Your Latest Briefing from the Liberal Democrats in Parliament. | | Dear John,
Over the past month, our MPs and Peers have been fighting hard for positive change. From tackling abuse in care homes, to extending free school meals, we’re fighting for a fairer Britain.
And with more and more people voting Liberal Democrat, as shown in the recent local elections in England and Wales, we hope to elect more MPs at the next General Election to drive through further progress.
Learn more about recent contributions and achievements from Lib Dems in Parliament below. 🔽 | |
Tackling abuse in care homes | | | |
| At Prime Minister's Questions, Ed Davey (MP for Kingston & Surbiton) raised the case of Ann King, who suffered appalling abuse at the hands of staff in her care home.
Ann’s children are now campaigning for a new law to protect vulnerable people from this kind of abuse. Ed urged Rishi Sunak to support ‘Ann’s Law’, including a new register for care workers.
Watch Ed’s PMQ and read ITV News coverage below: | | | | | |
Providing free court transcripts for victims | | | |
| Victims of rape and sexual assault have been charged thousands to access transcripts from their abusers’ trial.
In April, Baroness Brinton tabled an amendment to the Victims and Prisoners Bill to provide free transcripts, aiding victims in their pursuit of justice and closure. However, 187 Conservative Peers blocked the proposal. | | | | | Sarah Olney (MP for Richmond Park) has campaigned for this cause since one of her constituents faced such fees. Sarah previously introduced a similar amendment in the Commons, which the Government also declined to support.
MPs from various parties signed Sarah’s open letter to the Justice Secretary, demanding free transcripts for victims. The Government must change course so victims are treated with the care and dignity they deserve. |
Lib Dem amendment excludes MPs arrested for serious offences from the Parliamentary estate | | | | Wendy Chamberlain’s (MP for North East Fife) amendment to exclude MPs arrested for serious offences passed by 170 votes to 169.
This amendment means that a risk assessment about allowing an MP accused of a violent or sexual offence takes place at the point of arrest, rather than only when charged.
Upon its passing, Wendy stressed how this will ensure Parliament is a safe and modern place to work. Watch her interview with the BBC’s Politics Scotland here: | | | |
Extending free school meals | | | |
| Munira Wilson (MP for Twickenham) led a debate on extending free school meals, calling it a ‘no-brainer’ to provide them to every child in poverty.
In her opening speech, Munira highlighted how free school meals save parents time and money, improve childrens’ educational outcomes, and promote healthier eating. | | | | Munira’s speech was covered in an article in the Mirror, which you can read about here: | | | | We are calling for an extension of free school meals to all children in poverty. | |
| During a debate on the Renters Reform Bill, Kath Pinnock and Dorothy Thornhill championed the Liberal Democrat commitment to ensuring the private rented sector is fair for all. The bill has the potential to start rebalancing the rights of landlords and tenants, especially with the abolition of Section 21 eviction notices.
However, Lib Dem Peers highlighted how the Government’s lack of conviction, especially with the delay to the Section 21 ban, was failing renters.
Furthermore, the failure to address the fundamental need for more social housing, and more enforcement resources for Local Authorities, means that the bill ultimately falls short in providing comprehensive support for families and individuals. | | | |
 | Our amendment to criminalise sewage dumping | | | | This Wednesday, Liberal Democrats tabled an amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill which would have ensured water companies are taken to court if they do not tackle sewage dumping.
Astonishingly, Conservative MPs voted against our proposal, while Labour MPs abstained. |  | | | | | | The vote came the same day as it was revealed that 10 million litres of sewage has been dumped into Lake Windermere in the Lake District.
This Conservative Government continues to stand idly by as water companies pollute our waters, destroying the environment and making swimmers sick.
Read the full story in the Independent here: | | | |
| Here are a few highlights from our media rounds from the past month:
Ed Davey MP - on BBC Newsnight talking about the need to support carers.
Alistair Carmichael MP - on the BBC's Any Questions.
Baroness Brinton - on the BBC's Today on her amendment for fair compensation for infected blood scandal victims. | |
| 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? | |
Received this email from a Liberal Democrat Member or Supporter? | Why not join us today and support our work in Parliament and across the country! | | | | | |
 | Liberal Democrats | | |
|
|
|
