This week is MS Awareness Week. MS is unpredictable and affects everyone differently. The theme is challenging MS assumptions and the impact these misconceptions can have.

If you’re living with MS in Wokingham, I’m here to listen so please get in touch. #MSThinkAgain @mssocietyuk.bsky.social

The National Cancer Plan committed to appointing a Rare Cancers Clinical Lead and Research Lead, but no timeframe was given.

These new roles would help improve outcomes for people with rare cancers.

So I urged the Gov to update us on the progress of this important appointment.

Cancer research is key to delivering new innovations that will benefit patients. Researchers in Scotland have made amazing progress so far, but they need more support from the UK.

I called on the Gov to support @cancerresearchuk.org’s manifesto to increase research funding in Scotland.

Good care includes accountability. If a complaint about adult social care has not been resolved, the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman can provide an independent review at no cost.

www.lgo.org.uk

The government is giving the police unprecedented powers to restrict or prohibit protests they deem too disruptive.

This is an attack on our democracy and our rights, and leaves the door open to more authoritarian actions by future governments.

This cannot be left unchecked.

Last week, I met with some tech start-ups who are working at the forefront of the UK’s innovative sector.

These entrepreneurial SMEs want to thrive, and can benefit our economy and create jobs.

But many SMEs feel constrained, and need better support from the government now.

It was a delight to visit Chaffinch Class at Finchampstead Primary School last week to talk about the letters they wrote to me supporting Water Aid.

These bright, socially-conscious young people are determined to make positive change in the world and give me hope for the future.

The Infected Blood Compensation Authority was meant to be life-changing for those affected by the scandal. Instead, many are yet to receive compensation or felt pressured to accept unsatisfactory offers.

I asked the Minister to meet to resolve my affected constituent's concerns.

This week I visited local secondary schools and a primary school - the pupils and staff were impressive!

In Parliament I spoke in important policing and pensions debates, and asked the Health Secretary about the RBH maintenance backlog.

Here's what else I did this week:

Last week, the RBH was given £10million to fund a new hospital site.

This is a drop in the ocean compared to the £400million needed for the hospital's maintenance until its rebuild in 2039.

So I called on the Health Sec to support the RBH and help fix the its current issues.

This week, I've raised the concerns many residents have written to me about with the Government and companies like National Rail.

I've also begun a new campaign for better cancer education in schools.

Here's what else I've been up to this week:

Hundreds of residents have already voted for their favourite local to win Wokingham’s Best Pub, from Wargrave to Swallowfield.

Voting closes soon so make sure you support your local and crown them as Wokingham’s Best Pub!

digitallibdems.typeform.com/to/kpVM1pSK?...

Our council is delivering real results for a greener future. Wokingham is now in the top 5% for recycling and top 4% for the biggest increase since 2024/25.

Clear progress since the Lib Dems took charge, showing local action makes a real difference. ♻️

Thanks to food donated by the SHARE charity and local supermarkets, the Well on Wednesdays initiative offers fresh food and a warm, welcoming meal for residents.

Last week, I joined residents coming together to not just share a meal, but connection, conversation, and a real sense of community.

The A1 Group here in Wokingham originated from a family business that started in the 1960s, and have been a major local employer ever since.

It was a pleasure to visit their site to learn more about their fantastic local business and discuss residents’ concerns about noise pollution.

On Good Friday, I’d like to send my warmest wishes to the residents of Wokingham commemorating the holy day.

I hope families observing have a peaceful day of solemn reflection, fasting, and prayer.

Many families, pensioners and businesses across Wokingham are worried sick about the skyrocketing costs of fuel and travel.
That’s why the Liberal Democrats would keep Wokingham moving by reducing fuel duty, slashing bus and rail fairs, and cutting VAT on public charging for electric vehicles.

Men Walking and Talking are a fantastic group running mental health walks in Wokingham to end the stigma around men's mental health.

I joined their walk through our beautiful Cantley Park last night and I look forward to coming again soon.

Nine year-old Theo wrote to me about his walk to school in Arborfield.

I did the walk with him and his father and he pointed out some of his areas of concern.

Thank you to Theo for taking the time to get in contact with your MP.

Wokingham’s pubs aren’t just places to get a pint – they're community hubs that bring people together and are part of our local identity.

That’s why I’ve launched the Wokingham’s Best Pub campaign - vote below and make sure you make your voice heard!

digitallibdems.typeform.com/to/kpVM1pSK?...

(3/3) Proper funding must be guaranteed for charities like CLASP, which supports adults with learning disabilities, and the Wokingham Job Support Centre which helps residents get back into work.

Today, I urged the Government to make this a reality for the sake of Wokingham’s invaluable charities.

(2/3) Wokingham’s incredible charity network cannot be taken for granted.

Without the proper funding, residents risk losing the invaluable support local charities provide. The Government must rethink their slashing of Wokingham’s local funding.

(1/3) Wokingham is home to some incredible voluntary groups I've had the pleasure to regularly meet over the past few years.

From tackling the loneliness epidemic, to ensuring no child goes without presents to open on Christmas morning – we are indebted to Wokingham’s volunteer network.

Residents across Wokingham have been hit hard by Thames Water bill increases, while the company continues to pump raw sewage into our rivers. This cannot continue.

That’s why I’ve signed a Lib Dem motion calling for the Government’s Water White Paper to urgently reform England’s water industry.

It can’t go on. Water companies are being let off the hook by Ofwat. My request to the PM to ban water companies from negotiating away their fines for polluting our rivers 👇

My team and I have worked with many survivors of domestic abuse and coercive control, one of which told me that police are concerned her abuser will target her again once he is released.

All women deserve to live without fear. There must be justice and safety for survivors and their families.

I’ve recently visited some of our fantastic local schools to learn more about the support they provide for our children and the challenges they face. I also called for changes to breast screening policies to improve outcomes for young people with breast cancer.

Here’s what else I did last week

1 in 7 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, and over half fall outside the breast screening age.

But young people are less likely to self-check and are often dismissed. CoppaFeel brought experts together to discuss how the National Cancer Plan can tackle this, and I was delighted to attend.

Two people a day are diagnosed with cancer during or just after pregnancy in the UK. But maternity leave can’t be paused in the UK, so this precious time will be lost.

Mummy’s Star is calling for mums to be able to defer their leave until treatment has finished, and I was proud to show my support.

Millions of voters are robbed of their voice in elections due to unfair first-past-the-post voting. This has gone on too long. I’m proud to support the Liberal Democrats for Electoral Reform and their campaign to introduce a fairer proportional representation voting system. @libdems4er.bsky.social