Dame Annette Brooke

That this House celebrates the life and achievements of Dame Annette Brooke, Privy Counsellor, former hon. Member for Mid Dorset and North Poole, Deputy Leader of Poole Borough Council, Liberal Democrat Group Leader and Mayor of Poole, and expresses deep sadness at her death on 20 August 2025; commends Annette’s commitment to Dorset, for almost 40 years since her first election to council and in the 14 years as an hon. Member, making Annette the Liberal Democrats’ longest serving female hon. Member; further celebrates her role in protecting Dorset’s precious heathlands; recognises her commitment to public service, including her work protecting disabled and disadvantaged children’s rights, being an ambassador for Julia’s House, founding the Dorset Equality Group and championing women setting up micro-businesses in the developing world; further commends her charitable work as Patron of Forest Holme Hospice Charity; commends her community group work, particularly through the creation of Stepping Stones Group to support people living with dementia; celebrates that her work won her an OBE in 2013, the Women in Public Life award, and MP of the Year in 2010; pays tribute to the dedication of her family in supporting her work, and notes how she went about her work in an understated, modest and determined manner, providing a strong role model for others; thanks her for her role in supporting fellow Liberal Democrats into their political and public service roles; and extends its heartfelt sympathies to her family, friends and colleagues at this time of loss.