11Nov 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Raab must condemn “reprehensible” disqualification of elected lawmakers in Hong Kong

Raab must condemn “reprehensible” disqualification of elected lawmakers in Hong Kong

Parliamentary news
Responding to reports that four opposition pro-democracy lawmakers in Hong Kong have been disqualified with immediate effect, Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs spokesperson Layla Moran said: “The disqualification of elected lawmakers in Hong Kong is reprehensible and marks another step in China’s work to end democracy and freedom on the peninsula. “The UK must immediately condemn this in the strongest possible terms. ‘One country, two systems’ is disappearing before our eyes. First the new national security law, now the unwinding of democracy - at what point will Dominic Raab step up? “Liberal Democrats are calling on the Government to provide safe passage and a clear route to citizenship for all Hong Kongers, and to implement Magnitsky-style sanctions on individuals responsible for human rights abuses there.”
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08Sep 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Democracy please – Labour hypocrisy over planning issues

Democracy please – Labour hypocrisy over planning issues

Borough news
This Wednesday (9 Sept), Oldham Council will be debating a motion calling for planning to have ‘democratic control at its heart’ in response to a Conservative Governments proposal to abolish Planning Committees, but to Liberal Democrat Group Leader, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, says Labour would have had more credibility over this issue if they practiced what they preached. At the June 17 meeting of Oldham Council, despite the vocal objections of Liberal Democrat Councillors, the Labour Group abolished the entitlement of Ward Councillors to address the Planning Committee to speak about local applications on behalf of their constituents. Labour also agreed changes to allow planning officers to dispose of public open land more easily, and empowered officers to decide on developments of 20 homes or less without bringing them for…
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25Jul 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Any review of our democracy must be truly independent, Lib Dems warn

Parliamentary news
Responding to reports that the Government have dropped plans for a Constitution, Democracy and Rights Commission, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson on Political Reform, Wendy Chamberlain, said: “Given the widespread fears that this Commission was going to be used as a vehicle for Boris Johnson to attack the judiciary and slash checks and balances on his own powers, the fact it has been dropped is extremely welcome.  "If this Government is serious about reviewing the workings of our democracy, then they should be committing to a fully transparent and independent process. "Ministers must be prepared to put the real issues on the table. Issues like whether the First Past the Post voting system is fit for purpose, and why we continue to unfairly disenfranchise 1.5million 16 and 17 year olds".
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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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22Apr 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Lib Dems urge rapid action to enable MPs to vote remotely during crisis

Parliamentary news
Ahead of today's House of Commons Motion to progress plans for MPs to vote remotely whilst social distancing measures remain in place, Liberal Democrat Cabinet Office spokesperson Wendy Chamberlain said:  “Parliamentary scrutiny is more important than ever during the coronavirus crisis, especially given the emergency powers needed to keep people safe. “It is right that, like everyone else, MPs stay at home as much as possible to protect the NHS and save lives. Changes to allow MPs to vote remotely are therefore absolutely vital and Liberal Democrats have been calling for them since the start of this crisis. “Now Parliament must put in place the procedures to make remote voting a reality as soon as possible, so that MPs can do our jobs and pass urgently needed legislation to improve people’s lives. Secure…
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08Apr 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Lib Dem Chief Whip calls for all-party meeting on parliamentary proposals

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrat Chief Whip has today called for an urgent all-party meeting to discuss remote working for Parliament, including a special committee of MPs, chaired by the Leader of the Opposition, to scrutinise the Government’s coronavirus response.  In a letter to the Chief Whips of all parties in the House of Commons, Alistair Carmichael MP warned the necessary constraints caused by the spread of coronavirus mean “we must consider alternative arrangements.” The letter follows confirmation from the Speaker of the House of Commons has backed calls for a "virtual" Parliament to allow MPs to keep on scrutinising the Government during the coronavirus outbreak. Liberal Democrat Chief Whip Alistair Carmichael said: “People deserve reassurance that their representatives can fulfil their duties wherever they are in the country, even in these exceptional circumstances.…
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