Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg today pledged to put fair taxes at the heart of the party’s message to the British people.The party’s new tax plans will see tax cuts for millions of people, paid for by closing tax loopholes, making polluters pay and introducing a ‘mansion tax’ on homes worth over £2m.

“It is right to ask those with the broadest shoulders to bear a little more of the burden so that millions of people on normal earnings get the break they desperately need.”

The Woodthorpe Hotel in prestwich hosted the fourth Bury Liberal Democrats Annual Dinner on Friday 6th November.

This year we were joined by guest speaker Andrew Stunell MP, the Liberal Democrat MP for Hazel Grove. Mr Stunell is the vice chair of the Lib Dem General Election campaign, and is also a member of the House of Commons International Development Select Committee. He had returned from a fact-finding trip to Nepal and Bangladesh less than 24 hours before his appearance in Prestwich, but overcame the jet-lag to entertain the many members of the Bury Lib Dems who came together for the meal.

There was a special presentation made to David Foss, the newly elected Honourary President of the Bury Liberal Democrats. David is a long-standing party member and activist who’s decades of contributions to the local party were recognised on Friday. The picture above sees David (centre) flanked by Vic D’Albert, our parliamentary candidate for Bury South, and Andrew Stunell MP.

As well as Mr Stunell’s speech, and some high quality food, there was also a raffle and some fund-raising activities. Plans are already under way for the fifth annual dinner next year, but not before a range of other social events for members, activists, helpers and anyone else interested in the Bury Lib Dems, starting with the Christmas party next month. Just get in touch to find out more.

The photograph below shows Cllr Wilf Davison and his wife Maureen, two of the other guests at Friday night’s Annual Dinner.

Nick Clegg: Conference 2009

This was Nick’s speech to Party Conference – Nick Clegg, Leader of the Liberal Democrats: Speech to Conference 2009.

My favourite quote? “If you supported Labour in 1997 because you wanted fairness. You wanted young people to flourish. You wanted political reform. You wanted the environment protected. Or you simply believed in a better future. Turn to the Liberal Democrats. We carry the torch of progress now.”

In the last eight weeks, 28 British soldiers and Royal Marines have been killed in Afghanistan. However easy it may be to forget, we are a nation at war. Already more than 75,000 British men and women have done tours of duty in Afghanistan.

Thousands upon thousands of our compatriots, putting their lives on the line in the burning heat and the frozen winters of a country on the other side of the world. I want to pay tribute, on behalf of all of us, to the tenacity, bravery and extraordinary professionalism of every one of them. Their families, too, have borne with incredible fortitude the separation, the fear, and the anguish of bereavement. We salute them.

I’m afraid the hardship has been deepened, for all of them, by the enormous difficulties of this war. After nearly 8 years, victory not only seems more distant than ever, failure seems inevitable unless we change course.

Read the rest of this entry. Read the rest of this entry. Read the rest of this entry.

Last week was the main Autumn Federal Conference for the Liberal Democrats – back in Bournemouth for the second year running.

Bury Liberal Democrats were this year represented by Council Group Leader Cllr Tim Pickstone and Deputy Group Leader Cllr Andrew Garner and by Philip Garner.

Conference news stories include:
Think big, choose a better future – Nick Clegg speech
Liberal Democrats back plans for 20 hours of free childcare
Kirsty Williams’ speech to the Conference
Lib Dems call for real action to help the people of Gaza
Lib Dems fight for post office investment
Lib Dems say no to titan prisons, yes to more police
Liberal Democrats back plans to cut primary class sizes to 15 
Vince Cable’s speech to the Conference
Simon Hughes’ speech to the Conference
Lib Dems back plans to scrap tuition fees
Lib Dems set out plans to bring the City to heel
Lib Dems kick off spring conference (preview)

Here’s Vince Cable’s speech to conference:

The following Conference videos can be viewed by clicking below:
Nick Clegg’s keynote speech part one
Nick Clegg’s keynote speech part two
Leader of the Welsh Lib Dems, Kirsty Williams’ speech
Vince Cable’s speech on the economic crisis
Former Chairman of the US Democratic Party, Governor Howard Dean’s speech
Simon Hughes’ speech on environmental sustainability

Please find below details of the social and fundraising programme for Bury Liberal Democrats over Autumn and Winter 2009 and into 2010.

All of these everts are open to any supporter of the Liberal Democrats – you’re all very welcome!

“Summer” Barbeque

Summer Barbeque
Sunday 6 September 2009 from 4.00pm
82 Glebelands Road, Prestwich M25 1NJ
We’re holding a late summer BBQ fundraiser social on Sunday 6th September from 4pm at (our home) Ann & Andrew’s house, Prestwich. All Lib Dems welcome. Please bring a contribution towards food/wine and £5 per person (inc prize draw). Hope you can join us from around 4pm. RSVP Ann & Andrew Garner (0161) 798 0117 or mail@anngarner.net

“Pies and Politics”
Friday 16 October 2009 7.00pm
15 Lowther Close, Prestwich M25 9LN
Our St Mary’s’ Councillor, Donal O’Hanlon is inviting us to his home for an informal discussion night on the “Responding to the Credit Crunch”. Its free, and we just share the cost of the pies between us – bring a bottle if you can.

Annual Dinner
Friday 8 November 2009 7.00pm
Woodthorpe Inn, Bury Old Road
Tickets £27.50 pp However, if you are an organised early bird and you book AND paid for before 30th September, you dine at 2008 prices iof £25 per person. Table of 6, your table price is £137.50 (ie one place free). Contact Clr Vic D’Albert to book. Please make cheques payable to “Bury Liberal Democrats” and send to 17 Prestwich Park Road South, Prestwich, Manchester M25 9PF or cash in person. 0161 773 9905 vic@burylibdems.net

Christmas Thank You Party
Sunday 13 December 2009 – 4.00-8.00pm
17 Prestwich Park Road South, Prestwich M25 9PF
The Lib Dem Council Group say “thank you” for all your help over the year. FREE food festivities – if you want to bring something to drink that’s great!

“Pizza and Politics”
Friday 23 January 2010 7.00pm
27 Butterstile Close, Prestwich M25 9PH
Bury North Prospective Parliamentary Candidate and St Mary’s’ Councillor, Richard Baum is inviting us to his home for an informal discussion night – topic to be confirmed nearer the time. Its free, and we just share the cost of the pizzas between us – bring a bottle if you can.