21Apr 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Serious concerns over Overseas Operations Bill

Serious concerns over Overseas Operations Bill

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats have spoken out against the Overseas Operations Bill in its current form and warned of an "erosion of human rights". The Government are reportedly preparing to table an amendment to the bill following pressure from the House of Lords. Lib Dem Spokesperson for Defence Jamie Stone MP said: "Liberal Democrats have had serious concerns about the Overseas Operations Bill and its implications for human rights, the rule of law and our service personnel. The Government's concession to ensure torture, genocide and crimes against humanity remain open to prosecution is long-overdue. It shouldn't have taken them this long to recognise the Bill's stark moral failure. This is a major win for Liberal Democrats and others who have engaged in cross-party efforts to press the Government to remove these…
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19Apr 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Government must compensate students for lost education

Government must compensate students for lost education

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats have called on the Government to double hardship funds for university students to £700m and compensate them for lost teaching and rent. In an Urgent Question in the House of Commons to the Minister of State for Universities, Daisy Cooper MP, Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader and Education Spokesperson, also said that the Government's proposed return date of 17 May – after many courses have finished – is the "final end of term insult" to students. Following the debate Daisy Cooper MP commented: “The Minister's warm words about concern for students cannot mask the fact that the Government is failing to take any real action to support those facing real hardship. "Many students have been unable to work for months – falling behind on rent and bills, and…
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19Apr 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
320,000 EU citizens waiting for Settled Status ahead of cliff-edge

320,000 EU citizens waiting for Settled Status ahead of cliff-edge

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats are calling for all EU citizens in the UK to be given the automatic right to stay, as new figures reveal that 323,800 are still waiting for the Home Office to process their applications. The party is warning that those who aren’t given ‘Settled Status’ by the 30th June deadline could “become the victims of another Windrush-style scandal”. Responding to the figures, Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson Alistair Carmichael said: “The Conservatives must guarantee the rights of EU citizens who’ve made their lives here, and contribute enormously to our economy, our public services and our society. They must not become the victims of a new Windrush-style scandal. “Over 320,000 of our friends and neighbours are facing the cruel anxiety of hoping the Home Office will grant their…
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19Apr 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Carmichael pays touching tribute to late friend Baroness Williams

Carmichael pays touching tribute to late friend Baroness Williams

Parliamentary news
Liberal Democrat MP Alistair Carmichael has paid a fond tribute to Baroness Shirley Williams, who passed away on Monday. The Orkney and Shetland MP took the opportunity during Business Questions to eulogise a woman the Liberal Democrat Party Leader Ed Davey had called a “Liberal lion and true trailblazer”. Addressing the House of Commons, Alistair Carmichael said: "Thank you Mr Deputy Speaker. Can I say to the Leader of the House I hope members from all parties may be allowed to pay some tribute to my late colleague and friend Baroness Williams of Crosby. "She was somebody who blazed a trail for women in politics for over five decades of public life in this country. She was blessed with a magic combination of both a fine political mind and a…
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19Apr 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
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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19Apr 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Another month and the promised Crompton Moor signs have still to appear

Another month and the promised Crompton Moor signs have still to appear

Borough news
Despite the pledge made to Shaw Liberal Democrat Councillor and Chair of Crompton Moor Users Group, Howard Sykes MBE, Oldham Council has still failed to put the signs up on Crompton Moor by the end of March like they promised. The signs advertise the Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) which is in place on Crompton Moor which allow local authorities to proscribe certain types of behaviour, imposing financial penalties upon those offenders who choose to ignore them. On moorland, a PSPO would typically prohibit the lighting of fires, the use of Chinese lanterns and irresponsible cycling and motor-cycling other than on certain defined routes, and place certain restrictions on dog-walking, hunting and dog fouling They are intended to keep the public safe and prevent harm to the natural environment. There…
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19Apr 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Conservatives vote to remove strip domestic violence register from landmark Bill

Borough news, CSE, domestic abuse and violence
The Conservative Government has chosen to vote down legislation establishing a register of serial and serious perpetrators of domestic abuse and stalking. The register, which was backed by a motion to Oldham Council by Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader Chris Gloster, would have meant active support for women at threat of violence from serial abusers. Local Liberal Democrat Councillor Sam Al-Hamdani said: “It is shameful that this amendment – and others aimed at protecting the safety of anyone who is the subject of domestic abuse – have been removed from the Bill. They received overwhelming support across the political spectrum when they were proposed in the House of Lords. “The Domestic Abuse Bill will make a huge difference to many people’s lives, but there are opportunities to save people from violence…
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19Apr 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Sykes seeks commitment to make Greater Manchester pension fund ‘Green’

Sykes seeks commitment to make Greater Manchester pension fund ‘Green’

Borough news
Local Liberal Democrat Councillors have begun the fight to make the Greater Manchester Pension Fund, one of the largest municipal pension funds in the UK, ‘green’. The Oldham Liberal Democrats first proposed that Oldham Council declare a Climate Emergency and were delighted to support the Administration’s ambition to achieve carbon-neutrality for Oldham Council by 2025 and for the Borough by 2030. In March Group Leader, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE wrote to the Council’s representative on the Greater Manchester Pension Fund management advisory board calling for it ‘to rapidly divest from fossil fuels’. He has yet to receive a reply nearly a month later. In March 2019, the Greater Manchester Pension Fund held investments of £1.71 billion in fossil fuel companies and funds. The biggest holdings are in BP and Shell.…
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19Apr 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
European Super League: This is greed personified

European Super League: This is greed personified

Parliamentary news
Ed Davey MP, Leader of the Liberal Democrats, has criticised the reported new European Super League proposals: “This is greed personified, ripping the heart out of the English game, leaving clubs up and down the country to suffer after an awful year. “The Premier League is one of this country’s greatest exports. It helps fund grassroots football across the nation. The consequences of these plans reach far and wide. The Government must step in to prevent a small number of greedy, rich owners destroying the game we all love
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16Apr 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Domestic Abuse Bill: Tory MPs vote to exclude migrant women

Domestic Abuse Bill: Tory MPs vote to exclude migrant women

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats have vowed to keep working to strengthen the landmark Domestic Abuse Bill, after Conservative MPs voted to remove crucial safeguards. The Liberal Democrats voted to retain cross-party amendments passed by the House of Lords last month, including measures that would: End the sharing of survivors’ personal data with the Home Office for immigration purposes.Give survivors temporary leave to remain and access to public funds for at least six months.Establish a register of serial and serious perpetrators of domestic abuse and stalking.Ensure that all victims of domestic abuse are protected regardless of their migration status or any other characteristic, as required by the Istanbul Convention. Following the votes, Liberal Democrat MP Christine Jardine said: “This Bill has been strengthened and developed by tremendous cross-party support, but it was…
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