Harrow Liberal Democrats - Latest news

LibDem Candidate for London Mayor, Brian Paddick, promises one hour bus ticket

29th March 2012

Brian Paddick, LibDem candidate in the election for London Mayor, has promised to bring in the one-hour bus ticket as part of his election campaign.   The campaign is part of his Fairer Fares package, which, including the One Hour Bus Ticket, is a realistic and fully costed proposal that is committed to keeping fares as low as possible, offering discounts for those who travel out of peak hours, bringing in a part time travelcard and ending the scandal of Oyster overcharging.  See here for the BBC News report on Brian’s campaign.

The One Hour Bus Ticket would help the one in six passengers who use a second bus within 60 minutes of the first, and those who find their bus terminating short of its destination forcing them to pay again for the next bus.

Remember: Vote Brian!

Brian Paddick and Caroline Pidgeon on the election campaign trail with their 1-hour bus ticket promise (picture courtesy of the Evening Standard)

How would you spend £60?

17th March 2012

It’s well over a decade since the Liberal Democrats first campaigned to take the lowest paid out of paying income tax altogether.

Money for those who need it most

We’re closer than ever to making it happen, but we need your help.

Our plan will put £60 every month back into the pockets of hard working people. Of course, there are those who want a tax cut for the millionaires rather than the millions.

However, for the first time in our history we’re in a position to make a real difference. We’ll only win this fight together, and we want you to take part.

Tell us today what you’d do with an extra £60 a month.
 
By telling us how you’d use that £60 tax cut you’ll not only be spreading the word, you’ll also be telling those who oppose our plan that the time has come for real action.
 
Help make this happen today.
 
Once you’ve told us how you’d spend the £60, forward this web page to some friends and ask them as well. Together, we can make this happen.
 

Rape. If you report it, the police must listen

9th March 2012
Brian Paddick, the Liberal Democrats candidate for Major has pledged to tackle the disgraceful rape conviction rate in London if elected in May.
 
Rape is one of the most serious crimes the Met Police faces, but also one of the crimes it struggles the most to handle well.
 
Commenting on recent London crime statistics the Mayoral candidiate said: “With the Mayor of London now having even more power over London’s police force, it’s a crucial issue and it’s one I want to put at the heart of the debate over what our next Mayor should or shouldn’t do.
 
“I am passionate about keeping our streets safe and giving survivors the support they deserve.
 
“Look at the very low conviction rates. Read the testimony of rape victims who say that, whilst the initial police response was good, when the detectives got involved they seemed to be determined to undermine the allegation.
 
“Predatory men are going to take encouragement from that.
 
“As Mayor I will oversee a comprehensive retraining of Police Officers to ensure that rape is tackled properly in London”.
 
You can read more about Brians statement on his website.
 

Harrow Lib Dems elect new committee

9th March 2012

Harrow Liberal Democrats have elected a new Executive Committee at their Annual General Meeting at the RAFA club, South Harrow.

Chairman John Skipworth to lead Harrow Lib Dems

The Committee has been elected to steer Liberal Democrat campaigns and to make and implement major organisational decisions.

All members of the Harrow branch of the Liberal Democrats were invited to nominate and vote for their Executive Committee for 2012. Upcoming campaigns include the elections for the Greater London Assembly.

The newly elected committee comprise many former councillors who will lend their experience to the forthcoming elections.

The party re – elected John Skipworth as chairman, he said of his new committee, “it will be a privilege and an honour to work alongside members new and old, I’m really excited about 2012 and believe with this new team we can continue to build our party locally and nationally”.

The committee in full:

Chairman: John Skipworth

Vice Chair:Pash Nandhra

Secretary: Lawrence Cox
Treasurer: Simon Courtenage
Membership Secretary: Maureen De Beer
Press Officer: Mark Hofman
Executive Committee Members: Simon Gardiner, Ross Barlow, Pete Budden, Matteo Berghami, Ron Warshaw, Mark Hofman

Brian Paddick to start race for Mayor

2nd February 2012

I hope you can join us to hear Brian Paddick, Caroline Pidgeon, Simon Hughes and others launch our London campaign.

Free entry and a glass of wine awaits at the Ministry of Sound...

The event is free but places are likely to go quickly, so please sign up right away at www.brianpaddick.com/invite – and also feel free to bring along other Liberal Democrat members and activists.

The event will be held at The Ministry of Sound, 103 Gaunt Street, London, SE1 6DP on Wednesday 8th February.

The Campaign Launch will start at 6:30pm, including speeches from Tim Farron and Caroline Pidgeon as well as our Mayoral candidate Brian Paddick.

There will also be a cash bar (plus free first glass of wine!).

We hope to see you there.

New candidate sets out agenda for London

19th December 2011

Charlotte with Rayners Lane councillor Christopher Noyce and chairman John Skipworth

Charlotte Henry, the Liberal Democrats London Assembly candidate for Brent and Harrow said she would “passionately oppose Boris’s police cuts” if elected in May.

Addressing activists at the Victoria Hall, central Harrow, Charlotte said she would “stop Boris from playing with the safety of Londoners”.

The Liberal Democrats newly elected candidate also criticised the work of Brent and Harrow assembly member Navin Shah.

She said: “Harrow deserves a dedicated Assembly Member, not one who shirks responsibility on key issues such as our fire stations or cuts to community grants which have led to the cancellation of numerous festivals for local people.”

Born and brought up in North West London, Charlotte said she would campaign for more social and affordable housing by encouraging the renovation of disused properties, and will do more to tackle youth unemployment in the area.

As a new media entrepreneur and businesswoman, Charlotte vowed to support local small businesses and champion their cause at the assembly.

“Having started my own business, I understand the difficulties small businesses in the area face at the moment, and I am passionate about supporting and campaigning on their behalf”.

Harrow’s longest serving elected representative, Rayners Lane councilor Christopher Noyce said: “Charlotte will be a wonderful servant for Harrow, her drive, enthusiasm and commitment to the area will make a real difference and give local residents their voice on the assembly”.

London Lib Dem leader launches election campaign in Harrow

16th December 2011

Caroline addresses Harrow activists

London Liberal Democrat leader Caroline Pidgeon promised “to campaign against cuts to policing and tackle overcrowding on London’s transport network” as she launched her party’s London Assembly election campaign at a social club in Harrow.

She said: “Harrow–on–the–Hill and Stanmore stations have been ignored by Boris Johnson. As the serving chair of the London Assembly’s transport committee I have campaigned for accessibility to be improved”.

“Investment should be for stations which are most used, such as Harrow–on–the-Hill”.

“Boris Johnson has failed to improve our roads, rail and cycle lanes. Bus fares from January will have risen by 55%, and so far this year 15 cyclists have died on our roads“.

Caroline Pidgeon said she would “stop plans to expand the Mayor’s cycle super-highways until they had been fully reviewed and all dangerous junctions made safe”.

She continued: “The Mayor’s cuts to policing are dangerous. Officers have fallen since their peak by around 1500 under Boris’ mayoralty, and potential cuts to police counters will make it harder for vulnerable people to report crime”.

Caroline Pidgeon’s arrival at the Royal Air Forces Association (RAFA) club was met by jubilant applause from local supporters as she began to describe the Liberal Democrats work scrutinising the Mayor of London.

Speaking ahead of the London Assembly and Mayoral elections on May 3, 2012, she said it was time for “an end to the tired and old Boris and Ken show”, and “in Liberal Democrat Mayoral candidate Brian Paddick, Londoners have a real alternative with extensive crime cutting experience”.

Her agenda for 2012 and beyond includes reducing the estimated 22,000 people who die prematurely each year of respiratory illnesses linked to the capital’s poor air quality. Yet the Mayor delayed the implementation of the final phase of the Low Emission Zone.

Further policies include introducing a One Hour Bus Ticket, early bird fares to help low income workers and those who want to save money by travelling off-peak, and a part time travel card.

She also outlined the Liberal Democrats green agenda for London. The group have plans for a big switch to a low carbon transport system, involving electric buses, taxis and small vans.

Maureen De Beer, 65, and Ross Barlow, 19, said they were impressed by Caroline Pidgeon.

Maureen said: “It’s good to see someone with so much passion for London. She won’t let that Boris or Ken get away with anything. I will definitely be voting for her next year“.

Ross said: “What’s the point of putting these low emission zone signs up if we haven’t got a Mayor who will see it through. She is the greenest candidate and has got my vote.”

John Skipworth, 50, added “she was amazing.”

Harrow to welcome London Lib Dem leader

15th November 2011

Caroline Pidgeon

London Liberal Democrat leader Caroline Pidgeon is set to address a meeting of the Harrow Liberal Democrats at the RAFA Club, behind 28/30 Eastcote Avenue, South Harrow HA2 8AL at 8.30pm on Thursday 24th November.

Caroline is Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on the London Assembly and Chair of the London Assembly’s Transport Committee. She also sits as a member of the Metropolitan Police Authority and has been a Trustee of the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education in Waterloo since 2005.

Caroline was elected to the London Assembly in May 2008 and has a strong track record of campaigning on issues such as strong policing and improved public transport.

Entry is free and refreshments will be provided and all are welcome.

Nick Clegg’s plans to cut red tape for small businesses

29th October 2011

Nick Clegg and Vince Cable target red tape

Nick Clegg has announced plans to help small businesses struggling with the demands placed on them by government bureaucracy. Nick and Vince Cable, the LibDem business secretary, have already identified over 200 regulations in retail and hospitality that will be simplified or cut. Their aim is a system of regulation that is fit for purpose, and which fits with the busy lives of hard-working people. Nick’s full speech, given to small business leaders, can be read here.

Lib Dems fighting for a better NHS

2nd October 2011

The Lib Dems are continuing to work in Parliament to ensure NHS reforms deliver a better deal for patients, having won major changes to the reforms earlier this summer.

Nick Clegg; NHS reforms must deliver for patients

These included measures to ensure there will be no privatisation of the NHS and no special favours for the private sector.

Nick Clegg said, “With the Lib Dems, the NHS will always be free at the point of use and will deliver top quality treatment for patients. We want to deliver a better NHS that can cope with the increasing demand and rising health costs.”

The NHS reforms will cut waste and bureaucracy that costs billions of pounds. They will help the NHS cope with the costs of Britain’s steadily ageing population and the rising cost of many treatments.

By making the NHS more efficient and by protecting the NHS budget from cuts, more money can be spent on improving care for patients.

NHS faced disaster with Labour

Had Labour won the last election, the NHS would have faced deep spending cuts. That along with Labour’s refusal to tackle waste and inefficiency would have been a disaster for our health services.

Labour rigged the market in favour of the private sector by giving contracts that were unfair for the taxpayer and for patients.
 
Over £250million of taxpayers’ money was handed over by the last Labour government to private providers for operations they didn’t even perform.
 
The Liberal Democrats have made sure that this kind of favouritism towards the private sector will now be illegal.

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