Torridge and West Devon Liberal Democrats

Our Remit

The Federal Finance and Resources Committee (FFRC) is responsible for the budget and finances of the Federal Party and overseeing the administration of the Party. A key element of its role is oversight of compliance with external regulatory bodies.

Guest Appearance by Geoff Payne (Chair of the Federal Conference Committee)

Last week we officially welcomed our newest member - Director of Strategy, Research and Messaging Mimi Turner.

Mimi provided for us her perspective on the Party's strategic and campaigning position, as well as an initial summary of what we might do differently in future. There is much to be done but we are excited by the steps the Party is taking to get more Liberal Democrats elected and our newly elected Leader's listening tour.

Liberal Democrat MPs have put forward measures to the Internal Market Bill that will remove controversial clauses that breach the Northern Ireland Protocol.

Respecting the rule of law is fundamental to any self-respecting Government.

The clauses in question allow the UK to unilaterally scrap "exit summary" forms for goods moving from Northern Ireland to Great Britain, and to apply UK state aid rules in Northern Ireland - contrary to what was agreed with the EU. A third clause seeks to protect the above changes from being considered unlawful.

I've been a member for many years but like many others, I'd never taken the plunge and dived into conference.

That all changed last year when I went to the 2019 Lib Dem Party Conference in Bournemouth.

I didn't know what to expect, but before I knew it, I was meeting fellow Lib Dems from across the country, sharing stories, learning new tricks, and feeling at home with over 3,000 like-minded members who share my values.

Leading Lib Dem farmers have joined the NFU's call for MPs of all parties to sign a pledge to protect British agriculture.

Speaking on the NFU's Back British Farming day (9 September), Stephen Middleton, Chair of Torridge and West Devon Liberal Democrats, who farms near Winkleigh, said:

'This has been a terrible year for farmers with floods, Coronavirus, and then drought. Now the Government threatens to undercut food producers by allowing in cheap, sub-standard imports and throwing away our tariff-free access to European markets. It all adds up to a disaster for British food and farming.'

Saturday sees the first full meeting of our new Steering Group, created by the Federal Board in a pilot to find ways of improving how we run the party. As the Thornhill Election Review found in frank detail, failing to run the party well hinders our election prospects.

Elections will be very much on our mind as one of our major items of business is next May's elections. The combination of general elections in Scotland and Wales plus two rounds of local elections in one will make this much more than a usual May. How much normal party activity to put aside so we can focus on the elections will be one of the issues discussed. It's always tempting to stop everything for the next election, but do that too often and many long-term problems build up. Some careful judgements will be needed.

The new law, aimed at stamping out protests that have racked Hong Kong for the past year, can "prevent, stop and punish any acts or activities" that severely endanger national security." Such charges are often used in mainland China to silence dissidents and other political opponents. It has already been used to silence people.

Alan, his mum and his five-year-old brother had drowned as they attempted to cross from Turkey to Kos in a small inflatable boat, having fled the violence of ISIL and Assad's civil war.

The Conservatives voted against providing a safe haven for children who've been forced to flee their homes and separated from their families.

Lib Dem Leader Ed Davey has announced a new team of spokespeople who will hold the Government to account and rebuild our party.

Layla Moran

Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs & International Development

Delighted to announce the @LibDems spokespeople for the great offices of state:

My friend @LaylaMoran has agreed to take a role in my top team. As Foreign Affairs Spokesperson she will bring the energy and enthusiasm she brings to all her work & hold Dominic Raab to account.
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- Ed Davey MP 🔶🇪🇺 (@EdwardJDavey) August 31, 2020

Those who have put their lives at risk for our country are welcome to live in it.

Like the rest of our wonderful NHS and care staff, hundreds of thousands of people from other countries are on the frontlines of the coronavirus pandemic, putting themselves in harm's way to make sure we get the care we need.