MP for South Devon
Agricultural Property Relief
Since the family farm tax was announced, I’ve met with local farmers and NFU representatives to learn more about how this policy will affect us in South Devon. I also sent out a survey to every farmer in South Devon, and the results I received were devastating. Let’s be clear: the Chancellor’s family farm tax will be a disaster for hard-working farmers across the country who’ve already suffered for years from Conservative cuts. The Liberal Democrats understand that farmers are the backbone of rural communities, and we’ve called for an extra £1bn a year in support to them. I’ve joined Liberal Democrat colleagues in calling on the Secretary of State to consider the implications of the Budget on farming communities, which you can watch on my About page. I also spoke of my support for farmers in my speech during a House of Commons debate on the Budget, and in an appearance on the BBC Politics Show, which you can watch on my News page. I can assure you that I will continue to work with my colleagues and press the Government to reverse this policy immediately. Updated: June 2025
Animal Rights
The Liberal Democrats believe that humans have a responsibility to care appropriately for animals. We should respect animals and understand that every animal has specific inherent needs, regardless of their circumstances. I, and my Liberal Democrat colleagues, absolutely support calls for higher animal welfare standards. We are determined to ensure that the humane treatment of animals is upheld. That’s why we opposed the decision by the previous Conservative government to scrap its planned ban on the imports of fur and foie gras. Given this, I welcome the current government’s calls to strengthen the law on fox hunting and will support any such legislation. On the topic of badger culling, I would first like to say that I would very much like to see an end to the cull. The killing of wild animals is always extremely distressing. However, I am also aware of the distress, both financially and emotionally, caused to farmers when their cattle must be killed due to the transmission of bovine tuberculosis. The mental health crisis among farmers is chilling and many have taken their own lives after losing their herds. While I agree that the science does not universally support the effectiveness of badger culling as a preventative measure, it also does not unambiguously state that such measures are ineffective. Local farmers have reported to me a 60% reduction in incidences of bovine TB since the culls started. While I recognise that this reduction could be a result of improvements in the control of cattle movement and better TB testing, the science at this time remains genuinely inconclusive. We must continue existing trials on new and more accurate TB tests so that farmers can have more confidence in the test and the transmission between cattle is reduced. Date: June 2025
Community Energy
Areas like South Devon have been leaders in community energy and a shining example of what can be achieved with an Energy Local Club. I, and the Liberal Democrats, are strong advocates for community energy. We believe that communities should have the power to generate their own clean, renewable energy, putting them at the heart of the fight against climate change. We are committed to making it easier for communities to get energy projects off the ground, including ensuring access to funding, simplifying planning processes, and providing the technical support that local groups need to succeed. We believe that with the right government support, community energy can thrive and play a significant role in the UK’s transition to a green economy. At its core, community energy is about giving power back to people, enabling local communities to take control of their energy future, lower their bills, and contribute to tackling the climate crisis. The Liberal Democrats will continue to champion these initiatives as part of our broader commitment to a sustainable, green, and fair society. As your MP, I will work hard over the coming years to push for the reforms needed to unlock the full potential of community energy, including advocating for: > A Community Energy Fund: I will press the government to consider a dedicated Community Energy Fund to provide grants and low-interest loans to local groups looking to establish renewable energy projects. This will ensure that communities have the financial support they need to get projects off the ground. > Simplified Planning and Regulations: I will push for a streamlined planning process for community energy projects, cutting red tape and removing unnecessary barriers that often delay or block these vital initiatives. This will help communities act swiftly in setting up their energy systems. > Fair Access to the Grid: I will push for reforms that make it easier for community energy projects to connect to the national grid, ensuring they can sell any surplus energy they generate. Communities should be able to benefit fully from the energy they produce, without being penalized by restrictive or expensive grid access. > Local Ownership and Benefits: I will advocate for policies that encourage local ownership of renewable energy projects, ensuring that profits and decision-making stay within the community. This will allow communities to reinvest the benefits locally, creating more jobs and furthering the green transition. > Energy Democracy and Education: I will work to raise awareness about community energy, ensuring that people understand how they can get involved. I’ll also push for educational programs to help local groups navigate the technical and financial aspects of setting up energy cooperatives. > Push for Ambitious Climate Goals: As part of our fight against climate change, I will press the government to set ambitious renewable energy targets, with a clear role for community energy in meeting those goals. Community energy is part of the key to decarbonizing our economy, and I will work hard over the coming years to ensure it is a priority in any national climate strategy. Date: June 2025
Dementia Support
Dementia is a significant public health issue, and it is essential that we ensure adequate resources and support are available. The financial burden should not fall on patients and their families, and I am committed to advocating for comprehensive services under the NHS that reflect the seriousness of this disease. It is shocking that in a county with a high number of elderly residents, there is no dementia strategy and this is something I will be raising with NHS Devon. The waiting times for diagnosis and the gaps in social care are pressing issues that need our attention, and I am committed to trying to improve the situation for my constituents in South Devon. Rowcroft Hospice in Torquay, which provides a vital service to local residents in our constituency, have exciting plans to transform care in the community with a remodelled hospice, a world class specialist dementia care unit, assisted living and a nursery. The plans envisage bringing multi-generational care to this glorious wooded parkland site, with the very young and very old engaging on a daily basis. The dementia care facility would be unique in the UK, modelling an exemplary way to care for patients with dementia in a village like setting. It is genuinely exciting, and could inspire hospitals and hospice sites across the country to try and offer care in a different way – better for the patient, easier for families and genuinely better for the community itself. I truly believe that initiatives like this can truly transform the landscape of dementia care and serve as a blueprint for future developments elsewhere and I will be championing it as a model. Dementia is affecting my own family, so I am only too aware of the distress and burden it places on family members. I was proud to lead a debate on dementia care in parliament recently. You can watch my speech here: https://www.carolinevoaden.com/post/watch-my-speech-on-dementia-care Date: June 2025
Israel Gaza War
The devastation in Gaza has caused anguish around the world and has left many people, including myself, incredibly distressed. A humanitarian catastrophe is taking place in Gaza with tens of thousands of civilian men, women, and children being killed by Israeli air strikes. The overwhelming majority of the civilian population has been displaced, in many cases multiple times. They are living in tents, by roadsides and on beaches, without access to medical aid or even basic hygiene, and the risk of military attack, famine and disease threatens their lives daily. Whilst I recognise the need for Israel to respond to Hamas’s appalling crimes on October 7th, they must also respect international humanitarian law regarding civilian populations, and they have failed to do so. The scale of the Israeli government’s retribution for the Hamas attacks is truly shocking. I, and my Liberal Democrat colleagues, continue to call for international law to be upheld and the role of international courts to be respected. We are continuing to press the UK Government to uphold the roles of the ICC and the ICJ, not least given the recent ICJ opinion on the occupation. I am working with my colleagues on this issue and we regularly revisit how, as opposition MPs, we can be most effective. I wrote directly to the Foreign Minister recently to express my views on the situation. It’s important that he hears directly from MPs of all parties. I spoke in a Westminster Hall debate about the Humanitarian situation in Palestine last week, bringing up the UK’s arms sales to Israel. In addition, I also wrote to the Prime Minister recently, pressing him to clarify Government’s position. I can assure you that my Lib Dem colleagues and I are working hard behind the scenes in ways that, while not necessarily visible, are more likely to be effective. Of course, being on the opposition benches, with such a strong majority across the floor, it’s always going to be a battle. I have everything crossed for a successful and continued ceasefire and in the meantime I will continue to do everything I can to call for de-escalation, for International Law to be observed and for a permanent end to this appalling conflict and the suffering of so many men, women, and children. Updated: June 2025
Just Stop Oil
The Liberal Democrats have expressed strong opposition to the imprisonment of climate activists. We believe that peaceful protest is a fundamental democratic right and the current government’s approach to criminalising climate activism is overly harsh and counterproductive. We advocate for a more balanced approach that addresses the root causes of climate change while respecting the rights of individuals to protest peacefully and will be pushing for changes in laws or policies that might prevent similar situations in the future. Unfortunately, MPs cannot overturn or interfere with court decisions due to the separation of powers between the judiciary and the legislature. Reducing a prison sentence is complex and depends on various factors, including the nature of the crime, the circumstances of the case, and the legal options available. I have written to Shabana Mahmood, The Minister of Justice highlighting my concerns at the length of the sentences handed down to those involved in Just Stop Oil. Updated: June 2025
Restoring Overseas Aid
Aid is not just about compassion—it is about stability and security. When we invest in development, we help prevent conflicts, reduce forced migration, and tackle global health crises before they reach our doorstep. That is why I will continue to push for the full restoration of the 0.7% commitment and for greater transparency in how aid is allocated. Whilst we agree with the importance of strengthening the UK’s national security and defence commitments, particularly in light of increasing global security challenges, we recognise that a cut to ODA diminishes the UK’s soft power. It is concerning that the UK’s retreat from its status as an international aid superpower creates a vacuum into which Russian and Chinese influence will flow. Likewise, there is an intimate connection between supporting international aid and preventing conflict abroad including the benefits to UK security of promoting stability abroad. ODA investment is also an essential tool in tackling poverty, promoting stability, and reducing the causes of conflict and migration, all of which serve the UK’s own security interests. This cut represents the lowest UK aid contribution as a percentage of GNI since 1999, diminishing the UK’s long-standing reputation as a global leader in humanitarian assistance and development and an increasing proportion of the UK’s ODA is being spent on in-donor refugee costs rather than directly supporting poverty reduction, humanitarian aid, and sustainable development overseas. My Lib Dem colleagues and I are asking the Government to reconsider this decision and explore alternative means to meet its defence spending commitments without cutting international aid as well as urge Ministers to reaffirm the UK’s commitment to global security and development, ensuring that national strength is not built at the cost of global responsibility. We have set out how the rise to 2.5% could be funded fairly, by increasing the tax on social media firms and other tech giants. We fear that further diminishing the UK's soft power will only play into the hands of Russia and China. The UK’s influence in the world comes through a combination of our hard power and our soft power including our development funds. Date: June 2025
Sewage Crisis
The Liberal Democrats have been campaigning hard on water issues for some time and we will continue to do so. We have called for OFWAT to be abolished and replaced with a new body that would be given powers to ban bonuses for water company bosses, revoke the licence of poorly performing water companies and force water firms to publish the full scale of their sewage spills. We do also want to see the water industry reformed, with local environmental experts on company boards, and legally binding targets on sewage discharges. We haven’t seen anything yet from the government on restructure, so I hope they will give Ofwat and the Environment Agency the powers they need to force action from the water companies, as a least best option. I would prefer to see the industry remodelled as per Lib Dem proposals for social benefit companies. We will continue to hold the Government to account on all these issues and try and make some progress. It seems that nationalisation is clearly not on the agenda for the new government. Updated: June 2025
Supporting Hospitality
I understand the immense pressure the pub sector is under, with rising costs, high taxes, and the lingering impact of the pandemic. The Liberal Democrats have long advocated for fairer taxation and support for small businesses, including our beloved pubs. At our recent party conference, we discussed the importance of protecting community hubs, such as pubs, as part of our wider economic and social strategy. I support the aims of the Long Live the Local campaign, and I am committed to standing up for pubs both in Parliament and locally. The Liberal Democrats have consistently called for a review of alcohol duties to ensure that they are fair, support the hospitality industry, and reflect the pressures on smaller businesses. A cut to beer duty would relieve some of the financial burden on our pubs, allowing them to remain competitive and accessible for consumers. During the pandemic, the temporary reduction in VAT provided crucial support to the hospitality sector. I would certainly back a reinstatement of this reduced rate for pubs to help them navigate the economic challenges they continue to face. I am the vice-chair of the Hospitality APPG and these issues are very much front and centre of the work we will be doing in this parliament to support the sector. Updated: June 2025
Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill
You can read my latest statement on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill via the button below. Updated: June 2025
WASPI Women
There was palpable anger in the Chamber when the announcement about compensation was made in December, especially given the independent Ombudsman’s recommendation that compensation should be issued. Liz Kendall’s statement is a huge disappointment to thousands of women born in the 1950s. To blame this decision on the inheritance from the previous Conservative government is nothing short of disgraceful. While it's true the economy was left in a mess, asking wronged pensioners to bear the brunt of the Conservatives’ mismanagement is deeply unfair. For years, the Liberal Democrats have called on the government to fairly compensate WASPI women, in line with the Ombudsman’s findings. In July, I signed an Early Day Motion urging the government to present a clear plan for compensation. On January 28th, Stephen Flynn MP presented a bill that, if passed, would require the Labour Government to compensate 1950s-born women who lost out due to changes to the state pension age. The bill was voted on by 105 votes to zero, and I was proud to vote in favour of it. The heartless decision not to provide compensation cannot stand. I will continue to press ministers to give those affected the fair treatment they so clearly deserve. Updated: June 2025
Welfare Bill
You can read my latest statement on the Government's proposed changes to PIP via the button below. Updated: June 2025
Winter Fuel Allowance
The Chancellor has just announced changes to the thresholds for WFP in which anyone earning £35,000 or below will have their payment reinstated for this winter. I am delighted that the Chancellor has finally listened to the Liberal Democrats and the tireless campaigners, and has realised how disastrous this policy was, but the misery it has caused cannot be overstated. Countless people were forced to choose between heating and eating while Government buried its head in the sand for months on end, ignoring those who were really suffering. We will now study the detail of this proposal closely to make sure those who need support actually get that support. The pain they went through this winter cannot be for nothing. The Chancellor must answer immediately if there is a cliff-edge at £35,000 meaning someone earning just £1 over gets no support. Pensioners have gone through too much pain this winter to be hit with another round of uncertainty. Updated: July 2025
Youth Homelessness
Youth homelessness is a serious and growing problem, and we need more robust protections and policies to tackle it. I have been a regular supporter of Centrepoint for some time now and they do fantastic work with young homeless people. The Liberal Democrats propose a range of policies to reduce homelessness, such as an end to the Government's policy of forcing local authorities to sell their higher value council homes, increased funding for local authorities from central government to meet their homelessness duties, a strengthening of these duties to allow earlier intervention in homelessness preventions, a ban on no-fault evictions, three-year tenancies and building new homes. However, we recognise that homelessness among young people has unique challenges and while the above steps are much needed to tackle the housing crisis and rise in homelessness in general, they do not fully address the often specific causes and problems surrounding youth homelessness. The Liberal Democrats propose specific policies aimed at addressing homelessness in young people, for example: > Support Services: We propose increasing funding for support services that help young people who are at risk of homelessness, including mental health services and educational support. > Housing First Approach: We advocate for a “Housing First” approach, which prioritizes providing stable housing to young people before addressing other issues like employment or education. >Youth Homelessness Prevention: We aim to implement early intervention strategies to prevent youth homelessness, such as providing better support for young people leaving care and those facing family breakdowns. These measures are part of our broader commitment to ensuring that all young people have a safe and secure place to live. Date: January 2025