Brentwood Liberal Democrats

On 23 June thousands of members and supporters of the Lib Dems joined over one hundred thousand marchers in the People's Vote demonstration to Parliament Square. Your Federal Board curtailed our meeting at HQ to come and join you, and it was a wonderful event! Vince spoke from the platform with strength and conviction, aided with the knowledge that our party is united in wanting both a People's Vote and an Exit from Brexit.

Donald Trump has claimed that the Conservatives' Brexit plan has killed off any chance of a UK-US trade deal.

Donald Trump is an enemy of Britain. His vile views and wild outbursts make the whole world a more dangerous place.

Like his terrible twin Boris Johnson he is consumed by self-obsession and self-promotion. And Trump has the cheek to nominate Johnson as our Prime Minister - in return I recommend ABD (anyone but Donald) for President of our American friends and allies.

Unanimous, cross party support, was given for a motion tabled by Liberal Democrat councillor Karen Chilvers at Ordinary Council on Wednesday 27 June.

Karen, a blue badge holder herself for over two years, had become aware of widespread abuse by non-blue badge holders. So moved a motion at the ordinary council meeting to make Brentwood "zero tolerance", and to robustly enforce the law.

Today our MPs had an opposition debate in the House of Commons.

We asked members and supporters of the Liberal Democrats to vote to decide what our opposition debate would be about: a final say on the Brexit deal, how we will fund the NHS into the future, and Trump's visit to the UK.

The results of the vote were:

A proposal to commit Essex County Council to delivering genuinely affordable homes across the county was blocked yesterday by the Conservative majority. The Opposition Liberal Democrats had proposed that when the council's own land is up for sale, it should be used to deliver affordable housing and specialist housing for those with additional needs.

Proposing the motion, Lib Dem Stephen Robinson (Chelmsford North) highlighted the fact that thousands of people on average incomes in Essex cannot afford to rent or buy the home they need.

Cllr Robinson said, "Essex has a housing crisis. Not enough homes - to rent or buy - have been built for 30 years. This is a clear example of the market failing to provide what is needed, so government locally and nationally need to act. Vague aims are not enough."

Summing up on the motion, Lib Dem Leader Mike Mackrory (Chelmsford Springfield), attacked the Conservatives for - yet again - not caring about the troubles faced by young people and others on lower incomes to get a home.

Cllr Mackrory said, "The Conservative alternative plan removes any real actions. You cannot build houses with warm words. It is also essential that the council commit to delivering homes that are suitable for a whole lifetime, including when people become more frail."

Theresa May tried to portray strength as her Cabinet decamped to Chequers to review her Brexit plans. Rebels ministers were warned they would lose their official cars if they resigned, with taxis on standby to shuttle the disloyal back to London.

This was May's moment to bring her Cabinet in line.

For a moment, it appeared that May had managed to quietly stifle dissent. Then the dam broke.

Bluntly, David Davis' resignation today makes it clear: this government is up shit creek without a paddle.

It is obvious to all - Brexiters and Remainers alike - that Theresa May cannot deliver on Brexit.

This is most important issue in a generation and the government has failed.

"This Government is up s**t creek without a paddle"

Today is UK Black Pride, a day to hear from and celebrate those of us who live in the BAME-LGBT intersection.

I am one of these people.

My name is Nadya Phoenix and I am on the board of the newly established Liberal Democrat Campaign for Race Equality.

Coming out was a long, and at times very lonely road for me. It took attending an Arab Lesbian/Bisexual event for me to realise that I was not alone. It was a massive step in accepting my sexuality and myself.

What is an opposition day debate?

Opposition Days are a chance for opposition party's to decide on a motion for debate in the House of Commons. In most cases the Official Opposition will choose the topic, but this Thursday we will get to set the agenda and debate an issue of our choosing. We only get to lead opposition day debates a couple of times a year, so we want to ensure we use this to debate the issue which is most important to our members.

It's that exciting time of the year again!

Party awards time!

Every year at Autumn Conference we hand out prestigious party awards to members who have done some of the most outstanding work in the party. Going above and beyond the call of duty time and time again.