The Liberal Democrats are fighting for a fairer, greener and more caring country where everyone has a chance to get on in life. In a message to Cllr Nick Cott, who leads a 20-strong group of councillors in Newcastle, Ed Davey MP (pictured here with Nick last year in Newcastle) said:

" I know that local people who vote for Liberal Democrats on May 6th in Newcastle upon Tyne will get strong local champions who will get things done in your important city.

Opposition Liberal Democrats on Newcastle council are seeking further clarity from the North East Joint Transport Committee and transport bosses on their intentions for a new bus strategy for the region, after the Government's publication of a National Bus Strategy in March. Tyne and Wear has lacked an up to date bus strategy in recent years following the collapse of Nexus plans for a Quality Contract Scheme, and the JTC has not yet set out its full response to the Government's blueprint, having received only a brief update at its last meeting in March.

Opposition Liberal Democrats councillors in Newcastle are calling on the council to rethink its removal of litter bins from parks, and to draw up a "summer strategy" for the city's parks and green spaces to reduce repeats of the tidal wave of litter affecting many city parks last week.

They believe the council would save money and improve the appearance of city beauty spots by reinstating some of the bins removed as part of council budget cuts in recent years, suggesting that the cost of emptying bins during warm weather weekends would potentially be less than the cost of large scale clean ups after heavy public use of the parks.

After the Government rammed through the Coronavirus Act extension despite unease amongst MPs of all parties, Liberal Democrats Leader Ed Davey MP said: "This vote hands Conservative Ministers a blank cheque to use draconian powers they don't need. I am proud that Liberal Democrats voted against it.

The UK is due to host the 26th United Nations climate change conference (COP26) in Glasgow from 1-12th November. But there are now reports of a delay to until Spring 2022. Liberal Democrats Spokesperson for the Climate Emergency, Wera Hobhouse MP commented: "Liberal Democrats are calling on the Government for immediate clarification over the potential delay to COP26. It is deeply unfair to leave developing nations in the lurch with so many conflicting reports about the future of the COP.