Latest local and national Lib Dem news

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  • Lib Dems win in local elections
    Article: May 13, 2022

    Liberal Democrats won right across the country in May's local elections with successes from the Scottish Highlands to Somerset, from Kingston-Upon-Thames to Kingston-Upon-Hull, from Powys to St Albans.

    Liberal Democrats elected 868 Councillors, a net gain of 224!

    We are winning again because we are listening to people. Because we hear their concerns and their frustration. Because we are standing up for our values, standing up for our communities, and fighting for a fair deal.

  • ALDC Conference Blog
    ALDC - Join the Green Liberal Democrats at their 2022 Summer School & Conference
    Article: May 13, 2022
    By ALDC

    The Green Liberal Democrats are running their 2022 Summer School & Conference - A Turning Point - in Nottingham on June 11th.

    2022 Chair Keith Melton states:

    "I am sure you have been as delighted as we are by the results that our party has enjoyed in the recent Local Elections.

    Throughout the United Kingdom we are better placed to represent our communities and Liberal Democrat values.

    In turn, we are able to spark ideas and projects to tackle the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss.

    Whilst those in positions running councils are particularly influential, even one Lib Dem can push for transformative action.

    That's why our Green Liberal Democrat Summer School and Conference is built upon training and panel discussions from experienced and inspiring councillors, leading the way in environmental Local Authority initiatives.

    I look forward to seeing you there!"

  • A brilliant set of election results
    Article: May 12, 2022

    We're winning

    What an amazing outcome from this May's local elections:

    • Three more Liberal Democrat majority councils, taking us back to where we were before going into Coalition in 2010;
    • A net gain of 224 councillors, making this the fourth set of net gains in a row, something we've not achieved since the Iraq war;
    • 19% vote share (the national equivalent vote share, i.e. what it would have been if there were elections everywhere); and
    • The lovely bonus of seeing our sister party in Northern Ireland, Alliance, gaining seats and votes to move up to such an impressive third place.
  • Last chance EB
    Today is the final day for Earlybird Tickets!
    Article: May 11, 2022
    By Diana Catton

    Dear Members,

    Today is the final day for earlybird tickets to "A Turning Point" at Nottingham University on Saturday, June 11th:
    Get Early Bird Tickets Now!

    Here's what you'll get with your ticket:

    • 'Green Debut' councillor and candidate training sessions.
    • Keynote speeches.
    • Panel discussions with our MPs, colleagues, and partner organisations.
    • Special Interest Groups to produce policy motions.
    • Campaign planning roundtables.
    • Networking opportunities.
    • Vegan lunch!

    Best wishes,

    Diana Catton

    Treasurer, 2022
    treasurer@greenlibdems.org.uk
    P.S: Again, earlybird tickets are available up until 23:59 today. Once they're gone, they're gone!
    Book here
  • TP Davey
    Sir Ed Davey MP - Lib Dem gains mark a 'turning point'
    Article: May 10, 2022
    By Green Liberal Democrats

    We had a bumper election.

    From winning the new unitaries of Somerset and Westmorland & Furness, taking control of Kingston upon Hull, Woking, Gosport, to becoming the largest party in Powys - Lib Dems are #winninghere.

    So many of you won seats and councils from Conservatives, Labour, Greens, the SNP, Plaid Cymru, and independents throughout the UK.

    We worked hard for our wins, but now the real work begins.

    We get elected because we know how transformative it can be when Liberal Democrats represent their communities and the climate.

    That's why, on June 11th, the Green Liberal Democrat Summer School will feature training and panel discussions designed to promote environmental action on your council.

    We are facing the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss. As 2022 Spring Conference Motion F34 - COP27 and Climate Empowerment for Local Government - accentuated:

    'As place-shapers, only local government holds the wide range of delivery powers and assets - and the potential for market and nonmarket mechanisms to finance action at scale - that are necessary to decarbonise housing, transport, waste and generate nature-based solutions.'

    Sir Ed Davey MP was correct, this election marks a 'turning point' for our party. We are a legitimate electoral force again.

    Our 223 new councillors and 5 new councils (so far!) represent the opportunity to ratchet up the pressure for real action around the UK.

    To find out what you can do to tackle climate change and biodiversity loss where you are, register as a delegate to the GLD Summer School and Conference within the next 48 hours to take advantage of our earlybird price of just £40.

    Attend GLD Summer School - A Turning Point

    New Member Deal!

    For those without GLD membership, we offer the 2022 ticket - where they can join GLD for £20 and get a discounted £22 ticket for the Conference, a total of £42.
    P.S: Earlybird tickets are only available until Wednesday 11th! Be sure to get in early and lock down the low price!
  • Federal Board, ask us anything
    Article: May 9, 2022

    The Federal Board will be holding another surgery, a chance to come along and ask us your questions, on Monday 16th of May. You can register to join us here!

    Interested in our plans for Tiverton and Honiton? Want to know drove success in the Local Elections? Have an idea for how we can improve? This is an opportunity to talk to us.

  • Wera Header
    Why we become Councillors
    Article: May 3, 2022
    By Wera Hobhouse

    As you may know, I started in local government. As a Councillor in Rochdale, I was proud of our efforts to make our council greener, cleaner and healthier.

    Every week I meet with Councillors, Group Leaders and Council Leaders from across the country and I am heartened to hear about the brilliant work being done by so many of our colleagues throughout the UK.

    Liberal Democrat-run Local Authorities are on the frontline of tackling the climate emergency and our Councillors have a strong record:

    • Cllr Sarah Dyke and South Somerset District Council have developed 70 megawatts of battery storage for renewable energy.

    • Cllr Christian Vassie's work on York City Council has pushed the North Yorkshire Pension Fund to invest £140 million in a Climate Opportunities Fund.

    • Mayor Dave Hodgson and Bedford Borough Council have reduced carbon emissions across their Council properties by 62% since 2009.

    I want to see more of you doing great things. But first, we have to get elected.

    It takes a lot of work to get onto the Council. The national crises of the Conservative Party and mismanagement of Labour Councils make this a great opportunity. But, we need people like you and I to deliver leaflets, knock on doors, and help in any way that you can.

    Liberal Democrats become Councillors not because we hope to benefit from it, but because we truly care about how our Council is run.

    That's why I loved being a Councillor and it's why I am out on the doorstep helping our candidates get over the line.

    In the final week, we can push forward. And by Friday morning we will welcome a new group of Liberal Democrat councillors.

    Let's get out there.

    Best of luck,

    Wera

    Wera Hobhouse MP
    Member of Parliament for Bath
    Green Liberal Democrats Vice President
    wera.hobhouse@greenlibdems.org.uk
    Donate here
  • Windfall Header
    This Morning, BP reported record profits of $6.2 billion
    Article: May 3, 2022
    By Green Liberal Democrats

    This morning, BP reported a sizzling $6.2 billion (£5bn) of underlying profit.

    Despite efforts to disguise windfalls under an apparent loss from exiting interests in Russia, BP outperformed projections significantly, benefiting from surging utility prices.

    The oil and gas giant could have invested this windfall in green infrastructure, promoting energy security and reducing our carbon footprint. Instead, $2.5 billion has been committed to share buybacks over the next quarter, returning cash to shareholders and executives over improving our energy mix.

    BP's Chief Executive Bernard Looney has compared the organisation to a 'cash machine' with 'more cash than we know what to do with'. We have some suggestions. Liberal Democrats have called for a 'Robin Hood' windfall tax on energy giants to support households throughout the UK with spiking bills.

    A one-off levy would raise over £10bn over the next year, supporting families and households by allowing us to:

    • Double the Warm Homes Discount and extend it to all those receiving Universal Credit or Pension Credit.

    • Double the Winter Fuel Allowance.

    • Insulate homes to slash heating bills long-term.

    • Cut VAT to 17.5%, saving households £600 per year.

    Meanwhile, Boris Johnson sat on Good Morning Britain and told the public that a windfall tax on energy companies will 'discourage them from making the investments that we want to see.'

    With 7.5 million households set to enter fuel poverty, we cannot afford to ignore the problem, to stick our heads in the sand.

    Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak state that energy companies will figure it out for us.

    This morning, BP gave us $2.5 billion of evidence to the contrary.

    Sir Ed Davey MP spoke on BBC Breakfast, reiterating calls for an urgent windfall tax.

    Watch his statement here:
    Ed Davey BBC Breakfast Windfall Tax 03/05/2022

    The Campaign:

    We've collated a pack of urgent resources in our Windfall Tax campaign for you to respond to today's news:

    P.S: In March, Energy Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng MP appointed the Chair of BP Europe Peter Mather to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) executive board.
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