16Jul 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government must not use commission as an excuse to stall on tackling racism

Parliamentary news
Responding to the Government's publication of the membership of its Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities, Liberal Democrat Equalities Spokesperson Christine Jardine said: “As Black Lives Matter has shown, the Conservative Government urgently needs to redress institutional racism in the criminal justice system and many other parts of our society. “I wish the commission well, and commit the Liberal Democrats to playing a constructive role. But, to guarantee this commission has real teeth, the Prime Minister should commit now to ensuring the recommendations to come don’t just sit and gather dust. “Conservative Ministers must not use the commission as an excuse to stall on tackling racism. We need a Race Equality Strategy now, starting with scrapping the Hostile Environment policies and suspicion-less Stop and Search.”
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24Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Lib Dems move to scrap Section 60 Stop and Search

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats are calling on the Government to back a new Bill to scrap suspicion-less stop and search in the wake of the Black Lives Matter protests, which have exposed ingrained institutional racism and discrimination in the UK. Given the disproportionate impact of current Stop and Search laws on black people in particular, and BAME communities more widely, the Liberal Democrats will today (Wednesday 24 June) introduce a Bill to outlaw suspicion-less Stop and Search, highlighting that the current law "undermines" community trust in police. The Party is demanding the Government back their proposal. If passed, the law would prohibit Section 60, suspicion-less stop and search, which currently leaves a black person almost 50 times more likely to be stopped than a white person. The party is further calling…
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15Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government must support struggling families

Parliamentary news
Responding to the Government's announcement of a cross-governmental commission to address the inequalities that BAME communities face, Liberal Democrat Equalities Spokesperson Christine Jardine said: “Too many people’s lives are blighted by discrimination, inequality and injustice. The Government must move further and faster to redress institutional racism in the criminal justice system and many other parts of our society. “The Liberal Democrats have joined with BAME communities in calling for a government-wide race equality strategy, so this commission is a welcome first step. It shows that the Black Lives Matter protests are working, and that is to the credit of everyone who has raised their voices against racial injustice since the appalling killing of George Floyd. “To be successful, this commission must be wide-ranging, far-reaching as well as truly cross-departmental and cross-party. It is…
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11Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Lib Dems lead cross party push for more diverse curriculum

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats have secured cross party support for a bid to review the national curriculum in the wake of the Black Lives Matter protests to combat “institutional racism in the UK”.  In a letter to the Education Secretary coordinated by Liberal Democrat Education spokesperson Layla Moran, MPs from across the political spectrum call for the inclusion of "a more diverse range of historical perspectives in our curriculum". The cross-party group request a review of the curriculum is undertaken by leading historians and advocates from BAME backgrounds. The MPs from all major opposition parties also call for teachers to have access to "the support and training necessary to translate it into learning in the classroom", to ensure "real progress" in schools. Layla Moran, Liberal Democrat Education Spokesperson said:  “The Black Lives Matter protests in…
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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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