Bridget Z D Smith

Leader South Cambs Lib Dem Group, District Councillor Gamlingay Ward, Parliamentary Spokesperson for NW Cambridgeshire Learn more

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Gibraltar's voice must not be ignored in the Brexit debate

by Vince Cable on Tue, 21 May 2019

On Friday 17th May, I visited Gibraltar with our lead South West England candidate, Caroline Voaden.

Gibraltar's part of the South West of England constituency in the European elections. We've always had strong support there, receiving over 67% of the vote there last time around in 2014.

We're set for a strong result - sending both Caroline Voaden and Martin Horwood, our first and second South West candidates, to the European Parliament

Voters in Gibraltar are worried. Leaving the EU leaves them with no voice at the table - especially concerning at a time when Spain is making more and more outrageous demands.

The 33,000 people who live here could not be clearer that they want to remain British. Brexit puts their future at risk. 13,000 people cross the border with Spain every day - and can only do so because of free movement.

But the people of Gibraltar are an afterthought to Theresa May. She's still trying to push through her hard Brexit deal, despite Parliament rejecting it 3 times.

Liberal Democrats demand better for Gibraltar. We know how essential our membership of the EU is for people living on the Rock. It's one of the many reasons we're fighting to stop this national embarrassment.

The 33,000 people who live in Gibraltar could not be clearer that they want to remain British. Brexit puts their future at risk.

The Conservatives are tearing themselves apart trying to push Brexit through. They've been aided every step of the way by Jeremy Corbyn's pro-Brexit Labour party. The Lib Dems are the biggest, strongest party of Remain. We've been fighting for a People's Vote since the day after the referendum - leading the opposition both inside Parliament and out of it.

Every vote for us on Thursday 23rd May is a vote to stop Brexit. We're set for a strong result - sending both Caroline and Martin Horwood, our second candidate, to the European Parliament. We have an opportunity to send a message to Labour and the Tories - Britain demands better than Brexit. Say you're with us - be a Lib Dem voter on Thursday:

Read this article on www.libdems.org →

Labour are bragging about bailing out the Tories on Brexit.

by Greg Foster on Tue, 21 May 2019

Corbyn's catastrophic Brexit strategy is plodding on. Rather than acting in the interest of the country, he's working to stitch up a Brexit behind closed doors with the Tories.

He's ducking his commitment to a People's Vote. When asked today, he wouldn't even rule out abstaining on Theresa May's Brexit deal when it goes through the Commons in June. That's voting with the Tories without having to say he did.

In fact, we did some research a few days ago. We found 29 different occasions that Labour has voted with the Government on Brexit.

We've had enough of Labour's "constructive ambiguity". Liberal Democrats demand better for the millions of Labour supporters who want to stop Brexit.

We're talking to hundreds of thousands of people across the UK. We're telling them the truth - Labour is a pro-Brexit party. We've put together a dossier of Corbyn's voting record on Brexit - have a look here:

Read this article on www.libdems.org →

We've got more momentum than Labour 👀

by Greg Foster on Mon, 20 May 2019

There's been a clear pattern emerging in recent opinion polls - and it keeps getting better and better for us as time goes on.

Labour is sinking lower and lower - and the Lib Dems are on the up:

13th May

The response our campaign is getting makes it clear why this is happening. Labour is a pro-Brexit party, and Remainers have had enough.

14th May

They've started attacking us more and more recently. It's pretty obvious that we've got them rattled as we go up and they go down:

18th May

But as you can see, it's not exactly working out for them:

18th May

To the point that the most recent polls have us in second place above them:

18th May

The message is clear - Remainers can't trust Labour. Corbyn wants Brexit. More and more people who want to stay in the EU are switching to the Liberal Democrats as the biggest, strongest Remain party.

We believe that there's no deal better than our membership of the EU. We've been fighting to stop Brexit since the day after the referendum result. And our line is totally clear - every vote for the Lib Dems is a vote to stop Brexit.


We've come a long way since the day after that awful result in 2016. Now, a majority of the public backs our stance of a People's Vote. Politicians from all parties and none have joined our campaign. And on Thursday, we have the chance to send Labour and the Conservatives a message they can't ignore - we want an end to this national embarrassment.

Say you're with us. Pledge your vote to the Lib Dems on Thursday 23rd May and help us stop Brexit.

Read this article on www.libdems.org →

New Resources for local parties

by Greg Foster on Mon, 20 May 2019

We've release a whole range of new resources for local parties, covering everything from template emails, digital campaigning resources, template press releases and recruitment materials.

Read this article on www.libdems.org →

Welcome to all our new members!

by Aleisha Stansfield on Sat, 18 May 2019

It’s been an exciting few weeks for the Lib Dems. Fresh off the back of our big local election wins, we’re going into the European elections polling higher than we have in nearly a decade, and our campaigns around the country have well and truly taken off.

And what’s even better, is we have loads of new members to share the joy with!

We’ve had people joining left right and centre – literally. Joining from Labour, the Tories, or from never having been a party member before. But they do have one thing in common: they’re joining the Lib Dems to Stop Brexit.

It seems like every other tweet we see is someone proudly announcing they’ve joined the Lib Dems. So without further ado, let’s say hello to some of our new members…

We feel it too, Flo. Welcome aboard!

You’re not alone, James. We’ve seen a massive influx of members since the local elections – and this wave of new members still hasn’t stopped! Welcome to the party 😊

We’re seeing plenty of Labour members leaving behind Corbyn’s Brexit mess. Welcome to the party that says it loud and clear: we will Stop Brexit.

Yep, you heard that right. Membership starts at just £1 a month! And for that you get all the benefits of being a member: attending our events, voting in leadership elections, policy debates, and selections, standing for election… the list goes on and on. Thanks for joining, Louise 😊

Spot on, Libby. The Lib Dems are the biggest remain movement in the country. We’re the only remain party putting up a real challenge to Farage and his gang of Brexiteers.

The Labour party are on the same side as Nigel Farage and Tommy Robinson – they want Brexit. Thanks for joining the largest, strongest remain party in the country, Jay. It’s great to have you onboard.

#bollockstobrexit has been doing it for a lot of people. We have the strongest pro-EU message going in these European elections. We couldn’t be clearer: every vote for the Lib Dems is a vote to Stop Brexit and remain in the European Union.

If you want to be part of the movement that stops Brexit, join the Lib Dems today. The Lib Dem surge won’t be stopping any time soon - you’ll be joining a friendly, fast-growing, fiercely pro-EU team. Membership starts at just £1 a month, and if you join before midnight on 4th June 2019 you’ll be eligible to vote in our upcoming leadership election.

To all our new members; thank you for joining. We can’t wait to stop Brexit together.

And if you’re still on the fence? Listen to all the lovely people who’ve just joined us, for a huge range of reasons. Don’t hesitate; join the Lib Dems today.

Read this article on www.libdems.org →

Brexit will hit young people hardest.

by Dan Schmeising on Fri, 17 May 2019

Brexit is a national embarrassment - and it's going to hurt young people more than anyone else.

It leaves us weaker in the fight against the climate crisis.

It strips our universities of millions of pounds of funding.

It takes away our right to live in, work in, travel in and fall in love with the 27 other countries of the European Union.

Both the Conservative and Labour parties want to take that away from us. Theresa May is pandering to climate science deniers on the hard Tory right.

Jeremy Corbyn is ducking his responsibility to millions of Remainers who voted for Labour in 2017. He's refused to unequivocally back a People's Vote. He's repeatedly told us free movement will end. His shadow ministers brag on panel shows that Labour's "bailing the Tories out":

We are the next generation. It's the responsibility of politicians to build a better future for us. But the Tories and Labour have ducked that responsibility to chase a hard, damaging Brexit instead. They're letting young people down.

That's why I'm joining young people up and down the UK and voting for the Liberal Democrats - the biggest, strongest Remain party. 

That's why I'm voting to stop Brexit on Thursday 23rd May.

We can send a message to the Tories and Labour that we won't be ignored. We can get back to fixing the inequality rife in society. We can secure Britain's place in a greener future, in an EU that's carbon-neutral by 2045. Help us get there - share our video now:

Share on Facebook

Share on Twitter

Our message is clear - every vote for the Lib Dems is a vote to stop Brexit. Say you're with us next Thursday. Let's stand up for young people - and put an end to this national disaster.

Read this article on www.libdems.org →

The scandal of BAME mental health inequality

by Isabelle Parasram on Fri, 17 May 2019

When I began to look into the topic of BAME mental health, what surprised me was how little research had been done into it. There is even less when it comes to intersectional groupings. Even with the information that there is, it’s not widely accessible or ‘showcased’. I got the impression, from an initial trawl of the Internet, that the subject isn’t deemed to be particularly ‘headline grabbing.’

PTSD is higher in women of black ethnic origin and this is related to the higher levels of sexual assaults that they experience

However, I know, from anecdotal evidence and my engagement with some of the key thought leaders in the realm of mental health, that there is inequity that needs to be evaluated and addressed.

I’ve heard from people like:

Ameen Marquis, a Head Teacher who is a regular speaker on male BAME and child migrant/refugee mental health

Patrick Regan, founder of urban youth work charity XLP and mental health charity, Kintsugi Hope

 

Aasiyah Faryal, a presenter and producer who speaks about her experiences of mental health in the Arab and Asian community

In addition, after many hours of reading research papers, Government reports and statistical analyses, I’ve come up with some facts that should be ‘headline grabbing’ but are nowhere near the front page*.

 

  1. PTSD is higher in women of black ethnic origin and this is related to the higher levels of sexual assaults that they experience[1]; however, women of black ethnic origin are less likely to report or seek help for assaults or trauma.[2]
  2. Women of Pakistani and Bangladeshi origin are at an elevated risk of schizophrenia.[3]
  3. BAME people are more frequently subjected to involuntary psychiatric hospitalisation than others, particularly young, black men.[4]
  4. Black adults have the lowest treatment rate of any ethnic group, at 6.2% (compared to 13.3% in the white British group).[5]
  5. People from black ethnic minority backgrounds to have a higher prevalence of psychosis compared with the white majority population.[6]
  6. More than one in five Black, Asian and minority ethnic LGBT people (22 per cent) have experienced an eating disorder in the last year compared to 11 per cent of white LGBT people.[7]
  7. Particular communities at higher risk of attempting to take their own lives include 8 per cent of Black, Asian and minority ethnic LGBT people, 11 per cent of non-binary people and 8 per cent of LGBT disabled people (compared to one in twenty within the general adult population).[8]
  8. Asylum seekers and refugees are more likely to experience poor mental health than the local population, including higher rates of depression, PTSD and other anxiety disorders.[9]
  9. Asylum seekers are five times more likely to have mental health needs than the general population and more than 61% will experience serious mental distress.[10]
  10. More than half of trafficked children (56%) screen positive for depression, a third (33%) for an anxiety disorder and a quarter (26%) for PTSD.

The Liberal Democrats have been fighting for parity between physical and mental health services for a long time and our pledge is to fund mental health provision through adding 1p in the pound to income tax.

This is core to our beliefs.

So, as voters, members, supporters and candidates, what can we do to make a difference when it comes to the treatment of BAME groups within the mental healthcare system?

As Liberal Democrats, let’s be the ones exposing the scandal of BAME mental health inequality and leading change in this area.

Here are some ideas:

  1. Join the Liberal Democrats - we are committed to improving mental health provision and are committed to ending the stigma and shame that too often surround discussions on mental health. If you’re already a member consider joining Liberal Democrat Campaign for Race Equality and benefit from being part of a team that is committed to change making in this area.
  2. If you have any expertise in this area, contribute to policy making by joining a policy working group or working on a Motion on this subject.
  3. Connect with mental health charities and activists in your area and support their cause by campaigning on local BAME mental health issues.
  4. Write to your local newspaper about how this has affected you or people you know.
  5. Contribute to radio and telephone call-in shows and comment on the subject.
  6. Contact me to participate in/attend a panel discussion I’m organising in relation to migrant women this Summer (details to be announced shortly).

When I’ve spoken to people who’ve been personally affected by the ‘patchy’ levels of quality in BAME mental healthcare, I’ve been struck by three things that seem to affect BAME groups more than others:

  1. The social isolation they’ve experienced within their own communities
  2. The stigma attached to having a mental illness from their own communities
  3. The perception, by healthcare professionals, that they would largely ‘…be looked after by their own’.

Something has to be done about this - and it has to be done now.

As Liberal Democrats, let’s be the ones exposing the scandal of BAME mental health inequality and leading change in this area.

 

[1] Black, M.C., Basile, K.C., Breiding, M.J., Smith, M.J., Walters, S.G., Merrick, M.T., & Stevens, M.R. (2011). The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS): 2010 summary report. US Department of Health and Human Services, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, & Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved from cdc.gov/violenceprevention/nisvs/ [Accessed 23/08/16].

[2] Ullman, S.E., & Filipas, H.H. (2001). Predictors of PTSD symptom severity and social reactions in sexual assault victims. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 14, 369–389.

[3] Kirkbride, J.B., Barker, D., Cowden, F., Stamps, R., Yang, M., Jones, P.B. & Coid, J.W.(2008). Psychoses, ethnicity and socio-economic status. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 193(1), 18–24.

[4] Modernising the Mental Health Act Increasing choice, reducing compulsion: Final report of the Independent Review of the Mental Health Act 1983 - December 2018

[5] Lubian, K., Weich, S., Stansfeld, S., Bebbington, P., Brugha, T., Spiers, N. … & Cooper, C. (2016). Chapter 3: Mental health treatment and services. In S. McManus, P. Bebbington, R. Jenkins, & T. Brugha (Eds.), Mental health and wellbeing in England: Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey 2014. Leeds: NHS Digital.

[6] Qassem, T., Bebbington, P., Spiers, N., McManus, S., Jenkins, R., & Dean, S. (2015). Prevalence of psychosis in black ethnic minorities in Britain: Analysis based on three national surveys. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 50(7), 1057–1064.

[7] LGBT in Britain: Health Report – Stonewall, 2018

[8] LGBT in Britain: Health Report – Stonewall, 2018

[9] Fazel, M., Wheeler, J., & Danesh, J. (2005). Prevalence of serious mental disorder in 7,000 refugees resettled in Western countries: A systematic review. The Lancet, 365, 1309–1314. Tempany, M. (2009). What research tells us about the mental health and psychosocial wellbeing of Sudanese refugees: A literature review. Transcultural Psychiatry, 46, 300–315.

[10] Eaton, V., Ward, C., Womack, J., & Taylor, A. (2011). Mental Health and Wellbeing in Leeds: An Assessment of Need in the Adult Population. NHS Leeds.

 

Read this article on www.libdems.org →

International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia

by Lynne Featherstone on Fri, 17 May 2019

Today is the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia.

But we fight every day against discrimination and inequality.

The Liberal Democrats have always pushed for a fairer and more equal society. I was the originator and architect of the same-sex marriage act, which legalised same-sex marriage in the UK in 2013 when I was the minister for equalities in the Home Office. We have always fought for equal rights for all LGBT+ members and we continue to do so today.

Currently, our MPs, Peers and members are fighting for many issues, including:

  • trans people being able to change their legal gender
  • Sex and Relationship Education (SRE) to include teaching about LGBT+ relationships
  • gender-neutral bathrooms, gender-neutral school uniforms, and an ‘X’ option on passports, official documents and forms for those who do not wish to identify as male or female.

The Liberal Democrats are committed to protecting LGBT+ rights and remaining in the European Union

But the legislation that protects LGBT+ individuals in the UK is under threat.

And all because of Brexit.

The European Union’s treaties and laws protect multiple LGBT+ rights under Article 10:

“Members of the European Union shall aim to combat discrimination based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation.”

And Article 19

“The European Council…. may take appropriate action to combat discrimination based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation.”

This Article has meant the right to same-sex marriage, the right for same-sex couples to adopt and the integration of anti-discrimination legislation in employment.

I was the originator and architect of the same-sex marriage act, which legalised same-sex marriage in the UK in 2013

The EU guides with forward-looking and progressive suggestions.

But Brexit threatens the progress we have made and the further progress we could make.

The Liberal Democrats want to stop Brexit. The Conservatives have proven again and again that they do not know what they’re doing. Labour have failed the millions of their supporters who want to see Brexit stopped. We are the only party who could secure Britain’s continued presence within the EU.

The Liberal Democrats are committed to protecting LGBT+ rights and remaining in the European Union

A vote for Lib Dems is a vote for Remain.

Pledge your support here:

Read this article on www.libdems.org →

The final stretch of the European elections - our strategy

by Rhiannon Leaman on Thu, 16 May 2019

We've seen some incredibly exciting polls on the weeks since the local elections.

We’ve got the message, the momentum and the membership.

It’s clear that we are the biggest and strongest Remain party, and we are on course to elect many more MEPs.

But it is important to view these polls in the context of the D’Hondt voting system.

D’Hondt is a very distant cousin of proportional representation. There is no option for opting for more than one party on the ballot paper.

We're doing better than any of us could have expected, but many of the seats that are looking good for us are within the margin of error.

These could be the difference between us getting 5 MEPs - or double that.

Everything is on the line.

To be confident of delivering the results I know we can, we need to spend this last week keeping to the plan that has got us here.

Here’s the game plan.

1. Make sure people know that the Liberal Democrats are fighting to stop Brexit.

There are still too many voters who don’t know what we stand for.

We have made significant progress in the last few years – but we need to keep going.

Keep reminding people, a vote for the Liberal Democrats is a vote to stop Brexit. Voting Liberal Democrat is saying Bollocks to Brexit.

In fact, do it right now:

Facebook

Twitter

WhatsApp

2. Remember that every vote makes a difference

Many of the seats we are hoping to win will come down to a handful of votes - because of the reality of D’Hondt.

Every vote cast in the European elections will make a difference - so do not forgot to get your vote in the ballot box.

3. Getting out the Vote

The very best thing you can do to convince people to vote for us and get them to turn out to voting is speaking to them in person.

Turnout in European elections is notoriously low.

We know that the Brexit Party will get their supporters out – and we need to as well.

Make a plan to remind your friends and family that it's polling day soon and they have a chance to vote for an unashamedly Remain party.

And head to a campaigning event near you, and help teams on the ground reach voters that need a nudge to lend us their vote.

Find your nearest event here:

Find events

5. Recruit a new member

If you find anyone that might be open to it, ask them to join our party.

We are the biggest and best party starting up for Remainers - and every new member and supporter swells our ranks and allows us to shout with a louder voice.

We are growing every day – more than 3,000 people have joined us since the local elections.

Find out more about joining us here: LINK

And as an added bonus, members joining before 7th June, get a vote in our upcoming leadership election- if that would sweeten the deal for anyone you know.

6. Donate

Finally, donate to our campaign.

We've had so many people giving generously to our campaign - and we could not be more grateful.

This election is unique in that the spending limit, whilst incredibly stretching for our party, is very limiting for others.

We are not bankrolled by super-wealthy donors or by the trade unions. Everything we spend, from printing leaflets, to advertising online, is funded by our generous members.

The playing field has been levelled - and it truly shows.

Anything you can give to help us match the spending of Labour, the conservatives and the Brexit Party is very gratefully received - and know that every penny you give is going straight into powering our campaign to stop Brexit.

We're into the final week of the campaign and we're riding an exciting wave. We need to keep going with what is working, so we can deliver a powerful result.

Read this article on www.libdems.org →

It's Groundhog May... again.

by Tom Brake on Thu, 16 May 2019

Well, it's confirmed. Theresa May is on manoeuvres again and will try to force the Withdrawal Agreement through Parliament in the week starting 3rd June. Anyone else think this is getting a bit embarrassing?

For those keeping count, this will be attempt number 4 at pushing this failed deal through Parliament. Each and every time it's been put to the Commons so far, it's been rejected - twice by record margins.

So if MPs can have a chance to change their minds on Brexit, why can't the British people?

Having lost the support of her own party, the Prime Minister has had to reach out to Labour. More and more Remainers are already seeing Labour for the pro-Brexit front they are. If Jeremy Corbyn helps the Tories push through this disastrous deal, it'll mark yet another betrayal of Labour supporters across the UK.

Liberal Democrats demand better.

We know there's no deal better than our membership of the European Union. That's why we've been fighting to stop Brexit for nearly 3 years. Staying in the EU lets us focus on the real issues - like fixing our economy, rebuilding our public services and fighting the climate crisis. We're the party of Remain - and proud of it.

You - not politicians - should have the final say on Brexit. Over 250,000 people from all parties and none have joined our Exit from Brexit campaign. Let's put an end to this national embarrassment. Join our campaign to stop Brexit today.

Read this article on www.libdems.org →

Demand Better than Brexit

by Liberal Democrats on Wed, 15 May 2019

As Brexit drags on, it becomes clearer every day - it's a national embarrassment. More and more people are realising how important EU membership is for our country and our future.

Read this article on www.libdems.org →

Who said it: Corbyn or Farage?

by Dan Schmeising on Wed, 15 May 2019

Corbyn's dodgy comments.

Trying to stitch up a deal behind closed doors.

Shadow ministers bragging how they're bailing the Tories out on Brexit.

Jeremy Corbyn has teamed up with the Tories to drag us out the EU at any cost. Labour is a pro-Brexit party.

Let's compare and contrast that to the Liberal Democrats.

Every vote for the Liberal Democrats is a vote to stop Brexit.

Our message has always been clear - we want to stop Brexit.

We've been fighting to stop Brexit since the day after the referendum in 2016.

Every vote for the Liberal Democrats is a vote to stop Brexit.

We're the biggest, strongest pro-Remain party. Every day, more and more people are giving up on Jeremy Corbyn's pro-Brexit Labour party. They're becoming Liberal Democrat voters - many for the first time.

The EU elections next Thursday are a chance to send a message - we don't want Brexit. We're surging in the polls and heading for an amazing result, but every vote will count. Say you're with us - vote Lib Dem on the 23rd May.

Read this article on www.libdems.org →

Jeremy Corbyn's a friend of Tories, not Remainers

by Liberal Democrats on Tue, 14 May 2019

Mental Health Awareness Week: A Forgotten Disorder

by Wera Hobhouse on Mon, 13 May 2019

Lib Dems are rocketing up in the polls!

by Dan Schmeising on Mon, 13 May 2019

There was a new round of EU election opinion polling in this weekend - and the Lib Dems are performing amazingly!
 
The data released has us between 12 and 15% - the highest we've been in years, with big increases in all 3. If we carry on this momentum, we could well record our best European election showing - ever! We're already well above the Conservatives - and getting close to challenging Labour for second place.

Read this article on www.libdems.org →

Bridging Brexit

by Alexander Marshall on Mon, 13 May 2019

We are a proud European party, and we want to keep it that way!

As a part of us wanting to remain in the EU, we are excited to announce our new joint project with the German liberal party Free Democratic Party.

It will allow you make direct contact with a new German friend to exchange ideas to help bridge the divide that has been caused by nationalism and misconceptions.

Where others in UK want to tear us apart from Europe, we want to build bridges!

Sign up at the website to receive the email address of a like-minded German and bring us closer together!

#StopBrexit at https://bridging-brexit.eu/

Read this article on www.libdems.org →

Our manifesto launch - putting the party back in party politics

by Greg Foster on Fri, 10 May 2019

WARNING: there are naughty words ahead. Stray political editors from the Daily Express may find their sensibilities offended!

We launched our EU manifesto yesterday: Bollocks to Brexit. It's as bold as the name suggests - committing us to:

✔︎  A People's Vote
✔︎  Defending our fishing rights from being traded away
✔︎  A carbon-neutral EU by 2050

And much, much more. You can read the full manifesto here: The Bollocks to Brexit Manifesto

A greener, safer Britain requires us to stop Brexit.

Ed Davey MP

The launch event in London was great fun - with popcorn, fab speeches and, most importantly:

We had some amazing speeches from our MPs too - Ed Davey spoke about the importance and value of international cooperation on addressing the climate emergency and fighting criminal activity. As he said - a greener, safer Britain requires us to stop Brexit.

This is not the time to turn on our closest allies in Europe

Jo Swinson MP

Jo Swinson implored: at a time when the tide of populism is great, with Trump in the West and Putin in the East, this is not the time to turn on our closest allies in Europe. She reminded us that we backed a People's Vote long before it was fashionable - and how good it is that people are joining our campaign, from all parties and none.

Last up was Vince. On his 76th birthday (Europe Day no less!) he was unapologetic about the rights we enjoy as EU citizens. Not just our right to work and study abroad, but the rights of those from European countries to come here. We welcome them and value their contributions.

Every vote for the Liberal Democrats is a vote to stop Brexit

Vince Cable MP

He also stressed - it's not about fighting other remain parties. Since the beginning of the year, poll after poll has been telling us that the UK is now a Remain country. We want to stop Brexit and get on with addressing the big issues that face our country. Which is why it's a travesty that Nigel Farage is topping the polls in a national election. A man that has sown division, violence and racial abuse in our country.

But Nigel Farage, Theresa May and Boris Johnson will all take votes for the Brexit party, the Conservatives or Labour as a vote to crash out the EU. There's only one way to send a strong "stop Brexit" message - and that's to vote Liberal Democrat.

Our message is clear - every vote for the Liberal Democrats is a vote to stop Brexit. We're the biggest, strongest Remain party and have been since we were the first to call for a People's Vote in June 2016.

We want to remain in the EU because it's best for our economy, our public services and our environment. There's no Brexit deal better than our membership of the European Union. Especially not the hard Brexit being pushed by Theresa May and aided by Jeremy Corbyn.

And, frankly, they didn't have videos like this (thanks BBC This Week!):

Our amazing local election results showed that we can win all across the United Kingdom. And now, that momentum's transferring. More and more people are saying they'll vote Lib Dem on the 23rd May to stop Brexit. Say you're with us - pledge your vote today:

Read this article on www.libdems.org →

Stop Brexit - the Lib Dem manifesto for Europe

by Vince Cable on Thu, 09 May 2019

Today, we're launching our EU manifesto. We're running our campaign on a clear message - a vote for the Liberal Democrats is a vote to stop Brexit.

We were the first to call for a People's Vote in 2016 - and we haven't stopped fighting for it, nearly 3 years later. We want Britain to remain in the EU because it's best for our economy, our public services and best for the environment.

Liberal Democrats demand better than Brexit.

Parliament is in deadlock, as Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn try and fail to push Brexit through. They're failing to tackle climate change, rebuild our public services and fight the inequality that's robbed opportunity from so many.

Let's break the logjam - stop Brexit, and turn our attention to reuniting our country. Let's build a Britain that's truly internationalist, open and liberal.

So, without further ado, here's our plan to fight these burning issues. Here's our manifesto to stop Brexit.

Read the Liberal Democrat manifesto for Europe now

Read now

Read this article on www.libdems.org →

Labour's dodgy Brexit voting record

by Tom Brake on Wed, 08 May 2019

7 reasons to join the Lib Dems

by Greg Foster on Wed, 08 May 2019

1. We’re the party of Remain

With over 100,000 members and supporters, we’re the largest group in the country fighting to Stop Brexit and Remain in the EU.

We’re growing fast, too – more than 2,000 more members have joined us since the local elections alone.

We’ve been fighting Brexit for the past three years. We’ve consistently called for a People’s Vote and campaigned up and down the country to remain in the EU.

You could be part of the team that stops Brexit!

Read this article on www.libdems.org →