FCEC met last week, immediately after conference and for the final time before the run-in to May elections.
In short, from now to Thursday 8th April, the nominations of thousands of Liberal Democrat candidates are being collected and submitted to local councils across the UK in the biggest round of elections in recent years.
Our most recent meeting saw two new members join the committee. Shelley Snelson takes up a new position as Deputy to the Registered Party Treasurer.
In this role Shelley will provide support to the Chair in committee work in particular managing communication to sub-committees, special projects, and communications with the Parliamentary Office of the Liberal Democrats (POLD).
At sundown tonight, Jewish communities in the UK and around the world will mark the beginning of Passover, the eight-day festival commemorating the liberation of the Israelites after 400 years of slavery in ancient Egypt.
The story of the Exodus has inspired generations; it's a story of hope and triumph. It shows us what's possible when we hold tight to faith in the midst of darkness and uncertainty. This is a message that's relevant, even today.
One year on from the first lockdown, Chelmsford Council Leader Stephen Robinson was asked by the Essex Chronicle to look back over the last 12 months.
Cllr Robinson thanked the fantastic volunteers who stepped up to support the vulnerable. Chelmsford City Council worked with Chelmsford CVS, who matched people in need with those offering help.
The killing of Sarah Everard shocked the nation. She was described by family and friends as "bright and beautiful", "kind and thoughtful" and caring and dependable". My thoughts have been with Sarah's family ever since we heard she was missing, and my heart still goes out to them.
Sarah's death has jolted our society into finally taking violence against women seriously. At the Spring Conference, I delivered a statement reaffirming the Liberal Democrat's commitment to ending violence perpetrated by men and the misogynistic culture allowing it to manifest. While the killing of a woman by a stranger is particularly awful and relatively rare - violence against women and girls is not. On average a woman is killed in the UK every three days. Most of them are killed by their partner or their ex. Male violence has become a normal part of life in the UK. No longer.
Today is the day! Go to your local polling station and vote for your Lib Dem Council candidates in Essex County Council's local election. If you live in Hatfield Ward (Witham Town Council) or Witham South Ward (Braintree District Council) don't forget to vote Lib Dem there too!
When Liberal Democrats say put recovery first, we mean creating a fairer, greener, more caring society, and at the heart of this plan is ensuring the recovery is green.
Britain can not only recover but become the world's first green powerhouse."
A recovery that faces up to the existential threat of climate change. We have all seen the warnings. Floods devastating communities across the UK. Fires burning the Amazon and across Australia.
125,000 lives have been taken by this cruel virus. So many families, mourning the loss of a loved one.
Even those who have been spared the agony of bereavement are suffering enormous hardships. A whole year of isolation, fear, grief.
After so much hurt, we need hope. And that is what our wonderful NHS staff and volunteers are injecting into our lives as they work tirelessly delivering vaccines.
The UK's economic recovery starts with small business.
Small businesses lay at the heart of every local community, and every local economy, they create the jobs people need. In Government, Liberal Democrats championed small businesses and helped them create two million new jobs.
Now, during this pandemic, it's been the Liberal Democrats pushing for more action to support small businesses and the self-employed, every step of the way. We know how tough the past year has been, for almost every small business.
The UK has a proud history of providing sanctuary to those in need, but this Conservative Government has turned its back on refugees - hitting vulnerable children the hardest.
Today Liberal Democrats members have passed a motion calling for the resettlement of refugee children and families in the UK.
