Politics borrows from football the following phrase: “play the man, not the ball”. In the context of politics, it means that it’s better to attack policies than politicians. I share that view and a reshuffle offers an opportunity to comment on players who really ought to be on the bench.

We’ve seen Suella Braverman finally shown a red card after weeks of demeaning the office of Home Secretary. Braverman’s style was that of the boss who not only gives you a task, but also tells you prescriptively how to do it. Then, when you don’t do it the way they set out, they rip you to shreds in public.

In the context of policing, that approach can involve politicians tinkering in justice issues. Politicians in a democracy set the law, but we must give professionals like police officers discretion over how it is enforced. Liberal Democrats would trust our public servants, most of whom are very professional and simply want to serve.

The reshuffle has seen the return of former Prime Minister David Cameron. The fact that the Conservatives had to persuade Cameron to return speaks to just how little confidence the current Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has in talent among his own Conservative MPs in the House of Commons (of which there are hundreds).

Liberal Democrats have no such challenges and I have respected in recent weeks my colleague and Lib Dem Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Layla Moran, who has taken a very principled stance in relation to the conflict between Palestinian terrorists and the Israel Defence Forces.

On Monday evening, I led a debate in Parliament on Seaton Community Hospital. News that part of the hospital is at risk of being sold off and demolished has electrified local opinion –understandable given how many local people contributed through donations to the building of the hospital. We’ve had public meetings to discuss how we can save the hospital in its entirety.

I have challenged the Prime Minister about this directly at PMQs and was pleased to be a lightning rod for the local strength of feeling at the debate I secured in Parliament on Monday. It is good to see the range of activities being undertaken in my part of East Devon, including a day of action in Seaton this Saturday 18th November.

As Seaton’s MP, I am determined to do all I can to protect the hospital. If you haven’t already, please sign my petition and join the fight to Save Seaton Hospital: www.tivandhonlibdems.org.uk/seaton-hospital