A new Prime Minister inhabits Downing Street, but will he and his new cabinet deliver the change our country needs? Our economy is stuck in the slow lane, with Labour's successive anti-growth budgets and endless red lines boxing us into a cycle of stagnation. The devastating economic consequences of Trump's reckless Iran war continue to hang over British households and businesses. If Andy Burnham wants to rescue our economy, he needs to slash energy bills, cut fuel duty by 10p, and supercharge economic growth through a new trade deal with the EU.

Before the summer recess, two important pieces of legislation went through parliament. British Steel has been taken into public ownership, following the passage of the Steel Nationalisation Bill. Steel is a nationally strategic sector for our country, creating thousands of good jobs and providing vital materials for everything from defence to renewable energy. Throughout the passage of the Nationalisation Bill, Liberal Democrats pushed for improved transparency and Parliamentary accountability - especially on the financial implications. We secured important changes, including the final costs and liabilities having to be approved by Parliament; and the Government having to face scrutiny by the Business and Trade select committee. We will continue to scrutinise the Government on this issue, for the benefit of both our steel industry and the British taxpayer.

The other important legislation was the Hillsborough Law (Public Office Accountability Act). The introduction of the Hillsborough Law is long overdue. Families and survivors have campaigned for over 30 years for truth, justice and meaningful reform, and this Bill is a step towards delivering that. The law will enshrine a statutory duty of candour on public authorities and provide bereaved families with equal legal representation at inquests - basic fairness that should have been in place years ago. 

Back in the constituency, the government announced its decision on local government reorganisation for our area, with two separate unitary councils: North Warwickshire (including the borough/councils of Nuneaton and Bedworth, North Warwickshire, Rugby) and South Warwickshire (including the district councils of Stratford on Avon and Warwick).  The changes will take effect from 2028 onwards, but shadow elections will begin in 2027, giving local people an opportunity to cast their votes for their future representation. I have been campaigning for a South Warwickshire unitary since the beginning of the Local Government reorganisation process. It makes sense for the south of the county to have unified representation. 

Last week both district councils voted to proceed with the South Warwickshire Local Plan, and I know how many of you are feeling upset about  housing allocation in the Local Plan.  While MPs are not decision-makers of Local Plans (your elected district councillors are those who can vote on this), I can ensure your views are considered through my representation. Thank you to the hundreds of residents who wrote to me with their serious concerns about the thousands of new housings, and infrastructure, as well as new transport links, planned for their area.  The public consultation for the SWLP Reg 19 will start on the 21^St July and run for 7 weeks, and you can find contact details here:

https://www.southwarwickshire.org.uk/swlp/publication-regulation-19-consultation.cfm

Please ensure you contact your district councillors and also submit your views once the consultation is live.  I will also submit my concerns during the formal consultation and then to the Inspector when we reach that stage. Unfortunately, the government is mandating us to build an unstainable number of houses. In Stratford-on-Avon and South Warwickshire the Government has increased our housing numbers by more than 50% almost overnight, while reducing requirements for many Labour-run urban authorities. That is deeply unfair. Stratford-on-Avon is already the third fastest-growing areas in the whole country, and the pressure that brings is felt everywhere, from GP appointments and school places to roads and drainage, from public transport and the loss of green space. Planning should involve genuine community engagement from the outset. This is particularly important for delivering affordable housing that meets local needs, in a manner that aligns with the character and aspirations of residents. Protecting our environment and historical heritage must be central to this process, ensuring sustainable and context-appropriate development. Sadly, new national government planning policy includes the watering down of environmental protections, the removal of statutory consultees and reducing the power of local planning committees. I voted against this legislation. Again, like the previous government we still have a top-down approach in planning!

Back in Parliament, just before recess I spoke in a debate about air pollution. As a member of the Environmental Audit Committee, I visited communities to understand the physical and mental health impacts of air pollution. During this visit I met Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah, mum to Ella Roberta. For over a decade, Rosamund has campaigned tirelessly for cleaner air through Ella’s law. A landmark inquest in 2020 ruled that toxic air from traffic emissions contributed to Ella’s death, marking the first time that air pollution was officially recognised as a cause of death in the UK. Ella’s law would enshrine a legal right to breathe clean air, requiring the Government to meet stricter air quality standards based on the World Health Organisation guidelines.  Children in the UK today have some of the worst asthma outcomes in the developed world. It is not right that so many young lives are shortened by diseases that we can work together to prevent. 

Finally, I called on the Government to act on public safety concerns around vaping. Colourful displays must be restricted in order to protect our children. While I welcome the provisions of the Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026, further action is required to address the widespread promotion of vaping products on the high street and the risks they pose to the environment and public safety. I have called on the Government to introduce stronger restrictions on the marketing and display of vaping products. I have also called for an urgent review of fire safety regulations relating to vaping retail premises, particularly those operating in listed or heritage buildings (after the Glasgow fire in March).

On a cheerful note, I have started my annual Summer Tour, during which I visit businesses, charities, community groups and have pop up surgeries around the constituency. It’s a real privilege to meet so many volunteers, residents, parish and town councillors, artists and entrepreneurs, all working to make every corner, every hamlet of our great constituency better.

Happy Summer to you all! Manuela 

Manuela Perteghella MP for Stratford-on-Avon has been campaigning for direct trains from Stratford-upon-Avon to London to be reinstated since getting elected in 2024. Her hard work has paid off; direct trains will recommence twice daily from 14 December 2026.  

The initial service will include two trains per day that work around theatre matinee performances, meaning that people from across the country can come to experience Shakespeare in his home town. 

Manuela Perteghella, Liberal Democrat MP said: 

 ” I am chuffed to confirm that direct trains to London will be returning to and leaving from Stratford=upon-Avon from 14 December 2026. To start, there will be two services per day that work around the matinee schedule in theatres on weekdays.

“Over the past two years as your local MP, I met with Chiltern Railways, various ministers, and I made the case in Parliament for the reinstatement of direct trains from our great town to the capital.

“The timings have been specifically designed to support weekday visitors visiting our town, shopping, enjoying food and drink in our cafes and restaurants, and attending Royal Shakespeare Company matinee performances, while also providing Stratford residents with a convenient direct return journey from London later in the day, ideal for those wishing to enjoy an afternoon in the capital without changing trains.

“This is a great win for local businesses such as shops, cafes and restaurants and our theatres, and it offers more choice to local people who want to visit the capital. 

“It’s also a great win for constituents who want to be able to move effortlessly between the constituency and the capital. 

Commenting on the ongoing campaign for more commuter trains, Manuela said:

“Commuters may be able to catch one direct train during weekdays, but we need more services to make this a reality for people wishing to commute for work. 

“The welcome return of direct trains to London is a milestone in my campaign, but I want to see more services for my constituents. I will continue to campaign to get a wider range of train services from Stratford-on-Avon to Birmingham, London, Oxford and beyond.” 

Manuela Perteghella MP and the South Warwickshire Liberal Democrats led the call for a two unitary council and this morning, the Government has confirmed that Warwickshire County Council and Stratford District Councils WILL be replaced with a South Warwickshire Unitary Council. 

The changes will take effect from 2028 onwards, but shadow elections will begin in 2027, giving local people an opportunity to cast their votes for their future representation. 

Manuela Perteghella, Liberal Democrat MP said: 

“Today the Government has published its decision for *2 unitary Councils*, a South Warwickshire Council and a North Warwickshire Council.

“I have been campaigning for a South Warwickshire unitary since the beginning of the Local Government reorganisation process.

“This will deliver the best value Services for people across my constituency and respect the geography of the area.

“The Conservative and Reform County council groups wanted a larger unitary. No thank you, after North Warwickshire Councillors have taken decisions which have impacted our area for the worse.

“I want decisions to be made for the people of South Warwickshire, by the people of the South Warwickshire.

 "This is a fantastic result for South Warwickshire, and the result I wanted to see. It makes sense for the South of the County to have unified representation.”