Calum Miller

I thank Aviva and Keith Siegel for coming to Parliament to share their experiences of being held and tortured for 51 and 484 days respectively.

These former hostages and hostage families continue to campaign tirelessly for the release of those who are still held. Today, I stand with them. 🎗️ 3/3

I thank @adammaanit.bsky.social and Sharone Lifschitz for meeting me in 2024 to share their hopes for the release of Adam’s cousin, Tsachi Idan, and Sharone’s dad, Oded Lifschitz. When we met, Tsachi and Oded had already been murdered but Adam and Sharone did not learn that until February 2025. 2/3

Today, I am remembering 7 October 2023 and thinking of all those whose lives have been changed forever by the events of that day. Today, more than ever, I am praying for a ceasefire, for the return of the hostages and for aid to flood into Gaza. 1/3

Peacehaven: Police release photos of mosque arson suspects The images are of two people in balaclavas seen outside the mosque before the large blaze spread.

Appalled by this attack on a place of worship. Members of the Muslim community must be free to worship and live without the fear of Islamophobic violence and intimidation. I stand shoulder to shoulder in solidarity with British Muslims and against this hate. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

"People spreading antisemitic hate and inciting violence against Jews are getting away with it, and we fear the government’s approach will do nothing to tackle that while undermining the fundamental right to peaceful protest. "The Conservatives made a total mess of protest laws and left us with the worst of all worlds – wasting police time arresting people for legitimate peaceful protest, while letting others get away with inciting violence. I fear Labour seem to be following them down the same path, instead of properly reforming these powers to focus on the real criminals and hate preachers." Max Wilkinson - Home Affairs Spokesperson

People spreading antisemitic hate and inciting violence against Jews are getting away with it.

We fear the government’s approach will do nothing to tackle that while undermining the fundamental right to peaceful protest.

This attack on this holy day is horrific. I stand shoulder to shoulder with the British Jewish community, and condemn all acts of anti-semitism. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families.

Important that we seize this moment to press for peace. The Trump Plan is neither perfect nor comprehensive but it has broad support and is the best chance in a long time for a ceasefire in Gaza. UK should use all its influence to get Hamas to sign up.

Dear Steve I read with interest the announcement you made to Labour conference on new towns. In particular, I noted that you have accepted the recommendation of the New Towns taskforce that the Heyford airfield should be a potential site, among the twelve. This site straddles my Bicester and Woodstock constituency and the Banbury constituency of Sean Woodcock (to whom I am copying this letter). This is a very significant proposal for all the areas listed as potential new towns so I am disappointed that it was not made to Parliament so that the MPs representing those areas could ask questions of you about it. I hope you will provide that opportunity soon after we return to Parliament after the conference recess. Residents in the current Heyford Park development – as well as those from the surrounding villages – have raised a series of questions with me about the prospective plan. Not knowing that you would make this announcement, I met with local councillors and parish council representatives from 10 local parishes on Wednesday 24 September. They also had a number of questions. How will you ensure that social and physical infrastructure is funded and delivered first, before the new homes are occupied [recommendations 7, 10]? How will you take account of cumulative effect from developments in a given area, especially if these are outside the local plan (either speculative development or nationally significant projects)? Will you accept the recommendation of the taskforce that new town developments should count towards an areas housing targets and be included as part of their estimated Five Year Housing Land Supply [recommendation 13]? How will the role of local communities in decision making be protected and enhanced? What expectations do you have for how local communities and their representatives will be included in the development of proposals [recommendation 13]?

How will you secure accountability for delivery of community assets, and deliver the recommendation of the taskforce for long-term stewardship of these [recommendation 12]? Please may I request a meeting with you and your officials to understand better how local communities – and the MPs who represent them – will be consulted and involved as the New Towns Unit takes forward its work? I hope we might also share some useful insights. In our area, we have some experience of the challenges of delivering rapid housing growth – including close to Heyford at the North West Bicester site. I have previously discussed this with other ministerial colleagues from DESNZ, DfT, MHCLG, and Treasury. This is a salutary tale of the need to join up transport, energy, housing and environmental/ water - and it accords with paragraph 119 of the report: “Stakeholders consistently highlighted the challenges of navigating fragmented national decision-making, encompassing not just housing but also transport, utilities, health, and education infrastructure, leading to delays and uncertainty that undermine local planning and deter private investment.” Many of my constituents understand and support the need for more affordable and social housing. All of them would like to see an improvement in local infrastructure to support existing communities. There are constructive conversations to be had about how this programme could proceed. However, I want to make sure that we take advantage of local knowledge and that we respect the views of local communities who will be affected by this very significant project. I therefore look forward to a chance to meet with you soon to discuss how you envisage developing the ambitious proposal for Heyford airfield. Yours sincerely, A black background with a black background Description automatically generated with medium confidence Calum Miller MP

The Government’s plan to build a new town at Heyford airfield raises many questions for local residents. I’ve written to Steve Reed to ask him to meet with me to discuss them.

Agreement from Israel and Hamas to this plan would be a major achievement. Yet it would be only the start of a process. The UK Government must work tirelessly with allies to secure commitment to a just and sustainable two-state solution so Israelis and Palestinians can live in peace. 2/2

Donald Trump's 20-point Gaza peace plan in full European and Middle Eastern leaders have welcomed a new US peace plan for Gaza, as President Donald Trump warned Hamas to accept it.

The people of Gaza have suffered so much. We welcome any progress towards delivering a ceasefire, access to aid and medical supplies and the immediate and unconditional release of the hostages still held in brutal captivity by Hamas. 1/2

www.bbc.com/news/article...

photo of Calum in front of Woodstock town hall with the following text, Meet your MP: Calum Miller, Tues 7th October 3.15-4.15 Oxfordshire Museum Woodstock, no need to book

My next drop-in event is in Woodstock at the Oxfordshire Museum next Tuesday, from 3.15-4.15pm.

Looking forward to chatting to more residents then!

If this plan goes ahead, we must see social and physical infrastructure delivered before housing. I will continue to press the Government to listen to residents and get this right. 4/4

But our area has many proposals and they are not joined up. Too often they arrive in isolation with national government sponsorship yet with no clear plan for roads, health services or schools. 3/4

Conversations with local residents make clear to me that we need more affordable homes for young people and more social housing. New development can also bring jobs and investment. 2/4

Building of three new towns will start before election, Labour pledges The housing secretary is expected to announce the plans on the first day of Labour's party conference.

The Government says it wants to build a new town at Heyford airfield. Councillors and I met local parish councils this week to discuss what this could mean given other major proposals: Puy du Fou, the Ardley rail interchange and new warehouses at Baynard’s Green. 1/4

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

Photo of Ming Campbell with that dates of his life: 1941-2025

Ming was an inspiration. What an incredible life: athlete, advocate, political leader, devoted husband.

A lifelong liberal whose principles drove his choices. One of that remarkable generation of Glasgow University debaters from all parties who strove for a better society.

He will be missed.

As liberals, we believe in building a better society for everyone. A mission that matters more today than ever before. Calum Miller makes his keynote speech to Liberal Democrat Autumn Conference… Calum Miller Keynote Speech l Autumn Conference 2025

Watch Calum’s speech in full 🔽
youtu.be/k5NQb9u4l5U

Calum Miller gives us the low-down on his Autumn Conference 2025 speech - hot off the stage in Bournemouth.

Look at the big changes Liberal Democrats we have won in the last year alone.

An amazing record of achievement already. And we’re planning much more.

The government must offer the opportunity for American cancer researches to come to the UK.

If Trump won't back this research, the UK must.

@calummillerld.bsky.social

Full report here: committees.parliament.uk/publications...

Extract from the report's executive summary: "Throughout our inquiry, we heard from exhausted parents fighting for basic support, teachers stretched beyond capacity and committed professionals working within services buckling under pressure. Their voices were clear and consistent: the current system is not working. The level of need is placing overwhelming strain on services and professionals across both the education and health sectors, ultimately creating a crisis. Crucially, the system’s inability to meet this need means that children and young people with SEND, and their families, are not consistently receiving the high-quality support to which they are entitled. Without decisive, long-term change, the SEND system will remain under unsustainable pressure, unable to meet current or future needs effectively."

Extract from the report's executive summary: "Achieving a sustainable model of funding We heard compelling evidence of the urgent need for greater financial stability within local authority budgets, supported by a clear, long-term plan for sustainability. Witnesses highlighted that looming deficits and the continued extension of the statutory override are creating significant uncertainty, making it difficult for local authorities to plan and deliver services effectively. This instability is compounded by inadequate school funding, which has not kept pace with rising levels of need and the increasing costs of provision. As a result, both schools and local authorities face mounting pressure, often forced into difficult decisions that risk..."

Extract from the report's executive summary: "compromising the quality and availability of support for children and young people with SEND. The Department must work urgently with HM Treasury and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to secure the funding necessary to realise the vision of an inclusive mainstream education system. This must include a clear strategy to address the growing SEND-related deficits faced by local authorities. Without a strategy, the system will remain under unsustainable financial pressure and unable to meet the needs of children and young people effectively."

The cross-party Commons' Education Selection Committee has today published a strong report into the SEND crisis in English schools. It highlights the catastrophic impact on children and families and the urgent need to fund local authorities. We now need the government to lead a cross-party response.

Dear Prime Minister, Thank you for your response over Recess to our July letters. We welcomed the recommitment you made in your reply to recognising a state of Palestine at this month's UN General Assembly Session. Liberal Democrats still regret, though, that you have chosen to make this conditional on inaction by the Israeli Government to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, rather than to immediately and unconditionally recognise Palestine. It remains our resolute view that recognition should not be seen as a bargaining chip - but, rather, as a principled means through which to reflect in law the self-determination of the Palestinian people. Since your letter, the humanitarian crisis across the Occupied Territories has only deepened. The government of Prime Minister Netanyahu has taken further actions through the assault on Gaza city and the commitment to settle the El territory in the West Bank. These steps deliberately threaten the very viability of a two-state solution - the only means through which to ensure a sustainable peace which delivers dignity and security for Palestinians and Israelis. Last week, I and my party's Foreign Affairs Spokesperson, Calum Miller, met with the Palestinian Authority's President, Mahmoud Abbas. We spoke about the crisis in Gaza, the urgent need for aid to get through and the hostages released, as well as the vital democratic and governance reforms to the PA that need to take place. We also discussed how important it is that the international community, including Britain, moves irreversibly towards recognising the state of Palestine.

And yet, at this crucial moment, President Trump has made the reckless decision to block Palestinian officials from attending the UN General Assembly. If Palestinians are shut out of the very place meant to deliver peace, progress is impossible. Donald Trump is the one person who can influence Benjamin Netanyahu. It is bad enough that he has not acted on the commitment he made to you in Scotland to end the suffering in Gaza by picking up the phone to Netanyahu. Yet, as Netanyahu deliberately acts to make peace less likely, Trump has abused the US's privilege to host the UN by refusing the Palestinian delegation visas. President Trump will touch down in the UK this evening as he begins his State Visit. When he does so, will you call on him publicly to reverse his decision to block the attendance of Palestinian officials at the UN? And, if he refuses to act, will you step up and take the lead to ensure that Palestine can be represented - and call for the High-Level Summit on the 22nd September to be relocated to Geneva? Donald Trump cannot be allowed to block progress towards a two-state solution. Britain must show leadership and make sure Palestinians have a voice at the UN. We look forward to your response. Yours sincerely, Ed Davey Leader of the Liberal Democrats Calum Miller Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs Spokesperson

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Britain must not let Donald Trump silence Palestine at the UN.

Alongside @eddavey.libdems.org.uk and Liberal Democrat colleagues, I have written to the PM urging him to press Trump to reverse this reckless decision – and if he refuses, for Britain to step up and lead.

The independent UN commission of inquiry found that Israel is committing genocide. Hamas has advocated genocidal aims. We must end the bloodshed. Keir Starmer must press Donald Trump to act. The UK government has a legal duty to try to prevent genocide.

www.ohchr.org/en/press-rel...

Honoured to meet with visiting members of the Japanese Diet, Mssrs Edano, Funada and Koichi. We discussed the opportunity to strengthen Japan-UK relations at a time when our liberal democracies feel under threat. We also shared our experience of the role of parliament in scrutinising government.

Photo of President Abbas shaking Calum Miller’s hand with Ed Davey watching.

Photo of Ed Davey, President Abbas and Calum Miller.

I joined @eddavey.libdems.org.uk in meeting President Abbas today. We confirmed @libdems.org.uk support for the recognition of Palestine. We discussed the urgency of a ceasefire to end the suffering in Gaza and release the hostages, and the governance reforms that would support a two-state solution.

Today marks 700 days in captivity for those abducted by Hamas terrorists. I am thinking of them and their families, desperate for their release. Hamas has no place in Gaza's future. It must immediately and unconditionally release the hostages.

www.timesofisrael.com/hostage-fami...

Dear Emma, Section 19 Flooding Investigations At this week's Oral Questions, I had hoped to use my substantive question to raise with you the issue of flooding in my constituency, specifically in relation to the legislation governing Section 19 Flood Investigations. Although I was not called to speak, I would welcome the opportunity to discuss this matter with you further. At a recent flood forum in Kidlington, residents described how repeated flooding has disrupted their lives and caused devastating damage to their homes. They are deeply concerned that Oxfordshire County Council, as the Lead Local Flood Authority, has no power to require that the recommendations set out in Section 19 reports are acted upon. In the absence of such powers, water companies and other agencies canignore these findings, leaving communities exposed to further risk. During the Westminster Hall Debate in June, you committed to reviewing the Section 19 process. I would be grateful if you could confirm whether this work is now under way and whether Members of Parliament will be able to contribute. I would also appreciate the opportunity to meet with you to share the experience of my constituents and explore how the system might be strengthened, so that agencies such as Thames Water can be held accountable for implementing the measures necessary to protect residents' homes and livelihoods.

Homes in Kidlington and Yarnton live under constant fear of flooding while Thames Water shrugs off Section 19 reports. I’ve written to Emma Hardy demanding reform so water companies are forced to act, not walk away from their responsibilities.

Campsfield House: Home Office holds public event for residents Attendees say the government intends to bypass the normal planning route for phase two of the project.

Residents have been left with more questions than answers about the government’s Campsfield plans. Bypassing local voices with a Crown Development Order would be a grave mistake – people deserve transparency and accountability.

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

UK still ploughing millions into Putin's war chest through loophole, PM warned Ministers have been urged by the Lib Dems to close loopholes which analysts say create hundreds of millions of pounds of tax revenue for the Kremlin

The cut in the Russian oil price cap to $47.60 is just a drop in the ocean.

We need tougher action:
🚫 Ban UK imports of fuels made from Russian oil
🚫 Block UK firms from shipping/insuring Russian LNG
💰 Slash the cap to $30

Hit Putin’s war chest. Stand with Ukraine.