tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64066456522334511792024-02-21T02:03:54.128+00:00Welsh Liberal blogsDemand Better for WalesAndy Peacockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09219161903981802835noreply@blogger.comBlogger286125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406645652233451179.post-78620063890498963832022-10-17T17:30:00.014+01:002022-10-23T02:33:46.255+01:00Jeremy Hunt’s Financial Statement Offers Only Uncertainty for Welsh Families<p> <b>Commenting on Jeremy Hunt’s shock economic intervention Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds MS said:</b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i> </i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi417cu1HPl9fBKJ-5oL2QDoGd2u29fmkxGQ8Y7ezPCiN-NJUNQ3zPxHhtKo-62bGhFdRzkTlvgYuO2bjwSrvbFvGTmfcgUtVxQbJZkRl8omPjXW2eGWU9Ht6OsmcP-YlaYYhzN6-GNsCxzDh7tjFS0NJKCyXnQZnaitEApvP6t8Xhx1lZoU8a10Zb14g/s634/58961289-0-image-a-33_1654983499091.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="498" data-original-width="634" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi417cu1HPl9fBKJ-5oL2QDoGd2u29fmkxGQ8Y7ezPCiN-NJUNQ3zPxHhtKo-62bGhFdRzkTlvgYuO2bjwSrvbFvGTmfcgUtVxQbJZkRl8omPjXW2eGWU9Ht6OsmcP-YlaYYhzN6-GNsCxzDh7tjFS0NJKCyXnQZnaitEApvP6t8Xhx1lZoU8a10Zb14g/s320/58961289-0-image-a-33_1654983499091.jpg" width="320" /></a></i></div><i><br /></i><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><br /></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“Hunt’s statement points to the despicable damage that
the Conservatives continue to wreck on households, businesses and individuals.
All his statement today has done is cause wider uncertainty for households and
the businesses sector.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><o:p> </o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“The Conservatives are trashing the economy with every
day that passes and creating havoc for peoples’ mortgages. Now they are
planning to inflict even more suffering by raising energy bills, hiking taxes
and slashing crucial public services. These service cuts will see knock-on
effects to the Welsh Government as budgets for key departments like education
and health may be squeezed even tighter.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><o:p> </o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“What’s worst is they are still determined to protect oil
and gas giants from a proper windfall tax and they are still cutting taxes for
the big banks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><o:p> </o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“Truss and Kwarteng are symptoms of a wider problem. This
entire Conservative party is out of touch. That’s why we need a General
Election to remove them from power and put an end to this devastating crisis.”<o:p></o:p></i></p>Andy Peacockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09219161903981802835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406645652233451179.post-59285331553529863272022-10-08T01:51:00.004+01:002022-10-21T01:49:53.034+01:00Welsh Lamb Exports to the US Welcome - But the Conservatives Are Paving Over Other Cracks<p> <b>Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds MS.</b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh498XSklPcF4JNFISBvyzRw8HqoAvvFt1MWS5WXuKo9fOS4Xg9KPUtYq93VQOZftSTE5EW4QtDs8pv2Ikttd--5ZbfpPS9d9-uFLmJQ3NJs2MH1SN-mBVnAkbOgqzNbbJ2rFtvhToSwshccX8qEMC5r7YyouQ98YGkiOmBKJoMp6KIB39dWRJRAK5l_Q/s1200/349507374.gallery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh498XSklPcF4JNFISBvyzRw8HqoAvvFt1MWS5WXuKo9fOS4Xg9KPUtYq93VQOZftSTE5EW4QtDs8pv2Ikttd--5ZbfpPS9d9-uFLmJQ3NJs2MH1SN-mBVnAkbOgqzNbbJ2rFtvhToSwshccX8qEMC5r7YyouQ98YGkiOmBKJoMp6KIB39dWRJRAK5l_Q/s320/349507374.gallery.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><i>"While we will of course always welcome more export
opportunities for our fantastic Welsh produce, Liz Truss and the Conservatives
are trying to plaster over the cracks regarding the damage they have already
done to the Welsh farming sector.</i><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><o:p> </o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>"That is that they sold out Welsh farmers for cheap
trade deals with Australia and New Zealand for nothing in return. This was
spearheaded by Liz Truss despite Australian commentators even being in
disbelief about how lopsided the deals were.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><o:p> </o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“Tariff free access by New Zealand in particular poses a
direct threat to the survival of the Welsh lamb industry and the communities it
supports, including Welsh language communities. <o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><o:p> </o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>"If Liz Truss was supportive of such poor trade
deals already, it does beg the question how much more damage she could do to
the sector as the UK seeks revised trading arrangements with the likes of the
US, Argentina and Brazil.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><o:p> </o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“This is of course on top of extra red tape and costs
already burdened on our farmers as a result of the Conservatives flawed Brexit
deal.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><o:p> </o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“The Conservatives must stop taking rural communities and
farmers for granted and fix the flaws in their agricultural and rural policies
and ensure future trade deals don’t sell our farmers down the river yet again.”<o:p></o:p></i></p>Andy Peacockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09219161903981802835noreply@blogger.com0Wales, UK52.1306607 -3.783711723.820426863821154 -38.9399617 80.440894536178845 31.3725383tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406645652233451179.post-89648759703872504432022-10-07T12:21:00.003+01:002022-10-08T23:49:10.511+01:00Significant Gaps Remain in Welsh Government Building Safety Announcement<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhukyZ40SzjmFpu8m4qLuwOqcX2N2hUqlhQVgnWhzXLsRG8l472U3lc9AG6Hcuj0eEecSWVTCYQGyA3oyM3B6oyu5t38trhIwcGeyUbZN3QltgX_zL0OJtRAT2gjIXR31oVRpu_v_LaHt1CJp6qertWKu8cY2QhFi2kLBM0tGyEZdnACgi325ouiL9YTQ/s1200/CLADDING_TOWER_BLOCK_1200px_GETTY_MIN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhukyZ40SzjmFpu8m4qLuwOqcX2N2hUqlhQVgnWhzXLsRG8l472U3lc9AG6Hcuj0eEecSWVTCYQGyA3oyM3B6oyu5t38trhIwcGeyUbZN3QltgX_zL0OJtRAT2gjIXR31oVRpu_v_LaHt1CJp6qertWKu8cY2QhFi2kLBM0tGyEZdnACgi325ouiL9YTQ/s320/CLADDING_TOWER_BLOCK_1200px_GETTY_MIN.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The Welsh Liberal Democrats have welcomed progress announced
today in the Welsh Government’s building safety announcement but have warned
significant gaps remain.</div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds MS and Cardiff
Liberal Democrat Group Leader Cllr Rhys Taylor addressing building saftey
campaigners.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">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.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The announcement follows a lengthy campaign by leaseholders
in the five years since the Grenfell Tower Disaster.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">However, three major developers are still yet to reply.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">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
developers who have refused to come to the table and sign up to the agreement
meaning that it could be another three years until the equivalent legislation
comes into effect.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It is also not clear from the Welsh Government’s
announcement whether they intend to adopt the UK Government Building Safety Act
in full or move ahead with their own act.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Commenting Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds MS
said:<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“I am of course glad to finally see some movement from
Labour on this issue. I particularly welcome that the Welsh Government has
listened to the Liberal Democrats calls to name and shame the property
developers for not agreeing to carry out remediation work and to reimburse
survey work carried out by leaseholders which is something we had really been
pushing for.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><o:p> </o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“However there remain a number of significant gaps in the
announcement today. Due to the lack of legislation in Wales, those homeowners
in properties that were built by property developers refusing to engage with
the process are effectively being asked to sit tight and wait after 5 years of
already doing just that. <o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><o:p> </o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“As an interim measure, we would like to see the three
developers refusing to engage barred from any work contracted by the Welsh
Government or local authorities in Wales.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><o:p> </o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“We also don’t have an answer to what will be done about
all the money victims have had to spend on waking watches, extortionate service
charges and in many cases court cases against developers over the last few
years while the Welsh Government failed to act. We want to see this reimbursed.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><o:p> </o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“Overall communication from the Welsh Government to the
victims continues to be extremely poor. Victims and managing agents have spent
the morning finding out by drip feed from the Welsh Government press releases
rather than the Welsh Government engaging with them directly. This has been a
feature throughout the ordeal, with the Welsh Government not engaging directly
with victims or including them in discussions about resolutions.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><o:p> </o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“I and the Welsh Liberal Democrats are committed to
securing the answers to the questions left by today’s announcement and will
keep holding Labour to account to ensure victims of this scandal receive the
justice they deserve.”<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">ENDS<o:p></o:p></p><br /><br />Andy Peacockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09219161903981802835noreply@blogger.com0Wales, UK52.1306607 -3.783711723.820426863821154 -38.9399617 80.440894536178845 31.3725383tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406645652233451179.post-17735223499515560542022-09-20T18:30:00.002+01:002022-09-23T02:03:36.181+01:00Calls for Labour to Go Further on War on Plastic<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFtthXs17OWwDvg1XmNXj9Yw1T8bHSXQYI0btUNTOhMTkE03cf80qwMpYFwTU9gZFvfgfMiUUPzyafPKIuFDjz0dblVD1f8m7sR9-Wig50PORYe3Ui-Gm-mXx2FHCO0Y3vLPSx1IxIKkmb0QmrAy_mRCEC3a4IQZNUiuguhQLKe65_wj90sN-3qaD8JQ/s600/R.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="330" data-original-width="600" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFtthXs17OWwDvg1XmNXj9Yw1T8bHSXQYI0btUNTOhMTkE03cf80qwMpYFwTU9gZFvfgfMiUUPzyafPKIuFDjz0dblVD1f8m7sR9-Wig50PORYe3Ui-Gm-mXx2FHCO0Y3vLPSx1IxIKkmb0QmrAy_mRCEC3a4IQZNUiuguhQLKe65_wj90sN-3qaD8JQ/s320/R.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">The Welsh Liberal Democrats have called on Welsh Labour to
be more ambitious in its war on plastic and introduce a bottle deposit scheme
in Wales.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">While welcoming the long-delayed plans to ban single-use carrier
bags and plastic drinking straws in Wales, the Welsh Liberal Democrats said
there was more to be done.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Under legislation introduced today, single-use carrier bags,
plastic drinking straws, plastic plates, cutlery, stirrers and cotton buds
would all be banned under the proposed new law.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Research from Wrap Cymru estimates that 400,000 tonnes of
plastic waste are generated in Wales each year, with 67 per cent of that waste
being packaging. Another report by the Marine Conservation Society found that
there were 29 drinks containers for every 100 meters of beach in Wales.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A Deposit Return Scheme, also known as a bottle deposit
scheme, encourages people to recycle drinks containers such as plastic or glass
bottles. People pay a small deposit for the container which is paid back when
it is returned to a collection point. In Norway, the scheme has led to 95 per
cent of bottles being recycled.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The UK Government is currently devising its own bottle deposit
scheme, but the scheme has faced severe delays prompting the Welsh Liberal
Democrats to call for Wales to copy Scotland and go ahead with its own scheme.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Conservatives first announced they would seek to
introduce a UK-wide deposit scheme in 2018, but earlier this year quietly
pushed back the project to “2024 at the very earliest”.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Commenting Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds MS said:</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><o:p> </o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“The plans to ban single use plastics outlined today are
positive even if delayed and will have our support. However, we are calling on
Labour to continue the war on plastic to protect the Welsh countryside, its
waters and wildlife by introducing its own deposit return scheme. The continued
delays at Westminster only serve to demonstrate tackling plastic pollution is
not high on the Conservatives agenda.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><o:p> </o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“Not only have Conservative plans been delayed, but
Wildlife and Countryside Link have published a report showing that the plans
look set to be watered down substantially, placing limits on size and potentially
excluding glass products.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><o:p> </o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“We already know such a scheme would have widespread
public support, with a survey by YouGov & the Countryside Charity finding
that 76 per cent of British public support the scheme for plastic and glass
drinks bottles and aluminium cans.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><o:p> </o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“The Welsh Liberal Democrats have always been the most
environmentally aware of the Welsh political parties and action to protect our
wildlife, waters and countryside is at the heart of what we are fighting for.
We are calling on Welsh Labour to match our ambition, we simply cannot afford
to wait for the Conservatives delayed plans.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><o:p> </o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“Scotland has already moved ahead with its own scheme
which will be operational by next summer, there is no reason why we in Wales
cannot do the same.”<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>Andy Peacockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09219161903981802835noreply@blogger.com0Wales, UK52.1306607 -3.783711723.820426863821154 -38.9399617 80.440894536178845 31.3725383tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406645652233451179.post-43643278544092447622022-09-09T11:00:00.001+01:002022-09-16T23:39:00.231+01:00Ed Davey pays tribute to Her Majesty The Queen in Parliament <p> Ed Davey, Leader of the Liberal Democrats, paid tribute to Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in Parliament.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinUiEz32OIlcpxo2DE9YYrt4mfRr7y4DRv2_VmW79APJD9HtZgQmZSQQ3izmkEg5IPG3i5YZ548n4rdoRJkjF0XUOis1612anUn1dwRDCJCU1opvyiePLppu4US7Kzgs5cvEy5BIcjbIalPSVM5LzOSZFO5QovgXYUJYSNZzPkPTVl1-l-Cf9gjZI4aA/s291/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="173" data-original-width="291" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinUiEz32OIlcpxo2DE9YYrt4mfRr7y4DRv2_VmW79APJD9HtZgQmZSQQ3izmkEg5IPG3i5YZ548n4rdoRJkjF0XUOis1612anUn1dwRDCJCU1opvyiePLppu4US7Kzgs5cvEy5BIcjbIalPSVM5LzOSZFO5QovgXYUJYSNZzPkPTVl1-l-Cf9gjZI4aA/s1600/download.jpg" width="291" /></a></div><br /><p><i>The deep mourning across the country now – just like the
celebrations of her Jubilee a few months ago – comes not from a sense of duty,
but from genuine and heartfelt affection, love and admiration of Her Majesty.
It's not because we were her subjects, but because she was truly our Queen.
What she meant to us is perhaps best summed up by a phrase on so many people’s
lips over the last twenty-four hours:</i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><i> </i></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“I can’t imagine our country without her.”<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><i> </i></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>For almost everyone in the country, she has been there our
whole lives. At times of national grief and national jubilation, she has never
not been there for us. So it is hard to accept that she is gone. And hard to
see how we go on without her.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><i> </i></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>But we will. Our great United Kingdom has a great future –
because The Queen’s spirit of strength, grace and resolve lives on in her people.
One of the greatest privileges of being a Member of this House was the chance
to meet Her Majesty. Like when she visited Kingston on the occasion of her
Golden Jubilee.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><i> </i></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Or when I was deeply privileged to sit next to her at lunch
at Windsor Castle. I was initially confused by a silver cylinder beside her
place setting. I wondered to myself what treasures it might hold. I had my
suspicions when, as dessert was served, her beloved Corgis were let in, and
nestled themselves around her feet. And the Queen lifted up the lid of the
cylinder, plucked out some digestive biscuits, and began sneaking them to her
grateful dogs.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><i> </i></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Whenever I met her, I was struck by her warmth, her wisdom,
and her humour. And I’m looking forward to hearing similar stories from other
Honourable and Right Honourable Members as they give glimpses of the wonderful
person beneath the Crown. <o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><i> </i></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Her Majesty will be remembered with honour, as the monarch
who guided our country out of the shadow of a terrible war. Who helmed us
calmly through troubled waters. And brought us safely into a new millennium.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><i> </i></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>And she will be remembered so fondly. As the monarch who
leapt from a helicopter with James Bond. And showed Paddington where she kept
her marmalade sandwiches. <o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><i> </i></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>And, for the Royal Family, she will be remembered simply as
a beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Our thoughts, prayers and
condolences are with them all as they bear this terrible loss.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><i> </i></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>After a lifetime of dedicated and tireless service to our
country and our Commonwealth, Her Majesty has gone to her eternal rest.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><i> </i></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>May God rest her soul. And may God save the King.</i><o:p></o:p></p>Andy Peacockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09219161903981802835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406645652233451179.post-21123956505454882172022-08-30T20:00:00.002+01:002022-09-12T01:42:24.139+01:00Tributes to Former Welsh Assembly Member Mick Bates<p><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZOgPL5EbCfBCuzaNYO30yLsgaWDSvOzaEdbTCDklnpNXvZ-Jaw7VlvU3yMvwRC3FLXJDhwPpHaFO4SlVgc8mTG7isJn6mRIR7fT2GdqpyMp-HPLanaF-zYuPLpZr9H_3af1cLb_ZMn1mt-Aww2Uvt03wrqJO07wCOtvR4Cos2YqClRo0lRIHkFd-3aA/s1080/RIP_mick_bates.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZOgPL5EbCfBCuzaNYO30yLsgaWDSvOzaEdbTCDklnpNXvZ-Jaw7VlvU3yMvwRC3FLXJDhwPpHaFO4SlVgc8mTG7isJn6mRIR7fT2GdqpyMp-HPLanaF-zYuPLpZr9H_3af1cLb_ZMn1mt-Aww2Uvt03wrqJO07wCOtvR4Cos2YqClRo0lRIHkFd-3aA/s320/RIP_mick_bates.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Welsh Liberal Democrats have paid tribute to former
Welsh Assembly Member Mick Bates following the news that he has passed away
following a battle with cancer.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Mick Bates was elected as the Liberal Democrat member for
Montgomeryshire constituency in the inaugural Welsh Assembly elections in 1999
and continued to serve as its member until 2011.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Prior to becoming the Assembly Member for Montgomeryshire
Mick had worked as a teacher, as a farmer and as a Liberal Democrat County
Councillor.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Mick was well known for being a tireless campaigner for
rural communities, but also for being decades ahead of his time on the need to
tackle climate change advocating for action to save the environment years
before it entered the political mainstream.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As a County Councillor, he started a community regeneration
scheme as Chairman of the Llanfair Town Forum, which successfully obtained
Market Towns Initiative status. He also produced and presented the Radio
Maldwyn farming programme and organised a scheme for students to visit farms
alongside helping to found Montgomeryshire Rural Enterprises in 1997.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">While a Member of the Welsh Assembly, Mick campaigned for
extra money for rural schools helping establish a small schools fund and fought
for better infrastructure in Mid Wales having been a major driving force behind
getting the Newtown Bypass built.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Mick also designed the unique concept of Farming Connect, a
free business advisory service to help farmers throughout Wales. During his
time as an Assembly Member, he also helped found the cross-party National
Assembly Sustainable Energy Group (NASEG) which sought to promote the
development of a sustainable energy industry in Wales.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader and current Senedd Member Jane
Dodds paid tribute to Mick stating:</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“<i>Mick was one of the most welcoming and kindest people I
knew.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><i> </i></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“When I first arrived in Welshpool nearly ten years ago, he
was so generous with his time with me.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><i> </i></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“His knowledge of the issues affecting his beloved
Montgomeryshire was endless. He was one of a kind - there will never be another
Mick Bates.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><i> </i></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Buddug, his
children Ruth and Daniel, and his five wonderful grandchildren alongside the
rest of his family and friends.”<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><i> </i></o:p></p>Andy Peacockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09219161903981802835noreply@blogger.com0Wales, UK52.1306607 -3.783711723.820426863821154 -38.9399617 80.440894536178845 31.3725383tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406645652233451179.post-16865683147704327722022-08-04T12:30:00.004+01:002022-09-04T02:57:26.057+01:00Wales Hosepipe Ban – Criticism of Welsh Water Over Large Bonuses While Infrastructure Creaks<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnat9zwqWmSeJiLTDO_T0naLE2ZRSCStw1BX-fYaCkDiKuBd9UKKV8F2uZ9II7fHHJO3Nr962eyUgblkhwApB6WHVnKCUZLVKlfIOGz5aUmHYXtRngQbUiTp1TEKJSwydTGnvLpnj8QF17gA2TYGsMMgJqdCKRFqDiZYXQn-z-ClOHGHr06W645ncYqA/s640/SEI_119081714.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnat9zwqWmSeJiLTDO_T0naLE2ZRSCStw1BX-fYaCkDiKuBd9UKKV8F2uZ9II7fHHJO3Nr962eyUgblkhwApB6WHVnKCUZLVKlfIOGz5aUmHYXtRngQbUiTp1TEKJSwydTGnvLpnj8QF17gA2TYGsMMgJqdCKRFqDiZYXQn-z-ClOHGHr06W645ncYqA/s320/SEI_119081714.webp" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">Following the news that people in some areas of Wales could
face a hosepipe ban this summer, the Welsh Liberal Democrats have criticised
Welsh Water for paying large bonuses to its bosses while infrastructure creaks.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Data from Ofwat, the Water Services Regulation Authority,
showed that 169.9 megalitres/day were being wasted through leakage in Welsh
Water’s network during 2020-21. The company also failed to meet its Per capita
consumption (PCC) targets which are designed to push for less water to be taken
from the environment.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Welsh Liberal Democrats say that their analysis of
Company House data shows that executives at Dŵr Cymru were paid £2.6 million in
2020 and 2021 including £931,000 in bonuses, benefits and inc<o:p></o:p>entives.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Commenting Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds said:</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">"<i>We cannot control the hot and dry weather, but we can
control wastage through outdated or poorly-maintained infrastructure.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><i> </i></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“Welsh Water brands itself as “not for profit”, yet we see
them paying their executives eye-watering bonuses while their infrastructure is
in desperate need of upgrades and they continue to pump raw sewage into our
rivers.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><i> </i></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“Bonuses are meant to reward outstanding behaviour, yet the
record of Welsh Water is far from outstanding.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><i> </i></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“From leaking pipes to sewage overflows, it is time Welsh
Water put our environment and the public ahead of profit. I hope this summer’s
drought is a wake-up call for both the Government in Cardiff Bay and
Westminster to get tougher on water companies.”</i><o:p></o:p></p><br /><p></p>Andy Peacockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09219161903981802835noreply@blogger.com0Wales, UK52.1306607 -3.783711723.820426863821154 -38.9399617 80.440894536178845 31.3725383tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406645652233451179.post-57854479276501222932022-05-31T15:49:00.001+01:002022-06-04T23:20:56.723+01:00Welsh Lib Dems Call for Travel Assurances Over Jubilee Bank Holiday<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxKZoGfMKTke4A_154VOD7el58BWWLAqsuSUyy5wF1tiGYEwIFTLItZdh59RbNfOoK_uoKQLABbLN1CxKhcU0n0ihToUhPHSfddKPeAYf2s_TkpcipY7J3Occzwq-gsbf570ALE1n5zDipSHyWYCwF2yeXWpcqu3522yE5a-cAgJBSzgR2Y13n2Fj9Cw/s2000/IMG_0370.JPG%20new%20site%20.png.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="2000" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxKZoGfMKTke4A_154VOD7el58BWWLAqsuSUyy5wF1tiGYEwIFTLItZdh59RbNfOoK_uoKQLABbLN1CxKhcU0n0ihToUhPHSfddKPeAYf2s_TkpcipY7J3Occzwq-gsbf570ALE1n5zDipSHyWYCwF2yeXWpcqu3522yE5a-cAgJBSzgR2Y13n2Fj9Cw/s320/IMG_0370.JPG%20new%20site%20.png.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">The Welsh Liberal Democrats have called on Deputy Minister
Lee Waters to offer the public assurances that public transport and air
services across Wales will operate smoothly during this weekend’s Queen's
Platinum Jubilee bank holiday.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The concerns come as Transport for Wales warned of potential
disruption to services due to high demand. Cardiff airport has also reported
large delays over recent days with some passengers having to wait more than 40
hours to board their flight.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A number of large events are taking place over the weekend
in addition to local street parties and celebrations including the “In It
Together” music festival in Port Talbot, concerts in Swansea and Cardiff, Joe
Cordina’s world title fight at the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff and the Wales
men’s football team’s crucial World Cup play-off match at the Cardiff City
Stadium.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Warm weather on the Saturday is also expected to bring
visitors to the coast placing pressure on the Cambrian Line and North Wales
Coast Line in addition to local transport infrastructure in the Brecon Beacons
and Snowdonia National Parks.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Commenting Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds MS
said:<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p><i>“We need to see an urgent update from Lee Waters on plans
to ensure Wales’ public transport system copes during the coming days. We have
already seen widespread disruption in Cardiff last week and ongoing problems at
Cardiff Airport for the past two weeks.</i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><o:p> </o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“Lee Waters should issue an urgent update ahead of the
bank holiday weekend setting out what has been done to prepare for this
weekend, what measures have been put in place to mitigate any adverse travel
conditions and to give travellers an honest idea of what to expect.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><o:p> </o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“We need reassurances that the Welsh Government is taking
proactive measures to save families from yet more travel carnage.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><o:p> </o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“The Government have had months to prepare for this
weekend, if it does indeed end in large-scale travel disruption Labour must be
prepared to face scrutiny about their lack of preparedness for the Jubilee Bank
Holiday logjam.”<o:p></o:p></i></p>Andy Peacockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09219161903981802835noreply@blogger.com0Wales, UK52.1306607 -3.783711723.820426863821154 -38.9399617 80.440894536178845 31.3725383tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406645652233451179.post-56655392803712443972022-04-28T00:28:00.002+01:002022-05-11T00:35:28.927+01:00 Lib Dems Demands Rural Cost of Living Rescue Package Including Heating Oil Price Cap<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX9L5KRJXQ9L5ZANwtIuhhAmDsVYF0ZfzOHZZBzc23kTxMjLh0ZQ8LRdqD00Z_R9BOyNpdUzBWybf18IEcNLxM1rLCRuJ819jJz-szX9i_2t4Uk7HzJNyueQ5FMaa-excUoAj3RJV2nStgK3WnS-8sbCe7bmL1-Gck7Qpkj_WDIhfH_72shygqWWqmyw/s1000/jane-dodds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="676" data-original-width="1000" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX9L5KRJXQ9L5ZANwtIuhhAmDsVYF0ZfzOHZZBzc23kTxMjLh0ZQ8LRdqD00Z_R9BOyNpdUzBWybf18IEcNLxM1rLCRuJ819jJz-szX9i_2t4Uk7HzJNyueQ5FMaa-excUoAj3RJV2nStgK3WnS-8sbCe7bmL1-Gck7Qpkj_WDIhfH_72shygqWWqmyw/s320/jane-dodds.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Welsh Lib Dems call for rescue package for struggling
families in rural areas<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Conservatives are accused of leaving rural communities “out
in the cold” after refusing to cap the price of heating oil.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">10/13 of the seats the Welsh Conservatives hold at a
Westminster level are rural in nature alongside 7/8 of the constituency Senedd
seats they hold.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Ceredigion, Powys, Ynys Mon, Gwynedd, Carmarthenshire,
Pembrokeshire and Monmouthshire are most reliant on heating oil.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Welsh Liberal Democrats have demanded a rural cost of
living rescue package, including a cap on heating oil prices to help struggling
families off the gas grid. The party warned that the Conservatives are leaving
rural communities “out in the cold” by refusing to help with soaring bills.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The rural cost of living rescue package would include a cap
on heating oil costs to support the estimated 243,100 Welsh properties off the
gas grid and bring in an emergency tax cut slashing VAT from 20% to 17.5%,
saving families an average of £600 each. The VAT cut would save a motorist £48
a year on filling up their car.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Conservative government has refused to cap prices for
heating oil, leaving consumers vulnerable to soaring prices. In response to a
recent parliamentary question, a Conservative minister said: “A price cap is
not necessary as consumers can shop around and switch suppliers more easily
than for gas and electricity.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Prices of heating oil have more than doubled since August
2021. It means the cost of heating oil for the average household is expected to
soar by between £700 to £1,700 this year.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds is calling for an
energy price cap for heating oil to help families in rural areas struggling to
get by. Under the party’s proposals, the UK Government would step in to cover
the cost if oil goes above the set price, protecting families from soaring
prices and preventing small business suppliers from going bust. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Analysis by the Welsh Liberal Democrats has revealed five
out of six of the areas most dependent most reliant on heating oil fall within
the Senedd region of Mid & West Wales. Ceredigion has the highest
proportion, where just over 35% of homes use heating oil, followed by Powys
(29.5%) and Ynys Mon (20%). Other hard-hit areas include Carmarthenshire (24%),
Pembrokeshire (22.7%), Gwynedd (15%) and Monmouthshire (12%).<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>It comes as the outgoing Deputy President of the National
Farmers Union of England, Stuart Robert announced he has joined the Liberal
Democrats, warning that the Conservatives are letting down farmers and rural
communities.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds said:</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p><i>“This Conservative government is leaving rural
communities out in the cold through their stubborn refusal to help those facing
soaring heating bills.</i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><o:p> </o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“People are being plunged into fuel poverty but instead
of helping, the Conservatives are raising unfair taxes again and again.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><o:p> </o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“The Welsh Liberal Democrats are demanding a rescue
package for rural areas, through a cap on heating oil prices and an emergency
tax cut to save struggling families six hundred pounds.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><o:p> </o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“Next week’s local elections are a chance to send Boris
Johnson a message that people in rural areas are fed up of being taken for
granted. Every vote for the Welsh Liberal Democrats will help elect a strong
local champion who will fight for a fair deal for their community.”<o:p></o:p></i></p>Andy Peacockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09219161903981802835noreply@blogger.com0Wales, UK52.1306607 -3.783711723.820426863821154 -38.9399617 80.440894536178845 31.3725383tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406645652233451179.post-4662859494375585032022-04-04T01:38:00.017+01:002022-04-11T23:52:29.861+01:00 Welsh Liberal Democrats Object to a Single Welsh Police Force<p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguDqVN56wq5YqE8_AG46UM8Md5BcmizoCTAXNTCDEABsvhJX-ZV5UWDUIm-bh2oL-ZXTvF4dk4yBbV14srU5cU3VDatkfRorEPmx6d61_SvqgBhJ2h4QB6gF9laZDGgFyonSkhA18-kkgsBZchmezlqOBUc4jTB6CIxICrNioUEzEBYMrK8WJvDfM12g/s615/2_rbp_mai301118police3419JPG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="409" data-original-width="615" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguDqVN56wq5YqE8_AG46UM8Md5BcmizoCTAXNTCDEABsvhJX-ZV5UWDUIm-bh2oL-ZXTvF4dk4yBbV14srU5cU3VDatkfRorEPmx6d61_SvqgBhJ2h4QB6gF9laZDGgFyonSkhA18-kkgsBZchmezlqOBUc4jTB6CIxICrNioUEzEBYMrK8WJvDfM12g/s320/2_rbp_mai301118police3419JPG.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>The Welsh Liberal Democrats have objected to calls for Wales
to have a single police force, stating it has had a negative impact on policing
in Scotland and will see policing further removed from the community.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>ommenting Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds MS
said:<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p><i>“We need our public services brought closer to the
communities they serve, not the opposite. Police centralisation in Scotland has
caused huge problems over recent years, proving expensive and ineffective.</i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><o:p> </o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“The different regions of Wales face very different
challenges when it comes to policing, they have different needs and
expectations and require varying types of support. While Dyfed Powys police has
a specialisation in rural crime, South Wales police does not.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><o:p> </o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“Centralising our police forces will only further remove
them from the communities they serve. Again in Scotland, the number of special
constables dropped by two thirds following centralisation.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><o:p> </o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“Policing must be kept local, accountable and embedded in
communities.”<o:p></o:p></i></p>Andy Peacockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09219161903981802835noreply@blogger.com0Wales, UK52.1306607 -3.783711723.820426863821154 -38.9399617 80.440894536178845 31.3725383tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406645652233451179.post-76978317234020202182022-03-30T21:13:00.001+01:002022-04-07T21:16:49.639+01:00Black Alert Raises Serious Concerns Over the State of the Welsh NHS<p>rresponding to the news that Aneurin Bevan University Health
Board has declared a ‘black alert’, the Welsh Liberal Democrats have stated the
Welsh Government must make getting to grips with the crisis in Welsh healthcare
its top priority.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-nRBnf5jgowMvRQEvw6dfdC3dNLvUOR53qb0PwkLlyMswVv_oEBgR21bWWlp-KRiTaoA7CFIL_3bQfUA_cKNunrgw4TQpECV38K-y_ByJIsx9-12yhek8le7Km_O41DgggavcO_jpicQYVl0YjmrLsQxTZrXcLp4i9NiTvF35EybRyf6l4JAfdehRRg/s976/_120668599_grangehospital2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="549" data-original-width="976" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-nRBnf5jgowMvRQEvw6dfdC3dNLvUOR53qb0PwkLlyMswVv_oEBgR21bWWlp-KRiTaoA7CFIL_3bQfUA_cKNunrgw4TQpECV38K-y_ByJIsx9-12yhek8le7Km_O41DgggavcO_jpicQYVl0YjmrLsQxTZrXcLp4i9NiTvF35EybRyf6l4JAfdehRRg/s320/_120668599_grangehospital2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><b>Commenting Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds MS said:</b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“This news is extremely concerning, black alerts are always
serious but this has happened on a weekday night, typically a time of lower
demand.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><i> </i></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“Our NHS staff are working their absolute hardest to provide
the care people deserve, but the Welsh Labour Government has so far failed to
get to grips with this crisis.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><i> </i></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“We know COVID has added sustained pressure to the
healthcare system in recent years, not least with large backlogs but A&E
services have been struggling for the best part of a decade.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><i> </i></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“Labour must make reforming and fixing A&E services
their absolute priority and of course, improve health care services at a local
level which would go a long way in preventing these sort of crisis points we
see in A&E departments.”</i><o:p></o:p></p>Andy Peacockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09219161903981802835noreply@blogger.com0Wales, UK52.1306607 -3.783711723.820426863821154 -38.9399617 80.440894536178845 31.3725383tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406645652233451179.post-72751834858131425562022-03-29T21:29:00.010+01:002022-03-29T21:30:20.350+01:00Questions Remain Over Welsh Cladding Scandal<p> </p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8LIiHI7wAWo9XJc58FLqyXJuVpBO5T9MlC1s6pwpsb_jQo9kJ4CaqdXz0HG0sz8UYX1CmWlxcW2qqJW7ihU5Is3uaRIKUdAmeP_K76-hOHYUtFXSpSjXMraduJ3VrzX3l3sHTsUm5jEA2TjQMAgA_bvbL28h6Lf51-SuBEQru6e9f71R_jxWOBooKnQ/s1000/jane-dodds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="676" data-original-width="1000" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8LIiHI7wAWo9XJc58FLqyXJuVpBO5T9MlC1s6pwpsb_jQo9kJ4CaqdXz0HG0sz8UYX1CmWlxcW2qqJW7ihU5Is3uaRIKUdAmeP_K76-hOHYUtFXSpSjXMraduJ3VrzX3l3sHTsUm5jEA2TjQMAgA_bvbL28h6Lf51-SuBEQru6e9f71R_jxWOBooKnQ/s320/jane-dodds.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><div><b>Welsh Liberal Democrats Leaders Jane Dodd's </b></div>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Welsh Liberal Democrats have stated that questions still
remain after the Welsh Government’s announcement that it will deliver a
programme to address building safety issues.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Commenting Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds MS
said:<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“I welcome the fact Labour finally seem to be paying
attention to this issue and it is good to finally get some indication of the
number of buildings affected and the level of failure from property developers
in Wales.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><o:p> </o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“However, we still need clarity from Labour on a number
of issues. Most importantly the legal leaseholder protections in England need
to be extended to Wales immediately. Based on the announcement today that will
not be the case.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><o:p> </o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“While funding for remediation work and surveys are of
course welcome, many leaseholders have already had to contribute to surveying
out of their own pocket, we need to know if these leaseholders are now entitled
to be reimbursed?<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><o:p> </o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“Finally, the announcement also makes no mention of a
start date for remediation works, it has been almost five years since Grenfell
and leaseholders in Wales are living in unsafe housing. They need urgent
clarity on when the work will start in order to have some form of peace of
mind.”<o:p></o:p></i></p><br /><br />Andy Peacockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09219161903981802835noreply@blogger.com0Wales, UK52.1306607 -3.783711723.820426863821154 -38.9399617 80.440894536178845 31.3725383tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406645652233451179.post-67318448194389490952022-03-29T16:38:00.002+01:002022-04-01T21:31:19.603+01:00Lack of Innovation Funding Highlights Empty Promises for Wales<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">The Welsh Liberal Democrats have hit out at the UK
Government after it emerged that Wales will not receive any of the UK's
‘Innovation Accelerator’ investment funding, despite the fact regions in both
England and Scotland are set to receive funding.</span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8LIiHI7wAWo9XJc58FLqyXJuVpBO5T9MlC1s6pwpsb_jQo9kJ4CaqdXz0HG0sz8UYX1CmWlxcW2qqJW7ihU5Is3uaRIKUdAmeP_K76-hOHYUtFXSpSjXMraduJ3VrzX3l3sHTsUm5jEA2TjQMAgA_bvbL28h6Lf51-SuBEQru6e9f71R_jxWOBooKnQ/s1000/jane-dodds.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="676" data-original-width="1000" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8LIiHI7wAWo9XJc58FLqyXJuVpBO5T9MlC1s6pwpsb_jQo9kJ4CaqdXz0HG0sz8UYX1CmWlxcW2qqJW7ihU5Is3uaRIKUdAmeP_K76-hOHYUtFXSpSjXMraduJ3VrzX3l3sHTsUm5jEA2TjQMAgA_bvbL28h6Lf51-SuBEQru6e9f71R_jxWOBooKnQ/w216-h146/jane-dodds.jpg" width="216" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds MS</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The ‘Innovation Accelerator programme, outlined in the UK
Government‘s Levelling Up’ White Paper is designed to catalyse innovation
clusters and spread the wealth and new industry outside the South East of
England.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The UK Government confirmed Wales would not be part of the
innovation accelerator programme following a question to Lord Callanan by Welsh
Liberal Democrat Peer Baroness Jenny Randerson.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><o:p> </o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><o:p> </o:p></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd-QjzO5qSKuSM3h7OndtD79PVUZtmyT9zCDlW49fU8g_dLE_f-HYgW27qB5urWzL2ZRnAiXI0R0LRwUJi5UrVa7WCGiHIXCPpfETwtgIFxsJSa3lOse7Sd3wtss7Aoc-2M1TFn_3C-d7ZJ4ScEL-tr4WGSE933DImXzqgB7huFcEHQlHA7v2A6EzITQ/s800/key_Jenny_Randerson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="113" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd-QjzO5qSKuSM3h7OndtD79PVUZtmyT9zCDlW49fU8g_dLE_f-HYgW27qB5urWzL2ZRnAiXI0R0LRwUJi5UrVa7WCGiHIXCPpfETwtgIFxsJSa3lOse7Sd3wtss7Aoc-2M1TFn_3C-d7ZJ4ScEL-tr4WGSE933DImXzqgB7huFcEHQlHA7v2A6EzITQ/w200-h113/key_Jenny_Randerson.jpg" width="200" /></a></i></div><i><br /></i><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b> Baroness Jenny Randerson<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br />
The scheme will see £100 million of investment from private-public-academic
partnerships given to Greater Manchester, the West Midlands and Glasgow
City-Regions to be used to Greater Manchester, the West Midlands and Glasgow
City-Region to try and kick start a ‘fourth industrial revolution' and see UK
manufacturing compete with economies such as Israel and South Korea.<br />
<br />
However, the Welsh Liberal Democrats have criticized the Conservatives for not
including Wales in the scheme, stating that it shows Welsh Conservative
promises of ‘levelling up’ are nothing more than empty words.<br />
<br />
<b>Commenting Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds said:</b><br />
<br />
<i>“We have yet another piece of evidence that Wales is at the absolute bottom
of the Conservative's priority list when it comes to levelling up for our
economy.<br />
<br />
“Wales has historically been at the centre of UK industry, and for it not to be
included in this effort to kick start a new industrial revolution is a
disgrace. Various parts of Wales have the skills, educational facilities and
R&D institutions needed to make a success of these projects should they be
given the chance.<br />
<br />
“While part of the EU, Wales was given a much better deal in both the amount of
development funding it received and in how we would be able to spend the funds.<br />
<br />
“What we have continually seen from the Conservatives over the last few years
is a disregard for Wales, with repeated failures to invest in our economy and
infrastructure.<br />
<br />
“Welsh Conservative MPs urgently need to attempt to make their voices heard and
fight for investment in Wales because as things stand, it appears they are
doing a pretty shabby job so far.”</i><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>Andy Peacockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09219161903981802835noreply@blogger.com0Wales, UK52.1306607 -3.783711723.820426863821154 -38.9399617 80.440894536178845 31.3725383tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406645652233451179.post-89494956424690844652022-03-22T16:36:00.001+00:002022-03-29T20:28:28.075+01:00 Ukraine Crisis Should Cause Patel to Ditch Anti-Refugee Bill<p><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Welsh Liberal Democrats have continued to call on Priti
Patel to withdraw the Nationality and Borders Bill in light of the war in
Ukraine and the ensuing refugee crisis.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">MPs are set to debate some of the Bill’s most controversial
aspects in the House of Commons today [Tuesday 22nd March], including
Government plans to:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Criminalise refugees simply for coming to the UK to seek
asylum.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“Offshore” asylum seekers by sending them to another country
while their claims are processed.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Create a second class of refugees with fewer rights and only
temporary protection.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Liberal Democrats worked with others in the House of
Lords to pass amendments that would remove these laws from the Bill,
highlighting that they would criminalise people fleeing Ukraine who come to the
UK seeking asylum.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So far, 3.5 million people have fled Ukraine since Vladimir
Putin unleashed his war, according to the UNHCR. More than 150,000 people
across the UK have offered to host Ukrainian refugees through the ‘Homes for
Ukraine’ programme, but so far the Government has only issued 10,200 visas
under the Ukraine Family Scheme. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds who worked for 6
years as the Head of Children’s Services at the Refugee Council, has previously
called on the Government to begin airlifts to bring refugees from Poland
directly to the UK and cancel the need for any visas.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDg6Kcjo_Nxx2QAt1UrZJManzPnd4TiLFRomsdCJsaS6h0mZU4v9962rcxfIhdsLpRV4akwc48vNW6zm6omc7NqcmqZdC9ot_UcldX4mv-d8nH2L4yXyG9OBZKgvcN72HP7H3tbF23l9ezzh0kwzU_bpzF0hAJUnTwPRsARwaydT8goP3DlBzDDzIH2Q/s1000/jane-dodds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="676" data-original-width="1000" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDg6Kcjo_Nxx2QAt1UrZJManzPnd4TiLFRomsdCJsaS6h0mZU4v9962rcxfIhdsLpRV4akwc48vNW6zm6omc7NqcmqZdC9ot_UcldX4mv-d8nH2L4yXyG9OBZKgvcN72HP7H3tbF23l9ezzh0kwzU_bpzF0hAJUnTwPRsARwaydT8goP3DlBzDDzIH2Q/s320/jane-dodds.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Ahead of the debate, Jane Dodds MS said:</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>“T<i>he Conservatives’ Anti-Refugee Bill is dangerous and
cruel. It flies in the face of the enormous compassion and generosity that
people across Wales have shown in response to people fleeing Putin’s war in
Ukraine.</i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><i> </i></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“It beggars belief that Priti Patel is still trying to push
this Bill through at a time when protecting refugees has never been so
important. She should listen to the Welsh people and ditch it now. If not she
should be sacked.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><i> </i></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“Wales has a great history of providing sanctuary to
desperate people fleeing war and persecution. Yet this Conservative Government
are stopping Wales becoming the nation of sanctuary we want to be.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><i> </i></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“This Anti-Refugee Bill undermines that proud Welsh
tradition and the Welsh Liberal Democrats will continue to fiercely oppose it.”</i><o:p></o:p></p>Andy Peacockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09219161903981802835noreply@blogger.com0Wales, UK52.1306607 -3.783711723.820426863821154 -38.9399617 80.440894536178845 31.3725383tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406645652233451179.post-26844861213934442522022-03-21T19:51:00.024+00:002022-03-27T21:20:43.554+01:00Why are the Welsh Conservatives Still Supporting an Unfair Tax Rises?<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4o28YeSkkDhKPsk2ik7Wo0btw4pxW2E84EOh8SEtnKLSqlRn2rKAUvubIo5vxexKyspwWZj768-3G2we3nQXo2FwH6iQhP8TVnogy8K4W2LtwqizvNb_YDZwsa2fD-wpQiWbeyEB69yT34rIvZKzad8m5L1ngfH1YFQvS3Q4FsiuOwh9U0vHGLrcnKw/s1200/podatek_vat_sprzedaz_online.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4o28YeSkkDhKPsk2ik7Wo0btw4pxW2E84EOh8SEtnKLSqlRn2rKAUvubIo5vxexKyspwWZj768-3G2we3nQXo2FwH6iQhP8TVnogy8K4W2LtwqizvNb_YDZwsa2fD-wpQiWbeyEB69yT34rIvZKzad8m5L1ngfH1YFQvS3Q4FsiuOwh9U0vHGLrcnKw/s320/podatek_vat_sprzedaz_online.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Welsh Liberal Democrats have called on the Conservatives
to drop planned tax rises as the cost-of-living crisis continues to bite. According
to the Welsh Lib Dems, the Conservatives have become the party of high tax and
are unfairly targeting working people at precisely the moment they are
struggling the most.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Liberal Democrats have hit out at the Chancellor after he
refused to scrap planned increases to national insurance tax, despite the
ongoing cost of living crisis.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">People across Wales will now be facing a 1.25 per cent
increase in their national insurance contributions. This decision makes Rishi
Sunak the only Finance Minister in the G7 to raise taxes this year.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Commenting Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds MS said:</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“It is totally ridiculous that the Conservatives are plowing
forward with this tax increase at a time where so many families are struggling
just to make ends meet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><i> </i></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“The national insurance tax isn’t just a tax on working
families, but also a tax on employment, with small, local Welsh businesses now
being clobbered with a tax increase after a horrific few years of trading due
to COVID-19.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><i> </i></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“Perhaps most pressingly, the elephant in the room was
entirely ignored. Despite families up and down Wales struggling to pay their
energy bills, there were no significant announcements on helping households
with rocketing prices.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><i> </i></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“The Chancellor should have introduced a windfall tax on oil
and gas giants, who are making record profits. The income from this would have
paid for the warm homes discount scheme to be expanded and doubled.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><i> </i></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“We have seen the Conservatives break one manifesto promise
after the other, on National Insurance, on Income Tax, on pensions. Rishi Sunak
has introduced 15 tax rises on families and businesses in the last two years
alone and despite his efforts, he cannot hide his party is now the party of
high tax.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><i> </i></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“Rishi Sunak has wasted more money than any other Chancellor
in history. He’s wasted £10 billion on unusable PPE, written off over £4.3
billion in Covid fraud and handed big banks a £4 billion tax cut.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><i> </i></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“This tax rise should have been in tracks today, but instead
the Conservatives have shown themselves to be the party of high tax and
economic mismanagement.”</i><o:p></o:p></p>Andy Peacockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09219161903981802835noreply@blogger.com0Wales, UK52.1306607 -3.783711723.820426863821154 -38.9399617 80.440894536178845 31.3725383tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406645652233451179.post-14797653497289653662022-03-20T23:44:00.000+00:002022-03-24T23:44:41.676+00:00Priti Patel’s Immigration Policies Pushing Doctors Away from Wales<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsetsNTZFj0VUDr-aZEnnd2iMe8BgJhVFlu5p6HVRG_PRaPQDXYJqNCToWFsRC6r37C-98A_g7BVDChvjN_llMxlBxQKudOcaLBCtH69JNJB4sB1JD3xB6sj5LshKwWdJaRcyrU577zONMr4maKCzuIXPTgo7XiTuMNDP77yltWc1R8zix7HkaP8pLkg/s1280/Marsham_Street.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="874" data-original-width="1280" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsetsNTZFj0VUDr-aZEnnd2iMe8BgJhVFlu5p6HVRG_PRaPQDXYJqNCToWFsRC6r37C-98A_g7BVDChvjN_llMxlBxQKudOcaLBCtH69JNJB4sB1JD3xB6sj5LshKwWdJaRcyrU577zONMr4maKCzuIXPTgo7XiTuMNDP77yltWc1R8zix7HkaP8pLkg/w279-h191/Marsham_Street.jpg" width="279" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">The Welsh Liberal Democrats have hit out at Priti Patel and
the Conservatives after it has emerged that up to half of Welsh trainee GPs
this year could be lost due to what they describe as the Home Office’s “archaic
immigration policies”.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As reported by the Welsh BMA GPs committee today, it takes
three years for trainee GPs to achieve their Certificate of Completion of
training (CCT). But current Home Office rules implemented by Priti Patel and
the Conservatives mean that individuals must have worked for 5 years under a
Skilled Workers Visa in order to be able to apply for Indefinite Leave to
Remain (ILTR).<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As a result of this rule, 80 out of this year’s 160 GP
trainees in Wales will not be eligible to stay in the country under (ILTR)
because of limited work opportunities at Welsh GP practices that serve as
established Skilled Worker visa sponsors.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Commenting Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds MS said:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><o:p> </o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“It is unbelievable that the Conservatives' backward immigration
policies look set to rob Wales of a potential 80 future GPs.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><o:p> </o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“With the estimated needed number of new GPs per year in
Wales at 200, we cannot afford to lose 80 out of the current 160 trainees.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><o:p> </o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“Priti Patel and the Conservatives must urgently get their
act together, stop scaremongering over immigration and put in place sensible
immigration policies that work for our economy and public services. For far too
long the Conservatives' dogmatic view on immigration has taken priority over
the country's actual needs.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><o:p> </o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“The Welsh Labour Government also needs to get to grips
with recruitment and retention in Wales, and put in place a long-term plan to
address this issue. They must continue to press the UK Government to urgently
change its policy on this matter.”<o:p></o:p></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Andy Peacockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09219161903981802835noreply@blogger.com0Wales, UK52.1306607 -3.783711723.820426863821154 -38.9399617 80.440894536178845 31.3725383tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406645652233451179.post-51304167055132754552022-03-16T20:22:00.006+00:002022-03-16T20:22:42.486+00:00Make Wales the Green Battery of Europe<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj6yib96bsiTnj_9P_lx_CrlstU5mdbS4CAxLsShCnuQRjMtqEajJG0neuqeS9vgyzyi4aTUJ1kATblcTtCKGMw-AWJ46xwiTPFvfw1zz8v2aT7AsWIblp4YBRfWn-3lDxMoYy44MKf9D5lAVaH1EI_OmUNvP_K7HYCYzaFWa5qKfL_xSiSR7YFRa1a9Q=s1200" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj6yib96bsiTnj_9P_lx_CrlstU5mdbS4CAxLsShCnuQRjMtqEajJG0neuqeS9vgyzyi4aTUJ1kATblcTtCKGMw-AWJ46xwiTPFvfw1zz8v2aT7AsWIblp4YBRfWn-3lDxMoYy44MKf9D5lAVaH1EI_OmUNvP_K7HYCYzaFWa5qKfL_xSiSR7YFRa1a9Q=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds has urged the Welsh
and UK Governments to work together to turn Wales into a “renewable powerhouse”
that could help allies in Europe reduce their dependence on Russian oil and gas
imports.</span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Mid & West Wales Senedd Member describes the outcome
of doing so as a “win-win” not only helping to reduce UK and EU dependence on
Russian hydrocarbons but boosting Welsh jobs and helping save the environment
and has called on projects under construction or in the planning phase to be
fast tracked.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Wales currently exports over twice the amount of power it
consumes and around 48% of electricity generation in Wales already comes from
renewables. But with vast reserves of tidal power in the North and South of
Wales, wind power in the West, the potential for Green Hydrogen facilities in
former mining areas and hydropower potential throughout the country; Wales has
some of the greatest potential for a green economy in all of Europe.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Commenting Jane Dodds said:</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“Wales is fortunate enough that our location and our
abundant climate-friendly natural resources mean that we are in a position not
just to reach a fully renewable self-sufficiently in energy supply here in
Wales, but also to actively contribute to helping our EU allies decarbonise.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“What we need to reach this though is the ambition. We
need a full-scale green industrial revolution to maximise the energy we
generate from wind, tidal and hydropower. This means going beyond the projects
currently in the pipeline.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“To do this, we will need to see the Welsh and UK
Governments work together with the private sector to bring in greater
investment to the renewable sector in Wales. We should be investing in any
project which offers a good chance of reducing domestic demand and expanding
international supply<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“Projects in the planning or proposal stages must be
fast-tracked.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“The benefits of increasing our green energy production
go beyond helping our allies reduce dependence on Putin. It would mean lower
bills for Welsh consumers who are being hit by a cost-of-living crisis being
caused by our dependence on fossil fuels. It would also mean thousands of new
highly skilled jobs in future-proof industries.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“However, we need to ensure that the money generated from
our vast natural resources is spent in Wales and benefits local communities.
The production of wind turbines, hydrogen batteries and other renewable
components should happen inside Wales.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“There is no good reason why Wales cannot be
the Green Battery of Western Europe. The only thing that is holding us
back is a lack of incentivisation for the private sector and a lack of interest
from the UK Government in particular.”<o:p></o:p></i></p> <br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Andy Peacockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09219161903981802835noreply@blogger.com0Wales, UK52.1306607 -3.783711723.820426863821154 -38.9399617 80.440894536178845 31.3725383tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406645652233451179.post-55232948445020772922022-03-16T20:00:00.002+00:002022-04-05T21:12:15.322+01:00Jane Dodds - Aberpergwm Coal Mine Expansion Must be Stopped<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxMcV5zpOdHjJ3g3uqlqgho1SpiNMM5z5XO-58VgBl4sjTHtKQ8klfzUlLJKW8K0bqHbcCD5bVvsVOYTcmyOLfA0E9qtWmj00FZnmwFwrWsB_ztyOTVKRNM2pOjDWYIE8rRXmdhORvOijSLzzc12nB0245dbR5Lf8e_4duHDdedlx9JHVBdLZj72v1cw/s1200/unnamed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="1200" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxMcV5zpOdHjJ3g3uqlqgho1SpiNMM5z5XO-58VgBl4sjTHtKQ8klfzUlLJKW8K0bqHbcCD5bVvsVOYTcmyOLfA0E9qtWmj00FZnmwFwrWsB_ztyOTVKRNM2pOjDWYIE8rRXmdhORvOijSLzzc12nB0245dbR5Lf8e_4duHDdedlx9JHVBdLZj72v1cw/s320/unnamed.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">he Welsh Liberal Democrats have reiterated their opposition
to the expansion of Aberpergwm Coal Mine in Neath Port Talbot Council.
Addressing a protest in front of the Senedd Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane
Dodds stated that if we are to stand any hope of tackling climate change before
it’s too late, the coal must be left in the ground.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The protest in front of the Senedd in Cardiff saw multiple
Welsh climate groups attend.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The expansion of Aberpergwm Coal Mine has been at the centre
of a row between the UK and Welsh Governments, with the Welsh Government
claiming it does not have the legal authority to block the mine’s expansion,
while the UK Coal Authority has insisted that the Welsh Government could in
fact stop the development.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The new license, which was approved by the Coal Authority in
January will allow Aberpergwm Mine to extract another forty million tonnes of
coal. The development could release up to 1.17 million tonnes of very strong greenhouse
gases, including methane and carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Commenting Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds MS
said:<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“It is absolutely ludicrous that in the middle of a
climate emergency we are considering expanding coal mining in Wales. The Welsh
Liberal Democrats are absolutely clear, coal should be left in the ground. 2050
is no longer in the distant future.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><o:p> </o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“While our opponents will try and paint us as being
against job creation this is absolutely not the case. We believe the people of
Glynneath deserve high-skilled future-proof jobs, not ones in a declining
industry that will last only a decade at most.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><o:p> </o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“With plans to move steelworks in the UK to Green
Hydrogen by the mid-2030s, we are calling on the Welsh and UK Governments to locate
some of its Green Hydrogen projects in Glynneath, bringing long term employment
to the community and ensuring no one is left without a job as industries begin
to change.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><o:p> </o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“While the Welsh Government’s powers over this affair
remain unclear, one thing for certain is the UK Government could veto the
development if it wished to do so. Just months after claiming a big win at
COP26 on the issue of coal mining, Boris Johnson needs to put his money where
his mouth is or risk undermining both the UKs climate goals and its global
leadership on the Green agenda.”<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.welshlibdems.wales/stop_the_new_coal">Stop the New Coal mine in Neath! (welshlibdems.wales)</a></p><p class="MsoNormal">Signed your petition </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><o:p> </o:p></i></p>Andy Peacockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09219161903981802835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406645652233451179.post-81243418740517672972022-03-13T17:00:00.003+00:002022-03-16T20:24:42.880+00:00Bringing down the Blue Wall and building a fairer country<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgzIrFeliH-ZrSo1IfmXTGcNNCu-P1RISI9d7G9KAFXXsnFioNasxRG-76E2iQAWxWQRQLU4DyFenXl-7bA64usGC1SEbfRQQYhxqFSHP3hb1kQPLsVaCvh9dBxpew6f4LFzUOvfpmYFI1LFQjhvaiumQ37ZXb8uOZRZn0BbUPNRoW0Fit0jKpn8CMuNw=s700" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="394" data-original-width="700" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgzIrFeliH-ZrSo1IfmXTGcNNCu-P1RISI9d7G9KAFXXsnFioNasxRG-76E2iQAWxWQRQLU4DyFenXl-7bA64usGC1SEbfRQQYhxqFSHP3hb1kQPLsVaCvh9dBxpew6f4LFzUOvfpmYFI1LFQjhvaiumQ37ZXb8uOZRZn0BbUPNRoW0Fit0jKpn8CMuNw=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><o:p> <b>Leader of </b></o:p><b>Liberal Democrats Ed Davey MP Speech</b></p></blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Conference, we meet today under the heavy cloud of war, on
our continent.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">European skies raining death.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We’ve all watched in horror as Putin has unleashed his
missiles on innocent Ukrainians.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As Russian bombs rip through schools and hospitals.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As children huddle in bomb shelters, hearing their homes
shatter above them.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As millions of families are forced to flee for their lives,
leaving everything behind.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Fathers hugging their children goodbye, not knowing when
they will hold them again – or if they ever will.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Our hearts ache with the horrors being inflicted on the people
of Ukraine.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But our hearts have also swelled for the incredible heroism
we’ve witnessed.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The soldiers, bravely fighting for their homeland.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The unarmed civilians, boldly facing down Putin’s tanks.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">President Zelenskyy, brilliantly firing up his nation in
defiance.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Conference, their patriotism and their resolve – in the face
of Putin’s war machine – is truly inspiring.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And so is the response of the British people, and our
friends across Europe.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Opening their doors to refugees fleeing the violence.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sending food, clothes and medicine to families in need.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Pushing governments and businesses to do far more.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And we Liberal Democrats stand in solidarity with our
liberal brother, President Zelenskyy – and with all Ukrainians.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We stand too with the people of Russia, especially those
who’ve so bravely protested against Putin’s war.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And we stand with those across eastern Europe who know only
too well how Putin’s ambitions threaten their freedom and their democracy.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Who fear for their own security, even as they reach out to
welcome their Ukrainian brothers and sisters.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Conference, this must be a wake-up call for the West. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">While Vladimir Putin bears sole responsibility for these
atrocities, we must recognise that they have not happened in a vacuum.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Putin was emboldened by a West, destabilised by a rising
tide of nationalism and populism.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Putin exploited a complacency that has seen nations take for
granted our fragile alliances.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Putin has even been encouraged by some, like a certain
former President of the United States, who has spent years actively undermining
NATO.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If we are to stop Putin – and prevent future Putins – the UK
and all who share our commitment to peace, freedom and democracy must remember
the simple truth, demonstrated so clearly these past few weeks:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We are stronger when we act together.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">That Liberal belief in international cooperation is what the
world needs.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Now we must fight for that safer, more Liberal world.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For our collective defence, through NATO. Reversing this
Government’s cuts to our armed forces. Working with allies, so Putin
understands, free nations stand united against him.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For far, far tougher sanctions – where Boris Johnson’s
Government has been way too slow, and much too weak.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And Conference, let’s be clear: the cosy relationship
between Putin’s oligarchs and the Conservative political elite has been the
dirty secret of the British establishment for far too long.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Now we have learned how Evgeny Lebedev courted Boris Johnson
for years. Trading political favours. Taking him on holiday.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Even after MI6 had made their concerns clear.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And in return, Johnson gave him what he always wanted: a
seat in the House of Lords.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Ignoring the warnings from the security services.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So today, I am calling for a full public inquiry into the
Prime Minister’s decision to give Lebedev a peerage.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And we must fight too for a co-ordinated, generous
humanitarian response to all refugees fleeing war and terror, whether from
Ukraine, Syria or Afghanistan. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Where we never again have a Home Secretary turning away the
innocent victims of a tyrant’s bombs.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Priti Patel’s response to this humanitarian catastrophe –
the biggest in Europe since World War Two – is utterly shameful.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">She has answered desperation with delays. Crisis with
confusion. Pain with paperwork.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Friends, when we see parents and children, bombed out of
their homes, journeying for days, in search of nothing more than a safe place
to live.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">People across the UK have said loud and clear: we want to
welcome them, with open arms.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Just as we welcomed refugees of other conflicts in the past.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The British people want to offer them a home – bBut Priti
Patel has slammed the door in their face.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The incompetence, indifference and sheer inhumanity we have
seen from the Home Secretary does not befit our United Kingdom, with its proud
history of providing sanctuary to those in need.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Her inaction does not befit the British people, with all our
compassion and generosity.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It couldn’t be clearer that Priti Patel is not up to the
job. The buck stops with the Prime Minister. So Boris Johnson must sack her,
now.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">At a time of all this tragedy and turmoil, it’s good to be
back amongst friends. To discuss how we can help others – whether in Ukraine or
across the UK.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And just as we’re engaged in this battle for a fairer, more
Liberal world, here at home we’re fighting the battle for a fairer, more
Liberal Britain.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Where people get the fair deal they deserve, with the
opportunity to get on in life, and the power to make a difference.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">That’s always been our cause as Liberal Democrats, and it
remains our mission today.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Fighting to give every child the best possible start in
life, and help them catch-up on the learning lost from this pandemic.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">To cut waiting times for GPs and ambulances, and waiting
lists for hospital treatment.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">To protect our precious natural environment and tackle the
existential threat of climate change.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And as Liberal Democrats have always known, so much of that
work happens in local communities.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">That’s why it’s so great to be back here in York – a city
with an incredible history, a vibrant culture, and – of course – a brilliant
Liberal Democrat-led council.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Where Liberal Democrats are making an unprecedented
investment in social care, for both adults and children.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And planting trees for a new
one-hundred-and-ninety-four-acre community woodland.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Liberal Democrat councillors, delivering for local people
and the local environment – here in York, just like we are in communities
across the UK.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Now, York is also famous for being the final resting place
of the notorious highwayman Dick Turpin.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Imprisoned just over the river in York Castle, executed down
the road in Knavesmire, and buried at Saint George’s Church.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A serial lawbreaker. Who cheated, schemed and blagged his
way through life.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Who lied over and over again.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Who thought he could escape any consequences for his
actions.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sounds like someone we know, doesn’t it?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You know, if Dick Turpin were around today, I bet
Conservative MPs would be on Newsnight explaining why he should be let off.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Conservatives love to claim others are soft on crime.
The truth is they’re soft on a criminal in Number 10.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The lawbreaking and lies of this Prime Minister are matched
only by the cowardice and complicity of Conservative MPs.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They ducked their responsibility to kick Boris Johnson out
of Downing Street.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They chose to keep as Prime Minister a man who broke his own
laws – laws he was telling everyone else to follow – laws that forced countless
families to make enormous sacrifices.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And Conservative MPs have chosen to keep a man who has lied
and lied and lied – to Parliament and to the British people.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And do you know? People are seeing through his lies.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On a recent visit to a secondary school in my constituency,
the pupils asked me “Was it a party or a work event?”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Eager to hear their views first, I asked back: “What do you
think?”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“Was it a work event?” Nothing.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“Was it a party?” Every single hand shot up.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I know it. You know it. The teenagers at Chessington School
know it.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And Conservative MPs know it too.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But they’ve chosen to do nothing.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The truth is, Conservative MPs are all Boris Johnsons now.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">With a few honourable exceptions, they now all subscribe to
his new Conservative philosophy:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Truth doesn’t matter.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Laws are for other people.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Rules don’t apply to them.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">That’s not right.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Conservative party of the past is turning in its grave.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Decent lifelong Conservatives are repulsed by this Government.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They remember that powerful image of Her Majesty the Queen,
sitting alone to mourn her husband.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Following the rules, like everyone else. Except Boris
Johnson and his friends.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And what angers everyone, whatever their views – what really
sticks in the craw – is that these Tory MPs think they can get away with it.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Conservatives think they can take you for fools, just as
they take your votes for granted.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But they won’t get away with it. We won’t let them get away
with it.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Being taken for granted was what caused the people of
Buckinghamshire to rise up. In their thousands. And vote for Sarah Green last
summer.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It’s what caused the people of Shropshire to rise up. And
vote for Helen Morgan last December.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">What we achieved in Chesham and Amersham was incredible.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But what we did in North Shropshire was even more
remarkable.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A six-thousand-vote majority, in a seat where we came third
in twenty-nineteen.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">One of the biggest by-election swings – not just in our
party’s history, but the entire history of British politics.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Giving people hope. Showing the Tories can be beaten
anywhere.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And what a campaign it was.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I thoroughly enjoyed my trips to Shropshire, and it was
great to see so many of you enjoying yourselves there too.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But friends, I know I wasn’t alone in missing the presence
of one very special member of our Liberal Democrat family.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A stalwart of so many by-elections.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Our dear friend, Erlend Watson.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A true Liberal, whose infectious energy, encyclopaedic mind
and big heart are legendary.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Erlend, taken from us this January, long before his time.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We miss him. But it is fitting that the final by-election of
Erlend’s life was a historic Lib Dem gain.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Our amazing campaign director, Dave McCobb, told me about
the moment he realised victory in North Shropshire was possible.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It was very early on, when he was doing some door-knocking –
to hear how people felt.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The first person he spoke to actually worked at the local
Conservative club.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But, unprompted, they told Dave the Conservatives were
“taking us for granted” and it was “time for a change”. So they were now voting
for us. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">At the very next house Dave spoke to an elderly lady who had
always voted Conservative.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But after a chat about the issues facing the area, she
didn’t just say she would vote Lib Dem, she actually put up a Lib Dem poster.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">That’s when Dave knew it was game on.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And we won in North Shropshire because we listened to local
people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And found out that they weren’t
just angry about Conservative lies and Conservative corruption.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Don’t forget, Dave’s door-knocking was weeks before we’d learnt
about law-breaking parties at Number Ten.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">People’s anger had far more to do with seeing local farmers
sold out by Conservative Ministers, with a bad trade deal.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And watching loved ones suffer life-threatening delays,
waiting hours for an ambulance –<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Their agony growing and distress deepening – unable to get
to hospital fast, because Conservative Governments had failed our NHS.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">That’s what local people told us. That’s what we campaigned
on.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And that’s what the brilliant Helen Morgan is now working
on, in Parliament.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">By electing Helen, the people of North Shropshire showed
they won’t be taken for granted any more.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And they’ve shown the rest of the country what you get when
you vote Liberal Democrat – a real local champion. Working hard for her
constituents. Fighting for a fair deal for them.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I’m so proud of Helen. And I’m proud of all of you – for
those two historic by-election wins.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Through your tireless campaigning, we won support from
across the political spectrum – people who’d voted Conservative all their
lives, but were fed up with being ignored and taken for granted, people who’d
never voted before but were inspired by our candidates and our campaigns and
people who just wanted the Conservatives out, and who lent us their votes to
make it happen.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Now we must do it again – at this year’s local elections in
May.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">To win seats from the Conservatives, Labour and the Nationalists,
where their councils are taking people for granted.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">To get more great Liberal Democrat Councillors elected, so
more communities have strong local champions working hard for them.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Like down the road in Hull, where Labour have cut the crime
prevention fund that Liberal Democrats put in place to keep communities safe.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Or in places along the Blue Wall, where Conservative talk of
“levelling up” is just another way they’re letting people down.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And in Scotland, where the nationalists put their obsession with
independence ahead of everything else.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Conference, this May, let’s get more Liberal Democrat
councillors elected and deliver the fair deal our communities need.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Your hard work, your campaigning to win council seats in May
can also deliver a bonus for our party – helping us set the ground for the next
General Election, when it will fall to us to win Conservative seats no other
party can win – an essential role for getting Boris Johnson out of Downing
Street.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Because the British people deserve so much better than Boris
Johnson – and his government full of Boris Johnsons.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">People do deserve better.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When I look at everything people do for each other, every
day, across our country…<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When I speak to parents making big sacrifices for their
children…<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When I hear from young carers, taking care of their parents…<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When I visit local schools and hospitals, care homes and
police stations, and meet the staff working hard to teach our children, care
for our loved ones and keep us safe…<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It makes me so proud to be British.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When I travel, and see the beautiful countryside that
inspired Wordsworth and Barrett Browning, Thomas and Scott, hen I walk around
towns and cities like York, with so much extraordinary history and breathtaking
architecture, I am filled with patriotism.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I love my country.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And it is because I love my country that I despair of this
government.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So in case you think it’s just a question of getting Boris
Johnson out of Number Ten, let’s remind ourselves of the man being lined up to
replace him…<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Rishi Sunak.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A Chancellor who’s wasted more of our money than any
Chancellor in history – and now wants us to pay for it. In unfair tax rises.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Who merrily signed the cheques for billions on unusable
protective gear. Who is cheerfully writing off billions in Covid fraud.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But who refuses to give our children the education funding
they need to catch up from Covid.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Who slashed aid for the world’s poorest people in the middle
of a global pandemic.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And who turned his back on three million self-employed
people when their businesses were hit by lockdown.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Rishi Sunak is Mister Moneybags to his Tory donor mates. But
he’s Ebenezer Scrooge to the rest of us.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Now, we’ve heard recently how the Chancellor is ramping up
his leadership campaign.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I have to say, he’s doing a brilliant job of making himself
Johnson’s heir apparent.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Giving privileged access to wealthy donors.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Wasting other people’s money on dodgy contracts.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And facing questions under caution by the Metropolitan
Police.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Less the “Dishy Rishi”. More the Fishy Rishi.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Do you remember when Boris Johnson had to come to the
Commons in January to apologise for his lockdown-breaking parties? <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Chancellor suddenly found he’d urgent business two-hundred
miles away in Ilfracombe. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Apparently Fishy Rishi’s preparing for the police to finish
their investigation … with a flight to Antarctica!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But worse than his cowardice, is how the Chancellor is
failing millions of people hit hard by the cost-of-living crisis.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He could have done what Liberal Democrats proposed.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He could have demanded the fossil fuel giants help out – as
they rake in unbelievably high profits, thanks solely to the gas and oil price
surge.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Our Robin Hood windfall tax – to raise the cash, so we can
cut people’s energy bills now.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But no. Not Fishy Rishi.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He’s not interested in fairness. He protects fossil fuel
profits – and pushes you to pay instead.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And as if that weren’t bad enough – as if families didn’t
already have enough to deal with – just look at what Rishi’s actually doing
with taxes.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A big tax cut for the banks. A big tax rise for you. And
such unfair tax hikes.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A new jobs tax hurting firms and employees alike. Tax rises
costing every family six hundred pounds a year.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It’s time the Chancellor listened. It’s time he understood
how his tax rises with inflation are hurting people hard.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So, Rishi Sunak: drop your unfair taxes. Scrap the NI hike.
Unfreeze income tax allowances.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Do it. In your budget. Next week.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Conference, next week our country needs an Emergency Budget.
Because families and businesses are facing an emergency. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The war in Ukraine has turned a cost of living crisis into a
cost of living emergency.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">That’s why I’ve called for an emergency measure – on top of
everything else we’ve proposed for the less well-off.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I’ve called for a cut in VAT, right now.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A fair tax cut – worth six hundred pounds a household.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">To help families. To help businesses. To help our economy.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Liberal Democrats. Cutting taxes. Fairly.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Conservatives. Raising taxes. Unfairly.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Fair taxes are part of our fair deal.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A fair deal the Conservatives just don’t understand.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">How could they, when theirs is a government that’s rejected
fairness?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When the only deal the Conservatives promote is “One rule
for us, another rule for you.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Conference, it’s time for a party that believes in a fair
deal for people.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The deal I spoke about in September – that says the
government can’t solve all our problems – but if you play your part, you can
count on the government to play its part too.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A fair deal that puts meaningful power in your hands, so you
can make a real difference for your children, for your community, for your
business, for your environment.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And where the powerful are held properly to account.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Whether for the sewage they pump into our rivers or the
sleaze they pump into our politics.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Nowhere is that fair deal more important than in education.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When you’re a parent, and you pour that amount of love and
devotion into your kids…<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When you give everything, so they can fulfil their dreams…<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You deserve to know that the Government will do its bit for
them too.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">That it will do everything it can, to keep them safe.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">That it will invest properly in their education and their
future.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When you take your son or daughter to school for their first
day…<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When you grip their little hand tightly in yours, before you
let go…<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You deserve to know they are walking into a building that’s
well-maintained.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">That their teacher has time and resources for every child in
the class.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And that when they leave school years later, they will leave
with the grades they need, the opportunities they want, and the hope they
deserve.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">That should be our promise to all parents and their
children.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But we cannot underestimate the damage done to that promise
over the last two years.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The harm that’s been done to children’s education, despite
the heroic efforts of parents and teachers.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And the damage to people’s trust in education, when the
worst Education Secretary in history, Gavin Williamson, is rewarded for his
failures.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A fair deal would be different. With a Children’s Catch Up
Fund of at least fifteen billion pounds.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A fair deal on education to involve parents more. More than
ever before.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">By putting real power in every parents’ hands, with Catch-Up
Vouchers to spend how they see fit.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So all parents, at last, can have a say on what’s best for
their child.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Conference, I was delighted you endorsed that policy
yesterday, showing clearly. Liberal Democrats, on the side of parents. Renewing
the promise for all children. With an education fair deal.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But we can’t stop there.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As all parents know, the impact of Covid goes far beyond the
learning children have lost.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We worry about Covid’s effects on our children’s emotional
development too. Their mental health and wellbeing.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I’ve heard from many parents who’ve watched their child’s
mental health get worse over the last two years.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Hurt by the lack of social activities, and so much time kept
apart from friends, because they followed the rules.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Watching my own daughter was often hard.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Birthdays on Zoom. Brownies on Zoom. Ballet on Zoom.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Though I must confess, that last one was sometimes
hilarious. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But I ached, knowing how much she was missing out on.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And when she did start going back, it was hard to see her
fear about bringing the virus back to her brother. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Not something a seven-year-old should have to worry about.
But a fear so many children grappled with.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">All of that, on top of the other stresses and strains of
school life – bullying, which is still far too prevalent, the terrifying rise
of self-harm and eating disorders – and the newer pressures of social media,
with all the dangers that brings.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Parents do all they can to protect their children. To take
care of their mental health. But it’s harder now than ever.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And when their child is struggling, many parents don’t know
how to get them extra help. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For every five children needing mental health treatment,
three are unable to access it.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And for those who do get treatment, some have to travel
hundreds of miles to get it.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Just imagine your child broke her arm in York, and being
told you have to drive all the way to Exeter to get it put in a cast. Or wait
six months to get it seen to.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We wouldn’t tolerate it for children’s physical health, and
we mustn’t tolerate it for their mental health either.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">That is a profound failure – not just by the Conservative
Government in Westminster, but also the Nationalists in Scotland and Labour in
Wales.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They are neglecting our children on an industrial scale.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As part of our fair deal, we need to change that.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So today, I’m calling on the Government to expand access to
mental health treatment for children and young people – with new maximum
waiting times, to build on the first ever targets for mental health introduced
by Liberal Democrat Health Minister Norman Lamb.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">By recruiting and training more psychiatrists to deliver
them and, crucially, putting a dedicated, qualified mental health professional
in every school.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So every child and every parent has someone they can turn to
for help.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And while I’m on the subject of mental health, let me return
to a group of people who are very close to my heart, and who need much better
support for their mental health too.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Carers.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You see, people looking after their loved ones have, on
average, much higher levels of anxiety, stress and depression than the
population as a whole.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Yet another of the challenges faced by the UK’s army of
eleven million family carers that is far too often hidden from view.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Yet another reason we are right to stand up for carers and
campaign for the support they deserve.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Yet another reason why they need a fair deal.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But far from giving carers a fair deal, this Government is
penalising them even further.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Next month they will scrap free Lateral Flow Tests.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The tests that millions of carers take regularly, to make
sure they don’t pass Covid to their vulnerable loved ones.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A new Conservative tax on caring, when carers are already
struggling to make ends meet.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It’s unfair and unjust, and the Government must change
course.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Conference, there’s so much more to the fair deal we are
fighting for – a lot of which we’ve debated this weekend.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Ending the scandal of thousands of patients every week stuck
for hours in the back of an ambulance, waiting to get into A and E.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Holding Ministers to account on behalf of people let down by
the Government’s failure to deliver those promised new hospitals.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Protecting our parks, our beaches and our rivers by banning
companies dumping raw sewage.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Taking real action on climate and biodiversity.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Helping small businesses recover from the pandemic. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Making communities safe by tackling rising crime.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And welcoming refugees with care and compassion.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A fair deal must do all this and more, if we are to restore
trust and decency to our politics.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Conference, our vision of a fair deal is certainly an
ambitious one.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But I make no apologies for being ambitious.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Our great country and the great British people deserve
nothing less.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And I know our fair deal is possible.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I know we can deliver it.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">By campaigning harder than ever.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">By listening to people and showing people, we’re on their
side.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">By taking no one for granted.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If we do this, we can get Liberal Democrats elected to
councils in Scotland and Wales, in London and right across England.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We can get Liberal Democrats elected to Parliament, to join
Helen and Sarah and the rest of our team.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And we can defeat this awful government, bring down the Blue
Wall and build a fairer country.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So let’s get out there, and fight for our communities.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Fight for a fair deal.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And win.<o:p></o:p></p>Andy Peacockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09219161903981802835noreply@blogger.com0Wales, UK52.1306607 -3.783711723.820426863821154 -38.9399617 80.440894536178845 31.3725383tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406645652233451179.post-36221673216716861192022-03-11T17:30:00.016+00:002022-03-16T20:23:49.632+00:00Lib Dems Demand Emergency VAT Cut<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgeaDz8Z_9Gia2tG-gviR_fNfVGNNEmIRHO249HDo78GvMQ-17Mq7Xw4C16-dR9F6RgLaKk_KdybRqHsF-5XLhr7hFNZfCZ_tA1zCfHPTS02eobGkTVxAk2QRkwC_mwBWkhCJ90nOIcbj_0FFkp6BCYPmhM0kcsfimvOnSzsjkhfVKEYNK86AwNoQq2tg=s1000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="676" data-original-width="1000" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgeaDz8Z_9Gia2tG-gviR_fNfVGNNEmIRHO249HDo78GvMQ-17Mq7Xw4C16-dR9F6RgLaKk_KdybRqHsF-5XLhr7hFNZfCZ_tA1zCfHPTS02eobGkTVxAk2QRkwC_mwBWkhCJ90nOIcbj_0FFkp6BCYPmhM0kcsfimvOnSzsjkhfVKEYNK86AwNoQq2tg=s320" width="320" /></a></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Jane Dodds MS, Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader.</b></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Party calls on the Chancellor to slash VAT from
20% to 17.5% for one year to tackle soaring bills.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->The move would save families an average of £600
as the cost-of-living crisis hits hard.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Slashing VAT would boost struggling local high
streets and the economy while keeping spiralling inflation down.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->The Welsh Liberal Democrats have demanded an
emergency cut to VAT to protect families from soaring bills and the worsening
cost of living crisis.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Party has proposed reducing the standard rate of VAT
from 20% to 17.5% for one year, a move that would put an average of £600 back
into the pockets of Welsh families. It comes amid warnings that the war in
Ukraine will worsen the cost-of-living pressures facing households, with
energy, food and fuel bills all expected to rise further. Inflation is forecast
to reach 8% in April, its highest level in decades.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Under the Welsh Lib Dem plans, the economy would be boosted
by shoring up consumer spending and supporting local high streets up and down
the country. The proposal would also be expected to keep inflation lower than
it would have been.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The emergency change to VAT could be rapidly introduced by
the Chancellor for one year without the need for new primary legislation. The
Welsh Liberal Democrats have said he should use the Spring Statement on March
23 to bring forward the change and scrap the Conservatives’ National Insurance
tax hike, to offer much-needed respite to millions of families.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Commenting Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds said:
<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“Now is the time for action from the Conservatives and
Rishi Sunak. Their cost-of-living crisis is hitting families hard and it is
about to get worse. Will Sunak act or will he let families up and down the
country suffer more financial pain?<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><o:p> </o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“An emergency cut to VAT is desperately needed for the
hundreds of thousands of Welsh people worried about making ends meet. High street
businesses that fear going to the wall would receive critical support, as
people who are feeling the pinch spend more at their local shops, cafes and
restaurants.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><o:p> </o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“This is a once-in-a-generation crisis, and the
government must step up to help struggling households and businesses on the
brink. Instead of clobbering struggling families with a tax hike, the
Chancellor should be putting money back into their pockets.”<o:p></o:p></i></p>Andy Peacockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09219161903981802835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406645652233451179.post-19598382108349094362022-03-02T17:38:00.043+00:002022-04-05T20:50:10.930+01:00,Lib Dems demand Cardiff Council removes Russian investments<p>Lib Dems demand Cardiff Council removes Russian investments</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Following the horrific news of Russia invading Ukraine,
Local Liberal Democrat Councillor Rhys Taylor has written to Cardiff Council to
ask that it’s pension fund sell any shares it may hold in companies that have
invested in Russia.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“Like so many other local people, I am sickened by what is
happening on the streets of Ukraine and our own pension fund should make its
feelings clear by divesting any assets it holds in companies with Russian
investments. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“I believe our council’s pension fund should also take a
stand, and if it does hold any shares in Russian companies – or those who have
invested in Russia - to divest without delay.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“Others have taken action – the Church of England is
divesting its £20 million in shareholdings in Russian companies and BP is
selling its 19.75% stake in Russian oil giant Rosneft, and Shell is divesting
from Gazprom. I encourage local government pension schemes to divest any shares
they hold”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, Jane Dodds MS
added:<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>"Vladimir Putin must pay a terrible price for his
entirely unprovoked decision to invade Ukraine. We must stand with the people
of Ukraine, and enact the most punitive of severe sanctions upon the Russian
regime.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“It’s time to end the era of Russian interference in this
country. Welsh companies, public bodies and pension funds should be looking
closely at their financial links to Russia and doing the right thing.”<o:p></o:p></i></p>Andy Peacockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09219161903981802835noreply@blogger.com0Wales, UK52.1306607 -3.783711724.942293539837323 -38.9399617 79.319027860162677 31.3725383tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406645652233451179.post-56950191690226042112022-03-01T21:00:00.031+00:002022-03-16T20:25:21.046+00:00 New Zealand Trade Deal Will Damage Rural Communities<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgeaDz8Z_9Gia2tG-gviR_fNfVGNNEmIRHO249HDo78GvMQ-17Mq7Xw4C16-dR9F6RgLaKk_KdybRqHsF-5XLhr7hFNZfCZ_tA1zCfHPTS02eobGkTVxAk2QRkwC_mwBWkhCJ90nOIcbj_0FFkp6BCYPmhM0kcsfimvOnSzsjkhfVKEYNK86AwNoQq2tg=s1000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="676" data-original-width="1000" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgeaDz8Z_9Gia2tG-gviR_fNfVGNNEmIRHO249HDo78GvMQ-17Mq7Xw4C16-dR9F6RgLaKk_KdybRqHsF-5XLhr7hFNZfCZ_tA1zCfHPTS02eobGkTVxAk2QRkwC_mwBWkhCJ90nOIcbj_0FFkp6BCYPmhM0kcsfimvOnSzsjkhfVKEYNK86AwNoQq2tg=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>Responding to the news that the UK Government has concluded
the signing of a trade deal with New Zealand, removing trade barriers between
the two countries, the Welsh Liberal Democrats have said the deal will cause
damage to rural communities and the Welsh agricultural industry.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Commenting Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader and Senedd Member
for Mid & West Wales Jane Dodds said:<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>"The UK Government has negotiated a trade agreement
that will actively damage Welsh farming communities and will bring next to no
tangible benefits to our local economies.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><o:p> </o:p></i><i>"The Conservatives have proven that they are utterly
unable to negotiate trade deals that boost the UK economy and unfortunately
this agreement is no exception. The economic benefits are a drop in the ocean,
and they will do nothing to mitigate the damage from the red tape and paperwork
caused by Boris Johnson's shambolic EU trade deal.</i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>"Instead of delivering Global Britain, this
Government is selling Welsh farmers down the river.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“Under one of the Government’s modelled scenarios, it is
possible the UK economy could contract by -0.01 per cent by 2030 due to the
deal's effects and the damage competition could do to domestic UK industries
like farming. Even the best-case scenarios have growth of only 0.3% and
continued negative impacts on the agricultural sector, particularly that of
sheep farming.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><o:p> </o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“The fact the Government has pushed ahead with this deal
and the Welsh Conservatives have done nothing to stop them or mitigate the
impacts despite mostly representing rural communities in Wales shows the
Conservatives take rural areas and farmers for granted.”<o:p></o:p></i></p>Andy Peacockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09219161903981802835noreply@blogger.com0Wales, UK52.1306607 -3.783711723.820426863821154 -38.9399617 80.440894536178845 31.3725383tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406645652233451179.post-48604918801167514232022-02-22T01:08:00.002+00:002022-03-16T20:38:42.831+00:00Vagrancy Act Repealed: Archaic and Cruel Law Consigned to History<p>The UK Government has announced it will repeal the Vagrancy
Act, which allows police to arrest people for sleeping rough or begging in
England and W<i><span face=""Open Sans",sans-serif" style="color: #151721; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> </span>iberal Democrat MP Layla Moran, who led the
fight to repeal the Bill in Westminster.</i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Currently anyone convicted under the law faces a fine of up
to £1,000 and a two-year criminal record. However, ministers have now
introduced an amendment to a bill in Parliament which scraps the law.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Last year it was revealed nearly 500 people in Wales were
charged under the archaic act since 2015. This included a <a href="https://www.thenational.wales/news/19526327.bangor-mayor-owen-hurcum-condemns-courts-begging-fine-man/">high-profile
case </a>in Bangor city centre.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh3ofuZvPV6fgbmAz1KZjekxJw9LiSHsx7ZYSStC2OYx42NE51f0vQIhZzcsE6UgQkhne74znC6_m5nrtqT-YtpO2k3IRORS9Fpq_JA3mvSS1OpX21uR3Lj6WbTY7PFGBrhGnoxA9KLmImux4gmp7g8vdFOi8l1VGlxtxQEMEDm22pXPCuuYD-DL-dN6A=s400" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh3ofuZvPV6fgbmAz1KZjekxJw9LiSHsx7ZYSStC2OYx42NE51f0vQIhZzcsE6UgQkhne74znC6_m5nrtqT-YtpO2k3IRORS9Fpq_JA3mvSS1OpX21uR3Lj6WbTY7PFGBrhGnoxA9KLmImux4gmp7g8vdFOi8l1VGlxtxQEMEDm22pXPCuuYD-DL-dN6A=w190-h190" width="190" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>In reaction to the news that the Vagrancy Act will be
repealed, Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran, who led the campaign against the act
in Westminster said:</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“After years of campaigning I am elated that we consigned
this archaic and cruel law to history. No one should be criminalised for
sleeping rough, especially by a piece of legislation passed in the Georgian
era. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“This is testament to the hard work of so many people: the
students who first brought the issue to my attention, and to our campaign
partners Crisis.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“This can transform the way we talk about rough sleeping and
homelessness in this country, from criminalisation to compassion. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“While we can celebrate today, tomorrow we return to the
hard work of holding the government to account on their manifesto commitment to
ending rough sleeping by the end of this Parliament."<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>ENDS</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">ales.<o:p></o:p></p><br />Andy Peacockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09219161903981802835noreply@blogger.com0Wales, UK52.1306607 -3.783711730.292428667537862 -38.939961700000012 73.968892732462137 31.372538300000013tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406645652233451179.post-69786285163705235462022-02-19T01:28:00.002+00:002022-02-23T19:44:34.433+00:00Wales Must Stand in Solidarity with Ukraine<p> Jane Dodds, Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats and Member
of the Senedd has called on Wales to stand in solidarity with Ukraine amid
continued threats to its independence by the Russian Government. This morning
Dodds submitted a Statement of Opinion to the Senedd in support of Ukraine
which can now be signed by other members.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Commenting, Dodds said:</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“<i>Now more than ever, the rules-based international order is
under threat. After years of hybrid warfare, threats and provocations, which
tragically have seen over 13,000 casualties in the last few years, a further
Russian incursion into Ukraine now looks like a serious possibility. Russia’s
amassing of over 130,000 troops on the Ukrainian border may seem like a
far-flung conflict for many in Wales, but we must be unwavering in our support
for the freedom of Ukraine or come to face the consequences in the
future. <o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“The liberal values that have underpinned European peace
security for generations, namely the respect for a rules-based international
order, the right to national self-determination, international law and
democracy are now directly under threat. This should deeply worry any liberal
or democrat. <o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“We cannot allow Europe, or the world, to return to an age
where large authoritarian states can use military action to force smaller
democratic states to do their bidding. This type of system only leads to chaos,
destruction and great suffering. If this type of violent order is allowed to
re-establish itself, where is next? Where does it end? Moldova, Georgia and the
Baltics would immediately be placed under increased threat.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“Ukrainians are not the property of Russia, or more
specifically Putin and his cronies despite the effort of Putin’s regime to
invoke imperialist propaganda of Russians and Ukrainians being “one people”.
The people of Ukraine have the democratic right to decide what direction their
country goes in.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“Ukraine has undergone a dramatic transition since the fall
of the Soviet Union into a vibrant democracy. Two people’s revolutions in 2004
and 2014, driven by young people, saw the country rise up against
authoritarianism, kleptocracy and corruption. These revolutions sent fear into
the heart of Putin’s regime. For all the bravado, Putin himself as the head of
a corrupt network of oligarchs remains vulnerable to such revolutions himself.
It is therefore little wonder he is seeking to dismantle this new
Ukraine. <o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“We in Wales must show we stand in solidarity with the
Ukrainian people in their fight to remain free. Should we not, we could see our
security and economic stability threatened like never before. Wales must
also be prepared to take in Ukrainian refugees should the worst come to
pass. <o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“Within the UK, we urgently need the Conservative Government
in Westminster to urgently clean up Russian money-laundering operations in the
UK, not least in London and in their own party. <o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“Despite all this, we mustn’t despair, we can find peace and
Russia with its weak economy can be strong-armed into coming back from the
brink through diplomacy and the threat of hard-hitting economic sanctions. But
we must also remain resolute, and in the age of weaponised disinformation by
states such as Russia, ensure we keep our eyes on our guiding principles of
democracy, freedom and cooperation. </i><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>The statement of opinion read:</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>This Senedd:</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">1) Recognises the longstanding historical ties between
Wales and Ukraine.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">2) Re-affirms its recognition that Ukraine is a free and
independent nation, which has the right to choose its own direction in the
world.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">3) Recognises and respects Ukraine's sovereignty and
its borders, which tragically have seen over 13,000 casualties in the last few
years. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">4) Calls on the Russian Government to desist from
further threats to the territorial and political integrity of Ukraine.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">5) Supports the continuation of democracy in Ukraine. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>Andy Peacockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09219161903981802835noreply@blogger.com0Wales, UK52.1306607 -3.783711723.820426863821154 -38.9399617 80.440894536178845 31.3725383tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406645652233451179.post-3050351277544639372022-02-17T01:02:00.002+00:002022-02-21T17:53:02.912+00:00People Facing Abysmal Waits in Welsh NHS<p class="MsoNormal">Responding to today’s health statistics published by the
Welsh Government, the Welsh Liberal Democrats have described the current
situation as “abysmal” and called on more to be done to improve waiting times
and make sure people get the care they need when they need it.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> <br /></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">According to today’s statistics, waiting times for A&E
are the fifth-worst on record, four out of seven health boards are failing to
have even half of red calls for ambulances reach patients within the 8 minute
target time, and one in four patients are waiting over a year for treatment on
the NHS. This comes on top of yesterday's figures showing almost 80% of
referrals to Child Mental Health Services were not being seen in the four-week
waiting time.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhTwz0ViWrBc1HOiAO3ZJv0TwMc8rFsYy_1wTpWa6kG3J2A_vcicGojHocwNBoc-kliNyu1EYzGKmvaipJv3QKHgvZaNL8aoH-lp7EgN4Mzck9eCWWYolGl5QRnvSYaV_ZlgcGMQKzJr0p0r87CLx98rbDwwFR_BH8UjetSFDeBDvqleSa8idhmb_vxCQ=s1000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="676" data-original-width="1000" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhTwz0ViWrBc1HOiAO3ZJv0TwMc8rFsYy_1wTpWa6kG3J2A_vcicGojHocwNBoc-kliNyu1EYzGKmvaipJv3QKHgvZaNL8aoH-lp7EgN4Mzck9eCWWYolGl5QRnvSYaV_ZlgcGMQKzJr0p0r87CLx98rbDwwFR_BH8UjetSFDeBDvqleSa8idhmb_vxCQ=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Commenting Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader and Senedd
Member Jane Dodds said:</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“These figures truly are abysmal and make for harrowing
reading. While the pandemic has resulted in extra pressure on the NHS in Wales,
we cannot pretend it hasn’t been in crisis for many years now.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“We urgently need action to reduce waiting times and make
sure patients are getting the care they need when they need it. This has to be
at the very top of the Government’s priority list.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“It was disappointing to see that the issue of waiting
times was given no mention in the cooperation agreement between Labour and
Plaid Cymru. We cannot afford for the Administration to lose focus on this most
important of issues.”<o:p></o:p></i></p>Andy Peacockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09219161903981802835noreply@blogger.com0Wales, UK52.1306607 -3.783711723.820426863821154 -38.9399617 80.440894536178845 31.3725383