It’s only fair that wherever a child lives, both parents should support their upbringing. In an ideal world, families could sort this out themselves. But when that isn’t possible, the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) is supposed to step in, make fair decisions, and ensure no child is pushed into poverty. Sometimes contact isn’t safe, or possible, and that’s not for anyone else to judge. What matters is that when one parent is doing the day‑to‑day caring, the system should back

Social media has been part of my work long before politics. While leaflets, village hall meetings, and community magazines still reach many households, we know that for millions, news and social interaction now come through a laptop, tablet, or mobile phone. Originally, platforms like Twitter and Facebook were a way to reconnect with friends, share family photos, and discuss ideas—almost replacing a chat in the pub. For me, it coincided with raising young children and family

They say a week is a long time in politics, but the first week back in Westminster felt longer than most. On the very first day, Parliament debated urgent questions and ministerial statements on international issues so late into the evening that scheduled business had to be postponed. By Wednesday, the seizure of a Russian oil tanker and escalating tensions involving Greenland saw us sitting late again. I also expect MPs to call on Ministers to provide reassurance following r

Justice in Britain is at risk—not because of crime, but because of Government cuts and bad decisions. Behind the headlines lies a system starved of resources and struggling to uphold the rights that have defined our democracy for hundreds of years. As your MP, I don’t just speak for our community in Parliament—I also serve on the Justice Select Committee, where we hold the Government and other agencies to account, and prepare reports on how to improve the system. Each week, o

New figures have revealed an alarming rise in GP waiting times across Dorset, with thousands of local residents struggling to access the care they need. Since January, over 377,000 GP appointments in Dorset have had wait-times of more than 28 days, a staggering 165% increase compared to five years ago. The number of patients waiting more than two weeks has also more than doubled, rising from 409,139 in 2020 to 973,538 this year. These figures reflect a growing crisis in our l

Every day, we’re confronted with heart breaking images from just beyond Europe’s shores—in Palestine. Hospitals and apartment blocks lie...

School may be out for summer, but for many families, the worry continues. As I raised in Parliament last month, not every child is...

As I write this article, MPs are approaching the final full week of the summer term. I am preparing my last parliamentary speeches and...

When I campaigned for the 2024 General Election, there was a real sense that something historic was about to happen. Across the South...

On Friday, MPs voted in favour of assisted dying, almost seven months after this bill was first discussed—but more than a decade since...

How your experiences shape my work as your MP No two weeks as your Member of Parliament are the same, but they tend to follow a pattern....

The family doctor remains a much-loved part of our NHS. Since being elected – and even before – residents have raised concerns about...