Social Liberal Forum Weekly Newsletter

2 March - 8 March 2026

1. SLF News

Lib Dem Spring Conference, 2026

In under a week, the Social Liberal Forum will join the Liberal Democrat Spring 2026 Conference, with events including:

Pre-Conference Lunch

With keynote speaker Victoria Collins MP)

Pre-Conference Workshop

Facilitated by Cllr Roger Hayes

Fringe: The Economy, Is something for everyone possible?

Featuring:

• John Shreeve, Social Liberal Forum

• Roz Savage MP

• Joe Wright, Lib Dem Economy Working Group

• Rhian O’Connor, Lib Dem Economy Working Group

• Alan Harding, Economist

Fringe: No excuses, Liberalism as antidote to populism?

Featuring:

• Cllr Roger Hayes, Social Liberal Forum

• Pippa Heylings MP, DESNZ Spokesperson

• Dr Mohsin Khan, Vice-chair of LDCRE and Vice-chair of FPC

• Will Tennison, Chair of Young Liberals

• James Sandbach, Chair of Rights, Liberties, Justice

• Gordon Lishman, John Stuart Mill Institute

Make sure to register your interest and buy your tickets today!

RSVP Here!

2. Westminster

Middle East crisis and war dominates headlines

Foreign policy has dominated Westminster this week following the escalation of conflict involving Iran and its regional rivals. The UK government confirmed it would allow the United States to use British bases for limited defensive operations against Iranian missile threats, while emphasising that Britain was not involved in the original strikes on Iran.

Ministers said the decision was taken to protect British citizens and allies after Iranian attacks targeted locations across the region where British nationals and personnel were present. 

The crisis has prompted wider political debate about Britain’s international role. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch criticised the government’s cautious approach, while ministers argued that decisions on military action must prioritise the safety of British personnel and avoid further escalation. Of course, any self-respecting social liberal will see all too many similarities with Iraq: a US Government keen to get British support for a war with little international legitimacy… Time will tell whether Starmer’s handling of this conflict will, too, suffer from the same flaws of his predecessor, Tony Blair.

Barely-a-Budget Day

Often a day that has captured the attention of the media ever since Truss’ 2022 mini-budget led to a short-lived but highly impactful crash of the economy, Tuesday’s Spring Statement (the Chancellor did not produce a formal Budget) was an uninteresting – if not, actively boring – parliamentary event. Far from the big headline-grabbing policy announcements of 2024 and 2025, Chancellor Reeves lived up to her promise of a boring fiscal event.

No major new tax policies, no major new spending policies (and with war in the Middle East, stability in the domestic economy would be welcomed by many), and no major shake-up in the Labour Party polling. All eyes will now move swiftly to the Autumn Budget 2026: will the Treasury continue with its playing safe, or will Reeves try for a home run on the economic front, risking three strikes in doing so?

Representation of the People’s Bill

This week, the Representation of the People’s Bill passed its second reading in the Commons. Proposals within it include measures to modernise electoral administration, expand voter participation and review aspects of the UK’s electoral framework. Crucially, it extends suffrage to 16 year olds, but regrettably fails to propose one of the most important changes our democracy needs: a move away from First-Past-The-Post and towards proportional representation.

A welcome Bill, for sure, but one that will no doubt face considerable hurdles - not only on making the most of the positive opportunities for meaningful electoral reform, but also defending our democracy against negative risks like dodgy donors (the conveniently-timed Electoral Commission donation data shows yet more donations for Reform UK sourced from overseas Crypto investors…).

Read Lisa Smart MP's Lib Dem Voice Article on this legislation, here.

Liberal Democrats leading in Parliament

In our weekly round-up of key social liberal parliamentary activity this week, Liberal Democrats led on debates, questions and legislation, including:

House of Commons

1. Chair of the Petitions Committee, Jamie Stone MP, led a Westminster Hall Debate on the Secretary of State’s power to cancel local elections (Monday 2nd)

2. Chris Coghlan MP secured the Adjournment Debate on local authorities and SEND provision (Tuesday 3rd)

3. Shadow Leader of the House, Bobby Dean MP, led a Westminster Hall debate on NHS Capital Spending (Wednesday 4th)

4. Liberal Democrat Chief Whip, Wendy Chamberlain MP, secured a Westminster Hall Debate on timescales for Work Capability Assessments (Wednesday 4th).

5. Scotland Spokesperson, Susan Murray MP, secured a Westminster Hall Debate on Scotland’s contribution to energy security and net zero (Wednesday 4th).

House of Lords

1. Chair of the Environment and Climate Change Committee, Baroness Sheehan questioned the Government on due diligence requirements for forest-risk commodities (Monday 2nd).

 In other news

1. Lib Dem Roz Savage MP, wrote an Article in Liberal Democrat Voice, which has been picked up as of key interest to social liberals

2. Lib Dem County, Borough & Town councillor in Eastleigh, Tanya Park, wrote an Article on a similar theme, titled "Power shared, not hoarded: finishing the argument"

3. Reports out this week 

Public finances and the Economy

• Institute for Fiscal Studies: “Spring Forecast 2026: initial response” (3rd March)

  • IFS researchers analyse the Chancellor’s Spring Forecast, noting that while headline numbers appear stable, the fiscal outlook remains uncertain and vulnerable to global shocks.

• Institute for Fiscal Studies: “The Spring Forecast explained” (4th March)

  • Explains the key numbers behind the Spring Forecast, including risks that higher energy prices could increase inflation, borrowing and interest rates.

• Resolution Foundation: “Understatement of the Year” (4th March)

  • Resolution Foundation’s publication putting the 2026 Spring Forecast in context, with a focus on living standards, fiscal risks and the impact of Middle East-driven energy shocks.

Foreign Affairs

• European Council on Foreign Relations: From shield to sword: Europe’s offensive strategy for the hybrid age” (6th March)

  • An ECFR policy brief arguing Europe needs a more proactive strategy against hybrid attacks on its democracies and institutions.

Social Care

• The King’s Fund: “Not My Priority: How The Public Sees Social Care (And What Can Be Done About It)” (2nd March).

  • A report on public understanding of social care, why reform struggles to gain traction, and how the issue could be communicated more effectively.

Pensions

• Social Market Foundation: “Trustee as Sovereign” (4th March)

  • An SMF report arguing the UK’s pensions governance and regulatory framework will struggle to remain fit for purpose without reform.

Skills and Education

• Higher Education Policy Institute: “Being indispensable: Capabilities for a human-AI world, the ‘FUTURES’ framework” (5th March)

  • A HEPI report arguing universities should prioritise distinctly human capabilities as generative AI reshapes higher education and work.

The Social Liberal Forum newsletter is edited by SLF Council Member, Ulysse Abbate. The views outlined in reports and other events referenced in this newsletter do not necessarily reflect the views of the editor or the SLF as a whole.

Contact the Social Liberal Forum here.