Category Archives: News

11-12 July 2020 – the weekend’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Sun 12th July 2020 - 11:20 pm

Lib Dems: Govt must improve testing and tracing or they risk a second wave
Wasting money on Britain’s borders just more incompetence from Johnson’s Govt

Lib Dems: Govt must improve testing and tracing or they risk a second wave

Responding to Michael Gove’s comments this morning on the public returning to work and whether wearing face coverings should be mandatory in shops, Liberal Democrat Health Spokesperson Munira Wilson said:

Face coverings should be worn in enclosed public spaces, and it is important that any government guidance on the issue is clear on exactly when and where they are recommending the public should wear them.

However,

…

Also posted in Press releases | Tagged brexit, ed davey, munira wilson and test and trace | Leave a comment

Leadership election 2020: Watch Ed and Layla at hustings

By The Voice | Sun 12th July 2020 - 6:55 pm

This post will be regularly updated with links to recordings of Ed and Layla at the many hustings events that are taking place.

I’ll update it and re-post it whenever there is something new to add.

First up, the very first formal hustings, with the Social Liberal Forum on Saturday 11th July.

The first of the party’s big set piece hustings, on jobs and the economy took place on Wedmesday 15th July:

More events under the cut. First South Central from 11 July

Tagged layla moran, leadership election 2020 and led davey | Leave a comment

WATCH: Liberal Revues of old

By Caron Lindsay | Sun 12th July 2020 - 4:55 pm

One of the highlights of Conference used to be the Liberal Revue, a tour de force of satire. Some of the old ones have made their way on to YouTube and you can see them here.

I can only remember going to one, back in 1992 in Harrogate. And it’s here. I also took part in a mini version at the 1986 Paisley Conference which, thankfully, was never filmed. However, we did get Bob Maclennan to make fun of Charles Kennedy. It was a special moment.

Enjoy.

Tagged liberal revue and you tube | 2 Comments

Could you be on Federal Appeals Panel?

By Caron Lindsay | Sun 12th July 2020 - 2:55 pm

One of the things Federal Conference needs to do this year is to approve candidates for the Federal Appeals Panel. This is basically the Supreme Court of the Lib Dems, the end point of our internal judicial process.

I don’t remember the recruitment process being quite so open before and it’s great to see it being more widely advertised.

The advert is below and if you feel that this is something you can do, particularly if you are from an under-represented group, please apply:

Tagged Federal Appeals Panel and volunteer opportunities | 1 Comment

Where to see the leadership candidates this weekend

By Caron Lindsay | Sat 11th July 2020 - 10:01 am

With Layla and Ed duly nominated, they now embark on an eye-watering series of hustings events across the country. There are 4 this weekend.

In just under an hour you can see them at the Social Liberal Forum q and a at 11 am.

At 3:25pm, both candidates will be put through a job interview style interview at the Scottish special conference by former candidate Katy Gordon, who’s a senior HR person and John Ferry, a journalist. I wonder if they’ve been modelling their interviewing style on Claude from The Apprentice.

Tonight at 6pm, it is the South Central hustings.

Tomorrow at 6pm, it’s the Yorkshire and the Humber’s turn to question the candidates.

Tagged ed davey, layla moran and leadership election 2020 | 7 Comments

10 July 2020 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Fri 10th July 2020 - 10:30 pm

Cross-party group urge BBC to save Politics Live
Homeless covid deaths should act as a wake up call
Government unwillingness to work with EU is unforgivable

Cross-party group urge BBC to save Politics Live

A cross-party group of MPs have called on the BBC to adhere to its obligations as a public service broadcaster and make a “firm commitment” to the future of Politics Live amidst reports the show could be axed.

Liberal Democrat MP Daisy Cooper, who coordinated the cross-party group, warned the BBC that dropping the show would “seriously harm the ability of the BBC to scrutinise and explain the consequences of …

Also posted in Press releases | Tagged bbc, daisy cooper, eu vaccine scheme, homelessness, layla moran, munira wilson and politics | Leave a comment

Final nomination totals for leadership candidates

By The Voice | Fri 10th July 2020 - 8:59 am

These are the final figures for the nominations for the next Leader of the Liberal Democrats – more details here.

You can see both candidates in action at the many hustings meetings (all via Zoom or YouTube, of course). Some are regional in character, others focus on specific policy areas or strategy.

Everyone who was a party member by yesterday will be able to vote in the election, which will run from 30th July to 26th August, with the results expected to be declared on 27th August.

Tagged ed davey, layla moran and leadership 2020 | Leave a comment

9 July 2020 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Thu 9th July 2020 - 10:45 pm

Settled Status figures show need for automatic right to stay
Publishing Russia report top of the list for intelligence committee
Lib Dems: Consequences of Chancellor ignoring our high streets already clear
Govt must foot the bill to keep TV licences free for over 75s
Ministers must act to ensure public can have confidence in NHS Test and Trace
As the country opens up Test and Trace is more important than ever

Settled Status figures show need for automatic right to stay

The Liberal Democrats are calling on the Government to grant EU citizens the automatic right to stay in the UK, with the physical proof they need, as new Home Office figures reveal thousands are being refused and millions await a final decision.

The latest EU Settlement Scheme statistics, published this morning, reveal 2,300 people have been refused Settled Status, 1.4 million have only been granted temporary ‘Pre-Settled Status’ and 250,000 are still waiting for a decision.

Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson Christine Jardine said:

EU citizens in the UK have been living under a cloud of uncertainty for far too long. They are our families and friends, our colleagues and carers. They must have the right to stay.

Boris Johnson and the Conservatives promised to automatically guarantee the rights of EU citizens to stay, but they have broken that promise.

With so many people being refused Settled Status, granted only temporary ‘Pre-Settled Status’ or still waiting for a decision, it’s clear that the Government’s scheme is anything but automatic.”

And without physical proof of their rights, EU citizens will be at the mercy of the Conservatives’ Hostile Environment. They must not become the victims of a new Windrush-style scandal.

Liberal Democrats are fighting for EU citizens to be given the automatic right to stay in the UK, with the physical proof they need.

Also posted in Press releases | Tagged christine jardine, daisy cooper, job losses, munira wilson, retail sales, russian interference, sarah olney, settled status, test and trace, TV licence and wera hobhouse | 10 Comments

Two candidates confirmed for Lib Dem leadership race

By The Voice | Thu 9th July 2020 - 5:04 pm

Liberal Democrat MPs Ed Davey and Layla Moran will be the two candidates contesting the latest Liberal Democrat leadership contest, the Party has confirmed.

At the close of nominations today both Ed Davey and Layla Moran secured the support required to appear on the ballot.

Voting will open on the 30th July and close on the 26th August, after which the Party will announce the next leader.

Liberal Democrat Party President Mark Pack said:

With two fantastic candidates, I am really excited for the contest for who will lead the Liberal Democrats and champion our vision for an outward-looking, caring country that celebrates

…

Also posted in Press releases | Tagged leadership election 2020 | Leave a comment

Jo Swinson appointed as Director of PN4E

By The Voice | Thu 9th July 2020 - 2:20 pm

Partners for a New Economy (P4NE) have announced that they have appointed Jo Swinson as their new Director.

P4NE is a philanthropic donor organisation that makes grants to projects that support new economic thinking. As they say:

At P4NE, we fund innovative projects and build communities that bring new thinking and approaches to traditional economics. These “change catalysts” play a pivotal role in helping to repurpose our economic system, and together they’re helping to build a movement for an economic system that’s fit for the challenges of the 21^st Century.

Tagged Jo Swinson and PN4E | 15 Comments

8 July 2020 – yesterday’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Thu 9th July 2020 - 10:05 am

Lib Dems: Yet more lies from PM as he tries to dodge blame for care homes crisis
Davey: We must match the scale of the crisis with the courage to invest

Lib Dems: Yet more lies from PM as he tries to dodge blame for care homes crisis

Responding to Boris Johnson’s comments during Prime Minister’s Questions that “no one knew early on in the pandemic that the virus was being passed on asymptomatically”, Liberal Democrat Health Spokesperson Munira Wilson said:

Yet again, we are seeing more lies from the Prime Minister. He and his Ministers knew about the asymptomatic transmission of this virus,

…

Also posted in Press releases | Tagged alexander boris de pfeffel johnson, care homes, ed davey, green recovery plan and munira wilson | 2 Comments

South Lakeland District Council: Climate Action Plan

By The Voice | Wed 8th July 2020 - 1:00 pm

I very much favour articles that are about climate change, biodiversity etc. and I had a write up from Cllr. Dyan Jones from South Lakeland District council, on climate change, that I thought I would share with LDV readers

Tahir Maher

Wednesday Editor

————————————————————————————————-

Here in Cumbria, South Lakeland District Council takes the business of climate change seriously, and sustainability underpins everything we seek to do.

Declaring our position last year; recognising the emergency, committing to action and unanimously agreeing to make this a public commitment, we set out to inform, influence and implement actions to address this emergency in all areas under our direct …

Tagged climate change, green and Local Council | 23 Comments

Chancellor must act to help those excluded from Government support

By NewsHound | Wed 8th July 2020 - 7:30 am

After the initial meeting of the APPG for ExcludedUK today, Liberal Democrat MP and Chair of the APPG Jamie Stone has joined with the other co-chairs in calling on the Chancellor to help those who have so far been left out of the financial support measures introduced by the Government.

The APPG has been set up with the help of ExcludedUK to represent the 3 million individuals who have not been entitled to the Government support in response to the coronavirus crisis. The first meeting this morning was the largest of any inaugural APPG meeting, seeing over 150 MPs join online.

In …

Also posted in Press releases | Tagged excluded and jamie stone | 4 Comments

7 July 2020 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Tue 7th July 2020 - 10:30 pm

Davey: we need a devolution revolution to drive the green revolution
Govt decision on arms sales to Saudi Arabia shows lack of humanity
Govt green recovery plans do not match ambition of other countries

Davey: we need a devolution revolution to drive the green revolution

Today Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey has delivered a keynote speech to the Local Government Association outlining his plan for a devolution revolution to drive a green revolution.

Ed Davey called for the government to make £45bn new funding available to local authorities over three years alongside a range of new powers so that local government can …

Also posted in Press releases | Tagged Alistair Carmichael, arms sales, ed davey, green recovery plan, howard sykes, local government association and saudi arabia | 1 Comment

6 July 2020 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Mon 6th July 2020 - 11:15 pm

The PM blaming care homes for his failure is shameful
Landmark domestic abuse legislation passes House of Commons

The PM blaming care homes for his failure is shameful

Responding to the Prime Minister’s comments today saying that “we discovered too many care homes didn’t really follow the procedures in the way that they could have,” Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said:

For weeks Boris Johnson told us he and his ministers had put a protective ring round our care homes. That was a lie and the public knew it. Today he is trying to shift the blame to those who risked

…

Also posted in Press releases | Tagged care homes, christine jardine, coronavirus, domestic abuse bill and ed davey | 1 Comment

4-5 July 2020 – the weekend’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Mon 6th July 2020 - 7:30 am

Health Secretary failing to create comprehensive and trace system
Lib Dems secure cross-party support to protect migrant women in “historic” Domestic Abuse Bill

Health Secretary failing to create comprehensive test and trace system

Responding to Matt Hancock’s interview on The Andrew Marr Show, Liberal Democrat Health, Wellbeing and care spokesperson Munira Wilson said:

The Health Secretary talks a lot about wanting to protect our NHS, but the best way to protect it is by actually creating a comprehensive Test and Trace system that allows local authorities to keep the virus under control. Ultimately if we want to avoid a second peak that will put

…

Tagged christine jardine, domestic abuse bill, munira wilson and test and trace | Leave a comment

Lib Dem Jobwatch – ALDC special

By The Voice | Sun 5th July 2020 - 8:55 am

Our friends at ALDC are hiring. They have one job in Wales up for grabs and another two in Salford with closing dates in the next 12 days. If you fancy them, don’t delay – send off for an application pack.

Development Officer (Wales)

Full Time, Cardiff (with significant travel) £24.000-£28,000 (plus 8% pension contribution after 3 months).

This is a new post, jointly funded by the Welsh Liberal Democrats and ALDC. The postholder will work with council groups, councillors and local parties across Wales in the run up to major elections in 2021 and 2022. This is an exciting opportunity to work with both the Welsh Party and ALDC.

The post holder will be part of a new team whose aim is to ensure more Liberal Democrats are elected to both the Senedd and Welsh councils. To do that you will develop effective local campaigning by Liberal Democrats right across Wales, and for the local elections, deliver a considerable increase in the number of Welsh Liberal Democrat candidates.

Closing date – 5pm Friday 10 July
Interview date – Thursday 16 July (via video conference).

More information and application pack www.aldc.org/about/our-jobs-work-experience-opps/

Office and Events Organiser
Full Time. Salford (Greater Manchester)
£18,795.00 to £21,166.00 (plus 8% pension contribution after 3 months).

Responsible for the smooth running of our office, office systems and our busy programme of events.

Tagged lib dem jobwatch | Leave a comment

3 July 2020 – the day’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Sat 4th July 2020 - 1:50 pm

Govt’s claim of protective ring around care homes “completely bogus”

Responding to the latest ONS figures showing almost 20,000 care home residents have died with coronavirus, Liberal Democrat Health, Wellbeing and Social Care spokesperson Munira Wilson said:

The devastating scale of the coronavirus crisis in our care homes is heartbreaking. It shows the Government’s claim that they had a “protective ring” in place was completely bogus.

We must learn the lessons of this crisis in real time. Alongside adequate protective equipment, routine testing for residents and care workers could not be more important. The Government must ensure every care home

…

Also posted in Press releases | Tagged air bridges, Alistair Carmichael, care homes, eu vaccine scheme and munira wilson | 6 Comments

2 July 2020 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Thu 2nd July 2020 - 11:40 pm

Govt making “dog’s dinner” of Brexit negotiations
Govt must move faster to improve NHS Test & Trace system
Govt woefully underprepared to ensure every young person can return to school

Govt making “dog’s dinner” of Brexit negotiations

Responding to news that the UK Chief Negotiator David Frost has stated that “significant differences” remain as the latest restricted round of talks concludes a day early, Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs and Brexit spokesperson Alistair Carmichael said:

Last month Boris Johnson asserted that he wanted a Brexit deal by the end of July.

But far from putting a tiger in the tank, David Frost appears to be making a

…

Also posted in Press releases | Tagged Alistair Carmichael, brexit, layla moran, munira wilson, school reopening and track and trace | 1 Comment

2 July 2020 – the overnight press release

By Mark Valladares | Thu 2nd July 2020 - 7:30 am

Guidance for schools raises more questions than they answer

Responding to reports the Government’s guidance for schools reopening will include an overhaul of the curriculum, impose strict behaviour regimes and include a continuation of remote learning, Liberal Democrat Education Spokesperson Layla Moran said:

A raft of guidance is again released, but it is meaningless unless it is accompanied by robust scientific evidence to reassure the public that these plans won’t result in an increased risk of Covid-19 spreading.

The practicality of the plans also raise concerns. Dropping entire subjects and a continuation of remote learning without much needed equipment is far

…

Also posted in Press releases | Tagged layla moran and school reopening | 5 Comments

1 July 2020 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Wed 1st July 2020 - 10:30 pm

Govt must not abandon Hong Kong youth
Govt must stop overlooking green investment to create sustainable jobs

Govt must not abandon Hong Kong youth

Following Raab’s statement that China has broken the Joint Declaration by imposing the new ‘security law’ on Hong Kong, and that the UK govt will now be offering a path to citizenship for BNO status holders, Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs Spokesperson and Chair of the APPG on Hong Kong Alistair Carmichael said:

It is right that the UK Government are taking swift action to help protect the rights and freedoms of the people of Hong Kong, but they must go

…

Also posted in Press releases | Tagged Alistair Carmichael, ed davey, hong kong and job losses | 2 Comments

Liberal Democrat Friends of Israel Statement on the proposed Israeli annexation of the West Bank

By Toby Davis | Wed 1st July 2020 - 3:30 pm

The Liberal Democrat Friends of Israel (LDFI) would like to express our deep concern about plans by the current Israeli Government to annex large swathes of the West Bank, including the Jordan Valley.

We are strong supporters of the State of Israel and a negotiated two-state solution; however, we believe this action by the Government of Israel is neither in the best interests of the State nor the Israeli or Palestinian peoples. Significant parts of the UK’s Jewish diaspora have voiced both concerns about and opposition to these proposals. The proposed annexation, reportedly scheduled for 1st July also has the potential to impact Israel’s political, diplomatic, and economic challenges, including their hard-won peace deals with Egypt and Jordan in addition to their burgeoning relations with the Sunni Arab states.

Also posted in Op-eds | Tagged friends of israel (Lib Dem), israel, palestine and two state solution | 27 Comments

Is Civil War Politics in Ireland really dead and buried?

By Audrey Eager | Wed 1st July 2020 - 1:30 pm

Can you remember the 8th of February? Before COVID? No? Neither can I. There was an election in Ireland that day, but a government was only formed last Saturday. Yes, it took 140 days and on Saturday, Micheál Martin, leader of our ALDE sister-party, Fianna Fáil, took office as An Taoiseach.

Negotiators from Fianna Fáil (FF), Fine Gael (FG) and the Green Party (GP) worked on a Programme for Government (PfG). At the same time, a pandemic sucked the life out of the economy, and public health officials strived to protect people. Each respective government party took the PfG back to their membership for support and won it, allowing for a viable coalition to emerge.

But this isn’t any coalition. It is meant to be the beginning of the end of Civil War politics.

Let’s set the scene.

Also posted in Op-eds | Tagged fianna fail, ireland and sinn fein | 22 Comments

Netanyahu’s annexation plans must not go unchallenged

By Layla Moran MP | Wed 1st July 2020 - 12:30 pm

Luxembourg’s foreign minister Jean Asselborn, reacting to the new Israeli government’s intention to annex 30% of the occupied West Bank, put it well. ‘Thou shalt not steal’, he said.

Unfortunately, Binyamin Netanyahu has little time for this type of directive. Encouraged by the so-called US ‘peace plan’ for the middle east, he wants to introduce legislation to the Knesset, Israel’s Parliament, to begin the process of annexation. He had originally planned to declare this today, and while there might be a delay to the announcement, by all accounts his intention has not changed.

This must not go unchallenged. International law is clear. …

Also posted in Op-eds | Tagged annexation of West Bank, Binyamin Netanyahu, israel and palestine | 53 Comments

1 July 2020 – the overnight press release

By Mark Valladares | Wed 1st July 2020 - 7:30 am

Govt must end debt crisis for renters to avoid homelessness trebling in 2020

Responding to a report by Generation Rent, which has found that ‘homelessness is set to treble this year … as a result of the economic shock of coronavirus’, Liberal Democrat Housing Spokesperson Tim Farron said:

The fact that homelessness is set to treble this year is yet more proof that the consequences of the pandemic are set to be devastating for those struggling to get by. The Government must take action now to stop these statistics becoming a reality.

This Conservative Government seem content to ignore the realities of the

…

Also posted in Press releases | Tagged renting and tim farron | 1 Comment

30 June 2020 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Tue 30th June 2020 - 10:30 pm

Govt must act swiftly in face of new law to uphold promises to Hong Kong
UK economy will need a Green Recovery Plan to recover
Johnson’s speech offers no green recovery plan and no help for vulnerable people
Tories’ Immigration Bill will deal enormous blow to NHS and British business

Govt must act swiftly in face of new law to uphold promises to Hong Kong

Responding to reports that China has passed a sweeping national security law giving it new powers over Hong Kong, Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs spokesperson and Chair of the APPG on Hong Kong Alistair Carmichael said:

This new law crushes what

…

Also posted in Press releases | Tagged Alistair Carmichael, christine jardine, ed davey, green economy, hong kong and immigration bill | 3 Comments

29 June 2020 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Mon 29th June 2020 - 10:30 pm

Govt must make mental health support available to health and care workers
New Trade and Agriculture Commission must be a “watchdog with teeth” – Farron
Govt must stop spending money on measures that don’t prevent crime
Govt must make more help available for people and businesses in Leicester

Govt must make mental health support available to health and care workers

Responding to reports that Labour have announced a “Care for Carers” plan, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said:

Over the past months the Liberal Democrats have called on the Government to ramp up mental health support for health and care staff. It is

…

Also posted in Press releases | Tagged coronavirus, daisy cooper, ed davey, farming, free trade, leicester, local lockdowns, mental health, munira wilson, prisons and tim farron | 2 Comments

29 June 2020 – the overnight press release

By Mark Valladares | Mon 29th June 2020 - 7:30 am

Govt funding for schools is spin over substance

Responding to the Government’s announcement of a ten-year rebuilding programme schools, Liberal Democrat Education spokesperson Layla Moran said:

This is spin over substance. The funding is nowhere near the £7bn the National Audit Office has said is needed to repair our schools.

Schools need urgent investment to increase space now, not vague numbers pulled out of thin air.

Whether it’s investing in schools or hospitals, time and again the Conservatives have over promised and under delivered.

Tagged building schools for the future and layla moran | 2 Comments

27-28 June 2020 – the weekend’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Sun 28th June 2020 - 11:50 pm

Govt must act now to reassure public they are managing Leicester outbreak
PM must ensure Civil Service is not hollowed out after Sedwill’s departure

Govt must act now to reassure public they are managing Leicester outbreak

Responding to news that the Home Secretary has confirmed the city of Leicester may face a localised lockdown following a rise in coronavirus cases, Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Health, Wellbeing and Social Care Munira Wilson said:

The Government must act now to reassure people in the Leicester area that they are managing this serious outbreak.

Ministers must urgently examine the data and act immediately if necessary, hand in

…

Also posted in Press releases | Tagged civil service, ed davey, local lockdowns and munira wilson | Leave a comment

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Category Archives: News

11-12 July 2020 – the weekend’s press releases

Leadership election 2020: Watch Ed and Layla at hustings

WATCH: Liberal Revues of old

Could you be on Federal Appeals Panel?

Where to see the leadership candidates this weekend

10 July 2020 – today’s press releases

Final nomination totals for leadership candidates

9 July 2020 – today’s press releases

Two candidates confirmed for Lib Dem leadership race

Jo Swinson appointed as Director of PN4E

8 July 2020 – yesterday’s press releases

South Lakeland District Council: Climate Action Plan

Chancellor must act to help those excluded from Government support

7 July 2020 – today’s press releases

6 July 2020 – today’s press releases

4-5 July 2020 – the weekend’s press releases

Lib Dem Jobwatch – ALDC special

3 July 2020 – the day’s press releases

2 July 2020 – today’s press releases

2 July 2020 – the overnight press release

1 July 2020 – today’s press releases

Liberal Democrat Friends of Israel Statement on the proposed Israeli annexation of the West Bank

Is Civil War Politics in Ireland really dead and buried?

Netanyahu’s annexation plans must not go unchallenged

1 July 2020 – the overnight press release

30 June 2020 – today’s press releases

29 June 2020 – today’s press releases

29 June 2020 – the overnight press release

27-28 June 2020 – the weekend’s press releases

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