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.

This morning Nick Clegg delivered a speech asking the public how they want the Government to redress the balance between the citizen and the state. He said:

This morning I want to talk about freedom.

For too long new laws and regulations have taken away people’s freedoms, interfered in everyday life, and made it difficult for businesses to get by. The state has crept further and further into people’s homes, the places they work, their private lives. That intrusion is wrong; it’s illiberal; it’s disempowering and it’s going to change.

This government is putting freedom under the spotlight in a way the previous government never did. We want the British people have their say on where the state should step in, and where it should butt out. We are asking people for ideas on restoring hard won liberties that have been lost… On repealing unnecessary laws that have no place on the statute book… And on stripping away the excessive regulation that stops businesses from innovating. Read more »

Tameside’s UKIP Euro-MP has been slammed for failing to turn up for a vote that could have protected Britain’s right to sell eggs by the dozen. Paul Nuttall, chairman of the UK Independence Party, has publicly attacked European Commission proposals for a new labelling law that will require food only to be sold by weight.

But a rival MEP, Liberal Democrat Chris Davies who tabled a crucial amendment intended to preserve the right to sell eggs by numbers, claims that Nuttall has failed to oppose the measure on two occasions.

Davies has furiously attacked UKIP for claiming to speak up for Britain but failing to turn up to vote. He said: “I don’t think very much of representatives who enjoy criticising others but who can’t find the time to do the job for which they were elected.

“The European Parliament has powers equal to governments in determining the final shape of EU laws. There is a serious job of work to be done and when crucial votes are taken Paul Nuttall should be in his seat to cast them.”

Chris said that the food labelling law was still the subject of debate and he was hopeful that changes would still be made, but he admitted that the defeat of his amendment made the prospects poorer.

A Tameside Euro-MP has helped pass a new law that will guarantee people interpretation should they face questioning by police when visiting other EU countries.

Liberal Democrat Chris Davies MEP says that the measure will help ensure greater justice for all EU citizens who may not understand the accusation against them or subsequent court proceedings.

Chris said: “This increases the rights of everyone who travels in Europe. It will help curb miscarriages of justice.”