Call for a Permanent Memorial for Victoria Wood

Prestwich Lib Dem Councillor Mary D’Albert has asked Bury Council to consider whether a permanent memorial to the late Victoria Wood would be appropriate in the Borough.

The much loved comedian, singer, writer, actor and director sadly died in April this year. She was born in Prestwich, brought up in Bury and was schooled at Fairfield County Primary and Bury Grammar School for Girls.

 

Mary D’Albert said: “Victoria Wood brought joy and laughter to so many people over so many years. I’m not sure if anyone one place can ‘claim’ Victoria’, but here in Prestwich and Bury we were particularly proud of her.”

“We have asked the Council to speak with Ms Wood’s family, to see whether some sort of permanent memorial might be appropriate. This might be name something in the local area, or an actual physical memorial or some sort. I am sure if needed the community would be happy to fundraise.”

“Obviously I’m biased to Prestwich, but we would need to speak with the family”

The Council Leader’s response was that he would  be very happy to take on board the Councillor’s suggestion and ask the Chief Executive to report back to Members. Apparently early discussions have already taken place with the Arts and Culture officer to look at the possibilities for progressing this. This could include sponsorship or crowdfunding opportunities to enable her many fans to make a contribution.

 

 

Saving Prestwich Arts College – 10 years ago this week

Monday, 18 July 2016, will be the 10th anniversary of saving Prestwich Arts College (and Broad Oak High in Bury) from closure.

The proposals came from (the then Labour-run) Bury Council which had reviewed secondary school provision in the Borough and decided to reduce the number of schools.  It was actually to reduce by three schools, as Coney Green and Radcliffe High merged to become Radcliffe Riverside at the same time.

In Prestwich there was a huge amount of opposition to the proposals. Prestwich Arts College (‘Prestwich High’ to many) was a school which was full, and one which was particularly good about getting extra forward progress for pupils across a wide range of ability. Prestwich residents were rightly concerned that there would be insufficient places for Prestwich children to attend a high school in Prestwich.

There was a great campaign to save the school, led by parents, governors, teachers and the whole school. The team of Lib Dem councillors in Prestwich were very proud to support the campaign and help as much as we could on the Council.

It is great that the school has gone on to prosper and achieve in the last 10 years, and continue to be a good school at the heart of Prestwich.

 

Tim Farron: Calls For A General Election

Just over a year after the last general election, the Conservatives have plunged the UK into chaos with David Cameron gambled with the country on Brexit, and now a Tory leadership election has turned into a coronation.

It is simply inconceivable that Theresa May should be crowned prime ministerwithout even having won an election in her own party, let alone the country. I believe there must be a general election. I thought it when Gordon Brown became prime minister and I think it now. The Conservatives must not be allowed to ignore the electorate, particularly now their mandate is shattered and whatever programme May offers can’t look like the platform she stood on in 2015.

Britain needs a strong, united and effective opposition and I believe the Liberal Democrats can provide it.

In an early election the Liberal Democrats will set out an optimistic, positive plan for Britain. We will stabilise the economy, improve education, deliver a new deal for our NHS, restore the green agenda, and secure Britain’s place at the heart of Europe.

 

Theresa May  should show leadership and tell the Queen when she visits Buckingham Palace this week that there will be an election in due course. Because the case for an early election is overwhelming.

Some people have raised the Fixed Term Parliaments Act as an obstacle to an election, but I don’t buy that argument.

The act wasn’t intended to allow the undemocratic appointment of a new prime minister, which is exactly why it contains provisions to dissolve parliament early. If May is canny, she will want to call one to secure her own mandate – not least because Labour is providing no credible opposition at all. The party’s obsession with its own divisions has allowed the Conservatives to go unchallenged. It is telling that Jeremy Corbyn has been utterly silent on the subject of an early election, despite the fact it is what the country needs.

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If May wants a general election, the Fixed Term Parliament Act allows her to put a motion to parliament calling for one, which would require the backing of two-thirds of MPs for it to succeed. Liberal Democrats would back such a motion – the question is whether Labour and the SNP will join us in doing so.

The Conservatives’ record in government over the past 12 months, without the Liberal Democrats, has been poor. The economy has weakened due to the massive constraints placed upon it by the conspicuously absent chancellor, and the stability they promised, now so desperately needed, has not been delivered.

Just 0.0003% of people in the UK have backed May as their new prime minister. That’s the 199 MPs who voted for her over her leadership rivals. The person that triggers Article 50, which leads us out of Europe, has to have a clear direction from the country, even if under our outdated and inadequate first past the post system that may be difficult to achieve.

The United Kingdom is now in uncharted waters. We face big decisions on how Brexit should look, on Tata steel, on the economy, our public services and foreign conflicts like Syria and Libya. We cannot anoint someone who has not explained their position on any of these – saying “Brexit means Brexit” is not a plan, it is a vacuous phrase.

I urge Theresa May to recognise that, and to put the interests of the people first, ensuring that the next government has a democratic mandate.

In 2007, the then opposition leader David Cameron demanded Gordon Brown take his premiership to a vote; “Gordon Brown doesn’t have the mandate, he wasn’t elected as prime minister, and he should go to the country.” May herself ridiculed Brown for “running scared”. As someone who campaigned alongside me for remain, but must now deal with the consequences of leave, May should appreciate that there is at least as much at risk today as there was nine years ago.

We should not let fears of election fatigue prevent us from arguing what is in the best interests of the country. In 2015, just 36.9% of people elected the government of today, a government that took us into the referendum, and out of Europe. With the recent campaign having caused so much bitterness, the electorate needs its politicians to give them the opportunity to elect a government that will work towards eliminating the divisions that have been revealed and reinforced.

British politics is in turmoil. Our country risks fragmentation, and those of us who believe in the United Kingdom should do everything we can to avert this course.

May has the power to bring a motion to parliament requesting an early election, and to present her vision of the Britain’s future to the 40 million or so people who make up our country’s electorate.

That is certainly more just than leaving it in the hands of less than two-thirds of the Tory MPs sitting in the Palace of Westminster.

burylibdems.mycouncillor.org.uk/wp-admin/index.php

Source:  Guardian

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Saying NO to Hate Crime

Liberal Democrats in Bury are giving a very clear message that there is no place for hate crime in our local community.

Regrettably, there has been a significant increase in hate crime reported to the police since the European Referendum result. Whatever our views on the referendum, we would hope all local people would join us in condemning violence and intimidation against people – for example people who are not from this country.

We are supporting Amnesty International campaign against hate and have submitted a motion for consideration by Council. We are hoping for all-Party Support and that this will become the policy of the Council:

Hate Crime and Tolerance
– This Council notes with concern the increase in hate crime (57% increase by 27 June 2016) following the outcome of the EU Referendum.
– Council restates that we are proud to live in a diverse and tolerant society. Racism, xenophobia and hate crimes have no place in our country.
– Council condemns racism, xenophobia and hate crimes unequivocally. We will not allow hate to become acceptable.
– Council reassures all people living in Bury that they are valued members of our community.
– Council resolves to work to ensure local bodies and programmes as needed to fight and prevent racism and xenophobia.

Liberal Democrat Party Leader Tim Faron said:
“We must send the message that racist thugs cannot get away with intimidating any of the diverse communities of the UK. One of Britain’s great strengths is its mix of cultures, and despite the referendum result we must ensure that all citizens are made to feel safe.”

Report it!
If you do encounter or experience Hate Crime, it is very important that this is reported to the police (except in an emergency call 111). It is important that we know the true figure of crime so that the police can take action appropriately.

The Lib Dems have gained a new member every minute since Brexit vote

People have been joining the Liberal Democrats at the rate of one a minute since Britain voted to leave the European Union, the party said.

It reported a surge in applications since Tim Farron, the party’s leader, committed it to fighting the next election on a promise to rejoin the EU.

“As the other two parties leave the field of battle, it falls to us to fight for our European future.”

Screenshot 2016-06-20 11.58.18

Tim Farron

The party said it had attracted 6,000 new recruits – many turning to the Lib Dems through social media – since the the pro-Brexit vote was announced on Friday morning.

Mr Farron said: “A lot of people have felt this very deeply. They are concerned that the Brexit leaders clearly had no economic plan and are understandably fearful about what lies ahead for jobs and investment.

“But more even than that, these new members want to demonstrate that Britain remains an internationalist, open and optimistic country.

“We are now the only party committed to keeping our place in Europe. As the other two parties leave the field of battle, it falls to us to fight for our European future.”

Read the full article here:

The Lib Dems have gained a new member every minute since Brexit vote

EU Referendum: Opinion

Last week Britain voted, by 52% to 48%, to leave the European Union. We are lucky enough to live in a democracy, and it is important to respect everyone’s votes, whichever way they were cast.

Naturally we respect the result of the referendum, but this does not mean that Liberal Democrats will stop believing in a future for Britain at the heart of Europe.

Leaving the EU will hit livelihoods, homes and jobs.

Sadly, we are already seeing that many of the things that were predicted by experts are coming true: the value of our currency has collapsed, the value of our pensions is decreasing, Scotland wanting to leave the UK, companies  moving jobs from the UK.

Many people are upset that the ‘leave’ campaign is renouncing their promises on things like the NHS and immigration before the slogans have even been peeled off their battle bus. We feel that the British people were told lie after lie.

Lib Dems have always believed our economy and place in the world is stronger in Europe and it is only right that we offer that as a choice to people at the next general election – whenever that might be.

We are the only Party which is committed to Britain at the heart of Europe. Since the Referendum people have been joining the Liberal Democrats at the rate of 1 a minute – if you want to be one of them join us today.

Statement: Referendum Result

Today we have woken up in a deeply divided country. Nigel Farage’s vision for Britain has won this vote, but it is not a vision Liberal Democrats agree with, and we never will.

Young people voted to remain by a considerable margin, but were out voted. They were voting for their future, yet it has been taken from them.

Even though the result was close, there is no doubt that the majority of British people want us to leave. The Lib Dems fight for an open, optimistic, hopeful, diverse and tolerant Britain is needed now more than ever. Together we can still make the case for Britain’s future with Europe, as millions of people voted for it. Together we cannot afford to let that vision to die.

The Liberal Democrats will continue to stand and fight for a better kind of Britain than the one painted by the leave campaign – tolerant, openhearted, optimistic and outward looking. If you are as angry and heartbroken as I am, I need you to join us today.

Why we’re voting REMAIN on Thursday

In Thursday’s EU referendum everyone will have their own vote, and make their own decision. We wanted to share with you why the whole Lib Dem team across Prestwich and Bury are voting to Remain on Thursday.

Firstly, we’re voting with our heads.
Everyday realities like jobs, prices and pensions make a massive difference to all of our lives. Across the world economic prosperity can be a fragile thing, as this country has known through recessions, banking crisis and more.

But at the moment we’re lucky enough to be a core part of the word’s most successful trading club. As a result our businesses trade freely with our neighbours. Global companies choose Britain for their European factories, offices and headquarters.

We’re not all economists, but we should listen when the people who do know what they’re talking about (Bank of England, World Bank, International Monetary Fund) when they tell us very clearly that our economy will suffer massively if we leave the EU.

Last week, tens of £billions was wiped off the value of the UK stock market. Most of us don’t have stocks and shares, but most of us do have pensions – all our pensions (private, company, local authority) are invested in that same stock market and lost billions in value last week. That was just the fear of a leave vote, imagine how bad it would be if it actually happened.

Secondly, we’re voting with our hearts
Last year the country remembered the 70th anniversary of the end of the second world war. A war where 60 million people were killed across the world. After that war a devastated Europe came together, working through new institutions like the EU to rebuild our countries and make sure that that never happened again.

It’s not been perfect, but it has worked. Western Europe has seen 70 years of peace and prosperity. After the fall of the Berlin Wall we were able to extend that peace and prosperity to our neighbours in central Europe.

We live in an increasingly dangerous world: terrorism, extremism, global warming and a massively growing global population.

When the history of the 21st century is written we want Britain to be in chapter 1, as a world leader at the heart of working together to solve these challenges, not a country that turns its back and ignores others.

With our heads and our hearts, we’re voting Remain on Thursday.