Today, 7 MPs left Labour to form an independent group. I felt they were brave and said I hoped we’d be able to work together.

What I didn’t say is I felt the answer to many of their reasons for leaving are addressed right here, with the Liberal Democrats.

Today 7 Labour MPs have left their party to become Independents.

Every May, there are local elections in the UK, to elect the councillors that local after our local communities.

In the Liberal Democrats, we’re committed to making sure this year’s local elections produce the biggest gains ever, returning hard-working Liberal Democrat councillors to town halls right across England.

It is less than a month now to Spring Conference in York. I’m sure many of you will by now have booked your trains and your accommodation to join us for all the interest that two days packed full of motions, training, fringes and meeting up with others from across the country. If you haven’t booked yet, you can do so here: libdems.org.uk/spring-conference

We all know the power of a good story.

Storytelling is the oldest way of passing along information, in which facts can be shared but we also know it is also one of the most powerful for sharing our messages.

That’s why we want yours.