The Liberal Democrats have become the first political party to commit to providing British Sign Language (BSL) interpretation for general election events “with a substantial audience”, as campaigning gets underway ahead of the vote on 4 July.
The pledge follows Deaf campaigner Katie Rowley writing to the party – alongside the Conservatives, Labour, the Green Party and Reform UK – requesting manifesto information is issued “with BSL in-screen”, and an “on-platform” interpreter is provided at all press conferences.
While Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey’s initial reaction to Wednesday’s election announcement from Rishi Sunak came without BSL interpretation, a Liberal Democrat spokesman told Liam O’Dell on Thursday that “at any set piece event with a substantial audience like the manifesto launch we will have BSL interpretation”.
The statement came minutes after Reform UK concluded its first election press conference, which a party spokesman confirmed earlier today would not come with a BSL interpreter.
Mr Sunak confirmed the public would go to the polls in July on Wednesday evening, in a speech outside No 10 in which he said “now is the moment for Britain to choose its future”.
The statement, which came without in-person or on-screen BSL interpretation, also saw Sunak say: “Over the next few weeks, I will fight for every vote. I will earn your trust and I will prove to you that only a Conservative government led by me will not put our hard-earned economic stability at risk, can restore pride and confidence in our country and with a clear plan and bold action, will deliver a secure future for you, your family and our United Kingdom.”
This was followed up by the Conservatives’ first election rally later that night, which was also inaccessible to Deaf BSL signers.
Meanwhile, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer held an event in response to the election announcement – which too came without BSL interpretation – in which he said voters can “stop the chaos”.
All five political parties have been approached for comment on accessible communications.
Images: Liberal Democrats/Flickr.
Liam O'Dell 