Max Wilkinson MP
@maxwilkinson.bsky.social
MP for Cheltenham
Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Home Affairs
Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Home Affairs
Merry Christmas everyone. Wherever you are and whoever you’re with, I hope you are having a joyful time.
🎄🎅🏻🎁
🎄🎅🏻🎁
December 25, 2025 at 9:02 AM
Merry Christmas everyone. Wherever you are and whoever you’re with, I hope you are having a joyful time.
🎄🎅🏻🎁
🎄🎅🏻🎁
I was privileged to spend the weekend visiting members of our Armed Forces in Estonia. While we enjoy Christmas festivities over the coming days, they’re working hard close to Europe’s eastern flank. They’re integrated with our Estonian & French allies as part of NATO’s Forward Land Forces.
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December 23, 2025 at 11:00 AM
I was privileged to spend the weekend visiting members of our Armed Forces in Estonia. While we enjoy Christmas festivities over the coming days, they’re working hard close to Europe’s eastern flank. They’re integrated with our Estonian & French allies as part of NATO’s Forward Land Forces.
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.@gbnewsonline.bsky.social claims it’s the home of free speech, but they do lean heavily to the right. Will they commit to allowing a Liberal Democrat to host a show next year to balance out Farage, Rees-Mogg and Anderson? I challenged Christopher ‘Chopper’ Hope to set an ambitious goal for 2026.
December 19, 2025 at 1:01 PM
.@gbnewsonline.bsky.social claims it’s the home of free speech, but they do lean heavily to the right. Will they commit to allowing a Liberal Democrat to host a show next year to balance out Farage, Rees-Mogg and Anderson? I challenged Christopher ‘Chopper’ Hope to set an ambitious goal for 2026.
Violence against women & girls is a stain on society. Misogyny online continues to spread, all while Nigel Farage publicly describes Andrew Tate as an "important voice" for men. I asked the Home Secretary what steps she and the Minister are taking to progress halving violence against women & girls.
December 18, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Violence against women & girls is a stain on society. Misogyny online continues to spread, all while Nigel Farage publicly describes Andrew Tate as an "important voice" for men. I asked the Home Secretary what steps she and the Minister are taking to progress halving violence against women & girls.
Many of you will be aware that our councils are being abolished. That raises lots of questions about how services like bins, planning and licensing will be delivered by a new Unitary Authority.
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December 18, 2025 at 12:21 PM
Many of you will be aware that our councils are being abolished. That raises lots of questions about how services like bins, planning and licensing will be delivered by a new Unitary Authority.
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Reposted by Max Wilkinson MP
Trump is coming after our BBC. He’s suing it for $10 billion, and the Conservatives and Reform are cheering him on.
The BBC must not pay Trump a penny. Instead of rolling over, it should sue Trump back for the lies he’s telling about it.
The BBC must not pay Trump a penny. Instead of rolling over, it should sue Trump back for the lies he’s telling about it.
December 16, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Trump is coming after our BBC. He’s suing it for $10 billion, and the Conservatives and Reform are cheering him on.
The BBC must not pay Trump a penny. Instead of rolling over, it should sue Trump back for the lies he’s telling about it.
The BBC must not pay Trump a penny. Instead of rolling over, it should sue Trump back for the lies he’s telling about it.
I am a huge supporter of improving exercise and sport in our schools. Increasing the provision of physical education is something I pushed for in my previous role as Lib Dem Culture, Media and Sport spokesperson. I continue to believe in it.
Sport is for everyone.
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Sport is for everyone.
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December 14, 2025 at 1:44 PM
I am a huge supporter of improving exercise and sport in our schools. Increasing the provision of physical education is something I pushed for in my previous role as Lib Dem Culture, Media and Sport spokesperson. I continue to believe in it.
Sport is for everyone.
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Sport is for everyone.
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I joined Andy Steadman on the Christmas post rounds this morning 🎁🎅🏻
Andy has been working as a postie for 40 years and is a well-known face around Battledown.
Thanks to Andy and all our posties for grafting over the busy Christmas period🎄
Andy has been working as a postie for 40 years and is a well-known face around Battledown.
Thanks to Andy and all our posties for grafting over the busy Christmas period🎄
December 13, 2025 at 10:58 AM
I joined Andy Steadman on the Christmas post rounds this morning 🎁🎅🏻
Andy has been working as a postie for 40 years and is a well-known face around Battledown.
Thanks to Andy and all our posties for grafting over the busy Christmas period🎄
Andy has been working as a postie for 40 years and is a well-known face around Battledown.
Thanks to Andy and all our posties for grafting over the busy Christmas period🎄
It was a privilege to visit CCP today to drop off donations for its Hamper Scamper appeal🎁 It’s the first year my team has organised a donation point for the appeal. I am blown away by the generosity, particularly as the cost-of-living continues to pressure us all. Thank you to everyone who donated.
December 12, 2025 at 5:15 PM
It was a privilege to visit CCP today to drop off donations for its Hamper Scamper appeal🎁 It’s the first year my team has organised a donation point for the appeal. I am blown away by the generosity, particularly as the cost-of-living continues to pressure us all. Thank you to everyone who donated.
I hosted another productive meeting of my MP and Business Network this morning. This time we were the guests of the Everyman Theatre.
35+ local businesses were represented - the biggest number to date. The hot topic was (of course) the Budget, but there was also optimism & drive for 2026.
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35+ local businesses were represented - the biggest number to date. The hot topic was (of course) the Budget, but there was also optimism & drive for 2026.
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December 12, 2025 at 5:01 PM
I hosted another productive meeting of my MP and Business Network this morning. This time we were the guests of the Everyman Theatre.
35+ local businesses were represented - the biggest number to date. The hot topic was (of course) the Budget, but there was also optimism & drive for 2026.
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35+ local businesses were represented - the biggest number to date. The hot topic was (of course) the Budget, but there was also optimism & drive for 2026.
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I enjoyed a lively debate at the Demos Collaborative Democracy Network event this week. The topic up for discussion at the national think tank was about how best to make citizens’ voices heard in a moment of declining trust in politics. You can watch the recording here: m.youtube.com/watch?v=UEvF...
Making Citizens’ Voices Heard: Accountability in a healthy democracy
YouTube video by Demos
m.youtube.com
December 12, 2025 at 7:58 AM
I enjoyed a lively debate at the Demos Collaborative Democracy Network event this week. The topic up for discussion at the national think tank was about how best to make citizens’ voices heard in a moment of declining trust in politics. You can watch the recording here: m.youtube.com/watch?v=UEvF...
Our democracy is under threat.
Unless we ditch our outdated voting system, the next election risks allowing Nigel Farage into Number 10 on the “pull of a one-armed bandit” gambling machine. I asked the Leader of the House to back the Lib Dem elections bill when it returns to Parliament in January.
Unless we ditch our outdated voting system, the next election risks allowing Nigel Farage into Number 10 on the “pull of a one-armed bandit” gambling machine. I asked the Leader of the House to back the Lib Dem elections bill when it returns to Parliament in January.
December 11, 2025 at 1:36 PM
Our democracy is under threat.
Unless we ditch our outdated voting system, the next election risks allowing Nigel Farage into Number 10 on the “pull of a one-armed bandit” gambling machine. I asked the Leader of the House to back the Lib Dem elections bill when it returns to Parliament in January.
Unless we ditch our outdated voting system, the next election risks allowing Nigel Farage into Number 10 on the “pull of a one-armed bandit” gambling machine. I asked the Leader of the House to back the Lib Dem elections bill when it returns to Parliament in January.
Reposted by Max Wilkinson MP
ICYMI: The moment Parliament voted to back our bill on a UK-EU customs union.
The Prime Minister must listen to Parliament.
The Prime Minister must listen to Parliament.
December 10, 2025 at 3:45 PM
ICYMI: The moment Parliament voted to back our bill on a UK-EU customs union.
The Prime Minister must listen to Parliament.
The Prime Minister must listen to Parliament.
I popped into some of Cheltenham's small businesses to say 'thank you' on Small Business Saturday this weekend.
Rosie at Favourite Beers gave me a warm welcome and recommended some tasty drinks for December, too.
Cheers to all the small business owners who make our town what it is!
🍻 🍻 🍻
Rosie at Favourite Beers gave me a warm welcome and recommended some tasty drinks for December, too.
Cheers to all the small business owners who make our town what it is!
🍻 🍻 🍻
December 8, 2025 at 11:52 AM
I popped into some of Cheltenham's small businesses to say 'thank you' on Small Business Saturday this weekend.
Rosie at Favourite Beers gave me a warm welcome and recommended some tasty drinks for December, too.
Cheers to all the small business owners who make our town what it is!
🍻 🍻 🍻
Rosie at Favourite Beers gave me a warm welcome and recommended some tasty drinks for December, too.
Cheers to all the small business owners who make our town what it is!
🍻 🍻 🍻
🎄🎅Great to be out spreading some cheer and delivering my Christmas card in Gas Green yesterday.
Thanks to Jackie, Marg, Chris, Jonathan and many others for joining me.
Thanks to Jackie, Marg, Chris, Jonathan and many others for joining me.
December 7, 2025 at 11:16 AM
🎄🎅Great to be out spreading some cheer and delivering my Christmas card in Gas Green yesterday.
Thanks to Jackie, Marg, Chris, Jonathan and many others for joining me.
Thanks to Jackie, Marg, Chris, Jonathan and many others for joining me.
SMEs and sole traders are the backbone of our economy. The recent Budget did little to help them invest and grow.
This Small Business Saturday, I’ve been reflecting on how I can further support Cheltenham’s brilliant small businesses.
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This Small Business Saturday, I’ve been reflecting on how I can further support Cheltenham’s brilliant small businesses.
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December 6, 2025 at 9:52 AM
SMEs and sole traders are the backbone of our economy. The recent Budget did little to help them invest and grow.
This Small Business Saturday, I’ve been reflecting on how I can further support Cheltenham’s brilliant small businesses.
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This Small Business Saturday, I’ve been reflecting on how I can further support Cheltenham’s brilliant small businesses.
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Small & medium sized businesses in Cheltenham shouldn’t shoulder the burden of national economic failures anymore. Last week’s budget ignored Brexit’s impact & chose to penalise business owners even more. I shared stories of two Cheltenham business owners during my Budget Debate speech yesterday
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December 3, 2025 at 11:20 AM
Small & medium sized businesses in Cheltenham shouldn’t shoulder the burden of national economic failures anymore. Last week’s budget ignored Brexit’s impact & chose to penalise business owners even more. I shared stories of two Cheltenham business owners during my Budget Debate speech yesterday
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The government is ignoring the massive Brexit problem while putting up taxes and attacking businesses. Who is benefitting? Nigel Farage as usual. My speech in today's budget debate 👇
December 2, 2025 at 7:21 PM
The government is ignoring the massive Brexit problem while putting up taxes and attacking businesses. Who is benefitting? Nigel Farage as usual. My speech in today's budget debate 👇
Congratulations to the team at The Hatherley pub. Their Sticky Toffee Pudding won my Cheltenham Pudding Playoff online vote for National British Pudding Day!
It was lovely to present Fleur, Kate and Jake with the award. Even better was the chance to taste the winning pud itself!
It was lovely to present Fleur, Kate and Jake with the award. Even better was the chance to taste the winning pud itself!
December 1, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Congratulations to the team at The Hatherley pub. Their Sticky Toffee Pudding won my Cheltenham Pudding Playoff online vote for National British Pudding Day!
It was lovely to present Fleur, Kate and Jake with the award. Even better was the chance to taste the winning pud itself!
It was lovely to present Fleur, Kate and Jake with the award. Even better was the chance to taste the winning pud itself!
I had a fun, if wobbly, session in the cold to celebrate the opening of Cheltenham’s Christmas Ice Rink.
It’s a project I worked on as a councillor and I’m pleased to say the progress we made on reducing carbon output by using a battery and alternative fuels is still being enjoyed.
It’s a project I worked on as a councillor and I’m pleased to say the progress we made on reducing carbon output by using a battery and alternative fuels is still being enjoyed.
November 28, 2025 at 10:26 AM
I had a fun, if wobbly, session in the cold to celebrate the opening of Cheltenham’s Christmas Ice Rink.
It’s a project I worked on as a councillor and I’m pleased to say the progress we made on reducing carbon output by using a battery and alternative fuels is still being enjoyed.
It’s a project I worked on as a councillor and I’m pleased to say the progress we made on reducing carbon output by using a battery and alternative fuels is still being enjoyed.
I convened a meeting to discuss the future of our town centre. I was joined by representatives of the Civic Society, Historic England, Borough Council, County Council, local planning experts, architects, environmental campaigners and building owners.
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November 27, 2025 at 4:07 PM
I convened a meeting to discuss the future of our town centre. I was joined by representatives of the Civic Society, Historic England, Borough Council, County Council, local planning experts, architects, environmental campaigners and building owners.
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Reposted by Max Wilkinson MP
This is botched Budget, from a government that is hiking taxes on ordinary families instead of going for growth by fixing our trade with Europe.
November 26, 2025 at 3:55 PM
This is botched Budget, from a government that is hiking taxes on ordinary families instead of going for growth by fixing our trade with Europe.
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.