May 2025

Monthly resident update

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Hi Reader

News from Vikki Slade MP – May 2025 issue

This regular newsletter is designed to keep you in touch with some of the things I’m doing for Mid Dorset and North Poole both within the constituency and up in Parliament.

If you’d like to get involved, whether that be coming along to an event, signing a petition, or joining me on the campaign trail, I’ll include some links to make it easy for you to get in touch.

And if that’s not for you, that’s fine too!

I hope you enjoy the read, and feel free to share it with a friend or neighbour.

In this edition:

• Marking 80 years since the end of WWII in Europe

• Fighting for better healthcare in Dorset

• Standing up for residents on the Canford Incinerator

• In Parliament – From Fire Services to rural broadband

• Royal visit to Dorset

• Taking part in the Big Paddle Clean-Up

• Supporting work experience programmes

Marking 80 years since VE Day

It was a privilege to take part in commemorations marking 80 years since the end of the Second World War in Europe.

Across Poole, Wimborne, and Broadstone, I joined residents of all ages — from school pupils to care home residents — to reflect on the legacy of war and the value of peace.

While we’ve been fortunate to enjoy eight decades without large-scale conflict in Europe, we must never forget the ongoing sacrifices made by our armed forces — from Korea to the Falklands, Iraq, Afghanistan, and through vital peacekeeping roles with NATO and the UN.

Through my ongoing work with the Parliamentary Armed Forces and vocal support in Westminster on the Ukraine and Gaza conflicts I will continue to stand up for innocent victims and campaign for peace.

Fighting for better healthcare in Dorset

Healthcare remains one of the most frequent concerns raised by residents — from long waits for GP appointments to issues with access to specialist services. Last month, I took several steps to listen and act:

• Met with the Friends of Wareham Hospital to support the return of chemotherapy services
• Chaired a GP roundtable to hear directly from local doctors about operational challenges and funding gaps
• Shadowed a GP at Walford Mill Medical Centre to see first hand the pressures frontline staff are facing
• Spoke in Parliament to call for better neurology care and fairer prescription exemptions for Parkinson’s patients — [Watch here]​​

In Parliament

Raising local voices in Parliament is a vital part of my role. Whether it’s pushing for fairer funding or standing up for vulnerable residents, I’m committed to making your concerns heard. Recent actions include:

• Spoke eight times since April on Gaza, urging the Government to do more to end the conflict — [Watch all my speeches here]
• I welcome the recent news that domestic abuse will now be recorded as a specific crime which I have called for in the House — [Watch here]
• Continued to press the Treasury on Fire Service funding following devastating wildfires in Dorset — [Watch here]
• Raised a constituent’s PIP case with the Secretary of State, securing a commitment to review DWP processes — [Watch here]
• Urged the Prime Minister to strengthen UK–EU travel arrangements — [Watch here]
• Highlighted poor broadband in rural areas like Cowgrove during a connectivity debate — [Watch here]
• Served on the committee advancing the Puppy Smuggling Bill to improve animal welfare — [Watch here]

You can read all of my contributions on Hansard.​

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Canford Incinerator – standing with residents

I recently chaired a packed public meeting on the proposed Canford Magna Incinerator, attended by nearly 200 residents, councillors, and representatives from MVV — the company behind the application.

The meeting gave residents the opportunity to raise serious concerns — from environmental damage to traffic and public health risks — and allowed MVV to present their plans.

The application will be debated by the Planning Committee on 12th June. If you'd like to submit your views, you can do so here:

​Click here to submit your views on the Canford Incinerator​

Big Paddle Clean-Up with Scouts and Canoe Club

I joined the Poole Harbour Canoe Club and 2nd Wimborne Scouts for a hands-on river clean-up — collecting litter and inspecting river outflows for signs of sewage pollution.

Rivers and water pollution is a growing crisis across the UK, tackling this is a priority for me and the Liberal Democrats. We will continue to campaign for cleaner waterways and tougher action against polluters.

Round-up of some of my other activities