Sir Ed Davey, who is co-leading the Liberal Democrats, has written to the Prime Minister, urging him to abolish often harmful and discriminatory Section 60 "suspicionless" Stop-and-Search powers.

Kate Smith, Derbyshire Police and Crime Commissioner candidate, agrees and says, "Normal Stop-and-Search exists for good reasons, but under suspicionless Stop-and-Search by Police, a Black person is 47 times more likely to be stopped and searched than a White person.
Too often it seems just being Black is enough for someone (like Team GB sprinter Bianca Williams) to be a criminal. Boris Johnson must get rid of this category of Stop-and-Search, and end the injustice it brings to so many people from the UK's black and minority ethnic (BAME) communities".

Countless families are facing serious financial hardship due to the COVID-19 crisis. More than a million people have lost their jobs and many more are worried about losing theirs in the weeks and months ahead.

We are also facing big challenges in deep-seated inequality and the climate emergency.

We must ensure no one is left behind.

At the virtual Full Council meeting of Derbyshire Dales District Council held on 2nd July, some details were provided of the promised 'Independent Review' into the events of 8th June in Asbourne.

This was the day when a controversial pub sign was removed without apparent regard for health and safety guidance by a group that apparently had the permission of the District Counci Leader - Conservative Cllr Gary Purdy. Conservative Councillors were present as the head was removed. The A515 was closed during the procedure and the pub sign only returned to the District Council on 11th June.

Coronavirus has changed the world we know in so many ways and has highlighted many problems within British society.

As Liberal Democrats, we've always looked to the future with hope to build a better world - and we want you to be part of crafting our vision for the world after Coronavirus.

We've launched an exciting new member project - PolicyLab. It's a crowdsourcing forum where members and registered supporters can share their ideas and debate key topics, all within a safe and constructive environment.

Responding to Matt Hancock's interview on The Andrew Marr Show, Liberal Democrat Health, Wellbeing and care spokesperson Munira Wilson said:

"The Health Secretary talks a lot about wanting to protect our NHS, but the best way to protect it is by actually creating a comprehensive Test and Trace system that allows local authorities to keep the virus under control. Ultimately if we want to avoid a second peak that will put untold pressure on our NHS and cost lives, we need a fully functioning Test and Trace system.

"It is incredibly disappointing that Matt Hancock has failed to commit to properly recognising health and care workers who have made such great sacrifices through the Coronavirus.

"As we celebrate the birthday of our NHS the Government must address the serious concerns about Test and Trace and give hard working staff the recognition they deserve."

Kate Smith, Lib Dem Candidate for Police and Crime Commissioner writes

Derbyshire's PCC Hardyal Dhindsa recently highlighted how slowly justice is moving in the county at the moment. But it's not just because of Coronavirus.

Even before the virus crisis, delays of up to 2 years in both Magistrates' and Crown Courts were common. "Hardyal's right, but only up to a point", says Kate - "Covid apart, court resourcing has fallen in real terms by 18 % over the last few years."

The highly worrying increases in domestic violence under lockdown have led to at least 3 homicides in England and Wales which would not otherwise have happened, and they make the Domestic Abuse Bill even more urgent. This long-overdue Bill was first brought in by Theresa May, but was stopped in its tracks by the December 2019 general election. It is now going through some of its final Commons stages, with Christine Jardine MP leading for the Liberal Democrats.

'Nobody wants to see accidents in Starkholmes, least of all a fatality' says Lib Dem County Cllr Sue Burfoot.

On Monday 22nd June, Town and County Councillor Sue Burfoot presented the following motion to Matlock Town Council, seconded by Councillor Matt Buckler, a Town Councillor and resident of Starkholmes. The motion was approved unanimously:

"That Matlock Town Council writes to Derbyshire County Council requesting that they seriously consider a 20mph speed limit in Starkholmes and that they revise the road markings as appropriate following further speeding and accidents during the Coronavirus lockdown."

Councillor Sue Burfoot said "As County Councillor, I have been working with the community here as the issues in Starkholmes are obvious - speeding vehicles, narrow pavements or in some places no pavements, blind corners, and 'give way ' signs at the pinch point between Brick Cottages and the White Lion pub, which are confusing. Many accidents and near misses have already occurred.

Safety is an everyday concern to pedestrians and to homeowners whose properties front directly onto Starkholmes Road. Numerous meetings have taken place and much e-mail correspondence, but the issues and concerns raised have not been fully addressed."

According to Councillor Buckler, "Residents have been actively campaigning for action for over twenty years, ever since the Sainsbury's development and the one-way system over Matlock Bridge was introduced and Starkholmes became even more of a rat run. Residents agree that 30mph through Starkholmes is just too fast. It is a proven fact that accidents at 20mph are less severe, and what is needed is implementation of a range of measures to minimise accidents".

There is currently a national campaign, named '20's Plenty for Us', backed by many in the medical profession as well as Local Authorities, which calls for a national default urban speed limit of 20mph.

Matlock Town Council wants to send a clear message to the County Council urging them to take action on the issues facing this community, to include an investigation into a 20mph speed limit in Starkholmes, between Matlock Green and Willersley, together with other measures, many of which have been suggested by a proactive group of very concerned residents.

While the rest of us are encouraged to venture out following the Coronavirus "peak", prisons are a hidden hotspot, says Derbyshire Lib Dems' Policing spokesperson Kate Smith.

Statistics issued in late May 2020 by Her Majesty's Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) show that there has been a shocking jump in prison staff testing positive with Coronavirus - to 873 - across England and Wales. This is without counting the increasing numbers of prison officers absent for self-isolation, either for a household member or because they have symptoms themselves.

Matlock residents will soon be receiving their own copy of our Focus newsletter.

You can also read it online here pages 4,1 and pages 2,3