Britain’s old political order is breaking apart before our very eyes. For generations, our democracy has been defined by two dominant parties taking turns in government. Today, that framework looks more fragile than at any point in living memory.

People clearly want change. The question now is twofold-  what has led us into this mess, and what will get us out of it?

Parliament has just three short weeks between the summer recess and the start of the party conferences. Yet in that short time, we have seen multiple pillars of the status quo crumble. The Prime Minister has lost both his Deputy and his hand-picked Ambassador to Washington - the very heart of our closest alliance. Under President Trump, even the “special relationship” with the United States no longer feels secure.

Trump’s second UK state visit this week highlights the shift. Despite his ambitions to win the Nobel Peace Prize, he has not yet managed to end conflicts or prevent suffering – no matter how many wars he claims to have ended. War brings only pain, instability and displacement. All nations, regardless of ideology, have a duty to reduce violence, not inflame it.

Meanwhile, scandals are shaking our institutions. The disgrace of Jeffrey Epstein and those connected to him, including senior figures on both sides of the Atlantic, has raised serious questions of judgment and accountability. Trust in traditional power brokers has been eroded.

The downward spiral of the Conservative Party continues. In Bournemouth, which is hosting the Lib Dem conference this weekend, my party has strengthened their hold on the local council, while the Conservative Party slipped to third place behind Reform UK. That realignment is now even more visible nationally, with Wiltshire Conservative MP Danny Kruger defecting to Reform UK - a vivid sign of the cracks appearing in the official opposition.

Public opinion bears this out. Support for both the Conservative and Labour parties is at historic lows. Even more striking is that the main Opposition is not benefiting from the Government’s unpopularity. For the first time in 150 years the traditional two-party structure is failing to contain public frustration.

Yet in the midst of all this flux and tumult, there is space for renewal. I am doing what I can locally to be a voice of calm and sanity. Stronger South Cotswolds is my project to help our communities stay resilient and future-proof in the face of disruption - not just political, but economic, technological and social.

By working together, we can shape a fairer and more sustainable future from the turbulence of the present.

P.S. I was shocked by the murder of Charlie Kirk, a prominent Republican, who was shot dead at a public event in Utah. I didn’t agree with his politics – far from it – but nobody should be killed for their beliefs.

 
A few of the things I've done this week...

✅ Spoke at a Cheltenham Lib Dems event hosted by my colleague Max Wilkinson MP – great to catch up with local members and share updates from Westminster.

✅Officially opened the new solar panel installation at Lea & Garsdon
Primary School – a fantastic partnership between the school, parents,
residents, local businesses and Wiltshire Council that will save tens of
thousands of £ over the coming years.

✅Helped with the Thames River Cleanup in Lechlade, brilliantly organised by Karen Shaw of Ashton Keynes – huge thanks to all the volunteers who turned out to clear the riverbank.

✅Led a packed Westminster Hall debate on SEND – standing room only, with the Chair forced to impose a 2½-minute limit because so many MPs wanted to speak, showing how broken the system is.

✅ Pressed the new Justice Secretary David Lammy MP on the huge court backlogs – why cut sitting days when victims and defendants are left waiting years for justice?

✅Held follow-up meetings with public agencies about flooding in the South Cotswolds – working together on next steps and solutions for affected communities.

✅Helped a local small business owner finally get the certificates they need to keep their pest control work going after months of delays – I’ll always push to stop bureaucracy holding people back.

✅Pressed Gloucestershire County Council and Pulhams to ensure school transport in South Cerney and Kingshill is safe and reliable – no child should have to stand on an overcrowded bus.

✅Chased broadband and mobile providers to improve connectivity in Ampney Crucis so rural communities aren’t left behind.

✅Supported Lechlade residents worried about new parking restrictions and raised their views directly with Gloucestershire County Council.

✅Secured a commitment from Thames Water for a full site survey at Spring Lake to clarify water supply and billing, with a guarantee that no residential disconnections will happen while the investigation is ongoing.

✅Taken up a South Cotswolds resident’s Horizon compensation case with the DWP, pressing for a review and possible back payments, and tabled a Parliamentary Question to make sure all Horizon victims are properly informed and supported.

And a reminder that you can check out sources of funding for local projects on our Stronger South Cotswolds website!

Health Survey 2025

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Special Educational Needs and Disabilities in the South Cotswolds
 
Roz is fighting for better investment in SEND services and improved access to timely, high-quality care and support. From tackling waiting times for assessments to ensuring that schools have the resources they need to support SEND pupils, Roz is committed to making sure that SEND provision is a priority for the government.

Show your support for the campaign by signing our petition today…

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Quote of the Week
“Change is the revolution of time, urging the world to shed its shadows for light.”

― Aloo Denish Obiero

Have a great week!!

Roz Savage MP