On May 20th, Boris Johnson declared that the UK would have a 'world-beating' coronavirus test, track and trace system in place by June 1st. Instead, four months later the UK is facing a testing crisis.
The British public are confronting the reality that we may be facing a second wave of coronavirus with a test and trace system that is just inadequate. It is unacceptable.
Welcome to the Weekly Whip. Your one-stop shop for Lib Dem Parliamentary updates, covering the week that was and the week to come.
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Weekly Whip w/c 14th September
Monday 14thSeptember
Monday's news was heavily dominated by the United Kingdom Internal Market Bill. MPs from across the House had already raised serious concerns last week when it was noted by a government official that the Bill would break international law in a "specific and limited way".
Let me be clear about this: I am passionately pro-European.
I am proud that we stood by our pro-EU values throughout the Brexit process, giving voice to the millions of Remainers who didn't see themselves included in the future that Boris Johnson was trying to build.
I could not have predicted the almighty shambles that we are seeing now with Brexit.
Tonight, Jewish communities in the UK and around the world will mark Rosh Hashanah - the Jewish New Year.
The Jewish High Holidays are a time of deep contemplation and self-reflection. They are an opportunity for all of us to look back on the past year as we set new goals for the future.
This year has been particularly challenging; we have all had to adjust to new ways of living, whilst grappling with economic uncertainty.
Our first ever full online conference is set to be one of our biggest ever. I'm so proud that we've been able to keep costs low for members to attend, plus no cost of travel, accommodation, or buying all your meals out.
With a more accessible, affordable, and flexible conference, more members than ever will be able to have their say and vote on some of the fantastic policy motions coming up at Autumn Conference.
I'm honoured to have been elected by my fellow MPs as Deputy Leader and I'm champing at the bit to get started.
Whilst Ed is touring the country listening to and reconnecting with voters, it's going to be my role to help build a campaigning machine that will get us winning again at every level.
It's going to be my role to help build a campaigning machine that will get us winning again at every level.
The Liberal Democrats are challenging Conservative MPs to oppose Boris Johnson's attempts to break international law.
The move comes after MPs, including Ms Kearns, backed the UK Internal Market Bill at the first hurdle. The new law would give the Government the power to override parts of the Brexit agreement with the EU, breaking international law.
Rutland and Melton Liberal Democrats warned that the UK "cannot expect other countries, like China and Russia, to respect international treaties if we don't do the same when it comes to the Withdrawal Agreement."
The Government's decision to break international law over Brexit has been criticised by five former Prime Ministers and senior former diplomatic and security officials. Several prominent Conservatives, including the former Attorney General, have said they could not support the final Bill unless it is amended.
The Liberal Democrats have tabled amendments to the Bill that would remove controversial clauses breaching the Northern Ireland Protocol, in addition to further amendments calling for the devolved administrations to be represented in the new "Office for the Internal Market" instituted by the Bill.
Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Rutland and Melton, Dr Carol Weaver, said:
"The excuses we have heard for breaking international law from the mouth of the Prime Minister show the depths to which the Conservative party has plummeted.
"The UK cannot expect other countries, like China and Russia, to respect international treaties if we don't do the same when it comes to the Withdrawal Agreement.
"Conservative MPs have a duty to show Boris Johnson that his reckless approach will not be tolerated."
Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey added:
"With our reputation around the world on the line, we must stand up for what is right.
"The Liberal Democrats will continue to work with others to remove the aspects of the Bill which would break international law and trash the UK's reputation.
"We will also keep pushing to ensure the devolved administrations have a say when it comes to the UK internal market."
The Federal Finance and Resources Committee (FFRC) is responsible for the budget and finances of the Federal Party and overseeing the administration of the Party. A key element of its role is oversight of compliance with external regulatory bodies.
Guest Appearance by Geoff Payne (Chair of the Federal Conference Committee)
Last week we officially welcomed our newest member - Director of Strategy, Research and Messaging Mimi Turner.
Mimi provided for us her perspective on the Party's strategic and campaigning position, as well as an initial summary of what we might do differently in future. There is much to be done but we are excited by the steps the Party is taking to get more Liberal Democrats elected and our newly elected Leader's listening tour.
Liberal Democrat MPs have put forward measures to the Internal Market Bill that will remove controversial clauses that breach the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Respecting the rule of law is fundamental to any self-respecting Government.
The clauses in question allow the UK to unilaterally scrap "exit summary" forms for goods moving from Northern Ireland to Great Britain, and to apply UK state aid rules in Northern Ireland - contrary to what was agreed with the EU. A third clause seeks to protect the above changes from being considered unlawful.
I've been a member for many years but like many others, I'd never taken the plunge and dived into conference.
That all changed last year when I went to the 2019 Lib Dem Party Conference in Bournemouth.
I didn't know what to expect, but before I knew it, I was meeting fellow Lib Dems from across the country, sharing stories, learning new tricks, and feeling at home with over 3,000 like-minded members who share my values.
Saturday sees the first full meeting of our new Steering Group, created by the Federal Board in a pilot to find ways of improving how we run the party. As the Thornhill Election Review found in frank detail, failing to run the party well hinders our election prospects.
Elections will be very much on our mind as one of our major items of business is next May's elections. The combination of general elections in Scotland and Wales plus two rounds of local elections in one will make this much more than a usual May. How much normal party activity to put aside so we can focus on the elections will be one of the issues discussed. It's always tempting to stop everything for the next election, but do that too often and many long-term problems build up. Some careful judgements will be needed.
The new law, aimed at stamping out protests that have racked Hong Kong for the past year, can "prevent, stop and punish any acts or activities" that severely endanger national security." Such charges are often used in mainland China to silence dissidents and other political opponents. It has already been used to silence people.
Alan, his mum and his five-year-old brother had drowned as they attempted to cross from Turkey to Kos in a small inflatable boat, having fled the violence of ISIL and Assad's civil war.
The Conservatives voted against providing a safe haven for children who've been forced to flee their homes and separated from their families.
Liberal Democrats
