I allowed myself to be distracted yesterday… you know how it can be sometimes, so it’s time to catch up…

• ‘Out of touch’ Tories plough money into roads despite people and planet crying out for public transport investment
• Brexit renders spending promises impossible – Davey

‘Out of touch’ Tories plough money into roads despite people and planet crying out for public transport investment

Following Sajid Javids announcement of £25bn investment in roads, Wera Hobhouse, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Transport, said:

Just as people are starting to become aware of the damage we’re doing to our planet, the Conservatives have committed to spending £25 billion on roads. Given the government claim to be serious about tackling our clean air crisis and the climate emergency, this announcement is a slap in the face for the planet.

Instead we should focus our energy on improving alternative modes of transport – spending the money on better and safer cycling networks, footpaths, and green public transport.

The Tories have also pledged just £220 million for buses – that’s less than 1% of the money promised. A drop in the ocean for what is really needed to transform bus services. Clearly for the Tories that the car is king.

Liberal Democrats demand better. Liberal Democrats would significantly increase spending on public transport, reversing damaging Tory cuts to rail upgrades and give local authorities more powers to improve local transport solutions for a carbon zero future. We are the only the party who have a clear plan to tackle air pollution and ending the climate crisis.

Brexit renders spending promises impossible – Davey

Responding to Sajid Javid’s admission that he doesn’t think “anyone really knows” the cost of a no-deal Brexit, Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor Ed Davey said:

Just this summer, Boris Johnson was reassuring the public that no-deal Brexit would be ‘vanishingly inexpensive’. Now Sajid Javid’s admission perfectly exposes the hypocrisy of his Prime Minister.

Unfortunately, this also means that none of his spending pledges are credible in the slightest. How can he claim he can fund public services when no-deal Brexit will be draining the Exchequer by tens of billions? The only plans Javid can really implement is raising taxes and skyrocketing borrowing to keep the economy afloat.

The Liberal Democrats will stop this economic chaos by stopping Brexit, and return the country to sustainable growth.