Thank you all so much.

I am delighted, honoured, absolutely over the moon to stand before you as the leader of the Liberal Democrats.

And as the first woman to lead our party.

I joined this party when I was 17. And over the last twenty-two years, through all the ups and downs, the Liberal Democrats have felt like a family to me.

To boos and exclamations of shame from climate campaigners and schoolchildren in the public gallery, every single Labour Councillor on Chesterfield Borough Council voted against setting a target of making the Council carbon neutral by 2030 on Wednesday night.

Speaking during the debate Cllr Ed Fordham, who speaks for the Liberal Democrat's on Climate Change, pledged the support of his own group on declaring a climate emergency. He urged though that a target date be set in line with over 100 other Councils across the country, so that the resolutionwas not just 'hot air'. Cllr Fordham said "it was sad and sickening to see the party politics that Labour played on this crucial
issue and disappointing for our Borough and our young people."

A report by Newsnight this week, revealed that more than 1,500 pupils with special educational needs or a disability (SEND) across 46 councils do not have a school place.

Liberal Democrat Education spokesperson Layla Moran MP responded by saying: "SEND pupils are falling through the gaps of a fragmented, underfunded school system. Brutal Conservative cuts to schools and the spiralling demand for Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) mean that too many children with the most complex needs are not getting the tailored support they are entitled to.

"Meanwhile, cash-strapped councils must ensure every child has a school place but are powerless to make it happen. They can't sponsor new schools or control academies' admissions policies.

RoeParkin photography

Howard Borrell, Liberal Democrat Shadow Lead for Town Centre and Visitor Economy writes that every year the German city of Darmstadt hosts the Schlossgrabenfest, one of the biggest music festivals in Europe. https://www.schlossgrabenfest.de/2019/

Emily Coy, Lib Dem Parliamentary Spokeswoman for Chesterfield says:

"As the Labour and Conservative Parties self destruct the Liberal Democrat message is cutting through once again.

At the local level, of how Chesterfield is run, the Liberal Democrats gained 7 Council seats from Labour and one from UKIP at the start of May, taking their total to 17 Cllrs. The Conservatives, as usual since 1991, failed to elect even a single Cllr to Chesterfield Borough Council.

Children walked out of school on Friday and protested outside Chesterfield Town Hall to demand urgent action on climate change.

Students around the world have gone on strike to urge politicians and businesses to help slow global warming. They were inspired to take action by student Greta Thunberg, who has become a global figurehead since protesting outside Sweden's Parliament last year.

Labour members and supporters in Chesterfield allegedly delivered leaflets to help the Liberal Democrats ahead of the EU elections last week.

Chesterfield MP Toby Perkins has described the claims as 'a storm in a teacup'.

The news comes after Labour said supporting another party was 'incompatable' with membership after it emerged Tony Blair's former spin doctor Alastair Campbell voted for the Liberal Democrats in the elections. Labour has since expelled Mr Campbell, a decision which is now being reviewed by the party.

We've started the process of electing our new leader. Have your say - join the Lib Dems today.

As you know, Vince has now formally announced his resignation, and, as your President, I am triggering the process for the election of his successor as Leader of the Liberal Democrats.

I'd like to take a moment to thank Vince for all he's done since he was elected leader in 2017. He's been a steadying influence when it was most needed - and that's led to us gaining new MEPs (exact number to be announce tomorrow evening!) and almost 800 councillors. Thank you, Vince.

Michael Mullaney, the Liberal Democrats No 2 candidate in the East Midlands Region, is campaigning in Chesterfield on Wednesday 22nd May.

This follows on from the visit by Bill Newton Dunn (No 1 on the LD list and a former East Midlands MEP for 15 years) last week, when he met with people on Chesterfield Market Place.

Bill Newton Dunn is the lead candidate for the Liberal Democrats in the East Midlands Region.

Bill was MEP for fifteen years from 1999 to 2014 and has campaigned and spoken in Chesterfield many times over the years.

He says " I am convinced that Brexit would be a profound mistake. We are campaigning throughout the East Midlands to prevent it."