trade – Saddleworth Liberal Democrats

13Mar 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani

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

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…

23Feb 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani

NFU criticism: Conservatives don’t understand our farmers

Parliamentary news

Responding to the President of the National Farmers' Union Minette Batters criticising the UK Government’s farming policy as "completely contradictory" at their national conference, Liberal Democrat Food & Rural Affairs Spokesperson Tim Farron MP said: "The comments from the NFU today prove what we already know - the Conservatives don't understand our farmers' needs and they're failing the farming industry. "On one hand they're signing trade deals that are deeply damaging, undermining British food standards and undercutting British farmers, while on the other hand they're cutting the vital support they need by phasing out Basic Payments before the new payments scheme is ready. "Farmers are key allies in the fight against climate change, but the Conservatives risk losing hundreds of farmers who will simply go bust if they continue along…

16Feb 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Businesses loud and clear on failed EU trade deal

Parliamentary news

Responding to research by the British Chambers of Commerce which shows that firms are unhappy with the EU trade deal and the difficulties it has imposed upon trade, Liberal Democrat Business Spokesperson Sarah Olney MP said: “Businesses are saying loud and clear that Boris Johnson’s trade deal with the EU is simply not good enough, but the Government isn’t even listening. “Claims from the likes of Jacob Rees-Mogg about Brexit opportunities ring hollow for businesses being drowned in paperwork and delays at our borders. “This failed trade deal is even making the cost of living crisis worse, as many businesses have no choice but to raise their prices. According to the latest figures from the ONS, trade with the EU fell by £20bn last year – that's a 12% decline on…

11Feb 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Restarting China trade talks sends “dangerous signal” over Uyghur genocide

Parliamentary news

Responding to reports in Politico that the Boris Johnson is planning to restart trade talks with China, Liberal Democrat Trade Spokesperson Sarah Olney MP said: “How can the Conservative Government plan to strike a trade deal with China given the genocide against the Uyghurs? “Conservative Ministers are sending a dangerous signal to Beijing that they can get away with whatever they want. “Rather than hold new trade talks with China, the UK must ban imports from Xinjiang, and recognise the genocide taking place there. We must not stay silent.”

21Jan 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani

At a moment of danger in Europe we would expect the Foreign Secretary to be at the table

Parliamentary news

Responding to Liz Truss’s visit to Australia, thereby missing a meeting of the ‘Quad’ (comprising the US secretary of state Antony Blinken; French foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian and German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock) to discuss the Russia/Ukraine crisis, Layla Moran MP, Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Foreign Affairs, commented: “Agreements with Australia are all well and good - but is flying to the other side of the world really a matter of diplomatic urgency at a moment when Europe is coming perilously close to war? “At this moment of danger, we would expect the Foreign Secretary to be at the table, with her counterparts from the US, France and Germany. But she’s not in the room - she’s not even on the continent. “Truss’s diplomatic priorities are half a world…

21Dec 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Australia trade deal to cause £94m blow to British farmers and fishermen

Parliamentary news

The Liberal Democrats have warned that farmers are being “sold down the river” by the Conservatives, after it emerged the government's own impact assessment found the Australia deal will cause a £94m hit to the farming and fishing industries. The Department for International Trade’s impact assessment of the agreement, published alongside the final text of the trade deal on 17 December 2021, refers to “a reallocation of resources away from agriculture, forestry and fishing” of £94 million. There is also an expected £225 million hit to the semi-processed food sector, such as tinned foods. The report also warns of “adjustment costs for affected sectors, businesses and employees” as well as the loss of jobs. The impact assessment refers to Australia as a “large, competitive producer of agricultural products”, making clear…

21Dec 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Article 16: Truss repeating mistakes of Frost

Parliamentary news

Responding to the readout of Liz Truss’ first call with Maros Sefcovic, which claimed that 'the UK position has not changed' and reiterated threats to trigger Article 16, Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs spokesperson Layla Moran MP commented: “When this brief was given to the Foreign Secretary, we hoped it was time for a more diplomatic approach. Instead, it’s like Lord Frost never left. Triggering Article 16 will only lead to a ruinous trade war - harming British businesses just at the moment when they need support. “The reality is that Truss cares more about her reputation with the Tory party faithful than she does about what’s in Britain’s interest. The Conservative leadership contest psychodrama is only just beginning.”

19Dec 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Frost resignation: The rats are fleeing Boris Johnson’s sinking ship

Parliamentary news

Responding to reports Lord Frost has resigned from the government, Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Layla Moran said: “This shock resignation is a sign of the chaos and confusion at the heart of this Conservative government. "The rats are fleeing Boris Johnson's sinking ship as he lurches from crisis to crisis. "Even the prime minister's once loyal supporters are now abandoning him, just as lifelong Conservative voters are switching in their droves to the Liberal Democrats. “At a time we need strong leadership to get us through the pandemic, we instead have a weak prime minister who has lost the support of his allies and the trust of the British people.”

19Dec 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Liz Truss Brexit appointment: PM setting up leadership rival to fail

Parliamentary news

Responding to the news that Foreign Secretary Liz Truss will take over Lord Frost's Brexit responsibilities following his resignation, Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Layla Moran MP said: “The Tories are tearing themselves apart under Boris Johnson. The Prime Minister is more interested in setting his leadership rivals up to fail than doing what’s right for the country. “Liz Truss has shown time and again that she doesn’t care about the national interest - she’s only interested in appealing to Conservative party members. That is a disgrace. “Under David Frost, our relations with Europe were already teetering on the brink of a trade war. Families and small businesses up and down the country will now be seriously worried about what the future holds for our trade with Europe.”

16Dec 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Australia Trade Deal: Conservatives sell out British farmers

Parliamentary news

Responding to the new UK-Australia trade deal, Liberal Democrat Rural Affairs Spokesperson Tim Farron MP said: "This trade deal fails to protect our farmers in the long-term. "The Conservatives make promises of transitions, but all that means is delaying the inevitable - our farming communities being undermined by imported food that is produced to lower standards of animal welfare and environmental protection. "Liberal Democrats back British farmers, we're calling on the government to back my bill forcing them to publish the impact assessments of this deal on our farming communities and to give Parliament the final say."