News - Mid Suffolk Liberal Democrats

Accounting for the Environment

Conference this afternoon debated a motion from Solihull and Meriden local party called "Accounting for the Environment" Conference noted that while the UK domestic economy is currently estimated to contribute just 2% of global emissions, UK companies are responsible for between 12%-15% of emissions globally when international operations are taken into account. The Labour Government restricted the Operating and Financial Review (OFR) in the Company Law Reform Bill to require only the 1,300 firms publicly quoted on the London Stock Exchange to submit environmental and social strategies but the OFR requirement is only enforceable by company shareholders, and legal action can only be taken if a director's failure to consider these issues leads to financial loss.

19 Sep 2007

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Liberal Democrats call for better governance

Conference this afternoon debated the Better Governance Policy Paper - For the People, By the People. Conference agreed that there is a serious crisis in British democracy, marked by low - and declining - turnout in elections, widespread disillusionment with politics and politicians, a sense among the electorate of powerlessness to achieve change and public alienation from the political process, particularly among the young and ethnic minorities. Conference welcomed the Green Paper from the Government, The Governance of Britain. Conference noted that major changes both to the structure and personnel of government took place in June 2007 with no recourse whatsoever either to Parliament or to the people.

19 Sep 2007

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Claire Darke capmpaigns against excess packaging

Cut excess packaging say Liberal Democrats

Conference today debated the issue of excess packaging. Total domestic waste produced in Britain has increased 21% since 1997, to over 26 million tonnes and whilst household recycling in the UK has increased from 6% to 23%, but this has only managed to keep pace with the total increase. A large proportion of this waste, around 5 million tonnes, is made up of packaging and packaging accounts for around 17% of the average household food budget.

19 Sep 2007

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Freedom from Poverty, Opportunity for All

Conference this afternoon endorsed the Poverty and Inequality Policy Paper - Freedom from Poverty, Opportunity for All.

18 Sep 2007

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Liberal Democrats debate immigration

Conference this afternoon debated the subject of immigration. Conference agreed migration is a worldwide phenomenon that has always been part of human history, and immigration to Britain has been of enormous benefit to the economy and to society. However they also agreed the benefits of a liberal immigration policy can only be secured if the effort is made to plan for the impact and consequences of that policy. They further agreed a practical liberal approach to immigration should therefore focus on creating a system that works: efficient, fair and effective, planning for the effects of managed inward migration, promoting integration as well as immigration and that asylum policy is based on UK obligations under international conventions, and should be considered separately from policy on immigration.

18 Sep 2007

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Liberal Democrats call for reform to the Tax system

Conference, also today debated the Tax Reform Policy Paper - Reducing the Burden. After ten years of the current Labour Government the tax system remains unfair, with the bottom 20% of households paying a higher proportion of their income in taxes than the top 20% of households. Wealth inequality is now worse than at any time under Margaret Thatcher.

18 Sep 2007

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