News – Page 130 – Saddleworth Liberal Democrats

29Sep 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

BBC licence fee should be set by independent body

At their Autumn Conference, the Liberal Democrats have agreed proposals that would see the BBC licence fee level set independently next year after government cuts forced the BBC to end free TV licences for most over-75s. Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats Daisy Cooper warned that the Government must never again be allowed to "force the BBC into a corner where it has to choose between cuts to programming or raising these fees on the most vulnerable." The Party, which led a cross party group of 106 parliamentarians calling for a review of the decision to cut hundreds of BBC staff working across regional programmes, has agreed plans to protect the long–term future of the BBC. Members have also called on the Government to uphold its promise to retain the…

29Sep 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Stalled talks with EU threaten climate action, Lib Dems warn

Parliamentary news

The Liberal Democrats have called on the Government to join the EU Emission Trading Scheme as part of a package of policies to “build a green recovery and tackle the climate emergency.” The proposal, agreed as part of the Green Recovery motion at the Party’s Autumn conference, come as talks between the EU and the UK on a free trade agreement failed to make progress with environmental standards cited as a major stumbling block. Liberal Democrat Climate Action Spokesperson Sarah Olney has warned Conservative Ministers struggling to cut deals with the EU are "risking that recovery and abandoning the duty on all of us to tackle the climate emergency." The Liberal Democrats are arguing that the UK should open talks to secure post-Brexit entry to the EU Emissions Trading Scheme,…

29Sep 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Stopping no-deal must be the priority, Lib Dems say

Parliamentary news

The Liberal Democrats have reaffirmed their commitment to stopping a no-deal Brexit and oppose Boris Johnson’s efforts to “drag the country's reputation through the mud” by breaking international law. During a debate at the Liberal Democrat Autumn conference, the Party’s new Brexit spokesperson Christine Jardine slammed Boris Johnson for “sacrificing everything and anything in his ideological pursuit of Brexit.” The debate comes as talks between the EU and the UK on a free trade agreement have show no signs of progress, and amidst mounting controversy over Government plans to to break international law over Brexit. Other proposals agreed by the Liberal Democrats include a commitment to campaign to protect and enhance the rights of UK citizens in the EU and EU citizens in the UK, and to uphold the provisions…

29Sep 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Govt must prepare for international ‘lifeboat’ system for Hong Kongers, Lib Dems warn

Parliamentary news

The Liberal Democrats have agreed plans at their Autumn Conference that, if accepted by Ministers, would see all Hong Kongers offered a path to citizenship and a new international ‘lifeboat’ system if the situation in the region deteriorates further. Liberal Democrat MP Alistair Carmichael, the Chair of the APPG on Hong Kong and a Patron of Hong Kong watch, warned “the UK has a moral and legal duty to stand with Hong Kongers and ensure no one is left behind to suffer under the Chinese Communist Party." The debate at the Party’s first digital conference included contributions from anonymous members of the Liberal Democrats living in Hong Kong and saw speakers where a mask in solidarity with Joshua Wong, the pro-democracy protest leader in Hong Kong who was recently been…

28Sep 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Lib Dems condemn health inequalities “exposed in technicolour” by Covid crisis

Parliamentary news

In her first keynote address as Liberal Democrat Health, Wellbeing and Social Care spokesperson Munira Wilson condemned the health inequalities “exposed in technicolour” through the COVID-19 crisis, and call for a Minister for Wellbeing to ensure that Government decisions are “fundamentally in keeping with health and wellbeing.” She said: “The coronavirus has not just laid bare the fundamental problems facing our NHS and care sectors, it has exposed in technicolour the health inequalities facing the UK, and shown us why we need to rethink the way we see healthcare as a whole. “We have seen the impact of poor and overcrowded housing, insecure employment and our broken welfare system on not just our physical health, but also our mental health and wellbeing. “We have seen those health inequalities play…

28Sep 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Lib Dems condemn Tories’ attacks on rule of law

Parliamentary news

In a policy motion passed this evening at the Liberal Democrats’ Autumn Conference, the Party has condemned "Dominic Cummings’ long history of attacking the rule of law". The motion stated "the rule of law is fundamental to our society", calling for the Government to drop plans "to restrict judicial review, weaken the Human Rights Act or undermine the rule of law in any way". Following the motion being passed, Liberal Democrat Justice Spokesperson Wera Hobhouse said: “This Conservative Government have revealed time and again their disregard for the rule of law. From their recent determination to flout it with the Internal Market Bill, to their attacks on lawyers as 'activists' or judges when they disagree with their rulings, it is clear that part of Johnson's and Cummings' strategy is to…

25Sep 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Ed Davey opens Lib Dem conference

Parliamentary news

Speaking on the opening of the Liberal Democrats' first digital conference today, Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey has warned the coronavirus crisis is taking an "enormous toll on people’s lives and livelihoods" and urged his Party to listen, challenge Boris Johnson's Conservatives and fight for what people really need. He said: “The coronavirus crisis is taking an enormous toll on people’s lives and livelihoods. People are worried about their loved ones and millions of families are facing financial hardship. "To represent communities across the country – Liberal Democrats need to listen. We need to be a Party of aspiration, relevance and compassion that understands how we can deliver more of what small business owners, nurses, teachers, parents, carers and communities really need. "That is why, this weekend, we…

24Sep 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Chancellor’s Job Support Scheme “falls short of what people need”

Parliamentary news

The Liberal Democrats have warned that the new Job Support Scheme outlined by the Chancellor "falls short of what people need" and are calling on the Chancellor to outline financial support measures for people still excluded from the Government's schemes. Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesperson Christine Jardine said: “The Chancellor's statement is welcome in as much as it finally extends employment support as Liberal Democrats have called for, but it is late and falls short of what people need. "To announce new measures only a month before the furlough scheme ends when businesses and ourselves have been calling for it for months is unacceptable - particularly when the budget has also been cancelled. "We need to know what the Chancellor is going to do to help the three million people still…

24Sep 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Taxi enquiry comes up trumps

Borough news

Crompton Liberal Democrat Councillor Dave Murphy was delighted to hear recently that Oldham Council will be acting on his suggestion that taxi exhaust emissions be properly tested to ensure they do not pose an undue hazard to human health. Councillor Murphy, who carries out MOT tests in his professional life in the motor vehicle industry, posed a question at the last full meeting of Oldham Council asking why the emissions of private motor vehicles are routinely checked using specialist equipment, yet the assessment on taxis only involved a ‘visual test’. Councillor Murphy said: “Taxis are driven many more miles per year than an average motor vehicle, they are on the road for longer and their engines are idled for longer periods of time so a taxi could cause a lot…

23Sep 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Short-term plans no replacement for full Budget

Parliamentary news

Responding to the Chancellor's decision to cancel the Autumn Budget, Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesperson Christine Jardine said: “If ever there was a time when we needed an Autumn budget to outline long term plans, this is it. Millions of people who are worried about their jobs, their future, and how we will transition into a green economy want to know if this Government has a plan, and what it is. "The Treasury's short term plans are one thing, but people rightly want to know where they are heading. The Chancellor must give a clear answer to questions about where the furlough bridge is leading. At the moment, thousands of people and businesses are looking at a financial cliff edge. They need reassurance. "The Chancellor must give people certainty about the…