28Sep 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Lib Dems condemn Tories’ attacks on rule of law

Lib Dems condemn Tories’ attacks on rule of law

Parliamentary news
In a policy motion passed this evening at the Liberal Democrats’ Autumn Conference, the Party has condemned "Dominic Cummings’ long history of attacking the rule of law". The motion stated "the rule of law is fundamental to our society", calling for the Government to drop plans "to restrict judicial review, weaken the Human Rights Act or undermine the rule of law in any way". Following the motion being passed, Liberal Democrat Justice Spokesperson Wera Hobhouse said: “This Conservative Government have revealed time and again their disregard for the rule of law. From their recent determination to flout it with the Internal Market Bill, to their attacks on lawyers as 'activists' or judges when they disagree with their rulings, it is clear that part of Johnson's and Cummings' strategy is to…
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22Sep 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Lib Dems will continue to fight for the rule of law

Lib Dems will continue to fight for the rule of law

Parliamentary news
Speaking after the votes on the Internal Market Bill, where 255 MPs voted against the Government breaking international law, Liberal Democrat Business Spokesperson Sarah Olney Said: “Liberal Democrat and Alliance MPs took a clear stand for the rule of law and for stability in Northern Ireland against Boris Johnson’s tactics to violate the EU Withdrawal Agreement. “With members across the house joining to stand for what’s right and voting against the Government, Boris Johnson must take this as a clear message: there is no consensus in Parliament about his disregard for the rule of law and the UK’s international standing. “Liberal Democrats will continue to hold the Government to account and work across party lines to protect the UK’s interests.”
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10Sep 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Lib Dems call out PM’s “brazen hypocrisy” on rule of law

Lib Dems call out PM’s “brazen hypocrisy” on rule of law

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats have demanded the Prime Minister explain his “brazen hypocrisy” given his Government's readiness to break international law with the Internal Market Bill, while expecting “everybody in this country to obey the law”. The accusation follows an exchange at Prime Minister’s Questions where Liberal Democrat MP Munira Wilson asked: “If Ministers think it is acceptable for this Government to not obey the law, how on earth can the Prime Minister expect the public at home to do so?” Despite confirmation yesterday from the Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis that the proposed Northern Ireland customs legislation “does break international law”, the Prime Minister told the House of Commons that he expects “everybody in this country to obey the law”. The Liberal Democrat MP for Twickenham has called on the…
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09Sep 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Lib Dems condemn Government for “destroying” UK reputation on world stage

Lib Dems condemn Government for “destroying” UK reputation on world stage

Parliamentary news
Responding to comments from the Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis that the proposed Northern Ireland customs rules legislation will “break international law”, Liberal Democrat Northern Ireland Spokesperson Alistair Carmichael said:  “The UK Government should focus on making laws, not breaking laws. But the Northern Ireland Secretary's admission that the Conservative Government stands ready to break international law shows just how far we have fallen under Boris Johnson. “His Government are tearing up the UK's proud history of promoting the rule of law and in the process destroying our reputation on the world stage. It is unforgivable. "The Liberal Democrats unequivocally condemn this reckless approach."
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08Sep 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Latest resignation shows damaging consequences of PM’s Brexit approach

Latest resignation shows damaging consequences of PM’s Brexit approach

Parliamentary news
Responding to news that Sir Jonathan Jones, head of the UK Government’s legal department, has resigned following the Government's decision to introduce legislation which would undermine key aspects of the Withdrawal Agreement, Liberal Democrat Brexit Spokesperson Christine Jardine said:  “The head of the Government’s legal department quitting over Boris Johnson’s approach to Brexit should signal how serious a situation this is. “For Johnson to think it is acceptable to row back on international agreements and assurances made to Northern Ireland shows he has no respect for international law or the UK's obligations. “How can the UK expect other countries, like China, to respect the international treaties we hold with them if we don’t do the same when it comes to the Withdrawal Agreement? “Any Government figure of any integrity would be…
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03Sep 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani
NAO report shows Govt has made a dog’s dinner of Brexit

NAO report shows Govt has made a dog’s dinner of Brexit

Parliamentary news
Responding to a National Audit Office report on the Government handling of Brexit, Liberal Democrat Brexit spokesperson Christine Jardine said: “With the combination of coronavirus creating uncertainty for people's lives coupled with this Brexit shambles, we cannot afford for the Prime Minister to continue playing politics. "How Boris Johnson ever thought he could get a deal by the end of July with the chaos behind the scenes in Whitehall is beyond me. Even he must realise the dog's dinner he has made of Brexit. "Now is the time to put people first. It is time for real leadership. The Government must listen to experts and redouble their efforts to reach a good deal with the EU, or risk even greater chaos."
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22Aug 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Cost of tackling food crime soars more than 1000% due to Brexit, Lib Dems reveal

Cost of tackling food crime soars more than 1000% due to Brexit, Lib Dems reveal

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats have revealed the cost of the National Food Crime Unit, vital in making sure food sold in the UK is safe, has seen costs soar by more than 1000% in the past five years as a direct result of Brexit. Liberal Democrat MP Tim Farron warned the cost of Brexit is “increasingly clear” and urged Ministers to uphold high food safety standards and prevent the UK being “flooded with cheap imports that put our health at risk”. Figures uncovered by a Liberal Democrat freedom of information request have revealed the NFCU budget has gone from a budget of just £420,739 since it's creation in 2015 to more than £5.7m in 2020/21. The extra funding comes via the expanded Food Standards Agency budget, in order to facilitate NFCU readiness for…
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21Aug 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Brexit reality falls short of rhetoric again as “no deal” threat looms

Brexit reality falls short of rhetoric again as “no deal” threat looms

Parliamentary news
Responding to news that the EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier has said a post-Brexit trade deal between the UK and the EU "seems unlikely", Liberal Democrat Brexit and Foreign Affairs spokesperson Alistair Carmichael said: “We were told that this would be the easiest negotiation ever but, yet again, the Brexit reality is very different from the rhetoric. "Millions of people are looking to the future with dread. With no end in sight to the COVID crisis and the worst economic forecasts for a century or more, the disruption of a no deal Brexit threatens to push the UK into total meltdown. "This is not about party politics. It's about making sure families can put food on the table and access life saving medicines. "The Prime Minister's childish refusal to extend…
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13Aug 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Millions of EU citizens living with uncertainty must be given right to stay

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats are calling on the Government to grant EU citizens the automatic right to stay in the UK, with the physical proof they need, as new Home Office figures reveal thousands are being refused and millions are still awaiting a final decision. The latest EU Settlement Scheme statistics, published this morning, reveal 4,600 people have been refused Settled Status, while 1,475,500 have only been granted temporary ‘Pre-Settled Status’ and 212,400 are still waiting for a decision. Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson Christine Jardine said: “For far too long, millions of EU citizens in the UK have been living under a cloud of uncertainty. Boris Johnson cannot be allowed to continue to break his promise to them. “With so many people being refused Settled Status, granted only temporary ‘Pre-Settled…
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25Jul 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Liberal Democrat Leader seeks Covid-19 safety guarantees amidst a No-Deal exit from the European Union

Borough news, Campaigns
Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Oldham Council has written to the local MP over his concerns over the likely impact of a No-Deal Brexit, when combined with the Covid pandemic, on public safety.  On Friday 12th June, the UK government decided not to seek an extension of the existing transition period before exiting the European Union.  The UK will leave the European Union entirely on 31 December 2020. Councillor Sykes worries for the most vulnerable in society if Britain leaves the European Union without a deal whilst still reeling from the impact of Covid-19.  Commenting he said:  “A No-Deal Brexit combined with Covid would represent a double whammy.  Progress made so far on securing a future trade deal between the UK…
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