Max Wilkinson | |
|---|---|
 Official portrait, 2024 | |
| Member of Parliament forCheltenham | |
| Assumed office 4 July 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Alex Chalk |
| Majority | 7,210 (14.6%) |
| Liberal Democrat portfolios | |
| 2024–present | Culture, Media and Sport |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Liberal Democrats |
Maximilian Peter McGregor Wilkinson,[1] known asMax Wilkinson, is a BritishLiberal Democrat politician who has beenMember of Parliament (MP) forCheltenham since2024.[2][3]
Wilkinson attended Broadoak Community School (nowBroadoak Academy) and tookA-levels at Churchill Community School (nowChurchill Academy and Sixth Form) before studying business management and administration atCardiff University (2003-2007).[4]
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 forCheltenham 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 forCheltenham Ladies College (2012-2014), and in Cheltenham for PR and communications agency Camargue (2014-2021).[5][6]
Wilkinson was first elected toCheltenham Borough Council to serve Park ward in 2014, deposing the thenConservative group leader in what was then the Conservative Party’s safest ward in Cheltenham.[3]
He subsequently became the councillor for Oakley ward in 2018,[7] and was reelected in the ward with a much increased majority in 2022.[8] 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.[9][10]
In 2020 he was appointed as Cheltenham's first Council Cabinet Member for the Climate Emergency.[11] He oversaw Cheltenham’s first Climate Emergency Action Plan,[12] led on the Climate Change Supplementary Planning Document,[13] 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.[14] 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.[15] 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.[16] 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.[17]
Wilkinson stood down as a councillor in May 2024.[18]
Wilkinson was the Liberal Democrat general election candidate inStroud at the snap 2017 general election, where he came in third place with 2,053 votes (3.2%).[19] Later that year, he was selected to contest the Cheltenham seat. In the2019 general election he came second with 27,505 votes (46.3%), 981 votes behind the incumbent Conservative MPAlex Chalk.[20]
Wilkinson was elected MP forCheltenham in the2024 general election on 4 July, with 25,076 votes (50.6%) and a majority of 7,210 overAlex Chalk, then Conservative Justice Secretary and incumbent MP. There were five candidates and aturnout of 65%.[2][21] Chalk had held the seat since2015, taking it from the Liberal Democrats.[22]Recently Max has been a subject of controversy owing to the fact he was seen belittling Nigel Farage MP whilst a serious discussion over immigration was taking place
| Parliament of the United Kingdom | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Member of Parliament forCheltenham 2024–present | Incumbent |
