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Liberal Democrats, Putting People First!

In the local elections this year you delivered a loud and clear message to the Liberal Democrats here in Manchester. We have heard that message and are listening to what you have to say.

Changes being made to this website are just one of the many ways in which we are moving to deliver the local service and action that you want from us, challenging the waste and innefficiency at the Town Hall and challenging this Government when it gets things wrong.

Recent updates

  • Minister for Europe, David Lidington's written statement to Parliament on Croatia's EU accession
    Article: Feb 2, 2012

    Minister for Europe David Lidington has made a written statement to Parliament on Croatia's EU accession. In the written Statement, the Minister for Europe said:

    "A Parliamentary statement has been laid before the House today, 2 February. This has been made pursuant to section 5 of the European Union Act 2011 as to whether the Treaty concerning the accession of the Republic of Croatia to the European Union falls within section 4 of the EU Act."

    "Copies of the Parliamentary statement are available from the Vote Office and Printed Paper Office. Copies of the Treaty have been deposited in the Library of the House."

    You can read the Statement here: the accession of the Republic of Croatia to the European Union.

    Please click on the link to view the article: here

  • Tackling Homophobia and Transphobia in Football - the public register
    Article: Feb 2, 2012

    Thursday 2nd February 2012

    Tackling Homophobia and Transphobia in Football - the public register

    Leading LGBT+ Liberal Democrat campaigners have welcomed the news that today will see the publication of a list of which Premier League clubs have signed up to The Government's Sports Charter to tackle homophobia and transphobia in sport.

  • Re: LGBT+ LIBERAL DEMOCRATS RESPONSE TO DR JOHN SENTAMU'S VIEWS
    Article: Feb 2, 2012

    LGBT+ Liberal Democrats are disappointed to see the second-highest clergyman in the Church of England, the Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu, offering a disturbing, extreme and poisoned view on equal marriage.

    Both the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people and the democratic will of the British people (with 61% saying in a recent Populus poll that they want same-sex couples to be able to marry) run counter to Dr Sentamu's stated views.

    Chair LGBT+ Liberal Democrats Adrian Trett, commented, "The prejudiced and outdated views of the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu need to be publicly challenged by all who believe in marriage equality. Therefore I encourage everyone to contribute positively to the upcoming consultation taking place in March, thanks to the continuing extraordinary work of the Liberal Democrat Equalities Minister Lynne Featherstone.

    "These comments from the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, only highlight why reform of the House of Lords is essential. Such intolerance and homophobia have no place in our government. And though he seems to have misunderstood this, the government's proposal for equal civil marriage does not affect churches and other places of worship."

    LGBT+ Liberal Democrats will continue to work very hard with the coalition government to ensure that these basic human rights will be enshrined for all the citizens of the United Kingdom during this parliament.

  • Summary: European Movement debate on the state of the eurozone
    Article: Jan 31, 2012
    On the 27th January 2012, The European movement held a panel discussion to debate the state of the eurozone and what we are to expect from the 30 January EU summit.
    Panellists Sharon Bowles MEP, Chair of the European Parliament's Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee, Charles Grant, Director of the Centre for European Reform, and Julian Callow, Managing Director and Chief Economist of Barclays Capital, discussed and debated a whole host of issues ranging from what will be on the table at the summit to what the future has for the eurozone and the EU as a whole.
    Below you can find some of the key points made by the panellists.
    Sharon Bowles MEP:
    • EU missed final opportunity to save Greece last June. Default is now inevitable.
    • Eurozone crisis has damaged reputation of EU abroad.
    • Latest legislation to resolve the crisis is verging on being unreasonably intrusive into domestic government policy.
    • Little confidence in European Parliament that new treaty will work.
    • Prospect of two-speed Europe poses real threat to the role of the European Parliament and Commission in setting policy.
    • Germany must accept culpability for allowing its banks to lend irresponsibly to southern Europe.
    • Political will to save the euro does still exist across the board.
    Charles Grant:
    • Agrees with George Soros that austerity is driving EU to destruction. Cutting spending and expecting growth to automatically return has no evidence to support it.
    • Germany's stance has made the crisis worse.
    • Surveys since the inception of the Union show that popular support for the EU is dependent on continued economic growth.
    • Greece's problems are different from the rest of the eurozone's and doesn't belong in the eurozone.
    • Two-speed Europe will weaken EU institutions and further marginalise an already semi-detached Britain.
    • The emergence of a 'Greater Germany', centred around Berlin and comprising the Low Countries and Scandinavia, has taken control of decision making in the EU and has made France less relevant.
    Julian Callow:
    • Financial institutions already making contingency plans for collapse of the euro.
    • Markets worried about leaders' lack of decisive action.
    • Debt crisis so serious that there is no alternative but to drastically cut spending.
    • Survival of the euro is dependent on greater fiscal transfers from the rich north to the poorer south. Net contributors to the EU budget currently transfer no more than 1% of their wealth to net beneficiaries, compared with 5% in the United States of America.
    • Deep concern that Portugal today is where Greece was a year ago and that it is ultimately headed in the same direction.
  • Fast track the Lib Dem £10,000 income tax threshold policy
    Article: Jan 31, 2012
    By William Davison

    ALTER supports the fast track of the Lib Dem £10,000 income tax threshold policy

    Please sign this to persuade George Osborne to fast track the Lib Dem policy to increase the income tax threshold to £10,000 in the next budget, and hence take thousands more people out of tax and put £700 back in people's pockets. There are measures that can be taken to pay for this including the clamp down on tax avoidance and a mansion tax. Please support this and help the Lib Dems to help the lowest paid and middle income workers in this country.

  • Rebecca Taylor announced as new MEP for Yorkshire and the Humber
    Article: Jan 31, 2012

    Rebecca Taylor announced as new MEP for Yorkshire and the Humber

    The Liberal Democrats can confirm the new MEP for Yorkshire and the Humber will be Rebecca Taylor. Rebecca takes up the post following the resignation of Diana Wallis.

    Rebecca is from Yorkshire, born and brought up in Todmorden, West Yorkshire. She went to university in Sheffield and Leeds, and Rebecca's immediate family all live in Yorkshire.

  • EU Flag
    MEPs sign the pledge
    Article: Jan 26, 2012

    All the Lib Dem MEPs have signed up to a ten-point pledge on lesbian, gay, bi and trans equality and liberation.

    MEPs from across the European Union have been adding their names to the pledge this week at a two-day event organised by the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association - Europe (ILGA Europe) and the European Parliament's LGBT Intergroup, marking the half-way point of this European Parliament term. More than 180 have now signed.

  • Nick Clegg
    Chinese New Year Message from DPM Nick Clegg
    Article: Jan 23, 2012

    "I would like to take this opportunity to wish the Chinese communities in the UK and around the world a very happy New Year on what is the start of the most important festival in the Chinese Lunar calendar.

    2012 is the Year of the Dragon, traditionally symbolising energy, vitality and enthusiasm: a spirit exemplified by the enduring contribution of the Chinese community's businesses inBritain. Up and down theUnited Kingdom, glorious festivals of music, of colour and of cuisine will brighten our towns and cities.

  • Diana Wallis Resigns
    Article: Jan 22, 2012

    On 19th January 2012, Diana Wallis announced her resignation from the European Parliament. Diana has issued the following statement:

    "I have been in the European Parliament twelve years and I think that is time enough. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time and it was truly a huge privilege; especially to serve as a Vice President of Parliament for the last five years. However, I think all of us, whatever our professions, need to turn a new page from time to time."

  • Rainbow Hearts
    LGBT+ Lib Dems statement on Equal Marriage Campaigning
    Article: Jan 17, 2012

    LGBT+ Liberal Democrats has responded to news this morning of a Conservative rebellion over plans to introduce equal civil marriage, which were announced in September by Liberal Democrat Equalities Minister Lynne Featherstone.

    Chair Adrian Trett said, "As the only major party to support equal marriage, we will continue to work hard to bring it about, working with supporters from all parties and none."

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