DOCSLIB.ORG

Demand Better

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Demand Better AGENDA + DIRECTORY Spring Conference York 15 - 17 MARCH 2019 DEMAND BETTER Agenda_directory_cover_S19_YORK.indd 1 29/01/2019 15:35:52 Civic Drinks Reception HCIVICosted by the RDRINKSt Hon the Lord Mayor RECEPTION of York, Cllr Julie Gunnell FridayMembers 7 March are invited 17.15 to–18.00, join Cllr York Keith Barbican Orrell, The Right Honourable Lord MembersMayor of are York, invited the toCivic join Party the Rt and Hon Cllr the KeithLord Mayor Aspden, of York Deputy, Cllr LeaderJulie Gunnell of City and of Party President Tim Farron for a drink and speeches ahead of the Party’s traditional ConferenceYork Council Rally. (Lib Dems), for welcome drinks before the Conference Rally. Friday 15 March 2019, 17.15–18.00, York Barbican Conference Rally Join Vince Cable, Ed Davey and Jo Swinson discussing the local elections and Exit from Brexit. 15 March 2019, 18.30–19.30 York Barbican, Auditorium Contents Welcome to the Agenda & Feature 2–3 Directory for the Liberal Welcome to York from Democrat Spring 2019 federal Vince Cable MP 2 conference. Conference information 4–12 Conference venue Conference venue plan 12 York Barbican Exhibition: 13–17 Paragon Street List of exhibitors 13 York YO10 4AH Directory of exhibitors 14 The conference venue will open at Fringe & training guide: 19–32 16.30 on Friday 15 March. Fringe venues and key 19 Conference hotel Friday fringe 20 Novotel York Centre Saturday fringe 21 Fishergate Training & Skills Programme 25 York YO10 4FD Agenda: 33–61 Official fringe venue Agenda index and timetable 33 Friday 15 March 34 Hilton York 1 Tower St Saturday 16 March 35 York YO1 9WD Sunday 17 March 54 Autumn 2019 conference Further information, registration timetable 61 and conference publications (including Standing orders 62–72 plain text and clear print Federal Party 73 versions) are available at: Map of York City Centre back cover www.libdems.org.uk/springconference ISBN 978-1-910763-61-2 Edited by Emma Price and published by Printed by Park Communications Ltd, The Conference Office, Liberal Democrats, Alpine Way, London E6 6LA. 8–10 Great George Street, London SW1P 3AE. Photographs © Liberal Democrats Design and layout by Mike Cooper, unless stated. [email protected]. DEMAND BETTER FOR THE NHS 1 Feature Welcome to York from Vince Cable MP We look forward to welcoming been so faithfully defended, to the you to the Liberal Democrat fury of Brexiteers. Spring Conference in York. Yet the present mess is not the fault of the Conservative Party As this guide goes to press, British alone. The abject failure of Jeremy politics is in flux and the whole of Corbyn’s Labour Party to provide the European Union awaits with any credible opposition has increasing dismay as the Prime permitted the Government just to Minister doggedly defends a Brexit let the clock tick down while they deal which has been trounced by attempt to repair internal divisions. Parliament. The national interest has been shamefully suborned to the Our consistent position on Europe respective interests of both big is bearing fruit, with hundreds of parties. thousands supporting our Exit from Brexit campaign, and real evidence At this conference, we offer the of the sands shifting in our British people real hope of a way direction. By the time we meet on through. With a People’s Vote and 15–17 March, much may have an Exit from Brexit, our country happened. could reap the economic reward of remaining, and move on to refocus As things stand today, the Prime on what matters to the public. A Minister’s deal seems most unlikely world class education system with to be resuscitated unless she lifelong learning, a well-funded, concedes a People’s Vote, with an sustainable NHS, an ambitious option to remain in the European programme of social housing. As a Union. leading member of the European Union, we can punch above our Brexit has been overseen and weight on the world stage to fight prosecuted by a hopelessly divided global climate change. government. A divided team of one, attempting to make headway Stopping Brexit is not just an end with a united team of 27 countries itself. Our belief in the European in the EU. It has been testament to Union as the continent’s most the strength of the European successful peace project, and the Union, that Ireland’s interests have world’s biggest market of 2 AGENDA AND DIRECTORY SPRING CONFERENCE 2019 Feature consumers, is not just a romantic Thank you for playing your part in attachment. We believe in our role our conference, and for all you do in Europe because of what our for the party this and every year. membership means for what we See you in York. can deliver in Britain, and for what that union of nations can achieve in the world. Beyond Brexit, the existing party system could well break wide open. We must become the gathering Vince Cable MP point for liberal voters and liberal Leader of the Liberal Democrats voices presently dotted around the political spectrum. At this conference, we debate crucial reforms to open the party up, inviting in a range of supporters who have not yet committed to membership. I want to see our party welcome hundreds of thousands of new people with open arms, and a willingness to give those who support our values a real say in the future. DEMAND BETTER THAN BREXIT 3 Conference information If you have any questions on-site, For details see: please ask a steward or go to the www.libdems.org.uk/access-fund Information Information Desk in the main foyer of York Barbican. Accommodation Be aware that flash photography is frequently used in the auditorium. Accommodation can be booked via Please ensure that all mobile our local partner, Visit York, on: phones are on silent before 01904 550080 entering the auditorium. You are welcome to stay in York Please note that access to York with a local Party member, for a Barbican is only possible with a low-cost donation to local party valid conference pass. funds (cost dependent on type of accommodation) that will help win Conference Access Fund target seats in local elections in May 2019. We have established a Conference Access Fund to improve For more info email Aileen at: accessibility for members attending [email protected] conference. The fund consists of a contribution Banking facilities from the conference budget as well as donations from party members. Please note there is no ATM Contributions made by members available at this venue or in the are ring-fenced; where applicable, immediate vicinity. unused donations will be carried over to the next conference. Cloakroom York Barbican does not have a cloakroom; however rails will be available for attendees to leave coats at their own risk. Do not leave bags unattended at any point within the venue. Please note that under no circumstances will any large bags or suitcases be allowed into York Barbican. 4 AGENDA AND DIRECTORY SPRING CONFERENCE 2019 Conference information Conference Extra and Daily can be linked to hearing aids. Conference Extra is published l Sign language interpretation ahead of conference and during all auditorium sessions; a Conference Daily each day at number of seats are reserved for conference, containing updates to attendees using this service, at the agenda including changes to the front of the auditorium to timings, amendments, topical the left of the stage. Information issues, emergency motions and l Reserved seats at the front of the questions to reports, available at: auditorium for those who would www.libdems.org.uk/ benefit from being closer to the conference_papers stage due to a visual impairment. Limited hard copies of Conference Mobility aids Daily will be available each morning The Liberal Democrats have a from the Information Desk and of limited number of electric scooters Conference Extra from the Midshire available for use around the stand in the exhibition. conference venue – please note that they need to be returned each evening. To request the use of an electric scooter, tick the appropriate Be green – Go paperless! box when registering, or prior to conference contact: Disabled access [email protected] If you need assistance at the venue, please contact the Information Desk where our dedicated access Distribution of literature steward will be on hand to help. If Distribution of literature is not you need assistance or information allowed inside or directly outside in advance, contact the Conference York Barbican. Excessive Office on: distribution of promotional literature is not in line with the [email protected] party’s environmental policies. Auditorium facilities Any persons attempting to bring a l A wheelchair lift at the right of large number of fliers into the the stage; the chair of the conference centre may be session will ensure wheelchair prohibited from entering and a users are called in plenty of time dilapidation charge will be levied to access the stage. against any organisation or individual responsible for ‘fly- l An induction loop system, which posting’. DEMAND BETTER FOR OUR ENVIRONMENT 5 Conference information Federal Conference You can contact the Information Committee helpdesk Desk by email: Information Members of the FCC will be conferenceinformation@ available to give advice at the libdems.org.uk Information Desk at the following times: Internet access Friday 15 March 17.00–18.00 Free wifi is available within York Saturday 16 March 09.00–10.30 Barbican – no password is required. Saturday 16 March 14.00–16.00 Network name: Barbican Free Federal Board helpdesk Left luggage The FB helpdesk is situated by the On Sunday 17 March please store Information Desk.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • England's Local Elections 2018: the Lib Dems' Performance Was
    Democratic Audit: England’s local elections 2018: the Lib Dems’ performance was underwhelming – but these were not the elections to judge the party on Page 1 of 4 England’s local elections 2018: the Lib Dems’ performance was underwhelming – but these were not the elections to judge the party on Despite media headlines to the contrary, the Liberal Democrats’ performance in the recent local elections was pretty underwhelming, explains David Cutts. But it is the 2019 local elections that will tell us more about the long- term viability of the party, since those will concern a larger number of English districts where the Lib Dems will be seeking to reclaim ground lost to the Conservatives since 2010. Vince Cable. Picture: Richter Frank-Jurgen, via a (CC BY-SA 2.0) licence Liberals have a longstanding attachment to the local. Aside from their enduring commitment to community politics, the Liberal Democrats have always relied on winning council seats and running local councils to counter voters’ electoral credibility concerns. The formula has always been a simple one: grassroots politics provided the basis for winning seats and building local core support. Elected councillors would ‘fly the flag’ for the party through their ‘all year round’ activism. With the help of national party strategists, they would become experienced, skilled local campaigners adept at targeting and recruiting activists, and building local party organisations. Local success boosted the party’s chances in Westminster elections as voters were more likely to support the Liberal Democrats where it had a chance of winning, thereby diluting concerns that voting for the party would be a wasted effort.
    [Show full text]
  • Jo Swinson: the New Liberal Democrat Leader
    Jo Swinson: the new Liberal Democrat Leader 22 July 2019 Who is Jo Swinson? Jo Swinson was born in 1980, growing up and going to school in East Dunbartonshire, which she now represents in Parliament. Her mother was a primary school teacher while her father worked in economic development. She cites her earliest political experience as signing petitions against animal testing in the Body Shop. A Liberal Democrat supporter since she was at school, Jo joined the Liberal Democrats aged 17, while studying Management at the LSE. During her time at university, she worked as a Research Assistant for the Employers’ Forum on Disability. After graduating, Swinson moved to Hull, working as Viking FM’s Marketing & PR Manager. Aged 21, she stood against John Prescott at the 2001 general election in Hull East. Relocating back to Scotland, she worked as Marketing Manager for SpaceandPeople Plc and then as Communications Officer for the UK Public Health Association prior to her election as an MP. In 2011, she married Duncan Hames, who was the Liberal Democrat MP for Chippenham from 2010 to 2015, and is now an anti-corruption campaigner. The couple have two sons. What is Jo Swinson’s political background? Swinson was successfully elected to Parliament in 2005, winning East Dunbartonshire from Labour. In the Commons, she became a Lib Dem whip and spokesperson for culture, media and sport, before being promoted to Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland in 2006. Swinson gained additional responsibility in 2007 becoming Shadow Women and Equality Minister. She returned to the backbenches later that year, before becoming Shadow Minister for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in 2008, retaining this role until the 2010 election.
    [Show full text]
  • Recommendations on Energy for the Liberal Democrat
    Recommendations on Energy for the Liberal Democrat 2015 Election Campaigning from the Green Lib Dem Policy Group The Liberal Democrats have done more to put sound environmental policies into practice than any other UK Party. As Green Liberal Democrats we wish to help maintain that status and help the Party exploit it in election campaigning. To do that we need to alert the general public to the importance of environmental issues and inform them of our policies and achievement in this area. A significant portion of our vote comes from the environmentally aware. It is therefore important that we give enough prominence to our green credentials, and that we defend ourselves from the efforts to detract from them, whether by the Green Party with the intention of taking our votes, or by the well-intentioned. The student fees fiasco illustrated the importance of publically addressing criticism with reasoned argument and of providing campaigners with the facts they need to counter doorstep criticism. The failure to give a timely explanation why our MPs voted as they did, and what the students gained as a result, not only lost us vast numbers of council seats, it also enabled our opponents to continue to portray us as untrustworthy. Introduction to our Energy Policy Combating Climate Change, while maintaining quality of life and the environment, is our overriding principle. Hence our policy aims are to Reduce Carbon dioxide emissions. Maintain a secure energy supply. Support a sustainable and a healthy economy. Target achieving a near Zero Carbon Economy by 2050, with Zero Carbon Electricity by 2020 as an intermediate target.
    [Show full text]
  • Name of Registered Political Party Or Independent Total
    Final Results 2016 GLA ELECTIONS ELECTION OF THE LONDON ASSEMBLY MEMBERS Declaration of Results of Poll I hereby give notice as Greater London Returning Officer at the election of the London Wide Assembly Members held on 5th May 2016 that the number of votes recorded at the election is as follows: - Name of Registered Political Party or Independent Total Votes Animal Welfare Party 25810 Britain First - Putting British people first 39071 British National Party 15833 Caroline Pidgeon's London Liberal Democrats 165580 Christian Peoples Alliance 27172 Conservative Party 764230 Green Party - "vote Green on orange" 207959 Labour Party 1054801 Respect (George Galloway) 41324 The House Party - Homes for Londoners 11055 UK Independence Party (UKIP) 171069 Women's Equality Party 91772 Total number of good votes 2615676 The number of ballot papers rejected was as follows:- (a) Unmarked 18842 (b) Uncertain 1127 (c) Voting for too many 9613 (d) Writing identifying voter 145 (e) Want of official mark 6 Total 29733 And I do hereby declare that on the basis of the total number of London votes cast for each party and number of constituency seats they have gained, the eleven London Member seats have been allocated and filled as follows. Seat Number Name of Registered Political Party or Independent 1 Green Party - "vote Green on orange" 2 UK Independence Party (UKIP) 3 Caroline Pidgeon's London Liberal Democrats 4 Conservative Party 5 Conservative Party 6 Labour Party 7 Green Party - "vote Green on orange" 8 Labour Party 9 Conservative Party 10 Labour Party
    [Show full text]
  • 97 Winter 2017–18 3 Liberal History News Winter 2017–18
    For the study of Liberal, SDP and Issue 97 / Winter 2017–18 / £7.50 Liberal Democrat history Journal of LiberalHI ST O R Y The Forbidden Ground Tony Little Gladstone and the Contagious Diseases Acts J. Graham Jones Lord Geraint of Ponterwyd Biography of Geraint Howells Susanne Stoddart Domesticity and the New Liberalism in the Edwardian press Douglas Oliver Liberals in local government 1967–2017 Meeting report Alistair J. Reid; Tudor Jones Liberalism Reviews of books by Michael Freeden amd Edward Fawcett Liberal Democrat History Group “David Laws has written what deserves to become the definitive account of the 2010–15 coalition government. It is also a cracking good read: fast-paced, insightful and a must for all those interested in British politics.” PADDY ASHDOWN COALITION DIARIES 2012–2015 BY DAVID LAWS Frank, acerbic, sometimes shocking and often funny, Coalition Diaries chronicles the historic Liberal Democrat–Conservative coalition government through the eyes of someone at the heart of the action. It offers extraordinary pen portraits of all the personalities involved, and candid insider insight into one of the most fascinating periods of recent British political history. 560pp hardback, £25 To buy Coalition Diaries from our website at the special price of £20, please enter promo code “JLH2” www.bitebackpublishing.com Journal of Liberal History advert.indd 1 16/11/2017 12:31 Journal of Liberal History Issue 97: Winter 2017–18 The Journal of Liberal History is published quarterly by the Liberal Democrat History Group. ISSN 1479-9642 Liberal history news 4 Editor: Duncan Brack Obituary of Bill Pitt; events at Gladstone’s Library Deputy Editors: Mia Hadfield-Spoor, Tom Kiehl Assistant Editor: Siobhan Vitelli Archive Sources Editor: Dr J.
    [Show full text]
  • Sir Vince Cable Q&A – Life After Lib Dem Leadership
    Sir Vince Cable Q&A – Life after Lib Dem leadership By Beverley Nielsen, Associate Professor at Birmingham City University’s IDEA Institute and Senior Fellow at BCU’s Centre for Brexit Studies, Liberal Democrat Councillor on Malvern Hills District Council and responsible for the Economic Development & Tourism Portfolio How are you feeling at the end of your term as Leader? I am not sure what the next stage of my career really is. I’m in California over the summer with my son and I’m looking forward to coming back feeling refreshed. I will of course still be MP for Twickenham. I’m writing another book looking at the links between politicians and economics and taking a closer view of the figures who have made a big difference through these links including Alexander Hamilton (1) and Deng Xiaoping (2). [(1) Alexander Hamilton (1755 – 1804), was renowned as one of the founding fathers of the United States of America, leading the way in interpreting and promoting the US Constitution, founding the nation’s financial system, the Federalist Party and the New York Post. As First Secretary of the Treasury, he was promoted the economic policies for George Washington‘s administration, setting up a national bank, enabling funding for state debt, establishing a system of tariffs and trading relations with Great Britain. (2) Deng, credited through economic policy reform with lifting more human beings out of poverty than any other human being, drew on a model of ‘state capitalism’ set within the framework of Communist party rule. Deng himself was pragmatic: a gradualist who believed in ‘crossing the river by feeling for the stones’, being interested in results rather than dogma or doctrine.] What are your proudest achievements? Most of the achievements I’m proudest of were achieved during the five years I spent serving as a Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills in the Coalition government.
    [Show full text]
  • David Lloyd George and Temperance Reform Philip A
    University of Richmond UR Scholarship Repository Honors Theses Student Research 1980 The ac use of sobriety : David Lloyd George and temperance reform Philip A. Krinsky Follow this and additional works at: http://scholarship.richmond.edu/honors-theses Recommended Citation Krinsky, Philip A., "The cause of sobriety : David Lloyd George and temperance reform" (1980). Honors Theses. Paper 594. This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Student Research at UR Scholarship Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion in Honors Theses by an authorized administrator of UR Scholarship Repository. For more information, please contact [email protected]. UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND LIBRARIES llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll/11111 3 3082 01 028 9899 - The Cause of Sobriety: David Lloyd George and Temperance Reform Philip A. Krinsky Contents I. Introduction: 1890 l II. Attack on Misery: 1890-1905 6 III. Effective Legislation: 1906-1918 16 IV. The Aftermath: 1918 to Present 34 Notes 40 Bibliographical Essay 47 Temperance was a major British issue until after World War I. Excessive drunkenness, not alcoholism per se, was the primary concern of the two parliamentary parties. When Lloyd George entered Parliament the two major parties were the Liberals and the Conservatives. Temperance was neither a problem that Parliament sought to~;;lv~~ nor the single issue of Lloyd George's public career. Rather, temperance remained within a flux of political squabbling between the two parties and even among the respective blocs within each Party. Inevitably, compromises had to be made between the dissenting factions. The major temperance controversy in Parliament was the issue of compensation. Both Parties agreed that the problem of excessive drunkenness was rooted in the excessive number of public houses throughout Britain.
    [Show full text]
  • THE 422 Mps WHO BACKED the MOTION Conservative 1. Bim
    THE 422 MPs WHO BACKED THE MOTION Conservative 1. Bim Afolami 2. Peter Aldous 3. Edward Argar 4. Victoria Atkins 5. Harriett Baldwin 6. Steve Barclay 7. Henry Bellingham 8. Guto Bebb 9. Richard Benyon 10. Paul Beresford 11. Peter Bottomley 12. Andrew Bowie 13. Karen Bradley 14. Steve Brine 15. James Brokenshire 16. Robert Buckland 17. Alex Burghart 18. Alistair Burt 19. Alun Cairns 20. James Cartlidge 21. Alex Chalk 22. Jo Churchill 23. Greg Clark 24. Colin Clark 25. Ken Clarke 26. James Cleverly 27. Thérèse Coffey 28. Alberto Costa 29. Glyn Davies 30. Jonathan Djanogly 31. Leo Docherty 32. Oliver Dowden 33. David Duguid 34. Alan Duncan 35. Philip Dunne 36. Michael Ellis 37. Tobias Ellwood 38. Mark Field 39. Vicky Ford 40. Kevin Foster 41. Lucy Frazer 42. George Freeman 43. Mike Freer 44. Mark Garnier 45. David Gauke 46. Nick Gibb 47. John Glen 48. Robert Goodwill 49. Michael Gove 50. Luke Graham 51. Richard Graham 52. Bill Grant 53. Helen Grant 54. Damian Green 55. Justine Greening 56. Dominic Grieve 57. Sam Gyimah 58. Kirstene Hair 59. Luke Hall 60. Philip Hammond 61. Stephen Hammond 62. Matt Hancock 63. Richard Harrington 64. Simon Hart 65. Oliver Heald 66. Peter Heaton-Jones 67. Damian Hinds 68. Simon Hoare 69. George Hollingbery 70. Kevin Hollinrake 71. Nigel Huddleston 72. Jeremy Hunt 73. Nick Hurd 74. Alister Jack (Teller) 75. Margot James 76. Sajid Javid 77. Robert Jenrick 78. Jo Johnson 79. Andrew Jones 80. Gillian Keegan 81. Seema Kennedy 82. Stephen Kerr 83. Mark Lancaster 84.
    [Show full text]
  • The Andrew Marr Show” Must Be Credited If Any Part of This Transcript Is Used
    PLEASE NOTE “THE ANDREW MARR SHOW” MUST BE CREDITED IF ANY PART OF THIS TRANSCRIPT IS USED THE ANDREW MARR SHOW INTERVIEW: TIM FARRON, MP PRESIDENT, LIBERAL DEMOCRATS FEBRUARY 5th 2012 ANDREW MARR: The Liberal Democrats have a direct role in government of course for the first time since … well since the party was founded. However, their individual identity and their separate policies have been, I think it’s fair to say, rather overshadowed by the Conservatives who form the larger part of the coalition. The most outspoken Lib Dem sitting at the cabinet table, a man quite prepared to lock horns with the Prime Minister or the Chancellor, was the Energy Secretary Chris Huhne, so what does his departure to prepare for his court appearance mean for his party and the government? The President of the Lib Dems, Tim Farron, is in Cumbria. Good morning, Tim. It looks formidably cold there, so thank you for coming out. TIM FARRON: Oh this is normal, Andrew. ANDREW MARR: Okay. Let me start with some politics as normal. A lot of hostility building up for instance to wind farms at the moment, one of Chris Huhne’s key policies. Do you think that his departure from government is going to blunt the climate change agenda that the Liberal Democrats have been so enthusiastic about? 1 TIM FARRON: Well no, it definitely isn’t. Ed Davey is an outstanding environmentalist and one with years track record in fighting on green issues - absolutely the right person to take over in the job. That doesn’t mean we won’t miss Chris Huhne.
    [Show full text]
  • Ambitious for Our Country; Ambitious for Our Party
    Ambitious for our country; ambitious for our party MY MANIFESTO I want to lead the Liberal Democrats because I am ambitious about our future. I believe we are the only party that can represent the millions of liberal-minded people alarmed by the direction this country is taking: people, whether they voted remain or leave, who hate the intolerance, xenophobia and division that the Brexit vote unleashed. I want the Liberal Democrats to be at the centre of political life: a credible, effective party of national and local government, and a voice of sanity on Europe. To achieve this, we will have to fight for every vote and every seat. It can be done: we have a record membership and the enormous energy that thousands of new members have brought to the party. I believe I have the ability to give that energy a lead, to hit the headlines and to put our party at the centre of political debate. Published by Tom Brake MP on behalf of Vince Cable MP at 49 Church Lane, Teddington, TW11 8PA. Designed by Graphical - www.graphicalagency.com Britain needs the Liberal Democrats There is much to be patriotic about in and competitiveness. These issues were beginning to be addressed by Britain today. It is a more tolerant and the Coalition government, but Brexit inclusive place than when my late wife and – pursued by Theresa May with full support from Jeremy Corbyn I started an inter-racial family a generation – is now starting to inflict further ago. It has great resources of creativity and economic damage.
    [Show full text]
  • Web of Power
    Media Briefing MAIN HEADING PARAGRAPH STYLE IS main head Web of power SUB TITLE PARAGRAPH STYLE IS main sub head The UK government and the energy- DATE PARAGRAPH STYLE IS date of document finance complex fuelling climate change March 2013 Research by the World Development Movement has Government figures embroiled in the nexus of money and revealed that one third of ministers in the UK government power fuelling climate change include William Hague, are linked to the finance and energy companies driving George Osborne, Michael Gove, Oliver Letwin, Vince Cable climate change. and even David Cameron himself. This energy-finance complex at the heart of government If we are to move away from a high carbon economy, is allowing fossil fuel companies to push the planet to the government must break this nexus and regulate the the brink of climate catastrophe, risking millions of lives, finance sector’s investment in fossil fuel energy. especially in the world’s poorest countries. SUBHEAD PARAGRAPH STYLE IS head A Introduction The world is approaching the point of no return in the Energy-finance complex in figures climate crisis. Unless emissions are massively reduced now, BODY PARAGRAPH STYLE IS body text Value of fossil fuel shares on the London Stock vast areas of the world will see increased drought, whole Exchange: £900 billion1 – higher than the GDP of the countries will be submerged and falling crop yields could whole of sub-Saharan Africa.2 mean millions dying of hunger. But finance is continuing to flow to multinational fossil fuel companies that are Top five UK banks’ underwrote £170 billion in bonds ploughing billions into new oil, gas and coal energy.
    [Show full text]
  • Letter from Ed Davey MP 11.03.21
    Rt Hon Boris Johnson MP The Prime Minister 10 Downing Street London, SW1A 2AA 11th March 2021 Dear Prime Minister, I am writing to share my concerns about the draft resolution on Sri Lanka that the FCDO has tabled for approval by the UN Human Rights Council on 24th March. Time and again, the UK has played a vital role in leading collective action on international accountability in Sri Lanka. At the 46th session of the UN Human Rights Council, which is currently underway, the UK has a real opportunity to continue in this proud tradition. But unfortunately, the draft resolution completely fails to rise to this challenge. As it stands, the draft resolution is too vague and lacks robust commitment to international accountability mechanisms. It also fails to incorporate the recommendations laid out in the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights’ report on Sri Lanka that was published earlier this year. The High Commissioner portrayed a damning picture of the situation in Sri Lanka, making it clear that domestic mechanisms for reconciliation, accountability and human rights have drastically eroded in the past few years. Many Tamil groups across the UK have been calling on your Government to take urgent action to ensure that the UN Human Rights Council resolution is robust enough to ensure that those responsible are held accountable for crimes and human rights abuses committed against the Tamils. I am aware that the Sri Lanka Core Group will be meeting imminently, to discuss the draft resolution. As such, I am urging you to personally ensure that
    [Show full text]