Newcastle upon Tyne Liberal Democrats

Handy number to remember. Ring 105 for information if you have a power cut.

After pressure from Liberal Democrats Peers, the Government have today announced major concessions on the Tenant Fees Bill.

The amendments, if agreed by MPs, would significantly limit the fees that could be charged to a tenant by their landlord or lettings agent, require a greater amount of transparency when deciding not to refund a holding deposit, and limit the maximum security deposit a landlord can require to five weeks rent.

Responding to the Government amendments, Liberal Democrats Housing Spokesperson John Shipley (pictured) said:

"It is good to see the Government have listened to the concerns we raised during the progress of the Bill. These amendments will make a huge difference for tenants, who will save hundreds of pounds every year.

UK can unilaterally revoke Article 50

The Advocate General of the European Court of Justice has this morning confirmed that the UK can revoke Article 50 without EU approval. The case was brought forward by a cross-party group of politicians, including the Liberal Democrats.

Liberal Democrats have long said that we can get out of this Brexit mess if we chose to. As MPs begin to debate Theresa May's terrible deal, many will be reflecting on how it compares with the deal we've currently got. Ultimately the Government must give a final say through a People's Vote, with the option to remain in the EU.

Govt must publish Brexit legal advice

The House of Commons will today debate a cross-party contempt motion over the Government's refusal to fully publish the Brexit legal advice.

In an unprecedented move, this shows Parliament is finally taking back control from this chaotic Conservative Government. Taking back control was of course one of the things Leavers campaigned for (along with mythical money for the NHS) These political shenanigans suggest the Tories have something to hide. People deserve better, and the Liberal Democrats demand better.

MPs expect the publication of the full legal Brexit advice before the debates on the withdrawal deal begin. However, the best way to avoid a Brexit mess is with a People's Vote, including the option to remain in the EU.


Lib Dems back amendment to stop no deal Brexit

The Liberal Democrats have added their names to a cross-party amendment, originally put down by Hilary Benn, which would force the Conservative Government to take no-deal Brexit off the table and pave the way to a People's Vote.

The Liberal Democrats will work with MPs from all parties to get the country out of this mess. Given that the Conservative Government wholeheartedly accept that a no-deal Brexit will create chaos and mayhem, they must do the responsible thing and take No Deal off the table. This amendment paves the way to a People's Vote on Brexit, with an option to remain in the EU.

The Bank of England and the Treasury have concluded that Brexit - with or without a deal - will leave the UK poorer, less productive and with an economy smaller than if we had stayed in the European Union.

The Treasury assessment of Theresa May's deal assumes a rapid transition to a frictionless trade deal with the EU and other free trade arrangements with third-party countries, but the prospect of these negotiations happening quickly is wildly optimistic.

On the bridge of HMS Tyne as Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson (left) confirmed the naming of the new HMS Newcastle to Lord Mayor of Newcastle Cllr David Down, Lord Lieutenant, captain and photographer just before news conference aft.

"We've been quietly campaigning on an all party basis for this for nearly two years, " said Cllr Robin Ashby, Armed Forces Champion. "I've been delighted how MPs, Peers, both sides on the City Council and others have added their support. This new Type 26 ship when built will be the ninth warship to carry the name. I hope that in due course we'll also be able to adopt her as close to the City's heart,

Metro fare increase on hold after Labour councillors MISS vote - https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/metro-fare-increase-hold-after-15447594?utm_source=sharebar&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=sharebar

The UK desperately needs the Government to take a radical approach to tackling climate change.

Since 2015, the Conservatives have failed to take cutting emissions seriously, they're slashing subsides to renewable projects, while pledging their full support to fracking. Liberal Democrats demand better.

We would start taking climate change seriously, with a radical approach to reach net zero emissions way before 2050as the World Wildlife Fund has suggested. Rather than ignoring the climate hoping it will fix itself, like the Tories are doing, Liberal Democrats would put tackling climate change at the centre of Government policy.

The Liberal Democrats have been consistently fighting for the last two years against a damaging deal to leave the EU, but we know that now is the time for every single MP to make their decision on the most important matter facing the UK. And none more so that in the UK's first Remain city, Newcastle upon Tyne.

That is why Tom Brake MP has written to local Remain MPs Catherine McKinnell and Chi Onwaruh urging them to join us in this fight.

"This is a call to action in the fight against Brexit, " he said. "We are asking Newcastle MPs and others to help us stop this chaos with a People's Vote with the option to remain in the EU. March with us through the lobbies, in the knowledge that you are putting our country first and standing up for the wishes of the people of Newcastle, as well as being on the right side of history."

The Liberal Democrats leader of the Opposition has turned the spotlight on the Labour leadership's attempt to hide plans to end funding for cultural organisations in the city, revealed by the publication of Newcastle City Council's budget consultation for 2019-20 today,

The council's budget's list of service reduction proposals do not include the apparent deletion of the council's contribution to the Culture Investment Fund, which over the past three years has provided important grant funding to the running costs of important local cultural organisations including Seven Stories, Tyneside Cinema, Northern Stage, and Live Theatre. The Fund was established in 2015 with £600,000 of funding from the city council, but it is understood that no additional funding has been received from other sources.