Category Archives: News

Charles Quinn

ALDC by-election report, 22nd January

By Charles Quinn | Fri 23rd January 2026 - 6:15 pm

This week, there were seven principal council by-elections, of which five were in England, one was in Wales, whilst another was in Scotland. There were two Tuesday by-elections and a further five on Thursday.

We start our deep dive into the results Cotswold DC, where the Green Party were defending the ward of The Rissingtons, and we won a stupendous victory. Congratulations to Cllr Craig Thurling and the local team on an amazing result. We had not even stood in this seat in the previous election but from nowhere we took 37.5% of the vote on a massive 43% turnout. The Green Party collapsed and fell to last place!

Cotswold District Council, The Rissingtons
Liberal Democrat: (Craig Thurling) – 321 (37.5%, New)
Conservative: 268 – (31.3%, -11.5)
Reform UK: 221 – (25.8%, New)
Green: 47 – (5.5%, -51.7)

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Nick da Costa

Spring 2026: Agenda Selection Report

By Nick da Costa | Thu 22nd January 2026 - 1:32 pm

The Federal Conference Committee (FCC) met on Saturday to review motion submissions and begin finalising the agenda for Spring Conference 2026, which will take place in York from 13 to 15 March 2026. We are very much looking forward to returning to York for what promises to be a busy and engaging Conference.

Motions Submissions and Agenda Planning

As ever, we received a strong and diverse range of submissions, reflecting the breadth of engagement across the party. In total, the FCC received:

  • 28 policy motions
  • 2 business motions
  • 1 constitutional amendment

Following very detailed discussion and several rounds of selection, the FCC agreed to include on the agenda:

  • 7 policy motions, including one late-deadline policy motion (see below)
  • 1 slot for emergency motion(s)
  • 1 constitutional amendment (which was in order and must therefore appear on the agenda)
  • 1 business motion.

We are extremely grateful to all members, local parties, and Associated Organisations who took the time to draft and submit motions. The quality and thoughtfulness of submissions were high, which inevitably made the selection process challenging.

Spring Conference is particularly tight on time. Alongside policy debates, there are mandatory business items. As always, we wish we could include more debates, but we have done our best to maximise discussion within the limited time available.

Late Deadline Motion: Trump and the wider world

Given the fast-moving international situation, particularly in relation to the United States / Trump and its actions concerning Venezuela, Greenland and the wider world, the FCC agreed to allow a later deadline for motions concerning the US international relations. We have allocated a 45 minute debate for this.

Motions submitted by the standard deadline would already have been overtaken by events by the time the FCC met – indeed, further developments, including tariffs and statements on Greenland, were announced during the FCC meeting itself, and new announcements continue. The Committee also felt that this subject matter would be better handled as an amendable policy motion, rather than as an Emergency Motion, which is unamendable.

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The Voice

Federal Board seeks volunteers for 26 vital roles

By The Voice | Thu 22nd January 2026 - 7:30 am

It’s that time, at the start of every Federal Committee term of office, when the Federal Board seeks volunteers to fill key roles in the party, ranging from members of the Finance and Audit Committees, to the person who chairs the Committee that selects our election strategy, to working on membership, training and diversity.

In the olden days, these roles were advertised in a manner akin to Arthur Dent’s experience in Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy:

Yes,” said Arthur, “yes I did. It was on display in the bottom of a locked filing cabinet stuck in a disused lavatory with a sign on the door saying ‘Beware of the Leopard.”

When I was on Federal Board I made sure that these roles were advertised to a wider audience on here and today, new President Josh Babarinde has emailed party members with details.

This is your chance to directly influence the Party’s direction in a volunteer committee role.

Following the election of our new Federal Board, we’re seeking dedicated members to fill 26 vital positions that will shape our strategy, values, and effectiveness as an organisation.

These aren’t just administrative roles – you’ll be working alongside passionate party members to ensure the Liberal Democrats remain an effective, supportive, and inclusive force for change.

Positions available:

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Caron Lindsay

Party legend Vera Head dies at 97

By Caron Lindsay | Wed 21st January 2026 - 11:18 am

The sad news that party legend Vera Head had died came via Candy Piercy on Facebook:

Sad news. The redoubtable Vera Head died last week at the age of 97 after a long illness.

Long time campaigners and members of Lib Dem Women will remember her dedication to Women’s Rights and to getting women elected.

Vera taught me so much as an agent. And I still quote her in training sessions today.

When I was a Campaigns Officer in 1992 I asked Vera to agent Liz Lynne in Rochdale. I could not think of anyone else who would stand up to Cyril Smith and make sure Liz won her seat. And of course Vera delivered a famous victory.

Again in 1997 I asked Vera to be the agent for Jackie Ballard in Taunton. Again Vera pulled the campaign together and Jackie was elected. Another great win.

There are so many stories about Vera. We will put them all together soon. But to end on, until this May Vera was a councillor on Amershsm Town Council.

Still enjoying scaring the living daylights out of the local Tories as one of the oldest councillors in the country!

Oh, and scaring a few Lib Dems along the way too!

A fierce friend and a ferocious political adversary. And I suspect you are now giving St Peter a hard time about his organisation of Heaven!

Vera, we shall miss you. RIP.

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The Voice

Ed Davey: Trump is acting like an international gangster

By The Voice | Wed 21st January 2026 - 9:30 am

Ed Davey had a right go at Donald Trump’s latest antics in the House of Commons this week.

In an email to party members and supporters, he said that Keir Starmer must do more to stand up to Trump’s antics:

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Michal Siewniak

The day I met the President of Poland

By Michal Siewniak | Sun 18th January 2026 - 8:30 am

Someone asked: how was it? Sometimes it is difficult to find a clear answer to such simple questions. Honour? Joy? Pride? Or perhaps embarrassment, because the opportunity to meet the President of Poland does not come often. Do we often see eye to eye on key political matters? No, most definitely not. 

Despite his very busy schedule, I am glad that President Karol Nawrocki found a few hours to meet with the Polish community on Monday evening. It is a great honour to be able to participate in such an event, although I know that many more invitations could have been sent out, because there are so many fantastic people who do a lot of good work across Britain. I attended the event as a Deputy Mayor of Welwyn Hatfield, and on behalf of my Borough Council. 

Poland and the United Kingdom have a lot in common, as the President mentioned in his speech. The Polish migration to Britain after the II World War. It was a very important moment in the history of our country, as London became effectively our capital city in exile. Both countries have been and continue to be allies, and our cooperation brings tangible benefits to both nations. The United Kingdom has become home to a Polish community of almost a million people on the islands, who have not forgotten their roots, their enormous heritage and their cultural background. 

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Mark Valladares

Scottish Liberal Democrats set out stall ahead of Budget

By Mark Valladares | Mon 12th January 2026 - 11:10 pm

Speaking ahead of the Scottish Budget, Scottish Liberal Democrat economy and finance spokesperson Jamie Greene MSP said:

The Scottish Liberal Democrats get stuff done, so we will always act responsibly and pragmatically in a parliament of minorities. We have been absolutely clear with the SNP about what we want to see in this year’s budget if they’re after cross-party support for it.

We’ve highlighted in our discussions with ministers the perilous state of Scotland’s colleges, councils being forced to cut services that people rely on, the barriers facing people with ADHD and autism, the cost of childcare preventing mums and dads from

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Mark Valladares

8 January 2026 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Thu 8th January 2026 - 10:30 pm
  • Corridor care: Govt has to treat this as a national emergency
  • Davey calls on PM to rule out use of UK bases to attack Greenland
  • Met vetting scandal: Lib Dems call on Conservatives to apologise for putting targets over public safety
  • Business rates change “last chance” for “treasured” pubs
  • Cole-Hamilton: £440m delayed discharge cost “utterly astonishing”
  • Woman in Far North stuck in hospital for over 400 days waiting for care

Corridor care: Govt has to treat this as a national emergency

Responding to reports that corridor care has become so normalised hospitals are fitting plugs in hallways, Liberal Democrat Health Spokesperson Helen Morgan MP said:

Corridor care is a disgraceful symptom of years of neglect in our NHS. It is completely scandalous that treatment on crammed corridors is now normalised with thousands of patients left on trolleys for hours or even days on end.

Enough. This horrific practice must end. The Government has to treat this as a national emergency. That is why the Liberal Democrats are calling for an Urgent and Emergency Care Plan, which includes a rapid expansion of hospital beds and fixes our broken GP and social care services, to finally bring an end to this shameful chapter.

Davey calls on PM to rule out use of UK bases to attack Greenland

Ed Davey has today called on Keir Starmer to categorically rule out the US using British military bases to support a US attack on Greenland, just hours after UK airfields supported the American operation to seize a shadow fleet vessel in the Atlantic Ocean.

The Liberal Democrat leader has demanded today UK soil must “never” host aggressors against a NATO ally, including Greenland.

The Government has so far failed to rule out that such an operation could be launched from British bases.

Ed Davey, Liberal Democrat Leader, said:

The UK must never play midwife to American aggression directed against our NATO allies.

I’m deeply concerned that our Prime Minister is yet to rule out the use of British bases to propel American troops onto the ground in Greenland – to take the territory by force.

Starmer must spell out to Trump and his lawless cabinet that the UK will never support such a dangerous act, and will abide by NATO and international law – even if they won’t.

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Mark Valladares

7 January 2026 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Wed 7th January 2026 - 10:30 pm
  • Lib Dems blast Reform Mayoral Launch for “talking down” London
  • Govt must state if US military seizure of oil tanker was legal under international law
  • ScotRail disruption payments top £3 million
  • Greene responds to watchdog warning on waiting times
  • Welsh Lib Dems raise ongoing red tape hitting Welsh lamb
  • Greene: Pause business rates revaluation

Lib Dems blast Reform Mayoral Launch for “talking down” London

Responding to a Reform UK press conference, announcing Laila Cunningham as their mayoral candidate, Lib Dem London Spokesperson Luke Taylor MP said:

From its history to its culture to its people, London is the greatest city in the world but all Reform seem to do is talk it down.

Cunningham and Farage care more about sowing division than they do about solving the actual problems that Londoners face.

The Liberal Democrats will stand up for the millions of Londoners who love this city and its values and ensure London is a better place for everyone.

Govt must state if US military seizure of oil tanker was legal under international law

Responding to the US’s seizure of a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the Atlantic, Calum Miller MP, Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs Spokesperson, said:

The Russian shadow fleet is busting oil sanctions for Russia and allies like Iran. It helps Putin sustain his brutal war on Ukraine. We support measures that stop the illicit flow of oil that powers sanctioned regimes.

But this is another example where Donald Trump’s illegal action in Venezuela has undermined steps to uphold international law.

The use of US air bases in the UK to launch this operation places a particular obligation on the Government to show that we are committed to acting lawfully. So the Government needs to state whether this military intervention is legal and who is now responsible for the vessel.

ScotRail disruption payments top £3 million

Scottish Liberal Democrat transport spokesperson Jamie Greene has today revealed that since the nationalisation of the ScotRail franchise the service has paid out more than £3m in payments to passengers whose trains have been cancelled or delayed.

Passengers whose trains are delayed by more than half an hour can make delay repay claims.

Figures for delay repay payments are typically published by ScotRail with a six-month lag, however figures acquired by Scottish Liberal Democrats reveal that between April 2022, when the service returned to public ownership, and the end of October 2025:

  • £3,089,106.54 was paid to passengers for late trains.
  • There have been 262,747 claims for delay repay in that time, with 178,446 of those being approved and paid out.
  • This means that the average pay-out for delay repay in that time has been £17.32.

Scottish Liberal Democrat transport spokesperson Jamie Greene MSP said:

This is an eye-watering, multi-million-pound bill for delayed trains.

The SNP have been directly responsible for the trains for three and a half years, but these figures point to a serious level of disruption that will be frustrating for commuters, holidaymakers and taxpayers.

Since this figure only covers those who have applied for a refund, there may be many more people who have been similarly inconvenienced but who simply haven’t claimed.

With people across the country struggling to make ends meet, these payments need to be brought under control. That’s also how we create a more efficient service that will help encourage people out of private cars.

Passengers and commuters deserve better. Wherever you are, by backing the Scottish Liberal Democrats on your peach regional ballot next May, you can vote for a public transport that works for all communities, ages and for the planet. We would achieve that with new options for two/three-day-a-week season tickets and by working with councils to explore new lines, especially in areas where public transport links are poor.

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Mark Valladares

6 January 2026 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Tue 6th January 2026 - 10:30 pm
  • Patients waiting up to three years for heart care
  • Worst November on record at A&E
  • More than 800,000 still stuck on an NHS waiting list
  • Greene responds to Constance breaking ministerial code

Patients waiting up to three years for heart care

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton has raised concerns over long waits for cardiology services as he revealed new data showing patients waiting more than three years for care.

A freedom of information request submitted by Scottish Liberal Democrats shows:

  • At least one patient in NHS Lothian has waited more than three years for a cardiology outpatient appointment.
  • 611 patients are currently waiting for a cardiology outpatient appointment who have been waiting more than 52 weeks
  • At least 18 patients have been waiting more than 104 weeks (2 years).
  • NHS Fife recorded that the longest waiting time in the last 12 months for a patient to be seen by cardiology services recorded was 130 weeks, while NHS Ayrshire & Arran and NHS Lanarkshire both recorded patients who had to wait over 100 weeks.
  • The current longest waiting time (i.e. the patient who has currently been waiting the longest and has not yet been seen) was 113 weeks in NHS Fife, followed by 110 weeks in NHS Grampian.

Commenting on the figures, Mr Cole-Hamilton said:

With the equivalent of one in six Scots now on a waiting list, long waits for specialist care are becoming terrifyingly normalised.

Scottish Liberal Democrats believe Scotland deserves better than this. At the forthcoming election we will put delivering first-rate health care at the top of the agenda – so you can see your specialist, GP or mental health professional when you need them.

On top of the stress of knowing you are not getting treated, long waits for care affect people’s lives in other ways too. We’ve had constituents reporting wanting to take a well-earned holiday but they can’t go because they can’t get travel insurance approved until after their appointments take place.

SNP Health Secretaries come and go without making a dent and it looks as if Neil Gray will go the same way.

If you’re frustrated with the SNP making you wait to access the NHS, vote Scottish Liberal Democrats on the second peach regional ballot and help us to kick them out.

Worst November on record at A&E

Responding to new figures showing the worst November at A&E on record, with only 66.7% of people attending A&E seen within the 4 hour target in November, while 17,745 people waited over 8 hours and 8,287 waited over 12 hours, Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP said:

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Mark Valladares

5 January 2026 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Tue 6th January 2026 - 12:51 am
  • Lib Dems demand release of Venezuela legal advice as Starmer again refuses to say whether Trump breached international law
  • Cole-Hamilton: Scotland deserves better than old divisions
  • Cole-Hamilton responds to World Cup bank holiday
  • Lib Dems raise alarm after Conservative Shadow Minister hints they would cut free bus passes for over-60s in Wales

Lib Dems demand release of Venezuela legal advice as Starmer again refuses to say whether Trump breached international law

The Lib Dems are calling on the Government to publish any legal advice it has received on breaches of international law by the United States in its strikes on Venezuela and kidnapping of Nicolas …

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Mark Valladares

Cole-Hamilton unveils strategy to fix NHS workforce planning

By Mark Valladares | Mon 5th January 2026 - 1:00 pm

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton today set out his party’s plans to fix how the NHS trains and retains the doctors, nurses and other staff needed to end long waits for treatment and reinvigorate local health services, and urged voters to use their second, peach-coloured ballot paper to back them at May’s election.

The Scottish Liberal Democrats’ strategy will:

  • Launch a rolling 10-year NHS Workforce Plan.
  • Create an early warning system by presenting a detailed annual workforce report for debate in the Scottish Parliament, identifying staffing issues and addressing past failings.
  • Establish a Health and Social Care Staff Assembly, putting the experience of

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The Voice

Ed Davey’s New Year Message

By The Voice | Sat 3rd January 2026 - 2:27 pm

Ed Davey’s New Year message came out when we were on our break, but, for the sake of completeness, here is his video, a kind of Lib Dem Wrapped. An unusual choice to give Kemi Badenoch a cameo, but then she was telling everyone how we get the church roof fixed, something which will, we suspect, never get old.

Enjoy!

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Mary Reid

More Lib Dems awarded New Year Honours

By Mary Reid | Wed 31st December 2025 - 12:45 pm

Yesterday we congratulated four Liberal Democrat members who had been given honours in the New Year list. Thanks to Mark Pack we can now add two further names.

John Housley has been awarded the British Empire Medal in this year’s New Year Honours List, in recognition of his services to the community in Chapeltown. He has served as Chairman of Ecclesfield Parish Council on three separate occasions over a long period of service as a councillor.

David Lerner, an active member of Liberal Democrat Friends of Israel, has also been awarded the British Empire Medal for services to the Jewish community in the London Borough of Harrow.

Congratulations to both of them along with thanks for all they do for their communities.

Do let us know if we have missed any others.

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The Voice

Alex Cole-Hamilton’s New Year message

By The Voice | Wed 31st December 2025 - 7:30 am

Scottish Lib Dem Leader Alex Cole-Hamilton has issued his New Year message ahead of the vital Scottish Parliament elections in May:

As the Scottish Parliament election draws ever closer, I sometimes think about that fateful night in November, when fans quite literally shook the earth with their belief in this country. A small earthquake was recorded when Kenny McLean scored that final miracle of a goal.

Moments like that show you just how much Scotland has going for it. But right now, too many people feel like things aren’t working. Their household bills are soaring, they’re waiting too long to see a GP and Scottish education just isn’t what it used to be. People are tired and frustrated and they’re right to be. They deserve better.

Scottish Liberal Democrats have got a realistic plan to get things done. It’s a plan that will deliver first-rate healthcare so you can see your GP, dentist or mental health professional when you need them. It will help you with the cost of living- insulating cold homes and using Scottish renewable energy to drive down household bills.

t’s about getting Scotland moving again: to fix our roads, our ferries and our public transport. It’s about getting Scottish education back to its best: to expand pupil support in every school so we can give every child the best start in life.

Let me be straight with you. At May’s election, you have two votes. In many constituencies we are on the verge of winning against the SNP: from Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, Inverness and Nairn, all the way down to Edinburgh Northern and Strathkelvin and Bearsden.

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Caron Lindsay

Lib Dems in the New Year Honours list

By Caron Lindsay | Tue 30th December 2025 - 8:20 pm

I’m just breaking into our festive break to offer our congratulations to the four Lib Dems honoured by the King in the New Year’s Honours.

Tilly McAuliffe, the Party Treasurer with the job of bringing the money in, gets a CBE for parliamentary and political service. I first met Tilly at Autumn conference in Glasgow either 12 or 13 years ago. She is bright, engaging and she gets things done and I’m thrilled to see her work recognised.

Peter Dunphy was a brilliant chair of the Federal Finance and Resources Committee when I was Scottish Party Treasurer. We worked together really well …

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The Voice

Ed Davey’s Christmas message

By The Voice | Wed 24th December 2025 - 10:37 am

Here is Ed Davey’s Christmas message.

With that, we will bow out for our own Christmas break. We will be back briefly at the weekend, but our plan is to take a proper break and see you again on 2 January.

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The Voice

Alex Cole-Hamilton’s Christmas message

By The Voice | Wed 24th December 2025 - 7:30 am

Scottish Lib Dem Leader Alex Cole-Hamilton has released his Christmas message:

First of all I would like to thank all of those in our emergency services and those in the military who cannot spend Christmas with their lived ones because they are on duty today. You have our thanks, stay safe.

It’s been a massively successful year for the Scottish Liberal Democrats. From pushing for action on long mental health waits and the closure of care homes, to delivering progress on the Edinburgh Eye Pavilion and the Belford Hospital in Fort William, I am so proud of how my party gets stuck in and gets stuff done. That’s what Scottish Liberal Democrats are all about.

It was with that energy and ambition that we kicked off our spring conference in Inverness, welcoming the former Conservative MSP Jamie Greene into our ranks. Jamie’s decision struck a chord with all those people who are frustrated with the Conservative Party as it lurches to extremes and apes the likes of Nigel Farage. Sensible, moderate voters – who perhaps took a chance on Ruth Davidson’s Conservatives – deserve better than this.

In every corner of Scotland, people deserve a party that will restore decency to our politics, that will fight for them on the issues that matter – that’s what you get with the Scottish Liberal Democrats.

It is now just over 100 sleeps until the Scottish election: a chance to get the change Scotland truly needs – a change of government.

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Liam Yip

ALDC by-election report, 18th Dcember

By Liam Yip | Fri 19th December 2025 - 12:45 pm

This week, there were five principal council by-elections. All of this week’s contests were in England, stretching from Blackpool, where the Christmas season is marked by the glow of the famous Illuminations, down to the Cornish coast at Newquay, and across to the eastern edge of the country at Lowestoft.

We start on the south bank of the River Ribble in Penwortham. We held this seat, pushed our vote share up and left Reform a long way behind. With Preston just over the bridge, and with us as the official opposition there, this is an area where visible local work still cuts through, and the result made that clear. Congratulations are due to Councillor Clare Burton‑Johnson and the local team for keeping the seat firmly in our hands.

South Ribble Borough Council, Broad Oak
Liberal Democrats (Clare Burton‑Johnston): 810 (65.9%, +0.4)
Reform UK: 263 (21.4%, new)
Conservative: 95 (7.7%, -9.5)
Labour: 62 (5.0%, -12.2)

Liberal Democrats HOLD

Turnout: 35.29%

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Callum Robertson

Reform in local government guilty of attacks on those with the least

By Callum Robertson | Tue 16th December 2025 - 10:55 am

No one should be trapped in poverty. That’s a principle that is core to our identity as Liberal Democrats. Another is trust—trusting people to manage their own lives, with the government stepping in only when necessary to help. That’s why we champion universal credit for those who need support and an NHS free at the point of use.

These principles drove us in government: when we raised the personal tax threshold, taking millions out of paying income tax and enabling people to keep more of what they earned. We also did it when we introduced targeted help like the Pupil Premium to give disadvantaged children a fair start.

They guide us in local government too, where Liberal Democrat councils run some of the most progressive council tax reduction schemes in the country—Watford, Three Rivers, and Richmond among them.

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Chris Bowers

Ed needs to up his game and take lessons from the Dutch Liberals’ sense of insurgency

By Chris Bowers | Tue 16th December 2025 - 9:05 am

It was buried in the depths of The Economist’s ‘2026 Outlook’, and I almost missed it. Could there really be a Liberal Democrat leadership election in 2026? It feels an odd thing to say, 17 months after the party went from 15 to 72 seats, albeit far more off the back of the abject performance of the Conservatives than from our own good works.

The Economist said, “Yet not all in Lib Dem land are content. A private discussion about Sir Ed’s suitability will become a public one. Some MPs are fed up that the party continues to plod along, neither a party of power nor a party of protest, but instead a symbol of mild discontent in England’s most prosperous parts … Perhaps 200 seats could be theirs for the taking with a suitably determined leader. Sir Ed is not that man.”

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Tim Holden

Hope dawns for Britain’s neglected communities: honouring the Brexit vote by fixing trade, not leaving prosperity behind

By Tim Holden | Mon 15th December 2025 - 2:44 pm

To the proud Leave voters across the Midlands, the North East, the South, Wales and all areas that backed the decision: You voted for sovereignty, you voted to take back control, and you voted for a better economic future in British hands. The Liberal Democrats understand that vision and share your desire for a thriving United Kingdom.

​But across our fishing ports, industrial heartlands, and farming communities, there is a growing, painful reality. The Conservative Government’s deal failed to deliver on those promises, creating a legacy of bureaucracy, crippling costs, and a constant drag on our local economies.

​Worse still, the Labour government, despite acknowledging the damage, has so far refused to take the decisive action needed to fix it. While ministers debate in private and offer small ‘resets’, they remain trapped by the same old ‘red lines’, ruling out the most effective solution and leaving our businesses in limbo.

​The Liberal Democrats have therefore taken the reins to deliver. We are leading the push in Parliament to finally bring about the economic renewal you voted for.

​The Shared Failure to Deliver: Why the Labour Government’s Stance Falls Short.

​From Hull and Grimsby to the industrial towns of the North East and the manufacturing hubs of the West Midlands, the pain of the current trading arrangement is evident.

​Manufacturing Stalled:

Local factories rely on complex ‘just-in-time’ European supply chains. The current deal means paperwork, checks, and delays that slow production and hike costs. Neither the Conservative deal nor the current Labour government’s minor ‘resets’ have addressed this fundamental friction.

​Betrayal of Our Fishers:

Seafood exporters are still facing bureaucratic nightmares. The Labour government, like its predecessor, has refused to embrace the one goods based solution, a Customs Union hat would virtually eliminate this red tape.

​A Failure of Political Will:

While Labour ministers have suggested that a new customs arrangement would boost growth, the party’s official position continues to stick to manifesto promises that lock them out of the most effective path to prosperity.

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Mark Valladares

15 December 2025 – today’s press release

By Mark Valladares | Mon 15th December 2025 - 11:16 am

Davey on strikes: “Government must declare a national emergency and offer flu jabs unconditionally”

Following news that resident doctors have voted to strike from Wednesday in England, and following surging rates of hospitalisation for flu in recent weeks, the Liberal Democrats have called on the Government to treat the NHS crisis as a national emergency.

Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey has urged the Government to introduce emergency measures, including universal access to NHS flu vaccines in community spaces across England, an appeal for retired doctors to work winter shifts and regular COBRA meetings chaired by the Prime Minister. The party would also …

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Mark Valladares

15 December 2025 – the overnight press releases

By Mark Valladares | Mon 15th December 2025 - 7:30 am
  • “Less than two weeks to save Christmas” – Lib Dems call for new winter discharge unit as figures reveal patients wait 268 days to leave hospital
  • Brexit and SNP missed opportunities are costing Scotland dearly

“Less than two weeks to save Christmas” – Lib Dems call for new winter discharge unit as figures reveal patients wait 268 days to leave hospital

The Liberal Democrats are calling for a new dedicated winter discharge unit to stop thousands of patients being trapped unnecessarily in hospital over the festive period amidst a perfect storm of doctors strikes and winter pressures.

The unit would use a new £90m fund to deliver a surge of locum doctors during discharge bottlenecks to free up doctors on shift, backed by 24/7 patient transport, and 5,000 emergency social and home care packages a week over the Christmas period.

It comes as a Freedom of Information request by the party reveals the scale of the crisis in our NHS and social care which is leaving patients waiting hundreds of days to be discharged.

Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust admitted that their longest delay for a patient to be discharged last year was 268 days, which is almost 9 months. Surrey and Sussex Health Care NHS Trust had similarly eye-watering waits, with their longest hospital discharge hitting 196 days, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust left a patient waiting to be discharged for 193 days, or over 6 months.

Warrington & Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS foundation trusts reported their longest waits of 162 days, whilst Tameside & Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust revealed their longest day was 154 days. This is the equivalent of over 5 months.

In December 2024, even without strikes or record levels of flu, 20,000 people had a delay being discharged of longer than four days, with 2,553 facing delays of over 21 days. The cost of delayed discharge has been estimated by the Kings Fund at £395 per bed, per night. Last December, more than 10,000 patients a day remained in hospital who were no longer meeting the criteria to stay, suggesting a cost to the NHS in excess of £122m.

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Caron Lindsay

Scottish internal election results

By Caron Lindsay | Sun 14th December 2025 - 10:39 am

The federal and all the State parties have been having internal elections.

The Scottish Party announced its results on Friday with a brilliant mix of people being elected to office bearer roles and committees. Except the President – watch out for her, she’s bound to be trouble.

Returning Officer John Lawrie emailed all members:

President – Caron Lindsay
Convener – Jenni Lang
Policy Convener – Neil Casey
Conference Convener – Fraser Graham
Campaigns & Candidates Convener – Charles Dundas
Treasurer – Mike Gray
Executive Committee Members (12 Members) – Willie Wilson, Alan Reid, Jill Reilly, David Evans, Stephen Harte, Amanda Clark, Christine Murdoch, Greg Foster, Daniel O’Malley, Grant Toghill, Lauren Buchanan-Quigley, Jacquie Bell
Policy Committee Members (5 Members) – Sally Pattle, Andy Williamson, Amanda Clark, Jack Clark, Eloise Martin
Conference Committee Members (6 Members) – Paul McGarry, Mel Sullivan, Ross Stalker, Noah McGarry, Leo Dempster, Jacquie Bell
Federal Council (3 Members) – Stephen Harte, Fraser Graham, Christine Murdoch
A member of The Federal Policy Committee – Daniel O’Malley
A member of The Federal Conference Committee – Paul McGarry
A member of The Federal People Development Committee – Caron Lindsay

Congratulations to everyone elected and commiserations to everyone who didn’t make it this time.

We have our youngest committee member in Noah McGarry, who is 14 but wise beyond his years. He has been elected to Conference Committee after impressing so many conference go-ers with his speeches and supporting role to his Dad, Paul, the former Conference Convener. He wants to make Conference accessible and enjoyable for young people.

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Liam Yip

ALDC’s by-election report – 11 December 2025

By Liam Yip | Fri 12th December 2025 - 7:36 pm

4 parallel white vertical lines on orange background ALDC logoThis week, there were nine local council by-elections, from all over the country. Three local by-elections did not have a Liberal Democrat candidate.

We start in the Highlands, where wewere able to gain this seat, at the expense of the SNP. Congratulations are due to Councillor Matthew Prosser and the local team for winning this seat.

Highland Council, Fort William and Ardnamurchan
First preferences:
Liberal Democrats (Matthew Prosser): 925 (40.5%)
SNP: 665 (29.1%)
Reform UK: 220 (9.6%)
Green Party: 216 (9.4%)
Conservative: 175 (7.6%)
Labour: 87 (3.8%)

Liberal Democrats GAIN from SNP
Elected at Stage 5

Turnout: 25.9%

In the Central Belt, Reform successfully gained this seat, for their first Scottish electoral victory. Thank you to Dougie Butler and the local team for flying the Liberal Democrat flag.

West Lothian Council, Whitburn and Blackburn
First preferences:
Reform UK: 1177 (32.0%)
SNP: 1028 (28.0%)
Labour: 627 (17.1%)
Independent (Lynch): 484 (13.2%)
Conservative: 129 (3.5%)
Liberal Democrats (Douglas Butler): 102 (2.8%)
Green Party: 101 (2.7%)
Independent (Millar): 27 (0.7%)

Reform UK GAIN from Labour
Elected at Stage 8

Turnout: 22.2%


In the Tees Valley, there were two by-elections this week, yet only one had a Liberal Democrat candidate. In Darlington, Reform were able to gain this seat off Labour, with us and the Tories finishing in joint second place. Thank you to Simon Thorley and the local team for flying the Liberal Democrat flag.

Darlington Borough Council, Red Hall and Lingfield
Reform UK: 341 (37.7%, new)
Conservative: 157 (17.3%, -22.5)
Liberal Democrats (Simon Thorley): 157 (17.3%, new)
Labour: 152 (16.8%, -37.1)
Green Party: 89 (9.8%, +3.6)
Independent: 9 (1.0%, new)

Reform UK GAIN from Labour

Turnout: 27.47%


In the West Midlands, the Conservatives successfully defended their seat. Thank you to Morag Maclean and the local team for winning this seat/flying the Liberal Democrat flag.

Lichfield District Council, Armitage with Handsacre
Conservative: 630 (46.7%, -6.3)
Reform UK: 431 (31.9%, new)
Labour: 127 (9.4%, -23.5)
Liberal Democrats (Morag Maclean): 99 (7.3%, -6.8)
Green Party: 63 (4.7%, new)

Conservative HOLD

Turnout: 22.43%


Moving south, we turn to the Welsh Valleys, where a local by-election was prompted by the outcome of the recent Senedd by-election. Plaid Cymru were able to comfortably hold this seat. Thank you to Mary Lloyd and the local team for flying the Liberal Democrat flag.

Caerphilly County Borough Council, Penyrheol
Plaid Cymru: 956 (60.1%, +6.3)
Reform UK: 422 (26.5%, new)
Labour: 114 (7.2%, -24.4)
Conservative: 66 (4.2%, -10.4)
Liberal Democrats (Mary Lloyd): 32 (2.0%, new)

Plaid Cymru HOLD

Turnout: 16.3%


In East Devon, we were able to gain a seat at the expense of the Conservatives, who were attempting to defend this seat, which they won in 2023, but the resigned councillor had since become independent. Congratulations to Councillor Steve Hunt and the local team for this decisive victory.

East Devon District Council, Seaton
Liberal Democrats (Steve Hunt): 789 (41.3%, +21.2)
Reform UK: 565 (29.6%, new)
Conservative: 400 (20.9%, -9.5)
Independent: 156 (8.2%, new)

Liberal Democrats GAIN from Conservative

Turnout: 33.4%


The results for the three by-elections which had no Liberal Democrat candidates are below.

South Kesteven District Council, Aveland
Reform UK: 290 (41.0%, +26.5)
Conservative: 280 (39.5%, +19.0)
Green Party: 115 (16.2%, new)
Labour: 23 (3.2%, new)

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James Baker

Banning children from online games, and spying on every device: Why we must oppose Baroness Benjamin’s attack on liberty

By James Baker | Fri 12th December 2025 - 10:25 am

Shortly, families across the country will gather to celebrate Christmas. Elves will have been busy making presents for Children, and Santa will be loading his sack. Parents will look forward to the joy on their children’s faces as they unwrap them.

For many teenagers, this joy might take the form of a new computer game to play with friends over the holiday. Maybe Minecraft, Fortnite, or the latest Mario Kart.

Yet if one Liberal Democrat peer has her way, no one under the age of 16 would be able to play an online game that allows them to talk or interact with another player.

Baroness Benjamin is backing a series of illiberal amendments to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill.

One would:

require all regulated user-to-user services to use highly-effective age assurance measures to prevent children under the age of 16 from becoming or being users.

While the stated intent is to ban under-16s from social media, the definition of a “user-to-user service” under the Online Safety Act 2023 is far broader. It covers almost any service that allows users to create content or communicate online. This includes social media, messaging apps, forums, and, critically for teens (and gamer parents who game with their children), Multiplayer video games.

In practice, this would ban under-16s from:

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The Voice

Three new Lib Dem Peers announced – and two more get to stay

By The Voice | Wed 10th December 2025 - 8:18 pm

Three new Lib Dem peers have been announced today.

Party Chief Exec Mike Dixon, Ed Davey’s Chief of Staff Rhiannon Leaman and former MP and winner of an epic by-election in Brent East Sarah Teather will be joining our Group in the House of Lords in the very near future. Sarah was also Children’s Minister during the first couple of years of the Coalition Government.

In addition, two of our hereditary peers, who would otherwise have been kicked out, get to stay. Dominic Addington and John Russell, have also been granted life peerages so they can continue their important contributions to Parliament after the Hereditary Peers Bill passes.

John Russell is the Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson for Energy and Climate Change, Dominic Addington is the Liberal Democrat Disabilities Spokesperson; is a passionate campaigner on special educational needs and disability; and is reported to be the most active peer in the entire House of Lords.

But on to the newbies:

Sarah Teather won a stunning by-election victory to become MP for Brent East in 2003, before serving as Children’s Minister between 2010 and 2012 where she led the way in doubling the pupil premium targeted at children from deprived backgrounds.

Rhiannon Leaman has served as Jo Swinson’s and then Ed Davey’s Chief of Staff since 2019.

Mike Dixon has served as Chief Executive since 2019, overseeing the transformation of the party that helped deliver four by-election wins and a record number of MPs.

Both Mike Dixon and Rhiannon Leaman will continue in their current roles for the party.

You can find out more about them here.

Ed said of the new three peers:

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Nick da Costa

Federal Conference Committee report

By Nick da Costa | Wed 10th December 2025 - 4:06 pm

The newly elected Federal Conference Committee (FCC) met on the evening 8 December, following the most recent round of Federal Elections. 

I would like to begin by offering warm congratulations to all newly elected and re-elected members of the Committee. I look forward to working with you over the coming years. I also extend commiserations to those who were not not successful on this occasion, and a heartfelt thank you to members who were not re-elected or who chose to stand down. Their contribution to delivering our conferences over the last term has been exceptional. 

The new FCC members are: 

Directly elected: Chris Adams, Jess Brown-Fuller, Nick da Costa, Gareth Epps, Alison Jenner, Eleanor Kelly, Chris Maines, Shaffaq Mohammed, Kath Pinnock, Jennie Rigg, Callum Robertson, Sarah Teather.  

The Party President: Mark Pack (Josh Babarinde from 1 Jan)

Wendy Chamberlain (as Chief Whip of the Parliamentary Party in the House of Commons)

English Representative: Darryl Smalley (Dionne Daniel from 1 Jan)

Scottish Representative: Fraser Graham (Scottish Rep elections currently underway)

Welsh Representative: Matthew Palmer (Chloe Hutchinson from 1 Jan)

YL Representative: Leo Dempster

Federal Board Representative: vacant

Federal Policy Committee Representatives: Duncan Brack & Alex Brewer

FCEC Representative: vacant 

FPDC Representative: Charley Hasted

Election of Officers

The Committee confirmed its officers for the new term. I am delighted to have been re-elected as Chair of the Federal Conference Committee. 

We also elected two Vice Chairs: 

  • Chris Adams: responsible for the General Purposes Subcommittee (GPSC)
  • Eleanor Kelly: responsible for the Conference Communications Group (CCG)

I look forward to working closely with Chris and Eleanor in the team ahead. 

General Purposes Subcommittee (GPSC)

The GPSC is responsible for the initial consideration of many organisational matters before they come to the FCC. Working in collaboration with the Conference Team, the GPSC will consider:

  • Future venue options for Federal Conference,
  • Conference registration rates, 
  • Party body rates, and recognition of bodies eligible for concessionary rates,
  • Conference stewards, including reports from the Chief Steward,
  • Conference finances and future conference budgets,
  • Access-related matters, 

Conference Communications Group (CCG)

The CCG bring recommendations to FCC based on work covering:

  • FCC communications with members and conference attendees, 
  • Marketing of Conference to members, 
  • Encouraging participation, diversity, and outreach
  • Accessibility of conference materials. 

Subcommittee membership

 We confirmed the membership of both the GPSC and CCG. These groups will each meet in the new year to review and refine their work plans for the term of office, which will then return to the FCC for further discussion. 

Constitutional & Standing Orders Working Group

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Liam Yip

ALDC By-Election Report, 4th December

By Liam Yip | Fri 5th December 2025 - 4:48 pm

This week, there were six local by-elections, of which three were Liberal Democrat defences.

In Watford, we secured a decisive win and defended this borough council seat. Congratulations are due to Councillor Callum Robinson and the local team for winning in Watford.

Watford Borough Council, Tudor
Liberal Democrats (Callum Robertson): 821 (52.6%, +4.3)
Reform UK: 433 (27.2%, +17.8 )
Conservative: 148 (9.3%, -10.5)
Labour: 111 (7.0%, -16.4)
Green Party: 77 (4.8%, new)

Liberal Democrats HOLD

In East Devon, we were able to ensure this seat remained Liberal Democrat, with a solid win over Reform UK. Congratulations are also due to Councillor Fran McElhone and the local team.

East Devon District Council, Exmouth Halsdon
Liberal Democrats (Fran McElhone): 551 (35.9%, -3.9)
Reform UK: 438 (28.5%, new)
Conservative: 393 (25.6%, -4.1)
Green Party: 153 (10.0%, new)

Liberal Democrats HOLD

Staying in Devon, we were able to gain this seat off the Conservatives, who were pushed down to third place. Congratulations too to Stephen Middleton and the local team for gaining another council seat for the Lib Dems.

Torridge District Council, Winkleigh
Liberal Democrats (Stephen Middleton): 325 (42.3%, +8.7)
Reform UK: 252 (32.8%, new)
Conservative: 191 (24.9%, -23.7)

Liberal Democrats GAIN from Conservative

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