As the new year begins, Chelmsford's Member of Parliament, Marie Goldman, has offered constituents a detailed look back at a remarkably busy 2025 and a preview of the political year ahead.
A Constituency Casework Mountain
In her official review, the MP revealed the sheer scale of correspondence handled by her office. Her official MP inbox received a staggering 100,572 emails over the course of the year. This deluge of correspondence translated into a significant caseload, with her team managing 1,616 individual cases where local residents needed direct help.
A further 1,188 enquiries concerned policy, where constituents asked about her or the Liberal Democrats' stance on various issues. Perhaps most striking was the volume of campaign correspondence, which reached 2,946 cases as residents lobbied their MP on numerous topics.
The single biggest campaign issue was the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, often called the Assisted Dying Bill, as it moved through Parliament. Having passed the House of Commons, the bill is now under scrutiny in the Lords. On policy, the conflict in Israel, Gaza, and Palestine was the most raised subject. Top individual casework issues involved health services, transport, and housing.
The Liberal Democrat Record in Opposition
Reflecting on her party's role in Westminster, Goldman expressed pride in the Liberal Democrats' approach as "a proper, constructive opposition." She criticised the "pantomime" of weekly Prime Minister's Questions, arguing her party focused instead on presenting genuine policy ideas.
She countered the notion that opposition parties, particularly the third largest, cannot achieve tangible results. Pointing to the party's 72 MPs, she highlighted several legislative successes from the backbenches. These included Roz Savage's Climate & Nature Bill, which won government concessions, and Danny Chambers' Anti-Puppy Smuggling Bill, which gained Royal Assent in December.
She also noted Al Pinkerton's Ten-Minute Rule Bill for a new EU-UK Customs Union, which narrowly progressed. Goldman praised party leader Sir Ed Davey for maintaining a "considered, constructive and as cooperative as possible" tone in parliamentary debates.
The Parliamentary Agenda for 2026
Looking forward, the MP outlined several key items on the immediate horizon. Parliament will soon debate the Second Reading of the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill and the Finance Bill. A major focus will be the remaining stages of the Public Office (Accountability) Bill, known as the Hillsborough Law.
This long-awaited legislation would impose a statutory duty of candour on public officials. Goldman stated she would work to ensure the law's scope is comprehensive, suggesting the current draft may not cover all necessary situations.
She also highlighted an expected White Paper on special educational needs, delayed from autumn 2025, expressing hope it contains practical, implementable proposals. At some point in 2026, a new King's Speech will also set out the Labour government's agenda for the next parliamentary session.
Concluding her review, Marie Goldman thanked residents for their engagement and wished them well for the year ahead, signalling that 2026 is set to be another period of intense political activity both locally and nationally.
