​MP for South Devon
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: August 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: August 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: August 2025
Digital ID
I strongly oppose proposals to introduce Digital ID cards, which are out of step with the values of privacy, fairness, and individual freedom that our society holds dear. Digital ID cards pose a serious risk to privacy by centralising vast amounts of personal data. This increases the potential for misuse and cyberattacks. We only need to look at India's Aadhaar system, the largest digital ID project in the world, which experienced numerous data breaches, exposing millions of people to identity theft. The Netherlands’ DigiD system also suffered security issues, eroding public trust. These examples show that no system, no matter how secure, is immune to failure. Furthermore, the financial cost is immense. The previous Labour government's ID card scheme, projected to cost over £5 billion, was scrapped in 2010 due to ballooning expenses and public backlash. A digital version would require ongoing investment in cybersecurity and infrastructure, which is money that could be better spent on vital public services like the NHS and social care. In addition to these issues, Digital ID cards will undoubtedly deepen social inequality. In rural areas like South Devon, where internet access can be unreliable, many people would struggle to engage with an entirely digital system. With 7% of UK households still without internet access and rural areas facing slower, less reliable connections, we risk excluding those who are most in need of public services. Many older residents, lower-income families, and those lacking digital skills would find it difficult to navigate a system dependent on technology. This digital divide could leave many unable to access basic services, worsening existing inequalities. As Liberal Democrats, we have consistently opposed ID card schemes, whether physical or digital. You will be reassured to know that I believe in protecting individual privacy and am against creating invasive systems that could open the door to government overreach or surveillance, as feared in France, where protests arose over concerns about digital IDs. Instead of supporting digital IDs, I will be pushing Keir Starmer's Labour Government to roll out full broadband connectivity across the country. Investing in fast and reliable broadband infrastructure would ensure equal access to the digital world, especially in areas like South Devon where the current services lag behind. This approach would not only address the digital divide but also boost local economies, improve access to public services, and empower individuals to thrive in an increasingly connected world. Our policy remains clear: we oppose national ID cards in any form. Instead, we advocate for stronger data protection, better digital literacy, and improved internet access, particularly in areas like South Devon, where infrastructure is still catching up.
Sewage Crisis
After years of the Conservatives turning a blind eye to this scandal, I am pleased to see action finally being taken to tackle sewage dumping, starting with Ofwat being scrapped. Since the election, I have heard from countless people, rightly furious about the state of our rivers and beaches, and sickened by an industry that clearly cares more about its shareholders than its customers or the environment. This news comes at a transitional moment for Devon’s water industry, after Susan Davy ended a sorry tenure as South West Water’s CEO earlier this month. Under her leadership, sewage spills exploded, bills rocketed, and a water contamination event ended with people needing to go to the hospital. This alone should have spurred the Government to act. But what’s scary about this crisis is that it is nationwide. No matter where you live you have been impacted by a water industry that is fundamentally broken, where a public good has been misused for corporate greed. Now is the time to take control; I’m pleased the Government has begun to act and I will continue to hold them to account to ensure any promises are followed through. Updated: August 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: August 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: August 2025
Welfare Bill
You can read my latest statement on the Government's proposed changes to PIP via the button below. Updated: June 2025
Youth Homelessness
The Liberal Democrats have fought hard to ensure that the Government scrapped the Vagrancy Act of 1824, which criminalised homelessness. We believe homelessness should never be treated as a criminal issue, but rather as a social problem that requires a compassionate and comprehensive response. We are committed to ending rough sleeping and ensuring no one is left behind. In power, the Liberal Democrats would: •Urgently publish a cross-Whitehall plan to end all forms of homelessness. •Exempt homeless people and those at risk of homelessness from the Shared Accommodation Rate. •Introduce a ‘somewhere safe to stay’ legal duty to provide emergency accommodation for anyone at risk of sleeping rough and assess their needs. •Ensure sufficient funding for local authorities to implement the Homelessness Reduction Act and support survivors of domestic abuse. •Ringfence emergency funding for local councils to provide permanent accommodation for rough sleepers. Date: August 2025