Party Conference is over, and we have left Brighton after an excellent four days. Over the Conference we have listened, spoken, debated matters fiercely, and voted on party policy.
Over 300 members attended Conference for the first time, and many of them made their first speech in debates on the stage too, making excellent contributions. The Exhibition and Fringes were brilliant too.
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The more Theresa May tries to sound defiant, the more desperate she seems.
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Gina Miller delivered an impassioned speech on the need to continue with a unified fight against Brexit.
Let’s be clear, in the debate we had in 2016 about Europe, there was scant idealism. Lies were told.
Miller called on people to put the national interest ahead of political divisions:
“Even though I am now politically independent, I am here to cheer you on, and to walk side by side with you all as Liberal Democrats seeking to stop the decay in our democracy, to stop the politics of division, to unite rather than to divide, to offer hope and to recognise that we must defend liberal values founded on equality of opportunity, tolerance, respect and humanity.
Above all things, humanity.”
The Liberal Democrats are proud to have fought Brexit since the referendum, and we will continue to fight for an exit from Brexit.
Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats Jane Dodds took to the stage today.
We demand a Wales free from discrimination and bigotry.
Dodds took aim at divisive identity politics running rife across Wales:
“Too much of our politics attempts to divide our identities, as if having more than one identity is a betrayal of all of them.”
More broadly, the Welsh Lib Dem Leader called for new reforms across the NHS, and developing a new green economy in the UK.
“There is huge potential to build an innovative green economy that provides clean, affordable and reliable energy for generations to come. However, the UK Government neglected this fact yet again and cancelled the Swansea Tidal Lagoon project.”
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In her keynote speech Jo Swinson declared that the Liberal Democrats are the only party who will put people at the heart of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
When society demanded better, it was liberals who delivered. The Fourth Industrial Revolution gives us the same opportunity, and Conference – we must deliver again.
The Deputy Leader explored how the fundamental basis of the social contract has been broken in the U.K. People are struggling to make ends meet while the rich and powerful play by a different set of rules.
On the topic of Brexit, she had a clear message for Jeremy Corbyn: “grow a backbone, stand up for the millions of people who voted for you and help us stop Brexit.”
As for the SNP, the MP from East Dunbartonshire had this to say “The reality is that Scottish nationalists have a one-track mind. While the country edges closer to the precipice, they’re manoeuvring to turn Brexit into the breakup of the UK.”
But there is hope. Swinson explained how the revolutionary technological impact of the Fourth Industrial Revolution could be harnessed with true liberal leadership.
The President of the Liberal Democrats addressed Conference with a rallying cry to keep fighting Brexit:
“A year ago at Conference in Bournemouth I urged you to hold firm for our demand for a vote on the final Brexit deal, and that as a party we would still fight for our place in the EU because we knew – and still know – that it is best for Britain, and also best for the European Union.”
Looking ahead, the President asked members to think to local elections next year and to retain an open mind towards Vince Cable’s party reform proposals, building off the amazing local election results from earlier this year.
Check out Sal Brinton speaking on Brexit here:
The Leader of the Liberal Democrats took questions from members this afternoon in the main auditorium. The topics were wide-ranging, but one interesting question cropped up – are the Liberal Democrats being too nice?
Find out below:
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The Liberal Democrat (anti-Brexit) Spokesperson set out a vision for the UK staying in the EU with a real Brexit dividend of getting out of this madness. He also had a few words for some of the individuals responsible for this continued mess:
On Boris Johnson:
“If that is our PM’s vision of No Deal Brexit Britain, what is the Brexit Britain vision of the man widely tipped to be the future leader of the Tory party, Boris – punishment-beatings, Road to Mandalay, prosecco – Johnson?
We don’t know. Because he is a man of many words, but no Brexit plan. All mouth and no trousers. A charlatan who spent more time currying favour with Steve Bannon and sucking up to Donald Trump than he did reading his Ministerial briefs.”
On Jeremy Corbyn:
“Are you leader or a mouse? Can you give a clear statement on where Labour stands on Brexit or, as with your position on anti-antisemitism, do you need a 500 word addendum to qualify it?”
On Jacob Rees-Mogg
“His Brexit vision of borders and security checks chimes with his social vision taking Britain back to the 1920s.”
On where we go from here
Tom brake ended his speech with a call to arms for those unsatisfied with the current political status quo:
We must scrap Ofsted. Where a school is struggling, an inspection system should support that school to improve, not punish it.
The Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Education gave an impassioned speech on ending cuts to crucial youth services, pledging more money for special needs education and ending the toxic “exam culture” that damages both teachers and students.
Layla Moran called for a forward thinking education policy – declaring that “whatever their background, we demand better for every single child.”
The MP for Oxford West and Abingdon also attacked Government plans to expand grammar schools, despite them failing to improve social mobility. “What a waste of money.”
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