News items posted to this website will now be relayed on Twitter.

You can follow us at twitter.com/tamesidelibdems

Commenting on the Home Secretary’s announcement that stop and search powers will be subject to stricter conditions, Tom Brake MP, Co-Chair of the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Committee for Home Affairs, Justice and Equality, said: “This is a very welcome announcement. Section 44 was an unreasonable power, applied in an indiscriminate way.

“This change strengthens our civil liberties, building on a longstanding commitment from Liberal Democrats.

“When the Labour benches attacked the coalition for what they described as an obsession with defending civil liberties, it just highlighted their dangerous obsession with eroding them.”

Fears that an explosion in rat and mice numbers could result from a new EU law intended to curb the use of dangerous chemicals have been calmed.

A meeting called by Tameside Euro-MP Chris Davies to give public health and safety experts the chance to explain their concerns to Brussels officials has paid off.

In a formal response to a parliamentary question, EU Environment Commissioner Janez Potonik has now promised ‘open discussions’ to ensure that rodenticides can continue for essential uses.

Davies said: “Problems such as the damage that rats and mice can do to electrical wiring in buildings had been overlooked by the Commission when it drafted its proposal. Good law making requires listening and learning.”

Commenting on the Supreme Court ruling that it is not acceptable to refuse asylum to an individual on the basis that they can hide their sexuality to avoid persecution, Lib Dem deputy leader  Simon Hughes MP, said, “I am delighted this ruling recognises the rights of gay asylum seekers, ensuring their freedom from persecution around the world.
“This plight is one that my Liberal Democrat colleagues and I have campaigned on for years. It is an issue that the Coalition Government is committed to addressing as we seek to restore Britain’s reputation around the world as a leader in the protection of human rights. I believe that today’s ruling will go some way to restoring that reputation.

“Other countries around the world must now follow the UK’s lead and recognise freedom of expression and freedom of sexuality for all people.”

Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg has announced the appointment of John Sharkey as chair of the Liberal Democrats’ Fairer Votes Campaign.

Nick Clegg said, “I am delighted that John Sharkey has accepted this role.

“This is a vital campaign for the country and I can’t think of a better person than John to run it for the Liberal Democrats.”

A Tameside Euro-MP wants to cut the waste of different electrical cables used to power scores if electrical and electronic devices.

Liberal Democrat Chris Davies has welcomed Brussels’ success in persuading mobile phone makers to introduce ‘one size fits all chargers,’ but now he wants the same principle applied to all electrical equipment.

He is calling on the European Commission to press for the introduction of standard fittings in just small, medium and large classifications.

Davies said: “Our mountain of electrical rubbish wastes money and wastes resources.”

Over 150 new low carbon buses will join fleets throughout England saving around 50,000 tonnes of CO2 thanks to £15m of additional Government funding, Lib Dem Transport Minister Norman Baker MP announced today.

The funding is intended to put low carbon buses within the reach of as many operators and local authorities as possible throughout England.

Bus operators and councils can bid for the money which they can then use towards the additional up front cost of buying low carbon buses.

Transport Minister Norman Baker said, “We want to support new transport technologies to help make our transport system greener and more sustainable.

“This investment will stimulate the market for low carbon buses by reducing some of the initial costs for operators and councils. It will deliver significant benefits, in particular reducing the impact of road transport on climate change and improving air quality.”

Low carbon buses use at least 30 per cent less fuel and emit nearly a third less carbon than a conventional bus, yet they currently make up just 0.2% of buses on the road.

The funding will support investment in more low carbon buses as well as addressing the information gap about their performance by requiring the winning bidders to share information with others in the industry.