Sorry, I don't know. But I do know that the range of plausible dates is wide open - from only a couple of months away through to January 2025. And that whenever the date is, we also have a massive round of local elections in May.
Which is why we need to step up our campaigning, capacity building and planning through the second half of this year. Even if this Parliament goes its full term, the benefits of extra canvassing, member recruitment and training this summer will still be considerable.
The Federal Conference Committee (FCC) met on Saturday, 9th July to start its work on the final agenda for Autumn 2022 Conference, which will be taking place in Brighton, with an option for online attendance.
If you haven't yet registered for Conference, I would recommend doing so here.
At the meeting we discussed several items in relation to future venues and the meeting and motions schedule for 2023 into 2024. As previously reported, we will be returning to York for Spring Conference 17 to 19 March 2023.
Each year, thousands of grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings and family friends step up to support a child who is unable to live with their birth parents. They deserve more support.
Yesterday, I introduced the Kinship Care Bill in the House of Commons. This bill calls on the Government to provide all friends and relatives who look after a child who cannot live with their birth parents with an allowance of at least £137 a week: the same level as for foster carers.
Last Friday concluded my final week at the Green Lib Dems. This role has been a brilliant one, and I'm excited to share the opportunity with a new Intern.
Dear Francis,
I first wanted to thank you.
My time at the Green Liberal Democrats has been an great experience. In large part due to those of you that have engaged with our work.
You've taken advantage of our resources and materials, collaborated with us to develop policies and campaigns, and worked hard to get Liberal Democrats elected.
Your support - and often patience - has made this job what I consider to be amongst the most fulfilling in the party. My special thanks go to our Officers and Executive, who set a strong direction and were always on hand to offer guidance.
In order to continue this momentum, the Green Liberal Democrats are recruiting for their next Intern.
Based in the fantastic ALDC Salford HQ, the Intern will be responsible for:
Drafting GLD's communications presence: emails, newsletters, topical briefings, blog articles.
Producing resources for campaigners: leaflet and digital materials, press releases, council motions, policy guidance.
Delivering research support for Liberal Democrat Parliamentarians across both houses, providing our MPs and Peers access to a wider network of environmental organisations.
If you know somebody who would be suited to this role, let them know to send their CV and cover letter to ALDC's Head of Operations, Ed Stephenson at ed.stephenson@aldc.org and to Keith Melton, chair@greenlibdems.org.uk.
The closing date for applications is Sunday the 17th of July, whilst interviews will be conducted over Zoom on the 20th.
I cannot overstate just how engaging my time has been here. For Liberal Democrats looking for a creative, political job, you can't do much better than this.
Today, 1st of July, we are marking an incredible 50 years since the first Pride rally took place in the UK.
We have made incredible strides when it comes to protecting the fundamental human rights of those with LGBT+ identities. I am proud that our party has supported LGBT+ rights since its very conception.
Having a Lib Dem presence at your local Pride festival for the first time? Or want to improve on how it ran last time?
With over 150 Prides in the UK this year, we have a training event coming up with the Association of Lib Dem Councillors & Campaigners to make the most of taking part in your local Pride.
Are you a Lib Dem Councillor? Would you like to know more about how can you support LGBT+ people in your council ward and local area from the Council Chamber?
We're hosting a joint webinar later this week with the Association of Lib Dem Councillors and Campaigners ALDCto discuss how Liberal Democrat Councillors can support the LGBT+ community!