The Liberal Democrats have pledged to recruit 8,000 more GPs if elected, aiming to ensure patients can see a doctor within seven days. The plan, costing £4bn over five years, is central to their general election campaign and includes measures to boost recruitment and retain experienced GPs. Party leader Sir Ed Davey criticized Conservative management of the NHS and emphasized the need for political transformation to address health and care issues.
Progressive House Democrats are urging their colleagues to vote against a $26 billion aid package for Israel, aiming to send a message to President Biden about their discontent over his support for Israel's actions in Gaza. They want to see limits on offensive weapons to prevent civilian casualties and view the upcoming vote as a defining moment akin to past decisions on military action. While the bill is expected to pass, the significant Democratic opposition would signal a departure from the traditional bipartisan support for Israel and highlight divisions within the party over the conflict in Gaza.
The Liberal Democrats have gained more than 400 seats in local council elections in England, including control of 12 councils in traditionally Conservative areas such as Windsor and Maidenhead and Stratford-on-Avon. The party's success in the Tory "Blue Wall" areas it is targeting at the next general election has buoyed hopes of a strong performance in 2024. The BBC has projected that if the whole of Britain had voted, the Liberal Democrats would have won 20% of the national vote, with Labour on 35%, the Conservatives on 26%, and other parties on 19%.
