Lib Dems: We need “Careers for Heroes”

Liberal Democrats have today announced a package of measures aimed at tackling recruitment and retention challenges across the Armed Forces.   These measures include cash incentives for new STEM graduates who join up, and a new “careers for heroes” scheme to pay for the full cost of further and higher education for Armed Forces personnel who have served for twelve or more years. These ambitious policies have been announced on the same day that the Liberal Democrats have committed to the NATO target of 2% defence spending. Liberal Democrat Leader, Tim Farron said:  “Liberal Democrats believe in a strong, credible UK Armed Forces which is properly equipped and trained for the challenges and threats we face in the 21stcentury. “This relies on proper investment in the men and women who serve our country, people who have been shamefully overlooked by the Conservative government for too many years. A Conservative party who would rather buy big ticket platforms than invest in the people needed to run them. “A recent independent report was a damning indictment of armed forces recruitment and retention, with some units facing 14% shortfalls in manpower. “That’s why the Liberal Democrat manifesto will set out a bold set of measures to support personnel and address the critical skills shortfalls. We will incentivise STEM graduates to join the Armed Forces with a £10,000 golden handshake for those who sign up. Alongside this, we will fund further and higher education for those who leave the services with a ‘Careers for Heroes’ scheme. “Our Army, Navy and Airforce deserve the best and the brightest serving in them, and we must not stand by as those who have served face disadvantages. “The Liberal Democrats are the only party that can challenge Theresa May and stand up for the rights of those brave men and women who serve.”

Lib Dems demand inquiry into why Tories cut cyber security support

The Liberal Democrats have demanded an inquiry into why the Conservatives cut cyber-security support a year ago when it axed a £5.5m deal with Microsoft. Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary Brian Paddick said: “We need to get to the bottom of why the government thought cyber-attacks were not a risk, when a combination of warnings and plain common sense should have told ministers that there is a growing and dangerous threat to our cyber-security. “It is worrying that in Amber Rudd we have a Home Secretary in the digital age more suited to the era of analogue. This is not the first time she has looked lost in cyber-space. The government likes to look tough but this is an example of where it has left Britain defenceless. We demand to be told why.”

Lib Dems tell developers: if you won’t build the houses, we will

Tim Farron has laid down the law to developers, warning that unless they build the homes Britain needs, the government will.

Tim has made house building one of his very top manifesto commitments, having campaigned to increase Britain’s housing supply throughout his career. The Liberal Democrat manifesto will commit to ensuring 300,000 homes a year are built for sale and rent by the end of the parliament.

Leader of the Liberal Democrats Tim Farron said:

“If developers won’t deliver the homes Britain needs, we will. The government will become a house-builder itself, bringing in the contractors to actually construct the homes and then selling them into the market. The only way to get a grip on the housing crisis is by firm government action. The market is broken and has failed to deliver.

“This is personal for me. As a teenager, I got into politics after I watched a repeat of Cathy Come Home, a heartbreaking film about a couple who were made homeless, and I joined the housing charity Shelter as a result. As an MP, I have seen first-hand the misery caused by people not having a proper home.

“Getting a place of my own and then making a home for my family was one of the proudest moments of my life. But for many people in the next generation, it is virtually impossible to get on the housing ladder. They deserve a helping hand.

 “If we have to penalise developers for land-banking and let local authorities hike up council tax on empty or un-built homes, so be it. We will set up a Housing and Infrastructure Development Bank to provide long-term capital for new settlements.”

Lib Dem Manifesto Commitment To Regulate the Cannabis Market

Liberal Democrats will take back control from criminal gangs, take ‘skunk’ off the streets, and protect young people by introducing a legal, regulated market for cannabis.

The Lib Dems have unveiled a manifesto commitment to bring the sale of cannabis under a system of strict legal regulation.

Commenting, Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Cambridge and former Home Affairs Select Committee member Julian Huppert said:

“Cannabis is freely available and widely used. It generates significant health problems and vast profits for organised crime.

“The current approach is a disaster for young people, whose mental and physical health is being harmed by an increasingly potent product. There are no age checks, and no controls on quality or strength. ‘Skunk’ is widespread and the only ID you need to buy it is a £20 note.

“Successive governments have ceded total control of a significant public health problem to organised crime.

“The honest and pragmatic response is to take responsibility for this situation and regulate the market.

“Liberal Democrats will take back control from the criminal gangs and protect young people by introducing a legal, regulated market for cannabis.

“We will restrict the market to over-18s. We will make cannabis safer by limiting THC content and requiring all products to contain CBD, which has been bred out of ‘skunk’ and counteracts the harmful effects of THC. And we will invest tax revenues of up to £1bn in education and treatment.”

Lib Dems to May: sort your own computer security first

The Liberal Democrats have questioned plans by the Conservatives to hand powers to the government that would enable ministers to censor social media content. Alistair Carmichael, Liberal Democrat shadow first secretary of state, said: “It is certainly bold of the Conservatives to boast how they can protect people on the internet the day after the NHS has been hacked with a loophole apparently built by the US government. “Government and technology companies must do more to find a real solution to problematic content online – but having a government agency deciding what constitutes acceptable free speech isn’t it. “We need to be working with technology companies to address the problem of hate speech – not pretending it’s an easy problem that can be solved with a press release.”

Frank Little, candidate for Neath

Frank was brought up in an army family and had a much-travelled childhood. He remembers trouble in Egypt and seeing poverty in the back streets of Benghazi, as well as the rejuvenation of the region of the Ruhr in Germany after the devastation of the world war. Settled briefly in Wallasey on Merseyside, he attended Oldershaw Grammar School where two visiting lecturers made an impression.

“The first was Emlyn Williams, who performed his recreation of Charles Dickens’ readings from his own work, a rare honour for the school. The second was a man whose name I unforgivably soon forgot, but who described the strides which were being made in the creation of the European Community and the benefits it was already bringing. A seed must have been planted then.

“Oldershaw was a great little school and I enjoyed my time there, but from personal experience I became conscious of the great divide which was created by the 11-plus exam. Boys of only slightly varying intellectual ability were arbitrarily consigned to very different paths in life. I am glad that Wales adopted and has stuck to comprehensive principles.”

Asthma handicapped his educational development. He left school with several undistinguished ‘O’ and a couple of ‘A’ level GCEs and started work as a clerical officer at the Ministry of Transport. Retraining as a systems analyst/programmer, he moved to Swansea with the Driver & Vehicle Licensing IT project. Already married with one daughter, he added another in Ynysforgan - “both are now doing very well for themselves.”

Developments in medicine relieved him from crippling asthma attacks. He is grateful to the NHS. He says: “I sometimes wonder what further sacrifices my parents would have had to make for the sake of my health if it had not been for the NHS. The first Welsh partnership government made the progressive step of abolishing prescription charges, which has freed young asthmatics and diabetics (to cite just two chronic conditions) on lower incomes to lead full lives.”

When fit, he enjoyed playing cricket, though only as a tail-end batsman and occasional leg-spin bowler. He has been a long-time member of Glamorgan CCC, though is wary of the emphasis on limited-overs cricket. If you know his name or face, it may be because of appearances on broadcast general knowledge programmes. He is a member of several charities with an ecological slant as well as the Campaign for Real Ale.

He was constrained by civil service rules from open political activity, but leaving the Department for Transport to set up as a freelance programmer freed him to become one of the founder members of the Social and Liberal Democrats in Wales. After several house moves, including residence in Alltwen and Gelligron in the Neath constituency, he has been settled for nearly twenty years in Skewen - “which is in Neath, whatever the Boundaries Commission may say!”.

He adds: “I see myself as being swept up in the great Liberal tradition of Wales, adorned by the great Samuel Thomas Evans, who was born in Skewen and the centenary of whose death we will be commemorating next year. So many of the reforms begun by Lloyd George, Beveridge and the young Churchill, which led to a welfare state once the envy of the world, have been unwound by successive governments, including - shamefully - a Labour administration. I see a major task of the next MP for Neath as fighting to restore those cuts to social security which are creating hardship for local people, while helping to create a fair taxation system and a buoyant and balanced economy.”

Cen Phillips, candidate for Aberavon

Cable: PM dropping business letter shows Tories are no longer party of business

Responding to reports Theresa May will not seek the endorsement of prominent business figures in the campaign, Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor Vince Cable said: "The Conservatives are making a virtue of necessity, because very few respectable business people are likely to endorse the party in its current form. "They have buried any claim to be the party of business. Theresa May has adopted UKIP's job-destroying agenda wholesale, choosing to quit the single market no matter what damage is done to British businesses. "People don't have to settle for a bad Brexit deal that will cost jobs and push up prices. "There is another way. The Liberal Democrats will fight for membership of the single market and customs union, and to give people the final say over whether Theresa May's Brexit deal is right for them."

Lib Dems offer ‘Fathers' Month’ of paid parental leave for new dads

The Liberal Democrats will introduce an additional month of paid parental leave for fathers to encourage greater sharing of parental responsibilities.

The policy will build on our achievement of introducing Shared Parental Leave which ensured new parents could make decisions which work best for their family.

Many fathers would prefer to spend more time with their children in the period after they are born. The Liberal Democrats want to make that a real possibility giving opportunities for new fathers to spend quality time with their newborn children. 

Jo Swinson, who introduced the original Shared Parental Leave in the Coalition Government, said:
 
“The Liberal Democrat introduction of Shared Parental Leave was a massive step towards more equal parenting, and recognising the vital role that fathers play. Parents across the UK have already benefitted from greater flexibility and freedom in how they share the care for their new baby.
 
“But more needs to be done in order to encourage men to take leave when they become a dad, to bond with their child during the early weeks and months of their life.  Research shows that fathers being more involved in their children's lives is good for children's development and good for the health and happiness of the whole family.
 
“That is why the Liberal Democrats want to give dads across the country the chance to spend more time with their children.

“A vote for the Liberal Democrats is a vote to change the direction of this country. If you want an open, tolerant and united Britain, this is your chance.”


Susan Kramer, Liberal Democrat Shadow Business Secretary, said:

“Creating a fair system for parents everywhere not only benefits new mums and dads but also helps our business sector.

“Having a workforce that is both more flexible and more motivated will benefit UK businesses greatly.

“It is the Liberal Democrats who are standing up for fairness and flexibility for parents. Theresa May has never cared.” 

Candidates announced for Aberavon and Neath

It is confirmed that the local Liberal Democrat candidates in the general election to be decided on June 8th are:

Aberavon:  Cen Phillips

Neath: Frank Little

Conservative defence chicanery

Responding to the Conservatives' announcement on defence spending, former Liberal Democrat leader and ex-Royal Marine Paddy Ashdown said:
  
“This Conservative government has slashed funding on defence, cut our Royal Marines and left our troops on the front line without basic equipment.

"Billions has been spent on big ticket items that we may not even have enough troops to use. 

"Of course adequate spending on defence is welcome and necessary, but this is a piece of last-minute chicanery to cover up the Conservative's dismal record. 

"No wonder Britain's top generals have accused the Tories of trying to deceive the public over defence cuts.

"It shows why Britain needs a strong opposition to hold the Conservatives to account."

Farron: We must reinstate post-study work visas for STEM graduates

The Liberal Democrats have made a commitment to reinstate post-study work visas for graduates in STEM subjects who find suitable employment within six months of graduating. The manifesto commitment aims to tackle Britain’s chronic shortage of workers in the fields of science, technology, engineering and maths. The current system has driven away talent with global students choosing to study in America, Australia and Canada who have programmes to retain talent post-study. Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron said: “It is ludicrous that we take in international students, train them, and then as soon as they are skilled and ready to work, the Conservatives boot them out of the country. “British universities are world leaders that attract some of the most talented individuals from around the globe to the benefit of the UK economy. But instead of encouraging them to stay here and contribute to keeping Britain at the forefront of cutting-edge research, this Conservative Brexit Government forces them out. And all in a vain attempt to meet an artificial and unachievable immigration target. “The Liberal Democrats want to build a Britain that is open, tolerant and united. This means bringing in and fostering talent, helping to boost our economy and keep Britain an attractive destination to study. This is your chance to change Britain's future. ”

Brake slams May for Calais border U-turn

Responding to an admission yesterday by Theresa May that she would have to renegotiate the Le Touquet border treaty with newly elected French President Emmanuel Macron, Lib Dem Shadow Foreign Secretary Tom Brake said:  “Theresa May has adopted UKIP’s rhetoric, and now she is adopting their incompetence too. “The Conservatives have repeatedly claimed that Brexit will have no impact on border agreements with France, but now the Prime Minister has admitted that they are up for negotiation. "Changes to Le Touquet will mean an upheaval for people travelling across the Channel, and risk making our country less secure.” Theresa May’s plan to fine ferry companies if they let illegal immigrants slip on board their ships was dismissed by the Liberal Democrats as a “shambles”. Tom Brake said: “Theresa May has already acknowledged that thanks to her version of Brexit Britain’s border could move from Calais back to Dover. Now ministers are reportedly contracting out border controls, demanding that ferry companies will be responsible for screening vast numbers passengers, some of whom may turn out to be illegal immigrants. “The result will be ferry companies hiking prices for consumers or going out of business. This is a shambles. Ferry companies are not border guards. They cannot be expected to control what large numbers of police and immigration officials already struggle to.”

Lib Dems set out plans to close the ethnicity pay gap

Today, Liberal Democrats set out plans to introduce mandatory reporting on the ethnicity pay gap for organisations with 250 employees or more. Employee ethnicity data is currently patchy at best and there is no uniform way to collect it making monitoring and analysis difficult. The Liberal Democrats believe that every person, regardless of their ethnicity, should be allowed to reach their full potential in the workplace. Announcing the policy, Tim Farron said: “Jo Swinson fought an uphill struggle against the Conservatives in Coalition to get gender pay gap reporting into law, but the fight doesn’t stop there. It is shocking that in 21st Century Britain inequality that comes down to race still persists. "Sunlight is always the best disinfectant and by bringing these gaps out into the open we can start to address the issue and speed up progress to create a more equal and fair workplace.” Jo Swinson, Liberal Democrat Campaign Spokesperson and former Business Minister added: “The gender pay gap and the BAME pay gap are a sign that we are failing to make the most of talent in the workplace, which is bad for our economy. "Information is powerful, but while organisations are allowed to get away with keeping patchy records, we'll never know the full extent of the gap. Gender pay gap reporting is already making employers look again at how they attract, retain, promote and pay women and men. "Transparent data on the BAME pay gap will help employers focus on what they need to do to ensure equal opportunities at work for people of all ethnic backgrounds. "The Liberal Democrats believe that in order to grow the economy we can leave no one behind, it is not only morally just but good business-sense to close the gap.”

May's failing immigration target will only harm economy - Paddick

Responding to reports that the Conservatives are sticking to their failed 10,000 immigration target, Shadow Home Secretary Brian Paddick said: “This is yet another Conservative pledge that they will inevitably break.Theresa May seems to have forgotten everything she learnt in the Home Office – you cannot have a successful economy if you restrict immigration that much. It seems like the Conservatives are intent on harming our economy, first with a Hard Brexit that will yank us out of the Single Market and cost jobs, and now this. "The Brexiteers told us that leaving the EU would mean we could be more generous to our Commonwealth partners, it is now clear that this was another Leave lie. "The Liberal Democrats are the only party standing up for an open, tolerant and united Britain where immigration is controlled but welcomed as something that adds value to our economy and our communities."

The Tory and Socialist faces change, but the policies are the same

Kramer responds to Labour tax pledge

Responding to plans to be set out by the Labour Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell, Lib Dem Shadow Chancellor, Susan Kramer said: “Labour’s so-called tax pledges aren’t worth the paper they’re written on, given their inability to form a proper opposition, let alone a government. “McDonnell and his party have voted to rip Britain out of the Single Market, yet has no credible plan for the future of our economy and no guarantee to employers that they won’t be hit with a new jobs tax. Labour has a spending list as long as your arm yet does not explain how to pay for it. “The Liberal Democrats are the only party winning votes off the Conservatives across the country, and fighting for a UK which is open, tolerant and united.”

Lib Dems make manifesto commitment to protect pensions Triple Lock

Pensioners will receive at least an extra £772 per year by 2021 under Liberal Democrat manifesto plans to protect the Triple Lock.  The party are making the commitment to older people unlike the Conservatives who have repeatedly refused to give the guarantee. This guarantee means the state pension is expected to be worth at least £137.15-a-week by 2021, up from £122.30 in 2017. Thanks to the Liberal Democrats’ triple lock guarantee, the basic state pension has risen in each year by whichever is the higher of earnings, prices or 2.5%. The triple lock was a key demand from the Liberal Democrats in Coalition negotiations. Labour increased the State Pension by just 75p in 2000. Help the Aged described the 75p increase as “just unacceptable”. Labour had 13 years to restore the earnings link to pensions which Margaret Thatcher severed in 1980. The Liberal Democrats restored the link to earnings within six weeks of getting into government. The Conservatives have hinted strongly that they will drop the Triple Lock. Theresa May has said she will not be drawn on whether it will be included in the manifesto, and Conservative senior figures have spoken out against it. Commenting on the plan, Sir Vince Cable said: “Liberal Democrats believe that an important test of a civilised society is the way in which it cares for the elderly. We will protect the Triple Lock unlike the Conservatives. “The guiding principle of the pensions system must be to ensure that none are left unable to meet their basic needs for survival and participation in society, and that everyone is treated with the respect and dignity they deserve. “A Lib Dem Pensions Minister introduced the triple lock guarantee to protect the state pension during Coalition. We delivered on our manifesto commitment to increase the Basic State Pension by whatever is highest out of CPI inflation, average earnings or 2.5%.”

Rail Needs Urgent Modernisation - Randerson

Responding to the Campaign for Better Transport's report calling for a reform of rail franchising and improvements in ticketing, Lib Dem Transport Spokesperson, and former Cardiff AM, Baroness Randerson said: "Liberal Democrats are on the side of the customer when it comes to needing more guarantees, and sanctions where necessary for failing franchises. The rail network could desperately do with modernising from top to bottom, including the way in which we pay inconsistent fares with outdated technology.” The party believes that a greater focus on passengers is needed to improve performance and would like to see the Department for Transport extend the right to operate franchises to those at a more local level.

Lib Dems penny on income tax to save NHS

The Liberal Democrats have announced they would plug funding gaps for the English NHS and social care by putting a penny on income tax, in their first major manifesto commitment of the election campaign. This is the party’s flagship spending commitment and its first major policy announcement for the election. At least 70% of Brits would happily pay an extra 1p in every pound if that money was guaranteed to go to the NHS, an ITV poll found last October. There will be a consequential increase in the health component of the Scottish and Welsh budget settlements. However, pressure on the Welsh government will be needed to ensure that all the money is directed towards health, bearing in mind the cuts imposed by the Plaid Cymru/Labour "One Wales" government between 2007 and 2011.

UKIP on foreign aid

The Liberal Democrats have attacked plans by UKIP to slash foreign aid so it would account for only 0.2% of GDP. Tom Brake MP, Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs spokesperson, said of Patrick O’Flynn’s announcement: “Patrick O’Flynn is widely considered to be Paul Nuttall’s brain. But this, to be charitable, is politics at its least thoughtful. “Ensuring that 0.7% of GDP is spent on foreign aid was a major achievement of Liberal Democrats in the coalition. It allowed us to vaccinate millions of children against ghastly diseases, stop humanitarian disasters and fight the horrific practice of Female Genital Mutilation. "UKIP would cheerfully see a child starve to death if it won them some cheap, snarling clip on the evening news.  “As the Conservatives move ever further to the right, UKIP are trying to sound ever more extreme to seem relevant. The Liberal Democrats are the very opposite of UKIP, campaigning to keep Britain open, tolerant and united.” Local Liberal Democrat Frank Little said: "I agree with everything that Tom Brake says, but believe that parliament should look closely at how that 0.7% has been used since Conservatives took full power in Westminster. It has been suggested that some of that  money which should have gone to people in the Third World who desperately need it has gone instead to financial institutions only nominally interested in humanitarian aid."

Local Liberal Democrats celebrate return to council

Frank Little, secretary of Aberavon and Neath Liberal Democrats, said:

After being deprived of representation there for the last five years, Welsh Liberal Democrats will now have a strong voice on Neath Port Talbot council. Helen Ceri Clarke, who has proved to be an effective champion for her local community for the last nine years on Coedffranc Community Council, has been elected our first woman councillor at county borough level.

Overall, our near doubling of our vote over 2012 did not lead to any other gains, but a consistent increase in membership over that period holds out promise of further progress.

Air quality plan - Govt is passing buck to local authorities

Responding to the government's draft air quality plan and consultation published today, Liberal Democrat former Energy and Climate Change Secretary and candidate for Kingston Ed Davey said:

"This is not a plan, it's a cop out. 

"Instead of bold commitments to improve air quality, the government is hiding behind yet another consultation and passing the buck to local authorities.

"The Conservative government is shamefully failing in its duty to tackle deadly pollution that is claiming thousands of lives a year.

"This shows why Britain needs a strong opposition that will hold the Conservatives to account."

Tim Farron, Saboteur of the Year

Lib Dems hit highest ever membership on eve of local elections

The Liberal Democrats have hit their highest ever number of members, eclipsing the high watermark of 101,768 set in 1994. The landmark comes as Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron heads to Oxford to rally activists for the party’s final push of the local election campaign. More than 14,000 new members have joined the Liberal Democrats in the two weeks since the General Election was called. More than 50,000 members have joined since last year’s European referendum and nearly 70,000 since the 2015 General Election. Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron said: “We are going into these local elections bigger than ever before, with a clear message and a growing sense of momentum. “In many of the counties where these elections are taking place it is the Liberal Democrats who are the main challengers. Liberal Democrat councillors are the strong opposition to the Conservatives and Labour across England and Wales, standing up to them on cuts to schools and elderly care. “You don’t need to agree with us on everything to agree that Britain needs a strong opposition to fight for you and your communities against Tory cuts to our schools, our NHS and our social care services. In county halls just as in Westminster, Liberal Democrats are that strong opposition that Britain needs.”

Ed Davey: Disgrace Govt had to be dragged through courts on air pollution

The Government has announced it won’t challenge the High Court judgement and will publish a draft plan to tackle air pollution next week, after having attempted to delay the plans until after the election. Ed Davey, former Liberal Democrat Energy and Climate Change Secretary commented: “It is a disgrace this Conservative government had to be dragged through the courts before agreeing to publish a plan to tackle air pollution. “How much taxpayers' money has been wasted because of the failure of ministers to do the right thing? “There is an urgent threat to people’s health from air pollution, yet time and again this government has dithered and delayed instead of taking action. “The Liberal Democrats will fight to ensure action is taken to tackle the air pollution crisis that is claiming thousands of lives in UK each year.”

LibDem response to Lords' report on the Middle East

Today, the Lords Select Committee on International Relations has published a report on UK policy in the Middle East which argues that UK should distance itself from Trump; recognise Palestine as a state and support the Iran Nuclear deal. Responding Shadow Foreign Secretary, Tom Brake MP said: "The Conservatives have shown a willingness to pander to Donald Trump, turn their backs on international commitments and give little thought to international security.  "This report is damning of the Tory government's record, but also makes clear recommendations that PM Theresa May must now heed.  "The British people deserve a government that stands up for what is right, while seeking to create a more stable and united international community. Only the Liberal Democrats are fighting for a UK which is open, tolerant and united."

Labour housing U-turn has no credibility - Lib Dems

John Shipley, Liberal Democrat housing spokesperson, said: “Labour has a guilty conscience about housing. It completely failed on house-building during its 13 years in government, selling off 470,000 council houses and adopting Margaret Thatcher’s Right to Buy without replacing the homes they sold off. “Their announcement today is to build an extra 500,000 council homes, which is the same number as the number of council homes they sold off in Government. “You need a strong economy to increase house-building. Labour’s policies are not credible and will not deliver the homes we need. “Labour voted for a hard Brexit, and that will leave an estimated £200bn black hole in the economy over 15 years, so any spending announcement Jeremy Corbyn makes is not worth the paper it is written on. You can’t have a hard Brexit and a decent supply of houses.” Local activist Frank Little added: “Welsh Labour is particularly culpable, in pushing through the selling-off of council housing long after the Westminster government had back-tracked on the policy. Neath Port Talbot used roundly condemned methods to persuade its tenants to agree to the transfer to NPT Homes”

Wages growth stalled according to IFS

Researchers of the respected independent think-tank, the Institute for Fiscal Studies, have shown that the employment rate has flattened and real earnings growth stalled. Commenting, Lib Dem Shadow Chancellor Susan Kramer said: “This stall in average earnings is yet another sign that this Government is failing ordinary workers. Despite a huge increase in the take up of higher education, this has not translated into any gains for take home wages. “This data shows that people are poorer under the Tories and have not seen wages come back to the pre-recession level, while prices and bills seem to spiral upwards.  It is scandalous that it will take 14 years for people to feel as rich as they were in 2007.” After adjusting for inflation, average earnings of employees are still substantially below pre-recession levels, and are currently being squeezed by rising household inflation (linked in large part to falls in sterling). Central forecasts from the OBR imply average earnings will still be lower than their 2007­–08 level in 2021‒22.

May is preparing to raid pensions to pay for a hard Brexit

Responding to Theresa May's refusal today at PMQs to guarantee the triple lock for pensioners, introduced by the Liberal Democrats in coalition, Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor Susan Kramer said: "Theresa May is preparing to raid pensions to pay for her hard Brexit. "The Conservatives must clarify their position now to pensioners across the country. "The triple lock was one of the Liberal Democrats' biggest achievements in government, lifting many pensioners out of poverty. Now this progress risks being undone. "This election is a chance to prevent a hard Brexit and secure the strong economy we need to protect pensions and public services."

Liberal Democrat membership grows

Government must publish pollution report – Davey

The Liberal Democrats have demanded the government publish a highly embarrassing report on air pollution before the election. Ed Davey,  Lib Dem former cabinet minister for Energy and Climate Change, has said the government is reportedly blocking release of its report into air pollution because it is worried the “shaming” findings would become a major election issue. Ed Davey said: “Air pollution is one of the biggest health challenges in Britain today. The Conservatives have hidden the truth about their toxic policies. Increasingly air pollution is linked to a rise in asthma, COPD, heart conditions, and even recently to dementia. A vote for the Tories is a vote for more air pollution. “It is a disgrace that the government wants to block a report which is expected to say that pollution is at dangerous levels in many of our cities and towns. “Ministers are hugely embarrassed because it is EU air quality standards the government is flouting. No wonder Theresa May wants a hard Brexit, so she can change the rules to leave polluters free to damage the nation’s health. “You can’t have clean air and a hard Brexit. “The government is refusing to spend the money on measures that would improve air quality, such as investment in public transport, but this is a false economy because it burdens the NHS and destroys lives.”

Labour fails to select candidate in Gower with just weeks until election

Labour has failed to select candidates in Gower, Brecon & Radnorshire or Carmarthen East & Dinefwr with the general election just weeks away. It seems that Labour has “given up”, even in some of its former strongholds. A further twelve out of the forty seats in Wales await a Labour candidate, while there are over 340 constituencies Labour has still not selected for in England.

In contrast the Liberal Democrats have selected 92% of their candidates in England and the Welsh Liberal Democrats virtually all their candidates in this region.

It seems that Labour have simply given up in large areas of South Wales West. They claimed to be prepared for a general election, but many of their approved candidates are simply refusing to run under Jeremy Corbyn's banner - and who can blame them? They see a leader who is ineffective and a party that is too divided and a leadership which is too metropolitan to stand up for local people.

Every government needs to be held to account and the Liberal Democrats are rapidly emerging as the real voice of opposition.

How to join the Lib Dems

You can join the Liberal Democrats quickly, easily and safely online here.

There are lots of reasons to join the Liberal Democrats. Some people joined because they wanted to stand up for our values, of openness, tolerance and unity. Some because they want to help us win elections. Others so they could stand for election and stand up for their community.

Becoming a Liberal Democrat will let you do all that – and much more besides. As a member, you’ll have the power to change things and all our members, from party leader Tim Farron, right down to our newest member you get the same vote.

Thousands of people are joining the party and our membership has doubled since the general election.

Membership starts at £12 a year, but the party hopes that you might consider donating a little more – the recommended amount (as decided by members like you at our conference) is £70. There are concessionary rates too: students can join for £1 for their first year of membership and if you’re under 26 and are entitled to receive state benefits (other than the state pension or child benefit) then membership starts from just £6 a year.

You can join the Liberal Democrats quickly, easily and safely online here.

If you would prefer to join the Liberal Democrats via the posts, here’s a pdf of the Lib Dem membership form which you can print off, fill in and post back.

Or if you prefer to speak to someone local, phone Keith - see sidebar.

Thanks to Mark Pack for most of this posting.

Lib Dems gain 8,000 members in 48 hours

The Liberal Democrats gained 8,000 new members in the two days since Theresa May called a snap election. The increase in members is the fastest rise of new membership in the party’s history. The party now has over 95,000 members, more than double what it was at the time of the last general election and only 5,000 less than the reported size of the Conservative Party. Commenting, President of the Liberal Democrats Sal Brinton said: “People are flocking to the Liberal Democrats as we are the only party who are offering effective opposition to this Conservative Brexit government. “Theresa May: we have the troops for this fight and they are raring to go. “The Liberal Democrats are the only party standing up for an open, tolerant, and united Britain.”

Lib Dems: Atos and Capita don’t deserve £700m DWP contracts

The Liberal Democrats have criticised the Department for Work and Pensions after ministers found themselves having to increase the value of contracts to Atos and Capita to £700m a year for their controversial assessments for disability benefits. This is way over the £512m budget.

Celia Thomas, Liberal Democrat spokesperson for disability, said:

“Before these companies are given more money for benefit assessments, they need to give much better value for money than they do at present.

“In particular, the PIP reassessments from Disability Living Allowance (DLA) are a complete lottery for claimants, with two-thirds of these PIP claimants winning their appeals.

“Poor assessments have resulted in many disabled people losing their Motability cars for which they have later become eligible on appeal. The DWP has its priorities backwards. It should look at the poor quality of many of these assessments before giving Atos and Capita more money.”

Who pays the piper?

Local Liberal Democrats have questioned the cost of "Local Voice", a tabloid newspaper distributed throughout the county borough on behalf of Labour in the Neath Port Talbot local election campaign. We have independently costed such an eight-page tabloid which makes extensive use of colour photographs. We chose a supplier who would be at least competitive with Trinity Mirror in Birmingham who printed the Labour election material, and came up with a figure of £5,400. (Anything less than this would suggest a subsidy by Trinity Mirror, which would have to be declared on election expenses.)

The question is: did every ward party chip in the £100 or so to pay for the newspaper (this would be on top of the cost of glossy colour leaflets they have already sent out)? Or did one or more of the big public service unions donate the upfront cost?

Less than a week to register to vote

Liberal Democrats continue to make local council gains

Following yesterday's stunning victory over UKIP in a council by-election in Aylesbury Vale, England, Liberal Democrats extend their lead on the scoreboard of gains in British local government. It now looks like this:

Candidates for local government elections

Postal ballots for the 2017 elections to Neath Port Talbot county borough council (and to the town and community councils in the Neath area) will land on doorsteps in the week ending 22nd April. Voting in person will take place on Thursday 4th May.

Liberal Democrat candidates are:

Aberavon

Cen Phillips

Bryncoch South

Frank Little

Cadoxton

Sheila Kingston-Jones

Cimla

Charley Cross

Coedffranc North

Keith Davies

Coedffranc West

Helen Ceri Clarke

Sandfields West

Tehani (Taz) Taylor



















If there is no web page indicated,please address correspondence for Neath wards to neathlibdems and for Aberavon to aberavonlibdems both at hotmail.co.uk.