Author: Sam Al-Hamdani

The Liberal Democrats have defeated the Government on a vote in the House of Lords to protect the rights of EU citizens living in the UK. The Lords passed an amendment to the Withdrawal Agreement Bill, moved by Liberal Democrat peer Jonny Oates, by 270 votes to 229. It would give EU citizens in the UK the automatic right to stay, rather than having to apply to the Home Office, and would ensure they can get physical proof of their rights. Following the vote, mover of the motion and Liberal Democrat Peer Jonny Oates said: ”This amendment simply seeks to uphold the promise repeatedly made by Boris Johnson that the rights of EU citizens to remain in the UK would be automatically guaranteed.  “It would remove the risk that those…

Responding to the European Commission warning that Brexit trade talks could be delayed until March, Liberal Democrats Brexit spokesperson Alistair Carmichael said: “It has become increasingly obvious that the arbitrary deadline Boris Johnson has set for negotiating the future relationship between the EU and UK is woefully unrealistic.” “With business already in uproar about the Tories’ plans to end pan-European regulatory alignment, the Prime Minister is steering the UK towards some heavy storms.  “People deserve better than a future where a Prime Minister willingly threatens jobs, the environment and the NHS. It is essential that the transition period can be extended to prevent this devastating prospect.”

Responding to the Government’s announcement of new counter-terror legislation, Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson Christine Jardine said: “If you could stop terrorism by passing illiberal new laws, the Conservatives would have ended it ages ago.” “It’s less than a year since the Conservatives passed their last piece of unnecessary, reactionary legislation in the name of combatting terrorism, and they’re already proposing another one. “We need policies based on evidence, not cheap headlines. Judges already have the power to lock up terrorists for life; tying their hands with mandatory minimum sentences simply won’t help. And polygraphs simply aren’t accurate or reliable enough for such critical decisions. “Liberal Democrats will always stand up for human rights and civil liberties. We will continue to oppose authoritarian laws that do little to make us…

The Liberal Democrats have defeated the Conservative Government for the second time, this time on a vote to prevent Ministers from instructing lower courts to ignore legal precedent. The House of Lords passed the amendment to the EU Withdrawal Agreement Bill, moved by Liberal Democrat peer Alan Beith, by 241 votes to 205. The Lib Dems also supported an amendment by Lord Mackay (former Tory Lord Chancellor) linked to the same issue.  This follows another Liberal Democrat amendment to protect the rights of EU citizens living in the UK, which passed the Lords by 270 votes to 229. The Liberal Democrats hope to defeat the Conservative Government for a third time tomorrow, when the Lords votes on a cross-party amendment to protect the rights of unaccompanied refugee children elsewhere in Europe to be reunited with…

Today Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Ed Davey, spoke at a rally for child refugees in Parliament Square, organised by the legal charity Safe Passage. Commenting ahead of the crucial vote in the House of Lords to protect child refugees tomorrow, Ed Davey said: “Today the Prime Minister said he wants to put people before passports, but he is wantonly taking rights away from refugee children. It is time Boris Johnson put children above politics. “The Conservatives are preventing child refugees from being reunited with their families in the UK, turning away from our country’s proud history of offering sanctuary to people in need. “Liberal Democrats are fighting for these children. We will vote to restore the protections for child refugees in Europe and have tabled new legislation to allow unaccompanied children in…

The Liberal Democrats have today urged the Government to extend the provision of free period products to key spaces including GP surgeries, women’s shelters and hostels. The call coincides with today - 20th January - being the first day state schools and colleges in England can now order free period products for students as part of a government scheme to tackle period poverty. Liberal Democrat Education Spokesperson Layla Moran MP said: “No child should miss out on any aspect of their education because of their period.” “It is fantastic that schools across England will now be able to provide free period products. This is a big step towards the eradication of period poverty everywhere. It is vital that all schools take up this offer so that no pupil is left at a disadvantage.   “I am proud that…

Responding to a Government report, seen by the Financial Times, which warns HS2 could soar to £106bn alongside the West Midlands to Manchester and Leeds link being put on hold for six months, Liberal Democrat Transport Spokesperson Munira Wilson said: “HS2 is a vital project for reducing our carbon emissions and unlocking the economic potential of the North, but Ministers should not be given a blank cheque.” “Taxpayers deserve to know how their money is being spent, but the suggestions of a ‘pause’ or cancellation of the northern section is exactly the wrong thing to do. Liberal Democrats will not allow the Tories to once again fail to invest in the North. “Ministers must now come before Parliament and make clear why these costs have soared and set out how the Government will…

The Liberal Democrats have today led tributes following the death of Lord Robert Maclennan. Lord Robert Maclennan of Rogart, known as Bob Maclennan, was the last leader of the Social Democrat Party before it merged with the Liberal Party. He then became joint interim leader of the new party.  Bob Maclennan was a Member of Parliament from 1966 to 2001. Upon stepping down as MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, Bob Maclennan was elevated to the House of Lords.  Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Ed Davey said: “It is with great sadness that we learn our friend and colleague Bob Maclennan has died. “Bob was the kind of politician we all strive to be. Considerate, honest and hardworking with an uncanny ability to reach out across the political spectrum to find common ground.…

Responding to reports that Boris Johnson is considering relocating the House of Lords to the north of England, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Constitutional Relations Wendy Chamberlain said: “Boris Johnson is the man who tried to silence our democracy by unlawfully shutting down Parliament. How can anyone trust him to fix our broken politics? “Our politics doesn't need piecemeal change. It is in need of an urgent and radical overhaul. It is time to hit the refresh button. “That's why Liberal Democrats are fighting to give real power to people with an elected House of Lords, a fairer voting system and to ensure 16- and 17-year olds have their say at the ballot box.”

Responding to the Government’s plans to mark the UK leaving the EU on 31st of January, Liberal Democrat Brexit Spokesperson Alistair Carmichael said: “The Prime Minister should be seeking to pull the country together, not blowing the public’s money on inviting his mates around for a party.  “The 31st isn't a day of triumph. The reality is the Conservatives have set out a reckless approach to conclude our future relationship with the EU that could see the country straight off the no-deal cliff. “Liberal Democrats will continue to oppose Brexit. We believe people deserve better than a future where a Prime Minister willingly threatens jobs, the environment and the NHS.”