Wycombe Liberal Democrats

“I have a confession to make: 2009 tested my belief in politics to breaking point.

I remember once looking round the House of Commons during another Punch and Judy session of Prime Ministers Questions. In the real world, youth unemployment had just reached its highest level ever, our brave soldiers were facing extraordinary dangers in Afghanistan, the bankers were still gorging themselves on bonuses, and the economy was in the middle of the worst recession in generations. And what were the politicians doing? Yelling and guffawing at each other as if the world outside didn’t exist.

So I don’t blame anyone for feeling a sense of despair about our clapped out political system. You are being taken for granted by the people in charge. Big money is hollowing out politics with some rich donors not even bothering to say whether they pay full British taxes or not. And to top it all the expenses scandals exposed some MPs as spivvy property speculators and tax evaders rather than public servants.

This whole set-up has to change. That’s what 2010 should be all about. Big, permanent change for the better.

People’s faith in politics may be dented, but I still believe in our ability to learn from the mistakes of the past, and set things on a new course.

2010 must be the year we press the political reset button.

But that will only happen if we do things differently. More of the same won’t produce anything new.
Of course both Labour and the Conservatives have learned to parrot the language of change. But where’s the proof they mean it? Despite all the hot air about fixing politics they have both voted against giving people the right to sack MPs who’ve seriously broken the rules. Both have refused to clean up the rotten system of party political funding. Both refuse to give you your say by introducing fair votes to the House of Commons. And both refuse to shake up the City of London, so that bankers can never again play Russian roulette with your savings.

Some people say, what’s the point of voting when the same old parties always win? I say: vote for what you believe in. If you like what the Liberal Democrats stand for, vote for it. If you want real change, not phoney change, vote for it. If you think things should be different, vote for it.

At the end of the day, politics should be about what you believe. What kind of Britain do you want to live in? What kind of world do we want our children and grandchildren to grow up in?
Time to hit political reset button says Clegg

In his New Year message, Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg has laid down a challenge to other party leaders to tell people what they really believe in, rather than what they think people want to hear.

So as the countdown to the next General Election finally begins, I have a simple question for the other party leaders: what do you believe, really believe?

People don’t want leading politicians clinging on to power for its own sake, or just telling people what they want to hear. There’s got to be more to it than that.

I have one belief above all others: a belief in fairness. Under my leadership the Liberal Democrats have been working on new ideas to make Britain the fair country I believe most people want it to be. We want to raise standards in all of our schools by giving specific help to the children most in need, and by making class sizes smaller. Soon we will be publishing new ideas to turn our economy away from its over dependence on the City of London to a new, green economy where hundreds of thousands of new jobs will be created as we rebuild our transport, energy and housing infrastructure. Above all, we are now the only party with a detailed plan to make taxes fair – removing all income tax on the first £10000 you earn, paid for by asking people at the top to pay a bit more.

If we as Leaders want people to turn out to vote at all at the next General Election, we have got to show people our convictions, not just dividing lines, our beliefs, not just soundbites.

I hope in the coming months even more people will get a chance to find out what I believe in, and the beliefs of the Liberal Democrats. If enough people share our convictions, our beliefs, then 2010 really can be the beginning of something new. “

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Wycombe Liberal Democrats took to the streets in London today to support the fight against climate change.

The next parliament is likely to be the last that can stop dangerous climate change. And there is only one party that is both serious about the environment and in a position to exact real change: the Liberal Democrats.

Copenhagen is a vital staging post in the international fight to reduce carbon but the Government is not up to the task of driving through changes.

Labour has failed to cut emissions in the past and refuses to commit to what science demands in the future. We are still at the bottom of the European league table for levels of renewable energy, only above Malta and Luxembourg.

The Conservatives are a laughing stock on the international scene and their environmental policies consist merely of empty platitudes.

Conservatives in Wycombe have refused to support the 10:10 environmental campaign to reduce carbon emmisions by 10% in 2010

The Liberal Democrats are different. We are the only party in UK politics with the vision, policies, ambition and ability to kill carbon emissions.

We will make Britain carbon neutral by 2050. We will reduce emissions faster and more effectively than any other party. And we will make sure that every home is properly insulated within 10 years of taking power.

There is only a small window of opportunity to stop dangerous climate change. Only the Liberal Democrats will take it.

Watch Nick Clegg speaking at The Wave here.

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“I know there are people who agree with a lot of what we’ve got to say. But who still don’t vote Liberal Democrat. You don’t think we’re contenders. I urge you to think again.

If you don’t agree with our policies;if you don’t want big change in Britain. Then don’t vote for us.

But if you like what you hear; if you share our vision for a different kind of future. Then go with your instincts; vote Liberal Democrat.

Elections are decided by your cross on the ballot paper.

Power is not any party’s to be inherited. Power is yours to give to whoever you choose.

So don’t turn away, don’t stay at home, don’t vote Conservative just because you think it is the only option.

This is Britain. We don’t settle for second best because we think it is inevitable; we don’t compromise on our beliefs because people might not agree with us; we stand up for our values with our heads held high.

Make no mistake: the Liberal Democrats will do things differently in Britain.

But if you want real change in Britain, you have to take a stand. If you want what we propose, you have to vote for it.

If you want tax cuts for ordinary people, paid for by closing loopholes for the very rich; if you want the right to sack your MP if they’re proved corrupt; if you want children to start at school in classes of just 15 – then vote for it.

This is a vital moment in the history of our country. And you have the power to shape it.

Labour is lost. They haven’t the ideas, energy or vision to start again.

If you voted for them in the past, you have a choice: You can give away your vote to a fringe party, you can stay at home in despair, or you can join with the Liberal Democrats and make the difference.

If you supported Labour in 1997 because you wanted fairness; you wanted young people to flourish; you wanted political reform; you wanted the environment protected; or you simply believed in a better future – turn to the Liberal Democrats.

The choice at the next election is fake change from the Conservatives, or real change from the Liberal Democrats.

At a time like this, a time of real crisis, Britain cannot afford to be taken in by David Cameron’s illusion of change.

Britain needs leadership from a party with real passion, and it’s the Liberal Democrats.

There is hope for a different future, a different way of doing things in Britain, if we are brave enough to make a fresh start.

So let today be the first day of the future of British politics. It may be only the beginning; but it is the beginning – the beginning of real change in Britain.”

Nick Clegg MP

Leader of the Liberal Democrats

For the complete text of this speech click here

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“As Ramadan comes round once more, I’d like to wish all Muslims observing the month my very best wishes.

I have learned from working with Muslim communities across the UK – and indeed from the many Lib Dem councillors and candidates who are practising Muslims – that the fasting and Qur’an reading during Ramadan provide spiritual renewal and enlightenment. As friends and family are brought together every night, we also reflect on all the millions of people around the world who still go without food and clean water every day.

We in the Liberal Democrats have always championed religious tolerance, and we are proud of the diverse traditions in our country.

We recognise the importance of the principle of Zakat to Muslims, especially at this time, and I deeply regret that Islam can be unfairly portrayed in many parts of the media especially when Muslim communities in this country do so much excellent charitable work.

I congratulate Muslims for the volunteering and donations they make during the month of Ramadan and at other times, and, more broadly, to thank British Muslims for the enormous contribution they make to life in this country.

Ramadan Mubarak!”

Nick Clegg,

Leader of the Liberal Democrats

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This consultation by Wycombe District Council is set against a background of
significant housing targets imposed on the District from above. The growth in
the town that will result, with all the adverse implications, will be resented and
resisted by many, and risk setting people from one part of the District against
another as people seek to protect precious landscapes from development.
In parallel with these impositions from above has been the relentless stripping
away of real power of self-determination from local authorities. This process
began with the Conservative Governments of Margaret Thatcher and John Major,
and has been consistently continued by the Labour Governments of Tony Blair
and Gordon Brown.
Liberal Democrats believe strongly in giving real power back to communities, so
that they can exercise choices for themselves. Housing need which has been
identified by local communities is much more likely to be accommodated
‘organically’ and by consent. There is no doubt that there are unmet housing
needs in Wycombe District. In particular, many local villages and smaller
communities may welcome small-scale development, with homes earmarked for
local people at affordable costs. Our proposals seek to give priority to such
needs.
The proposed Major developments in the plan have potential to dramatically
alter the Town for good or ill.
Quite rightly local groups and residents are raising major objections to the plans
and solutions proposed.
Wycombe Liberal Democrats cannot support major development in Wycombe
District as proposed until adverse effects on infrastructure have been addressed.
We are concerned that local transport, schools and NHS facilities cannot cope
with current proposals.
Now is the time for some changes to the plan. There is no single policy that can
make this happen. We therefore propose policies and options that will help the
people of High Wycombe and surrounding area minimise the damage that would
be inflicted by the existing plan.

You can download the full response here:

IMAGINE THE FUTURE

(requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)

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