The Liberal Party welcomes the call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, made by the foreign secretary David Lammy on his recent visit to Israel.

Whilst Israel has every right to respond to the brutal Hamas attack of the 7th October to defend its boarders and citizens, the protracted campaign has long exhausted any justification on the grounds of self- defence.

After 9 months of bitter and increasingly indiscriminate bombing and shelling, the population of Gaza has been reduced to a state of destitution, hunger and despair, with its medical facilities and civilian infrastructure all but broken.

The Liberal Party again calls for an internationally broken ceasefire, a resumption of humanitarian aid and a release of hostage, actions which are long overdue in stopping the spiral of violence.

The Liberal Party notes the inclusion of changes to the UK planning process included in this week’s Kings Speech, which are intended to address a national housing shortage of approximately one and half million properties.

Whilst we welcome plans to better utilise brown field sites, and limited adjustments to the green belt, we believe that mandating building targets risks encouraging an over concentration of building in area’s lacking the capacity to absorb new residents.

Mandating housing targets without ensuring section 106 developers’ contributions are collected and used effectively means housing is built without the funding for local services such as schools and surgeries.

We believe that building targets should reflect the needs of communities, the sustainability of developments, and their impact on the environment.

The Liberal Party notes with concern the proposed rises to domestic water bills being advocated by the water regulator OFWAT to fund long overdue environmental improvements.

The regulator is recommending an average increase in bills of £94 over five years, although there are regional differences with Southern Water proposing a £183 and Thames Water a £99 increase over this timeframe(The Independent 11th July).

The party believes that in a country still suffering from the effects of a cost-of-living crisis, such increases are entirely unsustainable, and investment must come from the companies themselves as in any other business.

A privatised industry which has paid out £70 billion in dividends, whilst incurring crippling debts of £60 billion should have been prioritising investment in its network and securing water resources as part of its normal business activities.

The Liberal Party re-iterates its pledge to bring back the nations water companies into public ownership for the benefit of the country and environment and not directing dividend payouts to foreign owners and investors.

The Liberal Party views the assassination attempt on former US President Donald Trump with horror and revulsion.

The party condemns any form of political violence, which has no place in any democratic system of government or society.

Whilst the motives of the attack remain unclear it has been a reminder of the volatile political climate and the need for moderation and engagement with others of all political believes and inclinations.

The Liberal Party wishes President Trump, and the other victims of the shooting a speedy and full recovery after their trauma.

Dear Rachael Reeves,
 
Firstly, congratulations on your appointment as Chancellor of the Exchequer and we must welcome you on your aspirations for growth.
 
Small businesses, social enterprises and charities can all play a part in this.
 
May we ask you consider taking 3 simple steps to assist this sector

1.      Raise the VAT threshold to 150k to enable businesses get established before being faced with disproportion burdens of tax administration

2.     Withdraw the imposition on small business to opt into workplace pensions where their employees are already of state pension age

3.     Review the way small businesses are dealt with in Employment tribunals and bring in a equality of evidence rather than presumption of guilt on the small businesses. Employment law should be less about procedural deadlines but the substance of what was reasonable for an employer to determine.

Cllr Steve Radford,
Leader of The Liberal Party

Following an e-mail from the Campaign Against Antisemitism, asking all candidates for the general election to sign up to the International (IHRA) Definition of Antisemitism, our party leader has responded as following:

“We are totally committed against any prejudice hate crime against our Jewish community.
That does not inhibit us making criticisms of the policies of the State of Israel.

 During recent debates we fear the current definitions have closed down not unreasonable critical comments against the state of Israel’s current policies.

 We are committed to free speech of all sides in debate including those we  disagree or even find offensive. We will not sign any pledge undermining free speech”.

Cllr Steve Radford, leader of The Liberal Party

Promoted by Stephen Graham on behalf of the Liberal Party, 12 Dayworth Mews, Lundy Lane, Reading, RG30 2RR.

We understand Liberal candidates in Lincoln and East Renfrewshire have found themselves unjustly excluded from hustings. A Liberal candidate in Cornwall was allegedly not allowed onto the stage to sit with the 4 main party candidates and had to sit on the front row of the audience.

ALL candidates matter and deserve to be heard.

Promoted by Stephen Graham on behalf of the Liberal Party, 12 Dayworth Mews, Lundy Lane, Reading, RG30 2RR.

New estates and buildings being built should have to include solar panels where viable as part of the planning process.

We support the abolition of the House of Lords and its replacement with a more streamline senate elected by the regions and nations of the UK, including representation for Crown Dependencies and British Overseas Territories.

We support the WASPI women in their claim for compensation for the adjustment to the state pension age which has left many financially disadvantaged.

We support the Amendment of the EA2010 to  clarify that "sex" means biological sex and excluding biological males from women’s sports, prisons, shelters, rape centres and all women single sex safe spaces.