I was privileged to spend the weekend visiting members of our Armed Forces in Estonia. While we enjoy Christmas festivities over the coming days, they’re working hard close to Europe’s eastern flank. They’re integrated with our Estonian & French allies as part of NATO’s Forward Land Forces. 1/2

[email protected] claims it’s the home of free speech, but they do lean heavily to the right. Will they commit to allowing a Liberal Democrat to host a show next year to balance out Farage, Rees-Mogg and Anderson? I challenged Christopher ‘Chopper’ Hope to set an ambitious goal for 2026.

Violence against women & girls is a stain on society. Misogyny online continues to spread, all while Nigel Farage publicly describes Andrew Tate as an "important voice" for men. I asked the Home Secretary what steps she and the Minister are taking to progress halving violence against women & girls.

Many of you will be aware that our councils are being abolished. That raises lots of questions about how services like bins, planning and licensing will be delivered by a new Unitary Authority. 1/4

Trump is coming after our BBC. He’s suing it for $10 billion, and the Conservatives and Reform are cheering him on. The BBC must not pay Trump a penny. Instead of rolling over, it should sue Trump back for the lies he’s telling about it.

I am a huge supporter of improving exercise and sport in our schools. Increasing the provision of physical education is something I pushed for in my previous role as Lib Dem Culture, Media and Sport spokesperson. I continue to believe in it. Sport is for everyone. 1/2

I joined Andy Steadman on the Christmas post rounds this morning 🎁🎅🏻 Andy has been working as a postie for 40 years and is a well-known face around Battledown. Thanks to Andy and all our posties for grafting over the busy Christmas period🎄

It was a privilege to visit CCP today to drop off donations for its Hamper Scamper appeal🎁 It’s the first year my team has organised a donation point for the appeal. I am blown away by the generosity, particularly as the cost-of-living continues to pressure us all. Thank you to everyone who donated.

I hosted another productive meeting of my MP and Business Network this morning. This time we were the guests of the Everyman Theatre. 35+ local businesses were represented - the biggest number to date. The hot topic was (of course) the Budget, but there was also optimism & drive for 2026. 1/2

I enjoyed a lively debate at the Demos Collaborative Democracy Network event this week. The topic up for discussion at the national think tank was about how best to make citizens’ voices heard in a moment of declining trust in politics. You can watch the recording here: m.youtube.com/watch?v=UEvF...

Our democracy is under threat. Unless we ditch our outdated voting system, the next election risks allowing Nigel Farage into Number 10 on the “pull of a one-armed bandit” gambling machine. I asked the Leader of the House to back the Lib Dem elections bill when it returns to Parliament in January.

ICYMI: The moment Parliament voted to back our bill on a UK-EU customs union. The Prime Minister must listen to Parliament.

I popped into some of Cheltenham's small businesses to say 'thank you' on Small Business Saturday this weekend. Rosie at Favourite Beers gave me a warm welcome and recommended some tasty drinks for December, too. Cheers to all the small business owners who make our town what it is! 🍻 🍻 🍻

🎄🎅Great to be out spreading some cheer and delivering my Christmas card in Gas Green yesterday. Thanks to Jackie, Marg, Chris, Jonathan and many others for joining me.

SMEs and sole traders are the backbone of our economy. The recent Budget did little to help them invest and grow. This Small Business Saturday, I’ve been reflecting on how I can further support Cheltenham’s brilliant small businesses. 1/2

Small & medium sized businesses in Cheltenham shouldn’t shoulder the burden of national economic failures anymore. Last week’s budget ignored Brexit’s impact & chose to penalise business owners even more. I shared stories of two Cheltenham business owners during my Budget Debate speech yesterday 1/2

The government is ignoring the massive Brexit problem while putting up taxes and attacking businesses. Who is benefitting? Nigel Farage as usual. My speech in today's budget debate 👇

Congratulations to the team at The Hatherley pub. Their Sticky Toffee Pudding won my Cheltenham Pudding Playoff online vote for National British Pudding Day! It was lovely to present Fleur, Kate and Jake with the award. Even better was the chance to taste the winning pud itself!

 I had a fun, if wobbly, session in the cold to celebrate the opening of Cheltenham’s Christmas Ice Rink. It’s a project I worked on as a councillor and I’m pleased to say the progress we made on reducing carbon output by using a battery and alternative fuels is still being enjoyed.

I convened a meeting to discuss the future of our town centre. I was joined by representatives of the Civic Society, Historic England, Borough Council, County Council, local planning experts, architects, environmental campaigners and building owners. 1/3

This is botched Budget, from a government that is hiking taxes on ordinary families instead of going for growth by fixing our trade with Europe.

Ahead of tomorrow's Budget, I held a meeting with local hospitality businesses to hear their concerns. We've already lost too many wonderful cafes & restaurants in Cheltenham – the devastating impact of increased business rates and NI from the last Budget, in addition to years of Brexit chaos. 1/2

Politicians in other parties won’t talk about it, but we had a more workable immigration system when we were in the EU. Labour finally admitted Brexit has been a disaster for the economy, so I asked the Home Secretary if she would admit it had been a disaster for immigration & asylum policy too. 1/2

High streets are struggling, with pubs, restaurants and cafés shutting their doors. Cutting VAT on hospitality and energy would put money back in people’s pockets, support local jobs, and give the country a much-needed boost.

Polls suggest that Nigel Farage is heading for 10 Downing Street on a vote share of just 30%. It beggars belief that Labour is still committed to an outdated, undemocratic voting system that would see the hard right stroll into government on a minority of the vote.

I had a wonderful morning at Warden Hill Primary School to meet the winner of my Christmas card competition & other pupils. Congratulations to Bea for her brilliant festive picture of Pittville Pump Room! Well done to all the children who entered. It was a very close vote & you all did brilliantly.

People have had enough of delays through Charlton Kings caused by crucial work on the A40 at Spring Bridge. I asked the Transport Secretary whether there’s help for councils that discover big problems during this work and if she would join me in asking for one lane to be reopened ASAP.

There’s been too much pre-budget speculation. That’s bad for business. I raised the concerns of Cheltenham businesses with the Chief Secretary to the Treasury in Parliament.

"Leaving the ECHR would do nothing to halt small boat crossings, but it would deny British people hard-won rights." @MaxWilkinson.bsky.social

Ahead of the Budget, I'm backing Lib Dem plans for an emergency VAT cut for hospitality. Hospitality is Cheltenham's heart. We’ve already seen too many wonderful independent restaurants & cafes close, hammered by the jobs tax & higher business rates bills. It’s devastating we’ve reached this point.

It’s good news that Police and Crime Commissioners are being scrapped. That’s a long-term Liberal Democrat campaign. Policing must not be politicised. Following the news, I have written to Gloucestershire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Chris Nelson. Chris and I aren’t politically aligned… 1/2

I enjoyed my visit to Art Union Cheltenham last weekend. It was great to view all the artwork and gifts by local artists on sale and to hear more about owners Tracey and Tom’s experiences running a small business this past year. I’ll be popping back for Christmas gifts very soon 🎄🎁

I’ve been speaking up for local maternity services since before I was elected as Cheltenham’s MP. Today, I asked the Prime Minister for reassurance that a temporary downgrade of the Aveta Birth Centre in 2022 under a Conservative government will not become permanent under Labour. 1/2

During my speech in the Commons the day after the Cambridgeshire attack, I called out those who sought to use it for political gain or stoke further division. You can watch my full speech and the angry heckling of the Shadow Home Secretary over on Facebook: www.facebook.com/share/v/1D8X...

I was invited to appear on Sky News Politics Hub earlier this week. I challenged the idea that drilling in the North Sea would make our energy bills cheaper. It will make almost no difference to our bills. The Lib Dem plan to decouple wholesale gas prices from our energy bills would do so much more.

Every year the Speaker of the House of Commons opens a Garden of Remembrance in Parliament. This week, I’ve placed a cross in the Garden on behalf of the people of Cheltenham. We will remember them.

I was proud to take part in the annual Parliamentary Poppy Ride run by the IPT and the Royal British Legion. The event helps to raise awareness of and support for the Poppy Appeal. Please go to rbl.org.uk to donate and support our Armed Forces community.

Nigel Farage has just flip-flopped on the vague and unrealistic economic plan he had. But the main thing we must all remember is that his last big idea was Brexit and that was a disaster for the economy, as I reminded Sky’s Politics Hub this week.

Thank you to the person who sent me the latest ‘Next PM’ odds. I can let you all into a secret: I’m not a candidate for that job. But it’s reassuring to know that the bookies think I’m more likely to get the public’s support than Liz Truss!

I enjoyed the rare pleasure of some time sitting down at the Margaret Dabbs Cheltenham clinic last week, to mark #BritishBeautyWeek. I’m always keen to support local businesses. While I’m not what you might call a ‘typical’ customer, I was very pleased to be invited along. My feet were pleased too!

I spent an inspiring evening celebrating student successes at Balcarras School. It was an honour to be part of prizegiving evening and to enjoy musical items by students Jasmine Went & Ben Skeet. Thank you to headteacher Dominic Burke for inviting me & a big ‘congratulations’ to the prize winners.

We just defeated Nigel Farage’s Bill in Parliament to tear up people’s rights and withdraw from the ECHR. Farage wants to do away with the Britain Churchill built and turn it into a version of Trump's America. We stopped him.

I will continue to call out racist and hateful speech. It has no place in our country and certainly not in our Parliament.

Huge ‘thanks’ and congratulations to the Allstar Passion cheerleading squad for inviting me to the opening of their new training centre at the Bramery Business Park. Squad leader PK and her coaches are doing a fantastic job. I can tell you from experience that cheerleading gives you a real ‘high’.

🚲 Bike theft has effectively been decriminalised. The British Transport Police have said that bike thefts outside London railway stations will not be investigated if they have been locked for more than two hours! @MaxWilkinson.bsky.social speaks to commuters 🔽

You may know that I’ve joined the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme to ensure I’m doing all I can to be better briefed on matters relating to defence. I learn a huge amount from the scheme. I’m always impressed, but never surprised, by the quality & commitment of the servicemen and women I meet. 1/2

Labour suggestions that 13 year old children should have to have a digital ID card is simply wrong. Home Affairs Spokesperson @MaxWilkinson.bsky.social sets out why Lib Dems will continue to oppose mandatory digital ID.

It was lovely meeting local business owner Jean Grogan at the School House Café. Jean handmakes vintage-style miniature mohair teddy bears that sell all over the world. She shared with me how Brexit & changes to tariffs & trade deals have greatly impacted her business, Little Scruffs. 1/2

A ceasefire in Gaza must be the first step towards a two-state solution and a lasting peace.

I visited the Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice for Hospice Care Week to meet with staff and service users. It was wonderful to hear about the success of their ‘Take a Breath’ pilot course, which helps people receiving care for breathing conditions get more enjoyment from life. 1/3