Lisa Smart MP

🗳️"Our First Past the Post voting system was outdated decades ago, [it's] a millstone around the neck of our democratic life." 💬 Our Vice-Chair @LisaSmartMP during last night's Second Reading debate of the Representation of the People Bill 👇

@TheFed_Online discusses energy, business rates and theft with Liberal Democrat MP @LisaSmartMP ow.ly/yGjM50Ymqw3 #BusinessRates #TheftPrevention #ConvenienceRetail

Fed member Bhav Patel was delighted to meet with @LisaSmartMP at her Go Local business on Nangreave Rd last Friday in Hazel Grove constituency and discuss concerns about rising business rates bills and energy costs: tinyurl.com/mr9aajfp

"So that people who can use public transport make that choice." The MP for Hazel Grove is calling on 'Transport for Greater Manchester' to explain how they will improve public transport links for the wider region after the announcement of the Metrolink line to Stockport. @LisaSmartMP told That's TV that her constituents want better public transport options.

Local schools can book on for a school visit to Parliament from 10am on January 28. The visits take place between April and July this year. Get more information at #cta-target" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">learning.parliament.uk/en/session-wor…

"PR puts the power in the hands of voters rather than in the hands of politicians." Such an important point by @FairElectionsUK Vice Chair @LisaSmartMP at @UKandEU Lunch Hour. Under FPTP, big decisions are made within the large parties. Under PR, voters have real choice.

"I really hope they have children at the centre." The MP for Hazel Grove says there ' needs to be a reset' around SEND provisions in schools after meeting with the Minister for School Standards, @Georgia_Gould. That's TV spoke with @LisaSmartMP about how she hopes the government focus on the children when they release the Schools White Paper later this year.

"Evidence shows that PR leads to higher turnout, more representative governments and more stable policymaking." Yesterday in Parliament, several MPs raised the urgent need to fix our voting system. Thank you @DrScottArthurMP @OllyGloverLD @LisaSmartMP for your contributions! 👏

I met with Minister Georgia Gould, who was in Manchester on Friday to listen to the issues around SEND provision as part of her national fact finding work. Clearly there needs to be a reset around SEND provision to improve it across the country.

Rather than waste money on a digital ID scheme no-one wants or needs, we should be cutting people’s energy bills zurl.co/ITKvt

It was lovely to get such a supportive letter from the Canal and River Trust over Christmas for the work that I've been doing this year. Whether it's Marple Locks, or the impact of droughts on local canals, this is a critical for our heritage and our future.

I tried to get the Minister to commit to an answer on caps on donations to political parties or restoring the independence of the Electoral Commission. I'm not convinced I got a clear answer. What do you think?

I raised again the issue of mothers fleeing domestic abuse, being forced to return to the country, and even homes, where they suffered that abuse because of flaws in the Hague Convention. I am glad to see the Government listening, and starting the work needed to change this.

Stockport is worse off under the Labour Government's funding settlement, despite containing the most deprived part of GM. We appear to have missed out on the recovery grant by 0.01%. I want the Gov't to ensure the most vulnerable people won't be affected by their decision.

It was lovely to attend the carol service at Lisburne School earlier this week, with my councillor colleagues Dan and Wendy. It's cracking to be able to support so much that is going on locally at Christmas. #MerryChristmas #HoHoHo

One of the problems with the Government's approach to development is that constituents are asked to look at the Labour Government's Local Plan for Stockport and comment on all the housebuilding that it contains, and no infrastructure. I asked the Minister to reverse that.

Misinformation is circulating online and in the real world about planning applications. No such application has been made, and it is concerning that people are going to these lengths to create division. zurl.co/g5zpq

I had a lovely time with Smartie at the House of Commons this week. She was the therapy dog who came in with the brilliant Spread A Smile team for their drop in this week. Anyone who has ever seen me with my lovely rescue dog Bonnie knows this would be the highlight of my week.

I've been pursuing the Department for Health and Social Care to find out what they have been doing to address the substantial waiting times affecting neurology patients: questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questi…

Spent Small Business Saturday around and about meeting some of the fabulous entrepreneurs that make this area great. I also went to some cracking Christmas events such as the Christmas tree festival in Romiley, the Singalonga Santa at Chadwick, and Carols in the Park.

Challenged the Minister to do more to make sure that academy trust admissions policies don’t make children have to travel far further to get the places they deserve.

This week I: Took part in the Greater Manchester APPG, driving forward the agenda for Stockport in Parliament. Used a debate on water scarcity to raise Marple Locks and the state of the Macclesfield and Peak Forest canals following recent navigation closure notices.