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Tag: 2020

  • Ed Davey – 2020 Speech on Becoming Leader of the Liberal Democrats

    Ed Davey – 2020 Speech on Becoming Leader of the Liberal Democrats

    The speech made by Ed Davey, the Leader of the Liberal Democrats, on 27 August 2020.

    I’d like to start by thanking my friend Layla Moran. Layla, you fought a passionate campaign, full of energy.

    Since becoming an MP, you have inspired so many people, particularly young people. Your future is bright and I look forward to you playing a big role in my team.

    To members of the Liberal Democrats, thank you for putting your faith in me and giving me the honour of leading a party I joined 30 years ago.

    And I want also to thank a whole host of people who’ve run this campaign – whether in party headquarters alongside the Returning Officer, or in my own amazing campaign team.

    The thousands of people who’ve volunteered time to campaign with me. Who’ve donated to my campaign. Who’ve championed our vision of a greener, fairer, more caring society.

    I’d particularly like to thank Claire Halliwell, my Campaign Manager. Claire, you’ve been fantastic.

    And of course Emily, my wife and our two beautiful children, John and Ellie. Thank you Emily for your amazing support, patience and love.

    I am sure I am speaking for many people when I say that – for all the stress and uncertainty of the last few months – one positive has been the chance to spend more time with our families. And so I’d like to thank Ellie in particular, for appearing as a surprise cameo in so many of my zoom calls and online hustings.

    I want to talk now about the future of the Liberal Democrats.

    I joined this party 30 years ago. I met Emily here. I have made so many good friends here.

    And with those friends, I have campaigned across our country, knocking on tens of thousands of doors, delivering hundreds of thousands of leaflets.

    The reason I have done all this is simple.

    I love our party.

    I believe in it.

    I stand for all the things the Liberal Democrats stand for:

    Social justice, political reform, equality and protecting our environment.

    I stand for fairness and for fighting to protect the rights of ordinary people.

    I’m determined our Party backs a Britain that works with other countries across the world for peace and prosperity.

    But, it is my love of our party that makes me recognise that we have to change.

    We have to wake up and smell the coffee.

    Nationally, our party has lost touch with too many voters.

    Yes, we are powerful advocates locally.

    Our campaigners listen to local people, work hard for communities and deliver results.

    But at the national level, we have to face the facts of three disappointing general election results.

    The truth is…

    Voters don’t believe that the Liberal Democrats want to help ordinary people get on in life.

    Voters don’t believe we share their values.

    And voters don’t believe we are on the side of people like them.

    Nationally, voters have been sending us a message.

    But we have not been listening. It is time for us to start listening.

    As leader I am telling you: I have got that message. I am listening now.

    Whether you’re from the North, South, or somewhere in between

    Whether you voted for Brexit or Remain, or just wanted the whole thing settled

    Whether you voted Labour, Conservative, Liberal Democrat, SNP or Plaid

    My message for you is this:

    I will travel up and down our country to meet you.

    To hear about the things that matter most to you.

    Your problems and fears, your hopes and dreams.

    I will face up to uncomfortable truths.

    And I will make your concerns my own.

    Our country is going through one of the most extraordinary and difficult periods for generations.

    The challenge of Covid will affect our country and the world for decades to come.

    Millions of people are suffering.

    As Leader of the Liberal Democrats, I want to reach out to help you and your community get through this.

    Whether your concerns are your families’ health, your children’s education or your livelihood.

    I want to understand the new future you want after all this – and help to deliver it.

    So my job from today is to rebuild the Liberal Democrats to national relevance so we can deliver this future for you, for your family and for the people who need it the most.

    None of this is going to be easy.

    None of this is going to be straightforward.

    And none of it is going to be quick or simple to achieve.

    But I want the Liberal Democrats to represent the whole country, not just some people, and to stand for fairness and opportunity for all.

    That is my commitment to you as the new leader of the Liberal Democrats.

    The hard work starts today.

  • Jo Churchill – 2020 Comments on the Relaunch of the Health and Wellbeing Alliance

    Jo Churchill – 2020 Comments on the Relaunch of the Health and Wellbeing Alliance

    The comments made by Jo Churchill, the Minister for Prevention, Public Health and Primary Care, on 24 August 2020.

    The Health and Wellbeing Alliance is an excellent way to ensure a range of voices are heard and reflected in government policy. Over the last 3 years members have made an enormous contribution to a number of important policy developments.

    This relaunch is a fantastic opportunity to ensure that we not only continue to hear from the most underrepresented voices, but also allows us a refresh, so that important health messages reach those they affect the most.

  • Jonathan Reynolds – 2020 Comments on Potential Number of Redundancies

    Jonathan Reynolds – 2020 Comments on Potential Number of Redundancies

    The comments made by Jonathan Reynolds, the Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, on 23 August 2020.

    Every job lost is a tragedy and we must do all we can to safeguard people’s livelihoods.

    We are in the midst of a jobs crisis right across the UK but these figures show certain areas are more at risk than others. The Government’s one size fits all approach will see some communities hit harder and they must adopt a more tailored approach now if we are to avoid further job losses.

  • Jonathan Ashworth – 2020 Letter to Matt Hancock on Obesity

    Jonathan Ashworth – 2020 Letter to Matt Hancock on Obesity

    The letter sent by Jonathan Ashworth, the Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, to Matt Hancock, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, on 24 August 2020.

    Dear Matt,

    We are in the midst of the greatest public health crisis for a century.

    The government’s sole aim must be protecting people’s health. That means doing everything possible to drive down infections and save people’s lives. Public health services are crucial to that strategy.

    Creating the conditions where people live healthier, happier longer lives is integral to protecting the nation’s health and goes hand in hand in delivering health security. Building good public health builds resilience to Covid-19.

    We have tragically seen that Covid-19 thrives on health inequalities. The poorest are twice as likely to die from the virus. Years of swingeing public health cuts and wider austerity measures have left us with widening health inequalities, stalling life expectancy and has contributed to the highest excess death rate in Europe.

    Given the widespread worries about a resurgence in the virus, surely embarking on a restructure now is risky, indeed some would say irresponsible. I of course am aware of the pressures you are under from your backbenchers. A number of Conservative MPs have sought to blame PHE for the government’s mistakes and poor record over test and trace, even though the ministerial direction given to PHE last year made no mention whatsoever of preparing for a pandemic.

    I am therefore writing to you with a series of questions over your plans to abolish Public Health England and merge its health protections functions with NHS Test and Trace alongside the Joint BioSecurity Centre.

    Firstly on obesity. You will no doubt remember at the beginning of the summer the Prime Minister said that tackling obesity was key to protecting the nation from a second wave of Coronavirus. “Losing weight is, frankly, one of the ways that you can reduce your own risks from Covid….. if we’re fitter and healthier, and if we lose weight, we’ll be better able not just to individually withstand coronavirus, but we’ll do a great deal to protect the NHS. And that’s why we’ll be bringing forward an obesity strategy.”

    It is sadly no surprise that during this pandemic we have seen a rise in hospital admissions for children because of obesity. This highlights the desperate need for action after years of inaction from the Conservative governments in power. It is all well and good announcing obesity strategy after obesity strategy, but planning alone will do nothing for the next generation of children whose outcomes will suffer. The abolition of Public Health England will only serve to make this more difficult. Given the known risks around weight and Coronavirus, it is vital that the focus on tackling obesity isn’t lost during this structural reorganisation. With this in mind, who will now be responsible for driving through the government’s new priorities on obesity?

    Similarly there is now a huge question mark hanging over the other non-health protection elements of PHE’s responsibilities such as screening, immunisation, mental health, sexual health, smoking cessation and addiction services. We need certainty on how these vital services will continue and under whose remit.

    I was pleased that you followed our advice in committing to a flu vaccination programme for over 50s. I reiterate our commitment to work with ministers in standing firm against poisonous anti vaccination propaganda. PHE has played a role in supporting NHS England in the uptake of immunisations and vaccinations. Given how crucial access to a Covid-19 vaccine will become in the coming months can you outline who will take responsibility for the roll out and uptake of a vaccine when one comes available?

    As you know I have a strong personal interest in addiction and am alarmed that on the same day you announced the abolition of Public Health England there were reports that the remaining detox beds in the NHS could close. Before Public Health England existed there was the National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse, do you envisage re-creating something similar or will these responsibilities be transferred elsewhere?

    Could you also outline exactly what you mean when you invited the private sector to “join [us] in the mission”? The lesson of this pandemic is that surely money would be better spent on local public health, not more outsourcing firms?

    With that in mind could you explain why McKinsey was given £560,000 to advise on this restructure (ironically it was McKinsey who advised on the 2012 restructure that created Public Health England and you supported as a backbench MP)? Will you publish the McKinsey recommendations? Can you confirm reports McKinsey will receive personal test and trace health data and will be authorised to process such data for seven years? Why have you agreed for personal data to be kept by a private management consultancy firm and for what reason do they need it?

    Finally public health officials, NHS staff and care staff have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic and deserve clarity about their future. Reorganisations often sap morale, are distracting and cause huge uncertainty especially when news of such a reorganisation is briefed in advance to a Sunday newspaper. An article in the BMJ recently pointed out that “every time public health goes through a major reorganisation it loses at least 20-30% of its skilled and experienced staff.” What guarantees can you offer current staff who will be impacted by this reorganisation and what discussions have you initiated with staff trade union bodies?

    I look forward to your response.

    Yours sincerely,

    Jonathan Ashworth MP

  • Lucy Powell – 2020 Comments on “Jobs Meltdown”

    Lucy Powell – 2020 Comments on “Jobs Meltdown”

    Comments made by Lucy Powell, the Shadow Minister for Business and Consumers, on 22 August 2020.

    With the UK now in recession, Ministers must do all they can to stave off disaster on the high street. They have a week to change tack, and prevent shuttered high streets and a jobs meltdown. Rather than claw back these funds, Ministers should back the high street and save jobs now.

    Many businesses are still in distress, with many still fully or partially shut down because of the continuing public health emergency. It’s vital that the government doesn’t think it’s job done when so many jobs and businesses are on the line.

  • Jo Stevens – 2020 Comments on Government Support for Live Music Venues

    Jo Stevens – 2020 Comments on Government Support for Live Music Venues

    The comments made by Jo Stevens, the Shadow Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, on 21 August 2020.

    The government is claiming that this long overdue money will save the UK’s much-loved live music venues, but this is merely a short-term fix.

    This announcement represents 0.2% of the Cultural Recovery Fund, a tiny percentage.

    And there is still nothing from the government for the thousands of freelancers who make up the vast majority of those who perform at these cherished venues.

  • Grant Shapps – 2020 Comments on Resignation of Jim O’Sullivan

    Grant Shapps – 2020 Comments on Resignation of Jim O’Sullivan

    The comments made by Grant Shapps, the Secretary of State for Transport, on 21 August 2020.

    I’d like to thank Jim O’Sullivan for his hard work and commitment over the past five years. His successor will start at an exciting time for the company as it embarks on our ambitious £27.4billion Second Roads Investment Strategy. The programme will deliver on this government’s vision to level-up our roads infrastructure, connecting communities, creating jobs and boosting growth.

  • Karl Turner – 2020 Comments on Eviction Ban

    Karl Turner – 2020 Comments on Eviction Ban

    The comments made by Karl Turner, the Shadow Minister for Legal Aid, said on 21 August 2020.

    It is utterly jaw-dropping that the government have sat on their hands until just days before a self-made homelessness crisis. Pushing ahead with the end of the evictions ban risks unleashing a tsunami of cases which could leave tens of thousands of people homeless and overwhelm our courts.

    If the government do not change course and act now, the complete absence of legal advice in huge swathes of the country will leave tenants at risk of homelessness.

    Ministers’ promises that the courts will take account of the impact of Covid on tenants amount to nothing, as despite having 5 months to do so, they have not changed the law on s.21 or ground 8, so judges will have no choice but to evict in the middle of a global pandemic, regardless of the circumstances.

  • Keir Starmer – 2020 Comments on Eviction Ban

    Keir Starmer – 2020 Comments on Eviction Ban

    The comments made by Keir Starmer, the Leader of the Opposition, on 21 August 2020.

    This eleventh hour U-turn was necessary, but such a brief extension means there is a real risk that this will simply give renters a few more weeks to pack their bags.

    Boris Johnson has been warned for months about the looming evictions crisis, but stuck his head in the sand.

    People living in rented accommodation should not be paying the price for this Government’s incompetence.

    Section 21 evictions must be scrapped and renters must be given proper support. The ban should not be lifted until the Government has a credible plan to ensure that no-one loses their home as a result of coronavirus.

  • Priti Patel – 2020 Comments on Violence Reduction Units

    Priti Patel – 2020 Comments on Violence Reduction Units

    Comments made by Priti Patel, the Home Secretary, on 21 August 2020.

    I am determined to ensure we use every possible tool to stop violent crime happening in the first place.

    A key part of that mission is protecting children and young people and preventing them from falling into the clutches of criminals.

    It is encouraging to see the progress these units are making, but we will continue our relentless drive to deliver the safer streets the law-abiding majority deserve.

    Smaller charities work tirelessly in our communities and this funding will ensure they can continue providing life-changing support.