Manchester is a city of warmth, strength and diversity – and there is no room here for hate 💛

We know people are worried about a far right group arriving in Manchester, and about the risk of harassment or violence. Manchester is a working class city built by migrants, by neighbours who look out for each other. Such discrimination cut against the community values that make our city a home.

10am start. Five hours. One hat. Two gloves. A slightly dramatic pinched nerve. Thousands of leaflets later… Not a bad way to share the love this Valentine’s 💛 Today the team and I hit the streets of Beswick, delivering our latest newsletter, chatting about issues and reporting along the way.

Narrowly dodged the worst of the rain with the team last night 🌧️ Thanks to everyone who took the time to chat with us and share what’s going on in your buildings and the wider area, it really helps us stay on top of issues, get things moving, and take action.

Great to be at the Christmas Light Switch-On at Bradford Park in Beswick this week 🎄✨ A truly lovely event, made all the more special with some wonderful singing from students from CofE School of the Resurrection, getting us all into the festive spirit.

Today is World AIDS Day. We have come a long way since the horrors of the 1980s, which triggered a wave of homophobia which has its echoes today. HIV is now routinely treatable and for the first time there is the prospect of a world without AIDS too. (1/2)

Thank you to @mariecgoldman.bsky.social, @cajardinemp.bsky.social, @lizbarkerlords.bsky.social and other @libdems.org.uk MPs and Peers who have been working with the APPG on this. It's vital to keep up work on this, particularly now an end to AIDS is possible.

I’ve just cast my vote in the @pluslibdems.bsky.social elections and I’m delighted we have not only a contested officer role, but so many members stepping forward to join the Exec. It’s been heartwarming to see people getting more involved, and reassuring as I prepare to leave after four years.

After several difficult years for the trans community, we must continue to stand up for the rights of trans people across the UK and the world and fight discrimination wherever we find it #TransAwarenessWeek

We are disappointed that, due to legal pressure from transphobic campaign groups following the For Woman Scotland decision, two eminently reasonable quotas in our party's election regulations have been suspended. These suspensions are profoundly anti-queer, anti-trans and anti-feminist... 1/4

Made the most of the not-so-dry or warm weather last night 😅 Great to get some steps in with @alangoodld.mcrlibdems.uk, delivering our latest update to residents on our work over the summer, collecting casework and having some great chats on the doorstep.

A huge thank you to @charleyhasted.bsky.social and @lukeallanld.bsky.social for being our Co-Chairs in 2025, and congratulations to Lucas North for being elected Chair for 2026. Thank you as well to @joshbabarinde.bsky.social and to @mariecgoldman.bsky.social for addressing our AGM so well today. 🧡

Really fun @pluslibdems.bsky.social AGM today. Thanks to @joshbabarinde.bsky.social and Marie Goldman for excellent Q&A sessions, and props to our outgoing chairs @charleyhasted.bsky.social and @lukeallanld.bsky.social. You buggers are going to be a hard act to follow.

Just finished my last AGM as Co-Chair of @pluslibdems.bsky.social. It's been brilliant to work with @lukeallanld.bsky.social and I'm looking forward to handing over to Lucas North who'll be taking over in January.

LGBT+ Liberal Democrats condemn our party's decision to base internal gender quotas on sex assigmed at birth. This trans-exclusionary decision is an attack on one of the most vulnerable groups in our society. 1/4

Lib Dem team 1 – Fly-tipping 0 💪 Yesterday, whilst fans flocked to City, @alangoodld.mcrlibdems.uk and I kicked off our weekend near the Etihad – updating residents on Tuesday’s #Beswick skip day – a great community win with One Manchester providing skips on Hassop/Orme and Havana Closes (1–3pm).

#Beswick needs you! 💛 Join One Manchester’s neighbourhood clean-up next Tuesday, 1–3pm, and help tackle litter and fly-tipping in our area. 🗑️ Skips will be available on Hassop/Orme Close and Havana Close, with litter-picking gear also provided. Get involved – every bit helps 💪 #KeepManchesterTidy

"During Hate Crime Awareness Week, we call on everyone - individuals, organisations and political leaders - to stand up against hate, support those affected, and help build a society where everyone can live free from fear, prejudice and discrimination." @MarieCGoldman.bsky.social

We thought the Brighton Centre looked much better when the @libdems.org.uk had our conference there a year ago.

Gone in 90 seconds 💉💙 Huge thanks to the brilliant team at New Islington Medical Practice for running yesterday’s #FluJab clinic and seeing over 500 patients — myself included! No small feat, especially with the dreary weather.

We cannot allow hate at the fringes to infect the roots of our party — corroding our principles and values. Hellbent on sowing division not unity — looking to the past not progress — determined to drag us down to its petty level, even if it means watching us burn out of spite 🧡

I wouldn’t be an active Manchester campaigner if it weren’t for Chris and her incredible support, warmth and leadership which regularly inspires so many people across our party, in our own local community and our wonderful and wider LGBTQ+ community. This award was long overdue 💛

I see people are upset that I won an award for women because I'm the wrong type of woman. I was moved and honoured to have been awarded this by the party's women's group, and that the Lib Dems at all levels have my back and I will continue to fight for liberalism and my community.

YES! Chris is a fantastic councillor and advocate for her community. It's a thoroughly deserved award, and good to see HQ having no truck with any nonsense about it. Well done, Chris!

The Daily Mail has spent years attacking our trans and non-binary siblings, and the wider LGBTQ+ community. They are no ally — and never will be — and their toxic, rage-baiting clickbait belongs in the bin.

💛 We’ve passed a major milestone! Since I was elected last July, my office has now opened over 10,000 support cases for residents across #HazelGrove Constituency. Every case matters – whether it’s freeing trapped pigeons, or supporting a family fighting to stay together.

Great to see this educational family event from #TreesNotCars planned at Cotton Field Park in #Ancoats today. A creative, hands-on event exploring air pollution and children’s health — giving kids a chance to learn about air pollution, get creative, and appreciate our green spaces. 💚

There was a great buzz around #Ancoats yesterday with the much-loved Ancoats Makers Market and the 135th Madonna del Rosario procession, organised by the Manchester Italian Association. Thankfully, the rain held off, and both events brought people from all over to our wonderful corner of the city.

Happy bank holiday Monday! 🎉 Whether you’re out making the most of it, getting bits done like I was this morning with a gym trip and food shop, or just taking it easy — I hope you have a great day as the long weekend winds down.

The #Manchester Flower Featival is in full bloom this bank holiday weekend! 🌸 The city centre is bursting with colour as we celebrate spring and move into summer. Expect incredible floral installations, free activities, live entertainment and plenty of delicious food. #MCRFlowerFest

Today marks eight years since the Manchester Arena attack, when 22 lives were tragically lost. We remember them, those who were injured, and everyone whose lives were changed that night. Whether you lived here then or have made Manchester your home since, we all stand together in remembering.

We've been working with @pluslibdems.bsky.social and @assoclibdemcllrs.bsky.social on a template council motion on trans rights that ALDC will be sending out next week! Transphobia isn't feminist, and Lib Dem Women will always stand with the Trans community.

As we mark #IDAHoBiT, let it be a reminder that the fight against hate is far from over. Politicians, the media, society — we all have a responsibility to challenge hate and stand up for our LGBTQ+ communities every single day. We must do better and must never shy away. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

The bridge built by Wes Streeting.

All political parties promised to back a change in the law to ban conversion therapy practices in their 2021 manifestos. The SNP made an explicit promise if they got into government to introduce this Bill and haven’t. If they won't introduce this bill, @jamiegreeneuk.bsky.social will.

Tonight @pluslibdems.bsky.social has written to Lib Dem MPs, urging those who haven’t yet signed @cajardinemp.bsky.social’s Early Day Motion on political parties at Pride to do so. This is a pivotal moment for politicians and parties to start the next steps in rebuilding trust.

Welcome to the @libdems.org.uk, Dylan. We know it's not easy to change party - we're delighted that you're with us. 💛🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ www.thepinknews.com/2025/05/15/l...

Ahem. @eddavey.libdems.org.uk @cajardinemp.bsky.social @markpackuk.bsky.social

Will you help us stop it by publicly standing up to Labour on trans rights, Ed? You did brilliantly in 2003 when you led the abolition of Section 28. We need that @eddavey.libdems.org.uk in the fight with us again.

We encourage all @libdems.org.uk MPs to attend this session. @cajardinemp.bsky.social @eddavey.libdems.org.uk

I’m disappointed that all political parties have been banned from Pride in London this year. I love attending with the London Lib Dems. But our commitment to equality remains - it lives in our policies and our continued championing of all LGBTQ+ rights. #TransRightsAreHumanRights

A disappointing decision to ban political parties from Manchester Pride. As an MP who consistently speaks up for LGBTQ+ rights, I believe now is the time to challenge parties to do better - not shut them out. This isn’t accountability, it’s letting them off the hook.

As a trans person who has fought tooth and nail for the last few years to make my party as trans inclusive as I physically can the blanket bans on political parties at pride that are happening genuinely have me feeling like shit.

We are all the angry returning officer.

What's that? Oh, just Ed Davey campaigning beside a trans #LibDem local election candidate as the main picture in the leading article about the local elections in today's FT! Best of luck to all @libdems.org.uk candidates in tomorrow's local elections. 💛 FT article here: www.ft.com/content/8089...

Big shout out to @soton-libdems.bsky.social for the great #LibDems turnout at Southampton's #TransRights protest earlier. Hundreds of people attended the protest, with about ten days' notice. 💛

Thank you, @cajardinemp.bsky.social. 💛 We'll need many more to stand up and be counted over the next few months.

This week, LGBT+ Lib Dems, Lib Dem Women, Young Liberals and trans+ members met with Christine Jardine MP, Sir Ed Davey MP, and Lisa Smart MP to discuss the Supreme Court ruling. We talked about its impact and how we can continue to work together to support and stand up for our trans+ communities.

TransActual’s Director of Policy and MD, Helen Belcher (she/her), spoke at the trans rights demo in Reading on Saturday. This is what she said: youtu.be/7-GY3DbN1kM?... #Trans #Nonbinary #TransRights #EqualityAct #SupremeCourt