Lib Dems call on Govt to tackle 'Long Covid' and other news

Yesterday, Liberal Democrat proposals urging the Government to recognise and commission research into 'Long Covid', and develop a rehabilitation strategy to increase services to help people recover from the virus, passed at the Party's Autumn conference.

• As we enter into a second wave, it's essential that the Government learns the necessary lessons from the first wave of the pandemic and steps up support for all those who need it. In particular, it is crucial the Government puts in place a rehabilitation strategy for all those who have fallen seriously ill from the virus.
• Ministers cannot pretend that everyone bounces back after 14 days - there will be thousands of people recovering from coronavirus who will need further support after being discharged from hospital for example.
• This not only means the Government needs to commission research into 'Long Covid' so that we can understand more about the long term impact of the virus, but people also desperately need personalised rehabilitation with additional support from community services, and the Government must work with the NHS and royal colleges to make sure that happens.
• The NHS is about to be put under a huge amount of pressure once again as we head into this second wave and it's vital this Government scales up provision so that whether its coronavirus or not, people get the care they need.

Out of touch Westminster must commit to building a truly federal UK

Yesterday a motion was accepted by Liberal Democrat Autumn Conference, which commits Liberal Democrats in all parliaments and at all levels of government in the UK, to campaign for a federal UK.

• The idea to reform the UK to a federal future is a constructive third way between a centralising Westminster government and a dash for independence from the nationalists.
• It replaces division with co-operation.
• The outrage in all corners of the UK at the proposed centralised Internal Market Bill is a clear example where power needs to be shared across the governments and not horded at Westminster.
• The Liberal Democrats believe wholeheartedly in supporting a reformed union between Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland. We believe that this is threatened by a political system which feels out of date and centralised, and has fuelled Brexit and the growth of nationalism.
• The old-fashioned, out-of-touch Westminster must concede it does not have all the answers. Now more than ever we need a fair distribution of responsibilities and resources across the UK and cooperation between federal and state governments, with proper dispute resolution mechanisms for when they disagree.

Lib Dems condemn health inequalities "exposed in technicolour" by Covid crisis

Yesterday, Munira Wilson gave her first keynote Autumn Conference address as Liberal Democrat Health, Wellbeing and Social Care spokesperson. She said:

• "The coronavirus has not just laid bare the fundamental problems facing our NHS and care sectors, it has exposed in technicolour the health inequalities facing the UK, and shown us why we need to rethink the way we see healthcare as a whole.
• "We have seen the impact of poor and overcrowded housing, insecure employment and our broken welfare system on not just our physical health, but also our mental health and wellbeing.
• "We have seen those health inequalities play out in real time, most shockingly in the disproportionate impact of COVID on people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic groups, on people with disabilities, and on the poorest.
• "When we think about the future, it's clear that going "back to normal" is not an option. It is time to re-boot and re-think the way we live our lives, and the Government's role in helping us to do so in a more sustainable, healthier way.
• "That starts with making someone at the Cabinet table responsible: a Minister for Wellbeing who will scrutinise the Government's actions and ensure they are fundamentally in keeping with health and wellbeing. "

Lib Dems demand Raab steps up sanctions against China over treatment of Uyghurs

Yesterday, Layla Moran gave her first keynote address at Autumn Conference as Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Foreign Affairs. She said:

• "We have a Tory Government that is considering scrapping our aid spending commitments, and it's turning a blind eye to human rights atrocities abroad, and flouting international law.
• "The Liberal Democrats will always stand with the oppressed and the marginalised across the globe, as the only truly internationalist party that seems to be left in Parliament today.
• "What's happening to the Uyghur population in Xinjiang province is nothing short of genocide. End of.
• History is watching us. The world is looking to the UK and the international community to stand up and take action."