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: | | | | | 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 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: | | | | 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. | | | |
New Lib Dem Bill: Supporting children with neurodivergence | | | | On Wednesday, Adam Dance MP introduced his Private Members’ Bill 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. | | | | | |
Improving animal welfare standards | | | |
| This week, Danny Chambers MP’s Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill 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. | | | | | 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. | | | |
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 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. | | | | | 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 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. | | | |
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 in support of our campaign. Liz Jarvis MP also grilled the BBC Directory General about the BBC’s unfair coverage in Parliament: | | | | You can help our campaign by signing our petition below and sharing it with your friends and family. | | | | | | or direct them to https//:libdems.org.uk/bbc. | |
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. | | | |
 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. | |
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