National Liberal Democrat News - East Riding Liberal Democrats

Syrian conflict: Assad and the mirage of a diplomatic solution

Such is the scale of our political failure concerning the Syrian conflict that the only options left open to us are terrible ones. Though I think much of the opposition to the air strikes is mistaken, it is with a heavy heart that I speak out in opposition to air strikes on ISIS in Syria too. ISIS will clearly only be defeated militarily, and I'm happy that the UK should be part of that. Air strikes were almost certainly essential in enabling the Kurds in Syria and Iraq to survive ISIS' sudden onslaught in August 2014.

by Jonathan Brown

1 Dec 2015

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Would air strikes against Syria be legal?

On Wednesday the Commons will be asked to approve RAF strike missions against ISIL/Daesh targets inside Syria. LDV readers will be familiar with Tim Farron's five tests but here I'm going to focus only on the first: would such strikes be legal? (NB. If it is, each target would be subject to the normal targeting rules of proportionality - ie, the use of force must be proportionate to the military advantage to be gained, and discrimination, - ie, that you may only attack military and not civilian targets.)

by Toby Fenwick

1 Dec 2015

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Tim Farron writes… continuing the fight against the affordable homes flog off

I made it clear over the summer and in my conference speech that housing and homelessness would be a top priority for me as leader. I said we would oppose the Right to Buy extension to Housing Associations and fight the Government tooth and nail in the Lords. The fight is now well underway. I have been speaking in Parliament and will continue to lead our campaign in the House of Commons. After Christmas the legislation will be debated in the Lords, where our Lib Dem team will aim to cause the Government serious problems - which they have shown us in the last few weeks that they can do!

TFMP

by Tim Farron MP

1 Dec 2015

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Need for Better Air Travel Accessibility Highlighted after Disabled Man Crawls Off Flight

A recent high-profile incident in which a young man with cerebral palsy crawled off of a United Airlines flight is serving as a catalyst in the need for better accessibility measures in air travel for passengers with disabilities.

1 Dec 2015

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Residents urged to add names to campaign to save local Fire Services

Residents in Hinckley and Bosworth are being urged to add their names to a petition being run opposing plans to cut local Fire Services. Controversial plans from Conservative led Leicestershire Fire Authority include proposals to close fire stations, the sacking of over 100 firefighters and scrapping of eleven out of thirty Fire engines.

1 Dec 2015

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URGENT ON SYRIA:

Tomorrow MPs (Wednesday) will be debating whether the UK joins the USA and France in launching air strikes over Syria targeted at Daesh (otherwise known as IS). The UK is already involved in air strikes over Iraq against Daesh and currently conducts reconnaissance missions over Syria, supplying intelligence used by other allied forces.

TBMP

by Tom Brake MP

1 Dec 2015

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