New West Mids cops are just replacing May's police cuts say Lib Dems
Responding to the news that West Midlands Police will gain 1,220 officers as crime has rocketed, the Liberal Democrats have said this won't replace the cops already lost. Commenting, Lib Dem spokesperson Leyla Abbes said:
"This news is welcome but this is just topping us back up to previous levels. This announcement is just something for Conservatives to slap on an election leaflet, taking the public for a ride and hoping they don't remember what Theresa May did to the police.
I am delighted to announce that Heidi Allen has joined the Liberal Democrats.
I'm delighted to welcome Heidi to the party. She has been a tireless campaigner for a people's vote and has time and time again put the country's interests ahead of her own.
I'm absolutely thrilled for Heidi to join our fantastic and ever-growing team and I know that her skills, experience and passion will be a real asset to our party.
When I became an MP in 2015, I could never have imagined we would find ourselves in this position. Through the prudent and practical decisions taken during the coalition years, the economy was recovering and our country was on the up.
Coming from business, joining the Conservative Party seemed the logical thing to do. But two general elections and an EU referendum later, the landscape has shifted beyond all recognition.
The Liberal Democrats are a Federal Party comprising England, Scotland and Wales with all their powers defined by the Party's Constitution. This principle embodies one of our most deeply held core values, which is our belief in the devolution of power to the most appropriate level.
Consequently, the separation of power between the Federal and State parties is enshrined in the Constitution, and can only be varied with the agreement of Federal Conference and the Conferences and Conventions of all three state parties.
This has undoubtedly been a great start to the year. Thanks go to all the local campaigners who over the years never gave up and continued to deliver Focuses, campaign and push the Lib Dem message in their communities. When the opportunity came following Tory mismanagement of Brexit, we were ready and prepared to secure gains in the local elections. Over seven hundred local council seats gained - fantastic!
It was Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, who said, "Determine that the thing can and shall be done and then we shall find the way."
That describes, somewhat, where the Chair of The English Party (EP), Tahir Maher, and I are at in relation to co-ordinating my efforts, as Party Vice President, with the EP in working with BAME (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic) communities.
Commonwealth Games: Brexit papers show their 'fears' say Lib Dems
For the first time the Commonwealth Games organisers deepest fears about the impact of Brexit have been laid bare thanks to Wolverhampton Liberal Democrats. All this comes to light as the clock ticks down the 31st October's Brexit deadline.
Previously we have seen what Birmingham City Council thinks but thanks to a Freedom of Information request to the organisers their true concerns have come into the open.
They state there is a risk that EU Exit outcomes negatively affect Games deliverables, by changes to Government policy, economic impacts across markets and industries. This could result in potential workforce attrition and cost inflation. They count this risk as the highest possible being 20 out of 20.
In another document, marked 'sensitive' from February the organisers in a meeting with the Police and other bodies state that 'Possible increases in crime and disorder that result in reprioritised staff to deliver 'BAU' services (e.g. civil disobedience requires more operational policing) resulting in less resource availability for Games activity.'
In another part of the documents they state that there is a risk that post EU Exit, public support for the games 'will diminish' as other priorities take precedence and Games messages are lost or fail to cut through as Brexit dominates media and social media. This could impact on Licencing, Sponsorship and Ticket Sales revenues.'
The organisers also fear a lack of workforce stating that suppliers that have traditionally relied upon small numbers of EU workforce to supplement their UK-based workforce for the 10 day period of the Games. If they are no longer permitted to employ EU workers without a visa and thus this could result in a shortage of resource and/or a delay to recruitment to fill these roles or inflate the market price. They also state that EU nationals might not want to stay in the UK post Brexit and state that there could be the difficulty of replacing "like for like" in areas that are very industry-specific.
A big risk, according to the organisers is Brexit may introduce adverse volatility to foreign exchange rates impacting several suppliers that are expected to invoice in foreign currency. This could result in a fluctuation in these costs. Our suppliers may face increased costs or supply chain challenges to the games.
Commenting, Liberal Democrat campaigner Nick Machnik-Foster said:
"It is utterly shocking that the government's headlong dash towards Brexit could impact on the Commonwealth Games. All the effort, money and hope invested in the games is at risk due to Brexit. These documents outline the organisers darkest fears and it's crept into everything.
"Everything from the costs spiralling, visas for the athletes, and the legacy are all threatened.
"We cannot underestimate this. It is the biggest sporting event since the Olympics and it could be derailed due to Boris and Brexit.
"The games are being treated as collateral damage in this Brexit nightmare."
With Wolverhampton South West MP Eleanor Smith joining Conservative candidate Stuart Anderson in opposition to the traveller transit site at Gorsebrook Road Wolverhampton Liberal Democrat campaigner Nick Machnik-Foster said:
"Eleanor Smith just looks like a hypocrite.
"Her party, led by Corbyn courts gypsy votes one day and now she wants to oppose these plans.
The Court of Session in Scotland has been told that Government documents say the Prime Minister will seek an extension from the EU if no EU Withdrawal Agreement is reached by 19 October. Responding to the news, Liberal Democrat spokesperson Ian Jenkins said:
"It seems that Boris Johnson will send letter to EU asking for Brexit delay if no deal agreed - despite insisting October 31 was 'do or die'. But today shows he's prepared to say anything and blame anyone but himself.
