Category Archives: News

Lindsay Northover launches bid for Palestinian recognition

By Mark Valladares | Sun 22nd September 2024 - 5:49 pm

I missed this as I was on my way to Brighton at the time, but thought that it might of interest to readers.

Friday, September 13th saw the First Reading of a Private Members’ Bill in the House of Lords, sponsored by Lindsay Northover, our spokesperson on International Development there.

The core text reads as follows:

Recognition of the State of Palestine

The Secretary of State must, within one month of the passing of this Act, take such steps as are necessary to ensure the Government of the United Kingdom formally recognises Palestine as a sovereign and independent state on the basis of the

…

Also posted in Parliament | Tagged Lindsay Northover and palestine | 7 Comments

WATCH: Conference fringe on Falkland Islands

By The Voice | Sun 22nd September 2024 - 2:30 pm

A couple of weeks ago, new MP for Surrey Heath Al Pinkerton wrote for us about a Conference fringe meeting he was chairing about the Falklands.

In that article, he said:

In so many ways we Liberal Democrats find ourselves in common cause with Falkland Islanders. Socially liberal, protective of the natural environment, committed to the UK and yet proudly and avowedly international in outlook. As Liberal Democrats we champion and defend the right to self-determination at home and around the world. What greater example of that than a community of 3,500 people in the South Atlantic who, like so many

…

Tagged 2024 autumn conference, al pinkerton and falkland islands | Leave a comment

Meet our party award winners

By Mark Pack | Sun 22nd September 2024 - 12:30 pm

As we do each year at both the Spring and Autumn Conferences, we take a moment to celebrate and recognise the inspiring individuals or groups who have provided outstanding service and commitment to the party over the past year.

These awards serve as a small token of our immense gratitude for the hard work, dedication, and passion each has shown.

The award winners this time were:

Belinda Eyre-Brook Award – Lucy Lennon

Lucy Lennon was recognised for her impressive local campaign efforts in Hull. In her first role after graduating from university, Lucy has been instrumental in helping us make strides against Labour in northern England, particularly by retaining control of the local council.

Over the past two years, Lucy has served as the local organiser, managing two local elections and two by-elections. During the General Election, she took on the task of running three Westminster constituencies and acted as agent for all of them.

In addition to her exceptional people skills, Lucy has mastered various technologies, including Fleet, Connect, Lighthouse, and Typeform.

She has even managed with aplomb the tough task of having our Director of Campaigns, Dave McCobb, as one of her candidates!

Her dedication and hard work made her a deserving recipient of this year’s award.

Dadabhai Naoroji Award – West Hertfordshire Local Party and Dacorum Council group

The overlapping West Hertfordshire Local Party and Dacorum Council group has achieved remarkable electoral success by engaging with all areas of their local community. They have assembled a diverse team of councillors and candidates, representing a range of ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, and abilities.

Their hard work has demonstrated that minority communities not only want to join the Liberal Democrats but are also eager to further serve their local areas.

This dedication culminated in the election of the first Liberal Democrat MP of East and South East Asian descent.

The efforts of the group and Local Party show that focusing on improving our ethnic diversity is not something just for large urban areas.

The award was collected by Councillor Simy Dhyani and Victoria Collins MP.

Harriet Smith Award – Rosemary McCrum

Rosemary has been the cornerstone of her Local Party for decades. She has guided them through challenging times, taken on nearly every activist role imaginable, filled in when needed, and often juggled multiple responsibilities at once. Rosemary provided the foundation upon which their success has been built.

Her dedication and commitment were crucial in keeping the Local Party running and played a key role in their achievements this year, including an overwhelming victory in the local elections and the election of the area’s first Liberal Democrat MP.

The Woking party triumphed electorally this year, and nominating Rosemary for this award was a small way of recognising the immense contribution of this modest individual in helping them get there.

Patsy Calton Award – Julia Cambridge

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Observations of an ex pat: The Keystone State

By Tom Arms | Sat 21st September 2024 - 8:30 am

Pennsylvania’s is known as “The Keystone State.” There are lots of reasons for this moniker but the one most pertinent at the moment is that it holds the key to the White House.

It is generally agreed that whomever tops the poll in Pennsylvania will also pull in the vital swing states of Wisconsin and Michigan. Trump won Pennsylvania in 2016 by the narrowest margin since 1840. But then Biden didn’t do much better in 2020. His margin of victory was only 80,555 out of a total of 6,725, 902 Pennsylvania votes cast.

The Keystone State is a microcosm of divided America. In the East you have Philadelphia and the Delaware Valley. Rich and filled mainly with liberal democrats, it has a population of about 5.7 million–almost half of the total state population of 13 million. In the West you have 2.3 million people in steel town—Pittsburgh. There is also J.D. Vance’s downtrodden Appalachia and fracking country which translates as Trump territory. In the middle there is a mix of rural voters vs liberals inhabiting the largest number of colleges and universities in America.

Up until Kamala Harris’s entry into the race, the opinion polls showed Trump and Biden either neck and neck or Trump slightly ahead. The latest post-debate polls show Kamala Harris with a 4 to 6 point lead. But it is early in the race and that lead could evaporate as her debate victory fades in the voters’ memories. There have been no polls since the second assassination attempt or the Federal Reserve Bank’s cut in interest rates.

Tagged observations of an ex pat | Leave a comment

20 September 2024 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Fri 20th September 2024 - 10:30 pm

National debt: The Conservatives trashed the economy
McArthur responds to health committee’s summary of assisted dying consultation responses
Cole-Hamilton: We should empower communities to help tackle antisocial driving

National debt: The Conservatives trashed the economy

Responding to the national debt reaching 100% of GDP for the first time in decades, Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesperson Daisy Cooper MP said:

Today’s figures are yet more proof of the terrible state in which the previous Conservative government left our public finances.

Even though the Conservatives trashed our economy, the government can’t use that as an excuse to make the wrong decisions, such as cutting winter fuel payments and leaving vulnerable pensioners worried about the cold months ahead.

Ministers must take action to repair our public finances in a fair way, by asking big banks, the oil and gas giants and global social media corporations to pay their fair share of tax.

McArthur responds to health committee’s summary of assisted dying consultation responses

Responding to the Health Committee publishing a summary of responses received in response to its call for evidence on Liam McArthur’s Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill, which shows that a majority of respondents were supportive of the bill, Mr McArthur said:

Also posted in Press releases and Scotland | Tagged Alex Cole-Hamilton, assisted dying bill, daisy cooper, dangerous driving, liam mcarthur and national debt | 8 Comments

ALDC’s By-Election report – 20 September 2024

By Charles Quinn | Fri 20th September 2024 - 7:49 pm

There have been 10 principal council by-elections this week. It’s been a triumphant week for the Lib Dem as we registered our first by-election gain since the General Election (against Labour). We also stood in all 10 vacancies and increased our vote-share in a number of places to score some excellent second place finishes.

Overall the results saw a lot of chopping and changing with seats changing hands in almost every direction. The only constants were the Lib Dems not losing a seat (but gaining one) and Labour not gaining a seat, but losing 3!

We start in Bromsgrove DC where newly elected Cllr James Clarke gained Sidemoor ward from Labour, increasing the Lib Dem vote share by just short of 25%. Labour lost 30% of their vote and slipped to 3rd place. Congratulations to Cllr Clarke on our first by-election win of this current Government!

Bromsgrove DC, Sidemoor
Liberal Democrats (James Clarke): 276 (52.6%, +24.9%)
Conservatives: 141 (26.9%, +3.1%)
Labour: 87 (16.6%, -29.2%)
Green Party: 21 (4%, new)

Another excellent result this week came on Cornwall Council in Falmouth Penwerris ward. Here our candidate John Spargo increased the Lib Dem vote share by 25.5% (up from just 4.5% in the previous election) and jumping from 4th place to 2nd. Labour just held onto the ward but it is perfectly poised for us now in the next election. Congratulations to John and the team in Cornwall.

Cornwall Council, Falmouth Penwerris
Labour: 337 (44.7%, -19.8%)
Liberal Democrats (John Spargo): 228 (30.2%, +25.5%)
Green Party: 189 (25.1%, +16.6%)

We also finished a close second in St Neots ward in Huntingdonshire DC. Lib Dem candidate Alan Hunt increased the Lib Dem vote by 2.3% and came just 100 votes behind Well done to Alan and Huntingdonshire Lib Dems. You’ll get them next time.

Tagged aldc, featured and local government by-elections | 1 Comment

19 September 2024 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Thu 19th September 2024 - 10:30 pm

Improving maternity care must be a key priority for the new government
Rennie responds to new Audit Scotland college report
Cole-Hamilton urges First Minister to act on antisocial driving
Cole-Hamilton attacks “vast” pay off to water industry boss

Improving maternity care must be a key priority for the new government

Responding to the Care Quality Commission’s report into maternity care services, Liberal Democrat Health and Social Care Spokesperson, Helen Morgan said:

The ongoing postcode lottery of maternity care must end. That means raising standards across the board and making sure that no mother or baby is put at unnecessary risk.

Unsafe staffing levels and practices can have tragic consequences, as so many families across the country have experienced first hand.

Despite several reviews and inquiries, this new CQC report makes clear that much more progress needs to be made.

Improving maternity care must be a key priority for the new government as it seeks to address the broader crisis in our healthcare system.

Rennie responds to new Audit Scotland college report

Responding to a new Audit Scotland report which warns that colleges may not be able to offer the same learning experience to students as in the past and that further staff cuts are on the horizon, Scottish Liberal Democrat education spokesperson Willie Rennie said:

College budgets have been first in line for the axe for years now. Figures from the Scottish Funding Council show that the SNP cut resource funding for colleges by 4.8% in the 2024-25 budget, hot on the heels of a real-terms reduction in funding of 8.5% over the previous two financial years.

The SNP’s neglect of further education has contributed to our wider economic malaise and it makes clear that ministers do not see colleges, their staff and students as a priority.

Colleges have a key role to play in providing people with the skills they need to flourish in key sectors like insulating homes, food and drink, tourism, social care and nursery education.

Scotland won’t reach its economic potential without a thriving college sector.

Also posted in Press releases and Scotland | Tagged Alex Cole-Hamilton, dangerous driving, further education, helen morgan, maternity services, water industry and willie rennie | Leave a comment

18 September 2024 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Wed 18th September 2024 - 11:45 pm

Ed Davey unveils new Lib Dem frontbench team to champion “the people’s priorities”
Cole-Hamilton: For ten years the SNP have picked at the scab of their defeat

Ed Davey unveils new Lib Dem frontbench team to champion “the people’s priorities”

Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey has announced his new frontbench, as he calls on his party to champion the “people’s priorities” and “clean up the mess left by the Conservative government.”

The new frontbench announcement follows Ed Davey’s conference speech, where he set out the Liberal Democrat plan to be a “constructive opposition” holding the new government to account. Davey unveils his new team of spokespeople after the party won 72 seats at the general election, becoming the largest third party in the House of Commons in a hundred years.

Daisy Cooper remains as Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats, but will also now become the party’s Treasury Spokesperson, where she will focus on the cost-of-living crisis and holding the Government to account as it clears up the terrible economic mess left by the Conservative Party.

Helen Morgan, who became MP for North Shropshire in a historic by-election victory in 2021, now leads on Health and Social Care, the number one priority for the party that is championing access to GPs and dentists as well as support for unpaid carers.

Also posted in Press releases and Scotland | Tagged Alex Cole-Hamilton, ed davey, liberal democrat spokespeople and scottish independence | 8 Comments

Daisy Cooper takes Treasury in Lib Dem Reshuffle

By The Voice | Wed 18th September 2024 - 8:45 pm

We knew that there would be a reshuffle of Lib Dem MPs after Conference, but maybe not this quickly.

This afternoon, Ed Davey announced his new top team. Deputy Leader Daisy Cooper takes over as Treasury Spokesperson and will face Rachel Reeves.

Helen Morgan takes health and social care from Daisy and, given the precedence we are giving to this issue, she has a whole team – Danny Chambers on mental health, Alison Bennett on carers, Jess Brown-Fuller on hospitals and primary care.

There are big jobs for new MPs too. Lisa Smart takes Home Affairs and Calum Miller, a former senior civil servant in the Foreign Office, getting Foreign Affairs. We also have a Europe spokesperson again, James MacClearly. Does this mean we will be getting more vocal on the problems with Brexit?

Wendy Chamberlain now has a deputy Chief Whip in Tom Morrison and no longer has any other portfolios. Steve Darling will now cover DWP and Christine Jardine Scotland.

There are no jobs for Layla Moran, Alistair Carmichael and Jamie Stone as they are all going to be chairing Select Committees.

One person I would have thought would have had a job would be Richard Foord. His old defence portfolio goes to Helen Maguire. However, perhaps he will end up on the Defence Select Committee.

Christine Jardine loses the Cabinet Office but gains Scotland in addition to her current Women and Equalities portfolio.

Of the 33 front bench positions, 25 go to new MPs. Of our 15 MPs in the previous Parliament, 3 stay as spokespeople, 3 chair select committees and Richard Foord, Sarah Green, Sarah Dyke and Wera Hobhouse go to the back benches, but there are still Select Committee places to fill so they may be being lined up for them.

Of his new team, Ed said:

My new frontbench will champion the people’s priorities, ensuring we hold the new government to account as a responsible opposition.

I am humbled by the result of the General Election and the millions of voters who put their trust in the Liberal Democrats, including many for the first time. We will stand up for our communities every day on the issues that matter most, fixing health and care services, tackling the cost of living crisis and protecting our precious environment.

I am so proud of my entire team of 72 Liberal Democrat MPs who will serve as strong local champions in Westminster as we clean up the mess left by the Conservative government.

Here is the top team in full:

Tagged lib dem mps and reshuffle | 8 Comments

WATCH: Ed Davey’s speech to Conference

By The Voice | Wed 18th September 2024 - 8:01 pm

You’ve got to feel sorry for poor Max Wilkinson, our MP for Cheltenham. He confessed at the rally to having no love for Abba, and he had to sit through Dancing Queen as Ed came on.

Here is the text.

Tagged 2024 autumn conference, ed davey and speeches | 1 Comment

Maiden speech: Clive Jones MP for Wokingham

By The Voice | Wed 18th September 2024 - 11:49 am

Now that Conference is over, we can start catching up with the maiden speeches our MPs made last week. Here is Wokingham MP Clive Jones speaking in the Budget Responsibility debate.

The text is below

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Last chance to apply for Scottish Future Leaders 2024

By The Voice | Wed 18th September 2024 - 7:48 am

The Scottish Liberal Democrats have been running a Future Leaders programme for the past few years. 10-12 Scottish party activists are given an intensive programme over the course of 9 months or so. By the end of this, your skills in so any areas will have improved.

One of this year’s graduates, Andy Williamson, talks about it here.

Scottish Liberal Democrat Chief ExecutiveRachel Palma Randle describes the course and the commitment you will need to make.

Tagged future leaders programme and scottish liberal democrats | Leave a comment

17 September 2024 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Tue 17th September 2024 - 10:30 pm

Ed Davey speech: “Make the NHS winterproof”
Cole-Hamilton comments as Scotland marks ten years since Independence Referendum

Ed Davey speech: “Make the NHS winterproof”

In his speech to Liberal Democrat Conference in Brighton today, Leader Ed Davey will call on the Government to set up a new “Winterproof NHS Taskforce” to put an end to the annual winter crises in the health service.

With NHS chiefs warning that “this winter is likely to see urgent and emergency care services come under significant strain”, Ed Davey will urge the Government to “make this year the last winter crisis in our NHS”.

Last winter, ambulances across England collectively spent a total of 112 years waiting outside hospitals to hand patients over, according to official NHS figures. Between November 2023 and March 2024, 732,000 patients faced A&E waits of over 4 hours to be admitted, with 228,000 waiting more than 12 hours.

For the first time, the Taskforce would bring together a team of experts reporting directly to the Health Secretary, responsible for strengthening coordination across the NHS and allocating long-term funding and resources to prevent winter crises.

Over the past seven years, the Government has announced an average of £376 million of emergency funding each year to tackle the NHS winter crisis. Under the Liberal Democrat proposal, the new Taskforce would instead manage a ringfenced fund of £1.5 billion over the next four years, to build resilience in hospital wards, A&E departments, ambulance services and patient discharging.

This would allow integrated care boards and NHS Trusts to plan their budgets more efficiently to prevent winter crises, instead of just receiving emergency funding from the Government at the last minute.

Also posted in Press releases and Scotland | Tagged Alex Cole-Hamilton, ed davey, NHS and scottish parliament elections | Leave a comment

WATCH: Jane Dodds’ speech to Lib Dem Conference

By The Voice | Tue 17th September 2024 - 8:15 pm

Here is Welsh Lib Dem Leader Jane Dodds’ speech to Lib Dem Conference.

Enjoy!

Tagged 2024 autumn conference, jane dodds and speeches | 1 Comment

In Full: Daisy Cooper’s speech to Conference

By Caron Lindsay | Mon 16th September 2024 - 2:57 pm

BBC Politics has a clip of that incredibly moving part of Daisy Cooper’s speech in which she describes the moment she was told she needed major surgery or she had four days to live. And then the further blow that she was so ill that she would likely never work again.

“I lay in my bed on the 13th floor of that hospital and I sobbed. I sobbed and I sobbed and I sobbed for 17 hours straight”

During a speech to her party’s conference, Lib Dem deputy leader Daisy Cooper reflects on being diagnosed with Crohn’s diseasehttps://t.co/BGLrmJA0gI pic.twitter.com/tEakVFKV3p

— BBC Politics (@BBCPolitics) September 16, 2024

Watch the whole thing:

Here’s the text of her speech in full:

Also posted in Conference | Tagged 2024 autumn conference and daisy cooper | Leave a comment

WATCH: Wendy Chamberlain’s speech to Conference

By Caron Lindsay | Mon 16th September 2024 - 10:25 am

Wendy Chamberlain gave her keynote speech to Conference on Saturday. Enjoy:

Also posted in Conference | Tagged 2024 autumn conference and wendy chamberlain | Leave a comment

Monday at Conference: What’s on?

By The Voice | Mon 16th September 2024 - 7:30 am

Here’s Monday’s events in the main hall. We have keynote speeches from Daisy Cooper and Welsh Leader Jane Dodds, policy motions on bereavement support, supporting musicians, the Israel Gaza conflict, prisons and international development and a consultation session on the General Election Review.

You can find full details in the agenda here. Don’t forget about the Lib Dem Conf app too – available on your app store.

If, like me, you are stuck at home, you can watch all the main hall action live here.

09.00-09.45 F29 Policy motion: Fair Votes Now

09.45-11.05 F30 Consultative session: General Election Review

11.05-11.20 F31 Speech: Daisy …

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Well that was massive – Lib Dem parliamentarians join hundreds in show of solidarity for trans people

By Caron Lindsay | Sun 15th September 2024 - 10:15 pm

Following on from my post his morning about the show of solidarity with trans people planned for this lunchtime, this is how it went.

The event was attended by women and equalities spokesperson Christine Jardine MP, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton, Baroness Sal Brinton and former leader Jo Swinson as well as hundreds of Conference goers.

Adrian Hyyryylainen-Trett has some more fabulous photos on Twitter:

Great to be outside #LibDemConf with the longest #trans & #nonbinary banner with hundreds of delegates firmly stating our party support for #Transrights – well done @CharleyHasted @LGBTLD @caronmlindsay @SalBrinton @chalmersdavidn @cajardineMP pic.twitter.com/YLRtfylmne

— A.Hyyrylainen-Trett (They/Them) (@Juvelad) September 15, 2024

The event was reported in Pink News and LGBT+ Chair and LDV editorial team member Charley Hasted is quoted:

Hasted said that the demonstration was designed to demonstrate their support for trans people, particularly in the context of widespread anti-trans rhetoric across the UK, and that LGBT+ Lib Dems would use it as a jumping off point to campaign for “reform and guidance on the law on protected beliefs”.

They continued: “This isn’t just about trans people- there are thousands of protected beliefs including veganism, Scottish independence, anarchism and so on. If a charity, trade union or political party can’t include or exclude people based on their beliefs then how do we maintain the existence of those organisations?”

They continued: “This isn’t just about trans people- there are thousands of protected beliefs including veganism, Scottish independence, anarchism and so on. If a charity, trade union or political party can’t include or exclude people based on their beliefs then how do we maintain the existence of those organisations?”

“It’s our job to take the gesture and use it make a real difference. We have to do better. All of us,” they added.

It’s important to say that this was a display of solidarity for trans rights, but the people who were there also fight for women’s rights, racial equality and rights for disabled people. We all stand side by side and fight for each other’s rights. That’s how it should be. We don’t try and divide and rule.

At the Federal Board report session today, Party President Mark Pack was asked about the decision to allow the anti trans group to have a stall by another friend of LDV, Leon Duveen. This is his response:

11 Comments

Caling all trans allies in Brighton – show support at 1pm today

By Caron Lindsay | Sun 15th September 2024 - 10:58 am

Jude Parker spent two days this week sewing a huge trans Pride flag with the help of Douglas, her much loved sewing machine. It’s pretty massive 15 metres and weighs 4.5 kg. She carried it to Brighton along with the rest of the merch for the LGBT+ Lib Dems stall. It was a real labour of love in response to the blow of hearing that an anti trans group had been allowed to have a stall at Liberal Democrat conference.

This flag will be unfurled outside the Brighton Centre at 1pm today in a show of solidarity with trans people in our country and in our party. Everyone who supports trans rights is welcome to show support.

We are proud of our history as a party that has always stood up for LGBT+ rights, as we’ve stood up for women’s rights, for racial equality and human rights generally. It’s in our core. So what on earth are we thinking allowing in a group that does not align with our values?

This group have been wanting to have a stall for some years and we have turned them down. In fact, the Federal Conference Committee turned them down again for this Conference. Unfortunately, the legal advice the party sought was apparently clear that we could be liable for significant costs and damages if, as was considered likely, this group sued us. They seem to have the resources to do so, and, unfortunately, LGBT+ people in the party do not have access to such deep pockets. So, FCC was over-ruled and they were given a stall.

There is surely an issue around access to justice in all of this. If only the rich can take action which sets legal precedents, there is a clear power imbalance which should worry us.

Some would argue that the party should have said, as Harry Willcock famously did in 1950 when asked to show his ID card “We’re liberals and we’re against this sort of thing.”

I can definitely see the logic in that and a bit of me wishes we had the courage to stand up against an unfair and illiberal law, even if the sums involved in defending a legal action makes me, as a recovering state party treasurer, wince with pain. Even if you win your case, you rarely get all your costs back and it’s expensive and time consuming.

Our conference exhibition is our shop window to the world. A law which compels us to include people who do not share our values on the grounds that they have a “protected belief” seems ridiculous. As a political party, we surely should have the right to choose who sits in our shop window.

Also posted in Op-eds | Tagged 2024 autumn conference, featured and Trans Rights | 14 Comments

Ed Davey on Kuenssberg: We’ll be a better opposition than the Conservatives

By Caron Lindsay | Sun 15th September 2024 - 10:09 am

Ed Davey did his Conference interview with Laura Kuenssberg this morning. Speaking from the top of the Brighton Centre after arriving at the Conference by jet-ski yesterday, he was quizzed about whether we were going soft on Labour. Were we actually going to challenge them.

Ed was keen to point out that we already had on issues like the Winter Fuel Payment, and we’d do it more effectively than the official opposition.

We will challenge them when we disagree with them. We’ll be a better opposition than the Conservatives who are going further to the right

We are keeping people’s trust by talking about the issues they care about – the NHS and cost of living.

He said that the Government had already made mistakes on both of those things.

Being constructive means you have a different tone. You don’t do the yah-boo politics that people are sick of.

We are trying to put forward our own ideas.

Kuenssberg suggested that Labour don’t have to listen to us. Ed replied

You have to do opposition in a particular way to get heard. We’ll put forward ideas we championed at the election and our MPs will be champions for our constituents and we will get our voices heard.

Tagged ed davey, interviews, laura kuenssberg and media | Leave a comment

Sunday at Conference: What’s on?

By Caron Lindsay | Sun 15th September 2024 - 7:30 am

So what’s on at Conference today? You can find full details in the agenda here. Don’t forget about the Lib Dem Conf app too – available on your app store.

If, like me, you are stuck at home, you can watch all the main hall action live here.

One of the highlights is Ed’s question and answer session. He’s generally very good at these, better I would say than his big keynote speech.

There’s a keynote speech from Munira Wilson.

There are big policy debates on the NHS and national parks and a discussion on our policy in the future.

Here’s how the day unfolds:

09.00-09.30 F16 Policy motion: National Nature Parks

09.30-10.25 F17 Policy motion: Our Plan to Save The NHS< 10.25-11.05 F18 Topical issue discussion 11.05-11.20 F19 Speech: Munira Wilson MP Lunch break and fringe

Tagged 2024 autumn conference | Leave a comment

Breaking: that Lib Dem Disco set list

By Caron Lindsay | Sat 14th September 2024 - 10:28 pm

It’s nearly time for the Lib Dem Disco and, in accordance with tradition, we are publishing the set list.

Ed Davey dropped a fairly big hint at the rally tonight that he might put in an appearance. Could we hear Sweet Caroline? If so I am manifesting video.

UPDATE: I do not need to manifest after a wonderful friend Vita sent me this:

Sweet Caroline at Lib Dem Disci

Anyway, here are the DJ set lists. Good luck to them all.

David Chadwick MP:

Murder on the dancefloor, (Sophie-Ellis Bextor),
Blue Da Ba Dee (Eiffel 65, ft – Gabry Ponte)
Alors on danse, Stromae
El Merengue – Marshmello
Europopa – Joost.

DJ Smartie (Lisa Smart MP):

Don’t stop me now, Queen
Shake It Off, Taylor Swift
Crazy In Love, Beyonce
I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor, Arctic Monkeys
Mr Brightside, The Killers

Susan Murray MP:

Tagged 2024 autumn conference, david chadwick, ed davey, lib dem disco, lisa smart, steff aquarone and susan murray | Leave a comment

Saturday at Conference: What’s on?

By Caron Lindsay | Sat 14th September 2024 - 7:30 am

Lib Dems are gathering in Brighton and there’s a mood of optimism and celebration. Our spectacular General Election result has given us 74 reasons to be cheerful – 72 MPs, an adorable guide dog and the restoration of our third party status.

We have had to deal with a fair few lean years so we might be forgiven a bit of shameless gloating.

There will come a time when we have to make decisions about our strategy to deal with the new political environment. Conversations will take place in earnest in bars and fringe meetings. There is a feeling that we were very lucky. We managed to combine an upbeat campaign with a few key messages and we succeeded. We were a bit light on overall vision and that’s not going to be enough the next time round. We need to have answers that will work to prevent the country falling back into the grip of populists. We need to show our distinctive liberal colours and show ourselves as a credible alternative to populists, Conservatives and Labour.

So what’s on at Conference today? You can find full details in the agenda here. Don’t forget about the Lib Dem Conf app too – available on your app store.

If, like me, you are stuck at home, you can watch all the main hall action live here.

We don’t have to wait too long for the first of many chances to cheer a new MP. Alison Bennett, our MP for Mid Sussex opens Conference.

We have keynote speeches from Chief Whip Wendy Chamberlain, 9 years after she first joined the Party and 8 and a half years after her first Conference in York and from Cotswold District Council leader Joe Harris.

We start the day with a bit of Lib Dem procedural nerdery, changes to the reference back procedure to ensure that requests for references back must be submitted at the same time as amendments.

There are some good policy debates. The official organisation representing women in the party, Lib Dem Women, has submitted a motion on supporting women and anyone giving birth through pregnancy and the neonatal period. There are motions on supporting free movement of young people around Europe, liberalising the Sunday trading laws (they are already much more liberal up here in Scotland and the universe has not imploded), supporting disadvantaged children and consumer law.

After a day of debate, there’s all the razzle of the Conference rally. Plenty room for a bit of well earned self indulgent celebration there. If I were there, I’d probably spend it in the pub with my friends, though, and watch it back later.

Here is how the day unfolds:

Also posted in Conference | Tagged 2024 autumn conference, lib dem disco and what's on | 1 Comment

Liberator 425 is out for conference …

By The Liberator Collective | Thu 12th September 2024 - 12:01 pm

… and you can download it for free here.

With more Lib Dem MPs than ever we have four writing for Liberator about how they see their role and what the party should do next.

Come and see us on stall H8 at Brighton.

WHAT WE DO NOW
To build on the 2024 result, Liberal Democrats must show they are the real opposition party and can challenge Labour authoritarianism, says Paul Kohler.

SOCK IT TO ME
Sorting out a constituent’s socks shouldn’t be an MP’s work, but the deluge of emails to a new one shows a better induction is needed, says Marie Goldman.

HOW TO INSPIRE THE NEW DAWNS.
Calum Miller borrowed Dawn’s vote in July. Now he wants the Lib Dems to give the ‘Dawns’ positive reasons to support the party.

FACE UP TO LABOUR
There’s a moral case to fight Labour in its urban heartlands, says Rachel Bentley.

CULTURE SHOCK
Westminster’s adversarial culture can drive good people out of politics. Sarah Green looks to the large crop of new MPs to change that.

RACE AGAINST TIME
Six years after a report told the party how to campaign among ethnic minority communities little has happened. The Lib Dems will pay the price at the ballot box, warns Janice Turner.

CAN HARRIS DO IT?
Kamala Harris’s late entry into the US presidential race has spared her several dangerous moments and united a fractious party like never before, says Martha Elliott.

PUBLIC BAD OR PUBLIC GOOD?
The Tories thought growth came only from private firms. Does Labour think the same, asks William Tranby.

ACTION CALL AS BANKS VANISH
Financial exclusion is getting worse and needs an answer, says Claire Tyler.

40 YEARS ON
The Liberal Revue delivered 14 full performances and a ‘crucifixion’ from its 1984 start until 2008. Mark Smulian looks back at when satire took centre stage.

REINTERPRETING RAWLS
The American Liberal philosopher John Rawls may be little known but his ideas remain important. Simon Banks looks at a new book that seeks to put Rawls in a modern context.

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Maiden Speeches: Will Forster MP for Woking

By The Voice | Wed 11th September 2024 - 10:25 am

Our next maiden speech comes from Will Forster, the new Liberal Democrat MP for Woking who spoke in the Budget Responsibility Bill.

This text is below:

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Maiden Speeches: Marie Goldman MP for Chelmsford

By The Voice | Wed 11th September 2024 - 8:14 am

Marie Goldman, the new Lib Dem MP for Chelmsford, made her maiden speech in the debate on the Budget Responsiblity Bill.

The text is below:

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10 September 2024 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Tue 10th September 2024 - 10:50 pm

Winter Fuel vote: Cut will be deeply worrying to millions
589 people die from suspected drug death in first half of 2024
Alcohol deaths highest in 15 years
Cole-Hamilton: Supporting 168,000 Long Covid sufferers is vital economic investment
Rennie responds to Michael Matheson’s return to parliament
Rennie responds to Children’s Commissioner free school meals comments

Winter Fuel vote: Cut will be deeply worrying to millions

Responding to the vote to cut the Winter Fuel Payment, Liberal Democrat Work and Pensions Spokesperson Wendy Chamberlain MP said:

Millions of pensioners will be left deeply worried about how they will get by this winter with this cut to the Winter Fuel Payment. So many pensioners are already facing another winter of a cost of living crisis and this will make things worse.

The damage left by the Conservatives to our economy is unforgivable but cutting payments to vulnerable pensioners is no way to bring about the change the country deserves.

Liberal Democrat MPs proudly opposed the Government today and stood up for the many pensioners across the country who are now at risk of an even bigger winter cost of living crisis.

We’ll keep fighting this cut tooth and nail anyway we can, we’ll continue to be a constructive opposition to the new Government and we’re fighting for the real change people want to see.

589 people die from suspected drug death in first half of 2024

Responding to new figures published by the Scottish Government which show that 589 people died of a suspected drug death in the first six months of 2024, including 269 deaths between April and June, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP said:

This is nothing short of a national tragedy; my thoughts today are with all those who have lost someone from a drug death.

Scotland’s drug deaths crisis is worse than anywhere else in Europe. Despite deaths more than doubling over the last decade, the SNP government have chosen to freeze the funding for drug and alcohol policy, amounting to a real-terms cut to the budget for critical services.

When this issue comes before parliament later this week, I want to see ministers committing to fresh measures to stop people dying. This includes rolling out a full nationwide network of drug testing and safer consumption facilities- centres that are proven to keep people safe, prevent fatal overdoses and open up new pathways for treatment and recovery.

My party also wants to see a much stronger frontline response to synthetic opioids- including nitazenes, which are 50 times more powerful than heroin- through enhanced information, detection and treatment.

Also posted in Press releases and Scotland | Tagged alcoholism, Alex Cole-Hamilton, drug addiction, free school meals, long covid, snp, wendy chamberlain, willie rennie and winter fuel allowance | Leave a comment

Alistair, Layla and Jamie, our three new Select Committee Chairs

By The Voice | Tue 10th September 2024 - 8:03 pm

So the new Chairs of the three Lib Dem led House of Commons Select Committeeshave been announced They were all elected unopposed.

Alistair Carmichael will chair the Environment, Food and Rural Affaiirs Committee.

The Chair of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee is @amcarmichaelMP after being elected unopposed. pic.twitter.com/6ZqEFVMTmO

— EFRA Committee (@CommonsEFRA) September 9, 2024

Alistair said on his election:

I am honoured to be confirmed today as the Chair of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee. I look forward to meeting with the EFRA committee team in the coming days and indeed with the different organisations and experts with a role to play in this sector as we begin our work.

Whether on fishing, farming, water quality or pollution, there is no shortage of issues for the committee to tackle in the coming months. It will take some time for the remaining members of the committee to be appointed and our “to do” list is going to be lengthy, but I intend for us to hit the ground running.

Jamie Stone will head the Petitions Committee which holds debates on those Parliament e-petitions which get more than 100,000 signatures.

The Chair of the Petitions Committee is @Jamie4North after being elected unopposed. pic.twitter.com/sFcspte9zR

— Petitions Committee (@HoCpetitions) September 9, 2024

He said:

Tagged Alistair Carmichael, environment, food and rural affairs committee, health and social care committee, jamie stone, layla moran and petition committee | 2 Comments

Liberal Democrats to oppose winter fuel allowance cuts

By Mark Valladares | Mon 9th September 2024 - 11:55 pm

Winter Fuel Allowance: Over half of pensioners say they will heat their homes less this winter

Over half (55%) of UK pensioners polled say they will likely heat their homes less this winter due to the withdrawal of the Winter Fuel Payment, while four in ten (39%) say they will cut back on essentials.

Two-thirds (65%) say they will take cost-cutting measures due to the government’s announcement to withdraw the Winter Fuel Payment support. One in five (19%) say they will eat less this winter.

Liberal Democrats call on the Labour government to urgently rethink cuts that will affect around 11 million people

…

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Alistair Carmichael to stand to be Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee Chair

By Caron Lindsay | Sun 8th September 2024 - 8:30 pm

As we have previously reported, the Lib Dems have been allocated three Select Committees to chair in the new Parliament. Alistair Carmichael has announced that he is standing to chair the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee. He set out his priorities for role:

As the son of Islay hill farmers and having represented a rural constituency for 23 years, the issues on which the EFRA Select Committee works have always been close to my heart. For the Northern Isles and indeed for the entire country, the next few years are going to be critical in determining the future of our rural economy and rural communities, which is why I am standing for election as committee chair.

Being chair of a select committee does not give you the decision-making powers of a minister. Done properly, however, it can give you some influence in scrutinising the work of government and raising the profile of issues that matter to communities such as our own. In that way you can be a vehicle for change.

In a department where most of the incoming Labour ministerial team come from urban backgrounds, there is a danger that the needs and wishes of rural communities will not be properly understood. That is where a strong voice in Parliament with experience in these issues can make a noticeable difference.”

If elected as chair of the EFRA Select Committee, my priorities will be to:

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As a party we must be better defined for the 2029 general election (Chris Bowers)
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