“We need to support the organisations working across the world to promote human rights and equality.

“Liberal Democrats in Government at Westminster are already taking these steps. Thanks to us, the coalition is committed to using the UK’s relationships with other countries to push for unequivocal support for gay rights and for UK civil partnerships to be recognised internationally.

“Gay rights should be promoted right across the globe. The fact that two gay men in Malawi were jailed for their relationship was extremely worrying, particularly given the historical links between our two countries.

“Working at Westminster, we will also stop the deportation of asylum seekers who have had to leave particular countries because their sexual orientation or gender identification puts them at proven risk of imprisonment, torture or execution.

“Liberal Democrats are proud to have been at the forefront of advances in gay rights. Much has been achieved for social justice and for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people’s rights. Civil partnerships and a toughening up of hate crime laws are two notable examples, but there is still much more to do and we are determined to keep pushing the agenda.

“I hope that this weekend is a tremendous success and that the sun shines on Pride 2010.”

On the 17th July Glasgow is holding its own Pride event, and we at Liberal Youth Scotland would like to have a great presence. If you are able to be in Glasgow on the 17th, a Saturday, then please email callum.leslie@liberalyouth.org and confirm that you will be there.

Copenhagen or bust for climate change

Sir David King, the Government’s former chief scientific advisor, has called climate change ‘a far greater threat to the world than international terrorism’. He is right. We must mobilise against global warming and Copenhagen will be the rallying point.

Labour’s time in office has seen rising carbon emissions, plans agreed for a third runway at Heathrow, more dirty coal-fired power stations and more nuclear energy plants.

This is the shameful record which the Prime Minister will be taking to the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen.

Only the Liberal Democrats have the distinctive policies to tackle climate change in Britain. Policies like signing up to the 10:10 campaign, and persuading all developed nations to slash carbon emissions by 40% by 2020. In Scotland we have been even more ambitious, leading the world with a call for a 42% reduction in the next decade.

This is the radical message that I will be taking to Copenhagen. I want Scotland to be Europe’s renewable powerhouse with more jobs and investment coming to our shores. You can help deliver this message to the Government loud and clear by joining the campaign – please visit www.georgelyon.org.uk/copenhagen

This is an opportunity for everyone to get involved.  In the run up to the Copenhagen Summit I want the Liberal Democrats to spread the word about our radical green agenda. I want everybody who cares about our planet to be left in no doubt that only the Liberal Democrats can take the difficult decisions that will protect our environment for future generations.

This must start on Saturday with The Wave. On 5 December 2009, tens of thousands of people will march through the streets of Britain to send the message load and clear – we want a global climate deal.

I will be joining Liberal Youth Scotland at the march in Glasgow and I hope you will be able to join us there.

Time is running out to save our environment; Copenhagen may be our last chance. We must come away from Denmark with more than a souvenir photo and a lot of hot air. Your voice can ensure we get tough and effective action on climate change. I urge you to use it.

———-

George Lyon is Liberal Democrat MEP for Scotland, and is attending the Copenhagen climate change summit.

Students from Liberal Youth Scotland will show their anger at the Student Loans Company’s incompetence and bonus culture on their doorstep, by holding a flashmob outside their office on Bothwell St, Glasgow, this Friday 4th December.

Commenting, Liberal Youth Scotland President Ruaraidh Dobson said:
“It’s outrageous that the SLC has paid its executives huge bonuses while students struggle to make ends meet.
“Maybe it’s just me, but I thought bonuses should be paid for good work, not the incompetence we’ve seen at the SLC this year.”

Katy Gordon, the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate for Glasgow North, added:
“The SLC’s shocking inability to do its job shouldn’t be rewarded.
“Students are angry about their failures, and they rightly aren’t going to let it go.”

 Liberal Democrat Shadow Universities Secretary Steven Williams said;
“It is absolutely outrageous that the Student Loans Company, which has acted so incompetently this year, has been paying out these massive bonuses.
“While students have been left struggling to make ends meet, the company’s top executives have been enjoying five figure bonuses.
“Some of these pay-outs are more than many people earn in a year. Rewarding failure in this way is totally unacceptable.”

The Student Loans Company has made headlines this year by failing to pay out huge amounts in loans and grants on time. This has left students with no money to survive on for months at a time. Freedom of information requests have now shown that they have paid out £2 million in bonuses to the top executives who presided over the disaster. This situation is unacceptable and we call for Ralph Seymour-Jackson, Chief Executive of the SLC and Michael Hipkins, Director of Student Finance strategy for the government to resign over this fiasco.

Download you LYS complaints letter here and complain!

Freshers season may be over, but Liberal Youth Scotland never stop!

Next Saturday, LYS will be joining activists in Edinburgh South to campaign for Fred Mackintosh PPC. We will be joining the action day at 2pm, and there will be a pick up from Haymarket Station at 1.30pm for those travelling by train.

Excitingly, we will be joined on the action day by Scotland MEP George Lyon. This is a great chance to meet one of your elected officials, as well as campaign in Scotland’s most winnable constituency. Oh, and no tenements, guaranteed!

Hope to see lots of you there, and hope you will all join us in the pub afterwards!

Callum Leslie

Vice-President (Communcations), Liberal Youth Scotland

It’ll be on at 7:30pm in the Williams Room of the John Mac (SRC) Building. Drinks and snacks will be provided, and it promises to be a really interesting event. If you’re concerned with the envrionment, this is one not to miss!

Clifton Terrace is right across the road from Haymarket Station, so it’s dead easy to find. Google map.

If you have any questions, get in touch by email: gu_liberal_democrats@hotmail.com. See you there!