Vikki Slade appointed LibDem spokesperson for Housing Communities and Local Government

Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey has today (Wednesday 18th September) appointed Vikki Slade to be the party’s Housing Communities and Local Government Spokesperson.

The appointment of Vikki to the role follows the Liberal Democrats’ first reshuffle since the party won a record number of seats in the general election. 

Ed Davey urged his party to focus on the “people’s priorities” and “clean up the mess left by the Conservative party.” This follows Ed Davey’s speech to Liberal Democrat conference this weekend, where he set out plans to be a “responsible opposition”.

Vikki Slade has now vowed to take local issues in Mid Dorset and North Poole, and across Dorset & BCP Councils to the heart of Westminster. The MP will now use their role in the House of Commons to champion local issues and hold the government to account on policy decisions. 

The MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole has already hit the ground running since the general election, by raising Local Government funding, Special Educational Needs and the impact of asylum seekers on housing in the chamber.

Commenting on the new appointment, Liberal Democrat MP Vikki Slade said: 

“It is an honour to take on this role and speak for my party on this incredible brief.

“I am grateful to Ed Davey for this opportunity to hold ministers to account in the House of Commons. I will not take this responsibility for granted and will use it to hold the government to account, giving a voice to local people on the issues they care about most.

“As a former Local Government Leader and senior member of the Local Government Association I know only too well how local services have been undermined by the massive cuts to funding and the impact this has on our diverse communities.

The Covid-19 pandemic demonstrated the importance of strong communities and with so many groups struggling to reform and rebuild in the aftermath, and with increased poverty creating additional demand for services, as Liberal Democrats we must stand up for the sector.

“I got involved in politics to represent small businesses and the high street, and I am delighted that I now have the opportunity to voice the concerns of retail, hospitality and communities at the highest level, using the planning system to enhance their future alongside my colleagues in the business and trade roles.

“Our country was failed by years of chaos under the previous Conservative government, we face a cost-of-living crisis and a housing emergency. We need the new Government to work at pace to protect and improve our communities and it is time for the Liberal Democrats to provide proper opposition in Westminster that will hold them to account and champion the people’s priorities.”

Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Ed Davey said:
 

“My new frontbench will champion the people’s priorities, ensuring we hold the new government to account as a responsible opposition.
 

“I am humbled by the result of the General Election and the millions of voters who put their trust in the Liberal Democrats, including many for the first time. We will stand up for our communities every day on the issues that matter most, fixing health and care services, tackling the cost of living crisis and protecting our precious environment.

 

“I am so proud of my entire team of 72 Liberal Democrat MPs who will serve as strong local champions in Westminster as we clean up the mess left by the Conservative government.