It's time for a change in Britain. Things look bad for the economy. Schools and hospitals don't seem to be improving despite all the extra money and hard work by staff. Families are over-stretched. People don't believe politicians care, or listen.
I believe that Britain can be better. I want us all to have a fair society, where everyone gets real opportunities in life. We can make that happen by taking power from government and giving it to people and communities.
You're probably fed up with the way so many politicians sound the same. You need to know what we believe, what we'll do, and how we'll pay for it.
I'm asking you to take a look at our ideas. Tell me what you think – and if you’ve got ideas of your own, I really do want to hear about them. It's no use wishing things were different. We've got to make it happen. If you join with me, we can.
With reports that one in four local councils have millions of pounds of taxpayers' money each in collapsed and frozen Icelandic banks, the Government must explain why it is trying to wash its hands of the issue.
The programme for the Folkestone Literary Festival, running from Saturday 1 November to Sunday 9 November, has been announced with 9 days of readings, performances, children's events and practical writing sessions with notable authors from all over the country.
Actress Joanna Lumley has called on the Government to "honour our debt" and support moves which would allow all retired Gurkhas to live in the UK. Miss Lumley is due to join Gurkhas and Justice campaign co-ordinator Peter Carroll at the House of Lords on Monday, where a bill from Lib Dem Lord Lee which would see a change in the law will go for its third reading in the House of Lords.
Kent Home Choice is the new choice based lettings scheme which comes into operation in Shepway at the end of January 2009. All local authorities in Kent and most housing associations with accommodation in Kent will be operating the same scheme in their areas by summer 2009.
Sharon Bowles, Lib Dem MEP for the South East of England, is looking for an enthusiastic, hard working intern to join her constituency Office in Berkhamsted. This is an excellent opportunity to see how an MEP's office works and gain first hand experience of the European Parliament.
In answer to questions from Lib Dem Councillor Tim Prater, Shepway Council have confirmed that, although they have no deposits in Icelandic banks, the potential impact on pension funds currently remains unknown. Shepway's pension fund is administered by Kent County Council, who have said that around one third of the KCC deposits that have been lost relate to the pension fund - around £18 million.
Commenting on the £50 million Kent County Council had deposited in now collapsed Icelandic banks, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for Folkestone and Hythe, Neil Matthews, commented:
Lib Dem Cheriton Councillor Tim Prater has written to Cabinet Finance Chief David Monk and Finance Director Kathryn Beldon at Shepway Council to ask what investments in Iceland, if any, the District Council has. Tim said:
Written by Nick Clegg, Leader of the Liberal Democrats on Thu 9th Oct 2008
When a ship is sinking, we must send out the lifeboats, not argue about who steered the ship into the iceberg. At Prime Minister's Question Time yesterday (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7659180.stm), I pledged my support for the moves being taken by the Government. Vince Cable and I have been clear that we must do whatever is necessary to halt the downward spiral of the British economy.
The Government has laid before Parliament a draft of an Order which if Parliament approves it, would move the date of local elections in 2009 from Thursday 7 May to Thursday 4 June, the date of the European Parliamentary elections - Local Elections (Ordinary Day of Elections in 2009) Order 2008.
The Liberal Democrats are urging ministers to clear up the uncertainty"about hundreds of millions of pounds councils invested in Iceland's banks. Kent County Council is reported by the BBC (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7659783.stm) to have up to £50m in Iceland-based banks including Landbanksi or Heritable, which was run by Landbanksi.
Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesman for Folkestone & Hythe, Neil Matthews, joined Folkestone Councillors Dhan Gurung, Lynne Beaumont, Tim Prater and Peter Carroll in welcoming the former Prime Minister of Nepal, Sher Bahadur Deuba, to Shepway on Tuesday afternoon.
Shepway's parking strategy where parking permit areas were to be introduced initially in central Folkestone and then across Cheriton, East Folkestone, Hythe and the rest of Shepway could be doomed. In a recent Shepway Council Scrutiny meeting, Conservative Shepway Finance Chief David Monk revealed that in recent discussion, Kent County Council had said that they would seek to take all income from parking charges, which would mean the scheme could not be introduced.
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Gurkha Justice: outside the High Court on 30th September as Gurkhas win test legal case
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