Dick Newby
@RichardNewby3
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Liberal Democrat Peer and Leader of Lib Dem group in House of Lords. Leeds United fan.
Joined April 2012
I was walking just behind Keir Starmer when he was harassed outside Parliament today. The anger amongst his assailants was extraordinary. That the PM had helped stoke this is truly unforgivable.
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Nearly £425,000 handed over to #Tory ministers who resigned in protest at @BorisJohnson leadership. One gained £17k for 35 hours as education sec. In a #cost-of-living crisis how can this be good use of taxpayer funds?.
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#HomeOffice now admits it paid £370,000 of taxpayer funds to Sir Phillip Putnam to prevent him testifying at an ind tribunal against #PritiPatel for bullying, a breach of the ministerial code. Why has she not resigned or more importantly been fired?.
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Lords votes 265 to 199 to delete Gvt plans in Elections Bill to hobble independence of Electoral Commission.
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House of Lords votes to give House of Commons decision on when to call an election and takes away Prime Ministerial power to do so.
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For Downing Street to claim that John Sentamu didn’t get a Peerage because the Lords was too large is an insult and a disgrace. They are stuffing the place with people who don’t deserve to stand in Sentamu’s shadow. Peerage snub for top black bishop .
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As cruel #Rwanda immigration stunt unravels clear no-one in #homeoffice wanted to sign off on the ridiculous unworkable scheme. It will cost tax payers around £1.9m per person. So apart from morally repugnant, it’s fiscally irresponsible. #pritipatel.
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Arriving in Lords with duvet, change of clothes and shaving kit. Could take us a while to see off 86 wrecking amendments on timetable motion today/tomorrow.
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Latest polls in @thetimes still have 83% saying @BorisJohnson should have resigned by now. People aren’t fooled by his amateurish attempts to portray himself as a latter-day Churchill. No “action this day” on refugees.
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Like to apologise for tweet highlighting £370k of taxpayers’ money paid to Sir Phillip Rutman to keep his claims of bulling by #PritiPatel quiet. Turns out I underestimated. Taxpayers also met Patel's legal costs. Another £30k of tax payer funds to protect the Home Sec. Why?.
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Lords vote by 220 to 219 to allow asylum seekers to work whilst their claim being processed. Getting tight!.
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House of Lords votes 272 to 169 to prevent Prorogation of Parliament to achieve no-deal Brexit by default.
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Just argued in the Lords to deny Prime Ministerial power to call an election without a Commons vote - which Gvt proposing. No mature democracy would tolerate our PM calling an election on a whim.
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Our Lib Dem attempt to halt introduction of photo- id at next May’s election fails by 210 to 63. Sorry folk. We tried.
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Lord True confirms that David Frost is to get a Peerage as a Conservative. This makes it impossible for him to give impartial advice as National Security Adviser.
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As Withdrawal Agreement Bill comes to Lords, we will not block it but seek to put back in provisions on child refugees, support EU citizens in UK and strengthen role of Parliament.
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#BP claims that it needs its windfall profits to invest in renewables, but is planning $1.5bn share buyback this quarter alone. They’re taking us for fools. We need a #windfalltax now.
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Along with @LadyBasildon I have refused to take part as a Commissioner in today's prorogation ceremony in the Lords. We refuse to be part of this brazen attempt to avoid Parliamentary scrutiny of Gvt's disastrous Brexit strategy.
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House of Lords votes by massive majority - 245 to 99 - to set up joint committee to probe costs of a no- deal Brexit. Now over to the Commons to agree.
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Lords defeat Gvt by 395 to 169 on Gvt’s plans to break law in Internal Market Bill. We will vote to take offending clauses out of Bill at a later stage.
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Lib Dem attempt to vote down illegal migration bill fails by 76 to 179. Sorry folks we tried but without Labour support we couldn’t prevail.
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New figures show 4,000 students at around 50 universities in the UK have tested positive for Covid. Many are frightened, depressed & beleaguered. Where is the invisible universities minister?.
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Let’s get this right. Due to Tory internal fighting we got a ref we didn’t want, an unworkable result, destroyed our global rep & economy and now govt is stockpiling medicines & food. We must stop this madness #PeoplesVote.
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Gvt suffers big defeat -376 to 214 - as Lords insists on genocide being taken into account in future trade deals. Will they now accept this principle?.
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Lords vote on referendum lost by 202 - 260. With Labour support we would have won. Hope anti-Brexit voters remember when voting this Thurs.
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The Bill has passed. A week ago the Gvt was telling people that they would kill it in the Lords. A great cross party coalition defeated them. Particularly proud of my colleagues in @LibDemLords.
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Brexiteers now bringing House of Lords into disrepute as they lose 8th procedural vote by 236 to 106 with more to come.
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At 10.45 Lords finished Second Reading of Withdrawal Bill, having spent over twice as long seeing off a Brexiteer procedural filibuster than we did on the substance of the Bill. The 7 hours of self-indulgent silly games showed the Lords at its worst.
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Minister in Lords just admitted that Gvt doesn’t know how many Ukrainians have been admitted into the UK. It’s a shambles.
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The fact that Johnson made a rushed visit to North Shropshire today tells you all you need to know about the strength of the @LibDems @helenhalcrow challenge. Tories are panicked.
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The economic forecasts are horrific – GDP set to fall 30% in current quarter. Business has gone off a cliff. Food banks are indicating real shortages and confidence is short. Surely time has come to finally park Brexit talks to take away at least one uncertainty.
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Johnson falsely claims that the deal protects police co-operation. It does not. Out of the European Arrest Warrant. Out of key databases. We are now less secure.
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we have now dropped out of #Germanys top 10 trading partners them spending over £14bn less on our goods now, post #Brexit. Continuing contraction in #UKeconomy not surprising with Tories failing to replace lost trade. #Brexitchaos @LibDems #libdems #Brexitreality.
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Lords vote by 321 to 152 against Government’s Brexit deal and to reject a no-deal option. Over to the Commons now.
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Maplin latest victim of #Brexit. 200+ stores & 2.5k staff face axe & insolvency. CEO says Brexit increased costs by 15%. This is real ppl losing out not #ProjectFear. Leavers driven by ideology not logic means others pay the real cost. We must reverse this foolish decision #FBPE.
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In the Lords preparing to vote against Gvt plans in Elections Bill to hobble the independence of the Electoral Commission.
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Avg Tory party member is age 72 say Bow Group. No wonder 2/3rds support no deal Brexit - they're not voting for tomorrow but harking back to yesteryear. Poverty, rickets & Empire. Rest of us want prosperous relevant UK valued on global stage & membership of EU #PeoplesVote.
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Lords votes by 204 to 126 to throw out Gvt’s plan to discriminate against refugees who arrive via “irregular “routes. A timely blow to @pritipatel heartless approach.
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We are about to start a whole day in the Lords seeking to safeguard EU citizens' rights in the Withdrawal Agreement Bill. This should not be necessary.
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If I were a Tory candidate in a Remain seat, I’d be very, very worried.
Culverden (Tunbridge Wells) result:. LDEM: 46.7% (+33.5).CON: 24.9% (-19.1).WEP: 10.2% (+10.2).TWA: 9.5% (+9.5).LAB: 5.2% (-14.3).GRN: 3.5% (-7.5). Liberal Democrat GAIN from Conservative. No UKIP (-12.2) as prev (2016).
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Peace has broken out in the Lords. Fillibuster called off. Original planned deadline for getting Bill through Lords - 5pm Friday remains. Duvet back in suitcase.
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30% of British businesses have stopped trading with EU post Brexit - but there are no new trade deals to provide new markets. Brexit is making us poorer. Brexit snags force firms to cut trading ties with EU .
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Government loses again as Lords votes 329 to 247 to protect leaseholders in building safety scandal. Why doesn’t Gvt just give them the support they deserve?.
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Please anyone, can you name another country where leading politicians openly argue for a policy which they know will make it poorer? Asking for a friend.
'Our government's own assessments are that this will hurt the economy by 4-6% a year. but I still think it's the right thing to do because we had the referendum in 2016' says former Home Secretary, Amber Rudd. #Ridge . Follow Sunday politics live here:
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Head of drink & food fed says #Brexit is becoming a nightmare. Drug companies admit to stockpiling drugs. A crisis made in the Tory party, now ministers scuttle around EU trying to win favour but looking desperate. Only way out of this mess is to have #PeoplesVote & start again.
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Lords vote 298 to 227 to defeat Government and support continued involvement in EU agencies.
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This wasn’t on the side of the bus.
Britons must pay €7 to visit mainland Europe after Brexit
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Jacob Rees-Mogg bonkers if he thinks he can review every one of the the thousands of civil servants vacancies each year. And which self-respecting Cabinet Minister is going to let him dictate exactly who they employ?.
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Australia pours cold water on Government’s plan to join Pacific trade organisation by pointing out that the U.K. is a long way from the Pacific . Shouldn’t someone tell Dr Fox?.Australia dampens UK trade bloc hopes .
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If #borisjohnson is hoping to buy time with #jubilee weekend. He is wrong. Two days spent canvassing in #Honiton & #Tiverton have shown me how many once loyal Tories have given up on him and his Party in disgust. @LibDems.
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This is complete rubbish. We are simply legislating to give the Commons a meaningful vote on all the options if there is a Brexit deal. Why is @Jacob_Rees_Mogg against this? What’s he sacred of?
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Michael Heseltine - brave, principled and voting @LibDems.Until the Tories see sense on a people’s vote, I will give mine to the Lib Dems .
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As #China imprisons more advocates for democracy in #HK, there is silence from our Govt. They should be pressing UK companies to stop investing there. #Uyghurlivesmatter #HongKongProtests.
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Survation poll third in a row showing a 10% majority favouring remaining in the EU. This is now the will of the people. How can MPs deny them a vote on their future? #peoplesvote.
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EU leaders support referendum on #Brexit and want UK to stay. So would most MPs in a free vote. So would the Lords. So would the British people according to polls. Brexit now only supported by ideologues and their government conscripts #PeoplesVote.
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Polls indicate @LibDems now main choice for remain voters & overall support growing. Vital now to maximise Lib Dem turnout to demonstrate support for #peoplesvote #FBPE.
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Lords votes to get rid of the remaining illegal clauses in the Internal Market Bill by a majority of 259. Complete humiliation for Gvt and ringing endorsement of rule of law.
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Just finalising speech on my amendment in Lords tomorrow providing for a people’s vote on any Brexit deal. How many Labour and Tory Peers will vote with their conscience and beliefs against their Whips? #voteonthedeal #FBPE.
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Why does Jeremy Corbyn seem more interested in Latin American politics than UK politics?
Millions of Brazilians are deeply worried that the rise of the far-right threatens an assault on democratic rights. We stand in solidarity with those defending freedom, peace and justice in Brazil.
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So he guarantees his children rights to travel, work and residency across Europe which he’s campaigned to deny mine!
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Lords votes by 112 to 89 allow asylum seekers whose claims are not resolved within 6 months the right to work. Another humane and sensible policy opposed by @pritipatel and rejected by the Lords.
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As one of the 16, the Government has made it ridiculously difficult to see these documents. And they say nothing which couldn't be found on Wikipedia. #brexitshambles
Andrea Leadsom says a total of 16 peers and MPs have taken the trouble to go and read the Brexit papers.
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Support for #PeoplesVote growing daily & seen as only solution to #Brexit impasse by majority. This is not a re-run. This is a new fresh approach to democracy based on reality & facts, not lies & disinformation like last time #FBPE.
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Lib Dems in Lords will today vote to stop the Illegal Migration Bill. Tory manifesto said nothing about child detention, breaking international law or flights to Rwanda. They have no mandate for this.
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£ has fallen to a 9-month low against the €, $, yen & Swiss franc. Brexiteers are silent as Brits feel holiday pain caused by their lies & scare-mongering. Predictions £ will weaken & families face more costly holidays, goods & services. We need #PeoplesVote ASAP.
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About to respond to @theresa_may statement in the Lords. I want to know why I can't be an EU citizen, unlike people in Northen Ireland. Unacceptable to be 2nd-class citizen #brexitshambles #FBPE.
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Overwhelming majority of Peers from all sides are horrified by unconstitutional, legislative land grab by this ragtag, unelected minority government. Confident Lords will unite next week to stop this attack on democracy #FBPE @LibDemLords.
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Lords defeats Gvt by 242 to 185 to make misogyny a hate crime. Third Gvt defeat on Police Bill.
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Today I’ll be voting in the Lords to stop water companies from dumping raw sewage in our rivers and sea. How can @ZacGoldsmith look himself in the mirror and oppose this?.
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Now why might they have done that? And why have tenants yet to get justice in cladding scandal?.
Builders who installed deadly cladding on Grenfell Tower have given £2.5 million to the Tory party since the tragedy. £50k personally to Boris Johnson. This is bribery, no?
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Leavers need to understand that time has moved on since the ref & it is undeliverable & increasingly unsupported. Latest poll shows people now want a final say – by 53% to 31%.The Commons should respect the will of the people and give then the final say #voteonthedeal #FBPE.
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From my speech in Lords this aft: "The world has not been congratulating us for our pluck & resolve in getting this deal. they all ask, why are you shooting yourself in the foot. " #Brexit #deal@LibDemLords @LibDems 1/3.
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In light of PM’s deception of Tory rebels @LibDemLords will support the Grieve amendment in the Lords on Monday.
BREAKING: Theresa May's Brexit compromise plan falls apart as pro-EU rebels brand it 'unacceptable'
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Minister in Lords admits that developer levy to fund cladding defects will be used to reimburse Gvt for its existing inadequate £5bn commitment. Not a single additional leaseholder will benefit from it. This is really disgraceful. @EOCS_Official.
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Worried, aren’t they.
🥀 The secret Labour/Lib Dem elections pact has been revealed. Read my letter and the questions that Sir Keir Starmer must answer 👇
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Farmers planting of veg is down 25% & poultry production by 12.5% due to #Brexit related lab shortages. Even Tory head of Commons environment committee says his own Govt is destroying #UKfarming. He is not wrong. #Brexitchaos #Brexitreality.
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Two more Gvt defeats. Their attempt to outlaw noisy demos and ban assembles bite the dust.
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Delighted to be able to congratulate Steve Bray on his 50th birthday. What a hero!
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. @joswinson is the face of a new political dawn. Voters have a clear choice between her and two party leaders who are simply not fit for high office. The @LibDems are the only party of clear, unambiguous support for staying part of Europe. No ifs, no buts. #FBPE.
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Labour leadership running scared - postponing meetings to avoid another #Corbyn bashing over his pro leave stance. More & more labour voters realise @LibDems are the only home for those that want #peoplesvote.
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Lords votes with maj of 43 to delay ratification of Rwanda Treaty until protections it provides have been fully implemented. Big blow to Gvt credibility.
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Lord Bates resigns because he arrived a couple of minutes late to answer a question in the Lords. He is widely admired as a dedicated public servant and I hope he reconsiders his decision.
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Tories gained 47 seats with extra 300k votes. Lib Dem’s lost one seat with extra 1.3 million votes. Mad, or what?.
Gotta love First Past the Post: The Conservatives won 56.2% of Commons seats with 43.6% of the vote - and a 1.3 percentage point increase in vote-share gave them a 7.4 percentage point increase in seats. (Figures courtesy of @electoralreform).
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14th and final Gvt defeat - to repeal the Vagrancy Act. Very long overdue reform.
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HoL forced @BorisJohnson to capitulate last night over #Brexit Bill. I am proud to have joined all those who played their part in protecting our precious democracy #FBPE.
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As #China increases its stranglehold on #HongK removing all traces of democracy. Uk Govt remains toothless, where are the legal & financial sanctions on this ruthless #totalitarian regime? #uyghurlivesmatter #standwithHongKong #ForeignOffice.
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And your boss is destroying the Labour Party.
Johnson & Cummings are destroying the Conservative Party.
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As polls move towards a #peoplesvote leavers reduced to arguing that such an exercise in democracy will mean rioting on the streets. Fantasy, scare tactics by people who have lost the argument and are rapidly losing support #FBPE.
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