It was wonderful to join Albie on his climb this morning as he raises money for the National Autistic Society.

If you can, please support him here: justgiving.com/page/albieclimbs

This Autism Awareness Month, one incredible Cheltonian is taking on a big challenge for the National Autistic Society.

Albie, 5, is climbing the equivalent height of the UK’s tallest building, The Shard.

If you can, please support Albie by sharing or donating at justgiving.com/page/albieclimbs

An update on last night’s votes in the House of Commons.

What we need are police desks in supermarkets, pubs and other community buildings — restoring the safety our communities deserve and breaking the cycle of shoplifting.

@maxwilkinson.bsky.social

Max Wilkinson writes….Free speech, X and immigration – FAO Katie Lam Free speech is an important principle in Britain. It’s one of the things that gets me out of bed in the morning. It’s why I so strongly believe we must remain in the ECHR, which protects in law our ri...

@maxwilkinson.bsky.social writes: Free speech, immigration and X, FAO Katie Lam www.libdemvoice.org/max-wilkinso...

Max Wilkinson writes….Free speech, X and immigration – FAO Katie Lam Free speech is an important principle in Britain. It’s one of the things that gets me out of bed in the morning. It’s why I so strongly believe we must remain in the ECHR, which protects in law our ri...

...in an attempt to paint me as an illiberal would-be denier of free speech 🙄.

Far from it! I’ve written about the truth of my position for @libdemvoice.org

www.libdemvoice.org/max-wilkinso...
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Max Wilkinson writes….Free speech, X and immigration – FAO Katie Lam Free speech is an important principle in Britain. It’s one of the things that gets me out of bed in the morning. It’s why I so strongly believe we must remain in the ECHR, which protects in law our ri...

My largely dormant X account has been busy the last few days. It seems right wing commentator Alison Pearson, Conservative MP and the the US Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy have leapt upon some comments I made on immigration in December 2025...
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🚨Campaign progress🚨

After working hard in Parliament to lobby ministers for the £71.5m funding needed to upgrade J10 of the M5, I visited the construction compound. The project will unlock thousands of jobs at Golden Valley & help our town thrive in future. It’s brilliant to see work underway.

🌞Sunshine Bill Win!🌞

Today, the government announced that from 2028 all newbuild homes will come with solar panels as standard. This follows my private member’s bill last year calling for exactly that. I’m so pleased to have contributed to a meaningful law change law so early in my term as an MP.

America, under Trump, is no longer the reliable ally that is once was.

We need our own independent nuclear deterrent.

@maxwilkinson.bsky.social

I will continue to fight for Cheltenham’s voice in these decisions. While I don’t have any formal power to compel the government to change course, I will be taking up the Minister’s offer of a meeting to ensure our area gets the best deal on health, the economy & policing as part of devolution.
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It seems that our area is being encouraged to accept a new regional mayor covering Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire, to the north, alongside the reorganisation of NHS services placing us in a new region to the south, with a new police area on a third different boundary.
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Last week I shared my concerns about the confusion around impending Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) and devolution for our area. I asked the Leader of the House of Commons if he agreed with me that current proposals don't make sense.
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I asked business ministers for their views on the future of Cavendish House. It’s not right that outside investors sit on valuable property while our high streets are crying out for regeneration and investment. I’m pleased ministers agreed with me that sites should not be left vacant.

I was invited to appear on GBNews for PMQs Live this week. While the channel is not to my taste, I agreed to attend in the spirit of open debate. It also gave me a chance to challenge the channel on its pro-Reform party agenda. The discussion was in good spirits, though I think I touched a nerve.

I spent the day understanding the AACs role in our national security and how technology and simulators help prepare trainees. My first ride in a Merlin helicopter was a particular highlight of the day and as usual it was a privilege to hear from our servicemen and women.
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Last week I visited the Army Air Corps at Middle Wallop as part of my work with the Armed Forces Parliament Scheme. Rising global tensions mean that our national security is more important than ever. As a Parliamentarian, I have a responsibility to stay informed.
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I attended a brilliant event at the Stanton Room in Charlton Kings, called ‘The Air We Breathe’. The volunteers present shared local air quality data and offered practical ways we can make the air we breathe cleaner and healthier for everyone.

Something doesn’t add up. Either way, we must do more to protect our democracy from threats - whether they’re from inside or outside the UK.
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Now Nigel Farage has set his sights on a loophole to allow political donations via cryptocurrency, making it harder to know where money comes from. When he’s quizzed about failing to declare his massive second (& third) job payments on time, he says he “doesn’t do computers”.
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Interference in our democracy, foreign or domestic, is something we must move quicker on. Recent cases, including disgraced Reform politician Nathan Gill working for the Russian government and Peter Mandelson sharing information with Epstein, are two examples of where current processes failed.
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🏇 Race week brings huge investment to Cheltenham and sustains a lot of our local businesses. But it also presents challenges. I have been working for years to clean up bad behaviour by a minority of racegoers. My message to racegoers this week - have fun, spend money, and please respect our town.

Wildlife rescue centres continue to report rising numbers of injured and killed animals, including swans, hedgehogs, squirrels, and domestic pets. This is a legislative loophole that urgently needs closing, and I will be calling for stronger controls to protect both people and wildlife.
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This week, I hosted the Naturewatch Foundation in Parliament. They have a campaign about the availability of catapult and slingshot weapons. I was alarmed to learn that these high-powered weapons are legally available to anyone, including children.
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Max is asking for a revaluation of his unit in the arcade to challenge the amount of business rates he pays. During my visit, I agreed to write a letter in support of his appeal. I hope we don’t lose another independent business as a result of Labour’s disastrous anti-business policies.
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I recently visited Fitszoo in Regent Arcade to discuss business rates with the owner, Max. The store sells vintage clothes and has an amazing collection of classic football shirts and memorabilia (a passion of mine in a former life).
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Potholes, potholes & more potholes…

I’ve asked the county council to come to Cheltenham for a public meeting to talk about what they’re doing to improve road maintenance. In the meantime, let me know areas that need attention in the comments below or by emailing max.wilkinson.mp@parliament.uk

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

I love trying new ways to stay happy, fit & healthy. So I was delighted to receive an invitation to join Laura & the Kitchen Disco Fit squad’s ‘rebounding’ class at Cheltenham Cricket Club. It turned out to be a full body workout on a small trampoline - I promise it’s easy to avoid falling off!

In Cheltenham, more than 1,600 people took part in an apprenticeship programme during the 2024/25 academic year.

Learning on the job has never been more valuable, so it’s wonderful to see more and more people discovering this as their path to employment and a fulfilling career.
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