Freddie van Mierlo MP 🔶

Published and promoted by Henley and Thame Liberal Democrats, C5 Grange Court Business Park, Barton Lane, Abingdon. OX14 3NB

The Liberal Democrats put forward a farming motion this week. I spoke up for farmers across Henley and Thame.

Delighted to officially open Trinity Church of England Primary School's fantastic new EYFS classroom alongside Henley Mayor, Ian Reissman. My thanks to Headteacher Charlotte Whittle and her team for their dedication.

Can you do your daughter’s favourite hairstyle? @thesecretlifeofdads joined me in Parliament to teach MPs how to style their daughters hair, and share the importance of these behaviours for building connection and rethinking the role of fathers.

Great to visit Thames Valley Air Ambulance’s operational HQ in Stokenchurch following my earlier visit to the helicopter base at Benson. The team shared insight into their incredible work delivering rapid response healthcare across the South Central Ambulance Service area.

I visited Lord Williams’s School and met with Headteacher Neil Dimbleby. We discussed support for students' different needs, school safety, and how to ensure local educators’ voices are heard on education policy like school funding and Ofsted inspections.

🚨Full time day crew announced for Henley Fire Station🚨 I am pleased that the local council is moving forward with a full-time day crew at Henley Fire Station. I will continue to champion the issues that matter to firefighters, and I am now calling for lighter gear to help them work in hot weather.

This week marks Baby Loss Awareness Week, my thoughts are with all of those affected by this cause. Changes must be made to improve bereavement leave and maternity services, including adequate access to scans and better research.

Good news! Henley Banking Hub is now open 🎉 If you bank with NatWest, HSBC, Lloyds or Barclays you can access banking services and speak to a community advisor for support and advice.

I had the chance to visit the UK Atomic Energy Authority and see the Diagnostic Innovation Centre of Excellence, MAST Upgrade and robotics facility. Their work is helping to develop a wide range of research from low carbon futures to fusion plasma.

I’m so pleased to be part of Henley College’s Aspire programme and be about to speak to students about being an MP and most importantly, having an impact through campaigns. Excited to see what campaigns students will run next.

It was brilliant to see so many people at Thame Players Theatre last night for ‘An evening with Freddie van Mierlo MP’ Huge thanks to the Thame Players Theatre team, so glad for the opportunity to raise money for The Sharing Life Trust.

I met with Chris Wycherley from the Fire Brigades Union at Henley Fire Station to discuss the capacity and resilience of fire crews, especially with increasing trends of extreme weather events in Oxfordshire👩‍🚒

I have written to Matthew Barber, Police and Crime Commissioner for the Thames Valley, about speeding offences in Oxfordshire.

Brilliant to see such a great turnout again this year for the Clean Rivers for People and Wildlife campaign in Thame. Thank you to Thame Women’s Institute for organising the gathering.🌊

Today marks National Day of Awareness for Childhood Sexual Abuse. I had the chance to meet Emma Jane Taylor, founder of the charity Project 90-10. People across the country will wear blue today to raise awareness and show their support.

Great to be at conference in Brighton - thank you to everyone I met this year. I really enjoyed hearing thoughts from charities, members and colleagues. I’m looking forward to getting back to the constituency and Westminster for the next sitting of Parliament.

Pleased to be able to support once again the Regatta for the Disabled. Such a wonderful event.

Today marks World Alzheimer's Day, an opportunity to stand with the millions of people impacted by dementia. I will continue to call the Government to act so the NHS is ready for the next generation of dementia tests and treatments – and, one day, a cure.🔬

Honoured to speak at the Riverside Counselling Service AGM. They provide affordable and accessible counselling to residents across South Oxfordshire. You can find out more about their work here: www.riversidecounsellingservice.co.uk?fbclid=IwY2x...

After a record-breaking hot summer, it’s important that the government supports parish councils with local resilience planning. During my summer tour, I met with Prof Phoebe Barnard and Dr Bettina Wittneben, who shared simple measures that can have a significant impact on reducing fire risk.

Tesco trolleys have been left across the streets of Henley recently. It's unfair on residents and business owners who work hard to maintain the appearance of the town. I wrote to Ken Murphy, the Group Chief Executive, to stop further littering of its trolleys.

During business questions, I called for a debate on dementia carers. Too often they are overlooked. More consideration and support must be given to those caring for a loved one.

I’m still backing my Home Cooling Bill, which would provide a zero-rating of VAT for measures like air con, awnings and shutters, as well as requiring the government to report on providing local authority funding for those who need extra support.

Statement following the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill: Second Reading

What’s going on with local government reorganisation in Oxfordshire?

Oxfordshire Lib Dem MPs have written to Cllr Gaul at OCC to express concerns with the lack of information given to parents of children with SEND on school transport arrangements. Children have missed their first days of school, some being told the disruption could continue until October.

See the Foreign Secretary’s response to Aston Rowant’s petition, which they handed in to No. 10 earlier this year📝

Thank you to the River Summit for welcoming me to speak alongside cross-party MPs for a Q&A on all things water. Working together is how we can make real change in this space and safeguard this precious resource for future generations.

Today marks World Duchenne Day, Fox Payne in partnership with Duchenne UK will be completing a day-long walk along the Thames Path to raise awareness and funds for the Ben vs Duchenne Family Fund. If you would like to donate, please find the JustGiving page here: www.justgiving.com/page/foxpayn...

My amendment was backed by 50 MPs across the House, but the Government still refused to take action. Overseas voters, including our Armed Forces stationed abroad, deserve to have their vote counted and should not be limited by the administrative burdens of the current system.

Joint letter co-signed by Oxfordshire Liberal Democrat MPs on the impact of warding arrangements on existing parish boundaries under the Greater Oxford unitary authority. Ward boundaries should reflect recognisable communities rather than simply creating geographically convenient electoral units.

I met Liv, Aisha and Nettie from SeeSaw, an Oxfordshire charity who provide support for children and their families when a parent, carer, or sibling is seriously ill or has died. We discussed how the government can better support them. You can find out more here: seesaw.org.uk

There is no such thing as a ‘total citizen’. Only citizens. Denigrating 3.5 million British overseas voters as less than ‘full citizens’ is wrong and unbecoming of the chair of the Foreign Affairs select committee. @emilythornberry.bsky.social

I asked the Minister to reconsider the new Greater Oxford unitary authority. On my summer tour, I heard loud and clear from residents and parish councils they don’t want to be part of it. The Minister has agreed to a meeting to make sure the right decisions are made for Henley and Thame.

Honoured to present prizes at the charity football tournament raising money for Legend on the Bench and Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide. Thank you to the organisers, community fundraising just like this ensures they can help more people in need. www.henleystandard.co.uk/news/charity...

Finishing 5th in the Championship last season placed Chinnor as the 15th best team in English Rugby. Now with former England Captain Nick Easter as Director of Rugby it is sure to be a great season. The team are doing an excellent job at making the club an accessible and fun venue for all.

I have signed constituent Keith's petition to allow park home owners to install individual water meters, so bills are proportionate to what residents use: 🖊️ petition.parliament.uk/petitions/77... Earlier this year I spoke about the 10% charge when selling park homes ⬇

I had the chance to visit the buzzing Thame Tuesday Charter Market and speak to locals, organisations and businesses. What a wonderful range of stalls - if you have a free Tuesday it's definitely worth a visit!

I’m delighted to be speaking at The River Summit & Festival in Henley next week. The event is bringing together experts, citizen scientists and local people to discuss the future of our rivers. 🎟️ Tickets: www.futureforwater.org Artwork for the poster by talented local artist @vickieamiralis

That’s a wrap on my summer tour. Just a week left of summer recess and we can get back to grilling the government

I had the chance to meet with the Memories Café and Friendship Group in Thame, which is run by hard-working volunteers. I am grateful for the warm welcome and will continue to champion greater support for dementia diagnosis, treatment and care in Parliament.

Today I’m launching my ‘fill a bin bag challenge’ in Henley. Residents are getting in touch with me sick of the sight of our dirty streets. I’ve never been one to wait for someone else to fix something - let’s all step up and clear the litter ourselves.

Well done to everyone receiving their A-Level, T-Level and BTEC results today, it’s an amazing achievement. There has been a record high in the number of students accepted to university or college, and I hope everyone has been placed where they wished.

MPs across the House are calling to stop the early release of PC Harper's killers⬇ www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

I’ll be speaking at @thametheatre.bsky.social on 30th September about my background and experience so far as an MP, followed by a Q&A with the audience. All proceeds go to the Sharing Life Trust, tickets can be found here. www.thameplayers.co.uk/events/an-ev...

I’m clear: the killers of PC Andrew Harper need to be kept behind bars for their full sentence

I have written to the Secretary of State to raise my concerns about the long wait times at Border Force for UK citizens with families returning from holidays abroad. I have called the Government to take action and hope to see improvements for the busy summer holiday period.

The Environment Agency has declared drought in the Thames Valley. I wrote to CEO of Thames Water to ensure the company is fulfilling its statutory obligations in drought and is prepared going forward.

I met with Sally and Tony founders of much-loved café 'What's Cooking' in Thame. We discussed the growing pressures of rising costs on independent hospitality businesses. The team always go the extra mile for customers and I have written to HM Treasury to advocate for better support 🍰🥗

I visited Benson Weir to see the £13 million that the Environment Agency has invested in its refurbishment. The weir plays an important role in navigation, water abstraction for drinking water, protecting natural habitats, and helping to manage flood risk.