Communities across rural Britain are being hollowed out, with so many homes standing empty for months on end.
Meanwhile, young people struggle to afford to stay in the area where they grew up.
We need real action to tackle this crisis.
My question to the Housing Minister 👇
In these deeply unstable times, our country's ability to feed itself is vital.
And yet England is now the only country in Europe that does not use its farm payment scheme to support its farmers to produce food.
I'm urging the Prime Minister to get serious about food security.
Thank you to everyone who joined or hosted @timfarron.bsky.social and I during his visit to Somerset.
Thank you too for sharing your ideas and asking such good questions about the environment and the importance of investing in, and protecting, our rural communities.
The Government has adopted Lib Dem proposals for all new homes built from 2028 to come with solar panels.
This will reduce bills for owners of newbuild homes, reduce pressure on the energy grid, and help fight climate change.
Huge credit to @maxwilkinson.bsky.social for his excellent work on this!
Gathering more support this week for our campaign to give every young person an outdoor education experience while at school.
It is so vital to young people.
Not only for their sense of worth, sense of value, and leadership skills, but also for building their resilience too.
The Labour Government has decided to defund rural communities.
Here in Cumbria, the Government is cutting its funding for Westmorland and Furness Council by nearly a third.
This is an attack on every single one of our communities and the services we all rely on.
Justice delayed is justice denied.
Rather than introducing appalling plans to reduce access to jury trials, the Government should be increasing capacity in our courts so that the victims of crime aren't forced to put their lives on hold.
My question to the Justice Secretary 👇
Many people across rural Britain who use heating oil are being hammered with price rises.
I've tabled a motion in Parliament that calls for an immediate three-month VAT holiday on heating oil and the introduction of a proper price cap.
My interview with the BBC 👇
Congratulations to Councillor Barbara Jayson - a fantastic result despite the utterly shocking weather!
The Labour Government is failing rural communities.
Here in Cumbria, we've seen cuts to rural health services, cuts to farm incomes, and cuts to Westmorland & Furness Council.
The Chancellor's Spring Statement this week failed to undo any of this damage.
Enjoyed speaking at the launch of Wildlife and Countryside Link's Clean Water Now campaign.
To protect our rivers and lakes from pollution, we need radical change - including reforming how water companies are run so that the environment is prioritised over shareholders.
The despicable Supreme Leader is gone, but what happens next?
What is the plan, and what are the ultimate intentions of the Israeli and US Governments?
How will this make the lives of the Iranian people any better, and the lives of people across the Middle East more secure?
This week, @timfarron.bsky.social, @victoria-collins.bsky.social & I travelled to Israel and Palestine to listen, learn and ask questions of a range of people. We had robust discussions about aid access, tackling corruption, settlement expansion, overcoming terrorism, and delivering accountability.
Great to meet with local farmers and representatives of the Country Land and Business Association in Watermillock.
We talked about how government policy can be changed to help keep Britain food secure and support more young people into farming.
We need radical reform of water companies, with a completely different ownership model that prioritises customers, clean water, and the environment over shareholder profits.
I'm deeply concerned by the news that there were no bids to take on the Coniston GP surgery vacancy.
I'm urging health bosses to rerun the ad, with a better contract, so that residents do not lose access to vital medical services.
Soaring energy prices are hammering businesses.
Today, I challenged the Energy Secretary about the Government's plans to reduce costs.
This afternoon, I joined residents and business owners from Tebay to present our petition to Number 10 Downing Street, calling for changes to controversial plans to partially close Junction 38 of the M6 for four years.
On Holocaust Memorial Day, I signed the Holocaust Memorial Book on behalf of Westmorland and Lonsdale.
The Holocaust did not start in the gas chambers but with hate-filled words. It's absolutely critical that we challenge antisemitism, prejudice, and bigotry in all its forms.
Outdoor education can transform lives.
But too many children from less well-off areas are missing out on these opportunities.
Grateful to the Secretary of State for her time and her support for our campaign to give every young person the chance to experience outdoor learning.
"There's a real injustice here."
"You've got an industry that allows profiteering rather than focusing on what matters, which is water supply."
@TimFarron.bsky.social
Please help us put pressure on National Highways today by signing our petition - www.wfelibdems.uk/tebay
A fantastic turnout in Kirkby Stephen on Saturday to protest against plans to partially close Junction 38 of the M6 for four years.
The impact of this disruption on local residents and businesses will be absolutely devastating - unless temporary slip roads are built to keep the junction open.
''Anybody who is a true patriot this morning will be raising an eyebrow at Trump.''
@timfarron.bsky.social
We must completely overhaul how water companies are run.
We need a new ownership system where the money made through the water industry is reinvested into protecting our lakes, rivers, and seas from pollution.
Labour's plans announced today fail to do that.
How on earth can a plan to transform rail services in the North fail to mention Cumbria and Lancashire?
This week’s announcement shows that this Government actually believes that the North of England stops at the M62.
A quarter of the homes in Westmorland and Lonsdale were built before 1900.
They are expensive to heat and very difficult to insulate.
We need the Government to come forward with a bespoke plan to insulate those properties, to help keep people warm and cut energy bills.
Banks save £2 billion a year from abandoning our high streets and town centres.
Our post offices pick up the slack, but they are not funded by the banks anywhere near enough to be able to maintain their presence.
This must change.
Cumbria has a high number of unpaid carers.
Many of those carers do seasonal and variable work in order to make ends meet.
It's vital that they don't miss out on getting the Carer's Allowance support that they deserve.
My question to the Social Security Minister 👇
Outdoor education can provide life-changing experiences for young people, helping to build resilience and create a love of both learning and the outdoors.
But far too often, children from less well-off areas miss out on these opportunities.
This must change.
