Our national interests are European and they are global. So, as we continue to work to stop Brexit, we Liberal Democrats will also look ahead and develop a proper national strategy on the basis of a clear understanding of what our interests are. We must act and decide on our future, because if the UK fails to do so, if through fear and timidity we dither and do nothing, there are consequences of inaction.
Now more than ever, people are crying out for a new vision for our country.
They want an alternative to creeping nationalism and populism. People want a new vision for our country, and only the Liberal Democrats can supply that. That's why today, we're announcing our new Shadow Cabinet to stop Brexit.
With every announcement, the government is making clear that they intend to leave the EU without a deal on 31st October - and EU citizens are going to be left in the lurch.
Over the weekend, the government announced that they intend to end Freedom of Movement on October 31st - despite promises from Theresa May's government that there would be a two-year transition period.
London is a liberal city. Over 250 languages are spoken in the capital, making it the most linguistically diverse city in the world. As host to one of the largest Pride events in Europe and the biggest carnival outside Rio, London and its residents celebrate diversity and embrace difference.
London is also a Remain city. It is home to a third of all the EU citizens living in the UK and every sector in the capital - from hoteliers to health-workers, builders to bankers - relies on EU migrants to thrive.
Congratulations to Jane Dodds and the Welsh Lib Dems for the brilliant result in Brecon and Radnorshire! Thank you to everyone of you who helped, both by appearing in the constituency to knock on doors and deliver leaflets, and for those who phoned, helped with admin tasks from a distance too. Jane is already showing that she will be an exceptional MP, joining Jo Swinson's parliamentary party.
There are plenty of similarities between Boris Johnson and Donald Trump. They say imitation is the highest form of flattery - maybe it's Johnson's way of sucking up for that trade deal. Which probably makes him the only person in the country looking forward to chlorinated chicken.
In fact, in a speech a while, Trump said "they call [Johnson] Britain Trump and people are saying that's a good thing. They like me over there."*
People are fed up of seeing politicians arguing for things that put their party's interest above the country. We have to come together to prevent Boris Johnson crashing us out the EU without a deal. I'm proud of the work that the Liberal Democrats have done with MPs from all parties and none to make stopping Brexit a real possibility.
Coming straight off the back of the Brecon and Radnorshire campaign, we launched our election campaign for Sheffield Hallam at the weekend, with more than 100 people who joined us to knock on doors, deliver leaflets, and help with clerical work in the office.
It seems like promising Lib Dem by-elections are like buses - you wait for a long time and then two come along at once!
In just eleven weeks, however, our country faces an immediate crisis: crashing out of the EU without any deal. The most cavalier and catastrophic of Brexits: putting at risk hundreds of thousands of jobs , public services including our NHS , and even our national security.
So in this moment of national emergency, I stand ready to work with anyone to stop Boris Johnson and his hard-line Brexit government.
After very careful thought, I have come to the conclusion that I can best serve the interests of my constituents by joining the Liberal Democrats.
Brexit has not only sucked all the political oxygen from government over the past three years, but it has also consumed the funding and energy that should have been invested in local communities, tackling climate change and supporting the workforce and infrastructure of our NHS, schools and transport.
I can think of about 350 million reasons why a promise from Boris Johnson isn't worth the paper (or bus) it's written on.
The Government promised that the rights of EU citizens wouldn't change after Brexit. So did Vote Leave - many of whose senior figures are now Government officials.
But now we're hearing that if Brexit happens, the Government plans to make EU citizens pay to use the NHS.
As well as fighting the impending County Council election on purely local issues (and building on the party's reputation for community engagement), Rutland and Melton Liberal Democrats are also gearing up for the possibility of a General Election that many now expect will be held in the autumn. Nationally the Liberal Democrats are firm in their opposition to a "no deal" exit from the EU, and indeed have consistently supported remaining within the Union. A hard Brexit would have serious implications for our rural community.
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