Why Global Events Matter in Westminster and Dorset

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 reports of a US citizen being killed by ICE officers in Minnesota. These events may be thousands of miles away, but when the rule of law is threatened anywhere — from the United States to Iran — it matters here too.

Some constituents have criticised me for expressing views on international issues, arguing that my only focus should be what happens on our doorstep. I disagree.

First and foremost, I am entitled to my own views, and it is reasonable for constituents to know what they are — whether they agree with them or not. More importantly, Members of Parliament are responsible for making the laws under which we all live. Those laws do not exist in isolation. They interact with the wider world: they shape markets and trade, influence international relationships, and respond to global events that drive migration and asylum. Many constituents are affected directly through family ties, business interests, or simply by travelling abroad. Ignoring global issues does not protect us — it leaves us unprepared.

Parliament agrees the UK budget, and vote on decisions that can place military personnel in harm’s way. It is naïve to suggest that we should only concern ourselves with matters contained neatly within constituency boundaries. The world does not work like that, and neither should our politics.

Of course, my first priority is always the communities I represent. I will continue to put them first and to ensure that the impact of decisions on them is central to everything I do. But most of us get involved in politics because we want to improve the world — not just for today, but for generations to come.

Without a vision for the future — one where our children thrive in a safe world, on a planet that can sustain life, and in a society where they have the freedom to be happy — politics loses its purpose. As a Liberal Democrat, my vision is clear: a fair, free, and open society built on liberty, equality, and community.

Everyone should be free to follow their dreams and live life their own way. Equality is not a dirty word; it is the foundation of opportunity in healthcare, work, and education. Without it, we risk creating a two-tier society where too many are left behind. And when we come together as a community, we all benefit — supporting those in need and contributing to a stronger society for everyone.

That is why I will always speak up — locally and globally — for a future where fairness, freedom, and community are not just aspirations, but the foundations of our lives.