I’m so sorry. CJ is a legend - in Westminster and in Edinburgh. No nonsense, funny, principled. One of the best.

Slight Return - Slight Update - Sleight of Hand - Tickets available martinmcaloon.com

Yesterday, I joined @SarahDykeLD in writing to the DEFRA Secretary about the absolute shambles of SFI26. Our letter urges the Secretary of State to take immediate action to ensure that those unfairly shut out of window 2 are given a genuine opportunity to apply.

When the government abruptly shut SFI in February 2025, their excuse was that it was an unfair Tory-designed first-come-first-served system… so they took 18 months to come up with….an unfair first-come-first-served system. An utter shambles with heartbreaking consequences.

Six hours should not decide the future of a farm business. Farmers should not have to race against each other to secure the SFI agreements they need to build resilient businesses and deliver for our environment.

NEW: ‘Worse than the scramble for Oasis tickets’: England’s sustainable farming funds run out in just six hours theguardian.com/environment/…

🚨 Farmers have described a “mad scramble” for SFI26 funding after the entire £233 million budget was allocated within hours. For some, getting an application submitted meant dropping everything else. Organic dairy farmer Adam Westaway had started his application before taking a family member to a long-awaited hospital appointment. By the time he returned to finish it, the window had closed. 🗣️ “To be left in a situation like this is no way to support farmers,” he said. READ MORE: ow.ly/LrfX50ZQsV6

Please listen, my take on SFI. This is not my usual happy, positive farming video. This is reality. I’ve said that as farmers we must share the good, the bad and the ugly. This is bad and ugly. Stakeholders, government body’s from both sides of the house should hand their heads in shame as to the shit show farming is becoming. People WILL go out of business over this. Our colleagues will suffer and fall because of this. If your mate calls you to chat, pick the phone up no matter what you’re doing and just chat. Remember about all the good farming charity’s out there. FCN, RABI to name a few. Please share with MPs and associates. Please also speak up

Just been talking to a farmer who is devastated by yesterday’s SFI disaster. 90% of their farm failed to get into SFI due to the calamitous closure of the window after less than 6 hours yesterday. Ministers must come up with an emergency solution today.

The investment from this country in nature restoration through farmers once promised to every farmer as a replacement for production subsidy has been reduced to a wild 6 hour competition for funding before it runs out and then farmers are turned away Us included Total F joke

Window 2 for SFI opened at 10am (with no announcement), and ran out of money by 3:48pm! The first come, first served system created by the Tories and kept by Labour has let down our farmers once again. A total disaster for food security and for nature. Farmers deserve better.

Tim Farron says the Prime Minister should overhaul a privatised system that 'rewards failure' trib.al/9HYdTGF

Thanks to everyone involved in today’s vibrant and busy Kendal Town Council Autumn Fete - including Kendal Community Theatre and the cast of Treasure Island who briefly held me hostage… 🏴‍☠️

It was such a joy to be at the grand reopening of St Anne’s Almshouses in Appleby this morning. So many people put so much time, energy, imagination and money into the wonderful restoration of this 373 year old community. I am so grateful to everyone who made this happen.

Tickets are moving - Sutton and Barnoldswick SOLD OUT - Get yourself a ticket before they all go! Available here: Martinmcaloon.com - #prefabsprout

After months of fierce debate, MPs have rejected assisted dying by just 16 votes. Tim Farron examines what changed – and why the Church’s response to questions of suffering, dignity and death matters more than ever. premierchristianity.com/opin… @timfarron

Paying our respects to Luděk Mikloško. A true Blackburn Rovers hero. Delivered to West Ham United on behalf of the BRFCS.com community this morning.

Just dug out my original Liberal Party membership card, purchased for the sum of £1.50 on this day 40 years ago…

40 years ago today, I joined the Liberal Party. There are worse things to do with your life!

The RNLI rescue people in difficulty at sea and make no value judgments as to who they rescue. One day we all may find ourselves in difficulty and we will wish to be rescued and not judged. Proud to sign EDM794 which pays tribute to the incredible, selfless work of the RNLI.