Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Local Government)
Liberal DemocratMP for Guildford
“Madam Deputy Speaker, and the death of Ann Widdecombe is incredibly shocking. But and I didn't know Ann Widdecombe as an MP, but it's been a wonderful afternoon. Listening to colleagues from across this House share some of their memories. S…”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We Liberal Democrats support genuine devolution because decisions are better made closer to the communities they affect. Yet this Labour government's approach has been topped down. Whitehall diktat from the very star…”
“Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. My constituent, Anita, was widowed suddenly in December 2025, and capita have failed to calculate her lump sum and pension payments. She is living in desperate hardship. She's exhausted all her credit cards.…”
“Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. And may I start by thanking the Minister for advance sight of her statement? While we Liberal Democrats support the flood Re scheme and the protection it provides, we are concerned that the package still ris…”
“I thank the Secretary of State and the ministerial team for their positive engagement with me and colleagues across the House who have been working with bereaved families and the Molly Rose Foundation on the devastating impact of suicide fo…”
“It was interesting to hear the Minister’s comments in relation to the last question. In assessing progress on reducing levels of child poverty, what assessment has been made of hidden pockets of deprivation in places such as my own constitu…”
“I start by saying that I am honoured to be the spokesperson for this debate and to speak after some incredibly powerful speeches. In particular, I acknowledge the work of the honourable Member for Luton North (Sarah Owen) and her words toda…”
“I thank the Solicitor General for her previous answers. I have been contacted by constituents whose son was among the 79 British victims formally recognised in the Canadian proceedings against Kenneth Law. While families welcome that their …”
“5. What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the conflict in the middle east on the cost of living.…”
“The Liberal Democrats welcome the Government’s decision not to insist on their disagreement with Lords amendment 2, which proposes the inclusion of rural affairs in the list of competences for strategic authorities.…”
“8. If his Department will review the adequacy of the treatment of redundancy payments by the Child Maintenance Service.…”
“I am grateful to my honourable Friend the Member for Mid Dorset and North Poole (Vikki Slade) for securing this important debate. I want to keep my contribution brief and focus on the story of just one of my Guildford constituents—although …”
“I wish the House and you, Mr Speaker, a happy St George’s day. I welcome the fact that the Government are taking steps to improve and deepen our trading relationship with Europe, which is absolutely crucial to businesses right across my con…”
“I would like to start by thanking colleagues across the House in the other place who have worked tirelessly to improve this Bill, in particular the Liberal Democrat peers Baroness Pidgeon, Lord Foster of Bath, Baroness Bakewell and Lord Shi…”
“May I take this opportunity to wish you a happy Easter, Mr Speaker? Under the previous Government, youth funding was reduced by approximately 70% and universal provision was impacted the most. Although we on the Liberal Democrat Benches wel…”
“It is deeply disappointing that this matter is being addressed today through an urgent question, and was not addressed yesterday through a proper statement from the Government. As I have said, the Liberal Democrats support devolution and re…”
“I am grateful to the Secretary of State for his comments. The Rycroft report has come at a really important time. As a member of the Bill Committee, I look forward to working with the Government to ensure that all the recommendations are br…”
“In my constituency and right across the country, the continuation of the spike in the oil price is having a huge financial impact on families who are reliant on heating oil. Will the Leader of the House please allow a debate in Government t…”
“My constituent, Hannah, tragically ended her life using a substance purchased from overseas. Following her death, the coroner issued a prevention of future deaths report containing specific recommendations. Since 2019, the Molly Rose Founda…”
“I am grateful for the chance to speak in this debate on such an important Bill that represents a long-overdue modernisation of our democratic framework, but the Government should be in no doubt that we Liberal Democrats will push them to go…”
“18. What recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the potential merits of supporting businesses with the cost of energy.…”
“I find it really interesting that this urgent question comes from the Conservative party, which sought to cancel local elections this year and last year in Surrey. [ Interruption. ] Given the professed concern for democracy of the right hon…”
“In my constituency, the challenge that has been highlighted over and over again by the schools that I speak to is not necessarily about early identification, but having the resources and the places available for students once they have been…”
“I thank the Minister for advance sight of her statement. Just over two weeks ago, we were in this Chamber for a statement cancelling the mayoral elections in six areas. At the time, the Government assured us that they intended to go ahead w…”
“I thank the Minister for advance sight of her statement. The Liberal Democrats welcome the fact that this is a multi-year settlement, which gives councils a greater degree of certainty and the ability to plan ahead. We have long called for …”
“First, I thank the Secretary of State for advance notice of the content of his statement. The Liberal Democrats welcome the statement and the decision to establish an independent review. This is a serious issue that clearly demands action, …”
“In my constituency, as in so many others, we face the particular challenge of significant affluence in one part and extreme poverty just across the road. In some areas, one in three children are living in poverty, despite the great work of …”
“Thank you for granting this incredibly important urgent question, Mr Speaker. I am sure colleagues from across the House will have been as shocked as I was to read in the media last night that the four priority strategic areas have had thei…”
“10. What assessment she has made of recent trends in levels of human rights violations in Hong Kong.…”
“Today I will continue to highlight our concerns on the Liberal Democrat Benches. The Labour Government spend a great deal of time telling the country that they are putting power back into the hands of communities and say they are on the sid…”
Create a free account to read the full debates — and get an email the moment Zöe next speaks in the House.
Follow Zöe Franklin →Read on Verbatim