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Iraq: Whodunnit?


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Make taxes fairer - Tax pollution not people





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News

One million still losing out despite Chancellor’s by-election budget – Cable

 

Commenting on the Chancellor’s plans to compensate low paid workers who lost out when the 10p income tax rate was abolished, Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor, Vince Cable said:

 

“This Government’s tax policy has descended into a complete farce.

 

“The abolition of the 10p rate was designed to help Labour win the election that never was. Now this by-election budget is designed to help them cling on to Crewe in next week’s vote.

 

“The Chancellor is desperately trying to backtrack from the disastrous decisions of the Prime Minister but has still hasn’t managed to get it right. This u-turn leaves 1.1 million of the lowest paid workers losing up to £100 each.

 

“We can have no confidence in either a Prime Minister or a Chancellor who continue to make tax policy on the hoof, while still leaving the poorest out in the cold.”


 

Lembit Opik MP and Cheeky Girl Gabriela give celebrity boost to Carew's Lib Dems in East Hampshire

Whitehill-Bordon  County and District Councillor  Adam Carew  was given a major boost in his campaign to become East Hampshire's next MP  this weekend by Liberal Democrat MP Lembit Opik and his celebrity fiancée Cheeky Girl Gabriela Irimia .   The couple travelled all the way  from Wales to support Adam. 
They were joined by the next Liberal Democrat MEP for the SE Catherine Bearder and many Lib Dem Councillors from across East Hampshire, including Whitehill Cllrs Phil Drury, Zoya Faddy and Kevin Cawley.

The food was provided by the next mayor of Alton Cllr Atul (Jimmy) Patel  - the whole event was organised by Cllr Patel and  Bordon resident Mrs Eileen Grinter.


Mr Opik, the Liberal Democrat spokesman on Housing and  a well known regular on TV programmes such as BBC's hit political satire "Have I got News for You"   . . .  said: "Gabby and I rarely do these sort events but we are both glad to come here tonight to support Adam.  He’s a great bloke and people know it.   He grew up here and is passionate about East Hampshire. We have done the maths and Adam has every chance of being East Hampshire's next MP -  in fact I've made him promise to come all the way over to Wales and talk to my local party when he's elected ."

Adam Carew said "We had a sensational night.  The place was packed and people are still raving about it.  We were in a bit of celebratory mood having knocked the government into 3rd place in the local elections and Lembit was on top form.

"Having a major celebrity like Gabreila here in East Hants was an unexpected bonus.  She was great fun and really got into the spirit of things - she even drew our raffle. Our special thanks to Atul Patel and Eileen Grinter  who made this such an amazing night to remember.

"I  was also able to have a long conversation with Lembit about Ecotowns - he is our shadow housing minister  -   he knows his subject and is keeping a close eye on the situation nationally."


Hants Green Fair hailed a great success by Green Lib Dems

Adam Carew's Green Liberal Democrats were out in force at the Hampshire Green Fair  at East Hants Sustainability Centre near Clanfield on Sunday.

The Green Lib Dems who are the environmental wing of Nick Clegg's party declared the day a great success.

Lib Dems have a long track record on the environment and  are the only main stream party to provide detailed, costed policy to go carbon neutral by 2050 without the use of Nuclear power.


Adam Carew said "The Sustainability Centre was set up by the Lib Dems when we controlled East Hampshire and it has gone from strength to strength.

"Care for the environment is one of our core Lib Dem values  -  both our polar ice caps are melting and we have may be a decade to make significant reduction in Co2 and green houses gasses before climate change becomes totally irreversible. 

"Events like this make people more aware of green issues and that can only be a good thing.

"We had a fantastic day, Our tombola sold out of bottles and we ran out of green leaflets. We had 40 entries to our East Hants wildlife quiz - members of the public were invited to guess 12 wildlife curiosities from harvest mice nests to shrew skulls.

"We had two joint junior winners - Daniel Finch and Ben Cross and we will be getting in touch with them very shortly.  I think they both have a promising future in wildlife conservation ahead of them."
 


SELLING OFF THE FAMILY SILVER  -  LIB DEMS RAISE PUBLIC FEARS AS THE EXTENT OF EHDC SALE OF PUBLIC LAND BECOMES CLEAR

East Hants Liberal Democrats have condemned Conservative plans to sell of  EHDC land across the district as "selling off the family silver".

Commenting Adam Carew Lib Dem East Hants district councillor and would be MP said: "This selling off the family silver is unacceptable and short sighted. This is public land we are talking about and could result in a loss of a number of green field sites in towns and villages across East Hampshire".

More....


BUDGET IS A GREAT GREEN COP OUT – CLEGG

12th March 2008

Labour’s latest budget is a green cop out which kicks the difficult decisions on environmental taxes into the long grass and offers no help to the millions of hard pressed families struggling to make ends meet, according to Liberal Democrat Leader, Nick Clegg.

 
He said: “This is not a green budget. This is not a people’s budget. This is a con trick budget that protects the rich and abandons the poor. The Government has bottled it on green taxes and failed to implement the necessary measures to cut child poverty.”

More....


 

Fly-tipping fears

 

Adam Carew, Lib Dem Parliamentary Candidate for East Hampshire has called on Hampshire County Council to think again over new "draconian" restrictions at our waste recycling centres.

 

From mid-February Hampshire residents who use want to use these facilities can only do so from a trailer smaller than 6ft by 4ft or from the boot of their car.

No commercial vehicles are permitted, residents who only have access to a van as their sole means of transport will have to obtain a permit if they wish to dispose of household or garden waste. 

Vehicle number plate recognition to prevent "over frequent use" is believed to be  under consideration.

Hampshire County Council say that almost a £1 million of trade waste illegally passes through Hampshire's Waste Recovery Centres (HWRCs). 

Adam said "There are plenty of businesses who want to recycle so I asked officers why the County Council does not permit trade waste?  The answer - County is not statutorily required to do so - So much for being green!"


Liberal Democrats believe that these new restrictions are not thought through.  They will simply cause a massive increase in fly tipping and it will be Parish Councils, farmers, landowners, the MoD and Local Nature Reserve charities who will have to foot the bill to clean it up.


 

Sunday parking charges "mean spirited"

 

Alton Liberal Democrats have condemned  the Conservative administration on East Hampshire District Council decision not only to increase weekday parking charges by up to 33% but also to introduce charges on Sundays.

 

Click here for more details.

 


 

NICK CLEGG SETS OUT HIS VISION FOR A PEOPLE'S HEALTH SERVICE

 

Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg has outlined his vision for the NHS, setting out plans to give communities genuine control over local health services, freed from Whitehall, and providing for older people with personal care needs.

 

The proposals update Liberal Democrat policy on personal care for the elderly based on the projections of the 2006 Wanless report on the future needs for social care in England.

 

The Policy Paper, which will go to the Party's Spring Conference in March.

 

More... 


East Hampshire Liberal Democrats call for end to ID cards

Liberal Democrats in East Hampshire have backed calls to the government to abandon plans to make people carry identity cards.

Leading the call locally is Adam Carew, Lib Dem Parliamentary candidate. Adam decided to voice his concerns after Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg MP published figures showing that 37 million pieces of personal information on UK citizens were lost in 2007, mostly by the Government.

The law bringing in ID cards has already been passed by Labour and soon most citizens will have to pay for an identity card.

“The expensive identity cards scheme is based on the government storing large amounts of information about each one of us on a central database,” said Adam.

More....


Say NO to new nuclear power    

It’s too expensive and too dangerous - say Lib Dems

In 1986 the Chernobyl nuclear disaster spread radiation across Europe. To this day, 375 farms in Britain are still contaminated by radioactive fallout, making 200,000 sheep subject to movement restrictions.

Despite this, Tony Blair still wants to build new nuclear power stations here. Other countries in Europe, like Germany and Sweden, have opted for a safer non-nuclear future, investing instead in energy saving and renewables.

Apart from the risk, Labour’s nuclear choice will also leave British taxpayers much worse off. We are already paying £1,500 each to clean up Britain’s old nuclear waste. Taxpayers would have to pay billions more to build new nuclear plants and to clean up the additional waste created.

The Liberal Democrats are fighting Labour’s plans and campaigning to stop the building of new nuclear power plants. You can sign the petition to Tony Blair online at www.campaigns.libdems.org.uk/no2nuclear


 

Reprieve for day centre

Lib Dem County Councillor, Adam Carew, has described as "fantastic news" the announcement that The Chase Day Centre in Bordon  that looks after the mentally frail and patients with Alzheimer's disease has been saved from the threat of closure.

The Chase Day Centre, which is based at the Chase Hospital in Conde Way, will be run by the charity Age Concern from April this year.

More....



New Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg promises to speak for people of East Hampshire.

 

New Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Nick Clegg MP has promised to give a voice to the people of East Hampshire who feel ignored by politicians.

 

Setting out his priorities after being elected as party leader on December 18th, Nick Clegg said: “I am greatly honoured to have been chosen by my fellow party members to be the new leader of the Liberal Democrats.

 

“Throughout East Hampshire Liberal Democrats are already working hard to reach out to local people and listen to their concerns. In my leadership I will be taking that spirit nationwide, moving beyond party politics and making liberalism connect with the millions of people who share our values".

 

More....

 


TORIES PROPOSE LOCAL REFERENDUMS ON COUNCIL TAX INCREASES

 

Councils should hold referendums if they want to bring in large council tax increases, according to Conservative leader David Cameron.

 

Responding to the plans Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader, Vince Cable, said: "Forcing councils to hold referendums on tax increases will have exactly the same impact as the current system of capping. Councillors are elected and voters can throw them out if their council tax doesn’t give value for money. No one will take the Tories seriously until they realise that council tax - which they introduced - is fundamentally unfair because it is unrelated to ability to pay. Only the Liberal Democrats are committed to scrapping council tax and replacing it with a fair system of local taxation."

 

For more information about our fair tax campaign please log onto www.axethetax.org.uk

 


Angry Residents gather to oppose the closure of Durford Rd Post Office, Petersfield

A protest rally to save Durford Rd Post Office in Petersfield was organised by local resident Marian Gooding and Petersfield County Councillor Sam Payne (Liberal Democrat)
 
Among those attending were East Hants Parliamentary Candidate Adam Carew, Petersfield District Councillor Anne Claxton and Petersfield Town Councillor Mary Vincent. 
 
Addressing the protest Adam Carew said  "Durford Road Post Office is vital to the community it serves and residents are right to be outraged. 
 
"What we see here today is a community response to Mr Brown's plans to axe a vital local service.  I am very grateful to Cllr Sam Payne, Mrs Marion Gooding and residents for organising this and inviting me.
 
"The closures are not just about party politics they are about communities and I think this is an issue we can all unite and fight on."

Queen’s Speech a disappointment for East Hampshire.

 

“A disappointing string of announcements with no vision” - that’s the verdict of Liberal Democrats in East Hampshire as local residents digest the contents of the Queen’s Speech, the government’s plans for the coming year.

 

More comment on the Queen's speech.

 


Has Brown Bottled it?

By Adam Carew

After weeks of dithering and toying with the British electorate - Gordon Brown has finally made a decision, not to have a general election in November.

Like the grand old Duke of York Mr Brown has marched his troops to the top of the hill and marched them down again.

This total loss of nerve has damaged the prime minister irreparably. Gordon Brown's media machine have spent months building him up as a great national leader - now looks indecisive, worse afraid. He has played directly into the hands of his political opponents by putting us all on election footing - opposition parties have rallied and are raring to go.

When Gordon took office we welcomed his promise to break free of the excesses of the Blair decade. He pledged fixed term elections, announcement of important decisions through parliament first and an end to spin. In a single week he has broken all 3 promises.

By announcing troop withdrawals from Iraq during the party conference season to gain political advantage, rather than waiting a week and announcing it in Parliament, Mr Brown has shown that he is quite willing to put the interests of the Labour Party before the interests of our country.

Now he has decided not to run. Has Brown bottled it ? - you bet!

One things for sure, there are just 5,500 votes between us and Tories in East Hampshire, when Mr Brown does finally pluck up enough courage to call an election Liberal Democrats will be ready and waiting.


Express Bus Link to link Petersfield Station with Waterlooville

23rd OCTOBER 2007

 
South West Trains have just confirmed that they are setting up an express bus service between Waterlooville and Petersfield rail station, which links in with fast train services to London.
 
The hourly service will run from Monday to Saturday between 0600 & 2100. At present it will pick up at Waterlooville, Cowplain and Horndean (Good Intent) before joining the A3(M) to Petersfield.
 
Commenting Adam Carew Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for East Hants and EHDC's Opposition Transport spokesman said "This is fantastic news.  The service is due to  start in December and  from January 2008 you will be able to buy your rail ticket on the bus.  The only downside to the scheme is that it does not stop at Clanfield."  Further details

Passfield residents celebrate  EHDC U-Turn over local play area

Passfield residents are celebrating this week after EHDC have made a complete u-turn over plans to move Passfield play area to Liphook. 

Passfield Resident Nikki Young who lead the play areas campaign said: "Passfield residents are extremely happy with EHDC's decision to keep our only play facility where it should be - here in Passfield.

"Most residents were denied the chance to air our views about the play area's removal to the centre of Liphook and so we set about campaigning for its retention. Once this was brought out into the open - a public meeting was arranged and a consultation exercise launched. The overwhelming majority of Passfield residents voted to keep the play are exactly where it is.

"My thanks to Adam Carew and Liphook campaigners Rob Evans, David Raision, Delta Radio, the Liphook Herald and local businesses for their unprecedented level of support.

"But the real credit must go to Passfield residents who got behind the campaign and took their time cast their vote.

"Passfield has many ongoing issues to resolve. Now we have proved what people power can achieve when we get together there will be no stopping us."


Carew slams Brown over Post Office Closures

Liberal Democrat Adam Carew has condemned the Labour Government's Plans to kill off yet more post offices in East Hampshire.

Stop Post Office Closures - Save Our Post OfficesPlans to close up to 2,500 post offices across the UK by 2008 are currently underway, as part of a massive restructuring and modernisation programme by Post Office Ltd.

Recently the Post Office announced the first 180 branches chosen for closure. Now the next wave is due to be announced.

Adam carew said "When Mr Brown says he wants to modernise or rationalise the Post Office he means he wants to axe them.

"I fought long and hard to save our sub post office in Whitehill and when that was closed it meant that pensioners had to travel even further to and the queues in neighbouring post offices became even longer.

"Post offices are the lifeblood of rural and urban areas alike. When the local post office closes other services often follow suit, which can be devastating for the community.

"Over the last two decades, post offices have been closing at an alarming rate of over 300 a year.

"Under the last Conservative Government 3,500 local post offices closed, under Tony Blair's Labour Government another 4,000 have closed. Now Mr Brown plans another 2,500 closures, things are set to get even worse."

Cllr Carew said he was particularly incensed by the crass comments of Post Office supremos who claim that "the overall outcome is the best possible for customers" - "Nothing can be further from the truth. Post offices are a life line to those who use them and critically important for elderly people in particular. This is a dark day for East Hampshire and the Post Office network across the country"

Closure Consultation a sham

Cllr Carew said he had found previous consultations "a total sham."

"Once again the short six-week consultation period is not sufficient, but judging by our experience last time decisions will have already been made and the consultation exercise will be a sham."

If you feel the same way as we do please sign our petition click here


Huhne and Carew throw Lib Dems weight behind West Weald and South Downs National Park Campaign

LChris Huhne signs West Weald petitioniberal Democrat Shadow Secretary of State for Environment - Chris Huhne MP visited Whitehill and Liss today to meet South Downs campaigners and see for himself countryside at the centre of a national debate over its inclusion in the proposed South Downs National Park.

The visit was organised by Adam Carew, Parliamentary Candidate for East Hampshire and local councillor for Woolmer and Longmoor and hosted by senior members of the South Downs Campaign and CPRE including Margaret Paren of the Campaign to Protect Rural England and Chris Todd South Downs Campaign co-ordinator and Robin Crane, Chairman of the South Downs Campaign.

They walked through affected areas of Whitehill and Liss to see the beautiful heathland countryside, very popular with walkers from all over Hampshire, that is at the centre of a growing national debate.

Chris Huhne MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary of State for Environment and former MEP said "I am delighted to have been invited to Woolmer and Longmoor by Adam to see this beautiful area of internationally important heathland at the heart of the political debate.

"I am longstanding supporter of the South Downs National Park. The park enjoys overwhelming public support, but the sudden exclusion of the Western Weald, where many people live, was entirely unexpected and has caused alarm within local communities.

"I have written to the Minister, Jonathan Shaw, to express my disappointment at the inspectors sudden decision to down size the park even though a large part of the western weald is already recognised as a Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

“The park has been planned for decades and will have profound implications throughout the South - it is essential we get it right."

Adam Carew, Parliamentary Candidate for East Hampshire and councillor for Whitehill, Walldown which includes Woolmer and Longmoor said "Chris's visit today is significant. We are throwing the party's full weight behind the South Downs Campaign for the National Park and inclusion of the Western Weald.

"We are sending a resounding "NO" to most of Government Inspector's latest boundary changes that will throw out the Western Weald which includes Petersfield, Liss, Greatham, Binstead and large sections of Whitehill Parish."

Margaret Paren, Spokesperson for Hampshire CPRE and Vice-Chair of the South Downs Campaign said  "We are very grateful to Chris Huhne for finding the time to come and visit the area and see for himself just what is at stake. Like Brian Blessed and Bill Bryson before him, he is convinced of the beauty of the area and that it should form part of the national park.

"The fact that more and more people are backing our Campaign shows just how strong the case is for keeping this area in the national park.

We owe a big thank you to all the people who have written letters to Defra. However, we still need to let the Government know what we think and urge everyone to sign our online petition to the Prime Minister."


Lib Dems support the Royal British Legion’s Honour the Covenant campaign.

Adam Carew, Parliamentary Candidate for East Hants and County Councillor for a division which includes the Army Camps of Bordon and Longmoor, is supporting the Royal British Legion's campaign.

Adam said: "When people join up to our Armed Forces they agree to put their lives on the line for our country.

"In return, our Government has a duty of care to look after our troops, ex-service community and their families. Having read evidence supplied by the British Legion it is clear to me that the Government is failing to honour this Covenant.

"The British Legion believes that the introduction of the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme the Government has eroded some of the additional support afforded under the Military Covenant.

"Due to the risks associated with the Armed Forces and because Crown Immunity means the Government is normally not liable for civil court action, I am supporting the Legion's call to make the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme substantially more generous.

"I also agree with the Legion's demands for improvements in health care and better support for bereaved families of those who have died on active service.

"The Royal British Legion is calling on Government to honour its life-long duty of care to our armed forces. I believe we owe our brave servicemen and women our support."

Please join the campaign. Log on to www.thecovenant.org.uk


The Time Has Come: Pull British Troops Out of Iraq

It is time to recognise that British troops can do no more in Iraq. Their professionalism and dedication has been outstanding and their courage has been beyond belief.

The Government is failing to answer the fundamental question about the military purpose they are serving and the political objective they are achieving by their continued presence.

The level of casualties is unacceptable. We have a moral obligation to the young men and women of our armed forces. We should now set a framework for their withdrawal from Iraq.

You can back our call by signing the petition at http://www.ourcampaign.org.uk/iraq


East Hampshire Liberal Democrats select candidate to fight next election

Adam Carew, East Hampshire Liberal Democrats PPCAt a well-attended hustings meeting in Whitehill on 6th July, East Hampshire Liberal Democrats selected Adam Carew as their candidate to fight the next General Election.

Adam was selected from a high-quality short-list of four, but he had a substantial majority over his next opponent on the first round of the ballot, which was conducted using the Alternative Vote form of the Single Transferable Vote system, where voters rank the candidates in their order of preference. 

Adam was the Liberal Democrat candidate in the former North-East Hampshire constituency in 2005, and is a County, District and Town Councillor in Whitehill, where he lives.

Speaking after the announcement of the result, Adam pledged to take the fight to every part of the constituency, and to build up the strength of the Liberal Democrat team, with the intention of winning the seat from the Conservatives, who have chosen to replace their retiring long-serving MP, Michael Mates, with an unknown candidate who lives some way from East Hampshire.  Full story...


More Hampshire County Council Bus Cuts

Hampshire County Council has announced a further round of cuts to bus subsidy to the tune of £500,000. It is expected that this will result in the loss of vital bus services to all parts of Hampshire, including some parts of East Hampshire.

The Conservative administration have defended the cuts on the basis that they are striving to tackle an over-spend on the social care budget, which they allowed to balloon to a staggering figure of some £21 million.

Liberal Democrat County Councillor, Adam Carew, says “From past evidence, cuts in the bus subsidy always directly leads to cuts in the bus service.

This latest round of cuts announced by the Conservative administration on Hampshire County Council will not be welcomed by anyone living in the East Hampshire, a rural area where so many people rely on the availability of public transport".  Click here for full details of services affected.

Click here to sign online petition

Click here to print petition (PDF version)


Campaign to save our libraries gathers pace

Adam Carew  -  Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate and County Councillor has hit out today against Hampshire County Council's latest plans to axe professional staff  and make major cuts to the book fund at Hampshire's public libraries.

This latest attack from the Liberal Democrats follows criticism of Hampshire County Council from a major national body  - The Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals who are considering refer Hampshire County Council  to the department of Culture over their proposed cuts to our public libraries.

Cuts already outlined this year include Hampshire's reduction of professional staff by almost a third and reduction of the book fund by £250,000. 

Adam Carew said "Hampshire County Council's cuts to our public libraries are just another attack on vital services by the current Conservative administration, whilst spending over £40 million of tax payers money on making-over their offices at Winchester." 

Now a major national professional body (The Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals - CILIP) has criticised Hampshire County Council and is considering referring them to the Secretary of State for investigation to prevent them making further cuts to our libraries. 

Librarians are not exactly known for their militancy. Residents knew something must be seriously wrong when librarians felt forced to threatened strike action earlier this year.  Libraries are a vital resource for all sections of our community here in East Hampshire.

We urge all Library users to write to their County Councillor and express their concern.


Hampshire Wildlife Trust  sent all district council candidates at the recent elections a questionnaire on Biodiversity issues.

 
Click here for the official response from ecologist and environment spokesperson Cllr Adam Carew  on behalf of East Hampshire District Council Liberal Democrat Group.
 
Adam is also the National Chairman of the Green Liberal Democrats.

Lib Dems hit out against new housing numbers for East Hampshire

Adam Carew - Local County Councillor and Lib Dem Parliamentary Candidate for East Hampshire has hit out against the Government Inspectors' new report into the South East Plan which is recommending an even higher house building rate than agreed in the draft South East Plan.

"Although Mr Prescott is gone, his vision of concreting over the South East still remains - in fact its worse than ever.

Hampshire County Council were united in their view that they cannot take any additional housing over and above that already planned - now it seems thousands of extra new houses will be imposed upon us.

The South East of England Regional Assembly (SEERA) agreed to build 28,900 houses a year over the next 20 years. Now that SEERA has been abolished, the Government thinks it can do more or less what it likes.

I know from personal experience how difficult it is for 18-40 year olds to get onto the housing ladder - we do need more affordable and social housing locally and nationally, but only 30-40% planned for Hampshire will be affordable."

Hampshire is now being told to build an extra 6,300 new homes over and above the 122,000 houses already recommended in the draft South East Plan. East Hampshire alone will be required to provide an additional 2,500.

Adam Carew who also sits on the Whitehill-Bordon Opportunity steering group said "We will have to wait and see if these new figures would be included in the 4000-5500 already planned for Whitehill and Bordon or whether reserve sites will have to be released so they are distributed more equitably throughout the District, either way they are not welcome."

He concluded "Any development in East Hampshire must be truly sustainable. These latest proposals make the argument for inclusion of the West Weald into the National Park all the more important.

Residents and their elected representatives must come together to oppose these Government plans. East Hampshire is a beautiful place to live and we must fight to make sure it stays that way."


 

Lib Dems in East Hampshire back green action plan

 

LIBERAL Democrats in East Hampshire have welcomed plans that will make Britain a zero carbon country by the middle of the century.

 

The plans will be debated by Liberal Democrats at the party’s conference in Brighton on 17th September. Members from East Hampshire will be going to the conference to back the proposals.

 

Cllr Adam Carew said, “Liberal Democrats have long argued that we have to tackle the problem of pollution and damage to the planet. The proposals put forward by Sir Menzies Campbell that we will debate at conference will mean that by the middle of this century, Britain will be a zero carbon country.

 

“That will mean that we will be producing overall no extra carbon dioxide, the main polluting gas that is leading to global climate change. Increasing amounts of carbon dioxide we are currently producing are almost certainly the cause of the extreme weather conditions we have suffered over the summer.

 

“Liberal Democrats have made the environment the main feature of our conference later this month. Going green means changing for the better many of our activities. And it means the Government changing policies as well. Under Labour for example, Gordon Brown has cut the tax burden on pollution, whilst putting up the tax burden on people.

 

“That means under Gordon Brown it has become cheaper to pollute. I strongly believe that people in East Hampshire will benefit from the Lib Dems’ green tax switch. At our conference we will debate plans to switch the tax burden from people to pollution.

 

“We will cut national income tax and scrap council tax. To pay for this, we will increase green taxes on the most polluting activities. For example, we will increase the taxes on the most gas-guzzling cars and on aircraft.

 

 “Liberal Democrats in East Hampshire are looking forward to conference. We will be meeting Chris Huhne MP, Huhne MP, our Shadow Secretary of State for the Environment, and we will be discussing with him how we believe East Hampshire will benefit from the Lib Dem’s green plans.”

 

The Liberal Democrats will be debating ‘Zero Carbon Britain - Taking a Global Lead’ on 17th September at the party’s conference at Brighton. The main proposals include:

 

1. Make Britain carbon neutral. The Liberal Democrats are the first party to aim for a carbon neutral Britain where we absorb as much carbon as we emit by 2050. The Government is aiming for a 60 per cent cut, and the Tories for an 80 per cent cut.

 

2. Build a high speed rail line and back rail improvements. The Liberal Democrats are the only credible party on rail investment because we identify a way of paying for it - tolling lorries on motorways.

 

3. Set up a leapfrog fund to back clean energy in developing countries. There will be no solution to climate change if the developing world has to choose between prosperity and the planet. We must back cheap renewables to power their growth.

 

4. Boost flood defences and other changes to respond to climate change. New threats need to be met with new responses in a UK national adaptation plan.

 

5. Commit to 100 per cent carbon free, non-nuclear electricity by 2050.  Provide new incentives for renewables and micro-generation through appropriate guaranteed prices.

 

6. Introduce ‘green mortgages’ to fund the upgrading of our housing stock. On present progress, the Government would take 125 years to meet modern energy efficiency standards. The Tories have no plans.

 

7. Tax pollution not people. The Liberal Democrats want to reverse the decline in green taxation under Labour, and use the revenue to cut income tax. The Tories have not come up with specific plans.

 

8. Toughen up the EU emissions trading scheme by auctioning permits. The Conservatives cannot admit the EU is key to tackling climate change, while Labour is in the back pocket of the CBI.

 

9. Back a global treaty with fair carbon shares for all. The only just basis for carbon-sharing is where each person is entitled ultimately to emit the same total: contraction and convergence.

 

10. The Liberal Democrats are the first party to set out a comprehensive plan to curb carbon emissions.  Labour’s policies are full of contradictions whereas the Tories do not have firm plans. We will reform Whitehall to ensure all departments take climate change seriously.


Fair FaresLib Dems are calling for action on the South West Trains

Alton Liberal Democrat Cllr Robert Saunders has expressed his dismay at he dramatic off-peak price increases of up to 20% to be implemented by South West trains for travellers arriving in London between 10 a.m. and 12 noon from May 20 2007. He said "these price hikes  are unfair, unjustified and an abuse of monopoly power." It is believed that the prices increases have been pinned back at stations where a number of train companies operate such as Basingstoke and Reading.

Cllr Saunders added "They also make no sense at a time when we need to be encouraging train use and reducing carbon emissions. Our fares are already the most expensive in Europe. Further price hikes are the last thing we need."

Sign the our petition here.


Councillor fears for future of 'local' radio station

Councillor Adam Carew has expressed concern regarding reports suggesting that Delta Radio is to leave Bordon and move 40 miles away to Andover!

Councillor Carew said "I am told by the Herald (also part of Tindle Group - owners of Delta FM) that Delta is not moving and that this is probably a misunderstanding.  Yet I have looked at the OFCOM website and it appears that the proposal has indeed already been agreed in March this year. Clearly we don't want to lose our fantastic local radio station.  We think both Delta FM and the Herald newspaper are first rate and we would like them both stay here at the heart of our community, where they belong."

For more information visit - www.keepdeltalocal.co.uk


Councillor welcomes mast appeal decision

Alton Town  Councillor Robert Saunders has expressed his delight at the news that The Planning Inspectorate  have dismissed T-Mobile’s appeal against the district council’s decision to refuse planning permission for the installation of a mast on Gilbert White Way.

Cllr Saunders said “The inspector has taken the commonsense approach that the proposed location for the mast was not as had been suggested the least environmentally intrusive option”.

The inspector also commented on the appellant’s inconsistency in ruling out other potential sites such as at Anstey Park due to their sensitive locations yet the proposed site was only metres away from two schools and a nursing home.

Read the full judgement here


Councillor presses for improvements to problem alleyway

Alton Councillor Robert Saunders continues to press for the district council to take action to  clear up a problem alleyway and adjoining derelict land between Anstey Lane and Dove Court. The alleyway and old dairy site has been a magnet for anti-social behaviour, overgrown hedges and rubbish dumping which has caused problems for those who use the alley and local residents. Cllr Saunders said “Some have advocated that the alleyway should be closed, however, in my view closure of this important thoroughfare is not an option but the residents of the area  have a right to live in a clean and safe environment."

Cllr Saunders has also called for the provision of both litter and dogs bin in the alleyway. Tesco could give something back to the community by sponsoring the bins!


Lib Dem ACTION to cut Waste Packaging

Local Lib Dem Robert Saunders said  “It is worrying that over half the household waste produced by homes in East Hampshire every year is from packaging. It costs families the equivalent of two months’ grocery bills just to pay for throw away wrapping and packaging."

Liberal Democrats are backing the Retail Packaging Recycling Bill that will make large stores like Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Asda accept packaging returned by customers.

The Bill's sponsor, Lib Dem MP Andrew Stunell said “The aim is to get retailers to put pressure on suppliers to cut packaging with the result of less waste. This is good for the environment, good news for peoples shopping bills and good for waste disposal.”


Lib Dems launch Hands of our back gardens campaign

Across the country, Councillors and campaignersHelp protect our back gardens from development are facing planning applications for housing developments built on back garden land. With back gardens treated as 'brownfield sites and given the same status as an old industrial estate, there is little room for refusal, leaving local people powerless to stop over-development.

Liberal Democrats believe these local green spaces have social, environmental and wildlife value, which should be recognised in planning policies.

YOU can help tell the Government that you want back gardens and green spaces protected by lobbying our MP and District Council and by supporting the Lib Dem 'Hands off our Back Gardens' campaign petition today.

More.....


CCTV in two years is aim of Lib Dems

ALTON Liberal Democrats are to launch a local campaign to cut crime levels in the town. Determined to meet the challenge head on, they have pledged to work towards the provision of CCTV in the town centre within two years.

Click here to read full story

Complete our crime survey


Recycle your old Car

Drivers are now responsible for the safe disposal of their car when it reaches the end of its life. Anyone just abandoning an old car will soon be tracked down and punished.

From 1st January 2007, the UK’s network of authorised treatment facilities will accept scrap cars free of charge for recycling. You can find your nearest treatment facility at www.autogreen.org or www.cartakeback.com

When you recycle your old car, first it will be de-polluted by safely removing all fluids and chemicals, and then the car will be recycled. Around 85% of a modern car, including most of the steel used, can now be recycled and re-used for other purposes.


SOS for the NHS

The Liberal Democrats have launched a major national campaign to save the NHS from Labour’s cuts and incompetence. The campaign calls for an end to savage NHS cuts, for the Government to stop wasting billions of pounds of health spending and for local people to have more say over local health services.

Ming Campbell said, "I know from my own experience just how important the NHS is, and how hard nurses, doctors and other staff work. “But by trying to control every detail of what goes on in the NHS the Labour Government has wasted money and caused a massive wave of cuts."

 NHS Crisis Focus and NHS SOS Website


The Green Tax switch

Liberal Democrats have unveiled plans to protect and improve our environment with a major "green tax switch."

The policy, that was voted for by Lib Dem members at the recent party conference, is leading the political scene in the UK and has shown the way for the other political parties.

Lib Dems will take the lower 2 million earners out of paying income tax altogether. Lib Dems will also be giving up more money if you choose not to pollute.

You can find out more at www.greentaxswitch.com

To find out more about what you can do to reduce  use of energy and save money along the way. Find out more on this at http://www.micropower.co.uk/

Green Tax Focus and Tips on saving energy at home


 

Care cuts u-turn but £40m for a new building.

Lib Dems have welcomed a Conservative u-turn on care cuts in Hampshire.

Liberal Democrats have welcomed a decision by Hampshire's Tory leader to back down on proposals to deny care to thousands of Hampshire people - but warned local people to keep the pressure on.

Full story

However, Tory controlled Hampshire County Council have proposed a controversial scheme to refurbish the Council's  Ashburton Court building in Winchester.

Lib Dem County Councillor Mark Cooper described the plans as a "cosmetic job" that  will cost at least £45 million at a time when spending on other Hampshire County Council priorities such as Adult Social Care are subjected to strict budgeting regimes and in some cases actual cuts.   More.....


The Liberal Democrat green tax plans aren’t anti-4x4s.

Certainly some 4x4s are irresponsible gas guzzlers, but there are already lower emission 4x4s on the market which you can choose.

There are 4x4 working vehicles like the Land Rover Freelander that have lower emissions than the top category, and would therefore avoid the full tax.

Examples of vehicles falling below the top rate of VED include -

Honda CR-V 4x4 2.2 i-CTDi SE : with C02 (g/km) 177

Nissan X-Trail 4x4 2.2 dCi SE : with C02 (g/km) 190

Land Rover Freelander 4x4 2.0 Td4 Adventurer Estate : with CO2(g/km) 205

Subaru Forrester 4x4 : with C02 (g/km) 220

4x4s have attracted a bad press, but in fact the UK’s three best selling models are no longer or wider than a family saloon, and on emissions their performance has improved by 15% in the last 7 years. By switching to lower emission 4x4s, like those above, manufacturers will come under more pressure to produce greener 4x4s.


NHS Dentistry is in crisis

Latest figures show that less than half the population is registered with an NHS dentist.  Many people report not being able to find a dentist near where they live.  Others find that their dentist has decided to go private and they are removed from the register. 

Some people have to travel miles to find a dentist.  This is particularly hard for people in rural areas who do not have a car.  More

Government to blame for dentist crisis - Gidley


Put a stop to ID cards

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Last Update: 17.05.08

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