Bournemouth Lib Dem Conference - Monday Sept 21st
Newark Representatives had a busy day. Conference has been very angry indeed at the state of the UK. Here are some examples:-
Anger at MP's Expenses
Only Lib Dem MPs have been united in voting for much tighter rules and an independent audit of MPs expenses. They have led the fight against the many Labour and Conservative MPs who had wanted to exempt MPs expenses from being made public. Not a single Lib Dem MP had flipped second mortgages or avoided capital gains tax. Conference called for MPs who broke the expenses rule to be subject to prosecution where justified.
Anger at Rural Poverty
Lib Dem MP, Tim Farron, Shadow Secretary for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, in a brilliant speech, drew attention to the appalling poverty in many farming areas and villages from low prices paid for their milk and removal of village facilities particularly low cost housing.
Anger at Social Housing Shortage
Sarah Teather MP, Lib Dem Shadow Housing Minister, gave a passionate speech condemning both Labour and Conservative policies over the years which had sold off Council Housing leaving so many homeless who could not afford mortgages or high rents.
Local Election Results May 2023
A spectacular set of elections both nationally and locally here in Newark and Sherwood!
Overall Lib Dem gains were 405 nationally, which posed a problem for Sky News, whose swingometer apparently was not able to contemplate a set of gains of this magnitude. We exceeded 'Exceeded Expectations'!
Our local gains at the district level saw the addition of our third District Councillor with the victory of Keith Melton in Trent Ward. We also kept 2 of 3 councillors for Southwell, now Karen Roberts and Peter Harris. We were encouraged to see the increase in our share of votes in other seats where we were able to field candidtes. Congratulations to everyone.
We had a very good performance in Southwell Town Council, gaining 10 of the 14 seats for which there were candidates, with 6 of these won in elections and 4 being uncontested. Two Conservatives, one Labour candidate and one Independent were also successful. One place on the council remains to be appointed to.
The Conservatives had a terrible set of district and parish elections, losing about half of their district councillors and many PCs. The final DC result was Conservative 14, Labour 11, Independents 11 (8 for Independents for Newark and 3 for other Independents) and Lib Dems 3. Discussions will take place for some time on the composition of the new administration, which is unlikely to include Conservatives for the first time since 2007.
On behalf of the executive, we are extremely grateful to everyone who stood as candidates, as well as everyone who performed the various roles which were necessary for the campaigns. We are a small party and many of you worked very hard.
We are very grateful for their past work to councillors who have stood down at this election, including Peter Scorer and Stuart Thompstone. Malcolm Brock has stood down from the District, though continues to serve on Southwell TC.
We welcome new members to the party, who were motivated by this campaign. This phenomenon was particularly marked in Trent Ward. Upton support has to be singled out, evidenced for anyone who drove through, by the huge number of LD stakeboards and posters.
Philip Barron
Chair, Newark Liberal Democrats
7 May 2023