With nominations now closed for the May elections, many thanks to everyone who has put in so much work to getting candidates approved, selected and safely nominated. From a first look at the numbers, we've seen a good increase in our candidate totals in Scotland and Wales, with the numbers broadly the same in England compared with last time.
Life's been tough for lots of people over the past few years. And it's still tough. But with their trademark decency and strength, the British people are rising to the challenge. Raising families. Caring for others. And playing by the rules.
Now more than ever, it's time for a fair deal.
Yet with the rising cost of living, this Conservative Government is letting you down badly and taking you for granted.
Over the past month, as more than 3.5 million innocent Ukrainians have been forced to flee their country to escape Putin's war, people across the UK have responded with enormous compassion and generosity.
More than 150,000 have offered to open their homes to Ukrainian refugees.
The Anti-Refugee Bill is an awful piece of legislation that flies in the face of the incredible spirit of the British people.
On Wednesday, I returned from the Ukraine-Poland border. When I was there, I met refugees who have been forced to flee Putin's assault on their homes, including people who are desperate to come to the UK - often to join family members. I was proud to see many British aid workers and volunteers providing support and the generosity of the British public who are offering their homes.
My trip to Eastern Poland, where I spent time meeting refugees fleeing Ukraine and the charities supporting them, was harrowing.
I witnessed firsthand the very human consequences of this war.
Although I've watched the scenes of Ukrainians fleeing their homes from my television screen, it was a completely different experience speaking to these families in person. I witnessed firsthand the very human consequences of this war. Families with their belongings stuffed in plastic bags. Children clutching their teddy bears as they arrived at the train station. Exhausted cats and dogs being held by their families who couldn't bear to leave them behind in Ukraine.
Yesterday was a good day for all those who have argued that we should be clamping down on Putin's cronies.
Liberal Democrats secured a significant win in emergency legislation being fast-tracked through Parliament to deal with dirty Russian money in the UK.
Liberal Democrats have secured concession after concession from the Conservative Government when it comes to finally taking action on dirty Russian money in our country.
