Catherine Bearder

It's fantastic news to hear about the government's U-turn on the Winter Fuel Allowance.
Yesterday, I asked the Minister what support is being provided for those who rely on oil and liquefied gas particularly for residents in park homes and rural areas.

It’s difficult to know if we’re ignored, under the radar or if perhaps the commentariat are just so busy asking each other what the weather is that they forget to look out of the window!

No single party leader is now trusted on the economy, Opinium found. However, Starmer (-32%) and Reeves (-38%) are the most distrusted, with the Reform leader, Nigel Farage, the Tory leader, Kemi Badenoch, and shadow chancellor, Mel Stride, all rated similarly on -22%, -23% and -24% respectively.

The magical disappearing Ed Davey, courtesy of The Observer & @opiniumresearch.bsky.social

Poll asks people if they trust various politicians on the economy.

@eddavey.libdems.org.uk comes out with best net score, 16 points better than next best.

See if you can spot what's missing from write-up:

Kier Starmer to REFUSES to rule out cuts to disability benefits for those who can't work | PMQs Ed Davey pressed the Prime Minister to rule out cuts to disability benefits for those who simply cannot work. Worryingly, he chose not to answer. Disabled pe...

Today I pressed the Prime Minister to rule out cuts to disability benefits for those who simply cannot work. Worryingly, he chose not to answer.

Disabled people and those who care for them deserve our support and they deserve clarity from this government.

I’m helping IFAW find the next winners of their Animal Action Awards! Do you know a worthy contender making a difference for animals, people, and the planet? Nominate them here: bit.ly/IFAWAAA25

I can't stand bullies. President Zelensky is now trying to stand up against two of them. We should have his back. #SlavaUkraïni

Andrej Plenković Prime Minister of Croatia 👏

Petition: Cancel Trump’s state visit Stop Trump Coalition

Bullies are not welcome here
stoptrump.org.uk/petition-can...

Yesterday YouGov gave Lib Dems highest rating since Nov 2019.

Today More in Common gives Lib Dems highest rating since they started polling.

Which technically means it is true to say: BEST LIB DEM RESULT SINCE DINOSAURS ROAMED THE EARTH.*

It's clear. Nigel Farage and his Reform bootlickers will never stand up for Britain if it means standing up to Donald Trump.

Of all the things Elon Musk has said, this is the worst.

We cannot rely on Trump and his shadow president Musk. The UK must boost defence spending and take the lead in Europe.

29 times Donald Trump did what Putin wanted Whose side is he on? It’s hard to keep up, so here’s a handy guide to America’s new policy of close alignment with the Kremlin.

29 times Donald Trump did what Putin wanted 
www.politico.eu/article/dona...

Starmer ‘to offer EU youth mobility scheme’ in post-Brexit reset No 10 has so far rejected plan, which has proved to be a key sticking point in negotiations

Months of pressure—and now Labour is finally budging on a 🇬🇧🇪🇺Youth Mobility Scheme.

This has to be the first step in fixing our broken EU relationship.

We’ll scrutinise every detail and keep pushing to make sure young people get the opportunities they deserve—no half-measures.

shorturl.at/ottJ0

All I can say at this stage is…

FINALLY! 💥

Absolutely @eddavey.libdems.org.uk

As Georgia slides into authoritarianism, protesters vow to keep fighting Russian pivot | CNN Many in Georgia feel the government is taking the country back into the Kremlin’s orbit. As the protest movement nears its third month, it is not clear what can break the stalemate.

Russia is conducting 'hybrid warfare' across Europe and central Asia. The UK must back everyone resisting Putin. A quick win for the govt would be sanctions on Putin-backed oligarch Ivanishvili and his allies who are subverting Georgia and its democracy.

edition.cnn.com/2025/02/15/e...

We're waking up to a new US/Russia axis Why Trump clings to Putin.

"These are dark days. In less than a month, the restored Trump presidency has appeared to dismantle, at least for now, many of the traditional pillars and assumptions of the post-war era"
open.substack.com/pub/goodalla...

Last week in the Commons, I called Trump’s behaviour on Ukraine a betrayal. Defence Minister Maria Eagle rejected that, saying she "did not accept" my words. Does she still stand by that – or will the government now call it what it is and condemn Trump’s reckless appeasement?

It is alarming to see the leader of the free world parroting Putin's propaganda.

President Zelenskyy has been one of the greatest leaders of our time, guiding Ukraine through the darkest period of its recent history, rising up to Russia’s unwarranted aggression, being an inspiration to the Ukrainian people and ensuring that Ukraine’s voice is heard on the world stage.

Bad news! There’s never been a more important time to hear the voices of the citizens reps in the Euro Parliament. They must not be sidelined by the powerful. @Europarl underpins Democracy in the Union. @sophieintveld.bsky.social

Pecksniff: Labour is a Brexit party: are LibDems the only hope of sanity? (Discuss) In which Mr Pecksniff lays before his readers for their approval certain observations and speculations reflecting on the political life

“The LibDems are talking up the EU again. After a hesitant toe in the water, Ed Davey is becoming bolder….Meanwhile we read this week during the PM’s visit to Brussels that the EU is disappointed in him.”

This and other snippets from East Anglia Bylines’ political diarist ⤵️

Jeremy Clarkson: Brexit makes me want to sit in a gutter and weep Since we left the EU it’s been easier to get into Iraq than France. None of this has made our lives better in any way

Clarkson is right. Brexit has made travelling to the EU with any kind of professional equipment, nightmarish. Carnets for cameras etc is a bureaucratic, expensive waste of time. But it applies to loads of industries, esp musicians/performing artists etc.
www.thetimes.com/article/5356...

Local elections now in full swing! Great to join the team in Shiplake 🔶

Research claims EU deal will fuel growth — and Labour is listening A report says Britain can mend some of the economic damage of Brexit without crossing the red lines set by Keir Starmer

As being “free to make our own trade deals” has delivered the square root of jack shit and, as Brexiters still can’t tell us what EU regulations they want to scrap, closer alignment with the EU should be a no-brainer.

Great work @bestforbritain.bsky.social
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...

We need to fix our trading relationship with Europe to grow our economy and protect Britain from Trump’s trade war.

It's time to turbocharge our economy by forming a Customs Union with the EU, tearing down the trade barriers and red tape holding us back.

Yesterday as Lib Dem spokesperson I asked the Flooding Minister how she'll support farmers, build flood resilience & protect food security.

Many farmers are angry at land inundation that could be prevented by better flood management. I pushed the Govt to urgently deliver flood mitigation solutions.

Tesla sales drop since Elon Musk did a Nazi Salute, Great job Spain, you can do much better UK!

Spain -75.4%
France -63.4%
Sweden -46.0%
Netherlands -42.5%
Denmark -40.9%
Norway -40.2%
Portugal -31.0%
UK -18.2%

EMUK is now an official supporter (alongside TUC) of this march in support of Ukraine 🇺🇦 … on the third anniversary of Putin’s full-scale invasion.
@mikegalsworthy.bsky.social is also speaking at the rally.

"We're calling for a crumbling Hospitals Task Force to make sure that patients are protected and to drive forward these new hospitals."

Daisy Cooper