Caroline Voaden
@carolinevoadenmp.bsky.social
Liberal Democrat MP for South Devon and Schools Spokesperson. Former leader of Lib Dem MEPs. 🔶
Education Select Committee member.
UK-EU Parliamentary Partnership Assembly member.
E:[email protected]
Education Select Committee member.
UK-EU Parliamentary Partnership Assembly member.
E:[email protected]
Pinned
Caroline Voaden Maiden Speech
YouTube video by Liberal Democrats
www.youtube.com
It was a real honour to make my maiden speech in the House of Commons - here it is for anyone interested.
The first non Conservative to do so from my part of the UK in over 100 years 😊
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lg1...
The first non Conservative to do so from my part of the UK in over 100 years 😊
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lg1...
Reposted by Caroline Voaden
Brexit has cost each and every one of us £3,700 a year.
But instead of solving the problem, Labour are using Brexit as an excuse to raise your taxes.
My message ahead of the Budget: Stop blaming Brexit and start fixing it!
But instead of solving the problem, Labour are using Brexit as an excuse to raise your taxes.
My message ahead of the Budget: Stop blaming Brexit and start fixing it!
November 25, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Brexit has cost each and every one of us £3,700 a year.
But instead of solving the problem, Labour are using Brexit as an excuse to raise your taxes.
My message ahead of the Budget: Stop blaming Brexit and start fixing it!
But instead of solving the problem, Labour are using Brexit as an excuse to raise your taxes.
My message ahead of the Budget: Stop blaming Brexit and start fixing it!
Remember when they said Brexit would save us £350m a week?
Well, it has actually cost us £250m a day this year.
And that goes a long way to explaining why our taxes are high why productivity low.
It’s never been clearer that the key to growth is fixing our relationship with Europe.
Well, it has actually cost us £250m a day this year.
And that goes a long way to explaining why our taxes are high why productivity low.
It’s never been clearer that the key to growth is fixing our relationship with Europe.
Brexit costing UK up to £90bn in lost tax revenue , new analysis shows
Exclusive: Britons also up to £3,700 worse off, leading to calls for the Labour government to improve relations with the EU
www.independent.co.uk
November 25, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Remember when they said Brexit would save us £350m a week?
Well, it has actually cost us £250m a day this year.
And that goes a long way to explaining why our taxes are high why productivity low.
It’s never been clearer that the key to growth is fixing our relationship with Europe.
Well, it has actually cost us £250m a day this year.
And that goes a long way to explaining why our taxes are high why productivity low.
It’s never been clearer that the key to growth is fixing our relationship with Europe.
Today is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls, part of an international campaign to stamp out male violence against women.
November 25, 2025 at 10:32 AM
Today is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls, part of an international campaign to stamp out male violence against women.
For months, I’ve been calling on the Education Secretary to expand free school meals so while I’m pleased she has finally listened, I’m concerned about how this policy will be paid for.
November 24, 2025 at 12:42 PM
For months, I’ve been calling on the Education Secretary to expand free school meals so while I’m pleased she has finally listened, I’m concerned about how this policy will be paid for.
Absolutely devastating report from Stanford on Brexit’s impact.
📉Reduced GDP by up to 8% and investment by as much as 18%.
📉The Treasury would have £40bn more each year if Britain had remained in the EU.
Imagine the Chancellor could do with that extra money this week more than most!
📉Reduced GDP by up to 8% and investment by as much as 18%.
📉The Treasury would have £40bn more each year if Britain had remained in the EU.
Imagine the Chancellor could do with that extra money this week more than most!
The Economic Impact of Brexit
Other
siepr.stanford.edu
November 24, 2025 at 12:36 PM
Absolutely devastating report from Stanford on Brexit’s impact.
📉Reduced GDP by up to 8% and investment by as much as 18%.
📉The Treasury would have £40bn more each year if Britain had remained in the EU.
Imagine the Chancellor could do with that extra money this week more than most!
📉Reduced GDP by up to 8% and investment by as much as 18%.
📉The Treasury would have £40bn more each year if Britain had remained in the EU.
Imagine the Chancellor could do with that extra money this week more than most!
Despite making up half the population, women remain underrepresented at the entry level of the government.
The UK has never had a Parliament that is truly 50:50. We’re currently at 40%, so we’ve still got some way to go.
The UK has never had a Parliament that is truly 50:50. We’re currently at 40%, so we’ve still got some way to go.
November 21, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Despite making up half the population, women remain underrepresented at the entry level of the government.
The UK has never had a Parliament that is truly 50:50. We’re currently at 40%, so we’ve still got some way to go.
The UK has never had a Parliament that is truly 50:50. We’re currently at 40%, so we’ve still got some way to go.
Let’s hope the Government is watching Australia very closely at the moment.
While the Liberal Democrats aren’t calling for a social media ban, it’s clear much more is needed to protect children from the wild west of the online world.
While the Liberal Democrats aren’t calling for a social media ban, it’s clear much more is needed to protect children from the wild west of the online world.
November 21, 2025 at 9:33 AM
Let’s hope the Government is watching Australia very closely at the moment.
While the Liberal Democrats aren’t calling for a social media ban, it’s clear much more is needed to protect children from the wild west of the online world.
While the Liberal Democrats aren’t calling for a social media ban, it’s clear much more is needed to protect children from the wild west of the online world.
My thoughts and prayers are with all those who lost loved ones during the pandemic, and everyone who suffered.
As the report makes clear, thousands of lives could have been saved and a national lockdown avoided if the Government had acted sooner.
As the report makes clear, thousands of lives could have been saved and a national lockdown avoided if the Government had acted sooner.
November 21, 2025 at 9:19 AM
My thoughts and prayers are with all those who lost loved ones during the pandemic, and everyone who suffered.
As the report makes clear, thousands of lives could have been saved and a national lockdown avoided if the Government had acted sooner.
As the report makes clear, thousands of lives could have been saved and a national lockdown avoided if the Government had acted sooner.
Today, I asked the Prime Minister if he would back a smartphone ban in schools.
Given the Government’s desire to improve educational outcomes and the wellbeing of our children, you’d think it’d be a no brainer.
But, to my deep disappointment, he refused.
Given the Government’s desire to improve educational outcomes and the wellbeing of our children, you’d think it’d be a no brainer.
But, to my deep disappointment, he refused.
November 19, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Today, I asked the Prime Minister if he would back a smartphone ban in schools.
Given the Government’s desire to improve educational outcomes and the wellbeing of our children, you’d think it’d be a no brainer.
But, to my deep disappointment, he refused.
Given the Government’s desire to improve educational outcomes and the wellbeing of our children, you’d think it’d be a no brainer.
But, to my deep disappointment, he refused.
Proud to chair a fantastic and thought-provoking roundtable this morning on smartphones at schools.
I hope the Government will listen to the headteachers and educational experts and bring in a ban that is sorely needed.
I hope the Government will listen to the headteachers and educational experts and bring in a ban that is sorely needed.
November 19, 2025 at 12:06 PM
Proud to chair a fantastic and thought-provoking roundtable this morning on smartphones at schools.
I hope the Government will listen to the headteachers and educational experts and bring in a ban that is sorely needed.
I hope the Government will listen to the headteachers and educational experts and bring in a ban that is sorely needed.
This week marks another meeting of the Parliamentary Partnership Assembly, where MPs get together with MEPs from the European Parliament to talk about improving the relationship between the UK and the EU.
November 18, 2025 at 9:44 AM
This week marks another meeting of the Parliamentary Partnership Assembly, where MPs get together with MEPs from the European Parliament to talk about improving the relationship between the UK and the EU.
Teachers are the most important asset in our education system, so it is heart-breaking that their wellbeing rates have dropped to an all-time low. The Government must do more to support them, starting with tackling the recruitment crisis, which leaves so many teachers overstretched.
Teacher wellbeing plunges to lowest in six years
Teacher wellbeing rates have dropped to the lowest levels since they were first recorded in 2019, a report by Education Support has found.
schoolsweek.co.uk
November 18, 2025 at 9:26 AM
Teachers are the most important asset in our education system, so it is heart-breaking that their wellbeing rates have dropped to an all-time low. The Government must do more to support them, starting with tackling the recruitment crisis, which leaves so many teachers overstretched.
This shocking study reinforces why the Government was right to ban online porn showing choking. And why it must go further. Our pornography laws are dangerously outdated, the consequences of this and the contribution it makes to a culture of violence and abuse, particularly against women, are clear.
Nearly half of sexually active young people in UK have experienced strangulation, study shows
Survey reveals crisis of distress, consent issues and physical harm caused by strangulation during sex
www.theguardian.com
November 18, 2025 at 9:23 AM
This shocking study reinforces why the Government was right to ban online porn showing choking. And why it must go further. Our pornography laws are dangerously outdated, the consequences of this and the contribution it makes to a culture of violence and abuse, particularly against women, are clear.
Hardly surprising, though no less shocking, from Reform here.
Remember this is a party actively stripping support for SEND children in Kent, and whose leader thinks children as young as five should walk miles to school.
Now, the deputy is slamming devices that help autistic children.
Remember this is a party actively stripping support for SEND children in Kent, and whose leader thinks children as young as five should walk miles to school.
Now, the deputy is slamming devices that help autistic children.
November 17, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Hardly surprising, though no less shocking, from Reform here.
Remember this is a party actively stripping support for SEND children in Kent, and whose leader thinks children as young as five should walk miles to school.
Now, the deputy is slamming devices that help autistic children.
Remember this is a party actively stripping support for SEND children in Kent, and whose leader thinks children as young as five should walk miles to school.
Now, the deputy is slamming devices that help autistic children.
This is just mean-spirited and goes against who we are as a nation. How many long until Government realises you don’t beat Reform by becoming them?
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Asylum seekers’ jewellery could be seized to pay for processing costs, says Home Office minister
Idea borrowed from Denmark is latest attempt to reduce number of people seeking asylum in UK
www.theguardian.com
November 17, 2025 at 12:03 PM
This is just mean-spirited and goes against who we are as a nation. How many long until Government realises you don’t beat Reform by becoming them?
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Reposted by Caroline Voaden
Our plan would cut energy bills, save our high street and put £270 back in your pocket.
November 16, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Our plan would cut energy bills, save our high street and put £270 back in your pocket.
I am glad the Government has finally arrived at the conclusion the Liberal Democrats reached years ago and decided Police and Crime Commissioners should be scrapped.
November 14, 2025 at 9:47 AM
I am glad the Government has finally arrived at the conclusion the Liberal Democrats reached years ago and decided Police and Crime Commissioners should be scrapped.
Eleventh hour screeching budgetary U-turns hardly inspire confidence in the Chancellor and the UK economy. Instead of fiddling around the fiscal edges and plumbing for taxes changes that haven’t been made for a reason, the Chancellor should look at our plan for a windfall tax on the big banks.
Rachel Reeves to abandon plans to raise income tax rates in budget
Labour had laid the ground to break a manifesto pledge on taxes for working people but has now made a U-turn
www.theguardian.com
November 14, 2025 at 9:19 AM
Eleventh hour screeching budgetary U-turns hardly inspire confidence in the Chancellor and the UK economy. Instead of fiddling around the fiscal edges and plumbing for taxes changes that haven’t been made for a reason, the Chancellor should look at our plan for a windfall tax on the big banks.
The infighting in the Government is a complete distraction from the urgent task at hand after years of Conservative psychodrama.
Clearly there is real frustration brewing on the Labour backbenches regarding Starmer’s leadership and frankly it’s a mirror of the country.
Clearly there is real frustration brewing on the Labour backbenches regarding Starmer’s leadership and frankly it’s a mirror of the country.
November 12, 2025 at 11:02 AM
The infighting in the Government is a complete distraction from the urgent task at hand after years of Conservative psychodrama.
Clearly there is real frustration brewing on the Labour backbenches regarding Starmer’s leadership and frankly it’s a mirror of the country.
Clearly there is real frustration brewing on the Labour backbenches regarding Starmer’s leadership and frankly it’s a mirror of the country.
People are working their socks off all month and, thanks to the cost-of-living crisis, have little left over with which to enjoy themselves. In years gone by, people could look forward to a meal out or a trip down the pub. Now, those small joys have become unaffordable for many.
November 12, 2025 at 9:49 AM
People are working their socks off all month and, thanks to the cost-of-living crisis, have little left over with which to enjoy themselves. In years gone by, people could look forward to a meal out or a trip down the pub. Now, those small joys have become unaffordable for many.
I’m glad the Government is reconsidering its incredibly ill-judged decision not to award compensation to the WASPI women. The Conservative party left our economy in shambles, but asking wronged pensioners to pay the price is disgraceful. The Government must work without delay to put things right.
Government to rethink rejection of Waspi compensation
Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden says that the rethink does not mean that payouts will necessarily follow.
www.bbc.com
November 12, 2025 at 9:21 AM
I’m glad the Government is reconsidering its incredibly ill-judged decision not to award compensation to the WASPI women. The Conservative party left our economy in shambles, but asking wronged pensioners to pay the price is disgraceful. The Government must work without delay to put things right.
Sexual exploitation is being perpetrated on an industrial scale by pimping websites which currently enjoy total legal impunity.
Advertising prostitution in a phone box was made illegal 25 years ago, so why isn’t the Government taking action on banning the practice online?
Advertising prostitution in a phone box was made illegal 25 years ago, so why isn’t the Government taking action on banning the practice online?
November 11, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Sexual exploitation is being perpetrated on an industrial scale by pimping websites which currently enjoy total legal impunity.
Advertising prostitution in a phone box was made illegal 25 years ago, so why isn’t the Government taking action on banning the practice online?
Advertising prostitution in a phone box was made illegal 25 years ago, so why isn’t the Government taking action on banning the practice online?
If the leader of Reform’s flagship council is “captain chaos”, what does that make the party’s leader? In all seriousness, this is a shocking condemnation of Kent’s leadership from the Fire Brigades Union, who say public safety is now at risk thanks to Reform’s reckless management.
November 11, 2025 at 1:19 PM
If the leader of Reform’s flagship council is “captain chaos”, what does that make the party’s leader? In all seriousness, this is a shocking condemnation of Kent’s leadership from the Fire Brigades Union, who say public safety is now at risk thanks to Reform’s reckless management.
No matter where you look the damage wreaked by the Chancellor’s jobs tax is plain to see. The Government must reverse their damaging NI hike at the Budget and commit to saving the small businesses they’ve pushed to the brink of collapse.
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
UK unemployment rises to 5%, the highest level in four years
ONS says jobs market worsening before budget, as HMRC reports falling number of workers on firms’ payrolls
www.theguardian.com
November 11, 2025 at 9:57 AM
No matter where you look the damage wreaked by the Chancellor’s jobs tax is plain to see. The Government must reverse their damaging NI hike at the Budget and commit to saving the small businesses they’ve pushed to the brink of collapse.
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
www.theguardian.com/business/202...