Southport Liberal Youth

Over but not out...

2011-01-16T15:02:00.000Z

It will feel strange not heading up to Oldham this week. How I will miss the steep hills, murky weather and extremely irritated constituents who were receiving at least three telephone canvassers, four door canvassers and an untold amount of literature a day.

Of course, By-elections are treated as a barometer of public political feeling and as a result immense money, time and effort gets ploughed in by all parties.

After reading the newspapers, watching Newsnight, listening to the radio and following national YouGov polls, you could be forgiven for thinking that the result was going to be a foregone conclusion: Labour romping home to victory.

Well this wasn't what happened. Yes, our candidate Elwyn Watkins came second, but we actually increased our vote share to 31.9%.

Bear in mind Oldham East and Saddleworth has been a Labour seat for the previous FOUR general elections, and was a Labour hold at the height of Clegg mania. According to the Labour party and its new leader Ed Miliband the Coalition are being reckless with people's livelihoods, cutting too fast and generally being nasty. Most of the election literature centred round the VAT tax bombshell, and tuition fees. (erm, Labour introduced tuition fees and Darling also had plans to raise the tax....) If this was indeed true, then Labour would and should have stormed to victory.

On the doorsteps it was apparent that many people understand why cuts have to be made and are quite aware that while Labour have quietly admitted that they would also have to have made cuts, they have not outlined any sort of credible plan. It was also clear that even at a late stage many people had genuinely not made up their mind about whether they would vote Labour or Lib Dem. This really doesn't bear out the argument that the Lib Dems are now seen as synonymous with the Conservatives, or that all those who voted for us in May now feel disillusioned and angry and are turning to Labour in their droves.

Electorally, Labour should be in the perfect position. Grim economic times and Government cuts make great fodder for media soundbites and big speeches. With no responsibility for balancing the budget and making tough decisions, its easy to criticise and level the charge of unfairness. However, the election result proves that there are many voters who can see through this, and that core Lib Dem support is holding up well and not flooding to Labour, as Miliband desperately hopes it will.

In the words of Tim Farron ... 'And let’s not forget, the last time a Government party made a by-election gain was in 1982 amid the chaos and fear of the Falklands War, so unless we had persuaded some far off country to invade British territory we were always going to be up against it!'

Its the right way up!

2011-01-12T20:40:00.000Z

I spotted that Mark Pack wrote an article on Lib Dem Voice regarding Conservative MP Nick Boles' book 'Which Way's Up?'

http://www.libdemvoice.org/which-ways-up-the-longterm-future-of-the-coalition-22455.html

Its worth a read (and not only because it is very thin and can easily be read in a day!) Its fascinating because its essentially a Conservative MP setting out his arguments about why he believes the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives should form an electoral pact.

An electoral pact is not something I would want to see happen. I joined the Liberal Democrats because unlike the other main parties it has a strong democratic party structure, attracts and welcomes a diverse range of people and has principled and strong Parliamentarians. Its a party that believes in hard work and campaigning at a local and national level, with fairness really at the heart of the agenda.

But enough of this party political broadcast! What is important about this book, and what I think is important to stress when we Lib Dems are labelled as 'sell-outs' and 'unprincipled,' is that it emphasises that the Conservatives are NOT the party of the 1980's. In fact, Nick Boles identifies five key areas where policy overlaps: environment, importance of personal freedom, desire to give local communities more power, offering more opportunities to those born into poverty, and the need to kickstart the economy and revive investment and exports.

If these aren't progressive aims, then I don't know what is. Far from being a 'sell-out' this Coalition is going to give us an opportunity for many of our aims to be realised. Look no further than the Localism Bill to see that things are starting to happen. It would have been a sell-out if we had walked away from the negotiating table, or worse entered into an unstable 'rainbow' coalition with the Labour Party.

Yes, that progressive Labour party which let a housing bubble run unchecked and kept low earners languishing in the income tax bracket while spending money recklessly on quangos and needless bureaucracy. Not to mention a legally dubious invasion of Iraq.

The power and right of the individual is at the heart of this Government, and that is the central tenet of Liberalism. We definitely made the right call.

Merry Christmas from Southport Liberal Youth

2010-12-24T18:54:00.002Z

Merry Christmas from all at Southport Liberal Youth.

Wishing you all a wonderful day!

Sarah, Lauren and James

Candidates in the Oldham Byelection

2010-12-24T18:50:00.002Z

Nominations closed yesterday for the Oldham East and Saddleworth by-election, due to be held on 13th January.

Debbie Abrahams (Labour)
Derek Adams (British National Party)
Kashif Ali (Conservative)
Peter Allen (Green Party)
David Bishop (Bus-Pass Elvis Party)
The Flying Brick (Monster Raving Loony Party)
Loz Kaye (Pirate Party of the United Kingdom)
Stephen Morris (English Democrats)
Paul Nuttall (UK Independence Party)
Elwyn Watkins (Liberal Democrats)

Is anybody else noticing the Labour National Executive Council may have picked their candidate purely on the basis she would top the ballot paper?

To find out how to help the Liberal Democrats win in Oldham please see the post below.

We need to win before Christmas in Oldham

2010-12-20T23:06:00.001Z

You can help Elwyn Watkins and the local Liberal Democrats to get a better deal for Oldham East & Saddleworth by helping elect another Lib Dem MP in the Oldham byelection. The office is open every day and even a few hours would be appreciated.

To get involved, come along to the HQ any day between 9am and 8pm or contact the campaign HQ by calling 01457 810993 or emailing hq@elwynwatkins.co.uk.

The HQ is at Tanner Business Centre, Waterside Mill, Chew Valley Road, Greenfield, OL3 7NH, or find it on the map below.

The nearest train station is Greenfield. There is plenty of parking if you're coming by car.

By car (from the Manchester Ring Road): Leave the M60 at Junction 23 (Ashton). Take the A635 (Wakefield) all the way to the entrance to Tanner Business Centre (just off Holmfirth Road after a mini-roundabout at Clarence Hotel/Pub). You should be able to see a Lib Dem diamond from the roundabout.

By car (from the M62): Leave the M62 at Junction 22 and turn left onto the A672. At the Junctions Inn crossroads, turn left onto the A640 and then immediately right onto the A6052. Carry on over the A62 and follow the A6052 until the roundabout with the A670. Take the second exit onto the A670 towards Uppermill. Branch left onto the A6051 and then turn left onto the A669 (Chew Valley Road). Follow the road to the end to reach a mini-roundabout at Clarence Hotel/Pub. Turn left at the roundabout and Tanner Business Centre is immediately on the right. You should be able to see a Lib Dem diamond from the roundabout.

If you can't make it to the HQ in person, you can still support Elwyn's campaign by making a donation to the Lib Dems using this special link. Thank you.

Social Welfare Reform

2010-12-13T22:41:00.001Z

Paul Burstow, the Liberal Democrat Minster of State for Health announced last month that the Government will be changing the way social care is to be distributed.

In his radical plans, a much needed change for the better, there will be a stronger focus on a local level of provision-including early support and prevention and this will work towards the long term aim of allowing people to maintain their independence.

It has been revealed by the BBC in recent days that 1/8 young people are carers, often looking after relatives and parents, and these changes to the system will help them in a way the current system failed.

The new plans have been focused on three issues: personalisation, protection and productivity.

On personalisation, the Liberal Democrats (party policy since 2004) believe that services someone requires should be tailored to their needs, and that they and/or their carers shall be the be the best judge of what their requirements shall be. Therefore, we are introducing a wider roll-out of personal budgets. Currently, about 13% of those in need receive them, however by 2013 we hope that up to a million people who need them will have them. The Department of Health have liaised with local authorities who believe this is possible and in the next year up to £800million will be directed into social care, reablement and prevention.

On the issue of protection, by allowing people to manage their own budget the Department of Health is taking on greater risks, however, sensible safeguards will be put in place to reduce the scope for abuse of the system.

The Government also made a commitment to spend £400,000,000 on provide respite care for carers through direct payments (as in our manifesto), which will provide much needed breaks for the unsung heroes in our society.

Southport Liberal Youth disappointed by rise in fees

2010-12-09T21:41:00.002Z

Liberal Youth are deeply disappointed at the result of today’s vote on raising the tuition fee cap.

Commenting, North West Chair of Liberal Youth, Sarah Harding said:

“Liberal Youth and Liberal Democrat policy remains the abolition of fees. I am saddened that we have been unable to implement this, such is the nature of coalition politics. We must now see the white paper as soon as possible to help influence the new system under which loans shall be paid back.”

Despite this disappointment, Liberal Youth recognise the influence of Liberal Democrats in improving the proposals, and will continue to campaign on this front.

Liberal Youth in final lobby against Tuition Fee rise

2010-12-09T09:15:00.001Z

Liberal Youth, the youth and student wing of the Liberal Democrats, will today lobby Lib Dem MPs in a final effort to vote down the proposed rise in Tuition Fees.

Explaining the organisations actions, Liberal Youth Policy Officer and Southport Branch Chair Sarah Harding said:

“Over recent months Liberal Youth have nationally and locally been working with our Liberal Democrats Parliamentarians to encourage them to vote against increasing the cap on fees.

While Labour have been caught up in rank hypocrisy on this issue, the Liberal Democrats in government have put forward proposals that are better than Labour’s discredited policy. However, Liberal Youth simply do not think it is right that any government asks young people to start their working life in huge personal debt, even under an improved pay back system.

Southport Liberal Youth are delighted that John Pugh MP has already pledged to vote against the proposals, and urge others to follow his lead."

Opinion: Browne, thanks but no thanks

2010-10-14T15:43:00.002+01:00

Labour failed a generation of young people and students in this country. They left them with debt, with unemployment, and with a deficit worth £25,000 to each person. But in their final months they did do something to help.

Commissioning the Browne Review in Higher Education Funding reopened the debate on education in this country; it allowed those interested to have their say, and more importantly be listened to. It gave the Coalition Government the chance to reform the education system.

For Liberal Youth, our primary aim is to represent our membership, to do our best for them, and as such we set up a Post-16 Education Working Group, a committee consulting on everything from FE and HE, to adequate apprentice support. The Working Group’s primary evaluations concluded the vast majority of participants support the goal of universal free education paid for by general taxation. Not free at the point of access and pay later. Simply free.

Objectively speaking, the Browne Review has good intentions; increasing student choice, greater investment and widening access to disadvantaged groups, are all honourable aims. The problem is we disagree with how to achieve them.

Expanding the availability of grants and bursary’s, increasing the minimum income threshold and finding a long term funding solution must happen. Nevertheless, if Lord Browne’s recommendations are accepted, we will fail those who need our help the most; increasing tuition fees and interest on loans are regressive steps, the physical and mental consequences of debt are ignored and some people who deserve to go to university will be priced out of the market. Our aim must be universal free education at all levels.

The worst news we’ve heard this morning is perhaps not the content of the Browne Review, after all, it does not have to be accepted, it is that the proposals are to be rushed through. When all organisations were promised six months to consult their memberships, hearing that it is to be fast-tracked is the worst crime. For people who received a free education to restrict our access to one without talking to us is fairly disingenuous.

The Browne Review is devastating to the long-term goal of education based on ability, rather than the ability to pay. The Student Finance Plan, whilst being a thorough and pragmatic solution to university funding during difficult economic times, does not meet the needs of those who will use it. Its aims are laudable, but it is not the solution.

Parliamentarians work for the people, not for themselves. To all parties; I ask on behalf of Liberal Youth, to work for the students of this country, to find a Plan B, and a step towards our aim. Fight for free education, and honour the pledge to vote NO to increased tuition fees in any guise.

Education is worth more than any price tag.

And Lord Browne? Thanks, but no thanks.

Sarah Harding

Policy Officer, Liberal Youth

Chair, Southport Liberal Youth

Article reproduced from the Times online newspaper

This is what REAL progressive politics looks like...

2010-10-03T15:13:00.005+01:00

I, along with Sarah H and a delegation from the Southport Liberal Democrats, attended a mega training day put on by Chris Davies our regional MEP. It was a great day, with lots of training events to keep us all up to dat ewith the latest campaigning techniques and messages.

The highlight for me was listening to Andrew Stunell, MP for Hazel Grove and our Minister in Government for Communities and Local Government. He was also one of our four MP's who negotiated with the Conservatives to give us our Coalition Government agreement.

The word 'revolutionary' is often overused in politics, but I think it can truly be applied to the localism agenda that will form a key feature of this Parliament.

Localism is all about decentralising and detaching the strangling tendrils of central Government. Its about realising that different areas have individual needs and priorities and that Whitehall diktats dont work. One example of this was the Regional Spatial Strategies, housebuilding targets imposed from the centre on to communities. These gave no leeway to local opinion. RSS has now been abolished by the new government.

This is relevant to all of us. It will mean that town, parish and local Councils will all be able to have a say about local budgets and local services.

We need look no further locally than the stalemate over the Childrens Walk in Centre for Southport. Its clearly a service that local people want and need, yet nothing is happening.

There is nothing that will invoke electoral apathy more than this sort of situation. You can understand why people are turned off voting if they think that they have no real say or any real possibility of having one. This is even further entrenched if people also feel disillusioned with their ability to enact any change through their votes. Its not hard to see how people then think, ' well whats the point voting, I cant change anything can I?' Or, 'well, i really like that candidate and that party, but they cant win here, so my vote will just be a wasted one.'

A new and progressive politics has to challenge and eradicate the 'whats the point,' and 'why bother' attitudes that the Labour Government certainly didn't tackle. Localism and political reform in the shape of fairer votes, will truly radicalise the political system as we know it.

Next May's referendum on a fairer voting system will be a great opportunity, not just for the Liberal Democrats, but for all those that don't feel they have a voice.

Its time to shout loudly!

BOTY Awards

2010-09-15T10:10:00.004+01:00

As was saying yesterday, Lib Dems like a lot of things, and another of our favourite things (very Sound of Music-eque) is blogging.

So every year around this time, as Conference fever hits, are the Lib Dem Blog of the Year awards. This years shortlists have just been announced and are as follows:

Best new Liberal Democrat blog (started since 1st September 2009)

Jeremy Rowe
Libdem Child by Maelo Manning
Nick Thornsby’s Blog
Spiderplant Land by Lisa Harding
Virtually Naked by Charlotte Henry

Best blog from a Liberal Democrat holding public office (The Tim Garden Award)

A Lanson Boy by Alex Folkes
Anders Hanson
Birkdale Focus
Liberal Bureaucracy by Mark Valladares
Lynne Featherstone MP

Best use of blogging/social networking/e-campaigning by a Liberal Democrat

Bridget Fox for her challenge to the Digital Economy Bill
Daisy Benson for Daisy’s Campaign Diary
Nick Barlow (with Justin McKeating) for the hashtag: #nickcleggsfault
Simon McGrath for the Facebook group Vote Clegg, Get Clegg
Tamora Langley for her online campaigns as 2010 Parliamentary Candidate for Lewisham Deptford

Best posting on a Liberal Democrat blog (since 1st September 2009)
An Open Letter To The Labour Party by Andrew Hickey
Considering the Evidence Means You Must Consider Your Position by Alex Wilcock
Day 3401: Memo to the Labour Party – We Hate You Too by Millennium Elephant
Keeping my child safe – an over-anxious mum writes by Caron Lindsay
Ten reasons why, if you’re considering voting Labour, you should think again by Liz Williams

Best non-Liberal Democrat politics blog

And Another Thing by Tom Harris MP
Left Foot Forward
Mid-Wife Crisis by Molly Bennett
Penny Red by Laurie Penny
The Charlotte Gore Blog

Liberal Democrat Blog of the Year 2010

Caron’s Musings by Caron Lindsay
Lynne Featherstone MP
Mark Reckons by Mark Thompson
The Very Fluffy Diary of Millennium Dome, Elephant
Politicomaniac by Joe Jordan

So who are we supporting??

Personally, I feel there are many, many worthy candidates for the coveted titles, but I would LOVE to see Birkdale Focus Blog come out of on top of the pile for the bes blog belonging to a Lib Dem hldig office.

The blog is mainly written by Sefton Councillor Iain Brodie Browne of Birkdale Ward, and contains comments about possibly one of the widest ranges of material i've ever seen. The blog is highly intelligent and is generally good for a laugh. My best advice? Check it out. There's a link above or to the left of your screen.

Also a mention to Charlotte Henry's Virtually Naked blog, great content, witty articles and a slight obsession with Spurs.

Regardless of the winner, the whole thing is #nickcleggfault

Committees, Raffles and Beer

2010-09-14T23:10:00.003+01:00

There are perhaps two or three things a Liberal Democrat likes beyond all others; committees (note the plural), raffles (again the plural) and beer. And whilst I'm not for one moment condoning excessive alcohol intake, I maybe should have said beers.

I, and another LY rep have just returned from a good committee.

Occasionally there are times when you have to say "screw the rulebook, we're going to do what is right", and tonight was one of those nights. The local party executive had to make a decision, not a giant one like 40% cuts or where we stand on academies, but, on whether we could dole out punishment for a problem we only noticed after all was done and dusted and lived happily ever after.

No-one shall be enslaved by ignorance, I like that (paraphrased) line in our constitution. It means we don't hurt others for what they've blindly done to us, and we help them out rather than punish them when they do. An eye for an eye makes us all blind.

So we decided not to punish the gentleman involved, but to help him out- give him a second chance- and pray he's free for delivering the newspaper sometime next week. As a local party we've learnt some vital lessons, but as people, i think we did what was right. After tonight's meeting, I'm proud my local party and of my Lib Dem membership card.

I know I've revealed no details of what happened, and you may be thinking what was the point of this post, but it's simple.

Tonight, I like the Liberal Democrats. Because say what you want about us, we've got a heart.

And with that, I'm off to get another beer.

Greener and Cleaner Futures

2010-09-11T18:09:00.004+01:00

Southport Liberal Youth members, Sarah Harding and Lauren Keith had a great time at today's' Green Fayre.

Stalls included the RSPB, the Fair Trade Shop, and local traders and visitors were able to experience free massages and a bee-keeping demonstration amongst other events.

Supporting local renewable energy firm, Alter-Native Energy, we had a fantastic time and it was a innovative way of getting people young and old excited about our energy future and how we can help our environment.

A big thank you to organisers Transition Town who put a huge amount of effort into today's very successful event.

Green Fayre

2010-09-11T00:22:00.002+01:00

Concerned about the environment and the future of our planet or just want to enjoy a fun day out ?

Hesketh Park is tomorrow holding a Green Fayre. Alternative energy, eco and Fairtrade information and goods, free municipal compost, bee-keeping display [my favourite-Ed.], DJ, street dance, free massages, health and well-being marquee, and other attractions.

This free event (11am-4pm) is organised by Southport's branch of the national Transition Town environmental movement, which works towards creating a responsible, sustainable future for our area.

It's time to be Greener and Cleaner.

Campaign for Real Ale

2010-09-10T01:17:00.002+01:00

*Strictly for over 18's*

For 3 nights only, the 11th Sandgrounder Beer Festival is in action at the Scarisbrick Hotel.

Southport and District CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) have organised this wonderful event which includes over 50 different beers, fruit wines and ciders, and at only £3 entrance (or free for CAMRA members) it's an event not to be missed.

CAMRA campaigns for real ale, real pubs and consumer rights. Their overall aims include protecting and improving consumer rights, seeking improvements in all licensed premises and promoting quality, choice and value for money.

This great event is open noon-11pm Friday and Saturday, and my best advice is go along, support local and independent breweries and most of all, have fun!

For a list of the available beers please see here.

A Potential Year Ahead

2010-09-10T00:05:00.000+01:00

Southport Liberal Youth is venturing into exciting waters... Let me explain why.

Next year’s local elections are currently still undergoing their final candidate selection process. However, it is now looking very likely that we will see four Liberal Youth members running for Council on May 5th 2011. Cambridge Ward in Southport, Blundellsands and Manor Wards in Crosby and Litherland Ward will all be represented by ‘youthful’ members.

This, I feel, is an opportunity to direct our action and campaign in the coming months. This is made more poignant when considering that 2 out of those 4 Wards are not classed as ‘target’ Wards by the local Party, although I appreciate that this point is perhaps a little self serving (as the candidate for Blundellsands). However, additionally to this there is the scope to expand any campaign to host the inclusion of forwarding the voice for AV reform.

It is therefore imperative that we perhaps begin to start thinking how, as a branch, we can structure forthcoming campaigns, raise funds for unsupported Wards, increase our man power in terms of membership, get out the AV message and other such ideas.

It would be great to have all input – especially for those who may have stumbled upon this accidently and not necessarily from the Southport area – because this forthcoming year certainly has potential.

James Ludley

Liberal Democrat candidate for Blundellsands Ward, 2011.

http://www.blundellsandsfocus.blogspot.com/

An award is for the past; here's to the future.

2010-09-09T22:04:00.003+01:00

Eagle eyed readers may have noticed the shiny new button on the left of your screen.

Unbeknownst to us here in Southport Lib Dem towers several Southport Lib Dem blogs had been nominated in the Total Politics poll of Lib Dem blogs and a grand total of 4 made it into the top 75!!!

Southport Liberal Youth made it to 60^th in the poll!

The Meols Ward Councillors came 63^rd and our Kew ward activists a very respectable 40^th.

A special mention must be given to the truly excellent Birkdale Focus Blog, written primarily by Birkdale Ward Councillor Iain Brodie Browne who climbed from a fantastic 39^th in 2009 to an incredible 23^rd!!

Other noticeable results were Liberal Youth Scotland who came 54th in Lib Dem blogs and 34th in Scottish blogs! And Liberal Youth executive members Matt Smith (Welsh convenor and Liberal Youth Wales Chair) who came 37th in the Lib Dem blog poll, the highest placed young blogger and Vice-Chair Communication Charlotte Henry whose Virtually Naked blog came 46^th.

Congratulations to everyone!

This post was edited at 22:10 9/9/10 to correct a spelling mistake.

The door is open

2010-09-09T21:26:00.001+01:00

Liberal Youth Scotland today launched their campaigns for 2010/2011 focusing on, among other things overturning the blood ban for men who have had sex with men, voting YES in May’s AV referendum and equality in all walks of life.

Soon, Fresher’s Fayres will be in full swing, canvassing and campaigning will begin again and conference season will be upon us. An action-packed autumn of Lib Dem-ness.

If you live in the Sefton, West Lancashire or South Ribble areas please get in touch with Southport Liberal Youth, and if you live elsewhere they’ll be a local branch you can join.

Liberal Youth can give you a lot of great opportunities- campaigning for fairer votes, an end to asylum seekers being left destitute and some great friends along the way.

Southport Liberal Youth, and Liberal Youth are here for you.

Get in touch, we’d love to meet you!

Speak out. Speak loud.

2010-08-09T18:19:00.002+01:00

In doesn't matter who you are or where you're from or what you believe in or what you do. Freedom of speech is a civil liberty.

Liberal Youth are standing up for our civil liberties.

Opinion: Getting rid of ContactPoint – a great day for liberalism

2010-08-08T19:11:00.003+01:00

I would imagine Liberals throughout the country breathed a collective sigh of relief this past week when they opened their newspapers or turned on their computers to find the intrusive ContactPoint database was to be switched off at noon on 6th August.

28th February 2010 was the beginning of the end for ContactPoint.

On this day, an emergency motion submitted to Liberal Youth Spring Conference found its way through the ballot and ended up for debate on the final day of our conference. During the debate, we acknowledged the good points of ContactPoint and, whilst we understood its flaws and noted that the intention had been honourable, the fate of ContactPoint – at least in the eyes of Liberal Youth – was clear. We wanted it gone, and we wanted it gone now.

We could not believe that the system had been approved in the first place, that the safeguards put in place were not nearly strong enough for a databank designed to house the details of 11 million children and those responsible for them, and that 330,000 unchecked people would have access. It wasn’t reasonable, it wasn’t an answer to the Victoria Climbie case, it was simply a Labour overreaction that would further infringe our civil liberties.

At a time when the federal party did not have a policy on this dangerous database, the emergency motion passed through our spring conference almost unanimously. Soon after, it became Liberal Democrat policy and appeared in the party’s General Election manifesto. Then, to our surprise and delight, scrapping it became Government policy. Now, after a long hard fight – from the party, civil liberties campaigners and the public – we have the result we were always after.

It’s time to say goodbye to ContactPoint and give a warm welcome to the return of our civil liberties.

Liberal Youth have been the leading voice against this system. If it hadn’t been switched off, we would have kept fighting, because we recognised just how dangerous this database was to us and to young people across the country.

Liberal Youth have been referred to, both internally and externally, as the ‘conscience of the Liberal Democrats’ and, whether true or false, Liberal Youth will keep fighting for our civil liberties – at conference, during Freshers’ Week, and as we approach the Freedom Bill in autumn. Expect nothing less from Liberal Youth than our full support for the abolition of intrusive databanks – from ONSET to the Common Assessment Framework to the proposed Communications Database. We believe firmly that our data was never meant to be used against us, and intend to speak out and speak loud on the issues that matter to us.

Getting rid of ContactPoint is a great Liberal Democrat success – our children are safer, our data is protected – we have taken a large step in the right direction. But, now we’ve taken one, let’s, as a party, start running. We can fight for Identification, Referral and Tracking (IRT) systems to be abolished, for Control Orders to be terminated, and for steadfast opposition to extradition to countries where a fair trial cannot be guaranteed or that have not abolished Capital Punishment.

Mark it in your diaries: 6th August, 12 noon. A great day for liberalism, and the day we started getting our civil liberties back.

* Sarah Harding is a General Executive Member and Policy Officer for Liberal Youth. She also blogs at www.southportliberalyouth.com

Money, Money, Money

2010-08-02T16:06:00.005+01:00

There is something about summer that always makes me want to take up a hobby. This usually involves taking up a sport, or attempting to learn a language. (Although this never usually gets beyond the 'hello,' 'goodbye','my name is' and 'can I have a coffee' stage..)

This summer I am determined to learn more about how the economy works and attempt to find out what those polished looking men and women in Canary Wharf really get up to.

The recession has suddenly made the world of high finance a bit sexy. I'm sure in a couple of years we will have Hollywood blockbusters detailing the collapse of Lehman Brothers, or BBC dramas about Adam Applegarth's exploits and Northern Rock's collapse.

Yet its worrying that its taken the recession to ignite interest into what is Britain's biggest industry. While we may not all know the technicalities behind putting a car together or mining for coal, we can certainly understand how these primary industries work and how money and profit can be made.

As the crash highlighted, even top politicians and financial institutions couldn't fully comprehend how the complex markets operate.

Its hardly surprising. Since light touch regulation in the 1980's was introduced the industry is constantly being flooded by new products and practices. During the property boom, mortgages allowed to be given to people who could not afford them were being sliced and diced into lots of different packages and sold on, the result of which we all saw. The trouble is money floating round in the ether is just that; the more removed the knowledge about where it came from and its security then the higher the risk of things going wrong.

I read an excellent blog post today by Robert Peston in relation to the new rules being drawn up by the EU to improve banking supervision. http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/robertpeston/. He makes the point that the jargon used by the Basel Committee who are writing these rules cannot be understood by anybody outside the committee that wrote it; yet the potential repercussions for getting it wrong could impact us all.

Its very difficult to have a political argument about something like the future of banks and how they should be taxed and regulated without having some sort of knowledge about what exactly is going on.

So, Im off to learn about Credit Default Swaps and the Libor rate. I may be some time....

RECOMMENDATION: Philip Coggan 'The money machine: How the City works'

Pupil Premium Announced

2010-07-26T21:38:00.001+01:00

"I’m delighted we are today announcing a new Pupil Premium, which will give extra funding to schools to help them tackle the inequalities that have been a part of our state system for far too long. Thousands of children will finally be getting the extra support they need to succeed,"

says Children’s Minister Sarah Teather.

The Coalition Government today announced a Pupil Premium to target extra money at schools taking disadvantaged pupils.

The proposed Pupil Premium would provide additional per pupil funding on top of the existing funding provided to schools. Schools will be free to spend the additional funding as they choose to raise the achievement of disadvantage pupils.

This was a key manifesto commitment and one that Nick Clegg made clear was one of his absolute priorities.

Liberal Democrats Children’s Minister Sarah Teather said:

“For too long social background has been a deciding factor in a child’s achievement and future prospects. In a fair society, it’s the Government’s responsibility to close the gulf in achievement, where the poorest children are almost three times less likely to leave school with five good GCSEs than their richer classmates.

“That’s why I’m delighted we are today announcing a new Pupil Premium, which will give extra funding to schools to help them tackle the inequalities that have been a part of our state system for far too long. Thousands of children will finally be getting the extra support they need to succeed.”

Vince Cable, voice of reason

2010-07-15T15:34:00.003+01:00

One of our parties main pledges has been to scrap tuition fees. It is this pledge that has garnered support from young people across the country and feel that it is the one political group that speaks for and represents students or students to be.

The state of the nation's finances means that public spnding has got to be seriously curtailed, which of course has a knock on effect on the ability for this pledge to be delivered. We are still awaiting Lord Browne's Inquiry into University fees, but last night's speech by Vince Cable at London Southbank University has given us a glimpse into how the Government will reconcile economic hardship with the need to keep access to further education as open and as fair as possible.

Vince has asked Lord Browne to examine the introduction of a 'Graduate Tax.' Basically this would mean that students would pay for their studies through their earnings-with those on higher salaries paying more. This would be instead of Universities charging variable higher fees.

Some think its a betrayal of the party's principles; that entering into coalition with the Conservatives has meant that a key policy has had to be watered down. However, the deficit is a large, depressing reality and students cant be exempt from shouldering their share of the burden. If their education is a stepping stone to a salary they wouldnt have acheived without it, then surely being taxed based on this is fair.

Vince also warned that the 'severe financial pressure' in the sector will mean that radical steps will be needed to overhaul the system. He believes that this could include shortening degree courses and introducing more market forces into the sector.

The impact of the recession, and the thousands of graduates streaming out from University with similar degrees, all facing the prospect of a long, hard slog to find a job, should also jolt the Government and the education sector into looking at exactly what skills and qualifications students leave university education with.

A re-balanced economy less dependent on the financial sector demands a re-evaluation of the types of courses that many young people are currently being guided into. If they are entering into University education with the prospect of paying off their fees for many years ahead, they need to be offered subjects that give them a serious chance of finding long-term employment.

You can hear more on Vince's speech here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-10646119

First Meeting Success

2010-07-10T10:30:00.003+01:00

Southport Liberal Youth met last night for an informal 'Picnic in the Park' at Hesketh Park, Southport.

Despite the drizzly rain, we had a good turnout and a very interesting discussion about how to move Southport Liberal Youth forward. Of the attendees, 2 are definitely going to join the party, and one is even going to stand for co-option to the national Conference Committee- a resounding success if I may say so.

A big thank you to John Pugh, MP for Southport and Councillors Carmel Preston and Sue McGuire who turned up to show their support for Southport Liberal Youth.

The next meeting of Southport Liberal Youth will be held on the 7th August 2010, at 7:00pm at 35 Shakespeare Street, Southport.

There is also a farewell reception TONIGHT in Liverpool for the delegates in the LYMEC (young Liberals in Europe), please ring Sarah on 07896283444 for more details.

Your Chance to Have Your say

2010-07-06T10:00:00.004+01:00

"For the first time in a long time, your Government is listening", these were Nick Clegg's words just a few days ago at the launch of Your Freedom (http://yourfreedom.hmg.gov.uk/), a new Government site where you can post your views on the issues that matter to you.

The site aims to restore Britain’s traditions of freedom and fairness, and free our society of unnecessary laws and regulations by the most democratic way possible- asking your opinion.

Southport Liberal Youth would urge anyone who has ever had felt their civil liberties were restricted, come up against unnecessary and unfair laws or felt businesses are too regulated to run efficiently, to sign up to the site and give your opinion.

Don't let anyone tell you you can't make a difference, and as Nick so rightly put it, be "demanding about your liberty, insistent about your rights"

This is "your chance to have your say", please do not waste it.

Southport Liberal Youth Hits the Headlines

2010-07-02T23:13:00.004+01:00

Southport Liberal Youth made its first press appearance this morning in the Southport Visiter.

The article, which can be found here: http://www.southportvisiter.co.uk/southport-news/southport-southport-news/2010/07/02/student-opens-liberal-youth-branch-101022-26768190/

Get in touch for any more details about any of the points raised in the article.

Not to be missed!

2010-07-02T21:33:00.003+01:00

Take Back Power are holding a grassroots activism discussion forum tomorrow in Liverpool.

The event, due to take place at Lloyds No. 1, Liverpool Way, Liverpool is to be held between 12pm and 5pm and is hosted by Dennis Norton.

The event aims start regular local meetings for people interested in real world activism on a more sustained, local level. It is will be meeting to talk about our goals, exchange ideas, meet likeminded people and to cement our plans for future meetings and action.

Two Southport Liberal Youth members attended last weeks very productive meeting, and we encourage as many people as possible to come to this fantastic event.

Executive Election Results 2010

2010-06-29T18:20:00.006+01:00

The Liberal Youth executive election count was held today at 4 Cowley Street and the new executive is listed below.

For more details, please see the blogspot of Liberal Youths hard working returning officer, Mark Valladares at www.liberalbureaucracy.blogspot.com.

Chair: Martin Shapland

Vice-Chair (Campaigns): Chris Wiggin

Vice-Chair (Finance): Tom Wood

Vice-Chair (Communications): Charlotte Henry

Vice-Chair (Membership Development): Robson Brown/Ed Sanderson (job share)

General Executive Members (8): Sarah Harding, Sophie Bertrand, Nathan Khan, Mo Saqib, Catherine Smith, Jade Holden, Charlotte Harris, Stuart Brown

England Convener: Thomas Hemsley

Policy Committee: Duncan Crowe, Sarah Harding, James Nelson, Stephen Rule

Conference Committee: Alan Belmore, Sarah Harding, Ramon Chiratheep

International Committee: Harriet Ainscough, Charlotte Harris, Callum Leslie, Jack Stephens

We are no Brazil..

2010-06-28T19:12:00.007+01:00

Its the same old story every four years, and yet still we manage to delude ourselves that this time we can finally be a proud footballing nation again. However yet again we are left with crumpled England flags, flying sadly in the wind, and fans with nothing but ever fading memories of 1966.

What can we learn from the defeat, apart from the obvious fact that you can throw £6 million at a capable coach, but a group of tired and de-motivated men cannot be transformed into something that they aren't.

Capello thought England could succeed as a team with experience and a proven track record (well, individual track record anyway) and failed to see the glaring weakness of the adopted and too often used 4-4-2 structure: A rigidity that a young and dynamic German team managed to exploit.

A backlash against the FA now begins, with the issue being raised that young talent is not being nurtured and developed as well as it could, as the dawning realisation hits that the golden generation have had their shots of glory and there is no-one to replace them.

Like football, politics needs young people with ideas, energy and adaptability. Climate change, recession, the near meltdown of the global financial system, terrorism and technology mean our generation will inherit a world that needs different and radical approaches, and our voices need to be heard.

Anyway, our our political system was rocked out of its lethargy by expenses scandals and a Coalition Government. Lets just hope that English football has been rocked out of theirs.

Take Back Parliament

2010-06-25T18:36:00.003+01:00

Last night saw the Liverpool launch of Take Back Parliament.

The meeting, held on Bold Street in Liverpool, was very productive and is certainly the start of big things for Liverpool in terms of Purple Protests. Events, including a purple picnic, purple gigs and a regular street stall are going to be held over the next few months, and more meetings will be happening,. Check out the Facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/takebackparliament?v=info&ref=ts

for more information of upcoming events.

Keep joining and suggesting to your friends the Southport Liberal Youths campaign ‘Southport is voting YES

in the AV referendum’ on the Facebook page here:

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/pages/Southport-is-voting-YES-in-the-AV-referendum/125925087445836?ref=ts

Opinion: Yesterday’s Budget, a clear and sensible way forward?

2010-06-23T15:08:00.002+01:00

I will start off by saying something we all know.

Labour left this country with a budget deficit of nearly 171 billion pounds. Every £4 the Labour government spent, £1 of it was borrowed. It could not carry on.

Now onto today's coalition budget.

Lets get the bad out of the way first -

VAT is rising to 20%. None of us wanted this. We campaigned against it, as did the Tories. But now we have access to the figures, rather than Labour's selective amounts it seemed the coalition thought that it had to go up. I will not immediately defend this decision, but I will not whine about it either. I wish the economy wasn't in the state it is. Then we would never have done it! But it is worth remembering a couple of points. It has only been risen to the same levels that most other European countries have to pay, and it is not a tax on everything- most foods for example, are exempt.

The other tax decisions I agree with whole heartedly.

Increasing the tax allowance by £1,000, part of the Lib Dem plan to deliver a personal allowance of £10,000. This will result in 880,000 low income earners out of tax altogether, including lots of part time students- who work whilst at uni or college. It is in stark contrast to the Labour legacy, scapping the 10p tax rate, doubling the tax the poorest had to pay overnight- in order to fund tiny cuts for businesses. I know which decision I feel is more progressive and fair.

How are we paying for this tax break for low earners? By implementing another Lib Dem manifesto pledge- cracking down on tax avoidance. By raising Capital Gains Tax to 28% (I believe higher than Labour have ever had it) we stop people declaring income as something it is not, and getting away with not paying their fair share.

With public sector pay we have decided to freeze it for two years for anybody earning above £21,000. As somebody who cares about others, I would rather see a pay freeze on my wage, then the potential of future job cuts (and in turn a higher benefit bill). Anybody earning under £21,000 will get a bonus of £500 over those two years. This again proves our commitment to protecting the poorest paid in all the decisions we have taken.

Onto benefits. We have a welfare budget that is bigger than any other area of government spending. We spend more on benefits than on health or education. In my opinion people that earn over £40000 should never have got these benefits in the first place. I will give an example. It is simply wrong that young students earning £7000 a year under Labour, working part time whilst accruing mounting tuition debt had to give 20% of their money in tax, so wealthier parents can get tax credits. So I am happy that we have finally started taking steps to sort out the benefit system. Don't get me wrong, I support a welfare state, but for people that need it. By cutting these benefits for the better off, we can again protect the poorest from Labour's mismanagement.

We have also pledged a £2 billion a year increase in the "child" element of the child tax credit, which means that despite the tough decisions forced on the government, we should hopefully go someway to stamping out child poverty, once and for all (something that has rised under Labour).

By agreeing to increase the pension age by one year, something Labour have sad they would do anyway- we have been able to restore the pensions earning link, an issue that the previous government refused to tackle. This will help millions of pensioners in this country.

And finally petrol, cigarettes and alcohol duty is not going up! For the first time in how long?

Labour have acted in my eyes like a bunch of school kids today. People want politicians to try and sort out our countries problems, not moan from the sidelines. Remember the advice at the treasury left by a Labour minister? "There is no money left". Honest (for a change), but they are being less than helpful.

What would Labour have cut? It promised to halve the deficit in 4 years? What would they have changed? I am waiting to hear that, but don't hold much hope of it ever happening. In my eyes Labour need to start apologising to people, for leaving this country in such a state.

Paddy Ashdown summed up my feelings in a paper this morning-

"It is, to me, the height of unacceptable, negative and irresponsible politics to refuse to carry the burden when you are in power, and then to criticise those who do when you leave- those who have to take the burden on board and who have to clean up the mess you leave behind."

A Tory budget would have been nowhere near as fair. A Labour budget would (they want us to believe) have gotten our country further into this mess, or they would of had to have grown up and made these difficult choices themselves! Overall I think the budget today has started to tackle the deficit, whilst at the same time striving to protect the poorest in our society, and overall I think we should be proud of it.

This opinion was written by Nathan Khan, General Executive Member for Liberal Youth 2009-2010, Candidate for General Executive Member 2010-2011 and Councillor on Hedge End Town Council.

Liberal Youth Response to the Budget

2010-06-22T19:13:00.005+01:00

Liberal Youth Statement:

We have just seen a budget that includes Lib Dem policies to raise the income tax threshold, and the introduction of a banking levy. While a VAT rise is disappointing, it is the result of Labour's failings. We also note the intent to sell the Student Loans Book, and insist no interest is ever charged on Labour's student debt.

Wanted: One Returning Officer

2010-06-22T13:54:00.002+01:00

Southport Liberal Youth are in the market for a Returning Officer for the executive elections in the near future.

If you are interested, please contact Sarah on lysouthport@aol.com.

Thanks,

Sarah

Climate Crunch

2010-06-21T16:27:00.003+01:00

The video above shows an incident that has nothing to do with climate change, but does show the damaging effects that can be caused to our environment. Even the smallest changes in the environment are likely to have huge impacts upon the world. And it will be the poorest that are least able to adapt to lower agricultural production, increased risk of fires, droughts, floods and heatwaves (IPCC 2007) which will be caused by climate change.

We must act now to safeguard our future, and the future of our children. We have to act now to clean up the mess. It’s time to do something about climate change.

Unlike the other political parties, the Lib Dems have credible plans to make Britain 100% carbon-neutral by 2050. But we won't do it by making people's lives more difficult, or more expensive.

iI doesn't cost the earth to be green. Living environmentally will even save you money, protect you from the scourge of foreign oil imports, reduce levels of pollutants that cause illnesses like asthma and help you stay fit.

You can protect the planet whilst protecting your bank balance.

1. Sign our pledge to lead a greener, cleaner lifestyle

2. Read our top tips for being green whilst saving money and looking good and submit your own.

3. Write to, or e-mail your MP at writetothem.com asking them to support our campaign to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

4. Join the only party promising real action on climate change by clicking here.

2010-06-20T22:04:00.005+01:00

Southport Liberal Youth and Sefton Conservative Future are holding a 'Pizza and Politics' night.

Just a evening of debating, eating and sharing war stories from the campaign trail- if you want to come along- or are in the youth contingent of any political party, you'd be more than welcome!

Get in touch for details!

Don’t Miss Out on Your Vote

2010-06-18T19:28:00.002+01:00

Ballot papers for the Liberal Youth Executive Elections have now been delievered and should have been recieved by all members!

If you have not yet got them but you are a member of the Lib Dems aged under 26, please

email LiberalYouth.Admin@libdems.org.uk or phone 02072271387.

Make sure you have your say- there has never been a more important time for young people to have a voice. We are the generation that will have to deal with the affects of Labour's debt. We are the future of our party!

2010-06-17T16:10:00.002+01:00

Today saw the launch of the first Southport Liberal Youth campaign:

The launch of this campaign has already attracted many members on a Facebook site which can be found at:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Liberal-Democrats-for-Electoral-Reform/104973492873287#!/pages/Southport-is-voting-YES-in-the-AV-referendum/125925087445836

The plan is simple: Fair votes now. Fair votes for all.

FOCUS on Liberal Youth

2010-06-16T22:36:00.000+01:00

If you're a young person aged 16 or 17 in this country, the government doesn't think you're worth as much as everyone else.

They'll take your taxes, but not let you have a say in how they are spent. They'll make sure you abide by the law, but not let you influence what it says.

Unless something is done, politicians will continue to ignore the needs and concerns of the generation of young people who will inherit this country. It shouldn't be too much to ask to be treated with the same respect as everyone else.

The Lib Dems believe you should have the same rights and responsibilities whether you are 16, 25 or 60. If you support our campaign, you will be supporting the right of all young people to be given the same respect. So if you find yourself out of work, you will be entitled to the same unemployment and housing benefit as everyone else.

3 ways to get involved

1. Sign our pledge to stand up for the rights of all young people

2. Write to, or e-mail, your MP at www.writetothem.com asking them to support our campaign to grant votes at 16.

3. Join the only party that says yes to equal rights to people regardless of their age. Clickhere.

It's time to put the YOU back in YOUth!

Executive Elections 2010

2010-06-15T16:38:00.000+01:00

Nationally, Liberal Youth has over 4500 members and ALL are eligible to vote in the upcoming Liberal Youth Executive Elections for the following positions

Chair
Vice-Chair Campaigns
Vice-Chair Communications
Vice-Chair Finance
Vice-Chair Membership Development
8x General Executive Member
4x Policy Committee Members
England Convener (for those eligible)

Manifestos for each candidate can be found here http://unionrains.nfshost.com/june/.

Ballots should be on your doorstep tomorrow or Thursday, so just remember to cast your vote!

If you do not receive a ballot and are a member of the Liberal Democrats ages under 26, please get in touch!!

This post was edited on 16/06/2010 at 10:23 due to an executive position not being listed. This has now been corrected.

A Big Thank You...

2010-06-12T20:42:00.000+01:00

...to everybody who has so far contacted me about joining Southport Liberal Youth.

If you want to get involved, please contact us on;

lysouthport@aol.com

or write to 35 Shakespeare Street, Southport, PR8 5AB

We can't wait to hear from you!

Liberal Youth comes to Southport!!

2010-06-09T16:25:00.001+01:00

Welcome to the new blog of Liberal Youth Southport.

Liberal Youth is the youth and student branch of the Liberal Democrat party and exists to promote the issues, opinions and campaigns of young people, for young people.

Liberal Youth are looking for as many new members as possible from Southport or the surrounding area (West Lancashire, Crosby, Bootle, Maghull, Banks, Halsall....) so to join, or for more information, please get in touch- we can't wait to hear from you!

(If you are already a member of the Liberal Democrats and are under 26, you are already a member of Liberal Youth)

Looking forward to hearing from you,

Sarah Harding