Max Wilkinson

Wilkinson attended Broadoak Community School (now Broadoak Academy) and took A-levels at Churchill Community School (now Churchill Academy and Sixth Form) before studying business management and administration at Cardiff University (2003-2007).{{cite web |title=Max Wilkinson: Education |url=https://www.linkedin.com/in/max-wilkinson-chelt/details/education/ |access-date=8 July 2024 |website=LinkedIn}}

After graduating in 2007 he worked as a journalist. His first permanent job after university was at The Weston Mercury. He later worked as a reporter for Cheltenham newspaper, The Gloucestershire Echo. During his time as a journalist, Wilkinson worked as a freelance sports reporter, covering football matches in the West. Wilkinson then worked in communications for Cheltenham Ladies College (2012-2014), and in Cheltenham for PR and communications agency Camargue (2014-2021).{{cite web |title=Max Wilkinson: Experience |url=https://www.linkedin.com/in/max-wilkinson-chelt/details/experience/ |access-date=8 July 2024 |website=LinkedIn}}

{{cite web |title=Max Wilkinson: Experience |url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/03954008 |access-date=14 July 2024 |website=Companies House}}

Wilkinson was first elected to Cheltenham Borough Council to serve Park ward in 2014, deposing the then Conservative group leader in what was then the Conservative Party’s safest ward in Cheltenham.

He subsequently became the councillor for Oakley ward in 2018,{{Cite web |date=3 May 2018 |title=Election results for Oakley, 3 May 2018 |url=https://democracy.cheltenham.gov.uk/mgElectionAreaResults.aspx?XXR=0&ID=54&RPID=27206783 |access-date=7 July 2024 |website=democracy.cheltenham.gov.uk |language=en}} and was reelected in the ward with a much increased majority in 2022.{{Cite web |date=5 May 2022 |title=Election results for Oakley, 5 May 2022 |url=https://democracy.cheltenham.gov.uk/mgElectionAreaResults.aspx?XXR=0&ID=99&RPID=27206813 |access-date=7 July 2024 |website=democracy.cheltenham.gov.uk |language=en}} As a backbench councillor, he put affordable housing at the heart of his work. His campaigns led to a large increase in affordable housing investment in Cheltenham, including the town’s £180 million housing investment scheme.{{Cite web |last=Garcia |first=Carmelo |date=2021-12-24 |title=A thousand affordable homes to be built by 2030 |url=https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/news/cheltenham-news/thousand-affordable-homes-built-cheltenham-6395857 |access-date=2024-07-08 |website=Gloucestershire Live |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=McGowan |first=Maxine |title=Corporate plan - 2023 to 2027 |url=https://www.cheltenham.gov.uk/info/19/corporate_priorities_and_performance/1760/corporate_plan_-_2023_to_2027/5 |access-date=2024-07-08 |website=www.cheltenham.gov.uk |language=en}}

In 2020 he was appointed as Cheltenham's first Council Cabinet Member for the Climate Emergency.{{Cite web |title=Council cabinet opens doors to new role |url=https://www.punchline-gloucester.com/articles/aanews/council-cabinet-opens-doors-to-new-role |access-date=7 July 2024|website=www.punchline-gloucester.com}} He oversaw Cheltenham’s first Climate Emergency Action Plan,{{Cite web |last=McGowan |first=Maxine |title=Climate emergency action plan - pathway to net zero |url=https://www.cheltenham.gov.uk/info/61/climate_and_sustainability/1731/climate_emergency_action_plan_-_pathway_to_net_zero |access-date=7 July 2024 |website=www.cheltenham.gov.uk |language=en}} led on the Climate Change Supplementary Planning Document,{{Cite web |date=2022-06-20 |title=Agenda for Council on Monday, 20th June, 2022, 2.30 pm |url=https://democracy.cheltenham.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=143&MId=3355&Ver=4 |access-date=2024-07-07 |website=democracy.cheltenham.gov.uk |language=en}} introduced the £10million Cheltenham Zero Fund and led the formation of the Cheltenham Zero Partnership. In 2022 he was made Cabinet Member for economic development, culture, tourism and wellbeing.{{Cite web |date=2022-05-16 |title=Agenda for Council on Monday, 16th May, 2022, 2.30 pm |url=https://democracy.cheltenham.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=143&MId=3549&Ver=4 |access-date=7 July 2024 |website=democracy.cheltenham.gov.uk |language=en}} In that role he oversaw a landmark report and action plan to tackle empty shops in the town centre, focusing on converting empty spaces into flats and apartments.{{Cite web |last=Lawson |first=Jemima |title=More town centre living and action on empty shops will be central to Cheltenham's future |url=https://www.cheltenham.gov.uk/news/article/2822/more_town_centre_living_and_action_on_empty_shops_will_be_central_to_cheltenham_s_future |access-date=7 July 2024 |website=www.cheltenham.gov.uk |language=en}} He also came up with the concept of the Feed Cheltenham Leisure Pass, enabling local food pantry users to gain free access to leisure activities.{{Cite web |last=Newcombe |first=Laura |title=Media release: Popular free leisure passes make a comeback to help Cheltenham's food bank users |url=https://www.cheltenham.gov.uk/news/article/2886/media_release_popular_free_leisure_passes_make_a_comeback_to_help_cheltenham_s_food_bank_users#:~:text=The%20pass%20is%20supported%20by,20%25%20off%20Cheltenham%20Trust%20events. |access-date=7 July 2024 |website=www.cheltenham.gov.uk |language=en}} Wilkinson led a campaign to have a memorial tree planting in memory of Cheltenham people lost during the Covid pandemic and all of the public servants who worked so hard to save lives and keep the town going during lockdown. The avenue of trees was planted in Sandford Park.{{Cite web |last=Thomas |first=Aled |date=10 January 2022 |title=New trees planted in Cheltenham park as Covid-19 memorial |url=https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/news/cheltenham-news/new-trees-planted-park-covid-6459753 |access-date=7 July 2024 |website=Gloucestershire Live |language=en}}

Wilkinson stood down as a councillor in May 2024.{{Cite web |last=Taylor |first=Mike |date=2024-01-02 |title=Councillor to step down after 10 years to focus on MP bid |url=https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/news/cheltenham-news/cheltenham-councillor-step-down-after-9008057 |access-date=2024-07-07 |website=Gloucestershire Live |language=en}}

Wilkinson was the Liberal Democrat general election candidate in Stroud at the snap 2017 general election, where he came in third place with 2,053 votes (3.2%).{{Cite web |title=UK Parliament election results: Election for the constituency of Stroud on 8 June 2017. |url=https://electionresults.parliament.uk/elections/1207|access-date=7 July 2024 |website=UK Parliament election results |language=en-GB}} Later that year, he was selected to contest the Cheltenham seat. In the 2019 general election he came second with 27,505 votes (46.3%), 981 votes behind the incumbent Conservative MP Alex Chalk.{{Cite web |title=UK Parliament election results: Election for the constituency of Cheltenham on 12 December 2019. |url=https://electionresults.parliament.uk/elections/1430|access-date=7 July 2024 |website=UK Parliament election results |language=en-GB}}

Wilkinson was elected MP for Cheltenham in the 2024 general election on 4 July, with 25,076 votes (50.6%) and a majority of 7,210 over Alex Chalk, then Conservative Justice Secretary and incumbent MP. There were five candidates and a turnout of 65%.{{cite news |last1=Garcia |first1=Carmelo |title=Liberal Democrat Max Wilkinson seizes 'historic' win in Cheltenham |url=https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/news/cheltenham-news/cheltenham-liberal-democrat-max-wilkinson-9390010 |access-date=7 July 2024 |work=Gloucestershire Live |date=5 July 2024 |language=en}} Chalk had held the seat since 2015, taking it from the Liberal Democrats.{{cite web |title=UK Parliament election results: Election for the constituency of Cheltenham on 7 May 2015. |url=https://electionresults.parliament.uk/elections/130 |website=UK Parliament election results |access-date=8 July 2024}}

In his maiden speech, Wilkinson spoke of the rich culture of Cheltenham, highlighting its numerous festivals, including literature, horse racing, poetry, music, jazz, food, cricket, and science, emphasizing its identity as "the festival town." He spoke about the need to improve local health services. He stated that his first priority would always be his constituency.{{Cite web |title=Debate: Immigration and Home Affairs - 23rd Jul 2024 |url=https://www.parallelparliament.co.uk/debate/2024-07-23/commons/commons-chamber/immigration-and-home-affairs#AEED2624-8D12-497E-81F5-29266D5D2050 |access-date=2025-05-30 |website=www.parallelparliament.co.uk}}

Wilkinson is a supporter of Cheltenham’s Cyber security and tech community. He has asked numerous questions in Parliament about the town’s cyber security sector, referencing the local cyber cluster, CyNam{{Cite web |title=Debate: Technology in Public Services - 2nd Sep 2024 |url=https://www.parallelparliament.co.uk/debate/2024-09-02/commons/commons-chamber/technology-in-public-services#0D843B69-E87C-42EB-81D1-7682A71FF131 |access-date=2025-05-30 |website=www.parallelparliament.co.uk}}, including lobbying successfully for £20million funding for Cheltenham’s council-led Golden Valley development{{Cite web |last=Garcia |first=Carmelo |date=2024-11-01 |title=Huge Golden Valley development gets boost as £20m grant confirmed |url=https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/news/cheltenham-news/cheltenhams-huge-golden-valley-development-9680913 |access-date=2025-05-30 |website=Gloucestershire Live |language=en}}.

He is vice-chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Cyber Innovation{{Cite web |title=House of Commons - Register Of All-Party Parliamentary Groups as at 12 February 2025: Cyber Innovation |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmallparty/250212/cyber-innovation.htm |access-date=2025-05-30 |website=publications.parliament.uk}}.

Among Wilkinson’s earliest achievements as MP was the development of a cross-party consensus among Gloucestershire’s MPs on the need to fully reopen the birth unit at Cheltenham General Hospital{{Cite web |title=Debate: Maternity Services: Gloucestershire - 9th Oct 2024 |url=https://www.parallelparliament.co.uk/debate/2024-10-09/commons/westminster-hall/maternity-services-gloucestershire |access-date=2025-05-30 |website=www.parallelparliament.co.uk}}, which had been temporarily closed almost two years prior to his election. His campaign for a new GP surgery{{Cite web |title=GP services in Cheltenham - Hansard - UK Parliament |url=https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2025-05-21/debates/D133EF40-E207-4D7E-9F6C-3AE3BB2407D4/details |access-date=2025-05-30 |website=hansard.parliament.uk |language=en}} to accommodate the town’s growth began before his election. He has also campaigned to protect and improve local A&E services. Cheltenham General Hospital’s A&E was downgraded to an overnight minor injuries unit in 2013 and Wilkinson’s campaign for election in 2024 questioned the Conservative MP’s claims of success on local hospital campaigns.

As the Lib Dem Culture Media and Sport spokesperson, Wilkinson has campaigned strongly for the rights of artists and creatives. He has spoken out against the threat posed to creatives by AI, most notably in the context of proposed changes to copyright laws{{Cite web |title=Debate: Creative Industries - 27th Jan 2025 |url=https://www.parallelparliament.co.uk/debate/2025-01-27/commons/commons-chamber/creative-industries#9F2107AD-70EB-4F11-97F0-3721F4944EEF |access-date=2025-05-30 |website=www.parallelparliament.co.uk}}. He campaigns for the rights of touring artists in light of the challenges they have faced since Brexit{{Cite web |title=Debate: Oral Answers to Questions - 27th Feb 2025 |url=https://www.parallelparliament.co.uk/debate/2025-02-27/commons/commons-chamber/oral-answers-to-questions#87FEAC6C-E319-43A4-A662-87F92DB3D73D |access-date=2025-05-30 |website=www.parallelparliament.co.uk}}.

He is known for bringing lighthearted asides and gentle humour to his spokesperson’s role, often deploying song title puns during questions.

Wilkinson revealed in a speech to the Commons that despite being the Lib Dem sports spokesperson, he did not achieve grade C at GCSE PE after a poor rounders assessment{{Cite web |title=Debate: Access to Sport: PE in Schools - 3rd Apr 2025 - Max Wilkinson extracts |url=https://www.parallelparliament.co.uk/mp/max-wilkinson/debate/2025-04-03/commons/commons-chamber/access-to-sport-pe-in-schools#B7E3AF98-808B-43D8-A8EE-F7DC426EEFDC |access-date=2025-05-30 |website=www.parallelparliament.co.uk}}. He also claims to have scored a goal from the halfway line during a University football match.

In Parliament, Wilkinson presented the New Homes (Solar Generation) Bill as his Private Members Bill{{Cite web |title=New Homes (Solar Generation) Bill - Parliamentary Bills - UK Parliament |url=https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3775 |access-date=2025-05-30 |website=bills.parliament.uk |language=en}}. The bill, branded the Sunshine Bill, would see solar panels installed on all newbuild homes. It gained widespread support and received a positive response from the government at second reading. While the Bill did not pass for a third reading{{Cite web |date=2025-01-17 |title=Cheltenham MP's bill for solar panels on all new homes fails |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c98yyjlp2zlo |access-date=2025-05-30 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}, the government pledged to work with Wilkinson to introduce the change.

In April and May 2025, Wilkinson was the victim of a misinformation campaign by Reform UK. A Reform party social media account manipulated footage taken in the House of Commons to give the appearance Wilkinson had called Nigel Farage a ‘stupid c***’. After Wilkinson raised a Point of Order from in the House of Commons,{{Cite web |date=2025-05-30 |title=Point of Order - Hansard - UK Parliament |url=https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2025-05-06/debates/1626EBD3-1C42-4DA7-AFEE-5482610F978B/details |access-date=2025-05-30 |website=hansard.parliament.uk |language=en}} Reform deleted the post and issued an apology to him and the House of Commons.{{Cite web |date=13 May 2025 |title=Spen Valley Reform UK Statement on X |url=https://x.com/SpenValleyRefUK/status/1922331389262725577}}

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Category:Living people

Category:1984 births

Category:Alumni of Cardiff University

Category:Liberal Democrats (UK) MPs for English constituencies

Category:Politicians from Somerset

Category:UK MPs 2024–present