Shelves are bare and prices will rise. By refusing to work with the European Union, Boris Johnson's woeful government has made importing and exporting goods much harder.

Their needless belligerence towards our neighbours has devastated the national supply chain. The skilled worker visa system brings high costs, inflexibility and bureaucracy. It's too hard to hire from the EU, and many EU nationals have gone home. And that's all thanks to this divisive government.

In 2019/20, 4.9 million women were victims of sexual assault in England and Wales. This statistic is appalling. The Lib Dems have set out a plan to put an end to this.

The justice system is failing victims of domestic abuse. Only 2.4% of reported rape cases end in convictions. Out of 139,000 rapes estimated by the ONS, only 58,848 were reported to the police.

Our society is a brilliant one. Our democratic system goes back hundreds of years and we are committed to the fair rule of law. We have a fantastic tradition of education, creativity and innovation.

We have incredibly strong institutions. This is clear in the fact our National Health Service has bent over backwards to support us through this pandemic. As much as possible we contribute to key international organisations to support a cooperative global system.

Soaring temperatures worldwide, flash flooding in central London and increasing numbers of wildfires. These are just a few ecological disasters we are seeing as a result of climate change. It is painfully obvious we must act.

We need to be ambitious. It is only by working with every single nation across the globe that we can hope to take on this challenge.

Many councils have told the Government that they are happy to welcome Afghans to the UK, but the Government must fully-fund the costs of relocating. Chelmsford Council Leader Stephen Robinson has written a letter, signed by other Lib Dem Council Leaders, to the Minister for Local Government

The letter reminds the Minister of the housing crisis in most parts of the country, and how benefit levels don't meet actual rent costs. So the Government must cover these additional costs plus the costs to councils of helping to support these new residents.

Chelmsford is celebrating positive youth culture and taking a stand against knife crime. The national monument to knife violence comes to Chelmsford's Central Park on 6th September 2021 and a youth award scheme has been launched.

Commented Chelmsford Lib Dem Leader Stephen Robinson, "As part of our aim to deliver a safer Chelmsford, my Lib Dem colleagues have worked hard to secure support to bring the Knife Angel sculpture to Chelmsford.

Chelmsford has welcomed five families who have escaped the chaos in Afghanistan. They are sponsored by the UK Government, as part of the project to relocate people who have worked to help keep British troops safe.

Said Lib Dem Leader of Chelmsford City Council, Stephen Robinson, "I am happy to welcome these new families and I've been overwhelmed by the kind offers of support from residents of Chelmsford. The staff at their temporary location have been fantastic in providing all food and other essentials. The Red Cross emergency response team have been on site supporting them.