November's meeting opened with a discussion with Ed Davey in which he outlined his plans for the Parliamentary Party going forwards. Collectively we deliberated on how to make sure all parts of the party are collaborating effectively and making best use of Ed's overarching strategy.
The Moving Forward Programme
Welcome to the Weekly Whip. Your one-stop shop for Lib Dem Parliamentary updates, covering the week that was and the week to come.
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Weekly Whip w/c 16th November
Monday 16th November
To start off the week, the Commons had a quiet day of business.
Federal Conference Committee met for the morning of Saturday 14 the November 2020. The meeting was designed to pick up on issues that arose from the Autumn Conference feedback meeting that took place in October.
At the feedback meeting, the FCC had decided that Spring Conference would take place online. We will be using the Hopin platform and conference will operate in a very similar manner to Autumn Conference.
Today the Government announced their Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution.
Sadly, it fails to undo the damage the Conservatives have done to the UK's progress on climate change over the past five years.
We need a long term plan backed by meaningful funding.
Their plan not only pledges to continue selling fossil fuel powered hybrid cars past 2030 but it also extends the Green Homes Grant by just one year.
Disability History Month is an important opportunity to remember how far we have come in the battle for disability rights and equality.
There is still a long road ahead to ensure equality and inclusion for disabled people.
It is also a time to honour those who have led the way forward, defied stereotypes and contributed so much to the success of our country.
With coronavirus putting the most vulnerable in our communities at risk, we must ensure no one is left behind.
2020 has seen a sharp rise in rough sleeping. Without a home to stay in, these people are at a higher risk of catching the virus and have no way to self-isolate.
The homelessness crisis is not new, and is not going away once we defeat Covid.
13 November marks the beginning of Trans Awareness Week.
Started in 1988, this week is for amplifying the voices of trans people, and for advocating an end to the discrimination and prejudice that trans people still face today. The week ends with Trans Day of Remembrance, on 20 November, which honours the memory of the lives of trans people whose lives were lost to violence and bigotry that year.
Across the country, homes will be adorned with wonderful decorations and Diyas will be lit - all marking the festival of lights.
For Hindu communities this is also the start of the Hindu New Year - an important time to sit back and reflect on the past year and look ahead to future opportunities.
Diwali marks the triumph of good over evil, light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance. 2020 has been a dark year for many of us and Diwali's message that light will triumph in the end resonates with many of us, regardless of our faith or worldview.
This week culminates in the Trans Day of Remembrance - a day set aside to remember the lives lost as a result of transphobia and anti-trans violence.
Globally, trans rights are eroding and rates of suicide and self harm in the community are alarming. Far too many live in constant fear of physical violence and persecution. This is unacceptable.
Time and again the Chinese Government has shown its utter disdain for the Joint Declaration.
The disqualification of elected lawmakers in Hong Kong is reprehensible and marks another step in China's work to end democracy and freedom on the peninsula.
The 'one country, two systems' is disappearing before our eyes.