Yet another missed opportunity for change!

Politics has dominated the headlines over the past couple of weeks between the local elections, the King’s Speech – and a by-election that could pave the way for a new Prime Minister.

With all the distraction – coupled with an unambitious agenda for this session of Parliament – it's hardly surprising that the content of the King’s Speech has largely gone unreported. It’s a crying shame that this Government has once again failed to grasp the scale of the challenges facing our country and have missed yet another opportunity to deliver the change that people really need.

There was no meaningful action to tackle the cost-of-living crisis, rebuild our NHS and social care system, improve food security or reform our electoral system to restore trust in politics. It’s little wonder that a growing number of Labour MPs are coming out against the Prime Minister, with some calling for him to resign and others urging him to set out a timetable for his departure.

However, it wasn’t all bad. Several bills reflect campaigns the Liberal Democrats and I have long championed…

• The Energy Independence Bill moves in the right direction on breaking the link between gas prices and household energy bills, and investing in homegrown renewable power.  
• The Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill begins the process of ending the feudal leasehold system that has trapped so many homeowners – including many in Guildford – in unfair and costly arrangements.  
• The European Partnership Bill seeks to reduce trade barriers with our largest trading partner, should bring real benefits for local businesses and families facing cost-of-living pressures. 
• The Clean Water Bill takes long-overdue steps to hold water companies to account for sewage dumping in our rivers and seas.

There are several other bills in this King's Speech that I'll be watching closely. Each has the potential to make a real difference to the lives of residents across Guildford and our villages, and I will be pushing the Government to ensure they deliver on their promise:

• Overnight Visitor Levy Bill: Gives mayors the power to raise money from tourism and reinvest it locally. 
• Social Housing Renewal Bill: Protects existing social housing stock and strengthens rights for domestic abuse victims in social housing. 
• Education for All Bill: Transforms support for children with SEND, with over £4 billion of investment and a focus on early, local help. 
• Draft Conversion Practices Bill: Delivers a trans-inclusive ban on conversion practices, filling gaps in criminal law to protect people from abusive attempts to change their sexual orientation or gender identity. 
• Railways and Passenger Benefits Bill: Establishes Great British Railways, simplifying fares and putting passengers at the centre of a publicly owned network. 
• Draft Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Bill: Modernises outdated licensing laws to make journeys safer, particularly for women and girls, and improves accessibility for disabled passengers. 
• Tackling State Threats Bill: Strengthens powers to disrupt foreign state actors and their proxies operating in the UK. 
• Highways (Financing) Bill: Unlocks private investment in major road infrastructure, reducing the burden on taxpayers. 

With a record number of Liberal Democrat MPs now in Parliament, we will continue to hold the Government to account and push to ensure these bills are as strong as possible – delivering the real change communities need in Guildford and across the country.

If you want to help us deliver that real change, you can become a Member of the Lib Dems today and join us in that fight