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.

East of England Liberal Democrats are in a good position to gain a second seat in the European Parliament at the election next Thursday, 4 June. As their door-to-door campaigning intensifies across the region, Andrew Duff MEP says:

"Anger at the Westminster expenses scandal is turning into a more serious effort to engage with the political reform agenda that Liberal Democrats have advanced for years.

The huge challenges posed by the financial turmoil, economic crash, climate change and international insecurity make a powerful case for a stronger and better European Union.

Liberal Democrats believe that Britain has a choice between being stronger together in Europe, or poorer apart.

We are well known for getting things done in our county councils, and for providing real opposition at Westminster. As leader of the Lib Dems in the European Parliament, I am helping to ensure that Europe delivers benefits for our region, our country and the wider world.

Voters would be wise to avoid single issue parties which have no answers to the big political agenda.

I hope that the nationalists and isolationists are heavily defeated in the East of England. It is frankly a disgrace that we have had two UKIP MEPs for the last five years who have been either useless or embroiled in corruption scandals.

As people react against failing Labour and avoid a Tory vote that would further marginalise the UK in Europe, they are turning to the Lib Dems. Engaging with the electorate we find encouraging support. Linda Jack has a good chance of becoming our second MEP next week."

The Lib Dems need only a 3% swing on the 2004 result to win two seats in the European Parliament.

Cllr Chris Millington has been re-elected unopposed as Leader of the Liberal Democrat group on Harlow Council. Cllr Robert Thurston has also been elected unopposed as the group's Deputy Leader.

Cllr Lesley Rideout is the Group's new Chair, taking over unopposed from Cllr Eleanor Macy who has stepped down from this role. Cllr Lorna Spenceley was re-elected unopposed as Group Secretary.

The Group thanked Eleanor for her hard work as Group Chair over the last year.

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

It's time for a change.
Liberal Democrats will put services before spin

1. Get basic services right
Liberal Democrats will Make It Happen by:

• Taking action needed to protect vulnerable children


• Repairing potholes all year round - not just before an election


• Developing better public transport, cycle paths and footpaths

Instead of the Conservative policies:

• Nearly £5 million each year on glossy brochures and spin


• 'Jobs for the Boys' - special allowances for Conservative Councillors


• Self-promoting trips around the world

Independent inspectors have ranked Essex County Council just average overall, but services for vulnerable children have been rated amongst the worst in the country. Money spent on spin can no longer be allowed to cover up such catastrophic failings.

2. A greener, fairer future
Liberal Democrats will Make It Happen by:

• More recycling of waste


• More money for young people's services, particularly the voluntary sector


• New housing to be carbon-neutral and built with community facilities

Instead of the Conservative policies:

• Massive waste treatment plants/incineration


• Cuts to the youth service budget


• Believing that outsourcing services is always the best option

3. Supporting the economy
Liberal Democrats will Make It Happen by:

• Council Tax rebate of £50 for those in Band A-D houses


• Income Tax cuts for low and middle earners


• Creating job opportunities and apprenticeships

Instead of the Conservative policies:

• Council Tax up 130% over 12 years


• Tax cuts for millionaires


• Meals on Wheels charges doubled

Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg has launched the party's European election campaign, warning that Britain must lead within the EU to protect families from crime, climate change and the recession. Nick published the Party's European manifesto Stronger Together, Poorer Apart in central London, and said:

"We can only protect British families from crime, the recession and climate change if our country works with other EU countries.

Criminals, business, climate change - these things cross borders. So the police, regulators, and environmental action have to cross borders too. It's the EU that makes this essential cooperation possible.

Only the Liberal Democrats know how to provide security, jobs, and a clean environment by leading in the European Union.

Liberal Democrats backed EU plans for the fast track extradition of thousands of criminals suspects across Europe - including 21/7 bomber Hussein Osman who was extradited in just three weeks from Rome. It would have taken months if UKIP and the Conservatives had succeeded in blocking these new rules.

Liberal Democrats support EU police and judicial cooperation, which have achieved a huge amount in particular in relation to people trafficking and internet crime.

One investigation known as Operation Koala managed to close down a website which contained 150 sexually explicit videos of underage girls and prosecute the people who ran it and its customers.

Because the operators and users of this site were in a total of 28 different countries, it was only because of EU cooperation that the prosecution was swift and successful."

Liberal Democrat councillors Manny Doku and Lorna Spenceley were at the Latton Bush Centre to watch tennis legend Greg Rusedski officially open the new indoor tennis courts. Cllr Spenceley, whose council ward includes the courts, said:

"The decision by the bowls club to release some of their surplus courts for this project was a great opportunity to overcome the problems with the initial proposals.

It's excellent news that the courts could be built without using open green wedge land, and that children and adults alike now have the opportunity to play tennis whatever the weather."

Liberal Democrats in Essex launched their election campaign by highlighting one of their campaign issues - potholes. Liberal Democrat county council leader Cllr Tom Smith-Hughes explained more about the party's campaign:

"It's a very simple message - taxpayers' money needs to be spent on more services for the benefit of local people and less on spin and publicity that benefits politicians.

Sadly, the last four years of Conservative control have seen Essex County Council downgraded in its performance by independent assessors. This was mainly as a result of its deteriorating children's services in general and services for vulnerable children in particular, which along with only seven other councils in the country, have been identified as inadequate. Concentrating on providing first class services and getting the basics right must be the first priority, yet money has been frittered away on hosting seminars, spin and publicity and the launch of a publicly funded public relations company.

We want roads and pavements fixed and comprehensive services for the elderly, the sick and for children. Liberal Democrats would cut the council's budget for publicity and spin and reinvest the money into mainstream services. Services not spin.

Providing high quality council services that the public wants and expects is the primary concern of Liberal Democrats in Essex and is at the centre of our election manifesto. At this time of financial uncertainty, it is especially important that hard earned taxpayers' money is spent diligently and appropriately.

The council is currently sitting on £200m in reserve funds, money that has been paid by taxpayers, and we would return some of that money back to struggling residents for them to spend as they see fit."

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

LIB DEM John Strachan 604
CON 544
LAB 329
UKIP 66

Turnout 30%
LIB DEM GAIN (from Con) - majority 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.