High Quality
Open the downloaded document, and select print from the file menu (PDF reader required).
The Northern
Democrat
no. 51no. 51no. 51no. 51no. 51MaMaMaMaMa y 2010 y 2010 y 2010 y 2010 y 2010
The newsletter for Liberal Democrats in the North of England
Produced, printed and promoted by Jonathan Wallace, 7 Laburnum Grove, Sunniside, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE16 5LY
Swales sails to victory in Redcar
New politicsin action
1st UK coalition for 65 years puts Lib Dems in government - now we mustdemonstrate that partnership, co-operation and the new politics are good for Britain
After a difficult delivery,the new politics Liberal Democrats campaigned for has been born
Lib Dem Ian Swales swept to victory in Redcar on 6thMay, overturning a Labour majority of 12,000 in a seatwhich Labour previously treated as theirs by right. Fullstory on page 3.Britain’s last coalition governmentended in 1945. Since then, we havehad a succession of single partygovernments that have alternatedbetween Labour and Conservatives.
The Liberal Democrats have arguedthat this old system of one-party rule isbad for Britain. Most of us came intopolitics to change the old system. Wehave argued for partnership and co-operation in government.Though it is the old system that hasgiven us a Parliament with no majority forany party, the outcome is that of the newsystem we want to introduce: coalitionand co-operation should be the normunder our reforms.As Liberal Democrats we now have aduty to our country and to our party tomake the coalition work.But more than that, we need to make ita success. A strong Lib Dem elementshould make this a liberal reforminggovernment.It means a culture shock for our partyas we will need to defend ourgovernmental record. Out must gooppositionism. In its place must beresponsibility and a campaigning edge tothe Lib Dems that puts positiveachievements at the core of ourmessage.
Thirsk and Malton election
Northern Democrat
May 2010Contents
Page 2
Contents/Thirsk and Malton election
Page 3
Gold Rush in Redcar as steel town goes Lib Dem. Chris Abbott explains the background to the Lib Dem victory in the constituency that saw a 21% swing from Labour to Lib Dems
Page 4
Lib Dem/Labour coalition “hostage to Labour’s old guard”. Jeff Reid warns that Labour’s very unprogressive element would have destroyed a Lib Dem/Labour coalition in a matter of weeks
Page 5
Lib Dem policies agreed by the new government: A Fair Start for Children Fairer Taxes and Economic Reform
Page 6
Lib Dem policies agreed by the new government:Fair Politics A Fair and Sustainable Future
Page 7
Lib Dem policies agreed by the new government:Pensions Civil Liberties
Page 7
Members’ newsletter service
Page 8
Was a deal with Labour possible? Northern Democrat Editor Jonathan Wallace explores the possibility and concludes a deal with Labour was a non-starter
Just when you thought it was safe to go back out. You’d put your feet up tolet them recover from the election. The polling day suit had gone off to thedry cleaners. The Coalition agreement announces no general election for 5years (hooray!) and then another election comes along.
Thirsk and Malton in North Yorkshire is a hangover from the general electionwhich simply didn’t take place in the constituency. The cause of this was the deathof the UKIP candidate after the close of nominations.The election is now taking place in this seat which was anotionally Conservative in2005. Howard Keal is Lib Dem candidate. If you can help,contact Di Keal on01653 694546 or 07593682402 or Betty Denton on 01347 811162 or j.denton18@btinternet.comorMike Beckett on 01653 691402 orcllrmichaelbeckett@yahoo.co.ukIf you can’t come but can can-vas by phone, contact Stephen Preston, letting us know your experience, on 01653 695788 ormr.s.preston@btconnect.com
HowardKeal2
Northern Democrat
is published and promoted by Jonathan Wallace. The publication is independent, butsupportive, of the Liberal Democrats. For more information, emailjonathanwallace@compuserve.com.
By Cllr Chris Abbott
Gosh, I am exhausted! Had I not been so tired Iwould perhaps not be so bothered about theattempts by some sections of the local, regionaland even national media to brush off the LibDem’s spectacular victory in Redcar as a protestagainst the closure of Corus steelworks.
This victory was achieved as a result of years ofhard work by a dedicated and united campaignteam that has been largely ignored by the local
Gold rush in Redcar assteel town goes Lib Dem
Redcar r esultIan Sw ales ( Lib Dem).. 18,955 - 45.1%V er a Bair d ( Lab).......... 13,7 41 - 32.7 %Stev e Mastin ( Con)...... 5,7 90 - 13.8%Mar tin Bulmer ( UKIP)... 1,87 5 - 4.5%Kev in Br oughton ( BNP) 1,47 5 - 3.5%Hannah W alter ( T USC). 127 - 0.3%
media but not by the residents of Redcar constituency. The story of how we won Redcardeserves to be written sometime and perhaps it will be but here is a brief summary.Lib Dems in Redcar have been making progress in local government for more than twentyyears. In 2003 we began a four year stint as the largest group in a three party coalition, with theConservatives and East Cleveland Independents, taking the Council from a two-star rating tofour-star excellent. We felt we were doing well but clearly needed that extra something to make areal breakthrough at both local and Parliamentary level.That came the day when, out of the blue, Ian and Pat Swales walked into a monthly meeting ofRedcar Lib Dems. Ian was a founder member of the SDP but his high powered job at ICI Wiltonhad prevented him from being active in the party for many years. Ian had recently taken earlyretirement from ICI and wanted to become more active in the local community.It was like we were waiting for him to turn up and very soon Ian was selected as ourParliamentary Candidate for the 2005 General Election. He had energy and enthusiasm and hereinvigorated those ofus who had gotbogged down in therunning of Redcar &Cleveland Council. Iantransformed ourorganisation and webecame much morefocused on meetingaims and targets.At the 2005 GeneralElection we were amuch better organisedteam than we hadpreviously been andthis resulted in usovertaking the Toriesand moving intosecond place, albeit12,116 votes behindLabour.
Nick Clegg with Ian Swales during an election visit to Redcar.Ian took Redcar on a swing of 21% - one of the highest swingsof the general election.3
Add a Comment