Reading West & Mid Berkshire Lib Dems 🔶

A graphic of three intersex progress Pride flags behind a white box, reading: "What does 'better' look like? Revise the Equality Act to: • Protect trans+ and disabled rights • Protect bodily & medical autonomy for all • Recognise non-binary, agender & intersex folks • Codify trans-inclusive meanings of ‘man’ and ‘woman’ in law, as originally intended De-medicalise the GRC process Enshrine self-ID in law, as it is in Ireland Abolish the spousal veto Scrap the ban on puberty blockers Scrap plans for ‘chemical castration’ A trans-inclusive ban on ‘conversion therapy’ Ensure same-sex access to IVF treatment Clear out and reform the EHRC so it protects, rather than diminishes, rights Protect LGBT+ expression in public life" The LGBT+ Liberal Democrats logo, with the rainbow bird-of-liberty, is at the bottom.

It's Pride Month 2025 - wherever you are, we hope you have a safe one. 🧡🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

People have rightly been asking what we mean when we say we @libdems.org.uk need to 'do better' or 'step up' as a party. There's no such thing as 'done' of course - but this is what we're pushing for currently.
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Background - progress pride flag. Graphic depiction of four people embracing. "PRIDE". Liberal Democrats logo

Liberal Democrats will keep fighting until we can finally build a society where everyone is free to be who they are.

International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, against a bluish background photo of a Progress pride flag flying against a blue sky with a modern brick building just visible in the corner. The Liberal Democrat bird-of-liberty logo is in the bottom corner too.

Today is the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia.

As #LibDems we always stand against these things and in solidarity with the LGBT+ community. We always will, if we have anything to do with it.

We'll keep pushing for action too, locally and nationally. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️🔶

Thames Water pumps over 298,000 hours worth of sewage as Reading Lib Dems warn ‘Ofwat must go’ Last year, Thames Water pumped over 298,000 hours worth of sewage into waterways, according to new data published recently. In Reading, residents are increasingly concerned about the spoiling of our...

That's 34 *years* of sewage spills, just in 2024. It's past time for radical change: #Ofwat must be replaced with a regulator worthy of the name.

#LibDems in #ReadingUK #rdguk and beyond will fight for the water industry the UK needs - not the one it has.

www.readinglibdems.org.uk/news/article...

Seven Independent Councillors in Slough join the Lib Dems Seven independent Councillors in Slough were welcomed into the local party by Cllr Frank O'Kelly, Chair of Slough Lib Dems. On behalf of the group, Cllr Sabia Akram, Cllr for Farnham Ward, (photo-imag...

Congratulations to @sloughlibdems.bsky.social - and welcome to the #LibDem family to the new members of the council group there. We're looking forward to meeting you and working with you on pan #BerkshireUK issues. 🧡

www.sloughlibdems.org.uk/news/article...

Labour MPs in Berkshire vote against speeding up delivery of Royal Berkshire Hospital The Labour MPs in Berkshire have been criticised for voting against a political effort to speed up the delivery of a new Royal Berkshire Hospital.

It's not as if it was a central plank of their election campaigns or anything, was it? - oh.

The #RoyalBerks #RBH was built in 1839 - we mocked Johnson for listing it as one of his "new" hospitals, and we'll hold Labour's feet to the fire for waiting for its 200th anniversary to rebuild it. 🥀
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YouTube video by Trans Actual Reading Trans Rights Protest - 19th April 2025

Absolutely brilliant speech by our 2024 GE candidate @helenbelcherobe.bsky.social at the Trans Rights protest in Reading on Saturday.

Welcome to Gilead, indeed.

#LibDems
#transrights
#ReadingUK #rdguk
@pluslibdems.bsky.social

The words 'Happy Lesbian Visibility Week #LVW25' in white and dark purple on the colours of the Lesbian flag, with a pink nail-varnished white hand holding a Lesbian flag against a bright blue sky in the background. On the top is a black banner with the Lib Dem bird-of-liberty in Lesbian colours.

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Happy Lesbian Visibility Week 2025! #LVW25 🧡🤍💜

This week's theme is to uplift incredible LGBT+ women and non-binary people from every generation, in every field and in every country around the world (and not just as defined by some straight men in the UK Supreme Court!)

Tens of thousands waited more than 24 hours for hospital beds in A&E last year Patients in England aged 65 or over made up almost 70% of long ‘trolley waits’, with some left for up to 10 days, data reveals

Tens of thousands waited more than 24 hours for hospital beds in A&E last year

Heartening to see so many people outside the Reading town hall earlier rallying for #transrights, and great speeches from our vice-chair, former deputy council leader, and Reading Pride trustees chair Kirsten Bayes, and our 2024 @rwmblibdems.bsky.social candidate @helenbelcherobe.bsky.social. 💛🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

Thank you, @cajardinemp.bsky.social. It's important LGBT+ folks see @libdems.org.uk walking the walk. Glad to have you with us. 💛

LGBT+ LIB DEMS STATEMENT On the Supreme Court ruling, 16/04/25 Like many, we are disappointed and deeply concerned by today’s Supreme Court judgement, which marks a significant and troubling shift away from decades of settled legal precedent. By redefining sex in law as “biological” — a term with no clear legal or scientific consensus, and one that does not reflect the lived realities of many people, the ruling introduces confusion and instability into our legal system, which has treated “sex” and “gender” as interchangeable for decades. We are concerned that this creates an unsatisfactory ambiguity around how people with various endocrine and intersex conditions should be treated, how Gender Recognition Certificates can be obtained and given their intended force in law, and many other areas. This ruling undermines established protections for trans+ people. Attempts to define sex biologically risk rolling back hard-won rights for all women, not just trans+ women, which is why Liberal Democrats oppose them. However, nothing in this judgement means that trans+ women can or should be regularly excluded from women's services and spaces. The law still says that trans+ people should not be excluded without a proportionate and legitimate reason. (Continues - )

(- continues) As LGBT+ Liberal Democrats, we will not stand by in silence. We don't think Britain is the sort of country where people should have to show their 'papers, please' in order to use the loo. The fight for trans+ equality continues, and we will never stop standing up for our trans+, non-binary and gender non-conforming communities, and all communities under our wonderfully diverse LGBTQ+ umbrella. We are proud to be in the most progressive party across Great Britain for LGBT+ rights. Lib Dems seek to uplift individuals and their communities, and help them to be the best they can be, free to be who they are. We believe people when they show us who they are. We celebrate diversity, and do not support efforts to legislate in ignorance to enforce conformity. We remain steadfast in our commitment to dignity, safety and justice for all. Ever yours, The Executive Committee LGBT+ Liberal Democrats

Statement from us on today's ruling:

"As LGBT+ Liberal Democrats... we don't think Britain is the sort of country where people should have to show their 'papers, please' in order to use the loo. ...we do not support efforts to legislate in ignorance to enforce conformity."

🔶🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️🧡

The UK Supreme Court overlaid in the colours of the trans pride flag — blue, pink and white. Overlaid bold text reads “TRANS WOMAN = WOMAN”. In the top left corner is the LGBT+ Liberal Democrats logo, and along the bottom is a small line of text: “Promoted by LGBT+ Lib Dems, 1 Vincent Square, London SW1P 2PN.”

We are studying today's judgement by the UK Supreme Court.

Nothing they rule will change our solidarity with the trans+ community and with everyone who seeks to live their lives under control of their own bodies, and free from poverty, ignorance or conformity.

Trans women are women, trans men are men, and non-binary and intersex folks are valid just as they are. It's time this was reflected in the law of the land, and LGBT+ Lib Dems will be at the forefront of pushing for that change.

Lots of love to our trans+ siblings and their loved ones today. 💛🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

The language of far-right division doesn’t win elections. A positive and inclusive vision does.

That’s just common sense.

Highest Lib Dem score ever with this pollster. And the same (17%) as another poll yesterday.

Lib Dems Winning: Former Labour voters are backing the Lib Dems. Bar chart showing YouGov polling of the 36% of 2024 Labour voters who are no longer backing Labour, 7 April. Lib Dems, 39%; Cons, 22%; Green Party, 19%, Reform UK, 14%.

🔶 Best overall poll rating since 2019

↗️ Former Labour voters switch to the Lib Dems

More and more people agree with us that it's time to stand up to Trump's bullying and fix our broken relationship with Europe.

If only there was a party that's been advocating for alternative taxation on wealth and land for the thick end of a century. 👀

"Why should we be beggars with the ballot in our hand?" is a question #LibDems usually think is asked of #Tories, but now we're asking it of @teamlabouruk.bsky.social too.

Good to see 🔶 @libdems.org.uk MPs asking necessary questions of the 🥀 Labour government on this vital issue for our area. What a pity our own MP isn't doing the same.

Organisers slam 'disgusting' attack on park picnic for transgender people The attacks spoiled what had been a 'joyous' Trans Picnic in the Park event in Platt Fields Park

To say we're disappointed this happened would be an understatement. We stand with Trans Mutual Aid Manchester and with everyone making a positive difference for our community. We look forward to this sort of vile behaviour being a thing of the past - in the meantime, we fight on. ✊🧡🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

Wishing Muslims celebrating in the UK and beyond a wonderful, blessed and happy Eid ul Fitr.

Eid Mubarak!

We hope the bike and its owner are reunited soon!

Graphic with text "Lib Dems Winning: Liberal Democrats take poll lead in the South". Below a bar chart shows the result of a recent Yougov poll in the South of England and changes from the previous poll: Lib Dems 25%, +5; Conservatives 23%, -3; Reform UK 22 %, -3; Labour 18, =.

A new YouGov poll out today has us leading in the South of England.

Millions of people want a strong anti-Trump, anti-Farage party that works everyday for their communities.

Happy #InternationalWomensDay !

Today, we celebrate women's achievements, including all the amazing progress we have made in the 114 years since International Women's Day was first observed.

Liberal Democrats, proudly supporting International Women's Day. A black panel with white text in the centre of a large square made up of cartoon women's faces of all kinds, in amber tones. The Liberal Democrat logo is in the bottom left in white.

Happy International Women's Day 2025!

If you agree with @eddavey.libdems.org.uk

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www.libdems.org.uk/join

We stand with Ukraine. 🇺🇦

Reading Liberal Democrats Condemn Government's Delays in Rebuilding Royal Berkshire Hospital The Reading Liberal Democrats have expressed deep frustration over the government's protracted timeline for the much-needed rebuilding of the Royal Berkshire Hospital.

Reading Lib Dems condemn Government's delays in rebuilding Royal Berkshire Hospital. 👇

#RdgUK #RoyalBerks

Today is the first day of LGBT History Month

LGBT+ people have always been part of our societies, but often their stories are hidden and go untold.

This month is an opportunity to celebrate those stories and continue to campaign for progress.

"We cannot leave it to the Musks and Zuckerbergs of this world to set the bounds of free speech for billions of people around the world.

"We cannot leave it to them to control the flow of information – and misinformation – to so many voters, in so many democracies."
@eddavey.libdems.org.uk