Newcastle upon Tyne Liberal Democrats

Benwell and Scotswood Ward

Your local Lib Dem FOCUS Team in Benwell and Scotswood will be pleased to help you with any queries or suggestions. We are also keen to hear from people who can offer us practical help in the ward. Please see the 'Contacts' page to get in touch.

• Apr 22, 2012:
  • 2012 Local Election Manifesto
    We believe that the Labour Council in Newcastle was elected last year largely because of national factors, and it's taking our city backwards. Back to the days of decisions being taken in secret. Back to top-down, unaccountable, partisan politics Back to a lack of leadership on economic development Back to the days when the last Labour Council ignored environmental sustainability Labour has created nothing. It's been a year of vacuous politics, when the windbags have taken over. "Let's Talk" they say - but there's no action. Meetings all over the city but nothing to show for them. Setting up commissions and panels which have taken all year to deliberate but just happen to report after the elections. Reorganising the deckchairs at the civic centre. Instead Labour has scrapped plenty - the popular neighbourhood charters, an effective process for scrutinising the council's decisions and policies, the £5m Myplace project for young people in the city centre, the joint economic development company with Gateshead, the Local Strategic Partnership (the platform for working with other key players in the city), and the Sustainable Communities Strategy which set out the needs of the city and guided the council - Labour still has no replacement plan. What have they been doing? A year on and there's not only no plan for the city and no direction for the council, but no Enterprise Zone for Newcastle and no City Deal agreed with Government. Others are stealing a march on us. Instead there's been a hapless Labour budget that scrapped the mobile library service, park keepers and rangers, the collection service for garden waste and support for care home wardens, with disproportionate cuts to local environmental services and a disgraceful and a unjustified switch of resources for road and pavement maintenance to "Labour's areas". And there's been a crude and clumsy threat to the Green Belt of the city through the badly-handled Local Development Framework process. Labour is obsessed with blaming the government for everything and taking responsibility for nothing. It's been a wasted year for Newcastle, a year of local government by slogan and no action. Our message to the electors at this election is: Newcastle needs a strong Liberal Democrat Opposition to defend our legacy when in power and to hold Labour to account. Newcastle needs a council that will restore open and accountable local government. Newcastle needs a council that will protect the environment and promote sustainability. Newcastle needs a council committed to targeting resources on those most in need, with a focus on prevention, the closest cooperation between agencies and on value for money. Newcastle needs a council that will get on with kick-starting economic development and regeneration, in partnership with central government, and end the slogans and posturing. Nationally we recognise that the huge deficit in the public finances left by an irresponsible and incompetent Labour Government needs to be tackled. However we continue to lobby for the burden to be shared more fairly across the country and in particular for cuts to local government to be more evenly apportioned. The Liberal Democrats' commitment to community politics means we work tirelessly for local people - we are not beholden to either big business or the trade unions. Despite very difficult times, Liberal Democrats are dedicated to doing what is right for the country and right for local people. Published and promoted by Newcastle upon Tyne Liberal Democrats, 3 Bloomsbury Ct, Newcastle, NE3 4LW Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Apr 6, 2012:
  • WEALTHY TO LOSE TAX BREAKS ON SECOND HOMES
    Councillor Sarah Cross has welcomed proposals from the coalition government to remove tax breaks for second home-owners. Currently, Councils are legally obliged to give a second home council tax discount of up to 50%. The Government plan to end this benefit which will affect nearly a quarter of a million people, forcing them to pay hundreds of pounds more a year in council tax. "It's only fair and long overdue" says Sarah "Why should people with a second home be subsidised by everyone else? In wards like Denton, people find it tough to get on the housing ladder, and many people just buy a second home as an investment." Sarah also welcomes plans to allow councils to charge full tax on most empty homes, which it's hoped will bring more properties into use and lead to a cutting of waiting lists. Published and promoted by Newcastle upon Tyne Liberal Democrats, 3 Bloomsbury Ct, Newcastle, NE3 4LW Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
  • NEW CCTV CAMERAS FOR DENTON
    There have been ongoing problems with anti social fires, underage drinking and other anti-social behaviour acrossDentonwhich are of great concern to residents and councillors. The Council has been approached on a number of occasions asking for more closed circuit television cameras to be installed. Councillor Sarah Cross says: "I am pleased to say that theDenton ward Committee has agreed to contribute funds towards the purchase of replacement redeployable cctv units for shared use in the wards in the outer west of the city with the ability to transmit images live to the 24 hour control centre at the civic centre. There will also be scope for extra cctv units based on each ward's needs." The purchase of these new cameras will allow for real time monitoring of the cameras by City Council control room staff when tasked. This will provide a vastly improved service from the current record-only function provided and post incident review. The new units will allow control room staff to talk direct to neighbourhood Police teams and direct them to offenders at the time of an incident. Images will be recorded live at the control room and be available for viewing without the need to visit the cameras as at present. "Residents will welcome the extra security that these new cameras will bring to our community" says Sarah. Published and promoted by Newcastle upon Tyne Liberal Democrats, 3 Bloomsbury Ct, Newcastle, NE3 4LW Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Apr 5, 2012:
  • Jesmond News
    Letting Boards Latest Regular readers will know that we have been campaigning for some time to stop the streets of Jesmond being defaced by the scourge of multiple letting boards, left up for months on end - and that the council is finally taking steps to deal with the matter. Councillor Breakey attended the most recent meeting. He comments: "I was grateful to those residents, student representatives and local landlords who took the time to attend. We were able to make it clear - and this was supported by representatives from all of the relevant groups - that the preferred solution is to have no letting boards unless planning permission has been granted. This is the option which council officers are now working on. If they can come up with a viable proposal, it will then be submitted to the government, who have to approve any such scheme. I think I may be able to see a small shaft of light at the end of this lengthy tunnel." Student Positives It was uplifting, at the most recent ward committee meeting, to hear two Northumbria students describe the voluntary work which they have been doing throughout the city. Amongst a host of activities, they have arranged tea dances for older people, worked with deaf children, prepared housing advice leaflets for students and 'made over' gardens in a number of locations. Councillor Peter Andras comments: " I was really impressed by what I heard. These volunteers deserve an enormous amount of credit. We are pleased to have strengthened our links with the student reps and we will be working with them to try to increase their involvement in the North Jesmond community." All change at the Metro A major refurbishment of West Jesmond Metro station, costing around £1m, is expected to start in June. Work is likely to continue for at least three months. New barriers and ticket machines will be installed and there will be significant improvements to the landscaping on the eastern side of the station. We have some concerns about the barriers, which are intended to help prevent fare-dodging. We have been told that the station will be staffed from 7am to 7pm. and that the barriers will always be open when the station is unstaffed. Traffic Problems at the School Traffic and parking problems have got worse around West Jesmond school. Some parents have ignored the school's advice and created dangerous situations. Peter Breakey said: "I have asked the Head Teacher to give me further details so that I can see what additional help the council can provide.There are plenty of Parking Enforcement Officers on patrol in Jesmond. They should be able to help out here." Better Biking in Jesmond The Better Biking in Jesmond consultation is now live on the Letstalk website at http://www.letstalknewcastle.co.uk/consultations/index/27 On this site you can complete a survey and leave any comments you have on how to improve cycling in Jesmond. Alternatively you can request a paper copy of the survey from the council. Councillors are planning a special joint ward meeting with South Jesmond in May or June to consider the results of the consultation and to discuss possible ways forward. Published and promoted by Newcastle upon Tyne Liberal Democrats, 3 Bloomsbury Ct, Newcastle, NE3 4LW Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Apr 4, 2012:
  • Oak continues to grow
    In the last North Jesmond Focus we were pleased to report a large increase in financial support for Operation Oak from Newcastle University. We can now report that Northumbria University has agreed to double its annual contribution from £4,000 to £8,000. Peter Breakey writes: " We have had a productive series of meetings with the universities. It was very helpful that representatives from the JRA (Jesmond Residents Association) and GANRA (the Grosvenor Avenue Residents Association) were there too. Their stories about the serious impact of night-time disturbance undoubtedly had a powerful effect. Since those meetings I have been out on patrol with Operation Oak. It's clear that Oak is reducing crime but equally it seems clear to me that there is scope for making it more effective. We have therefore made some suggestions for changes. We will be working with the Police over the next few months to try to ensure that the significant increase in resources is used to the best possible effect. Published and promoted by Newcastle upon Tyne Liberal Democrats, 3 Bloomsbury Ct, Newcastle, NE3 4LW Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Apr 3, 2012:
  • Council Budget: Labour make the wrong cuts
    The current economic environment does not allow the Labour Party to tax and spend as they have generally done in the past - often recklessly. This year they were forced to make some cuts. The result will be a reduction in some services and an increase in many costs. Clearly savings had to be made, but the Lib Dems proposed a series of budget amendments which would have meant no charges for brown bins and no reduction in the Park Ranger service. We would have cut far less from the Neighbourhood Services budget. To help pay for our proposals, we would have cut the council's energy bills, got rid of a hugely expensive senior management post and cut the money which the council pays to fund trade union activities. North Jesmond Councillor Catherine Pagan commented: "Imposing a fee for garden waste collection is an extra charge on those who want their garden waste to be collected for composting instead of dumping it into landfill. Why put an extra tax on people - many of whom are retired - who are doing their best for the environment? Many people will undoubtedly stop using the service." Councillor Peter Breakey said "Losing Park Rangers is unnecessary and unwise. The Rangers don't just keep the parks tidy and safe, they work to control invasive species, like knotweed, and to protect wildlife. They also support many volunteer rangers, such as those in Jesmond Dene. This voluntary work makes a huge difference and is now in jeopardy. It's disappointing that all the Liberal Democrat amendments were rejected - apparently purely for reasons of party politics." Councillor Peter Andras added: "Many residents were surprised to learn that the council pays the wages of people who are working full-time for a trade union. We are not opposed to union representation in the workplace, which is often beneficial, but should Newcastle's council tax payers be subsidising union reps? In 2010/2011 the total bill was over £400,000. Unfortunately, as long as the trade unions continue to be its financial life support system, the Labour party will be unable to consider this issue objectively." Published and promoted by Newcastle upon Tyne Liberal Democrats, 3 Bloomsbury Ct, Newcastle, NE3 4LW Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
  • Sarah welcomes plan to save sauna at Outer West Pool
    Local action has saved the sauna in the Outer West Pool. A petition was raised by local people against the proposed closure. The council had wanted to turn the space into a dance studio instead. "Funding from West Denton Ward Committee and other neighbouring wards has supported an alternative plan" says Denton Councillor Sarah Cross. A customer user group supported by officers and Councillors identified an alternative scheme to refurbish the existing provision and to convert an adjoining community room into a dance multi- use studio. So now there will be the installation of a new sauna cabin, shower tiling and rest area flooring, together with conversation of the next door room to the dance studio, through the removal of partition walls, a lighting upgrade, additional air conditioning unit, mirrored wall and cushioned flooring. "This is a good solution for everyone" says Sarah. Published and promoted by Newcastle upon Tyne Liberal Democrats, 3 Bloomsbury Ct, Newcastle, NE3 4LW Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Apr 2, 2012:
  • Lemington News
    Dangers to Children in our Area Dog fouling continues to be a real problem. People don't seem to realise that children can go blind as a result of contact with dog mess. New measures are being taken by Council staff to identify dog owners who don't clear it up, warn them of the penalties and prosecute them. Fines of £1000 can be faced by people who fail to clear it up. Broken Glass on pavements, roads and open spaces seems to have become a much bigger problem in Lemington in recent weeks. When Lemington Lib Dem Councillor Liz Langfield raised the issue at the recent Ward Committee, other residents agreed that they had seen a lot more of it about. This is a danger to children and older people who might stumble and fall on it. Broken glass can also penetrate soles on lightweight shoes and can badly cut dogs' and cats' paws. The neighbourhood Response Team is being vigilant and will quickly clear away any broken glass they come across. Residents can help by reporting broken glass to Envirocall on 274 4000 Published and promoted by Newcastle upon Tyne Liberal Democrats, 3 Bloomsbury Ct, Newcastle, NE3 4LW Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
  • SAY NO TO ELECTED MAYOR
    On 3rd May you also have the chance to vote in a referendum for an elected mayor for Newcastle. Denton Activist Kevin Brown says: "An elected mayor is the wrong approach for Newcastle - it puts too much power in the hands of one person, it costs much more and there's just no evidence that mayors perform better for their areas. Beware so-called "strong" leaders - they can go native or become full of their own self-importance. It would take two-thirds of Council members to overturn a mayor's decisions, much more than the 50% for a Council Leader - or even the Prime Minister. It's not right. David Cameron is imposing this referendum and is desperate for Newcastle to have our own Boris, who is a joke to many. Councils without mayors are better performing according to independent regulators and better rated by their citizens than those with mayors. The Quayside regeneration and developments like the Eldon Square extension, new museums and libraries and the Angel of the North happened on Tyneside through great civic leadership but without mayors. Newcastle already has a Lord Mayor, mostly ceremonial and non-political. It would continue even with an elected mayor. But two mayors? It's a recipe for confusion. Finally, the COST - £200-250,000 for the referendum; £200-250,000 for a mayoral election; at least £100,000 for a full time Mayor and staff, much more than a Leader currently costs. It's a waste of money." Find out more at www.nonewcastlemayor.org.uk Published and promoted by Newcastle upon Tyne Liberal Democrats, 3 Bloomsbury Ct, Newcastle, NE3 4LW Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Apr 1, 2012:
  • Labour's Green Belt Grab: Down in scale but still a threat
    The Labour Council's hamfisted proposals for housing development in the city - approved for consultation in secret - have been the subject of huge opposition by residents with thousands of letters and signatures on petitions, forcing the council to scale back plans for building on the Green Belt. They have mysteriously discovered scope for extra homes in "brownfield" site areas but they still propose to build over 5500 homes in the Green Belt over the next 20 years. Labour has been forced to reduce the scale of the huge proposed Callerton Park "Strategic Growth Area" from 4000 homes to 2500-3000 homes by 2030. This was after after thousands complained about adverse impact on wildlife; loss of recreation amenity; impact on the existing road network and increased congestion, whilst putting existing services, infrastructure and facilities under pressure; increased pollution; the detrimental impact on village/local character and identity. They are also now proposing to reduce development east of Walbottle School Campus to around 700 homes "to be delivered in the long term". Other elements are some sites discounted in Gosforth and Lemington, but others retained in Throckley (north and south) and additional capacity proposed in Newbiggin Hall. Between now and June the council is doing more work on the suitability of the sites that are still in the plans, with criteria and scoring to justify their decisions. Then from June the Council will go through further public consultation on the final proposals. "Lib Dem councillors at the civic centre have forced the council to agree that its next consultation plan will have to be discussed and approved in public by the council's cabinet, unlike the last one" says Councillor Sarah Cross. "We will continue fighting for the absolute priority to be on brownfield development before anything else" says Kevin Brown. Published and promoted by Newcastle upon Tyne Liberal Democrats, 3 Bloomsbury Ct, Newcastle, NE3 4LW Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
  • Lib Dems tell Labour: CUT WASTE, NOT SERVICES
    Liberal Democrats say that the Labour Council's huge budget cuts to services are damaging and unnecessary. The Lib Dems tabled a series of amendments at the City Council meeting at the beginning of March, proposing alternative savings, but Labour voted against them all! Labour Councillor Barry Phillipson said at the meeting that this was "the best budget he had ever seen in all his years on the Council." Labour voted through huge cuts to front line services, including those in our neighbourhoods. They even voted to close disabled toilets, bump up meals-on-wheels charges and kill off the mobile library service - hitting the oldest and most vulnerable in the city hard. "They've just taken the axe to front-line services" said Lemington Lib Dem activist Lawrence Hunter. "There is ample opportunity to save money and protect many of these vital services." Labour is slashing neighbourhood services like street cleaning, grass cutting, graffiti removal, the mobile library service, getting rid of specialist park keepers and rangers, bringing in a £20 charge for the brown bins and increasing meals on wheels prices by 20%. Lib Dems also proposed hiring extra apprentices, to be paid for by making the trade unions at the Civic Centre pay for their own full time officers and by cutting the staff and allowances of the Labour leadership so that they were no more than under the Lib Dems. Lemington Lib Dem Councillor Liz Langfield said: "Our amendments would have tackled residents' concerns, but as usual Labour put party politics before the people ofNewcastleand voted them down. They also voted to hand £475,000 of taxpayers' money to the unions to fund unions' own staff, rather than using the money to protect jobs and services. The Lib Dems support the role and work of the trades unions but believe that union members' subscriptions should pay for union staff." We know that councils are being forced to make tough decisions because of the huge national deficit left by the last Labour Government. But councils still have choices - and Labour have made the wrong ones. It's not good enough. "Labour voted to protect their own interests They got elected on empty promises last year and they've been a disaster for the city". Published and promoted by Newcastle upon Tyne Liberal Democrats, 3 Bloomsbury Ct, Newcastle, NE3 4LW Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
  • Go back to the Drawing Board in Jesmond!
    Since the well-attended public meeting in January at St George's church, we have been working hard to find out exactly what residents think about the planning application for Jesmond Towers. Unsurprisingly, there is a wide range of views about exactly what should happen on the site. After many discussions with residents and after reading through the hundreds of comments sent into the council, we felt that there was a clear majority view to the effect that: Some development of the site is probably inevitable A high quality development of the site would be desirable The current proposals are not acceptable Major problems are the scale of the development and that many features are completely inappropriate in a Conservation Area. Too much green space will be lost and there are concerns about the impact of traffic, which have not been addressed. We have submitted formal objections to the proposals, making these points and several others. On March 16th Council planning officers issued a detailed initial response to the application. This is a 60 page document which can be found on the council website. Importantly, the conclusion states: "….proposals for demolition are not sufficiently justified … The proposed new build within the site is considered to have a detrimental impact upon the character and the appearance of the Jesmond Dene Conservation Area. It is not considered that the current proposal would either preserve or enhance the conservation area." The council report does not share residents' views about the potential for traffic problems. We feel the planners have underestimated potential difficulties and we will continue to raise questions about this. The ball is now in Shepherd's court. They have told us they expect to be able to "outline their response [to the council report] in a month or so". We hope that any new proposals deal fully with the many reasonable concerns that residents have raised. There is unlikely to be any final hearing before mid-May at the very earliest. Councillor Breakey said: "Many residents have taken a lot of time and trouble to make comments to the council. I am sure this has had a significant impact. We have been very pleased to be able to support residents in their efforts. We will continue to work together with the Jesmond Action Group and the Jesmond Residents Association both of which have made a huge effort to stand up for residents' interests." Published and promoted by Newcastle upon Tyne Liberal Democrats, 3 Bloomsbury Ct, Newcastle, NE3 4LW Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Mar 21, 2012:
  • Budget 2012: For the many, not the few
    Over 20 million working people will be better off next year after Liberal Democrats in the Coalition Government delivered the biggest ever increase in the income tax personal allowance in the Budget. The massive £3.5bn tax cut for working people delivers: The biggest ever single uplift in the tax threshold A personal allowance of £9,205 in April 2013 21 million working people getting an extra £220 tax cut Brings the total tax cut for basic rate tax payers to £550 Brings the total number of people lifted out of tax to 2 million. The Liberal Democrats have ensured this is a budget for the millions not for the millionaires. That's why the biggest move in this Budget is a tax cut for ordinary workers, going further and faster towards the Liberal Democrat goal of making the first ten thousand pounds you earn tax-free. From a pledge on the front page of our 2010 manifesto directly to the pockets of working people. Thanks to the Liberal Democrats, people working full time earning the minimum wage will have seen their income tax bill cut in half. We have delivered on Nick Clegg's pledge to go "further and faster" on the personal tax allowance. This means that 21m basic rate taxpayers will get an extra £220 cut in their income tax bills and a further 840,000 people will be taken out of paying income tax altogether. Last years announcement that Child Benefit would be withdrawn from higher-rate tax payers caused many people to question the rules - especially for one earner familes. The budget today introduced a higher limit before the benefit is withdrawn and a "taper" to make the scheme. The Liberal Democrats were also commited to making sure that this was a budget that saw those earning most paying their fair share. New taxes on the very richest will raise FIVE times as much from the super-rich as next years cut on the top rate of tax from 50p to 45p will cost: Stamp duty increased to 7% for multi-million pound homes New 15% tax on companies buying property over £2m Crack-down on tax avoidance for the richest To stimulate the economy, there are new measures to help businesses across the country: Reducing red-tape on business taxes for small business Cutting corporation tax to help British business Getting more money from the banks to loan more to British businesses Liberal Democrat Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Danny Alexander, said: "As part of the Coalition budget deal, we agreed to reduce the top rate of tax to 45p - but only after securing a series of new taxes on the wealthy that pay for it five times over. "Labour's 50p rate turned out not to work effectively. By introducing taxes that do work, like a tycoon tax, raising stamp duty, blocking stamp duty avoidance, and getting non-resident companies to pay capital gains tax on their residential property, we have secured real progress on the taxation of wealth. This is a budget for the many, not the few. "We've stuck to our tough but necessary plan to deal with this country's financial problems. Britain can't afford unfunded giveaways - unlike the last Labour government, we have made sure everything is paid for. "The Budget shows real progress on our commitments to infrastructure - on roads, railways, and renewable energy. Tougher green taxes on company cars will help cut emissions as well as raising money. "We've also secured new support for our creative and aerospace industries, technology investment and getting the best new ideas from our Universities into production. This, and further business tax simplification, means that we have delivered a budget for growth as well as fairness." Published and promoted by Newcastle upon Tyne Liberal Democrats, 3 Bloomsbury Ct, Newcastle, NE3 4LW Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Mar 11, 2012:
  • "A more liberal Britain with every passing year" - Nick Clegg's speech to Lib Dem Spring Conference 2012
    Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg used his speech to the Party's Spring conference in NewcastleGateshead to call for the forthcoming budget to be a "budget for fairness" and pledged that it would help working familes. The Deputy Prime Minister pledged that by 2015 Britain would have seen an end to control orders, the first gay marriages and the first elections to the House of Lords. Nick Clegg's conference speech in full: This year will show the best of Britain. The Olympics and the Diamond Jubilee, a nation proud of our past, but with our face to the future. A nation that treasures liberty, honours hard work and values fair play and fair chances. That is the character of our country: strong, confident, united. And our character as a nation is being tested, because even in this year of celebration families are under pressure, worrying about paying their bills, about keeping their jobs, about the future. The road to full recovery for our economy will be long, and it will be hard. Anybody who says there is a quick or easy way out is kidding themselves. So the Coalition Government is working hard to clean up after the financial storm of 2008. Sweeping up Labour's mess and keeping our economy safe. At times like these, we must pull together. Not let ourselves be pulled apart. Pull together as one nation. A liberal nation because that is the spirit of Britain. Some people think there is something slightly un-British about liberalism. But this country, our country, is the home of liberty. And we Liberal Democrats are heirs to the great, British liberal cause. I am proud that now, in this Coalition Government, Liberal Democrats are repairing Labour's industrial-scale destruction of liberty. Reversing 28 days of detention without trial, destroying the DNA records of innocent people held by the state, ending the illiberal nonsense of ID cards. British liberties restored by British liberals. Before 2015, because of us there will be: the first gay marriage - and an end to child detention the first bank levy - an end to huge tax loopholes for the rich the first elections to House of Lords - an end to Control Orders the first coalition government in our lifetimes ...and an end to the myth that Liberal Democrats can't govern. We are governing to fix our economy. We are governing to fight for fairness. We are in government - and we are on your side. So yes, these are hard times. But this will be a good year for a great nation. A good year for Britain. But let me tell you, this will be a good year for British liberalism too. Our biggest challenge is to rescue our economy. We need to sort out the financial mess Labour left us. But we need economic reform too. We need a new economy that serves not one square mile, but one nation. Not creative accounting, but creative industries. Not the City, but all our cities. Healing the divide between North and South. That's why our Regional Growth Fund - that Ian Wrigglesworth has helped to lead - is investing £2.4 billion. Creating more than 300 hundred thousand jobs in the areas that need them most. And we will bring sanity and responsibility to our banking sector. That's why we've put up the bank levy. And why we are protecting high street banks from risky investments. We will free our cities. That's why we are striking deals with our biggest cities: Sheffield and Manchester Liverpool and Leeds Bristol and Birmingham Nottingham and Newcastle Giving all of these great cities new powers and new opportunities, to be the engines of growth again. And we will rebalance power in the workplace. That's why I want us to build a 'John Lewis' economy, where workers have a real stake. Not capital versus labour, bosses versus workers but modern enterprises built on shared endeavour and shared profit. An old liberal idea to build a new liberal economy. And a sustainable economy, one that protects the environment. Tackling climate change, green jobs for the future, green apprenticeships and a Green Deal to cut energy bills. Some say we have to choose between boosting growth and being green. What a load of rubbish. Going for growth means going green. The race is on to lead the world in clean energy. The new economic powerhouses - China, India, Brazil - are competing. So the choice for the UK is simple: wake up, or end up playing catch up. Going green is not a luxury for the good times. It is the best road out of the bad times. Our party is the green party of government. We have always been a green party. And let me tell you this: we always will be a green party because we need an economy fit for the future to pull us out of this economic downturn. And in these hard times, we have to look out for each other. That's why I fought so hard for benefits to be increased fully in line with inflation. The biggest cash rise ever in the basic state pension because we promised to look after pensioners. And we will. Benefits for the unemployed were protected, too. Not everyone agreed with me on this, if you believed some of the stories. You would think these benefits are unlimited handouts for so-called "scroungers". But these are benefits for ordinary people. Many of them laid off through no fault of their own and who strive to get back into work. Most people who claim Job Seekers Allowance are off benefits within three months. They don't all sit there waiting for the next welfare cheque. That is a dangerous myth, that dishonours those down on their luck. A friend of mine recently shared his memories of his father becoming unemployed. His Dad signed on but every day, he set the alarm for the same time as he had done for his job. He got up, shaved, put on a shirt and tie and sat at the kitchen table, working to get a job. And my friend said: "I've never been more proud of my Dad". So let's never forget. Unemployment benefits are benefits for people who fall on hard times and hard times are not the moment to slash them. But if you are on benefit, you owe it to the nation, to yourself, and to your family to strain every sinew to find a job. To get up every day, just like my friend's Dad at the kitchen table and work at finding a job. That's why I am such strong supporter of the basic idea driving the Coalition's welfare reforms to make work pay, boost independence and give real help finding a job rather than leaving people stuck on the dole, enslaved by poverty. That is why, in a few weeks time, I will be launching the new Youth Contract. A Liberal Democrat drive for youth jobs: 20,000 more apprenticeships, 160,000 new jobs and 250,000 work experience places. A £1 billion scheme to get every jobless youngster earning or learning, getting all our young people earning or learning. Because no matter how hard things may be we will never, ever leave our young people behind. That includes encouraging work experience. There's been some controversy about this policy but I make no apology for it because we are doing the right thing. Labour's benefit rules actually penalised unemployed youngsters for getting work experience. So thousands of them ended up on the sofa, glued to the TV, cut off from the world of work, wasting time and losing hope. Our policy means young people can get up and get on, keep their skills alive, keep up the habits of a working life and improve their chance of landing a job. Because let me tell you this: there is nothing liberal about leaving our young people to waste away on the dole. So: we all have a part to play, a duty to the nation, and this duty is greatest of all for those with the greatest means. Those with the broadest shoulders should carry the heaviest burden - that is basic justice, Liberal justice. But that is not how it feels today. Too often, rather than paying their dues the wealthy pay their accountants to get them out of it. Avoiding tax, minimising the amount they have to contribute - that's the name of their game. Boasting about the latest wheeze for moving an asset here, a property there and a loophole everywhere. All to make the tax bill lower. Let me tell you, few things make me angrier as the unemployed struggle to find work, as ordinary families struggle to make ends meet, as young people struggle to get on the housing ladder: the sight of the wealthiest scheming to keep their tax bill down to the bare minimum is frankly disgraceful. Multi-millionaires avoiding tax by moving their money around. So: we will call time on the tycoon tax dodgers and make sure everyone pays a fair level of tax. We've already raised capital gains tax, cut tax reliefs for the wealthiest, clamped down on tax avoidance at the top and we will go further because the Liberal Democrats have a crystal clear approach. A philosophy of tax as old as our party, described by Mill, pursued by Gladstone, implemented by Lloyd George: tax wealth, not wages. That is why we will raise the income tax threshold to £10,000. A radical tax policy. Our tax policy. From next month, 25 million people will have more money in their pocket and over a million low-paid workers will have stopped paying income tax altogether. Just think about that for a moment: a million more workers with no tax bill because of us, because of you. That's what it means to be a Liberal Democrat: real tax cuts at a time of real need. But we have to do more. That is why the Budget in ten days time must offer concrete help to hard-pressed, hard-working families: a big increase in the income tax threshold, further and faster towards £10,000. Help we promised, help we must deliver in Government, today. I want the Budget to show how we are anchoring this Government in the centre ground. Credible - but fair. The last Labour budgets led our nation to the economic precipice. Fantasy budgets issued by a party in denial - out of ideas - and abdicating responsibility. This month's Coalition budget will show the determination of both parties in Government to repair the public finances. Keep our economy safe and help working families. The last big tax-cutting budget was in 1988. Nigel Lawson cut billions from the tax bills of the highest-paid workers: a budget for the few, not for the many. But this year's Coalition Budget must be a budget for fairness - not an 80s Lawson budget but a modern liberal budget. Because we need a tax system for a nation pulling together: not being pulled apart. More important now than ever, when the forces of division are so strong. In dark economic times, people can turn inwards, close their doors, look for scapegoats. Fear can breed resentment and division: divisions between north and south between the nations of the UK, between different races or religions, between rich and poor, between the generations. Britain has a proud record of diversity and tolerance but we cannot be complacent. When the economy weakens, prejudice can breed. So let's fight it, in every corner of our nation. We are bringing forward proposals for gay marriage, already provoking debate. Let me just say, if you are a young gay person, your freedom to love who you choose is a fundamental right in a liberal society - and you will always have our support. Let's also fight for liberalism in London where just one more Liberal Democrat member of the Assembly would ensure the BNP gets kicked off. What a great moment for British tolerance that would be. Let's wipe away the ugly face of racism and reaction. I call on all Londoners - vote for Brian Paddick, vote Liberal Democrat and kick out the BNP bigots. And let me also say a word or two about Scotland. I want the Scottish people to have much more power for over Scottish affairs. The Liberal Democrats are, after all, the party of home rule. But I also know that, as nations in a United Kingdom, we are better together than we would be apart: richer, safer and stronger. Alex Salmond wants to break up the nations of the United Kingdom. I want to keep them together. He says this is a time for division - I say it is a time for unity. He wants to split us apart - I want us to pull together. It is our job, as liberals, to fight against the forces of division. Fight for our vision of an optimistic, open and tolerant nation: a nation confident enough to face outwards to the world. Arguing, as I will be, at the Rio+20 Summit for green growth to create jobs, engaging with emerging nations to drive free trade, supporting President Obama's drive, in Korea this year to keep nuclear material out of the hands of terrorists and becoming the first major economy to hit the UN's 0.7 per cent target for foreign aid. Real help for the poorest in the world, promised by us and the Conservatives in opposition - delivered by us together in government. This is a time that demands a better politics. A politics of the national interest. That's why I am proud of this Coalition Government. We have shown that two parties, two very different parties, can govern together. Never again will the political Luddites be able to say that coalitions don't work. Coalition is working, it is has been tested and it has passed the test. Take NHS reform. Controversial, yes. Difficult, yes. But the value of coalition has been proven because this is a coalition Government. The health bill was stopped in its tracks and rewritten because this is a coalition Government. Competition will be the servant of health care, not the master because this is a coalition government. This is a bill for patients not profits. It is not a Liberal Democrat health bill but it is a better bill because of the Liberal Democrats, a better bill because of you. A better bill because of Shirley Williams - Shirley: thank you. So: I am proud of how Coalition is working but I am even more proud of us, of you. The Liberal Democrats are once again a truly national party of government. The only party of the centre ground, not of the left or right, of north or south, rich or poor but doing the right thing for the whole nation. The other parties are bound and gagged by vested interests. We are not. The other parties are hemmed into certain parts of the country. Look at the electoral map: blue seats in the south, red ones in the north. Look at where the money comes from: trade unions on one side, City financiers on the other. That is why we can say today: the Liberal Democrats are the only true one nation party. A one nation party of the radical centre, representing all regions and nations. Seeing not what divides us - but what unites us. Sound on the economy, passionate about fairness: doing the right thing and battling vested interests. Challenging the status quo. For this is the timeless liberal mission: taking on the establishment when it fails the people. A more urgent challenge today than for generations because the old establishment has failed. The two square miles - the City and Westminster have failed. Failed the ordinary people of this country and must not be allowed to fail them again. Now that we're in Government, people might ask if we can still be the party that challenges the establishment. The answer to that is an emphatic yes. I may be Deputy Prime Minister but let me tell you: I am as much of a radical as ever. Jo Grimond decried the conservatives of all parties, those who he said showed a 'sentiment in favour of things as they are': Things as they are means an economy for executives not ordinary workers Things as they are means a bank system that bankrupts our economy Things as they are means life chances being crushed by the fortunes of birth Things as they are means a tax system that hurts ordinary working families Things are they are means a House of Lords stuffed with machine politicians Things as they are means political parties kow-towing to media moguls Things as they are just won't do any more And we are in politics to change them. We are the pioneers of British politics: our eyes on the horizon. By 2015, we will have done a lot but we will have plenty left to do. Take education - a touchstone issue for this party. We will have changed the landscape by the end of this parliament, spending £2.5 billion a year on our pupil premium to strengthen our schools and create new opportunities for our children. But that is just the beginning. So I want our ambitions for education to be at the very heart of our manifesto in 2015. Education that delivers on the liberal promise: that every child can go as far as their talent will take them. That is what we Liberal Democrats will fight for. So: 2015 is not the destination. 2015 is a staging post. This country will be a more liberal nation but we will just be beginning to tackle the deep problems that cramp the lives of our citizens and hobble our economy. Because let me tell you this: in 2015 we won't be looking back, asking people to thank us for what we have done. We will be looking forwards and asking for their support for what we can do together in the future. We won't have finished the job in 2015. We will just be getting started, just getting started on making this nation. Stronger. Fairer. Greener. Freer. A more liberal Britain with every passing year: that's the prize. Let's get out there and fight for it. Published and promoted by Newcastle upon Tyne Liberal Democrats, 3 Bloomsbury Ct, Newcastle, NE3 4LW Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Mar 7, 2012:
  • Labour's cuts unnecessarily harsh and damaging
    At the city council meeting on Wednesday of this week Liberal Democrats will propose: Maintain free brown bin collections (478k) - it's unacceptable that they are putting on a £20 charge, and a very unpopular "stealth tax"- it will result in tens of thousands of people not using the service (as they told us last year) and a big fall in the amount that we are able to recycle. Restore 50% of the cuts to neighbourhood services - 550k. How can they make these big cuts to the teams that work in our neighbourhoods maintaining grassed areas and shrubs, carrying out graffiti removal and street cleansing and so on. It's a loss of 43 frontline staff - and it must be mitigated. How can this contribute to "decent neighbourhoods" Restore the cuts to the mobile library service (72k), to rangers/park keepers (289k) and to bowling clubs and other leisure services (150k) Remove the 50p increase in Meals on Wheels charges (38k), remove the cut to the dedicated post and budget for fair trade activities (42k) and restore the budget for public toilets in Percy Street and Paddy Freeman's (20k) To be funded by: Savings on energy, waste, water, road fuel and business travel costs to a level consistent with being a council that aspires to be Europe's Green Capital. "Cut energy not jobs and services" A 7.5% improvement in energy/utility/travel bills would give us about £1.2m saving for every year. Lots of organisations including central government have managed 10%. Closing customer service centres for one day per week. There are times when they are not very busy. Taking out of the budget the 170k put back in by the administration for 6 neighbourhood wardens (who have not yet been appointed after nearly a year) Restructuring of office/post of Executive Director Regeneration and Environment and direct reports - workload has decreased as some responsibilities have been moved elsewhere - for example economic development and area-based regeneration (or what is left of it) Also: we will propose adding to the budget 175k for up to ten new apprenticeships and 60k for two part time planning posts to help councillors promote and develop the localism and neighbourhood planning agenda in their wards - to be funded by returning the both the staffing level in the Leader/Labour offices and the cost of allowances for cabinet members and deputy cabinet members to no more than under the previous administration; and by further cuts to the cost of trade union facility time so that all full time union staff are paid for by the unions themselves and not the council. Councillor David Faulkner, Liberal Democrat Leader and former Leader of the Council said: "Despite the size of the Government cuts and the financial pressures on the council, they have been able to achieve over three quarters of the savings needed through efficiencies and only £5m cut in services. This is testimony to the sound financial position that was inherited from the previous Liberal Democrat administration, and the transformation programme for the council started in 2009 that has provided the basis for huge savings and established new ways of providing and managing services." Published and promoted by Newcastle upon Tyne Liberal Democrats, 3 Bloomsbury Ct, Newcastle, NE3 4LW Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Mar 1, 2012:
  • Work starts on community green project
    Work has started recently on the redevelopment of Shieldfield Green in Shieldfield, Newcastle. The £150K project will turn a tired 1960s concrete-based area into a green and vibrant space, with new paths and landscaping, a community space at the centre, new benches and 'heritage' style lighting. Fencing will also be provided around the full perimeter to prevent the ongoing incursion of 'commuter parking' vehicles onto the grass. A derelict hut will also be demolished. The new Green was designed by local people through an extensive consultation process in 2010, using the Council's award-winning 'U-Decide' process, set up under the former Lib Dem administration. Local Lib Dem councillor Stephen Psallidas commented: "The start on site has been delayed for some months due to legal issues, which has been frustrating. However I have continued to push for a resolution, and I am pleased that the project has now started. This has been an excellent project, whose design has been led by local people, and I am looking forward to the new Shieldfield Green being completed in about 6-8 weeks." Published and promoted by Newcastle upon Tyne Liberal Democrats, 3 Bloomsbury Ct, Newcastle, NE3 4LW Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Feb 29, 2012:
  • Labour cuts roads & pavements budget
    Yes, we feared the worst. After seven years when the Lib Dem council started to make up for years of neglect by the old Labour council, one of the first acts of the new Labour council is to cut our budgets for improving roads and pavements. We can expect to see less next year, and what's more some of our money is being transferred to "more deprived" areas of the city. What on earth has deprivation got to do with roads and pavements we ask? Each part of the city deserves its fair share, we say. Published and promoted by Newcastle upon Tyne Liberal Democrats, 3 Bloomsbury Ct, Newcastle, NE3 4LW Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Feb 28, 2012:
  • Green Belt Fight Won
    The new Labour administration at the council were proposing to build the houses next to the Gosforth Wildlife Reserve. Councillor Peter Leggott said, "This is fantastic news for everyone in our city. Having just become a granddad for the first time last year I am delighted that the reserve will be preserved for the future." There was a 2-pronged campaign against the proposals: Ÿ Within the council the Liberal Democrat councillors joined with the Independent councillor in a united opposition to the proposals. Ÿ Outside the council was the non-political Save Gosforth Wildlife Campaign Commenting on the campaigns to save the reserve, Councillor David Slesenger said, "We worked tirelessly in the council chamber and in committees. The way people came together to fight these proposals was brilliant to see. The Save Gosforth Wildlife Campaign should be congratulated on their campaign." Shocking Plans Just months after taking control of Newcastle Council, Labour announced their shocking plans to build on much of the City's green land. "We understand the need to build new homes to support our economy," says Councillor Peter Leggott, "But we have serious concerns about Labour's top-down approach to development. Labour's claim that the Green Belt development was needed now stands in tatters, but we need to prioritise the use of land that has already been identified, the socalled 'brownfield' land, for example in the Scotswood and Walker areas." Published and promoted by Newcastle upon Tyne Liberal Democrats, 3 Bloomsbury Ct, Newcastle, NE3 4LW Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Feb 24, 2012:
  • PROTECTING OUR POST OFFICES
    Lib Dems in Newcastle are calling for the Council to take a lead to breathe new life into our remaining local post offices. In the Labour Government's last 18 months, no fewer than 2500 local post offices were closed, a damaging blow to many local communities. Now, following one of the Lib Dems' 2010 election pledges, the Coalition government is investing £1.3bn to modernise the network, protect existing post offices and extend locally available services. Local Councils have a key role, and have been invited to sign up to a new partnership with the Post Office. Councillor David Faulkner commented: "This is a chance to reverse the huge decline of recent years under both the Tories and Labour, and to look at how new products and services could be offered through Post Offices on behalf of the council and other bodies. We're pressing the Labour Council to take up the offer and help reinvigorate our local post offices." Published and promoted by Newcastle upon Tyne Liberal Democrats, 3 Bloomsbury Ct, Newcastle, NE3 4LW Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Feb 22, 2012:
  • Green Bowlers see Red
    There is a proposal to close the bowling green at Eldon Square recreation centre. Residents of East Gosforth who are members of the club approached Councillor Henry Gallagher at his monthly surgery to discuss the matter. "They were very concerned about the loss of this facility", said Henry. "I spoke with the chairman of the club to give my support. I attempted to ask a question in the council chamber but the Labour councillors shouted me down because they thought I was taking too long to ask it! This meant that the question itself had no context. So much for free speech!" News has also come in that there are plans to close greens in Gosforth Central Park and other places across the city. As Henry tried to say at the council meeting this may mean bowlers displaced will find the Eldon Sq club handy for them and will therefore make it more viable. Meanwhile the club officers are talking to council officials to try and find a way to save it. Published and promoted by Newcastle upon Tyne Liberal Democrats, 3 Bloomsbury Ct, Newcastle, NE3 4LW Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY