Author | Lightnews

Tim Farron @timfarron.bsky.social · 2d

Many patients in Eden are no longer able to get follow-up blood tests at their local GP surgeries - instead, they have to travel to hospital in Penrith or Carlisle.

This is absolute madness.

Today, I raised the issue directly with ministers in the Department for Health 👇

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Tim Farron @timfarron.bsky.social · 2d

One of the biggest barriers to students in rural areas accessing vocational studies through FE colleges is that they live so far away, and that travel costs a fortune.

I asked the Education Secretary what plans she has to put an end to that barrier.

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Tim Farron @timfarron.bsky.social · 2d

People seeking asylum in this country should be able to work here.

This would help them to integrate into our society, financially support themselves, and also reduce the cost to the taxpayer.

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Reposted by Tim Farron

Ed Davey @eddavey.libdems.org.uk · 6d

Another stonker of a week for us - gaining from the Conservatives and the Green Party in Surrey and from Labour in Preston. The media might not tell you this but the Liberal Democrats are winning all over the place.

This week's by-election scorecard 💪

Lib Dems 7
Reform 1
Con 1
Ind 1

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Tim Farron @timfarron.bsky.social · 6d

This is hugely disappointing.

We were hoping that the Chancellor would use the Budget next month to at least amend the changes to IHT, but instead the government appears to be doubling down on them.

This will do immense damage to environmental stewardship and food production.

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Tim Farron @timfarron.bsky.social · 7d

As a former Conservative councillor, she represents many people across our county who are appalled at what the Conservatives have become in recent years, and have instead turned to the Liberal Democrats.

Libby will fight to get Cumbria’s voice heard, and I’m proud to stand with her in that fight.

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Tim Farron @timfarron.bsky.social · 7d

For this form of devolution to work for Cumbria, we need a mayor who is totally immersed in our communities, listening to and working with local people and businesses to tackle the issues facing our county.

Libby is absolutely that person.

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Tim Farron @timfarron.bsky.social · 7d

I’m thrilled that Libby Bateman has been selected as Liberal Democrat candidate to be Mayor of Cumbria.

Libby has a fantastic track record of getting alongside local communities to get things done, whether that’s better bus services or improved broadband.

Libby Bateman selected as Liberal Democrat candidate for Mayor of Cumbria

The Liberal Democrats have today announced the selection of Libby Bateman as their candidate for Cumbria Mayoral elections which are expected to take place in May 2027.

www.wfelibdems.uk

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Tim Farron @timfarron.bsky.social · 8d

Creating local energy markets would make it easier for households and businesses to buy power from local, renewable sources.

This would make new community renewable energy businesses viable, helping to cut carbon emissions and potentially lower energy bills too.

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Reposted by Tim Farron

Liberal Democrats @libdems.org.uk · 11d

Thousands of miles of disused railways, canal towpaths, and green spaces lie blocked off or forgotten across the UK.

@TimFarron.bsky.social explains the Lib Dem plan to reopen them, creating a national network of green routes for all.

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Tim Farron @timfarron.bsky.social · 13d

Grateful to the ICB for listening to our campaign and choosing to restore this funding in Ambleside, Hawkshead, and Millom.

I'll continue to make the case to the ICB to restore this service in full so that people across our area can get the care they need closer to home.

Cumbria GP surgeries' minor injury service reinstated

People in Ambleside, Hawkshead and Millom can once again be treated for minor injuries by their GP.

www.bbc.co.uk

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Reposted by Tim Farron

Ed Davey @eddavey.libdems.org.uk · 13d

A stonker of a night for us. Three huge wins, Reform nowhere near us and the Tories down to ten percent in Mel Stride’s own seat.

We are the only party taking Farage on and the only party beating him.

Election Maps UK @electionmaps.uk · 13d

Kenn Valley (Teignbridge) Council By-Election Result:

🔶 LDM: 50.4% (+11.0)
➡️ RFM: 23.1% (New)
🌳 CON: 9.6% (-19.0)
🙋 Ind: 8.2% (New)
🌍 GRN: 5.5% (-13.9)
🌹 LAB: 2.7% (-9.9)
🙋 Ind: 0.5% (New)

Liberal Democrat GAIN from Conservative.
Changes w/ 2023.

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Reposted by Tim Farron

Liberal Democrats @libdems.org.uk · 13d

Three big Lib Dem wins in this week's by-elections.

Last night in Mel Stride's Devon constituency, Liberal Democrats GAINED a seat from the Conservatives - the Conservatives dropped to just 10% of the vote.

And two great wins by our teams in Bath and Hampshire.

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Tim Farron @timfarron.bsky.social · 14d

Customers shouldn’t have to foot the bill for the failures of private water companies to clean up the mess they themselves created.

Ministers need to get on with replacing Ofwat with a new, powerful regulator and implement a single social tariff to protect the most vulnerable customers.

The Guardian @theguardian.com · 14d

Millions of households face jump in water bills after regulator backs more price rises

Competition watchdog agrees requests from Anglian, Northumbrian, Southern, Wessex and South East to raise household bills Millions of households in England will see their water bills increase by even more than expected, after the competition regulator gave the green light for five water suppliers to raise charges to customers – but rejected most of the companies’ demands. An independent group of experts appointed by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) provisionally decided to allow the companies to charge customers an extra £556m over the next five years, it said on Thursday. That was only 21% of the £2.7bn that the firms requested. Continue reading...

www.theguardian.com

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Reposted by Tim Farron

Liberal Democrats @libdems.org.uk · 15d

There are people right across our country, who have voted Conservative all their lives, but are now switching to the Liberal Democrats.

YouGov Poll - Liberal Democrats draw level with the Conservatives - both parties on 17%.

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Reposted by Tim Farron

Ed Davey @eddavey.libdems.org.uk · 15d

My message to the millions of One Nation conservatives who reject the divisive politics of Badenoch and Farage is this:

Come and join us. Help us save our country. Come and win with us.

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Tim Farron @timfarron.bsky.social · 15d

Now that they are out of power, the Tories are trying to pretend they are on the side of British farming.

Yet in government, the Conservatives threw farmers under a bus with their trade deal with Australia.

British farmers will never forgive the Tories.

www.fwi.co.uk/news/gove-ad...

Gove admits Tory trade deals failed to protect UK farmers - Farmers Weekly

Former Defra secretary Michael Gove has admitted for the first time that the Australian trade deal negotiated by the previous Conservative government did

www.fwi.co.uk

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Tim Farron @timfarron.bsky.social · 17d

There can be absolutely no justification for cutting prices for dairy farmers by such a scale.

Enough is enough.

We need a stronger regulator with teeth that can stand up to the big corporations and ensure British dairy farmers finally get a fair deal.

www.farminguk.com/news/milk-pr...

Milk price cuts spark Lib Dem demand for 'regulator with teeth'

British dairy farmers are reeling after milk prices were slashed by up to 18%, sparking urgent calls from the Liberal Democrats for government action.

www.farminguk.com

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Tim Farron @timfarron.bsky.social · 21d

This is surely common sense.

If you agree, then please sign our petition to help me put pressure on the Government to make sure that all new housing developments come with those extra services that our communities need.

www.wfelibdems.uk/newhousing

New housing must come with new services

Sign the petition today!

www.wfelibdems.uk

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Tim Farron @timfarron.bsky.social · 21d

The Government’s imposed housebuilding targets mean that we will see 26,000 new homes built across Westmorland & Furness over the next 20 years.

It is vital that these new homes are not only affordable, but that they come with the extra services needed to support an increase in our population.

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Tim Farron @timfarron.bsky.social · 21d

I am horrified and heartbroken by the appalling attack on a synagogue in Manchester.

My thoughts are with the victims' loved ones and also with our Jewish friends and neighbours who should all be able to live their lives and practice their religion, free of fear.

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Tim Farron @timfarron.bsky.social · 27d

Long after he stepped down as leader, he would often holiday here in the Lakes and would take a day out to lend a hand with our campaigns alongside his beloved wife Elspeth.

I will miss him terribly and I'm praying for his family.

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Tim Farron @timfarron.bsky.social · 27d

Ming was an inspiration to millions of people who, to this day, continue to believe that international law and human rights matter to all of us and are essential to our basic human liberties.

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Tim Farron @timfarron.bsky.social · 27d

Ming and Charles Kennedy led the opposition to the Iraq war - helping millions to see that it wasn't just peace that was at risk, but also the rule of law, with many future regimes, presidents, and prime ministers believing they could now get away with breaking international law.

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Tim Farron @timfarron.bsky.social · 27d

Ming Campbell was a hero of mine ever since I first became a Lib Dem activist back in my teens.

He did the honour of appointing me his PPS when he was leader. It was a privilege to learn from him and become his friend, a wondrous thing to be able to call someone who was also a hero.

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