2026: Week 10 - Mandelson files, Iran war and Beach cleans
It’s been a busy week here in Westminster, with the publication of the first of the Mandelson files, a very heated PMQs and the passage of the hereditary peers bill, along with the usual business of the house.
The Mandelson files have revealed that the Prime Minister was made well aware of the risks of his appointment, and that he received a huge severance pay out after he was forced to resign when the depth of his relationship with Epstein became public knowledge. This is a huge insult to both the victims of Epstein, and the taxpayers of this country. No other job role would reward disgraced employees with thousands of pounds when they have been caught out in such a way. The disgraced ambassador must donate any severance payment he received in full to charity. The Government must now release all documents relating to Andrew’s appointment as trade envoy by the end of March.
It is extremely worrying seeing how quickly the price of oil is rising now that Trump has started an illegal war with Iran.
The Prime Minister must convene a COBRA meeting immediately to get a grip on the threat of brutal price shocks facing families, pensioners and businesses. Keir Starmer cannot hesitate whilst petrol prices and energy bills could soar for British families. Families are living in real fear of the financial fallout from Donald Trump’s illegal war in Iran. The Government must scrap the fuel duty hike right now and reassure families that they won't be seeing a £500 spike to their energy costs this year. Anything less would be a betrayal.
Liberal Democrats are calling for a 3-month zero-rating for VAT on heating oil for all residential homes and for the government to develop a mechanism to shield them from sudden increases in the price of heating oil by offering protection similar to that of the energy price cap. Rural households that rely on heating oil are not protected by Ofgem’s energy price cap and are now having to grapple with rocketing oil and gas prices due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The last time the government gave support with the price cap for bills, it did not include those who use oil for heating. For the long-term, the government must upgrade homes and make them cheaper to heat, starting with free insulation for those on low incomes, and ensuring that all new homes are zero-carbon.
On a happier note, I had a very enjoyable Saturday afternoon last week when I attended the monthly beach clean organised by Dawlish Against Plastic. They are a fantastic organisation who do a lot for the town, including beach cleans and a monthly “wombling” litter pick around the town. If you are interested in finding out more about their work or would like to find out when their next litter picks are, you can find them on Facebook! They provide all the information and equipment that you need, it’s usually for an hour and it is a very worthwhile activity.