Unitary debates and social care commissions
It will be another busy year for local government in 2025.
Councillor Joe Harris
Don’t lose the ‘local’ in local government
As first was going to press, we were awaiting a delayed white paper on devolution. The Government’s intentions may be to decentralise power, but I am concerned that some of its proposals will undermine local democracy, rather than empower it.
Local government ‘remains on life support’
The first Labour Government Budget since 2009 has met with a mixed response among Liberal Democrats in local authorities.
Committed to serving our communities
As I reminded my party’s conference in September, there were local elections this May – as well as the amazing general election results, where a record 72 Lib Dem MPs were returned.
The true party of local government
As this first hits your doormats, Liberal Democrats will be making their annual pilgrimage to the south coast for five days of policy and politics.
Largest number of MPs ever
The general election was historic: it created an earthquake across every region of the country, with the Liberal Democrats making gains from Yorkshire to Dorset, Norfolk to Wales, Inverness to Sussex.
Impressive gains in local elections
In many places, we’re now calling the shots, thanks to yet another round of impressive gains.
End postcode lottery of SEND support
I am delighted my party has called for a new national agency for special educational needs and disabilities.
Raising awareness of the financial crisis
We’re just back from the Liberal Democrat spring conference, where we had a busy and successful time, if a bit exhausting!
Deeds not words make a difference
A key Liberal Democrat value is putting the environment first, so I am delighted to see that among English councils, out of the top 10 councils for recycling household waste, nine of them are led by Liberal Democrats.