Good evening everyone. My name is /u/SapphireWork, and I am your spokesperson for Home Affairs and Justice, and I also shadow the Secretary for Equalities. I am delighted to be here in Brighton for my first conference as an elected MP, and I am honoured to be addressing you this evening.

I would like to begin by extending congratulations to our newly elected leader, /u/CountBrandenburg. You have an impressive track record here with the Liberal Democrats, and I look forward to learning from you and to getting to know you better in the coming months. I’m sure I speak for all of us when I say it will be a pleasure to see the party grow under your leadership. I would also like to thank /u/thechattyshow for his service to the party as leader- I may not have been here long but one does not have to be to see the tremendous impact you have had on the Liberal Democrats. I would also like to extend thanks to /u/Randomman44 and everyone else on the conference team- this has been a fantastic few days that I am sure we will all remember.

While we are here celebrating our success in the Devolved election, our recent surge of new members and our increase in the polls, in the back of our minds we cannot forget that the last few weeks have been a tumultuous time in the world. We have seen protests and violence erupt globally. We have seen our government argue against a motion aimed at providing support to the Black Live Matter movement. We have seen our official opposition lost in cabinet reshuffle after reshuffle. We have seen new motions and bills proposed that will further set back our immigration policies, and our quest for fair and equitable justice. In Westminster, we have seen how divided our parliament truly is on very important issues. Now, more than ever, the United Kingdom needs the kind of sensible and balanced leadership that only the Liberal Democrats can provide. We are the better choice for government because we will work to make things better.

We will work to make immigration better. We must reject the points based system that simply is not practical and does not work. Our country is a haven, and we need the support of our immigrant population to function. We need a real solution for allowing people to enter our country and make it their home.

We will continue to do better than the current administration is supporting our minorities. It was the Liberal Democrats who made the motion to support the Black Live Matter movement and to review our policies and use of force. It was the Liberal Democrats who introduced an amendment to include BAME history in all schools. It was the Liberal Democrats who were the first party to publicly celebrate Pride Month. I am proud to be a Liberal Democrat, and we will never stop fighting for equality.

It is clear that the Liberal Democrats are the choice for a better United Kingdom. Tonight we celebrate our achievements, but we also renew our resolve to continue our important work and to do all we can to work together to achieve success, not just for ourselves, but for the entire nation. I thank you again for the honour of being your Spokesperson, and for being invited to address you this evening.

By /u/SapphireWork.