Category Archives: News

4 June 2020 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Thu 4th June 2020 - 10:30 pm

PM must ensure COVID-19 vaccine is free of charge to all
Lib Dems: Govt must do more to protect the vulnerable from modern slavery
Lib Dems: Face mask announcement yet another example of Govt’s slow response

PM must ensure COVID-19 vaccine is free of charge to all

The Liberal Democrats have urged the Prime Minister to ensure a coronavirus vaccine is patent free, affordable for all governments and free of charge to all.

The call comes as the Prime Minister today hosts a Global Vaccine Summit in London.

The Liberal Democrats are also calling on the Prime Minister to endorse the WHO COVID Technology Access Pool …

Also posted in Press releases | Tagged christine jardine, coronavirus, modern slavery, munira wilson and wendy chamberlain | 3 Comments

Kirsty Williams on re-opening schools in Wales

By The Voice | Thu 4th June 2020 - 3:08 pm

It was good to see Welsh Education minister, Kirsty Williams, fronting a press conference yesterday on the re-opening of schools in Wales.

In contrast to Boris Johnson’s plans for England, which have generated widespread concern, Wales is taking a more cautious and devolved approach. All schools there will re-open on 29th June, staggering attendance to ensure that only a third of pupils will be on site at any one time. Schools and councils will decide how that is to be implemented locally, phasing in the scheme to suit local conditions.

Term dates will be adjusted, with a week’s extension to the summer term and a two week half term break in October.

Tagged education, kirsty williams and Wales | 1 Comment

Daily View 2×2: 4 June 2020

By Mark Valladares | Thu 4th June 2020 - 7:30 am

2 big stories

Alok Sharma is awaiting the outcome of his COVID-19 test, having caused the suspension of business in the Commons yesterday after showing signs of ill health whilst at the dispatch box. Perhaps the message will finally get through to Jacob Rees-Mogg that his caricature of parliamentary democracy should come to an end? Or are his intentions sinister rather than ill-advised?

One of the less immediately apparent impacts of the pandemic is a crisis in local government finance, with many councils now dependent to varying degrees on income from commercial property assets and commercial services. The crisis in the …

Tagged black lives matter, local government finance and parliamentary procedure | 8 Comments

3 June 2020 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Wed 3rd June 2020 - 11:00 pm

Welsh Lib Dems welcome plans for phased school re-opening
China is being wilfully ignorant with Hong Kong response
Govt not clear on legal powers to implement local lockdowns
Govt must not risk going backwards on containing COVID-19
MPs need to urgently restore the virtual Parliament

Welsh Lib Dems welcome plans for phased school re-opening

Commenting on Kirsty Williams’s announcement of a phased return to school from the end of the month, Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds said:

Once again Kirsty Williams is setting the bar with regards to how a Government should be communicating at times like this.

She has clearly laid out her plans, and the rationale behind them, in an upfront manner. This will give parents, children and teaching staff the reassurance they need.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats are committed to getting our children back in the classroom and learning as soon, but only when it is safe to do so.

I am therefore pleased to see that no child is forced to go back, especially those who are shielding themselves or who have family that are shielding.

China is being wilfully ignorant with Hong Kong response

Responding to reports that China has warned the UK to “step back from the brink” over UK criticism of Beijing’s national security law for Hong Kong, Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs spokesperson Alistair Carmichael said:

China’s Foreign Ministry are being wilfully ignorant. The Sino-British Joint Declaration was not a unilateral announcement but a clear joint legal text, lodged at the UN. The clue is in the name.

Both the UK and China made promises to the people of Hong Kong during the Handover. Under the Joint Declaration, Hong Kong’s ‘one country, two systems’ way of life was to be protected and enhanced.

Beijing has shown increasing contempt for the Joint Declaration and it is clear that the government must now ensure all Hong Kongers are given the right to live in the UK. Liberal Democrats will continue to urge the UK Government to expand the BNO offer they have outlined.

Also posted in Press releases | Tagged Alistair Carmichael, coronavirus, ed davey, hong kong, jane dodds, local lockdowns, parliamentary procedure, paul scriven and school reopening | Leave a comment

Jamie Stone MP: I have become a second-class MP due to the government’s ending of the virtual parliament

By NewsHound | Wed 3rd June 2020 - 9:40 am

"I am being told I have to choose between the health and wellbeing of my disabled wife or represent my constituents." – @Jamie4North

The Government must think again about shutting down virtual Parliament proceedings. pic.twitter.com/GZGKUjuF72

— Liberal Democrats (@LibDems) June 2, 2020

– That is a video from Jamie Stone MP which was tweeted last night. In the Guardian, he has spoken to Rajeev Syal about the invidious choice he is facing because of the Government’s move to end the House of Commons hybrid rules, which have allowed for remote voting and virtual debates during the Covid-19 crisis.

Jamie reveals poignant details of his private life which explain why he is faced with an impossible choice. His wife, Flora, is disabled and needs care. Prior, to the Covid-19 crisis, this care could be combined with Jamie’s role at Westminster. However, the pandemic has meant that Jamie has become Flora’s carer. This means that returning to Westminster, as per the Government move, will mean Jamie facing almost impossible choices:

Tagged jamie stone | 2 Comments

2 June 2020 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Tue 2nd June 2020 - 10:45 pm

Govt must review exports of security equipment to US
Lib Dems: PHE report fails to properly address inequalities in our society
Govt must extend transition given NI Assembly vote

Govt must review exports of security equipment to US

Responding to news that President Donald Trump has threatened to use military force to quell protests in the United States following the murder of George Floyd, Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs spokesperson Alistair Carmichael said:

Today the US President threatened to use force against his own citizens. As things stand, our Foreign Secretary and Prime Minister have stood silent. Their silence is shameful.

The Prime Minister must make

…

Also posted in Press releases | Tagged Alistair Carmichael, arms exports, brexit, coronavirus, inequality, munira wilson and transition period | 2 Comments

1 June 2020 – today’s press release

By Mark Valladares | Mon 1st June 2020 - 11:00 pm

Davey – Govt must stick to science based approach

Responding to the Health Secretary’s press conference in number 10, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said:

It is concerning that the government has decided not to make the usual test, trace and isolation data available to the public.

The government claims to be ‘led by the science’ but with members of SAGE publicly warning against the government’s policy and little access to data about test, trace isolate, a science led approach is looking like a threadbare claim. The press conference today raised even more concerns about lockdown beginning to be

…

Also posted in Press releases | Tagged coronavirus and ed davey | Leave a comment

New issue of Liberator free online

By Liberator Collective | Mon 1st June 2020 - 2:08 pm

Liberator 401 is on its way to subscribers and is available as a free download from our website.

We’d – fortuitously – decided before the pandemic to go free online only from September but because many potential readers are stuck at home we’re putting our last few print issues up online too as they come out.

The website also has a free archive of copies back to 2001.

Liberator 401 includes:

The People They Forgot – It was too little, too late when the Government tried to protect care homes from Covid-19, leading to a scandal of needless deaths, say Claire Tyler and

…

Tagged liberator magazine | 1 Comment

30-31 May 2020 – the weekend’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Sun 31st May 2020 - 10:30 pm

Govt must follow the science when it comes to easing lockdown
Govt must rethink plans to shut down virtual Parliament
Govt must issue “crystal clear” guidance for those returning to sport
Ministers must explain evidence behind decision to ease lockdown
Foreign Secretary’s silence on Trump tweets is shameful
Govt decision to press on with reopening schools “deeply worrying”
Govt must urgently scrap Vagrancy Act as part of plan to end rough sleeping

Govt must follow the science when it comes to easing lockdown

Responding to reports that several members of the Government’s Scientific Advisory Group have warned of the risk of easing the lockdown in England on Monday 1 June, Liberal Democrat Health, Wellbeing and Social Care spokesperson Munira Wilson said:

The decision by key members of SAGE to go public with their concerns shows that Ministers are no longer following the science.

The test, trace, isolate system that we need to keep people safe is not yet fully functional. The NHSX app is delayed for an unknown period. For seven days straight the Government has been unable to provide even basic data about the number of people tested. On top of these failings, public health messaging has been badly undermined as people see it’s one rule for the Tory elite and another for everyone else.

Given this chaos, measures to lift lockdown appear premature. At every stage the Liberal Democrats have been clear that the Government must listen to the experts and follow the science. Protecting public health and tackling the spread of the virus must always be the Government’s number one priority – many are questioning whether this remains the case.

Also posted in Press releases | Tagged Alistair Carmichael, coronavirus, daisy cooper, donald trump, ed davey, homelessness, layla moran, lockdown, munira wilson, parliamentary procedure, schools, social media, sport, tracking, vagrancy act and wendy chamberlain | 4 Comments

Wera Hobhouse: A new direction for the Liberal Democrats

By NewsHound | Sun 31st May 2020 - 2:55 pm

Wera Hobhouse has set out her vision for the party on her website.

It’s about making a clean break with the last decade and abandoning one key element of our strategy and reigniting another.

The time for equidistance is over:

The mistake was to see our party in the political centre, standing equally between right and left. In this day and age, the biggest threat to liberalism – not just in Britain – comes from the right.

Our reasons for entering coalition with the Conservatives in 2010 were well intended, but we ended up undermining our values. We ultimately legitimised the Conservatives’ long-term

…

Tagged leadership election 2020 and wera hobhouse | 47 Comments

Why we need the English State Party of the Liberal Democrats

By Gerald Vernon-Jackson | Sun 31st May 2020 - 8:55 am

Is there any point to the English State Party of the Liberal Democrats?”

A recent article asked this question, and it’s a good question, and one asked by many people over the years.

In some ways the English layer of the Lib Dems is there because we are a Federal Party with the Party in Scotland and Wales who are the constituent parts of the party, and there has to be something at an English level.

For the last three months I’ve been Chair of the Party in England. I don’t like calling it the English Party, as one of our Bangladeshi members in Portsmouth saw that I had got this new role and was worried that I had joined some right wing fringe party.

The Party in England has done good, behind the scenes work, over the last few years. It provides the framework for the approval and selection of parliamentary candidates so that we have the same standards across England. It has also run the disciplinary function in England for many years. For individual members this is now being done by the Federal Party, whilst the Party in England will try to resolve problems in Local Parties and Council Groups.

There are many functions that the Party in England could do, but it has decided its better done at a different layer of the Party. During the Covid 19 crisis we have seen the different nations of the UK make different decisions on lockdown etc. That’s because health is a devolved issue. The list of functions that the UK wide Government does are limited. Defence, foreign affairs, pensions, social security and abortion rights. So policy on education, transport, farming, environment, energy, health etc are all decided at the state level (Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and England). So developing policy on these areas should be done by the Party in England as it is by the Scottish and Welsh Lib Dems. But we have taken the pragmatic decision that we will leave the policy creation work for these devolved subject areas with the Federal Party HQ. So there is no English Policy Committee, as this would be duplication. The same is true of the bits of Party Conference looking at devolved issues etc.

So what does the Party in England do? In my view no institution has the right to exist unless it is doing something useful and adding value.

Tagged england, english party, featured and liberal democrats in england | 14 Comments

29 May 2020 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Fri 29th May 2020 - 11:40 pm

Govt must fulfil duty to protect all Hong Kongers
Clarity needed about 5-mile rule
High coronavirus threat level raises questions about Govt’s priorities
Davey responds to furlough scheme details

Govt must fulfil duty to protect all Hong Kongers

Responding to reports that, if China imposes its new security law on Hong Kong, the Home Office appears ready to extend visa rights for all British Nationals (Overseas) in Hong Kong, whether or not they are current BNO passport holders, Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs spokesperson Alistair Carmichael said:

If confirmed, this is welcome news. This move is long overdue.

I introduced legislation to give the people of Hong Kong the right to live in the UK back in February. I am glad the government is finally listening.

Beijing has repeatedly shown contempt for the Sino-British Declaration. Under that Declaration, the UK has a duty to the people of Hong Kong.

The government must now ensure all Hong Kongers are protected. Relatively few people have BNO status as the offer was closed years ago.

My cross-party Hong Kong Bill would reopen the passport offer to also give young Hong Kongers the right to live in the UK, regardless of whether they are a dependent of a BNO status holder. I am urging the government to do this immediately.

Clarity needed about 5-mile rule

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have today called on the Welsh Government to give urgent clarity around the new 5-mile rule and how it effects different areas of Wales.

In the Welsh Government announcement today First Minister Mark Drakeford announced that two individuals would be allowed to meet, so long as they maintained social distancing.

Also posted in Press releases | Tagged Alistair Carmichael, coronavirus, ed davey, hong kong, jane dodds, job retention scheme, lockdown, munira wilson, rodney berman, self-employed income support scheme and Wales | 1 Comment

Young Liberals online conference – drafting deadline approaching!

By James Bliss | Fri 29th May 2020 - 7:02 pm

Over the past month or so, the Young Liberals Executive and Conference Committee has been working hard putting together plans for an online conference, in the place of our regular in-person Activate/Conference. In the last 2 weeks we have started to announce some details, including opening up submissions and drafting advice for motions and constitutional amendments. The drafting deadline is quickly approaching, but there is still ample opportunity to draft a motion, and plenty of time to submit one before the final deadline!

This is a fantastic opportunity for people who have not previously been directly involved in the Young Liberals to see how we work, get involved in policy discussions, scrutinise our Executive and get to know other Young Liberals from across the country.

The drafting deadline for policy motions, business motions and constitutional amendments is at 1pm this Sunday (the 31st), if you are planning on submitting something and want help/advice, please try and get in contact with me by then, as I won’t be able to guarantee help after this point (but will likely still be able to on a case by case basis).

Tagged young liberals | Leave a comment

28 May 2020 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Thu 28th May 2020 - 11:59 pm

Govt have “moral duty” to act given Beijing’s contempt for Joint Declaration
Govt must look closely at conflicting guidance on risks of schools reopening
Davey: Either PM and Ministers lied or have no understanding of lockdown rules
Govt must now give all Hong Kongers BNO Passport
Lib Dems: PM reaches new low in attempt to keep Cummings

Govt have “moral duty” to act given Beijing’s contempt for Joint Declaration

Responding to reports that China’s legislature has approved a new security law for Hong Kong, which would make it a crime to undermine Beijing’s authority in the territory, Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs spokesperson Alistair Carmichael said:

This vote demonstrates Beijing’s contempt for the Joint Declaration. It is an unforgivable move that threatens the rights and freedoms of the people of Hong Kong.

The UK Government must take immediate action. We have a legal and moral duty.

It is time to urgently reopen the BNO Passport offer and extend it to give the people of Hong Kong the right to live in the UK.

Govt must look closely at conflicting guidance on risks of schools reopening

Responding to the Independent Sage Group report suggesting that reopening schools risks pushing the COVID-19 ‘R’ rate above one, Liberal Democrat Education spokesperson Layla Moran said:

We all want to see children back in schools as an urgent priority. But not if this risks a new COVID-19 spike. The Government must guarantee that public health will not be put at risk as a result of a premature or rushed effort to get children back into classrooms.

Boris Johnson’s Government has repeatedly claimed to be guided by science. Ministers must now look closely at this Independent report to ascertain why those involved have reached a dramatically different conclusion about the risk of reopening schools next week.

The Government is asking a lot of parents and teachers during this crisis, and parents and teachers deserve clear, honest answers in return. Ministers must provide real clarity around the reasons for their decision in order to ensure that parents and teachers alike can have confidence in their plans.

Any easing of the lockdown – including reopening schools – can only happen once the Government delivers a comprehensive strategy to test, trace and isolate to prevent a new surge.

Also posted in Press releases | Tagged alexander boris de pfeffel johnson, Alistair Carmichael, coronavirus, dominic cummings, ed davey, hong kong, layla moran and school reopening | 5 Comments

26 May 2020 – the day’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Thu 28th May 2020 - 11:30 pm

And that brings us back up to date…

All Tory MPs must reflect on Govt resignation and call for Cummings to go
Govt must invest now in mental health support given impact of COVID-19
Govt must scrap Vagrancy Act as part of plan to end rough sleeping for good
PM out of touch with public and his own party
Govt review into lockdown fines shows one rule for Cummings and one for everyone else
Increase in prison staff Covid-19 cases show Govt allowing prisons to become crucible for virus

All Tory MPs must reflect on Govt resignation and call for Cummings to go

Responding to the resignation of a Conservative Minister in protest at the row over Dominic Cummings, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said:

Countless people have made heartbreaking sacrifices to keep to the Government’s rules, so people are understandably angry about Dominic Cummings’ behaviour.

Douglas Ross recognises it cannot be one rule for senior government officials and one rule for everyone else, so why doesn’t the Prime Minister? Boris Johnson is losing the trust of his own Ministers and his judgement is seriously in question. To tackle this pandemic and save lives, people deserve better.

All Conservative MPs must reflect on this resignation, stop defending the indefensible and put the public health of our country first by calling for the Prime Minister’s scandal-hit spin doctor-in-chief to go.

Govt must invest now in mental health support given impact of COVID-19

Statistics from the ONS show that across Great Britain from 3 April to 3 May 2020, some 80% of adults were worried about the effect that COVID-19 was having on their life. Responding to these figures, Munira Wilson, Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Health, Wellbeing and Social Care, said:

The majority of people right across the country have experienced a tangible, detrimental mental health impact as a result of the coronavirus crisis. Ministers must recognise that the mental health scars of COVID-19 will be deep. We need to see investment now to ensure that people – regardless of where they live – can access the support they need, when they need it.

That’s why the Liberal Democrats are calling for the Government to urgently increase funding for and provision of mental health support. We are calling for access to mental health support 24/7 for those working in health and care, many of whom are enduring daily trauma, and better funded, clearly signposted support for every single community.

Given the severity of the COVID-19 crisis in the UK, which has unfolded on his watch, the Prime Minister must act to ensure we provide a world-leading mental health response. The recovery of people across our family of nations requires it.

Also posted in Press releases | Tagged alexander boris de pfeffel johnson, coronavirus, daisy cooper, dominic cummings, ed davey, layla moran, mental health, munira wilson, prisons and vagrancy act | Leave a comment

25 May 2020 – the day’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Thu 28th May 2020 - 11:00 pm

Nearly up to date now…

Closure of Weston General Hospital shows critical need for test, trace, isolate system
PM must terminate Cummings’ contract
PM’s judgement now in question over Cummings

Closure of Weston General Hospital shows critical need for test, trace, isolate system

Responding to news that Weston General Hospital has been forced to close to new patients due to a high number of COVID-19 cases, Liberal Democrat Health, Wellbeing and Social Care spokesperson Munira Wilson said:

This outbreak demonstrates the incredibly urgent need for a comprehensive test, trace and isolate system. That is the only way to keep people safe. Testing at scale and

…

Also posted in Press releases | Tagged alexander boris de pfeffel johnson, coronavirus testing, dominic cummings, ed davey and munira wilson | Leave a comment

24 May 2020 – the day’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Wed 27th May 2020 - 11:30 pm

And here are Sunday’s press releases. You may be beginning to discern a pattern here…

Govt urged to give Hong Kong citizens the right to live in the UK
Tory MPs must back calls for Dominic Cummings to go, and put fight against Coronavirus first
PM’s own judgement now in question

Govt urged to give Hong Kong citizens the right to live in the UK

The Liberal Democrats have called on the Government to reopen the British National Overseas Passport offer and extend it to give Hong Kong citizens the right to live in the UK following renewed police violence towards protestors in the Hong …

Also posted in Press releases | Tagged alexander boris de pfeffel johnson, Alistair Carmichael, dominic cummings, ed davey and hong kong | 1 Comment

23 May 2020 – the day’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Wed 27th May 2020 - 11:00 pm

Right, here’s the first tranche of “missed” press releases, and there’ll be Sunday’s in about half an hour…

Davey: When did the PM know about Cummings breaking lockdown rules?
Davey demands investigation into Cummings breaking lockdown
Second Cummings lockdown questions PM’s judgement and demands inquiry

Davey: When did the PM know about Cummings breaking lockdown rules?

Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey has called on the Prime Minister to confirm if and when he knew about Dominic Cummings breaking the government’s lockdown guidelines. He said:

Millions of people have been forced to cancel their normal lives, including important family gatherings like weddings and funerals.

…

Also posted in Press releases | Tagged dominic cummings, ed davey and propriety | Leave a comment

27 May 2020 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Wed 27th May 2020 - 10:30 pm

Good evening, everyone. Please accept my apologies for the absence of this regular feature for a few days. To be honest, I’ve taken a few days off to attempt to regain my mojo and, whilst it hasn’t been wholly successful, I am at least back. Let’s pick up with today’s releases, and I’ll catch up the past five days as we go along…

High time for Govt to extend Brexit transition period
PM must instruct Home Sec to lift no recourse to public funds rule for coronavirus crisis
Govt strategy must also support people in isolation

High time for Govt to extend Brexit transition …

Also posted in Press releases | Tagged brexit transition period, christine jardine, coronavirus, ed davey, munira wilson and no resource to public funds | 4 Comments

Liberation inc. – a freedom incubator

By Rob Davidson | Wed 27th May 2020 - 3:00 pm

This week, a new incubator for liberal startups has launched Liberation inc. Liberation inc. will provide support for a new eco-system of think tanks, new media sites, campaign organisations and other groups that share the goal of defining and promoting liberalism as both a means and an end for the world’s crises and challenges.

If a liberal message is a breakthrough in the nation’s conversation, and even form a popular movement then, in this anti-establishment world, liberals start from a decent ‘outsider’ position. But it will not be enough to have truth and real-facts on the side. Liberals have always had those and yet rarely seen the government in a hundred years in the UK. It will also be necessary to promote that truth and those facts, in a way that engages and persuades the modern public.

In this day and age, after decades of scandals and crises in banks, newspapers and political parties, it’s not the age and grandiosity of the institution that is important but the number of voices and variety of messengers that builds trust in a message.

7 Comments

It’s community, stupid

By Tom Morrison | Tue 26th May 2020 - 2:15 pm

If there has been any positive from the last few weeks, it is the growth in community action. Support groups have been set up in many communities across the country, all focused on helping vulnerable people and supporting those that need it.

The Liberal Democrats have also been at it. Ed Davey launched the Coronavirus Taskforce in March, utilising the party’s army of volunteers to make thousands of calls to residents across the UK, checking whether vulnerable residents required help.

In Cheadle, there has been an incredible community movement. Helping Hands, a volunteer group, has assisted hundreds of residents collect prescriptions and groceries, whilst Cheadle FM has been started to keep those isolated residents without access to digital platforms updated and in touch with the outside world. Check it out at www.cheadle.fm!

8 Comments

Ed Davey: Johnson must sack Cummings now

By NewsHound | Mon 25th May 2020 - 6:00 pm

Embed from Getty Images
Shortly after Dominic Cummings’ extraordinary media conference, acting leader of the Liberal Democrats, Ed Davey, said:

Countless people have lost loved ones and made enormous, heartbreaking sacrifices every single day since lockdown began.

Dominic Cummings has shown that these sacrifices by millions of people don’t matter to him. His refusal to have the decency to apologise is an insult to us all. It reveals the worst of his elitist arrogance.

The bond of trust between the Government and the people has well and truly been broken. The buck stops with the Prime Minister. By failing to act, he risks his Government’s ability to tackle this awful pandemic and keep people safe.

Tagged boris johnson, dominic cummings and ed davey | 60 Comments

If we, as a nation, do not now properly fund the NHS, all our clapping will look like deep hypocrisy

By Paul Walter | Mon 25th May 2020 - 9:45 am

Embed from Getty Images
I’m an enthusiastic Thursday 8pm clapper. The NHS and key workers deserve it. And its good to see our neighbours more than usual.

But there comes a point when one has to ask: Well, do we keep on clapping every Thursday or actually show our support for the NHS and Care Homes where it counts – through our bank accounts?

Time and time again, over the last seventy years, the public have rejected greater public spending including for the NHS. Just a whisper of an income tax rise has been enough, in most cases, to ring the death knell on the chances of a party coming to power. Time and time again, governments have kicked the ball of proper public funding of elderly care into the long grass.

83 Comments

Ed Davey: PM’s own judgement now in question

By NewsHound | Sun 24th May 2020 - 6:14 pm

Responding to the Prime Minister backing his scandal-hit aide, Dominic Cummings, at today’s press conference, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said:

Millions of people who’ve made huge sacrifices to keep to the rules will be astonished and angry at how the Prime Minister is now bending the rules for his closest aide.

Tagged boris johnson, dominic cummings and ed davey | 13 Comments

Wendy Chamberlain recounts her first experience of violence against Police Officers

By The Voice | Sun 24th May 2020 - 3:35 pm

This week, the Commons debated a Statutory Instrument which introduces Police Restitution Orders in Scotland. This means that fines can be levied and the money from those will be used to finance extra support for Police officers who suffer from the effects of those assaults.

Wendy used to be a Police Officer, as were her father and husband. All of them suffered violent assault. Wendy described the first time it happened to her:

I, my father and my husband have all served, and I have other family members currently serving in Police Scotland. All of us were assaulted during our police careers. My husband was knocked unconscious during the policing of a football match. My father was head-butted by a prisoner in the police cells and required stitches.

My own most vivid memory is from early in my police career—within months of leaving initial training at the police college in Tulliallan in fact. It relates to attending a call about a report of a domestic dispute in a high-rise block of flats in Edinburgh. On arrival at the landing in question, my tutor and I could hear a loud argument and decided to call for additional officers to make their way to support us in case they were required. I am glad we did so. The door was answered by a man who, after telling us where to go, was then attacked by his girlfriend, but from behind with a knife. A toddler was visible at the back of the flat hallway. My colleague managed to baton the knife from the women’s grasp, and in anger both of them then turned on us, and a violent struggle ensued.

Luckily for us, colleagues came quickly, and both people were arrested. The man, in particular, struggled violently throughout the arrest and attempted to spit at all the officers, claiming that he was HIV-positive. It then transpired that he had been responsible for an assault and robbery nearby earlier that evening. Other than bruising, my colleague and I were unharmed, but it was a salutary lesson to me in being prepared for any eventuality and in being responsive to events.

Her whole speech follows:

Tagged police, police restitution orders, Scotland and wendy chamberlain | 4 Comments

Alistair Carmichael questions government on ending of virtual parliament

By Caron Lindsay | Sun 24th May 2020 - 12:55 pm

If the Government produces guidance it should stick to it, right? After this weekend, that idea seems old-fashioned.

One of the 5 main steps of the UK Government’s guidance on safe working is about helping people to work from home.

3. Help people to work from home

You should take all reasonable steps to help people work from home by:

discussing home working arrangements
ensuring they have the right equipment, for example remote access to work systems
including them in all necessary communications
looking after their physical and mental wellbeing

For people who are mainly office based, the guidance is clearer:

Objective: That everyone should work from home, unless they cannot work from home.

We have seen over the past few weeks that MPs have been able to work pretty well from their dining rooms, studies and kitchens. Some might say that Parliament has even come across as being a bit more mature and responsible in that time as we’ve not been subjected to the weekly pantomime of Prime Minister’s Questions at full pelt.

But Jacob Rees-Mogg has decided that MPs should all return to Westminster from next week. Unless they live within driving distance of Commons, they will have to take public transport unnecessarily. They will require on-site staffing, not necessarily from their own parliamentary staff, who can continue to work from home, but from House cleaners, security staff and clerks.

Rees-Mogg, a representative of a Government who doesn’t like being held to account at the best of times, argues that Parliament can’t operate effectively if they aren’t all there. How effective a use of people’s time is it going to be to take up to an hour carrying out votes which could be done at the touch of a button? Chris Bryant, in an article in today’s Observer, describes the bizarre procedure:

Tagged Alistair Carmichael, Parliament, Scotland and virtual parliament | 3 Comments

Jamie Stone MP on the biggest trouble he has ever been in

By News Meerkat | Sat 23rd May 2020 - 2:57 pm

This is worth a view:

I'm feeling a lot better this Monday after a weekend of recuperation. Here's what I had to say earlier this month when the TV crew from #Unspun came to my office. They asked me what was the most trouble I'd even gotten into. pic.twitter.com/uHiHZwsCwD

— Jamie Stone MP (@Jamie4North) March 26, 2018

Tagged jamie stone | 3 Comments

Daisy Cooper: Now is not the right time for me to go for leader

By Caron Lindsay | Sat 23rd May 2020 - 12:55 pm

Daisy Cooper has announced on social media that she will not be standing for leader.

In her statement she says that she was flattered by the messages she received from Liberal Democrat members asking her to stand but she has decided against it.

My decision on whether to stand was always going to depend on the timing and, as the contest has been brought forward to this Summer I’ve decided that, right now, this isn’t the time for me.

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Lib Dems call for young refugees to have equal access to education

By The Voice | Sat 23rd May 2020 - 10:55 am

Senior Lib Dems have backed a call from newly elected Lib Dem Councillor Anton Georgiou for young refugees to be given computer equipment and support to enable them to access education during the pandemic.

Lib Dems at all levels, from MPs to Councillors, to London mayoral candidate Siobhan Benita and London Assembly Member Caroline Pidgeon, LDCRE Chair Roderick Lynch and Cllr Rabina Khan supported the initiative and signed Anton’s letter to Education Secretary Gavin Williamson.

I’ve sent this letter, along with many @LibDems, to @GavinWilliamson. We want to:

🔸 ensure young refugees, ESL students & vulnerable groups receive equal support
🔸 get computer equipment to them

Everyone deserves access to the tools to enable them to achieve their potential. pic.twitter.com/RocOHF6mKY

— Cllr Anton Georgiou 🔶 (@anton_georgiou) May 22, 2020

Upon investigating Cllr Georgiou found that while some vulnerable school pupils will be receiving free computer equipment to assist them with home learning, young refugee children and students learning English have so far been excluded from this much needed support.

Organisations like Young Roots, Refugee Support Network are concerned that these vulnerable young people will fall even further behind and not be able to keep up with their classmates.

In urging the Government to expand the support required, Anton highlights the excellent work being carried out by organisations like SocialBox.Biz, who are leading the way with initiatives like ‘Laptops for the Homeless and Vulnerable’.

Anton said:

Good education is a crucial stepping stone to allow young people to achieve their full potential. In the present crisis we must do everything possible to support young and vulnerable people to get access to the necessary equipment to enable them to continue with their education and contribute to our community.

Everyone deserves access to the tools to enable them to achieve their potential.

The text of the letter in full is below:

Tagged asylum seekers, cllr anton georgiou, education and refugees | 6 Comments

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