Brexit is the most important issue in a generation. And as Liberal Democrats we have taken on the responsibility of stopping it. We're the only Party united in this aim.
Last night I messed up. The government squeaked home by just 3 votes in a key amendment. It should have been 1.
I was not expecting a close vote - up until 8pm, Labour were planning to abstain which would have meant the vote would be lost by hundreds. In fact several Labour MPs voted with the govenment- which is why they won. By the time it became apparent that the vote was going to be close - it was too late to get two of our MPs back in time to vote.
I'm taking responsibility and redoubling my efforts to stop Brexit.
In the next few days, MPs will vote on the Customs (Taxation) and Trade Bills. These bills will be both pivotal to our future relationship with the EU and a battleground for parliamentary democracy itself.
The Chequers deal is a total fudge. The plan requires the UK to be the EU's policeman and follow its rules on goods and state aid. Meanwhile, the services sector would be left to flounder. We have absolutely no guarantee that the EU would accept such a deal.
Visitors to the River Festival may have noticed the Virtual Orchestra in Riverside Square. The Virtual Orchestra is an immersive experience from the Philharmonia Orchestra and has a 10-room installation where you can play along and sit on stage with the orchestra.
The Virtual Orchestra will be in Riverside Square until 10th August. You can find out more and book your free tickets here.
I attended the Public Consultation on the possible closure of the Rhodes Centre and the possible building of an expensive new Arts Centre at Old River Lane. It was a disappointing experience. The Consultation was for 2 hours only, on just one day. One of the available leaflets made it sound as if the decision to close the Rhodes Centre had already been made. "After many months of discussions, the Rhodes Trust, East Herts Council and Bishop's Stortford Town Council all agreed to seize the opportunity which the Old River Lane site offers to deliver a significant new venue for the town." I asked what was theevidence of a need for a 500 seat Theatre and a bigger arts centre and was told that, since our Town is expected to grow over the next few years, there will be many more people and they will automatically need a bigger theatre. It seems that no proper survey or consultation with the public has taken place - it is just a guess, a presumption, that many new residents will support a new theatre.
The theme of this year's Town Carnival is "Celebrating Bishop's Stortford". I am writing this article just before Carnival Day, so I am wondering how all the various organisations that take part will demonstrate this theme. Will there be models of the old Malting buildings? Will there be floats of narrow Boats, taking our goods to London by river? What about our Norman Castle and Mound? or the Roman skeleton in our Museum? Will St.Michael's Church and Windhill be depicted?
Liberal Democrats led the opposition in Dacorum against the Hertfordshire Police & Crime Commissioner take over of the Fire Service.
On wednesday 11th July Dacorum Borough Councillors voted unanimously for a Liberal Democrat Motion instructing the Dacorum CEO Sally Marshall to write to the Home Office to insist that "the Fire and Rescue Service should remain under the control and democratic accountability of Hertfordshire County Council."
On 23 June thousands of members and supporters of the Lib Dems joined over one hundred thousand marchers in the People's Vote demonstration to Parliament Square. Your Federal Board curtailed our meeting at HQ to come and join you, and it was a wonderful event! Vince spoke from the platform with strength and conviction, aided with the knowledge that our party is united in wanting both a People's Vote and an Exit from Brexit.
Bedford's 40th Anniversary River Festival is this weekend, on Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th July. This year's event is set to be the biggest and best yet, and you can download a programme (including site map) on the council website at www.bedford.gov.uk/riverfestival.
Commenting, Mayor Dave Hodgson said: "I've seen the Bedford River Festival change and grow since the town first celebrated opening of a navigable route to the sea from Bedford forty years ago. It's now one of the biggest free festivals in the country, and the fortieth anniversary Bedford River Festival this weekend will be even bigger and better than ever.'
Donald Trump has claimed that the Conservatives' Brexit plan has killed off any chance of a UK-US trade deal.
Donald Trump is an enemy of Britain. His vile views and wild outbursts make the whole world a more dangerous place.
Like his terrible twin Boris Johnson he is consumed by self-obsession and self-promotion. And Trump has the cheek to nominate Johnson as our Prime Minister - in return I recommend ABD (anyone but Donald) for President of our American friends and allies.
