Sarah Gibson

Sarah Gibson, Lib Dem Member of Parliament for Chippenham

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In her own words, meet Sarah:

I was brought up in this part of Wiltshire and I know what a strong sense of community and can do attitude people here have. I've been a Wiltshire councillor since 2017 and run a small business locally. That has made me realise that's so many of the initiatives started at a local level are thwarted by a lack of strong representation at Westminster. I have spent my whole adult life persuading large teams of people with often diverse priorities and interests to work together for a common goal, be that a new school or a regeneration of a town centre.

I know how to bring people together to make great things happen and I want to put that ability to use here.

As a member of the Green Liberal Democrats, and a founding member of the Wiltshire Council Climate Emergency task Group, I will put our environment front and centre of everything I work on. I have already met with Wessex water several times to see how I can help reduce sewage overflows into our rivers and streams. I will work with the Environment Agency, particularly on the Avon Project in Chippenham to ensure a balance between the biodiversity improvements and maintaning the river for the town.

Corsham lost its town centre pharmacy because the conservative government has effectively cut funding to pharmacies by 30% over the last decade making them unviable. Having met with the chief exec of community pharmacy England I will lobby for more town centre community pharmacies. I will aim to get the disused health center back in to use as a medical facility for Corsham, and help improve GP access.

I will continue to work with housing associations to improve access to social housing and stop the sell-off.

I will continue to push for a train station in Corsham, which along with these services, is vital to support the town centre continuing to be the vibrant place that it is. 

I will work with local doctors I will work with the GP's in Chippenham to achieve the urgent care centre they have been asking for since they lost their last liberal democrat MP for Chippenham. This will reduce waiting time and improve primary care to combat the 14 years of conservative government that has seen a loss of 4500 GPs.

The Avon river project is a huge inward investment by the Environment Agency and I will be the strong voice for Chippenham to ensure that it delivers for the residents of Chippenham, and that any redevelopment of the town center provides the community space we need. As as your MP I will make sure that Wiltshire Council and Wessex Water work together, and I will fight for improved legislation to stop the sewage spills into our river.

Royal Wootton Bassett has been let down by Conservative controlled Wiltshire Council, with a local plan going against the wishes of residents and proposing inappropriate development that risks joining Bassett to Swindon where it will lose its independent and vibrant character. As your MP I will make representation against this development and push for affordable homes for local people in the right place. I will actively lobby for a new train station to make access easier to and from the town and help reduce traffic.

Calne has been ignored, both by Conservative led Wiltshire Council and by the government.
I will work with the GPs in Calne to get the stalled, new Health Centre the town so desparately needs, be it at the approved Baverstock site or closer to the town centre.
I will lobby for levelling up funding to come here, tackle the lack of real affordable housing for local people by pushing for planning reform and changes to how housing associations are funded.

 

Sarah here outlines the key areas where, as your Lib Dem MP she would focus her efforts:

  • Tackling the Cost of Living Crisis:
    • We all recognise the financial strain faced by families in Chippenham, Calne, Corsham and RWB. My priority is to alleviate this burden by advocating for fair wages, affordable housing, and accessible public services. I have already met with the CEO of our major Housing association, with the largest Homeless charity in Chippenham and with the Hubs Calne, Corsham and Chippenham. 
    • Liberal Democrats nationally propose targeted financial support for struggling households, including measures such as rent controls, utility bill relief, and food security programs.
  • Investing in the NHS and Social Care:
    • Our health service was the envy of the world. As a Lib Dem MP I would fight for increased funding for the NHS and for social care. We all understand how critical social care is to making health care work properly. I am committed to supporting our GPs to get the Urgent Care Centre they have campaigned for since 2015!
    • Lib Dems are committed to reducing waiting times, enhancing mental health services, ending the “dental deserts” and ensuring that every constituent receives the care they deserve, free at the point of delivery. No one should fear getting old or ill.
  • The environment: the “sewage scandal” is just one indicator of all that’s been wrong with Sunak’s government. The Tories have utterly failed to take the climate crisis seriously. Backtracking on commitments to renewable energy, clean air zones and by granting more licences for oil and gas
    • As a fully signed up member of the Green Lib Dems I promise to join the Lib Dem fight to reach Carbon Zero by 2045, decarbonise 80% of the grid by 2030  and tackle the appalling way our water companies are regulated. 
  • Promoting Locally Led Development:
    • I don’t want to see our beautiful countryside carved up for short-term gains. Instead, I will champion sustainable and affordable development that preserves our precious green spaces while meeting the needs of our growing population.
    • As your Lib Dem MP I would collaborate with local councils, businesses, and community groups to create vibrant, well-planned neighbourhoods that enhance our quality of life and encourage active travel. It’s what I have done my whole adult life and I know that locally led development works. Just last week I was pleased to get take an active part in conversations with the Environment Agency about the Chippenham Avon project, and intend, if elected to work with them far a community focused solution.
  • Community Policing and Safety:
    • I believe in community-oriented policing, where officers engage with residents, build trust, and address local concerns as do the Lib Dems
  • Education and Skills Development:
    • Our children deserve the best education. I will fight for adequate funding for schools, teacher training, and resources.
    • Lib Dems support vocational training, apprenticeships, and lifelong learning opportunities to equip our workforce for the challenges of the future. Meanwhile the Tories seem to think bringing back National Service is the way forward. Without these needs covered, people can’t work well, study well or raise their children for a better future. A strong LD presence in parliament can help drive these changes. 
  • When it comes to the international conflicts around us 
    • I know many people are horrified by the humanitarian nightmare that is unfolding in Gaza, concerned how we go from this to Long term peace for the people of Israel and Palestine. Putin’s invasion of Ukraine is a another nightmare unfolding on our doorstep.  
    • I will support all attempts at brokering peace in the Middle east and supporting military aid to Ukraine. 

 

Sarah needs your help and support to realise all these goals, which will benefit all of us.  Anything you can do to help and get involved is important - donations are necessary, and always gratefully received, If you can't donate, then get involved with the local party and community it represents.


News from Sarah Gibson and Chippenham Liberal Democrats

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Wiltshire Childcare Desert

There has been a 706 fall in the number of childcare places in Wiltshire since 2019, House of Commons Library research commissioned by the Liberal Democrats has revealed.

22 May 2024
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