Tiverton and Honiton Liberal Democrats

When human beings are persecuted for their sexuality, their gender identity or their beliefs - or all of these - and forced to flee their homes, we must do all we can to protect them.

The Home Office's treatment of LGBT+ asylum seekers is appalling

The UK has a long and proud record of providing sanctuary to refugees, but the Home Office's treatment of LGBT+ asylum seekers is appalling.

The Liberal Democrats are the strongest Remain party in the UK - and we demand better than Brexit.

If you think our country is heading in the wrong direction, and you want to change things, you can. Join us.

The last 24 hours have been a bit, well, odd.

Most of the British political establishment seems to be whipping themselves into a frenzy over our member's decision to revoke article 50 if we win the next election.

First, an audience member at #BBCQT asked this:

Our second audience question tonight is about the Lib Dems. #bbcqt pic.twitter.com/r4i50WolIz

- BBC Question Time (@bbcquestiontime) September 19, 2019

At Conference I marked your - our members and supporters - amazing contribution over the last six months since Spring Conference and I want to repeat my thanks to all of you in this newsletter.

We asked you to all go on the Stop Brexit march on 20 March to make it clear we are the strongest Remain party. You did that.

Britain's railways are essential to everyday life - they transport millions to and from work and around the country day in, day out.

Unfortunately, all too often our trains are late, crowded or cancelled. Ticketing is a confusing mess and the railways and their rolling stock are in desperate need of investment.

It's no secret: crime rates in the UK have been rising.

Brutal knife and gun crimes have become a sad fixture of our headlines, while conviction rates for offences including violent robberies and sexual assaults have experienced an alarming decline.

Why?

Since 2015, the Conservatives have cut £1bn from police budgets while resolutely maintaining that falling policing numbers have nothing to do with rising crime.

There are just 11 days left to get your nominations in for the candidates you'd like to see elected to party committees.

If you need a reminder of which roles are up for election, here it is:

Top of the bill is Federal President, to take over from Sal Brinton on 1 January and serve for 2020, 2021 and 2022. This is a major role chairing the party's Federal Board, protecting and representing members, and acting as guardian of the party's interests. Hustings will be held throughout the country during the two-month campaign, and candidates may raise and spend £20,000 campaigning for the job.

With beautiful sunny Bournemouth as a backdrop, Paddy's friends and colleagues took to the main stage to share their fond memories of him.

Now on BBC Parliament: tributes are paid to the late party leader Paddy Ashdown at the Liberal Democrat conference in Bournemouth pic.twitter.com/mR3wEMTmar

- BBC Parliament (@BBCParliament) September 17, 2019

What an amazing week we have had.

Hearing about our 700 council gains. 15 European gains.

Chuka, Sarah, Angela, Philip, Luciana and Sam joining from the Conservatives and Labour. The Brecon win for the wonderful Jane Dodds against the Conservatives.

It's happening in Scotland too. Councillor Fiona Dryburgh left Labour to join us. And Councillor Mark McGeever left the Conservatives to join us.

Since the EU referendum, the Liberal Democrats have been on the side of Remainers.

Whether in Parliament, in the courts, in the media or on the streets, we've been leading the fight for three years to stay part of the European Union.

For three years, we've been leading the fight to remain in the European Union