10Nov 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Government must produce clear roll-out strategy once vaccine approved

Government must produce clear roll-out strategy once vaccine approved

Parliamentary news
Responding to the Prime Minister's press conference, following the news about the progress towards the development of a COVID-19 vaccine, Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “News about a vaccine is a real moment of hope for people in the UK and around the world, and has the potential to be life changing. It shows in technicolour what the international community can do when we work together for a common goal. "Should this vaccine be the game-changer we hope, we need a clear roll-out strategy from the Government, so that people know when they can be vaccinated and how the process will work. The Government must also show a clear plan to keep us safe until the vaccination is available for the majority of people living in the…
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03Jul 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government shouldn’t need to mull on EU coronavirus vaccine scheme

Parliamentary news
Responding to reports that the UK Government is considering whether to participate in the EU coronavirus vaccine scheme, Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs and Brexit spokesperson Alistair Carmichael said: “When it comes to saving lives, there should be no mulling to do. Joining the EU’s coronavirus vaccine scheme is not about the old arguments of Brexit. It is simply the right thing to do. “It is all very well Boris Johnson claiming he regrets the loss of life but if he then refuses to do something because of politics then his regret is worth nothing more than a bucket of cold sick.  "The Prime Minister must put ideology aside and commit to participating immediately."
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17Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

PM must think again on DFID in face of COVID-19 global health emergency

Parliamentary news
Responding to the COVID-19 update from the Prime Minister, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “News that a drug has been identified that can help treat COVID-19 will be welcomed by all. But - to get a grip on this global pandemic - finding a vaccine remains vital. “Given the ongoing public health emergency, the Prime Minister must show global leadership, not least by working with our international partners to develop and distribute a COVID-19 vaccine. Instead, he has chosen to set out plans to abolish the Department of International Development, which for years has funded vital work in public health, including the work of GAVI - the global Vaccine Alliance. “It was the Liberal Democrats who enshrined the 0.7% aid commitment into UK law. This is…
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17May 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government must not pursue isolationist approach to vaccine

Parliamentary news
Responding to today's coronavirus press conference, Liberal Democrat Health, Wellbeing and Social Care spokesperson Munira Wilson said: “Any progress on a vaccine to fight coronavirus is welcome, but we must not solely base all our hopes on this one trial, nor should we turn our backs on international cooperation should we be successful. "We have seen the importance of international cooperation, whether it has been sourcing ventilators, processing tests when our own laboratories could not process them all, or in working with others to fly back citizens stuck abroad. Whether we are the first to be successful, or another country is, it is vital we continue to fight the virus with other countries rather than pursuing an isolationist approach as we have seen from the President of the United States. "In the…
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