Dick Newby

Time and time again, the Prime Minister says the situation in Gaza is intolerable… but he keeps on tolerating it. Palestinian statehood was literally in his own manifesto, so why won’t he recognise it now? I wonder if Donald Trump is stopping him.

Today I relinquish my role as leader of @LibDems in the #HouseofLords. Challenging but rewarding work especially at times when we had limited numbers of MP's . Delighted that Jeremy Purvis @PurvisTweed will now pick up the baton. @LibDemLords @EdwardJDavey

#Inflation climbing in recent months, hitting 4.4% on RPI measure. Treasury paid £16.4bn in interest on gilts in June, almost twice the £8.4bn of the same month in 2024, & £2.4bn more than #OBR expected. Govt will use quiet summer to roll pitch for tax rises. @LibDems #tax

SEND provision is woefully underfunded & needs reform - @EdwardJDavey is right to highlight deficiencies experiencing the problems first hand. The @UKLabour Govt seems to be in denial over funding challenges. @LibDems #SEND

Latest Govt sanctions to stop people smugglers rely on cross border co-operation. If it was that easy, police & Interpol would already be doing it. #BrexitDisaster made working with #EU much harder, something for which @Nigel_Fararge bears much of the blame. #Brexit @LibDems

The Govt borrowed £6.6bn more than in June 2024 - 2nd-highest June borrowing since monthly records began in 1993. It’s also £3.5bn more than the £17.1bn forecast by OBR. @UKLabour driven by events rather than controlling budget. Worrying. @LibDems #Labour #OBR

#Netanyahu has turned #Israel into a rogue state, limiting aid in #Gaza, shooting women & children queuing for food. IPC says famine a genuine risk. Flour is now £50 a kilo there, 90p for same here according to @BBCNews. @LibDems

#Cunliffe report working within limited brief suggests many of things @LibDems have proposed over past 6 years. But replacing failing #OFWAT will not clean up water alone. @UKLabour needs to scrap private water firms & stop delaying inevitable #LibDems #water

#Afghandataleak total shambles reflecting badly on #MOD, FO, @Conservatives & @UKLabour. Secrecy had its place in protecting lives but hiding this from, Parl smacks of a cover up &further erodes public trust in govt so support @EdwardJDavey call for indep inquiry. @LibDems

Enviro Agency figs show total number of serious water pollution incidents in 2024 was up from 2023 81% were caused by three companies @ThamesWater @SouthernWater & @YorkshireWater. Thames serious incidents increased by 100% & still it wants to pay its exec bonuses. @LibDems

Another rise in #unemployment figs shows @UKLabour Govt that penalising employers through tax hikes on jobs works against their growth agenda. Chancellor & PM look increasingly short of a growth plan @LibDems

Hikes in energy costs caused by tyrants like #Putin mean the need for UK to invest in #renewables is common sense & essential. @reformparty_UK denial of climate change and threats to green energy producers irresponsible, unpatriotic and plain bonkers @LibDems #LibDems #Reform

Last night’s speech frm @RachelReevesMP blamed over-zealous regulators for lack of investment & innovation. Yet its Gvt tax policies which are stifling growth . She should commit to rejoining #EU customs union & single market not fiddle around with regulation. @LibDems #Brexit

The @Nigel_Farage claiming, without evidence, that #Afghans who helped defend our armed forces are closet rapists is disgusting. How long til we hear the deranged “they are eating the cats, eating the dogs” echoing his mentor @realDonaldTrump #Trump #reformparty_uk @LibDems

Watching @Keir_Starmer planning to visit @realDonaldTrump at his Scottish golf resort is hardly statesman-like. The @LibDems @MarkJCarney #Canada adopts a far more appropriate stance treating #Trump as an equal and not being the supplicant.

The @ThamesWater comments by Chair is shaming. 30% more pollution events, bigger than ever losses & 10 yr turnaround with16m customers under hosepipe ban .@UKLabour Govt need to grasp nettle & take into state ownership. @LibDems have suggested major reform for yrs. Where is it?

Easy to see why polls say major #EU nations still want to see UK re-join. Better to defend against @realDonaldTrump & #Putin as a cohesive power block of 500m ppl than stand alone. It's why no-one else has in EU copied #BrexitDisaster. @Nigel_Farage @reformparty_UK @LibDems

Comments from @bankofengland re business contraction following tax hikes can be seen as a polite but severe rebuke for Chancellor & her plans. Lowering interest rates to compensate for her mistakes are not a glowing endorsement. @LibDems @LibDemLords

The @UKLabour Govt must realise that their taxes & employment rights bill have reversed growth as businesses contract rather than invest. Last 2 months #GDP figs show negative impact. Like ISA reversal, time for rethink but sadly tin-eared. @RachelReevesMP @ONS @LibDems

The @emmanuelMacron is right when he blames #Brexitdisaster as contributing to #migrant issue. @Nigel_Farage hypocrisy is sickening when he seeks to criticise numbers entering illegally. His lies have consequences. @LibDems #EU #peoplesmuggling @NCA_UK @Reform_Uk @EdwardJDavey