Category Archives: News

Ed Davey on 7th October one year on: “We must stand with the Jewish community against hate and violence”

By The Voice | Mon 7th October 2024 - 8:45 am

Commenting on the one year anniversary of the 7th October terrorist attacks by Hamas in Israel, Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey said:

As we remember the terror and pain of October 7th, we must all come together and stand in solidarity against hate and violence. One year ago, we awoke to those horrifying scenes in Israel of Hamas’s brutal terrorist atrocities.

When I visited Israel and Palestine a few months ago, I saw for myself the destruction and devastation at the Kfar Aza kibbutz and the festival site in Re’im. I met Itzik, a father waiting for news of his

…

Also posted in Europe / International and Press releases | Tagged ed davey, israel and palestine | 15 Comments

5-6 October 2024 – the weekend press releases

By Mark Valladares | Sun 6th October 2024 - 10:30 pm

Children with developmental concerns almost doubles
McArthur launches probe into proposed use of live facial recognition tech
New survey lays bare crisis in social care

Children with developmental concerns almost doubles

Scottish Liberal Democrat communities spokesperson Willie Rennie MSP has today urged the SNP government to do far more to support children from poorer backgrounds, as new figures revealed that the percentage of children with developmental concerns has almost doubled since 2019.

Child health reviews are offered to all children in Scotland. These reviews refer to assessments of a child’s development at 13-15 months, 27-30 months and 4-5 years.

The figures from Public Health Scotland published this week show:

Of those children who received a 4-5 year review, the percentage with developmental concerns increased from 11.87% in 2019 to 17.71% in 2024.
16.68% of children who received a 27-30 month review (1,915 children) had a concern noted about at least one area of their development;
There were high numbers of children who had a concern noted in the following areas: gross motor, speech, language and communication and emotional and behavioural;
11.53% of children who received a 27-30 month review had a new or previous concern recorded for speech, language and communication, while 8.1% of children who received a 13-15 month review had a new or previous concern recorded for gross motor.

Mr Rennie said:

Scotland’s children should be growing up in the best environment, but on the SNP’s watch far too many are showing developmental concerns.

The pandemic was incredibly challenging for parents and children. Rather than invest to support families, SNP ministers have fallen short.

The government must put in place extra support for all those children who have had a developmental concern noted. I want to see ministers doing everything in their power to ensure that issues are identified and addressed as early as possible so that every child can flourish, no matter their background or circumstance.

McArthur launches probe into proposed use of live facial recognition tech

Scottish Liberal Democrat justice spokesperson Liam McArthur has filed 40 parliamentary questions on Police Scotland’s proposed use of live facial recognition as he bids to force the Scottish Government to explain how the measures are compatible with equalities and civil liberties concerns.

Also posted in Press releases and Scotland | Tagged Alex Cole-Hamilton, children's services, facial recognition cameras, liam mcarthur, social care and willie rennie | Leave a comment

3 October 2024 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Thu 3rd October 2024 - 11:58 pm

Record high numbers living in temporary accommodation as Lib Dems call on govt to end homelessness this Parliament
Ed Davey calls for boost for unpaid carers as figures show one in four not in work
Cole-Hamilton pens letter to former Conservative voters urging them to abandon party
1 in 9 Scots report mental health condition
627,700 unpaid carers in Scotland
Cole-Hamilton comments on further Creative Scotland funding delay

Record high numbers living in temporary accommodation as Lib Dems call on govt to end homelessness this Parliament

The number of families living in temporary accommodation has reached a record high, the latest homelessness statistics have revealed, while there has been a 14.2% rise in rough sleeping.

The number of households reported in temporary accommodation reached 117,450 in March 2024 – the highest figure since these records began in 1998. This includes a 14.7% rise in the number of households with children living in temporary accommodation taking the total to 74,530.

There were also large increases last year in the number of households owed homelessness support by their local authority. Local authorities made 94,280 main homelessness duty decisions in 2023-24 – up by 25.1% on 2022-23.

The Liberal Democrats are calling on the government to publish a cross-Whitehall plan to end all forms of homelessness within this Parliament. The party said that the plans should include more support for councils to tackle the shocking rise in the number of people in temporary accommodation.

Responding to the latest figures, Liberal Democrat Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesperson, Vikki Slade MP said:

It is heartbreaking to think that so many families and children will be on the streets or without a place to call home this winter.

For years, the previous Conservative government chose to ignore the thousands that are rough sleeping and broke their promise to ban no fault evictions.

The new government must address this awful situation as a matter of urgency and that starts by publishing a cross-Whitehall plan to end all forms of homelessness within this Parliament.

This strategy must include more support for councils to tackle the shocking rise in families using temporary accommodation. No longer should we see people forced to sleep rough and unable to access the support they need.

Ed Davey calls for boost for unpaid carers as figures show one in four not in work

Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey will call on the government to boost support for unpaid carers, on a visit to a charity that supports children and young adults with Down syndrome and those who care for them.

It comes as House of Commons Library research commissioned by the Liberal Democrats has revealed unpaid carers are a sixth less likely to be employed, with one in four classed as ‘economically inactive’.

The data reveals that just 50% of ‘adult informal carers’ were in employment compared to 60% of all adults, making them a sixth less likely to be employed. Disturbingly, the data also showed that informal carers were a third more likely to be ‘permanently sick/disabled’ than the rest of the population, with almost one in 10 unpaid carers classified to be so.

Also posted in Press releases and Scotland | Tagged Alex Cole-Hamilton, conservative voters, creative industries, ed davey, homelessness, mental health, unpaid carers, vikki slade and wendy chamberlain | 2 Comments

2 October 2024 – yesterday’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Thu 3rd October 2024 - 7:30 am

Conservative leadership: To call this contest scraping the bottom of the barrel would be an insult to barrels
Davey: New Govt must make repairing our broken relationship with Europe a priority
Welsh Government urged to adopt successful family court model – Substance use among parents dropped by over a quarter
McArthur comments on prisoner early release figures

Conservative leadership: To call this contest scraping the bottom of the barrel would be an insult to barrels

Responding to the speeches made by the four Conservative leadership candidates at their party’s conference today, Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader Daisy Cooper MP said:

To call this contest scraping the bottom of the barrel would be an insult to barrels. Every day this leadership contest goes on reminds the public why they voted to kick the Conservatives out of office.

The leadership candidates are competing in an undignified race to the bottom, suggesting maternity pay should be slashed, civil servants should go to prison and insulting the armed forces. All four of them are failed former Conservative ministers, refusing to take responsibility for their appalling record in government.

Davey: New Govt must make repairing our broken relationship with Europe a priority

Responding to Keir Starmer’s meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey MP said:

After years of Conservative failure, this new Government must make repairing our broken relationship with Europe a priority. That starts with a common sense agreement on a Youth Mobility Scheme between the EU and the UK.

For years, Conservative Ministers not only ignored our closest neighbours but treated them with contempt.

The Conservatives’ shoddy deal with the EU has harmed farmers, fishers and small businesses across the country. It’s time to tear down the red tape erected by the former Conservative Government and give a boost to Britain’s economy, by working closely with our European allies once again.

Also posted in Press releases, Scotland and Wales | Tagged conservative leadership, daisy cooper, ed davey, europe, liam mcarthur and prison release | Leave a comment

1 October 2024 – yesterday’s press releases (part 2)

By Mark Valladares | Wed 2nd October 2024 - 11:45 pm

Veterans facing homelessness reaches five-year high
Record high levels of people stuck in hospital
August A&E waiting times the worst on record for the month
Operations activity still well down on pre-pandemic levels
Cole-Hamilton comments on NHS dental deregistration in Dumfries & Galloway

Veterans facing homelessness reaches five-year high

Commenting on the news that in 2023/24 there were 935 homeless applications which included veterans, the highest figure since 2018/19, Scottish Liberal Democrat Veterans Spokesperson Bruce Wilson said:

Our veterans have dedicated their lives to public service and duty, putting themselves in harm’s way to do so. The fact that so many of them face homelessness is an utter disgrace.

No meaningful action has been taken to improve the transition to civilian life for veterans. Instead, service members have relied heavily on the charitable sector, struggling for funding.

The SNP have taken an axe to the housing budget and slashed funding for councils. They’ve completely failed to build the thousands of homes promised for social rent.

Scottish Liberal Democrats would support our veterans, treating them with the dignity and respect they deserve. That’s why we would drastically improve the standard of Ministry of Defence housing and waive application fees for indefinite leave for members of the armed forces on discharge. We would build more homes, bring thousands of empty homes back into use and re-establish social rent as a valid, long-term option.

Record high levels of people stuck in hospital

Responding to new Public Health Scotland figures which showed 2,009 people were stuck in hospital in August due to their discharge being delayed, the highest number of people delayed since the guidelines were updated in 2016, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP said:

Also posted in Press releases and Scotland | Tagged Alex Cole-Hamilton, bruce wilson, homelessness, NHS dentistry, nhs operations, nhs waiting times, social care and veterans | 1 Comment

1 October 2024 – yesterday’s press releases (part 1)

By Mark Valladares | Wed 2nd October 2024 - 10:15 pm

Energy price rise: “crushing blow” to pensioners worried about having to choose between heating and eating
New poll shows 1 in 4 Brits have avoided calling an ambulance over fears it would take too long to arrive
Rennie responds to Accounts Commission Report
McArthur responds to Scottish Government evidence submission on assisted dying

Energy price rise: “crushing blow” to pensioners worried about having to choose between heating and eating

Responding to the Ofgem energy price cap rise of 10% from £1,568 to £1,717 coming into effect today as Winter Fuel Payments worth between £200 and £300 are being cut for the vast majority of pensioners, Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesperson, Daisy Cooper MP said:

Today’s price rise will be a crushing blow to all those pensioners who are wondering how they will get through the coming months without having to choose between heating and eating following the Winter Fuel Payment cuts.

The Conservative Party proved themselves utterly unfit to govern and we recognise that the new government must clear up their mess, but to cut Winter Fuel Payments for vulnerable pensioners in the midst of a cost of living crisis with energy bills rising sharply again, is the wrong thing to do.

That is why the Liberal Democrats have opposed these cuts every step of the way and will continue to do so until the government brings forward a fairer plan.

It is not too late for the government to think again and ensure vulnerable pensioners get the support they need.

New poll shows 1 in 4 Brits have avoided calling an ambulance over fears it would take too long to arrive

One in four (25%) Brits who needed to visit A&E but did not call for an ambulance called for a taxi, one in five (18%) walked to A&E and 17% chose to stay at home rather than get the treatment they needed

Half of Brits worried they will face a 12-hour wait in A&E if NHS hit by another winter crisis

Also posted in Press releases and Scotland | Tagged assisted dying bill, daisy cooper, ed davey, liam mcarthur, local government funding, nhs waiting times, willie rennie and winter fuel payment | Leave a comment

Lib Dem MPs comment on Middle East escalation

By The Voice | Wed 2nd October 2024 - 9:22 am

If any of us aren’t pretty scared and worried by what is going on in the Middle East, we probably should be.

Lib Dem MPs have been reacting to events as Israel steps up its actions against Hezbollah in Lebanon and Iran attacks Israel.

And all of this, at the heart, are people facing a humanitarian disaster, living in the most appalling conditions without food or shelter.

On Twitter this morning, Layla Moran said:

All my life my grandparents warned that if we didn’t achieve peace in Palestine it would risk wider war. With Iran’s actions overnight it seems we are inching closer to chaos rather than closure. I am so scared for my family and the future of the region. I pray I’m wrong to be.

On Iran’s attacks, Ed Davey said:

Liberal Democrats totally condemn Iran’s attacks on Israel. My thoughts are with all innocent civilians – in Israel and across the region – who are sheltering tonight.

The UK Government must do all it can to bring the region back from the brink of all out war, working closely with our allies. Too many innocent civilians have already been killed.

We must keep our focus on securing a lasting peace and a two state solution. Only diplomacy can deliver the security across the region that people so desperately need with the hostages home to their families and an end to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

On Monday, Calum Miller, our new Foreign Affairs spokesperson wrote to Foreign Secretary David Lammy about the deepening crisis:

He said:

We must pursue the conditions for peace despite the bleak outlook. I’ll continue to urge the Government to adopt the proposals made by Liberal Democrats at our conference earlier this month.

I have written to For Sec @DavidLammy about the deepening conflict in the Middle East.

We must pursue the conditions for peace despite the bleak outlook. I'll continue to urge the Government to adopt the proposals made by Liberal Democrats at our conference earlier this month. pic.twitter.com/tkiNVHFDS1

— Calum Miller (@CalumMillerLD) September 30, 2024

Tagged international, iran, israel, middle east and palestine | Leave a comment

Not all politicians are the same

By Mark Morris | Tue 1st October 2024 - 1:12 pm

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Almost 44 years ago the 39th US President left the White House.

Quite incredibly that President is still alive and today he celebrates a very special birthday.

Yes, today is the 100th birthday of Jimmy Carter.

As a President it must be said he faced many formidable challenges, including an energy crisis, high levels of inflation and the Iran hostage crisis. Yet, just because he was a one term President it would be a mistake to overlook some important achievements.

In 1977, Carter brokered two US treaties with Panama. The next year he presided over a round of meetings between Egypt’s President Anwar el-Sadat and Israel’s Prime Minister Menachem Begin at Camp David. The outcome was the Camp David Accords which ended the state of war between the two nations that had existed since 1948.

Jimmy Carter was also ahead of his time in recognising the importance of renewable energy and as a practical example ensured solar panels were installed at the White House. And along with his wife Rosalynn he was a pioneer in advancing mental health.

Since 1981 Jimmy Carter could have made a personal fortune from corporate work and after dinner speeches. Instead, he and his wife chose a very different path.

After leaving the White House Jimmy Carter established a career as a diplomat, humanitarian and author, pursuing conflict resolution in countries around the globe. This article simply doesn’t have the space to provide the full list of countries that President Carter and the Carter Center have undertaken conflict mediation in – but do take a look at the Carter Center website to obtain just a glimpse of is incredible work. Its work has also extended to fighting disease, leading the international campaign to eradicate Guinea worm disease, with the bold ambition that it becomes the second human disease in history, after smallpox, to be eradicated. That ambition is tantalising close to being reached.

Tagged featured, jimmy carter and us | 4 Comments

Happy 100th birthday to Jimmy Carter

By Paul Walter | Tue 1st October 2024 - 9:30 am

Embed from Getty Images

Tagged president jimmy carter | 2 Comments

Former Scottish Lib Dem Press Officer Neil Mackinnon dies suddenly

By Caron Lindsay | Mon 30th September 2024 - 11:58 pm

I am so incredibly sad tonight.

I woke up from a nap this afternoon to see the dreadful news that Neil Mackinnon, our first Press Officer in the Scottish Parliament, had died suddenly and unexpectedly.

I know that many of our Scottish readers will share my shock and sadness.

When I first came back to Scotland 24 years ago, Neil was one of the first people I got to know. He had a really funny dry wit and he was one of the wisest liberals. He was very good at sitting me down and trying to talk me round to the establishment position and sometimes he even managed it. I’ll never forget the raising of his eyebrow when I did something he disapproved of – and the twinkle in his eye that gave away that he wasn’t really that mad.

He stopped working for the party about 15 years ago and went off to work for the Edinburgh Fringe and then the UK Government in various guises but he was still a supporter and constructively critical friend of the party. He could phone canvass like a demon, too.

There is something going on in my life at the moment that I know he would have liked and I had been meaning to message him to tell him. Lesson for today is when you have the thought to contact someone, just bloody do it there and then.

Alongside Neil in the Scottish Parliament worked a young Alex Cole-Hamilton. He paid tribute to Neil tonight. Here’s the press release in full:

The Scottish Liberal Democrats regret to report that our friend and former colleague Neil Mackinnon has died suddenly and unexpectedly.

Neil worked for the Scottish Liberal Democrats in the press office for the period from before the establishment of the Scottish Parliament in 1999 until 2009. After leaving Holyrood he went on to enjoy a career with the Edinburgh Fringe, and then as a project manager first with HMRC and then the UK Government.

Neil was a familiar figure to those working in Scottish politics, especially at Holyrood and will be sorely missed.

He died last week suddenly and unexpectedly. Formal legal processes still need to be undertaken before any further news or announcements can be made.

The leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP said:

“Neil was a fierce defender of liberalism and he was our friend. An important voice in the early days of the Scottish Parliament, Neil was liked immensely across the political spectrum and throughout the press pack.

Tagged Alex Cole-Hamilton, neil mackinnon and scottish liberal democrats | 2 Comments

30 September 2024 – today’s press releases

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

Truss: Conservative Leadership contenders must pledge to strip her of £115,000 allowance
Scotland’s trains are ‘erratic and expensive’ under the SNP
Rennie responds to MUP rise
Scot Lib Dems respond to Truss leadership claims

Truss: Conservative Leadership contenders must pledge to strip her of £115,000 allowance

Responding to Liz Truss’s appearance at Conservative Party Conference, Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader Daisy Cooper MP said:

Liz Truss’s failure to recognise the economic vandalism that she oversaw is a kick in the teeth to all those who endured their mortgage rates spiralling and were worried about losing their homes as a result of her disastrous policies.

It’s outrageous that instead of calling out the damage that she did, the Conservative Party actually allowed her to stand as one of their candidates at the General Election.

Every Conservative Party Leadership candidate must condemn Truss’s terrible record and pledge that they would strip her of her ex-PM allowance of up to £115,000 a year.

Scotland’s trains are ‘erratic and expensive’ under the SNP

Scottish Liberal Democrats have highlighted their plans to make Scotland’s rail services cheap, reliable and frequent as the SNP bring back peak fares today (Monday 30th September), with passengers now being hit by higher ticket prices and a reduced timetable.

In August, the SNP government announced that it would reintroduce peak rail fares, meaning that the price of the top ticket between Glasgow and Edinburgh has now risen by 8.6% to £31.40.

This hike comes as ScotRail continue to operate a temporary timetable with far fewer trains available. In total, about 600 services were slashed from the ScotRail timetable, with only around 50% of services running on Sundays.

Also posted in Press releases and Scotland | Tagged daisy cooper, daniel o'malley, liz truss, minimum alcohol pricing, railways and willie rennie | Leave a comment

28-29 September 2024 – the weekend’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Sun 29th September 2024 - 10:00 pm

Conservative Leadership Race: Candidates have spent years defending the indefensible
Badenoch’s maternity pay comment: Another example of Tory sleaze and scandal
Cole-Hamilton addresses King at 25 years of the Scottish Parliament event

Conservative Leadership Race: Candidates have spent years defending the indefensible

Commenting after the four Conservative leadership candidates spoke with Trevor Phillips, ahead of the Conservative Party Conference, Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader Daisy Cooper MP said:

As James Cleverly said himself, people wanted the Conservatives out of Government and this dire set of candidates has made it crystal clear why.

From the Conservative’s Partygate and PPE scandals to their disastrous mini budget, every one of the Conservative’s leadership candidates has spent years defending the indefensible.

The British people have had enough of Conservative sleaze and scandal. They’ve had enough of seeing their health services and economy trashed. And that’s why so many former life-long Conservative voters backed the Liberal Democrats at the last election.

People want urgent action to fix the health and care crisis not Conservative leadership candidates sniping from the sidelines. That’s why Liberal Democrats are calling for a Budget to Save the NHS and Care and working day in day out to be the constructive opposition the country needs and deserves.

Badenoch’s maternity pay comment: Another example of Tory sleaze and scandal

After Kemi Badenoch’s comments on maternity pay earlier today, Liberal Democrat Women and Equalities Spokesperson Christine Jardine MP said:

It is this kind of out touch comment that shows yet again why the Conservatives got trounced at the last election.

The Conservative Party should focus also on championing policies that support British families, rather than the constant Tory sleaze and scandal we’ve become all too familiar with.

The Liberal Democrats’ proposals would give new parents the choice and flexibility they need, including boosting statutory pay for new parents, and a new ‘dad month’ to help more fathers take time off work to be with their new baby during the first year.

Cole-Hamilton addresses King at 25 years of the Scottish Parliament event

Speaking as he addressed Their Majesties The King and Queen to mark 25 years since the opening of the Scottish Parliament, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP said:

Also posted in Press releases and Scotland | Tagged Alex Cole-Hamilton, christine jardine, conservative leadership, daisy cooper and scottish parliament | 1 Comment

Scottish Lib Dems celebrate TWO by-election wins

By Caron Lindsay | Sat 28th September 2024 - 7:55 am

Back in the day, before even blackberries were invented, the more tech savvy MPs were issued with these palm pilot things so they could get their emails on the move.

When I worked for him, Willie Rennie would spend Friday afternoons constantly checking his waiting for the ALDC email with all the local government by-elections in it. He used to get so excited, like a child who’s been told he can go to the sweetie shop after school and spend all his pocket money.

These days, you don’t have to wait for the email to come out. The results start rolling in on ALDC’s Twitter feed from midnight on Thursday onwards. Yesterday was Willie’s birthday and the Scottish Party delivered him not one but two new councillors.

The first result from Strathallan in Perth and Kinross came in just after midnight. New Councillor Alan Watt had taken a seat from the Tories. The local team had been running a pretty joyous campaign. Not the best start to what would become Russell Findlay’s first day as Scottish Conservative leader.

Of Alan’s win, Alex said:

I am absolutely thrilled to see Scottish Liberal Democrats scoring an amazing by-election victory against the Conservatives in their heartlands of rural Perthshire. Alan is going to make a fantastic councillor, standing up for the people of Strathallan and championing the issues that matter to them.

This brilliant result comes hot on the heels of our party overtaking the Scottish Conservatives at the last general election. I am meeting more and more people who once voted for the Scottish Conservatives but feel disenchanted with the party as it lurches towards ever-greater extremes.

People across Scotland are crying out for a change to the SNP, but it’s clear the Conservatives can’t deliver that. That’s why more and more people are turning to the Liberal Democrats to get the fresh start we desperately need.

By backing the Scottish Liberal Democrats, you will get hard-working local champions who will put your priorities first. Only we have a plan to bring down NHS waiting lists, get a fair deal for carers, help struggling pensioners, lift up Scottish education and grow the economy.

Alan Watt added:

I am delighted to have been elected as the Liberal Democrat councillor for Strathallan, and I want to thank everyone who came out to help me deliver our positive message.

Across the ward, people are doing really great things for our community, so this is a chance to work well and ensure we can get the best outcomes for the people of Strathallan.

I want people to see that by backing the Liberal Democrats, you get someone who’ll fight for you and put the issues that matter at the very top of the agenda.

Tagged local government by-elections | Leave a comment

ALDC by-election report, 26th September

By Charles Quinn | Fri 27th September 2024 - 8:08 pm

There were 12 principal council by-elections this week (2 on Tuesday and 10 on Thursday) and it has been another very successful week for Lib Dem candidates. We registered yet another gain (this time from the Conservatives) as well as several holds and some very impressive second places.

For the second week in a row the results were tumultuous with many seats changing hands. But the 4 Lib Dem victories put us joint first with the Conservatives overall.

Our gain came on Perth and Kinross Council in Strathallan ward where Councillor Alan Watt took the Lib Dems from third place last time to gaining from the Conservatives on the fifth round of counting. Congratulations to Alan and the team in Perth on a great gain.

Perth and Kinross, Strathallan (first preference results, Lib Dems elected at stage 5)
Conservative: 1045 (32.1%, -14.5%)
Liberal Democrats (Alan Watt): 978 (30%, +18.6%)
SNP: 568 (17.4%, -17.6%)
Labour: 366 (11.2%, new)
Reform UK: 194 (6%, new)
Green Party: 107 (3.3%, -3.7%)

There was another by-election on Perth and Kinross council, this time in Perth City North ward. Thank you to Tina Ng-A-Mann for standing here for us and increasing the Lib Dem vote share. The SNP gained the seat from Labour.

Perth and Kinross, Perth City North (first preference results, SNP elected at stage 6)
SNP: 917 (44.7%, -10.5%)
Labour: 313 (15.3%, -0.1%)
Conservative: 296 (14.4%, -5.1%)
Reform: 209 (10.2%, new)
ALBA: 133 (6.5%, +4.3)
Liberal Democrats (Tina Ng-A-Mann): 95 (4.6%, +0.4)
Green Party: 87 (4.2%, +0.8)

There were two by-elections on Luton BC on Thursday, in Wigmore and Barnfield ward. Both were Lib Dem defences, and we successfully held both seats.

Tagged aldc local government by-elections | 7 Comments

26 September 2024 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Thu 26th September 2024 - 10:30 pm

Better pay needed to resolve recruitment crisis in care
Cole-Hamilton responds to Eye Pavilion statement

Better pay needed to resolve recruitment crisis in care

Almost half of leaving care workers cite pay as key factor as Welsh Lib Dems call for creation of carers wage

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have proposed the creation of a new carers wage in Wales, to help resolve the current recruitment crisis amongst care workers.
Speaking in the Senedd on Tuesday, Welsh Lib Dem leader Jane Dodds urged the Welsh Government to adopt proposals which would see care workers receive a £2 an hour pay increase on top of the …

Also posted in Press releases, Scotland and Wales | Tagged Alex Cole-Hamilton, care workers, jane dodds and nhs buildings | Leave a comment

Maiden speech: Charlie Maynard MP for Witney

By Caron Lindsay | Thu 26th September 2024 - 8:52 am

Charlie Maynard, our new MP for Witney, made his maiden speech on 9 September in a debate on Syria.

The text is below:

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25 September 2024 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Wed 25th September 2024 - 11:55 pm

Lib Dems call for any fiscal rule changes to be used to build new hospitals amid under-threat projects
Prison release error: Shocking news which needs “immediate action”
McArthur reveals scale of prison self-harm as he marks 1,000 days since suicide strategy expired

Lib Dems call for any fiscal rule changes to be used to build new hospitals amid under-threat projects

The Liberal Democrats have written to the Health Secretary ahead of his speech at Labour Conference today calling on the government to use any changes to the fiscal rules which are reported to be being made at the Budget to be used to invest in the NHS and complete the building of the previously promised 40 new hospitals.

In the letter from the Party’s Health and Social Care spokesperson, Helen Morgan she said that the “Conservatives were not honest with the public” in their failure to deliver these schemes but that “patients across the country will now be extremely concerned” that the Health Secretary looks set to cancel many of these new hospitals.

Helen Morgan also said that continuing the projects was “imperative” not only to improve patients care but also for boosting growth with infrastructure spending on major construction projects and that by not fixing the NHS you could not fix the economy.

She went on to say that the changes to the fiscal rules at the Budget, as mentioned in the Chancellor’s speech should “pave the way for the investment we desperately need in our hospitals” to improve patient care and boost growth.

Also posted in Press releases and Scotland | Tagged helen morgan, josh babarinde, liam mcarthur, nhs investment, prison release and self-harm | 5 Comments

24 September 2024 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Tue 24th September 2024 - 11:50 pm

Winter Fuel Payments: Hundreds of thousands more pensioners set to lose out
NHS Scotland Stop Smoking Services fall short of target
Cole-Hamilton challenges Health Secretary to tackle cancer crisis
Worst ever homelessness figures on the SNP’s watch
Jardine responds to GB Energy Aberdeen announcement
Cole-Hamilton demands action on Highlands care home closures
Just 3.2% of acid attacks in London have resulted in charge this year

Winter Fuel Payments: Hundreds of thousands more pensioners set to lose out

Responding to the latest Winter Fuel Payment statistics showing that there was a 214,000 increase in the number of recipients of the payments in the winter of 2023/24 compared to the previous year, Liberal Democrat Work and Pensions spokesperson Steve Darling MP said:

Hundreds of thousands more pensioners are now set to lose out on these desperately needed payments that protect so many from having to choose between heating and eating.

Cutting these payments for pensioners, which include millions who are just scraping by and are now worried about how they will get through the winter, is totally wrong.

It is not too late for this new government to change course and Liberal Democrat MPs will push them every step of the way to reverse these cuts and protect vulnerable pensioners this winter.

NHS Scotland Stop Smoking Services fall short of target

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader and health spokesperson Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP has warned that efforts to deliver a smoke-free Scotland are falling short as new figures released today showed that NHS Scotland Stop Smoking services only achieved 74% of their target for helping people to stop smoking.

The new figures also reveal that only Western Isles and Dumfries & Galloway met their yearly targets. NHS Shetland and NHS Borders achieved less than 50% of their yearly targets, with Lothian, Lanarkshire and fife also performing poorly.

Also posted in London, Press releases and Scotland | Tagged acid attacks, Alex Cole-Hamilton, Angus MacDonald, cancer care, care homes, christine jardine, gareth roberts, GB energy, homelessness, paul mcgarry, smoking, steve darling and winter fuel payment | Leave a comment

Podcast catch-up: Nick Clegg talks with Campbell and Stewart

By Paul Walter | Tue 24th September 2024 - 8:55 am

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Just in case you haven’t listened to this (and apologies from me – I am rather slow on the uptake here), in July Nick Clegg sat down with Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart for their “Leading” Podcast series:

Part 1 is entitled “Nick Clegg: Coalition, Cameron and Chaos”. (Link is the Podcast on Apple Podcasts)

Part 2 is called “Nick Clegg: Biden, Brexit, and kicking Trump off Facebook“.

Tagged nick clegg | 1 Comment

23 September 2024 – today’s press release

By Mark Valladares | Mon 23rd September 2024 - 10:30 pm

Cole-Hamilton calls for statement on eye hospital closure

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader, health spokesperson and MSP for Edinburgh Western Alex Cole-Hamilton has today called for the Scottish Government to deliver a statement in the Scottish Parliament on the closure of the Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion.

It was announced last week that the Eye Pavilion, which provides ophthalmic care across Edinburgh and the Lothians, will close temporarily from Monday 28th October for six months while works on the plumbing system are carried out.

Campaigners including Mr Cole-Hamilton have long pushed for a replacement for the 55 year old Eye Pavilion building. However this replacement …

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21-22 September 2024 – the weekend’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Sun 22nd September 2024 - 10:30 pm

McArthur: SNP must confirm that they won’t dump another climate target
More than 400 solicitors withdrawing from legal aid schemes in just 3 years

McArthur: SNP must confirm that they won’t dump another climate target

Scottish Liberal Democrat climate spokesperson Liam McArthur has called on the SNP government to confirm that they will not dump their target to decarbonise the passenger rail network by 2035 after the Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero failed to mention this deadline during an exchange in parliament.

Speaking in the Scottish Parliament earlier this week, Mr McArthur asked Gillian Martin, Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy, if she …

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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

…

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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.

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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

Op-eds

Observations of an Expat: Gaza Sceptic (Tom Arms)
The Social Liberal Forum, a strategy for relevant liberalism (Roger Hayes and John Shreeve)
We need to send a message “We hear you” on illegal immigration (Oliver Jacques)
Why Andy Burnham would be foolish to turn his back on London (Sarah Olney)
From Britain’s Mandate to Gaza’s Board of Peace: when others decide Palestine’s future, Palestinians pay the price (Jonathan Brown)

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Vince Cable writes: The rebirth of council housing

An early win for affordable housing – now let councils build

William Wallace writes: The case for higher taxes

ALDC’s By-Election Report 09.07.26

Category Archives: News

Ed Davey on 7th October one year on: “We must stand with the Jewish community against hate and violence”

3 October 2024 – today’s press releases

2 October 2024 – yesterday’s press releases

1 October 2024 – yesterday’s press releases (part 1)

Lib Dem MPs comment on Middle East escalation

Not all politicians are the same

Happy 100th birthday to Jimmy Carter

Former Scottish Lib Dem Press Officer Neil Mackinnon dies suddenly

30 September 2024 – today’s press releases

28-29 September 2024 – the weekend’s press releases

Scottish Lib Dems celebrate TWO by-election wins

ALDC by-election report, 26th September

26 September 2024 – today’s press releases

Maiden speech: Charlie Maynard MP for Witney

25 September 2024 – today’s press releases

24 September 2024 – today’s press releases

Podcast catch-up: Nick Clegg talks with Campbell and Stewart

23 September 2024 – today’s press release

21-22 September 2024 – the weekend’s press releases

Lindsay Northover launches bid for Palestinian recognition

WATCH: Conference fringe on Falkland Islands