Your Latest Briefing from the Liberal Democrats. |  | An inspiring Spring Conference | Following an exceptional 2024, we arrived in Harrogate in high spirits but with plenty of work still to do.
Ed Davey reminded us all of what’s at stake in his keynote speech. Threatened by Trump, Putin, and Farage, Ed called on us to step up and champion our liberal, internationalist values. | | | We also heard powerful speeches from Josh Babarinde MP, who talked about the need to break the cycle of crime through rehabilitation, Helen Morgan MP, on our priority to fix the health and social care crisis, and Cllr Mike Ross, who highlighted the many Lib Dem achievements in Hull. | | | We passed numerous motions, outlining our policy for the future. From forming a robust response to Trump to protecting LGBTQ+ rights, read them all below. | | |  | And in true Lib Dem fashion, we had a lot of fun along the way! Friday night’s Rally celebrated all we’ve achieved since the election and fired us up for the future, with rousing speeches and roaring laughter. | | |  | Ed also got the chance to meet the local community and, in true Ed fashion, he got stuck in, joining the Harrogate Hammerheads for a game of wheelchair basketball, and decorating biscuits with local young carers.
Thank you to everyone who attended or watched online - we hope everyone took something meaningful from this wonderful weekend. | |
 | Spring Statement Response | The Chancellor’s Spring Statement on Wednesday was a missed opportunity to deliver the change communities are crying out for.
The Conservatives wrecked the public finances, putting public services on their knees, but Labour are now delivering more of the same.
They must change course - scrap the national insurance job tax, which is hammering small businesses and care providers, rebuild our trading relationship with Europe, to cut red tape, and fix our broken health and social care system.
It’s the big banks, social media giants, and online gambling companies that should pay - not small businesses and disabled people.
Watch and share our Deputy Leader and Treasury Spokesperson Daisy Cooper MP’s response to the Chancellor’s statement here: | | | | ⏲️ Watch time: 6 mins | | |
Politics is about choices | There are reports that the Labour Government are planning to scrap the Digital Services Tax to appease US President Trump and Elon Musk. At the same time, they’re eying changes to free school meals, to make them means-tested.
But the Digital Services Tax brings in over £830 million a year - enough to completely cover the cost of free school meals.
This is just one example of the Government’s poor choices. Cutting this tax while diluting free school meals would be choosing Donald Trump and Elon Musk over hungry school children.
At Prime Minister’s Questions, Ed Davey MP asked whether the Prime Minister would rule out scrapping the tax - ominously, he didn’t. | | | | ⏲️ Watch time: 1 min | Please share our post on social media to urge the government to make the right choice: |  | | |
 | Standing up for Young Carers | 12 March marked Young Carers Action Day - a day to recognise the extraordinary work of young carers and to highlight how they can be better supported.
The Liberal Democrats are fighting hard every day to give young carers the support they need and deserve.
Ed Davey has met young carers across the country over the past year, including at Spring Conference, where he decorated biscuits with young carers from Harrogate and Sheffield.
See our plan for young carers below and share it on social media: |  | | |
Behind the scenes: Shaffaq Mohammed joins the House of Lords | | This month, Shaffaq Mohammed took up his seat in the House of Lords.
We’re delighted that Shaffaq has joined our Parliamentary team - his experience will bring so much to it.
During last weekend’s Conference Rally, we shared this video looking at Shaffaq’s first day in the House of Lords, and why it means so much to him. Please do give it a watch if you missed it. | |
 | International Women’s Day (8 March) was a day to celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women, and is a day to renew calls for a gender equal world free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination against women.
You can read and watch a statement from our Women & Equalities Spokesperson Christine Jardine MP to mark the day here: | | | |
 | The Liberal Democrats have been winning again in principal authority by-elections over the past month!
In Pendle, we beat Reform to take a seat off the Conservatives! We also defended seats in Eastleigh, Devon, and Mole Valley.
Congratulations to those elected and thank you to everyone else who stood but didn’t win this time. | |
 | Work for Us | We’ve got a wide variety of vacancies - both paid and voluntary - currently available. If you’re keen to contribute in whatever capacity suits you best, we’d love to hear from you! | | | |
| There are many religious dates and festivals coming up over the next few weeks. If you’ll be celebrating Easter, Eid al-Fitr, Passover, Vaisakhi, or any other festival, we hope you have a wonderful time. |  Lastly, a lighthearted story that set social media alight last week:
When Steve Darling MP’s guide dog Jennie ‘crossed the floor’ of the House of Commons to be petted by Labour MPs, the Party feared a high-profile defection in its ranks. But, after taking a moment to ‘paws’ and reflect, and following a meeting with our Chief Whip, Wendy Chamberlain MP, we’re happy to confirm Jennie has fully apologised and promised to stay loyal to the Liberal Democrats.
Read the full story here.
Best wishes, |  | Liberal Democrats | | |
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