The Northern

Democrat

no. 53no. 53no. 53no. 53no. 53 August August August August August20102010201020102010

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

Nick on Tyneside toback green jobs in North

DEPUTY Prime Minister Nick Cleggheaded North in August to back jobcreating green projects in the North ofEngland.

Nick was in South Tyneside to speak atthe launch of a new project to provide supportfor new and rapidly growing businesses inrenewable energy and related low carbonmarkets. The project, led by TEDCO, aims tosupport the creation of 1,000 new businessesand 10,000 new jobs.The Green Deal will combine growth in theeconomy with a greener and more efficientway of using energy. It aims to reduce energydemand and carbon emissions while makinghomes warmer, saving consumers moneyand stimulating green recovery in jobs.Addressing a business audience at thelaunch, the Deputy Prime Minister said: “It isfantastic to see you tapping into the potentialhere in the North East – a region I want tosee firmly established as a hub of a newgreen economy.“The work you are doing chimes veryclosely to this government’s ambition torebalance our economy as we pull our wayout of the downturn - rebalancing growthaway from the South East to the North,shifting from an overdependence on the publicsector to a recovery led by the private sector,and moving away from carbon-blind economicactivity to business with a new carbonconscience.”Up to 14 million homes could benefit fromthe Green Deal through insulation. Paymentswill be collected through energy bills and themost energy inefficient homes could save, onaverage, around £550 a year.The Government will begin legislating forthese proposals in the Autumn and they areexpected to take effect in 2012.

Liberal Democrats will be gathering in the Arena andConvention Centre in Liverpool in September for the firstconference as a governing party since the 1930s. For a fullrun down of what’s being debated, go to pages 4 to 7.

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Contents/Social mobility - Clegg speech

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By-elections

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The 1st Liberal Democrat Conference in Government

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Conference - Saturday and Sunday

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Conference - Monday

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Conference - Tuesday

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Conference - Wednesday

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News from Europe

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News from around the region

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News from around the region

Social mobility a key aim for Coalition - Clegg

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg used his speech marking the100th day of the Coalition to announce officially that formerLabour Health Secretary and Darlington MP Alan Milburn hasbeen appointed to advise the Government on social mobility.

After 13 years in which the wealth divide betwen rich and poor widenedunder Labour, the Coalition has set itself the aim of building a fairer Britainwhich increases social mobility.Nick Clegg said, “A fair society is one where everyone has the chance to dowell, regardless of their beginnings. A society where no-one is held back bythe circumstances of their birth. Where what counts isn’t what school you wentto, the job your parents did or the colour of your skin, but your ability andambition.When the history books are written, I want them to say that this government paid down the budget deficitand laid down the foundations of economic prosperity for years to come. I also want them to say that childrenborn in 2015 are less constrained by the circumstances of their birth than any previous generation.There is a huge amount of work to be done. Labour spent huge amounts of money pushing low-incomehouseholds just above the poverty line - but with no impact on the chances of the next generation.”Nick explained that there are two key areas in which the Government is targetting to increase fairness andsocial mobility:

Tax reform

“We will reform the tax system so it encourages social mobility, rather than social segregation. We took afirst step towards that at the Budget by raising the income tax threshold, taking 880,000 people out of taxaltogether. Reforming income tax is explicitly aimed at those who are in paid work - the surest route out ofpoverty. Making income tax fairer will not only be a measure to boost fairness today, but is also an investmentin fairness tomorrow.”

Education

“We are introducing a Pupil Premium to make sure investment is channelled to the children and schoolswho need it most. The level of the Pupil Premium will be announced in October. Schools will be able to spendthe money as they see fit - so long as its purpose it to help pupils overcome the accidents of birth.”Nick announced that he will chair a new ministerial group on Social Mobility, including Conservatives like IainDuncan Smith and David Willetts as well as Liberal Democrats Sarah Teather and Lynne Featherstone. AlanMilburn will act as an independent reviewer of the Government’s success in delivering social mobility.

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Lib Dem Leader Nick Clegg

Northern Democrat

June 2010Contents

Editorial: please send material for inclusion to the editor, Jonathan Wallace,at jonathanwallace@compuserve.com or phone 0191 4883190

By-elections

Near miss in Darlington

Labour experienced a surprise night of nerves in Darlington on 8th July whenLib Dem candidate for the Cockerton West by-election, Brian Jefferson, camewithin 41 votes of taking the seat.

The vacancy had been caused by the resignation of Jenny Chapman who had been elected asMP for Darlington in May. It was the Conservatives, however, who suffered the biggest vote loss,slumping to 3rd place. The result was:

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Labour 388

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Liberal Democrats 347

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Conservatives 84

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BNP 41Majority 41. Lab hold (May 2007 - Two seats Lab 515, 470, C 308, Lib Dem 263, BNP 167). Swing 6.9% Lab to Lib Dem.

Allerdale: Christchurch, Cockermouth - 19th August

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Conservatives 466

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Liberal Democrats 131

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Green 108(May 2007 - Two seats C 673, 571, Lab 360, 320). So much for Labour claims that their membership is booming andpeople are tripping over themselves to join their ranks. This was a ward Labour fought in 2007 but couldn’t get acandidate for it this time.

Redcar and Cleveland: Brotton by-election

26th August

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Lab 565 (38.1; -1.0)

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Independent 351 (23.7; +10.9)

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Liberal Democrats Val Miller 315 (21.2; -7.8)

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Conservatives 220 (14.8l -4.4)

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BNP 33 (2.2; +2.2)Majority 214, Turnout 27.8%, Lab hold.Percentage change is since May 2007. (The ward is in Middlesbrough East constituency, not Redcar)

Alnwick Town Council by-election, Alnwick Castle WardPolling day Thursday 2nd September

Canvassing and leaflets deliveries happening almost every day between now and polling day. Any help would be greatlywelcomed.Candidate

Sara Walton

Contact: Berwick constituency office on 01665 602901, email:paul@berwicklibdems.org.ukOffice address: 54 Bondgate Within, Alnwick, NE66 1JD

Gateshead Council 2 by-elections, Lobley Hill and Bensham, Saltwell WardsPolling day Thursday 23rd September

Help needed with canvassing, leaflets deliveries and phone canvassing.Candidates

Michael Ruddy

(Lobley Hill and Bensham),

Laura Turner

(Saltwell)Contact: Frank Hindle, 0191 4879179Three years ago, the Liberal Democrats came within 50 votes of winning Lobley Hill and Bensham.

Scarborough Borough Council by-election, Eastfield wardPolling day Friday 24th September

(Lib Dems are defending)