Archive Press Releases/News – Page 2

Liberal Party NEC Statement – The Strategic Defence Review 2026

The Liberal Party welcomes the long-overdue publication of the Strategic Defence Review 2025 and the commitment to sustainable increases in defence spending in an unpredictable world.

We remained concerned that whilst defence expenditure will increase to 2.7% of gross domestic product (GDP) by 2029, it is likely to remain below the desired 3% target and the funding is partially dependent on further undisclosed cuts in government budgets.

We also note that whilst the plans outlines the development of the Royal Navy into a “hybrid navy”, using self-controlled vessels and drones, the country still requires a surface fleet and logistics train to meet internally commitments and to project overseas power.

Many of the initiatives outlined in the plan, such as autonomous fighter jets and further drone developments are long-term projects which do not meet the urgent issues of preparing and equipping our armoured forces’ for the immediate threats to our nation.

At the same time Armed Forces personnel face an unprecedented challenge with morale.

The Liberal Party is deeply concerned about the increased use of internal procedures being used to end careers, with limited rights to legal representation in cases which did not involve conviction at the court martial.

Liberal Party Statement on Rising Gilt Market Borrowing Rates Surpassing Other G7 Countries

The Liberal Party today voices its urgent concern regarding the continued escalation of UK gilt market borrowing rates, which have now overtaken those of all other G7 nations. This development marks a significant turning point in the nation’s financial landscape, raising pressing questions about the government’s economic stewardship, fiscal credibility, and the future prosperity of British families and businesses.

“The United Kingdom is at a crossroads. The fact that our government now pays more to borrow than any other G7 nation should serve as a wake-up call to all those who care about our country’s future. It is vital that we restore economic credibility, protect our most vulnerable citizens, and invest in the foundations of long-term growth. Only through prudent and transparent management of our finances can we ensure a stable and prosperous future for everyone.”

Click here to read the full statement.

Annual Liberal Party Assembly Meeting at Scarborough MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR OF NEC

Dear Members, Supporters and Friends.

I am taking the opportunity as Chair to encourage as many of you as can to come to the Assembly in Scarborough on 4th October 2025.

This is a great time for our party to make moves forward and entrench ourselves in the government and institutions of our country for the good.

Click here to view the Agenda and Motions for the 140th Assembly – 4th October 2025

You may come for the day or you may like to stay. There are excellent road and rail links to Scarborough, and the party have a good offer from:
The Grand Hotel
St Nicolas Cliff
SCARBOROUGH
YO11 2ET
…at around £65 per night. You can book direct with the hotel by telephoning Mr Tunstall direct on 01723 375371
Why not make it a family weekend at these prices.

You will need to give your name/address, telephone number and other necessary details to confirm. We are encouraging women and young members to make a particular effort to build on last year. If you have any queries or any transport difficult please do contact the party secretary or myself.

Travel options for the venue are available via https://www.traveline.info/

We don’t expect everything to be perfect but we do expect it to be fun and great chance to share your views with other liberals.

The Grand Hotel is a large hotel in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, England, overlooking the town’s South Bay. It is a Grade II* listed building and is owned by Britannia Hotels. At the time of its grand opening in 1867, it was the largest hotel and the largest brick structure in Europe

Come and be part of the Liberal Movement
Sincerely
Charles Shaw

Liberal Party Leadership and NEC Elections 2025

The elections for The Liberal Party leader and the party NEC are due in the autumn of 2025 and the nomination window will be open between the 1st August and 30th September 2025.

A total of 3 nominations from party members will be required for admission to the NEC for which the party constitution allows 20 members.

A total of 20 nominations from party members will be required for nomination as party leader.

We would ask that all nominations are e-mailed to the address NECElections@liberal.org.uk.

Once the tally of nominations has been completed, the Secretary of the NEC will be advised if any elections need to be held and ballot papers distributed.

It is envisaged the newly elected NEC will hold an informal meeting at the October Assembly.

Election of party officers will then happen at the next NEC meeting.

It will also have the task of appointing the party President, as the 4-year term is now up for renewal.

Click here to view the Agenda and Motions for the 140th Assembly – 4th October 2025

Stephen Graham
Liberal Party NEC Member
Stephen.grahamg5@gmail.com

The Liberal Party at the Local Government Association (LGA) Elections 2025

This spring our party leader Cllr Steve Radford stood for election as an officer for the Local Government Association(LGA) Independent group.

The results were announced on the 1st July and Steve’s campaign increased our visibility to other independent and minority party councillors.

With the conclusion of the ballot, we are now able to publicise the 3 short promotional videos produced in support of his candidacy.

LGA Promotionally Video 1 https://youtu.be/heptPb7PVyg

LGA Promotionally Video 2 https://youtu.be/erDzkk2v2qY

LGA Promotionally Video 3 https://youtu.be/Auy96nDYW7s

Our candidate was also allowed to circulate a manifesto which is accessible below:

DOWNLOAD

The party is always willing to speak to like minded Independent councillors on issues of mutual interest and benefit.

Liberal Party leader Cllr Steve Radford

Liberal Party NEC Statement – Sectarian Violence in Syria

The Liberal Party notes with horror a further round of sectarian violence, this time cantered in the southern Syrian province of Suwayda, and involving Syrian Government forces, Arab tribal forces and Druze groups.

The party condemn the targeted executions and massacres of unarmed Alawite Christian and Druze civilians, including women, the elderly, children and hospital patients in the most recent violence.

We welcome the statement from the Syrian Fatwa Council declaring that the killing and assaulting of civilians is forbidden regardless of sect.

The Syria Government must act to restore order, remove foreign fighters and commit to a multiethnic Syrian government inclusive of all ethnic and religious groups with guaranteed regional autonomy.

Liberal Party NEC Statement – The Scope for Funding the Governments Budget Deficit

The Liberal Party notes media speculation of potential tax rises in the autumn budget to fund a £30 billion budget deficit following revisions to cuts to welfare benefits.

The party believes that sufficient scope exits to properly fund public services, and to create a modest liberal redistribution of wealth through reform of the tax system, and the range of tax rebates, allowances and exemptions.

We support raising the threshold for paying income tax to £20k to allow people to retain more of their earnings and to reduce in work benefits, thus simplifying the benefits system and cutting administration costs.

Work should always pay and that the party strongly believes that the welfare system is there as a safety net rather than a lifestyle choice.

We also believe proper support for small business and the SME’s will allow for sustained growth in the economy by reducing the threshold for VAT registration for small businesses or the self-employed to £150k.

Liberal Party NEC Statement – Benefits Reform and Unemployment in the UK

The Liberal Party does not support across the board cuts in disability benefits as have been proposed and then withdrawn by the government.

As a party we do recognise that to shift the vast number of people on sickness benefits, those who are under employed and the hardcore of long-term unemployed back into the world of work, reform of the welfare system is imperative.

The party would recommend a comprehensive programme of counselling, mentoring and aspiration raising to assist people back into the world of work and to match their skills with work opportunities.

We also need to get rid of structural barriers like the 16-hour cap in courses for those who are registered as unemployed, which prevent people gaining life changing skills.

Liberal Party leader Cllr Steve Radford meets Old Hall Street Outreach to Homeless in Liverpool City Centre

Cllr Steve Radford as leader of the Liberal Party joined volunteers at the Old Hall Street Outreach to Homeless in Liverpool city centre. “It was profound that so many homeless and the volunteers had a history of mental health difficulties. We need to support the self help support groups and over the just few weeks I will be seeing many more groups”

A short video can be viewed here:

Liberal Party NEC Statement – Funding an Income Tax Threshold of £20k Per Annum

The Liberal Party welcomes the debate on raising the tax threshold to £20k in this country.
Doing so would potentially take five million people out of the tax benefits trap, reduce benefits proportionately, and reduce the administrative burden of both tax and benefits.
The tax threshold of £20k will mean more pensioners on limited pensions can take more income home and encourage pensioners to contribute to the economy in part time and flexible work as well as making work worth doing.
We believe that a 5p cut in income tax would be funded by the reduction in the annual expenditure of £48.5 billion in welfare spending on working-age adults, as estimated by The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR).
The party believes further reductions in the basic rate of income tax can be funded by the review and reform of the taxation regime, including tax rebates, allowances and exemption which distort incentives to work.