Liberal Democrats in Blackburn, Darwen, Hyndburn and Rossendale

Boris Johnson's announcement of new defence spending today is fundamentally undermined by his failure to agree a security deal with the EU. To protect British interests in the era of cyber and 21st century defence we must have cooperation with our European partners.

See Ed Davy's question to the Prime Minister here

Liberal Democrats are calling for £150 billion in funding for a Green Economic Recovery.

Today the Government announced their Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution.

Lib Dem Leader Ed Davey said,

Sadly, it fails to undo the damage the Conservatives have done to the UK's progress on climate change over the past five years.Their plan not only pledges to continue selling fossil fuel powered hybrid cars past 2030 but it also extends the Green Homes Grant by just one year

Ed Davey has released this message for Diwali, highlighting how friends and family are not able to celebrate as they would wish because of the Covid restrictions:

The Liberal Democrats are calling on Ministers to use the lockdown period in England to "get a grip" on the test and trace system and ensure the right financial and practical support is in place for people isolating.

The call follows a vote in the House of Commons today on the new lockdown measures in England, which were approved by 516 votes to 38.

The Liberal Democrats have condemned the Conservatives' "reckless" attitude to animal welfare and food standards, following votes on the Agriculture Bill in the House of Commons today.
Conservative MPs voted down Amendment 16B, added to the Bill in the House of Lords, which would have forced the UK Government to ensure that British food and animal welfare standards are maintained in any trade deals.

The Liberal Democrats are calling for the Government to reflect on the increased risk from the rise of coronavirus cases and bring back a hybrid Parliament and remote voting as soon as possible.

Speaking at Business Questions in the House of Commons today, Wera Hobhouse warned MPs should put "the safety of citizens first" and "demonstrate, through our own actions, that this lockdown is different" by adapting working practices.

Responding to news that the four Governments of the UK have met to develop a UK-wide approach to restrictions for the festive period, Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said:

People across our family of nations will be reassured to hear that efforts are at last underway to ensure everyone is subject to the same guidance as they plan for the festive period, as first called for by the Liberal Democrats.

Responding to reports that the UK Government will hold meetings to try to develop a UK-wide approach to restrictions for the festive period, Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said:

It is welcome that the governments of the four nations are listening to the Liberal Democrats' calls. With so many families desperate to be back together this festive season, we simply cannot allow political bickering and fractured guidance to confuse and divide people.

Responding to statistics released today showing that four in ten close contacts of people who tested positive for coronavirus in England are still not being reached by the Test and Trace system, Liberal Democrat Health Spokesperson Munira Wilson said:

These figures today show that tracing is still woefully inadequate, despite repeated calls for the Government to fix the failing test and trace system. The test, trace and isolate system is essential to not only slow the spread of coronavirus, but for people to have any hope of ever getting out of the Government's restrictions.

The Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey has today called for an immediate national circuit breaker to "correct the failing test, trace and isolate system" and keep people safe.

The call follows annoucements in both France and Germany of new nationwide lockdowns. The Liberal Democrats have also called for a united approach to keeping family gatherings safe during the festive season, now backed by Wales First Minister Mark Drakeford.