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: October 2024
Climate-Friendly Schools The issue of inadequate school funding has long been on my agenda, and I am deeply concerned by the fact that nearly 3,000 schools have pledged to go zero-carbon by 2030, yet lack the financial resources to do so. The current rate of spending from the Department for Education is simply insufficient to meet these goals. The Liberal Democrats strongly support increased investment in retrofitting and rebuilding schools, not only to address immediate safety concerns but also to contribute to the UK’s net-zero ambitions. A well-funded program to decarbonise schools would cut energy costs, create green jobs, and ensure that our children can learn in environments that are both safe and sustainable. I also fully support your call for climate education to be embedded within the curriculum. The Liberal Democrats believe that schools must prepare young people for the realities of the climate crisis and equip them with the skills and knowledge to contribute to a green economy. We have long advocated for reforms to ensure that climate education is a central part of the national curriculum. The Climate Education Bill, which you mentioned, is a vital step toward ensuring that every student learns about the climate crisis and the solutions we must adopt. We cannot afford to wait any longer to act on these issues. I will continue to press the government for increased funding for school infrastructure and climate education, and I will continue to discuss this issue with our party's education and environment spokespeople to ensure that it remains a priority for the party during this term. Date: October 2024
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. We have put forward an amendment to the GB Energy Bill, which includes community energy schemes in the objects that the Great British Energy company will be restricted to facilitating, encouraging and participating in. 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: October 2024
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 met with Dementia UK at the Lib Dem conference in September and will work with them to further their campaigns for more support for those who live with dementia. Date: October 2024
Israel Gaza War The Hamas attack on October 7th shocked the world and must be condemned. The taking of hostages, including women, children, the disabled, and the elderly, was deplorable. I remain deeply concerned for those still held hostage, and call for their immediate release. However, the devastation in Gaza and across the Middle East has caused anguish around the world and has left many people, including myself, incredibly distressed. 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 are failing to do so. 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. The Liberal Democrats have been calling for an immediate bilateral ceasefire for months, which would put an end to the humanitarian devastation in Gaza, get the hostages out and provide an opportunity for a political process. Alongside this, the Liberal Democrats are also calling for the Government to end trade with the illegal settlements established in the West Bank. Only a sustained political and diplomatic solution will resolve this conflict and bring not just a cessation of violence now that will stop the killing of thousands of innocent civilians but will point the way to two states and a lasting peace to this 75-year conflict. Date: October 2024
Just Stop Oil The climate emergency and nature crisis are the most significant global issues facing us today and must not be ignored. Every person on earth is affected by climate change, but the impact is particularly acute in parts of the world where people are least able to cope as a result of poverty, malnutrition, poor housing, and a lack of decent infrastructure. When the Liberal Democrats were in Government and Ed Davey was the Climate and Energy Secretary, combating the climate crisis was a priority. We promoted the Energy Company Obligation, forcing energy companies to insulate customers’ homes, and laws on forcing landlords to insulate homes. We also advocated for the Zero Carbon Homes Standard for new homes, which tragically the Government scrapped in 2015. We are clear that the fight to tackle the climate emergency is vitally important – and we need everybody on board for it to succeed. I do feel that some of the tactics used by groups like Extinction Rebellion and Just Stop Oil can be counterproductive. It’s vitally important that we build public and political support for the action we need on climate change, and while it garners attention and media interest, I’m not sure the approach of these groups is always the best way to go about doing so. Liberal Democrats are clear - we will always stand up for the fundamental democratic right of peaceful protest. When it comes to individual cases, the courts must be free to make decisions without political interference - especially after years of the previous Conservative government attacking the judiciary and independent bodies. We opposed the previous Conservative Government’s draconian anti-protest laws every step of the way, including the Public Order Act. Liberal Democrats are committed to scrapping these laws, and want to restore pre-existing protections for both peaceful assembly and public safety. We have long believed that the police already had the powers they needed to stop what goes beyond a peaceful protest, long before the Conservatives introduced new legislation. Liberal Democrats will keep doing everything we can to tackle climate change and preserve the fundamental democratic right of peaceful protest. Date: August 2024
Protecting Tibet The Liberal Democrats have consistently advocated for the rights of Tibetans and have called for greater autonomy for Tibet within China. We have been vocal about the human rights abuses in Tibet, urging the UK government to take a stronger stance against China’s actions. They have called for international pressure on China to respect the cultural and religious freedoms of the Tibetan people. We support peaceful dialogue between the Chinese authorities and Tibetan representatives, including the Dalai Lama and believe that negotiations are essential for resolving the Tibet issue and achieving meaningful autonomy for Tibetans. The Lib Dems advocate for working with international partners to address the situation in Tibet. We support initiatives like the US’s Resolve Tibet Act, which calls for peaceful resolution through dialogue and counters Chinese disinformation about Tibet. We emphasize the importance of preserving Tibetan culture, language, and religion, condemn policies aimed at “sinicizing” Tibetan culture and call for the protection of Tibet’s unique cultural heritage. These policies reflect the Lib Dems’ commitment to human rights and our support for the Tibetan people’s struggle for autonomy and cultural preservation. I, and with my Lib Dem colleagues, will do what we can over the coming years to call on the government to push China to address the issue of Tibetan autonomy and human rights. Date: October 2024
Restoring overseas aid I, and my Liberal Democrat colleagues, have continued to call on the Government to restore the 0.7% of national income target for international development spending, which we enshrined in law when we were in Government. It’s shameful that our aid spending was slashed under the Conservatives - it’s hurt the most vulnerable people around the world. Date: October 2024
Sewage Crisis Since the election, I’ve been inundated with emails and letters from constituents expressing their absolute disgust at the dumping of sewage into our lakes, rivers, and coastlines. Please know, I share your disgust completely. The behaviour of water companies is unacceptable and it’s no exaggeration to say that the entire water industry in this country is broken. Privatisation has failed, with profit and shareholders having been the priority for water companies for too long. South West Water has been underperforming for over a decade, yet millions of pounds have been paid in dividends each year while hundreds of thousands have been paid in bonuses. The Liberal Democrats have been campaigning hard on water issues for some time and we will continue to do so. We want to see the water industry reformed, with local environmental experts on company boards, and legally binding targets on sewage discharges. 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 also need the Government to properly fund the Environment Agency so it can regulate effectively. Date: October 2024
Supporting Our Pubs As the vice-chair of the Hospitality APPG, 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. Business rates are a huge concern for pubs, and I’m greatly concerned by the Chancellor’s decision to reduce the rates available to pubs in the Budget. The Liberal Democrats have long argued that the business rates system is outdated and in need of reform. We want to see a fairer system that supports small businesses like pubs, rather than penalising them. Date: October 2024
Sustainable Shooting It is clear from the Value of Shooting Report 2024 that shooting enthusiasts see it as an activity that plays a significant role in supporting jobs, generating economic activity, and encouraging conservation efforts across large areas of land. As the Member of Parliament for South Devon, I am particularly aware of the importance of balancing economic activities with the need to protect and enhance our natural environment. And I am very aware that opinions differ widely on this issue. The Liberal Democrats have a strong commitment to environmental sustainability, and at our most recent party conference, we reaffirmed the importance of promoting conservation efforts while also encouraging responsible land use and management. Personally speaking, I have serious issues with many aspects of shooting; the cages pheasants are reared in – with welfare standards below even those of farmed birds, the appalling effects of snares on wildlife, the impact of shooting estates on access to land, and the impact of gamekeeping on raptors, game and other wildlife. I read that 82% of vets are in favour of a ban on snaring, rising to 85% amongst those with experience of snared animals. I’ve had many emails from constituents desperate to see a ban on snares. The Liberal Democrats support policies that ensure habitat protection and encourage landowners and shooting organisations to adopt practices that enhance biodiversity, including ensuring that any shooting activities are environmentally sustainable and contribute to the restoration of nature. At the same time, the party believes that any economic activity—whether it is shooting or another land-based industry—must be held to the highest standards of environmental responsibility. I would want to see greater transparency and rigorous monitoring to ensure that sustainable shooting practices continue to provide these conservation benefits and do not undermine local wildlife or contribute to environmental degradation. There are other voices in this debate who question the assumptions the Value of Shooting report has made about the economic impact of the industry. Beaters, for example, are paid in cash and thus pay no tax or NI. Wages are extremely low, often below minimum wage. Shotgun licences cost way less than the true cost of processing firearms licences – adding an estimated burden of £19m every year to the public purse. In short, the industry benefits from tax breaks and exemptions that others do not. It is arguable that the conservation and wildlife sectors could bring in as much to the rural economy, if not more, and create more jobs. At a time when we are in a nature and climate emergency, I believe it’s vital that we do everything we can to encourage conservation and I don’t believe killing birds for sport needs to be a part of that. Clay pigeon or target shooting yes, but not birds. Date: October 2024
Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill I, along with my Liberal Democrats colleagues, believe there should be more choice at the end of life, and there should be a move towards free end-of-life social care, whether people spend their last days at home or in a hospice. However, there are some provisions expected within the bill proposed by Kim Leadbeater that I would like to see addressed before it becomes law. While we are awaiting publication of the bill, it is expected that like a similar proposal in the House of Lords it would limit the availability of the right to end your own life to terminally ill adults with six months or fewer to live. This means that people suffering from motor neurone disease, or other degenerative conditions would not qualify, and that includes Noel Conway, a campaigner on this topic, who sadly passed away in 2021. Many doctors are already reluctant to give a timeline for a terminal diagnosis and this six-month provision may make them more so in the future. Also, it’s important to stress that giving those with a terminal diagnosis the right to end their own life should not come at the expense of high-quality end of life care. It is not an alternative by any stretch of the imagination. Currently, however, end of life care, like much of the health service, is severely underfunded and the quality of care is often a postcode lottery. Rowcroft Hospice, for instance, in Torquay, gets significantly less funding than similar hospices in London. Addressing this geographical inequality is a must and people facing the devastation of a terminal diagnosis must receive the best possible care no matter where they live. Date: October 2024
WaterAid Access to clean water, decent sanitation, and good hygiene is a fundamental human right, and I fully share my constituents concerns about the global inequalities that persist in these areas. The fact that millions of people still live without these basic necessities is deeply concerning, and the water issues we’ve experienced here in Brixham only serve to highlight how critical access to clean water is, both at home and abroad. I appreciate the work WaterAid does to bring attention to these issues. It is unacceptable that 293 million children attend schools without clean water and that many girls and women spend hours each day fetching water instead of pursuing education or employment. The Liberal Democrats have a strong record of championing international development and addressing global inequalities. Our party is committed to increasing the UK’s role in supporting international efforts to achieve access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene for all. We believe that investments in these areas are essential for improving global health, gender equality, and the resilience of communities in the face of climate change. I will raise questions in Parliament to help ensure that this issue receives the attention it deserves and engage with my party’s international development spokesperson to prioritise clean water and sanitation in our policy discussions. The ripple effect of clean water is transformative, empowering communities by improving health, education, and economic opportunities. It is vital that the UK continues to play a leadership role in global development, and I will do everything I can in this Parliament to ensure that access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene is a priority. Date: October 2024
Winter Fuel Allowance I completely share my constituents’ concerns regarding the withdrawal of the winter fuel allowance from all pensioners not receiving pension credit. That’s why, at the first opportunity, I voted for a motion to block these cuts. I’m extremely disappointed that the Labour Government is pushing forward with these plans. In no way is cutting payments to vulnerable pensioners across South Devon the right approach to bring the change this country deserves. I can assure you that together with my Liberal Democrat colleagues in Parliament, I will continue to press the Government to reverse their cuts to the winter fuel allowance and take action to tackle the cost-of-living crisis, end fuel poverty and support pensioners. Date: October 2024
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: October 2024