To build a fair, free and an open society, balancing the values of liberty, equality and community in which no-one shall be enslaved by poverty, ignorance or conformity..
EAST SUFFOLK LIBERAL DEMOCRATS PRIORITIES FOR 2020 AND BEYOND
PROTECT THE PLANET, PEACE, PEOPLE & FIGHT POVERTY
THE LIBERAL DEMOCRATS ARE LARGELY DEPENDENT UPON OUR MEMBERS FOR FINANCIAL SUPPORT - Please help us to campaign for a fairer, open and equal UK.
Fighting Brexit and the three 2019 Elections have been very expensive and have stretched our resources to the limit. In 2021 we will now have the postponed Police & Crime Commissioner elections and the Suffolk County Council election campaign.
These 2019 campaigns would not have been possible without the tremendous support of our members and supporters to whom we are largely dependent. To everyone who donated in 2019, we say a big thank you. Campaigning, however doesn't stop with these elections and we continue to look to our members and supporters to help fund our party. Your donation will help fund our local campaigns.
"We must become a kinder, friendlier, more loving country where we transform the economy to put people and planet first. We need to be the party that makes people for each other, not against each other..."
Jo Swinson
Recent updates from the East Suffolk Liberal Democrats
The opening lines of our five most recent articles are shown here. Click on the item heading in each case to view the full text.
Protect our NHS and Social Care staff and back the self employed Now..
Since the end of December 2019 we have seen the Coronavirus spread from the far east to Europe and the US with devastating speed. World news and social media has tracked the virus, country by country as this disease defies borders, barriers and lock-downs and leaves families bereaved and in fear. This virus, for which we have no immediate solution barring isolation and medical care has brought large sections of the world to a standstill within the short space of 10-12 weeks. For the most part, nations have correctly turned to their scientists, researchers and clinicians to not only expedite a vaccine but to model effective responses to protect the lives of their citizens from what is a now the greatest health challenge we have faced for a century.
Vulnerable people and key workers struggle to do their shopping and local Foodbanks call for more donations as supermarkets say there is sufficient food but shelves continue to empty as the 'have-nots' find that we are 'not all in this together'.
Repeated claims on QT by the Health Minister, Matt Hancock that he was negotiating with the supermarkets weeks ago, a claim denied by some supermarkets is beginning to look decidedly hollow as reports come in that health workers finishing their shifts find empty shelves and Foodbanks including our local ones in East Suffolk are under pressure to source food.
The Government claims to be following the science and the letter from food policy academics and addressed to the PM today underlines the need to protect the vulnerable and people on low incomes and initiate a health based food rationing programme.
The letter is reproduced below and includes the five recommendations.
From:School of Health Sciences
Tim Lang, PhD, FFPH, FRSA, Hon DSc Professor of Food Policy Centre for Food Policy Northampton Square London EC1V 0HB, UK Direct tel: + 44-(0)20-7040-8798 Mb: 07812-570579 e-mail: t.lang@city.ac.uk
Rt Hon Boris Johnson, MP Prime Minister 10 Downing Street London SW1 2AA
March 20 2020
Dear Prime Minister,
Re food planning in crisis
We write as academics with experience in food policy matters, and out of immediate concern about the emerging food crisis unfolding in response to the coronavirus covid-19 outbreak. Our concerns include:
Public messaging about food supply is weak and unconvincing. The supermarkets are already subject to unprecedented purchasing stress. Yet people have been stocking up, not least out of concern that, if someone in their household falls ill, they will be unable to obtain more supplies. The supermarkets have responded by rationing some foodstuffs and grocery products. That problem could have been avoided by more consumer-friendly messaging. There is already a dangerous tendency to blame consumer behaviour not shape it. Nudge thinking is no longer sufficient. Consumers have repeatedly been told to look after themselves, so cannot be blamed for acting within their viable realm of influence. It might be regrettable, but stockpiling or uncivil behaviour in stores are signs that appeals to restraint or repetition of the 'We are in it together' message are wearing thin when it comes to food supply.
Official thinking and consultation on food has so far been dominated by an industry focus. The civil society and local authority roles also urgently demand clearer public focus. The Coronavirus Bill has just four pages out of 329 on food, and empowers authorities to obtain information about potential disruptions to food supply, but no powers to resolve those disruptions. We note that last night food work was includedunder key worker status. Schools needed that guidance,but food crises also requireleadership and action from local authorities and the Resilience Forums. Those localbodies have been weakened and dangerously under-resourced. We appreciate (andwelcomed) that Defra has at last broadened consultation with the food industry itself beyond the 4 large organisations (NFU, FDF, BRC and UK Hospitality), but it has just focussed on supplies, but has not included consumer or public health representatives.
Prioritising people on low incomes. People on low incomes are particularly anxious about how they will feed themselves during this crisis. Food banks are closing, and those remaining open have supply shortages yet rocketing demands. Some very hungry people are being 'gate-kept' out of food banks because systems for allocating vouchers are failing. Food banks do not and cannot resolve structural inequalities, income deficits, or lack of access. The current crisis is in danger of aggravating existing problems. More than 8.4 million people in the UK are food-insecure, by theUN'scriterion. Diet is a key factor in lowering life-expectancy for the poorest peopleand weakening their immune systems. The current crisis risks exacerbating diet-related inequalities, which could have long-term adverse consequences. This is a time when market mechanisms are insufficient. Supermarkets cannot be expected to ration for health or filter food purchasing according to need, yet need and equity ought to be paramount. If the 'we are all in it together' principle reigns, then now is the time for health to shape access to food.
We therefore call on the Government to:
(1) initiate a health-based food rationing scheme to see the country through this crisis. This should start from Public Health England's Eatwell Plate, our official nutrition guidelines, and draw on expertise from the devolved administrations, and relevant disciplines.
(2) Rapidly review options for ensuring people on low incomes have sufficient money to buy a decent diet. Maintenance of incomes is already being discussed by the Chancellor for those being laid off, but cash injections for people in receipt of welfare benefit (including Universal Credit) is also needed. Only a cash injection will enable people on low income to purchase food for their health and well-being and to avert hunger. Another possibility is to have a national voucher scheme redeemable for nutritionally sound purchases such as fruit and vegetables.
(3) Ensure that nutritionally appropriate food can and will be delivered to all those who self-isolate or are quarantined.
(4) Announce immediately that this new Food Rationing Scheme will be open, equitable and based on health needs, taking account of age, income, and vulnerability, and that this will be applied UK-wide.
(5) Amend the Agriculture Bill, currently before Parliament, to include a new clause to ensure that the people of the United Kingdom will be fed well, healthily, equitably and sustainably.
Yours faithfully,TIM LANG Prof of Food Policy Centre for Food Policy City, University of London
pp Erik Millstone & Emeritus Prof of Science PolicySPRU University of Sussex
Terry Marsden Professor and Director Sustainable Places Research Inst Cardiff University
DONATIONS OF FOOD URGENTLY REQUIRED
Our local foodbanks are experiencing a shortage of food.
This includes the Lowestoft Trussell Trust Foodbank which extends down from Lowestoft to the Saxmundham/Leiston/Aldeburgh/Wickham Mkt areas.
Donate at your local East Suffolk supermarkets at Waitrose/Coops and Tesco.
The Salvation Army scheme covers Woodbridge
The Waveney Foodbank covers Framlingham, Halesworth, Bungay and Beccles
Anyone with symptoms should stay at home for at least 7 days.
If you live with other people, they should stay at home for at least 14 days, to avoid spreading the infection outside the home.
After 14 days, anyone you live with who does not have symptoms can return to their normal routine.
But, if anyone in your home gets symptoms, they should stay at home for 7 days from the day their symptoms start. Even if it means they're at home for longer than 14 days.
Information:
If you live with someone who is 70 or over, has a long-term condition, is pregnant or has a weakened immune system, try to find somewhere else for them to stay for 14 days.
If you have to stay at home together, try to keep away from each other as much as possible.
If you still have symptoms after 7 days
After 7 days, if you no longer have a high temperature you can return to your normal routine.
If you still have a high temperature, stay at home until your temperature returns to normal.
If you still have a cough after 7 days, but your temperature is normal, you do not need to continue staying at home. A cough can last for several weeks after the infection has gone.
Urgent advice: Use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service if:
you feel you cannot cope with your symptoms at home
It's important to stay at home to stop coronavirus spreading.
Do
try to keep at least 2 metres (3 steps) from other people in your home, particularly people over 70, or those with long-term health conditions
ask friends, family and delivery services to deliver things like food shopping and medicines but leave them outside
sleep alone, if possible
regularly wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds
drink plenty of water and take paracetamol to help with your symptoms
Don't
do not have visitors (ask people to leave deliveries outside)
do not leave your home, for example to go for a walk, to school or to public places
Ibuprofen
There is currently no strong evidence that ibuprofen can make coronavirus (COVID-19) worse.
But until we have more information, take paracetamol to treat the symptoms of coronavirus, unless your doctor has told you paracetamol is not suitable for you.
If you are already taking ibuprofen or another non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) on the advice of a doctor, do not stop taking it without checking first.
Workers will get statutory sick pay from the first day off work, not the fourth, to help contain coronavirus, says PM but the UK's SSP is lagging "well behind" other European countries.
Today the Chancellor announced significant levels of financial support to businesses to get them through the Coronavirus outbreak. Business rate relief and small grants are welcome, as are loans which will need to be paid back with interest.
Want to discuss a political topic? Interested in the Liberal Democrats? Or would you just like to have a pleasant get-together with a drink and a chat (politics optional)? Please come along to an informal meet-up with members of our local groups & branches. All welcome - the more, the merrier.
The Woodbridge & District Lib Dem Pint is NORMALLY held on the third Wednesday of the month, at The Old Mariner in Woodbridge. During the Coronavirus outbreaks these meetings have been cancelled.
Felixstowe & Martlesham Branch hold regular social events which are advertised in Events
Halesworth and Framlingham area members social and political events are advertised in Events
If you need help with Suffolk Services, or if you are concerned about local issues, do come along and talk to Caroline Page, Liberal Democrat County Councillor for Woodbridge, who holds a regular monthly surgery on the third Saturday of the month, at Woodbridge Library. (Please note that Caroline does not hold a surgery in August.) You can also contact Caroline by email on caroline.page@suffolk.gov.uk or by telephone on 07545 423837.
Woodbridge County Councillor Surgery with Caroline Page (Lib Dem)
Woodbridge Library, New Street, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 1DT
SURGERY CANCELLED DURING THE PERIOD OF THE CORONAVIRUS
Woodbridge & District Lib Dem Pint
The Old Mariner, 26 New Street, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 1DX
WEDNESDAY 'PINTS' CANCELLED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
Liberal Democrat news from outside East Suffolk Party
![Cropped coastal image (Helen Hanley [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons)](https://i2.eastsuffolk-libdems.org.uk/en/image/61CNnG/631/202/cropped-coastal-image.png "Cropped coastal image (Helen Hanley [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons)")
