Bromley EU Citizen Renters Plummets
EU nationals are leaving Bromley in a stark reminder of the impact of Brexit. And this shift in demographics may have unintended consequences.
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Bromley Council's Underwhelming Environmental Activities
Bromley Council once again has offered empty words and played down its "commitment" to environmental issues- the Lib Dems report back from the council meeting.
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Celebrating LGBT History Month
This month we celebrate iconic LGBT+ pioneers and strengthen our efforts to give meaningful attention to LGBT history.
In the UK, LGBT History Month falls in February to coincide the repealing of Section 28 in England and Wales introduced by Liberal Democrat MP Ed Davey. And this year, on February 10th, Northern Ireland will begin to marry same-sex couples- the final step of marriage equality which our party started in 2013.
But for all the progress that has been made, there is still undoubtedly more to be done. Increases in hate crimes, worrying levels of transphobia in mainstream media and disparities in social and health care provisions are proof that the battle for equality is far from over.
As a national and local Party, we have been unequivocal in our support for equality and we will continue to fight until everyone is able to live without fear of hate or discrimination. It is regrettable that Bromley will not have a local Pride this year- despite neighbouring Croydon having one (on 18th July). However, London Pride is open for all, with the parade on 27th June.
Thank you to everyone involved in organising this year's celebrations and we wish all LGBT+ people within Bromley, and beyond, an enjoyable month ahead.
Our European story is not over!
For the last four years the Liberal Democrats have proudly fought to stop Brexit.
We are immensely proud of everything we did. We stood up for our values. We campaigned so hard. But we also accept that at 11pm tonight, we will no longer be members of the European Union.
Our European story is not over. Tomorrow our fight continues, to make sure Britain has the closest possible relationship with our allies in Europe.
Let's make 2020 the year we scrap the Vagrancy Act
Our recent survey in Bromley Town Centre found one of the key issues people are worried about is homelessness in our borough. And with a homeless population of over 4400, people are rightly worried. The Tory-led council and government don't want to do anything about it: homeless people are helped largely though charity, despite the causes of homelessness often being induced by poor housing, health and welfare policy.
And yet our government reserves the right to arrest these people.
71% of people think arresting someone for sleeping rough is a waste of police time. Over half have said it shouldn’t be a crime at all.
But still, the government's kicked the decision of repealing the Vagrancy Act it into the long grass and is waiting for their own review.
Layla Moran, Lib Dem MP for Oxford West and Abingdon, introduced a Vagrancy (Repeal) Bill into the last Parliament. In the chaos of Brexit, it disappeared. But this could be quickly re-introduced.
Out of sight, out of mind isn't good enough. It's a mark of national shame that even one person is homeless in 2020 - even more so that we're prosecuting them for it. The problem isn't going to go away - so let's make the first step towards solving it together. Let's scrap the Vagrancy Act.
