Here’s a rundown of the key Bills being proposed by the Government in the Queen’s Speech

A great team effort

We’ve had a huge set of elections in difficult circumstances. It was a massive combined effort of volunteers and staff, candidates and agents, helpers and donors, to get several hundred Liberal Democrats elected. Thank you to everyone who played their part in an impressive team effort.

Commiserations too for everyone involved in campaigns that didn’t make it this time. Many of our very best Parliamentarians, council leaders and other elected officials have lost elections on the way to their successes. I hope that when you have had a chance to rest and catch up on life outside politics, those examples encourage you to continue your commitment to our party.

A special thank you to retiring councillors who were expecting to stand down last May and had to hold on for another year. Your continued commitment over that extra year is much appreciated.

Thank you too to the many volunteer agents who haven’t quite yet been able to stop electioneering. Getting those election expense returns sorted is an important task!

Eid marks the end of Ramadan — a holy month of prayer and personal reflection.

I’m sure it feels strange to celebrate again with Covid restrictions in place.

But despite the many challenges of the past year, I’m amazed at how we’ve pulled together as a country — making it clear that we are a nation of carers.

And Muslims across the UK have made huge contributions to our communities.

From frontline workers to the more than 100 Muslim community support groups that helped those in need, the Islamic principle of acting in service to others has no doubt been on full display this year.

So to everyone celebrating Eid, I wish you joy and peace.

Eid Mubarak!

Liberal Democrat have had some great early wins:

• We made gains from Labour in Sunderland;
• We became the largest party on Stockport council;
• We held Orkney, re-electing Liam McArthur MSP;
• We made gains in Cambridgeshire, taking away the Conservative’s majority.