In his keynote speech to the Liberal Democrat Conference, Party Leader and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has outlined his goals for the Government and the country over the coming years. He reiterated his commitment to liberal values on the environment and human rights and his determination to ensure a fair chance for every child, saying "every child can do good things, great things, if only we give them the opportunities they deserve."
On 5th May you have a choice. You can keep the discredited First Past the Post system to elect our MPs, or you can choose a new and fairer system - Alternative Vote (AV). Back the campaign for change at www.YesToFairerVotes.org
The Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) allocated a massive 24,500 houses to be built in South Worcestershire by 2026. Wychavon was to take 9,100 plus an unspecified number of Worcester City's allocation of 10,500. The Decentralisation and Localism Bill proposes to abolish the RSS, but this doesn't mean there will be no development.
Liberal Democrats believe university education should be free and everyone who has the ability should be able to go to university. In our manifesto for the 2010 general election stated that we would scrap unfair university tuition fees for all students taking their first degree, including those studying part-time.
The result of yesterday's by-election for the Bowbrook Division of Worcestershire County Council was :
Con 1088 (59.2; -1.2)
LD Margaret Rowley 536 (29.2; +7.2)
Lab 213 (11.6; +4.6)
[Green (0.0; -10.6)]
Majority 552
Turnout 25%
Con hold
Percentage change is since June 2009.
Margaret said "I would like to thank all those who supported me in this by-election. Although not successful this time I was pleased to see our vote increase in what was a low turn out on a cold day. The Bowbrook Division faces a number of crucial planning decisions in the near future, and I will continue to support the residents of Bowbrook Ward as their District Councillor."
Edward McMillan-Scott MEP is due to speak at Mid-Worcestershire Liberal Democrats AGM on Friday, 19th November. The event will be held in the **John Corbett Room, Community Centre, Heritage Way, Droitwich Spa WR9 8RE**
Mr McMillan-Scott is an MEP for Yorkshire and the Humber. He has a family home in Mid-Worcestershire as well as his constituency home in Yorkshire. He is an elected Vice-President of the European Parliament and one of Britain's most senior MEPs. He is able to use his influence to pursue a number of campaigns with a European or worldwide scope. His portfolio includes democracy and human rights.
A by-election will be held on 25th November following the sad death of Cllr Ted Sheldon who had been a member of the County Council for many years.
Margaret Rowley has been chosen by the local Party as the Liberal Democrat candidate.
Margaret has been a tireless local councillor representing Bowbrook Ward (Tibberton, Hadzor, Oddingley, Crowle area) on Wychavon District Council for the last 15 years. She has been Leader of the Opposition since 1999, and has built up a reputation as a campaigner for local people. She was instrumental in getting the controlling Conservative Group to reverse their decision to close Droitwich Lido.
The investment of more than £1.3 billion of funding over the next four years to maintain and modernise the Post Office announced by Business Secretary Vince Cable shows that the Lib Dems in Government are delivering for local people where Labour failed.
This investment averages out at over £330m a year - more than double the subsidy paid to the Post Office in the past two years under Labour who pushed through a programme of forced Post Office closures.
"Because of Liberal Democrat influence in Government, the Coalition will be able to increase the supply of affordable housing in this country. More social homes will be built this year than in any year under the last Labour Government."
Liberal Democrat Communities Minister Andrew Stunell has announced that Liberal Democrats in Government will deliver the biggest net increase in social housing for 30 years.
