Liberal Democrats What the Lib Dems have been up to in Westminster



<[link removed]>



Your Latest Briefing from the Liberal Democrats in Parliament.



Dear John,

This month, as well as celebrating our outstanding local election results
<[link removed]> across
many parts of England, we’ve been continuing to work hard in Parliament to hold
the government to account and advance our own work.

While the other parties compete with one another in a race to the right,
we’re the only party staying true to our beliefs and fighting for the causes
that the public put their trust in us to deliver on. From health and social
care to sewage, internationalism to issues here at home - we’re standing up for
liberalism and fairness in Parliament every day.

Check out recent contributions from Lib Dems in Parliament below. 🔽






Standing up to divisive politics and standing up for our care sector




On Monday, Liberal Democrats forced a vote in the House of Commons on a policy
that would scrap the ban on asylum seekers working if they had waited for a
decision on their claim for 3 months. Sadly, it was blocked by an alliance of
Conservative, Labour and Reform MPs – all voting against the national interest
just so they could appear anti-immigration.

The UK has a long, proud history of welcoming newcomers – whether people
seeking to build their lives here, or refugees fleeing war and persecution.

Speaking before the vote, Lisa Smart MP (Home Affairs Spokesperson) talked of
the personal connection we all have to immigration and reaffirmed the Liberal
Democrats' commitment to advocating for the rights and dignity of migrants and
refugees.


Read More & Watch ➜
<[link removed]>

⏲️ Reading time: 3 mins | Watch time: 2 mins


After the previous Conservative government’s dire mismanagement, our
immigration system has been left in tatters and public trust has been
shattered. Our broken immigration system needs to be fixed to ensure it works
for our country, while treating everyone with dignity and respect.

Tim Farron MP also challenged the Home Secretary on the devastating
consequences the government’s plans will have on our care sector, our already
overstretched hospitals and care homes, and those who rely on these vital
services.


Watch ➜ <[link removed]>

⏲️ Watch time: 1 min








Ensuring acceptable housing conditions for service personnel




In the month where we celebrated the 80th Anniversary of VE Day and thanked
veterans for their service, our MPs and Peers have been doing important work to
ensure that today’s service personnel have access to housing which meets the
Decent Homes Standard.

No one who serves this country should have to live in unacceptable
conditions, and this week Baroness Grender has tabled an amendment to the
Renters Rights’ Bill to extend the scope of this standard to fit this means.


Watch ➜
<[link removed]>

⏲️ Starts from: 21:11:00 | Watch time: 5 mins


This follows from Helen Maguire MP (Defence Spokesperson) and Gideon Amos MP
(Housing and Planning Spokesperson) making similar calls when the legislation
was in the Commons.









Calling for stronger action in the Middle East



Last week, Calum Miller MP (Foreign Affairs Spokesperson) wrote to the Foreign
Secretary urging the UK to take stronger action as the Israeli Government
continues the blockade of Gaza and its military assault - including a total
arms export ban, the recognition of Palestine and sanctions on extremist
Israeli ministers Ben-Gvir and Smotrich.


Read ➜ <[link removed]>


⏲️ Read time: 2 mins


During a Ministerial Statement on the Middle East, Monica Harding MP
(International Development Spokesperson) called out the “disgraceful” decision
by the Israeli Government to approve plans for an expanded offensive,
summarised by officials as the “conquest” of Gaza, urged the UK government to
put pressure on Israel to reopen aid routes, and asked whether contingency
plans are being developed to deliver aid despite Israeli obstruction.


Watch ➜
<[link removed]>


⏲️ Starts from: 17:52:07 | Watch time: 3 mins


In PMQs this week, Ed Davey MP also called on the Prime Minister to back a
joint plan to recognise Palestine and end the appalling Israeli blockade which
has, for over ten weeks, blocked food, water and medicine from entering Gaza.


Watch ➜ <[link removed]>


⏲️ Watch time: 2 mins







Our newest Lib Dem Peers make their Maiden Speeches




In the last month, our newest peers, Lord Mohammed and Party President Lord
Pack, gave their maiden speeches in the House of Lords.

In his maiden speech, Shaffaq reflected on his journey from a farming
background in Kashmir to public service in the UK, highlighting his family's
struggles after migrating to Sheffield. He credited resilience, community
support, and British opportunities for his path from youth work to the European
Parliament.

Speaking during the Second Reading of the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools
Bill, Shaffaq stressed the need to safeguard home-educated children and ensure
all young people have the chance to succeed.


Watch ➜ <[link removed]>

⏲️ Watch time: 6 mins


Mark reflected on his own journey to the chamber, expressing particular
appreciation for the support from Liberal Democrat members and volunteers who
have supported him over the years.

Known for his long-running political email newsletter, and speaking in a
debate on “The future of news (Communications and Digital Report”), he
highlighted the growing role of email newsletters in revitalising local
journalism, offering direct, high-quality reporting free from algorithmic
interference.


Watch ➜
<[link removed]>

⏲️ Starts from: 12:54:17 | Watch time: 6 mins







Lib Dem Opposition Day




On 23rd April, we held our 2nd Opposition Day in the House of Commons, a day
on which we are able to set the agenda for debates.

Our first debate highlighted our deep concern over the dire condition of NHS
hospitals, highlighting a £13.8 billion maintenance backlog in 2023–24. We
criticised the Conservatives for underfunding repairs, misusing capital
budgets, and failing to properly fund or deliver the New Hospitals Programme.

We also called on the current government to reverse delays, establish a
taskforce to accelerate hospital construction, and end short-sighted budgeting
practices by committing to sustainable funding for NHS infrastructure.


Watch ➜
<[link removed]>

⏲️ Start time: 12:50:02 ⏐ Watch time: Opening Remarks - 20 mins


Our second debate focused on the ongoing sewage crisis caused by water
companies in England’s rivers, lakes, and coastal areas. The Conservatives
failed to hold executives who were awarding themselves large bonuses whilst
letting this scandal run rife to account.

We echoed our previous calls for the introduction of a new Blue Flag status
for rivers and chalk streams to enforce higher environmental standards and
improve transparency, and urged the government to take immediate action to end
sewage dumping and better protect waterways.


Watch ➜
<[link removed]>

⏲️ Start time: 16:29:05 ⏐ Watch time: Opening Remarks - 27 mins




On TV and Radio


Here are a few highlights from our media rounds from the past month:

Ed Davey MP - on BBC News
<[link removed]> calling for
Parliament to have a say on the UK-US trade deal, and onSky News
<[link removed]> celebrating our
local election results.

Helen Morgan MP - on LBC
<[link removed]> talking about much
needed social care reform.

Max Wilkinson MP - on on Politics Live talking about the Israeli blockade in
Gaza <[link removed]> and on
Trump’s illiberalism
<[link removed]>.

Calum Miller MP - on BBC Question Time talking about why voters turned to the
Liberal Democrats in May’s local elections
<[link removed]> and on the
importance of reachingNet Zero
<[link removed]>.

Victoria Collins MP - on LBC
<[link removed]> talking about the
importance of tackling the mental health crisis for young people being caused
by spending too much time online.

Bobby Dean MP - on Sky News
<[link removed]> talking about the
government’s cuts to Winter Fuel payments.




We aren’t able to share everything that happens in Parliament so make sure to
check out the social media accounts and websites of our MPs and Peers to find
out more about them and their work:



Our MPs ➜ <[link removed]>


Our Peers ➜ <[link removed]>



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?


We hope you’ve been inspired by learning about our work in Parliament. If you
want to help us transform the country, why not join us today?


Join as a Member ➜
<[link removed]>

Register as a Supporter ➜
<[link removed]>



Best wishes,




Liberal Democrats



<[link removed]>




Did you like this email?
Yes 😀
<[link removed]>
-No 🙁
<[link removed]>
View email in browser
<[link removed]>


You're receiving this email because you have signed up for our emails.

Want to change the kind of email you're getting? Update your email preferences

<[link removed]
0AB&id=0033z00002pr9VrAAI>

Don't want to get our emails anymore? Click here to unsubscribe
<[link removed]>
.

Published and promoted by Mike Dixon on behalf of the Liberal Democrats
<[link removed]>, 1 Vincent Square, London SW1P 2PN.