Boris Johnson must address growing concerns before Liberal Democrat MPs can vote for the new tier system.
The country is desperate to get life back to normal, particularly given how much has already been sacrificed.
But time and time again, the Government has squandered the sacrifices the British people have made through Ministers' unbelievable incompetence.
Once more, they have failed to put together a strategy to bring the virus under control and keep people safe.
The new tier system announced by Boris Johnson is arbitrary, confused and chaotic. As it stands, we cannot in all conscience vote for this unsafe plan.
What the country needs is a transparent system of local restrictions, an exit plan with a comprehensive strategy to roll out vaccines and a test, trace and isolate system that works.
That's why Liberal Democrats have called on the Prime Minister to first address a series of concerns before the Party's MPs will vote for a new system, including:
Full release of the scientific evidence underpinning the tier system, including economic and health impact assessments.
An ongoing commitment that tier decisions and local rules will be made in partnership with local authorities, and subject to Parliamentary scrutiny.
A new approach to the failed test, trace and isolate system that partners properly with local authorities on tracing, and provides proper incentives for people to isolate, to keep people safe and prevent new surges.
Urgent financial support for pubs, including removing the requirement for alcohol sales to be accompanied by a substantial meal in outdoor areas.
A clearer exit route from tiering with a comprehensive strategy to roll out a vaccine.
Given that less than 50% of people understood the rules last time, it's crucial that the Government addresses growing concerns and keeps people safe.
It's been a hard year for families across Britain this year. A public-sector pay freeze is completely unacceptable.
With the economic uncertainty caused by the pandemic, the Chancellor needed to ensure that no one is left behind. That was the litmus test, and he has failed
In a year when our NHS and care staff, teachers, police officers and many others have gone beyond the call of duty, a pay freeze reveals just how callous the Chancellor truly is.
Many public sector staff have worked on the front-line throughout the pandemic, putting their lives on the line, and a pay-freeze is not how they should be rewarded.
The Conservatives have consistently underfunded the public sector, and now the Chancellor is allowing those who have worked so hard to slow the spread of this virus and keep the country going to be the first in line to foot the bill.
Freezing public sector pay will have a negligible effect on the national debt. We need to balance the books by growing our economy through investment in green technologies.
They deserve better than this.
Public sector workers deserve a Government that recognises and rewards their sacrifices and service during this terribly difficult time.
The Government is currently reviewing the first round of, often controversial, traffic management measures that were hastily introduced during the first Covid Lockdown in March -May 2020.
In Chesterfield the experience has been that the use of ugly concrete blocks and temporary plastic and metal barriers, to block off parking spaces and widen pavements/narrow roads has been a badly thought out failure. It has made Chesterfield streets unattractive and has done nothing to encourage pedestrians. It has also reduced disabled access.
Diwali is the five-day Festival of Lights, celebrated by millions of Hindus, Sikhs and Jains to honour Rama.
He returned to his people after 14 years of exile during which he and Hanuman fought and won a battle against the demons and their King Ravana who had kidnapped Rama's wife Sita.
In the story of Diwali, diyas are used to light the way for Rama and Sita's return home. A Diwali Diya is a small lamp that is lit especially at Diwali (New Year's in India) Diyas are typically made of clay with Ghee or oil used as the fuel and cotton wool as the wick.
Typical Diwali traditions include family and friends gathering to light lamps (diyas) and fireworks, exchanging gifts and sharing food. This year, due to Coronavirus, families will be celebrating remotely. Many temples and communities are putting on services through zoom and facebook, giving people ways to feel connected to their loved ones.
Diwali celebrates the triumph of good over evil, light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance. 2020 has been a dark year for many of us, and Diwali's message that light will triumph in the end is of comfort for us all.
On behalf of the Liberal Democrats I'd like to wish everyone celebrating a joyous Diwali!
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them.
Chesterfield Liberal Democrats support the two-minute doorstep silence this Remembrance Sunday, we can still remember in 2020 even if we cannot join together in Acts of Remembrance.
Covid-19 has had a devastating impact on Black and ethnic minority communities - they are over-represented in Covod-19 severe illnesses and deaths because of long-standing racial and socio-economic inequalities, and as lockdown has eased the economic fallout is further exposing vulnerable BME groups to the deadly virus.
The survey, Over Exposed and Under-Protected - The Devastating Impact of COVID-19 on Black and Minority Ethnic Communities in Great Britain (conducted by the Runnymede Trust and ICM in June 2020), illuminates why BME groups are at greater risk from Covid-19: they are more likely to be working outside their home, more likely to be using public transport, more likely to be working in key worker roles, less likely to be protected with PPE and more likely to live in multigenerational, overcrowded housing, so much less able to self-isolate and shield.
We have serious concerns about the proposed reform of the planning process outlined by the Government in the White Paper "Planning for the Future". Although the stated aim is to "streamline and modernise the planning process" it is essentially a charter for developers as there will be less public involvement, less investment required of developers and less affordable housing.
We are delighted that a campaign to make Chesterfield Plastic Free has been established and is thriving in the Town. We recognise that it is incumbent upon all of us to drive down the amount of plastic that is generated every day and each week.
The average UK home produces 1.1kg of waste every single day. Households can take some steps to reduce the amount of plastic they buy, but it comes down to retailers and producers taking action. Most of these powers lie with the Government, but we believe that local councils can help, and that Chesterfield Borough Council (CBC) can and should do more.
Our Police are still not treating rape allegations anywhere near seriously enough, says the Liberal Democrat challenger in the May 2021 Derbyshire Police and Crime Commissioner election.
Cllr Kate Smith says that it's unacceptable that there is still under-reporting, under-prosecution and under-sentencing in these very serious offences, which are the subject of the latest Review by Dame Vera Baird QC, Victims' Commissioner for England (published on 20 October 2020).
Derbyshire's Liberal Democrat Leader, Cllr Beth Atkins, has put forward a proposal that Derbyshire County Council should introduce free school meals for the County's children during school holidays, along the lines called for in the national campaign by England footballer Marcus Rashford.
The Lib Dem proposal will be voted on at the December meeting of the County Council and Beth is hopeful that all Labour Councillors and local caring Conservatives will back it.
