Serving on a committee is one of many great ways you can support the Party, and we are always keen to encourage new talent. The Party website has lots of information in the internal-elections hub.

We have upcoming Federal elections for:

• The Federal President
• The Federal Vice President responsible for working with ethnic minority Communities
• 3 members of the Federal Board (note the reforms to the structure of the Board summarised here)
• 21 members of Federal Council
• 15 members of Federal Policy Committee
• 12 members of Federal Conference Committee
• 6 members of the Federal International relations Committee
• 10 Delegates to the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe

With our Brighton conference approaching (agenda and registration here), I've recently written the latest report back to conference on the Board's work. Here is a slightly expanded and updated version of that report.

The next general election

With a new Conservative Party leader nearly upon us, the range of plausible dates for the general election is wide open. As it now may well be much sooner than seemed likely at the time of our last conference, the Federal Board has been reviewing our general election plans.

We need bold and urgent action to help families pay their bills and heat their homes this winter. There is no other choice.

Families and pensioners across the country are in the grip of a cost-of-living crisis. We have already seen energy bills rise by £700 this year. They simply cannot afford another, even bigger rise of £1,400 in October.

Our NHS dental system is in tatters, with most surgeries closed to new patients and appointments near impossible to get.

This Conservative Government is forcing people into costly private care and unsafe DIY dentistry that can leave your teeth in worse condition.

Put simply, it can't go on.

A survey today shows that 91% of dental practices in England are not currently open to new patients, with that tally rising to 98% here in the North West. (BBC report here).

Congratulations to our Penrith Lib Dems team who gained a seat yesterday.

Results of the byelection for Carleton ward, Penrith Town Council:

Lib Dem: 337
Ind: 92
Ind: 24

Liberal Democrat GAIN from Green Party, who did not stand.

Many thanks to everyone who voted for us and congratulations Councillor Deb Holden and team!