I'm on the train returning home from Brussels after a day speaking to European liberal leaders, ahead of the European Council, and then briefing the gathered media on the Liberal Democrat campaign for a People's Vote, to stop Brexit.

Given that the United Kingdom has caused such huge difficulties and tumult in the European Union, the warm reception given to us by our sister parties - patient, rather sad - is always impressive. I emphasised to the danger the Prime Minister is placing both the UK and Europe in, by arguing for a short extension which simply postpones the cliff edge we have been facing. What is needed now is a long extension to Article 50, to permit a real rethink and a final public say on the deal.

In the news this week, it was announced that an increasing number of schools across Birmingham have stopped their LGBT+ relationship education directly as a result of protesting parents.

This should be a national scandal.

A select few parents have protested against teaching children that same-sex relationships exist and are ok.

Warning: use of a trigger word in this article

A few days ago, I was surprised to receive an email with 'Vice President' in the subject title.

'Why would the Vice President of the Party be writing to me?' I asked myself.

Then I realised that the 'Vice President' WAS me…

That email was the first of many congratulatory messages. It was sent to me by the 'tour de force' that is Roderick Lynch, the Chair of the LDCRE (Liberal Democrat Campaign for Race Equality).

In 1919, the Lloyd George government's Ministry of Reconstruction published the Report on Adult Education. The report set out the fundamental importance of educational opportunities throughout life:

"Adult education is a permanent national necessity, an inseparable aspect of citizenship, and therefore should be both universal and lifelong."

Liberal politics for the age of identity

In a wide-ranging set of essays on Britain's future, Vince Cable casts his party not at the centre of the tranditional left-right axis, but as the leading proponent of a values-based politics, which is open, inclusive and outward-looking, not closed or narrow-minded.

He examines how liberals should respond to the 'age of identity' and proposes an ambitious program of radical reform.

Jo started out with a heartfelt tribute to those killed in the Christchurch mosque shooting this morning.

"The forces that sow hate and division and seek to turn fellow citizens against each other must not and cannot win"

She continued to pay tribute to outgoing leader Vince Cable - "a powerful champion for liberalism"