Sarah Dyke MP 🔶

Sarah's Dentistry petition - Glastonbury and Somerton Liberal Democrats Demand access to NHS Dentistry in Glastonbury and Somerton

Glastonbury & Somerton's dental crisis is dire. No NHS dentists are accepting new patients, forcing people to endure pain, travel far, or incur debt for private care. The Govt must address the dental desert & ensure Somerset residents get dental care. Add your name to demand action:

📺 Delighted to be on the panel for BBC Politics West today discussing:

🏇 The Government's punitive gambling tax proposals.

🔶️ Local government re-organisation.

🌈 LGBTQ+ rights.

✅️ Do look out for the episode on Sunday morning!

As Chair of the Women in Defence APPG, I was proud to speak at our autumn reception, celebrating progress toward 30% representation in defence & recognising work still ahead. I also highlighted Somerton’s Needles & Pins Aerospace, a great example of women entrepreneurs driving innovation in defence.

🎖 John from Fivehead lost his hearing due to inadequate ear protection while training. The compensation he received could disadvantage him should he need to claim benefits in future - contrary to the Armed Forces Covenant.
🗣 I will continue to fight for veterans to access benefits they need.

I'm pleased the High Court eviction order for 17 Market Place, Glastonbury was served & the property secured today. I thank Avon & Somerset Police for swift action & will keep working with them to tackle anti-social behaviour, as well as pressing Somerset Council for a Public Space Protection Order.

Earlier this month I was delighted to visit spectacular photography exhibition, "A Celebration of Protest" by visual activist Wayne Campbell, at the Shoemakers' museum for Black History Month. It's on until the 16th of Nov - do go if you can.

Last week at the 'Shot in the Arm' launch campaign in Parliament I was pleased to hear more about patients accessing vaccinations & vital healthcare in their communities by using the Pharmacy First service - this frees up GP appointments & can help people get the healthcare they need close to home.

🩷 Yesterday I took part in Breast Cancer Now’s Wear It Pink campaign - both to advocate for everyone diagnosed with breast cancer to be supported to live well by 2050, and to promote the importance of regular screening and early detection.

🎉A fantastic result in Parliament today.

🗳️ Alongside my brilliant Liberal Democrat colleagues, I voted against Nigel Farage’s attempts to undermine our human rights and leave the ECHR.

🔶It’s the Lib Dems leading the way against Farage’s damaging plans.

🚜 As a member of the EFRA Select Committee, I recently raised concerns about the pressures facing abattoirs who are vital for food security. With rising energy costs & NICs threatening their viability, I asked what changes the SFA has seen & how these impact meat processing & livestock sectors.

⚡On Saturday morning, I was thrilled to spend a few hours at the Long Sutton Local Community Nature Day, talking to local residents and organisations about the environment, climate and nature recovery, local tree planting and footpath maintenance initiatives and so much more.

🌈 Last week I attended an event organised by Fighting with Pride to meet the artists behind the LGBT+ Armed Forces Community Memorial.

🎨 It was an honour to see the beautiful winning design that will soon stand at the National Arboretum to pay tribute to all LGBT+ veterans and serving personnel.

💼 Only 30% of people with autism are in work – far below the national average for disabled people.

✍ Yesterday I asked the Minister about the steps he is taking to ensure adults with autism and other special educational needs can access the workforce.

🌊 As a member of the EFRA Select Committee, I questioned the CEO of the Environment Agency on the withdrawal of Main River maintenance funding in Somerset. With no consultation and only retrospective notice, anxiety is high. Today I called for a pause & a review with the Somerset Drainage Board.

Urgent Question: Community Pharmacy Regulation - Sarah Dyke MP Wednesday 15 October 2025 1.30pm - Urgent Question on Jhoots Pharmacy Watch Sarah Dyke MP's contribution here. Contact Sarah: sarah.dyke.mp@parliament.uk Website: https://www.sarahdyke.uk/sarah…

💉 The mistreatment of employees and patients alike by Jhoots Pharmacies’ management is symptomatic of the financial strain our community pharmacies face,
🚨 I posed an Urgent Question to the Minister, asking him to ensure independent pharmacies in rural areas can continue to provide crucial services.

Last week I attended a "Fighting with Pride" event to meet the artists behind the new LGBT+ Armed Forces Community Memorial. It was an honour to hear their stories & see the winning design, soon to stand at the National Arboretum in Staffordshire in tribute to all LGBT+ veterans & serving personnel.

Last week I attended the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme Graduation Dinner at the RAF Club in Piccadilly. As MP representing RNAS Yeovilton, it was a privilege to take part in the Royal Navy scheme & gain such important insight to help me better support our serving personnel & veterans in my work.

Last week I met Pippa Nesbit from Dementia Support to discuss the urgent need to improve dementia care. Over 9,300 people in Somerset live with dementia, expected to rise to 18,000 by 2035. With rural social care stretched, the Government must reinstate its 66.7% diagnosis and treatment target.

🍎 I was delighted to sponsor NACM’s event celebrating this year’s bumper cider apple harvest. With the South West’s cider industry contributing £270 million annually, supporting 5,700 jobs, a modest cut to duty would offset rising costs, ensuring cider makers continued investment in the UK economy.

🥛 In the wake of the significant drops in milk prices recently faced by dairy farmers, I have written to Angela Eagle, Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs, urging her to bring an end to the one-sided contracts which allow buyers to undercut their producers so brutally.

🦷 Today at PMQs I asked the Prime Minister how he intends to bring an end to the dental desert in Somerset.
🏥 I am heartened to hear that the Somerset ICB will be given the resources to deliver over 13,000 extra dental appointments this year, and I look forward to hearing more details as promised.

🦷 You may have heard me on BBC Radio Somerset on Sunday, discussing the dire state of NHS dental provision in Glastonbury and Somerton.
❌ I am determined to hold the Government to their promise to fix NHS dental services. We can’t afford to wait for Labour’s Ten-Year Health Plan to come into effect.

On Saturday I was delighted to drop into Somerset Wildlife Trust’s third annual community forum, ‘Wilder 2025 – Together for Nature.’

🦊 To get involved with nature protection in Somerset, head to Somerset Wildlife Trust’s website and find your local nature group – buff.ly/XUVAiup

🎓 A huge congratulations to Strode College’s graduating class of 2025!
📝 Graduating from a degree or higher-level course takes passion, drive, and incredible hard work; there is no doubt in my mind that you go on to make a positive contribution in your chosen next steps.

A happy and peaceful Diwali to everyone celebrating today!

🚀 Thank you so much for your support @sarahdykeld.bsky.social !
👉 If you'd like to join Sarah and support my VP campaign sign up here victoria4vp.com/support
🔶 Find out more here victoria4vp.com

💔 Incredibly moving to see the Speak Their Name suicide memorial quilts in Parliament this week. Each square represents a life lost to suicide, lovingly created by family & friends, including in Somerset. 7,000 lives are lost each year - more must be done. I'm committed to pushing for change.

This week in Parliament I was pleased to attend Hospice UK’s event for #HospiceCareWeek. In Somerset palliative care patients have tripled since 2010. The Government must commit to ending the postcode lottery by funding rural areas based on demand to help hospices continue delivering essential care.

⚠️The growing crisis in dental care across Glastonbury and Somerton is deeply concerning.
📝I’ve written to the Health Secretary to demand urgent action and set out practical solutions I’m already working on.
📣Everyone in Somerset deserves timely, affordable access to dental care.