Rushcliffe Liberal Democrats

Today, MPs will debate the Government's emergency Coronavirus Bill.

The Coronavirus crisis is an unprecedented threat, leaving the most vulnerable in our communities at risk. People across the country are rightly worried about their loved ones. This is a national emergency and emergency powers are clearly necessary to keep individuals and communities safe from the virus.

The Government's analysis shows that they lead to higher rates of reoffending than community sentences. The President of the Prison Governors Association has described them as "pointless". They need to end for both men and women.

But we also need to recognise that prison is especially damaging for women.

It's been just weeks since Brexit ended my brief term as an MEP, but today I'm very happy to announce that I've been elected as Chair of the Federal People Development Committee.

I wouldn't be where I am today without the outstanding training and support offered by the party.

Like many of you reading this, I'm a relative newcomer to politics and to the Lib Dems. I joined in 2016, so I think I bring a fresh perspective to this role as a newbie. I'm eager to help the party expand and improve on its strategy, structures and processes for recruiting, engaging and activating members.

Lib Dems move to ensure Goverment pay out to keep children learning

On Saturday, we tabled an amendment to the Coronavirus Bill which makes clear the Government must pay schools and colleges "whatever it costs" so that children can keep learning if schools stay shut for several months.

Liberal Democrat Education Spokesperson Layla Moran, a former teacher, has warned if some schools continue to deliver lessons and others don't it will be a "disaster for social mobility."

The proposals from the Liberal Democrats includes creating a duty on schools and colleges to ensure that pupils - whether at home or on-site - continue to receive an education, accepting that schools are unlikely to be able to cover the national curriculum.

Today is the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination - and this year, the importance of this day has been brought into stark focus more than ever before.

The Liberal Democrats will always fight for freedom, fairness and equality for people of all races and ethnicities in the UK.

We can all make a difference - each and every one of us.

One of the many things that unites Liberal Democrats is our campaigning zeal for our communities. Our drive to change things for the better. A way of working that engages local people in our campaigns.

Today, I'm asking you to turn your campaigning zeal wholeheartedly towards helping your community during this Coronavirus crisis.