Category Archives: News

Joe Nutt

ALDC by-election report, 2nd April

By Joe Nutt | Fri 3rd April 2026 - 1:51 pm

There were four principal council by-elections this week, of which all but one had a Liberal Democrat candidate on the ballot. One council seat was being defended by us.

North Devon Council, Fremington

In North Devon, the Liberal Democrats gained a seat from the Independents in Fremington. It should be noted that in 2023, both seats were won by Independents, before Councillor Frank Biederman joined the Liberal Democrats. The by-election was triggered by the sad passing of his ward colleague, who remained as an independent.

Without any independents standing this time, it would seem there was a lot of unknowns in where the vote would go for this time. In this context, not only did the Liberal Democrats manage to fend off Reform and prevent the Greens from establishing themselves as the progressive alternative, but they also increased their vote share by more than any other party. This is particularly impressive when we’re used to seeing these big swings to Reform in other by-elections from a standing start.

A huge congratulations to Cllr Jayne Mackie and the team on running such a successful campaign.

Liberal Democrats: 752 – 49.9% (+42.4)
Reform UK: 496 – 32.9% (new)
Green Party: 131 – 8.7% (New)
Conservatives: 116 – 7.7% (-4.4)
Labour: 12 – 0.8% (-7.8)

Liberal Democrat GAIN from Independents

Turnout:  34.7%

Continue reading »
Tagged | 10 Comments
Mark Valladares

2 April 2026 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Thu 2nd April 2026 - 10:30 pm
  • SNP set to miss key child poverty target
  • Welsh Lib Dems urge Reeves to scrap fuel duty hike as global instability drives rising petrol prices
  • Cole-Hamilton sets out mental health plan with visit to therapy llamas
  • Greene: Reform set to lose 26 constituency candidates by polling day, figures show
  • Murray: Lib Dem 10p fuel duty cut will get Scotland moving again
  • Welsh Lib Dems slam Reform’s “fantasy” coal plans as a threat to jobs, bills and climate
  • Reform candidate’s Ukraine comments spark outrage as Lib Dems warn of “dangerous” pro-Kremlin rhetoric

SNP set to miss key child poverty target

Responding to IFS analysis which indicates that Scotland is on course to miss its target to reduce relative child poverty to below 10% by 2030-31 “by a considerable margin”, Scottish Liberal Democrat economy spokesperson Jamie Greene MSP said:

Despite the grand rhetoric from the SNP, they have left thousands of children in poverty.

For the past nineteen years, the SNP have failed to use the powers they have had at their disposal to move the dial.

Just like Nicola Sturgeon broke her promise to close the attainment gap, John Swinney has broken his promise to reduce child poverty. They simply cannot be trusted.

Scottish Liberal Democrats are focused on tackling the root causes of child poverty, and everyone in Scotland has the chance to vote for these plans by backing us on your peach, regional ballot paper in May.

Welsh Lib Dems urge Reeves to scrap fuel duty hike as global instability drives rising petrol prices

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have called on Labour to cancel their planned fuel duty increase, warning that continued instability in the Middle East is already driving up global oil prices and risks placing further pressure on households and businesses across Wales.

The intervention comes as forecourts begin to reflect rising wholesale costs, with industry experts warning that sustained geopolitical tensions could keep prices elevated in the weeks ahead. Edmund King, President of the AA, has previously warned that such instability would “inevitably lead to price hikes,” with sharp increases often feeding through to drivers within days.

Labour’s planned changes would see fuel duty rise for the first time in 15 years, beginning with a 1p increase in September, followed by further rises through to 2027. The Welsh Liberal Democrats have warned that pressing ahead with the increase at a time of heightened global uncertainty would compound cost-of-living pressures, particularly in areas where people have little choice but to drive.

Continue reading »
Also posted in Press releases, Scotland and Wales | Tagged , , , , , , , , and | 5 Comments
Mark Valladares

1 April 2026 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Wed 1st April 2026 - 10:30 pm
  • 9 in 10 new primary teachers don’t have full-time permanent work
  • Cole-Hamilton: We will save small business from SNP rates wrecking ball
  • Welsh Lib Dems urge Government to put small and local firms first in public contracts

9 in 10 new primary teachers don’t have full-time permanent work

Scottish Liberal Democrat education spokesperson Willie Rennie MSP has today said that the SNP have “broken promise after promise to teachers and children”, as new figures show that 9 in 10 post-induction primary school teachers didn’t have full-time, permanent employment in 2025.

New figures show that between 2018/19 and 2024/25:

  • The percentage of post-induction primary teachers in full-time, permanent employment dropped from 30.3% to 10.8%.
  • The percentage of post-induction primary teachers in part-time, temporary employment has increased from 16.8% to 38.1%.
  • The percentage of post-induction secondary teachers in full-time, permanent employment has fallen from 57.9% to 42.5%.
  • The percentage of post-induction secondary teachers in part-time, temporary employment has increased from 2.9% to 5.3%.

Willie Rennie MSP said:

It is abysmal that 9 in 10 new primary school teachers can’t get full-time, permanent employment.

The SNP have broken promise after promise to teachers and children, with huge numbers of secondary and primary teachers now stuck on temporary contracts.

What a huge waste of talent when young people need good teachers more than ever, when their schooling was turned upside down by Covid and when far too many pupils with additional needs are not being properly supported.

I have met so many teachers who have been forced out of the profession because they can’t make ends meet and are tired of lurching between short-term work.

Scottish Liberal Democrats have got a realistic plan to give teachers proper, stable contracts, instead of short-term and zero hours work, so we can get Scottish education back to its best. You can vote for that by backing us on your second, peach-coloured, regional ballot paper in May.

Cole-Hamilton: We will save small business from SNP rates wrecking ball

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton has today used a visit to the Far From The Madding Crowd book shop in Linlithgow to set out how his party is standing in the way of the SNP’s business rates wrecking ball and to reveal a package of new measures to support high streets.

Continue reading »
Also posted in Press releases, Scotland and Wales | Tagged , , , , and | 2 Comments
Caron Lindsay

The Davey Dilemma

By Caron Lindsay | Wed 1st April 2026 - 9:49 am

Party strategists are pondering an offer from the BBC which could have a serious impact on our party’s fortunes.

Ed Davey has been invited to appear on this year’s Strictly Come Dancing.

Those in favour of the move argue that appearing on the programme could boost Ed’s popularity and, with it, the party’s electoral success as well as cheering up the nation.

It’s ten years since his namesake, former Labour Cabinet Minister Ed Balls, achieved national treasure status after his hilarious efforts on the show, performing Gangnam Style with great aplomb.

It’s just over fifteen years since our then Deputy Leader Vince Cable performed a stunning foxtrot in the Strictly Christmas special with professional dancer Erin Boag. At the time, Euan Ferguson wrote in the Guardian:

Vince was the man who made sense of the downturn: had warned, had made even more sense of it than Robert Peston. A Liberal Democrat with cojones and charisma, and a fine line in ballroom dancing. His appearance on the special should have been a coronation, a culmination: the most astounding year in living memory for his party and then a foxy foxtrot with Erin Boag.

The BBC hope that Ed’s appearance could help revive the show, retaining and increasing its audience after a time of instability following negative media stories and the departure of popular hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly. The surprise news that several audience favourite professional dancers including Karen Hauer and Nadiya Bychkova are leaving also poses another threat to the show.

However, Ed’s dancing at Spring Conference in York came in for criticism amongst a small but vocal minority of party members, so our version of the Tories’ “men in grey suits” are concerned that they could become a distraction and there could even be an attempt by critics to submit an emergency motion calling for his withdrawal at his Party’s Autumn Conference  which would be launching at the same time as the rally.

Continue reading »
Tagged and | 13 Comments
Mark Valladares

31 March 2026 – today’s press release

By Mark Valladares | Tue 31st March 2026 - 10:30 pm

Recall Parliament to address ferry crisis say Scottish Liberal Democrats

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton has today called for the Scottish Parliament to be recalled to address the crisis engulfing Scotland’s ferry network as communities in Argyll & Bute and up and down the west coast face yet more upheaval, with up to eight ferries out of action.

The Scottish Parliament can be recalled up until 8th April.

Mr Cole-Hamilton made the comments as he and Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey visited the key target seat of Strathkelvin & Bearsden to play tennis with community activist and candidate Adam Harley and local …

Continue reading »
Also posted in Press releases and Scotland | Tagged , , , , and | Leave a comment
Mark Valladares

30 March 2026 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Mon 30th March 2026 - 10:30 pm
  • Teacher numbers in STEM subjects fall by 900
  • 606 fewer modern language teachers than when SNP came to power
  • Greens scrapping road projects will kill Highland communities
  • Greene: Calamity Kemi should apologise for cheerleading Iran War which is sending prices soaring
  • If you’ve been to A&E, you shouldn’t trust Swinney

Teacher numbers in STEM subjects fall by 900

Scottish Liberal Democrat education spokesperson Willie Rennie MSP has accused the SNP of “playing fast and loose” with Scotland’s economic future, as new figures revealed there are 900 fewer teachers in STEM subjects than when the SNP first came to power

New figures show that between 2008 and 2025:

  • The

…

Continue reading »
Also posted in Press releases and Scotland | Tagged , , , , , , , , and | 1 Comment
Mark Valladares

Welcome to my day: 30 March 2026 – the most random elections ever?

By Mark Valladares | Mon 30th March 2026 - 7:27 am

Good morning, everyone, and welcome to another Monday morning. No, really, it’s not that bad…

Polling day is getting ever closer and predictions on how the various parties will get on are beginning to emerge, as Mark Pack has noted. I’m of the view that it’s harder and harder to make predictions based on national data, and that, as we saw in the 2024 General Election, voters will make decisions based on who they think the best alternative is where they are. Where Liberal Democrats are active, they’re likely to be seen as the best bet to keep Reform out, but even the Conservatives are claiming that voters are turning to them to keep Reform out. As the Guardian reports in an article about Conservative prospects on 7 May;

One MP suggests that tactical voting could boost the party’s results. “On the doorsteps I’ve had quite a lot of people say things like: ‘I’m normally a Lib Dem, but it’s you versus Reform here, and I want to keep Reform out at all costs, so I’ll vote for you.’

And, of course, in urban areas, there is a definite turn against Labour, outflanked to the left by the Greens and, perhaps, the Liberal Democrats, losing support to the Conservatives in places like North West London, and to Reform in predominantly white, working class areas. For some voters, the decision of who do vote for to give Labour a kicking and keep Reform out is going to be a challenging one. And, with rather lower turnouts than for national elections, what enthuses voters to come out om polling day will be key.

Continue reading »
Tagged , , and | 2 Comments
The Voice

WATCH: Hina Bokhari speak to yesterday’s Together Alliance march in London

By The Voice | Sun 29th March 2026 - 2:03 pm

Yesterday, Together Alliance, a coalition of civil society groups aimed at standing up to the far right held a march in London at which our Leader in the London Assembly, Hina Bokhari, spoke.

Watch her speech here.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Hina Bokhari OBE AM (@hinabokharild)

Continue reading »
Tagged , and | 8 Comments
Caron Lindsay

Thank you, Beatrice

By Caron Lindsay | Sun 29th March 2026 - 11:45 am

As the Scottish elections get underway, we know that one of our five MSPs will definitely not be returning to Holyrood. Elected in a 2019 by-election, Beatrice Wishart announced some time ago that she would be standing down at this election.  Since then, she has been Shetland’s voice in Holyrood, standing up for the islands and for women’s rights and safety.

This week, she made her final speech at Holyrood summing up the problems that islanders face with transport, affordable housing and connectivity.

She finished by urging future MSPs to work together constructively across party.

Enjoy.

The full text is below:

Continue reading »
Tagged , , and | Leave a comment
Mark Valladares

27 March 2026 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Fri 27th March 2026 - 10:30 pm

Still no luck with HQ press releases, I’m afraid, but nonetheless…

  • Scottish Liberal Democrats can win in every corner of Scotland
  • Historic Anti-Corruption Law adopted: Liberals and Democrats increase protection for citizens and democracy

Scottish Liberal Democrats can win in every corner of Scotland

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton has today continued his party’s speedy start to the election campaign by speeding up the Clyde in a powerboat as he set out how his party can win seats on the peach regional ballot in every corner of Scotland and how more Liberal Democrat MSPs will get more done in the next parliamentary term.

Mr Cole-Hamilton highlighted his party’s achievements in the Scottish Parliament including:

  • Fresh support for high street businesses struggling with the cost of living
  • A 10% increase in the college budget to produce the skills our economy and public services need
  • Investment to speed up autism and ADHD assessments
  • Millions for hospices so they can attract and retain staff
  • Young entrepreneurs being backed to take their idea to the next level
  • New facilities for new mothers and babies born addicted drugs
  • Cash for flood-stricken families and businesses in Fife when the government turned its back
  • More money for ferries in the Northern Isles
  • Suzanne’s Law and Michelle’s Law, strengthening the rights of victims and their families
  • Money restored to the housing budget after it was cut by the Greens and SNP
  • Family carers have the right to earn more
  • Work restarted on Edinburgh’s Eye Hospital and the Belford in Fort William

Alex Cole-Hamilton said:

We’re making a speedy start to this campaign because Scottish Liberal Democrats believe in getting things done.

There are some political parties which only fire out angry press releases, oppose everything for opposition’s sake, and achieve absolutely nothing for their constituents. There is another way of doing things. Budget by budget, bill by bill, case by case, we care to use our leverage as MSPs to deliver change with fairness at its heart.

Scottish Liberal Democrats have shown that we are serious about getting you the fair deal you deserve. There is a long list of changes that we have won for our constituents and for Scotland as a whole. The more MSPs we have, the more we can get done, like delivering more GPs, dentists and mental health professionals near you.

This election is your chance to elect local champions and win the change our country desperately needs. We can gain more constituencies from the SNP than any other party. But wherever you are, you can have an MSP who will get stuff done by backing the Scottish Liberal Democrats on the second peach regional ballot.

Historic Anti-Corruption Law adopted: Liberals and Democrats increase protection for citizens and democracy

Renew Europe welcomes today’s final adoption by the European Parliament of the new EU anti-corruption law, marking the successful conclusion of interinstitutional negotiations and delivering tougher sanctions, stronger prevention and greater protection for citizens and journalists across Europe.

Continue reading »
Also posted in Europe / International and Scotland | Tagged , and | Leave a comment
Joe Nutt

ALDC by-election report, 26th March

By Joe Nutt | Fri 27th March 2026 - 3:03 pm

There were four principal council by-elections this week, of which all had a Liberal Democrat candidate on the ballot. One council seat was being defended by us.

Disappointingly, we lost this Oxfordshire seat to the Conservatives. It appeared to be down to a collapse in our own share of the vote, rather than any substantial uplift in the Conservative vote. The silver lining is that we managed to hold back Reform, who finished in third place, setting the Liberal Democrats up as the main challenger next time. Commiserations to Alan Bettridge and the local Liberal Democrat team.

Vale of White Horse District Council, Stanford
Conservative: 666 (45.9%, +2.5)
Liberal Democrats (Adrian Bettridge): 395 (27.2%, -17)
Reform UK: 261 (18%, new)
Green Party: 115 (7.9%, -4.5)
Labour: 14 (1%, new)

Conservative GAIN from Liberal Democrats

Turnout: 43.4%

Continue reading »
Tagged | 12 Comments
Mark Valladares

New pilot schemes aim to make voting easier but…

By Mark Valladares | Fri 27th March 2026 - 12:15 pm

I don’t know about you, but the news that the Government had announced four pilot schemes to make voting “easier and more convenient” during this year’s local elections had rather passed me by.

To quote the release from the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government;

In Milton Keynes, voters can have their say in the city’s main shopping centre – Midsummer Place – rather than being restricted to a single designated polling station. This could eventually be rolled out across the country in future elections along high streets and in town centres.

People in Cambridge, Tunbridge Wells and North Hertfordshire

…

Continue reading »
Tagged , and | 1 Comment
Mark Valladares

26 March 2026 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Thu 26th March 2026 - 10:30 pm
  • Scottish Liberal Democrats launch election campaign in seat they will take from SNP
  • Greene comments on Reform’s Scottish campaign collapse
  • Greene comments on latest wave of ferry chaos
  • Labour missing golden opportunity to set up Port Talbot industrial supply chain
  • EU-US Turnberry deal: Renew Europe backs Parliament’s firm mandate

Scottish Liberal Democrats launch election campaign in seat they will take from SNP

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton has today launched his party’s campaign, setting out how his party can win ten constituencies to deprive the SNP of a majority and win big on the peach regional ballot in order to get more done in the next parliamentary term.

Speaking at the launch at Newhaven harbour, Alex Cole-Hamilton said:

We know you feel let down by the other parties.

We think Scotland deserves better than this. But it needs to be change with fairness at its heart.

Scotland has so much going for it. But right now, it feels like our country simply isn’t working.

Household bills are soaring. The long waits to see your GP. The national embarrassment of the ferries fiasco. And Scottish education just isn’t what it used to be.

The Scottish Liberal Democrats believe Scotland deserves better than this. We believe in fairness for everyone, no matter who you are or where you come from. That’s why we have a realistic plan to get things done: delivering first-rate health care, helping you with the cost of living, getting Scotland moving again, and getting Scottish education back to its best.

I’m bursting with excitement for the campaign ahead. I will be travelling all over our country letting people know that the Liberal Democrats are winning again, with more councillors, a record number of MPs and more to come.

Let me be straight with you. You have two votes. In many constituencies like Edinburgh Northern, we are on the verge of winning against the SNP. Our victories can deny them the parliamentary majority that John Swinney craves. Equally importantly, wherever you are, every vote for the Scottish Liberal Democrats on the second peach ballot will deliver MSPs committed to delivering change with fairness at its heart.

Scotland deserves better. And with the Scottish Liberal Democrats, you can vote for it.

Greene comments on Reform’s Scottish campaign collapse

Responding to the news that two more Reform UK Holyrood election candidates have withdrawn their candidacies this morning — bringing the party’s total number of dropouts to four — Scottish Liberal Democrat Jamie Greene MSP said:

As the wheels continue to come off Reform’s Scottish campaign, Lord Offord continues to prove he and his party should be nowhere near politics or power.

Two candidates have dropped out because of ‘administrative errors’, one because of shady business dealings during Covid, and another after calling Humza Yousaf an ‘Islamist moron’. Good riddance, yes, but it’s not enough.

We found out this week that Lord Offord has a vile sense of ‘humour’ that makes him unfit for public office, while another Reform candidate is still standing despite having publicly backed Tommy Robinson.

I wouldn’t be surprised if there are yet more skeletons in the closet and candidates dropping out in the coming weeks.

Continue reading »
Also posted in Europe / International, Press releases, Scotland and Wales | Tagged , , , , , , and | 1 Comment
Mark Valladares

25 March 2026 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Wed 25th March 2026 - 10:30 pm
  • More than 17,000 children waiting longer than a year in temporary accommodation
  • David Chadwick calls for Government action to protect Rural Community Transport Schemes
  • Greene: Aspiring politicians must campaign with decency
  • Greene: Offord and Reform should reject secretive crypto donations
  • Collien Fernandes: Renew Europe calls for EU action to close loopholes on AI deepfake abuse

More than 17,000 children waiting longer than a year in temporary accommodation

Scottish Liberal Democrat housing spokesperson and Central Scotland candidate Paul McGarry has today accused the SNP of “catastrophic neglect” as he published figures showing that over the past five years, there have been more than 17,000 children trapped in temporary accommodation for more than a year.

A Scottish Liberal Democrat freedom of information to every Scottish council asked for the number of children stuck in temporary accommodation for over twelve months in every year since 2020.

Of the 30 councils which provided the data, the responses show that:

  • Between 2020 and 2025, a total of 17,811 children were trapped in temporary accommodation for longer than a year.
  • This included a total of 10,147 children in Edinburgh and 3,742 children in Glasgow.
  • In 2024, 3,504 children waited over a year in temporary accommodation- the highest level of the five-year period.
  • Between January and October 2025, 3,126 children waited over a year in temporary accommodation.

It comes amid separate figures showing that the number of children currently in temporary accommodation has a reached a new record, rising to 10,480.

Scottish Liberal Democrat Paul McGarry said:

These figures lay bare the SNP’s catastrophic neglect.

As Housing Secretary, Mairi McAllan was supposed to offer a fresh start, but things have gone from bad to worse. Housing is clearly not a priority for the SNP.

Scottish Liberal Democrats have set out a realistic plan to tackle a lack of availability and poor-quality homes.

We want to see change with fairness at its heart, which starts by confronting the housing crisis head-on: getting more homes built, maximising existing stock and giving everyone a safe place to call home.

If you are disgusted by the SNP’s failure to build enough homes, no matter where you are, you can back Scottish Liberal Democrats on the peach regional ballot paper at May’s election and deliver the change that Scotland needs.

David Chadwick calls for Government action to protect Rural Community Transport Schemes

Welsh Liberal Democrat MP for Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe David Chadwick has called on UK Government ministers to urgently update outdated mileage rates for volunteer drivers which haven’t been updated since 2011, warning that community transport services across rural Wales are under growing pressure from rising costs.

Speaking in a debate on support for voluntary groups and community centres, Mr Chadwick highlighted the vital role community transport plays in keeping rural communities connected, particularly for older residents and those without access to a car.

Continue reading »
Also posted in Europe / International, Press releases, Scotland and Wales | Tagged , , , , , , , , and | 3 Comments
The Liberator Collective

Liberator 434 is out!

By The Liberator Collective | Wed 25th March 2026 - 9:25 am

Liberator 434 is out and you can download it for free here.

You can also sign up for an email when each new Liberator comes out here.

What’s in this issue?

There’s Commentary, Radical Bulletin, Letters, Lord Bonkers’ Diary and:

WHY AREN’T THE LIB DEMS DOING BETTER?

Pursuing remaining Tory seats puts a ceiling on Lib Dem ambitions when greater opportunities lie among left-leaning voters, argues Paul Hindley

SPREADING POWER

Radical change is needed to defend what we value most, says Roz Savage MP

FIX THE NHS FRONT DOOR 

An over-stretched health service must be rebuilt from community level, says Helen Maguire MP

BITING BACK AGAINST THE LOAN SHARKS

Policy on student loans seriously damaged the Coalition and it’s got worse since. Paula Widdowson says it’s time to rectify the mistakes

LET’S SOLVE STUDENT DEBT

Younger Lib Dem MPs and councillors should lead efforts to recover the trust of graduates saddled with huge repayments, says Isaac Tucker

A RAINBOW TO BEAT REFORM

The Lib Dems should formally work with other parties to ward off Reform, says Sophie Layton

UKRAINE STANDS ITS GROUND

Continue reading »
Tagged | 2 Comments
Caron Lindsay

Elections kick off – six exhilarating weeks ahead

By Caron Lindsay | Wed 25th March 2026 - 8:36 am

It’s that time of year again. My social media feeds are all full of pictures of groups of people out canvassing or leafletting, of people handing in their nomination papers.

It must be the start of the “official” campaign for the huge array of national and local elections coming up on May 7th.

The Scottish Parliament, the Senedd in Wales and every Council seat in London is up for grabs along with local elections around the country from Liverpool to some places where they didn’t know until a few weeks ago that the elections were back on again.

I have to show you …

Continue reading »
Also posted in Op-eds | Tagged , , , , and | 3 Comments
Mark Valladares

24 March 2026 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Tue 24th March 2026 - 10:30 pm
  • Cole-Hamilton responds to embargoed A&E analysis
  • Cole-Hamilton comments on drops in cancer survival
  • Cole-Hamilton comments on avoidable mortality
  • Cole-Hamilton responds to SNP missing key health target
  • Welsh Lib Dems respond to RCEM report – nearly 1,000 deaths linked to long Emergency Department waits in Wales in 2025
  • Greene responds to Malcolm Offord homophobia report
  • EU-Australia deal: a strategic milestone for Europe’s security and prosperity

Cole-Hamilton responds to embargoed A&E analysis

Responding to new analysis from the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, which reveals that it could take more than 200 years to reduce the number of people waiting 12 hours or more at A&Es, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP said:

People never used to wait so long at A&E, but the SNP have turned 12 hour waits into a terrifying new norm.

The only way to cut these waits is to fix the broken social care system because every night there are 2,000 people marooned in hospital unnecessarily. They are medically ready to leave, but there are not enough care packages and care workers to get them home. It’s a care bottleneck that means long waits in A&E, ambulances stacking up outside and longer waits when you dial 999.

In May, you should back the Scottish Liberal Democrats on your second, peach, regional ballot paper to reward care workers and attract more people into the profession to free up vital space in A&Es.

Cole-Hamilton comments on drops in cancer survival

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP has said that Scotland deserves a government that will “move mountains for cancer patients”, following a drop in the survival rates for certain types of cancer.

New figures published today show:

  • The one-year survival rate for leukaemias dropped from 77.9% to 75.4% between 2013-17 and 2018-22
  • The one-year survival rate for head and neck cancer fell from 75.2% to 72.6% between 2013-17 and 2018-22
  • The five-year survival rate for leukaemias decreased from 61.9% to 57.5% between 2013-17 and 2018-22
  • The five-year survival rate for men diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphomas dropped from 68.0% to 64.1%
  • A huge range in survival rates for the period 2018-22, varying from 23.1% for pancreatic cancer to 97.9% for testicular cancer

The Scottish Government’s standard states that 95% of eligible patients should wait no longer than 62 days from urgent suspicion of cancer referral to first cancer treatment.

This target has never been met since it was introduced in 2012.

Alex Cole-Hamilton said:

It is alarming to see a drop in survival rates for certain types of cancer.

Much more needs to be done to improve care, but all we have seen is an SNP government never once meeting a key cancer waiting times target in the fourteen years since it was introduced.

Scotland deserves a government that will move mountains for cancer patients.

To boost survival rates, Scottish Liberal Democrats would cut waiting times, detect and treat cancer early and roll out a new national lung cancer screening programme capable of saving hundreds of lives a year. We would also enable US scientists to finish their cancer research here, instead of letting Trump cancel all their good work.

Cole-Hamilton comments on avoidable mortality

Responding to new figures which show that Scotland continues to have a higher avoidable mortality rate than England and Wales, with 1 in 4 deaths considered avoidable in 2024 and the rates in the most deprived areas quadruple those in the least deprived, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP said:

The SNP simply cannot be trusted with your health.

They have allowed waits for cancer, care packages, mental health and A&E to spiral out of control.

Scottish Liberal Democrats have got a realistic plan to get people the first-rate healthcare they need. We will cut waiting times and make sure you’re able to see your GP, NHS dentist or mental health professional when you need them.

If you like the sound of that, it’s time to back us on your second, peach, regional ballot paper in May.

Continue reading »
Also posted in Europe / International, Press releases, Scotland and Wales | Tagged , , , , , , , , , and | 2 Comments
Mark Valladares

23 March 2026 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Mon 23rd March 2026 - 11:30 pm

We’ve been having a few problems with these of late – a technical problem with HQ Press Office and e-mail bouncing appears to be at fault. Whilst we continue to try to solve this…

  • Greene responds to Findlay’s cost-of-living claims
  • Slovenian election interference allegations: European democracy is not for sale

Greene responds to Findlay’s cost-of-living claims

Responding to Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay’s claim that his party will put Scotland’s cost-of-living crisis front and centre of its campaign, Scottish Liberal Democrat Jamie Greene MSP said:

The Tories’ fiscal plans seem to be centered around making poorer people worse off to fund tax cuts at the

…

Continue reading »
Also posted in Europe / International, Press releases and Scotland | Tagged , and | Leave a comment
Mark Valladares

This week in the Lords – 23-27 March 2026

By Mark Valladares | Mon 23rd March 2026 - 11:34 am

We’re getting close to the end of the Parliamentary cycle now, as the Labour Government strives to get as much of its legislation through as it can before the House rises in anticipation of a King’s Speech in early May. And there’s much to keep Peers busy this week.

Bills

Today sees Day 3 of the Report Stage of the Pension Schemes Bill. Monroe Palmer will seek an amendment requiring the Government to report on the impact of market consolidation on competition and new market entrants within a year. Also, John Thurso seeks to make provision for lump sum payments from the Pension Protection Fund to persons who qualify for an increase in periodic compensation for pre-1997 service to compensate for unpaid increases in the years since the failure of the pension scheme.

On Tuesday, the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill has the first day of its Report Stage. As a parish councillor, I fret about Section 60 of the Bill, which talks about “effective neighbourhood governance”. Given this Government’s seeming lack of respect for Town and Parish Councils, there is a fear that such arrangements will circumvent an existing and continuing tier of government, in favour of their fetish for “strong leaders”. Cathy Bakewell has an amendment in to make “rural affairs” as an area of competence of strategic authorities, whilst John Shipley wants to insert a requirement for Community Empowerment Plans. In addition, Robin Teverson is moving amendments to effectively ensure that Cornwall isn’t merged with, say, Devon under one combined authority. There will be a second day set aside for the Bill on Thursday.

Peers will be busy on Wednesday, with the Third Reading of the Crime and Policing Bill, plus “ping pong” on the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill and the National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill, where Opposition Peers will decide whether or not to have another go at persuading the Government to accept their attempted amendments.

Continue reading »
Also posted in Parliament | Tagged , , , , , , , , and | 1 Comment
Caron Lindsay

Lib Dems in the top 100 Women in Westminster

By Caron Lindsay | Sat 21st March 2026 - 12:00 pm

From the Archbishop of Canterbury to journalists and broadcasters to civil servants and political advisers to MPs and Peers, Politics Home announced its 100 Women in Westminster for 2026 which you can find here. Three Liberal Democrats made it in: Wendy Chamberlain, Daisy Cooper and Caroline Pidgeon.

Here’s what was said about them and you can see the entire 100 here.

Wendy Chamberlain

“Wendy is a considerate and hardworking constituency MP who combines genuine care for the people she represents with tireless dedication at Westminster,” one nominator told us. “Her thoughtful leadership as Chief Whip, her commitment to modernising Parliamentary culture and her unsung work for the History of Parliament Trust showcase her integrity and determination, making her an inspiring example as a role model for others.’

Daisy Cooper

“Daisy Cooper has been direct and authentic in communications, principles and conviction, not just standing for Liberal Democrat values but as an influential humanitarian,” one nominator wrote. “In these uncertain times, her Liberal Democratic voice is much needed and highly valued.”

Continue reading »
Tagged , and | 3 Comments
Liam Yip

ALDC by-election report, 19th March

By Liam Yip | Fri 20th March 2026 - 3:49 pm

There was one principal council by-election this week, on Tuesday. After a previous absense on the ballot here, we were able to stand a canddiate.

In Wales, vote splintering meant that Reform UK were able to gain this seat from an independent, albeit with an unconvincing share of the vote. Thank you to Sam Warden and the local team for flying the Liberal Democrat flag.

Pembrokeshire County Council, Milford Hakin
Reform UK: 179 (27.1%, new)
Conservative: 144 (21.8%, +0.5%)
Independent (Bridges): 106 (16%, -14%)
Green Party: 85 (12.9%, new)
Liberal Democrats (Sam Warden): 57 (8.6%, new)
Independent (Edwards): 52 (7.9%, new)
Labour: 27 (4.1%, new)
Independent (Abbott): 11 (1.7%, new)

Reform GAIN from Independent

Turnout: 32.7%

Thank you to all of our candidates, agents, and campaign teams. A full summary of these results, and all other principal council by-elections, can be found on the ALDC by-elections page here.

Continue reading »
Tagged | 1 Comment
Caron Lindsay

Read and watch: Ed Davey’s speech to Conference

By Caron Lindsay | Mon 16th March 2026 - 8:45 am

Ed Davey’s speech to Conference yesterday is already proving controversial within the party. His announcement that we are now calling for the country to develop its own independent nuclear deterrent had one member in tears and others mystified. Given that we will be debating a paper on international security in Autumn, people were wondering why that proposal could not have been properly announced as part of that process.

Anything to do with nuclear weapons has long been an emotive issue for the party.  Over dinner the other night, we were talking about the (before my time) leadership defeat on its proposal of developing a nuclear weapon with France at the Eastbourne Liberal Assembly. What will happen on the 40th anniversary of that? We have had many knife edge debates on this subject which have often led to fudge and long grass and the “part time submarine” coalition era proposal is ridiculed every Glee Club to the tune of Yellow Submarine.

The world is a different place now. The Cold War was thawing back in 1986 and people were feeling more optimistic. Having an erratic narcissist with neither understanding of or respect for international law makes everything a lot more complex and the global situation a lot more dangerous. When Conference comes to vote on this proposal, what will today’s members think? Will they consider that spending so much on nuclear weapons is what we need to do to keep our country safe or is the answer more soldiers, navy officers and airforce personnel?

However much you love Ed Davey’s stunts, and I love them a lot, most of the time,  I do have to think that coming on stage to Daddy Cool, complete with Macron style sunglasses, was an interesting choice when he was just about to talk about spending gazillions on a whole new generation of weapon of mass destruction. I guess it shows he has range.

Anyway, the video of his speech is below so you can watch for yourself. And below that is the text as specifically requested by one of our readers. This comes probably much later than he might have liked but the company and the black cherry gin at the Mason’s Arms was too good.

Continue reading »
Tagged , , and | 18 Comments
Caron Lindsay

Anna Sabine’s speech to Conference

By Caron Lindsay | Sun 15th March 2026 - 10:30 am

Lib Dem Culture and Media sportsperson Anna Sabine delivered a robust defence of the BBC in her keynote speech to Conference yesterday.

She compared our public service broadcaster to the dreadful right wing news channels which broadcast the most outrageous and emotive misinformation.

She set out Lib Dem plans to protect the BBC – a supermajority and ratification by all nations for any changes in its charter to be implemented, and banning all political appointments to the BBC board among them.

There is even mention of farting.

Enjoy!

Continue reading »
Tagged , , , and | Leave a comment
The Voice

What’s on at Conference today?

By The Voice | Sun 15th March 2026 - 8:37 am

Today at Conference, after a hotly contested emergency motions ballot, Conference will be debating a motion by the Young Liberals which would introduce a ratings system for social media for under 18s. You can read it in Conference Extra here.

Local Government finance and a motion on how to deal with Trump’s increasingly illegal and dangerous policies are also on the agenda before Conference ends with Ed Davey’s keynote speech.

Here’s the full agenda:

09.00–09.30

F15 Emergency motion – Social media for under 18s

09.30–10.00

F16 Question and Answer Session: Parliamentary Parties

10.00-10.15

F17 Speech: Peter Taylor, Elected Mayor of Watford

Continue reading »
Tagged | Leave a comment
Caron Lindsay

What’s on at Conference today?

By Caron Lindsay | Sat 14th March 2026 - 8:03 am

Greetings from my very comfy bed in York where I have spent most of my time since I arrived at lunchtime yesterday. I did manage to get out to make sure that the Mason’s Arms had an adequate of supply of Black Cherry gin and catch up with Lib Dem Voice colleagues, with more of us in one place at any time since Bournemouth 2019. Mary Reid, Mark Valladares, Paul Walter, Charley Hasted and I are all around so do come and say hello.

A Q and A from Ed Davey, speeches from MPs Anna Sabine and James MacCleary and debates on issues such as access to driving tests and lessons (which will see an effort to refer it back), preserving trial by jury, a liberal vision for universities, and mental health form today’s fun at Conference.

Don’t forget to try and wander round the exhibition as well and find out what the party’s affiliated organisations and some external bodies want to talk to us about.

If you are not here, you can watch on the livestream here.

Whatever you are doing, have a super day.

Here’s the full agenda.

There are, of course a plethora of training events and fringe meetings which you can find out about, along with the text of the motions, in the agenda and Conference Extra here.

Continue reading »
Tagged | Leave a comment
Liam Yip

ALDC’s by-election report – 12 March 2026

By Liam Yip | Fri 13th March 2026 - 6:45 pm

There were five principal council by-elections this week, of which all had a Liberal Democrat candidate on the ballot. Three council seats were being defended by us.

We held this seat in the Cotswolds with a solid lead while the right‑of‑centre vote splintered, leaving Reform as the nearest challenger and the Conservatives slipping to third place. Congratulations are due to Councillor Paul Evans and the local Liberal Democrat team for ensuring that this seat remained Liberal Democrat.

Cotswold District Council, The Beeches
Liberal Democrats (Paul Evans): 390 (52.7%, -3.0)
Reform UK: 168 (22.7%, new)
Conservatives: 122 (16.5%, -17.9)
Green: 53 (7.2%, -3.0)
Labour: 7 (0.9%, new)

Liberal Democrat HOLD

Turnout: 33.8%


In Oxfordshire, we were able to gain this seat from the Greens in this two-member ward, with Reform finishing well behind in third place. Congratulations are due to Councillor Caleb Pell and the local Liberal Democrat team for this result.

Vale of White Horse District Council, Abingdon Abbey Northcourt
Liberal Democrats (Caleb Pell): 647 (43.7%, +1.9)
Green Party: 480 (32.5%, -3.3)
Reform UK: 204 (13.8%, new)
Conservative: 101 (6.8%, -5.7)
Labour: 47 (3.2%, -6.5)

Liberal Democrats GAIN from Green Party

Turnout: 31.6%


In Penrith, we were able to hold off Reform and ensure that we retained this council seat. Congratulations are due to Councillor Barbara Jayson and the local Liberal Democrat team.

Westmorland and Furness Council, Penrith South
Liberal Democrats (Barbara Jayson): 749 (43.1%, -1.5)
Reform UK: 588 (33.9%, new)
Green Party: 225 (13.0%, +2.6%)
Conservatives: 173 (10.0%, – 15.5%)

Liberal Democrat HOLD

Turnout 23.5%

Meanwhile, in Liverpool, we unsuccessfully defended this council seat, slipping behind the Greens. Commiserations are due to Dave Thomas and the local Liberal Democrat team.

Continue reading »
Tagged | 14 Comments
Josh Matthews

The duty of care for mental health at work is failing. We can change that 

By Josh Matthews | Fri 13th March 2026 - 3:45 pm

A workplace duty of care exists in UK law for mental health. But it is not treated the same as physical health and safety by employers. That duty of care fails too many people.

The Whole Person Mental Health motion and policy paper coming to the 2026 Lib Dem Spring Conference in York does not address this. 

The paper is full of great policy and has my support. There is a gap where mental health at work should be. But we have a great platform. I hope our party can keep building on this paper where the current government which is unlikely to. 

We may help form a government after the next general election. Having a clear ready-to-go duty of care policy for mental health in the workplace could be so powerful for so many.

There are too many heartbreaking stories. And statistically, Mental Health First Aid England cite that four in ten experience high stress during the day. Deloitte found 77% experience burnout.

One friend had a seizure two years ago, attributed by doctors to work-related stress. Thank goodness he managed to stop his bike and pull over before the worst effects hit. I won’t go into personal or family stories here. But so many routinely go through intense stress, depression, and anxiety that is either entirely, or mostly, connected to their working conditions.

And managers don’t know how to deal with it. Or they make it worse. Sometimes on purpose, often it’s more because they don’t know. That same Deloitte study found only one in four thinks their employer cares about their wellbeing.

Countries like Sweden, Belgium, and New Zealand have explicit, codified requirements (ie “you must”) rather than the UK’s primarily guidance-led implementation. Australia’s requirements resemble “core safety compliance” where mental health is embedded in workplace law.

Mental health in the workplace should be treated the same as physical health and safety. Employees should know their rights and how to be supported. 

I first started thinking about this duty of care when, several years ago at a Bournemouth Autumn Conference, I met a campaigner from ForThe100, a group advocating for universities to have a legal duty of care for their students – given far too many still take their own lives and even more suffer with their mental health without any support.

Continue reading »
Tagged , and | 1 Comment
Donna Harris

Support WASPI women at Conference

By Donna Harris | Fri 13th March 2026 - 1:40 pm

When Liberal Democrats gather at conference, we often debate policy in terms of budgets, systems and reforms. But sometimes an issue comes before us that cuts far deeper than policy mechanics. The injustice faced by women born in the 1950s, or WASPI women, is one of those.

This is not simply about pensions. It is about fairness, trust in government, and how we treat the generation of women who helped build the Britain we benefit from today.

Millions of women born in the 1950s were affected by rapid increases to the State Pension Age. In some cases, their retirement age rose by as much as six years. The real injustice, however, was not just the change itself, but how it was communicated.

Many women discovered these changes with as little as 18 months’ notice.

Eighteen months is not enough time to rebuild a retirement plan that someone has spent forty years working towards. Retirement planning is something people structure their entire working lives around. To suddenly move the goalposts so dramatically, without proper notice, left millions of women in an impossible position.

In contrast, by contrast, typically received up to six years’ notice for an increase of just one year, exposing the deeply unequal and gendered impact of these changes.

We now know that this was not simply unfortunate or unavoidable. The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman investigated and found maladministration by the Department for Work and Pensions in failing to properly notify women of changes to their State Pension age. That is not the language of campaigners or political opponents; it is the official conclusion of the body Parliament established to hold government departments accountable.

Yet despite this finding, justice for these women is still being denied. On 29 January this year, the Labour Government announced that it would not be compensating these women.

This is particularly disappointing given how many now Labour cabinet ministers previously expressed their support for the WASPI women when they sought their votes, only to deny them any compensation at all once in office.

Lib Dem Women, the official body representing women in the Liberal Democrats, has submitted an emergency motion calling on the Government to accept the Ombudsman’s recommendations, to apologise to the women affected and to introduce a fair, transparent and comprehensive compensation scheme. You can read it here in Conference Extra.

This motion is about fairness, accountability and ensuring that women who were failed by the system are not ignored. The generation of women who are most affected are also the generation who started their careers before the Sex Discrimination Act so they could be sacked for getting pregnant or even married, didn’t have much in the way of childcare provision and were on the sharp end of the gender pay gap. To make them wait up to an additional six years for their State Pension is an injustice too far.

Continue reading »
Tagged , , , and | 9 Comments
Nick Alderton

Latest issue of the Journal of Liberal History published

By Nick Alderton | Fri 13th March 2026 - 10:10 am

The Liberal Democrat History Group are pleased to announce that the latest issue of the Journal of Liberal History (issue 129, winter 2025-26) has just been published.

The Journal is published quarterly and can be purchased here or you can take out an annual subscription here. For those of you who are attending the spring conference, the Journal can be bought from the History Group stand in the exhibition area. You can also subscribe there too.

The Journal was first published in 1993 as a newsletter. It has come a long way since then and is read by people from all walks of life and all over the world.

The latest issue is packed, across its 56 pages, with features, articles and reviews.

Liberal History News

Michael Meadowcroft pens an obituary to his SDP colleague Dick Taverne, who died in October 2025. Taverne had previously been the Labour MP for Lincoln, holding the seat from 1962-74. He was a passionate pro-European, SDP candidate and finally sat in the House of Lords as a Liberal Democrat.

Ed Davey unveils a plaque commemorating Sam Green, Liberal Councillor for Durham City Council and the first openly gay councillor elected in the UK. We have reprinted Ed’s article from the Liberal Democrat website,

We have also updated our Liberal candidates directory on the Journal of Liberal History website. This is a great resource and, who knows, you might find details of a long-lost family member who stood for the party.

Articles

Showcasing the work of historians, whether professional or amateur, is what the Journal does best. All the articles are peer-reviewed by leading historians, allowing for an accessible and interesting read.

In this issue, our authors have provided us with a broad set of articles:

The political skills of four Liberal Prime Ministers – Part 1: Rosebery and Campbell-Bannerman.

Alan Mumford compares the political skills of two different Prime Ministers. It is an entertaining and critical article that measures the worth of these men against seven-point criteria. Find out how they stack up!

The final act of ‘Liverpool’s most distinguished son’ – Gladstone, Hengler’s Circus, September 1896

Paul A. Nuttall recalls William Ewart Gladstone’s speech on the Armenian massacres in the city of his birth – his last significant political intervention.

Edward Donner and the rise of Manchester Liberalism

Derek Earis recounts the story of a major figure in Manchester Liberalism in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century.

Liberalism: the ideas that built the Liberal Democrats

Peter Truesdale provides us with a report of the Liberal Democrat History Group’s fringe meeting in Bournemouth, 20 September 2025. The guest speakers at the meeting were Professor Jon Parry and Professor David Howarth, with Baroness Featherstone chairing. A video of the meeting is on our YouTube channel – here.

Continue reading »
Tagged | Leave a comment
Caroline Pidgeon

Caroline Pidgeon Tackling road safety by helping vulnerable road users

By Caroline Pidgeon | Wed 11th March 2026 - 2:55 pm

Just one per cent of traffic, but twenty-one per cent of fatalities. A shocking statement. This is the reality of motorcycling on our roads. This underpins the danger of being a motorcyclist on Britain’s roads. It is a disparity that shows no sign of diminishing nor, unfortunately, being addressed by government.

The Government’s recent Road Safety Strategy is broadly welcome. While one of the measures in the Road Safety Strategy will help motorcyclist safety, namely increased funding for combatting the scourge of potholes on Britain’s roads, there is little else that is new or transformative for motorcyclists, one of the most vulnerable groups of road users.

The Strategy discusses how “Legislative changes introduced to improve safety for motorcyclists have resulted in a complex motorcycle training, testing and licensing regime, with motorcyclists remaining at greater risk of KSIs than many other road users.” But the actions to make things safer are limited.

The main thrust of the government’s plans is that it will be consulting on changes to the training, testing and licensing regime for motorcyclists. Whilst this is very welcome, and something I have had concerns about for some time, especially with the increase in delivery drivers, more is needed.

In some ways, the government acknowledges the dire statistics on road safety for motorcyclists. Then they explain how, thus far, the main safety changes that successive governments have introduced have done very little to affect motorcyclist safety. The follow up is to then announce that they will do more of the same tinkering around the rules.

Meanwhile, the same Road Safety Strategy introduced plans for 18 new mandatory technologies for cars and other powered four-wheel vehicles. This is a clear example of how, for most motorists, the new Road Safety Strategy is very good. There is plenty to celebrate. But this only makes the difference in treatment that much harder to accept.

It is a glaring hole in the strategy. Motorcyclists, by the nature of a motorbike, are more vulnerable and yet the government appears to not want to embrace any potential safety advancements.

Since 2018, all new cars have been hooked up the eCall programme, a national programme for crash detection. However, despite motorcyclists being far more vulnerable in crashes there is no equivalent system even being considered by the government. This is a missed opportunity in the strategy.

Continue reading »
Tagged , , and | Leave a comment
Advert

Recent Comments

  • cim
    This is where Coalition comes in. Sure, you didn't make a lot of centre-left voters very happy by backing the Conservatives, but more importantly you went into ...
  • FS People
    Expats If we are being “fair to the police” we need full facts: A neighbour called 999 saying someone had been stabbed, The brothers call contains signif...
  • Peter Martin
    @ Peter Davies, " you don’t really own anything unless you have the option to consume it" ??? I'm struggling to understand this. Am I missin...
  • expats
    David Raw 8th Jun '26 - 6:27pm..“After all George Formby paid 19/6d in the £ on his income and still remained the greatest entertainer ever”. David, the...
  • Peter Martin
    @ Kira, I asked Google's AI two questions: "is government spending higher per person in Scotland than England?" Ans: Public spending per pe...