To learn that there was a proposal to sell-off the largest part of the Royal Victoria Hospital in Folkestone came as a real shock to local people just before Christmas - not least to the Lib Dems.
Like all Liberal Democrats, I am appalled at the increasingly authoritarian drift of the Labour Party. Michael Howard and the Tories don't have a good track record on this issue either.
Protesters fighting airport expansion proposals at Lydd Airport in Kent have stepped up their campaign to stop the development.
Local residents and health workers have cast doubt on a pledge from East Kent Hospitals NHS Trust to retain all current services at the RVH after their announcement that they were looking at selling the Victorian part of the Royal Victoria. This week the NHS Trust has added to fears for the future of services by admitting that it was already considering withdrawing urology services offering by the Derry unit at the hospital.
A letter from the Chair of the East Kent Hospitals NHS Trust to the Liberal Democrats has revealed that the Trust is considering the future of the Derry Unit Urology services at the Royal Victoria. The letter was in response to local campaigner Tim Prater, who had asked if the Trust would guarantee the future of all services at the site after the announcement that the main RVH building was being considered for sale.
The Campaign to Save OUR Royal Victoria has secured a pledge from the East Kent Hospital Trust that most key services currently available at the RVH will continue to be available in Folkestone. The pledge has been welcomed by hospital campaigner Lynne Beaumont, but fears remain that the full story is not being told. The public meeting announced for 9 January will go ahead to ensure concerned local residents are given all the information available at the allow local people to have their say on the future of the hospital.
77 years ago today, the HMT Empire Windrush docked in Essex - marking the beginning of the Windrush generation’s arrival here in the UK.
So we will keep fighting - until we can finally build a society where everyone is free to be who they are.
My message to the UK’s LGBTQ+ community is clear - I support you. I stand with you.
In the face of divisive and destructive politics, it is more important than ever that the Liberal Democrats continue to offer a liberal alternative.
Local Election Results Briefing: Our best ever winning streak
Every vote for the Liberal Democrats counts. It's a vote to elect a strong local champion, who will fight for a fair deal for you and your community.
Ed Davey is a husband, a father and a carer. He is the Leader of the Liberal Democrats.
It is Ed’s experience of caring that drives much of his politics, and motivates his tireless campaigning for a fair deal.
Meet our representatives and candidates.
