Friday, March 21, 2008
Waltham Forest Council meeting
SAVE OUR POST OFFICES
At the full Council meeting on Thursday, 20th. March, the Council gave unanimous backing (with one addition) to a Liberal Democrat motion backing the campaign to save Waltham Forest post offices.
Speaking in the debate, Cllr. John Beanse (Hale End & Highams Park ward) spoke of the absurd nature of the so-called consultation process, giving examples relating to the Sewardstone Road closure in 2003 and also the current proposed Hall Lane closure in 2008. He said it was worse than the trial in Alice in Wonderland, because it was a case of "sentence first, verdict afterwards" - and then we'll have a bit of "consultation". He stressed the need for all to stand together on this issue.
THE HALL FARM CURVE
Earlier, John had raised again the issue of the Hall Farm Curve, stressing concern because the Greater Anglia "Route Utilisation Strategy" published by Network Rail in December, 2007, speaks of "running of Chingford services to Liverpool Street via Stratford" - not SOME services. The advantages of having a service to Stratford via a relaid Hall Farm Curve are clear, but it is important that this should be an extra, ALTERNATIVE service, and that the existing service, via Hackney Downs, should be retained.
At the full Council meeting on Thursday, 20th. March, the Council gave unanimous backing (with one addition) to a Liberal Democrat motion backing the campaign to save Waltham Forest post offices.
Speaking in the debate, Cllr. John Beanse (Hale End & Highams Park ward) spoke of the absurd nature of the so-called consultation process, giving examples relating to the Sewardstone Road closure in 2003 and also the current proposed Hall Lane closure in 2008. He said it was worse than the trial in Alice in Wonderland, because it was a case of "sentence first, verdict afterwards" - and then we'll have a bit of "consultation". He stressed the need for all to stand together on this issue.
THE HALL FARM CURVE
Earlier, John had raised again the issue of the Hall Farm Curve, stressing concern because the Greater Anglia "Route Utilisation Strategy" published by Network Rail in December, 2007, speaks of "running of Chingford services to Liverpool Street via Stratford" - not SOME services. The advantages of having a service to Stratford via a relaid Hall Farm Curve are clear, but it is important that this should be an extra, ALTERNATIVE service, and that the existing service, via Hackney Downs, should be retained.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Signs of the times?
Cllr.John Beanse succeeded in getting a question asked of the Mayor of London Ken Livingstone after contacting the Lib Dem group on the London Assembly.
John Beanse specifically wanted to know about the cost of the signage for the "Low Emission Zone". This was the exchange at City Hall:
LEZ Costs
Question No: 603 / 2008
Mike Tuffrey
What has been the total cost of the signage, including the costs for erection, for the London Emission Zone?
The total costs for the installation of LEZ signs on Highways Agency, borough and Transport for London Road Network roads was £3m.
John Beanse comments: "Obviously the "Low Emission Zone" has potential benefits but the cost of bringing it in has been enormous - £35 million in all, it is believed.
The plethora of signs is a particular issue.
John Beanse specifically wanted to know about the cost of the signage for the "Low Emission Zone". This was the exchange at City Hall:
LEZ Costs
Question No: 603 / 2008
Mike Tuffrey
What has been the total cost of the signage, including the costs for erection, for the London Emission Zone?
The total costs for the installation of LEZ signs on Highways Agency, borough and Transport for London Road Network roads was £3m.
John Beanse comments: "Obviously the "Low Emission Zone" has potential benefits but the cost of bringing it in has been enormous - £35 million in all, it is believed.
The plethora of signs is a particular issue.
Even dead end roads on the complicated boundary that has been drawn up have signs, although lorries are hardly likely to go down there!"
The photo shows the start of QUEEN'S GROVE ROAD, North Chingford. There are no roads off and there is no way through - a complete dead end.
Real votes in real ballot boxes
The votes in Council by-elections in London over the last 6 months are startling:
LABOUR 6251 = 23%
CONSERVATIVES 8873 = 33%
LIBERAL DEMOCRATS 9797 = 36%
LABOUR 6251 = 23%
CONSERVATIVES 8873 = 33%
LIBERAL DEMOCRATS 9797 = 36%
IRAQ
MPs will vote next week on whether there should be a full-scale inquiry into the Iraq war to ensure that lessons are learnt from the mistakes made. This will be done in an attempt to force Gordon Brown to honour his pledge to hold an investigation. The Prime Minister committed himself to calling an inquiry in a letter to the Fabian Society. But he insisted the time is not yet right because the situation in Iraq remains "fragile". [Independent]
As Lib Dem MP Ed Davey has pointed out - "Anything that gets the Government to hold a full inquiry into the Iraq War as soon as possible will have the support of the Liberal Democrats. It is good to see that the Tories are following our lead in calling for an inquiry. Perhaps next week’s debate will also give David Cameron and his colleagues the chance to explain why they voted for this catastrophic war in the first place".
As Lib Dem MP Ed Davey has pointed out - "Anything that gets the Government to hold a full inquiry into the Iraq War as soon as possible will have the support of the Liberal Democrats. It is good to see that the Tories are following our lead in calling for an inquiry. Perhaps next week’s debate will also give David Cameron and his colleagues the chance to explain why they voted for this catastrophic war in the first place".
London Lib Dem Conference
2 members of the Executive of Chingford & Woodfoord Green Liberal Democrats travelled up to London yesterday for the party's London Spring Conference. They were President Maureen Hoskins (formerly a councillor in Church End ward, Redbridge) and Chairman Cllr. John Beanse (Hale End & Highams Park ward, Waltham Forest).
There were speeches from London Mayoral candidate Brian Paddick and party leader Nick Clegg MP.
In the ensuing debates on London issues, Maurreen Hoskins spoke of the positive impact of Safer Neighbourhood Teams and urged that they should be strengthened.
John Beanse spoke of inadequate rail and bus services locally and described this constituency as a "forgotten corner of London" as far as public transport improvements are concerned.
There were speeches from London Mayoral candidate Brian Paddick and party leader Nick Clegg MP.
In the ensuing debates on London issues, Maurreen Hoskins spoke of the positive impact of Safer Neighbourhood Teams and urged that they should be strengthened.
John Beanse spoke of inadequate rail and bus services locally and described this constituency as a "forgotten corner of London" as far as public transport improvements are concerned.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Response to report by Lord Darzi - Healthcare for London
A response to the Healthcare for London consultation ("Consulting the Capital"), based on the "Darzi report", has been submitted by Waltham Forest Lib Dem Councillor John Beanse, who is Vice-Chair of Waltham Forest's Overview and Scrutiny sub-committee on Health, Adults and Older People. This can be read by clicking on the Archive file for January, 2008 (left hand column below).
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Fighting for local post offices
LIBERAL DEMOCRATS' POST OFFICE CAMPAIGN
On the left: the post office at 299, Hall Lane, Chingford, E4 which is at risk. In the Redbridge part of Chingford & Woodford Green, Lib Dem Cllrs. Richard Hoskins, Hugh Cleaver and Nicola Sinclair are fighting hard to try to save the threatened post office in High Road, S.Woodford. More news via the Redbridge link above (see list in first item on blogspot). Similarly, there has been a local petition, organised by Lib Dems, and a special FOCUS in Valley ward, Waltham Forest, defending the Hall Lane branch.
Meanwhile, Waltham Forest Council as a whole has mounted a cross-party campaign to defend the 6 post offices in the borough which are threatened with closure. There is a special on-line petition which you can sign.Click here on http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/LBWFPostOffice
Friday, March 14, 2008
Back from Liverpool
Two members of the Executive of Chingford and Woodford Green Liberal Democrats have returned from Liverpool, after taking part in the party's successful Spring Conference last weekend. They were Anne Crook, Monkhams ward rep., and Chairman Cllr.John Beanse (Hale End & Highams Park ward, Waltham Forest). Anne Crook's reflections and report on Conference can be read by scrolling down in the Archive file for March, 2008..
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
IMPORTANT NEWS re THE HALL FARM CURVE
Cllr.John Beanse (Lib Dem), Hale End & Highams Park ward, Waltham Forest has obtained information that shows the rail authorities ARE now - at last - actively considering re-laying and re-opening the Hall Farm Curve.
Good news of course. However, this appears to be more as a solution to a problem than the immediate improvement in service that local campaigners are seeking.
Cllr. John Beanse explains:
"A couple of documents - "Delivering for you" (p.8) from Network Rail and Rail magazine for Jan/Feb, 2008 (p.38) refer to re-opening the Hall Farm curve - but not quite as we want it or are campaigning for!
Because of development of the Stanstead corridor, the Lea Valley Line would need greater capacity. To free up capacity into Liverpool St. via Clapton, Hackney Downs, etc, they are now actually thinking seriously of re-routing Chingford trains via Lea Bridge and Stratford - by reconstructing the Hall Farm Curve - and then from there on into Liverpool St. There would be more scope for capacity by then on the lines via Stratford and Bethnal Green, because Crossrail trains from Shenfield would disappear down the planned tunnel.
This all sounds plausible - but if this plan went ahead, how would Waltham Forest passengers get to Clapton or Hackney Downs?? - only by going into Liverpool Street and back?!
What we really need is more trains on the Chingford line AND an ALTERNATIVE service via the Hall Farm curve. Thus, for instance, there might be a choice of service and trains every 10 min. instead of 15 at most times on the Chingford - St.James St. section. As it is, it is often standing room only for many commuters, particularly in the mornings.
I regret to say that the documents I have seen do not even seem to be considering this.
So still campaigning and action are required."
Good news of course. However, this appears to be more as a solution to a problem than the immediate improvement in service that local campaigners are seeking.
Cllr. John Beanse explains:
"A couple of documents - "Delivering for you" (p.8) from Network Rail and Rail magazine for Jan/Feb, 2008 (p.38) refer to re-opening the Hall Farm curve - but not quite as we want it or are campaigning for!
Because of development of the Stanstead corridor, the Lea Valley Line would need greater capacity. To free up capacity into Liverpool St. via Clapton, Hackney Downs, etc, they are now actually thinking seriously of re-routing Chingford trains via Lea Bridge and Stratford - by reconstructing the Hall Farm Curve - and then from there on into Liverpool St. There would be more scope for capacity by then on the lines via Stratford and Bethnal Green, because Crossrail trains from Shenfield would disappear down the planned tunnel.
This all sounds plausible - but if this plan went ahead, how would Waltham Forest passengers get to Clapton or Hackney Downs?? - only by going into Liverpool Street and back?!
What we really need is more trains on the Chingford line AND an ALTERNATIVE service via the Hall Farm curve. Thus, for instance, there might be a choice of service and trains every 10 min. instead of 15 at most times on the Chingford - St.James St. section. As it is, it is often standing room only for many commuters, particularly in the mornings.
I regret to say that the documents I have seen do not even seem to be considering this.
So still campaigning and action are required."
Saving our NHS
CONFERENCE BACKS RADICAL PLANS FOR THE HEALTH SERVICE
Conference backed plans to radically transform the NHS into a ‘people’s health service’ through empowering individuals and decentralising control to local communities. Shadow Health Secretary Norman Lamb called the result “a very significant vote” for the party. Two amendments were passed to the original motion. One means that local Health Boards (which would replace primary care trusts) would comprise two-thirds directly elected members, and one-third local authority councillors (from social care authorities). The other set criteria for the use of PFI and other private sector procurement by the NHS. [BBC] [Motion and Release] [Policy Paper]
Plans contained in the health policy paper include
· Guaranteeing every citizen access to a high standard of core healthcare entitlements within maximum waiting times in a ‘Patient’s Contract’. To make sure that the NHS delivers, patients would have the right to receive private treatment, paid for by the NHS, if the waiting time was not met.
· Introducing a ‘Care Guarantee’ by spending £2 billion on personal care payments for all elderly people requiring care, based on need and not their ability to pay.
· Directly electing the majority of members of local Health Boards instead of unaccountable Primary Care Trusts, putting people in charge of decisions about their local health services.
· Rolling out the use of direct payments and individual budgets for people with chronic, long-term conditions and mental health services.
Conference backed plans to radically transform the NHS into a ‘people’s health service’ through empowering individuals and decentralising control to local communities. Shadow Health Secretary Norman Lamb called the result “a very significant vote” for the party. Two amendments were passed to the original motion. One means that local Health Boards (which would replace primary care trusts) would comprise two-thirds directly elected members, and one-third local authority councillors (from social care authorities). The other set criteria for the use of PFI and other private sector procurement by the NHS. [BBC] [Motion and Release] [Policy Paper]
Plans contained in the health policy paper include
· Guaranteeing every citizen access to a high standard of core healthcare entitlements within maximum waiting times in a ‘Patient’s Contract’. To make sure that the NHS delivers, patients would have the right to receive private treatment, paid for by the NHS, if the waiting time was not met.
· Introducing a ‘Care Guarantee’ by spending £2 billion on personal care payments for all elderly people requiring care, based on need and not their ability to pay.
· Directly electing the majority of members of local Health Boards instead of unaccountable Primary Care Trusts, putting people in charge of decisions about their local health services.
· Rolling out the use of direct payments and individual budgets for people with chronic, long-term conditions and mental health services.
Conference speech
LEADER’S SPEECH: NICK CLEGG PROMISES "A NEW TYPE OF POLITICS"
In his first conference speech as leader, Nick Clegg demanded a shake-up of the whole political system. A running theme of the speech was the need for a new kind of politics. Key points from Nick’s speech include:
· "Let’s clean up politics … I want a Derek Conway Clause. So if an MP is suspended for serious misconduct there is an automatic recall ballot so people can call for a by-election.”
· "Let’s give people the say they deserve. I hold town hall meetings up and down the country every couple of weeks… Today I'm writing to invite [Brown and Cameron] to join me at any one of the town hall meetings coming up. Not as a media stunt, but a direct conversation with people“.
· "Let’s design a new political system for the 21st century. … I want a citizens’ jury of 100 people to sit in a Constitutional Convention with all the political parties, churches, civil society groups and more - to look across the board, and redesign the way Britain is governed.”
· "If we don’t act, Britain will end up like America, where political influence is all about cash. That's why I want a universal £25,000 cap on donations. A real cap on spending. And yes, an end to big union donations, and an end to offshore finance from Belize."
· Nick said he would do whatever it takes to get change in Britain: "If it means walking out of Parliament when the big parties collude against us, I say: fine. If it means boycotting banquets that celebrate our relationship with dodgy regimes, like Vince Cable did, or speaking up to expose corruption like Chris Davies did, I say: so be it. If it means risking court, and refusing to sign up for an Identity Card, I say: bring it on. And you can expect more - much more - of that from me."
· “Will I ever join a Conservative government? No. Will I ever join a Labour government? No. I will never allow the Liberal Democrats to be a mere annex to another party's agenda. But am I interested in building a new type of government? Yes. Based on pluralism instead of one party rule? Yes. A new system, that empowers people not parties? Yes. We want a new, more liberal Britain. And the Liberal Democrats will be the gathering point for everyone who wants that liberal Britain too – no matter their background, no matter their party.”
In his first conference speech as leader, Nick Clegg demanded a shake-up of the whole political system. A running theme of the speech was the need for a new kind of politics. Key points from Nick’s speech include:
· "Let’s clean up politics … I want a Derek Conway Clause. So if an MP is suspended for serious misconduct there is an automatic recall ballot so people can call for a by-election.”
· "Let’s give people the say they deserve. I hold town hall meetings up and down the country every couple of weeks… Today I'm writing to invite [Brown and Cameron] to join me at any one of the town hall meetings coming up. Not as a media stunt, but a direct conversation with people“.
· "Let’s design a new political system for the 21st century. … I want a citizens’ jury of 100 people to sit in a Constitutional Convention with all the political parties, churches, civil society groups and more - to look across the board, and redesign the way Britain is governed.”
· "If we don’t act, Britain will end up like America, where political influence is all about cash. That's why I want a universal £25,000 cap on donations. A real cap on spending. And yes, an end to big union donations, and an end to offshore finance from Belize."
· Nick said he would do whatever it takes to get change in Britain: "If it means walking out of Parliament when the big parties collude against us, I say: fine. If it means boycotting banquets that celebrate our relationship with dodgy regimes, like Vince Cable did, or speaking up to expose corruption like Chris Davies did, I say: so be it. If it means risking court, and refusing to sign up for an Identity Card, I say: bring it on. And you can expect more - much more - of that from me."
· “Will I ever join a Conservative government? No. Will I ever join a Labour government? No. I will never allow the Liberal Democrats to be a mere annex to another party's agenda. But am I interested in building a new type of government? Yes. Based on pluralism instead of one party rule? Yes. A new system, that empowers people not parties? Yes. We want a new, more liberal Britain. And the Liberal Democrats will be the gathering point for everyone who wants that liberal Britain too – no matter their background, no matter their party.”
Monday, March 10, 2008
NO ENTRY!
Recently, Cllr. John Beanse contacted a Housing Association responsible for some flats in Highams Park. He reported that the Trades entry button had not been working for months.
After a check on the computer system, he was informed:
"Yes, this has been reported - and we did send someone round - - -
but he couldn't get in !"
After a check on the computer system, he was informed:
"Yes, this has been reported - and we did send someone round - - -
but he couldn't get in !"
Waste not - - -
Local Liberal Democrats have responded to the current consultation on North London's waste. Among the points stressed are the following:
* We need to do more to minimise waste.
* Opposition to incineration - a key local concern with the proximity of the Edmonton incinerator right on the Waltham Forest border.
* Alternative technologies must be explored and introduced.
* There needs to be much greater use of rail and waterways to transport waste - to get lorries off the roads.
* There is an over-concentration of waste sites in the Lea Valley area.
* Recycling rates need to be boosted still further.
* Above all, we need to reduce, re-use and recycle.
* We need to do more to minimise waste.
* Opposition to incineration - a key local concern with the proximity of the Edmonton incinerator right on the Waltham Forest border.
* Alternative technologies must be explored and introduced.
* There needs to be much greater use of rail and waterways to transport waste - to get lorries off the roads.
* There is an over-concentration of waste sites in the Lea Valley area.
* Recycling rates need to be boosted still further.
* Above all, we need to reduce, re-use and recycle.
SPRING CONFERENCE 08 – Anne Crook
Liverpool, European City of Culture 2008, proved to be an excellent venue for the Liberal Democrat Spring Conference. Liverpool has more listed buildings than any city outside London and as I walked from my hotel to the new Arena on Friday evening I was struck by the grandeur of the architecture: The Liver Building, the Cunard Building, the beautifully preserved Albert Dock, home to Tate Liverpool and the Maritime Museum and in the distance Liverpool Cathedral the largest Cathedral in the UK with the world’s highest Gothic arches and the modern distinctive shape of the Roman Catholic Cathedral before finally arriving at the impressive and newly opened Arena.
The Conference agenda was packed with important debates on Health, Affordable Housing, Support for Children with Special Educational Needs and Ballistic Missile Defence and enticing fringe meetings, making it hard to choose where to go.
The health debate was well attended and Conference backed plans to transform the NHS into a ‘people’s health service’ free from central government control and answerable to people through locally elected health boards. A ‘Patients Contract’ would guarantee every citizen access to a high standard of core healthcare entitlements within maximum waiting times, giving patients the right to receive private treatment, paid for by the NHS, if waiting times were not met. A Care Guarantee would provide £2billion for personal care payments for all elderly people based on need and not on the ability to pay.
Conference backed plans to build 1.3 million new social homes over the next ten years aiming to reduce the waiting list for social housing which has grown from 1 million in 1997 to 1.6 million today.
As a Special Educational Needs teacher I was glad to see Conference backing measures to improve the support for children with special educational needs. The plans include the inclusion in teacher training courses of training in all types of special educational needs and the intention to work towards achieving and then reducing the six month target for assessment of special educational needs. It is salutary to note that 87% of primary school children and 60% of children who are excluded from secondary school have autism, behavioural, emotional or other special educational needs.
It is encouraging to see the Liberal Democrats bringing important subjects to public debate which the other parties choose to ignore. Conference called for the Government to deny America the use of British bases for a unilateral ballistic missile defence system and condemned the way the Government’s decision, to allow the US to use RAF Menwith Hill for the system, was announced on the last day of the parliamentary session in an attempt to avoid public attention.
Vince Cable in his speech listed Gordon Brown’s failings: Northern Rock, lost data on 15 million families, mismanaged reforms to Capital Gains Tax and non –dom taxation, Metronet and the London Underground PPP, tax credit overpayments - the list went on and on and I almost began to feel sorry for Gordon, well almost.
Vince Cable said that he had warned Gordon Brown almost 5 years ago that there was a growing problem of personal debt and criticised banks for their ‘binge lending’ which led to the house price boon. He warned of the aftermath of ‘unsustainably cheap credit’ namely, debt arrears, repossession orders and negative equity. He said that the lenders must accept some responsibility for the plight now facing borrowers and that no one should face repossession until there has been independent financial advice and that the bank must be required to offer a range of alternative properly regulated options including shared ownership.
Nick Clegg in his first major conference speech as party leader made it clear that the price for co-operation with either of the two main parties would be significant constitutional reform. He asked, ‘Will I ever join a Conservative government? No. Will I ever join a Labour government? No. I will never allow the Liberal Democrats to be a mere annex to another party’s agenda’. He said that he wanted a new system that empowers people not parties. He argued for fairer, greener and in a new departure for the Liberal Democrats, if possible, lower taxation. He called for a £25,000 limit on donations to political parties and argued that voters should have the right to sack MPs who were suspended for serious misconduct. He pledged to continue to take a stand on matters of principle.
Liverpool provided delegates with a warm welcome. The action packed Conference left little time to explore the city so a return visit will be necessary. All that was missing was some Beatles’ music. We could have started the Conference with a rendition of the Beatles’ ‘Revolution’ and ended with John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’, maybe next time.
Liverpool, European City of Culture 2008, proved to be an excellent venue for the Liberal Democrat Spring Conference. Liverpool has more listed buildings than any city outside London and as I walked from my hotel to the new Arena on Friday evening I was struck by the grandeur of the architecture: The Liver Building, the Cunard Building, the beautifully preserved Albert Dock, home to Tate Liverpool and the Maritime Museum and in the distance Liverpool Cathedral the largest Cathedral in the UK with the world’s highest Gothic arches and the modern distinctive shape of the Roman Catholic Cathedral before finally arriving at the impressive and newly opened Arena.
The Conference agenda was packed with important debates on Health, Affordable Housing, Support for Children with Special Educational Needs and Ballistic Missile Defence and enticing fringe meetings, making it hard to choose where to go.
The health debate was well attended and Conference backed plans to transform the NHS into a ‘people’s health service’ free from central government control and answerable to people through locally elected health boards. A ‘Patients Contract’ would guarantee every citizen access to a high standard of core healthcare entitlements within maximum waiting times, giving patients the right to receive private treatment, paid for by the NHS, if waiting times were not met. A Care Guarantee would provide £2billion for personal care payments for all elderly people based on need and not on the ability to pay.
Conference backed plans to build 1.3 million new social homes over the next ten years aiming to reduce the waiting list for social housing which has grown from 1 million in 1997 to 1.6 million today.
As a Special Educational Needs teacher I was glad to see Conference backing measures to improve the support for children with special educational needs. The plans include the inclusion in teacher training courses of training in all types of special educational needs and the intention to work towards achieving and then reducing the six month target for assessment of special educational needs. It is salutary to note that 87% of primary school children and 60% of children who are excluded from secondary school have autism, behavioural, emotional or other special educational needs.
It is encouraging to see the Liberal Democrats bringing important subjects to public debate which the other parties choose to ignore. Conference called for the Government to deny America the use of British bases for a unilateral ballistic missile defence system and condemned the way the Government’s decision, to allow the US to use RAF Menwith Hill for the system, was announced on the last day of the parliamentary session in an attempt to avoid public attention.
Vince Cable in his speech listed Gordon Brown’s failings: Northern Rock, lost data on 15 million families, mismanaged reforms to Capital Gains Tax and non –dom taxation, Metronet and the London Underground PPP, tax credit overpayments - the list went on and on and I almost began to feel sorry for Gordon, well almost.
Vince Cable said that he had warned Gordon Brown almost 5 years ago that there was a growing problem of personal debt and criticised banks for their ‘binge lending’ which led to the house price boon. He warned of the aftermath of ‘unsustainably cheap credit’ namely, debt arrears, repossession orders and negative equity. He said that the lenders must accept some responsibility for the plight now facing borrowers and that no one should face repossession until there has been independent financial advice and that the bank must be required to offer a range of alternative properly regulated options including shared ownership.
Nick Clegg in his first major conference speech as party leader made it clear that the price for co-operation with either of the two main parties would be significant constitutional reform. He asked, ‘Will I ever join a Conservative government? No. Will I ever join a Labour government? No. I will never allow the Liberal Democrats to be a mere annex to another party’s agenda’. He said that he wanted a new system that empowers people not parties. He argued for fairer, greener and in a new departure for the Liberal Democrats, if possible, lower taxation. He called for a £25,000 limit on donations to political parties and argued that voters should have the right to sack MPs who were suspended for serious misconduct. He pledged to continue to take a stand on matters of principle.
Liverpool provided delegates with a warm welcome. The action packed Conference left little time to explore the city so a return visit will be necessary. All that was missing was some Beatles’ music. We could have started the Conference with a rendition of the Beatles’ ‘Revolution’ and ended with John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’, maybe next time.
