Latest local and national Lib Dem news

  • SA walk
    Liberal Democrats repeat call for local independent inquiry
    Article: May 27, 2020
    Following presentations to the County Council from Dr Louise Smith, Norfolk's director of public health, and other senior officers, Norfolk Liberal Democrats have renewed their call for an independent local enquiry in order to tackle the next phase of disease in the most effective and socially just way possible.

    "I listened attentively to the presentations given by senior officers, all of whom have clearly committed significant time and expertise to their various areas of work, and to sustaining Norfolk County Council's response so far" said Cllr Steffan Aquarone, leader of the Liberal Democrat group on Norfolk County Council.

    "But questioning senior officers alone cannot provide the people of Norfolk with the answers that matter most: what will happen next, who will take the lead, and how will Norfolk's economy seek to recover as quickly as possible?

    "When we called for an independent local inquiry back at the start of May, we made it clear that this should be anchored in the future, and centered on the people of Norfolk, who will return to 'normal life' at different speeds. There will be different levels and lengths of the ongoing effects of the virus on different groups in society and yet without a proper recovery plan we will push tens of thousands of people in Norfolk into poverty when the Government money runs out.

    These questions come as the committee heard, in response to a question from Cllr Steffan Aquarone, that the number of Covid-19 deaths in Norfolk was expected to be 'too small to analyse meaningfully' and 'within the rolling 5-year average of what we would see in winter'.

    "The County Council is already facing a £20m shortfall in the few short months it has been dealing with this crisis, and a return to the programme of brutal 'business as usual' cuts is unrealistic." added Deputy Group Leader Dan Roper. "But there are also many opportunities to use what we have learned in the crisis, to support a green economic recovery, celebrate our beautiful environment, and build compassion and kindness into the way we run our public services. To develop this plan confidently, and protect the most vulnerable, we still need to know what the overall number of excess deaths in Norfolk has been, and what the learnings actually are from the debriefs we've been assured are taking place. Good strategy needs detail as well as leadership - and both these things have been lacking from the County Council's Tory leadership."
  • The Prime Minister must terminate Cummings' contract
    Article: May 26, 2020

    Millions of people are worried for their loved ones. They have made heartbreaking sacrifices every day since lockdown, including missing family gatherings like weddings and funerals.

    People are rightly angry about Dominic Cummings' behaviour. It cannot be one rule for senior government officials and one rule for everyone else

  • We must oppose Beijing's power grab.
    Article: May 26, 2020

    We cannot allow coronavirus to blind us to the injustice that is unfolding on Hong Kong.

    Beijing's new national security law is a naked power-grab. It bypasses Hong Kong local law-making processes and demonstrates a complete lack of respect for the Joint Declaration. Clearly China no longer cares for the 'one country, two systems' agreement made between the UK and China during the Handover.

  • Eid Mubarak to all those celebrating!
    Article: May 25, 2020

    I would like to send warm wishes to Muslims in the UK and around the world celebrating Eid al-Fitr.

    Eid marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan - a month of prayer, personal reflection, and self-denial.

    I'm sure that this Ramadan must have felt unusual and I know that observing a socially distanced Eid will not be easy either.

  • UK must stand up for Hong Kong
    Article: May 22, 2020

    It has been confirmed that Beijing is introducing a resolution that would bypass Hong Kong local law-making processes in order to impose a new 'national security law' on the territory.

    We cannot sit back and watch this violation of rights and freedoms.

    It is clear that China no longer cares for the 'one country, two systems' agreement made between the UK and China during the Handover.

  • The Weekly Whip
    Article: May 22, 2020

    Welcome to the Weekly Whip. Your one-stop shop for Lib Dem Parliamentary updates, covering the week that was and the week to come.

    For up to date information from the Lib Dem Whips Office, follow us on Twitter: @LibWhips

    Weekly Whip w/c 18th April

    Monday 18th May

    Monday started with Ministerial Questions to the Treasury and the Department for Transport. Where Munira Wilson questioned the government on what they are doing to protect the aviation industry and prevent the loss of jobs in that sector.

  • Government must increase support for asylum seekers
    Article: May 21, 2020

    The latest Immigration Statistics, published this morning, show that 51,906 people are waiting for an initial decision on their asylum claims, an increase of 33% since last year. 31,516 have been waiting for more than six months, a 68% increase.

    People who've come to the UK having fled war or persecution should welcomed, not trapped for months on just £5.39 a day

  • The Government must extend the Brexit transition period
    Article: May 20, 2020

    Today we have introduced a Bill to require the Government to seek a two-year extension to the Brexit transition period, in light of the Coronavirus pandemic.

    To choose a No Deal Brexit and crash out, when the option to extend the transition is possible, would be an act of national self-harm - especially when our NHS, economy and food supply chains are already stretched and struggling.

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