Welsh Liberal Democrat supports plans to put Wales back-to-work

A plan to help thousands of people in Wales back into work and off benefits has been welcomed by the Welsh Liberal Democrat Social Justice spokesperson, Peter Black.

The plans, launched by the Liberal Democrats this week include:

Reforming the massively complicated tax credits system to make it simpler and to end the massive overpayments;
Increasing child benefit by around £5 a week for families in Wales;
A “pupil premium” that, if adopted by the Welsh Assembly Government, will boost schools in Wales serving children from deprived areas by bringing funding in the most needy state schools up to private school levels;
Immediately restoring the earnings link to the basic state pension to ensure the income of older people does not fall further behind that of the rest of the population.

Mr. Black said, “Under Labour, the difference between rich and poor is wider than it was under Margaret Thatcher. As Chancellor, Gordon Brown has allowed the tax burden to go up on those with the lowest incomes.

“He has given us the massively complicated tax credits system that is riddled with errors. Here in Wales £85 million was overpaid to residents in the last financial year which the Treasury then demanded back. In my own region, the Treasury are trying to claw back £3.8 million from the residents of Neath Port Talbot, £4.1m from those in Bridgend and Ogmore and £6,1m from people in Swansea and Gower.

“Yet at the same time, the tax credit system is a disincentive to people on benefits to work. Our proposals to tackle poverty will ensure there is a greater incentive to work and save for retirement.

“By scrapping council tax and lowering the rate of income tax, we will ensure that when people come off benefits and start work, less of their hard earned money is taken from them by the government.

“Furthermore, the additional £5 a week for all families with children will be a significant helping hand to many people living in Wales.

“Our proposals for additional funding for children from the most deprived areas going straight to their schools, if adopted by the Welsh Assembly Government, will give them a better start in life. With a better education, they are less likely to become dependent on benefits in later life.

“Council tax falls most heavily on those on low incomes and I am delighted to see that the Liberal Democrats are calling for it to be scrapped and replaced by a fairer local income tax, based on ability to pay.

“I meet many elderly people throughout Wales and I have seen how the income and standard of living of a large number of our senior citizens has fallen behind that of the rest of the population. Our proposals will help to put that right. With these policies, the Liberal Democrats are declaring war on inequality.”

 

Llandyrnog Annual Tractor Run & Historical Village Walk

 

Its that time again! The Llandyrnog Tractor Run and Historical Village Walk will be held on the 26^th August in aid of two good causes St Kentigerns Hospice and the Welsh Air Ambulance.

Local politician and organiser Mark Young said “The Welsh Air Ambulance has been included alongside St Kentigerns due to their dramatic rescue in January this year of David Murfitt who fell from his horse whilst attempting a jump near the White House in Llandyrnog.” Mr Murfitt sustained multiple injuries, breaking both legs in the accident. He needed 4 operations and the skills of one of North Wales’s best trauma surgeons to get him back on his feet.

Entry for the Tractor run is just £10 and takes in breathtaking views from the Vale of Clwyd mountain range. Vintage, Classic and Modern Tractors of any type are all welcome. The best turned out tractor, best working tractor and a special “Supreme Champion Tractor” will all receive a prize. The meet will be on the Green in Llandyrnog next to the Kinmell Arms pub at 12:00. Tractors will set off for the run at 12:30. For those not driving there is also a guided walk which will take in the local history of the village, lead by local history man Mr Bryn Davies.

David Murfitt appealed for people to go along and lend their support to both these important charities. Commenting on the Air Ambulance he said “I was shocked to realise that the service relies solely on donations to operate, yet for many people in the Welsh countryside it is critical to getting them the urgent assistance they need. Forget the Automobile Association, its the Air Ambulance that really is the 4^th Emergency Service.”

Food and Drink will be available and everyone is welcome.

Ends.

Notes:

1)      Interviews and Photos available, contact Mark Young on 07769 666239

2)      David Murfitt is deputy chairman of Llandyrnog Community Council 

 

 

 

 

Lib Dems unveil anti-poverty plan

Liberal Democrats promise to lift five million out of relative poverty The Liberal Democrats have unveiled plans which they say would lift five million people out of "relative poverty" and end "dependency culture". The party plans to introduce incentives for working, saving and studying. It also says it wants to remove higher earners from the Tax Credits system and cut the number claiming means-tested benefits by 10 million by 2020. The party promised to tackle "causes", rather than "symptoms", of the UK's "massive inequalities". Labour's "spread of mass means-testing undermines incentives to work, save and even form stable families", Lib Dem children, schools and families spokesman David Laws said. 'National disgrace' "Under Gordon Brown, Britain remains a society of massive inequalities of both income and opportunity. "It is a national disgrace that Britain is the developed country where your chances in life are most dependent on your family background rather than your own abilities and hard work." He also criticised the Conservatives under David Cameron for a "great leap backwards to the failed policies of Victorian Britain". Mr Laws added: "The Liberal Democrat vision is of a society of genuine opportunity where, instead of treating the symptoms of inequality, we treat its causes - poor educational opportunities, unemployment, bad housing and unstable families." The anti-poverty proposals included a "pupil premium" where £1.5bn extra would be targeted at children with the greatest need from the poorest backgrounds. Tax credit reform The Lib Dems also promised to reform tax credits, and raise Child Benefit by about £5 per family per week, which they said would take 150,000 children out of poverty Job Centre Plus would be replaced with a new agency, called First Steps, which the Lib Dems said would be a "single one-stop-shop for all benefit and tax credit claims". Other proposals are for employment support to be outsourced to the private and voluntary sectors and for a single working-age benefit to be introduced. The Lib Dems say they would also immediately restore the earnings link to the basic state pension and eventually introduce a citizens' pension. An Independent Commission on Public Sector Pensions would be established "to ensure that they are fair and affordable," the party added.

 

 

 

Today, with the release of British Crime Survey Statistics, the Welsh Liberal Democrats have called for the Government to free up Welsh Police Forces so that they can spend far more time on the street tackling crime and reducing the fear of crime.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats pointed towards significant increases in certain types of crime and fear of crime across Wales over the last year:

· Robbery – 41% rise in South Wales, 18% rise in Dyfed Powys.

· Violence against the person – 17% rise in North Wales.

· Offences against the vehicle – 10% rise in North Wales.

· Burglary – 5% rise in South Wales, 2% rise in North Wales.

· Increases in the overall fear of crime in Wales for burglary, car crime, violent crime and anti-social behaviour.

Commenting, Mark Young, Welsh Liberal Democrat Chair for North Wales, said:

The best way to combat crime and the fear of crime is by having Police Officers visibly present on our streets. Given that Welsh Police Forces are being distracted from fulfilling this role, for a number of reasons, these figures are hardly surprising.

While crime overall has not increased, the number of robberies and burglaries have jumped in South Wales, North Wales has seen dramatic increases in violence and vehicle offences and the fear of crime appears to be rising across all of Wales.

Meanwhile, Welsh Police Forces now have to spend nearly 20% of their time filling in paperwork – 3 million hours a year. They have been forced to waste a huge amount of their time fetching, carrying and babysitting hundreds of prisoners in police cells because our prisons are full.

The number of police officers in Wales is on the decrease and the Government has abandoned its promise on Community Support Officers leaving Wales short over 400 short. And on top of this, Gordon Brown is sticking to an ID card scheme that is already costing £2.4bn more than originally planned and they will do little to improve security.

Our police should not have to act like paper pushers or prison wardens. Our police need to be a visible crime fighting presence on the streets. This Government is failing to allow the Police to fulfil this fundamentally important function.

 

The below shows that 3 party politics is here to stay,so read the below and watch us work together on our Lib Dem message ready for Gordon to name the day !!

 

RESULT:

Lib Dem      64,501

Labour        64,349

Tory            45,577

To good to be true? Well, these are cumlative votes cast in the 7 parliamentary by-elections which have taken place since the last general election. They are really votes put into real ballot boxes.

The by-elections have taken place in a wide varity of constituencies (Welsh Valleys, Scottish & Northern Mining towns, leafy Manchester and London suburbs .....) many without any previous Lib Dem record, yet we've come out on top.

Despite all our difficulties of the past 2 years - and the press determination to talk us down - we have come out on top, adding 2 new MPs to our Westminster team. Extrapolating these results to local seats shows we can win. For example, if the Lab to LD swing in Sedgefield was repeated in Wrexham the result would be too close to call!

The clear message is - where we work we win. Here in North Wales we have a number of issues on our side - underfunding of North Wales Police by the Home Office and Labour's attempts to spin their way out of it - the attempt to force use all to use only the NHS in Wales, even if it means travelling to South Wales for operations or as we have seen in the Daily Post in recent days, being denied lifesaving operations.

August is the time to get the first of those FOCUS leaflets out getting our message across!

Kind Regards,

Mark Young

 

 

Dear All,

I am sure that members will join me in congratulating Nigel Bakhai and Greg Stone on their results. Liberal Democrats certainly have the most to smile about this morning !

We achieved swings from both the Labour and Conservative Parties in both these by-elections.

We ran superb campaigns in just three weeks. The by-election agents Chris Leaman and Ruth Milburn were just brilliant. We are rightly proud of our by-election teams.

As our candidates said a few hours ago, the results were a blow to Gordon Brown as Labour majorities in formerly “safe seats” tumbled. But they were a disaster for David Cameron’s Conservatives. The Conservatives came third in both campaigns despite their claims. Three party politics is here to stay.

Liberal Democrats showed that we are the challengers to Labour in what used to be Labour’s strongholds. We are the only party capable of representing every community in every part of Britain.

Thank you so much for all that you did to help.

Best wishes,

Ming Campbell

1. The State of the Countryside report

2. Fly-tipping - Scrap It consultation

3. Members and supporters survey

4. CLA Game Fair

5. SCA Grouse Ball

1. The State of the Countryside report

This week saw the publication of the State of the Countryside 2007 Report by the Commission for Rural Communities, highlighting the growing threat facing rural communities due to the decreasing number of young people.  The report, which does not refer to Scotland or Wales, acknowledges the vital contributions that young people make to rural communities across England, and examines the reasons why so many are choosing to move from their rural roots into more urban areas. 

It may not surprise many of you that there are nearly 400,000 fewer young people aged between 15 and 29 in rural areas than 20 years ago, and the lack of opportunities and affordable housing are highlighted as the key reasons why. 

According to the report, the average rural house price in 2006 was 22.1% higher than the average house in an urban area.  This discrepancy, combined with a lack of business prospects in rural areas, means that the stability of rural England is under great threat.  While the number of young people in rural areas in decreasing, the number of older residents is increasing, meaning that already-reduced public services face an even greater strain.

The observations of this report highlight a very worrying trend.  Young people need to be encouraged to work and live within the countryside, and this means that affordable housing must be a priority for the Government.

This week's news also saw reference to rising rural crime, especially robbery and violent crimes.  However shocking this story might appear to urban areas who are used to viewing rural Britain as a picturesque ideal, the news comes as no surprise to those of us living in the countryside who also know why crime is on the rise.

Rural police forces have been struggling to cope with the burgeoning levels of crime for a long time with the closure of local police stations, officers buried by paperwork and target-driven police strategies continually focusing on urban locations.  I do not mean to imply that the police are to blame; far from it, one of the most significant handicaps to the police force is the unyielding growth in the number of laws they are expected to enforce.  Successive governments have made it even harder for police forces to prioritize the crimes that cause so much fear and distress, despite calls from the general public to do precisely this.

The Hunting Act is surely the most wasteful law that rural police are currently being forced to monitor.  Victims of violent crime and robbery in the countryside have every right to ask the politicians who promoted this legislation, and the Government that allowed it on the statute books, why settling old scores is more important than their safety and security. 

Simon Hart 

2. Fly-tipping - Scrap It consultation

The Alliance's Fly-tipping - Scrap It campaign has gained real momentum and is helping to put dumping and illegal waste disposal firmly on the agenda.  The Alliance has been working hard making representations to Defra, the Environment Agency, parliamentarians and other key stakeholders to highlight the blight of fly-tipping in the countryside and the huge burden it places on landowners.

In September, the Alliance will be publishing its "Fly-tipping Roadmap", detailing the results of its long and extensive period of consultation.  This will be presented to MPs, peers, local authorities and the waste industry as a comprehensive set of proposals to help combat this scourge once and for all.

There is still time to send your submissions to our consultation which closes on the 27th July.  If you have any thoughts on what needs to be done to beat the tippers, please get in touch today.

Contact Ben Heppenstall at ben-heppenstall@countryside-alliance.org with any information that you wish to contribute. 

3. Members and supporters survey

We are very keen to find out your views and opinions on the current state of the Countryside Alliance and other pressing issues, and would like to establish a core group of members and supporters who will be willing to answer a few questions throughout the year.  There will be small incentives for those who become regular contributors.  If this sounds like something you would like to become involved in, please send your name, postal address and email address to info@countryside-alliance.org and we will get in touch with as soon as we can.

4. CLA Game Fair

We have been informed by the CLA that the Game Fair will definitely be going ahead next week, starting on 27th July until 29th July.  Any fears that bad weather might have caused a cancellation have be dismissed by the organisers who have said, "as organisers of one of the biggest outdoor exhibitions held in the UK each summer, we have a highly experienced exhibition team who have had plans in place for some time to overcome the wet weather conditions being experienced so far this summer.  Provisions for the unprecedented rain include trackway and other protective measures".
The Countryside Alliance stand is still looking for auction lots for next weekend, if you have anything that you would like to donate please get in touch with Tracy at tracy-casstles@countryside-alliance.org
We look forward to seeing you all there!

5. SCA Grouse Ball

The Grouse Ball in aid of the Scottish Countryside Alliance will be held at Moffat House Hotel, Moffat, Dumfriesshire on 11th August 2007.  Tickets for this black tie event are £75 each (tables of 10). Please send application form and payment to: Caroline Henney, Scottish Countryside Alliance, 55 Drumlanrig Street, Thornhill, Dumfriesshire DG3 5LY

 

 

Tomorrow is polling day

Dear All, One final email from me about the by-elections ! Just a note to say thank you for all that so very many people have done to support our two vital by-election campaigns in Ealing Southall and Sedgefield.   As the campaigns move to the crucial closing stages, it is clear that the Conservatives are in trouble and Labour are in danger.   We have made a very big effort, so thank you to everyone who has already been, sent a donation or done telephoning. Finishing strongly in Sedgefield  In Sedgefield, we are becoming stronger challengers every day. Greg and his team have been fighting a fantastic campaign. We need as much help as possible today - and of course from very early tomorrow. It is really worth helping if you can get there.    In Ealing Southall, the Tory campaign has backfired spectacularly. They have been hurt by the revelation that the Conservative candidate helped raise funds for Labour just before they appointed hm.   We have a very real chance of electing Nigel Bakhai tomorrow if enough Liberal Democrat supporters turn up to help our campaign during today and of course from VERY early tomorrow.   I have been speaking to Willie Rennie and Sarah Teather this morning and they both agree that this has the feeling of eve of poll in their by-election campaigns ! Will there be a recount in Ealing Southall? The result really is on a knife-edge. If you can come to help at any time today or tomorrow, do please make the effort. HQ details are at www.ealinglibdems.org.uk and www.sedgefieldlibdems.org.uk With best wishes Chris Rennard - Chief Executive www.libdems.org.uk

 

Hi All,i have just come back from a Llandyrnog Community Council Meeting and we treated ourselves to a pint of Real Ale in the White Horse

on the way home.So i was delighted to read the below at home because Peter is bang on with his comments & view on the below-so please read on people..

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Rats

 

 

Liberal Democrats propose radical plan to cut tax for residents of Wales

The Liberal Democrats have unveiled Radical tax plans that will cut the basic rate if of income tax to 4p in the pound and save the average family in a band D home in Wales £699 per year. The move takes the basic rate of income tax to its lowest level since 1916.

The plans are a development of those approved by the party conference last year and form part of the party’s proposals to lift the tax burden on low and middle income earners whilst making the rich and people with environmentally damaging lifestyles pay a fairer share.

Commenting, Roger Williams, Shadow Secretary of State for Wales said:

“These proposals put fairness at the heart of tax system and will leave the average Welsh household almost £700 better off.

“Low and middle income earners have had to shoulder too heavy a tax burden. The poor have had to pay a higher proportion of the income in tax than the super-rich. This is inherently unfair.

“These proposals cut taxes for the majority in Wales and are paid for by the wealthy minority and those with environmentally damaging lifestyles. This is a costed plan that offers a green and fair future for Wales.

Commenting on how these proposals will impact on rural Wales, Ceredigion’s Welsh Liberal Democrat MP Mark Williams said:

“Due consideration has been given to rural areas which aren’t served by public transport. The first car in each family in rural areas will benefit from a 50% reduction in Vehicle Excise Duty in our proposals.”

 

 

 

Dear All,

Just thought I would drop you a quick note from Sedgefield where I have come up for the evening from Ealing.  It is amazing what Greg Stone, Ruth Milburn and the team have already achieved here in just 16 days since Tony Blair resigned.  The HQ is most impressive - and the skills and professional ability of this team is terrific.
 
My analysis is that turnout in the traditional Labour areas is likely to be very, very low.  In the areas which should be more Liberal Democrat / Tory (a surprisingly large part of the constituency), we are clearly winning the tactical argument. I also think that we are picking up the vote that went to anti-Iraq war campaigner Reg Keys in 2005.
 
So it is worth us making a really big effort here in the last 6 days.  Friday morning's Daily Mirror said that, "The Tories, a poor second in 2005, are nowhere.  But the Liberal Democrats are closing the gap rapidly on Labour."  I have just been looking at how the team are going to make great use of that quote !
 
The literature team (Dave, Richard, Neil, Elspeth and others !) have produced some fantastic stuff.  If you haven't seen it, you should pick up copies at the HQ.   Good coverage from Ming's visit yesterday.  Charles Kennedy, Norman Lamb, Nick Clegg, Chris Huhne and Willie Rennie are all visiting in this crucial period.  Katie is kept busy organising them.
 
Greg is performing well with the media and people are stopping him in the street to say how well he is coming across on the TV.  He had fun calling the bingo numbers tonight and has made his presence felt in every part of the constituency.
 
Ruth is simply a star agent - calm, very dedicated, very efficient and earning enormous respect from everyone.  Dave has been great on the press.  Michael is brilliant at the "front of shop".  It was raining today, so everyone who asked for a "dry job" was told that we had plenty of dry jobs - "delivering under an umbrella!"  Fortunately the forecast is now for dry weather - but there are also plenty of clerical jobs !  Claire will organise and look after you very well if you can help in the HQ.
 
Rob "The Riso" is busy at work tonight, so I hope that we will get plenty of help in over the weekend.  There are no Tory posters - we are getting up quite a few more stakeboards each day.   Too many "stars"  working on this team to mention them all - but you get the picture.
 
So if you are in easier travelling distance of Sedgefield than Ealing, please try to come and help Greg and the Sedgefield team. Otherwise, I am back down to Ealing in the morning and I hope to see the sort of huge turnout there in those crucial last few days that won Brent East four years ago !
 
The bookies are cutting the odds on us winning Ealing (and have made the Tories 500 - 1 in Sedgefield !)
 
Labour have deliberately given us a very short time to get organised.  So we need maximum support please for both these by-elections.
 
You can get the HQ details, including maps and phone numbers, at www.sedgefieldlibdems.org.uk and www.ealinglibdems.org.uk
 
Best wishes,
 
Chris Rennard
Chief Executive

P.S. If you cannot make it to either campaign, then please do donate as much as you can.  The teams involved will be really grateful and your donation really could make the difference: https://www.libdems.org.uk/support/landing1.html?ref=by7
 

 

Former Tory Councillor joins Swansea and Gower Liberal Democrats

A highly respected Independent Councillor on Swansea Council has joined the Welsh Liberal Democrats. Huw Rees, who was elected as a Conservative in the City’s Sketty Ward in 2004 and who is the former Deputy Presiding Officer on the Council, signed up to become a Welsh Liberal Democrat Councillor last week.

Huw was formerly a Conservative Councillor but left them due to disillusionment with the direction the party was taking. His defection brings the Welsh Liberal Democrat Group up to 20. They currently lead the Council in conjunction with the Independents.

Outside of politics, Huw Rees was the Head of Music at the old Llansamlet Secondary Modern, Penlan Comprehensive and Pentrehafod Comprehensive Schools. A fluent Welsh speaker, Huw has been the Assistant Conductor at Morriston Orpheus for 34 years and is also an accomplished actor, appearing in Pobl y Cwm, Cowbois ac Injans, Casualty and the latest series of Dr. Who.

Welcoming him to the Welsh Liberal Democrats, Council Leader, Chris Holley: “I have always considered Huw to be an instinctive Liberal and I am pleased that he has now found his natural home. He is widely respected in his own community and throughout the City and will be a major asset to the Liberal Democrats.”

 

 

 

 

1. Hyde Park ten years on

2. Horses and the Highway Code

 

This week's campaigning in Ealing - which included three visits from myself to back Nigel Bakhai - ended with a record burst of campaigning.

Chris Rennard tells me that over the weekend we have canvassed more people than in any other by-election weekend for over a decade. We achieved that even with many people also helping Greg Stone's excellent campaign in Sedgefield too.

That is a fantastic response from members and supporters - thank you.

With the first postal votes going out on Monday, any extra time you can spare in the next few days to help Nigel or Greg will be hugely appreciated. They are both fighting effective campaigns on the issues which really matter to residents, such as the state of our health services, protecting the environment and the future of British troops in Iraq.

With your help they can win. Details of their campaign HQs are at www.ealinglibdems.org.uk and www.sedgefieldlibdems.org.uk

I hope to see you in Ealing or Sedgefield.

Finally, if you know anyone who lives in either constituency - or you think you might do - please visit www.members.libdems.org.uk/byelections

Best wishes

Ming Campbell
www.mingcampbell.org.uk

 

 

Hain′s u-turn on police merger welcome – Williams & Young

Today, at his first Welsh Questions in his new position as Shadow Secretary of State for Wales, Roger Williams, Welsh Liberal Democrat MP for Brecon and Radnorshire, managed to get Peter Hain to seemingly announce a u-turn on his support for an All-Wales Police Force.

When asked by Mr Williams whether he still supported merging the 4 Welsh police forces into an All-Wales Police Force, Peter Hain said that “…it is not on the agenda and I am quite happy with that”.

Only last year, Peter Hain had been arguing that the proposed merger deal offered the best possible financial deal for Welsh forces and would put Welsh policing in an ideal position to deal with terrorism, drugs and organised crime and still offer good neighbourhood policing.

Commenting, Roger & Mark said:

“This is very good news. However, it seems odd that Peter Hain is so content not to be pushing for an All-Wales Police Force when, only a year ago, he was arguing that it was absolutely essential for Wales.

“We can only assume that he has seen the light. Merging Welsh police forces could have damaged local and neighbourhood policing and, in the short-term, it has been nothing but a waste of time and money.

“Welsh police forces have lost half a million pounds and 30,000 police hours from the chaotic merger consultation. This money and time would have been much better spent investing in our police forces and focusing them on what they do best – tackling crime.

“I sincerely hope that Peter Hain means what he says and that the idea of an All-Wales Police Force stays well and truly off the Government’s agenda. That way, we will both stay quite happy.”

 

 

Thomas Cook Welsh Language Ban - Comments from Eleanor Burnham AM

Eleanor Burnham, Welsh Liberal Democrat spokesperson for the Welsh Language and Assembly Member for North Wales, has today given her reaction to the news that travel agent Thomas Cook has banned the work-related use of Welsh among staff in its Bangor branch.

The travel agent has instructed members of staff at the Bangor branch to hold all work-related conversations in English, a policy applying to all non-English languages.

Ms Burnham said: "It is utterly disgraceful that a company be allowed to dictate to its staff which language they use whilst working, particularly in such a strong Welsh-speaking area as Gwynedd.

"Examples like this make it clear why we need to enshrine the rights of Welsh speakers in law, and give official status to Welsh as a language of Wales equal to English.

"Welsh and English should stand side by side in law and those who wish to use either language in official situations or in the workplace should be allowed to do so.

"Thomas Cook's actions undermine the bilingual status of our society. In a region with a substantial number of Welsh speakers, why shouldn't staff be allowed to use either Welsh or English with each other and with customers? It should be a matter of choice, and a new Welsh Language measure would protect this right to choose which language people use on a day to day basis.

"We will soon know if the firm's actions are actually in breach of the Race Relations Act and I would hope that Thomas Cook will now reconsider their language policy. Using Welsh or English within Wales is a choice, not a rule and this incident flies in the face of our diverse, modern Welsh society. Other businesses and companies should now consider very carefully how they facilitate bilingual workplaces in Wales."

 

 

Dear All,

There is very little in politics that beats the enjoyment of getting out on the Parliamentary by-election trail, doing a walkabout with the candidate, surrounded by the media scrum and meeting residents who are disillusioned with Labour and thinking of voting for us for the very first time.

So it is no surprise to tell you that I had great fun earlier this week when I was out campaigning for Nigel Bakhai in Ealing.

The feel of the campaign reminds me greatly of Brent East, the scene of our famous victory with Sarah Teather.

It was great to see so many enthusiastic members out campaigning with me for Nigel. Nigel is everything we – or the residents of Ealing – could want for. He lives locally, with a long track record of fighting – and winning – local campaigns for the community. He is deeply involved in local groups and would make a fantastic MP.

We are lucky too to have Greg Stone fighting our corner in Sedgefield. With both by-elections polling in just 13 days, Greg and Nigel need all the help you can give.

Ming and most of my Parliamentary colleagues have already been to help in the by-elections more than once.

A personal visit to deliver, canvass or help with clerical work is the most powerful and effective thing you can do to help Nigel and Greg win. Details of where to go and help are at http://www.ealinglibdems.org.uk and http://www.sedgefieldlibdems.org.uk respectively.

Both of their campaigns can also arrange accommodation with local members for you if you are able to come for more than a day.

But whether you can make it in person or not, do you know anyone who lives in Ealing Southall or Sedgefield? If you do, please sign up at http://members.libdems.org.uk/byelections/ because Nigel and Greg would like you to take a moment or two to contact them – by post, email or letter.

This sort of personal contact really helps cut through the cynical chatter of the media.

It was great fun and very rewarding being out campaigning for Nigel. I hope you too will join in our campaigns.

Best wishes

Charles Kennedy

 

 

 

Dear All,

I've just come back from the official opening of our campaign office in Ealing with Ming Campbell.

The big news is the defection to us of Brij Mohan Gupta, Deputy Chair (Political) of Ealing Southall Conservatives and Vice-Chair of Southall Green and Southall Broadway Conservative ward parties.

As he puts it himself:

"Under David Cameron the Conservatives have become a party of style over substance. I agree with everything that Quentin Davies said about Mr Cameron.

"This by-election reflects Mr Cameron’s contempt for local Conservative members. His spin doctors ignored our wishes and forced the branch to accept someone whose commitment to the party is less than a week old. Almost all local Conservative party members feel like I do."

You can read more about this story on Nigel Bakhai's website: http://www.ealinglibdems.org.uk/news/000120.html

This news will give Nigel's campaign another great boost. Please do come in person and help our campaigns - details are at http://ealinglibdems.org.uk/pages/southallcampaignhq.html and http://sedgefieldlibdems.org.uk/news/000005.html

Once again (!) I hope to see you in Ealing or Sedgefield.

Best wishes

Chris
Chief Executive
Liberal Democrats