Statement from Ed Davey, Leader of the Liberal Democrats

“Prince Philip dedicated his life to our country. We will always be grateful for his amazing service, not least the powerful legacy he leaves to millions of young people who have taken part in his unique Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme.

“His quiet and steadfast counsel and support of The Queen, is perhaps his greatest if unquantifiable contribution to our nation’s history.

“At this sad time for millions, we should never forget Prince Philip was a much-loved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. So our thoughts must be with the whole Royal Family, but in particular with The Queen at this difficult time.”

The Liberal Democrats have launched their campaign for the local elections in England on 6 May.

Vote Liberal Democrat on 6 May and you’ll get a local champion who will get things done in your community. You’ll get a cleaner, greener neighbourhood where recovery comes first and local people are listened to.

Here are 3 reasons why we need more Liberal Democrat Councillors this May:

Hear from Ruth Dombey, leader of Liberal Democrat-run Sutton Council, where Liberal Democrats have been running the council for 35 years.

All over the country, there are hundreds of thousands of people living in areas where Liberal Democrats are running the council and are in charge of public money and budgets of more than £2bn.

From Cumbria to Cornwall, from York to Eastbourne, to Bath to Bedford. In Oxfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Surrey, in Devon and the Midlands, Gloucestershire, Somerset, Hampshire and London, and many many more places as well.

Statement from Ed Davey, Leader of the Liberal Democrats:

“This is the public health policy the Prime Minister should have announced before Christmas, but yet again, Boris Johnson ducked the difficult decisions, failed to listen to experts and acted too late.

"Just yesterday morning Johnson was telling parents that schools were safe and children should definitely go. Today he is telling us that they must all move to remote learning but without any proper future plan.

“The Prime Minister’s failure to act earlier means we are seeing record numbers of new infections, a rising death rate, hospitals overwhelmed and NHS and care staff exhausted.

Surrey Liberal Democrats are calling to extend free school meals so that no child living in poverty misses out - even during holidays and periods of lockdown.

Last night, Tory MP’s including East Surrey M.P. Claire Coutinho, voted against a motion to continue funding free school meals over the school holidays until Easter 2021. This bill was introduced following the campaign by footballer Marcus Rashford.