Welsh Lib Dem leader presses case for new Brexit poll

here must be a new referendum on any Brexit deal, the leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats has insisted.

Jane Dodds said: "Brexiteers and Remainers will not have voted for what's being put to Parliament, the people must be given the final say."

Ms Dodds also said Wales has the expertise to be the "green energy technology hub" for the whole UK.

She was speaking ahead of the party's spring conference, which got underway in Cardiff on Saturday.

Ms Dodds became party leader in 2017 - taking over from former Ceredigion MP Mark Williams.

The party's only AM - Welsh Government Education Minister, Kirsty Williams - will also be speaking at the conference to announce an additional £3.4m to extend the Pupil Development Grant.

The grant helps families cover the costs of school uniforms and sports kits, as well as equipment for activities outside of school.

Eligible families of year seven pupils will receive £200, instead of the current £125.

She said: "Breaking the cycle of poverty and disadvantage is paramount, and at the heart of our national mission to raise standards for all our learners.

"The additional money announced today will mean that more learners will be eligible for funding, and more money will be available for parents of children transitioning from primary to secondary, which as we all know can be an expensive time"

The Lib Dems finished fifth in Thursday's Newport West Parliamentary by-election.

It was the former Lib Dem leader, Tim Farron who compared his party to cockroaches after a nuclear war, implying that however bad things get, the party always finds a way to survive.

That's always been true in the past of the Welsh Liberal Democrats and their predecessor parties who've been reduced to just one MP in Westminster on numerous occasions.

2017 though was the first election since the party was formed in 1859 when no representatives at all were returned to Westminster.

It's once formidable presence in local government has all but disappeared and the party's one representative in Cardiff Bay acts more or less in lockstep with Labour in return for a seat at the cabinet table.

Recovery isn't impossible, particularly in these febrile times.

However, there's precious little sign of it at the moment and the party's distinctive pro-European credentials don't appear to have attracted swathes of Remainers as they had hoped.

For now, the activists have little choice but to plod on, hoping that collapse of UKIP might open up some of the regional list seats in the 2021 assembly election.

A recall petition has opened to decide if a Tory MP convicted for a false expenses claim will keep his seat.

Chris Davies tried to split the cost of photographs between two office budgets by faking invoices , when he could have claimed the amount by other means. Brecon and Radnorshire voters wanting to sign the petition will be able to do so until Thursday 20 June in six locations in the constituency. A by-election will be held if 10% of the electorate - 5,303 voters - sign. Mr Davies would be able to contest a by-election, if one takes place. House of Commons Speaker John Bercow confirmed the recall petition last month , after Mr Davies was given a community order of 50 hours unpaid work and a £1,500 fine, at Southwark Crown Court. In a statement, Mr Davies has apologised to his constituents for "making such an error", saying he very much hopes to continue serving Brecon and Radnorshire. Constituents can sign the petition at venues in Llandrindod Wells, Brecon, Presteigne, Ysytradgynlais, Hay-on-Wye and Crickhowell. Apart from Spring Bank ...

Lib Dems Propose New Bill to Protect Welsh Farmers

The Liberal Democrats have proposed new legislation to protect Welsh farmers from being undercut by food trade deals that do not meet the UK’s environment and animal welfare standards. The plans, set out in a private member’s bill from Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Rural Affairs Tim Farron MP, would require the government’s Trade and Agriculture Commission to assess the impact of any new trade deal on UK farmers, and guarantee that MPs had the final say on trade deals initiated by the government. This would include an assessment of the impact of new trade deals on farming communities in each region and nation of the UK. Farron’s Bill comes after concern was raised by farmers unions and the Welsh Liberal Democrats that the Government’s new trade deal with Australia will not include a Welsh-specific impact assessment. Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds MS and Liberal Democrat Rural Affairs Spokesperson Tim Farron MP Commenting on his...

Significant Gaps Remain in Welsh Government Building Safety Announcement

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have welcomed progress announced today in the Welsh Government’s building safety announcement but have warned significant gaps remain. Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds MS and Cardiff Liberal Democrat Group Leader Cllr Rhys Taylor addressing building saftey campaigners. The announcement given by Environment Minister Julie James MS confirmed that 9 property developers have now signed up to the Welsh Government’s “Developers Pact” agreeing in theory their responsibility to remediate buildings they constructed with safety defects. The announcement follows a lengthy campaign by leaseholders in the five years since the Grenfell Tower Disaster. However, three major developers are still yet to reply. The Welsh Liberal Democrats have stated that due to the Welsh Government’s failure to work with the UK Government on the Building Safety Act, they are left with little to no options to deal with the property de...

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