The Liberal Party notes with concern the recent news that 2 further independent energy companies have fallen into administration, namely Utility Point and People’s Energy.

The failure of new entrants to the UK energy market is a perpetual issue with the latest taking the total to 7 this year, affecting 2 million consumers.

The UK regulator Ofgem continues to ignore the uneven market condition which inhibit new entrants, limiting consumer choice and reducing market pressure on prices whilst the UK energy market continues to be dominated by the big six companies who remain insulated from competition.

 At the same time an energy price cap may offer a short-term solution to hard pressed consumers, it prevents smaller suppliers passing on increases in wholesale prices threatening their long-term viability.

 The Liberal Party believes Ofgem (and indeed other UK regulatory bodies) should be given a new mandate to promote innovation and competition in their respective sectors.

"The Liberal Party stand against Government introducing additional powers, restrictions or further lockdowns regarding the Covid-19 pandemic without demonstrating 'evidence based' good cause.

The Vaccine rollout has been successful allowing UK citizens to opt for a vaccine to protect themselves and their communities, whilst allowing independent choice to opt out.

We still believe that being vaccinated is the best form of protection against Covid-19 and encourage others to accept offers to be vaccinated.

We also adamantly believe that Vaccination is a personal choice, therefore there should not be any mandatory vaccinations as this would violate their individual rights.

We believe those that choose not to be vaccinated should have their wish respected, but they must also be helped to understand the risk to themselves and others of their stance.

We should now pass the responsibilities and consequences of such decisions to those who take them, but not deny them the chance to vaccinate themselves, should they choose to do so in the future.

The Liberal Party has always stood on a platform supporting individual rights and personal responsibility.

For clarity, The Liberal Party would accept future lockdown or reintroduction of Covid prevention procedures, in the circumstance that a strain of covid becomes prevalent to a point that vaccination efforts are reversed. This would be evidenced by hospital admissions and deaths, not simply number of cases.”

The Assembly pack with the motions for debate on the 2nd October is now available from the front page of the party website.

It includes draft party emblems for discussion at the meeting as party of our disucssion on rebranding.

Whilst the evacuation of families and dependents from Afghanistan has now been curtailed, the Liberal Party recognises that there is now a pressing need to welcome and support those who have arrived in our nation.
 
Local communities and councils have rallied around to support many of those who have recently arrived with little in the way of possessions having been forced to flee their country. 
 
Whilst we welcome the efforts made by government the settlement program requires sustained financial support from central government to ensure proper settlement and integration. Many councils are already facing serious financial pressure in the delivery of public services.
 
Many arrivals will have pressing health and emotional issues as well as the need for education and assimilation into communities and engaging into the employment market.
 
The need for emergency housing gives the opportunity to promote a successfully deployed Liberal practice of conversion of unoccupied properties and business premises to accommodation.

There could be approximately 10,000 Afghans held within Taliban controlled areas who helped UK and related agencies or were immediate family members of those who did and are currently being hunted down by the Taliban and their allies in Al-Qaeda.

The UK must develop a response to airlift these people out and the first step must be an air bridge to the Panjshir Valley.

We need a repeat of the Berlin Airlift to defend and assist this bastion of democratic values in a sea of sectarian religious autocratic brutality.

The Taliban's pretence of inclusive governance and not providing a haven for international terrorists is exposed as a shame with Al-Qaeda forces working with them on the current assaults on the Panjshir Valley.

The Taliban pledges to the USA are as misleading and illusionary as Hitler's pledges to Neville Chamberlain.

Cllr Steve Radford
President of The Liberal Party

The Liberal Party expresses huge concern in regard to the withdrawal of U.S. and Allied troops and support staff from Afghanistan.

Once the Taliban had breached the terms of the U.S. led agreement for withdrawal, an immediate revoking of the withdrawal agreement should have been undertaken.

Allied forces had little option but to withdraw their troops to safety when US Air cover was withdrawn. The primary focus now had to become an evacuation effort.

The UK government was right to press the U.S. to delay their withdrawal to afford both them and allied forces more time to undertake a safe withdrawal including vulnerable staff and families who have worked with NATO forces.

Allied force governments also need to work with pro-democratic forces such as those in the Panjshir Valley, to establish alternative evacuation routes.

At home, we must welcome the returning troops who have been withdrawn in the most unwelcome circumstances. We must also hold out a hand of friendship to Afghani refugees, who have been forced to leave their homes in fear, for their part in supporting British efforts.

The Liberal Party believes the U.S. and allied forces were wrong to go into Afghanistan because regime change is not a permitted reason for invasion under international law. However, having gone in, an early departure following the defeat of Al Qaeda would have been appropriate.

The International community should concentrate its efforts on rescuing those who are vulnerable to reprisals by the Taliban regime.

Party President Steve Radford

In September 2011, the Palestinian Authority applied for membership of the United Nations. Since then the threat of
further illegal settlements and now annexation of their lands has continued unabated.

We call upon the United Kingdom government to send a clear message against illegal settlements, forced evictions
and failure by Israel to give genuine recognition of Palestinian rights and interests, by supporting the Palestinian
Application to the United Nations. Also, in a clear gesture of support to extend an invitation for Palestine to
join the Commonwealth, should they wish to do so.

We should not remain silent and timid in the face of brutal evictions and annexation in the West Bank.

The annual Assembly will discuss changes to the Liberal Party constitution and the adoption of a new party emblem but will also be open to the submission of motions for debate from the membership.

Copies of the amended constitution and proposed emblem designs can be obtain prior to the meeting by e-mailing a member of the NEC.

Many thanks

The annual Liberal Party Assembly will be held on the 2nd October 2021 at the Briar Hotel in Birmingham subject to any government Covid restrictions and will commence at midday.

It is intended to broadcast the event live via Zoom and a telephone dial-in, facilities permitting.

The meeting will discuss changes to the Liberal Party constitution and the adoption of a new party emblem but will also be open to the submission of motions for debate from the membership.

Copies of the amended constitution and proposed emblem designs will be available shortly and can be obtain prior to the meeting by e-mailing a member of the NEC.

Details of the Zoom meeting will be published prior to the event.

An open NEC meeting and Special Assembly will be held at midday on Sunday the 23rd May.

Please contact a member of the party NEC for details of this Zoom meeting.

Details of the motions to be debated are being uploaded to the Libera Party webiste.

Please check back for details.