We interrupt our festive break to bring you the happy news that the Liberal Democrats have seen three people honoured in the New Years Honours list.

Jude Godden has been awarded an MBE for her services to local politics, Gavin Stollar has been awarded an OBE for his work within the Jewish Community and Andrew Dixon was awarded an OBE for his work in tackling inequality and for his support to British entrepreneurs.

Jude Godden

Jude Godden has been serving her community for the past 20 years, first running adult education for a large rural area and delivering over 200 courses a year as well as delivering cardiac rehabilitation courses and then more recently, as Head of Casework for Tim Farron MP. During the years she has worked for Tim Farron’s office she has made a massive difference. She has been instrumental in investigating and exposing two major national health scandals by supporting whistleblowers to have their voices heard, one of which was featured on the BBC. She single-handedly repatriated 57 people when the pandemic hit from around the world by working day and night till they were safely home. Recently she has helped refugees who were struggling to get visas to leave Ukraine and faced deportation back to a war zone. Jude has successfully returned over a million pounds to constituents and has acted as an advocate for countless people to ensure social justice is delivered.

Ed Davey congratulated Jude on her MBE

My warmest congratulations to Jude Godden, who’s charitable spirit is so importantly recognised in today’s honours.

Jude is a carer for a family member, as well as a caseworker for Tim Farron and has served her local area tirelessly for over 20 years.

Everyone in the Liberal Democrats is so proud of Jude’s work and this well-deserved accomplishment.

Gavin Stollar

Gavin has dedicated over 25 years to advocating for the UK Jewish Community within his own political party, the Liberal Democrats, and British politics as a whole. As Honorary Chair of the Lib Dem Friends of Israel, Gavin has supported each Liberal Democrat party leader from Charles Kennedy MP to current leader Sir Ed Davey MP. He has successfully steered Party policy to reflect a balanced, fair approach to Israel/Palestine and to accurately respond to UK Jewish domestic issues such as the protection of shechita (kosher). Gavin’s input was decisive and instrumental in the Lib Dem’s adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (‘IHRA’) working definition of Antisemitism, notably ahead of all other UK political parties. He created the formal link with Israeli sister party Yesh Atid, who have since joined Liberal International.

Gavin has led numerous Liberal Democrat delegations to the Middle East, regularly bringing the Party’s Parliamentarians, advisers, and candidates to policy makers, government ministers, cultural and educational places in both Israel and the West Bank. A former elected parish and district Councillor, and School Governor, Gavin has also been a supporter for Maccabi Great Britain since his teens and in 2008 managed the mens Open Football team that won the gold medal for Great Britain in Madrid. Gavin is a graduate of the University of Birmingham and Harvard Business School. He is married with two daughters, and is a member of Western Marble Arch Synagogue.

Ed Davey said that Gavin had been an “invaluable conduit” between the Lib Dems nd the Jewish Community

Gavin has been a fantastic advocate for the British Jewish Community and has contributed a huge amount of time to the Liberal Democrats over the past 25 years.

“Gavin’s work has been instrumental in the Liberal Democrats. From the adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance working definition of Antisemitism to tying the formal link with Israeli sister party Yesh Atid.

“Gavin has been an invaluable conduit between the Lib Dems and the Jewish community. Thank you for your ongoing service.

Andrew Dixon

Through his career Andrew has been dedicated to supporting those members of society who face some of the most significant barriers in life. Following roles at Société Générale and Goldman Sachs, Andrew founded ARC InterCapital, which has invested over £40 million in more than 40 British companies over the last twenty years. ARC’s current portfolio collectively employs more than 2,000 people across the UK. In 2008 Andrew founded the Woodhaven Trust, which supports a range of causes to help the disadvantaged, including prison reform initiatives and also literacy and entrepreneurship programmes in prisons and for ex-offenders, with the goal of helping them find post-incarceration pathways to becoming productive members of society. The Woodhaven Trust also champions fundamental reform of UK land taxation. In 2018 Andrew co-authored a paper on Business Rates reform and launched Fairer Share – a cross-party campaign to replace the regressive Council Tax and punitive Stamp Duty with the Proportional Property Tax. In 2014 Andrew founded the Liberal Democrats Business Network and since 2010 has been an Enterprise Fellow at the Prince’s Trust, helping entrepreneurs start their own business. His latest initiative is See Through NPD – an awareness programme to help victims of Narcissistic Personality Disorder.

Ed complimented Andrew’s passion for helping others:

I am delighted to see Andrew recognised in today’s honours list for his dedication to tackling inequality and supporting Britain’s entrepreneurs.

His innovative social initiatives to improve rehabilitation for offenders and ex-offenders reflect his humanitarian nature and passion for helping others.

Congratulations on all your hard work Andrew!

Andrew Arbuckle

Andrew Arbuckle was Lib Dem MSP for the mid Scotland and Fife region from 1999-2011.

He is now a Vice President of RSABI, a charity supporting those in the agricultural industry, for which work he has been awarded an MBE. From the RSABI website:

Andrew, who served as a Trustee of RSABI prior to becoming a Vice-president, has raised more than £100,000 for the charity, by producing three books (two with his late brother John) which take a light-hearted look at farming life.

In recognition of his contribution to the charity, which supports people in Scottish agriculture, he was awarded an Outstanding Contribution award on HM Albion in June 2022 as part of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations, attended by HRH The Princess Royal.

Andrew has also made an exceptional contribution to the heritage and growth of community arts and sport in Fife, along with a career as an award-winning agricultural journalist and his dedication to local and national politics in Scotland.

In 2012 he was awarded the Netherthorpe Award, the top UK award for agricultural journalism, and during his years as Agricultural Editor of The Courier and The Scotsman, his journalistic skills ranged from covering crisis situations such as Foot and Mouth and BSE, to numerous highly insightful commentary pieces.

Andrew said:

I have thoroughly enjoyed my career so far and being able to play a part in so many exciting initiatives which have helped to make a difference to people in the farming world and the Fife community.

However, the success of these projects has very much depended on teamwork and the support I have received from numerous other people. I am greatly indebted to my friends, family and colleagues for their help and encouragement over many decades.

Alex Cole-Hamilton said:

Delighted at the news of a well earned MBE for my friend of more than 20yrs former MSP and Cllr, Andrew Arbuckle in todays NY Honours List

In reply to Alex, Ed Davey said:

Delighted to see Andrew Arbuckle MBE recognised in this week’s Honour’s list, in reflection of his steadfast championing of the Scottish farming community. Congratulations Andrew!