Richard Poole

Met confirm both Merton’s police stations closing to public in February Residents across Merton are set to lose public access to both of their police stations at the end of the month, under plans signed off by Sadiq Khan.

In 2018, I used legal action to stop Sadiq Khan closing Wimbledon Police Station.

Now, Lib Dem colleagues on Richmond Council are doing the same to protect their last public-facing police station.

It’s disappointing Merton’s Labour Council won’t do the same here.
www.paulkohler.uk/news/article...

Met confirm both Merton’s police stations closing to public in February Residents across Merton are set to lose public access to both of their police stations at the end of the month, under plans signed off by Sadiq Khan.

The Met confirms both Merton's police stations will close to the public at the end of February👇

We have a Labour Government, Labour Mayor of London and Labour Council bosses - but none have stood up for local people.

www.mertonlibdems.org.uk/news/article...

At tonight’s council meeting, we’re proposing the Council take real practical steps to boost the take-up of benefits local residents are entitled to.

We’ll also be demanding a review of soaring fees & council charges hitting local residents & businesses under Merton Labour.

We’re holding Merton Labour to account at tonight’s council meeting on their confusing claims to have ‘saved’ Merton’s police stations, and their failure to challenge the imminent closure of both Wimbledon & Mitcham stations to the public.

Martin Lewis: Don't trust councils' online info about the Council Tax Carers Discount – one in five English and Welsh councils get it wrong A MoneySavingExpert.com and Martin Lewis investigation has found that at least one in five English and Welsh councils' websites give wrong information to unpaid Carers about their Council Tax discount...

Exposed by MoneySavingExpert: Merton Council’s website wrongly downplayed who qualifies for the live-in carer Council Tax discount, risking unpaid carers missing out.

It’s now been quietly fixed…

www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2026/01...

An edit of a 'Traitors' confessional shot with Robert Jenrick sat in the chair. The caption identifies him as 'Robert' 44, Wannabe PM and a traitor'.

Tonight's turret meeting will be pretty awkward

Reporting back from last week 📝

Merton doesn’t have a Women’s Health Strategy.

Merton’s Local Health & Care Plan 2022–24 doesn’t mention women at all.

Tonight, we’re asking Merton Labour & Merton Tories to back our plan to make women’s health a priority.

It’s shocking that uptake for free NHS Health Checks in Merton is barely half the London average.

Councils have a responsibility for residents’ uptake.

Tonight, we’re asking Merton Labour how this rate can be improved.

Merton is the only borough in South West London without a Breast Cancer Screening Centre.

Tonight we’re asking Merton Labour what progress has been made on this delivering this, using funding allocated 3 years ago.

There is currently no Women's Health Hub serving any Primary Care Network in Merton.

Tonight, we’re asking Merton Labour when women in our area will have the same access to specialist women’s health services as they do in other boroughs.

Tonight, we’re asking Merton Labour their thoughts on St George's and Union flags being hung on public property across the borough.

Tonight, we’re asking how Merton Labour are working with TfL to address District & Northern Line signal failures, and Northern Line noise & vibrations disrupting residents.

At last night’s council meeting Merton Labour repeated the claim they "cleaned every street every week".

But by "cleaned" they don't mean "swept" - and they won't say how often pavements and roads are swept.

Tell us what your experience is...

BREAKING ‼️
The Govt has just confirmed that Hong Kongers with a BNO passport will still qualify for settlement after 5 years.
I know how much this will mean to so many people - and will be received with a huge sigh of relief.
Proud that our campaign has paid off and the Govt has listened to us!

Absolutely colossal night of success for the Lib Dems.

In the 10 byelections, the LDs have gained from the CONs, GRNs, INDs and LAB, with a narrow loss to REF by 31 votes in Babergh.

Scoreboard: LD 7, REF 1, CON 1, IND 1.

I assume the media will cover this as breathlessly as every opinion poll?

A message from Mind charity on World Mental Health Day #WMHD2025

Hina with Ed Davey and loads of London LibDems behind them!

Hina taking a selfie with the crowd of members, activists, MPs and councillors!

What a vibe! Yesterday LondonLibDems held their conference in Southwark College.

The atmosphere was electric!

The @libdemshk.bsky.social will speak up for the capital city, bring communities together & have positive solutions to improve lives. We care about you, your families and your future

My statement in response to last night’s BBC Panorama.

Well done Paul. Fantastic news for Wimbledon and beyond.

Queen Mary’s Hospital minor injuries unit saved Wimbledon MP Paul Kohler set up a cross-party meeting with St George’s trust leadership and local MPs to press the case for keeping the minor injuries open, where they learnt that closure has now been...

Queen Mary’s Hospital minor injuries unit is saved!

This is a fantastic result for our community & a testament to the power of local voices.

Over 750 of you signed our petition in just 2 weeks, showing just how much this service matters to people locally.

www.paulkohler.uk/news/article...

"The rank hypocrisy of Nigel Farage pretending to speak about free speech, when in reality, his own party is banning journalists from reporting."

@LibDemDaisy.bsky.social

This is my flag.

Thank you Mark. I agree with every word.
#OurFlag
@markfergusonmp.bsky.social

Another Labour councillor joins Lib Dems in Southampton Southampton local councillor Rebecca McCreanor (Coxford ward) has joined the Liberal Democrats from Labour.

Another Labour councillor joins Lib Dems in Southampton

Wimbledon MP Calls on Merton Council for Clarity on Wimbledon Park Legal Covenant In the High Court today, the judge dismissed the first of 3 legal challenges to the All England Lawn Tennis Club’s (AELTC) expansion. However the judge also confirmed the “land is the subject of restr...

Merton Council has repeatedly failed to clearly state whether they will hold the AELTC to its promise to not build on Wimbledon Park.

Following yesterday’s High Court ruling, @paulkohlersw19.bsky.social is demanding answers 👇

www.mertonlibdems.org.uk/news/article...

Wimbledon police station - stop the front counter closures Wimbledon and Mitcham police stations will see their front counters close as part of plans announced by the Met police. Sign the petition today calling for the Met and the Mayor of London to keep our ...

Residents will lose the ability to report crimes face-to-face or seek help at Merton's police stations under plans announced by the Met.

Sign the petition today to keep front counters open at both our local police stations

www.mertonlibdems.org.uk/our-campaign...

@paulkohlersw19.bsky.social taking a stand against police front counter closures in our area, and asking the Home Secretary to help protect & fund community policing 👇

The Prime Minister must act with immediate airdrops of much-needed aid into Gaza and get other countries to do the same.

It is simply inhumane that Gaza faces starvation due to Israel’s aid blockade. Words alone won’t save lives.

Merton Lib Dems Slam Met Plan to Close Local Police Front Counters Merton Lib Dems and Wimbledon MP Paul Kohler have slammed Met Police front counter closures in Wimbledon and Mitcham.

The Met's plans to close half the remaining police 'front counters' completely, including in Wimbledon & Mitcham, are deeply worrying.

These are vital contact points. Their loss is part of a wider erosion of visible, trusted, community-based policing.

www.mertonlibdems.org.uk/news/article...