Carlisle Liberal Democrats

David MacMillan

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 00:00:05 +0100

It was with great sadness that we learned of the death of David Macmillan on Saturday. David was only 53 years old but had been in ill health for some time. As a Councillor David was elected to serve the Morton ward in May 1999. He was enormously proud of this privilege and worked to make life better for those he represented. He stood again for re-election in 2000 and was, once again, successful. He worked with his fellow Liberal Democrat Councillors in Morton to have the bridge over Wigton Road removed and pedestrian controlled lights installed instead, thus making it safer for the children to cross the road at break and home times from the school. He helped Ralph Aldersey and Peter Farmer, his fellow councillors, to instigate a programme of providing porches to the pensioners’ bungalows. Unfortunately, this ended with Large Scale Voluntary Stock Transfer in December 2002 to Riverside Housing Association. David was popular and had a great big smile for everyone. His health began to trouble him and he became more involved with working for his church St Paul’s and decided in 2004 to stand down from the council to devote himself more fully to the church work. David will be missed by all who knew him and the sympathies of the Liberal Democrat Group and the Liberal Democrat Association go out to his family at his sad time.

Evidence released shows Labour neglected Armed Forces - Farron

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Documents released by the Iraq Inquiry shows that Labour neglected Britain\'s Armed Forces, according to a prominent Cumbrian Liberal Democrat. The documents show that Labour ministers were formally warned that the military needed an alternative to the Snatch Land Rover in Iraq and Afghanistan. Lib Dem MP for Westmorland & Lonsdale Tim Farron said: \"This is yet another damning sign that the Labour Government ignored advice from its top military officials on their equipment needs. \"As we long suspected, generals told ministers that they needed better equipment to protect their troops and to prevent more casualties. For years the Army had to make to with adding extra protection to their existing, unsuitable vehicles. \"This is unacceptable in any situation and led to unnecessary casualties. I look forward to working with my Coalition colleagues to put these kind of indefensible practices behind us by making sure our brave soldiers are properly equipped.\"

Lib Dems Tackle Inequality in Education

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +0100

The government this week announced its plans to implement a pupil premium, the central plank of the Liberal Democrats\' education manifesto. This will provide extra funding for pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds. Commenting, Liberal Democrat Children\'s Minister Sarah Teather said, \"For too long social background has been a deciding factor in a child\'s achievement and future prospects. In a fair society, it\'s the Government\'s responsibility to close the gulf in achievement, where the poorest children are almost three times less likely to leave school with five good GCSEs than their richer classmates.\" Headteachers will be free to spend the extra money on whatever will be most helpful for their pupils. This could mean smaller class sizes or more one-on-one tuition and catch-up classes. The pupil premium is expected to be in place next year.

Upcoming MP Visit

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Carlisle Lib Dems are delighted to confirm that Tim Farron, MP for Westmorland & Lonsdale, will be speaking at our regular local party meeting at Club 35 on 23rd August. All members are welcome to attend. A light buffet is planned so it would be helpful if members planning to attend could get in touch, either by contacting the Chair directly or by emailing info@carlislelibdems.org.uk.

Overwhelming support for coalition

Mon, 17 May 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Liberal Democrat members and activists gathered in Birmingham on Sunday to discuss the coalition agreement negotiated with the Conservatives. The agreement was overwhelmingly supported, with no more than a few dozen of the thousands assembled dissenting. The debate provided an opportunity for members to express their views on the deal both to fellow activists and to Liberal Democrat MPs and ministers. While concerns were raised about specific issues, the feedback was almost entirely positive. Commenting on the decisive vote, party leader and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said, \"It is five days since I accepted the position of Deputy Prime Minister. \"Just five days, and we now know there will be no ID cards, no third runway at Heathrow, no more fingerprinting in schools without parents\' consent, no more child detention. \"Changes Liberal Democrats have spent months, years, campaigning for, are happening. \"Promises we were making to people on their doorsteps just a few weeks ago are becoming realities.\" Under the \"triple lock\" procedure, which has been reported in the media recently, a Conference of this sort is only required if at least 25% of Liberal Democrat parliamentarians or members of the party\'s Federal Executive committee vote against a coalition agreement. The decision was in fact nearly unanimous. The Conference was called anyway in order to hear the views of members on how we should proceed now that we are a party of government. We are the only major political party in this country in which the leadership can be held to account by the membership in this way.

Editorial: Elections

Fri, 14 May 2010 00:00:00 +0100

At last the long, drawn-out election is over. The people have voted and we now have a government in place. It really is an exciting, challenging prospect - a Liberal Democrat / Conservative government. Only time will tell how well this will work, but it appears that both parties are determined to work together for the good of the country and have each made policy concessions to enable the formation of this historic coalition. Meanwhile, here in Carlisle, we have had a disappointing election which saw us lose our veteran councillor and former Mayor, Peter Farmer. This is likely due to the squeezing effect that is observed around the country on parties which polled in third place or below in individual constituencies in 2005. This is a regrettable effect of holding two elections at the same time under our present electoral system. In some parts of the country that works to our advantage as a party, but on this occasion in Carlisle it has resulted in the loss of a fantastic local councillor. Peter had served the people of Morton for eleven years. During that time he helped to make many changes. The Liberal Democrats were responsible for instigating the programme of adding porches to the bungalows to help to make them warmer. This was unfortunately stopped when the housing stock was transferred to Riverside. He was also instrumental in getting the removal of the grass verges and installation of lay bys made a priority for the Council. He has helped so many people in very many different and was always there when he was needed. Peter will be missed, both on the estate and on the City Council. He is now leaving politics behind and devoting his time to his garden and running the residents group, TRAMP (The Residents Association Morton Park). On a more upbeat note, we are pleased with the performance of our Parliamentary candidate, Neil Hughes, who polled significantly more votes than our previous candidate did in 2005. We are also pleased that Councillor Olwyn Luckley has been re-elected to serve the people of Castle ward. Olwyn has worked tirelessly on their behalf in the past and we are delighted that her work has been recognised once again. The Conservatives gained the vacant seat in Dalston ward. The ward had a 75% turnout, the highest in the district. John Wylie was our candidate and, although unsuccessful, he was encouraged by the fact that he increased the Liberal Democrat vote at his first attempt, and against a strong Conservative campaign. At our Council group meeting Councillor Nan Farmer was chosen as group leader for 2010/11.

A new kind of politics

Wed, 12 May 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Far-reaching changes to make Britain a better and fairer place have been agreed under the historic agreement reached on Tuesday between the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives. The two parties have formed a coalition to provide the political stability that Britain needs in difficult economic times. Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg will serve as Deputy Prime Minister, with senior Liberal Democrats serving in many key government roles, including economic guru Vince Cable helping to shape the future of the economy. Announcing the party’s entry into the coalition, party leader Nick Clegg said, “We are now going to form a new government. More importantly than anything else, we are going to form a new kind of government; I hope this is the start of a new kind of politics I have always believed in. Diverse, plural, where politicians with different points of view find a way to work together to provide the good government for the sake of the whole country deserves. “That was what we were asked to do by the people of Britain in the General Election last Thursday and that is what we will deliver.” Talks with the Labour party earlier collapsed as it became clear that agreement could not be reached on several crucial issues and that an agreement with Labour would not command the confidence of Parliament – an essential condition for a government to be formed. Carlisle parliamentary candidate Neil Hughes said: “Liberal Democrats have gone into government so that some of our long-held policies, such as a reform of the tax system benefitting the lower-paid and a better start for children, can be put into practice. I sincerely hope that if the Conservatives fail to honour any of the promises they have made as part of the deal Nick Clegg will withdraw our party from its coalition deal at the earliest opportunity.” Commenting ahead of the announcement, North West Liberal Democrat MEP Chris Davies said, “A deal with Labour was not credible. A Lab-Lib government would have survived the first crucial votes but it would have been worn down by attrition. Vote after vote would have been lost in the months that followed until the government collapsed in disarray. We would not have had the strong, stable government able to make the difficult decisions now required, and we would have little or nothing to show by way of achievement.” He concluded, “The way ahead will be rocky, and what lies ahead is uncertain, but today I am proud to be a Liberal Democrat and I am looking forward to the journey.”

Election Results

Mon, 10 May 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Carlisle Lib Dems would like to thank everyone who voted for us in the elections on 6th May. We polled 11% more votes than in 2005 in the Parliamentary election. A surge in Labour and Conservative turnout unfortunately prevented us from holding our seats in Dalston and Morton wards. We extend our congratulations to Cllr Olwyn Luckley who was backed by voters in Castle ward. We are pleased overall with the result given the misrepresentation and the attempted smear campaigns against us that were clear in certain sections of the national media. Liberal Democrats up and down the country now look forward to serving the people who elected them.

Election Result

Sat, 08 May 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Commenting on the results of the elections held on 6th May which saw no overall majority returned to Westminster and in Carlisle saw Olwyn Luckley re-elected as Liberal Democrat councillor for Castle ward, Carlisle Lib Dem candidate Neil Hughes said, \"A tremendous thank-you to everyone who voted Liberal Democrat in Carlisle in the general and city council elections. \"You showed that you care about the needs and future of young people, students, those on low incomes, pensioners and all those disadvantaged by our current, polarised society. Nick Clegg has promised he will continue to fight for a fairer deal for all; so will we in Carlisle. \"Aiming at a voting system which gives everyone a democratic say, rather than marginalising everyone in safe or ‘two party’ bastions is where we will start.\"

Election Hustings #1

Tue, 13 Apr 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Commenting on Monday\'s (12th April) hustings organised by Cumbria Council for Voluntary Service on policy relating to volunteering and the third sector, Lib Dem Carlisle candidate Neil Hughes said, \"I\'m delighted to have been able to have debated the future of the voluntary sector in Carlisle and Cumbria generally with other candidates yesterday. \"The importance and value to our communities of these working in this sector is enormous and resources should be allocated and guaranteed accordingly. Whilst the Labour government has expected the voluntary sector to turn somersaults for less cash the Tories will probably expect even more people to work for nothing! \"Liberal Democrats recognise the true innovative potential and achievement of Cumbria\'s local groups and networks.\"

General Election: 6th May

Thu, 08 Apr 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Commenting on the Prime Minister\'s recent announcement that the General Election will take place on 6th May, Neil Hughes, Lib Dem candidate for Carlisle, said, \"I am delighted that Gordon Brown has finally called the election after three years of shuffling towards doing so and mostly going backwards. \"The fact that in Britain, almost uniquely, it is the Prime Minister alone who knows when each general election will be called shows how much politics needs to be cleaned up in the UK: Lib Dems want to see fixed-term elections, a written constitution and a public right to remove corrupt politicians from office at any time following a local ballot\". You can contact Neil Hughes at neil.hughes@carlislelibdems.org.uk. For more information about all our activities, please get in touch with us at info@carlislelibdems.org.uk.

Change that Works for You: Building a Fairer Britain

Sat, 20 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

The way things are is not the way they have to be. That was the message as Nick Clegg, Leader of the Liberal Democrats, concluded the final party Conference before this year\'s General Election. I was struck by the genuine anger that was clear in his voice as he spoke of the problems Britain faces and the inadequacy of the responses from Labour and the Conservatives - “the old parties”. So what is the alternative? Fair taxes – setting about 3.6 million people on low incomes free from income tax, paid for by closing loopholes and clamping down on tax avoidance by the wealthy A fair start for children – targeting money at children from disadvantaged backgrounds to end the scandal of the current association between family income and achievement at school, and getting teachers, not distant bureaucrats, to decide how the money is spent. No child should be left behind. Fair, transparent and local politics – putting people back in charge through radical reform to allow voters to sack corrupt MPs, to ensure local accountability for local services, and to secure fair votes, forcing parties to serve everyone, not just the minority of people living in marginal seats. A fair, sustainable economy – we will lead Britain away from its over-dependence on the City of London. Banks which are too big to fail are simply too big, so we will break them up and ensure that taxpayers never again have to bail out casino banking. We will promote green infrastructure to equip Britain for the 21st century. We will never take risks with the country\'s finances. Now, more than ever before, it is clear that there is only one party committed to real, fair change for Britain. If you want more of the same old politics, vote for somebody else. If you want something new, and better, vote for it: choose the Liberal Democrats. (Photos: Alex Folkes / Fishnik, Licence)