08Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Lib Dems to use emergency debate to warn Rees-Mogg is threatening public health

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats will today use an emergency debate in Parliament to warn Jacob Rees-Mogg that if an MP falls ill to COVID-19 or there is a spike in cases because of travel to and from London then he must take personal responsibility and resign. The debate, secured by Liberal Democrat Chief Whip Alistair Carmichael MP, was agreed following alarm at Business Secretary Alok Sharma becoming unwell with COVID-19 symptoms in Parliament last week. The Orkney and Shetland MP believes Mr Sharma’s condition “should be a wakeup call for the Government” and makes clear that forcing physical proceedings “exposes MPs, our families and our constituents to risk.” The Liberal Democrats are demanding the Government accept the public health risks of denying MPs who are shielding the right to represent their constituents and…
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08Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Covid-19 has exposed politics as not fit for purpose, Lib Dems warn

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats will today lead a debate in the House of Commons calling for a “radical overhaul” of Westminster politics, warning it is “not for purpose” to tackle the coronavirus pandemic. The debate - the first in the House of Commons chamber on electoral reform since 2016 – will be led by Liberal Democrat Constitutional Affairs spokesperson Wendy Chamberlain. The North East Fife MP is expected to declare that Westminster’s broken political system is shutting out people who “need their voices heard now more than ever” during the coronavirus pandemic. The Liberal Democrats will use the debate to call on other political parties to join them in getting behind change and reforming the way people elect MPs with a proportional voting system. Speaking ahead of the debate, Liberal Democrat MP Wendy…
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05Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Govt must be clear on process for regional COVID-19 lockdowns

Parliamentary news
A Cambridge University and PHE England study has suggested the decline in the COVID-19 death rate in England may arrest by mid-June. Responding to this, Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Health, Wellbeing and Social Care Munira Wilson said: “Scientists and public health officials sounded the alarm when the Government eased lockdown this week, given the COVID-19 risk level is still "high". These findings show that they were right to advise caution.  "An effective test, trace and isolate system is the only way to keep people safe. But Ministers relaxed lockdown measures before establishing a fully functioning test and trace service, or even getting the NHSX App up and running.  "The UK coronavirus death toll has now, tragically, surpassed 40,000 - the highest in Europe. Given the scale of the crisis in the UK, Ministers must be…
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05Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Ministers must commit now to any recommendations from inequalities inquiry

Parliamentary news
Responding to the announcement that the Equalities and Human Rights Commission will lead an inquiry into the racial inequalities exposed by the coronavirus outbreak, Liberal Democrat Equalities Spokesperson Christine Jardine said: “The consequences of the coronavirus crisis are exacerbated for some communities by the existing inequalities in our society. The announcement that the Equalities and Human Rights Commission will investigate the disproportionate impact the virus has had on people from different ethnic minorities is particularly welcome considering Public Health England's report earlier this week offered no proposed Government action. “The EHRC's Inquiry will set out clear recommendations and Ministers must commit now to following them. The Liberal Democrats want to see a government-wide plan to tackle BAME inequalities, with a review by the Equality and Human Rights Commission to determine whether its funding…
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04Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government not clear on legal powers to implement local lockdowns

Parliamentary news
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department of Health and Social Care Lord Bethell has admitted that the Government's policy for local lockdowns is still “in development”, and could not confirm who would have legal responsibility for implementing and managing these.  In response to a question from Liberal Democrat Peer Lord Scriven, Lord Bethell confirmed that “arrangements for local lockdowns aren’t fully in place”.  Following the exchange, Liberal Democrat Peer Lord Scriven, a Former Leader of Sheffield City Council, said: “At the Number 10 press conference, the Chief Medical Officer has said we will be likely to get local flare ups. The Government cannot seriously expect local areas to take action to keep local people safe and to dampen the Virus in their area if the Government hasn't got policies, systems…
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04Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government must not risk going backwards on containing COVID-19

Parliamentary news
Responding to the Prime Minister's COVID-19 update, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “Major concerns remain about the prospect of a new surge in COVID-19 cases given that the risk level remains "high" and, tragically, hundreds are still dying every day in the UK. The Government seem unable to get a grip on key issues further undermining public confidence.  “It has taken months for the Government to introduce measures to quarantine new arrivals and it's not clear that this move even follows scientific guidance. For ten days now the Department of Health have failed to provide raw data on the numbers tested. The test, trace and isolate system that is vital to keep people safe has yet to be proven effective.  “The Government must not risk going backwards…
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03Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government must extend transition given NI Assembly vote

Parliamentary news
Responding to news that the Northern Ireland Assembly has passed a motion calling for an extension to the Brexit transition period given the COVID-19 crisis, Liberal Democrat Brexit and Foreign Affairs spokesperson Alistair Carmichael said: “The Conservatives' proposed Brexit will have a profound impact on the people and businesses of Northern Ireland. “At a time when the economy and society is already under huge amounts of pressure, it would be reckless for the government to pursue a situation where the UK crashes out of the EU without a deal. “The NI Assembly's vote is a clear indication that Boris Johnson must rethink and do the right thing for those across the UK. “Not enough progress has been made on negotiations and we are now dangerously close to the extension deadline. Liberal Democrats will…
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02Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Opening up Saddleworth’s blocked and obstructed footpaths

Borough news, Campaigns
During the Coronavirus lockdown, thousands of Saddleworth residents have been walking regularly from home for an hour for exercise. Unfortunately, walkers have found many local footpaths blocked, obstructed or are in a poor condition. Liberal Democrat spokesperson Mick Scholes said: “As more council resources become available after the hard work done fighting the effects of Coronavirus, we are asking Oldham Council to prioritise complaints of paths and stiles being blocked or obstructed by landowners as this is restricting residents’ access to the countryside.”  Among the problems are: an unsafe bridge across Chew Brook, with a hole large enough for walkers to fall through and break a leg;notices erected by some landowners saying “No public right of way” when there is a right of way, and many Public Footpath signposts have disappeared;fallen trees blocking part…
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01Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Oldham Borough, hit hard by Covid-19, will now gets less cash

Borough news, Campaigns
Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, Leader of the Liberal Democrats and Opposition leader on Oldham Council, is appalled at a shocking new study, which shows the areas worst hit by Covid-19 will now receive some of the largest cuts in Government support.   Oldham Borough is in the top ten Councils worst hit by the virus.  More than £100 million of public money has been diverted away from councils in the bottom half of the English deprivation index.  Oldham Borough is unfortunately one of those council areas. Conservative run areas are not receiving funding cuts in the same way.  Many believe this is a sly political move by Boris Johnson and the Conservatives.  Oldham Borough will now not receive £1.1 million diverted monies.  Councillor Sykes said: “The cash was supposed to…
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01Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Oldham Liberal Democrats send strong message on education to the Government

Borough news, Campaigns
The Oldham Liberal Democrats and Councillor Howard Sykes (Leader of the Liberal Democrats and Opposition Leader on Oldham Council) have all signed a letter of support to aid vulnerable children and protect local education.  The National Education Union (NEU) Councillors Network wrote the letter to Education Secretary Gavin Williamson for local councillors to sign up to.  Schools have been underfunded and struggling and the Covid-19 world has increased that mounting pressure.  The signed letter has several key demands:  Assurance that families will be eligible for free school meals (FSM) will be given food vouchers during summer holidays.Government to work with local authorities to protect vulnerable children.Supporting calls from the teaching profession that schools be reopened when it is safe to do so, for both staff and students.Local authorities be given…
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