Gideon's MP Column

When I was first elected as an MP two years ago, I would not have foreseen the cost-of-living crisis continuing and potentially worsening for so many people.

The recent 25% increase in the price of diesel, now topping £2 per litre, is a massive factor making it harder and harder for local farming and other businesses to remain viable.

A bold 10p cut in duty on diesel is what is needed and that’s what Lib Dems would deliver – an emergency measure now, cutting prices at the pump by 12p a litre and in force for three months up to Christmas to help people with soaring bills in a cost-of-living crisis.

What makes our proposal different from other parties who simply promise slashing all taxes and letting the environment – and those who rely on essential services - go hang?

The difference is that we would give people the relief they need but still deliver on protecting our environment and on the move to cleaner less polluting vehicles by making the transition justly and fairly.

A 12p cut in prices gives that relief but, in the context of the biggest rise in prices this century, the financial incentive for those who can to move over to electric and other less polluting vehicles remains very much in place.

As part of our package, we would also cut the bus fare cap to £1, cut rail fares by 10% and drop VAT for electric vehicle drivers. 

Our measures ease the pain so many in rural areas are facing without abandoning our climate goals which must remain at the centre of everything we do.

Unseasonable weather (I’m writing this in 22 degrees in mid-October) reminds us of the need to respect, care for and be responsible stewards of our environment for future generations.

We need to not only arrest the change as much as we can but also adapt to hotter summers and wetter winters.

That means we need more investment in pumps on the levels and around local flood protection for our communities in winter and ways to make our homes cooler when the heat is on.

Requiring all new homes to have cooling capable of keeping families, especially those with babies, at comfortable temperatures (of no more than 20 degrees in hot weather) was a proposal I was proud to announce as Housing Spokesperson this year.

The excess electricity the UK has every summer from sun and wind energy (we actually pay people to switch this generation off) makes our objective straightforward to supply power to. 

But for many the cost of a home is the biggest challenge.

Andy Burnham has said he wants to help with that, which is good, but his idea of ‘help to buy’ loans to homebuyers led to a 2% increase in house prices – that’s an additional £6,000 on the average home. That effectively chucks money at privately owned firms while making it harder for everyone to afford their next home.

He should instead put more money into shared ownership properties with limited service charges so more people can afford their first home. 

Finally, I’d like to thank Somerset’s African community for the wonderful celebration and act of worship held in Taunton (pictured) and for the award they gave me; it’s something I will treasure.

It is the richness of Taunton and Wellington and all those who invest their lives and efforts in our community which makes it stronger, more resilient and more prosperous.

As ever, we are stronger together.