Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Paul Kohler MP @paulkohlersw19.bsky.social · 2h

I joined Ed Davey & Sarah Olney at Bedelsford school to discuss ICB cuts to care packages for disabled children, which is having a huge impact on these children & their families.

It’s so important that their voices are heard & we will continue to press this issue.

3 4

Paul Kohler MP @paulkohlersw19.bsky.social · 3h

I was delighted to have the opportunity to address politics students at Ewell Castle, my former school.

I loved going down memory lane & answering the engaging questions of current students.

1 4

Paul Kohler MP @paulkohlersw19.bsky.social · 5h

My interview with BBC News, exposing the scandal of asylum contracts, written under the Tories, which enabled private providers to make 8x more profit by keeping asylum applicants in hotels.

A shocking waste of taxpayer money.

1 11 17

Paul Kohler MP @paulkohlersw19.bsky.social · 22h

Many thanks to the GDST for inviting me to the launch of their report on “Designing the Future of Girls’ Education”.

My 4 daughters all benefitted from attending single sex senior schools & it was lovely to meet the Head of Wimbledon High School, where one of them was a pupil.

1 1

Paul Kohler MP @paulkohlersw19.bsky.social · 1d

I wrote to Rachel Reeves asking for urgent support in the Budget for pubs, bars & their suppliers.

As MP for Wimbledon, Chair of the Night Time Economy APPG, & nearly 20 years running my own bar, I know how vital the hospitality industry is for communities, jobs & businesses.

3

Paul Kohler MP @paulkohlersw19.bsky.social · 1d

Response from the Climate Minister to my letter asking for an update on the Government’s Climate Plan, on behalf of a number of constituents 👇

1

Paul Kohler MP @paulkohlersw19.bsky.social · 1d

On the 2nd anniversary of Hamas’s murderous attack we remember all those killed & taken hostage.

As we face a deeply troubling rise in antisemitism in the UK, we stand with British Jews, with Israel & with Jewish communities worldwide, against hatred & antisemitism in all forms.

1 2 1

Paul Kohler MP @paulkohlersw19.bsky.social · 1d

As I told the BBC today, Tory asylum accommodation contracts still allow providers to make obscene profit, earning 8x more by keeping asylum applicants in hotels.

Another scandal, like PPE - although one Labour could solve if they listened to the Liberal Democrats.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Asylum hotel provider makes £180m profit despite claims of inedible food and rationed loo paper

Asylum seekers and charities tell BBC of

www.bbc.co.uk

4 8

Paul Kohler MP @paulkohlersw19.bsky.social · 2d

Sadly Nigel Farage’s nonsense, rather than Winston Churchill’s vision, more important to the Tories.

Joining Russia & Belarus, as only European states outside ECHR, will undermine domestic protections, Good Friday Agreement & our international reputation.

www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

Conservatives would take UK out of ECHR, Badenoch confirms

Leader says move is is necessary ‘to protect our borders, our veterans and our citizens’

www.theguardian.com

5 10

Paul Kohler MP @paulkohlersw19.bsky.social · 2d

cdn.prod.website-files.com/6760307b2343...

cdn.prod.website-files.com

1

Paul Kohler MP @paulkohlersw19.bsky.social · 2d

Siren voices who said leaving EU would be easy are now saying same about ECHR.

Wolfson has provided Kemi Badenoch with an unconvincing fig leaf, based on extremely narrow interpretation that underestimates the legal obstacles & by its own admission, ignores the political issues.

1 2 1

Paul Kohler MP @paulkohlersw19.bsky.social · 2d

Deeply concerned by what appears to be another act of terrorism against one of our faith communities.

The silent majority must not allow British values of tolerance to be undermined by illiberal extremists sowing division, hatred & contempt for others.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Peacehaven: Police release photos of mosque arson suspects

The images are of two people in balaclavas seen outside the mosque before the large blaze spread.

www.bbc.co.uk

4

Paul Kohler MP @paulkohlersw19.bsky.social · 2d

Concerned by claim CPS dropped charges against 2 alleged Westminster spies because Labour refused to confirm China “enemy” of UK

I’m calling on DPP to address allegation in his response to joint letter from Chairs of my Home Affairs & Justice SCs seeking further info on decision

2 2

Paul Kohler MP @paulkohlersw19.bsky.social · 2d

I visited Wimbledon Synagogue on Saturday to express my support for the local Jewish community & ask Rabbi Adrian Schel what I can do to help calm their fears.

Comforted to see the level of security provided by the local police & synagogue but saddened it’s necessary.

5

Paul Kohler MP @paulkohlersw19.bsky.social · 5d

I’m extremely proud, as Wimbledon’s MP, to represent a constituency with such a well informed & learned electorate.

However, I see that one constituent, my fellow Wimbledon resident Kemi Badenoch still has something to learn from the Lib Dem’s new Northern Ireland Shadow 🤦🏻

1 1 3

Paul Kohler MP @paulkohlersw19.bsky.social · 5d

As a member of the Home Affairs Select Committee, I have called for an urgent enquiry into the extremely disturbing BBC Panorama report on misogyny & racism in the Met, to which I trust Sir Mark Rowley will be called to give evidence.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Secret BBC filming exposes hidden culture of racism and misogyny inside Met Police

Panorama undercover investigation captures evidence that

www.bbc.co.uk

7 20

Paul Kohler MP @paulkohlersw19.bsky.social · 6d

Deeply shocked and saddened by the news of the horrific attack at the synagogue in Manchester.

My thoughts are with all those affected and the Jewish community.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Manchester synagogue attack: What we know so far

Four people were injured in a car and stabbing attack on the holiest day in the Jewish religious calendar.

www.bbc.co.uk

4 7

Reposted by Paul Kohler MP

Luke Taylor MP @luketaylorld.bsky.social · 6d

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

2 12 26

Paul Kohler MP @paulkohlersw19.bsky.social · 7d

Today marks the start of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

In Wimbledon, 40% of eligible women aren’t attending screening, while Merton remains one of London’s only boroughs without a dedicated screening centre.

I’ll keep fighting for better access for our community.

3 3

Paul Kohler MP @paulkohlersw19.bsky.social · 7d

More hypocrisy from ⁦⁦Nigel Farage &⁩ Reform, the supposed champions of free speech 🤦🏻‍♂️

www.theguardian.com/media/2025/s...

Nottingham paper takes legal action over Reform council’s ban on reporters

Publisher says stopping it from talking to Nottinghamshire council’s leader is breach of the right to free expression

www.theguardian.com

5 12

Paul Kohler MP @paulkohlersw19.bsky.social · 8d

Excited at the prospect of becoming Northern Ireland Shadow on the Lib Dem front bench.

Looking forward to defending UK’s membership of the ECHR, supporting the NI Accord & Windsor Framework and addressing key legal issues including the Legacy Act.

www.libdems.org.uk/people

People

Find out more about our elected representatives and the Liberal Democrats in your area.

www.libdems.org.uk

1 1 6

Paul Kohler MP @paulkohlersw19.bsky.social · 8d

It’s all very well formulating policies that help “x & y”, but until progressives rediscover a convincing narrative as to why liberal policies also benefit “u”, the snake oil populists of the right & left will continue stealing hearts & minds

1

Paul Kohler MP @paulkohlersw19.bsky.social · 8d

Unknowingly, in Oct 24, Fukuyama described why she sadly lost, before she did.

“If voters are upset about inflation, the southern border or high taxes they’ll vote for Trump; if they care about abortion or want to support Ukraine, they’ll choose Harris.”

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Kamala Harris’s election memoir shows just how deluded the Democrats still are | Nesrine Malik

This unapologetic trawl through a doomed campaign reveals a celebrity-obsessed party high on its own supply. It would be hilarious if it wasn’t so tragic, says Guardian columnist Nesrine Malik

www.theguardian.com

1 1

Paul Kohler MP @paulkohlersw19.bsky.social · 8d

Quality, choice & safety must remain central to maternity care.

I’ve written to the NHS Trust’s Managing Director to directly raise concerns with the potential closure of the Carmen Birth Centre at St George’s Hospital

2 1

Paul Kohler MP @paulkohlersw19.bsky.social · 8d

I was stunned, on a recent school visit, when I learnt there was no longer a library in every primary school📚

Even in the digital age, children need books before smartboards!

www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

Rachel Reeves pledges a library in every primary school in England

Exclusive: Chancellor also set to unveil plans to get young people back into work in party conference speech

www.theguardian.com