National News

Disability Discrimmination

The Equality Act 2010 makes it unlawful to discriminate against employees (including workers) because of a mental or physical disability.

10 minute rule Bill to introduce proportional representation for Parliamentary elections voted down by MPs https://www.facebook.com/electoralreformsociety/videos/10153730365430132/?fref=nf

LGBT+ Lib Dems mark International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers

December 17th is the International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers. The day has been marked since 2003, in the aftermath of the Green River Killer in the USA.

Plymouth Lib Dems say "thank you" to Shirley Williams on her retirement

Plymouth Liberal Democrats have paid tribute to Baroness Shirley Williams as she retires from the House of Lords.

The Tories Are Trailing Behind on Transgender Rights

As a country we've made huge strides forward on transgender rights but there is a long way to go. Attitudes are shifting in a positive direction as shown by the recent polling from The Huffington Post UK and I hope that this will pave the way for change from Government. Yet, on this issue - like so many others, we still seem to have a Conservative party which trails public opinion rather than stands fast on principle. In Coalition we pulled them along with us but without the firm, unwavering hand of the Liberal Democrats they've stalled. In 2011, thanks to the work of Lynne Featherstone we published a Transgender Action Plan, we hope that this isn't simply just put away in a box marked 'Coalition work', it will need to be revisited, updated and improved.

Disabled girl sedation and removal 'like Guantanamo rendition'

A teenager with learning disabilities was "unlawfully" sedated and flown from south-west England to Dundee in a move a health boss likened to "extraordinary rendition to Guantanamo Bay". A leaked report seen by the BBC shows the girl's journey in 2007 happened without her or her parents' consent.