Nina Stimson, Lib Dem Parliamentary Spokesperson for Southend West, Joined the million people marching for a People's Vote on 19 October 2019.

THE FIGHT CONTINUES

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Statement from Cllr Mark Lewis:

I have received a number of emails and calls regarding the Sugar Hut licence application which includes an extension to 7am closing. I thought I would set out my views on this for the benefit of local residents although I can confirm that I take a negative view on the application.

Commenting on reports that a deal has been agreed between the EU and the UK government, the Leader of the Liberal Democrats Jo Swinson, said: "The fight to stop Brexit is far from over. Boris Johnson's deal would be bad for our economy, bad for our public services, and bad for our environment.

"The next few days will set the direction of our country for generations, and I am more determined than ever to stop Brexit. When this deal comes to Parliament we will use every possible opportunity to give the public a People's Vote on the Brexit deal that includes the option to remain in the European Union."

Essex County Council is preparing to demolish Chelmsford's Army & Navy flyover and specialist firms are coming forward to express an interest in the work. ECC announced last month that the flyover would stay closed after a detailed engineering report revealed new defects within its concrete foundations.

The Liberal Democrats have tabled an amendment to the Queen's speech to put any deal that comes back from Brussels to a People's Vote.

If selected, this amendment would be voted on early next week, likely on Monday.

"The Liberal Democrats are the strongest party of Remain and have been the leading voice in the People's Vote campaign" said Lib Dem Leader Jo Swinson. "Boris Johnson is determined to have a general election, but the best way to resolve the Brexit chaos is to have a People's Vote and give the British people the final say about their future. The best deal we have is as members of the European Union and we want to give the people the chance to choose to stop Brexit."

Leader of the Liberal Democrats Jo Swinson has today slammed this Queen's speech as nothing more that a "charade." Jo Swinson said:

"This Queen's speech is a charade.

"'Boris Johnson is pursuing a Brexit deal that will be hugely damaging for our economy, our NHS and our security.

"There is nothing in this Queen's speech that will bring comfort to the factory worker set to lose their job, or the families struggling to put food on the table because of his Brexit policy.

"The Liberal Democrats want to stop Brexit, and keep the best deal we have as members of the European Union."

Responding to the reports that the Government are set to announce it will be compulsory for voters to show identification at the next election, Liberal Democrat shadow minister for the Cabinet Office, Tom Brake said:

"The move by the Government to make voter ID compulsory is a thinly-veiled attempt to rig the results of future elections. We know from the pilot back in 2018 that voter fraud was inconsequential, whilst what the pilot did do was turn away a disproportionate number of vulnerable voters.

"Boris Johnson is clearly taking a leaf out of Trump's playbook by using false claims about voter fraud to suppress turnout.

"The trial was deemed a waste of time and the public's money, and this roll-out will be no different. The Conservative Government have already showed disdain for our democracy and this move is simply further confirmation of that.

"Rather than electioneering by making it harder to vote, the Conservative Government should be focusing on ways to encourage democratic participation, such as through extending voting rights to 16 year olds."

Question: Having attended the Brexit briefing I remain unclear what the effects of a no-deal Brexit will be for Essex. Can the Leader of the Council please clarify this?

Lib Dem parliamentary candidate for Brentwood & Ongar, David Kendall has spoken out in support of the Kurds in Syria who are being attacked by Turkey. He believes the Kurds have been badly let down by President Trump and his administration following the decision made by the US to pull out of Syria.