Hertford and Stortford Liberal Democrats

The Liberal Democrats exist to build and safeguard a fair, free and open society, in which we seek to balance the fundamental values of liberty, equality and community, and in which no-one shall be enslaved by poverty, ignorance or conformity.

New leader

Vince Cable, new Liberal Democrat leader

The new Liberal Democrat leader, Vince Cable, been quick to challenge both the Conservatives and Labour over Brexit.

He's said very clearly that Brexit can be stopped, and that there is a sizeable group in both the Conservative and Labour parties who are keen for the UK to remain in the Single Market, and the Customs Union and to preserve collaboration on research with our European partners. Fifty Labour MPs defied their leadership to vote in favour of staying in the single market: he urged Tories to have similar courage and promised to reach out to MPs on the right and the left to work together.

Recognising the growing pressure for an "exit to Brexit" he repeated the Liberal Democrat commitment to a referendum on the terms of the proposed deal.

He added that "Voters should be asked 'Do you wish to accept what is coming down the track, jumping off the cliff and hoping there's a tree to catch you or do we want to stay within the European Union?'"

More: BBC • The Independent • Inews

Thank you gathering

Thank you event in Hertford

Some of the Hertford and Stortford Liberal Democrats who gathered in Ware for a "Thank You" party soon after the General Election.

Recent updates from the Liberal Democrats

Corbyn has betrayed Labour voters by refusing to back single market amendment

Article: Jun 29, 2017

The Liberal Democrats have accused Jeremy Corbyn of failing Labour voters who wanted a different approach to Brexit, after he imposed a three-line whip on his MPs to abstain on a cross-party amendment to keep the UK in the single market.

Only 49 Labour MPs voted for the amendment, fewer than a fifth, while the rest abstained.
Victory on NI abortions shows power of cross-party pressure

Article: Jun 29, 2017

Former Equalities Minister Jo Swinson MP has said the government's last-minute announcement that women from Northern Ireland will be able get abortions for free on the NHS in England shows "the power of cross-party pressure."

Jo Swinson was among the MPs who had signed an amendment by Stella Creasy on the issue, which had been selected for a vote today.
Over 340,000 secondary school pupils taught in class sizes over 30

Article: Jun 29, 2017

The Liberal Democrats have accused the government of treating schoolchildren like "battery hens," as shocking figures published today have revealed the number of pupils in classes over 30 continues to soar.
344,000 secondary school pupils are now being taught in class sizes over over 30, up 21% compared to two years ago
Single market amendment must be backed by "the many, not the few"

Article: Jun 29, 2017

The Liberal Democrats have called on Jeremy Corbyn to ensure a cross-party amendment on the single market is backed by "the many, not the few" in a crucial vote later today.

The cross-party amendment to the Queen's Speech, signed by all Liberal Democrat MPs, calls on the government to set out proposals to stay in the single market and customs union.
Lib Dems to support amendment on lifting public sector pay cap

Article: Jun 28, 2017

This follows the Liberal Democrats leading calls to increase pay for firefighters, nurses and police in the wake of the Grenfell Tragedy and recent terrorist attacks.

The party has also urged Labour MPs to back amendments calling on the government to keep Britain in the single market and customs union, warning that an extreme Brexit would mean the country cannot afford to invest more in public services.
Poverty stats must be a wake up call for Tories

Article: Jun 27, 2017

"These figures must be a wakeup call for the Conservatives, in Britain, 4.6 Million people endured persistent hardship and poverty. For all the Conservatives talk, these figures show they just don't care and sadly, I think poverty is going to get worse.

"The divisive Brexit the government is pushing is putting jobs at risk and this means more and more people will be driven to the edge.
Davey: is government pushing ID cards through the backdoor?

Article: Jun 26, 2017

Ed Davey said:

"The government announcement on EU citizens leaves so much in doubt. From the description it seems as if this is ID cards by the backdoor.

"David Davis resigned his seat and caused a by-election because he was disgusted by the assault on civil liberties by the then Labour government. What will he do this time round?
Theresa May should be ashamed by EU nationals saga

Article: Jun 26, 2017

"Far from being 'fair and serious', this proposal offers very little and shows the government is continuing in its callousness. Theresa May should be utterly ashamed this is the best they can come up with, a year on.

It offers little in the way of reassurance to EU citizens who have made Britain their home and continues to use them as bargaining chips.
Shock revelation that Theresa May blocked EU nationals' right to stay is a "badge of shame"

Article: Jun 23, 2017

The Liberal Democrats have criticised Theresa May as "cold and heartless," following the shock revelation she blocked attempts to guarantee the right to stay for EU nationals immediately after the referendum.

In a scathing editorial in the Evening Standard today, George Osborne revealed that "in the days immediately after the referendum, David Cameron wanted to reassure EU citizens they would be allowed to stay. All his Cabinet agreed with that unilateral offer, except his Home Secretary, Mrs May, who insisted on blocking it."

It comes as the Liberal Democrats have set out a list of four demands that must be addressed in the government's paper on the rights of EU nationals on Monday, including ending the "bureaucratic nightmare" faced by EU citizens applying for permanent residency.

A recent report revealed that at the Home Office's current workrate, it will take around 11 years to process the millions of expected residency requests from EU nationals.

Liberal Democrat Brexit Spokesperson Tom Brake said:
Lib Dems table amendment on Single Market to Queen's Speech

Article: Jun 23, 2017

The Liberal Democrats have tabled an amendment to the Queen's Speech calling for Britain to stay the single market and customs union.

The party is now calling on both Labour and Conservative MPs to support the amendment and inflict a historic defeat on the government, forcing Theresa May to soften her extreme approach to Brexit.

The Liberal Democrats are the only party fighting to keep Britain open, tolerant and united, and committed to continue to campaign for the UK to remain a member of the EU.

Open means open-hearted, open-minded, forward-looking, modern, green, internationalist and pro-European. We believe Britain is at its best when it is creative, innovative and outward-looking, comfortable in the fast-changing modern world and open to the opportunities and challenges of globalisation and the digital revolution.

Tolerant means diverse, compassionate and generous. We will always fight injustice and stand up for the underdog, the outsider, the individual, the minority and the vulnerable against the powerful.

United means we will always put the interests of the whole United Kingdom first. We reject the divisions in society, whether between young and old, urban and rural, leave and remain, or between regions and nations. We believe we are stronger - as communities, as a country and as a world - when we work together in our common interest.

If this sounds like you too, join us.

Liberal Democrats are back: standing up for local people and fighting against hard Brexit. We're winning by-elections across the country and our vote was up significantly on 4 May: support us on 8 June.

Lib Dem by-election wins 2016-17