Over the last 2 weeks, members have been nominating candidates to stand as the next leader of the Liberal Democrats.

This is the first time that the system has been run mostly online and also the first time we have published these totals.

We decided to publish the totals as we felt it gave candidates a chance to demonstrate some of the key skills they'll need as leader.

Responding to Boris Johnson's comments during Prime Minister's Questions that "no one knew early on in the pandemic that the virus was being passed on asymptomatically", Liberal Democrat Health Spokesperson Munira Wilson said:

"Yet again, we are seeing more lies from the Prime Minister. He and his Ministers knew about the asymptomatic transmission of this virus, but they still allowed those who hadn't been tested to enter our care homes.

"It was not the case that we didn't know coronavirus could be asymptomatic, and it is not fair to say that care homes were not following procedures. The truth is there was no protective ring around care homes.

"Our social care system was left tragically exposed under Boris Johnson's watch. It is time he stopped trying to dodge the blame.

"The Prime Minister must start taking some responsibility for his Government's handling of the coronavirus crisis and back Liberal Democrat calls for an inquiry. The mistakes that have been made cannot be allowed to happen again."

Following last week's announcement by government on additional emergency funding for local authorities, Wiltshire Council's administration thinks this has reduced the chances of issuing a default notice.

On 2 July, the government said local authorities would receive an additional further £500m in a non-ring fenced grant to cover expenditure. The government also confirmed that it will introduce a new income loss scheme that will pay a percentage of all lost income from sales, fees and charges. This, together with the council's own measures, means reserves are not expected to be exhausted.

Wiltshire Lib Dems have launched a Petition Calling on Wiltshire Council to deliver its £100,000 promise to the Wiltshire Air Ambulance.

🔸 Demand Better for Wiltshire's Air Ambulance: https://wiltshirelibdems.org.uk/Air-Ambulance-Petition 🔸

Salisbury Liberal Democrat Councillor, Brian Dalton is demanding Wiltshire Council deliver on its promise to make good the £100,000 loss incurred by the Wiltshire Air Ambulance in responding to the Novichok attack.

Like others in our excellent emergency services, the Wiltshire Air Ambulance team responded bravely to both waves of the Novichok attack in Salisbury and Amesbury.

We are very proud of how everyone in our hospital, ambulance service, police, fire service, armed services and council staff responded to that appalling crisis.
Our Air Ambulance were to the fore in the immediate response.

As a direct result of their courage, responders not only put themselves at risk but the charity also lost expensive equipment, valuable fundraising and had the lives of their people and core operations disrupted.

The pledges made at that time to help those that were impacted directly must be honoured. Breaking that solemn promise is totally unacceptable.

We the undersigned, demand that Wiltshire Council deliver its £100,000 promise to Wiltshire's Air Ambulance.

The Liberal Democrats have hailed as "historic" the Domestic Abuse Bill, which is due to be passed by the House of Commons today [Monday 6th July], while also securing cross-party support for amendments to protect migrant survivors of abuse.

Christine Jardine, the party's Home Affairs Spokesperson who sat on the Public Bill Committee last month, praised the cross-party pressure that has finally brought the legislation to this point and forced the Government to include children as victims in the new statutory definition of domestic abuse.

Jardine also vowed to continue the Liberal Democrats' efforts to improve the Bill further. The party has tabled two amendments to protect migrant women who experience domestic abuse: one to grant them leave to remain in the UK and the other to prevent their personal data being shared with the Home Office for immigration enforcement.

Both amendments are backed by cross-party MPs, including Labour's Harriet Harman, Stella Creasy and Bell Ribeiro-Addy, Plaid Cymru's Liz Saville Roberts, the Greens' Caroline Lucas and Alliance's Stephen Farry. The data-sharing amendment is also co-sponsored by Conservative MP Richard Fuller.

Ahead of the debate in the House of Commons, Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson Christine Jardine said:

"More than two million people experience domestic abuse every year. Survivors desperately need the new legal protections and support that this Domestic Abuse Bill will bring.

"The Conservative Government has been far too slow bringing this legislation forward since they first promised it more than three years ago.

"I'm relieved that our cross-party pressure has paid off and the House of Commons will finally have the chance to pass this long-awaited and historic legislation today. I'm also delighted that we have succeeded in ensuring that the Bill properly recognises children as victims of domestic abuse.

"The Liberal Democrats are continuing to work to improve the Bill, with amendments to add specific protections for migrant women, so that fears over their immigration status do not prevent them from coming forward to report violence or abuse. We must ensure that the Bill protects all survivors of domestic abuse, no matter where they were born."

This year marks the 72nd birthday of the NHS.

The idea, conceived by a liberal - William Beveridge - transformed healthcare in this country. And as a nation, we have been rightly proud of the NHS for 72 years.

This year we haven't just felt proud however - we have also felt profoundly grateful. Our NHS staff have been incredible.

Responding to Matt Hancock's interview on The Andrew Marr Show, Liberal Democrat Health, Wellbeing and care spokesperson Munira Wilson said:

"The Health Secretary talks a lot about wanting to protect our NHS, but the best way to protect it is by actually creating a comprehensive Test and Trace system that allows local authorities to keep the virus under control. Ultimately if we want to avoid a second peak that will put untold pressure on our NHS and cost lives, we need a fully functioning Test and Trace system.

"It is incredibly disappointing that Matt Hancock has failed to commit to properly recognising health and care workers who have made such great sacrifices through the Coronavirus.

"As we celebrate the birthday of our NHS the Government must address the serious concerns about Test and Trace and give hard working staff the recognition they deserve."

"One care home resident died every minute during the peak of the Covid-19 crisis" reports the Daily Mail yesterday .

This information comes as the government finally announces, months from the beginning of the pandemic, that care home staff will begin to be tested for the virus every week and residents every 28 days.

AN ambitious new street market and a drive-in cinema are coming to Trowbridge as part of plans to foster a vibrant new quarter at Innox Mills.

From handmade arts and crafts and vintage clothing to street food, fresh produce and West Country ale and cider, Innox Market will offer a range of products against the backdrop of live music.

The traditional sight of fathers walking the bride down the church aisle is banned for the foreseeable future but Warminster's oldest church, St. Denys in Bath Road has taken the step of opening its doors.

For one day a week for private prayer and reflection, it is open on Wednesday for six hours starting at 10am.