News

Councillor calls for action on disused clothes banks

A city councillor is calling for action on disused clothes banks in Gloucester.

Gloucester Liberal Democrats hail superb set of election results

The party gained over 200 councillors over England, Wales and Scotland, and took control of three more councils, including the new Somerset Council.

Gloucester Liberal Democrats hail superb local election results

Gloucester Liberal Democrats have hailed a superb set of results for the party in the local elections last week.

Lib Dems announce Howard Hyman as their nomination for Mayor of Gloucester and Joanne Brown as Sheriff

Gloucester Liberal Democrat councillor Howard Hyman is set to become the next Mayor of Gloucester. Councillor Hyman has been a city councillor for Elmbridge ward since 2016. Protocol at Gloucester City Council shares the civic offices between the three political groups, based on proportionally and on the size of each group. For the council year 2022/23, it is the turn of the second largest group, the Liberal Democrats to nominate who should serve as the city's Mayor and the city's Sheriff and Deputy Mayor. Councillor Hyman has been involved in human rights issues over many years. He is one of three councillors cross party involved in the council's Equalities Working Group. He represents a community organisation on Gloucestershire's Strategic Hate Crime and Incident Group. He is a former Sheriff and Deputy Mayor so is aware of what is involved in the role of Mayor. "As Mayor, I would be particularly focussed on cultivating the positive image of the city and recognising the amazing work of community, voluntary

Conservative failings leave ambulance service at breaking point

New data from NHS England shows the average response time for ambulances in December 2021 for England was the second longest ever, after October 2021.

Conservative 'stealth tax' hits local people for £430

This latest tax hike on households follows the Government’s refusal to increase income tax thresholds in line with inflation, which usually takes place each year.

Fight continues to save city tree

The future of a prominent conifer tree in Gloucester remains uncertain as a former Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate fights to keep it standing.

'Stop the needless cutting down of trees,' says Rebecca Trimnell  

Gloucester City Council has temporarily stopped the felling of a tree on open land at St Mary's Street - as local resident Rebecca Trimnell stood in the way of contractors who had already cut down one. The contractors have gone away for the day, but could be back on Friday. Rebecca Trimnell has spoken to Councillor Paul Toleman and contact has now been made with the open spaces manager asking him for reassurance that the tree will not be cut down. Dr Rebecca Trimnell, who was a Lib Dem candidate at the local elections and former parliamentary candidate for Gloucester, said: "I am absolutely appalled to come back to find one tree already cut down and another one to be destroyed too. "It is astonishing that the powers that be are all talking about climate change and the pending COP26 summit, but yet here we are in Gloucester with the city council needlessly cutting down healthy trees. It is a farce and needs to stop." Dr Trimnell added: "I want a reassessment of the conifer tree that has been scheduled for fell

Lib Dems welcome £20m leveling up grant 

Liberal Democrat councillors on Gloucester City Council have welcomed the news the city is to receive £20 million from the Government's Leveling Up Fund. The decision was announced in the Chancellor's Budget statement on Wednesday. Councillor Jeremy Hilton, Lib Dem group leader, said: "The three group leaders met ahead of the local elections to agree on the three projects the council would bid for and tasked officers to prepare the bid document. "The bid went in shortly after the elections and was sent in with all party approval. I was happy to endorse it for the Lib Dem group and I am delighted that the council has secured £20 million towards three important regeneration projects. "At long last we may see the restoration of the historic Fleece Hotel. The £9.5 million towards the new university campus in the old Debenhams building will drive this project forward and the £4 million for the digital innovation centre will bring in much needed high tech jobs." The three projects are: - Debenhams (£9.5 million) a

Yellow lines or not?

Lib Dems welcome return of the Festival of Light

The return of the Festival of Light to Gloucester has been welcomed by the Liberal Democrats. Gloucester City Council announced the return of the festival, which will run from November until February next year, and will see the light installations bring colour to the city as the nights draw in over winter. Among the highlights will be Shadowing that will turn three ordinary lampposts in the city centre into magical illuminated stages where visitors can dance and play with their shadows. Designed by award-winning digital artists Chomko and Rosier, it will see the lights record and play back the shadows of those who pass under them. The installation launches on October 29 in Berkley Street, Southgate Street and St Mary De Crypt corner, as well as at Blackfriars Priory when the street lights turn on after dark. Another highlight will be Breathing Room by Anna Berry, which is a walk-in kinetic light installation creating a unique sensory experience. Councillor Jeremy Hilton, leader of Gloucester Liberal Democrats

Council must stop advertising artificial grass on its refuse vehicles, say Lib Dems

Gloucester City Council must stop advertising artificial grass on its refuse vehicles, according to thee Liberal Democrats.

GP Funding Slashed Across Gloucestershire Since 2019

Funding for GP services in Gloucestershire has been slashed by £666,343 in real terms since 2019, research commissioned by the Liberal Democrats has revealed.

Reflection on Holocaust Memorial Day 2024

Their legacies must not be forgotten

Making Climate Change Action Inclusive

In our pursuit of a sustainable future, we must ensure that no one is left behind.

Ending Period Poverty

Periods are not just a monthly inconvenience, but they can be painful, unpleasant and expensive.

Restoring Trust in Politics

From Suella Braverman to BBC Chair Richard Sharp; from Nadhim Zahawi to Nadine Dorries, it feels like the sleaze and standards scandals never stop.

Josh Babarinde Keynote Speech

Our candidate for Eastbourne speaks to conference

A Better Start in Life for Every Child

Every child deserves a great start in life.

Munira Wilson Keynote Speech

Liberal Democrats are calling for tutoring to become a permanent fixture in England’s schools.

Bring Back the Industrial Strategy

Under this Conservative Government, the UK's economy has been plagued by sluggish growth, dwindling investment, and regional disparities.

A Fair Deal for Our Armed Forces Community

The armed forces community - service personnel, their families and veterans - deserve a fair deal. For too long, they have been taken for granted by this Conservative Government.

Combating human trafficking & modern slavery

Slavery, in all its forms, is an affront to the fundamental British principle of individual liberty. No human being should ever be enslaved.

Giving people security in later life

The Liberal Democrats have become the first UK party to commit to protecting the triple lock on pensions in the next Parliament.

What’s on the agenda at Lib Dem Conference?

We’re heading to Bournemouth for the party’s first in-person autumn conference in four years. As ever, the agenda is packed full of topical debates on the biggest issues facing Britain today.

Hundreds of NHS ambulance staff waiting for driver training despite deadly delays

Hundreds of NHS ambulance staff across the country are waiting to complete essential driver training, new data from the Liberal Democrats has shown. This is despite dangerous delays to response times and a shortage of ambulance drivers.