Making democracy more accessible

Making democracy more accessible

Borough news, fairer council
Oldham Council chief executive Harry Catherall has agreed to a review of the arrangements for the counting of the election vote next year to ensure that all is being done to ensure it is accessible for people with varying disabilities. After local Liberal Democrat Councillor Sam Al-Hamdani wrote to him following this year’s count, highlighting some of the positive aspects, but also some of the weaknesses, he agreed to discuss what could be done next year to make it better. Sam said: “We want as many people as possible to be involved in politics, whether that is increasing the numbers of people voting, or making it easier for people to stand to be elected. “Making the process more accessible is just one of those steps.” Unlike many other counts, results…
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Elections Bill: Johnson’s Government ducking and diving from accountability

Elections Bill: Johnson’s Government ducking and diving from accountability

Parliamentary news
Responding to the votes on the controversial Elections Bill, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Political and Constitutional Reform, Alistair Carmichael MP, said: “Rather than strengthening our democracy by getting behind efforts to build a better politics with a fairer electoral system, Conservative Ministers have instead voted to expand the use of the clapped-out First Past The Post, all while making it harder for people to vote. It really does beggar belief. “Their voter ID proposals are not only discriminatory, but a blatant undermining of our democratic rights. Whether it’s this, thinly veiled threats to our national broadcaster or a draconian clampdown on protests, Boris Johnson and his Government are hell-bent on ducking and diving from accountability at every turn - hardly surprising given their recent exploits. "What comes as no surprise,…
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Elections Bill: Blatant assault on democratic rights

Elections Bill: Blatant assault on democratic rights

Parliamentary news
Ahead of tonight's vote on the controversial Elections Bill, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Home Affairs Alistair Carmichael MP said: “You don’t strengthen our democracy by making it harder for people to vote. “The Conservatives’ voter ID law is a blatant assault on our fundamental democratic rights, and Liberal Democrats will resist it all the way. “Between this and their attacks on the courts, the Human Rights Act and the right to peaceful protest, Boris Johnson and his Tory Ministers are desperately trying to stop people holding them to account for their disastrous policies. We won’t let them. “Instead of pushing ahead with their discriminatory and unnecessary voter ID law, Ministers should get behind our efforts to build a better politics with a fairer electoral system.”
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Liberal Democrats delivery on transparency promise

Liberal Democrats delivery on transparency promise

Borough news, Saddleworth News
The introduction of new standing orders for Saddleworth Parish Council has delivered a promise from Saddleworth’s Liberal Democrats to increase public involvement and transparency in the way the Council works. They have scrapped a clause from the previous standing orders which required members of the public to submit questions to the Council in writing two working days before the date of a meeting. With Council meetings taking place on Mondays, that meant that questions would in practice have to be submitted on the Wednesday of the week before. This meant that it was virtually impossible for urgent matters to be brought to the Council to be addressed. Sam Al-Hamdani, the leader of Liberal Democrats on the Parish Council, said; “Councils must be as close to the communities they serve as…
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Conservative planning bill favours developers over local democracy

Conservative planning bill favours developers over local democracy

Parliamentary news
Oldham and Saddleworth Liberal Democrats are fearful that the announcement in the Queen’s Speech that the Conservative Government intends to press ahead with its proposals for new planning legislation will favour developers and mean an end to local people and councillors having a say in planning decisions. Under Conservative plans, central government will designate whole swathes of the country for ‘growth’, meaning that developers will have ‘planning permission in principle’. Conservative ministers claim it will eliminate ‘red tape’ but the Liberal Democrats fear that it abolishes any meaningful involvement of local councils and residents in planning matters. Liberal Democrat Group Leader, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, said: “The Conservatives claim that this legislation will speed up the planning process. In reality it kills off any opportunity for local people and their…
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Jimmy Lai: UK Government must stand up for Hong Kong’s democracy

Jimmy Lai: UK Government must stand up for Hong Kong’s democracy

Parliamentary news
Reacting to the news that Jimmy Lai, the owner of Hong Kong's last opposition newspaper, has been sentenced to a year in prison, Lib Dem Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Layla Moran MP said: "Jimmy Lai's sentencing is a solemn, urgent reminder the UK and the international community that democratic opposition is being snuffed out in Hong Kong. “The UK is failing in its duty under the Joint Declaration and international law to preserve Hong Kong’s democracy and human rights. Any red line has been crossed. The time for Dominic Raab and Boris Johnson to act is long overdue. “The Liberal Democrats will stand, as we always have, with the people of Hong Kong. The Government can make no more excuses - it is time for the UK to step up, lead…
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We must get serious on Russia for the sake of our democracy

We must get serious on Russia for the sake of our democracy

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats have passed a motion at their Spring Conference calling for immediate action to be taken on the Russia Report. This includes: An investigation into Russian interference into our electoral processMaking protection of our democratic security a national priority with clear ministerial responsibilityTake big money out of politics by reforming party funding. Following the debate, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs Layla Moran MP said: "It is time for the Government to take our national security seriously and stop ducking this because it’s politically inconvenient. Our democratic defences are weak and we must listen to the urgent warning signs – their own Integrated Review should remind them of that. "Last year's Russia Report has been swept under the carpet by the Conservatives. The security surrounding our elections should…
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Hong Kong: Government must act to prevent end of democracy

Hong Kong: Government must act to prevent end of democracy

Parliamentary news
Today, Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs spokesperson Layla Moran, has challenged the Government to set out a clear plan to protect Hong Kong's democracy & Basic Law. Layla has called on new Magnitsky sanctions and bringing the case to the International Court of Justice. Layla Moran secured an Urgent Question in Parliament about the proposed reforms to Hong Kong’s electoral system by the Chinese Government. Under the plans, people wishing to stand for election in Hong Kong will have to be approved as ‘patriots’ by a panel of Communist Party officials. Layla said the Government had a “legal obligation” to act and that “bullies” like China "only understand words when they are followed by action. Speaking after her Urgent Question to the Minister for Asia, she said: “I urge the Government…
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Moran: Britain must seize opportunity to re-enter world stage

Moran: Britain must seize opportunity to re-enter world stage

Parliamentary news
Responding to news that President Donald Trump's cabinet have been discussing invoking the 25th Amendment to remove him from office immediately, Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Foreign Affairs Layla Moran said: “This reaffirms what we already knew, that Donald Trump is not and has never been fit to hold the office of President. The Tories should be ashamed of how they cosied up to Trump and his administration, how they stood by as he flouted the international rules-based order and how they have mimicked his populist agenda. "While this comes too late to avoid the damage Trump has done in the US and beyond, there is new hope in the inauguration of Biden on the 20th. Liberal Democrats call on the Prime Minister to end Britain's long walk towards isolation and…
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Moran: PM must condemn violent Trump supporters

Moran: PM must condemn violent Trump supporters

Parliamentary news
Responding to Trump supporting protestors storming US Capitol in Washington, Liberal Democrat spokesperson for foreign affairs Layla Moran said: “The scenes coming out of Washington tonight are an attack on democracy. Liberal Democrats call on Boris Johnson to condemn the violent actions of President Trump's supporters breaking into the Capitol. An attack on democracy anywhere is an attack on democracy everywhere.”
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