2025: Week 37 - Fake news, Armed Forces and Independent Palestine

This week saw another bizarre announcement coming from the US administration, driven by the US secretary of state for health.  They claim to have found a cause for autism and have said that women should stop taking paracetamol when pregnant. 

It’s a short step to them banning pharmacies selling paracetamol to women – just in case they might be pregnant…

The medical and scientific community around the world have refuted this stance, releasing statements to say there is no evidence at all that links taking paracetamol in pregnancy with ASD. 

As we saw with Andrew Wakefield and his false claims linking the MMR vaccine to autism, false news like this can cause widespread fear and panic. 

Not only this, but it is another direct attack on women from the Trump administration, this time expecting them to accept pain and “tough it out” during pregnancy by telling them that a proven, safe painkiller should no longer be taken. 

The Liberal Democrats have called on the Government to launch a public information campaign to counter the “fake news”, especially now that Farage has predictably started parroting Trump.  The party said the campaign should involve celebrities and influencers, paid advertising on social media and posters in hospitals and GP surgeries. 

Back in September I joined The Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme (AFPS), which offers Members of Parliament and Peers experience of the United Kingdom's armed forces.  The Scheme runs annually and gives an insight into military life for all three Armed Services, Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force.  

I have chosen the Royal Navy stream as I grew up in a Naval family so I have some familiarity with how it used to be – and want to see how it is today to better inform debate and discussions in the house.

We have many local veterans, and a high proportion formerly in the Navy so it seemed like the most logical choice.  As part of the scheme, I will hear about the international threat conditions, visit bases and speak to people currently serving their country, and see some of the training that they go though and equipment they use.  I’ll share some of the experiences as we go along – next I will be visiting Lympstone Commando base.

Finally, it was with a sense of relief when the Government announced that the UK recognises Palestine as an independent state. 

Recognising the right of Palestinians to their self-determination has been long overdue. It is a great step forward and something that Liberal Democrats have been campaigning on for almost a decade. The humanitarian catastrophe across Gaza and the West Bank continues to devastate lives - both for the hostages held in Hamas’ captivity and Palestinians suffering across the Occupied Territories. 

The Government now needs to follow through and do all it can to secure a ceasefire, an end to the cycle of violence and a two-state solution which is the only way to ensure a permanent end to the conflict. 

I hope the PM will be at the UN General Assembly to help drive progress towards a ceasefire and a two-state solution.