Lib Dems call for stronger relations with Europe to counter threat of Putin

Lib Dems call for stronger relations with Europe to counter threat of Putin

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats have called on the UK government to urgently forge stronger diplomatic relations with our European neighbours, to help counter the threat posed by Putin’s Russia. The call comes as part of a new motion on Europe, passed by the Liberal Democrats at their Spring Conference, which sets out a plan for building trade and cooperation with our European partners. The motion sets out a comprehensive roadmap to improve the UK’s trading relationship with Europe, benefitting British families and businesses. It acknowledges that ties between the UK and Europe have been deeply damaged and will have to be built back gradually over time. The four-stage plan is as follows: Taking immediate action to improve links with our European neighbours, including building closer ties in education by reforming the…
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Govt plans for the defence of the realm worry us all

Govt plans for the defence of the realm worry us all

Parliamentary news
Ahead of the Government publishing the Defence Command Paper on Monday, Jamie Stone MP, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Defence, said: “The Government's plans for the defence of the realm should worry us all. "Everything we have heard so far has reeked of financial mismanagement and broken promises. “Drastic cuts to our armed forces to plug the defence budget blackhole whilst wasting millions on a Hollywood-style situation room tells you everything you need to know about this vanity obsessed Government. "Our Army is the smallest it has been in hundreds of years and our reserves are dwindling in numbers. Yet the Prime Minister is more concerned about his own image. This is not how a responsible Government chooses to defend our country. “The Government’s appalling cuts to foreign aid makes no…
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Lib Dems slam Government’s £900k makeover of RAF Voyager as “absurd waste”

Parliamentary news
Responding to reports that the Government is set to spend £900k to repaint RAF Voyager in the colours of the Union Jack flag, Liberal Democrat Defence Spokesperson, Jamie Stone MP said:  “This absurd waste of nearly £1 million at a time when so many families are struggling to put food on the table and so many are worried about their job security is insulting. “The country is facing the biggest crisis in generations but Boris Johnson is concerned with the colours of his plane. “This government continue to astound with their posturing. It is disgraceful. They should halt these plans and use the money to help those who need it most right now instead.”
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Nuclear treaty withdrawal risks global instability

Nuclear treaty withdrawal risks global instability

Campaigns, Parliamentary news
Responding to reports that Russia has suspended its involvement in the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, following the United States’ decision to also suspend their involvement yesterday evening, former Liberal Democrat Leader Lord Campbell said:“These developments are both alarming and depressing. Gradually piece by piece the security architecture which followed the end of the Cold War has been destroyed. “The world is a much less safe place with nuclear weapons when they cease to be the subject of treaties and agreements. Although both Putin and Trump deny it, there is a severe and continuing risk of a nuclear arms race which will bring instability throughout the world.”
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