Category Archives: News

Ed Davey’s statement on Holocaust Memorial Day

By The Voice | Mon 27th January 2025 - 7:30 am

Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey’s statement on Holocaust Memorial Day:

80 years ago, seven thousand people were finally liberated from Auschwitz. Free at last, after years of unimaginable misery. In the years before, 1.1 million people had been murdered by the Nazis at Auschwitz alone – mostly Jews.

As we commemorate 80 years since Britain and her allies defeated the Nazis and ended the Holocaust, we must never forget those appalling atrocities. We must never forget how six million Jews were murdered by the Nazis; how so much inhumanity was inflicted on humans by humans.

We must remember, so that we try harder

…

Tagged ed davey and holocaust memorial day | Comments Off

25-26 January 2025 – the weekend’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Sun 26th January 2025 - 10:30 pm

NHS: “bonfire” of targets shows shocking lack of ambition for patients
Over 500 infrastructure incidents at delayed hospitals last year which now are “hanging by a thread”
Councils paying £24,000 more a year per pensioner in nursing costs as Lib Dems call on govt to reverse “foolish” NICs hike
Reeves on Kuenssberg: Chancellor’s approach to growth “does not survive contact with reality”
Badenoch on Kuenssberg: “Bungling Badenoch” still has no idea how angry people are at the damage the Conservatives did
Scottish Conservative leader urged to explain whether he believes triple lock should be means tested
Almost 1 in 5 senior mental health roles missing a permanent appointee

NHS: “bonfire” of targets shows shocking lack of ambition for patients

Responding to a report in the Times that the government is set to scrap half of NHS targets, Liberal Democrat Health and Social Care spokesperson Helen Morgan MP said:

Patients have put up with a health service that has been run into the ground and caused unnecessary suffering for millions.

The new government cannot claim to have broken with years of Conservative neglect simply by moving the goalposts in this way.

That is not delivering for patients, instead it is a sly attempt to give themselves an undeserved pat on the back.

From delays to reforms of social care, new hospitals being kicked into the longgrass and now this reported bonfire of NHS targets, this new government is showing a staggering lack of ambition for patients.

Over 500 infrastructure incidents at delayed hospitals last year which now are “hanging by a thread”

At hospitals in the New Hospital Programme which have seen their construction dates pushed back there were 506 infrastructure incidents – causing 32 days of clinical time to be lost

These sites also saw close to 100 floods last year – a quarter of all floods on the NHS England estate despite accounting for less than 1% of the buildings

Delayed hospitals have already had to shut all toilets on the estate following sewage leaks and burst water pipes mean patients warned off going to A&E

The Liberal Democrats said that the figures revealed that the delayed hospitals are “hanging on by a thread” and called on the Health Secretary to publish a full impact assessment into the risks to patient safety

There were more than 500 infrastructure and estate incidents last year at hospitals where construction as part of the New Hospital Programme will be delayed, research by the Liberal Democrats has revealed.

They resulted in significant impact for patients with 759 hours of clinical time lost as a result of these incidents, the equivalent of 32 days.

241 of these infrastructure and estate incidents were judged to be caused by or related to critical infrastructure risk at these sites, equating to almost half. These issues can include crumbling roofs at risk of collapse, water leaks, broken-down lifts or ventilation and heating systems not working properly.

The challenge for liberals everywhere – what if Trump’s policies actually work?

By Nick Baird | Sun 26th January 2025 - 1:00 pm

A provocative title? Of course there is much to offend us in President Trump’s pronouncements, along with the character and antics of his various nominations to Government posts. But if we previously assumed that much of what he said was bluster, we now have to face the reality that he means what he says, and consider what the outcomes might be. In particular, what if he succeeds?

This is not a simple question. To start with – what does “success” look like? We often condense that into simple numbers – GDP growth, inflation, stock market indices and unemployment figures. It is certainly possible that by these simplistic measures, and in the short term, Trump might succeed and grow the US economy without runaway inflation. With the world’s reserve currency and largest economy under his control, he has options not available to the UK and most other countries, and if he can bully OPEC into increasing oil & gas production alongside increases in US domestic production, falling energy costs might offset the inflationary effects of import tariffs, along with his programme of deregulation and gutting of Government Agencies tasked with policing and enforcing what regulations remain.

I know what you’re thinking (because you’re reading LDV) – what about the cost? What about climate change and damage to the environment? What about all the lives destroyed when settled yet illegal migrants get rounded up and deported? What about inequality and minorities? What about healthcare and reproductive rights?

And you are absolutely correct, but what will the headlines be? Particularly when the full impact of some of his policies may not be felt until after he leaves office.

Tagged economy, political strategy and trump | 9 Comments

24 January 2025 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Fri 24th January 2025 - 11:20 pm

US trade tariffs: Trump doesn’t listen to “please”
A&E deaths: “Sickening” new analysis reveals deadly consequences of broken NHS as Lib Dems call for inquiry
Wendy Chamberlain MP’s Bill bids to remove charity lottery fundraising cap

US trade tariffs: Trump doesn’t listen to “please”

Responding to the the Business Secretary’s comments about Trump trade tariffs this morning, Daisy Cooper MP, Liberal Democrat Treasury Spokesperson, said:

Government ministers going cap in hand to Trump, pleading with him not to tax our goods, simply won’t work.

Trump doesn’t listen to “please”. He’s an unpredictable trading partner who’s shown he’ll slap massive tariffs on the UK at the drop of a hat.

Instead, we’ve got to negotiate with him from a position of strength – from within a new and bespoke customs partnership with the EU, that will unleash the potential of many British businesses to drive up trade with our biggest and closest trading partner.

A&E deaths: “Sickening” new analysis reveals deadly consequences of broken NHS as Lib Dems call for inquiry

Responding to new analysis of ONS data which suggests that more than 50,000 people died last year after long A&E waits, Liberal Democrat Health and Social Care spokesperson Helen Morgan MP said:

This new analysis is sickening. It lays bare the deadly consequences of a health service that has been run into the ground with patients and their loved ones often paying the ultimate price.

The Conservative Party should never be forgiven for what it did to our NHS and the tragedy their neglect has left it in its wake, but it is simply not good enough for this new government to sit on its hands any longer.

We need to see immediate action to get to the bottom of these deadly delays.

The government must urgently launch a CQC inquiry into the chaos in our A&Es and ensure patients never have to suffer through something like this ever again.

Wendy Chamberlain MP’s Bill bids to remove charity lottery fundraising cap

Wendy Chamberlain, MP for North East Fife, will have the second reading of her Bill to remove the outdated caps on charity lottery fundraising on Friday .

Also posted in Press releases | Tagged accident and emergency, charity lotteries, Customs Union, daisy cooper, helen morgan and wendy chamberlain | 6 Comments

ALDC By-Election Report, 23rd January

By Matthew Ma | Fri 24th January 2025 - 6:57 pm

This week saw five principal council by-elections for six seats across the UK. Labour and Lib Dems loss a net of one seat this week, with the former gaining one but losing two to SNP and an independent, and the latter placing a close third in the only double vacancy of the week. SNP also lost their only defence in the same ward but gained a seat from Labour in other parts of Scotland.

For the good news, the Lib Dems defended the seat in Liverpool City Council handsomely over the second place Labour candidate. In the Much Woolton & Hunts Cross ward, Cllr Josie Mullen the team worked hard to maintain over half of the vote share in the area, thank you to Josie and team for running a great campaign and holding the seat!

Liverpool City Council, Much Woolton & Hunts Cross
Liberal Democrat (Josie Mullen): 1011 (51.1%, -2.4%)
Labour: 537 (27.1%, -4.2%)
Reform: 218 (11.0%, new)
Green Party: 170 (8.6%, -2.0%)
Conservative: 42 (2.1%, -2.3%)

Featuring a list of 13 candidates, the other Lib Dem defence this week is also a SNP defence in Edinburgh Council, following unfortunate circumstances leading to our by-election winner stepping down. In the Conlinton/Fairmilehead ward, the Tories came in first while the Lib Dems and Labour battled it out until stage 12. Well done and thank you to Peter Nicholson and the team for putting in the effort for a well-fought campaign, this was certainly an uphill battle if there ever was one.

Edinburgh Council, Colinton/Fairmilehead (based on first preference votes, Conservative elected at stage 8, Labour elected at stage 13)
Conservative: 2027 (32.6%, +12.9%)
Labour: 1146 (18.4%, -1.1%)
Liberal Democrat (Peter Nicholson): 1009 (16.2%, -20.0%)
SNP: 840 (13.5%, +2.7%)
Green Party: 426 (6.8%, +1.5%)
Reform: 345 (5.5%, +1.9%)
Independent: 256 (4.1%, +1.8%)
Scottish Family Party: 65 (1.0%, +0.4%)
Independent: 38 (0.6%, -0.2%)
Independent: 30 (0.5%, +0.2%)
Independent: 23 (0.4%, -0.3%)
Independent: 12 (0.2%, new)
Independent: 5 (0.1%, new)

Tagged aldc local government by-elections | 1 Comment

Take care!

By Mary Reid | Fri 24th January 2025 - 9:20 am

Wishing all our contributors and readers a safe day, especially those in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Storm Éowyn will undoubtedly leave a mess to be cleared up by local Councils. If you can, do tell us how your Council is coping.

23 January 2025 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Thu 23rd January 2025 - 10:45 pm

Government ruling out customs scheme with EU is an “act of economic negligence”
NHS stats: government must convene COBRA amid surge in norovirus cases
Lib Dems reveal private company overseeing hundreds of sewage dumps
Scot Lib Dems push for prison suicide and fatal accident inquiry reform
Cole-Hamilton comments on scrapping of doomed social care centralisation

Government ruling out customs scheme with EU is an “act of economic negligence”

Responding to the Government appearing to rule out the EU’s proposal of the UK joining a European customs area this morning, Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey said:

It is alarming that the Government is happy to negotiate with China but won’t even look at a better trading arrangement with our closest neighbours in Europe. This is an act of economic negligence.

If the Government thinks it will get growth back in the economy by borrowing Boris Johnson’s playbook on European negotiations it is going to end up being sorely disappointed.

It is time for a proper UK-EU customs arrangement so we can strengthen our negotiations with Donald Trump, cut the red tape on our businesses and grow the economy.

NHS stats: government must convene COBRA amid surge in norovirus cases

Responding to the latest NHS stats showing norovirus levels in hospitals to be 80% higher than last year with bed occupancy standing at 96%, well above the 85% that is considered safe, Liberal Democrat Health and Social Care spokesperson Helen Morgan MP said:

The situation for patients and our NHS could not be more stark. People are dying on trolleys in corridors and staff are at breaking point. It cannot be overstated just how grim things are in A&Es across the country.

This is one of the most brutal winters on record following years of shameful Conservative neglect and the current government is now at risk of losing control of this crisis. Any more delay in action has the potential to be deadly for patients.

COBRA must be convened immediately with an emergency plan brought forward to protect patients from this ongoing disaster.

It is time for the government to step up and grip this crisis in a way that they have so far failed to do.

Lib Dems reveal private company overseeing hundreds of sewage dumps

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton has today revealed that more than 500 sewage overspills took place at sites managed by private firms in just twelve months, including more than 100 at the Edinburgh Waste Water treatment work at Seafield, run by Veolia.

Also posted in Press releases and Scotland | Tagged Alex Cole-Hamilton, Customs Union, ed davey, helen morgan, norovirus, prison reform, sewage dumping, social care and willie rennie | 5 Comments

22 January 2025 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Wed 22nd January 2025 - 11:30 pm

Borrowing figures: Another sign the Chancellor’s Budget has not worked
OBR Report: Farm tax will penalise farmers for practically no benefit
Cole-Hamilton: SNP must scrap social care power grab now
OBR Report: Farm tax will penalise Welsh farmers for practically no benefit
OBR Report: Farm tax will penalise farmers and crofters for little benefit to Exchequer
Cross-border healthcare difficulties letting patients down

Borrowing figures: Another sign the Chancellor’s Budget has not worked

Responding to figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showing UK borrowing has hit its highest December level for four years, Liberal Democrat Treasury Spokesperson, Daisy Cooper MP said:

This is yet another sign that the Chancellor’s Budget has not worked. It’s now putting people’s mortgages at risk and will make it even harder for the Chancellor to meet her borrowing rules.

The answer to this is to turbo-charge growth by scrapping the jobs tax, and raising the necessary revenue for our NHS from the big banks and tech companies instead.

After the Conservative Party’s disastrous legacy of economic vandalism, the Chancellor needs to go for growth through fairer tax measures that can unleash growth through small businesses, not undermine it.

OBR Report: Farm tax will penalise farmers for practically no benefit

Commenting on the latest OBR report on the impact of agricultural and business property relief, Liberal Democrat Environment and Rural Affairs spokesperson Tim Farron MP said:

This report confirms that the Government’s misguided family farm tax is mired in problems and will penalise British farmers for practically no benefit.

It is deeply concerning that older farmers will be hit hardest from this tax, with the rug pulled from under them before they can change their plans. And with tax revenue expected to be highly uncertain and unstable for two decades, the Chancellor’s excuses simply don’t stack up.

Farmers are absolutely vital for Britain, putting food on our tables and protecting the British countryside. And they are already battling botched trade deals, declining incomes and high energy prices. The Government must do the right thing and scrap the family farm tax before it’s too late.

Cole-Hamilton: SNP must scrap social care power grab now

Speaking ahead of the ministerial statement on the future of the National Care Service, proposals which would centralise social care services and wrench away control from local communities, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP said:

Also posted in Press releases, Scotland and Wales | Tagged Alex Cole-Hamilton, Alistair Carmichael, capital gains tax, daisy cooper, david chadwick, farming, government borrowing, healthcare, social care and tim farron | 8 Comments

21 January 2025 – yesterday’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Wed 22nd January 2025 - 10:20 pm

Unemployment: Reeves must scrap jobs tax
Southport Inquiry: Must get us answers to avoid future failures
WASPI: More than 300,000 women in Scotland “betrayed” by Labour decision
Welsh unemployment rise: Labour must scrap their Jobs Tax
Cole-Hamilton: SNP have left A&E in state of perma-crisis
McArthur: Community orders should be credible solutions to prison overcrowding

Unemployment: Reeves must scrap jobs tax

Responding to the latest figures showing unemployment at 4.4%, Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesperson Daisy Cooper MP said:

These latest figures are concerning. The government’s misguided jobs tax is already scaring off small businesses from hiring new people and being able to better serve our communities.

The Chancellor talks about growth but her Budget measures are acting as an anchor against just that.

After years of the Conservative Party’s economic vandalism we cannot see this new government repeat their mistakes. That is why Rachel Reeves needs to scrap her jobs tax to get our economy growing again.

Southport Inquiry: Must get us answers to avoid future failures

Commenting after Starmer’s press conference following the government’s announcement of an inquiry into the Southport murders, Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey said:

The Liberal Democrats welcome this inquiry, which must not shy away from asking tough questions about what went wrong.

This was an utterly horrific tragedy. My thoughts go out to the bereaved families, who lost three young daughters to such brutal violence. We need to ensure that such a senseless attack cannot happen again.

We must learn from these events, and the inquiry must urgently get us the answers we need to avoid future failures.

WASPI: More than 300,000 women in Scotland “betrayed” by Labour decision

Speaking ahead of a Scottish Parliament debate on compensation for WASPI women, Beatrice Wishart MSP has said her party will “fight for WASPI women” as data from the House of Commons library estimated that an estimated 331,780 women in Scotland could be affected.

Also posted in Press releases, Scotland and Wales | Tagged accident and emergency, Alex Cole-Hamilton, beatrice wishart, community sentencing, daisy cooper, david chadwick, ed davey, liam mcarthur, national insurance contributions, southport murders and waspi women | 11 Comments

Five Lib Dems quiz Starmer on social care, Trump, defence, eating disorders and colleges

By The Voice | Wed 22nd January 2025 - 8:42 pm

Social care, trade deals with Trump’s America, St Helier Hospital, the Strategic Defence Reivew, eating disorders and were the subjects brought to Keir Starmer by Lib Dems Ed Davey, Luke Taylor, Mike Martin, Wera Hobhouse and Alison Bennett at PMQs today.

Here’s Ed’s exchange with the Prime Minister:

The text is below:

Tagged alison bennett, ed davey, luke taylor, mike martin, PMQs and wera hobhouse | Leave a comment

Mark Pack’s January report to members

By Mark Pack | Wed 22nd January 2025 - 10:55 am

Farage and Musk are the past, not the future

Seeing someone called a “snivelling cretin” may reinforce all your worst fears about social media. But when it was Elon Musk saying this of Ed Davey, it counts as a badge of honour.

It also illustrates a bigger, and more important, point than ‘look how thin skinned and short of things to say a billionaire is when anyone stands up to him’.

It is about how little to say about our future the likes of Nigel Farage and Elon Musk have beyond nostalgia for an imagined version of our past. For all Elon Musk’s facade as a visionary man of the future, much of his vision is a shrunken, twisted piece of fake nostalgia: a world where the super-rich get to run things, democracy is an optional extra, international borders are high and only his favoured few select demographic categories are worthy people.

Their joint desire to turn the clock backwards is in contrast to our positive liberal vision for a better future. Just because someone is not like me is not a reason to dislike them. Just because someone has different views of religion than me is not a reason to fear them. And just because someone lives in a different country from me is not a reason to treat them as an enemy.

The likes of Farage and Musk excel at grabbing the headlines, but the quiet reality of 2024 was a year in which in Britain us Liberal Democrats took more political power. We won more council seats than the Conservatives and Reform combined in May – and then we had our best general election result in a century, gaining far more seats than Reform, in July.

General Election Review

An important part of building on those successes is our General Election Review, which was headed up by Tim Farron.

Thank you to Tim and the whole team for turning around the review promptly, so that we can get stuck into implementing its lessons as soon as practical in this Parliamentary cycle.

As with the post-2019 review, this one has been shared with all party members because, even though this review is a happier one, it is important once again that members can hold to account those in power at all levels of the party on delivering the review’s recommendations. As Tim explained in the email to members, there are some further recommendations on membership to follow.

The review is asking Federal Conference Committee (FCC) for time to present their findings to our Federal Spring Conference in Harrogate. Alongside that, the Federal Board has agreed to draw up an implementation plan for the recommendations, and you will get more news on that through these monthly reports.

Party Awards

Our Spring Federal Conference in Harrogate is now coming up fast. Which also means it is time to nominate wonderful colleagues for our next round of Party Awards too.

You can read about which awards are up this time, and how to make nominations, here.

Registrations for conference, both in person and online, are also open. I hope to see many of you there.

Congratulations to…

North Devon Liberal Democrats were the top recruiting local party in England in December, topping the charts for the second month running. All but one of the new members were recruited locally by them – giving the party’s local bank balance a handy boost too as local parties receive larger membership payments for locally recruited (or renewed) members.

Congratulations too to the top local recruiters in Scotland – Dumfriesshire and Highlands local parties, tied with each other – and in Wales – Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan.

Also posted in Op-eds | Tagged Mark Pack and party president | 13 Comments

20 January 2025 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Mon 20th January 2025 - 10:30 pm

40 new hospitals: Shoddy attempt to bury bad news on day of Trump’s inauguration
Farm incomes in Wales fall by 34% – Liberal Democrats call for Government reset
Trump inauguration shows importance of close ties with Europe

40 new hospitals: Shoddy attempt to bury bad news on day of Trump’s inauguration

Responding to the Health Secretary’s announcement that there will be significant delays to the completion of the New Hospital Programme, Liberal Democrat Health and Social Care spokesperson Helen Morgan MP said:

This is a double betrayal. The Conservatives shamelessly made promises they never intended to keep to countless communities served by crumbling hospitals.

Now this government uses the day of Trump’s inauguration in a shoddy attempt to bury bad news, showing an outrageous disregard for patients.

Instead of ducking scrutiny, the Health Secretary needs to publish the full impact assessment of these delays.

Patients have a right to know just how at risk they are, and how many more delays they will have to suffer as a result of the government’s decision.

Farm incomes in Wales fall by 34% – Liberal Democrats call for Government reset

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have called on Labour to reset their relationship with farming and the countryside following the release of statistics showing farming incomes in Wales have fallen by 34% for the period April 2023 to March 2024.

David Chadwick MP, the Liberal Democrats Wales spokesperson in Westminster has said that recent policy failures by both the Welsh Labour Government in Cardiff Bay and the UK Government are damaging agriculture and the wider rural economy in Wales and risk making the situation even worse.

Also posted in Press releases, Scotland and Wales | Tagged Alex Cole-Hamilton, david chadwick, donald trump, europe, farming, helen morgan and new hospitals | Leave a comment

The starting gun is fired in Runcorn & Helsby

By The Voice | Mon 20th January 2025 - 5:45 pm

News reaches us that Article 19.7 of the Federal Constitution has been triggered by the likelihood of a by-election in Runcorn & Helsby given that the sitting MP, Mike Amesbury is to be sentenced on 24 February having pleaded guilty to common assault on Thursday.

If you’re an approved Parliamentary candidate, and you’re interested, time is very short, as applications must be received by 6 p.m. tomorrow evening (21 January).

For more details, all relevant information can be found on the Cheshire West and Chester Local Party website.

Also posted in Parliamentary by-elections | Tagged Runcorn & Helsby | 5 Comments

New issue of Liberator out

By Liberator Collective | Mon 20th January 2025 - 4:29 pm

Liberator 427 is out and can be downloaded for free here:

In Liberator 427 we have Commentary, news in Radical Bulletin, Letters, Lord Bonkers’ Diary and:

NOW’S OUR CHANCE

The age of Trump and Starmer needs a radical liberal response based on defending the NHS, rejoining the single market and developing an appeal to working class voters. Paul Hindley explains how to do this

AFGHANISTAN : A COMPLICATED COUNTRY

Keith House and Tonia Craig travelled to one of the world’s least visited countries as tourists in December to see Taliban control in practice

UNSAFE AS HOUSES

Crises over homelessness and substandard housing will continue unless society stops viewing homes as investments, says Martin Wrigley MP

DYING FOR THE RIGHT LAW

Nick Winch’s mother wanted to die but could not legally hasten this. He says the Bill before Parliament may improve things but is full of problems

MAYORS’ NESTS

Labour’s devolution reforms pose a serious threat to the Liberal Democrat approach to local campaigning, says Chris White

FROM THE UKRAINE FRONTLINE

Kiron Reid found himself under fire in Ukraine and found that while more people feel a peace deal is needed, they will never trust Russia.

Tagged liberator magazine | Leave a comment

18-19 January 2025 – the weekend’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Sun 19th January 2025 - 10:30 pm

Patel on Trump: “naive and dangerous”, say Lib Dems
Davey: Trump presidency “deeply worrying for millions”
Pressure rises on Govt as two in three Labour voters back closer ties with Europe given Trump presidency
More than 11,000 malicious calls to ambulance service in past decade
2024 the worst year on record at A&E

Patel on Trump: “naive and dangerous”, say Lib Dems

Responding to Priti Patel’s comments about the Trump presidency on Laura Kuenssberg’s programme this morning, Calum Miller MP, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs, said:

Priti Patel’s comments on her ‘trust’ in Trump are naive and dangerous. The incoming US administration will be one to watch carefully, to deal with critically – not one in which we should put blind faith.

Her desire to rush into a free trade deal between the UK and US – one that could sell British farmers and food standards down the river – reminds us of where her and her party’s true alliances lie: with the Mar-a-Lago clan, not with constituents here in Britain.

The Conservatives are competing with Reform to be most submissive toward Trump, but we should be approaching the new President from a position of strength.

The Liberal Democrats will continue to push for a fair deal for British people – beginning with a new UK-EU customs union that boosts UK growth.

Davey: Trump presidency “deeply worrying for millions”

Commenting as Trump’s inauguration takes place today , Ed Davey, Leader of the Liberal Democrats, said:

Donald Trump returning to the White House will be deeply worrying for millions of people in the UK and around the world. With a President who promises trade wars, undermines NATO and praises Vladimir Putin, the threats to our national security and our economy are clear.

The UK must lead on the world stage again, standing up for our interests by working closely with other countries – above all our European neighbours.

While Nigel Farage toadies up to Donald Trump and Elon Musk in Washington, Liberal Democrats are working hard for our communities here in the UK. We will press the Government to be far more ambitious and positive in fixing our relationship with Europe, to strengthen Britain’s hand when it comes to dealing with Trump.

Pressure rises on Govt as two in three Labour voters back closer ties with Europe given Trump presidency

A two-thirds majority (64%) of 2024 Labour voters agree that the UK should build closer “economic and security ties with Europe” given Trump’s incoming presidency, polling commissioned by the Liberal Democrats has revealed – piling pressure on the Government to accelerate talks on UK-EU relations as the new presidency gets under way.

Also posted in Press releases and Scotland | Tagged a and e waiting times, Alex Cole-Hamilton, ambulance services, calum miller, Customs Union, donald trump, ed davey and europe | 5 Comments

17 January 2025 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Fri 17th January 2025 - 11:10 pm

Triple lock: Lib Dems launching new attack ad following Badenoch’s plans to cut the state pension
Badenoch’s triple lock comments: Lib Dems launch new poster van attack ad outside CCHQ
ONS health data: “sickening” research damning for government’s lack of action
McArthur responds to Polmont FAI determination
Lib Dems call on new Welsh Conservative Leader to disown Badenoch’s plans to cut state pension

Triple lock: Lib Dems launching new attack ad following Badenoch’s plans to cut the state pension

The Liberal Democrats will be launching a new attack ad following Kemi Badenoch’s comments yesterday that she will consider means testing the triple lock.

The ad will highlight Kemi Badenoch’s three major announcements so far, cutting maternity pay which she described as ‘excessive’, slashing the state pension and putting UK interests at risk by sucking up to Elon Musk and Donald Trump.

A Liberal Democrat source said:

First Kemi Badenoch came for the mothers and now she has set her sights on the grandmothers.

Millions of pensioners felt betrayed by Labour’s cut to the Winter Fuel Payment, now it’s clear their pensions wouldn’t be safe with the Conservatives.

We will be reminding pensioners at every opportunity that Kemi Badenoch wants to take an axe to the triple lock.

Badenoch’s triple lock comments: Lib Dems launch new poster van attack ad outside CCHQ

The Liberal Democrats have today launched a new attack ad with a poster van outside CCHQ after Conservative Leader Kemi Badenoch said that she would look at means testing the triple lock.

The Liberal Democrats have said Badenoch’s comments will “send a shiver down the spine of pensioners” and that the Conservatives “want to come after their state pension”.

The poster pictures Kemi Badenoch and an elderly woman with the warning: “don’t let the Conservatives wreck your pension”.

Liberal Democrat Care and Carers spokesperson Alison Bennett MP, who launched the poster van outside CCHQ today, said:

Kemi Badenoch’s comments will have sent a shiver down the spine of millions of pensioners across the country.

Older people have already seen Winter Fuel Payments ripped away by the Labour government and now the Conservatives want to come after their state pension.

The Liberal Democrats are proud we introduced the triple lock to protect people’s pensions. We will fight to protect pensioners from Conservative attempts to scrap it every step of the way.

Also posted in Press releases, Scotland and Wales | Tagged alison bennett, david chadwick, health care, helen morgan, liam mcarthur, prison reform and triple lock | 32 Comments

ALDC By-Election Report, 16th January

By Matthew Ma | Fri 17th January 2025 - 7:41 pm

There were two principal council by-elections running this week, both Lib Dem defences in the Western Counties. We successfully defended one and just barely lost out on the other.

In Cotswold DC, Cllr Andrea Pellegram comfortably won the seat over second place Reform in the Chesterton ward. Congratulations to Andrea and the local team for getting almost half of the votes and holding the seat!

Cotswold DC, Chesterton
Liberal Democrat (Andrea Pellegram): 296 (48.1%, -15.8%)
Reform: 152 (24.7%, new)
Conservative: 106 (17.2%, -7.6%)
Labour: 61 (9.9%, new)

In the other election in the Western Counties, Hossein Pirooz placed a close second in the Saltford ward in Bath & North East Somerset Council, only 4 votes behind the independent who gained the seat from us. It was a close but unfortunate result, thank you to Hossein for standing and the local team for all the effort put in, you’ll get them next time.

Bath & North East Somerset Council, Saltford
Independent: 587 (29.8%, +5.4%)
Liberal Democrat (Hossein Pirooz): 583 (29.6%, -10.5%)
Conservative: 375 (19.0%, -1.7%)
Reform: 205 (10.4%, new)
Green Party: 159 (8.1%, +1.4%)
Labour: 60 (3.0%, -5.0%)

For a full summary of these results, and all other principal council by-elections, please refer to the ALDC by-elections page here.

Tagged aldc local government by-elections | 4 Comments

Congratulations to Duncan and Grace!

By Mary Reid | Fri 17th January 2025 - 9:16 am

Lib Dems are renowned for their love of real ale, so perhaps it is no surprise that nine years ago Duncan Borrowman and Grace Goodlad decided to transform a failing pub into a community hub dedicated to real ale and craft beers. Many a party activist has made their way to The Bailey Head in Oswestry, especially during the by-election campaign in North Shropshire.

And now the couple have just been awarded the highest accolade in the pub world – CAMRA’s Pub of the Year.

The Bailey Head in Oswestry, Shropshire has been named the Campaign for Real Ale’s overall Pub of the Year for the first time.https://t.co/hCsA9xOIgR

— Shropshire Live (@shropshirelive) January 17, 2025

The BBC reports:

“You’ve got to have good beer to win, but that’s not enough on it’s own,” Grace said.

“It’s all the other bits, the added value, that’s what makes the difference I think.”

“You’re judged on your beer quality, and Duncan runs the cellar so that’s definitely down to him,” she told the BBC.

“But then it also looks at things like hygiene, the welcome you get from staff, staff’s knowledge…whether or not you’re involved in supporting the local community.”

The pair estimates they had about 30 visits from judges before winning the award, but at the time had no idea they were being judged.

As if that didn’t take up enough of their lives, both Duncan and Grace are standing as candidates for Shropshire Council, Grace in Oswestry South and Duncan in Llanymynech. Winners, both of them!

Tagged duncan borrowman and grace goodlad | 2 Comments

16 January 2025 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Thu 16th January 2025 - 11:30 pm

GDP Figures: Government must see sense and scrap jobs tax
Liberal Democrats table motion forcing Government to release analysis of potential Trump trade war
Badenoch speech: half-hearted apology does not absolve her from toxic legacy
Triple lock: “bungling Badenoch’s” first policy is to slash the state pension
Carmichael welcomes RFA vertical launch licence
McArthur calls for clarity over BP job losses

GDP Figures: Government must see sense and scrap jobs tax

Responding to GDP growing by 0.1% in November, Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesperson Daisy Cooper MP said:

The Chancellor has put the handbrake on the economy with her misguided jobs tax and the consequence is this pitiful rate of growth.

Every month this persists means less money in struggling families pockets and public services without the funding they need.

After years of the Conservatives’ economic vandalism, the public was crying out for change but this new government is falling well short of fixing this mess.

Rachel Reeves needs to see sense and scrap her foolish jobs tax and pursue a real strategy for growth like fixing our broken trade relationship with our European partners and replacing the broken business rates system.

Liberal Democrats table motion forcing Government to release analysis of potential Trump trade war

The Liberal Democrats are tabling a ‘Humble Address’ motion which would force the Government to release its analysis of the potential impact of Trump tariffs on the UK economy.

It follows reports that the Government has conducted internal assessments of how a potential trade war with the US may hit the UK economy, but is refusing to publish them.

The Liberal Democrat motion will call urgently for the publication of all impact assessments conducted by the Government regarding the impact of Trump’s tariffs ahead of his inauguration on 20 January.

Humble Address motions have been successfully used in the past, including in 2017 when the Government was forced to publish an impact assessment of Brexit on the economy.

The new US administration’s purported plans may involve tariffs of up to 20 percent on UK exports, which could hit the UK economy by £22bn according to the research conducted at the University of Sussex.

Also posted in Press releases and Scotland | Tagged Alistair Carmichael, conservative party, daisy cooper, ed davey, Kemi Badenoch, liam mcarthur, oil industry, space, tariffs, triple lock and uk economy | Leave a comment

Ed Davey’s speech today in full

By The Voice | Thu 16th January 2025 - 3:55 pm

As we reported earlier, Ed Davey gave a significant speech today, and here is the full text.

This year, we will celebrate eighty years since the end of the Second World War.

Eighty years since Britain and her allies defeated the Nazis.

Ended the Holocaust and liberated the concentration camps.

Brought peace to Europe.

One of our country’s finest hours.

We led the world – not just in standing up to Hitler and winning the war, but in building what came next.

Creating new forums to foster peace and uphold human rights:

The United Nations, led at its birth by the British Liberal Gladwyn Jebb.

NATO, driven by Labour’s

…

Tagged ed davey | 20 Comments

Ed Davey speech: Negotiate a UK-EU Customs Union to “turbocharge economy” and strengthen hand against Trump

By Mark Valladares | Thu 16th January 2025 - 9:02 am

Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey will today call on the Government to negotiate a new UK-EU Customs Union, to boost Britain’s economy and ability to deal with the incoming Trump Presidency from a position of strength.

In his first major speech of the year, Ed Davey will criticise the Labour Government for ruling out a Customs Union with the EU, saying it would be the best way to tear down trade barriers and “turbocharge our economy in the medium and long term.”

He will call on ministers to negotiate a new deal with the EU this year, with the goal of forming a Customs Union by 2030 at the latest, arguing this will allow the UK to “deal with President Trump from a position of strength, not weakness.”

He will then criticise Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch for wanting to go “cap in hand” to Donald Trump and “beg for whatever trade deal he’ll give us.” And he will criticise Nigel Farage for “fawning over Trump and licking his boots”, being “more interested in advancing Trump’s agenda over here than the UK’s interests over there.”

Also posted in Press releases | Tagged ed davey and europe | 9 Comments

16 January 2025 – the overnight press releases

By Mark Valladares | Thu 16th January 2025 - 7:27 am

RCN survey: “Harrowing” corridor care testimony reveals a government leaving staff with “hands tied behind their backs”
Cole-Hamilton comments on embargoed RCN report on overcrowding

RCN survey: “Harrowing” corridor care testimony reveals a government leaving staff with “hands tied behind their backs”

Responding to a Royal College of Nursing survey which shows that two-thirds of NHS nursing staff are saying they are delivering care in over-crowded or unsuitable places such as corridors, converted cupboards and even car parks on a daily basis, Liberal Democrat Health and Social Care spokesperson Helen Morgan MP said:

This report is harrowing. To think that patients are receiving desperately

…

Also posted in Press releases and Scotland | Tagged Alex Cole-Hamilton, helen morgan and nhs overcrowding | 14 Comments

15 January 2025 – today’s Federal press releases

By Mark Valladares | Wed 15th January 2025 - 10:45 pm

Public Accounts Committee SEND Report: Urgent reform needed
Inflation: economy is “stuck in the mud”
PMQs: Davey urges PM to create visa route to attract high-skilled Americans fleeing Trump
Davey: Israel-Gaza ceasefire must lead to a lasting peace and two-state solution

Public Accounts Committee SEND Report: Urgent reform needed

Responding to the PAC report on SEND provision, Munira Wilson MP, Liberal Democrat Education Spokesperson, said:

This report lays bare what we already knew to be the dire truth: that a wrecked system of SEND provision in this country is failing children and families every single day.

And thanks to the last government’s total lack of

…

Also posted in Press releases | Tagged daisy cooper, ed davey, inflation, israel hamas war, migration policy, munira wilson and SEND | 1 Comment

15 January 2025 – today’s Welsh press releases

By Mark Valladares | Wed 15th January 2025 - 9:45 pm

Wales rail runding letter – more than warm words needed
David Chadwick challenges UK Government over proposals to extend waiting times for Powys patients

Wales rail runding letter – more than warm words needed

Responding to a letter sent by Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens and Transport Minster Heidi Alexander to First Minister Eluned Morgan regarding Welsh rail funding, Welsh Liberal Democrat Westminster Spokesperson David Chadwick MP said:

More than warm words are needed to fix Welsh railways.

This statement doesn’t commit to any specific extra funding and doesn’t commit to the full devolution of our railways, which is what is needed to stop scandals like that around HS2 consequential funding from happening again.

The letter also doesn’t mention Mid or West Wales at all. Rural areas are too often neglected by Labour. While billions of pounds are being spent on the South Wales Metro, rail services in rural parts of Wales like the Heart of Wales Line and Cambrian Line are being cut.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats will continue to fight for Wales to receive the funding it deserves for rail, including HS2 consequentials in full.

David Chadwick challenges UK Government over proposals to extend waiting times for Powys patients

Welsh Liberal Democrat MP for Brecon, Radnor, and Cwm Tawe, David Chadwick, has strongly condemned proposals that would extend waiting times for patients in Powys receiving treatment in English hospitals under the Powys Teaching Health Board.

Chadwick described the proposals as “utterly unacceptable,” arguing that they undermine both the Welsh and UK Government’s commitments to reducing NHS waiting times. He warned that they may also violate the Statement of Values governing cross-border healthcare between Wales and England.

Also posted in Press releases and Wales | Tagged david chadwick, nhs waiting times and rail transport | Leave a comment

Lib Dems call on Starmer to back landmark climate bill

By Caron Lindsay | Wed 15th January 2025 - 11:01 am

A group of Liberal Democrats have called on Keir Starmer to back Lib Dem MP Roz Savage’s Climate and Nature Bill when it comes up in Parliament on 24 January. In a letter signed by 58 MPs and Peers they say:

We, Liberal Democrats, commend your and the Government’s determination to elevate the UK’s global climate and nature leadership. However, without legislation that unites our climate and nature plans, they will continue to be developed in isolation. This means your clean energy and nature restoration ambitions may fail—and, equally worryingly—may make both crises worse.

There is, however, a golden opportunity for you and the Government to showcase cross-party consensus on the need for an integrated approach to the climate-nature crisis. The CAN Bill would deliver a joined-up framework, ensuring that Britain meets its international commitments for climate and nature, as part of expediting your plans to build a nature positive, net zero economy.

Roz’s Bill should have a five hour debating slot on 24th January.

The Climate and Nature Bill is guaranteed a five-hour Parliamentary debate during its second reading on 24 January 2025. It already has the backing of some 250 Parliamentarians, including Sir Ed Davey, Carla Denyer, and Zac Goldsmith. It enjoys the support of 10,000s of members of the public, more than 1,100 businesses and organisations, as well as 1,000 climate and health experts

High-profile endorsers include Co-Operative Bank, The Body Shop, Oxfam, Save British Farming, Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace, Ecotricity, The Wildlife Trusts and Triodos Bank.

Unless this Bill gets Government time, it is unlikely to become law. This would be a very easy win for Starmer and Labour so let’s hope they see sense.

The letter in full is published below:

Tagged climate and nature bill, featured and roz savage | 3 Comments

14 January 2025 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Tue 14th January 2025 - 11:45 pm

Tulip Siddiq resignation: People expected better from this government
Worst 8 hour A&E wait times in 2 years
More than 2,000 people stuck in hospital
Operations activity stagnating below pre-pandemic levels
McArthur comments on assisted dying evidence session
Carmichael welcomes protection of coastguard helicopter readiness

Tulip Siddiq resignation: People expected better from this government

Following Tulip Siddiq’s resignation as Treasury Minister, Sarah Olney MP, Liberal Democrat Cabinet Office spokesperson, said:

It’s right Tulip Siddiq resigned, you can’t have an anti-corruption minister mired in a corruption scandal.

After years of Conservative sleaze and scandal, people rightly expected better from this government.

Worst 8 hour A&E wait times in 2 years

Responding to new figures showing only 58.7% of people attending A&E were seen within the 4 hour target in the week ending 5th January, while 18.3% of people waited over 8 hours (the worst since January 2023) and 9.1% waited over 12 hours, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader and health spokesperson Alex Cole-Hamilton said:

These figures show almost 1 in 5 waited more than 8 hours at A&E, the worst for nearly 2 years. It is now clear that the SNP’s NHS Recovery Plan has completely failed.

These waits are intolerable for staff and patients alike. The Scottish Government needs to start taking urgent action to address these conditions.

Scottish Liberal Democrats would overhaul the SNP’s failed NHS Recovery Plan, get you fast access to GPs and help people leave hospital on time through a new UK-wide minimum wage for care workers that is £2 higher.

More than 2,000 people stuck in hospital

Responding to new Public Health Scotland figures showing 2,020 people were stuck in hospital at the November census due to their discharge being delayed, amongst the worst on record, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP said:

SNP mismanagement has led to eye-watering numbers of people stuck in hospital unnecessarily because they can’t get the care they need at home or in the community.

This creates a backlog right across our NHS, contributing to agonising waits in A&E and ambulances stacking up outside the front door. It goes to show that you can’t save our NHS unless you fix the care crisis.

The Health Secretary needs to re-write the failed NHS Recovery Plan. It’s also essential to drop the doomed takeover of social care that has already seen millions wasted on bureaucracy instead of being spent on services and staff to enable people to leave hospital on time.

Tagged Alex Cole-Hamilton, Alistair Carmichael, assisted dying bill, coastguard, corruption, liam mcarthur, NHS and sarah olney | Leave a comment

A snag with House of Lords reform

By Mark Argent | Tue 14th January 2025 - 10:47 am

The present government’s plan to remove the remaining hereditary peers throws a spotlight on an awkward problem: might this inadvertently undermine the idea of political office as public service, at a time when that is already under threat from people who act as if lying to get elected is acceptable?

On the one hand, it’s hard to reconcile an unelected upper chamber with a modern democracy, which is why Lords reform has been Liberal Democrat policy for a long time. Within that, the hereditary peers are the hardest aspect to defend.

Tagged house of lords reform | 15 Comments

13 January 2025 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Mon 13th January 2025 - 10:30 pm

Market turmoil: Reeves should hold emergency summit with banks to reassure mortgage holders
Scottish Government forced to climb down on ministerial power grab of legal profession

Market turmoil: Reeves should hold emergency summit with banks to reassure mortgage holders

Following the cost of government borrowing continuing to rise, exceeding the near 30-year high it hit last week, the Liberal Democrats have called on the Chancellor to hold an emergency summit with the banks to reassure mortgage holders that they won’t see a major spike in their mortgage costs.

It comes as experts warn that mortgage rates may rise in the coming weeks as lenders …

Also posted in Press releases and Scotland | Tagged daisy cooper, legal services, liam mcarthur and mortgages | Leave a comment

13 January 2025 – the overnight press releases

By Mark Valladares | Mon 13th January 2025 - 9:00 am

Record 518,000 trolley waits of 12 hours or more last year – up 400-fold in less than a decade
Rennie comments ahead of Glen Sannox first crossing

Record 518,000 trolley waits of 12 hours or more last year – up 400-fold in less than a decade

Liberal Democrat Health and Social Care spokesperson Helen Morgan MP has urged Wes Streeting to produce an emergency plan to tackle “shocking and dangerous” A&E wait times as the government “looks to be asleep at the wheel”.

Last year there were a record 518,000 waits of 12 hours or longer in A&E from a decision to admit, research by the Liberal Democrat has revealed. Staggeringly, that is nearly 400-times more 12 hour waits than 2015’s figure of 1,306.

The figures also revealed a sharp rise of more than 100,000 12 hour trolley waits on 2023’s figure of 415,000, a jump of 25%. Prior to the pandemic in 2019 there were just 8,272 trolley waits of 12 hours or longer. Last year that figure rose 63-fold to 518,000.

In December alone, 54,000 patients waited 12 hours or longer in A&E from a decision to admit, up 23-fold on the December 2019’s figure of just 2,356.

Long waits at A&E are extremely dangerous and the Royal College of Emergency Medicine estimates that in 2023 14,000 deaths were associated with long waits in A&E.

Liberal Democrat Health and Social Care Spokesperson Helen Morgan MP called the figures “shocking” and said the new government “looks to be asleep at the wheel”. The Party is calling on the Health Secretary to come forward with an emergency plan to tackle this crisis to protect patients from this ongoing crisis.

Also posted in Press releases and Scotland | Tagged accident and emergency, ferries, helen morgan and willie rennie | Leave a comment

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