Category Archives: News

1 April 2019 – the overnight press releases…

By The Voice | Mon 1st April 2019 - 6:45 am

Lib Dems introduce no confidence legislation to solve Brexit impasse

Today Liberal Democrat Brexit Spokesperson, Tom Brake MP, will present a bill which would require the Prime Minister to resign should the House of Commons pass a motion of no confidence in her.

Speaking ahead of the Bill’s presentation, Tom Brake said:

As the Prime Minister continues to ignore Parliament’s rejection of her deal, it becomes increasingly clear how blinkered she has become.

With rumours of a fourth vote on the Prime Minister’s deal and no commitment from May that she will respect the indicative votes this week, it becomes clear that the House

…

Tagged brexit, Jo Swinson, national living wage, theresa may and tom brake | 6 Comments

30-31 March 2019 – the weekend’s press releases

By The Voice | Sun 31st March 2019 - 11:03 pm

Lib Dems: Stop and search is not the answer

Responding to the announcement that Police in England and Wales will be given greater stop and search powers to tackle rising knife crime, Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson Ed Davey said:

Yet again, the Tories are trying to tackle knife crime on the cheap. It won’t work.

More random, suspicion-less Stop and Searches, carried out disproportionately on people from BAME communities, are not the answer. They will not only consume police time and erode trust in the police, but have little impact in actually preventing people carrying knives.

What we really need is

…

Tagged ed davey, knife crime, labour, peoples vote, tom brake and vince cable | 3 Comments

Brexit has (sort of) made me an internationally exhibited artist. Cool, huh?

By Stuart Bonar | Sun 31st March 2019 - 8:46 am

OK, let me explain.

I blogged recently about the anti-Brexit / pro-European Facebook page I run that had reached 1.4 million people in a month (it’s has since ticked up to 1.5 million). Well, a month or two ago a message came in via the page from a curator at Kunsthal Charlottenborg, in Copenhagen, asking for any anti-Brexit placards we had from the London marches. It was for an exhibition, Europa Endlos, that is now open here in the Danish capital.

Thankfully, in my brief Marie Kondo-inspired brush with decluttering I had spared the various placards that my partner and I had created and accumulated over the course of attending something like half-a-dozen anti-Brexit marches. So, these placards were packed off to Denmark and on Friday, I visited them in the exhibition! How cool is that? And what better way to mark 29 March 2019 – the day on which we *aren’t* leaving the EU – than to visit one’s own anti-Brexit placards on display as part of an exhibition about European identity?

Seeing them there – smudged, stained and scuffed by being carried for hours – reminded me how fantastic it had been to march with so many other committed pro-Europeans. It made all the efforts to bring together friends, family and work colleagues on the marches so worthwhile. I was touched, actually, that the effort we are all making to fight Brexit is being seen and appreciated by our fellow Europeans.

And what I found refreshing about the exhibition, which marks not only Brexit but May’s elections to the European Parliament, is the way in which it takes those European elections and the issues at stake in them seriously. The exhibition deals with themes like identity, labour, borders, community and migration. When has a European election in the UK ever had this kind of treatment?

Tagged brexit, placards and protests | 2 Comments

Vote Leave cheated – and its main spokespeople are in running to become PM

By Caron Lindsay | Sat 30th March 2019 - 5:20 pm

Last July, more than two years after the EU referendum delivered a narrow victory for the Leave campaign. the Electoral Commission published a report in which they outlined how the campaign had broken electoral law.

The Commission found that Vote Leave had illegally colluded with BeLeave, a campaign run by Darren Grimes:

All Mr Grimes’ and BeLeave’s spending on referendum campaigning was incurred under a common plan with Vote Leave. Vote Leave should have declared the amount of joint spending in its referendum spending return and therefore failed to deliver a complete campaign spending return.
Vote Leave’s referendum spending was £7,449,079.34, exceeding its statutory spending limit of £7 million.
Vote Leave’s spending return was inaccurate in respect of 43 items of spending, totalling £236,501.44. Eight payments of over £200 in Vote Leave’s return did not have an invoice or receipt with them. These payments came to £12,849.99.
As an unregistered campaigner, BeLeave exceeded its spending limit of £10,000 by more than £666,000.
Mr Grimes delivered an inaccurate and incomplete spending return in his capacity as an individual campaigner.
Veterans for Britain’s inaccurately reported a donation it received from Vote Leave.
Vote Leave failed to comply with an investigation notice issued by the Commission.

In total the levels of fines are £61,000 for Vote Leave, £20,000 for Mr Grimes and £250 for Veterans for Britain.

We conducted a thorough and fair investigation. We requested and received evidence from a range of individuals and sources, including from Vote Leave and Mr Grimes. The individuals and the campaign groups investigated by us were all invited to be interviewed and to provide us with evidence. Vote Leave declined to be interviewed. Its lack of cooperation is reflected in the penalties.

How Vote Leave squealed and complained at the time. They had been wronged, they said and were confident that this decision would be overturned.

And then, on the day we should have left the European Union, in an ironic and cynical twist, this happened:

Vote Leave has today dropped its appeal and related proceedings against the Electoral Commission. pic.twitter.com/ca65js0M3i

— Electoral Commission (@ElectoralCommUK) March 29, 2019

So they broke the law.

And, of course, the people who fronted that campaign will of course be in disgrace, won’t they?

Tagged electoral commission and vote leave | 30 Comments

29 March 2019 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Fri 29th March 2019 - 11:00 pm

It’s been a slightly hectic day today, but I’ve got my nomination papers in – I’m running for re-election to my Parish Council in mid-Suffolk. Have you got yours in yet? Time’s running out…

Cable: Only route out of this crisis is a People’s Vote

Responding to the vote on the Government’s withdrawal agreement losing by 58 votes, Leader of the Liberal Democrats Vince Cable said:

Today’s outcome was entirely predictable.

No amount of parliamentary trickery can breathe life back into May’s deal. The only route to resolve the crisis is a final say with the option to Remain in the EU.

A

…

Tagged brexit, department for international trade, liam fox, meaningless vote, tom brake and vince cable | 7 Comments

Cabinet minister: ‘It is May’s inability to engage in the most basic human interactions that brought us here’

By News Meerkat | Fri 29th March 2019 - 3:55 pm

Embed from Getty Images

BBC Newsnight’s political editor, Nicholas Watt, quoted a cabinet minister last night, providing perhaps the clearest insight yet into the Brexit mess. Here’s what Watt said:

In cabinet, I am picking up complete and utter dispair. I said to one cabinet minister “Why is the Prime Minister holding a vote when she is pretty sure she is going to lose?” and using very strong language, this cabinet minister said to me:

Tagged brexit and theresa may | 31 Comments

ALDC’s by-election review – 28 March 2019

By ALDC | Fri 29th March 2019 - 2:15 pm

After a strong hold last week in Esh and Witton Gilbert division in Durham, this week saw another Lib Dem seat up for grabs in Wallington North ward for Sutton LB.

Sutton LB, Wallington North

LD Barry Lewis 1039
Con 709
Ind 381
Lab 301
Green 166
UKIP 104
CPA 17
LD Hold
Percentage change from 2018

With London falling outside of the election cycle this year, the Sutton Lib Dem team were able to run a great campaign to get Barry Lewis elected and keep their majority on the council untouched. Polling 1039 votes, Lewis faced competition from new candidates but still managed to take a brilliant 38.2% of the vote finishing 12.1% of the second place Conservatives. Congratulations to the Sutton Lib Dem team and Councillor Lewis and keep up the good work!

Clackmannanshire UA, Clackmannan Central

SNP 865
Lab 675
Con 419
UKIP 69
Green 53
LD John Biggam 36
Turnout 34.7%
SNP Hold
Percentage change from 2017

Thanks also go to John Biggam flying the Lib Dem flag in the Clackmannan Central by-election after not previously having a candidate standing. With some big by-elections coming up in Edinburgh and East Lothian it’s great to see the Scottish Lib Dem team in action!

28 March 2019 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Fri 29th March 2019 - 12:39 am

My apologies for lateness this evening, as I’ve been distracted by the Opening Day of the 2019 baseball season. And, as my beloved Cincinnati Reds won, I’m in a good mood…

Tories have pushed 200,000 children into poverty

The number of children living in absolute poverty across the UK has risen by 200,000 in a year, to a total of 3.7 million.

Responding to the government data release, Liberal Democrat DWP Spokesperson Christine Jardine said:

This government should be absolutely ashamed of itself for presiding over the first increase in absolute child poverty in six years.

The main culprits – the benefits freeze, the arbitrary

…

Tagged child poverty, christine jardine, meaningful vote, theresa may and tory divisions | 8 Comments

No Deal catastrophic for livestock farmers

By The Voice | Thu 28th March 2019 - 12:35 pm

Hot off the Lib Dem press, pointing out the devastating effects of a No Deal to farmers:

Alistair Carmichael, Liberal Democrat DEFRA Spokesperson, today challenged the Government’s no deal planning which he described as “catastrophic” for rural communities.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr. Carmichael said:

Can I tell the Minister that I very much agree with him when he talks of Europe as a key export market for our Lamb producers and hill farmers. 160 of his colleagues last night voted for a no deal Brexit, including the Hon. Member who asked the question a no deal Brexit could expose lamb exports to a 12.8% plus €171.3/100kg tariff. Is that going to be good for our sheep farmers?

Responding on behalf of the Government, the Rt. Hon. Robert Goodwill, Minister of State for Fishing and Farming, said:

The best way to prevent a situation in which we have a no deal Brexit is to vote for the deal. Nothing yesterday was supported by the House. The deal is the best thing for agriculture, the best thing for future, and the best thing for a long-term relationship between ourselves and the European Union.

Speaking after the exchange, Mr. Carmichael added:

Tagged brexit, Brexit - No Deal, defra and farming | 19 Comments

28 March 2019 – today’s press releases (overnight)

By Mark Valladares | Thu 28th March 2019 - 7:00 am

Good morning, gentle readers! As part of our experimentation with the press releases feature, we’re going to try something old, and something new. We’ll revert to catching up with the day’s releases at the end of the day, but instead of leaving the overnight embargoed releases until the end of the day, I’m going to try to get them to you first thing, whilst they’re still fresh, so to speak…

Lib Dems lead debate to end fracking

The Liberal Democrats will today lead a debate in the House of Commons calling for an end to fracking because of its adverse impact …

Tagged fracking and wera hobhouse | 1 Comment

Cable: Shifting centre of gravity signals People’s Vote is option MPs can’t put down

By Tahir Maher | Wed 27th March 2019 - 10:18 pm

This evening’s Indicative Votes in the House of Commons have shown that significant support has shifted towards giving the people the final say on Brexit.

The confirmatory referendum received more support than Theresa May’s deal and was the most popular option on the order paper.

Commenting, Leader of the Liberal Democrats Vince Cable said:

“As anticipated, the Commons has not produced an absolutely clear way forward, but it is clearer where the centre of gravity now is.

“What is essential is that whichever Brexit option the government pursues, it is put to the public in a confirmatory referendum. We have led calls for a People’s Vote for

…

Also posted in Op-eds | 32 Comments

++May to resign as PM before next phase of Brexit

By Paul Walter | Wed 27th March 2019 - 6:13 pm

Embed from Getty Images
The Guardian reports:

Theresa May has promised Tory MPs she will step down as prime minister before the next phase of Brexit negotiations in a bid to get Eurosceptics to back her withdrawal deal.

The prime minister said she would make way for another Conservative leader, after listening to the demands of MPs for a new leadership team.

Tagged brexit and theresa may | 11 Comments

Press Briefings and Top Lines – 27th March 2019

By Tahir Maher | Wed 27th March 2019 - 5:30 pm

Press Briefing:

Lib Dems: DWP is without a plan

Responding to the National Audit Office report revealing that two years into the strategy, ministers have not yet developed detailed proposals for their goal of getting one million more disabled people into work by 2027, Liberal Democrat DWP Spokesperson Christine Jardine said:

“Quite frankly I’m unsurprised by these findings, which simply add to the mounting stack of evidence showing that the DWP is not fit for purpose.

“It’s shameful that the department responsible for monitoring work capability is incapable of producing a plan so they can reach their own targets. They boast about how many disabled people are now in work, but this figure is completely useless if it can’t be matched to a reduction in the number out of work.

“Disabled people deserve more from this shambolic Tory government. Liberal Democrats demand better.”

ENDS

Tagged press briefing and Top Lines | Leave a comment

Jo Swinson MP writes: Another week of Brexit chaos, another week of government ignoring the big issues

By Jo Swinson MP | Wed 27th March 2019 - 4:00 pm

On Monday morning the ONS revealed that 1.5 million workers in England alone could lose their jobs to automation, with young people, women and the low-skilled most at risk. Just as we start yet another week of absolute chaos in Parliament over Brexit, I am seriously concerned that no one in Government is thinking about how technology will shape our society.

As liberals, we instinctively embrace change, and we want to harness technological progress to solve challenges from disease to climate change. However, we must take steps now to ensure that everyone in society benefits from that progress. This is why we have called on companies with more than 250 employees to develop plans to support staff vulnerable to automation, and for Government to grant every adult £9,000 over their lifetime to fund lifelong learning.

Also on Monday morning, I hosted the second meeting of the Lib Dem Tech Commission together with Professor Sue Black. We started with a discussion about what kind of economy we want to build and broadly agreed that as a country we need to be better at encouraging entrepreneurship and at encouraging individuals to make mistakes and learn from failure.

However, to try something and be comfortable with failing is a luxury that only few can afford at the moment. As a society, we need to offer much stronger safety nets to ensure that many others can transform their ideas into successful businesses.

Also posted in Op-eds | Tagged jobs and technology | 10 Comments

Time to be the Party of Local Government again

By Ed Fordham | Wed 27th March 2019 - 3:00 pm

It’s local election time – indeed for someone, somewhere each April and May it is always a local election year. Of late, over the recent years you could be forgiven for not noticing – we Liberal Democrats have, somehow and for some reason, ceased to be “The Party of Local Government”.

For the first time in nearly a decade I have thrown myself back into the front line of party politics – so irritated am I by the body politic that I have concluded that locally, on my small patch of British, I might be the answer. So I am nominated to be a Liberal Democrat candidate for the Brockwell Ward of Chesterfield Borough Council. If it all goes wrong and I win (joke!) then I will be one of what we hope will be several gains from Labour in Chesterfield.

I am following a good tradition locally – the Ward has been previously held by Nicky Qazi, Roland Beckingham, Ray Russell and more. All giants of localism and liberal democracy in Chesterfield and indeed Derbyshire. Maureen Davenport is our sole remaining councillor in the three-member Ward and is defending her seat – Focus willing, we will re-elect Maureen and make two gains for the Liberal Democrats in this Ward.

Also posted in Op-eds | Tagged local elections | 14 Comments

I’ve reached 1.4 million people in the last month, and I am quite proud of that

By Stuart Bonar | Wed 27th March 2019 - 12:15 pm

A little over three years ago, just as Cameron named the date for the 2016 Europe referendum, I set up a Facebook page as a place to … well, I wasn’t sure, to be honest … however, I knew I wanted to campaign online as well as face-to-face.

I threw myself into that referendum campaign. I did plenty of street campaigning right across the South West, speaking with voters in places like Truro, St Austell, Liskeard and Plymouth as well as Taunton, Stroud, Bristol and Bournemouth.

Also when I wasn’t shuttling between high streets wearing the uniform of the time – an “I’m IN” T-shirt is worn tightly and awkwardly over all one’s other clothes – I was populating that Facebook page with news, links that helped willing volunteers to find local campaign opportunities, and a whole host of other things.

Moreover, that has never stopped. Now, three years later, the Campaign to Remain – keep Britain in Europe Facebook page is a community of over 55,000 people. In the last four weeks alone the page’s posts have reached 1.4 million people and generated 1.3 million engagements – that’s likes, comments, clicks on links, etc. The top post alone has been seen by 135,300 people and generated 49,900 engagements.

Also posted in Op-eds | Tagged facebook | 3 Comments

Indicative Votes – An alternative to the Meaningful Vote, Three

By Tahir Maher | Wed 27th March 2019 - 7:25 am

There is an old saying that goes “You couldn’t make it up” the drama of the last few weeks in parliament where Theresa May has been trying to get her deal passed has, in my opinion, been scandalous. May in her first attempt suffered the largest defeat in parliamentary history, followed by a second attempt when she faced the fourth largest defeat in history. Theresa May has not changed any of her red lines and then went on national television to blame MPs (how to win friends and influence people, Theresa May style). The only reason some of the MPs …

Also posted in Op-eds | Tagged alternative vote and brexit | 45 Comments

23-24 March 2019 – the weekend’s press releases

By The Voice | Mon 25th March 2019 - 7:15 am

Cable: We are now a Remain country

Leader of the Liberal Democrats Vince Cable today kicked off the ‘Put It To The People’ march by declaring to supporters that the UK is a “Remain country”.

The Liberal Democrat leader joined hundreds of thousands of supporters, including Liberal Democrat campaigners, MPs and Peers, who descended on London from as far as Redruth in Cornwall to Wick in Scotland.

Speaking at the march, Vince Cable said:

We are now a Remain country. 60% now want to Remain and reform from within. Nearly 90% of young voters who weren’t allowed to vote in 2016 would

…

Tagged brexit, business confidence, financial services, theresa may, tom brake and vince cable | 3 Comments

Eradicating race inequality

By Isabelle Parasram | Sun 24th March 2019 - 9:45 am

At Conference last weekend, my maiden speech as Vice President was in support of a Motion on a race equality policy paper: Eradicating Race Inequality produced by Merlene Emerson, Baroness Hussein-Ece and the Race Equality – Policy Working Group.

I talked about my experience, as a young barrister, of seeking to comfort a Caribbean grandma who couldn’t bear to watch her young, black grandson being sentenced for possession of a knife.

A knife he’d felt forced to carry to protect himself from gangs.

I assured her then that her grandson would be treated fairly, but had no idea that my words were as hollow then as they would be if I said them now, some twenty years later.

The statistics are shocking:

BaME people are the most likely in our society to become a victim of crime or to fear becoming a victim* (leading to disproportionate numbers of BaME people feeling forced to carry a knife for protection)
rates of prosecution and sentencing for black people are three times higher than for white people **

It is clear that our criminal justice system, like politics, is broken.

I am glad that the Motion was passed and that there was such overwhelming support for it. It provides an excellent blueprint for our policy work in this area going forward.

Registered supporters’ scheme

I later had the chance to speak in support of a registered supporters’ scheme.

I acknowledge that there were many aspects of the Motion that were controversial and I will leave it to those better qualified to address those particular points.

My viewpoint was in relation to attracting more BaME voters, members and candidates to our Party.

Also posted in Op-eds | Tagged airport security, diversity, isabelle parasram, knife crime, race inequality, supporters scheme and vice president bame. | 5 Comments

Layla responds to rumours about 2013 incident

By The Voice | Sun 24th March 2019 - 7:26 am

In a tweet last night, Layla Moran set out what happened at the 2013 Autumn conference. There had been rumours and speculation about it for some time.

Hi everyone. I have a story I want to share…. pic.twitter.com/iy9uKOCKau

— Layla Moran 🔶🕊️ (@LaylaMoran) March 23, 2019

Tagged layla moran | Comments Off

Excitement builds ahead of pro EU march

By The Voice | Sat 23rd March 2019 - 9:55 am

They’re coming from all over the country to London to make their voices heard. Have an amazing day, everyone!

One coach left Inverness a couple of hours ago and another 3 are leaving Edinburgh in the next half hour. @richardpbacon #PVRoadTrip https://t.co/CTlOjETiGV

— Scotland for a People's Vote (@Scotland4pv) March 22, 2019

En route to London for the #PeoplesVoteMarch On the #peoplesvoteexpress 💜🇪🇺🙌 #StopBrexit #RevokeArticle50 bring it on! pic.twitter.com/7yNBKp4L2Z

— Kate Paisey 🇪🇺🕷🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿💙🪩 (@KatePaisey) March 23, 2019

https://twitter.com/cliff_944/status/1109333018441932801

Welcome to the party, Clifford.

Tagged peoples vote march 23 march | 3 Comments

Great hold in Durham with increased vote share

By Caron Lindsay | Thu 21st March 2019 - 11:31 pm

I’m on by-election duty for ALDC tonight. And the first result of the night’s six by-elections was a cracker.

Great result from Durham’s Esh and Witten Gilbert ward. Bev Coult holds seat for @libdems with 62% of the vote, up 9.5%

Lib Dem Bev Coult: 1115
Lab: 366
Indi: 155
Con: 128

— ALDC (@ALDC) March 21, 2019

Nicely done, Bev. Congratulations to you and your team.

And in Southend on Sea, there was an advance of nearly 10% for Carol White:

Strong result in the Milton ward in Southend on Sea for Carol White – up nearly 10%.

LAB: 49.9% (+4.7)
CON: 31.6% (+5.3)
LDEM: 13.1% (+9.7)
FBM: 5.3% (+5.3)

— ALDC (@ALDC) March 21, 2019

And great to be standing a candidate in Thurroci:

Tagged local government by-elections | 8 Comments

Supporters Pack now available

By The Voice | Thu 21st March 2019 - 12:30 pm

Voice received the following from HQ:

On Saturday at our conference, members voted to create an registered supporter’s scheme for the Liberal Democrats.

In the first 24 hours after we launched the scheme, more than 2,000 people joined in almost every single Westminster constituency in Britain.

More supporters are joining every hour.

To help you make the most of these new supporters, the Membership team at HQ have produced some resources for you – which you can access here: https://www.libdems.org.uk/supporters-local-party-guide

The launch pack covers everything you’ll need – from an explanation of what supporters are to template emails and social media graphics to help recruit even more supporters.

It also includes how to find the people that have become registered supporters in your area.

Tagged liberal democrat membership and supporters scheme | 3 Comments

May statement open thread.

By Caron Lindsay | Wed 20th March 2019 - 8:31 pm

Well, the crest is still on the lectern. So no General Election then.

But…

Unless she whips off the crest partway through, Bucks-Fizz-style…

— Jo Swinson (@joswinson) March 20, 2019

In the Land Of Make Believe 🎶

— Bill Alexander (@BillAlexander4) March 20, 2019

And she said absolutely nothing new. Blaming anyone but herself for the mess.

Basically, no say for the people, no participation in the European elections. She wants to be out by June 30th.

She says that MPs haven’t said what they want. Not sure how much clearer our lot could have been – People’s vote…That at least is achievable, even if the Labour unicorns are not.

145 Comments

Vince tells Sky that Corbyn walked out of meeting with PM because TIG were there

By Caron Lindsay | Wed 20th March 2019 - 7:42 pm

Vince Cable has just been on Sky News to say that the opposition leaders’ meeting with Theresa May was courteous but just went round in circles.

She was not willing to move at all.

So far so unsurprising.

But what was incredible was his revelation that Jeremy Corbyn was going to meet her with them. But as soon as he saw Chuka Umunna and Anna Soubry there, he legged it.

So the country is in crisis and he is not prepared to behave like a grown up. I remember this sort of game playing in student politics days but not when the country is about to crash and burn.

It’s unbelievable.

I can’t actually believe the horrors that we have as PM and Leader of the Opposition.

I could not believe it when Theresa May said at Prime Minister’s Questions today that the Commons should stop indulging itself on Europe. Without a trace of irony.

It’s almost as if she had forgotten that we are in this mess purely because of the self indulgence of her party on Europe. David Cameron called the referendum to face own the right of his party and now we are all paying the price.

Tagged brexit and vince cable | 14 Comments

Vince and other (non Labour) opposition leaders play hardball with May

By The Voice | Wed 20th March 2019 - 7:18 pm

Vince Cable, Liz Saville-Roberts, Ian Blackford and Caroline Lucas have been meeting the Prime Minister this evening. And they went in with intent to argue with her pretty robustly.

They basically said that Parliament should sit in continuous session until they can sort this out. MPs would not be bullied into making a choice between a disaster and a catastrophe.

And they added that they would bring forward a vote to revoke Article 50 “as a last resort”.

They issued a joint statement before going in to No 10.

The Liberal Democrats, Plaid Cymru, the SNP and the Green Party have been working together and meeting regularly for the past two years since the EU referendum.

“We agree that the House of Commons must formulate a plan that will give the EU Council the confidence to agree a longer extension beyond 30th June, so that by the end of next week legislation can be in place to prevent a No Deal exit.

“Parliament should now sit in continuous session until it can reach a decision and set out a clear plan.

“We will be pushing for the House of Commons to support a referendum on remaining in the EU, others will put forward their own positions. If the Commons cannot agree, as a last resort we would be prepared to take steps to secure a parliamentary vote on the revocation of Article 50.

Tagged brexit, caroline lucas, ian blackford, liz saville-roberts and vince cable | 4 Comments

A fairer share for all – ending poverty in the UK. Part Three

By Michael Berwick-Gooding | Wed 20th March 2019 - 4:00 pm

On Friday afternoon at our Federal conference, there was a consultation session on A Fairer Share for All – consultation paper. The consultation period continues until Sunday 31st March. I think members should email their comments rather than answer the questions the working group asks as I don’t think the questions cover all the areas that need commenting on.

The consultation paper doesn’t talk about levels of benefits (which I have done mainly in a-fairer-share-for-all-ending-poverty-in-the-UK-part-two-60199. The working group asks about reforming or scrapping Universal Credit. I think Universal Credit should be scrapped and replaced with a Working Credit for people of working age in work and all the old benefits kept. This new benefit should keep the 63% taper of Universal Credit but apply it to the new rates of benefit I set out in part two, where for every pound of net income a person loses 63 pence in benefit. However, the “work allowances” should be replaced with disregards and they should be the same for people no matter if they are receiving housing benefit. Instead of restoring the three ‘higher work allowance’ rates of £734, £536 and £647 a month I would replace both the higher and lower rates with £140 a week for claimants with children and those receiving Employment and Support Allowance.

Moreover, instead of the £110 a month for those without children, I would set it at £50 a week for each adult who is in work (therefore if both parents were in work they would have a weekly disregard of £190 a week. I wonder if the taper on housing benefit which would be the last element to be reduced should be higher. A very complicated system would be to apply to say a 70% taper to the first £70 of housing benefit a week, 80% of the next £70 and 90% of the rest (over £140 a week). The new Working Credit could be calculated every two weeks or every month as chosen by the claimant.

Also posted in Op-eds | Tagged Ending Poverty | 4 Comments

This weekend’s march is about so much more than a vote on the Brexit deal

By Charlie Murphy | Wed 20th March 2019 - 2:30 pm

Brexit March

In Parliament, MPs have been debating on (and rejecting) this botched Tory deal. Beyond Parliament, young people have been watching on in horror and disbelief. As a wealthy Brexit elite, red in the face, tell themselves to hold their nerve, it’s clear that they’ve got no regard for our future.

Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn? They just aren’t listening – they are completely detached from reality. They’re causing embarrassment on an international scale, the world over the country we love is a laughing stock. It’s shameful, and history will look harshly on the perpetrators of this chaotic mess.

I’m 20 years old, less than a month off of voting on the 23rd of June 2016. There are almost 2 million like me who can now vote. The fact is that the UK does not want Brexit anymore, and young people just like me deserve a say on our future. The British people deserve the right to a final say now we’ve got a deal on the table, and not some fanciful, wildly unrealistic ideal.

Before our very eyes, my generation is seeing jobs and investment sapped out of the UK. We’re seeing our futures – lives that should be spent with the right to live, love and work freely across 28 nations, the largest free trade area in human history – all being snatched away from us. It would be dystopian if the last three years hadn’t numbed us all to this warped reality.

Also posted in Op-eds | Tagged London Brexit March and young liberals | 17 Comments

Isabelle Parasram elected as Lib Dems’ first Vice President BAME

By Caron Lindsay | Wed 20th March 2019 - 1:58 pm

Barrister Isabelle Parasram has been elected by the Federal Board as the party’s first Vice President BAME.

I was delighted by this result because I voted for her and encouraged others to do so as I had been really impressed by her clear vision for the role. She talked a lot of sense about how to change the party’s culture. I’ve seen that her previous work, the report into dealing with complaints of sexual impropriety, has been thorough, clear and fair.

In an email to members, Miranda Roberts, Chair of the Federal People Development Committee, welcomed Isabelle’s appointment.

At our Spring Conference over the weekend, Party President Sal Brinton announced that Isabelle Parasram has been elected as our new Vice President BaME.

This position has been created to encourage more BaME representation and participation across the party.

I am delighted that Isabelle is taking on this new role. Her election is an exciting and important step towards building a more inclusive and diverse party.

Tagged isabelle parasram and vice president bame. | Leave a comment

ALDC advice: filling in and submitting nomination forms

By ALDC | Wed 20th March 2019 - 10:30 am

We advise that you fill in your nomination forms at the earliest opportunity possible. You’re able to submit them from March 27 onwards and the deadline for returning them is 4pm on Wednesday 3 April.

The following paperwork needs to be completed correctly and submitted on time:

Nomination papers
Candidate’s consent to nomination
Candidates address form
Deposit (not for locals)
Form for the appointment of the agent
Delegated Nominating Officer (DNO) paperwork (for use of the party name and logo on the ballot paper)

Most Returning Officers will supply forms, but some may expect you to supply your own from the Electoral Commission’s website. You should always use the Party’s own DNO paperwork – download it.

Find more information on filling in your forms correctly.

Also posted in Op-eds | Tagged aldc and Nomination forms | 1 Comment

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