18Feb 2019 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Lib Dems will work with like-minded MPs – Cable

Parliamentary news
Responding to the Labour party split, Leader of the Liberal Democrats Vince Cable said: “It is not unexpected, or unwelcome, that a group of Labour MPs have decided to break away from Corbyn’s Labour; in part motivated by his refusal to follow the party’s policy on Brexit. “The Liberal Democrats are open to working with like-minded groups and individuals in order to give the people the final say on Brexit, with the option to remain in the EU. We will be engaging in talks to progress both that campaign and a wider political agenda.”
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18Feb 2019 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Rail reform proposals signals change needed

Parliamentary news
Responding to the release of the report containing the Rail Delivery Group's proposals to the Williams Rail Review, Liberal Democrat Transport Spokesperson Jenny Randerson said: “It has been long overdue for the Conservative Government to introduce the legislation needed to reform our outdated and unfair rail fares system. The proposals put forward by the industry which would modernise the way in which we pay for our train tickets are encouraging and it is now essential the Government sets the wheels in motion. "Simplifying the system and introducing smart ticketing would help transform what is an incredibly outdated system, invented before people bought their tickets online. Equally, with more and more people now working flexible hours it is vital the system offers fairer ticket prices to reflect the way modern businesses work.  "With so many passengers wanting to overhaul the way…
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18Feb 2019 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Swinson: Labour must not believe PM’s meaningless promises on workers’ rights

Parliamentary news
In a letter to the 25 Labour MPs who voted against or abstained on the Cooper amendment on 29 January, Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats Jo Swinson MP has warned that the only way to protect workers’ rights is by staying in the European Union. Ms Swinson said: “Theresa May’s supposed commitment to safeguard workers’ rights after Brexit is meaningless. With her days in Number 10 numbered, there is nothing to stop any future Conservative Prime Minister from reneging on her promises. “I have seen first-hand how determined many in the Conservative party are to sacrifice employment rights at the altar of deregulation. I strongly urge Labour colleagues to see that the only way to protect our hard-won workers’ rights is to stay in the European Union.”
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18Feb 2019 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Gov consultations on plastic must be followed by action

Parliamentary news
Responding to the Government's launch of a number of consultations looking at overhauling the waste system, cutting plastic pollution, and moving towards a more circular economy, Liberal Democrat Environment Spokesperson, Alistair Carmichael said:“Whilst the Government fail to get a grip of the crisis facing our environment, the detrimental effects to the UK’s wildlife continues. The Liberal Democrats have been clear about the need for a plastic bottle deposit scheme and the Conservative Government must follow through on these consultations with action. “The Liberal Democrats will also continue to fight for a ban on all single-use plastic within three years and the introduction of a levy on all producers and retailers that produce or use single-use plastics." “If the Conservative Government was as good at recycling plastic as they are at recycling consultations then our environment would be…
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15Feb 2019 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Tories failing on air pollution

Parliamentary news
New figures released today by the Department for the Environment show that emissions of air pollutants have not dropped significantly over the past three years, despite the Government promising to tackle air pollution as a priority. Responding to the figures, Alistair Carmichael, Liberal Democrat Environment Spokesperson, said: “These figures show that this Tory Government is failing to tackle air pollution, which they described themselves as ‘the biggest environmental threat to public health.’ “Long-term exposure to these emissions can cause heart and lung problems as well as potentially contribute to cancers, with the young and the old being particularly vulnerable. People deserve better and Liberal Democrats demand better. “Liberal Democrats would pass a new Clean Air Act, giving people the legal right to unpolluted air wherever they live. New Clean Air Zones must also be brought…
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14Feb 2019 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Lib Dems table amendment to give the people the final say

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats have today tabled an amendment calling for a People's Vote with the option to stay in the EU.The Liberal Democrats have ensured that there is a People’s Vote amendment for MPs to get behind on every single Brexit vote in the House of Commons. Liberal Democrat Brexit spokesperson Tom Brake said: “In an attempt to force through this unpopular deal, the Conservative Government have this week kicked the can another few weeks down the road and closer to the precipice. “That is why Liberal Democrats have tabled this amendment. Our party have campaigned for the people to have the final say on Brexit for over two years. We have ensured that there is always an amendment for MPs, from any party, to sign if they agree with…
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14Feb 2019 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Conservatives pass one of worst pieces of legislation ever witnessed

Parliamentary news
Speaking after the Mental Capacity (Amendment) Bill was passed in the House of Commons tonight by just 58 votes, former Liberal Democrat Care Minister Norman Lamb MP said: “Hundreds of thousands of vulnerable people are at risk of unlawfully having their freedom restricted and receiving inappropriate care. That is the deeply flawed system this Bill should have fixed, but instead the Conservatives produced one of the worst pieces of legislation ever seen.  “I set the Government two tests at the beginning of this process. Does the new system safeguard individuals’ human rights and does the new system result in very vulnerable people being better protected? Conservative Ministers have failed both of these tests.  “It is incredibly worrying that the Conservative Government are still pursuing this change in legislation when there has…
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12Feb 2019 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Lib Dems: Tory government prepared to sacrifice people to the electric chair

Parliamentary news
A Liberal Democrat amendment which would have prohibited UK authorities sharing data with overseas agencies where the death penalty could be imposed was rejected by the Conservatives. Speaking in the House of Lords, Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson in the Lords Brian Paddick accused the Conservative Government of being “prepared to sacrifice people to the electric chair in America if that is what it takes to secure the kind of agreement this Bill covers.” The amendment to the Crime (Overseas Production Orders) Bill was defeated in the House of Lords by just 19 votes. Speaking after the vote, Lord Paddick added: “The UK has long been committed to eradicating the death penalty wherever it exists in the world. An important part of that commitment is that we only help other countries to prosecute criminals if we…
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12Feb 2019 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Lib Dems: Govt must ensure dinosaur MPs can’t obstruct legislation

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats have today secured assurances that a Bill on female genital mutilation (FGM) will be introduced in Government time, but have called for the way in which Private Members Bills' are debated to be reassessed. Liberal Democrat MP Wera Hobhouse secured the assurance during her Urgent Question today. The Bath MP pressed the issue after a Private Member's Bill on FGM was dismissed on Friday after Conservative MP Christopher Chope objected. Following the Urgent Question, Liberal Democrat MP Wera Hobhouse said: “It is severely disappointing that I have had to ask the Minister to bring this issue back to the Chamber today. The Conservatives should be ashamed to have Members on their benches with such outdated views about women and who fail to recognise the urgent need to protect vulnerable girls.  “We…
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12Feb 2019 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Digital exclusion shows Universal Credit not fit for purpose

Digital exclusion shows Universal Credit not fit for purpose

Parliamentary news
Responding to reports that almost half a million people needed help to apply for the government’s flagship Universal Credit benefit online, DWP Spokesperson Christine Jardine said: “The Liberal Democrats raised the issue of digital exclusion with Conservative ministers months ago, but these concerns clearly haven’t been taken on board. This underlines the need to look again at Universal Credit, which is clearly not creating the simpler and more accessible benefits system that was intended. “It is failing the very people it was supposed to be designed to help. Now the Government has acknowledged that Universal Credit has created a greater need for food banks, it is time they accepted it needs more than just the tinkering we have seen. “Universal Credit just isn’t fit for purpose, and it’s time the Government accepted responsibility.”
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