Category Archives: News

Wera Hobhouse MP

Wera Hobhouse: Our party is in desperate need of reform

By Wera Hobhouse MP | Tue 23rd June 2020 - 1:00 pm

Our party is in desperate need of reform.

We have overlooked the importance of winning locally. We have sacrificed our local government strongholds on the altar of national government dreams.

In doing so, we have carelessly damaged our local government base in many areas. We have assumed we can win new MPs without winning locally first. The 2019 election shows that we can’t.

As has been said in the 2019 General Election Review: ‘The overarching conclusion … is that had we made much better decisions in 2019 we might have gained a few more seats, but not many more.’

Part of this is that we hadn’t rebuilt enough support locally to win nationally.

For too long we have given priority to Westminster, its national policy interests and the messaging that goes with it.

Continue reading »
Tagged | 5 Comments
The Young Liberals Executive

A Message from the Young Liberals’ executive: Get involved!

By The Young Liberals Executive | Tue 23rd June 2020 - 11:30 am

The Young Liberals is not a perfect organisation – there, we said it – from its lack of institutional memory to the difficulties it’s faced in gaining better representation amongst young professionals, there are many things that could be improved about the organisation.

This being said, it’s been encouraging to see many use the platform of Lib Dem Voice to suggest ways the organisation could change and improve. This clearly shows that many people really care about YL and to these people, and to anyone else reading who meets our membership criteria, we have one message. Please, get involved!

Continue reading »
Also posted in Party policy and internal matters | Tagged | 5 Comments
Mark Valladares

22 June 2020 – today’s press release

By Mark Valladares | Mon 22nd June 2020 - 10:30 pm

Lib Dems: Vulnerable people who cannot return to work must get sick pay

Responding to the daily press conference, where the Health Secretary made an announcement to relax the guidance to all those shielding, Liberal Democrat Health, Care and Well-being Spokesperson Munira Wilson said:

The announcement from the Health Secretary will be welcome news to all those who have been shielding over the past few months during the pandemic. Whilst this has been crucial for their physical health, we cannot underestimate the toll this has taken on their well-being and mental health.

It’s vital the Government ensures that everything is in place to

…

Continue reading »
Also posted in Press releases | Tagged and | 1 Comment
The Voice

Liberal Democrats mark Windrush Day

By The Voice | Mon 22nd June 2020 - 10:09 pm

To mark Windrush Day today, Lib Dem Vice President Isabelle Parasram talks about why this day is significant for her.

The acting leader had this to say:

Other Lib Dem Parliamentarians marked the event

Over on the party website, Floella Benjamin wrote about the structural racism that still blights our society:

Continue reading »
Tagged , , , , and | 2 Comments
Mark Valladares

22 June 2020 – the overnight press release

By Mark Valladares | Mon 22nd June 2020 - 8:15 am

Mark Windrush Day by giving the right to remain to all NHS workers, Lib Dems say

The Liberal Democrats are marking Windrush Day by renewing calls on the Government to give all NHS and social care workers who have worked in the UK during the coronavirus pandemic indefinite leave to remain.

Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson Christine Jardine urged Ministers to make clear by backing these calls that “those who have put their lives at risk for our country are welcome to live in it.”

The Royal College of Nursing are also calling for reform, citing statistics from the Nursery and …

Continue reading »
Also posted in Press releases | Tagged and | 3 Comments
Mark Valladares

20-21 June 2020 – the weekend’s press release

By Mark Valladares | Sun 21st June 2020 - 11:40 pm

2m review must consider test, trace and isolate strategy

Responding to reports that the Government will announce in the coming week whether the 2m social distancing rule in England will be relaxed, Liberal Democrat Health Spokesperson Munira Wilson said:

The economic and public health impact of the Coronavirus is deeply worrying and has left thousands of families facing financial hardship and uncertainty. We all want to get back to normal life as soon as possible.

However, any easing of the lockdown can only happen once the Government delivers a comprehensive strategy to test, trace and isolate to protect lives and prevent a new

…

Continue reading »
Also posted in Press releases | Tagged and | 2 Comments
Mark Valladares

19 June 2020 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Fri 19th June 2020 - 11:15 pm
  • Cross-party group urge Govt to “right the wrong” done to Chagos Islanders and respect the ICJ
  • Debt response must be green recovery plan
  • Govt must do more to tackle disproportionate BAME Covid-19 deaths
  • Sir Simon McDonald’s premature departure raises serious questions
  • Challenge is for Govt, not teachers

Cross-party group urge Govt to “right the wrong” done to Chagos Islanders and respect the ICJ

The Liberal Democrats are leading cross-party calls for the Government to adhere to United Nations’ calls for the Chagos islands to be returned to Mauritian control and come good on the promise of a £40m package of support for the Chagossian community.

Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs spokesperson Alistair Carmichael, who has secured the support of 29 other MPs from across the political spectrum, criticised the Government’s “arrogant” rejection of the International Court of Justice’s ruling on Chagos and warned it is jeopardising the UK’s credibility on a world stage.

The intervention comes after the UK Government issued a response to the UN Secretary General’s report on implementing Resolution 73/295 – which advised it to end the unlawful occupation of the islands – earlier this week.

In a letter to the Prime Minister, the cross-party group quote the Prime Minister of Mauritius who highlighted the connections between the Chagossian struggle and the Black Lives Matter movement by warning “the occupation of the Chagos Archipelago inscribes itself in these historic wrongs.”

Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokesperson Alistair Carmichael said:

I’m saddened but not surprised at the Government’s decision to reject the International Court of Justice’s ruling on the illegal British occupation of the Chagos archipelago.

The ICJ has very clearly instructed the UK to return the island chain to Mauritian control. The Government’s refusal to do so is arrogant and jeopardises our credibility on a world stage.

The Government must abide by the ICJ’s ruling and ensure the £40m package of support promised to the Chagossian community is paid out in full.

Continue reading »
Also posted in Press releases | Tagged , , , , , , , , and | 1 Comment
Mark Valladares

19 June 2020 – the overnight press release

By Mark Valladares | Fri 19th June 2020 - 8:15 am

Govt must guarantee schools’ funding boost isn’t at expense of anything else

Responding to news that the Government has announced plans, including a tutoring scheme, to help pupils catch up on lost learning as a result of school closures during the COVID-19 crisis, Liberal Democrat Education spokesperson Layla Moran said:

These initiatives need to form part of a wider national plan agreed with teachers, experts, unions and others. The plan must be flexible and work for school leaders’ circumstances on the ground. Top-down initiatives with funding tied to them won’t make a big enough difference if schools are unable to fully

…

Continue reading »
Also posted in Press releases | Tagged and | Leave a comment
Mark Valladares

18 June 2020 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Thu 18th June 2020 - 11:10 pm
  • Lib Dems use Urgent Question to challenge Govt on DFID merger
  • Govt must regulate big tech companies’ use of COVID-19 app data
  • Lib Dems call for Race Equality Strategy

Lib Dems use Urgent Question to challenge Govt on DFID merger

Liberal Democrat International Development spokesperson Wendy Chamberlain has today challenged the Foreign Secretary on the “wrongheaded” decision to merge the Department of International Development with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

In an Urgent Question in the House of Commons, Wendy Chamberlain blasted the Prime Minister’s description of DFID as a “cashpoint in the sky”. She also raised mounting concerns about future funding for DFID projects …

Continue reading »
Also posted in Press releases | Tagged , , , , , and | 2 Comments
Keith Melton

Dr Jane Goodall to speak at the Green Liberal Democrats online conference this Sunday

By Keith Melton | Thu 18th June 2020 - 8:16 pm

Embed from Getty Images

Perhaps you know the Green Liberal Democrats are putting on a series of virtual events starting this Saturday – 20th June! – to replace our cancelled ‘actual’ Summer Conference. What you may not have seen yet, because it was only confirmed earlier this week, is that the most famous primatologist and anthropologist in the world – Dr Jane Goodall – has confirmed that she will be speaking to us on Sunday 21st June. Jane Goodall is to be our STAR guest on Sunday evening, from 6.00pm until 7.15pm – so please come and join us for that and the many other events we will be putting on virtually from this Saturday through to Sunday 5th July.

We have a number of films for you to see that you almost certainly have not seen before, including the UK Liberal Democrat Premiere of the film 2040, subtitled – join the REGENERATION. This is a powerful and evocative film from Australian film journalist Damon Gameau, who takes a look at how much better life could be on earth in 2040, when his five-year-old daughter will be in her early 20s. You can see the trailer for the film here. You can, however, ONLY see the full film during our Green Liberal Democrats festival of Green Events, because we have acquired the showing rights of the film – just for you!

And that is not the ONLY film we have licensed for your viewing pleasure  – we have the rights to show you the film The Story of Plastic – it is not just about plastic waste although that does feature strongly in the film. It is also about where plastic comes from, how it is made and the overall impact of the plastics industry on our planet, from extraction to transport to manufacture to disposal and recovery. The showing of this film will be shortly before the session we have planned with Lib Dem Party President Dr Mark Pack about “Greening the Party”  so it should throw up a number of question we might challenge our President over in relation to the normal Spring and Autumn Party Conferences when there are far too many single use plastic bottles of water in front of all of us as delegates.

Continue reading »
Tagged | 2 Comments
Mark Valladares

17 June 2020 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Wed 17th June 2020 - 10:30 pm
  • Lib Dems support amendments to put humanity at heart of Domestic Abuse Bill
  • Lib Dems slam Govt’s £900k makeover of RAF Voyager as “absurd waste”

Lib Dems support amendments to put humanity at heart of Domestic Abuse Bill

Liberal Democrat MP Christine Jardine has today spoken in favour of amendments to the Domestic Abuse Bill to put “humanity at the heart” of the Bill. If passed, the amendments would ensure an abuse survivor’s immigration status does not affect the support they receive.

The Bill currently fails to make provisions to support “one of the most vulnerable groups” affected by domestic abuse: …

Continue reading »
Also posted in Press releases | Tagged , , and | 2 Comments
Kevin Langford

Strategic objectives June 2020

By Kevin Langford | Wed 17th June 2020 - 6:00 pm

Our election review concluded – we lacked vision, relevance and strategy in 2019. In this context, I want to return to Michael Kitching’s piece (“However beautiful the strategy you should occasionally look at the results” – Op-Eds April 25th). He makes several important points arguing that we need a greater focus on delivery and more effectiveness in execution. But most importantly, he argues for clear long term strategic objectives. As he points out, a framework for allocating resources to constituencies is not a strategic objective; it is tactics. Stopping Brexit was not a long term strategic objective for the party; it was a policy (albeit a good and extremely important one) with a limited shelf life.

Our key strategic objectives need to be consistent for 10- 20 years. They, alongside our values, structure and guide all decision making. They cannot be given up because someone else moves onto the territory. They should not be the kind of objective which becomes outdated either because no-one any longer wants it, or because it relates to something that has already happened.

Continue reading »
Also posted in Op-eds | 21 Comments
Jonathan Hunt

Why good statues of slaves must replace the bad

By Jonathan Hunt | Wed 17th June 2020 - 12:00 pm

Statues, as David Olusoga reminds us, are but a distraction from the real issues of race inequality, we as a nation and as a party must change.

But, but, but… They remain a very visual presence in places where people congregate. As an insular Londoner, I have been well aware of the long and principled campaign to remove the bronze Colson, the man who branded his properties on their chests.

How, then can any Liberal Democrat want to continue celebrating such ogres?

Reasons for removing or pulling down statues of slave traders and owners vary greatly. Some deserve a dunking, like Colson. Others, displayed in places of leaning with full histories attached, as history is should represent the truth, whole and inclusive.

Continue reading »
Also posted in Op-eds | Tagged | 5 Comments
Mark Valladares

16 June 2020 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Tue 16th June 2020 - 10:30 pm
  • Govt spending £120m on Festival for Brexit instead of free school meals over the summer
  • PM’s decision to scrap DFID shows Govt turning its back on most in need
  • Govt must act to address disproportionate impact of pandemic on BAME communities
  • Govt must go beyond u-turn on free school meals to give every child best start
  • PM must think again on DFID in face of COVID-19 global health emergency

Govt spending £120m on Festival for Brexit instead of free school meals over the summer

The Liberal Democrats have accused the Government of being “callous and heartless” for spending £120m on a Festival For Brexit, when the same amount of money could be spent on extending free school meals over the summer.

Liberal Democrat Education spokesperson, Layla Moran, made the intervention ahead of an opposition debate today on calls to extend free school meals during the coronavirus outbreak.

The Government recently confirmed that the Festival for Brexit will be going ahead in 2022, with £120 million of taxpayers’ money earmarked for the event. This is the exact same amount it would cost to extend free school meals to all eligible pupils over the six-week summer holiday.

Liberal Democrat Education spokesperson Layla Moran said:

Leaving children hungry while ploughing millions into Brexit propaganda is callous and heartless. This appalling waste of money shows where the government’s priorities lie.

It’s not rocket science. If the government can spend £120 million on a Brexit ‘festival’, they could easily spend the same on ensuring the most disadvantaged children have enough to eat over the summer holidays.

It is about time that the Education Secretary went to the training ground with Marcus Rashford to take some lessons on how best to support the most vulnerable pupils.

PM’s decision to scrap DFID shows Govt turning its back on most in need

Responding to reports that the Prime Minister will announce later today that the Foreign Office and Department for International Development are set to be merged, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for International Development Wendy Chamberlain said:

Not content with depriving disadvantaged kids of their free school meals, the Prime Minister is now choosing to abolish the department whose job is to support the most vulnerable people around the world.

UK aid prevents suffering. The Liberal Democrats have always made absolutely clear our unequivocal support for Britain’s role as a world leader in providing aid to those most in need. By working internationally we can achieve so much more than we can alone.

This decision shows the extent of the Prime Minister’s determination to see the UK turn its back on the world.

Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey added:

Boris Johnson has wanted to use the 0.7% for international aid for his own political projects ever since entering government. This news comes as the most vulnerable brace themselves for the Coronavirus, which has already torn through many countries.

In the last 24 hours this Government has refused to offer the poorest children in the UK free school meals. They have now turned to cutting funding away from some of the worlds poorest. Boris Johnson is playing culture war games and some of the most vulnerable people here at home and abroad are paying the price.

Continue reading »
Also posted in Press releases | Tagged , , , , , , and | 4 Comments
Mark Valladares

15 June 2020 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Mon 15th June 2020 - 10:30 pm
  • Conservatives are gambling with our future
  • Davey: Johnson’s trade tactics will hurt economy
  • Wrongheaded to reject spare spaces for schools, Lib Dems warn
  • Lib Dems call on PM “not to turn your back” on child refugees
  • Govt deliberately moving away from expert advice
  • Lib Dems celebrate victory in the Lords

Conservatives are gambling with our future

Responding to the new Boris Johnson has set a deadline of July to secure a deal with the European Union, Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Jane Dodds said:

The PM is trying posture his way out of the corner that he’s backed himself into. He wants to stage manage the situation so that he can blame the EU if talks fail.

A negotiation is a two way process. We cannot expect to lay down all our red lines and never budge, as Theresa May learnt the hard way. By refusing to genuinely negotiate the Conservatives are gambling with our future.

The PM needs to ditch this reckless deadline and commit to trying to secure a deal that enables Welsh farmers and businesses to continue to have tariff-free access to our vital European markets.

Davey: Johnson’s trade tactics will hurt economy

Responding to reports that the PM has said there needs to be a deal done with the EU by the end of July, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said:

Boris Johnson’s arrogant assertion that he wants a Brexit deal rushed through in a few weeks shows he still doesn’t care about the impact a bad deal could have on people’s lives.

At a time when the UK is facing the deepest recession for 300 years, it is unthinkable that the government would rush through a half-heated deal, or worse get no deal at all.

A rushed, bad Brexit deal would hit our NHS, jobs, and the economy. It would impact the most vulnerable the hardest, making life more difficult for those already struggling to make ends meet.

Johnson should stop with the bravado. Liberal Democrats will continue to call on the government to extend the transition period and commit to ensuring we agree a Brexit deal that leaves no one behind.

Wrongheaded to reject spare spaces for schools, Lib Dems warn

Responding to the Government’s new guidance for schools, Liberal Democrat Education spokesperson Layla Moran said:

The real test of this guidance is whether it will build the confidence needed for parents, teachers and pupils to go back to school without fear of putting their health at risk.

For schools that don’t have the capacity to have more pupils return within existing guidelines, the Government must do more. That includes providing laptops and internet access to all disadvantaged children in need.

It is also wrongheaded to reject Liberal Democrat proposals to use suitable empty buildings in the community as learning spaces. Ministers should think again.

Continue reading »
Also posted in Press releases | Tagged , , , , , , , , , and | Leave a comment
Mark Valladares

15 June 2020 – the overnight press releases

By Mark Valladares | Mon 15th June 2020 - 8:15 am
  • Govt must not use new commission to avoid tackling racism straight away
  • Govt must support struggling families

Govt must not use new commission to avoid tackling racism straight away

Responding to the Government’s announcement of a cross-governmental commission to address the inequalities that BAME communities face, Liberal Democrat Equalities Spokesperson Christine Jardine said:

Too many people’s lives are blighted by discrimination, inequality and injustice. The Government must move further and faster to redress institutional racism in the criminal justice system and many other parts of our society.

The Liberal Democrats have joined with BAME communities in calling for a government-wide race equality strategy, so this

…

Continue reading »
Also posted in Press releases | Tagged , , , and | 1 Comment
Mark Valladares

13-14 June 2020 – the weekend’s press release

By Mark Valladares | Sun 14th June 2020 - 10:00 pm

Lib Dems condemn Govt decision to scrap GRA reform

Responding to reports that the Government will ban conversion therapy, but has dropped plans to simplify the gender recognition process, Liberal Democrat Equalities spokesperson Christine Jardine said:

We have fought long and hard to ban conversion therapy, but if the Conservatives think the fight for LGBT+ rights ends there, they are very wrong.

The Liberal Democrats will always stand up for equality and human rights for all, and that includes reforming the Gender Recognition Act to make it easier for people to gain legal recognition of their gender identity.

With trans people continuing to face

…

Continue reading »
Also posted in Press releases | Tagged and | 2 Comments
NewsHound

Caroline Pidgeon: Government must act to avoid another Grenfell

By NewsHound | Sun 14th June 2020 - 8:01 pm

Caroline Pidgeon was on Sunday Politics London today calling for action on cladding. Three years after the Grenfell tragedy, not enough has been done to remove the  cladding that caused the fire to spread so quickly. She described how people were frightened to go to sleep in their own homes.

Continue reading »
Tagged , and | 4 Comments
Caron Lindsay

Wendy Chamberlain leads parliamentary debate on electoral reform

By Caron Lindsay | Sun 14th June 2020 - 1:17 pm

Every night, House of Commons business closes with an adjournment debate for half an hour. It’s a half hour in which an MP raises an issue and a Government minister has to respond.

It was worth staying up last Monday night to watch Wendy Chamberlain lead a debate calling for electoral reform. She made a brilliant case both for PR and votes at 16. She was supported by Wera Hobhouse, Christine Jardine and Layla Moran.

You can watch the whole thing here – and it is worth doing so to see how well they make the case – and how the Government Minister responding is all over the place, presumably because she knows fine that they were right.

Here are some key highlights thanks to Make Votes Matter:

 

You can read the debate in Hansard here and Wendy’s speech in full is below:

Continue reading »
Also posted in Parliament | Tagged , , , and | 9 Comments
Fraser Graham

Why we all need a bit of Pride this year

By Fraser Graham | Sat 13th June 2020 - 1:30 pm

I write this on the day that would have been Pride Edinburgh 2020. Last year, tens of thousands of LGBTQ+ Scots and Allies joined in the centre of our capital city for a march through the streets, followed by entertainment and a range of social events. To me, pride is three things; a protest, a celebration and a coming together.

Since I came out over 5 years ago, I have attended every Edinburgh Pride event, each time with a group of individuals, be that my friends, the University LGBT+ group or the Scottish Liberal Democrats. It’s always been a day of great energy and companionship, and a chance to see a lot of friends I may have lost touch with over the years.

In terms of protest, the recent Black Lives Matter protests following the death of George Floyd show how important it is to fight for our rights. The LGBTQ+ community stands with the Black Lives Matter movements, and we have some fights of our own still to fight. In the UK, there have been moves by the Government to reduce the rights of the Trans community, and the Scottish Government’s feet dragging on reform of the Gender Recognition Act.

There is also the continued travesty which is the homophobic and biphobic ‘blood ban’, which prevents many Gay and Bisexual men giving blood. This is a cause which is close to my heart, having grown up going with my mum on her regular blood donation sessions. Due to circumstances outwith my control (namely being single in a pandemic), I will be giving blood In the coming weeks, but I would dearly love to be able to give more regularly without having to resort to forced celibacy.

Pride is also a celebration of how fabulous our community is, how much variety it has and how much LGBTQ+ talent there is. It’s a time when people from all walks of life (and yes, some ‘pinkwashing’ businesses) unite to celebrate our community and be proud of who we are. We are still here, and we’re not going away, and the middle of the pandemic is when some of us need that message most, and the opportunity to socialise in a time when we have never been more collectively alone.

Continue reading »
3 Comments
Mark Valladares

12 June 2020 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Fri 12th June 2020 - 11:46 pm
  • PM must not jeopardise economic recovery with threat of no-deal
  • Lib Dems report “appalling” frontpage to the independent regulator
  • Lib Dems set out Five Point Plan to help pupils back to school
  • Govt’s refusal to extend transition period risks UK’s return to sick man of Europe
  • Govt must set out whether regional lockdowns will come into force

PM must not jeopardise economic recovery with threat of no-deal

Responding to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) statistics out today that show the UK’s economy shrank by 20.4% in April, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said:

We face the most serious economic challenge in generations. This is not a time to exit the world’s largest market. This is not a time to increase trade barriers. This is not a time to deny business skills they need with a damaging new immigration system.

Liberal Democrats will continue to make the case for a Green Recovery Plan and policies that back responsible businesses.

We can create jobs and protect the environment by investing in new, green technologies but we need imaginative new policies and strong political leadership.

The Prime Minister should not be putting Britain’s chances for an economic recovery in jeopardy by insisting on an arbitrary Brexit transition deadline and risking a devastating no-deal.

Lib Dems report “appalling” frontpage to the independent regulator

In a letter to the Independent Press Standards Organisation, the Liberal Democrats have condemned today’s frontpage of The Sun as “appalling and unacceptable” and urged the independent regulator to make clear there must be no place for the “glorification of violence” in our media.

In a letter signed by the Liberal Democrat MPs Christine Jardine, Daisy Cooper and Ed Davey, the Party have also called on The Sun to donate all its revenue from today’s paper to the charity Refuge, to support its vital work helping survivors overcome their abuse and rebuild their lives.

The intervention comes as cross-party MPs and charities have come together to condemn the front page of The Sun for giving a voice to an alleged perpetrator of domestic violence, J.K. Rowling’s former husband.

Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said:

To give such a prominent platform to the unrepentant, self-serving taunts of a man who has, by his own admission, committed domestic violence is utterly irresponsible.

That front page should never have been published. The Sun should apologise and donate all its revenue from today’s paper to the charity Refuge, to support its vital work helping survivors overcome their abuse and rebuild their lives.

There must be no place for this sort of glorification of violence in our media or our society. As the body responsible for regulating The Sun, IPSO must publish it’s own guidance to make that clear.

Continue reading »
Also posted in Press releases | 1 Comment
Mark Valladares

11 June 2020 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Thu 11th June 2020 - 10:30 pm
  • Lib Dems lead cross party push for more diverse curriculum
  • Yet more dishonesty from the Govt on test and trace system

Lib Dems lead cross party push for more diverse curriculum

The Liberal Democrats have secured cross party support for a bid to review the national curriculum in the wake of the Black Lives Matter protests to combat “institutional racism in the UK”.

In a letter to the Education Secretary coordinated by Liberal Democrat Education spokesperson Layla Moran, MPs from across the political spectrum call for the inclusion of “a more diverse range of historical perspectives in our curriculum”. The cross-party group request …

Continue reading »
Also posted in Press releases | Tagged , , , , , , and | Leave a comment
The Voice

The challenges of social distancing when you are blind

By The Voice | Thu 11th June 2020 - 2:51 pm

The Royal National Institute for the Blind has launched a video today, highlighting the ways in which we can support blind and partially sighted people as they negotiate social distancing.

Continue reading »
Tagged | Leave a comment
NewsHound

Lib Dems propose support package for employers to keep workers safe as lockdown eases

By NewsHound | Thu 11th June 2020 - 8:15 am

The Liberal Democrats are calling on the Government to help businesses draw up risk assessments to keep their employees safe as they return to work, and to establish a Coronavirus Safety Hotline for whistleblowers to report unsafe workplaces.

The party has emphasised that anyone who can work from home must continue to do so in line with the current public health guidance, and that this must remain the case until the Government has scaled up testing and tracing sufficiently to stop the spread of coronavirus.

The measures, set out today by Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey, are …

Continue reading »
Also posted in Press releases | Tagged , and | 3 Comments
Mark Valladares

10 June 2020 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Wed 10th June 2020 - 10:35 pm
  • Lib Dems propose support package for employers to keep workers safe as lockdown eases (to be published here tomorrow)
  • Davey: UK needs Green Recovery Plan to counter COVID-19 economic damage
  • PM must take charge and ensure deprived children aren’t left behind
  • Davey: PM must abolish suspicion-less stop and search
  • Davey statement after call with the PM
  • Govt must commit to inquiry into handling of COVID-19

Davey: UK needs Green Recovery Plan to counter COVID-19 economic damage

Responding to an Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) report that predicts the UK economy will shrink by 11.5% and experience the worst economic contraction among developed countries due to the coronavirus, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said:

Coronavirus has proven to be a bigger threat to people’s jobs and livelihoods than even the financial crash. People are rightly worried about their jobs, their families and their communities. We must ensure no one is left behind.

The UK desperately needs a Green Recovery Plan. We can rebuild the economy and protect the environment by creating jobs through embracing new, green technologies.

The Prime Minister must also stop the double-whammy of a no-deal by ending the uncertainly and extend the Brexit transition period, protecting access to markets across Europe.

We can also now see, by international standards, the Government failed to prepare properly for a pandemic and has been slow to act. There must be an independent inquiry to review the Government’s actions.

PM must take charge and ensure deprived children aren’t left behind

The Liberal Democrats have called on Boris Johnson to take charge of the crisis facing schools and ensure disadvantaged children are not left behind, accusing Gavin Williamson of having “dropped the ball.”

It comes after the former Head of Ofsted, Sir Michael Wilshaw, this morning said the Government’s failure to consult with teachers over its plans was “absolutely astonishing.”

Liberal Democrat Education Spokesperson Layla Moran said

Parents and teachers have raised concerns from the outset about how to get pupils safely back into school, but Gavin Williamson has refused to listen. It’s no surprise this whole process has descended into a complete shambles.

Time and again the Education Secretary has dropped the ball, from refusing to extend free school meals over the summer to leaving thousands of disadvantaged children without laptops.

Boris Johnson must take charge and end the stubborn refusal to extend free school meals over the summer and provide laptops to all disadvantaged children who need them.

Continue reading »
Also posted in Press releases | Tagged , , , , and | 2 Comments
Avril Coelho

Post shielding face masks for extremely disabled passengers

By Avril Coelho | Wed 10th June 2020 - 6:00 pm

I have been shielding for months due to a medical condition listed as extremely vulnerable to COVID-19 but keeping in touch with work. Over the last few months, I’ve been updated with changing company policy and watching the Government updates closely.

Workplace pay was revised in line with the Government’s change of advice for those who no longer need to be shielded. If my condition had been less severe, I’d be back to work now instead of staying safe at home.

Around the same time, TfL emailed me to say that from the 15th June face masks will be mandatory on public transport. They ought to be already based on video and photos I’ve seen. Buses will not take the usual number of passengers to allow for social distancing aboard so spaces will be limited, and people might have to wait for the next bus. Not all bus stops have seats, many disabled people can’t remain standing for long, and drivers can’t recognise hidden disabilities. Many buses are still using middle or rear doors too for driver safety.

Continue reading »
Also posted in Op-eds | Tagged , , and | 2 Comments
Caroline Pidgeon

A letter from Caroline Pidgeon AM to the Mayor of London

By Caroline Pidgeon | Wed 10th June 2020 - 3:30 pm

Dear Sadiq,

Re: Concerns for London’s Charity Shops

As we know, many businesses and organisations are facing unprecedented challenges in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. I wanted to write to you about some specific concerns I have for charity shops, a staple of our high streets in London.

Charity shops provide essential revenue for charities in London and across the UK. They are important for all charities, but particularly important for those smaller charities who rely heavily on the income from their charity shops. Furthermore, charity chops provide an affordable place for many people to shop in London and are a lifeline for many in terms of purchasing goods they would otherwise be unable to afford.

An often-underrated benefit of charity shops is also that they are a greener and more environmentally sustainable way to shop – promoting the reuse of items, whilst providing a profit for good causes.

Continue reading »
Also posted in Local government and London | Tagged | 3 Comments
David McKenzie

I applaud the Bristol protest

By David McKenzie | Wed 10th June 2020 - 1:30 pm

I feel compelled to write this article after reading an opposing op-ed around ‘mob rule’ regarding the toppling of the Edward Colston statue last weekend. I personally haven’t commented on the actions of the Bristol protest thus far, today I want to say I applaud and stand with those who acted on Sunday.

Let me be honest and frank; at first, I was in two minds about the actions of the protest. I wasn’t sure if these were the ‘correct’ actions on the day, then I realised something, and it’s something we all have to…It’s not my place as a white male to dictate how anyone should feel about a statue of a man who profiteered from the slave trade.

For the people spouting its historical significance in the media, let me say this. We record history in books and museums, statues are built with one purpose to venerate and glorify its subject. I personally don’t see there’s a debatable position on this; he profiteered from the suffering and enslavement of people! I really couldn’t care if he subsequently bequeathed said ill-gotten gains to parts of Bristol…it’s blood money, pure and simple!

Continue reading »
Also posted in Op-eds | Tagged and | 28 Comments
Joe Dodd

Green Liberal Democrats conference is happening online

By Joe Dodd | Wed 10th June 2020 - 9:00 am

Green Liberal Democrats Green Liberal Democrats

As the pandemic rolls on, the climate and nature crisis lurk in the background. The air is cleaner in cities. The birdsong appears clearer. We appreciate the outdoors more than ever. Moreover, commuters are discovering the joy of cycling for the first time.

Meanwhile, the price of oil has plummeted, and, the UK is running without coal for the longest time since the industrial revolution – thanks in no small part to the Liberal Democrats’ achievements in government.

It’s also increasingly apparent that air pollution contributed to higher death rates while the outbreak of the virus itself was made the more likely by our destruction of nature.

We need to keep some of the benefits of lockdown and ensure the economic recovery is invested in green jobs and not the fossil fuel industries that got us here in the first place. The Green Liberal Democrats have been campaigning for the UK government to attach ambitious climate targets to any bailouts of dirty industries. Is this what will become known as “2020 Vision”? As we remove our smudged spectacles, the destruction of the natural environment can no longer be brushed under the rug (or spilled into the Arctic circle in the case of Russia).

Continue reading »
Also posted in Conference and Op-eds | Tagged | 5 Comments
Mark Valladares

10 June 2020 – the overnight press releases

By Mark Valladares | Wed 10th June 2020 - 8:15 am
  • Record levels of domestic abuse demands tougher law, warn Lib Dems
  • New flexible employment rights for carers in new Bill proposed by Ed Davey

Record levels of domestic abuse demands tougher law, warn Lib Dems

Responding to reports from the NSPCC that children impacted by domestic abuse have soared to an average of one an hour during the coronavirus lockdown, Liberal Democrat Homes Affairs spokesperson Christine Jardine said:

Domestic abuse leaves a devasting, lifelong impact on survivors. To know that cases have spiked to a record level during the coronavirus lockdown is terrifying.

Ministers must act. Not only must the Government address shortages

…

Continue reading »
Also posted in Press releases | Tagged , , , and | Leave a comment
Advert

Recent Comments

  • Jana
    @Steve J Smith “ Hands up if you ever spent late night online cramming before an exam? Now you can’t.” Really? I was not aware that children were goin...
  • FS People
    What a disappointing piece, fundamentally missing what the liberal response to this should be. Wealth taxes are socialist ideas and do not have a good track ...
  • David Allen
    This is right. Starmer's "baby steps" are not working. The EU are fed up with having been given the run-around by successive UK governments. Now they see...
  • FS People
    This seems a confused piece. It is not entirely clear what position is being advanced. From the last paragraph it appears to be defence of the status quo. Pe...
  • Alex Macfie
    The social media ban idea is pure performative moral-panic theatre from our technically clueless political class. It is meant to give the appearance of doing so...