New Politics
Nick Clegg: New Politics
Speaking at his first major speech as Deputy Prime Minister, Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg said: “I have spent my whole political life fighting to open up politics. So let me make one thing very clear: this government is going to be unlike any other.
“This government is going to transform our politics so the state has far less control over you, and you have far more control over the state.
“This government is going to break up concentrations of power and hand power back to people, because that is how we build a society that is fair.
“This government is going to persuade you to put your faith in politics once again.â€
Read the rest of this post »
May 19, 2010
Posted in: Uncategorized 
No Comments
Another take on the manifesto
the "Believe in Fairness" video
Have you seen “Believe in Fairness” yet? We love this short animation film of the key points of the Liberal Democrat manifesto.
We hope you’ll take five minutes out to watch it — and there’s music but no speech, so if you do not have speakers on your PC or have hearing difficulties you don’t miss out on any of the important stuff.
April 23, 2010
Posted in: Uncategorized No Comments
Nick and Colin on Penny Lane
Photo: Alex Folkes/Fishnik
The second day of the campaign featured the last Prime Ministers Question Time of this Parliament. Then Nick Clegg travelled to Liverpool where he visited the Penny Lane Community Trust with Liverpool Wavertree candidate Colin Eldridge.
A swing of just 4% to the Lib Dems would see Colin winning the Wavertree constituency from Labour.
April 8, 2010
Tags: Liverpool Posted in: Uncategorized No Comments
Women born between April 1938 and October 1944 face deadline
Manchester Lib Dem MP John Leech is urging elderly women to see if they are eligible for a supplement to their pensions. A scheme which would allow women born between April 1938 and October 1944 to supplement their pensions considerably is due to end on 5th April 2010, in less than two weeks.
The scheme allows eligible women to ‘buy back’ certain missing years in their National Insurance record on exceptionally favourable terms.
If they ‘buy back’ one or more of those years they would benefit by paying the going rate of contributions that prevailed at the time rather than the current rate. If the backdated pension they then become entitled to is bigger than the cost of buying back the missing years, they will receive a cheque for the difference.
John Leech MP said, “This is incredible and could mean that as many as one in four pensioners might be entitled to extra money at no cost to themselves.
“I would encourage women who think they might be eligible to contact the National Insurance Deficiency Notice Helpline directly on 0845 915 5996.”
March 26, 2010
Posted in: Uncategorized No Comments
Another council goes Lib Dem
The Lib Dems have taken control of another council following a byelection in Winsford for Wharton Ward. Our candidate Bev Theron took the seat from the Conservatives and this took the Lib Dems from just short of a majority to overall control on the town council.
Result:
Bev Theron (Lib Dem) 201
Con 185
Lab 173
Turnout 15.5%
LD Gain from Con
This means there are now no Tories left on Winsford Town Council – which is now made up of 8 Lib Dems and 7 Labour.
March 5, 2010
Posted in: Uncategorized No Comments
Manchester MP goes ‘Red for Heart’
Withington MP John Leech and The British Heart Foundation (BHF) are calling on the people of Manchester to join National Wear Red Day on Friday 26th February 2010 and to follow the BEAT health code.
In advance of National Wear Red Day, parliamentarians are showing their support by wearing a red heart pin on Wednesday 24th February. A suggested donation of £1, along with wearing red to show support, will help maintain pioneering research, patient care and help with campaigning for change by providing vital health information.
The BEAT health code aims to promote a healthy lifestyle which will in turn help prevent heart disease.
Be active – Regular physical exercise can help keep your heart healthy. You don’t need to don Lycra or run a marathon – walking, swimming and taking the stairs all count – just aim to do at least 30 minutes of exercise five times a week. If you would like to build up to doing an event such as a walk, cycle ride, run or swim go to bhf.org.uk/events to find an event near you.
Eat healthily – Eating healthily helps reduce your risk of heart disease. We’re all allowed a little of what we fancy, but try to cut down on saturated fats, salt and alcohol. For top marks, eat five portions of fruit and vegetables a day, oily fish once a week and go for wholegrain options.
Avoid smoking – Smoking can damage the heart and double your risk of having a heart attack. Stopping smoking is the single biggest step you can take to live longer.
Take the lifestyle check – There are other factors that affect your heart health, like weight and body shape. Find out how you measure up – by truthfully answering the quick step by step questions. A report will be generated and advice given to you on how to improve your risk areas. The report can also be printed off, should you want to discuss your assessment with your doctor. To take the free online lifestyle check go to www.bhf.org.uk
John Leech commented, “There has been a downward trend of deaths from heart disease in Manchester, which is encouraging, but figures are still way above the national average.
The BEAT health code helps raise awareness of healthy living and help reduce the incidence of heart problems.”
The public are encouraged show their support by wearing a Red for Heart pin. The pin badge will be available from all BHF Shops, Argos, Homebase, Lloyds TSB, Halifax, Bank of Scotland, Fitness First and Lidl for a suggested donation of £1.
For more information on National Wear Red Day and the BEAT health code – visit www.bhf.org.uk or call 0845 2410976.
February 24, 2010
Posted in: Uncategorized No Comments
Crotty Condemns out of Hours Care
Jo Crotty, Prospective Liberal Democrat MP for Warrington South, Jo Crotty has added her voice to the criticism of national out of hours care and emphasised her plans to support and improve out of hours Doctor care for Warrington residents.
Dr Crotty’s position echoes the growing concerns raised by Norman Lamb, Lib Dem Shadow Health Secretary, who has openly criticised the ‘unacceptable variation that exists between doctor’s out of hours services around the country’.
The Prospective Lib Dem MP has also condemned Labour’s failure to remedy the issue along with its failure to protect residents from related threats such as illegally practicing foreign doctors.
Speaking yesterday Dr Jo Crotty said: “It is the unquestionable right of every citizen to have swift access to out of hours doctors in times of need.
“The fact that Labour has largely ignored this issue is illustrative of their wider oversights within the NHS”.
Dr Crotty intends to increase the amount of out of hours coverage in Warrington and ensure the quality of treatment is exceptional.
The current proposals for an out of hours clinic at Garven Place that are being supported locally by Liberal Democrat led Warrington council underline the work being done to improve the service to local residents.
“Garven Place is precisely the kind of project that Warrington needs to remedy this issue.,” added Dr Crotty. “NHS services in Warrington are largely very good, but we intend to fill in the gaps left by Labour’s failures”.
February 17, 2010
Tags: NHS, Warrington Posted in: Uncategorized No Comments
Metrolink expansion work begins
Withington MP John Leech hailed the beginning of construction of the Metrolink extension to south Manchester as a welcome milestone. Having added his voice lobbying the Government to fund extensions to the Metrolink network since his election in 2005, John said, “I am so pleased that extension of the Metrolink is finally under way. It will help tackle congestion across the area and bring new economic opportunities.”
While visiting a site where construction has begun in Chorlton, he restated his strong support for the extension of the Metrolink to south Manchester, adding, “This will be a big boost to Chorlton and Didsbury in particular as it will massively improve people’s choice in public transport, reduce traffic and help tackle air quality problems.”
Further extensions to Metrolink are currently in the planning stages.
February 15, 2010
Tags: Manchester Posted in: Uncategorized No Comments
