The Liberal Party notes with deep sadness the conclusion of the 5th month of the ongoing Gaza conflict and a continued failure to bring the regional violence to an end.

Whilst the Israel state has the right to protect itself, its on-going response to the Hamas attack of the 7th October has shown no boundaries and goes beyond self-defence or protection of its population.

The Palastinina inhabitants of Gaza now face acute hunger with much of the public health infrastructure and hospitals damaged beyond use and a punitive blockade preventing humanitarian aid reaching the besieged population.

The party believes that the absence of an Israeli delegation at the current Cairo negotiation to implement a ceasefire and exchange of hostages is inexcusable and shows an unwillingness to end the conflict.

The international community must act to ensure Israel meets its international obligations to protect  civilians and prevents a humanitarian disaster which will only fuel the perpetual cycle of violence, empowering terrorist groups such as Humza, rather than isolating them.

On Friday morning party leader Cllr Steve Radford met leading members of the Liverpool Somaliland Community.  

Many of their community came tie Liverpool with service in the British merchant navy when their country was a British protectorate
 
We are supporting their campaign for recognition of Somaliland and it being welcomed into the Commonwealth.

The Liberal Party observes with increasing concern the impending Israeli military assault on the city of Rafah in southern Gaza and the increasing desperate plight of the Palestinian population.
 
After four months of hostilities in Gaza, triggered by the deplorable Hamas attack of the 7th October, the Israeli counter offensive has been reduced the civilian infrastructure including hospitals, to a state of collapse and the civilian population to the verge of starvation.
 
As the focus of Israeli action has switched from the north to the south of Gaza increasing numbers of Palestinian civilians have found themselves driven before the fighting with over half of Gaza’s 2.3 million inhabitants driven into the area in and around Rafah.
 
The Liberal Party believes a cessation of hostilities leading to a permanent ceasefire, exchange of hostage and prisoners and a resumption of humanitarian aid must be an international priority.
 
Both Israel and the Palestinians have the right to self-determination and security within their own states which is not advanced nor secured by the continued brutal campaign in Gaza.

Following the meeting of The Liberal Party NEC on Saturday 3rd February 2024, it was agreed to appoint a deputy leader in anticipation of an autumn general election.

Following a vote of the NEC, party Defence Spokesperson, Allan Steele, was appointed to the role.

It is anticipated the role will be to handle media requests in a timely manner, increase our media profile and our presence in Scotland.

Following an open NEC meeting of the Liberal Party on Saturday the 3rd February in Leeds we are pleased to announce the results of the party leadership contest.

I therefore confirm the election of Cllr Steve Radford as party leader for the next 2 years.
Many thanks to Kayed Al-Haddad for standing in this contest.

A thank you to Cllr Charles Shaw and Christopher Ecclestone for arranging the ballot and Allan Steele and David Mahar for acting as independent scrutineers on the day.

Merseyside Liberal Party Association – Party Leader Attends Liverpool Holocaust Commemoration
 
On Friday 26th January Liberal Party leader Cllr Steve Radford attended the memorial service for the Holocaust at Liverpool Town Hall.
 
The presentations from school pupils from both Alsop and Belvedere were highly professional and moving.
 
It was good to see so many friends from different communities, our colleague Peter Mitchell, representatives of the cities Jewish, Polish ,Hindu and Islamic communities and Garth Dallas Commonwealth Association.
 
On Tuesday Cllr Radford will be meeting representatives from our Somali community.
 
Last week he held meetings with our Sri Lankan and Kerala Communities seeking to use extended facilities in Newsham Park for cricket and a community festival.

Liverpool City Council held a debate on homelessness in the city on Wednesday the 17th of  January.

The Liberal Party amendment put forward during the debate was agreed by all parties. It called for an assertive campaign, including threat of use of Compulsory Purchase Powers be used to bring the current 3721 long term vacant homes in the city back into use.

Liberal group leader Cllr Steve Radford demanded to know why the council isn’t doing more to CPO empty properties in the city and bring them back into use? The leader of the green group on LCC agreed and said there are 3 sites in his ward which could be used in this way.

The Liberal Party has adopted a policy of increased council tax payments on empty properties to encourage more of the 261,189 long-term empty properties in England to become homes again.

The Liberal Party notes Chancellor Jeremy Hunts hints at tax cuts in the spring budget as a spur to greater economic growth.

We believe that the chancellor’s priority should be to lift the income tax threshold to £20k (phased in 15K, 17.5K, 20K) taking at least five million out of the tax benefits trap, reduce benefits proportionally thus reducing the administrative burden of both tax and benefits.

We also believe there needs to be reform to reduce not just the tax burden on people and businesses but also the administration burden of the overly complex tax benefits system.

We also propose raising the VAT thresholds to help the self-employed and small businesses. 

BBC regional news has reported that Lib Dem East Devon District Council’s planning committee has approved the construction of 115 new homes at Middle Northcote Farm, near Honiton by building firm, Taylor Wimpey.

Liberal Councillor Roy Collins (Honiton St Michaels) said he had worked at the farm as a teenager in 1968 and argued that it was a "heritage site" that should not be touched. 
 
It was home, he stated to a wide diversity of wildlife including bats and otters.
 
"I hope we will turn this down because it is unfair on the people of Honiton," he said. “It shouldn’t be allowed."
 
The development was opposed by residents highlighting the potential loss of their peace and privacy.

The Liberal Party believes that housing developments much be proportionate and sympathetic to the local community with developers’ Section 106 contribution used to properly fund expanded local services.

The full text of the article can be found on the BBC website by search for the title: More than 100 new homes approved near Honiton.

Stannington By-Election Result 2024

NAME                                       DESCRIPTION                               VOTES

BRAGG, Chris                            Green Party                                       328
DAGNALL, Lewis William             Labour and Co-operative Party           1212
RODGERS, Rod                         The Liberal Party                             118
SAPWELL, Will                           Liberal Democrats                            2258
WOOLLARD, Ben                       The Conservative Party Candidate        372

Stannington by-election turnout - 30.27%

Many thanks to our local member for offering to stand in this by-election at short notice.