Breaking Britain returns, this time it’s the schools
Why is so much of Britain’s infrastructure literally falling apart?
Why is so much of Britain’s infrastructure literally falling apart?
Lib Dems condemn “chaotic and incompetent” budget
The sheer quantity of raw sewage being dumped into Britain’s rivers and coastal areas is a scandal and a disgrace.
Conference this afternoon debated the Better Governance Policy Paper - For the People, By the People. Conference agreed that there is a serious crisis in British democracy, marked by low - and declining - turnout in elections, widespread disillusionment with politics and politicians, a sense among the electorate of powerlessness to achieve change and public alienation from the political process, particularly among the young and ethnic minorities. Conference welcomed the Green Paper from the Government, The Governance of Britain. Conference noted that major changes both to the structure and personnel of government took place in June 2007 with no recourse whatsoever either to Parliament or to the people.
Conference today debated the issue of excess packaging. Total domestic waste produced in Britain has increased 21% since 1997, to over 26 million tonnes and whilst household recycling in the UK has increased from 6% to 23%, but this has only managed to keep pace with the total increase. A large proportion of this waste, around 5 million tonnes, is made up of packaging and packaging accounts for around 17% of the average household food budget.
Rochdale MP Paul Rowen has told transport bosses to, "look no further than Greater Manchester for an example of all-party campaigning for trams." Mr Rowen was speaking at a fringe meeting on the 'Future of Light Rail' at the Lib Dem Conference in Brighton.
Dundee Liberal Democrats today (Tuesday 18th September) backed radical new tax plans that will drop the basic rate of income tax to its lowest level since 1916.
Conference this afternoon endorsed the Poverty and Inequality Policy Paper - Freedom from Poverty, Opportunity for All.
Conference this afternoon debated the subject of immigration. Conference agreed migration is a worldwide phenomenon that has always been part of human history, and immigration to Britain has been of enormous benefit to the economy and to society. However they also agreed the benefits of a liberal immigration policy can only be secured if the effort is made to plan for the impact and consequences of that policy. They further agreed a practical liberal approach to immigration should therefore focus on creating a system that works: efficient, fair and effective, planning for the effects of managed inward migration, promoting integration as well as immigration and that asylum policy is based on UK obligations under international conventions, and should be considered separately from policy on immigration.