News

Press release on the Autumn Statement.

Lib Dems condemn “chaotic and incompetent” budget

Sewage in our Rivers

The sheer quantity of raw sewage being dumped into Britain’s rivers and coastal areas is a scandal and a disgrace.

Help to Save is just ‘smoke and mirrors’ - Lib Dems Susan Kramer

The government's plan to make people save for an emergency through the proposed 'Help to Save' shows how out of touch the Conservatives are with the realities of those who are struggling.

Help to Save is just ‘smoke and mirrors’ - Lib Dems Susan Kramer

The government's plan to make people save for an emergency through the proposed 'Help to Save' shows how out of touch the Conservatives are with the realities of those who are struggling.

Shortlists and Privilege

On Sunday, Conference voted for all-women shortlists. As part of the debate, I gave a speech outlining how my experience showed that lots of men simply aren't aware of the privilege they have. I was surprised that this speech would immediately precede the rare event of a leader's speech in a debate. Tim - I hope I set them up all right for you! For the first 40 years of my life I lived as male. Transitioning to female in 2004, and starting my own software company at the same time, showed me what I had anticipated - that I had to work much harder to be treated as worth listening to. It didn't come as a shock to me, as I'd observed this since childhood - in fact, it was one of the reasons I used to delay transition. But I know other trans women who have been surprised by this side-effect. A few years ago, my sales director and I were discussing my experiences of gender transition. He was genuinely surprised when I explained how I felt I was now perceived in meetings, such as the one we had just left. However, i

All women shortlists

At Liberal Democrat Conference in York this weekend I have been told by a number of women that they would not want to be the candidate for a seat that selected from an all women shortlist. I have some news for them, most of them won't be. The motion passed means that of the around 580 seats that the Liberal Democrats will contend 8 must have all women shortlists. I will now issue a direct challenge to those women, don't walk away from the party but instead as there are up to 572 seats not selecting on all women shortlists so choose one of those seats and get selected as a Parliamentary Candidate. However, my challenge goes much further than that because right now we only have enough approved candidates who are women to fill a quarter of those seats so at the same time convince another woman who is capable of standing for parliament to do the same.

Lib Dems attack 'gutless' Labour over surveillance bill

Labour plans to abstain in Commons vote but will seek changes at later stage to legislation that Lib Dems and SNP oppose Labour is facing calls to help other opposition parties kill off the government's new surveillance laws, after the SNP and Liberal Democrats said they would vote against the legislation.

Safe at Last? Syrian Refugees in the UK