Fancy a drink? Come and meet your local Lib Dems

South Glos Lib Dems have announced a series of events called Liberal Drinks, get-togethers in pubs and cafes across South Gloucestershire for members and non-members to meet in a friendly and informal setting and to put the world to rights. 

Anyone is welcome to join us for a drink to get to know your local Liberal Democrats. There is no set agenda or topic. Simply come along to discuss politics or whatever else takes your fancy.

Upcoming dates as follows:
Thursday 9th June, 7.30 pm, The Swan at Nibley
Thursday 16th June, 7.30pm, The Golden Heart in Winterbourne
Thursday 30th June, 7.30pm, Stanshawes Court, Yate
Monday 4th July, 7.30pm, Hawkes House in Thornbury
Thursday 14th July, 7.30pm, The Buthay, Wickwar

For more info, and to RSVP, please visit: http://www.southgloslibdems.org.uk/events

Calling local Liberal Democrat members

Are you a Lib Dem member, but you're not sure what the party does locally? Here's your chance to find out!

All members are welcome to come to the Sodbury, Yate and Dodington Liberal Democrats Executive meeting from 7.30 pm this coming Thursday at Poole Court, Yate.

Lib Dem leadership contender visits Yate

Tim Farron MP, one of the two contenders for the Leadership of the Liberal Democrats, met local party members at Poole Court this week for a no-holds-barred question and answer session.

He answered a wide range of questions from the crowded meeting, ranging from the economy and defence to how to rebuild the Lib Dems after the disappointing result at the General Election.

The other leadership contender is Norman Lamb MP, who visited Yate in February. The result of the election will be announced on 16 July.

In line with the national trend, local membership of the Liberal Democrats has risen considerably since the General Election.

Join the Lib Dem fightback - and this week's special offer

Since the election more than 15,000 people have joined the Liberal Democrats nationwide, including dozens in our local area, showing that people want to campaign against the impact that a right-wing Tory government is likely to have on our public services and our communities.

We will be running many local and national campaigns over the coming months and years and if you would like to be part of the team we would be delighted to involve you. You can join the party via the website at www.libdems.org.uk or by contacting any member of the local team.

Now for this week's special offer - everyone who is a member at 4pm on 3rd June will be able to vote for the next party leader.This is YOUR chance to have an influence on future Lib Dem party policy.

Five Green Laws - a key Lib Dem policy

One of the policies that distinguishes the Liberal Democrats most from the other major parties is the Five Green Laws, aiming to put green commitments at the heart of the next Parliament’s legislative programme.

The five green laws will include regulations to cut household bills by increasing energy efficiency, legal targets for clean air and water, radical waste reduction plans, the introduction of a decarbonisation bill and reforms to planning law to encourage cycling.

Lib Dem Secretary of State for Energy & Climate Change Ed Davey said: “The Lib Dems are the only party to have nailed their green credentials to the mast, and set out how this radical agenda will be delivered in a way that is both credible and affordable.

“Protecting the environment is in the Lib Dem’s DNA, and having these five Green Laws on the front page of our Manifesto shows our intent.

“From day one of the next Parliament we will have our green commitments on the table, from cleaning up the air we breathe, to greening the energy and transport we use.”

So waht are the five green laws?

Zero Carbon Bill

Introducing a Zero Carbon Britain Bill in the next parliament to end Britain’s adverse impact on climate change for good by 2050.

Zero Waste Bill

Treble fines and claw back £500 million for the taxpayer by clamping down on organisations which fly-tip to deliberately evade tax and review the tax structure across landfill, incineration and collection.

Green Homes Bill

New Green Homes Bill will insulate up to 10 million homes by 2025 and offer at least £100 a year off Council Tax for ten years when energy improvements are carried out.

Nature Bill

Establish the Natural Capital Committee on a statutory footing to provide advice to Government to ensure that nature is at the heart of government decision-making and that government departments are held to account for achieving progress against commitments to improving the natural environment.

Green Transport Bill

Transport has a significant role to play in reducing carbon emissions. In the UK, transport is responsible for around 25% of our carbon emissions and is the fastest growing source of carbon emissions. We will bring forward a comprehensive package of transport policies to continue to build a people-centred, sustainable, safe travel system that helps the economy grow.

A quick video summary of Lib Dem national policies

This 1 minute video from Sky News encapsulates what we're proposing to do:

The First Year as a New MP - meet Duncan Hames MP in Chipping Sodbury 24 June

Ever wondered what happens behind closed doors in Westminster? Come and listen to a new MP talk about his first year in Parliament.

Duncan has had an extraordinary first year in Parliament since being elected as MP for Chippenham in 2010. He has become a Parliamentary Private Secretary to a Lib Dem Minister, and has seen more about how Government works in one year than most people do in ten.

This lecture is in memory of Heather Larkins, a former Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Northavon who sadly passed away. All proceeds go towards sending a young person to experience Liberal Democrat Autumn Conference in September.

Chipping Sodbury Town Hall, Friday 24 June, 7.30 pm.

Tickets £5 each (£1 if under 21) from Joanna Wallis on 0117 9574119 or email joanna@wallisfamily.plus.com    Alternatively, pay on the door.

Reaction to local election results

After Thursday’s local elections, the Liberal Democrats now hold 21 of the 70 seats on South Gloucestershire Council. Commenting on the results, Lib Dem Group Leader Ruth Davis said, “I am obviously very disappointed that good colleagues lost their seats due to national issues, despite focusing on local matters. They will be sorely missed both by us and for the hard work they did in their communities. I would like to thank them and those councillors who stood down for all their years of public service”

“In other seats, the public had faith in our record of working locally for the benefit of all residents, and we had some excellent results. We are very pleased that we managed to win 19 out of a possible 22 seats in Steve Webb’s Thornbury and Yate constituency, securing more than 50 percent of the vote”

South Gloucestershire Council will continue to be run by a minority Tory administration. Cllr Davis said, “We will be working hard to hold the administration to account. We want to grasp the opportunities for more local decision making and involvement that the Lib Dems are promoting in Government. We will continue to act as local champions and work with residents on the issues that matter to them”

Click here for more news of South Gloucestershire Liberal Democrats
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Leaders' debate - could YOU help the Lib Dem campaign?

What did you think of the Leaders' TV debate? Want to help Steve Webb's campaign?

It's really easy to join the @LibDems - you can find out more here and join for as little as £6

Come and hear Paddy!

Thornbury and Yate Liberal Democrats

invite you to come and hear

Paddy Ashdown

on Thursday 4th February

in Thornbury Leisure Centre at 8pm.

Paddy will discuss the political situation at home and abroad, as well as his experience as a Royal Marine, a Diplomat, and Lib Dem Leader for ten years. There will also be a chance to put your questions to him.

Entry is free but if you intend to come it would be helpful if you could let Thornbury and Yate Liberal Democrats know on steve@stevewebb.org.uk or by phoning Steve Webb’s local office on 01454 322100.

Please print this blogpost and bring it along as your ticket, and invite your friends to come along too.

Published, promoted and printed by Clive Parkinson on behalf of 
Steve Webb (Liberal Democrat) Poole Court, Poole Court Drive, BS37 5PP

Nick Clegg to hold public meeting in Bath this week

Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg will hold a public meeting in Bath on 7th January, to discuss with local people the issues that matter to them.

Since Nick became leader of the Lib Dems he has held well over 50 public meetings across the country, and anyone is free to attend at St Michael’s on Broad Street in the centre of Bath, start time 6.30pm.

Nick said, “It is now more important than ever for politicians to get out of Westminster and engage with people about how to rebuild our economy and restore trust in politics. I am looking forward to meeting the people of Bath and discussing the issues that matter most to them.”

If you’d like to come along and ask a question of Nick, then you can register your interest by going to http://meet.nickclegg.com

Lib Dems launch Freedom Bill

The Lib Dems have published their new Freedom Bill to roll back authoritarian laws. You can read more on the Freedom Bill website and sign the petition here.

Sarah Turley joins the Lib Dems

Cllr Turley (second from left) is welcomed by (l to r) Cllr Marilyn Palmer, Cllr Ruth Davis and local MP Steve Webb

Councillor Sarah Turley (Boyd Valley) has left South Gloucestershire’s ruling Conservative group and joined the Liberal Democrats.

Sarah says, “When I stood for election last year I was determined to stand up for my local community. Unfortunately, over the last year I have found that my work has been undermined by members of the Conservative group on the Council."

“In particular, when I wanted to speak up on behalf of local residents against the in-vessel composter, I was discouraged from doing so. At the same time I have worked closely with community campaigners, many of whom are members of the local Liberal Democrats, and this is the way that I want to work."

“I look forward to working alongside local MP Steve Webb and Cllr Marilyn Palmer in standing up for the people of Boyd Valley over the coming years".

Lib Dem council group leader Ruth Davis greeted her new colleague warmly, saying, “We very much welcome Sarah to the team. She is a very capable and respected councillor and shares our commitment to the environment and to standing up for her local community."

Boyd Valley is the South Glos ward centred on Pucklechurch.

(Thanks to our sister blog Focus on the Ladden-Frome area for this story)

A rather different Nick Clegg interview

Nick Clegg was recently interviewed for BBC News School Report by young people from Banbury School. They asked him a range of penetrating questions covering politics, children, currency and his top team.

Click here to view the video report.

Steve Webb in his own words

Steve has written a post on his blog "The Webb Log" explaining the reasons why he didn't join in the Lib Dem Leadership race. Please read it for "straight for the horse's mouth" information (no offence meant, Steve!) and for his view of the forthcoming contest.

Best wishes to Steve and family from all your many supporters.

Breaking news - Steve Webb not joining Leadership contest

Steve Webb has just told the BBC that he will not be putting himself forward for the job, but will be supporting Nick Clegg. Full BBC story here.

Steve Webb - Leader update

On Steve Webb's blog today he confirms that "I've consulted a few MPs about whether I should throw my hat into the ring, and have been able to establish that if I decided to go for it I would have enough nominations to take part in the contest".

"I now need to decide whether this would be in the best interests of the party, my constituents and (not least) my family". Click here to read the full blog entry.

Steve appeared on Newsnight last night - click here for Newsnight site
(Thanks to Bloggers4Steve for that)

[Note - the Newsnight link has now been replaced by tonight's programme - Editor]

Will Steve Webb stand for Lib Dem Leadership?

There are several online campaigns in favour of Steve Webb standing for election as the next Leader of the Liberal Democrats. There's a Facebook Group "Steve Webb for Lib Dem Leader" - and a website - Bloggers4Steve.blogspot.com. These campaigns seem very appropriate seeing the impact Steve has been making with his online campaigning.

Steve is expected to say later this week whether he will stand.

The election timetable is as follows:

16th October - nominations open. To run, an MP must be nominated by at least 7 MPs; and also by at least 200 party members in 20 local parties.

31st October - nominations close.

17th November - ballot papers sent out to party members.

15th December - last day for return of ballot papers.

17th December - the new Leader will be announced.

Lib Dem Leadership - have YOUR say

If you've been thinking about joining the Liberal Democrats, and you would like a say in who the new Leader will be, now is the time to join. Our understanding is that if you join before 30 October you will be able to vote in the leadership election.

You can join the Lib Dems online here or you can contact any of the Sodbury, Yate and Dodington Focus Team.

(P.S. apparently the deadline is 4pm on 31 October - but to avoid postal delays, if you're joining at the last minute, do so online at the link above - Editor, 17/10/07)