Tag Archives: Alex Cole-Hamilton

The Voice

Alex Cole-Hamilton’s New Year message

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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The Voice

Alex Cole-Hamilton’s Christmas message

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Mark Valladares

15 December 2025 – the overnight press releases

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Mark Valladares

19 November 2025 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Wed 19th November 2025 - 10:30 pm
  • Inflation stats: Chancellor must put households and high streets first
  • Lib Dems: Govt must go further and “ban surge pricing”
  • PMQs: Kemi Badenoch should apologise for £40bn of Conservative stealth tax hikes
  • Scottish Liberal Democrats call for World Cup fan parks and late night licenses
  • Stone secures meeting with Treasury to save high street banks

Inflation stats: Chancellor must put households and high streets first

Responding to the latest ONS inflation figures released this morning, Daisy Cooper, Deputy Leader and Treasury Spokesperson for the Liberal Democrats said:

As the cost-of-living crisis rages on, the Chancellor mustn’t look this small gift horse in the mouth.

Hitting people with a stealth tax at next week’s Budget would prolong the pain of higher taxes for much longer and unfairly pull poorer pensioners and low-income workers into paying tax for the first time.

We Liberal Democrats are calling for emergency measures to slash people’s energy bills, save our high streets with a VAT cut for hospitality and boost growth in every corner of the UK – funded fairly by taxing the banks. The Chancellor must put households and high streets first and put an end to the most vulnerable from having to choose between heating and eating.

Lib Dems: Govt must go further and “ban surge pricing”

Responding to the government’s announcement banning the reselling of tickets for profit, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Culture, Media and Sport, Anna Sabine MP said:

Liberal Democrats are calling on the government to ban surge pricing – a practice that can see ticket prices skyrocketing for in-demand events, and require ticket resale platforms to verify that listed tickets actually exist before they are allowed to be sold.

So while this is a good opening act, let’s make sure the encore truly gives live events back to the fans, not the scalpers.

PMQs: Kemi Badenoch should apologise for £40bn of Conservative stealth tax hikes

The Liberal Democrats have blasted Kemi Badenoch’s hypocrisy on stealth taxes at PMQs, highlighting the £40bn stealth tax bombshell the Conservatives hit the public with during their time in office.

Between the stealth tax being announced in 2021 by the Conservatives, and the 2024-25 financial year at the end of the last Parliament, frozen income tax thresholds hit households with £38.7bn in total, according to figures from the OBR.

The Conservative freeze on income tax thresholds has meant that, by the end of the last Parliament, basic rate taxpayers had paid an additional £950 in total due to the freeze on the Personal Allowance, while higher rate taxpayers were hit with nearly £4,800, according to Liberal Democrat analysis of figures from the OBR.

Liberal Democrat Treasury Spokesperson Daisy Cooper said:

Kemi Badenoch should apologise for the years of stealth taxes put in place by the Conservatives if she wants to be taken seriously by the public.

The Conservative government she loyally served hammered families with years of unfair tax hikes.

Both Labour and the Conservatives seem intent on punishing the public with endless tax hikes, instead of turbocharging our economy with a closer trade deal with the EU.

Scottish Liberal Democrats call for World Cup fan parks and late night licenses

Scottish Liberal Democrats have called for huge fan parks to be set up across the country so fans can gather to watch Scotland’s World Cup games and for pubs to get special dispensation to show their matches in the event that they are scheduled for late at night.

The party says stadiums and parks could host huge screens to beam back the games from the USA, Mexico and Canada.

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Mark Valladares

18 November 2025 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Tue 18th November 2025 - 11:57 pm
  • Highest number of 8 hour waits at A&E in 2025
  • Scot Lib Dems call for action on Alzheimer’s and dementia
  • Rennie: Scottish education deserves better than third decade of SNP
  • Government must set out support for workers at Mossmorran
  • McArthur: Prison crisis shows every sign of getting worse
  • Rennie: Housing Secretary has some nerve as heating bill dropped

Highest number of 8 hour waits at A&E in 2025

Responding to new figures showing only 61.5% of people attending A&E were seen within the 4 hour target in the week ending 9th November 2025 (11,020 waited more than 4 hours, the highest in 2025), while 4,532 people waited over 8 hours (the highest in 2025) and 2,181 waited over 12 hours, Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP said:

Under the SNP it feels like every week at A&E is breaking a some kind of record for long waits. We are now seeing the highest number of people waiting over 8 hours of the entire year.

With the cold snap of the last few days we can be under no misapprehension that winter has now arrived, yet the SNP have squandered the months it had to prepare and left our A&E departments in a perilous state.

The Scottish Government needs to start taking serious action to support the staff facing these pressure cooker conditions. Scotland’s A&E patients deserve better – and with the Scottish Liberal Democrats, you can vote for change with fairness at its heart.

Scot Lib Dems call for action on Alzheimer’s and dementia

Scottish Liberal Democrats have today called for the Scottish Government to make sure people with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias don’t fall through the cracks as new figures confirmed that they now account for around one in 10 of all deaths.

New figures published today by the National Records of Scotland show:

  • There were 6,612 deaths caused by Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias registered in Scotland in 2024. This is one of the leading causes of death in Scotland, accounting for around one in 10 of all deaths.
  • After adjusting for age, there were 122 deaths caused by Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias per 100,000 people in Scotland in 2024. This rate has almost doubled over the last two decades.
  • Almost two-thirds (64%) of deaths caused by Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias were females and 36% were males.

Delegates at the Scottish Liberal Democrat autumn conference recently backed a motion calling for the Scottish Government to urgently establish minimum national care standards and entitlements for Scots with dementia.

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Mark Valladares

Alex Cole-Hamilton’s speech to Scottish Liberal Democrat Conference

By Mark Valladares | Sun 19th October 2025 - 11:15 am

Conference, when I first met Adam he introduced himself to me as a former pirate. Not the strangest introduction I’ve had from a Liberal Democrat, but it’s up there.

While living and working in London, Adam was a homework volunteer with The Hackney Pirates. They help disadvantaged kids, often from single parent families with their schoolwork in the evenings.

He’s worked as a Deliveroo driver, a RADA-trained actor, and a charity worker fighting to secure life changing treatments for cystic fibrosis patients. But he always found time to offer mentorship to those adrift from school or at risk of offending.

That speaks to a community spirit that has punctuated his approach to life and politics.

Adam is now raising a young family where he grew up, just up the road in Bishopbriggs. So go and knock doors for him. Susan Murray won the equivalent seat last year, and like then it’s a straight fight between us and the SNP.

Because he’s on the verge of making history, as the first ever Liberal Democrat representative for Strathkelvin & Bearsden in the Scottish Parliament.

It’s great to be back in Glasgow. Home to one of our country’s greatest seats of innovation, creativity and learning, and the alma mater of Charles Kennedy, and of course our dear friend Ming Campbell.

Three weeks ago, Ming slipped away from us. A giant of our party and a regular at our conferences since the 1970s. He grew up in a flat a short walk away in Kelvinbridge.

Conference, my first political act of any kind, took place on the morning of the 1987 General Election. I was nine years old.

At 4am my father woke me from my sleep and bundled me out the door to help him deliver Good Morning leaflets to the entirety of our village in Fife. They were for Ming Campbell.

I did so without complaint because Dad had taken me to his adoption meeting a few weeks previous.

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Mark Valladares

10 October 2025 – today’s press releases (part 2)

By Mark Valladares | Fri 10th October 2025 - 11:15 pm
  • Scottish Lib Dems respond to Regan quitting Alba
  • Liberal Democrats respond to Plaid Cymru childcare announcement
  • Jamie Greene selected as Scottish Lib Dem candidate for Inverclyde
  • Rennie responds to EIS strike ballot
  • Cole-Hamilton responds to BMA strike ballot

Scottish Lib Dems respond to Regan quitting Alba

Responding to Ash Regan quitting Alba, Scottish Liberal Democrat Lothians list candidate Jane Alliston Pickard said:

Quitting two different political parties after failing to get elected leader is quite the political feat.

It looks like Ash’s dream of a giant independence readiness thermometer has been thwarted for good. That’s bad news for parliamentary sketch writers but good news for the Scottish public.

With Alba’s last parliamentarian now abandoning ship, it seems like it’s only a matter of time before their whole party winds up.

Liberal Democrats respond to Plaid Cymru childcare announcement

Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats Jane Dodds said:

Families across Wales deserve more than Plaid are offering today.

For the last 18 months, the Welsh Liberal Democrats have been calling for an ambitious plan to deliver 30 hours of free childcare for every child from 9 months to 4 years old, a far more generous and life-changing offer than Plaid have set out.

Plaid Cymru’s proposal shows once again that they lack the ambition and vision needed to deliver meaningful change for Wales’s children and parents.

Jamie Greene selected as Scottish Lib Dem candidate for Inverclyde

Scottish Liberal Democrats have today announced that Jamie Greene MSP has been selected as the party’s candidate for the Inverclyde constituency at next year’s Scottish Parliament election.

Brought up in the Gibshill estate of Greenock and schooled in Port Glasgow, Mr Greene was first elected to the Scottish Parliament in 2016. He has since served as the Member for the West Scotland region, getting re-elected in 2021.

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Mark Valladares

9 October 2025 – today’s Scottish press releases

By Mark Valladares | Thu 9th October 2025 - 11:55 pm
  • Trust in SNP hits new low
  • Cole-Hamilton to Swinney: When will communities properly benefit from renewables projects?
  • Greene responds to Ardrossan Harbour news
  • SNP and Greens kill addiction recovery bill

Trust in SNP hits new low

Responding to an embargoed survey which shows that satisfaction with the Scottish Government has fallen to its lowest level on record, with satisfaction in the NHS at a new low, Scottish Liberal Democrat Willie Rennie MSP said:

Satisfaction in John Swinney’s government is the worst in the history of the Scottish Parliament and is even lower than Humza Yousaf’s.

It’s time for a change.

Cole-Hamilton to Swinney: When will communities properly benefit from renewables projects?

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP has today said that local communities are “shivering in the shadow of turbines” as he challenged the First Minister on the Scottish Government’s outdated guidance, which means local communities are not properly benefiting from hosting renewable energy projects.

Speaking during First Minister’s Questions, Alex Cole-Hamilton said:

When companies generate renewable energy, they are expected to give money back to the local community.

But the amount of cash we’re talking about is absolutely pitiful because the rules haven’t changed in more than a decade.

All the while, people are still shivering in the shadow of turbines, unable to heat their homes.

So will the Scottish Government listen to the Liberal Democrats, to Highland Council, to Shetland Council, and change those rules to cut energy bills for local people?

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Caron Lindsay

Ed Davey invites “one nation” Tories to join Lib Dems

By Caron Lindsay | Wed 8th October 2025 - 3:00 pm

As Kemi Badenoch frightened a lot of progressive horses with her plans to get rid of the Climate Change Act, leave the European Convention on Human Rights, put the Human Rights Act on a bonfire and be even more vile to asylum seekers and immigrants, Ed Davey invited “one nation” Conservatives to join the Liberal Democrats.

Certainly a lot of moderate Conservatives will be disgusted with Robert Jenrick’s full mask-off racism and his attack on the judiciary.

In an open letter to those who feel that the Conservative Party has speeded away from them, he said:

Dear friends,

Our country is at a crossroads.

The Conservative Party under Kemi Badenoch is becoming more extreme and out of touch, chasing Nigel Farage instead of focusing on the issues that really matter to people. Meanwhile, Reform UK is growing in strength – threatening the tolerant, decent values that hold our communities together.

I know many One Nation Conservatives are deeply concerned about the lurch to the hard right in our country and under Kemi Badenoch’s leadership. Her plans to tear up the Climate Change Act and withdraw from the ECHR show she is abandoning traditional British values of tolerance, decency and the rule of law.

So my message to the millions of One Nation Conservatives who feel let down by their party and reject the divisive politics of Badenoch and Farage is to come and join us. Help us save our country and defend the values we all hold dear.

We will stand strong where others back down. We will not pander to Reform. We will fight to protect our environment, stand up for decency and the rule of law, and stop Trump’s America from becoming Farage’s Britain.

So if you share those values, now is the time to join the Liberal Democrats.

With best wishes,

Ed Davey

The party has also put a poster van near the Conference venue in Manchester.

It is perfectly understandable that he should make this sort of plea during the Conservative Conference. I think that we do need to be a bit cautious about the strategy though.  We need to be careful that the people in or who vote for other parties don’t hear from this messaging that we are a one nation small c conservative party. Because we are not. Nor will we ever be.

We don’t want to stick to the status quo, we want to reform just about everything about how our government operates.

We need to make sure that we emphasise that everyone who believes in the freedom of all to be who they are, human rights, civil liberties saving the planet and reforming the immigration and asylum system to make it decent and humane is welcome in the Liberal Democrats.

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Alex Cole-Hamilton

Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP writes: Why I am backing Josh for President 

By Alex Cole-Hamilton | Wed 8th October 2025 - 11:55 am

Alex Cole-Hamilton and Josh Babarinde

 

Editor’s Note: In November party members will be voting to elect our next Party President. At Lib Dem Voice we welcome posts from each of the candidates – one to launch their candidature plus a maximum of one per week during the actual campaign.

As leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, I have my fair share of experience in standing up to populism and nationalism – in whatever form they present. A crucial part of making sure we face down those who seek to divide us is having members and activists who are empowered, supported and listened to: that is one of the reasons why I am backing Josh Babarinde for President.

I’ve seen first hand what happens when individuals are given the tools, knowledge, and confidence to take an active role in their community and build their party – they become the driving force behind positive change. Today, we as a party can sometimes rely far too much on champions going it alone with limited support.

Josh’s plans to grow what’s on offer is something I can get fully behind. I like his plans to work with ALDC, HQ and others to build support for local parties.

I like that Josh can draw on his experience at the School for Social Entrepreneurs where he headed up a national programme of training and support for people driving changes in their communities, as well as his work as Vice Chair of the Racial Diversity Campaign in the party to support his vision.

And I like that he is a doer- such as his work before Parliament setting up an award-winning social enterprise, supporting young people out of crime and gangs and into employment. And when he was a local Councillor and led the campaign to declare a cost of living emergency – the first in the country – in Eastbourne. At the time, it was the busiest Trussel Foodbank in the country, and Josh’s work led to the creation of a £250,0000 cost of living emergency fund.

When members feel that their contributions are valued and that they can directly influence decisions, they are more likely to invest their time and energy. This creates a powerful ripple effect, transforming local residents into engaged community champions who can identify local needs, propose solutions, and mobilise their neighbours. This is often the start of a journey that blossoms into something far greater. Josh understands this – as candidate and then MP for Eastbourne he knows what well supported members can deliver for their communities.

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Mark Valladares

7 October 2025 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Tue 7th October 2025 - 11:00 pm
  • Lib Dems warn of ‘Trumpian purge’ as Jenrick targets 35 Judges
  • Lib Dems demand Labour publish any legal advice sought on alleged “blocking” of Chinese spy trial
  • Greene brings childcare debate to parliament
  • August 2025 the worst August on record at A&E
  • Operations activity stagnating below pre-pandemic levels
  • Cole-Hamilton: SNP have ripped up promises on delayed discharges
  • Rennie: SNP have barely moved an inch with cladding work
  • Rennie responds to survey showing teachers taking second jobs

Lib Dems warn of ‘Trumpian purge’ as Jenrick targets 35 Judges

Responding to reports that if the Conservatives were elected, Robert Jenrick would seek to dismiss 35 judges due to perceived activism, Liberal Democrat Justice Spokesperson Jess Brown-Fuller said:

Robert Jenrick’s comments on removing independently appointed judges are deeply troubling and show just how far some Conservatives are willing to go to undermine our judiciary. The Conservative Party claims to believe in the rule of law, but now seems to be actively undermining it.

The idea of making it easier to sack judges for perceived ‘activism’ is straight out of the Trump playbook. The fact Jenrick has named 35 judges for this Trumpian purge is more than alarming, it’s a chilling signal of the threat to the rule of law under any potential Conservative government.

Our judges must be free to interpret and apply the law without fear of political retribution. Undermining that principle strikes at the very foundation of British democracy, a principle the Liberal Democrats will fiercely defend.

Lib Dems demand Labour publish any legal advice sought on alleged “blocking” of Chinese spy trial

The Liberal Democrats are calling for Labour to publish any legal advice the Government sought on the planned trial of two men accused of spying for China, erstwhile parliamentary staffer Chris Cash and academic Christopher Berry.

The party is also calling on the Intelligence and Security Committee to launch an investigation into the abandoned prosecution. The committee oversees the operations of the UK intelligence community – including MI5, MI6 and GCHQ – and has access to classified evidence under the Official Secrets Act.

Calum Miller MP, Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs Spokesperson, said:

These latest revelations show that the Government would prefer to block an investigation into espionage at the heart of Westminster, rather than rock the boat with Beijing. Its campaign of cosying up to President Xi is now actively threatening our national security.

The Intelligence and Security Committee should launch an urgent review into this case. It’s also critical that the Government publishes any legal advice it sought and received.

Threats to our democracy cannot be swept under the rug. It’s time that this Government grew a backbone in its dealings with China. It was wrong not to recognise China’s threat and place it on the enhanced tier of the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme – and should reverse that decision today.

Greene brings childcare debate to parliament

Speaking ahead of his members’ business debate on childcare, Scottish Liberal Democrat West Scotland MSP Jamie Greene said that many parents feel “unfairly treated” because of the gaps in funded places under the SNP.

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The Voice

WATCH: Alex Cole-Hamilton’s speech to Conference

By The Voice | Wed 24th September 2025 - 12:41 pm

Here is Alex Cole-Hamilton’s speech to Lib Dem Conference with subtitles:

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Mark Valladares

4 September 2025 – yesterday’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Fri 5th September 2025 - 11:14 pm
  • Carers UK report: A wake up call for the Government
  • No formal inspections at largest kids’ psychiatric hospital during cruelty allegations

Carers UK report: A wake up call for the Government

Commenting on the Carers UK report published today, Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey said:

These figures are a wake up call for the government. Carers keep are communities and our NHS going, but they have been pushed to breaking point.

The report is shocking but not surprising. Not surprising for millions of people caring round the clock because no one else will. Not for the carers going months and years without a break.

…

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Mark Valladares

3 September 2025 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Wed 3rd September 2025 - 11:52 pm
  • Government needs to “put Thames Water out of its misery” with special administration
  • Lib Dems demand new measures to cut Russian oil and gas profits as “drop in the ocean” oil cap cut falls short
  • Davey responds to latest on Rayner stamp duty
  • Rennie drags ministers to Parliament over their Gupta deals
  • Cole-Hamilton comments on PVG checks for politicians
  • Calls for new Dŵr Cymru CEO to rule out supporting water privatisation in Wales

Government needs to “put Thames Water out of its misery” with special administration

Responding to the announcement by Thames Water creditors of rescue plans to bring in £20.5 billion of private investment, Charlie Maynard, Liberal Democrat MP for Witney, stated:

To present this as a solution is the worst sort of joke – and it’s at the expense of 16 million customers with the misfortune to have Thames Water as our monopoly supplier. Throw in Ofwat continuing to go easy on the company paying its fines for polluting our rivers and you have enough to make us all throw up.

This is just more of the same. The Government needs to get a grip and bring this horror show to an end – Special Administration is what’s needed to put Thames Water out of its misery.

Lib Dems demand new measures to cut Russian oil and gas profits as “drop in the ocean” oil cap cut falls short

  • The Liberal Democrats have launched a new package of proposals to cut Putin’s war chest, including a ban on UK imports of products processed from Russian oil in third countries
  • The party is also calling for a ban on UK companies shipping or insuring Russian liquified natural gas (LNG), as well as a further cut to the oil price cap. Together, these measures could cost the Kremlin millions in profits which would otherwise fuel Putin’s barbarism in Ukraine
  • The demands coincide with the Russian oil cap cut coming into effect today, which the party has called a “drop in the ocean” compared to what action is needed.

The Liberal Democrats are calling for a comprehensive new package of measures to hit Putin’s coffers as the Russian oil cap cut comes into effect.

Liberal Democrat Defence spokesperson Helen Maguire called today’s reduction in the price cap for Russian oil to $47.60 per barrel a “drop in the ocean” in the fight against the Kremlin.

This comes as her party launches a suite of policies aimed at doing much more substantial damage to Putin’s profits, and as the Kremlin continues to escalate its barbaric assault on Ukraine.

The Liberal Democrats have demanded a further cut to the oil price cap to just $30 – a move which could cut Russian revenues by a further 10% – as well as a ban on UK imports of petroleum products processed from Russian oil in third countries.

Currently the UK still imports oil products processed from Russian oil, despite a ban on directly importing Russian oil and oil products introduced in December 2022. Think tanks suggest that the Kremlin has benefitted to the tune of £510 million in tax receipts thanks to this loophole – with the Lib Dems demanding it be closed.

The calls form part of a wider range of new measures proposed by the party, including a proposal to ban the provision of all UK maritime services for Russian LNG, including its transport and insurance.

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The Voice

Alex Cole-Hamilton: Recognition of Palestinian state essential step on road to peace

By The Voice | Wed 3rd September 2025 - 9:43 pm

Scottish Lib Dem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton took part in the Scottish Parliament debate on Palestine. Here is his speech in which he spoke of our calls for recogniton of the State of Palestine, targeted sanctions against the most egregious members of the Israeli cabinet and an arms embargo. Here’s his speech in full:

I am grateful to the Scottish Government for making time for this very important debate. The debate takes place against the backdrop of immense humanitarian suffering and our historical culpability, which I raised with the First Minister in response to the statement earlier.

In Gaza, what families are enduring is nothing short of a catastrophe. Thousands of civilians have been killed, millions have been displaced and basic necessities such as food, water and medicine are desperately scarce. There is a famine raging through that land. The images of starving children should be burned into the retinas of all our eyes. At the same time, Israeli families still wait in agony for the return of their loved ones who were taken hostage by Hamas terrorists in the atrocities of 7 October. We must never lose sight of either tragedy—both demand urgent action. I echo those who say that a Palestinian life is worth as much as an Israeli life.

In that spirit, it is incumbent on all of us to remember, think, speak and act on behalf of all those Israelis in whose name Netanyahu does not act, and those Palestinians whom Hamas does not represent. The motion speaks to the recognition of a Palestinian state. For the Liberal Democrats, recognition is not an abstract gesture; it is a vital, practical step towards peace and a two-state solution that ensures dignity and security for both Palestinians and Israelis.

We have heard the Prime Minister finally announce that the UK will recognise a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly later this month unless Israel agrees to a ceasefire and allows aid into Gaza, among other conditions. That marks some progress. The Liberal Democrats accept and welcome that, but the Prime Minister can go much further. The Liberal Democrats are in no doubt that the actions of the Israeli Cabinet and the IDF are in breach of international law. We have repeatedly called on the Government to go further in imposing a full arms embargo, sanctioning all members of the Cabinet—including Netanyahu—who are complicit in the illegal aid blockade and the targeting of civilians, and supporting the gathering of evidence for future accountability of these crimes against humanity.

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Mark Valladares

2 September 2025 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Tue 2nd September 2025 - 11:15 pm
  • Reform Journalist Ban: Lib Dems call for DCMS committee inquiry as Farage testifies in US on free speech
  • Lib Dems slam Reform council as “bad Vance tribute band” and call on Farage to expel leader as local journalists banned until they ‘apologise’
  • Rennie comments on embargoed housing report
  • Cole-Hamilton: 85 drug deaths each month is a national tragedy
  • Operations remain below pre-pandemic levels
  • Cole-Hamilton: SNP have ripped up promises on delayed discharges
  • Scotland needs world class mental health services as psychological therapies target missed again
  • Nursing and midwifery vacancies rise by more than 50% in just 6 months

Reform Journalist Ban: Lib Dems call for DCMS committee inquiry as Farage testifies in US on free speech

The Liberal Democrats are calling on the Culture, Media and Sport Committee to launch an inquiry into Reform UK banning its councillors in Nottinghamshire from speaking to local media, as Nigel Farage visits the US tomorrow to testify before Congress on free speech.

This comes after the Reform UK leader of Nottinghamshire County Council banned a local newspaper and local democracy reporters from speaking to him or any of his councillors, except for in ‘emergency’ situations.

Liberal Democrat Media, Culture and Sports Spokesperson Max Wilkinson will be writing to the DCMS committee chair to call on Nigel Farage to give evidence to the UK Parliament on why his councillors are being gagged from speaking to the media.

Liberal Democrat Media, Culture and Sports Spokesperson Max Wilkinson MP said:

It’s barmy that after six weeks away from Parliament, Nigel Farage is skipping the first days of the Autumn term to go jet-setting wearing his MAGA hat and waving his Trump pom-poms.

Instead of peddling myths to the US Congress about free speech in the UK, he should be giving evidence to our Parliament on why his own party is cracking down on free speech by gagging his Reform colleagues from speaking to the media.

He should focus on getting his own house in order before going on tour to badmouth Britain.

Lib Dems slam Reform council as “bad Vance tribute band” and call on Farage to expel leader as local journalists banned until they ‘apologise’

Responding to reporting that Reform council leader Mick Barton will keep local democracy reporters banned from reporting on the council until they ‘apologise’, Max Wilkinson MP, Liberal Democrat Culture, Media and Sport Spokesperson and former local journalist, said:

Reform’s gang of councillors are acting like a bad JD Vance tribute band.

Politicians demanding that those on the side of democracy grovel and apologise without reason — we saw and condemned that behaviour in Trump’s Oval Office. It’s horrendous to see it happening in Britain.

As a former local journalist I’m appalled to see Reform’s disregard for basic transparency.

Farage must step in and expel Barton from Reform immediately. He is not fit to grace public office.

Rennie comments on embargoed housing report

Commenting on the embargoed report commissioned by Shelter Scotland, CIH Scotland and SFHA into Scotland’s housing need, Scottish Liberal Democrat communities spokesperson Willie Rennie MSP said:

This report sets out the scale of the challenge we face in tackling the housing emergency. Through years of drift the SNP government deprioritised housing and stopped listening to the needs of the sector and of ordinary people who are desperate for a home.

Homelessness applications rose again last year and the number of households and children in temporary accommodation hit record highs. Concerningly the number of homeless households not even being offered temporary accommodation spiked to over seven thousand.

Slashing the affordable housing budget by the SNP and Greens was a grave mistake which Scottish Liberal Democrats reversed in this year’s budget. However we need to go further to build more homes, bring thousands of empty homes back into use and re-establish social rent as a valid, long-term option.

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Mark Valladares

28 August 2025 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Thu 28th August 2025 - 11:20 pm
  • Lib Dems call on Farage to intervene after Nottinghamshire Reform council bans local journalists reporting
  • Davey calls on Blair to give evidence in Parliament following White House Gaza meeting
  • Adult mental health waits stretching to more than 1,000 days
  • Rennie comments on report showing bill for flood schemes is spiralling

Lib Dems call on Farage to intervene after Nottinghamshire Reform council bans local journalists reporting

The Liberal Democrats have written to Nigel Farage to demand he intervenes after Reform’s Nottinghamshire County Council Leader blocked his councillors from speaking to local journalists from Nottinghamshire Live and the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Liberal Democrat Culture, Media and Sport spokesperson Max Wilkinson has written to Farage demanding he step in and urge Reform’s council leader Mick Barton to reverse the “dangerous and chilling” decision.

Max Wilkinson said the move risks contravening local government’s code of conduct, which calls on elected officials to “submit themselves to the scrutiny necessary to ensure … accountability”, and prohibits information being withheld from the public “unless there are clear and lawful reasons for doing so”.

Max Wilkinson MP, Liberal Democrat Culture, Media and Sport spokesperson, said:

Reform’s move to block local journalists from reporting on their work is straight out of Donald Trump’s playbook. It’s a cornerstone of our democracy that politicians of all stripes are held to account — but for some reason Farage’s cronies think they can make themselves exempt.

This move sets a dangerous and chilling precedent for if Reform were to win power nationally and goes against our deeply rooted British values of freedom of the press. We must stand up to Reform’s assault on those principles.

Nigel Farage pretends to champion free speech: I’m calling on him to take some responsibility for once in his political career and demand that Nottinghamshire County Council Leader Mick Barton reverses this decision.

Davey calls on Blair to give evidence in Parliament following White House Gaza meeting

Responding to Tony Blair’s meeting at the White House with the Trump administration discussing the war in Gaza, Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey said:

Tony Blair needs to come before Parliament to give evidence about his discussions with the Trump administration about the ongoing war and humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.

If he has special insight into Trump’s intentions, it’s only right that Parliament and the Government are made privy to this.

Trump has a unique power to help end this war, get the hostages out, and get the desperately needed aid in to relieve the horrendous human suffering in Gaza. We must leverage all the information and resources at our disposal to make him do the right thing.

Adult mental health waits stretching to more than 1,000 days

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader and health spokesperson Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP has today said that the SNP have no plan to fix the crisis in mental health after new research by his party revealed shocking waits for psychological therapies across many of Scotland’s health boards, including a patient waiting more than seven years to start treatment.

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Mark Valladares

27 August 2025 – yesterday’s Scottish and Welsh press releases

By Mark Valladares | Thu 28th August 2025 - 7:30 am
  • Cole-Hamilton calls for stronger response to nitazenes ahead of Scottish Drugs Forum
  • Cole-Hamilton: Scotland deserves better than Farage
  • Nigel Farage accused of plan to ‘rip up Welsh countryside’ with fracking
  • Scot Lib Dems comment on Simpson defection
  • Reconviction rate increases among prisoners

Cole-Hamilton calls for stronger response to nitazenes ahead of Scottish Drugs Forum

Speaking ahead of the Scottish Drugs Forum on Wednesday 27th August, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP has called on the SNP government to take strong action on the growing number of drug deaths caused by synthetic opioids such as nitazenes, which can be hundreds of times more powerful than heroin.

In …

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Mark Valladares

26 August 2025 – yesterday’s Scottish press releases

By Mark Valladares | Wed 27th August 2025 - 7:30 am
  • Fewer WTE GPs now than in 2019
  • Cole-Hamilton comments on record NHS waiting lists, social care delays and worsening A&E waits
  • Chamberlain: Crime statistics “deeply troubling”
  • SNP oversees worsening outcomes for looked-after children
  • Cole-Hamilton responds to record low birth rate

Fewer WTE GPs now than in 2019

Commenting on the publication of GP workforce numbers, where despite an uptick there are still fewer whole time equivalent GPs now than there were in 2019, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP said:

The Scottish Government is absolutely miles away from delivering the 800 extra GPs it promised by 2027.

General practice is overwhelmed. People are ringing their surgeries hundreds of times to try and get an appointment. GPs tell me that they can rack up nearly 100 separate contacts with patients in a single day.

Scottish Liberal Democrats would draw on the wider skills that exist in mental health, physiotherapy, pharmacy and more. By adding specialists to local teams we can lessen the load on GPs and get you fast access to the best care.

Scottish Liberal Democrats also secured more money for GPs in this year’s budget. This money can start unpicking years of damage caused by the SNP, but what the NHS really needs is a change of government.

Cole-Hamilton comments on record NHS waiting lists, social care delays and worsening A&E waits

Responding to official statistics showing a record 879,215 patients are now on outpatient, inpatient or diagnostic waiting lists, including thousands waiting for years, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader and health spokesperson Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP commented:

Hundreds of thousands of people are waiting in pain and uncertainty. People can’t get on in life and it’s impacting the economy.

Waiting lists in Scotland are now far worse than those in England, the rollout of national treatment centres has stalled, and repeated SNP promises to speed up treatment have fallen flat.

Since June 2024, the number of people waiting over two years for outpatient appointments has more than trebled. Some waits are even longer still.

After almost two decades in charge, the SNP have proved to be bad for your health. Scotland deserves better.

Scottish Liberal Democrats are bursting with fresh ideas to get our NHS back on its feet and get everyone the care they need in good time. At next May’s election, everyone can vote for those plans by backing my party on the peach regional ballot paper.

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Mark Valladares

21 August 2025 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Thu 21st August 2025 - 10:30 pm
  • Rising numbers in asylum hotels: Govt must speed up processing to get backlog down
  • Scottish NHS still relies on almost 600 buildings which are more than 70 years old

Rising numbers in asylum hotels: Govt must speed up processing to get backlog down

Responding to this morning’s immigration figures showing a rise over the past year in the number of asylum seekers housed in hotels, Liberal Democrat Home Affairs spokesperson Lisa Smart MP said:

The asylum backlog has been far too large for far too long.

The Conservatives trashed our immigration system and let numbers spiral. Now this Labour government is failing to get a grip on the crisis.

The Government urgently needs to stop dangerous Channel crossings and speed up asylum processing to bring down the backlog and end hotel use once and for all.

Scottish NHS still relies on almost 600 buildings which are more than 70 years old

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP has today said that making sure the NHS has the facilities it needs to thrive must be a top priority, after new research by his party revealed that almost 600 NHS buildings are more than 70 years old.

A Scottish Liberal Democrat freedom of information request to all of Scotland’s health boards found that:

  • There are 597 NHS buildings over 70 years old across Scotland.
  • 121 of these are located in NHS Glasgow, where there are also 210 buildings up to 50 years old.
  • 104 buildings are more than 70 years in old in NHS Lothian. This figure is 97 in NHS Grampian and 93 in NHS Tayside.
  • In NHS Ayrshire and Arran 30 buildings are more than 80 years old – predating the founding of the NHS.
  • Across Scotland, there are also at least 18 buildings which are both more than 70 years old and require high risk repairs.
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Mark Valladares

19 August 2025 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Tue 19th August 2025 - 10:30 pm
  • Davey: commit British typhoon jets to strengthen Zelensky’s hand
  • Poorly thought out reforms only risk leaving parts of the country significantly worse off
  • Scottish Government must listen to Scot Lib Dem plans for cancer screening
  • Scotland’s LED road signs break down 1,419 times

Davey: commit British typhoon jets to strengthen Zelensky’s hand

Following the conclusion of yesterday’s talks between Donald Trump, Volodymyr Zelensky and other European leaders, Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey said:

Trump’s plan to hand Ukrainian territory to Putin would not bring peace. It would be the greatest reward for aggression in living memory, and only lead to more Russian aggression in Ukraine and across Eastern Europe.

Ahead of Zelensky’s trilateral with Putin, the UK and European leaders need to step up. For Starmer that means making a commitment to providing British typhoons to the Ukrainian air force, seizing the frozen Russian assets and showing Putin that we will continue to back Ukraine.

Poorly thought out reforms only risk leaving parts of the country significantly worse off

Responding to County Councils warning that Government proposals will place an unfair burden on rural taxpayers, Liberal Democrat Housing, Communities and Local Government Spokesperson Vikki Slade MP said:

Councils across the country are already teetering on the edge after years of Conservatives’ neglect of local funding and services – from bus services cuts in rural areas to the rising costs of social care. These ill thought out reforms only risk leaving parts of the country significantly worse off.

To truly help local authorities, the Government should urgently look at supporting councils who receive the least grant funding and those that face additional pressure on services in rural and coastal areas, to help them with spiralling costs.

Scottish Government must listen to Scot Lib Dem plans for cancer screening

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton has today urged the Scottish Government to adopt his party’s plans for a national lung cancer screening programme, as new figures showed that a rise in the number of deaths from cancer in Scotland.

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Mark Valladares

29 July 2025 – yesterday’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Wed 30th July 2025 - 7:30 am
  • Davey on Southport attacks one year on: We are a caring country not one of thuggery
  • Davey calls for Lord Hermer to publish legal advice on Gazan aid blockade
  • Anglian Water fine: Lib Dems urge “No More Sewage, No More Excuses”
  • Lib Dems: “If Trump really loves Scotland, why is he hammering Scotch whisky with tariffs?”
  • Cole-Hamilton accuses SNP of serial failures on A&E, care and drugs
  • Cole-Hamilton responds to decline in healthy life expectancy

Davey on Southport attacks one year on: We are a caring country not one of thuggery

Reflecting on the one year anniversary of the Southport attacks, Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey said:

Today especially, we hold in our hearts Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe and Alice da Silva Aguiar.

Three little girls, horrifyingly murdered at their Taylor Swift dance class in Southport. Three young lives, so cruelly cut short by a heartbreaking tragedy.

Our thoughts are with their families and friends, who still grieve such a cruel loss.

The lawless riots that followed appalled us. Egged on by hate preachers and conspiracy theorists, thugs resorted to appalling racism and violence, targeting some of the most vulnerable in our society.

But last summer also saw the best of the British people. Everyone who came together with love and compassion to mourn the deaths of Bebe, Elsie and Alice. And all those who stood peacefully in solidarity against the riots. Who powerfully rejected racism and Islamophobia.

That is who we are: a caring country, not a country of thuggery. A nation of laws and decency, not hate and lawlessness.

As we grieve today – as we remember Bebe, Elsie and Alice – let us also remember that.

Davey calls for Lord Hermer to publish legal advice on Gazan aid blockade

Commenting ahead of a Cabinet recall on the conflict in the Middle East, Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey has called for the Attorney General Lord Hermer to publish his legal advice to the Government, saying:

There can be no denying that Israel has egregiously breached international law through its devastating blockade of Gaza.

The Australian Prime Minister said this two days ago. And yet the UK Government continues to drag its feet on describing these acts as anything more than merely “risking” a breach.

Actions speak louder than words. It’s time for the Attorney General to publish the legal advice he has given to the Government on the Netanyahu cabinet’s grotesque restriction of aid to Gazans.

Anglian Water fine: Lib Dems urge “No More Sewage, No More Excuses”

Liberal Democrat MP Pippa Heylings has condemned Anglian Water’s repeated failings, following Ofwat’s damning £62.8 million fine for the company’s illegal dumping of raw sewage into rivers and coastal waters.

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Mark Valladares

26-27 July 2025 – the weekend’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Sun 27th July 2025 - 10:30 pm
  • Davey: PM must show Trump that the UK will lead the way in recognising Palestine
  • Jardine challenges Government over long waits for driving tests
  • Cole-Hamilton presses Health Secretary over long waits for cataract surgery

Davey: PM must show Trump that the UK will lead the way in recognising Palestine

Commenting ahead of Keir Starmer’s meeting with Donald Trump tomorrow, where the PM is expected to raise the situation in Gaza, Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey said:

Starmer must urge Trump to use his influence with Netanyahu to end the unconscionable suffering in Gaza through securing a ceasefire and getting much needed aid in. But it’s clear that only proper recognition the of Palestinian state by the international community will finally make way to a two-state solution and a lasting peace.

The Prime Minister should make clear to Trump that the UK will lead the way in recognising the state of Palestine.

Jardine challenges Government over long waits for driving tests

Edinburgh West MP Christine Jardine has today challenged the UK Government to cut long waits for driving tests and do more to block the reselling of block-booked driving tests as she revealed that three quarters of Scotland’s test centres have longer waits than the national average.

Media reports and constituents have raised concerns over long waits for practical driving tests and unscrupulous booking practices where individuals or companies buy up available driving test appointments and then resell them to learners, often at inflated prices.

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The Voice

Housing expert selected to represent Scottish Lib Dems in Central Scotland and Lothians West

By The Voice | Sat 26th July 2025 - 12:04 pm

Scottish Liberal Democrats have today announced homelessness and community campaigner Paul McGarry as their candidate for the Central Scotland and Lothians West regional list at the forthcoming Scottish election.

Made homeless at the age of 16, Paul was driven into politics by a desire to tackle the root causes of homelessness and support some of the poorest communities in his area.

For several years, he worked in youth projects across Scotland, including Lanark, Motherwell, East Kilbride, Falkirk and Hamilton.

He now works a senior Business Development Manager at a national training provider, helping organisations across the UK improve health, safety and wellbeing.

As the Scottish Liberal Democrat spokesperson for housing and homelessness, he is a longstanding campaigner for new schools, new community centres and more affordable housing.

Paul McGarry said:

I got into politics to make a difference. Becoming homeless at 16 showed me how fragile the system can be, how easily people can fall through the cracks and how vital it is to have someone fighting your corner.

Living in central Scotland, I see how much people are struggling. They feel like they’re stuck on a permanent waiting list, from NHS treatment to affordable housing.

As a Liberal Democrat, I am committed to giving people the representation they deserve. That means fixing our broken health service, tackling the housing crisis, lifting up local economies and delivering the best education for our children.

I don’t consider myself a typical politician. I’ve seen life’s challenges up close and personal, and that’s what motivates me as a parliamentary candidate. I want to change things for the better and get results for the people of Central Scotland and Lothians West.

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The Voice

Councillor and environmental campaigner tops Edinburgh and Lothians East regional list

By The Voice | Fri 25th July 2025 - 8:16 am

Scottish Liberal Democrats have today announced that local councillor and environmental campaigner Sanne Dijkstra-Downie has been selected as the party’s lead candidate for the Edinburgh and Lothians East regional list at next year’s Scottish Parliament election.

Sanne has lived in Edinburgh for 23 years. In her professional life, Sanne raises money for charities that provide educational opportunities, and helped to establish an ocean protection initiative. She has a strong record of community action, speaking out to secure better cycling and pedestrian infrastructure, more protection for Wardie Bay and to protect the Roseburn Path.

In 2022, Sanne was elected as an Edinburgh Councillor for Forth ward, topping the poll ahead of Scottish Labour’s then Edinburgh leader. She sits on the Finance & Resources and Policy & Sustainability committees. Sanne is also contesting the seat of Edinburgh Northern.

The other candidates selected for the list are counsellor and therapist Jane Pickard, charity chief executive Charles Dundas and Edinburgh councillor Lewis Younie.

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Mark Valladares

21 July 2025 – Monday’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Wed 23rd July 2025 - 11:15 pm

Firstly, apologies for the delay in posting these – an overrunning Parish Council meeting took precedence, I’m afraid…

  • Cunliffe report: “Wild West” of water companies must come to an end
  • ACOBA: Lib Dems say ministerial payouts for disgraced ministers should be scrapped altogether
  • Ofwat scrap: Persistent sewage dumpers must be held criminally responsible
  • The Welsh Liberal Democrats respond to concerns over SFS at the Royal Welsh Show
  • The Welsh Liberal Democrats respond to the Family Farm Tax at the Royal Welsh Show
  • SNP must stop pretending Scotland is immune from sewage scandal

Cunliffe report: “Wild West” of water companies must come to an end

Responding to Sir Jon Cunliffe’s report into the water industry including the call to scrap Ofwat, Liberal Democrat Environment Spokesperson Tim Farron said:

This is a big win for the Liberal Democrats who have led the campaign against the sewage scandal for years. Since 2022 we have called for Ofwat to be replaced with a tougher regulator, now finally the government appears to have listened.

There’s no doubt these major reforms would not be happening if it wasn’t for our record general election win and the millions who voted for us last year.

We will now be studying this report in detail and holding the government’s feet to the fire to ensure these promises are delivered on. The wild west of water companies paying out huge bonuses while ruining rivers with filthy sewage must finally be brought to an end.

ACOBA: Lib Dems say ministerial payouts for disgraced ministers should be scrapped altogether

Responding to reports that the Government is abolishing ACOBA, a Liberal Democrat Spokesperson said:

This is the right step after years of Conservative sleaze which did so much damage to standards in public life. Its lack of powers to enforce the rules it oversaw meant ACOBA was about as useful as a chocolate teapot.

The Prime Minister must now go further – ban Ministerial severance payouts altogether for disgraced former ministers, as well as stripping Liz Truss of her access to the ex-PM allowance fund of up to £125,000 per annum.

It shouldn’t have taken a year to set up the Ethics and Integrity Commission – and there will be no excuse if the Government attempts to kick these vital issues into the long grass.

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Mark Valladares

19-20 July 2025 – the weekend’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Mon 21st July 2025 - 7:30 am
  • John Healey accused of misleading Parliament over Afghan data breach
  • Water pollution: People fed up with empty promises
  • Water ombudsman: We need fundamental change, not another layer of bureaucracy
  • 521 spills recorded at private sewage plants but 5 sites not even required to monitor spills

John Healey accused of misleading Parliament over Afghan data breach

The Liberal Democrats have said the Defence Secretary John Healey appears to have misled Parliament over the Afghan data breach – and must “urgently come before Parliament to answer the question of whether he knowingly misled MPs and the public”.

Only three days ago John Healey told MPs in the House of Commons that no serving member of the armed forces had been put at risk by the data loss. This comes despite it emerging yesterday that over 100 British officials, including members of the special forces and MI6, were compromised in a data breach.

Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey called on the Defence Secretary to urgently come to Parliament and correct the record.

Responding to a question from Liberal Democrat MP Defence Committee member Ian Roome on Tuesday 15 July, John Healey said: “To the best of my knowledge and belief, no serving member of our armed forces is put at risk by the data loss.”

Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey said:

Three days ago John Healey claimed no-one serving in the armed forces was put at risk by the data breach. Today we found out that appears to be false.

We need to know if any serving members of the armed forces were impacted – and the Defence Secretary must urgently come before Parliament to answer the question of whether he knowingly misled MPs and the public.

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Mark Valladares

18 July 2025 – yesteday’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Sat 19th July 2025 - 12:30 pm
  • Lib Dems: water regulation in our country is broken
  • Ofwat: Finally Government listened to Lib Dems
  • Scot Lib Dems comment on confirmation of Trump visit dates
  • Cole-Hamilton: SNP want to focus on independence, I want to focus on NHS
  • Cole-Hamilton: SNP want to focus on independence, I want to focus on NHS

Lib Dems: water regulation in our country is broken

Responding to the news that the number of the most serious water pollution incidents went up by 60% last year, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Tim Farron said:

This record of failure shows water regulation in our country is broken.

Water companies are getting away with polluting our rivers on an industrial scale and face little more than a slap on the wrist.

The government must bring forward a proper overhaul of our water sector starting by scrapping the failed watchdog Ofwat.

People are fed up with empty promises from ministers while Britain’s waterways continue to be ruined by sewage.

Ofwat: Finally Government listened to Lib Dems

Responding to reports that the Government will scrap Ofwat, Liberal Democrat environment spokesperson Tim Farron MP said:

At last, the Government has listened to the Liberal Democrats. Since November 2022, Liberal Democrats have been calling for Ofwat to be scrapped- and if the Government do not commit to this, it would be a dereliction of their duty and a betrayal of millions of customers across the country.

But the Government must not stop here, and we will continue to hold them accountable. Britain now needs a new, effective regulator, to stop the sewage scandal once and for all.

Today we see again that there has been a dramatic increase in sewage spills. Liberal Democrats will continue to fight for customers, citizens and for cleaner water.

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Mark Valladares

15 July 2025 – yesterday’s Scottish press releases

By Mark Valladares | Wed 16th July 2025 - 11:15 pm
  • Patients waiting up to a year for cancer treatment under SNP
  • Wishart blasts Ministers for lack of action on air travel review
  • Cole-Hamilton criticises SNP over new A&E and drugs reports
  • MacDonald urges public to respond to Community Benefit energy consultation

Patients waiting up to a year for cancer treatment under SNP

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP today said that the SNP government isn’t giving people the best chance of surviving cancer as he revealed the longest waits for first treatment of cancer, with patients waiting up to a year.

Scottish Liberal Democrats analysed waiting times from an urgent referral with suspicion of cancer to first treatment for patients in every health board.

This analysis shows that:

  • In the quarter ending March 2025, a patient in NHS Lothian waited 393 days for treatment.
  • In the same period, patients in Grampian, the Borders, and Dumfries and Galloway waited 11 months for treatment.
  • Between the quarter ending March 2015 and March 2025, the longest wait in NHS Borders has more than quadrupled, increasing from 76 days to 343 days.
  • Over the same period, the longest wait in NHS Dumfries & Galloway has more than trebled, from 99 days to 347 days.
  • Since March 2015, the longest waits in NHS Ayrshire & Arran, NHS Orkney and NHS Shetland have more than doubled.

It comes as Scottish Liberal Democrats revealed that the median waiting time for cancer treatment across the whole of Scotland, 52 days, is the worst on record.

In June, Public Health Minister Jenni Minto admitted that “people could be dying as a result of later cancer diagnoses”.

Alex Cole-Hamilton said:

All across Scotland, the SNP government isn’t giving cancer patients the best chance of survival. These statistics show huge increases in waiting times to begin treatment after an urgent referral with suspicion of cancer, stretching up to a year.

International studies show Scotland falling behind. The fact that SNP ministers are now admitting that their failures may have caused people to die shows just how badly they have got this wrong.

Access to screening programmes, diagnoses and treatment is a postcode lottery across the country. Scottish Liberal Democrats want to see ministers who will move mountains to bring down waits and get to grips with the gaps in tech and staff.

Patients deserve better than an SNP government that keeps letting them down. Only the Scottish Liberal Democrats will bring a real vision and a real plan for delivering the care they need.

Wishart blasts Ministers for lack of action on air travel review

Scottish Liberal Democrat and Shetland MSP Beatrice Wishart has written to the Scottish Government questioning their lack of action on the Highlands and Islands Air Discount Scheme after almost a year since the publishing of Transport Scotland’s Aviation Statement which made the following commitment:

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Mark Valladares

1 July 2025 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Tue 1st July 2025 - 10:30 pm
  • FIRS scheme has a “China-shaped hole”, say Lib Dems
  • Welfare concessions: Govt should “put this bill out of its misery”
  • Davey: Welfare Bill “no way to run a country”
  • Carmichael challenges EDF on imposed inferior tariffs for RTS customers
  • Cole-Hamilton: Delayed discharges another SNP broken promise
  • Operations activity stagnating below pre-pandemic levels

FIRS scheme has a “China-shaped hole”, say Lib Dems

Responding to the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS)’s publication today, Calum Miller MP, Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs Spokesperson, said:

It’s clear that there’s a China-shaped hole in today’s FIRS announcement. Labour’s failure to include China on the enhanced tier sends a terrible signal to pro-democracy Hong Kongers and Chinese activists living in the UK, and undermines our security.

The government has offered no reasons why China – which poses similar threats to our interests and ideals – is excluded when Iran and Russia are rightly on the enhanced tier.

As we mark the anniversary of the Hong Kong handover today, it’s astonishing the Government has chosen now to broadcast its lax approach to Chinese interference here at home.

With reports also that the Chinese ‘mega-embassy’ is about to be greenlit, the Government needs to get serious about the threat posed by China – or risk mirroring the Conservatives’ utterly incoherent response to Beijing while in power.

Welfare concessions: Govt should “put this bill out of its misery”

Responding to reports that the Government is offering further concessions on the welfare bill to the Labour rebels, Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesperson Daisy Cooper MP said:

The Government should stop tying themselves in endless knots and put this bill out of its misery.

This has been a mess from start to finish and it’s clear that this legislation is not fit for purpose. Ministers are asking MPs to vote on a bill on which the ink hasn’t dried before it is blotted out once again.

The Government needs to go back to the drawing board and pull this bill. The Liberal Democrats are clear we cannot support this legislation that puts up more barriers to work and strips away vital support from disabled people and those who care for them.

Davey: Welfare Bill “no way to run a country”

Following the news that the Government’s Welfare Reform Bill has passed, Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey said:

This is no way to run a country.

The Government should scrap this failed bill altogether and work cross-party to actually bring down the welfare bill by getting people into work.

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