TAKE BACK POWER: Change politics for good  

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  

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

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).

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

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  

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

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

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

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