News - Mid Suffolk Liberal Democrats

All EU countries must recognise same-sex partnerships

The European Parliament is urging member states to give EU-wide recognition to same-sex partnerships forged under the national law of any one of them in the same way as marriage. This would then allow those partners to take advantage of EU free movement laws to live anywhere in Europe, without forfeiting legal and tax advantages. London Liberal Democrat MEP Sarah Ludford, the party's European justice & human rights spokeswoman who is a persistent campaigner for equal rights, is strongly supporting the call. It comes in a declaration which if supported by half of MEPs demands a response from EU governments and the European Commission.

9 Oct 2008

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Lib Dems at tonight's Stonewall Awards

DELGA are hoping for good news for Lib Dems at tonight's Stonewall Awards in London. Amongst the shortlisted nominees are high profile Lib Dems: Lord Alex Carlile for Politician of the Year, and Brian Paddick, who became perhaps the highest profile out politician in Britain when he stood as Lib Dem candidate for Mayor of London this year. Brian is shortlisted for Hero of the Year, a category chosen by Stonewall supporters.

6 Nov 2008

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Lib Dem President calls for sexuality to figure in Commons diversity review

President of the Liberal Democrats Simon Hughes MP today called for a review of diversity in the House of Commons to include lesbian, gay and bisexual representation. Speaking in a debate establishing a "Speaker's Conference" to address under-representation of women, ethnic minorities and disabled people in the House of Commons, he said: "This debate should not be only about women, or people from black and ethnic minorities, or disabled people. It should also be about gay people and young and older people, and about having a diverse Parliament. Unless we see that in the broad spectrum, we are not fulfilling Parliament's expectations of us."

12 Nov 2008

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Nick Clegg drops by the DELGA stall at Liverpool Federal Conference 2008

DELGA at regional conferences

DELGA are out in force at Liberal Democrat regional party conferences this Autumn. This weekend we were at the North West Lib Dems conference in Manchester, a packed-out event with over 250 people attending reflecting the growth of the party in the North. We collected petition signatures, signed up new members for Out To Win, and found our postcards and pin-badges were very popular!

26 Oct 2008

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MEPs to back end to AIDS discrimination - Ludford

In time for World Aids Day, MEPs are set to endorse a resolution on HIV/AIDS, calling on the EU Commission and Member States to formulate a comprehensive strategy for early diagnosis and care. The resolution also calls on Member States to outlaw discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS and allow their free movement.

20 Nov 2008

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HIV figures reflect wider failings on sexual health

New figures for HIV show that across Britain there were 7,000 new diagnoses recorded last year - a rise of 6% on 2006. Liberal Democrat health spokesperson, Sandra Gidley, said: "These figures are very worrying but not surprising. They are the legacy of a government which has left sexual health services to languish by the wayside. It is crucial that we ensure future generations are not now put at risk."

25 Nov 2008

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