My latest column for the Daily Echo, on Southern Water, SEND, student loans and the conflict in the Middle East.
07.03.2026 08:17
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My latest column for the Daily Echo, on Southern Water, SEND, student loans and the conflict in the Middle East.
This is absolutely disgusting. Water companies including Southern Water have been using bailiffs for debt collection - in a cost of living crisis (!) and while they continue to pollute our waterways and despite outages and poor service. Shame on them. www.theguardian.com/business/202...
There is no possible defence for deporting children. Labour needs a swift u-turn on this performative cruelty.
Good morning from Eastleigh Airfield (Southampton Airport) where we’re celebrating the 90th anniversary of the first flight of the Spitfire
Millions of families are already at breaking point. Now experts warn energy bills could jump by £500 thanks to Donald Trump’s illegal war.
Today I asked the Prime Minister for a cast-iron guarantee that he will not let energy bills skyrocket again.
He didn’t give it.
Earlier today I asked the Foreign Secretary about the safety of British service personnel who may be at risk from attacks by Iran.
The Gorton and Denton by-election shows people are bitterly disappointed with Labour but horrified by the rise of Reform.
In many parts of the country, it's the Liberal Democrats who can stop Reform.
Complete own goal.
What’s really striking about the Gorton and Denton result (apart from the collapse of Labour) is that with all their bluster and arrogance, their divisive politics, their failed ex-Tories, and all the money they will have thrown at that campaign, REFORM DIDN’T WIN.
BY ELECTION RESULT!
Southampton UA, Shirley Ward
LD: 975 - 35.4% (-3.8)
Lab: 954 - 34.6% (+10.6)
RefUK: 681 - 24.7% (New)
Grn: 539 - 16.6% (+12.0)
Con: 288 - 10.4% (-13.7)
Ind: 122 - 4.4% (New)
TUSC: 16 - 0.6% (-0.8)
Lib Dem HOLD
Well done to Chris Shank!
Great to see the Conservatives wanting to reform student loans. Would like to see an account for Osborne replacing maintenance grants with loans in 2015. This has left poorer students with bigger debts vs richer ones for a whole decade, compounding inequality between rich and poor. It’s scandalous.
For too long, tech companies have treated children as data to be mined, rather than young people to be protected. We cannot let social media bosses off the hook for the way they have normalised harm, prioritised profit and ignored warning signs.
So proud to be a sponsor of this incredibly important bill by my @libdems.org.uk MP colleague @PippaHeylings.bsky.social which would help protect the River Itchen and all our precious chalk streams.
Today I will be voting to protect children from harmful social media.
@libdems.org.uk message to social media giants is clear: if your platform spreads harmful content or relies on addictive algorithms, it is not safe for children.
Tag your own MP and ask them to back our plan.
Back to Parliament today after recess - here’s what I’m up to
@libdems.org.uk are also calling for
- Labour’s repayment threshold freezes to be scrapped. This would put money back in the pockets of graduates.
- Restoring maintenance grants of £3,500 a year for disadvantaged students which were scrapped by the Conservatives
@libdems.org.uk plan to cut graduate tax for public sector workers including doctors, nurses and teachers observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Zetland (Redcar & Cleveland) Council By-Election Result:
🔶 LDM: 50.5% (+15.2)
🌹 LAB: 21.6% (-25.2)
➡️ RFM: 13.5% (New)
🌍 GRN: 7.4% (New)
🌳 CON: 7.0% (-10.9)
Liberal Democrat GAIN from Labour.
Changes w/ 2023.
If Robert Jenrick hadn’t served as Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, Minister of State for Health and Social Care, and Minister of State for Immigration in the worst government of our lifetimes he might have more credibility.
But spare us the hypocrisy of the Tories accusing the Government of economic mismanagement.
I have spoken to business owners in my constituency who want to continue employing young people/offering apprenticeships but are struggling to keep their heads above water. This is the reality of Labour’s increase to employer NICs. It’s a growth-crushing job tax.
Rachel Reeves doesn’t seem to get it. If you make it more difficult for businesses to turn a profit or continue to trade, then they won’t be able to employ young people or anyone else. There are lots of reasons youth unemployment is increasing - including lack of opportunities.
Not surprising Farage hasn't bothered to announce a health spokesperson - his entire team is populated by politicians who broke the NHS.
They've also forgotten about a foreign affairs spokesperson, but I guess they will take their orders straight from Trump's White House anyway.
Robert Jenrick and Suella Braverman were both part of the Conservative Government that crashed the economy, failed the NHS, and allowed water companies to dump sewage in our rivers and seas. The Reform Shadow Cabinet is a clown car.
If you needed any more reasons for why orcas do not belong in captivity - this is just so sad #EmptytheTanks
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
The National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation’s Call for Evidence is open until 17th March. Women and families are being invited to share their experience of maternity and neonatal care in England. ⬇️ www.matneoinv.org.uk/call-for-evi...
Sky News: Britain has been "colonised" by immigrants, who are draining resources from the state, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, one of the country’s richest and most influential men, has told Sky News.
Totally wrong. Totally out of step with British values. He should apologise now.
The SEND system isn’t working, not for students, their families, or their teachers.
It’s time to stop tinkering at the edges and start transforming our education system.
Labour promised change, instead we're seeing the same old chaos as under the Conservative Party.
No wonder the public are so fed up.
The PM should hold a confidence vote now so the government can focus on fixing the cost-of-living crisis, the NHS and the economy.
