Manchester Liberal Democrats environment spokesperson, Dr Jackie Pearcey, has welcomed moves today led by Liberal Democrats MP Wera Hobhouse calling for an end to fracking because of its adverse impact on the environment and its incompatibility with tackling the climate crisis.

After gaining her PhD Jackie Pearcey took part in a project to work out what would happen with long-term nuclear waste repositories under various points in the North of England and told us that "The problem was that the ground water would always get in and would always get up to the surface. Fracking will contaminate the groundwater and this will get to the surface."

Graham Stringer last night voted with Theresa May's government to prevent parliament from taking steps to prevent a no-deal Brexit by extending the article 50 negotiating period in order to agree an alternative deal with the EU. The former Manchester City Council Leaser joined with other veteran Eurosceptics Kate Hoey, and Dennis Skinner and 11 other Labour MP's in voting down Yvette Cooper's amendment by 321 votes to 298.

Liberal Democrrat Parliamentary Spokesperson for Blackley and Broughton, Iain Donaldson, has again slated the Constituency's Labour MP for once more backing Theresa's May's worst option deal on Brexit.

Iain told Manchester FOCUS that "Despite oppinion polls showing that remain has substantially overtaken Brexit in Blackley and Broughton, Mr Stringer still clings to his belief that Brexit is good for Britain."

Manchester Opposition Leader John Leech has slammed Jeremy Corbyn's claims that he will tackle the Syrian refugee crisis as Labour's flagship council continues to reject them.

I was always tempted to have a first-hand experience of the LibDem national party conference, and this year I finally made it.

My overall verdict is: my schedule during those 2 days became so packed, and I got more than what I anticipated.

It was a dynamic and busy weekend with a lot going on. The guidebooks filled with all sort of events. There are a lot of things going on: debates on policies, fringe sessions, trainings and others. On top of it, there are Easter eggs in the conference because there are a lot of events which are not mentioned in the guidebook/agenda.

Yesterday was Bi Visibility Day. Our Chair, Jennie, wrote a piece for Liberal Democrat Voice, reproduced here:

Today we are marking the twentieth annual Bi Visibility day, which aims to raise the profile and visibility of bisexual people within our society - a society which so often overlooks them. Whilst great progress has been made in advancing rights and acceptance for gay and lesbian people (although of course, there is more to be done), bisexual people often suffer from assumptions based on the gender of their current (or last) partner and the prejudices of their peers. Media portrayals can trivialise their experiences, treat them as curiosities, or suggest that their sexual appetites are greedy and promiscuous. In such a climate, young bisexuals can feel pressured to "pick a side" and this is part of the reason why bi people suffer from far worse rates of mental illness than either gay or straight people. On top of this, the needs of bisexuals are often overlooked in the provision of health and social services.

I'm often asked why I first joined the Liberal Democrats and I have often answered with the word 'Brexit'. But whilst it was true that devastating result of the EU Referendum in 2016 was the catalyst for me joining the party, it really encompasses many wider issues that I wish to make a stand against.

Children with mental health problems are not receiving treatment until they are in crisis and sometimes suicidal, doctors have told the BBC. A letter leaked to Panorama reveals at least one area's child and adolescent mental health service (CAHMS) to be rationing care.

Leading psychiatrist Jon Goldin described the service as "not fit for purpose". The government said it was investing an extra £1.4bn in child mental health.

Party Conference is over, and we have left Brighton after an excellent four days. Over the Conference we have listened, spoken, debated matters fiercely, and voted on party policy.

Over 300 members attended Conference for the first time, and many of them made their first speech in debates on the stage too, making excellent contributions. The Exhibition and Fringes were brilliant too.

Commenting on the National Audit Office report into the sustainability of police forces in England and Wales Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson for Manchester Gorton, Jackie Pearcey, told Focus "The fact the NAO is now reporting constables are finding it difficult to deliver an effective service is yet another shocking indictment of the government's failure to support our police."