Welsh Liberal blogs

Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader and MP for Brecon and Radnorshire Jane Dodds has today met with UK Government Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales Kevin Foster. Jane Dodds used the meeting to urge the UK Government to deliver a truly ambitious Growth Deal that transforms the Mid Wales economy. Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds MP said: The Welsh Liberal Democrats have consistently supported City and Growth Deals across Wales, and have long been clear that the Mid Wales Growth Deal must be just as ambitious as the deals secured for Cardiff and Swansea. We have the chance to truly transform transport and broadband across Mid Wales; whilst supporting and nurturing a thriving business community. This is an opportunity Mid Wales cannot afford to miss out on. I’m grateful to the UK Government for today’s meeting, I hope they will take my comments on board. I look forward to continue working with the UK Government to deliver the transformati

Diwali and the Hindu new year is a chance to embrace new beginnings and reflect on how we can make a positive impact in whatever environment, space and community we find ourselves in. Today, we join Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist and Jain communities to celebrate Diwali. Across the country, streets will come alive with dazzling light displays and homes will be adorned with extravagant decorations, all to mark the festival of lights. As families and loved ones gather to celebrate the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness, let us all hold on to Diwali’s central message of joy, community and new beginnings. Our country’s strength lies in the rich diversity of its people and it is our duty to create an environment where people of all faiths, beliefs and worldviews are welcomed and embraced. As we mark the Hindu New Year, let us take full advantage of the opportunity to embrace new beginnings and let us reflect on how we can make a positive impact in whatever environment,

Speaking in Parliament this morning Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds MP has called for greater action to tackle Bovine TB across farming communities in Wales. The debate this morning took place in Westminster Hall and was focused on the Government's policy on TB in cattle and badgers. Following the debate, Jane is seeking reassurances that action is being taken to draw up a long term plan outbreaks of the disease. Commenting she said: "Bovine TB still casts a dark shadow over affected farming communities, with 12,000 cattle slaughtered in Wales alone last year. "There are over 250,000 dairy cows across Wales and they form a key backbone of our agricultural economy. With more than 700 new cases of TB in herds last year alone we need to ensure we're doing everything we can to control this deadly disease. “I agree with NFU Cymru that we must use all the tools in our toolbox to tackle Bovine TB, including greater levels of vacc

Welsh Liberal Democrats have welcomed the publication of the Homelessness Action Group’s report Preventing rough sleeping in Wales and reducing it in the short-term. The report recommends ways to reduce the number of people sleeping rough this winter; alongside outlining potential ways to end rough sleeping in the long term. The Homelessness Action Group includes homelessness charities, local authorities, police forces, health boards, local government, housing associations, representative bodies and academics. Welsh Liberal Democrat Housing Spokesperson Cllr Joe Carter commented: I welcome this first report by the Homelessness Action Group. This informed report sets out steps policymakers must take to help create a Wales where no-one need sleep rough. It is time we took a more compassionate and evidence-based approach to rough sleeping. The UK Government must start by repealing the cruel and outdated Vagrancy Act. We’re proud Lib Dem MP Layla Moran has led

Hear why the Liberal Democrats will not be voting for the speech Today, Her Majesty The Queen opened the new parliamentary session. But we have exactly the same problems as we did in the last session: a government with no majority, no leadership and no realistic plan for our country . I used my speech in Parliament today to give a warning to my fellow MPs. Here's my speech in full: On behalf of my colleagues on these ever-expanding Liberal Democrat benches, I’d like to pay tribute to the mover and seconder of the Humble Address. Their wit and good humour have brought us all some light relief at this time of crisis. The Honourable Member for Truro and Falmouth is a well-respected former Minister, who is liked on all sides of the House for the way she genuinely engages with everyone. I understand that she was also Head Girl at school, graduated with a history degree from King's College London and then a masters as a Rotary Scholar. So some might call her a girly sw

On the 29th of April 2019 we became one of the first nations in the UK to declare a climate emergency. We were already doing some great things with 100 actions in our plan, including: accelerating the deployment of renewable energy   making our homes more energy efficient and reducing fuel poverty  transforming Wales into one of the top three recycling nations in the world. planting over 800,000 trees, and  and creating more than 840 free water refill stations But we all agree that we can and need to do more. Since we declared a climate emergency, we’ve been talking to groups such as Extinction Rebellion, agencies like your local councils and Natural Resources Wales, and you, the public, about the next steps we should take to create a better future for our planet. Here are the top 8 things we’re doing to tackle the climate emergency in Wales: Setting ambitious targets to cut carbon emissions . We’re raising our ca

Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds has rejected Boris Johnson’s proposal for the post-Brexit Irish border, calling it an unworkable proposal that is designed to fail. Alliance Party Leader Naomi Long MEP has said the UK Government proposals to offer “two borders for four years” as an alternative to the backstop are “in no way serious.” Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds MP commented: Boris Johnson’s proposals for the Irish border are clearly unworkable because they are designed to be unworkable. Johnson knows his proposals will be rejected by Parliament and by the EU. He is simply looking for an excuse to pursue the catastrophic no deal Brexit he really wants. Welsh Liberal Democrats will oppose these damaging proposals that would threaten the Northern Irish peace process and impose a hard Brexit on the entire UK. We will continue to fight to give the people the final say and the opportunity to stop Brexit. Naomi Long MEP added: This propo

Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader and MP for Brecon and Radnorshire Jane Dodds has called the UK Government’s £55m funding for the Mid Wales Growth Deal insulting.Mid Wales Growth Deal funding insulting Secretary of State for Wales Alun Cairns used his speech to Conservative Party Conference in Manchester to announce £55m of funding for the Mid Wales Growth Deal over 15 years. The UK Government are contributing £500m to the Cardiff Capital Region City Deal and £241m to the Swansea Bay City Deal. Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds MP commented: Alun Cairns’ announcement shows that, under this Conservative Government, Mid-Wales will never get the funding we truly need. The £55m promised is frankly insulting. Not only is it nowhere near enough, it is a fraction of the funding being provided for the Cardiff and Swansea City Deals. Our rural communities have been let down and forgotten about for far too long. What’s more, they will be some of the harde