01Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Foreign Secretary’s silence on Trump tweets is shameful

Parliamentary news
Following the Foreign Secretary's response to questions from Andrew Marr about President Trump's tweets on the subject of protests in the US, Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs spokesperson Alistair Carmichael said: “The Foreign Secretary's cowardly failure to condemn the President's inflammatory language demonstrates a Government incapable of standing up to Donald Trump.   “The Government’s silence is shameful and indefensible. The UK Government must not only condemn Trump’s rhetoric, but must also act to build a more equal society here in the UK and abroad.  “The Government should be using our special relationship with the US to condemn Trump’s dangerous and violent language and actions. We have a responsibility to do this privately and publicly.”
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01Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

An opportunity for green transport

Borough news, Campaigns
Councillor Howard Sykes, Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Oldham Council, has suggested a five point response to deal with the way that Covid-19 has impacted on our local travel.  Councillor Sykes said: “This could kickstart our local transport needs in a green direction.  The Council could be been given up to £500,000 by the Mayor of Manchester to make streets safer.  The five points are a solid guide on how to spend that money.” He suggested: A commitment to provide additional financial support to our local public transport network. Power for Highways Authorities to introduce dedicated cycle lanes.Councils should be able to solve problem areas by changing the limit where appropriate.Protection for Local Authorities using the enhanced Traffic Reduction Orders against legal challenge.Get the…
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01Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government decision to press on with reopening schools “deeply worrying”

Parliamentary news
Ahead of some schools reopening to more pupils on Monday 1 June, Liberal Democrat Education Spokesperson Layla Moran said: “Ministers have repeatedly claimed to be guided by science through this crisis, yet a number of scientists - including members of SAGE - have expressed concern about the easing of lockdown. It's deeply worrying that plans to reopen schools are going ahead despite the fact that the COVID-19 risk is still classified as "high".  “We all want to see children back in schools as an urgent priority. But not if this risks a new COVID-19 spike. The Government must guarantee that public health will not be put at risk as a result of a premature or rushed effort to get children back into classrooms.  “The Government must also find find practical solutions to the logistical problems created by the…
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01Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government must urgently scrap Vagrancy Act as part of plan to end rough sleeping

Parliamentary news
Following today's announcements from the Housing, Communities and Local Government Secretary and Dame Louise Casey relating to support for rough sleepers, Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran said: “After years of prevarication it took a crisis to get the Tories to house thousands who were sleeping rough at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. It's vital that this support continues in the months ahead, to ensure we don't go backwards when such progress has been made. “Ministers must now show they are completely committed to tackling this issue head on. “That is why the Liberal Democrats are urging the Government to commit to scrapping the Dickensian Vagrancy Act - which unfairly criminalises people for rough sleeping - as a matter of urgency. Otherwise the law remains wholly incompatible with the plans outlined to support rough sleepers in…
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28May 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Increase in prison staff Covid-19 cases show Government allowing prisons to become crucible for virus

Parliamentary news
Responding to the figures showing the number of prison staff with coronavirus has increased dramatically, with 873 staff having tested positive across England and Wales, Liberal Democrat Justice Spokesperon Daisy Cooper said: “The figures showing the dramatic rise in Covid-19 cases amongst prison staff demonstrate that the government is allowing prisons to become a crucible for the virus. “Whilst our prisons remain overcrowded and the government refuse to release all low-risk prisoners, there is no chance of social distancing. This puts the health of both staff and prisoners, as well as our communities, at risk. “The government must listen to prison governors and end overcrowding in prisons before the consequences become even more severe. Liberal Democrats are calling for Ministers to release all low-risk prisoners serving short sentences and suspend any new short sentences. With tough…
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28May 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

High time for Government to extend Brexit transition period

Parliamentary news
Responding to news that EU Chief Negotiator Michel Barnier has made clear that an extension to the Brexit transition period is possible, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “Even before COVID, Johnson had a tight timetable for Brexit talks. The Prime Minister’s refusal now to even consider the possibility of an extension to the Brexit transition as we face an unprecedented global health and economic crisis shows he is recklessly putting his Brexit ideology before the UK's national interest. “It’s clear that an extension is possible and it's high time for the Conservative Government to think again.  “Boris Johnson must put the national interest first and accept the need to extend the transition period. Otherwise he threatens to pitch the country into a chaotic no deal Brexit, at a time when the economy…
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28May 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

PM must instruct Home Sec to lift no recourse to public funds rule for coronavirus crisis

Parliamentary news
Following the Prime Minster's appearance at the liaison committee, where he stated he would "see what we can do to help” those with no recourse to public funds, Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson Christine Jardine said: “It’s unbelievable that someone who’s been an MP for 12 years – and is now the Prime Minister – appeared to not have even heard of a rule that bars migrants from accessing crucial support from the government. “The ‘no recourse to public funds’ rule is particularly damaging during the coronavirus crisis, preventing many families who have lost their livelihoods overnight from accessing the Universal Credit safety net. Liberal Democrats have been urging Priti Patel to lift the rule for the duration of the crisis, so migrants – like everyone else – are given the financial…
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28May 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government strategy must also support people in isolation

Parliamentary news
Responding to the Government’s test and trace system announcement, Liberal Democrat Health, Wellbeing and Care spokesperson Munira Wilson said: “The Coronavirus crisis is leaving people rightly worried about their loved ones. Sadly, the Government has left confusion in it's wake this week and there are plenty questions still to answer.  “Central to the Government’s strategy must be a comprehensive test, trace and isolate system. Time and again, we have seen Ministers announce the next steps but never an effective plan to support people in isolation, thereby stopping the spread and saving lives. “Ministers must come forward with these clear and honest answers, in addition addressing the obvious issues with their app and why the level of testing remains so low across the UK compared to some countries.”
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26May 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

PM’s judgement now in question over Cummings

Parliamentary news
Responding to today's COVID-19 update from the Prime Minister, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “The Prime Minister's own judgement is now in question. If he was really convinced by Dominic Cummings’ story, he is in a small minority and the public’s confidence in Boris Johnson’s handling of the coronavirus crisis will only fall further.  "The Prime Minister ought to understand that the public want to see strong and clear leadership during this health crisis, but the Cummings scandal has heaped yet more confusion on the Government’s public health messaging.  “As if to distract our attention, the Prime Minister has attempted to outline key steps beyond lockdown. Yet this requires a comprehensive test, trace and isolate strategy to be in place. That is the only way to keep people…
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26May 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

All Tory MPs must reflect on Govt resignation and call for Cummings to go

Parliamentary news
Responding to the resignation of a Conservative Minister in protest at the row over Dominic Cummings, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “Countless people have made heartbreaking sacrifices to keep to the Government’s rules, so people are understandably angry about Dominic Cummings’ behaviour.   “Douglas Ross recognises it cannot be one rule for senior government officials and one rule for everyone else, so why doesn’t the Prime Minister? Boris Johnson is losing the trust of his own Ministers and his judgement is seriously in question. To tackle this pandemic and save lives, people deserve better. “All Conservative MPs must reflect on this resignation, stop defending the indefensible and put the public health of our country first by calling for the Prime Minister’s scandal-hit spin doctor-in-chief to go.”
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