Sir Menzies Campbell hit the campaign trail today, visiting four London boroughs - Southwark, Lambeth, Sutton and Richmond-upon-Thames - and highlighting crime prevention as a central theme in the party's local election campaign.
Months of debate came to a head today when Surrey County Council voted on the Business Delivery Review (BDR) - with the Liberal Democrat group rejecting the proposals sanctioned by the Tory-run Executive to cut staff numbers. Staff members and representatives of their trade unions listened in the public gallery and the adjoining Ashcombe Suite as Liberal Democrats fought against the proposals, which included a reduction of 561 FTE (Full Time Equivalent) jobs. A recorded vote saw 56 in favour of BDR, with 14 against and two abstentions.
PRESTON: David Cameron's attempts to reach out to voters in the north of England have come unstuck as two Conservative councillors in Preston quit the party and joined the Liberal Democrats. Councillors Sharon Riley and Marie Milne joined the Liberal Democrats yesterday. The blow for the Conservatives follows a Tory local election candidate commenting that an ethnic minority candidate "wouldn't work" in a "traditional working class seat." Joan Howarth has since issued a retraction but remains on the ballot for the May 4th local elections. Councillor Sharon Riley said:
Woking Liberal Democrats oppose Labour's plan to merge the Surrey and Sussex police forces. This merger plan was announced by the Labour Home Secretary, Charles Clarke, on the 20th March.
Woking's Tory MP Humphry Malins has been accused of caving in to the Government over the introduction of identity cards.
The Lib Dems have swept to victory in the Cheriton by-election for Folkestone Town Council this evening, with over 200 votes more than the Conservatives who came second. The result in full was:
Today, Gordon Brown delivered his tenth budget as Chancellor of the Exchequer. But with more and more people feeling let down by New Labour, the Liberal Democrats are asking where all the money has gone over the years Labour has been in power.
After much pressure from me the County Council have now installed a temporary speed checker at the Wych Hill Lane end of York Road.
I think everyone agrees that the subway is a disgrace, and has been for some time.
October is Black History Month - a chance to celebrate the Black British community, acknowledge their contributions and discover their stories.
Read Ed Davey's speech to the Liberal Democrats' Autumn Conference in Brighton
Carers are not just support for their loved ones—they are the glue holding our fragile social care system together. They deserve more than token acknowledgements or empty promises.
Liberal Democrats believe that everyone has the right to enjoy clean, safe water and unpolluted rivers, lakes, and coastlines. We are committed to ending the national sewage scandal and holding water companies accountable for their environmental impact.
Liberal Democrats have passed new policy to stand up for bereaved families and kinship carers, so more young people can grow up in a loving, stable home.
We are committed to tackling the challenges facing our music industry head-on. By doing so, we can maintain the UK’s reputation as a global leader in music, while giving future generations the chance to share in its success.
The Liberal Democrats are committed to rebuilding the trust and compassion that the UK was once known for. We believe that our country has a responsibility to support those in need, no matter where they are in the world.
For too long, years of neglect and mismanagement by the previous Conservative Government have pushed our prison system into a deep crisis.
The Liberal Democrats have long championed proportional representation, advocating for a voting system where every vote truly counts. We believe that reforming our electoral system is crucial for a fairer democracy and better governance.
