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



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Your Latest Briefing from the Liberal Democrats in Parliament.



Dear John,

While there may have only been two weeks since Parliament returned from the
summer recess - there has been plenty happening.

Over the last two weeks, Liberal Democrats have been standing up for our
fundamental rights, championing the ECHR and the freedom to protest, and
fighting for those who society must do more for, from those with
neurodivergence to Ukrainian refugees.

Plus, we have an exciting update at the end of this email about everybody’s
favourite Leader of the Oppawsition…

Read more about this and other recent contributions from Lib Dems in
Parliament below. 🔽





Standing up for our fundamental rights




At Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs), Ed Davey MP asked the the Prime Minister
whether he would rule out withdrawing from the ECHR, suspending it, or watering
down the rights it protects:


Watch ➜ <[link removed]>

⏲️ Watch time: 1 min


The European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) is a British creation that
protects us all with basic rights and freedoms - our commitment to it has
always been clear.

But alarmingly, both the Conservatives and Reform are threatening to pull
Britain out.

Kemi Badenoch’s ‘review’ into whether we should withdraw, with the outcome
due to be unveiled at Conservative Party conference, is nothing more than
political cover - we know the Conservatives are bent on echoing Farage and
Trump in a race to the right.

Withdrawal would put all kinds of human rights at risk - from the rights of
children and people with disabilities, to safeguards for minority groups.

And it would set a dangerous international precedent, encouraging other
countries to abandon their commitments too.






Lib Dem win on extending visas for Ukrainian families



Following Liberal Democrat pressure in the House of Commons, the Government
has recently announced a 24-month Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE) scheme,
providing clarity for thousands of Ukrainians whose three-year visas were due
to expire.

This is a major win for Ukrainian families in the UK - many of whom faced
potential eviction, job losses, and loss of access to schools and healthcare.

The announcement follows Martin Wrigley MP’s challenge at PMQs
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in July, where he asked Keir Starmer whether he would meet Ukrainians living
in his constituency. These Ukrainians feared their visas running out and never
being able to return, as some refugees are now being turned away because
Ukraine is wrongly deemed to be safe.

Many Ukrainians, who now have jobs in the UK or are in education, would have
their whole lives upended if they were forced to leave.

Martin secured a debate on the subject soon after - watch his speech here:


Watch ➜
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⏲️ Start time: 22:02:36 | Watch Time: 20 mins


We’re now urging the Government to go much further to give families long-term
security - without the threat of a cliff-edge.

At next week’s Autumn Conference in Bournemouth, we’ll be debating a motion
entitled ‘Certainty for Ukrainian Children Living in the UK’. This includes
steps, such as automatically extending visas, to provide Ukrainians with more
stability.


Read more ➜ <[link removed]>


⏲️ Est. reading time: 2 mins






New Lib Dem Bill: Supporting children with neurodivergence



On Wednesday, Adam Dance MP introduced his Private Members’ Bill
<[link removed]> calling for universal screening for
dyslexia and other neurodivergence, better teacher training and fairer Special
Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) funding.

As someone who grew up with dyslexia, Adam knows the difficulties
neurodivergence can bring. School is challenging enough as it is, but Dyslexia,
ADHD, and other traits bring many extra challenges and symptoms are often
misidentified as simply being misbehaved.

The current phonics screening check, in which Year 1 children read 40 words,
is far too narrow and misses many children with these traits. And even if more
children are identified, schools often lack the resources, support and funding
to help them properly.

That’s why Adam is passionately campaigning to ensure no child goes without
the support they need, by pushing for universal screening and boosting
teachers’ and schools’ ability to support these children. No child should be
left behind.


Watch Adam's Speech ➜
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⏲️ Start time: 14:26:46 | Watch Time: 10 mins


Read more ➜ <[link removed]>


⏲️ Est. reading time: 3 mins







Improving animal welfare standards




This week, Danny Chambers MP’s Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and
Ferrets) Bill <[link removed]> had its Second Reading
in the House of Lords.

The Bill will ban the import of puppies and kittens under six months old, as
well as mutilated or heavily pregnant dogs and cats. It will also close
loopholes that smugglers currently exploit to import animals for sale under the
guise of pets travelling with their owners.

During the debate, Baroness Grender paid tribute to Danny and the many others
who have campaigned on this issue for years. She explained the many benefits
the Bill would bring, from preventing barbaric physical abuse of animals, like
tail docking and ear cropping, to protecting humans too, by preventing the
import of disease.


Watch ➜
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⏲️ Start time:11:37:58 | Watch Time: 6 mins


We’re delighted that the Bill has now passed Second Reading and moves to the
Committee Stage in the House of Lords - taking it one step closer to becoming
reality.

As outlined by Baroness Grender, Liberal Democrats have a strong track record
on animal welfare, such as improving standards in agriculture and protecting
funding for the National Wildlife Crime Unit. We will continue to push for more
action, including an end to the live export of all animals, to give them the
love and care they desperately need.






Responding to Israel’s strikes in Qatar




Israel's strikes against Hamas officials in Qatar this week were a new and
grave escalation of the conflict in the Middle East. It also undermines
attempts to secure a ceasefire and the release of the hostages.

In response, Calum Miller MP, our Foreign Affairs Spokespeople, was
successful in getting an urgent question, which he used to ask the Foreign
Office Minister for clarity on the implications for peace and stability and the
UK’s foreign policy in the region.

As the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza continues, Calum urged the Government
to take decisive action to apply pressure on Israel, including banning the
export of F-35 parts to the country and sanctioning Prime Minister Netanyahu.


Watch ➜
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⏲️ Start time: 12:35:06 | Watch Time: 5 mins






Improving accessibility for disabled people




Disabled people are disproportionately reliant on public transport to access
healthcare, work and education. They are also disproportionately reliant on
financial support due to their higher costs of living.

Free local bus travel is therefore a vital lifeline for many disabled people,
especially in rural areas. However, on weekdays between 11 at night and 9:30 in
the morning, disabled people lose this entitlement; between these times, it is
up to local travel authorities to provide it or not.

This week, Tom Gordon MP tabled an amendment to the Bus Services Bill
<[link removed]> to correct these absurd time
restrictions. In his words, ‘disabilities do not disappear at peak times.’

In his speech, Tom outlined why a scheme meant to promote accessibility
should not be limited during peak time, when it is most needed.


Watch ➜
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⏲️ Start time: 16:13:54 | Watch Time: 5 mins


Shockingly, Labour voted the amendment down, while the Conservatives whipped
their MPs to abstain. It is shocking that neither party supports such a simple
and effective step to improve accessibility for disabled people.

Despite this setback, we will continue to campaign to improve accessibility
on our public transport.







Lib Dem win on supporting vulnerable children through therapy




Last week, Alison Bennett MP led a debate on protecting the Adoption and
Special Guardianship Support Fund. In a huge Lib Dem win, the Government
announced an extension of the fund into the year 2026/27 as a concession on the
morning of the debate.

The fund is a lifeline for families raising children who have endured
hardship and trauma, providing therapy for young adopted children or those
living with special guardians.

In April, Munira Wilson MP, our Education, Children and Families Spokesperson,
called on the Government
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to protect the fund, managing to secure a Government commitment of £50 million
to protect it this year.

But we need long-term commitments, not ad hoc extensions.

In her speech last week, Alison Bennett MP, our Care and Carers Spokesperson,
welcomed the news but stressed the need for previous entitlement levels to be
restored and for a permanent solution, to give families certainty.


Watch ➜
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⏲️ Start time: 13:50:19 | Watch Time: 13 mins







Our campaign to ‘Balance the BBC’



Despite having only four MPs to the Liberal Democrats’ 72, Reform receive wall
to wall coverage from the BBC, which seems to hang on Nigel Farage’s every word.

We’ve launched a new campaign to ‘Balance the BBC’, calling for it to provide
proportional coverage of political parties year-round; rather than only during
election periods, as is currently mandated.

This week, Max Wilkinson MP, our Culture, Media and Sport Spokesperson, wrote
to the director of Ofcom
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campaign. Liz Jarvis MP also grilled the BBC Directory General about the BBC’s
unfair coverage in Parliament:


Watch ➜ <[link removed]>


⏲️ Watch time: 1 min


You can help our campaign by signing our petition below and sharing it with
your friends and family.


Add my name ➜ <[link removed]>


Share:

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or direct them to https//:libdems.org.uk/bbc <[link removed]>.






Fighting for the right to peacefully protest




Over 800 people were arrested last weekend for holding placards in support of
Palestine Action. This followed over 500 arrests for another peaceful protest
back in August.

We do not condone criminal acts like vandalism, violent disruption,
antisemitic abuse and hate speech. But using terrorism powers to arrest
peaceful protestors is a serious threat to our democratic rights.

In response to the latest arrests, Lisa Smart MP, our Home Affairs
Spokesperson, asked the Government whether it would urgently review terrorism
legislation, to ensure it is proportionate and contains the nuance needed, so
people aren’t arrested for exercising their right to free speech.


Watch ➜
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⏲️ Start time: 15:58:38 | Watch Time: 1 min




Rt Hon Jennie voted Top Dog

In other Westminster news, we’re delighted to announce that our very own
Jennie, Guide Dog to Steve Darling MP, has been voted Westminster Dog of the
Year in the David Ames Pawblic Vote - run by the Kennel Club and Dogs Trust.

Honourable mention to Will Forster MP’s dog Toffee who also competed for Team
Lib Dem and fought an admirable campaign.



On Broadcast


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

Ed Davey MP on how care shaped his life
<[link removed]> and why he is boycotting Trump’s
State Dinner <[link removed]>.

Daisy Cooper MP on the impact of the Government’s jobs tax
<[link removed]> and the hypocrisy
of Nigel Farage <[link removed]>
when it comes to free speech.

Tim Farron MP on LBC’s Cross Question
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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 to fight for a fair deal?



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We hope you’ve been inspired by learning about our work in Parliament. If you
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Best wishes,




Liberal Democrats





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