Success for the Liberal Democrats in Wokingham
At the recent local elections, residents across the borough voted in the much-anticipated local elections, with a third of council seats up for re election.
The Liberal Democrats not only retained control of Wokingham Borough Council but also gained another seat from the Conservatives, while Reform UK failed to win any seats on our council.
This is the 8th year in a row that the Liberal Democrats have made progress in Wokingham borough Council elections.
No Reform Councillors Here
Voters have decided that Reform has no place in Wokingham. Nigel Farage’s party failed to secure a single seat here in Wokingham.
Residents have shown Nigel Farage that division and fearmongering is not welcome in our local politics and in our community.
Across the UK, the Lib Dems have similarly made great gains, winning councils in both the north of England, the south of England in Surrey, and Scotland.
The Liberal Democrats have proved that they are the only party that can stand up to Reform.
Fixing social care
Ahead of the local elections, Sir Ed Davey visited Wokingham. Ed and I called for the urgent reform of adult social care.
During a visit to Wild Acres Care Home in Finchampstead, Ed urged the Government to act to reform social care across the country and provide councils with the support they need to improve social care.
Social care now accounts for as much as 80% of some council budgets. For areas like Wokingham, which faces significant financial pressures and the prospect of major budget reductions in the coming years, any further strain on social care risks pushing the sector to breaking point.
The Liberal Democrats believe vulnerable people must receive the care they need while also ensuring councils can continue investing in vital local services such as road maintenance, cleaner streets and community facilities.
Trump’s War in Iran
The escalating conflict involving Iran has raised serious concerns internationally, with many residents contacting me about the impact that rising global instability and higher oil prices are having on family finances here in Wokingham.
Many households are already feeling the pressure from the ongoing cost of-living crisis, and rising fuel and energy prices are only adding to those difficulties.
In Westminster, my Liberal Democrat colleagues and I have continued to press the Government to take action to support struggling families, including proposals for:
• A 10p cut to fuel duty
• A 10% cut to rail fares
• A £1 cap on bus fares
For many rural residents who rely on heating oil, the prospect of keeping homes warm next winter is becoming increasingly worrying.
One resident recently told me they had been quoted a 232% increase in the cost of heating oil for their home this year. No family should face that level of increase.
A bright future for Wokingham
On the doorstep, many resident told me they were very pleased with the way the Liberal Democrats were running the council, despite being starved of funding by the Government.
Over the last year, Liberal Democrat campaigners have knocked on nearly 46,000 doors across the Borough. From Twyford to Swallowfield, residents
have shared their views on local services, the challenges facing households, and the work being done by the council.
Your local Liberal Democrat councillors and I will continue listening to residents and working hard to address the issues that matter most to our community.
If you have an issue or concern you would like to raise with me, my team and I would be very pleased to hear from you. Please contact me by emailing clive.jones.mp@parliament.uk.
Together, we can continue to champion Wokingham in Parliament, hold the Government to account, and ensure local people’s voices are heard.
