You are almost certainly registered to vote - but do you know anyone who is not registered? If so, please pass this on to them.

Today at the European Movement Conference in Helsinki we had an inspirational talk from Alex Stubbs, former PM of Finland and now Vice-President of the European Investment Bank. He likened our abandoning the EU to abandoning the Internet, an extraordinary act of self-harm in the contemporary world!

The first winter snow is falling in Helsinki where I'm speaking at the special Assembly of the international European Movement to mark the end of Finland's year of Presidency of the movement.

Our Liberal Democrat Campaign Leaflets for Tonbridge and Malling are on their way, ready for the first weekend of the formal General Election Campaign! 

Now that a General Election is upon us, a number of people in Tonbridge and Malling have been asking how to get involved? 

Turn on the TV any day in the last 6 months, and you will have witnessed the scenes of mayhem in Westminster.

The Conservative Government want a chaotic and damaging no deal Brexit. As a result, Boris Johnson has lost his majority in Parliament and the confidence of the country.

In these turbulent times, an election could be called at any time.

If we have an election soon, it will effect generations to come. It will also be very close. In Tonbridge and Malling, every vote will count.

That is why I am asking you to sign up for a postal vote today. I do not want you to miss your chance to have your say.

Boris Johnson’s actions regarding the UK’s request for an extension to the 31st October  Brexit deadline beggar belief. We apparently have a Prime Minister who intentionally and simultaneously contravenes the spirit of the law and undermines the sovereignty of the parliament from which he derives his authority and for which he tries to justify his disastrous Brexit ambitions. 

Yet again Tom Tugendhat is putting his career with the Tories ahead of both the national interest and his own Remain convictions. His tweet “Take the Damn Deal” is an extraordinary surrender by a man who knows the UK and the people of Tonbridge and Malling will be far worse off and far less secure if the deal is taken.

Any "damn deal" must be given back to the people to decide between taking it and staying in the EU

The Queen’s Speech today has been used by the Tories as an Election Manifesto rather than for its proper purpose as a serious, longer-term, fully-costed legislative programme.

It is yet another example of Johnson’s misuse of constitutional procedures to achieve an objective which will deeply damage our country.

Every word Boris Johnson uttered yesterday in Parliament demonstrated that not just his actions, but also his intentions, in proroguing Parliament for 5 weeks were wholly illegal.  His entire purpose had been to stifle parliamentary opposition on the most important issue facing the UK for decades.  This man is unfit to remain Prime Minister.

Richard Morris
Liberal Democrats PPC for Tonbridge and Malling
26 September 2019.