Liberal Democrats Opposing the Rwanda Bill, demanding action on crumbling
schools, and calling for a bilateral ceasefire in Israel and Gaza
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Your Latest Briefing from the Liberal Democrats in Parliament.
Dear John,
Throughout February, our MPs and Peers worked hard to enact change, promoting
our core principles and fighting for a better country.
We challenged the Government’s appalling Rwanda Bill and their careless
neglect of crumbling schools. And we pushed for peace and tolerance, supporting
a bilateral ceasefire in Israel-Gaza and combating religious discrimination.
Learn more about this and other recent contributions and achievements from
Lib Dems in Parliament below. 🔽
Calling for an immediate bilateral ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza conflict
Last week’s House of Commons vote on a ceasefire in Israel-Gaza led to an
embarrassing argument over amendments and Parliamentary procedure. It was a
missed opportunity for Parliament to unite and send a decisive message about
the need for an immediate bilateral ceasefire.
For many months, we’ve called for an immediate bilateral ceasefire
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to end suffering, free the hostages, deliver aid, and work towards a two-state
solution.
During the debate, Layla Moran (MP for Oxford West and Abingdon) gave a
powerful speech, highlighting her family’s continued plight in Gaza and calling
for a two-state solution as the only path to peace:
Watch ➜ <[link removed]>
⏲️ Watch time: 1 min
Ed Davey (MP for Kingston & Surbiton) advocated for our immediate bilateral
ceasefire plan on the BBC and expressed disappointment with the way Parliament
acted that evening:
Watch ➜
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⏲️ Watch time: 1 min
This week, Ed visited Israel and Palestine to meet those whose lives have been
devastated by the conflict, and speak to politicians and civil society about
how to secure two states and a lasting peace. You can read all about his visit
here:
Read more ➜
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⏲️ Est. reading time: 4 mins
Opposing the Government’s Rwanda Bill
Our Peers continued to challenge the Rwanda Bill as it reached the Committee
Stage in the House of Lords.
Much of the debate centred on the Government’s claims that Rwanda is a safe
country, but Lord Scriven highlighted a notable inconsistency in their stance:
Watch ➜
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⏲️ Watch time: 7 mins
Lord Purvis’ questioning even led Lord Stewart, a Government Minister, to
concede that Rwanda is not yet a safe country after all:
Watch ➜ <[link removed]>
⏲️ Watch time: 1 min
The Liberal Democrats will continue to oppose this flawed and harmful scheme.
Looking forward, our Peers tabled amendments to uphold the Human Rights Act, to
strengthen protections for children, and to probe why the Government has not
appointed a new Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration.
Confronting Islamophobia and promoting inter-faith dialogue
Former Conservative MP Lee Anderson’s Islamaphobic remarks this week were
disgraceful, and removing the Conservative whip does not go far enough.
Christine Jardine (MP for Edinburgh West) tabled a motion urging Parliament
to condemn his comments and request he apologise to the House in person:
Read more ➜
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⏲️ Est. reading time: 1 min
We must challenge discrimination in all its forms, especially at this time of
heightened tensions.
In this vein, Wera Hobhouse (MP for Bath) questioned the Government's
decision to withdraw funding for the Inter Faith Network, an organisation
dedicated to promoting tolerance and community cohesion:
Watch ➜ <[link removed]>
⏲️ Watch time: 1 min
Liberal Democrat debate day in the House of Lords
The Liberal Democrats held their debate day on the 29th February, allowing us
to select the day’s topics.
Baroness Benjamin led a debate on the Windrush scandal and the Windrush
compensation scheme, stressing the harm inflicted on thousands of lives and
calling for a swift and just resolution:
Watch ➜
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⏲️ Watch time: 15 mins
Later on, Baroness Bakewell led a debate on polluted rivers, calling for more
regulation on private water companies in her opening speech:
Watch ➜
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⏲️ Watch time: 14 mins
Advocating for leaseholders’ rights
During a debate on the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill, Helen Morgan (MP
for North Shropshire) criticised fleeceholds, where freeholders pay estate
management charges for amenities like roads and open spaces.
Helen highlighted instances of leaseholder exploitation and powerlessness in
a speech to the Commons:
Watch ➜
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⏲️ Watch time: 7 mins
She proposed an amendment to the bill, enabling leaseholders to assume
ownership of an estate management company or its assets if it failed to fulfil
obligations. While the clause didn't pass, Liberal Democrats remain committed
to defending leaseholders' rights, and will scrutinise this bill every step of
the way.
Demanding action on crumbling schools
Many schools across the country remain unsafe due to crumbling concrete, known
as RAAC. The Government’s delayed response has resulted in ongoing risks for
students and teachers, often leading to disruptive closures.
To pressure the Government, Lord Addington led a debate on RAAC in schools,
calling for urgent financial assistance for maintenance and upgrades:
Watch ➜
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⏲️ Watch time: 9 mins
On Broadcast
Here are a few highlights from our media rounds from the past month:
Ed Davey MP - on BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg
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, and onSky News <[link removed]>
discussing Parliament’s shambles over the Israel-Gaza ceasefire vote.
Layla Moran MP - on LBC’s Cross Question
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.
Wendy Chamberlain MP - on Sky News
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in the police.
As always, we aren’t able to share everything that happens in Parliament every
month, but if you’d like to find out more about what individual MPs or Peers
are working on, be sure to check out their social media accounts or websites.
You can find out more about our MPs and Peers by visiting our website below.
Our MPs ➜ <[link removed]>
Our Peers ➜ <[link removed]>
As the next General Election is just around the corner, it’s never been more
important to show people what Liberal Democrats in power can achieve.Why not
forward this email to your friends and family so they too can see the important
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Best wishes,
Liberal Democrats
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