Talking Politics - Climate Change and the Lib Dems
Wera Hobhouse MP talks to GLD Chair Keith Melton
Liberal Democrat Leader, Sir Ed Davey, has recently had a mini-shuffle of Spokesperson roles in the Parliamentary Party. Wera Hobhouse, MP for Bath, has become the Party spokesperson for Climate Change again. She was also recently elected to become one of three honorary Vice-Presidents of the Green Liberal Democrats (GLD) at their recent (delayed) 2020 AGM. Ms Hobhouse also retains her spokesperson role for Equality.
So GLD Chair, Keith Melton, will be talking with her about how the two roles can now become complementary. The meeting has been set up in conjunction with Southwell and Newark Liberal Democrat branches in the Newark Constituency for next Tuesday 9th February at 7.00pm. Newark and Southwell members will be getting an email with the Zoom link, but if you are reading this and have not received a direct link please email Keith Melton to register your interest (keith.melton10@gmail.com)
"We are delighted Wera has taken on the Climate Change portfolio again for the Party," writes Keith Melton, "she has had a long and fruitful relationship with the Green Lib Dems and this session will allow us to catch up with events in the year when the UK is to host the latest Climate Change Summit in Glasgow in November".
One of the myths about Climate Change is that it is somehow just a white middle class concern, but the truth is it also links with equality and justice issues right around the world. The impact of Global Overheating (Global "Warming" is a euphemism of huge proportions) is already being felt in many places, most notably in the Global South, with island states in danger of increased inundation from rising ocean levels; and lowlying countries like Bangladesh suffering flooding more frequently.
It is also the case that many of the more severe weather events the world is now experiencing, made worse by Climate Change of course, affect most those in the lower socio-economic groups. So "Black Lives Matter" is not just a social cause, it is an issue of Climate Justice too. The heaviest rain events in Brazil for example frequently wash away large swathes of housing perched precariously in favelas on the steep sided slopes of the hills of Rio de Janeiro, often with significant loss of life. The extreme hurricane events in and around the Carribean blow away, or wash away the least stable, poorer, housing on the island states. And the typhoons of the Northwest Pacific Ocean do the same, particularly for the poorer housing areas in the Phillipines for example.
Do come and join us next Tuesday, 9th Feb 2021, at 7.00pm - The session will be around 1 hour in duration with about half an hour for an interactive Q & A session. SEE YOU THERE!
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