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:Caroline.voaden.MP@parliament.uk
Education Select Committee member.
UK-EU Parliamentary Partnership Assembly member.
E:Caroline.voaden.MP@parliament.uk
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...
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...
The Government’s silence on this is deafening. Our dairy farmers were already in a perilous position, thanks to record drought conditions. Now these milk price drops, driven by one-sided contracts that favour buyers, could push them to the edge.
November 11, 2025 at 9:40 AM
The Government’s silence on this is deafening. Our dairy farmers were already in a perilous position, thanks to record drought conditions. Now these milk price drops, driven by one-sided contracts that favour buyers, could push them to the edge.
The Chancellor must follow through with her hints and scrap the two-child benefit cap at the Budget.
Doing so would lift more than 250,000 children out of poverty.
The Government has a moral duty to act.
Doing so would lift more than 250,000 children out of poverty.
The Government has a moral duty to act.
November 10, 2025 at 4:42 PM
The Chancellor must follow through with her hints and scrap the two-child benefit cap at the Budget.
Doing so would lift more than 250,000 children out of poverty.
The Government has a moral duty to act.
Doing so would lift more than 250,000 children out of poverty.
The Government has a moral duty to act.
Reposted by Caroline Voaden
Keir Starmer needs to wake up and fix our broken voting system before the next election, or he risks letting Nigel Farage into Number 10.
We will keep fighting for fair votes to make sure every voice is heard.
We will keep fighting for fair votes to make sure every voice is heard.
November 7, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Keir Starmer needs to wake up and fix our broken voting system before the next election, or he risks letting Nigel Farage into Number 10.
We will keep fighting for fair votes to make sure every voice is heard.
We will keep fighting for fair votes to make sure every voice is heard.
@wendychambld.bsky.social's absolutely right here – this is a challenge we face in South Devon, too. Here the prestigious Britannia Royal Naval College brings many military families to Dartmouth. They deserve homes that are up to the standard that service personnel expect.
I spoke to LBC News about the poor state of military housing in Scotland and across the UK.
I’m proud that the Liberal Democrats secured changes to ensure service accommodation must now meet the Decent Homes Standard, giving our Armed Forces families the rights and living conditions they deserve.
I’m proud that the Liberal Democrats secured changes to ensure service accommodation must now meet the Decent Homes Standard, giving our Armed Forces families the rights and living conditions they deserve.
November 10, 2025 at 11:00 AM
@wendychambld.bsky.social's absolutely right here – this is a challenge we face in South Devon, too. Here the prestigious Britannia Royal Naval College brings many military families to Dartmouth. They deserve homes that are up to the standard that service personnel expect.
Yes, the BBC isn’t perfect, but it remains one of the few institutions standing between British values and populism.
As a public service broadcaster, the BBC’s role is vital in ensuring our democracy is based on facts, scrutiny, and accountability.
As a public service broadcaster, the BBC’s role is vital in ensuring our democracy is based on facts, scrutiny, and accountability.
November 10, 2025 at 9:29 AM
Yes, the BBC isn’t perfect, but it remains one of the few institutions standing between British values and populism.
As a public service broadcaster, the BBC’s role is vital in ensuring our democracy is based on facts, scrutiny, and accountability.
As a public service broadcaster, the BBC’s role is vital in ensuring our democracy is based on facts, scrutiny, and accountability.
The city of El Fasher in Sudan fell to the Rapid Support Force last week after a lengthy siege which saw the militia group build an earthen wall around the city, trapping those inside who faced daily attacks and mass starvation.
November 5, 2025 at 2:09 PM
The city of El Fasher in Sudan fell to the Rapid Support Force last week after a lengthy siege which saw the militia group build an earthen wall around the city, trapping those inside who faced daily attacks and mass starvation.
Some good changes in this review but…where will new teachers come from? Who will pay for them? How will schools fit new subjects into a packed day?
Equal status for languages, culture, arts, nature, adventure, sports & life skills but how will it happen?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Equal status for languages, culture, arts, nature, adventure, sports & life skills but how will it happen?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Mortgages and AI to be added to the curriculum in English schools
Ministers are making the changes for children in England after a review of what is taught in schools.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 5, 2025 at 9:07 AM
Some good changes in this review but…where will new teachers come from? Who will pay for them? How will schools fit new subjects into a packed day?
Equal status for languages, culture, arts, nature, adventure, sports & life skills but how will it happen?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Equal status for languages, culture, arts, nature, adventure, sports & life skills but how will it happen?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
I’m very relieved to see the Government take the long overdue step of banning online pornography showing strangulation or suffocation.
I find it completely abhorrent that young women today see this as something fairly normal, that they might be expected to take part in.
I find it completely abhorrent that young women today see this as something fairly normal, that they might be expected to take part in.
November 4, 2025 at 2:05 PM
I’m very relieved to see the Government take the long overdue step of banning online pornography showing strangulation or suffocation.
I find it completely abhorrent that young women today see this as something fairly normal, that they might be expected to take part in.
I find it completely abhorrent that young women today see this as something fairly normal, that they might be expected to take part in.
This is a shocking accusation against Ofwat. If proved true, it only further emphasises why the Government should get on with the job of scrapping Ofwat and replace it with a new, powerful regulator capable of holding rogue, sewage-dumping water firms to account.
Ofwat letting water firms charge twice to tackle sewage, court to hear
River Action bringing legal action against water regulator over who should foot bill for firms’ past failures to invest
www.theguardian.com
November 4, 2025 at 11:00 AM
This is a shocking accusation against Ofwat. If proved true, it only further emphasises why the Government should get on with the job of scrapping Ofwat and replace it with a new, powerful regulator capable of holding rogue, sewage-dumping water firms to account.
Absolutely heart-breaking research from the McCain Foods’ inaugural Farmdex report today, showing that a third of British farmers are making a loss or only just breaking even.
It makes the Chancellor’s tone-deaf refusal to reverse the family farm tax even more shocking.
It makes the Chancellor’s tone-deaf refusal to reverse the family farm tax even more shocking.
November 4, 2025 at 9:44 AM
Absolutely heart-breaking research from the McCain Foods’ inaugural Farmdex report today, showing that a third of British farmers are making a loss or only just breaking even.
It makes the Chancellor’s tone-deaf refusal to reverse the family farm tax even more shocking.
It makes the Chancellor’s tone-deaf refusal to reverse the family farm tax even more shocking.
Reposted by Caroline Voaden
The family farm tax was flawed from the start, hurting real farmers while letting big investors off the hook.
In this Autumn Budget, the government must not turn a blind eye and should scrap this damaging and counterproductive tax.
@sarahdykeld.bsky.social
In this Autumn Budget, the government must not turn a blind eye and should scrap this damaging and counterproductive tax.
@sarahdykeld.bsky.social
November 3, 2025 at 2:08 PM
The family farm tax was flawed from the start, hurting real farmers while letting big investors off the hook.
In this Autumn Budget, the government must not turn a blind eye and should scrap this damaging and counterproductive tax.
@sarahdykeld.bsky.social
In this Autumn Budget, the government must not turn a blind eye and should scrap this damaging and counterproductive tax.
@sarahdykeld.bsky.social
Proud to vote against Farage’s Bill in Parliament today to withdraw the UK from the ECHR.
His vision for Britain, founded upon division, which would turn us into Trump’s America, is fundamentally against the values we all hold dear.
We stopped him today and must continue to do so going forward.
His vision for Britain, founded upon division, which would turn us into Trump’s America, is fundamentally against the values we all hold dear.
We stopped him today and must continue to do so going forward.
October 29, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Proud to vote against Farage’s Bill in Parliament today to withdraw the UK from the ECHR.
His vision for Britain, founded upon division, which would turn us into Trump’s America, is fundamentally against the values we all hold dear.
We stopped him today and must continue to do so going forward.
His vision for Britain, founded upon division, which would turn us into Trump’s America, is fundamentally against the values we all hold dear.
We stopped him today and must continue to do so going forward.
Weeks ago, the Prime Minister promised the UK would lead the rebuilding of Gaza, but despite the fragile ceasefire holding, not enough aid is getting into Gaza. It is clear who is causing this obstruction, and the Government must call Israel out.
October 28, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Weeks ago, the Prime Minister promised the UK would lead the rebuilding of Gaza, but despite the fragile ceasefire holding, not enough aid is getting into Gaza. It is clear who is causing this obstruction, and the Government must call Israel out.
We know that being in school is the best way for most children to reach their potential. And that absence from school, particularly when persistent, can impact children both academically and socially.
October 28, 2025 at 12:10 PM
We know that being in school is the best way for most children to reach their potential. And that absence from school, particularly when persistent, can impact children both academically and socially.
Delaying the Schools White Paper, and with it long-awaited SEND reforms, until 2026 is an absolute betrayal of every child with special educational needs and disabilities and their families.
October 22, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Delaying the Schools White Paper, and with it long-awaited SEND reforms, until 2026 is an absolute betrayal of every child with special educational needs and disabilities and their families.
Boris Johnson today labelled former Education Secretary Gavin Williamson’s efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic ‘heroic.’ There are many words I could use to describe it, but that certainly is not one of them.
October 21, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Boris Johnson today labelled former Education Secretary Gavin Williamson’s efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic ‘heroic.’ There are many words I could use to describe it, but that certainly is not one of them.
I’m deeply disappointed to hear the Farming Minister rule out softening the government’s misguided family farm tax.
To refuse to rethink it at all is really worrying. South Devon is covered with family farms and every single one I visit is deeply concerned about the impact of this tax.
To refuse to rethink it at all is really worrying. South Devon is covered with family farms and every single one I visit is deeply concerned about the impact of this tax.
October 20, 2025 at 9:56 AM
I’m deeply disappointed to hear the Farming Minister rule out softening the government’s misguided family farm tax.
To refuse to rethink it at all is really worrying. South Devon is covered with family farms and every single one I visit is deeply concerned about the impact of this tax.
To refuse to rethink it at all is really worrying. South Devon is covered with family farms and every single one I visit is deeply concerned about the impact of this tax.
It’s great to see new state-funded schools for children with special educational needs open in Devon. I hope this will be the first of many and I wish them every success.
October 20, 2025 at 9:43 AM
It’s great to see new state-funded schools for children with special educational needs open in Devon. I hope this will be the first of many and I wish them every success.
It is a huge relief to see Gazans celebrating in hope of a ceasefire.
The task of rebuilding Gaza, restoring health to a starved population and building peace will be immense. Hard to imagine. But we must help make this happen.
I hope all hostages will finally be returned home now.
The task of rebuilding Gaza, restoring health to a starved population and building peace will be immense. Hard to imagine. But we must help make this happen.
I hope all hostages will finally be returned home now.
October 9, 2025 at 9:43 PM
It is a huge relief to see Gazans celebrating in hope of a ceasefire.
The task of rebuilding Gaza, restoring health to a starved population and building peace will be immense. Hard to imagine. But we must help make this happen.
I hope all hostages will finally be returned home now.
The task of rebuilding Gaza, restoring health to a starved population and building peace will be immense. Hard to imagine. But we must help make this happen.
I hope all hostages will finally be returned home now.
I’m thrilled to have been asked by Ed to take up a new spokesperson role for the Liberal Democrats – focusing on Schools.
October 1, 2025 at 8:37 AM
I’m thrilled to have been asked by Ed to take up a new spokesperson role for the Liberal Democrats – focusing on Schools.
Reposted by Caroline Voaden
Westminster Voting Intention:
RFM: 33% (-1)
LAB: 17% (+1)
LDM: 16% (+3)
CON: 14% (-2)
GRN: 12% (=)
Via @findoutnow.bsky.social, 24 Sep.
Changes w/ 17 Sep.
RFM: 33% (-1)
LAB: 17% (+1)
LDM: 16% (+3)
CON: 14% (-2)
GRN: 12% (=)
Via @findoutnow.bsky.social, 24 Sep.
Changes w/ 17 Sep.
September 25, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Westminster Voting Intention:
RFM: 33% (-1)
LAB: 17% (+1)
LDM: 16% (+3)
CON: 14% (-2)
GRN: 12% (=)
Via @findoutnow.bsky.social, 24 Sep.
Changes w/ 17 Sep.
RFM: 33% (-1)
LAB: 17% (+1)
LDM: 16% (+3)
CON: 14% (-2)
GRN: 12% (=)
Via @findoutnow.bsky.social, 24 Sep.
Changes w/ 17 Sep.
Pleased to show my support for the #CANBill at the Lib Dem conference's first dedicated climate and nature day.
@zero-hour.bsky.social
@zero-hour.bsky.social
September 23, 2025 at 10:54 AM
Pleased to show my support for the #CANBill at the Lib Dem conference's first dedicated climate and nature day.
@zero-hour.bsky.social
@zero-hour.bsky.social