Max Wilkinson MP
@maxwilkinson.bsky.social
MP for Cheltenham
Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Home Affairs
Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Home Affairs
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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November 25, 2025 at 4:55 PM
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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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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November 24, 2025 at 7:08 PM
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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Reposted by Max Wilkinson MP
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.
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.
November 23, 2025 at 5:01 PM
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.
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.
November 21, 2025 at 4:36 PM
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.
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.
November 21, 2025 at 10:58 AM
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.
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.
November 21, 2025 at 9:48 AM
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.
November 18, 2025 at 9:00 AM
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.
Reposted by Max Wilkinson MP
"Leaving the ECHR would do nothing to halt small boat crossings, but it would deny British people hard-won rights."
@MaxWilkinson.bsky.social
@MaxWilkinson.bsky.social
November 17, 2025 at 4:15 PM
"Leaving the ECHR would do nothing to halt small boat crossings, but it would deny British people hard-won rights."
@MaxWilkinson.bsky.social
@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.
November 17, 2025 at 1:49 PM
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.
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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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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November 14, 2025 at 11:35 AM
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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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 🎄🎁
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 🎄🎁
November 14, 2025 at 9:27 AM
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 🎄🎁
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 🎄🎁
I’ve been speaking up for local maternity services since before I was elected as Cheltenham’s MP. Today, I asked the Prime Minister for reassurance that a temporary downgrade of the Aveta Birth Centre in 2022 under a Conservative government will not become permanent under Labour.
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November 12, 2025 at 1:22 PM
I’ve been speaking up for local maternity services since before I was elected as Cheltenham’s MP. Today, I asked the Prime Minister for reassurance that a temporary downgrade of the Aveta Birth Centre in 2022 under a Conservative government will not become permanent under Labour.
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During my speech in the Commons the day after the Cambridgeshire attack, I called out those who sought to use it for political gain or stoke further division. You can watch my full speech and the angry heckling of the Shadow Home Secretary over on Facebook: www.facebook.com/share/v/1D8X...
November 7, 2025 at 5:40 PM
During my speech in the Commons the day after the Cambridgeshire attack, I called out those who sought to use it for political gain or stoke further division. You can watch my full speech and the angry heckling of the Shadow Home Secretary over on Facebook: www.facebook.com/share/v/1D8X...
I was invited to appear on Sky News Politics Hub earlier this week. I challenged the idea that drilling in the North Sea would make our energy bills cheaper. It will make almost no difference to our bills. The Lib Dem plan to decouple wholesale gas prices from our energy bills would do so much more.
November 7, 2025 at 5:08 PM
I was invited to appear on Sky News Politics Hub earlier this week. I challenged the idea that drilling in the North Sea would make our energy bills cheaper. It will make almost no difference to our bills. The Lib Dem plan to decouple wholesale gas prices from our energy bills would do so much more.
Every year the Speaker of the House of Commons opens a Garden of Remembrance in Parliament.
This week, I’ve placed a cross in the Garden on behalf of the people of Cheltenham.
We will remember them.
This week, I’ve placed a cross in the Garden on behalf of the people of Cheltenham.
We will remember them.
November 6, 2025 at 8:51 AM
Every year the Speaker of the House of Commons opens a Garden of Remembrance in Parliament.
This week, I’ve placed a cross in the Garden on behalf of the people of Cheltenham.
We will remember them.
This week, I’ve placed a cross in the Garden on behalf of the people of Cheltenham.
We will remember them.
I was proud to take part in the annual Parliamentary Poppy Ride run by the IPT and the Royal British Legion. The event helps to raise awareness of and support for the Poppy Appeal.
Please go to rbl.org.uk to donate and support our Armed Forces community.
Please go to rbl.org.uk to donate and support our Armed Forces community.
November 5, 2025 at 1:00 PM
I was proud to take part in the annual Parliamentary Poppy Ride run by the IPT and the Royal British Legion. The event helps to raise awareness of and support for the Poppy Appeal.
Please go to rbl.org.uk to donate and support our Armed Forces community.
Please go to rbl.org.uk to donate and support our Armed Forces community.
Nigel Farage has just flip-flopped on the vague and unrealistic economic plan he had. But the main thing we must all remember is that his last big idea was Brexit and that was a disaster for the economy, as I reminded Sky’s Politics Hub this week.
November 5, 2025 at 10:45 AM
Nigel Farage has just flip-flopped on the vague and unrealistic economic plan he had. But the main thing we must all remember is that his last big idea was Brexit and that was a disaster for the economy, as I reminded Sky’s Politics Hub this week.
Thank you to the person who sent me the latest ‘Next PM’ odds. I can let you all into a secret: I’m not a candidate for that job. But it’s reassuring to know that the bookies think I’m more likely to get the public’s support than Liz Truss!
November 4, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Thank you to the person who sent me the latest ‘Next PM’ odds. I can let you all into a secret: I’m not a candidate for that job. But it’s reassuring to know that the bookies think I’m more likely to get the public’s support than Liz Truss!
I enjoyed the rare pleasure of some time sitting down at the Margaret Dabbs Cheltenham clinic last week, to mark #BritishBeautyWeek. I’m always keen to support local businesses. While I’m not what you might call a ‘typical’ customer, I was very pleased to be invited along. My feet were pleased too!
October 31, 2025 at 1:20 PM
I enjoyed the rare pleasure of some time sitting down at the Margaret Dabbs Cheltenham clinic last week, to mark #BritishBeautyWeek. I’m always keen to support local businesses. While I’m not what you might call a ‘typical’ customer, I was very pleased to be invited along. My feet were pleased too!
I spent an inspiring evening celebrating student successes at Balcarras School. It was an honour to be part of prizegiving evening and to enjoy musical items by students Jasmine Went & Ben Skeet. Thank you to headteacher Dominic Burke for inviting me & a big ‘congratulations’ to the prize winners.
October 30, 2025 at 8:18 AM
I spent an inspiring evening celebrating student successes at Balcarras School. It was an honour to be part of prizegiving evening and to enjoy musical items by students Jasmine Went & Ben Skeet. Thank you to headteacher Dominic Burke for inviting me & a big ‘congratulations’ to the prize winners.
Reposted by Max Wilkinson MP
We just defeated Nigel Farage’s Bill in Parliament to tear up people’s rights and withdraw from the ECHR.
Farage wants to do away with the Britain Churchill built and turn it into a version of Trump's America. We stopped him.
Farage wants to do away with the Britain Churchill built and turn it into a version of Trump's America. We stopped him.
October 29, 2025 at 3:30 PM
We just defeated Nigel Farage’s Bill in Parliament to tear up people’s rights and withdraw from the ECHR.
Farage wants to do away with the Britain Churchill built and turn it into a version of Trump's America. We stopped him.
Farage wants to do away with the Britain Churchill built and turn it into a version of Trump's America. We stopped him.
I will continue to call out racist and hateful speech. It has no place in our country and certainly not in our Parliament.
Nigel Farage insists racism has no place in his party. But Sarah Pochin’s racist comments tell a different story.
He must withdraw the whip or admit that Reform tolerates blatant racism.
He must withdraw the whip or admit that Reform tolerates blatant racism.
October 29, 2025 at 3:29 PM
I will continue to call out racist and hateful speech. It has no place in our country and certainly not in our Parliament.
Huge ‘thanks’ and congratulations to the Allstar Passion cheerleading squad for inviting me to the opening of their new training centre at the Bramery Business Park.
Squad leader PK and her coaches are doing a fantastic job. I can tell you from experience that cheerleading gives you a real ‘high’.
Squad leader PK and her coaches are doing a fantastic job. I can tell you from experience that cheerleading gives you a real ‘high’.
October 24, 2025 at 10:08 AM
Huge ‘thanks’ and congratulations to the Allstar Passion cheerleading squad for inviting me to the opening of their new training centre at the Bramery Business Park.
Squad leader PK and her coaches are doing a fantastic job. I can tell you from experience that cheerleading gives you a real ‘high’.
Squad leader PK and her coaches are doing a fantastic job. I can tell you from experience that cheerleading gives you a real ‘high’.
Reposted by Max Wilkinson MP
🚲 Bike theft has effectively been decriminalised.
The British Transport Police have said that bike thefts outside London railway stations will not be investigated if they have been locked for more than two hours!
@MaxWilkinson.bsky.social speaks to commuters 🔽
The British Transport Police have said that bike thefts outside London railway stations will not be investigated if they have been locked for more than two hours!
@MaxWilkinson.bsky.social speaks to commuters 🔽
October 24, 2025 at 9:31 AM
🚲 Bike theft has effectively been decriminalised.
The British Transport Police have said that bike thefts outside London railway stations will not be investigated if they have been locked for more than two hours!
@MaxWilkinson.bsky.social speaks to commuters 🔽
The British Transport Police have said that bike thefts outside London railway stations will not be investigated if they have been locked for more than two hours!
@MaxWilkinson.bsky.social speaks to commuters 🔽
You may know that I’ve joined the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme to ensure I’m doing all I can to be better briefed on matters relating to defence. I learn a huge amount from the scheme. I’m always impressed, but never surprised, by the quality & commitment of the servicemen and women I meet.
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October 17, 2025 at 10:48 AM
You may know that I’ve joined the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme to ensure I’m doing all I can to be better briefed on matters relating to defence. I learn a huge amount from the scheme. I’m always impressed, but never surprised, by the quality & commitment of the servicemen and women I meet.
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