Lisa Smart puts local voices first in Home Office role

Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey has announced Hazel Grove MP Lisa Smart as the Home Office spokesperson for the Liberal Democrats, as she vowed to take local issues to the heart of Westminster.

With the Liberal Democrats taking up a record 72 seats in the House of Commons, the party announced a new front bench team following their successful conference this week.

Ed Davey urged his party to focus on the “people’s priorities” and “clean up the mess left by the Conservative party.” The new appointment follows Ed Davey’s speech to Liberal Democrat conference this weekend, where he set out plans to be a “responsible opposition”.

Lisa Smart promised to take local issues and responses from residents’ doorsteps to the heart of Westminster, where she has already been clearly seen raising local issues. 

Whether it has been fighting the loss of postal services in High Lane, or working with Cheadle MP Tom Morrison to put pressure on the Health Secretary over Stepping Hill, Lisa has already become a very visible figure in the House of Commons. 

Lisa Smart MP said: “It is an honour to be given such a prominent role, and to speak for my party on Home Affairs. Of course, as an MP my first priority is delivering for my area, and I will ensure that this means I can lift up local concerns and give them the visibility they deserve.

“I am grateful to Ed Davey for this opportunity, and I will hold ministers to account. Where we can find agreement, we will; where we should hold Labour’s feet to the fire, we must. 

“People must be able to find trust in politics again, which is why I will always be listening to the people of our area first and foremost. That was my promise in getting elected, and I will deliver.

“This is a time of challenge, but an opportunity for renewal. We must lift the country up after the chaos of the Conservative Government – and that means people must be able to see positive change. People have seen us stand up to the Government on the Winter Fuel Payment, and press for detail on vague promises of health funding. 

“Too many families and pensioners face a harsh cost of living crisis. A proper opposition in Westminster will champion the people’s priorities – and that is what we will provide.”

Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Ed Davey said: “My new frontbench will champion the people’s priorities, ensuring we hold the new government to account as a responsible opposition. 

“I am humbled by the result of the General Election and the millions of voters who put their trust in the Liberal Democrats, including many for the first time. We will stand up for our communities every day on the issues that matter most, fixing health and care services, tackling the cost of living crisis and protecting our precious environment.

“I am so proud of my entire team of 72 Liberal Democrat MPs who will serve as strong local champions in Westminster as we clean up the mess left by the Conservative government.