Category Archives: News

Lib Dems welcome suspension of some arms sales to Israel

By The Voice | Tue 3rd September 2024 - 9:24 am

Yesterday foreign secretary David Lammy announced a partial suspension of arms sales to Israel.

Our foreign affairs spokesperson Layla Moran welcomed the move but said it was overdue:

This action should have been taken long ago by the previous government, who failed to take any leadership on the matter. Liberal Democrats welcome this announcement as a step forward from the government.

Liberal Democrat MPs will now carefully scrutinise the details of the Foreign Secretary’s announcement, including those export licences which the Government has not suspended. We are concerned that the decision is made solely on risk of use in Gaza and not the West Bank.

Every day seems to bring new dreadful scenes from the region, and the UK must be doing everything that it can to ensure that an immediate bilateral ceasefire is secured – to put an end to the humanitarian devastation in Gaza, ensure the hostages are brought home, and open the door to a two-state solution.

Lib Dem MP Alistair Carmichael also welcomed David Lammy ‘s announcement but said that the Government needs to go further to drive peace talks to end the violence in Gaza and elsewhere in the Middle East.

Alistair said:

Rt Hon Jennie has a new official Twitter account AND she’s been on Sky News

By Caron Lindsay | Tue 3rd September 2024 - 8:13 am

Photo shows off duty guide dog Jennie having a cuddle with our editor at last year’s Social Liberal Forum dinner.

Parliament is back and we will be bringing you news of what our 72 Lib Dem MPs are getting up to. Seventeen of our new intake made their maiden speeches in the few days the House of Commons was sitting before recess started at the end of July so that means we have forty to go.

We will also be covering the activities of the most lovable member of our Parliamentary team, Jennie. The golden retriever is the guide dog of our new MP for Torbay, Steve Darling.

Just after the election, someone set up a Twitter account in her name which quickly amassed over 18,000 followers.

Now Jennie’s adoring team has set up an official account which will be updated on a regular basis.

Tagged featured and rt hon jennie | 4 Comments

31 August & 1 September 2024 – the weekend’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Sun 1st September 2024 - 10:30 pm

Lib Dems call for vote on Winter Fuel Allowance cut this week to avoid ‘damaging public trust’
DIY A&E: Scots treat their wounds and make slings over fear of hospital waits
Sharp rise in 999 callers making their own way to hospital
Cole-Hamilton responds to Swinney conference speech

Lib Dems call for vote on Winter Fuel Allowance cut this week to avoid ‘damaging public trust’

Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader Daisy Cooper has written to Rt Hon Lucy Powell MP, the Leader of the House of Commons, demanding that MPs be given a vote this week on the government’s proposed cuts to the Winter Fuel Allowance for millions of pensioners.

In her letter, Daisy Cooper warns that failing to hold a debate and vote on the issue would risk “damaging public trust in politics” especially given the policy wasn’t included in the Labour manifesto at the election and is now set to go through with “minimal parliamentary scrutiny.”

The letter adds that there are just two weeks to go to protect pensioners from the cut before it comes into force on 16th September.

The Liberal Democrats will tomorrow table a motion backed by all 72 of its MPs to block the government’s proposals through a debate and vote in Parliament.

Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader, Daisy Cooper MP said:

Over the past few weeks we have heard from countless pensioners worried about whether they’ll be able to heat their homes this winter.

To push these cuts through without any other measures to mitigate the impact on millions of poorer pensioners, and with minimal parliamentary scrutiny, risks damaging the public’s trust in politics and putting the most vulnerable at risk.

We all appreciate the damage that the Conservative Party did to the public finances and the size of the challenges in front of us, but this is a step in the wrong direction and the proposed cuts must be scrutinised properly.

The government must give MPs the chance to debate better solutions, vote on their cuts to the Winter Fuel Allowance and prevent millions of the most vulnerable in our society from losing out.

DIY A&E: Scots treat their wounds and make slings over fear of hospital waits

A new poll commissioned by the Liberal Democrats has revealed that people are suffering in pain or treating themselves rather than go to A&E out of fear of waiting times.

The poll reveals the lengths to which people across the UK went if they needed to use A&E in the past two years, but decided not to, over fears of waiting times.

Also posted in Press releases and Scotland | Tagged accident and emergency, Alex Cole-Hamilton, ambulance services, daisy cooper, snp and winter fuel allowance | 10 Comments

30 August 2024 – today’s press release

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

Cole-Hamilton comments on day one of SNP conference

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP said:

In the morning Stephen Flynn is on the radio trying to sound contrite but by the afternoon depute leader Keith Brown is already bellowing about how the answer to everything is breaking up the UK.

The SNP don’t really seem to have learned anything from the defeat voters handed them in the election.

When I am out knocking on doors, no one is interested in wasting more time on constitutional clashes. They want to see action on long NHS waits, rising violence in schools and our disappointing economic

…

Also posted in Press releases and Scotland | Tagged Alex Cole-Hamilton and snp | 1 Comment

29 August 2024 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Thu 29th August 2024 - 11:45 pm

Lib Dem MPs back motion to block Winter Fuel Payments cut
Swinney should launch new term by ending support for Heathrow expansion
Cole-Hamilton speaks ahead of SNP conference

Lib Dem MPs back motion to block Winter Fuel Payments cut

Ed Davey announces plan to force vote on government’s cut to Winter Fuel Payments for 10 million pensioners

Analysis reveals pensioners facing a £670 hit this winter from rising energy bills and slashing of support

Liberal Democrats call for a “rethink” so that poorer and vulnerable pensioners continue to get the support they need

Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey has announced his party is tabling a motion to block the government’s proposed cut to Winter Fuel Payments as soon as Parliament returns from recess next week.

All 72 Liberal Democrat MPs have backed the party’s ‘prayer motion’ to block the cut to Winter Fuel Payments and ensure MPs are given a vote on the changes before they come into force on 16th September.

It comes as analysis by the Liberal Democrats shows that pensioners are expected to take a £670 hit this winter due to the rise in the energy price cap, the end to the Pensioner Cost of Living Payment, and the government’s cuts to the winter fuel allowance coming into effect.

The Liberal Democrats are urging the government to “think again” about the proposed cut to Winter Fuel Payments which will impact 10 million pensioners. Of these, the charity Age UK has said two million will find paying their energy bills a real stretch and will be seriously hit by this cut.

According to the government’s own figures, 800,000 of the lowest-income pensioners are eligible for Pension Credit but do not get it, meaning they will lose their Winter Fuel Payments.

Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey said:

We have heard from countless pensioners worried about how they will afford their energy bills this winter. Stripping support from many of the poorest pensioners, just when energy bills are set to rise again this winter, is the wrong thing to do.

That is why the Liberal Democrats are tabling a motion to reject these plans as soon as Parliament returns, and give MPs a chance to vote on this issue on behalf of their constituents.

We recognise that the government faces difficult choices given the appalling mess left by the Conservative Party. But a rethink is urgently needed so that poorer and vulnerable pensioners continue to get the support they need.

Swinney should launch new term by ending support for Heathrow expansion

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP has today called on John Swinney to launch the new parliamentary term by ending the SNP government’s support for expanding Heathrow Airport, as he stated that the expansion is incompatible with tackling the climate emergency.

Also posted in Press releases and Scotland | Tagged airport expansion, Alex Cole-Hamilton, ed davey, snp and winter fuel allowance | 12 Comments

28 August 2024 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Wed 28th August 2024 - 10:50 pm

Back from three weeks away, time to pick up the party’s press releases again…

Water bills: High time Ofwat were replaced
UK-Germany treaty: A positive step forward
Erasmus: Disappointing that Govt will not rejoin scheme
170+ artists slam SNP culture cuts
Scot Lib Dems comment as FM and Chancellor meet

Water bills: High time Ofwat were replaced

Responding to comments from water firms that despite rising bills for consumers, companies claim this isn’t enough to stop sewage spills, Liberal Democrat Environment Spokesperson Tim Farron MP said:

It’s an absolute outrage that British families face sky high bills that continue to rise, whilst water firm CEOs pocket millions of pounds in bonuses, and all the while filthy sewage continues to destroy our seas and rivers.

It’s clear to see that the current regulator Ofwat is not fit for purpose, and it’s high time they were replaced. That is why the Liberal Democrats have been calling for a new regulator to crack down on water companies and hold them accountable to end this sewage scandal once and for all.

UK-Germany treaty: A positive step forward

Responding to UK-Germany treaty talks, Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Layla Moran MP said:

This is a positive step forward after years of the Conservatives trashing the UK’s relationship with Europe.

But the new Government needs to be more ambitious about rebuilding stronger ties with our European allies.

That should start with agreeing a Youth Mobility Scheme giving young people the opportunity to easily live and work across the continent.

Also posted in Press releases and Scotland | Tagged Alex Cole-Hamilton, culture, erasmus, europe, finances, germany, layla moran, munira wilson, ofwat and tim farron | 10 Comments

A heads up for all Lib Dem General Election candidates – deadline this Friday

By Caron Lindsay | Mon 26th August 2024 - 10:21 am

I did something I had never done before this General Election – I stood as a Westminster candidate for the first time. I’d stood for Holyrood and the Council before, but this was was my UK election debut.

I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I loved doing local and national hustings. I loved interacting with voters who contacted me and while out and about.

I thought that the daily Candidates’ Briefings we received were absolutely fantastic. They were written with humour and contained information that was really helpful. They were very clear about what we should (and shouldn’t) be doing. The people in HQ who put them together deserve a lot of praise and should never have to buy their own drink at Conference ever again.

I was selected on 20th May and we thought we had a few months to execute our campaign plan. Two days later, Rishi Sunak popped out in the rain without an umbrella.

So we had to do a lot very quickly, as well as ensure that we helped in held and target seats. I and others from the local party spent a LOT of time in North East Fife, Edinburgh West and Mid Dunbartonshire as well as running two constituency campaigns.

But there’s one final job that all candidates need to do.

This weekend, I completed the survey that all candidates should have been sent about our experience of the General Election campaign as candidates. It’s part of the review process for candidates, and shouldn’t be confused with the party’s review of the General Election campaign. The deadline for completing it is this Friday, 30th August.

This survey came out by email from the Candidates’ Office on 12 August. Mine, because I’m in Scotland, was written by our Campaigns and Candidates Convener Charles Dundas. English candidates should have had one from Margaret Joachim and Welsh candidates from Julian Tandy.

Tagged candidates and party organisation | Leave a comment

Conference papers now published

By Mary Reid | Fri 23rd August 2024 - 3:34 pm

Not long now to what promises to be our best ever Conference, with 72 MPs to celebrate! Thousands of members will be gathering in Brighton from 14th to 17th September.

If you are going then you need access to two documents, which have now been published:

Conference Agenda. This gives the timetable for all the debates and speeches in the Main Auditorium. It has just been published today and you can read it online or download it here.
Conference Directory. This lists all the fringe meetings, the training sessions and the exhibition stalls. You can read it online or download it here.

Plain text and clear print versions are also offered.

The contents of both will also be accessible through the Conference App, which will become available nearer the time.

If you can’t get along to Brighton then the good news is that you can follow all the main action for free. Each day the Conference proceedings will be streamed on the Liberal Democrats YouTube channel, while you can follow the debates in the Conference Agenda.

However if you would like to join in by voting on motions remotely then you need to register as an online member, which costs just £20. I did that last time and it worked very well.

Tagged 2024 autumn conference | 1 Comment

Taylor Swift should receive the Freedom of the City of London

By Mary Reid | Thu 22nd August 2024 - 1:06 pm

Eva Rinaldi, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

No – that is not a joke. It seems that Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour is likely to boost the British economy by an astonishing £1 billion, with London alone getting an uplift of £300 million. Liberal Democrats have called for her to receive the highest accolade granted by the City of London.

Barclays Bank has done its sums, and reckons that

Adding up the total spending for Brits on the UK leg alone – that’s 1.2 million tickets over 15 nights and four stadiums at capacity, with merchandise, outfits, food, accommodation, travel and more – the Eras Tour is expected to bring in almost £1 billion (£997m) to the UK’s experience economy.

The impact is being felt right across the country, but in particular in Liverpool, Edinburgh, Cardiff and London, where the 15 concerts were staged.

On top of that she has made huge donations charities, including food banks in every city where she toured in the UK.

Sarah Olney, our Treasury spokesperson, says:

We were enchanted to welcome Taylor Swift and the Eras Tour to the UK. Her decorated 18 year career has been one of endless philanthropy and using her platform to bring reforms to the music industry, all while releasing chart topping hits and breaking record after record.

But Taylor Swift is now on track to achieve her most impressive feat yet; patching part of the blank space the Conservative government left in the British economy after years of neglect.

The Eras Tour has provided hours of joy to the thousands of fans attending the shows, but the real legacy of Taylor Swift’s tour will be the lifeline it provides to our economy, so it is only right that she be recognised with London’s highest honour.

And this story has made the front page headlines in the media:

Tagged sarah olney and taylor swift | 17 Comments

What’s our line on public spending?

By Lord William Wallace | Wed 14th August 2024 - 11:55 am

What should be our overall party line on taxation and public spending? We have a new government that came into office promising not to raise any of the major revenue-raising taxes. It claims that it has now discovered far larger holes in public spending plans than it had expected. The reality is that the Conservatives and their media allies managed to focus attention in the run-up to the election entirely on the level of taxation, without addressing what that implied for public services and long-term investment.

So Labour are now stuck. They knew well before the election (as the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) and even the business pages of the Times were telling them) that government spending projections were unreal, that maintaining Tory plans would necessitate cuts in core programmes, and that Jeremy Hunt’s reductions in national insurance were almost criminally irresponsible. But they didn’t dare to be honest with the voters, for fear of the Tories branding them as a ‘tax and spend’ party.

We have been here before. Tony Blair similarly promised before the 1997 election not to raise overall rates of tax. We Liberal Democrats were braver, promising ‘a penny on income tax’ to raise the quality of education. I was then chairing our manifesto group, and vividly recall a Labour adviser telling me that we were mad to do so; ‘voters will never support a party that talks about raising taxes.’ But voters don’t want to vote for cuts in schools, health services, police numbers, courts and prisons either. It turned out to be the most distinctive theme of our campaign.

Tagged economy, featured, public spending and taxation | 68 Comments

Maiden Speech: James MacCleary MP

By The Voice | Wed 14th August 2024 - 8:29 am

Our maiden speech tour today, like yesterday, starts in Sussex in the constituency of Lewes represented by James MacCleary.

The text is below:

Also posted in Parliament | Tagged james maccleary, maiden speeches and speeches | Leave a comment

Maiden Speech: Brian Mathew MP

By The Voice | Tue 13th August 2024 - 1:26 pm

Our maiden speech tour heads to the West Country now, to hear Brian Mathew, our MP for Melksham and Devizes.

The text is below:

Also posted in Parliament | Tagged brian mathew, maiden speeches and speeches | Leave a comment

The venue for Spring Conference is …

By The Voice | Fri 9th August 2024 - 3:11 pm

… Harrogate!

The Federal Conference Committee has announced that the Spring Conference 2025 will take place from 21st to 23rd March at Harrogate.

The main venue will be Harrogate Convention Centre, Kings Road, Harrogate HG1 5LA. And the Conference Hotel and Conference HQ will be at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Kings Road, Harrogate HG1 1XX, which is a one minute walk from the Harrogate Convention Centre.

You can book your accommodation by clicking here.

They have also released some preliminary timings:

Friday 21 March: 18.30-19.30 Rally
Saturday 22 March: 09.00-18.00
Sunday 23 March: 09.00-13.00 (Leader’s speech: 11.45-13.00)

Please note that fringe events will happen outside these timings.

Tagged 2025 spring conference | 1 Comment

Ed Davey’s email on Islamophobia

By Mary Reid | Fri 9th August 2024 - 11:19 am

Yesterday evening Ed Davey sent an email to members in response to the public violence over the past week. It says:

The last ten days have been immensely difficult for our country.

First, the horrific attack in Southport that claimed the lives of three innocent young girls.

Then, the far right extremists who exploited this tragedy to incite and commit appalling acts of violence. Violence that targeted Muslims, asylum seekers and communities of colour.

These thugs do not speak for Britain or our values. But how we respond does.

My response to last night’s events:

It is heartwarming to see so many people

…

Tagged ed davey | 4 Comments

Nominate someone for the 2024 Councillor Awards

By Mary Reid | Thu 8th August 2024 - 11:55 am

Each year the Local Government Information Unit awards exceptional councillors across England Wales and Scotland. They have five categories:

Community Champion
Leader of the Year
Young Councillor of the Year
Innovator of the Year
Lifetime Legend

Last year Cllr Hannah Perkin won the Community Champion award for England and Wales. Hannah is Leader of the Lib Dems on Swale Borough Council, but her award focussed on her work to increase diversity and inclusion. She set up the Faversham Disability Forum, which campaigns to improve access for people with a range of disabilities in local public spaces, including playgrounds and swimming pools. Hannah has also campaigned across a range of issues including violence against women and environmental matters. You can read her citation and interview here.

Many of you will know a Lib Dem councillor worthy of one of these awards, so you know what to do. You can read more about the categories and submit a nomination here. Nominations close on Friday 13th September.

Tagged Local government and local government information unit | Leave a comment

FCC report following agenda selection meeting

By Nick da Costa | Thu 8th August 2024 - 9:05 am

The Federal Conference Committee met on Saturday to run through a number of items leading up to Autumn Conference in Brighton, which is being held from 14 to 17 September 2024.

We are looking at a very different conference to recent years, having had the most successful election of our party in over a century; and I am certain there will be lots of celebrate in Brighton.

The general election has really constrained all of our deadlines, so the agenda selection meeting was almost a month later than usual. Furthermore, the election has impacted all of our planning. The amazing Conference Team are delivering a conference, which usually takes 5 months of intense work in less than two months.

Because all deadlines have been pushed back, we will not be producing a paper agenda; instead it will be available online and we will inform members when it has been uploaded. We will still produce printed version of Conference Extra and Daily in the Conference Centre.

Furthermore, we have set a later deadline for submission of amendments, which will be Monday, 9 September at 13:00.

We are hoping to publish the full text of the motions shortly, so that you can start planning amendments, questions to reports and emergency motions.

Conference is an excellent opportunity to engage with members from all across the country, to influence the party policy and strategy, and to a huge array of fringe and training events, which I recommend those attending to take full advantage of.

Our amazing election result has meant that we’ve had an increase in interest in events at Conference; we’ve seen a great upsurge in fringe bookings and exhibitions – and both of these were sold out pretty much the day after the General Election. Please do visit as many exhibitors and fringes as you can.

Understandably, many members, AOs and other party groups have been busy on the General Election, so we have seen a reduction in motions submitted from across the party – therefore, the FCC has also made time in the auditorium for some different types of sessions; including a panel discussion on Defence and Veterans, the General Election Review, and a consultation on our New Policy Agenda.

We received a large number of motions from across the party, and are extremely grateful for the time and effort that members make in formulating policy motions and ideas for debate at Conference. We really wish that we could select so many more that ended up on the final list, but as always time at conference is at a premium and a large number of motions, although selected in the first round, did not make it through the second round when we then started to look at reducing timings.

As regularly mentioned, time is tight at conference, and we are unable to take all motions submitted to Conference. Regarding the motions which were not selected, we have provided a summary of reasons why motions have not been submitted, and have provided further information to those people whose motions were not selected. I have tried to keep this succinct for the purposes of the list of motions.

Tagged 2024 autumn conference and federal conference committee report | 1 Comment

Christine Jardine urges Government to appoint Independent Advisor on Islamophobia

By The Voice | Wed 7th August 2024 - 9:33 am

Lib Dem Equalities Spokesperson Christine Jardine has written to Women and Equalities Minister Anneliese Dodds to welcome the work the Government has done so far in measures to support Muslim communities and urging them to go further by filling the post of Independent Advisor on Islamophobia that the Conservatives left vacant for two years.

The text of her letter is below:

Dear Anneliese,

I wish to share my concerns about the shocking violent Islamophobia unfolding on our streets and urge early action to fill the position of Independent advisor on Islamophobia left vacant for two years by the previous Conservative Government.

Like the rest of the country, I am deeply distressed by the riots, violence and disorder we have seen in recent days. A small minority of far-right extremists have exploited the unfathomable tragedy in Southport to commit appalling acts of violence, targeting Muslims, asylum seekers and communities of colour.

I fully support your government in calling the motivation behind some of this violence what it is – Islamophobia.

Racism and Islamophobia have no place in our society. Everyone has the right to feel safe in their homes, communities and places of worship. I and my Liberal Democrat colleagues utterly condemn this violence.

Tagged anneliese dodds, christine jardine, equalities, islamophobia, ldcre and roderick lynch | 4 Comments

6 August 2024 – yesterday’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Wed 7th August 2024 - 1:05 am

Ofwat fines: A game of catch up after Conservative Ministers turned a blind eye
Cole-Hamilton: SNP must take action to avoid winter crisis at A&E
Welsh Lib Dems call on new First Minister to “restore trust in Welsh Politics”
Police office numbers are lowest on record
Number of people stuck in hospital reaches new high
Scot Lib Dems criticise SNP exam failings

Ofwat fines: A game of catch up after Conservative Ministers turned a blind eye

Responding to Ofwat imposing a £168m fine on Thames Water, Yorkshire Water and Northumbrian Water, Liberal Democrat Environment spokesperson Tim Farron MP said:

After years of inaction and failure under the last Conservative government, it is welcome to see the regulator finally impose proper fines.

This should only be the start if these polluting firms are to clean up their act.

We now need a ban on bonuses and an end to bumper profits on the industry.

Sadly this is all a game of catch up after Conservative Ministers turned a blind eye to this environmental scandal.

Cole-Hamilton: SNP must take action to avoid winter crisis at A&E

Responding to new figures showing only 69% of people attending A&E were seen within the 4 hour target in June 2024, while 14,126 people waited over 8 hours and 5,936 waited over 12 hours, Scottish Liberal Democrat health spokesperson Alex Cole-Hamilton said:

Normally in summer we would see an improving picture at A&E, but these waiting times are already very long, and moving in the wrong direction.

Under the SNP the NHS is teetering on the brink, staff are overwhelmed, and thousands are waiting far too long to be seen.

We need to see action from this SNP government to address long waits at A&E before we are staring down the barrel of a winter crisis.

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

Welsh Lib Dems call on new First Minister to “restore trust in Welsh Politics”

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have called on the new First Minister of Wales Eluned Morgan to rebuild trust in Welsh politics.

Also posted in Press releases, Scotland and Wales | Tagged accident and emergency, alex cole-hamiton, educational attainment, hospital occupancy, jane dodds, liam mcarthur, policing, tim farron, trust and water companies | Leave a comment

5 August 2024 – today’s press release

By Mark Valladares | Mon 5th August 2024 - 11:50 pm

Ed Davey responds to COBRA on riots

Responding to the Prime Minister chairing COBRA following riots across the country, Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey said:

The country has rightly been appalled and outraged at the despicable actions of a tiny minority. All those thugs who have rioted and carried out racist attacks must face the full force of the law.

Everyone has the right to feel safe in their homes, communities and places of worship.

We welcome the actions taken by our brave police officers and the new measures announced today by the government to clamp down on criminals attempting to terrorise our

…

Also posted in Op-eds | Tagged ed davey and riots | 1 Comment

2 August 2024 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Fri 2nd August 2024 - 11:05 pm

Jenrick: A terrible record tainted by failure
Calls for increased security after violent thuggery spreads to London

Jenrick: A terrible record tainted by failure

Responding to Robert Jenrick’s Conservative Leadership campaign event, Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader, Daisy Cooper MP said:

As a Minister, Robert Jenrick oversaw a housing crisis and failed to address immigration, he has a terrible record tainted by failure.

Only in today’s Conservative Party could someone with such a terrible record of failure think they could lead it.

Jenrick is now a symbol of the way the Conservative Party has moved further and further away from lifelong Conservative voters in the Blue Wall. People right across the country are instead putting their faith in the Liberal Democrats to get a fair deal for them.

Calls for increased security after violent thuggery spreads to London

A London Assembly Member has called for increased security around mosques in London following the spread of violent and racist riots to London.

Violent riots have erupted in several British cities following misinformation spread by the far-right in the wake of the murders of Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe and Alice Dasilva Aguiar in Southport.

Also posted in London and Press releases | Tagged daisy cooper, hina bokhari, riots and robert jenrick | 2 Comments

1 August 2024 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Thu 1st August 2024 - 10:30 pm

Rural crime report: Communities suffering after years of neglect
Davey on PM Statement: “Riots and disorder are never the answer”
Rennie responds to bin strikes news

Rural crime report: Communities suffering after years of neglect

Responding to NFU Mutual’s new Rural Crime Report, which shows that the cost of rural crime rose to £52.8m in 2023, Liberal Democrat Rural Affairs Spokesperson Tim Farron MP said:

Rural communities are suffering badly after years of neglect by the last Conservative Government. Far too many criminals are getting away with stealing millions of pounds worth of equipment from our farmers.

This needs to change. Rural communities deserve much more focus within government, including a proper strategy to combat rural crime that costs our economy so much.

Davey on PM Statement: “Riots and disorder are never the answer”

Responding to the Prime Minister’s press conference on the unrest since the attack in Southport on Monday, Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey said:

Also posted in Press releases and Scotland | Tagged dustbin strike, ed davey, riots, rural policing, tim farron and willie rennie | 1 Comment

31 July 2024 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Wed 31st July 2024 - 11:50 pm

Pensioner waits more than 9 hours for ambulance after suffering heat stroke as UK hits heatwave
CalMac maintenance soars 55% in a year to over £41m

Pensioner waits more than 9 hours for ambulance after suffering heat stroke as UK hits heatwave

Freedom of Information Act (FOI) on heat strokes reveals a pensioner in the East Midlands waited close to nine-and-a-half-hours for an ambulance last year.

FOI shows an almost doubling of ambulance response times when going on call outs involving heat stroke since 2018/19, rising from 32 minutes to 59 minutes in 2023/24.

Lib Dem Deputy Leader Daisy Cooper calls for urgent cross-party talks on social care and a review of the UK’s preparedness for heat waves saying: “We’ve heard too many harrowing heatstroke stories from people waiting hours in a state of confusion for an ambulance to arrive.”

A pensioner in the East Midlands waited close to nine-and-a-half-hours for an ambulance last year a Liberal Democrat FOI has revealed as the UK is in the midst of a heatwave following high temperatures this week.

The data also revealed that there has been a staggering 84% increase in ambulance response times when going on call outs involving heat stroke since 2018/19, rising from 32 minutes to 59 minutes in 2023/24.

Also posted in Press releases and Scotland | Tagged Alex Cole-Hamilton, ambulance services, daisy cooper and ferries | 1 Comment

Liberator 424 post election special is out

By The Liberator Collective | Wed 31st July 2024 - 5:55 pm

You can download Liberator 424 for free here.

This issue is a bit different from usual as since the last Liberator came out the Liberal Democrats have won an unprecedented 72 MPs and moved into some remarkable new territory.

But what happens now, and what can they do? There’s a huge Labour majority, second places are scarce and there is concern that the gains were made at the expense of the party in the rest of the country.

Contributors analyse the results and where to look for success next, explain how the Lib Dems moved into (or didn’t) some new places and some old ones and what happened to overseas voters.

We also have a former insider’s view of how the Tory party became such a self-inflicted disaster zone, and let’s not forget there were important elections for the European and French parliaments too.

Tagged liberator | 1 Comment

30 July 2024 – today’s press releases

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

Cole-Hamilton: SNP must start fixing A&E before winter
Cole-Hamilton: SNP need to tackle alarming rise in deaths linked to synthetic opioids

Cole-Hamilton: SNP must start fixing A&E before winter

Responding to new figures showing only 63.7% of people attending A&E were seen within the 4 hour target in week ending 21st July, while 3,345 people waited over 8 hours and 1,448 waited over 12 hours, Scottish Liberal Democrat health spokesperson Alex Cole-Hamilton said:

People across Scotland sent a very clear message to this SNP Government last month. The NHS is teetering on the brink and it’s time they got their act together.

Normally in summer we would see an improving picture at A&E, but these waiting times are as long as some weeks in the winter. Unfortunately, under the SNP, staff are overwhelmed and thousands are waiting far too long to be seen.

We need to see action from this SNP government to fix the A&E crisis before winter arrives.

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

Cole-Hamilton: SNP need to tackle alarming rise in deaths linked to synthetic opioids

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP has today warned that “without more action we will only see more tragedy” as new statistics revealed that drug-related hospital admissions, suspected drug deaths and deaths linked to synthetic opioids known as nitazenes are all worryingly high.

Also posted in Press releases and Scotland | Tagged accident and emergency, Alex Cole-Hamilton and opioids | Leave a comment

Anorak’s corner – House of Commons Library research briefing on the 2024 general election

By Paul Walter | Tue 30th July 2024 - 11:31 am

Ever since I was in short trousers, I have spent a few weeks after each general election, poring over the results. Normally, I have managed to get a copy of the Telegraph printed pamphlet of the seat-by-seat results. This time, I’m going to need a lot longer to digest the tumultuous results (so far, winning Epsom and Ewell is taking a while to get my head round!) and I couldn’t find a Telegraph (or other newspaper) pamphlet. I just can’t do it online – I need to highlight and mark the text.

But never fear, the House of Commons library has come to the rescue with its “research briefing” on the 2024 general election results. This includes a colourful pdf (which I have had bound) and a range of spreadsheets.

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29 July 2024 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Mon 29th July 2024 - 10:30 pm

Public spending audit: We must focus on NHS
New Mid Dunbartonshire MP welcomes home Kirkintilloch Roy Roy

Public spending audit: We must focus on NHS

Commenting on the Treasury’s audit into the state of public finances, Liberal Democrat Treasury Spokesperson Sarah Olney MP said:

The shortfalls in public spending announced today are truly shocking, and the result of years of Conservative failure and mismanagement. We have been left with a stalling economy, leaving millions of families struggling to pay the bills and make ends meet.

To get our economy growing, we must focus on the NHS by cutting the waiting lists, giving the people the

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Also posted in Press releases and Scotland | Tagged football, public spending, sarah olney and susan murray | 7 Comments

The Right Honourable Jennie makes a media splash…

By NewsHound | Mon 29th July 2024 - 11:40 am

Yes, it’s the 73rd Liberal Democrat MP, Jennie, making the news once again.

Today’s Guardian picks up on the adventures of Steve Darling and Jennie as they work out life at Westminster. But it looks as though Jennie is finding things to her liking…

She will often be very keen to take me back to the chamber because she thinks ‘we always go here and I get to lie down for quite a period of time’. She likes banking as much rest in as possible, so the chamber is a good place to

…

Tagged jennie and steve darling | 3 Comments

27-28 July 2024 – the weekend’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Sun 28th July 2024 - 10:00 pm

Cole-Hamilton writes to minister for third time over neonatal death spike
Rennie warns that the Scottish Government’s heat pump installation scheme is hardly helping

Cole-Hamilton writes to minister for third time over neonatal death spike

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton has today written to the Scottish Government for a third time to call for ministers to answer questions in Parliament over a spike in the neonatal mortality rate – deaths within the first 28 days of life.

His call comes as five Scottish health boards were rated ‘red’ for neonatal mortality rates in the annual UK-wide evaluation known as MBRRACE, including a steep increase in the Grampian region.

Regions are red-flagged if their death rates are more than 5% higher than the UK average for their group. According to reports in The Herald, in 2022, five health boards in Scotland – Grampian, Lothian, Western Isles, Lanarkshire, and Borders – were ‘red’ for neonatal mortality once “congenital abnormalities”, also known as birth defects, were excluded as a cause of death.

This is up from one in both 2020 and 2021, and is the highest at any point since 2017.

Also posted in Press releases and Scotland | Tagged Alex Cole-Hamilton, energy efficiency, neo-natal care and willie rennie | 6 Comments

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