Category Archives: News

Willie Rennie pays tribute to Diana Maddock

By Caron Lindsay | Sun 28th June 2020 - 9:18 pm

Many party figures have been paying tribute to Diana Maddock, the much loved Lib Dem Peer who died yesterday.

One of the highlights of her career was winning the Christchurch by-election in 1993, overturning a 23000 Tory majority with a 35% swing.

Her agent in that campaign was a 25 year old Scot by the name of Willie Rennie.

Now leader of the Scottish Party, and a famous by-election winner himself, he wrote a warm tribute to Diana on his Facebook page.

I first met Diana Maddock when I was asked to be the agent for the Christchurch By Election in 1993. It was a solid Conservative seat but in just three months Diana became the Member of Parliament with a swing that rocked the political establishment.

Diana was a gentle, caring and kind woman who was anxious to do well for the thousands of people who travelled hundreds of miles to help her win.

From the old car showroom on Barrack Road, Chris Rennard and I plotted the campaign. It was an amazing effort with public meetings, Lords Teas and canvass and leaflet teams scouring the area like ants.

The issue of the by election was VAT on fuel and came when John Major was having problems with the “bastards” in the cabinet.

Diana Maddock has died

By Caron Lindsay | Sat 27th June 2020 - 11:44 am

Some incredibly sad news has come through this morning. Diana Maddock, winner of the Christchurch by-election in 1993 and a Lib Dem member of the House of Lords, has passed away.

We are so very sad to tell you that our dear friend and colleague Diana Maddock has died. She will be tremendously missed by us all. Our thoughts and love are with Alan and all her family at this time. pic.twitter.com/fXzsELCXYz

— Lib Dem Lords (@LibDemLords) June 27, 2020

Diana was a lovely woman. She was always willing to help and support others. I will miss her so much.

I first met her at a training session for women in the 1990s. She was kind, supportive and very frank about her own experiences.

Please feel free to share your memories of Diana in the comments.

All of us at LDV send our love to Alan and all her family.

There’s real affection in the tributes from senior party figures:

It is with great sadness that we have learned of the death of Diana Maddock.

Diana helped shape the heart of the Liberal Democrat Party. Her warmth, expertise and leadership will be missed by all who knew her. pic.twitter.com/NpWsQRpOVk

— Lib Dem Media Team (@LibDemPress) June 27, 2020

What I remember most about Diana was her warmth and her smile. Once, early in my career she took me aside after a meeting just to chat and give an encouraging word about the work I was doing. Such a kind person. She will be sorely missed. My thoughts with her family and friends https://t.co/MFtpqtC2vq

— Layla Moran 🔶🟡 (@LaylaMoran) June 27, 2020

You can read more about her, and find out about her work as a councillor, MP, Party President and Peer on the party website:

Tagged diana maddock, featured and obituary | 12 Comments

26 June 2020 – today’s press release

By Mark Valladares | Fri 26th June 2020 - 11:50 pm

Lib Dems: Govt failing to stop spread of coronavirus in prisons

Responding to the latest Government statistics on COVID-19 in Prison and Probation Service in England and Wales, Liberal Democrat Justice Spokesperson Daisy Cooper said:

With more than 500 prisoners testing positive for coronavirus, but only 175 being released early, it is clear the Government aren’t taking seriously the spread of the virus in our prisons. They have completely failed to end overcrowding in prisons, allowing them to become a crucible for the disease.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, the Liberal Democrats have been clear it is impossible to practice safe

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Also posted in Press releases | Tagged coronavirus, daisy cooper and prisons | 6 Comments

25 June 2020 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Thu 25th June 2020 - 10:45 pm

Lib Dems “delighted” by move to increase protection for abuse survivors in family courts
Cross-party group urge Govt to agree to increased aid scrutiny in wake of DfID axe
Lib Dems: Jenrick must resign or be sacked
Irresponsible for Govt to change social distancing at schools
Govt must guarantee NHS Test & Trace fully functional before lockdown eases

Lib Dems “delighted” by move to increase protection for abuse survivors in family courts

The Government has confirmed it will strengthen protections in courts for survivors of domestic abuse through an amendment to the Domestic Abuse Bill, following calls from campaigning organisations and the Liberal Democrats.

During Committee Stage of the Bill, Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson Christine Jardine tabled an amendment calling for the introduction of ‘special measures’ in family courts during Committee Stage of the Bill.

The Government has today announced that it will bring in these changes in their own version of the amendment.

Also posted in Press releases | Tagged christine jardine, department for international development, domestic abuse, ed davey, integrity, layla moran, malcolm bruce, munira wilson, robert jenrick, school reopening and track and trace | Leave a comment

25 June 2020 – the overnight press release

By Mark Valladares | Thu 25th June 2020 - 7:30 am

PM must show global leadership in tackling the climate emergency

Responding to the publication of the Climate Change Committee’s annual report to Parliament, Liberal Democrat Climate Emergency Spokesperson Wera Hobhouse said:

The climate crisis is doing irreversible damage to our planet. As this report shows, we need greater Climate Action Now so we can protect our planet for future generations.

Since the Conservatives adopted a net-zero target last year, we have seen agonisingly little progress. This Government are all talk and no action when it comes to the climate emergency .

With the UK taking a leading role at COP26, the Prime Minister must

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Also posted in Press releases | Tagged climate emergency and wera hobhouse | Leave a comment

24 June 2020 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Wed 24th June 2020 - 11:15 pm

Lib Dems move to scrap Section 60 Stop and Search
Evidence for reopening schools must be published amidst fears of Covid-19 spike
Nominations for Lib Dem leader open
Lib Dems back health leaders’ push for review into lockdown easing
Bank of America criticism of pound performance shows need to extend transition period

Lib Dems move to scrap Section 60 Stop and Search

The Liberal Democrats are calling on the Government to back a new Bill to scrap suspicion-less stop and search in the wake of the Black Lives Matter protests, which have exposed ingrained institutional racism and discrimination in the UK.

Given the disproportionate impact of current Stop and Search laws on black people in particular, and BAME communities more widely, the Liberal Democrats will today (Wednesday 24 June) introduce a Bill to outlaw suspicion-less Stop and Search, highlighting that the current law “undermines” community trust in police.

The Party is demanding the Government back their proposal. If passed, the law would prohibit Section 60, suspicion-less stop and search, which currently leaves a black person almost 50 times more likely to be stopped than a white person. The party is further calling for a Race Equality Strategy and an end to the Hostile Environment.

Also posted in Press releases | Tagged ed davey, layla moran, leadership election 2020, lockdown, Mark Pack, school reopening, sterling and stop and search | 4 Comments

A Green Revolution is the recovery plan we need

By Ed Davey | Wed 24th June 2020 - 10:30 am

Too many political leaders would let us sleepwalk into a global catastrophe.

Boris Johnson and Donald Trump have never cared about the climate emergency. They will trash world agreements in favour of pursuing their dangerous ideologies and serve only those with vested interests in oil and coal.

But despite this, I’m an optimist.

I’ve taken on Conservatives in government before – and won for our environment. As Secretary of State for Climate Change I oversaw the near quadrupling of Britain’s renewable energy, I smashed the monopoly of the ‘Big 6’ companies on the energy market, and I saw the creation of 250,000 of new green jobs in all corners of the UK.

As Liberal Democrats, we owe it to our children and grandchildren to fight for our planet. Future generations must inherit a world where everyone can breathe clean air, where making the green choice is a natural choice, and where our reliance on dirty fossil fuels is a distant memory. We need a Green Revolution.

Also posted in Op-eds | Tagged featured, green and Leadership contender | 37 Comments

23 June 2020 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Tue 23rd June 2020 - 10:30 pm

Lib Dems table amendments to stop MPs debating complaints in the chamber
Govt must be transparent on guidance behind decision to relax lockdown
Govt must guarantee scrutiny in Parliament as daily COVID updates cease

Lib Dems table amendments to stop MPs debating complaints in the chamber

The Liberal Democrats have tabled amendments to the Independent Complaints Scheme which will prevent Members of Parliament from debating and voting on motions concerning complaints made in Parliament.

The amendments tabled to a motion set to be debated later today are crucial for protecting anyone who makes a complaint. It would give the independent panel the power to …

Also posted in Press releases | Tagged complaints, coronavirus, ed davey, lockdown, munira wilson, Parliament and wendy chamberlain | Leave a comment

+++Wera Hobhouse pulls out of party leadership race

By Paul Walter | Tue 23rd June 2020 - 3:52 pm

This was tweeted by Wera Hobhouse a few minutes ago:

The Liberal Democrats need a New Direction, but my campaign is no longer the best way to deliver that.

That's why I'm backing @LaylaMoran to lead our party. https://t.co/2B1lVzKidE

— Wera Hobhouse MP 🔶 🇺🇦 (@Wera_Hobhouse) June 23, 2020

Tagged liberal democrat leadership election 2020 and wera hobhouse | 42 Comments

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.

Tagged wera hobhouse | 5 Comments

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!

Also posted in Party policy and internal matters | Tagged young liberals | 5 Comments

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

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Also posted in Press releases | Tagged munira wilson and statutory sick pay | 1 Comment

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.

My parents were a part of The #WindrushGeneration. Like many others, they came to the UK from Trinidad & Tobago in the 1960s.

Here, I speak about why #WindrushDay2020 is significant for me.

And – more importantly – why it's significant for British society as a whole.@LDCRE1 pic.twitter.com/tiGk1D1EMB

— Isabelle Parasram OBE (@IsabelleParasra) June 22, 2020

The acting leader had this to say:

Today is #WindrushDay2020, a reminder of the amazing contribution the Windrush generation have made, and continued fight for justice that so many of them face.

There is so much that the Govt still need to do to set right the terrible errors they made. https://t.co/Wadya5B74F

— Ed Davey (@EdwardJDavey) June 22, 2020

Other Lib Dem Parliamentarians marked the event

I have been trying all day to find adequate words to express my disappointment over how the #Windrush generation and their families have been treated. I can’t. But surely we must learn and not make the same mistakes again #WindrushDay

— Christine Jardine 🔶 (@cajardineMP) June 22, 2020

Today, on Windrush Day, I asked the Education Minister for an update on my cross-party letter calling for a review of the National Curriculum in light of the #BlackLivesMatter movement. See my question below 👇 pic.twitter.com/SYTYkwyc7n

— Layla Moran 🔶🕊️ (@LaylaMoran) June 22, 2020

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

Tagged chrisitine jardine, ed davey, floella benjamin, isabelle parasram, layla moran and windrush day 2020 | 2 Comments

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 …

Also posted in Press releases | Tagged christine jardine and windrush day | 3 Comments

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.

Also posted in Press releases | Tagged Alistair Carmichael, BAME, chagos islanders, christine jardine, civil service, ed davey, foreign and commonwealth office, green recovery plan, layla moran and school reopening | 1 Comment

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

…

Also posted in Press releases | Tagged education policy and layla moran | Leave a comment

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 …

Also posted in Press releases | Tagged apps, christine jardine, daisy cooper, department for international development, race equality, technology and wendy chamberlain | 2 Comments

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 21^st 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 5^th 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.

Tagged green lib dems | 2 Comments

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: …

Also posted in Press releases | Tagged christine jardine, domestic abuse bill, jamie stone and tory waste | 2 Comments

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.

Also posted in Op-eds | 21 Comments

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.

Also posted in Op-eds | Tagged Slave trade | 5 Comments

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.

Also posted in Press releases | Tagged BAME, christine jardine, coronavirus, ed davey, education free schools, international development, layla moran and wendy chamberlain | 4 Comments

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.

Also posted in Press releases | Tagged brexit negotiations, child refugees, christine jardine, coronavirus, ed davey, extradition laws, jane dodds, layla moran, munira wilson, sally hamwee and school reopening | Leave a comment

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

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Also posted in Press releases | Tagged christine jardine, coronavirus, ed davey, poverty and racism | 1 Comment

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

…

Also posted in Press releases | Tagged christine jardine and gender recognition act | 2 Comments

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.

3 years on from #Grenfell why has cladding not been replaced on thousands of buildings? Money has been provided, but nowhere near enough and too slowly! The Gov’t must act now to avoid another #GrenfellTower #GrenfellNeverAgain pic.twitter.com/oRALIbc3Dl

— Caroline Pidgeon AM🔶 🇺🇦 (@CarolinePidgeon) June 14, 2020

Tagged Caroline Pidgeon, cladding and grenfell | 4 Comments

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:

"Some commentators have observed that states with the best response to coronavirus so far are those with women leaders. The underlying factor is that these are countries with Proportional Representation and a focus on pluralistic decision making." – @wendychambLD pic.twitter.com/W3FKi4Oaxg

— Make Votes Matter (@MakeVotesMatter) June 12, 2020

"First Past the Post does not do a good job at all of representing voters' preferences; or the 'will of the people', as some like to call it." – @wendychambLD #ChangeTheVotingSystem #ProportionalRepresentation pic.twitter.com/HGmz9lB78B

— Make Votes Matter (@MakeVotesMatter) June 11, 2020

"The beauty of Proportional Representation is that every vote counts" – @cajardineMP #ChangeTheVotingSystem pic.twitter.com/DF0E4iHHj8

— Make Votes Matter (@MakeVotesMatter) June 9, 2020

Pleased to contribute to @wendychambLD's important debate on Electoral Reform.

The future is full of big decisions about our climate, our society, and our world.

The way to make these decisions is through consensus and not more division. 🗳️🎥@electoralreform @MakeVotesMatter pic.twitter.com/ap7mGnmiJG

— Wera Hobhouse MP 🔶 🇺🇦 (@Wera_Hobhouse) June 9, 2020

Engaging young people in our democracy is essential. That's why I'm passionate about policies like votes at 16, which has been successful in Scotland and was just introduced in Wales. Watch my contribution in Parliament 👇 pic.twitter.com/OnsG90NNbq

— Layla Moran 🔶🕊️ (@LaylaMoran) June 10, 2020

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

Also posted in Parliament | Tagged christine jardine, electoral reform, layla moran, wendy chamberlain and wera hobhouse | 9 Comments

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.

3 Comments

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.

Also posted in Press releases | 1 Comment

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