Lib Dem Peers

Emergency powers over AI need limits as much as they need teeth. Tim Clement-Jones, Lib Dem Digital and AI spokesperson, set out a kill switch for the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill that Parliament and the courts can check.

In 1911, Parliament promised the Lords would one day give way to an elected chamber. Today a bill in the Lords asked only that ministers consult on a replacement. Paul Scriven pressed the government for a firm date. @paulscriven.bsky.social

A security flaw in PHP, software behind websites worldwide, prompted a National Cyber Security Centre alert this week. Mike Dixon secured an urgent question in the Lords to ask the minister what went smoothly in the first 24 hours and what was harder.

Today Mark Petterson took his oath and joined the team. Mark co-founded Warwick Energy in 2000 and has developed three offshore wind projects that are now in operation. They include Thanet, the world’s largest offshore wind farm when it came onstream in 2010.

A Windrush claimant who first received nothing was awarded £295,000 once pro bono lawyers took the case. Floella Benjamin challenged the government to fund legal advice for victims facing a 44-page claim form and over 100 pages of guidance. @floellabenjamin.bsky.social

Service personnel can spend years in single living accommodation. Julie Smith, Defence spokesperson, has won a change to the Armed Forces Bill that sets a military homes standard at least equal to the decent homes standard.

Frequent flyers get air miles. Regular train passengers get nothing back. Caroline Pidgeon is calling for rail miles to reward loyal passengers, and her proposal to the Railways Bill is in the Lords today. @carolinepidgeon.bsky.social

In a food emergency, only communities acting together can provide resilience. Sarah Teather opened the Lib Dem's debate on food security by calling for a Good Food Bill with national targets on childhood obesity and domestic production.

East Yorkshire has a new voice in the Lords. Dave McCobb spent 24 years on Hull City Council and pledged in his first speech to make the case for Hull and East Yorkshire, once he has found his way around the building.

John Shipley spent 34 years on Newcastle City Council and 16 in the Lords. Today, he ended it where he started, opening a debate on local democracy and electoral reform. Thank you, John, and happy retirement.

The UK imports over half its diesel, much of it from America, where Russian diesel is now entering the system. @earlrussell.bsky.social, Energy and Net Zero spokesperson, pressed the minister for assurances that US diesel is not Russian and for more European refining.

Today @timleunig.bsky.social took his oath and joined the Lib Dem team in the Lords. The economist spent over a decade in the civil service, advising two Chancellors and serving as chief scientific adviser at the Department for Education. Now that expertise goes to work in the chamber.

Lib Dem peers were on this in June, and won a government commitment to review the law on foreign powers developing advanced AI. Ed Davey called for an International AI Safety Agency in his conference speech. Now ministers have to deliver.

Welcome to Mark Pack’s vlog, sponsored by nobody. The Lib Dems have tabled an amendment in the Lords to ban politicians being paid by social media firms for their posts, because the angrier the post, the bigger the payout. Politicians shouldn’t be paid to stir up anger. @markpackuk.bsky.social

October is ADHD Awareness Month, and for many families the help on offer depends on where they live. In June, Shaffaq Mohammed, Lib Dem education spokesperson, asked the minister how family hubs will give every young person with special educational needs the same support, wherever they live.

Did you know 8 of the top 10 recycling councils in England are Lib Dem led? Mid Suffolk, a Green majority council, ranks 162nd, and Brighton was among the worst in the country when they ran it. @ollygrender.bsky.social put the figures to the government in the Lords in April.

Adults with a learning disability die 19 years younger on average, and over half die before 65, according to the latest review. @meralhece.bsky.social,Equalities spokesperson, pressed the government to guarantee that neighbourhood health services include screening and support for them.

The Prime Minister has promised the biggest council housebuilding programme since the post-war era, but the funding is still unclear. Ben Stoneham urged the government to bring private investment into social housing, warning schemes like Help to Buy tends to push prices up, just before conference.

In 2024 the government promised to electrify Hull's railway to Leeds and Sheffield. In January, it left Hull out of Northern Powerhouse Rail. In his first act in Parliament, Dave McCobb has asked ministers how they will keep that promise. www.thehullstory.com/allarticles/...

Global climate change will have devastating impacts for humanity. There is no security without environmental security. There is no point in pretending we can safeguard our national security will ignoring the eco systems on which all life depends. www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Join Jeremy Purvis as he heads in to present the parliamentary parties report at conference in Brighton.

The fight of our lives, and Lib Dem peers are ready for it. Ed Davey called for a global treaty to pause super-intelligent AI and safe maternity care for every mother. Peers have been raising both in the Lords and will push to deliver them.

This is a fight for the future of our country. For liberty, equality and community. For the values we hold dear. This is the fight of our lives. And we are going to win it.

This is the fight of our lives and we are going to win it.

Reporting back to members is a regular part of Lib Dem conference. Jeremy Purvis, Leader in the Lords, presented the parliamentary parties' report yesterday and took questions from members, joined by Wendy Chamberlain, the party's Chief Whip in the Commons.

What does the departure of hereditary peers mean for the Lords? How can the party support Lib Dem councillors? What's being done on child safety? Asked at the Peers All Ears fringe, with peers on hand throughout. Thanks for coming along.

When we see injustice, when we see human dignity under attack - we do not look away. Highlights from the Liberal Democrat Conference Rally, featuring Ed Davey, Bobby Dean MP, Cllr Sophie Crossthorn, Cllr Anton Georgiou, Wendy Chamberlain MP and Cllr Millie Earl.

Britain has sleepwalked into a “computer says no” economy, where businesses face barriers instead of backing. It’s time to get Britain growing again and give people the freedom to succeed. @LibDemDaisy.bsky.social

The cost of living is hitting people hard. For years, millions of people put up with Conservative incompetence because they hoped their tax bill might go down. Now, people have been left high and dry by a Labour government continuing the same tax-and-spend doom loop. @eddavey.libdems.org.uk

My father came to Britain from East Africa with hope and ambition. Yet now nearly 1 million young people are not in education, employment or training. Lib Dems believe every young person deserves the chance to fulfil their potential. @munirawilson.bsky.social

"Marriage equality was a Lib Dem achievement, we should never forget that." At conference, Lynne Featherstone, Lib Dem peer, joined Wendy Chamberlain MP and Jo Swinson to discuss equality. @lynnefeatherstone.bsky.social @wendychambld.bsky.social @joswinson.bsky.social

Nearly two thirds of maternity units in England aren't safe to give birth in. At Lib Dem conference today, Caroline Pidgeon, health and social care spokesperson, backed one-to-one midwifery care and round-the-clock consultant cover on every labour ward. @carolinepidgeon.bsky.social

We are taking the fight to the Conservatives and Reform. Farage has two routes to No.10: Crypto billionaires buying his way in or Kemi Badenoch handing him the keys. We’re determined to stop him. @lisasmartmp.bsky.social

Will we see you at Conference? Come along to Peers All Ears – Winning in the Lords, our session for members to put their questions to Lib Dem peers.