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 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: | | | | 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: | | | | 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: | | |
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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: | | | | Lord Purvis’ questioning even led Lord Stewart, a Government Minister, to concede that Rwanda is not yet a safe country after all: | | | | ⏲️ 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: | | | | 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: | | | |
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: | | | | Later on, Baroness Bakewell led a debate on polluted rivers, calling for more regulation on private water companies in her opening speech: | | | | ⏲️ 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: | | | | 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: | | | |
| 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. | |
| 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 work we are doing? | |
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