Monday, December 31, 2007
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eee Happy New Year ! eee
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- best wishes for 2008 to all our readers.
New Year's message from Lib Dem Leader
Below are some extracts from Nick Clegg's New Year Message for 2008:
"2008 will be a momentous year for the Liberal Democrats.
We have before us an unparalleled opportunity. We must reach beyond the stale two-party system to the millions of people who share our liberal values, and change Britain for the better. Putting British families back in control of their everyday lives will be at the heart of everything we stand for. Giving power and responsibility to families – of every shape and size, of every background – is the only way to make sure everyone has a fair chance in life.
I will not tolerate a country in which the poorest people die 13 years sooner than the richest, lone parent families are twice as likely to get attacked or burgled, and the poorest pupils are twice as likely to fail their GCSEs.
I believe no-one should be condemned by the circumstances of their birth. And I am certain that is what the British people believe, too. We are a nation with a strong sense of fair play, and natural justice.
The challenge for our party is to persuade those people that their home is with the Liberal Democrats.
-- we should campaign tirelessly to stop the expensive, invasive and unnecessary Identity Cards scheme in its tracks.
I urge you to join with me to make this happen: so we can truly give British families control over their own lives this year.
Together, we can make Britain the liberal country the British people want it to be."
Nick Clegg, Leader, Liberal Democrats
P.S. You can also watch and comment on my new year message on YouTube.
"2008 will be a momentous year for the Liberal Democrats.
We have before us an unparalleled opportunity. We must reach beyond the stale two-party system to the millions of people who share our liberal values, and change Britain for the better. Putting British families back in control of their everyday lives will be at the heart of everything we stand for. Giving power and responsibility to families – of every shape and size, of every background – is the only way to make sure everyone has a fair chance in life.
I will not tolerate a country in which the poorest people die 13 years sooner than the richest, lone parent families are twice as likely to get attacked or burgled, and the poorest pupils are twice as likely to fail their GCSEs.
I believe no-one should be condemned by the circumstances of their birth. And I am certain that is what the British people believe, too. We are a nation with a strong sense of fair play, and natural justice.
The challenge for our party is to persuade those people that their home is with the Liberal Democrats.
-- we should campaign tirelessly to stop the expensive, invasive and unnecessary Identity Cards scheme in its tracks.
I urge you to join with me to make this happen: so we can truly give British families control over their own lives this year.
Together, we can make Britain the liberal country the British people want it to be."
Nick Clegg, Leader, Liberal Democrats
P.S. You can also watch and comment on my new year message on YouTube.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
NICK CLEGG, the new leader of the Liberal Democrats
Lib Dem members have elected Nick Clegg MP to be the new leader of the party.Nick Clegg factfile:
* MP for Sheffield Hallam, first elected in 2005
* Born in 1967, married to Miriam, with two young children
* Used to work managing aid projects overseas and as a trade negotiator for the EU
* Leading the campaign to scrap the Government’s ineffective ID cards plan and spend the money on more police instead
* His top three priorities are giving children the best start in life, taking real action to cut crime and leading the fight to protect vital local health services.
After his election, he said:
"Labour and the Conservatives have failed Britain's families. I will lead my party to change politics, and change Britain, for the better. Only the Liberal Democrats are committed to giving the people a greater say in the decisions that affect their lives, by shifting power away from Westminster and back to local communities. I will fight for a fair deal for Britain’s families, campaign tirelessly to cut crime, and improve our NHS so it delivers the care people need.
Gordon Brown’s Government is blundering from one disaster to another. But the Conservatives’ policy-lite PR agenda has failed to catch people’s imagination. People are ready to hear what the Liberal Democrats have to offer."
Film link - click on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzO5G4zb6zo
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
CONSERVATIVES PROGRESSIVE? NO WAY, SAYS CABLE
The Liberal Democrats have dismissed a cynical call by David Cameron for the two parties to forge a "progressive alliance" against Labour. The Conservative leader had called on the Lib Dems and the Green Party to join forces in promoting a "decentralisation agenda". Both acting Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable and former leader Charles Kennedy criticised the proposals yesterday, with Kennedy saying that he did not “see a great consensus between the leaders of the Tories and Liberal Democrats" on issues such as Europe.” [EPolitix] [Observer]
Vince Cable said: "The Liberal Democrats will continue to work with other parties on issues where we have common ground and can work together in the national interest. However, this is not a serious proposal and David Cameron clearly lives in cloud-cuckoo land. A Conservative party that wants to cut funding on public services and talks the talk on green issues but fails to deliver any meaningful policies has little to offer today's Britain. Only recently the Tories have revealed their true colours on environmental issues by supporting nuclear power and backing the expansion of major airports. The Liberal Democrats are the only party who consistently offer a clear and progressive agenda for a fairer, greener and liberal Britain."
Vince Cable said: "The Liberal Democrats will continue to work with other parties on issues where we have common ground and can work together in the national interest. However, this is not a serious proposal and David Cameron clearly lives in cloud-cuckoo land. A Conservative party that wants to cut funding on public services and talks the talk on green issues but fails to deliver any meaningful policies has little to offer today's Britain. Only recently the Tories have revealed their true colours on environmental issues by supporting nuclear power and backing the expansion of major airports. The Liberal Democrats are the only party who consistently offer a clear and progressive agenda for a fairer, greener and liberal Britain."
Fighting for a fair democracy in Britain
A CATALOGUE OF GOVERNMENT FAILURE
Speaking of the barrage of attacks on the Labour government in the media, Lib Dem Cllr.John Beanse said: “The media have turned the spotlight of late on several failings of the Labour government.
However, there is one vital issue that has received little or no attention – our inadequate democracy. The government’s record is a sorry catalogue of unfulfilled promises:
Ø In 1996, Tony Blair said: there should be “the chance for the people to decide after the election by which system they elect the government of the future”.
Ø In 1997, the Labour party election manifesto said: “We are committed to a referendum on the voting system for the House of Commons.” An Independent Commission under Lord Jenkins was set up, but its recommendations were ignored.
Ø In 2001, the Labour manifesto said: “We will review the experience of the new systems and the Jenkins Report to assess whether changes might be made to the electoral system for the House of Commons” - and again promised a referendum. Still no referendum.
Ø In 2005, the same commitment was repeated.
Ø This year (2007), the "Governance of Britain Green Paper" stated: “In line with the government’s manifesto, it is carrying out a review of the experience of the new voting systems established since 1997 - - -” This review was supposed to be completed by the end of 2007.
Here we are at the end of the year and still we have nothing. The Liberal Democrats will continue to hold the Government to account on this vital issue.”
Cllr. John Beanse added: “ We desperately need to bring our democracy into the 21st century. We need a fair voting system where all votes count equally and the balance of public opinion is reflected accurately in the Commons. The reality is that, counting in those who did not vote at all in the last General Election, the present government had the support of only about 22% of the British people in 2005. This is a mockery of the word “democracy.” ”
However, there is one vital issue that has received little or no attention – our inadequate democracy. The government’s record is a sorry catalogue of unfulfilled promises:
Ø In 1996, Tony Blair said: there should be “the chance for the people to decide after the election by which system they elect the government of the future”.
Ø In 1997, the Labour party election manifesto said: “We are committed to a referendum on the voting system for the House of Commons.” An Independent Commission under Lord Jenkins was set up, but its recommendations were ignored.
Ø In 2001, the Labour manifesto said: “We will review the experience of the new systems and the Jenkins Report to assess whether changes might be made to the electoral system for the House of Commons” - and again promised a referendum. Still no referendum.
Ø In 2005, the same commitment was repeated.
Ø This year (2007), the "Governance of Britain Green Paper" stated: “In line with the government’s manifesto, it is carrying out a review of the experience of the new voting systems established since 1997 - - -” This review was supposed to be completed by the end of 2007.
Here we are at the end of the year and still we have nothing. The Liberal Democrats will continue to hold the Government to account on this vital issue.”
Cllr. John Beanse added: “ We desperately need to bring our democracy into the 21st century. We need a fair voting system where all votes count equally and the balance of public opinion is reflected accurately in the Commons. The reality is that, counting in those who did not vote at all in the last General Election, the present government had the support of only about 22% of the British people in 2005. This is a mockery of the word “democracy.” ”
Sunday, December 09, 2007
FOCUS number 100
Liberal Democrats in Hale End & Highams Park ward have recently celebrated the launch of Focus number 100. The special edition is in full colour front & back and, as a lead story, features Ken Livingstone's refusal to back the Waltham Forest campaign to re-open the Hall Farm curve [to provide an extra rail service from Chingford and Walthamstow to STRATFORD]. Also on page 1 is a short report, with photo, of the work of Waltham Forest's Deputy Mayor Cllr.Sheila Smith-Pryor.
Who's who in the Lib Dems?!
A recently published photo (in a Lib Dem newspaper reporting on Conferences) of part of the audience at this year's Brighton Conference.
The 2 people featured here are of course former leader Charles Kennedy MP - and Cllr.John Beanse (Hale End & Highams Park ward, Waltham Forest) !
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
FALL IN GREEN TAXES CRITICISED BY LIBERAL DEMOCRATS
New figures released by the Office for National Statistics show that the share of government revenue generated by green taxes fell last year to the lowest level for at least 13 years. The amount raised by so-called green taxes, which includes air passenger duty and fuel taxes, dropped from 7.7% of total revenue to 7.3% in 2006. The figures show green taxes have now dropped for four successive years. [Telegraph]
Chris Huhne MP said: "Gordon Brown has run scared of any tough decisions on the environment. How will these disappointing figures be looked upon at the Climate Change conference in Bali this week? Sadly, all the evidence is that Mr Brown is not green and does not understand the key threat posed by climate chaos. Polluters must pay, we must shift tax from people and on to pollution."
Chris Huhne MP said: "Gordon Brown has run scared of any tough decisions on the environment. How will these disappointing figures be looked upon at the Climate Change conference in Bali this week? Sadly, all the evidence is that Mr Brown is not green and does not understand the key threat posed by climate chaos. Polluters must pay, we must shift tax from people and on to pollution."
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
100th Focus celebration
Focus Editor Cllr.John Beanse with knife poised on cake !
Hale End & Highams Park Focus no.100 party
A special event was held on Sat. Dec.1st. to mark the 100th. edition of Hale End & Highams Park FOCUS. Many helpers and supporters came along for the party, which also served as a way of thanking all volunteers for their invaluable contribution to the work of FOCUS over so many years. It is expected that the special 4-page FOCUS no.100 - which has colour pages front and back - will be delivered throughout the ward over the next 2 weeks.
A special event was held on Sat. Dec.1st. to mark the 100th. edition of Hale End & Highams Park FOCUS. Many helpers and supporters came along for the party, which also served as a way of thanking all volunteers for their invaluable contribution to the work of FOCUS over so many years. It is expected that the special 4-page FOCUS no.100 - which has colour pages front and back - will be delivered throughout the ward over the next 2 weeks.
Later in the evening the party enjoyed a seasonal
Christmas sing-along (Jane Morgan at the piano).
Saturday, December 01, 2007
Lib Dem Leadership contenders speak out
Nick Clegg and Chris Huhne speak out on our inadequate democracy
Nick Clegg says
“Our political system is broken. The Houses of Parliament is fast becoming a museum piece – a 19th century home for our 21st century political elite.
For much of the week its benches are almost empty. The place only comes to life for that half hour of barracking and bullying known as Prime Minister’s Questions.
But is this surprising when we are governed by a party voted for by just 22 percent of the people, but which has 55 percent of the MPs?
The current system robs most of us of our right to a voice. If you want your vote to matter, there’s only one thing to do: move to a seat with a fragile majority. Election after election throws up collagen majorities – fat and fake."
Chris Huhne says
“British politics is rotten. You cannot build a responsive, healthy and energetic democracy on the sickly constitutional system Britain currently has. Labour and the Tories will continue to tinker around the edges of politics, rather than engage in a real debate, as long as the system encourages them to do so. As Liberal Democrat leader, I will defy that cosy consensus and appeal for votes all over our country. And I will continue to press the case for every person being equal before the ballot box as well as equal before the law. So long as we have a corrupt first-past-the-post system, we cannot have democracy that captures the imagination or inspires the confidence of the British people."
