Rochdale Liberal Democrats

In an historic General Election on 4th July the Liberal Democrats secured 72 seats in the new parliament on a vote share of 12.2%, for the first time securing the same share of seats in the Commons as their share of the vote. They are also now the largest third party in over a century, whilst the Conservatives have returned their fewest number of MP's ever.

This followed on from a local elections in which the Liberal Democrats came second here in the North West of England winning 50 seats to the Conservatives 43 seats. The Liberal Democrats also did well accross Greater Manchester, again coming second by winning 21 seats to the Conservatives' 17 seats.

In parliament, the Liberal Democrats have already proven themselves to be the effective opposition to Labour, laying down an early day motion calling for an end to the 2 child benefits cap which is keeping so many Rochdale children living in poverty. The early day motion reads "That this House believes no child should grow up without adequate food, a warm home or security for their future; notes the Department for Work and Pensions' April 2024 statistics which state that 1.6 million children are affected by the two-child benefit cap; further notes that parents subject to the cap have less income available for childcare costs and therefore experience barriers to employment; recognises that removing this cap is the most cost-effective way of immediately lifting children out of poverty and deep poverty; and urges the Chancellor of the Exchequer to remove the two-child limit on social security payments in her first Budget."

The Liberal Democrats also supported an amendment to the King's speech which called for an end to the cap. Despite recognising that removing the cap would lift hundreds of thousands of children out of poverty the Labour party not only voted to keep this cruel measure in place, but also suspended the whip for the 7 Labour MP's who voted to end the cap (40 other Labour MP's abstained in the vote). All three Rochdale MP's voted to retain the cap.

The Conservatives, who introduced the 2 child benefits cap in 2015 as one of many damaging post-coalition measures, abstained in the vote. In abstaining they neither supported this heinous measure introduced by their governments of chaos, nor provided any oppostion to the current government, demonstrating how ineffective they can be as an opposition party.

If you support the Liberal Democrats campaign to end the 2 Child Benefits cap, or any of our other campaigns, and would like to join us, donate to our campaigns, or volunteer to help us, then please click on the buttons below.

The Liberal Democrats exist to build and safeguard a fair, free and open society, in which we seek to balance the fundamental values of liberty, equality and community, and in which no-one shall be enslaved by poverty, ignorance or conformity.