It’s time for the Cheltenham Cricket Festival - the oldest cricket festival in the world starts this weekend. You can get your tickets here: www.gloscricket.co.uk/towergate-ch...

FIRST PORT - UPDATE I’m genuinely shocked by what I heard last night. We are forming the Cheltenham First Port Action Group. This follows ongoing and significant concerns about the way First Port conducts business in Cheltenham. Many serious concerns were raised at the public meeting I hosted. 1/3

Parliament has broken up for the summer, but my work continues in Cheltenham….starting with the nation’s most successful free public health initiative: parkrun. Thanks to all the volunteers and runners for a warm welcome in Pittville Park.

My question to the Secretary of State today, following the news Cheltenham council will be abolished and replaced by a single council for the whole of Gloucestershire. I remain concerned about the future delivery of local services.

When Andy Burnham takes office, he will say much about empowering regions and local communities. But, as I told BBC Politics West this week, there is more outside London than Manchester. 1/2

After years of build-up it was great to be on-site to break ground at the Golden Valley UK development on Friday. The site will generate thousands of jobs in cyber & tech for Cheltenham, while helping our nation’s defence & resilience. 1/2

Six weeks ago Robert Jenrick asked “where are we?” I told him. Now, I’ve used his words as a reminder of how the Brexit failures of the Tories and Reform are contributing to ruined holidays for British people. He’s been in both parties - so he’ll be well aware of the mess that’s been created.

We shouldn’t indulge Nigel Farage’s tantrum. We are challenging Labour, the Tories and the Green Party to step aside so Nigel looks daft fighting his pointless by-election on his own.

Thank you to everyone who attended my public meeting last night to talk about the state of our roads. Thanks also to @gloucestershirecc.bsky.social's highways department for answering your questions and sharing plans for progress. 1/2

BIG SPACE CANCER APPEAL - CAMPAIGN UPDATE Just out from a meeting with Dr Sam Guglani & Dr Charles Candish, & pleased to share that progress is being made on this important campaign. If you've donated, thank you. If you would like to support the appeal head to: www.justgiving.com/campaign/the...

Score for Liberal Democrat Home Affairs spokesperson @maxwilkinson.bsky.social The Government is now letting pubs stay open for this weekend’s game after he raised the issue in Parliament today! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

⚽I asked ministers to give a blanket licensing exemption to allow pubs to stay open for the Mexico game in the early hours of Monday morning. Sadly, it sounds like the government’s answer is more Mike Bassett than Alf Ramsey. #WorldCup #WorldCup2026

Home insurance companies shouldn’t be allowed to use small print to get out of responsibilities. Sadly, that’s what happened to Cheltenham resident Jackie, whose story I shared yesterday. I'm pleased the Minister accepted my suggestion to remind companies of their responsibility to customers.

The presumptive next PM Andy Burnham has made a career out of bemoaning regional funding inequality. I agree with him, which is why I hope the government will deal with the massive funding inequality experienced by Cheltenham schools.

We had some good news about our online safety campaigns today. Thank you to everyone who has supported the efforts - not least mum and Cheltenham campaigner Ellen Roome, whose courage and determination is so inspiring.

Last week, I was a late substitute in the Commons vs Lords tug of war, in aid of @macmillancancer.bsky.social. I found myself sandwiched between two extremely strong military vets, Labour's Al Carns & Conservative Ben Obese-Jecty, on a team captained by former Foreign Sec James Cleverly. 1/2

Leckhampton Hill is now a National Nature Reserve. That designation, awarded by King Charles III, follows so much hard work by big-hearted volunteers from the Friends of Leckhampton Hill and Charlton Kings Common. I was proud to attend the formal designation ceremony last week.

The Brexit given to us by Nigel Farage and the Tories has failed. But almost a decade on, ministers are still ignoring the reality of the impact it’s had on everything from our economy to immigration. 1/2

Today in Parliament I called on the Home Secretary to join me in telling Vice President JD Vance and Trump’s US Department of Justice to stay out of British politics, our policing and to respect victims of crime like the Nowak family. I think she agreed with me. What do you think?

The government promised to hand power back to communities. But their current approach to devolution involves scrapping local councils like Cheltenham and placing power in the hands of regional mayors who will be more distant from communities. 1/2

Our democracy can only work if every vote counts. Five-party politics is firmly established in the UK (6 in Scotland & Wales). Labour & Conservatives must face reality: people demand proportional voting. I challenged the government on electoral reform so voices are heard equally & seats match votes.

It’s time for a grown up discussion about the future of our nation and our role in the world. My contribution to the King’s Speech debates focused on the problems we are still being caused by the Brexit given to us by Nigel Farage and the Conservatives. 1/3

A UK-EU Customs Union is a vital first step in rebuilding our relationship with Europe. MPs must be free to vote for what is best for our economy and our country. @eddavey.libdems.org.uk has written to the PM urging him to give Labour MPs a free vote on our amendment to the King’s Speech tonight.

It was kind of Robert Jenrick to set me up for an obvious joke at his expense.

🤰🏻Maternity campaign win 👶 This week, after a board meeting of the local health trust, we got the news we’ve been waiting to hear for a long time: the labour & births service at Cheltenham General Hospital will be restored this year. Well done to everyone who has been involved in our campaign.

"I was under no illusion that if I had been given gifts and donations, then I should declare them." @maxwilkinson.bsky.social

We are hoping to hear more news about the restoration of Cheltenham’s labour and births service very soon. I’ve campaigned hard on this women’s healthcare issue to support local families. Watch this space. www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/news/chelten...

'Good progress' in efforts to reopen maternity unit this year

'For more than four years, Cheltenham mums have been deprived of the choice to give birth at their local hospital'

gloucestershirelive.co.uk

Today's #WorldMEDay is focused on medical education, but awareness must lead to action. I’ve heard directly from people living with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis just how devastating this condition can be, and how difficult it is to access the right support, if any at all. 1/3

Many centre ground voters have traditionally voted Conservative, but I know how horrified many are by the prospect of Nigel Farage and the Reform party entering Downing Street. It seems MPs from the Tories and Reform are friends and are now admitting... 1/2