05Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Liberal Democrat Leadership Team, Group Officers and Shadow Cabinet announced for 2020–21

Borough news
Following a recent Group meeting in May, the Oldham Borough Liberal Democrat Group has announced their appointment, unanimously and unopposed, of Councillor Howard Sykes MBE as their Leader and Councillor Chris Gloster as their Deputy Leader.  Councillor Sykes has also announced the appointment of his Shadow Cabinet Team for 2020/21. Councillor Howard Sykes said: “I am delighted and honoured that Chris and I have once again received the unanimous support of our party colleagues.  The Liberal Democrats remain the only effective opposition holding Labour to account on Oldham Council. “Citizens can rest assured that the Oldham Liberal Democrats will continue to oppose Labour’s waste, inefficiency and centralisation tendancies and we will always speak up for fair treatment for our residents and for value-for-money services and common sense solutions”.  He added. …
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05Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Ministers must commit now to any recommendations from inequalities inquiry

Parliamentary news
Responding to the announcement that the Equalities and Human Rights Commission will lead an inquiry into the racial inequalities exposed by the coronavirus outbreak, Liberal Democrat Equalities Spokesperson Christine Jardine said: “The consequences of the coronavirus crisis are exacerbated for some communities by the existing inequalities in our society. The announcement that the Equalities and Human Rights Commission will investigate the disproportionate impact the virus has had on people from different ethnic minorities is particularly welcome considering Public Health England's report earlier this week offered no proposed Government action. “The EHRC's Inquiry will set out clear recommendations and Ministers must commit now to following them. The Liberal Democrats want to see a government-wide plan to tackle BAME inequalities, with a review by the Equality and Human Rights Commission to determine whether its funding…
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04Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

China is being wilfully ignorant with Hong Kong response

Parliamentary news
Responding to reports that China has warned the UK to “step back from the brink” over UK criticism of Beijing’s national security law for Hong Kong, Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs spokesperson Alistair Carmichael said: “China's Foreign Ministry are being wilfully ignorant. The Sino-British Joint Declaration was not a unilateral announcement but a clear joint legal text, lodged at the UN. The clue is in the name. “Both the UK and China made promises to the people of Hong Kong during the Handover. Under the Joint Declaration, Hong Kong's 'one country, two systems' way of life was to be protected and enhanced. “Beijing has shown increasing contempt for the Joint Declaration and it is clear that the government must now ensure all Hong Kongers are given the right to live in the UK. Liberal…
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04Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government not clear on legal powers to implement local lockdowns

Parliamentary news
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department of Health and Social Care Lord Bethell has admitted that the Government's policy for local lockdowns is still “in development”, and could not confirm who would have legal responsibility for implementing and managing these.  In response to a question from Liberal Democrat Peer Lord Scriven, Lord Bethell confirmed that “arrangements for local lockdowns aren’t fully in place”.  Following the exchange, Liberal Democrat Peer Lord Scriven, a Former Leader of Sheffield City Council, said: “At the Number 10 press conference, the Chief Medical Officer has said we will be likely to get local flare ups. The Government cannot seriously expect local areas to take action to keep local people safe and to dampen the Virus in their area if the Government hasn't got policies, systems…
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04Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government must not risk going backwards on containing COVID-19

Parliamentary news
Responding to the Prime Minister's COVID-19 update, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “Major concerns remain about the prospect of a new surge in COVID-19 cases given that the risk level remains "high" and, tragically, hundreds are still dying every day in the UK. The Government seem unable to get a grip on key issues further undermining public confidence.  “It has taken months for the Government to introduce measures to quarantine new arrivals and it's not clear that this move even follows scientific guidance. For ten days now the Department of Health have failed to provide raw data on the numbers tested. The test, trace and isolate system that is vital to keep people safe has yet to be proven effective.  “The Government must not risk going backwards…
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03Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government must review exports of security equipment to US

Parliamentary news
Responding to news that President Donald Trump has threatened to use military force to quell protests in the United States following the murder of George Floyd, Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs spokesperson Alistair Carmichael said: “Today the US President threatened to use force against his own citizens. As things stand, our Foreign Secretary and Prime Minister have stood silent. Their silence is shameful. "The Prime Minister must make clear that the "special relationship" with the US will not survive flagrant abuses of human rights. "The Liberal Democrats are supporting calls from Amnesty International to review the export of security equipment including rubber bullets and tear gas to the United States, given the evidence that they are being used to target unarmed civilians."
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03Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government must extend transition given NI Assembly vote

Parliamentary news
Responding to news that the Northern Ireland Assembly has passed a motion calling for an extension to the Brexit transition period given the COVID-19 crisis, Liberal Democrat Brexit and Foreign Affairs spokesperson Alistair Carmichael said: “The Conservatives' proposed Brexit will have a profound impact on the people and businesses of Northern Ireland. “At a time when the economy and society is already under huge amounts of pressure, it would be reckless for the government to pursue a situation where the UK crashes out of the EU without a deal. “The NI Assembly's vote is a clear indication that Boris Johnson must rethink and do the right thing for those across the UK. “Not enough progress has been made on negotiations and we are now dangerously close to the extension deadline. Liberal Democrats will…
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02Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Opening up Saddleworth’s blocked and obstructed footpaths

Borough news, Campaigns
During the Coronavirus lockdown, thousands of Saddleworth residents have been walking regularly from home for an hour for exercise. Unfortunately, walkers have found many local footpaths blocked, obstructed or are in a poor condition. Liberal Democrat spokesperson Mick Scholes said: “As more council resources become available after the hard work done fighting the effects of Coronavirus, we are asking Oldham Council to prioritise complaints of paths and stiles being blocked or obstructed by landowners as this is restricting residents’ access to the countryside.”  Among the problems are: an unsafe bridge across Chew Brook, with a hole large enough for walkers to fall through and break a leg;notices erected by some landowners saying “No public right of way” when there is a right of way, and many Public Footpath signposts have disappeared;fallen trees blocking part…
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01Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Oldham Borough, hit hard by Covid-19, will now gets less cash

Borough news, Campaigns
Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, Leader of the Liberal Democrats and Opposition leader on Oldham Council, is appalled at a shocking new study, which shows the areas worst hit by Covid-19 will now receive some of the largest cuts in Government support.   Oldham Borough is in the top ten Councils worst hit by the virus.  More than £100 million of public money has been diverted away from councils in the bottom half of the English deprivation index.  Oldham Borough is unfortunately one of those council areas. Conservative run areas are not receiving funding cuts in the same way.  Many believe this is a sly political move by Boris Johnson and the Conservatives.  Oldham Borough will now not receive £1.1 million diverted monies.  Councillor Sykes said: “The cash was supposed to…
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01Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Oldham Liberal Democrats send strong message on education to the Government

Borough news, Campaigns
The Oldham Liberal Democrats and Councillor Howard Sykes (Leader of the Liberal Democrats and Opposition Leader on Oldham Council) have all signed a letter of support to aid vulnerable children and protect local education.  The National Education Union (NEU) Councillors Network wrote the letter to Education Secretary Gavin Williamson for local councillors to sign up to.  Schools have been underfunded and struggling and the Covid-19 world has increased that mounting pressure.  The signed letter has several key demands:  Assurance that families will be eligible for free school meals (FSM) will be given food vouchers during summer holidays.Government to work with local authorities to protect vulnerable children.Supporting calls from the teaching profession that schools be reopened when it is safe to do so, for both staff and students.Local authorities be given…
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