This week I planted a cross in the Remembrance Garden to honour those from Mid Dorset and North Poole who made the ultimate sacrifice. Today I’ll attend services across the constituency. We will remember them.

So proud of Elliot, who did work experience with me, for speaking in the UK Youth Parliament this week! He said the experience gave him “a real insight into politics.” Get in touch if you’d like to do work experience too!

Last chance to get your tickets for our dazzling Bangers n Mash Quiz Night with yours truly as quizmaster! All welcome, if you don’t have a team we will join you up with others tinyurl.com/MDNPLibDemQuiz

I’ve launched my Pub of the Year competition to celebrate our fantastic local pubs and raise awareness of the challenges this vital sector faces This week I warned that business rates reform, which is needed, must not come at the expense of local councils, which are also under financial pressure

Best of luck to the faithful tonight. We’ve all had enough of deception and lies this year...

More than 80 million calls to HMRC have gone unanswered over the past decade. This week I challenged the Minister on HMRC’s delays after a constituent in Wimborne waited seven months for a £300 tax refund. It’s time for faster support for taxpayers.

Today I took part in the annual Poppy Ride with the Royal British Legion — a 10-hour challenge where MPs and Peers each cycle for five minutes to support the Poppy Appeal. I managed 2.92km in 5 minutes… and I didn’t come last! You can support the Royal British Legion here: buff.ly/KSIKZME

Remember, remember the fifth of November, and the original Traitor — Guy Fawkes 🎇 This week marks a moment to reflect on one of the most serious threats to British democracy in our history. Thankfully, the crisis was averted, and here in Parliament, we continue to work Faithfully.

As we look ahead to Remembrance Sunday, we must also remember our debt to those who have served more recently. After hearing from local veterans, I raised concerns with the Minister about the significant delays in payments under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme for those injured during service

Now this would be a good pitch for entering my MDNP Pub of the Year Vote ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️ tinyurl.com/MDNPPubOfYr www.swanage.news/michael-mcin...

Here's a snapshot of just some of what I got up to last week. (Can you spot me?) Swipe to see more. #politics #ukpolitics #weeklyroundup #dorset #mdnp

Really pleased to join Sysco GB and Meals & More in Parliament for their “Tackling Child Food Poverty” event. We discussed how to build on the Holiday Activities and Food programme, which is vital for so many families. Every child should have access to food during the holidays.

🌿 Congratulations to Stewarts Garden Centres in Dorset, celebrating 70 years since opening the UK’s first garden centre in Ferndown! 🎉 I was honoured to recognise their achievements with an Early Day Motion in Parliament. Read more here how they marked the milestone here 👉 buff.ly/yoTrqvu

🎭 Fab to see acting royalty Larry Lamb at Gulliver’s Bookshop in Wimborne on his national tour for his debut novel All Wrapped Up! I first met Larry at a Marie Curie event in Parliament and suggested the visit. Good news, he’s promised to return to Dorset next year!

Another brilliant Broadstone Art Society Exhibition. Final chance to visit 10am until midday Sunday 2nd Nov at Broadstone Youth Club Huge congrats to artist David Roberts who has been appointed as Artist in Residence for the Lord Lieutenant of Dorset to document in art the civic events attended

📈 My latest article, “GP Wait Times in Dorset Reach Record High,” is now on my website. “Since January, over 377,000 GP appointments in Dorset have had wait-times of more than 28 days, a staggering 165% increase compared to five years ago.” To read the rest, follow the link 👇

After hearing from residents frustrated by delays with DVLA after medical disclosures, I’ve called for the system to be modernised. It’s not right that people with medical conditions face slower processing — sometimes losing their ability to drive as a result. I will be seeking a debate on this. 🚗

Really moving to attend a workshop for “In My Shoes” at Dorset Museum to mark National Care Leavers Month The exhibition includes a display of poems, shoes and reflections to better understand views & experiences or Care Experienced YP - on until 7th Nov www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/news/come-an...

🎆 Firework season is here! While fun for many, fireworks can cause real distress for pets, wildlife & people sensitive to loud noise — my dog Todd included 🐶💛 Taking a few simple precautions can make a big difference in keeping animals calm and safe. Advice from Dogs Trust: buff.ly/0RO4uiU

Huge congratulations to Dr Anjana Khatwa on her new book Whispers of Rock, exploring how geology shapes both our planet and human culture. Her work through the Jurassic Coast Trust and Dorset Race Equality Council has inspired so many locally. Proud to recognise her in Parliament!

I joined the CAFOD Gaza Crisis event at David Lloyd Poole last week, where together we collectively lifted over 100 tonnes, or 5 Hercules filled with aid. Earlier this week in Parliament, I highlighted CAFOD’s incredible work CAFOD are 64% of the way to their target.

I launched my Pub of the Year competition to highlight a sector that’s really struggling Today I asked the Minister to consider a lower rate for Employer National Insurance Contributions to help reverse the impact of Labour’s jobs tax, which is hitting pubs and the wider hospitality industry hard

We’ve just defeated Nigel Farage’s attempt to tear up people’s rights by taking the UK out of the ECHR. The Liberal Democrats will always defend the freedoms and liberal values that define our country.

It’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month Today, I joined the Breast Cancer Now event, where I heard from inspiring supporters with lived experience, including Sophie Blake. I learned more about the charity’s work, the impact of breast cancer in Dorset and how I can best support residents.

I asked the Minister today what actions his department is taking to help end the violence against Palestinians while a two-state solution is being negotiated. Every act of violence makes peace and progress harder to achieve.

A look back at some of my activities from last week. Swipe to see more. #politics #ukpolitics #weeklyroundup #Dorset

📜 What is a Bill Committee? Since Tuesday 14th October, I’ve had the pleasure of scrutinising the Devolution Bill line by line with colleagues every Tuesday and Thursday. Watch to find out what a Bill Committee is, and why it’s a crucial part of the law-making process.

Racism has no place in parliament or society. Farage must suspend the whip

Go Magpies! Congrats Wimborne Town winning their cup game 1-0 … excited to see who they will face next

How thoroughly unpleasant … how does she think non white British born families felt for decades being invisible on TV. Our diversity is our strength

I’m launching my search for Mid Dorset and North Poole’s Pub of the Year 2025! Nominate your favourite local by 28th November and help celebrate the pubs and publicans at the heart of our communities. Vote here www.vikkislade.uk Cheers, Vikki

Make that 1/2 tonne - I had another go so my contribution was worth adding to the total. I hope they manage to raise their goal of £2500 today 💪🏋️‍♀️

Great to join the David Lloyd @cafod.bsky.social Gaza Deadlift challenge Karl & Harry each aiming to lift 19 tonnes - the same weight as a Hercules loaded with aid including baby formula Lots of people having a go-including me, adding just 1/4 tonne to total www.justgiving.com/page/karl-st...

Worth a share … and if you are in the Broadstone area & can buy a toy or two as you shop over the coming weeks please do. Me and my colleague collect for children in care across @bcpcouncil.bsky.social drop off to Broadstone Liberal Hall

🌍 It’s Climate Action Day! The recent wildfires show how urgent it is to protect our planet. Today I joined BCP Council to launch their Local Area Energy Plan and helped plant bulbs — small steps that make a big difference. Do one thing for the planet today. 🌱

Double victory in Somerset last night plus gains in Devon & Birmingham. Taking seats from Labour, Cons & Independents 🔶🔶🔶

We all put in for PMQ weekly ballot - and if unsuccessful & have an urgent issue we can “bob” - that’s how it works. He knows that but he assumes that the public don’t. It makes me angry that Farage barely turns up for debates, takes little interest in most issues & then bleats he’s hard done by

Sending lots of 🍀🍀🍀 to my Somerset friends today for the by-elections in Glastonbury & in Dunston … great to pop over and help out last weekend. Let’s show people we don’t want Reform here 🔶🔶🔶🔶🔶 @libdems.org.uk

Following the incredibly wet weather we experienced last weekend, I am pleased that the recent works I campaigned for have ensured that the Bakers Arms Roundabout remained operational and traffic flowed freely. There is more to do to ensure it remains flood-free. I will keep pushing.

I know my constituents will be worried by this-though for some who fear things will worsen it may be seen as a reprieve Councils were waiting as they prepare 2026/7 budget so this adds more uncertainty I will keep speaking up for SEND & seeking investment for children tinyurl.com/Send-Reform-...

Concerned residents have been contacting me about unauthorised development on this site in Lytchett. I have contacted Planning Enforcement at Dorset Council to request an immediate stop order and investigation. www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/2556169...

Really disappointed that given all the recent murmours from labour about the EU, when given the chance the Gov still won’t be bold

With Parliament closed for most of September for conference season, I’ve focused on local priorities in Dorset. From walking the beat with Dorset Police to campaigning for better SEND support — it’s all in this month’s round-up. Read the update and sign up for future newsletters 👉 buff.ly/DTusxZr

This is tragic & a damning indictment on mental health services. I hope the mental health bill that we passed this wk will prevent such tragedies like Cerys & also Ruth who was only 14 & received similar poor treatment, again a long way from home & isolated from family www.bbc.com/news/article...

What kept me busy last week. Swipe to see more. #politics #ukpolitics #weeklyroundup #dorset #mdnp

Free childcare was a worthy ambition, but in this instance, the reality hasn't matched the promise. Today I raised the case of my constituent, Seb, whose childcare costs have risen by £500 since Labour’s changes. I pressed the Minister on this and secured a commitment for Seb’s case to be reviewed.

Wishing you and your family a Diwali filled with light, laughter, and endless joy.

I recently watched Hopefool at Wimborne Community Centre, a powerful play on peace in a time of conflict by Vita Nova, a community a theatre group supporting those in drug recovery, asylum seekers and at-risk groups. They do fantastic work giving many a creative outlet and sense of community.

2 in 5 hospices are planning cuts this year, and half of children’s hospices may be forced to reduce or even stop providing care within six months if new funding isn’t guaranteed. In Dorset, Julia’s House Children’s Hospice and Lewis-Manning Hospice rely on donations to stay open. This is wrong.

Huge congratulations to Andy & his team for winning Best Pub in Dorset at the Dorset Tourism Awards 2025 for The Old Thatch Wimborne! 🍻 It was great to catch up with Andy today, who runs my local, The Goods Yard in Broadstone.