@maxwilkinson.bsky.social writes: Free speech, immigration and X, FAO Katie Lam www.libdemvoice.org/max-wilkinso...

My largely dormant X account has been busy the last few days. It seems right wing commentator Alison Pearson, Conservative MP and the the US Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy have leapt upon some comments I made on immigration in December 2025... 1/2

🚨Campaign progress🚨 After working hard in Parliament to lobby ministers for the £71.5m funding needed to upgrade J10 of the M5, I visited the construction compound. The project will unlock thousands of jobs at Golden Valley & help our town thrive in future. It’s brilliant to see work underway.

🌞Sunshine Bill Win!🌞 Today, the government announced that from 2028 all newbuild homes will come with solar panels as standard. This follows my private member’s bill last year calling for exactly that. I’m so pleased to have contributed to a meaningful law change law so early in my term as an MP.

America, under Trump, is no longer the reliable ally that is once was. We need our own independent nuclear deterrent. @maxwilkinson.bsky.social

Last week I shared my concerns about the confusion around impending Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) and devolution for our area. I asked the Leader of the House of Commons if he agreed with me that current proposals don't make sense. 1/3

I asked business ministers for their views on the future of Cavendish House. It’s not right that outside investors sit on valuable property while our high streets are crying out for regeneration and investment. I’m pleased ministers agreed with me that sites should not be left vacant.

I was invited to appear on GBNews for PMQs Live this week. While the channel is not to my taste, I agreed to attend in the spirit of open debate. It also gave me a chance to challenge the channel on its pro-Reform party agenda. The discussion was in good spirits, though I think I touched a nerve.

Last week I visited the Army Air Corps at Middle Wallop as part of my work with the Armed Forces Parliament Scheme. Rising global tensions mean that our national security is more important than ever. As a Parliamentarian, I have a responsibility to stay informed. 1/2

I attended a brilliant event at the Stanton Room in Charlton Kings, called ‘The Air We Breathe’. The volunteers present shared local air quality data and offered practical ways we can make the air we breathe cleaner and healthier for everyone.

Interference in our democracy, foreign or domestic, is something we must move quicker on. Recent cases, including disgraced Reform politician Nathan Gill working for the Russian government and Peter Mandelson sharing information with Epstein, are two examples of where current processes failed. 1/3

🏇 Race week brings huge investment to Cheltenham and sustains a lot of our local businesses. But it also presents challenges. I have been working for years to clean up bad behaviour by a minority of racegoers. My message to racegoers this week - have fun, spend money, and please respect our town.

This week, I hosted the Naturewatch Foundation in Parliament. They have a campaign about the availability of catapult and slingshot weapons. I was alarmed to learn that these high-powered weapons are legally available to anyone, including children. 1/2

I recently visited Fitszoo in Regent Arcade to discuss business rates with the owner, Max. The store sells vintage clothes and has an amazing collection of classic football shirts and memorabilia (a passion of mine in a former life). 1/2

Potholes, potholes & more potholes… I’ve asked the county council to come to Cheltenham for a public meeting to talk about what they’re doing to improve road maintenance. In the meantime, let me know areas that need attention in the comments below or by emailing [email protected]

I love trying new ways to stay happy, fit & healthy. So I was delighted to receive an invitation to join Laura & the Kitchen Disco Fit squad’s ‘rebounding’ class at Cheltenham Cricket Club. It turned out to be a full body workout on a small trampoline - I promise it’s easy to avoid falling off!

This National Apprenticeship Week I met Archie, a construction engineer with an important job: nuclear decommissioning. He went to Winchcombe School before studying engineering, physics & maths. Now, he’s working at the Berkeley Nuclear Reactor – an impressive role so early in his career. 1/2

My response to Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Sky News interview 👇

Last week, Cheltenham train users noticed something unusual - a service from London taking just 1 hour & 34 minutes! The standard service is two hours, which leads many local people to drive to Swindon, Kingham and Kemble for quicker journeys & cheaper fares. 1/2

I run the Cheltenham MP and Business Forum to ensure I have an open channel with local businesses. Yesterday, I raised an urgent concern with ministers on behalf of Rendesco, in the hope of securing contracts to make our area more prosperous. 1/2

Experts left and right have warned about the impact rapidly decreasing net migration will have on our economy and public services. I agree that we need a controlled system, but we can’t afford to put our economy or NHS at risk.

Tories & Reform are toying with the idea of a Trump-style ICE force for Britain. I asked the Labour Home Secretary to reassure British people there wouldn’t be a UK ICE force & to condemn Trump's tactics. She said she didn’t pay attention to what happens in America. I’m shocked at her blasé answer.

The ECHR protects our right to privacy, freedom of expression, family life and a fair trial, among so many other things. For the past couple of days, I’ve been with a cross-party delegation to Strasbourg with the All Party Parliamentary Group on Migration. 1/2

Recently, I've been fortunate to meet some of the incredible charities & community groups we have in Cheltenham. I met with local representatives of the ME/CFS friendship group in Gloucestershire. Parliament must work faster to ensure sufferers have access to proper healthcare and support. 1/3

It was a pleasure to meet with SLT & volunteers at Cheltenham-based charity CCP. I visited the Community Pantry, with its own polytunnel growing fresh fruit & veg to buy. I also saw inside one of its ChelPods, self-contained accommodations providing safety, privacy & dignity for people in need. 1/2

It’s time to end the Peter Mandelson charade. The government should boot him out of the House of Lords for good. I asked the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister to bring forward legislation to do just that.

The damage caused by Brexit was never going to be confined to one area of policy. It’s now clear that potential defence investment is being hobbled by the failed Brexit deal. For the sake of our economy and our security, we badly need a much more urgent approach to reintegration with the EU.

Signing the Holocaust Book of Commitment on Holocaust Memorial Day in Parliament is a profoundly moving experience. 1/2

The ‘temporary’ closure of the Aveta Birth Centre in Cheltenham to labour and births almost four years ago continues to impact the choices of women who want to give birth locally. Today at Women and Equalities Questions I asked ministers to look again at the issue and to push for a full reopening.

At one of my surgery appointments last week, a constituent came to see me to discuss her long-term issues with the Child Maintenance Service. I am pleased to share that earlier this week I raised the issue with Ministers in Parliament and they have agreed to look into her case. 1/2

I've written to the Minister for Policing and Crime to urgently request that Gloucestershire Constabulary be given the financial resources it needs for 2026/27. My letter followed a briefing by local officials which advised of the need for a one-off £10.5m grant & extra budgetary resourcing. 1/2

Another Tory has defected to Reform. What a surprise! The two parties share the same agenda (that’s no secret). But the characters who have joined Reform won’t provide any platform for government, or do anything to improve our country, as I told @lbc.co.uk earlier today. 1/2

Last night, I shared the stage at Balcarras with Ellen Roome MBE to talk about online safety for our children. Almost 200 people attended the event - a clear sign that this issue is increasingly important among parents, grandparents and education professionals. 1/4

Sign my petition to keep children safer online by banning under-16s from social media: www.maxwilkinson.org/ageratings The message to social media giants is clear: if your platform spreads harmful content or relies on addictive and algorithms, you should not be allowed anywhere near our children.

Rejuvenating our town centre is a key aim - that means filling empty spaces with shops & leisure outlets, & much-needed new homes. The short-term pop-up shops have been brilliant at keeping Cavendish House alive. I'm sad to see them go & I hope the talented businesspeople find a new home soon. 1/2

Where we have led on calling for closer integration with Europe, others are following - including senior members of government. Our allies are more important than ever. Liberal Democrats will continue to make the case for closer relations with Europe to boost our economy, defence and security.

I’m delighted to have heard the news that after my campaigning work in Parliament, funding has been approved for Junction 10 of the M5. This is great news for ensuring the Golden Valley development can reach its potential, supporting thousands of new jobs in cyber and tech. 1/3

I'm hoping for "spades in the ground sometime this summer” – that’s what I told BBC Radio Gloucestershire when we spoke about the latest progress towards the Golden Valley development. Final planning for the first phase of the Golden Valley development was submitted last week. 1/3

Speaking to lots of people in the Rissingtons Ward, North Cotswolds ahead of Thursday’s by election. Great response for Craig Thurling! @libdems.org.uk @maxwilkinson.bsky.social @libdemcam.bsky.social

I’m backing Lib Dem plans for a film-style age rating system on social media channels. For too long, parents have struggled to properly protect their children online while social media giants continue to profit. Online safeguarding is incredibly important. 1/2

Following the recent unsatisfactory West Midlands Police appearance at the Home Affairs select committee, we have written to the IOPC to ask for an investigation into what went wrong in the decision-making process leading up to the decision to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from Villa Park.

I’m a longstanding supporter of our Lido. It’s a brilliant heritage asset that helps us all stay happy & healthy too. I took time out of my weekend to try one of its newest activities - the Nordic Experience. It was as cold & refreshing as it looks (but I found the sauna part much more comfortable)!

With so much international turbulence and uncertainty, it’s vital we maintain strong links with NATO allies. We have important defence and security links with our allies in Estonia. I was interested to learn more on a recent visit to Tapa Camp, where UK Armed Forces are stationed. 1/2

I’m calling on Ofcom to restrict UK access to Elon Musk’s X until the platform puts an end to the production of sickening abusive AI images. A line has been crossed & it’s time for the regulator to show it has some teeth. Honestly, I can’t believe the government hasn’t acted. It beggars belief.

It's been nearly a year since I presented my Sunshine Bill to Parliament, gaining widespread cross-party and industry support. Ministers accepted the principle that solar panels come as standard on all new build homes. I asked Ministers when the government will follow through on their commitment.

There’s a big debate in this country about immigration, but it’s missing one important point. I asked the Home Secretary why she thought such large numbers of working age Brits were leaving the country. The failed Tory Brexit, a fear of Farage’s Reform or Labour’s poor record? 1/2

As we look forward to 2026, I've been reflecting on 2025. I'm proud of my team for their dedication & commitment to helping me serve the people of Cheltenham. We're going into 2026 more determined than ever to work hard on behalf of every constituent. Wishing you a peaceful & prosperous New Year🎉

One of my constituency casework team is moving to a new job in Parliament, so I’m looking for a new caseworker. Could it be you? If you enjoy a fast-paced environment, thrive on a bit of politics & would like to help me serve the people of Cheltenham, please apply: www.w4mpjobs.org/JobDetails.a...