2020 has enormous potential for us.

We need to make the most of that – and now is a great time to build up your local party by activating more of your members.

When I first learnt election campaigning, one of the rules of thumb was that ‘every leaflet before Christmas is worth two after’. It was based on the experience of thousands of different campaigners ahead of May local (and indeed general) elections.

Every day, girls at school are being teased, bullied or even humiliated and punished for being on their period. Equally, children with medical conditions face similar stigma.

Many girls starting their periods are being denied access to the toilet during school lessons, with some schools even enforcing a blanket ban on children going to the toilet in lesson time.

A survey for Plan International UK found that more than half of girls aged 14-21 had missed class because they were worried about being on their period.

It’s time to put an end to the unnecessary anxiety & embarrassment of being on your period.

Today @LaylaMoran is proposing a new law to support teachers to act flexibly & sensitively when letting children use the toilet during lesson time. #IWD2020 https://t.co/jUhF9rk7x8

— Liberal Democrats (@LibDems) March 3, 2020

That’s why ahead of International Women’s Day, I have put forward legislation to help ensure pupils have access to toilets during lesson times:

School Toilets (Access During Lessons) Bill

A Bill to require the Secretary of State to publish guidance for state-funded schools on allowing pupil access to toilets during lessons; and for connected purposes.

The Bill would force the Secretary of State to publish guidance for state-funded schools enabling teachers to use their common sense in letting their students go the bathroom during their lessons.

It’s key that we support teachers to act flexibly and sensitively when letting children use the toilet. That starts with the Government publishing compulsory guidance explaining why blanket bans on using the toilet in lesson time is problematic.

No child should miss out on their education because of their period or a medical condition. I hope to see the Conservatives take forward my Bill in supporting all students in getting the education they deserve.

This article will discuss matters relating to sexual assault.

If you want to make your mark on the party by contributing to one of the volunteer committees that run things, then the first step is getting nominated.

To help you do that, we’ve produced this guide.

First though, you probably need to know which positions are currently open.