The long-awaited peace accord between Israel and Hamas has taken its first, fragile steps into reality, and we hold our collective breath to see if the ceasefire will continue to hold, the remaining Israeli hostage remains will be returned to their families, and the flow of food and medical aid will help end the agony that is Gaza.

The signed accord is an extraordinary step towards healing one of the deepest wounds of recent times. For too long, innocent civilians, particularly in Gaza, have borne unbearable suffering. To see aid trucks rolling again, shattered hospitals resupplied, and hungry children feed is not simply a policy success; it is a moral imperative fulfilled, however belatedly.

And yet, as anyone who has spent time at sea as I have knows, calm waters after a storm are no guarantee the danger has passed. This ceasefire and first humanitarian steps must mark the beginning of building and sustaining something solid and lasting. There must be a genuine commitment to coexist peacefully, with dignity, for both peoples. Words on a page must become deeds on the ground. Real peace demands not only political courage, but the slow, patient work of rebuilding trust.

Much remains to be done. A just and lasting peace demands that Palestinians determine their own future, choosing a leadership free from Hamas, within a recognised and independent Palestinian state. Only then can security for Israelis and dignity for Palestinians be more than parallel dreams and become shared realities.

It is striking that the outlines of this new agreed accord echo the plan once advanced by former US President Joe Biden. That vision was rejected by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and dismissed by then President-elect Trump. Had it been embraced, countless Palestinian lives would have been spared and suffering Israeli families made whole. History will record, with sadness, the unnecessary years of bloodshed that followed its rejection. But perhaps now, with wisdom born of so much tragedy, both sides and the international community will commit wholeheartedly to rapid reconstruction and lasting reconciliation.

Here in Britain, we too have a part to play. The recent rise in antisemitic and Islamophobic abuse is a shameful reminder that hatred respects no borders. Every Jewish and Muslim Briton must be able to walk our streets, send their children to school, and worship in safety, knowing their government and neighbours stand beside them.

Peace abroad begins with respect at home. This accord may not end this long and troubled journey, but at last, it could mark the turning of the tide..

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

✅ Met with Cirencester Soroptimists, discussing community projects supporting women and girls, and the Stronger South Cotswolds vision.

✅ Attended the Farming APPG reception, connecting with organisations supporting farmers, rural businesses and climate-resilient agriculture.

✅ Took part in a Westminster Hall debate on COP30 and global food system transformation.

✅ Tabled 49 written parliamentary questions to hold Government departments to account.

✅ Hosted a Food, Farming & Education Roundtable discussing how to embed food, farming and sustainability within the national curriculum, bringing together campaigners, teachers, and education experts.

✅ Helped a constituent with casework, who has now successfully registered with the General Dental Council as a Dental Therapist and secured sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route.

✅ Visited Sherston Apple Day, celebrating local produce and sustainability in the South Cotswolds.

✅ Assisted a Cirencester restaurant owner who had nearly £37,700 wrongly transferred by Uber Eats - after my intervention, the funds were successfully recovered, and he said his “faith in the system has been restored.”

✅ Preparing for our Flood Summits report-back event — invitations have now gone out for our follow-up meeting on 18th October during Flood Awareness Week.

✅ Joined the Ashcroft Church Harvest Festival in Cirencester, sharing thoughts on nature, food security and Stronger South Cotswolds as part of their service.

✅ Joined Steff Aquarone on a podcast to discuss climate action, collaboration, and the importance of empowering communities to lead change.

✅ Delivered the keynote address at the CPA UK Climate Forum, talking about my journey from ocean rower to climate advocate, and a call to action for parliamentarians across the Commonwealth.

✅ Published an article for Liberal Democrat Voice - ‘Tough on Farage, tough on the causes of Farage’, on why Nigel Farage is a symptom of a sick political system and how we can fix it.

✅ Joined Flood Mary at the launch of the Floodmobile for Flood Action Week, promoting property flood resilience and community preparedness.

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

Noticeboard 

Cotswolds Menopause Fayre at the RAU on Friday 24th October

Parent of a child with SEND in Gloucestershire? Please fill out this survey for Gloucestershire County Council

Stay warm this winter and apply for the Warm Homes Local Grant to apply for energy saving home improvements

If you live in Gloucestershire and are aged 14-25, you may be eligible for a Free Travel Bursary. Apply here

Health Survey 2025

Your views on local NHS services matter, and we want to make sure your voice is heard. By completing this short survey, you’ll help us identify what’s working—and what needs to change—so we can campaign for the healthcare our communities deserve.
Complete the survey here
 
Improve Flood Preparedness
 
Sign our petition, urging the Government to support improvements to flood resilience in the South Cotswolds, and to empower local communities to improve flood preparedness.

Sign our petition!
 
Quote of the Week

“Peace is not the product of a victory or a command. It has no finishing line, no final deadline, no fixed definition of achievement. Peace is a never-ending process, the work of many decisions.” 

― Oscar Arias

Have a great week!

Roz Savage MP