Happy New Year!

Over Christmas and New Year, a team of HQ staff and almost 60 volunteer testers from across the party as well as the team at Prater Raines have been hard at work testing Lighthouse, the party's new Local Party Management tool.

The feedback from those users has been really encouraging, they've found the system really intuitive and easy to use.

Today I've announced my team of spokespeople in the House of Commons.

We'll speak up for the millions of people who voted for the Liberal Democrats in the general election, and the millions more who are dismayed with the actions of this Conservative government.

The team's portfolios can be found below:

Iran is governed by a brutal regime which has been openly hostile to the west.

Donald Trump has yet again radically and recklessly escalated tensions in an area where peace-keeping was already on a knife edge.

There is a real danger this will stoke further conflict, undermining peace and stability in the region. Given the severity of the crisis, the Prime Minister must make a statement about the UK's position immediately.

The UK should not automatically follow whatever position the Trump administration takes, but work with a broader group of concerned states at the United Nations.

Layla Moran, Lib Dem MP for Oxford West and Abingdon and Honorary President of LGBT+ Liberal Democrats, has today stated that she is pansexual and in a relationship with a woman, Rosy Cobb.

Dave Page, Chair of LGBT+ Liberal Democrats, said "We didn't know that Layla was pansexual when we made her our Honorary President for 2020 - we just knew she was committed to supporting and defending our community. Now we know she's a part of it and we couldn't be happier for her.

Tim Farron's first Autumn Conference as leader of the Liberal Democrats.

Come and hear him, and participate in some interesting debates, such as Welfare Reform.

As my Presidency draws to an end on New Year's Eve, I wanted to write to you with a final thank you for the extraordinary help that you have given the liberal cause over the last five years.

To have faced three General Elections and the EU Referendum during these five years - as well as the snap European elections this year - has been unprecedented, draining for everyone who has worked in them. Our candidates and teams, party staff and the many members and supporters who have continuously found that extra bit of energy and effort kept fighting the liberal cause.

Following the civil partership of Rebecca Steinfeld and Charles Keidan today, LGBT+ Liberal Democrats welcome the introduction of mixed-sex civil partnerships in England and Wales.

Chair of LGBT+ Lib Dems, Dave Page, said:

"The Liberal Democrats sought to introduce civil partnerships for all couples in 2002 through Lord Lester's Private Members Bill. That Bill was withdrawn at the request of the Government of the day, who watered it down as a separate institution for same-sex couples only in 2004. When the Liberal Democrats introduced Same-Sex Marriage in 2013, we sought to make Civil Partnerships open to mixed-sex couples too, but these amendments were not successful.

A happy and peaceful Chanukah to all Jewish people around the world!

Chanukah is a special time of the year for so many reasons. It's about solidarity with friends and family. It's about overcoming adversity in impossible circumstances. Most importantly, it's about the power of faith and how it can make wonderful things happen.