Member of Parliament
Tim Farron
Liberal Democrat MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale
Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
At a glanceTim Farron is a Liberal Democrat MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, and has represented the seat for 21 years, 2 months. They currently serve as Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Environment, Food and Rural Affairs). They have cast 308 votes in Commons divisions (54% attendance), tabled 2,064 written questions and registered 13 financial interests.
Attendance is votes cast as a share of the 575 Commons divisions since the 2024 election; Tim Farron did not vote in 267. A rebellion is a vote against the way most of their own party voted; free votes, where no party line applies, are left out.
Party-loyalty figures are our own analysis of the official voting records (recorded votes only; they do not describe the formal whip). How we work this out.
Biography
He currently undertakes the role of Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Environment, Food and Rural Affairs).
Current roles
- Westmorland and Lonsdale Representation · Elected 1 time since 4 Jul 2024
- Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) Opposition post · Opposition Department since 7 Sep 2020
- Liberal Democrat Party since 5 May 2005
Voting record
Voting alignment
Votes most like
-
Mr Angus MacDonald
Liberal Democrat
100.0% · 256 of 256 shared votes
-
Mr Paul Kohler
Liberal Democrat
99.6% · 260 of 261 shared votes
-
Gideon Amos
Liberal Democrat
99.3% · 291 of 293 shared votes
-
Munira Wilson
Liberal Democrat
99.3% · 286 of 288 shared votes
-
Monica Harding
Liberal Democrat
99.3% · 274 of 276 shared votes
Votes least like
-
Jodie Gosling
Labour
7.9% · 18 of 228 shared votes
-
Sarah Edwards
Labour
8.6% · 18 of 209 shared votes
-
Emily Thornberry
Labour
9.3% · 15 of 162 shared votes
-
Gareth Thomas
Labour (Co-op)
9.7% · 18 of 186 shared votes
-
Michael Payne
Labour
9.9% · 24 of 242 shared votes
Alignment figures are our own analysis of the official voting records (recorded votes only; they do not describe the formal whip). How we work this out.
Register of financial interests
From the official Register; shown as registered.
Donations and other support (including loans) for activities as an MP9
- Refugee, Asylum & Migration Policy Project (RAMP) - £13,400.00 (registered 20 May 2026)
- Refugee, Asylum & Migration Policy Project (RAMP) - £3,250.00 (registered 20 May 2026)
- Faith in Public Ltd - £28,435.94 (registered 20 May 2026)
- Faith in Public Ltd - £15,264.00 (registered 20 May 2026)
- Faith in Public Ltd - £7,982.03 (registered 24 Mar 2026)
- Refugee, Asylum & Migration Policy Project (RAMP) - £9,750.00 (registered 2 Apr 2025)
- Faith in Public Ltd - £29,982.51 (registered 2 Apr 2025)
- Faith in Public Ltd - £15,264.00 (registered 5 Mar 2025)
- Faith in Public Ltd - £13,877.33 (registered 8 Oct 2024)
Gifts, benefits and hospitality from UK sources1
- National Liberal Club - £1,102.50 (registered 10 Aug 2015)
Visits outside the UK1
- International visit to Israel between 15 February 2026 and 19 February 2026 (registered 20 May 2026)
Miscellaneous2
- Trustee of the Parliamentary Christian Trust. This is an unpaid role. (registered 9 Jun 2025)
- Advisory Board Member of BOMAD Investments Ltd (trading as HomeNow), an affordable housing scheme. This is an unpaid role. (registered 21 Jan 2021)
Written questions
Written question
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many times trains have been delayed or cancelled on the West Coast Main Line due to livestock being on the line in 2021-2022, 2022-23, 2023-24, 2024-25, 2025-26.
Awaiting an answer from the Department for Transport.
Agriculture: Finance
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the annual farming budget is for (a) 2025–26 and (b) 2026–27; and how the spending is broken down for each year.
Answer · 10 Jul 2026
The Government has allocated a record £11.8 billion to sustainable farming and food production over this parliament. On 12 March 2025 we set out how we planned to spend the budget (£5 billion) across the 2024/25 and 2025/26 financial years. SchemeBudget f...
Cancer: Radiotherapy
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will publish the methodology used to allocate the £70 million radiotherapy funding announced in the National Cancer Plan.
Answer · 3 Jul 2026
In December 2024, NHS England wrote to all radiotherapy treatment providers inviting them to apply for funding to replace ageing radiotherapy machines. Funding was then allocated to trusts using criteria that NHS England developed. These criteria focused ...
Radiotherapy: Medical Equipment
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether the allocation of the £70 million for radiotherapy machines took account of existing regional variation in radiotherapy access.
Answer · 3 Jul 2026
In December 2024, NHS England wrote to all radiotherapy treatment providers inviting them to apply for funding to replace ageing radiotherapy machines. Funding was then allocated to trusts using criteria that NHS England developed. These criteria focused ...
Radiotherapy: Medical Equipment
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what proportion of the £70 million radiotherapy machine funding announced in the Autumn Budget 2024 has been allocated to each NHS region.
Answer · 3 Jul 2026
In December 2024, NHS England wrote to all radiotherapy treatment providers inviting them to apply for funding to replace ageing radiotherapy machines. Funding was then allocated to trusts using criteria that NHS England developed. These criteria focused ...
Radiotherapy: Medical Equipment
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will publish a breakdown by NHS region of where the radiotherapy machines (LINACS) funded by the £70 million announced in the Autumn Budget 2024.
Answer · 3 Jul 2026
In December 2024, NHS England wrote to all radiotherapy treatment providers inviting them to apply for funding to replace ageing radiotherapy machines. Funding was then allocated to trusts using criteria that NHS England developed. These criteria focused ...
Radiotherapy
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has identified areas of England where satellite radiotherapy units would have the greatest impact on reducing travel times for cancer patients.
Answer · 3 Jul 2026
Through the National Cancer Plan, we are modernising cancer services, expanding the workforce, and tackling inequalities in access, so that all patients receive high-quality care regardless of where they live.The Department remains committed to ensuring t...
Radiotherapy
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has identified areas of England where satellite radiotherapy units would have the greatest impact on reducing travel times for cancer patients.
Answer · 3 Jul 2026
Through the National Cancer Plan, we are modernising cancer services, expanding the workforce, and tackling inequalities in access, so that all patients receive high-quality care regardless of where they live.The Department remains committed to ensuring t...
Early day motions
| 15 Jul 2026 | Closure of High Borrans Outdoor Education Centre | 3 sig. |
| 8 Jul 2026 | Childhood dementia awareness and support | 22 sig. |
| 24 Jun 2026 | Birth of England in Westmorland in 927 | 9 sig. |
| 1 Jun 2026 | Future of Cumbria Constabulary | 10 sig. |
| 13 May 2026 | Care for people with depression and bipolar disorder | 34 sig. |
| 13 May 2026 | Funding for rural Britain | 26 sig. |
Speeches in the chamber
13 Jul 2026 Immigration and Asylum Bill
I certainly think that people who are seeking asylum in this country should be given the right to work. First, it will help them to integrate, if their asylum claim is successful; secondly, it will enable them to cover the cost of their ac…
13 Jul 2026 Immigration and Asylum Bill
This Bill is riddled with bogus context and false premises, as are most debates on this issue. It is worth bearing in mind that the majority of European Union countries take more asylum seekers per head than the United Kingdom. We heard…
13 Jul 2026 State of Climate and Nature
I thank the Minister for early sight of the statement. On my way into Kendal this morning, before I came down to Parliament, I observed the jarring reality of fields yellowing in the dry heat and the River Kent so low that I could see t…
9 Jul 2026 Waste Crime Action Plan
My constituents who live close to the Flusco landfill site in Newbiggin are one of many communities right across the country bearing the brunt of this nationwide scandal. The owners of the site—a legitimate one on paper—have been judged to…
7 Jul 2026 Summer Jobs
My hon. Friend is making an excellent speech. She mentioned the youth mobility scheme. At present, the UK has youth mobility visa arrangements with a number of countries around the world, but with only one country in Europe, Andorra, which…
7 Jul 2026 Summer Jobs
I am grateful to the Minister for giving way, and for raising the issue of the tourism levy. We will have a mayor in Cumbria next May, and one of the considerations they will have is the fact that we have 20 million visitors every year to …
7 Jul 2026 Summer Jobs
The hon. Gentleman is making some important points. Obviously, in some parts of the world, including mine, many jobs are on offer but it is hard for young people to take them up. Some 60% of employers in the hospitality and tourism industr…
7 Jul 2026 Summer Jobs
Will the hon. Member give way?
30 Jun 2026 High Streets
The hon. Gentleman is being very generous in giving way. I concur with the hon. Member for Strangford (Jim Shannon). The removal of banks from our high streets and village centres in Westmorland has had a huge impact. The relationship wit…
30 Jun 2026 Antisemitism: University Campuses
It is an honour to serve under your guidance in the Chair this afternoon, Sir John, and a genuine privilege to follow the hon. Member for Leeds South West and Morley (Mark Sewards); I congratulate him on making an excellent speech, on putt…
29 Jun 2026 Asylum Accommodation
The use of hotels for warehousing asylum seekers is expensive for the taxpayer and utterly miserable for the people who are stuck there waiting for their asylum cases to be heard. Does the Minister share my fear that the atmosphere of host…
29 Jun 2026 Universal Credit: People in Employment
The University of Cumbria has shown that average hill farm incomes are less than the national minimum wage in our communities and beyond. Despite their poverty, farmers of all kinds and small businesses often cannot claim universal credit…
24 Jun 2026 Farming Road Map and Profitability Review
I thank the Secretary of State for early sight of her statement and I echo her thanks to Baroness Batters for her fantastic work on this issue. I also welcome the relatively new Farming Minister, the hon. Member for Portsmouth South (Steph…
23 Jun 2026 Defence Spending and Readiness
The hon. Gentleman is right to hold the Government to account, because the plan is massively delayed. He is surely aware that all of us here, including those from my party, who spent time in government in the last few years, know that ever…
23 Jun 2026 Transport Connectivity: Border Communities
The TriLink scheme, which connects north-west England with the south of Scotland and upgrades the west coast main line—the busiest railway line in western Europe—has been deferred by this Government and their predecessors for years. This v…
16 Jun 2026 Thames Water
I start by associating myself closely with the Secretary of State’s remarks about Jo Cox. It was a privilege to serve alongside her in this place, and we still miss her deeply. I am grateful to the Secretary of State for advance sight o…
15 Jun 2026 Defence Investment Plan
The sluggish and unambitious delivery of the defence investment plan is not the only threat to our security. Given that we have Russian ships threatening our cables and such like, does the Minister agree that the fact that the United Kingd…
15 Jun 2026 Topical Questions
How will the Minister stop developers using viability assessments to wriggle out of providing affordable homes for communities such as mine in Westmorland, where an agreement for 12 affordable houses to be delivered in Allithwaite near Gra…
15 Jun 2026 Brain Cancer
It is an honour to serve under your guidance, Mrs Barker. In April 2025, my constituent Phil was diagnosed with aggressive, incurable glioblastoma. Due to the tumour’s location, surgery was not possible, and Phil was given a prognosis of j…
9 Jun 2026 Men’s Mental Health Care: North-west England
The suicide rate among men in Cumbria is twice the national average. There are a whole range of reasons why that is so, but one of them is clearly bound up in isolation and rurality. Would the Minister be willing to meet me and the Farmer …
Source: contributions on parliament.uk.
Full parliamentary career
Opposition posts
- Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Housing, Communities and Local Government) · Opposition Department 21 Aug 2019 – 11 Jul 2022
- Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Food and Rural Affairs) · Opposition Department 6 Jan 2020 – 7 Sep 2020
- Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (North of England) (Northern Powerhouse) · Opposition Department 21 Aug 2019 – 7 Sep 2020
- Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Work and Pensions) · Opposition Department 21 Aug 2019 – 6 Jan 2020
- Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Communities and Local Government) · Opposition Department 7 Feb 2019 – 21 Aug 2019
- Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) · Opposition Department 12 Oct 2017 – 7 Feb 2019
- Shadow Secretary of State (Environment) 7 Oct 2008 – 6 May 2010
- Shadow Minister (Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 20 Dec 2007 – 7 Oct 2008
- Shadow Minister (Home Affairs) · Home Office 1 Apr 2007 – 20 Dec 2007
- Shadow Spokesperson (Children, Schools and Families) 10 May 2005 – 5 Mar 2006
Other posts
- Leader of the Liberal Democrats 16 Jul 2015 – 20 Jul 2017
- Party Chair, Liberal Democrats 1 Jan 2011 – 31 Dec 2014
Committee memberships
- Water (Special Measures) Bill [HL] 18 Dec 2024 – 16 Jan 2025
- Community and Suspended Sentences (Notification of Details) Bill 8 May 2024 – 15 May 2024
- Offenders (Day of Release from Detention) Bill 1 Feb 2023 – 8 Feb 2023
- Equipment Theft (Prevention) Bill 25 Jan 2023 – 1 Feb 2023
- Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill 15 Jun 2022 – 20 Oct 2022
- Glue Traps (Offences) Bill 12 Jan 2022 – 19 Jan 2022
- Education (Careers Guidance in Schools) Bill 22 Sep 2021 – 27 Oct 2021
- European Scrutiny Committee 26 Jul 2010 – 25 Nov 2013
- Environmental Audit Committee 22 May 2006 – 12 Jul 2007
- Education & Skills 12 Jul 2005 – 22 May 2006
Previous seats
- Westmorland and Lonsdale · Elected 4 times 6 May 2010 – 30 May 2024
- Westmorland and Lonsdale · Elected 1 time 5 May 2005 – 6 May 2010
Elections contested
- Westmorland and Lonsdale 7 Jun 2001
- South Ribble 1 May 1997
- North West Durham 9 Apr 1992
Expenses
Contact & offices
020 7219 8519
Parliamentary office
House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA
Constituency office
Acland House, Yard 2, Stricklandgate, Kendal, LA9 4ND
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Tim Farron, answered from official Parliament data.
Who is Tim Farron?
Tim Farron is a Member of Parliament representing Westmorland and Lonsdale in the House of Commons. See Tim Farron's official Parliament profile.
Which party does Tim Farron represent?
Tim Farron sits as Liberal Democrat. See Tim Farron's official Parliament profile.
Which constituency does Tim Farron represent?
Tim Farron is the Member of Parliament for Westmorland and Lonsdale. See Tim Farron's official Parliament profile.
How long has Tim Farron been an MP?
Tim Farron has served in the House of Commons for 21 years, 2 months. See Tim Farron's official Parliament profile.
What registered interests are listed for Tim Farron?
Tim Farron has 13 entries in the Register of Members' Financial Interests. See Tim Farron's official Parliament profile.
Source: this MP's official Parliament profile. Last updated 26 Jul 2026.