Essex Liberal Democrats

We will stop Brexit

Article: Sep 15, 2019

In libdems.org.uk

A Liberal Democrat government will stop Brexit

Conference has just voted for a Liberal Democrat majority government to revoke Article 50

The European Court of Justice ruled that the UK has the power to unilaterally revoke article 50 and withdraw us from the Brexit process.

And the further we get into understanding what Brexit will mean for the UK, the clearer it is that we need to stop Brexit.

The last few months with Boris Johnson as Prime Minister have been like living in a dystopian nightmare.

The Tory government's own research has shown that a no-deal Brexit would cause immeasurable damage to our NHS, jobs, the environment, and would put people's lives at risk.

EU citizens were told that they could lose their right to healthcare, to rent property, or to have a job in the UK after October 31st.

And this Conservative government has chosen to shut down democracy rather than accept any scrutiny of their decisions.

The Liberal Democrats demand better than Brexit, and we have a plan to stop it.

First and foremost, the Liberal Democrats are calling for a people's vote to stop Brexit.

But if a general election comes first, we will take on the tired old parties with an unambiguous stop Brexit message.

And we do so with the full-throated support of our members.

Liberal Democrats members at our autumn conference have just passed a motion committing us to campaign to revoke article 50 in a general election.

And I'm so proud to be able to say: A Liberal Democrat government will stop Brexit.

Will you help us win by backing our campaign to Stop Brexit?

Click here to add your name
Southend Lib Dem Councillors report back

Article: Sep 15, 2019

SPEEDING in built-up areas is a killer.

So, it's no wonder that residents are concerned about it.

Hadleigh Road, Leigh is a particular worry as Beth Hooper discovered when she was campaigning to be a Lib Dem councillor this year.

To curb this daily threat, the Council came up with the idea of laying speed 'cushions' along the road. Of course action could only be taken only after consulting residents, but unfortunately just 12 residents submitted responses to the Council. This small sample meant the speed cushion proposal was likely to be thrown out by the Traffic Regulations Working Party.
Sam Gyimah, MP joins the Liberal Democrats

Article: Sep 15, 2019

Jo Swinson, Leader of the Liberal Democrats, introduced Sam at Conference yesterday saying

"This evening, I have the pleasure of welcoming Sam Gyimah onto stage at Lib Dem conference, as our eighteenth member of Parliament.

Sam Gyimah is a fantastic Remain campaigner. He was one of the 21 Conservative MPs that had the whip removed for helping us to stop no deal.

He is a man of principle, and I'm so glad he's joined the Liberal Democrats this evening.

Sam joins Chuka Umunna, Sarah Wollaston, Jane Dodds, Phillip Lee, Luciana Berger and Angela Smith in joining us in recent weeks.

And it's not just MPs.

We've been seeing the biggest and most sustained membership surge in our party's history in recent months. We've had 40,000 new members join us, 20,000 more register as supporters, and we're surging in the polls.

There is something special happening in the Liberal Democrats.

Labour and the Conservatives are led by ineffective leaders and have been taken over by the extreme wings of their parties.

It is clear that people are rallying around the Liberal Democrats as the strongest party to stop Brexit, fix our broken politics and build a fairer society. "
Leigh & West Leigh Focus Autumn 2019

Article: Sep 15, 2019

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7 reasons the government didn't want you to see its no-deal Brexit prep docs

Article: Sep 13, 2019

By Greg Foster in libdems.org.uk

The Government gave into pressure from the Liberal Democrats and other opposition parties last night and released its no deal preparation documents - and they will shock you.

To summarise:

Last night, the Government posted its assessment papers of the impact a no-deal Brexit will have on our country. And it makes for pretty grim reading.
Army & Navy flyover in Chelmsford - decision soon

Article: Sep 11, 2019
An engineer's report on the structure of Chelmsford's Army and Navy flyover is expected within the next two weeks, but in the meantime the flyover will remain closed, Essex County Council has announced. The Council is urging drivers to plan ahead or switch to different forms of transport to get into and out of Chelmsford, as the Army and Navy flyover is set to remain closed for the foreseeable future.

Last week Cllr Kevin Bentley, Deputy Leader of Essex County Council, went to Whitehall to discuss bids for funding to improve the Army and Navy junction.

Essex County Council's Traffic Control Centre, based in County Hall, is constantly monitoring traffic at the Army and Navy junction.

A spokesperson for the Traffic Control Centre said: "All approaches to the Army and Navy junction were slow-moving during rush hour periods but no different to normal traffic volumes during term time. This suggests drivers are heeding advice to find alternative routes to travel to and from the city."

Measures already implemented to keep traffic moving at the Army and Navy junction and all approaches to Chelmsford during peak traffic times include:
- Optimising the part-time signals at the Army and Navy roundabout
- Opening the Parkway slip lane at the New London Road/Parkway junction and the operation of the signals at this location working independently on each side of Parkway
- Non-urgent roadworks on the main corridors into the city centre have now been prevented from taking place
- The bus service frequency to the Sandon Park and Ride has now been increased
- Essex County Council is continually refining signal timings in response to traffic congestion issues in the city
- Taxis and motorcycles are now prevented from extending the green light from a bus priority signal on Essex Yeomanry Way heading toward the Army and Navy roundabout.
A steering group including councillors, residents' representatives and the MP, has met to discuss the future of the Army and Navy flyover in response to the recent closure and how the impact on journey times can be reduced.

The group are urgently seeking a long-term solution to the Army and Navy but in the immediate term they have discussed a range of options which the travelling public are able to consider, including:
- Taking advantage of capacity at Sandon Park and Ride - at the morning peak period, there are still around 450 spaces available for car users at Sandon. The cost is just £3.60 daily or £18 weekly and under 16's travel for just £1 daily.
- Changing or staggering journey times to avoid the morning and evening peak
- Taking advantage of cycling options or walking
- Utilising Chelmsford's local bus network with an adult daily ticket of £4.90 available enabling travel anywhere in the City.
All details are available online at: https://www.essexhighways.org/transport-and-roads/getting-around.aspx

Cllr Kevin Bentley said: "This is an emergency situation and many people are taking committed action to improve this junction as soon as possible.

"The moment we have any further information about the flyover, I will be sharing it. I've recently spoken to the media extensively and I'm determined to keep everyone informed of updates to the situation at the Army and Navy junction.

"Until then I repeat my advice to plan ahead and switch to alternatives like buses, bikes or simply walking to get to school or work."

"We know that the whole of Chelmsford feels the effects when there are problems at the Army and Navy flyover, but we cannot put the safety of people at risk by allowing the structure to stay open while we learn more about our options."
Angela Smith is the latest MP to join the Liberal Democrats - find out why here

Article: Sep 8, 2019

By Angela Smith in libdems.org.uk

Over the past few years, I have been on a political journey triggered by an increasing sense of disenchantment with the Labour Party.

It appeared to me that Labour, a party which I had effectively been born into and supported all my life, was increasingly distancing itself from the national interest by putting its own priorities first.

This process intensified after the election of Jeremy Corbyn as leader.

What we have now is a Labour Party dominated by extremists, promoting Marxist policies and supporting an oppressive, unpleasant culture which attempts to bully members unhappy with this state of affairs out of the party.

I left Labour because it has become an intolerant, narrow sect, driven by ideology and utterly contemptuous of those who look to compromise and consensus as to the basis of good politics.

It became clear to me Labour no longer shared my progressive values.

At the same time, we are witnessing a similar process in the Conservative Party, where extremists are driving the party to the right. The Conservative Party is now truly the English Nationalist Party, indulging in a fantasy vision of Brexit and purging the very best of its Parliamentarians.

Our country deserves better than this. At a time of national crisis, people deserve a better choice than the two old parties.

I am therefore delighted to be joining Jo Swinson and the Liberal Democrats.

We need a more inclusive, tolerant politics for our country that values diversity.

The Liberal Democrats are the strongest party to stop Brexit and build a society that gives opportunities to everyone, tackles the climate crisis and invests in our public.

I am relishing continuing my work with the Liberal Democrats to not only fight against Brexit but to also campaign for the constitutional reform needed to mend our broken politics.
Pro-Democracy Vigil in Saffron Walden

Article: Sep 7, 2019

By Hilary Shibata

Since the day Boris Johnson PM announced the prorogation of Parliament, local residents have gathered outside the Town Hall in Saffron Walden to express their support for Parliamentary Democracy. This pro-democracy vigil is not associated with any political party. People all over the country, and of all political persuasions and none, have been shocked by the proposal to shut Parliament down at this crucial time. The vigil has been held every weekday evening from 5:30 to 6:00 pm, with participants of all ages holding umbrellas in the sunshine, and home-made placards.
Luciana Berger MP joins the Lib Dems!

Article: Sep 5, 2019

By Jo Swinson, MP Leader of the Liberal Democrats in libdems.org.uk

I'm very happy to announce the news that Luciana Berger has just joined the Liberal Democrats!

Luciana is a passionate advocate for women's and LGBT+ rights, and she's at the forefront of efforts to counter anti-Semitism and discrimination. I'm delighted to welcome her to the Liberal Democrats, where we can work together to stop Brexit and build a fairer, more equal society for all.

Luciana becomes the fourth MP in three months to cross the floor and join the Liberal Democrats. We're thrilled to add her perspective, expertise and skills to our ever-growing parliamentary team.

And it's not just MPs.

More than two thousand people have become members of the Liberal Democrats just this week - people who are watching the news in horror and have decided they want better than Boris Johnson's Britain.
Yesterday's fire at Leigh Fishermen's Co-op

Article: Sep 4, 2019

By Leigh Lib Dem Councillor Peter Wexham

Letter to the Editor of The Leigh Times

"re Bell wharf

Dear Mike.

The building on Victoria Wharf next to Bell Wharf was the Foreshore Office upstairs and down below was a store for the Council.

About 15 years ago we managed to get a PESCA grant from fisheries with EU money to fit out the down stairs with insulation and fridges & an ice machine for the local fishermen to use as a Co-op and fish have been sold from there ever since.