Liberal Democrats Your exclusive briefing is here



<[link removed]>



Your Latest Briefing from the Liberal Democrats.




Thank you for another fantastic year, John!


This year, we have built our momentum following our historic General Election
in 2024, winning more elections and winning more votes in Parliament.

In 2025, the Liberal Democrats won more council by-elections than any other
party - the only party taking the fight to Nigel Farage’s Reform. In local
elections across England in May, we had our seventh set of gains in a row and,
for the first time in history, beat both the Conservatives and Labour at a set
of local elections.

Our 72 MPs and hardworking Peers achieved great success in Parliament
throughout 2025. From extending free school meals to installing solar panels on
all new homes, and from protecting domestic abuse victims to banning puppy
smuggling - with your support, our team made a difference.

Next year, we’ll continue to fight for local communities and for the liberal
Britain we all believe in.

With crucial Senedd, Scottish Parliament and local elections coming up next
May, our liberal voice is needed now more than ever.

If you want to play your part in a crucial year for the future of our country,
join the Liberal Democrats today!

You’ll not only help us achieve even more in 2026, you’ll access exclusive
events and training, the ability to vote on future policy, and much more.


Join the Liberal Democrats ➜
<[link removed]>

Find out more about the benefits ➜ <[link removed]>

Already a member?
Please contact [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> so we can
check your records.




Fixing our broken relationship with Europe


This month, we’re celebrating two huge wins to fix the mess created by the
Conservatives’ botched Brexit deal with the EU.

Earlier this month, Liberal Democrats won a key vote in the House of Commons,
calling on the Government to begin negotiations with the EU on a new, bespoke
Customs Union.

MPs backed Dr Al Pinkerton MP’s Ten Minute Rule Bill with a majority of one,
supporting the removal of trade barriers and red tape to help turbocharge our
economy.

With 13 Labour backbenchers also voting in favour, the Government should now
listen and give the Bill time for a proper debate in Parliament next year.


Read more ➜ <[link removed]>

⏲️ Est. reading time: 3 mins


This week, we were relieved to see the Government finally agreeing to
implement another key Liberal Democrat proposal - returning the UK to the
Erasmus+ student exchange scheme from 2027.

Following years of Lib Dem campaigning, this is fantastic news for our young
people, who will be able to learn new skills and make valuable life experiences
across the continent as a result.

This is a crucial step - but only the first in repairing our relationship
with Europe. The Government must now go for growth by seeking a new Customs
Union with the EU, as well as securing and implementing a Youth Mobility Scheme
to create more opportunities for the next generation.

Sign our campaign for a UK-EU Customs Union and share it with your friends and
family to keep up the momentum:


Add your name ➜ <[link removed]>


Share:

<[link removed]>
<[link removed]>
<[link removed]>
<[link removed]>



Ending the crisis in SEND provision


Last week, Ed Davey and other Lib Dem MPs met with families impacted by the
current crisis in SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) provision.
Children and their families are being let down by a broken system that leaves
far too many children without the support they need.

Sadly, the Government’s reforms announced last week do not go far enough.

Plans to create 50,000 more places for children with SEND needs in mainstream
schools in England, and to invest £3 billion over the next three years are good
news. But cancelling specialist SEND schools to fund this expansion will do
nothing to help build sustainable capacity in our SEND system.

We need ambitious reforms to better diagnose and support impacted children,
with a clear plan to recruit and train enough teachers and specialists to staff
this expansion of provision in schools.

Liberal Democrats are also calling on the Government to stand up to the
private equity firms that are taking families for a ride and draining council
coffers. We must introduce a cap on the profits that private equity sucks from
the SEND system, and reinvest them into the support children need.


Read our 5 principles for SEND reform ➜
<[link removed]>

⏲️ Est. reading time: 3 mins



New Lib Dem Peers


Three new Liberal Democrat appointments to the House of Lords were announced
this month: former MP and Children’s Minister Sarah Teather, the party’s Chief
Executive Mike Dixon and Ed Davey’s Chief of Staff Rhiannon Leaman.

Ed Davey welcomed the new peers saying: “All three are passionate campaigners
and dedicated public servants who will continue fighting hard to deliver the
change our country desperately needs, including reform of the House of Lords.”

Two Liberal Democrat hereditary peers, Dominic Addington and John Russell,
have also been granted life peerages so they can continue their important work
in Parliament after the Hereditary Peers Bill passes.

We look forward to seeing what they will achieve in Parliament.


Read more ➜
<[link removed]>

⏲️ Est. reading time: 8 mins




Don't let a Trump Tax destroy our BBC


US President Trump’s $10bn lawsuit against the BBC is a threat to our
democracy which would hit every licence fee payer in the pocket.

But this is about more than money - Trump’s real intention is to destroy the
BBC, a vital source of trusted news across the world. Sadly, the Conservatives
and Reform are cheering him on.


Watch Ed Davey's video ➜
<[link removed]>

⏲️ Watch time: 1 min


The Prime Minister must stand up for our BBC and call on Trump to drop his
lawsuit, and the BBC must fight it every step of the way. We can’t let Trump
get his hands on a penny of licence fee payers’ money.

Sign our campaign to Trump-proof the BBC by boosting its independence and
impartiality:


Add your name ➜ <[link removed]>



Protecting our justice system


This month, the Government announced that jury trials for crimes that carry a
likely sentence of less than three years will be scrapped, with decisions
instead made solely by judges.

The Liberal Democrats believe in a justice system that is fair, open and
accountable - removing juries on this scale is not the answer to resolve the
court backlog.

Trial by jury has been the jewel in the crown of our justice system for over
800 years. The horrendous court backlog, which sees victims waiting years for
justice, cannot be used as an excuse to rip up the right to a fair trial.

We’re calling for a proper plan to fix the system: more court sitting days,
better use of underused courtrooms, fixing broken private contracts that leave
defendants stuck in prison vans, and investing in rehabilitation to reduce
reoffending.


Read more ➜ <[link removed]>

⏲️ Est. reading time: 5 mins




We’re celebrating more Lib Dem wins in council by-elections this month!

We gained a seat from the Conservatives in Torridge
<[link removed]>
- the fourth Lib Dem gain in Conservative MP Geoffrey Cox’s constituency this
year!

In East Devon, we enjoyed a gain
<[link removed]>
from the Conservatives and ahold
<[link removed]>
, making it 13 by-election wins for the Lib Dems in Devon this year, along with
removing the Conservatives from power and becoming the largest party in May’s
county council elections.

We also gained a seat from the SNP in Fort William and Ardnamurchan
<[link removed]>
and held seats inWatford
<[link removed]>
andSouth Ribble
<[link removed]>
.

In 2025, Liberal Democrats have won 105 council by-elections, more than any
other party.




Share:

<[link removed]>
<[link removed]>
<[link removed]>
<[link removed]>

It puts us in a great position to win many more seats in 2026!

Whether you won or not, thank you to everyone who stood and to their teams
for an incredible effort throughout the year. We can be truly proud of the
progress we are making across the country.



Update from the LGA Liberal Democrat Group

Liberal Democrat councils and councillors continue to put the party’s values
into practice at a local level:

🔶 Building truly affordable housing: Lib Dem-run Sutton Council
<[link removed]>
is increasing the number of council houses it is planning to build in Sutton
town centre.

🔶 Supporting local employment: Bristol Lib Dem Councillor Andrew Varney has
run a campaign to save a local glassmaking firm. It’s raised the profile of the
business’ plight in looking for new premises, and lots of people have come
forward with invitations to view different spaces around the city, including
council-owned sites. More detailshere
<[link removed]>
.

🔶 Helping the most vulnerable in our society: Lib Dem-run South
Cambridgeshire District Council
<[link removed]>
is providing extra support for vulnerable residents in claiming benefits.

🔶 Protecting our local environment: Lib Dem-run Chelmsford City Council
<[link removed]>
has planted thousands of trees.




Lib Dems call for farming equivalent of Teach First scheme
<[link removed]>

Ban Maguire MP on LBC Cross Question
<[link removed]>.

Ed Davey MP on LBC News
<[link removed]> highlighting US
President Trump's hostility to the UK and Europe.

Josh Babarinde MP on the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg
<[link removed]> talking about
Reform's many scandals.

Marie Goldman MP on Sky News
<[link removed]> explaining the
risks to the NHS this winter.




Work with 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!


Find out more ➜ <[link removed]>



To everyone celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, or any other holiday, we hope you
and your loved ones have a time full of joy, fun, and kindness.

We wish everyone all the best for the new year ahead. May 2026 be full of
hope, health, and happiness.

Best wishes,





Liberal Democrats





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]>
.

Promoted by Liberal Democrats <[link removed]>, 66 Buckingham
Gate, SW1E 6AU.