Jackie Pearcey was the overwhelming choice of party members at a packed selection meeting on Saturday afternoon to become the Liberal Democrat candidate in Manchester Gorton. This is for the by-election following the death of the late MP Sir Gerald Kaufman in what is already building into a competitive two horse race between Labour and the Liberal Democrats.
Robin Teverson was the first Lib Dem peer to talk about citizenship and specifically the rights and freedoms granted to us by our EU citizenship that we are about to lose. My Lords, I have tabled an amendment on Euratom. Contrary to what the Leader of the House said yesterday in her opening speech, there is no mandate to leave Euratom. It is not part of the EU and it seems that, as a country, we are in danger of cutting off our nose to spite our face for no reason in terms of an electoral mandate.
Yesterday we learnt of the sad loss of the Father of the House of Commons, Sir Gerald Kaufman, who had been the MP for Manchester Gorton since 1983 and before that for Manchester Ardwick from 1970. Our first thoughts are of course for his family and colleagues. As a consequence, there will be a by-election in Gorton. This will actually the sixth by-election in the constituency in the space of 128 years, which is rather a lot. At first glance, this is a very safe Labour seat, with 67 per cent of the 2015 vote and no other party making it into double figures.
Oakham CofE Primary School, Burley Rd, Oakham LE15 6GY
As an ardent Remainer, it is the only party that will uphold my beliefs I've done it, I've joined the Liberal Democrats. Since leaving the Labour party, I've been thinking about it, edging closer and closer, like when you see footage of people slowly shuffling on their bums towards plane doors to do charity parachute jumps.
News emerged this week that Derbyshire's Labour Police and Crime Commissioner had made a grant of £25,000 to an organisation run by two former Labour council candidates. This comes on top of a previous grant for £25,000 to the same organisation made by the previous Labour Police and Crime Commissioner. A senior employee, former Labour candidate Oleg Sotnicenko, claims that this is a non-political grant. But, according to reports, Mr. Sotnicenko admits that his organisation has no current projects in Derby and only claims to have helped 12 individuals in the past. With commissioner Hardyal Dhindsa also being a Labour councillor for the neighbouring ward, the potential conflict of interest is clear.
October is Black History Month - a chance to celebrate the Black British community, acknowledge their contributions and discover their stories.
Read Ed Davey's speech to the Liberal Democrats' Autumn Conference in Brighton
Carers are not just support for their loved ones—they are the glue holding our fragile social care system together. They deserve more than token acknowledgements or empty promises.
