We are delighted that Ipswich Liberal Democrats are contesting all sixteen seats up for election on Ipswich Borough council on 3rd May.

First time candidate for Alexandra Ward is Richard Thompson who is pictured below. A full list of candidates can be found here.

"There are many reasons I am proud to be a Liberal Democrat. One of these is the powerful championing by Norfolk Lib Dem MP, Norman Lamb, of mental health service provision in this Country. Norman has long demanded, that there should be equal treatment for some of our most vulnerable people, with mental health problems, as can be expected by those requiring physical care. I was reminded of Norman's passion and personal support for people with mental health problems when he spoke at a recent joint meeting of the Ipswich and District Clinical Society and Medicolegal society, at Ipswich Hospital. A shameful feature of recent times has been the forced relocation of severely ill people to Units a long way away from home. It is clear from the recent announcement that the closure of Lark Ward, on the Ipswich hospital site will lead to more out of County placements or patients placed in inappropriate wards. This is a tragedy for those involved and for anyone who cares about mental health services in Suffolk." said Inga Lockington.

Those of you on Facebook may be interested to know that Suffolk Liberal Democrats have a Facebook page. Go to https://www.facebook.com/SuffolksLibDems/ and like and follow to keep seeing their posts.

The Suffolk EU Alliance is organising The Great Eastern March, with outdoor speakers and events, one of a number of country-wide marches on 24 March 2018. As part of this they are holding a special ticketed information session with invited speakers sharing ideas, perspectives and insights about Brexit. This is your opportunity to hear the latest developments and opinions, ask questions and share ideas. This will take place in a 'lecture theatre' setting in the Waterfront Building, University of Suffolk. There are only 170 places available so book now to ensure your place.

https://www.facebook.com/Ipswichlibdems/posts/564613683899345

The Liberal Democrats and the3million are calling on Labour to protect people's basic fundamental rights where data is being processed for immigration purposes. Next Monday Diane Abbott and Liam Byrne have the chance to join with the Liberal Democrats to oppose the government from using the cover of GDPR implementation to sneak in a sinister proposal that would deny people the right to access data held about them as part of their wider hostile environment agenda targeted at immigrants in the UK.

Councillor Oliver Holmes says "As a dog owner, I have been worried about stories I have heard from dog walkers in Christchurch Park about possible thefts and dog-napping and so this advice from the Dogs Trust is useful. Max and Oscar have been micro-chipped which is hopefully a deterrent. Mind you, this was also to enable them to travel in Europe - a canine right that may disappear with Brexit."

In response to the Work and Pensions Select Committee Report out today on PIP and ESA assessments Stephen Lloyd MP, Liberal Democrat DWP spokesperson, said :

"This is an utterly damning report from the Select Committee on the quality, or lack of, from the government's PIP and ESA assessments programmes.

"It's clear far too many assessments are inadequate for this system to continue in it's current form.

"This also comes on the day where the DWP has put out a deplorable tweet reminding people that as today is Valentines Day, they will be checking that benefits claimants are declaring they live with a partner or else. It's obvious this Conservative government knows the price of everything but the value of nothing.

"This is proof that the Liberal Democrat position of stripping the assessment contract from corporate behemoths such as ATOS and Capita and bringing them in-house as a public service, is the only practical and humane way forward.