Do you know someone special who deserves to be recognized for their service to the party? Yes, it's party awards time again!

Every year at Autumn Conference we hand out prestigious party awards to members who have done some of the most outstanding work in the party. Going above and beyond the call of duty time and time again.

Rushmoor Borough Council has declared a climate emergency after a cross-party motion - but the Lib Dems are calling for more local action to make it meaningful.
The Council declared the emergency with cross-party support from the Lib Dems, the Conservatives and Labour.

Lib Dem Cllr Alain Dekker spoke passionately in favour of the motion but is worried that it doesn't go far enough. He explained to Focus:
"The Council has set a long-term target to be carbon neutral by 2030 but we need real action to actually make that happen. Local recycling rates remain among the worst in the country, way behind neighbouring Councils such as Guildford and Waverley.
"We need real action on vehicles idling, particularly outside schools, as has been introduced in Lib Dem-run Richmond. And Farnborough also needs better bus routes, particularly from east to west
"I'm pleased that all parties supported the climate emergency motion but only the Lib Dems have serious plans to actually make a local impact."

There's just four days left to cast your ballot in the Liberal Democrat leadership election.

All ballots must be cast by 1pm on Monday 22nd July to count.

It's quick and easy to vote - all you need are your Unique Voting code - which has been emailed or posted to you - and this website: https://www.mi-vote.com/

This time next week, Vince Cable will be the former leader of the Liberal Democrats.

Ballots close at 1pm on Monday 22nd July. That means you have six days to have your say on where our party goes next.

Later that day, either Ed Davey or Jo Swinson will be announced as our party's new leader. They're both fantastic candidates and either would make a fine leader for the Lib Dems going forward. You can find out more about their plans for our party here:

It's been equal parts incredible, exhausting and humbling to be at the centre of a massive Lib Dem parliamentary by-election.

I'm honoured to join a select group of people who get the full national parliamentary by-election treatment, with the best of the best Lib Dem campaigners in the country fighting to get me elected.

Conservatives set out their shocking vision for Hampshire

Conservative-run Hampshire County Council has set out shocking plans to hike Council Tax by almost 5% while slashing local services.

The Conservative-run Council's Balancing the Budget consultation proposes deep cuts to vital local services across the county.

As I write this on Friday, I am about to set off for Brecon and Radnorshire, to help the brilliant Jane Dodds campaign in the by-election. It will be my third visit since the Recall petition first started. Make no bones about it, Jane is a brilliant candidate and our team there is outstanding, but we need more people to help over the next few weeks: we have a tough fight on our hands in a very rural seat. We need more people to help deliver leaflets, knock on doors and help with clerical work. Please, please, come and help. Postal votes land on doorsteps, and we need to call on postal voters this coming weekend, before many voters go on holiday.