Max Wilkinson MP

YouTube video by Demos Making Citizens’ Voices Heard: Accountability in a healthy democracy

I enjoyed a lively debate at the Demos Collaborative Democracy Network event this week. The topic up for discussion at the national think tank was about how best to make citizens’ voices heard in a moment of declining trust in politics. You can watch the recording here: m.youtube.com/watch?v=UEvF...

Our democracy is under threat.

Unless we ditch our outdated voting system, the next election risks allowing Nigel Farage into Number 10 on the “pull of a one-armed bandit” gambling machine. I asked the Leader of the House to back the Lib Dem elections bill when it returns to Parliament in January.

ICYMI: The moment Parliament voted to back our bill on a UK-EU customs union.

The Prime Minister must listen to Parliament.

I popped into some of Cheltenham's small businesses to say 'thank you' on Small Business Saturday this weekend.

Rosie at Favourite Beers gave me a warm welcome and recommended some tasty drinks for December, too.

Cheers to all the small business owners who make our town what it is!
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🎄🎅Great to be out spreading some cheer and delivering my Christmas card in Gas Green yesterday.

Thanks to Jackie, Marg, Chris, Jonathan and many others for joining me.

Since I was elected last summer I’ve visited local businesses & helped resolve problems where I can. I will continue supporting & championing Cheltenham's small businesses whenever & however I can. If you run a Cheltenham business, email max.wilkinson.mp@parliament.uk & let me know what I can do.2/2

SMEs and sole traders are the backbone of our economy. The recent Budget did little to help them invest and grow.

This Small Business Saturday, I’ve been reflecting on how I can further support Cheltenham’s brilliant small businesses.
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If the government was truly committed to growth, it would support businesses instead of making it so much harder for them to employ people and grow. And it would fix our trading relationship with Europe too.
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Small & medium sized businesses in Cheltenham shouldn’t shoulder the burden of national economic failures anymore. Last week’s budget ignored Brexit’s impact & chose to penalise business owners even more. I shared stories of two Cheltenham business owners during my Budget Debate speech yesterday
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The government is ignoring the massive Brexit problem while putting up taxes and attacking businesses. Who is benefitting? Nigel Farage as usual. My speech in today's budget debate 👇

Congratulations to the team at The Hatherley pub. Their Sticky Toffee Pudding won my Cheltenham Pudding Playoff online vote for National British Pudding Day!

It was lovely to present Fleur, Kate and Jake with the award. Even better was the chance to taste the winning pud itself!

 I had a fun, if wobbly, session in the cold to celebrate the opening of Cheltenham’s Christmas Ice Rink.

It’s a project I worked on as a councillor and I’m pleased to say the progress we made on reducing carbon output by using a battery and alternative fuels is still being enjoyed.

The recent turnaround by Canada Life in relation to its ownership of Cavendish House is proof of what can be achieved in this area.

I am committed to seeing it used and preserved properly for the benefit of the whole town now and in the future.
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Cheltenham has some incredible architecture, particularly in the town centre. We need to make better use of town centre buildings by converting to residential use above shops and forcing the issue on empty premises.
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I convened a meeting to discuss the future of our town centre. I was joined by representatives of the Civic Society, Historic England, Borough Council, County Council, local planning experts, architects, environmental campaigners and building owners.
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Photo of Ed Davey overlaid with a quote 'You can't tax your way to growth."

This is botched Budget, from a government that is hiking taxes on ordinary families instead of going for growth by fixing our trade with Europe.

We talked about Lib Dem plans for an emergency 5% cut to VAT & what more the government could & should be doing to keep hospitality not just alive but thriving again.

I reaffirmed my commitment to fight for their interests in Parliament. They have my full and ongoing support.
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Ahead of tomorrow's Budget, I held a meeting with local hospitality businesses to hear their concerns. We've already lost too many wonderful cafes & restaurants in Cheltenham – the devastating impact of increased business rates and NI from the last Budget, in addition to years of Brexit chaos.
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She chickened out of answering the question and passed it to her junior minister instead.

Are you convinced by his answer?
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Politicians in other parties won’t talk about it, but we had a more workable immigration system when we were in the EU. Labour finally admitted Brexit has been a disaster for the economy, so I asked the Home Secretary if she would admit it had been a disaster for immigration & asylum policy too.
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Rachel Reeves holding a red box resembling the Chancellor's Budget box. Various items like a pint of beer, keys, a menu, a coffee cup, and tickets are sticking out of the box. Text on the box reads: "CUT VAT PROTECT OUR HIGH STREETS."

High streets are struggling, with pubs, restaurants and cafés shutting their doors.

Cutting VAT on hospitality and energy would put money back in people’s pockets, support local jobs, and give the country a much-needed boost.

Polls suggest that Nigel Farage is heading for 10 Downing Street on a vote share of just 30%. It beggars belief that Labour is still committed to an outdated, undemocratic voting system that would see the hard right stroll into government on a minority of the vote.

I had a wonderful morning at Warden Hill Primary School to meet the winner of my Christmas card competition & other pupils.

Congratulations to Bea for her brilliant festive picture of Pittville Pump Room! Well done to all the children who entered. It was a very close vote & you all did brilliantly.

People have had enough of delays through Charlton Kings caused by crucial work on the A40 at Spring Bridge. I asked the Transport Secretary whether there’s help for councils that discover big problems during this work and if she would join me in asking for one lane to be reopened ASAP.

There’s been too much pre-budget speculation. That’s bad for business. I raised the concerns of Cheltenham businesses with the Chief Secretary to the Treasury in Parliament.

"Leaving the ECHR would do nothing to halt small boat crossings, but it would deny British people hard-won rights."

@MaxWilkinson.bsky.social

Ahead of the Budget, I'm backing Lib Dem plans for an emergency VAT cut for hospitality. Hospitality is Cheltenham's heart. We’ve already seen too many wonderful independent restaurants & cafes close, hammered by the jobs tax & higher business rates bills. It’s devastating we’ve reached this point.

…but we’ve maintained a working relationship because it’s the right thing to do for local people.

I wrote to express my personal sympathy that he will lose his job at the end of his term and to recommit to working with his office to fight crime and support policing for our area.

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It’s good news that Police and Crime Commissioners are being scrapped. That’s a long-term Liberal Democrat campaign. Policing must not be politicised.

Following the news, I have written to Gloucestershire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Chris Nelson.

Chris and I aren’t politically aligned…

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I enjoyed my visit to Art Union Cheltenham last weekend.

It was great to view all the artwork and gifts by local artists on sale and to hear more about owners Tracey and Tom’s experiences running a small business this past year.

I’ll be popping back for Christmas gifts very soon 🎄🎁