More than 11,000 people have signed our petition to urgently restore North Devon's local maternity services. This week's news has shocked our whole community, and then gripped regional and national media in turn. You can add your name to the campaign here: www.ianroome.uk/campaigns/sa...

My national plea to obstetricians and gynaecologists to come and work in North Devon on BBC Radio 5 Live Drive yesterday evening. Our community needs you, and you could help us secure the future of local maternity services.

‼Help Protect North Devon's Maternity Services ‼ ✍️ www.ianroome.uk/campa.../sav... ✍️ There will be a temporary suspension of births at North Devon District Hospital from Tuesday 11th August 2026, due to a critical shortage of consultant obstetricians and gynaecologists in the area.

The government has finally made a decision on Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) last week, and their plan is a car crash waiting to happen. Labour lumped North Devon into a giant 'Rest of Devon' Council covering a vast geographical area nearly 70 miles across...

On Saturday I joined Barnstaple Bowling Club for their 125th Anniversary. Mixed teams from Barnstaple, Bideford, Combe Martin, Ilfracombe and South Molton all gathered for this celebration of a beloved game that accommodates both old and young, and continues to thrive in North Devon.

This week is Armed Forces Week in Parliament - when serving personnel, veterans, and forces charities host a big showcase on behalf of our military community.

Thank you to Families in Grief for inviting me to their 'Say Their Name' art exhibition in Barnstaple, with artwork by bereaved young people and their families in collaboration with local artists. This was an amazing project with some incredibly moving pieces. I highly recommend visiting

My recent letter to the Maritime & Coastguard Agency about the decision to remove payments for Coastguard Rescue Officers. In coastal communities like North Devon, these volunteer CROs are a lifeline.

Shocking news this morning that Defence Secretary John Healey MP - one of the most respected members of the cabinet - has resigned. This should be a giant wake-up call for the Prime Minister.

Great to hear more about the role local Toddler groups do helping prepare children before starting school. They even brought me small stuffed sheep all the way from North Devon - definitely one of the more charming things I've been handed in Westminster!

Today, there will be a vote on my amendment to improve armed forces housing in the Armed Forces Bill. Every person serving our country deserves somewhere decent to live. New Clause 13 would make sure that standard applies across all forces housing #armedforces #military #UKPolitics

I recently helped a veteran in North Devon win back over £2,700 after the DWP wrongly counted his War Pension as income. This begs the obvious question: if it can happen to one veteran, how many more could be affected, and more worrying still, how many may not even realise.

Keir Starmer should condemn Trump’s illegal action in Venezuela. Maduro is a brutal and illegitimate dictator, but unlawful attacks like this make us all less safe. Trump is giving a green light to the likes of Putin and Xi to attack other countries with impunity.

The UK should insist that the Israeli Govt reopens routes for humanitarian aid to reach the population in Gaza who are trying to live amid the destruction. Withholding essential food, shelter and medicine contravenes international humanitarian law. www.bbc.com/news/article...

Israel blocks entry of all humanitarian aid into Gaza

Netanyahu is demanding Hamas agree to a US plan for a ceasefire extension, the Palestinian group says blocking aid is "cheap blackmail".

bbc.com

Yesterday I questioned the Health Secretary on the decision to delay the rebuild of North Devon District Hospital beyond 2035 - this puts critical care services at serious risk before the end of the decade, and #NorthDevon patients deserve better. www.northdevonlibdems.org.uk/news/article...

North Devon MP Sounds Alarm Over Hospital Rebuild Delay

North Devon’s Liberal Democrat MP, Ian Roome, slammed the government following yesterday’s announcement that the start of construction of North Devon District Hospital will be delayed until after 2035...

northdevonlibdems.org.uk

The Defence Committee has released a report on the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), acknowledging its potential while stressing the importance of meeting its ambitious in-service target date of 2035. ukdefencejournal.org.uk/report-highl...

Report highlights challenges for new British stealth jet

The Defence Committee has released a report on the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), acknowledging its potential while stressing the importance of meeting its ambitious in-service target date of 2035.

ukdefencejournal.org.uk

This is a fantastic result for us in North Devon. Welcome Becky to the Lib Dem team.

ALDC@assoclibdemcllrs.bsky.social · 2y ago

NORTH DEVON DC: Instow Ward LIBDEM GAIN FROM CON 🔶 LibDem, Becky Coombs, 197, 38% 🔵 Con, 166, 32% ➡️ Reform, 99, 17% 🔘 Ind, 49, 9% 🟢 Grn, 17, 4% Huge congratulations to new Councillor Becky Coombs and her 🔶 team🥇🏆🍾

Millions of people are being forced to wait in pain for weeks just to even see their GP. The lack of GP appointments is leading to unnecessary hospital admissions, straining A&E and costing the NHS even more money. It cannot continue.

The new government has turned its back on pension-age women who were wronged through no fault of their own, ignoring the Ombudsman’s recommendations. The Conservatives left our economy in a shambles, but asking those wronged pensioners to pay the price is wrong.

Government's WASPI decision is heartless and wrong - Steve Darling MP responds

The new government has turned its back on millions of pension-age women who were wronged through no fault of their own, ignoring the independent Ombudsman’s ...

youtu.be

Pleased to see the Government finally acting in this area: the 'local connection' test was always especially hard on veterans. We should be doing everything we can to help ensure those who serve, and forces families, can access housing. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Veterans get social housing priority in rule change

Councils will now have to put veterans at the top of the list for social housing and waive rules requiring a local connection.

bbc.co.uk