May must bin ECJ red line if she's serious about safety and security

"This is a welcome u-turn from attempts to use security co-operation as a bargaining chip in the Brexit negotiations.

from News - Liberal Democrats http://www.libdems.org.uk/may_must_bin_ecj_red_line_if_she_s_serious_about_safety_and_security

Universal Credit Tory rebellion shows cuts must be reversed in Autumn Budget

"There is a mounting sense that the government could be defeated if it does not immediately pause the roll-out of Universal Credit. 

from News - Liberal Democrats http://www.libdems.org.uk/universal_credit_tory_rebellion_shows_cuts_must_be_reversed_in_autumn_budget

Brake: Has Johnson broken Ministerial Code?

Following on from Johnson's reprimand from the head of the UK Statistics Authority due to his repeated peddling of the discredited £350 million a week for the NHS figure, Tom Brake has called for the PM to investigate whether Boris has breached the Ministerial Code on three fronts 

from News - Liberal Democrats http://www.libdems.org.uk/brake_has_johnson_broken_ministerial_code

Latest round of Brexit talks show the government is still scandalously lacking a Brexit plan

“Michel Barnier’s statement that we are ‘months’ away from even starting substantive Brexit negotiations shows that Theresa May’s Florence speech was a flop, that David Davis is dangerously delusional about the level of progress that is being made, and that the government is still scandalously lacking a Brexit plan.

“The greater the uncertainty, the more the economy will flounder and the more vital workers will quit the UK.

“Brexit is a mess made in Westminster by the Conservatives. The time is ticking, on the deadline before we leave and on the last remaining shreds of this government's credibility. We need to stay in the single market and the customs union, and we need to give the people a vote on the final deal.”

from News - Liberal Democrats http://www.libdems.org.uk/latest_round_of_brexit_talks_show_the_government_is_still_scandalously_lacking_a_brexit_plan

May is a hypocrite to praise free markets

"The EU's four freedoms - of goods, services, capital and people - have underpinned British prosperity for the past 40 years. Yet the Conservatives' extreme Brexit will deprive us from all four, making us poorer.

“Meanwhile, Conservative attempts to build new trade relationships in a post-Brexit world have been rebuffed with the Boeing row underlying just how hard it will be to strike a trade deal with America.
 
“Far from thriving, business is struggling under Theresa May’s premiership as Britain slips ever further down the growth league.
 
“I am proud that the Liberal Democrat policy of independence for the Bank of England twenty years ago - the subject of my maiden speech - has increased growth and prosperity. Sadly government policy is now pushing Britain in the opposite direction, towards fortresses and economic downturns.”

from News - Liberal Democrats http://www.libdems.org.uk/_may_hypocrite_to_praise_free_markets

Vince Cable responds to Corbyn's conference speech

“Jeremy Corbyn has once again confirmed he is one of Brexit’s biggest cheerleaders.

from News - Liberal Democrats http://www.libdems.org.uk/vince_cable_responds_to_corbyn_s_conference_speech

Order allowing Saudi women to drive 'welcome but decades overdue'

"It's 2017; this is welcome but decades overdue.  Of course it is good news for women in Saudi Arabia, but they continue to face oppression, such as the guardianship laws that put men in control of women's lives.  

from News - Liberal Democrats http://www.libdems.org.uk/jo_swinson_order_allowing_saudi_women_to_drive_welcome_but_decades_overdue

Cable: British Government should stand up to protectionist bullying from Trump

"Rather than simply expressing 'bitter disappointment', our government should be out there fighting for vital British manufacturing jobs in Belfast. 

from News - Liberal Democrats http://www.libdems.org.uk/cable_british_government_should_stand_up_to_protectionist_bullying_from_trump

Lib Dems welcome Sadiq's call for referendum on Brexit deal

“I welcome signs from top Labour people that they are willing to join the Liberal Democrats in giving the people a referendum on the facts, at the end of the Brexit process.

from News - Liberal Democrats http://www.libdems.org.uk/lib_dems_welcome_sadiq_s_call_for_referendum_on_brexit_deal

Labour and Conservatives are both economically illiterate

“The Labour Party are right to prepare for economic collapse should they get into government. Their endorsement of Brexit, including taking the UK out of the Single Market is economically illiterate.

from News - Liberal Democrats http://www.libdems.org.uk/labour_and_conservatives_are_both_economically_illiterate_jardine

Labour putting political point scoring first

"It is disappointing, but not at all surprising, that the Labour Party seems intent on putting petty political point scoring ahead of the opportunity to genuinely help millions of vulnerable older people. We already know more than a million people are not getting social care they need, and this is only set to get worse as politicians in Westminster fail to act. Shouting at each other doesn't get older people the care they need.

from News - Liberal Democrats http://www.libdems.org.uk/labour_putting_political_point_scoring_first

Responding to John McDonnell’s speech to Labour conference, leader of the Liberal Democrats Vince Cable said:

These are people who voted Labour in the hope that they would stand up to the Conservatives on Brexit and fight to stay in the Single Market.

from News - Liberal Democrats http://www.libdems.org.uk/responding_to_john_mcdonnell_s_speech_to_labour_conference_leader_of_the_liberal_democrats_vince_cable_said

May has failed with Florence speech - Brake

Passing the tests would have signalled that Theresa May is moving away from her reckless, extreme Brexit.

Instead, in the vast majority of cases she failed to offer any solutions to the major issues related to Brexit that are currently facing the country.

from News - Liberal Democrats http://www.libdems.org.uk/may_has_failed_with_florence_speech_brake

Responding to Keir Starmer's speech to Labour conference, Lib Dem Brexit Spokesperson Tom Brake said

“It is misleading for him to pretend that some new customs arrangement can be reached which doesn’t cause massive disruption to British trade.

from News - Liberal Democrats http://www.libdems.org.uk/responding_to_keir_starmer_s_speech_to_labour_conference_lib_dem_brexit_spokesperson_tom_brake_said

Cable: 10,000 EU nationals have quit NHS since Brexit vote

9,832 EU nationals left the NHS between 30 June 2016 and 30 June 2017, figures published by NHS Digital today have revealed. This is an increase of 22% on the previous year, and up 42% on two years earlier.

from News - Liberal Democrats http://www.libdems.org.uk/cable_10_000_eu_nationals_have_quit_nhs_since_brexit_vote

Tax break for employers who improve mental health

We need a bold new approach to improving mental health focused on prevention, including giving discounts to business rates for companies that take concrete steps to improve well-being in the workplace.

from News - Liberal Democrats http://www.libdems.org.uk/tax-breaks-for-employers-who-improve-mental-health

IFS demolishes Boris Johnson's £350m lie

The IFS has demolished Boris Johnson's repeated claim that Brexit will lead to an £350m for the NHS.

from News - Liberal Democrats http://www.libdems.org.uk/ifs-demolishes-boris-johnson-350m-lie

We must have employee representation on boards

At our conference today, the Liberal Democrats have agreed to a raft of new policies which will see stricter penalties for companies that break the law, as part of a series of measures to improve corporate governance.

from News - Liberal Democrats http://www.libdems.org.uk/we-must-have-employee-representation-on-boards

DExEU head Oliver Robbins finds an exit from Brexit

In surprising news today, the Head of the Deparment for Exiting the European Union, Oliver Robbins has quit to take up a new role after a series of disagreements with David Davis.

from News - Liberal Democrats http://www.libdems.org.uk/dexeu-head-oliver-robbins-finds-an-exit-from-brexit

We need a new strategy to beat terror

In the wake of the recent terrorist outrages it's clear that we need a bold change of strategy to defeat terrorism and counter violent extremism.

from News - Liberal Democrats http://www.libdems.org.uk/need-new-strategy-to-beat-terror

The roll-out of the Universal Credit has been shambolic - it's time for it to be paused

According to charities, councils and housing associations, the rollout of the universal credit is a disaster in slow-motion.

from News - Liberal Democrats http://www.libdems.org.uk/universal-credit-roullout-should-be-paused

Tougher fire safety rules are needed to prevent another Grenfell

Fire safety has to be put at the forefront of new building regulations in the wake of the Grenfell Tower tragedy.

from News - Liberal Democrats http://www.libdems.org.uk/tougher-fire-safety-rules-are-needed-to-prevent-another-grenfell

Not credible for Boris to stay in Govt after £350m NHS myth

In April 2016, I wrote to the UK Statistics Authority over the Vote Leave campaign's claim £350m a week is sent to the EU.

In his reply the Chair of the UK Statistics Authority, Sir Andrew Dilnot CBE, said that VoteLeave's use of the figure was "potentially misleading." 

from News - Liberal Democrats http://www.libdems.org.uk/not-credible-for-boris-to-stay-in-govt-after-350m-nhs-myth

We are the only party offering an exit from Brexit

The effects of Brexit are already being felt.

from News - Liberal Democrats http://www.libdems.org.uk/only-party-offering-exit-brexit

It's time for a pay rise for our armed forces

Today at our Autumn Conference the Liberal Democrats have called on the government to immediately lift the pay cap on the armed forces to address a growing recruitment crisis.

from News - Liberal Democrats http://www.libdems.org.uk/lib-dems-call-for-pay-rise-for-our-armed-forces

EU-UK security treaty set to fail unless May drops opposition to ECJ

The simple fact is that the proposed EU-UK security treaty is likely to fail unless Theresa May drops her opposition to the European Court of Justice.

from News - Liberal Democrats http://www.libdems.org.uk/eu-uk-security-treaty-set-to-fail-unless-may-drops-opposition-to-ecj

We need new environmental watchdog to uphold green laws post-Brexit

Today at #LDConf we have called for the setting up of a tough new watchdog to protect the environment from threats posed by Brexit.

from News - Liberal Democrats http://www.libdems.org.uk/new-environmental-watchdog-uphold-green-laws-post-brexit

May must use Florence speech to guarantee rights of EU nationals

Theresa May must use her speech next week in Florence to change course and unilaterally guarantee the rights of EU nationals, to prevent a 'Brexodus' of thousands of nurses and teachers working in Britain’s schools and hospitals.

from News - Liberal Democrats http://www.libdems.org.uk/may-florence-speech-guarantee-rights-of-eu-nationals

Read the highlights from Layla Moran's speech to #LDConf

Layla opened with two all important words…

Thank you, conference.

It is such an honour, and still slightly unreal, to be addressing you for the first time today as the Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament for Oxford West and Abingdon.

I’d like to start as I always do. By saying thank you.

Thank you to each and every one of you who helped me get to this point – I cannot thank you enough.

from News - Liberal Democrats http://www.libdems.org.uk/conference-autumn-17-layla-moran-highlights

Read Layla Moran's speech to Liberal Democrat Autumn Conference in full

Read Layla Moran's speech to Liberal Democrat Autumn Conference in Bournemouth on Saturday

from News - Liberal Democrats http://www.libdems.org.uk/conference-autumn-17-layla-moran-speech-full

Theresa May will miss Paris climate change targets

In a motion passed today at our Autumn conference, we have called on the government to set a global example by bringing forward Britain’s climate targets ten years from 2050 to 2040.

As part of the motion, we have also condemned, in the strongest possible terms, President Trump’s climate change denial and his decision to withdraw the US from the Paris Agreement.

 

from News - Liberal Democrats http://www.libdems.org.uk/may-will-miss-paris-targets

May must face down Boris, the Poundland Trump

Boris Johnson is on manoeuvres, which means everyone else should take cover.

from News - Liberal Democrats http://www.libdems.org.uk/may-face-down-boris-poundland-trump

Chief Executive, Liberal Democrats (Lib Dems Headquarters, London)

Closing Date: 12.00 noon, Friday 06 October 2017

The Chief Executive (who reports to the Party President while working very closely with the Leader) will have to build on the strengths of the enlarged party and House of Commons group, whilst dealing with the challenges that face any political party in the UK in the aftermath of the EU Referendum of 2016, a snap 2017 General Election and the threat of a possible further snap election in the near future.

from News - Liberal Democrats http://www.libdems.org.uk/chief_executive_liberal_democrats

This week could be the worst for democracy for some time.

“Government power grab”. “Affront to democracy” “Constitutional Outrage”.

The stuff of headlines and, more often than not, a little overblown.

Not this week. This week could be the worst for parliamentary democracy for some time. It all starts tonight. 

from News - Liberal Democrats http://www.libdems.org.uk/this-week-could-be-the-worst-for-parliamentary-democracy-for-some-time

Q&A - How conference works

Q: Who runs conference?

Conference is run by the Federal Conference Committee (FCC). FCC decide on what motions to debate, how long they are debated for and even where Conference is held. Members are elected every 3 years by a ballot of all party members. If ever enough members were to disagree with a decision that FCC has made, they can appeal the decision via the Federal Appeals Panel or ask members at Conference to back them.

from News - Liberal Democrats http://www.libdems.org.uk/conference-standing-orders

Cable: Rise in interest rates would hurt indebted households

The Bank of England's nine-strong Monetary Policy Committee voted today by 7-2 to keep interest rates on hold at 0.25%, amid sluggish growth and a squeeze on household spending.

from News - Liberal Democrats http://www.libdems.org.uk/cable_rise_in_interest_rates_would_hurt_indebted_households

Conference standing orders

Q: How is conference run?

A: Conference is run by the Federal Conference Committee (FCC). FCC decide on what motions to debate, how long they are debated for and even where conference is held. Members are elected every 3 years by a ballot of all members. However, if enough members disagree with a decision that FCC has made, then they can appeal the decision via the Federal Appeals Panel or have the chance to ask conference to back them.

from News - Liberal Democrats http://www.libdems.org.uk/conference_standing_orders

Read Vince Cable's full speech on inequality from the 6th September

Read Vince Cable's full speech to the Resolution Foundation on Inequality here:

from News - Liberal Democrats http://www.libdems.org.uk/cable-inequality-full-speech-060915

Vince Cable: Inequality is threatening our future

Vince Cable will today make a major speech warning of the dangers of inequality arguing that if the problems we face today are not addressed then our country risks tearing itself apart.

from News - Liberal Democrats http://www.libdems.org.uk/cable-inequality-threatening-future