Press Briefing:

Lib Dems: DWP is without a plan

Responding to the National Audit Office report revealing that two years into the strategy, ministers have not yet developed detailed proposals for their goal of getting one million more disabled people into work by 2027, Liberal Democrat DWP Spokesperson Christine Jardine said:

“Quite frankly I’m unsurprised by these findings, which simply add to the mounting stack of evidence showing that the DWP is not fit for purpose.

“It’s shameful that the department responsible for monitoring work capability is incapable of producing a plan so they can reach their own targets. They boast about how many disabled people are now in work, but this figure is completely useless if it can’t be matched to a reduction in the number out of work.

“Disabled people deserve more from this shambolic Tory government. Liberal Democrats demand better.”

ENDS

Lib Dems: MPs must use this opportunity to give the people the final say

Commenting ahead of the indicative votes in Parliament, Liberal Democrat Brexit Spokesperson Tom Brake said:

“Liberal Democrats will vote today to ensure that any Brexit deal is put to the public through a People’s Vote with the option to stay in the EU. I am delighted that, at last, it seems Jeremy Corbyn might join us.

“The Conservatives should have properly consulted Parliament on Brexit years ago; but instead they were consumed with infighting and trying to keep their party together. Their failure has put the country on the brink of crashing out, and it is a disgrace that only now can MPs begin to try and find a solution to this crisis.

“Whatever the outcome of today and Monday, the deal must be put to the people. It must be the people, not politicians, who are given the final say.”

ENDS

Top Lines:

Indicative Votes

Today is the first day that Parliament has been given the opportunity to find consensus on Brexit after the Conservative Government has failed to do so for 1000 days. The Conservatives should have asked Parliament years ago what sort of Brexit deal it would accept but instead, they were consumed with infighting and trying to keep their party together. Their failure has put the country on the brink of crashing out, and it is a disgrace that only now can MPs begin to try and find a solution to this crisis.

As we have done for almost three years, Liberal Democrats will vote today to ensure that any Brexit deal is put to the public through a People’s Vote with the option to stay in the EU. Polls show that the vast majority of people think Brexit is a national embarrassment, they must be given the final say.

Whatever the outcome of today and Monday, the deal must be put to the people. It must be the people, not politicians, who are given the final say.

Liberal Democrats will also work with people across the political spectrum to stop the UK crashing out of the EU. No Deal Brexit would be catastrophic for our NHS, jobs, and businesses. MPs must not allow it to happen.

ERG swinging behind the PM

Jacob Rees Mogg and a handful of other hard-line right-wing MPs who previously said the Prime Minister’s Brexit deal would be terrible for the country are beginning to change their positions and get behind May’s disastrous deal. People will be dismayed that these MPs have the right to change their minds but the people are not being given that same right.

The future of the country must not be left to the whims of MPs on the Conservative Government benches who are more interested in their future political careers than the national interest.

The public must have the right to change their minds now the facts of what Brexit means are on the table: through a People’s Vote and a chance to end this terrible mess.

The Government disregards the Article 50 revocation petition

It is very disappointing that the Conservative Government has wantonly disregarded the concerns of so many people in this way.

The Conservatives have made a mess out of Brexit and it is not surprising so many millions would sign a petition to make it stop.

If the Government are so confident Theresa May’s Brexit deal commands public support it is clear it must be put to the test with a People’s Vote and an option to stay in the EU.

* Cllr. Tahir Maher is a member of the LDV editorial team