Parliament. 👏They do vital work supporting the health and wellbeing of children and young people. 🚨 But the Government must step up too - and properly invest in public health services for young people.

I’m deeply frustrated by the Government’s decision to delay SEND reform until 2026. Parents in Harrogate and Knaresborough are exhausted by a broken system that keeps letting them down. They’ve waited long enough – they cannot wait any longer. This crisis needs urgent action, not more delays.

Today, I challenged the govt to urgently add China to the toughest level of the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme. With growing evidence of covert influence in our political system & institutions, this step is crucial to close loopholes & reinforce the UK’s defences, safeguarding our democracy.

☕️Great to join Macmillan’s Coffee Morning in Parliament - a valuable chance to hear from people living with cancer, NHS staff and community groups. 💚Macmillan do incredible work supporting people living with cancer - I’ll keep backing their vital efforts in Parliament and locally.

Great to catch up with WASPI campaigners and hear about their ongoing fight for justice. Successive governments have let down millions of women with unfair pension changes – and this one is no different. I’ll keep standing with WASPI until they get the compensation and justice they deserve.

It’s a real blow to farmers that the govt won’t reverse the family farm tax. The budget was a chance to act, especially after one of the worst harvests on record, but the Chancellor failed to step up. I’ll keep fighting this unfair tax hike & standing up for rural communities too often overlooked.

I attended a drop-in on Natasha’s Law - a landmark change improving food allergen labelling in the UK. It’s helped people with allergies trust that what they buy is clearly labelled & safe. But Natasha’s Law is just the start - there’s still more to do to protect those living with food allergies.

I’ve tabled an amendment to the English Devolution Bill to give Yorkshire the powers it deserves. With an economy rivalling Wales and a population matching Scotland, it’s time decisions on transport, health, and education were made here – not in Westminster. 👇Read more:

Last week, I joined ITV’s Last Orders to discuss a range of key issues, including: ⚡The urgent need for a clear and credible plan to deliver net zero 1/3

🏫 Great to visit Coppice Valley Primary to hear about plans for a new nursery funded through govt investment. 📚The project will help meet growing demand, support local families & strengthen early years education. 🤝Similar investment is needed for private & voluntary nursery providers too.

Spend Sunday afternoon helping my mum and the Lib Dem team, and got a roast dinner in return - not a bad deal!

Picked up some grub for the weekend from Fodder

Productive morning in Knaresborough with councillors Hannah Gostlow, Matt Walker and Andy Bell. Knocking on doors and hearing directly from residents about the issues that matter most.

🚍 The Council’s school transport changes have blindsided families, left schools scrambling, and forced some parents to give up work. ❌ The policy is unfair, communication chaotic – and its rural communities paying the price. 🗣 Families deserve better. I’ll keep fighting for a fairer system.