Bournemouth Lib Dem Conference - Wednesday Sept 23rd
Major Speech by the Lib Dem Leader, Nick Clegg MP
(For the full text, click on UK LIB DEMS in the menu on the left side of this website)
Nick Clegg spoke to a capacity audience in the large conference centre arena, and his speech was enthusiastically received by everyone. He dealt competently with all the main areas of British politics today, and proved his strength as the party leader.
Brian Cane, Chairman of Newark Lib Dems, who has attended all the Lib Dem Conferences since 1988, said: "This was the best Conference speech by a Lib Dem leader I have heard, and demonstrates that Nick Clegg is fulfilling his role magnificently. He will make an historic Prime Minister when the British Public elect him to that position. As Nick said, a Lib Dem Government is a distinct possibility now but only if people who like him, and what he stands for, all turn out and vote Lib Dem at the next General Election".
Nick's realism was demonstrated in what he said about the present economic situation - you can read this in the full text of his speech (see above) but Nick grasps the seriousness of our national position, and with Vince Cable, knows how to deal with it.
Nick said "The biggest challenge for the next government will be sorting out the public finances. It's a challenge neither exhausted Labour nor fake Conservatives are fit to take on. This year's deficit is likely to be one of the highest in Europe. We will borrow £175 billion this year alone - £5,550 EVERY SINGLE SECOND. Total national debt could hit £1.2 TRILLION next year - £20,000 for every man, woman and child"
The speech outlined the approach of a Nick Clegg government to this mind-blowing task of coping with the debt.
Most people would rather have Lib Dem Vince Cable as Chancellor Of The Exchequer dealing with this horrendous task in a Nick Clegg Government than the inexperienced
Conservative spokesmen.
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