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"The Liberal Democrats exist to build and safeguard a fair, free and open society, in which we seek to balance the fundamental values of liberty, equality and community, and in which no-one shall be enslaved by poverty, ignorance or conformity."
(Preamble to the Party Constitution).


Quote
Two possibilities exist: either we are alone in the Universe or we are not. Both are equally terrifying.
-- Arthur C Clarke 1917-2008

TAKE BACK POWER: Change politics for good   New

In the wake of the MPs' expenses scandal, Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg has unveiled a 100-day plan to reform 'every nook and cranny' of Britain's political system.

The plan would make it possible for MPs to be sacked by their constituents; abolish the House of Lords; get corrupt money out of politics; and change the electoral system to give a voice to everyone.

Liberal Democrats WIN in STAPLE TYE   New

The Liberal Democrats were the winners in the council by-election in Staple Tye on Thursday 30th April 2009.

John with his team after the count
The result was:
LIB DEM  604 (+ 48) 39.1% (+ 5.9%)
CON      544 (-304) 35.3% (-15.3%)
LAB      329 (+ 57) 21.3% (+ 5.1%)
UKIP      66 (+ 66)  4.3% (+ 4.3%)

Turnout   30% (-2.3%)
LIB DEM GAIN (from Con) -  MAJ 60

The by-election was held to replace former Conservative councillor David Kirton (who is in prison on remand).

Fight the CUTS The Liberal Democrats fought a strong Fight the CUTS campaign.

The result shows voters' anger at the cuts the Conservative Council has made to Harlow's services, while at the same time giving big rises to senior officers, and imposing car parking charges and an inflation-busting Council Tax increase.

CONSERVATIVES FORCE THROUGH CAR PARKING CHARGES

Fight the CUTS Conservatives on Harlow Council have used their majority to force through car parking charges at neighbourhood shopping centres, the short-stay area at the Town Station, and the Town Park, despite fierce opposition from the public.

Conservatives on the council's Environment & Community Committee voted on Tuesday 17 March to introduce the charges. Users of shops at Bush Fair, The Stow and Old Harlow will have only one hour's free parking. Some workers at these centres will receive staff passes entitling them to park for £50 a year, but there will not be enough to go round, and some workers - such as those in the NHS health centres - will not qualify for them.

Liberal Democrat councillors opposed the charges, but were outvoted.

CUTS UPDATE: COURT REJECTS ADVICE CENTRE CUTS   New

Fight the CUTS Congratulations to users of Harlow Welfare Rights & Advice services, who have WON their case in the High Court against Harlow Council over the way in which the council has carried out Conservative cuts to advice services.

The council's planned meeting to award the contract - at less than one-fifth of the amount currently spent on advice - has now been postponed twice.

Liberal Democrat councillors will continue to press for a fair deal for users of this much needed service.

See the story in the Harlow Herald and in the Harlow Star.


UPDATE:Sign the petition! Friends of Harlow Welfare Rights & Advice have launched a petition to the Prime Minister asking Harlow Council to reconsider its advice service cuts. Please sign, and encourage others to do so too.

Following the court case, the Advice Centre re-opened in April, but is only funded for three months, and with much reduced staffing. Its longer term future is still in doubt.

COUNCIL BUDGET: CONSERVATIVE AXE FALLS ON HARLOW

Fight the CUTS Harlow's Advice Centre is the biggest casualty of Harlow Conservatives' cuts to council services, with its £500,000 budget hacked back to less than £100,000.

Local charities including Young Concern, Employ-Ability, the Cooperative Development Agency, Rainbow Services and Harlow Community Chest will also lose out - with some major charities getting no grant from the council at all.

CAMPAIGNS

Axe the council tax

Find out about a fairer way to pay for local services.

Make my vote count

Labour won only a third of the votes - but a majority of 66 seats in Parliament. It's time for a fairer system.

Scrap tuition fees and top-up fees

Liberal Democrats are campaigning to axe tuition fees and against Labour's plans for top up fees.

No to ID Cards

We opposed ID cards during the election. We said the predicted cost of £3 billion should be spent on more police. But already the cost has doubled to £6 billion - and according to the London School of Economics it may be as high as £18 billion!

Harlow Council meetings

Check here for up and coming Harlow Council meetings. Copies of committee agendas and papers can also be downloaded from the council's web site.

Sign the Fight the CUTS Petition

Fight the CUTS!

Fight the CUTS I support the Liberal Democrat Fight the CUTS campaign.  I oppose the Council cuts to services for the elderly, local charities, small businesses and to the Advice Centre.

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Please send me a Fight the CUTS poster
Please send me a Fight the CUTS petition form so I can ask friends and neighbours to sign.

We'll send you occasional email updates about the campaign; please tell us if you DON'T want to get these emails.

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ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL ELECTION MANIFESTO   New

Liberal Democrats in Essex have published their manifesto for the Essex County Council elections on Thursday 4 June.

LIB DEM TV

View the latest Liberal Democrat VideoNew


Harlow Liberal Democrats do not pass email addresses or other details to third parties.

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Designed by David Wright | Printed by OA5, 5 Red Lion, Much Hadham Herts. Published & promoted by David Wright on behalf of the Liberal Democrats all at 55 Old Road, HARLOW, Essex UK | Web site provided by OA5, www.oa5.com | Copyright ©2008 Harlow Liberal Democrats | Last modified 12-Jun-2009