Fuel Prices sent to Bournemouth Echo 28th May 2008
Whilst supporting the pressing need now for an immediate reduction in the duty on petrol and diesel this is because like a lot of other things we have been let down by the Government. The policies of the Labour Government have been mainly about raising revenue and little to do with the purported saving of energy. The only people who will be saving energy are day by day being priced out of petrol and diesel consumption. Indeed under Gordon Brown it is very much “Carry on as usual” provided you were well off enough to pay for it.
At least twenty years ago the Liberal Party, Green Party and other environmental activist organisations told people that oil was a finite resource that will run out. A National plan should have been put into effect then directed to conserving oil, securing alternative energy sources and making us less dependent on imported items. There should have been restrictions on the amount of petrol or diesel individuals could fill up their cars with, a much fairer system than now pricing the less well off from owning a car. This coupled with help for the haulage industry to secure oil supplies and tax advantages to assist the purchase of fuel-efficient vehicles.
There may be some advantages to a downturn in the economy one of them being that people will start to think if their journey is really necessary and secondly because of high food prices realise the true cost of food production and the appreciation once again locally produced food. As a society it is vital though that the elderly and less well of are in receipt of better incomes to cushion them. And that for many a car is not a luxury but a daily necessity.
SAY NO to I.D. sent to Student News 14th March 2008
The Liberal Party in Bournemouth is astonished that, despite a National Policy of opposing I.D. Cards , the leader of the Liberal Democrats in Bournemouth doesn't see any problem.
In a council debate :
Lib Dem Cllr Claire Smith said she doesn't have any problem with the policy: "I think it's nice to have ID cards. However, we should know what information would be on the card. In principle, we should make sure it's a transparent process and that it will work for us, not just big brother following us around."
This is yet another reason why you can't trust the Liberal Democrats locally to say what they mean and mean what they say. Unlike the Liberal Democrats the REAL liberal party is Opposed to I.D. both Nationally and here in Bournemouth.
Bournemouth's night-time economy. Sent to Bournemouth Echo 1st February 2008
Whilst it was imperative that Bournemouth did something about its 'bath chair' image what we have landed up with is not the diverse mix of establishments envisaged.
It was Bournemouth Council some while ago that was sold on the idea that if we liberalised our licensing policies we would attract more people to bournemouth. A picture was presented by senior councillors which others went along with of a continental café society with civilised people dining whilst enjoying a drink with their meals. Applications for late night licences were granted for 1am then 2am. and so it continued to a later and later closing time. First the council was able to be selective in which establishments were granted licenses, but having allowed these more establishments wanted the same conditions.
Mr Blair's New Labour Government found its friends in the brewing industry wanted more profits so demanded legislation for 24 hour licensing despite no public clamour for this. A Pandora's box was opened and now as a town we are reaping the terrible consequences. The blight of binge drinking, now spreading out to Charminster with associated crime and disorder. Our young peoples lives damaged by drink.
What does the Liberal Party propose as a solution?
Firstly that licences beyond 1am should not be granted to large pubs or clubs with a capacity in excess of 1500. and that we should go back to small members clubs where members were known to the staff and had to sign a book giving their home address. Guests are the responsibility of the member. These establishments should be granted licences up to 3 p.m. Restaurants where drink is an accompaniment to the food served should also benefit from extended opening hours beyond 1am.
Whilst young people should be free to enjoy themselves we do not see them crying out for any more drinking establishments and what decline there is in the drinks business is entirely due to over-provision. The leisure industry has not woken up to the fact that it is the over 50's and early active retired who have the cash in their pockets.
Whilst Bournemouth does indeed benefit from tourism the town centre also depends on residents. Many people will not visit the town centre after 7p.m. and this is why our theatres and cinemas are suffering.
The Liberal Party - unlike the Liberal Democrats & Conservatives rejects any Town Centre Masterplan for Bournemouth that leads to more pubs, more take aways, more of the same stores as up and down the country, and the forcing out of small shops and independent businesses due to rents and rates they can't afford.
From Daily Echo January 2008.
I have been reluctant up until now to criticise the Conservatives administration in Bournemouth. The streets are certainly cleaner and there has been much improvement in the recycling initiative thanks to a deal with Marks and Spencer. Public Conveniences appear to be cleaner. I am sure the Conservatives have done other good things since they took over in May.
However - as a formert councillor, I am very concerned at the state of the council and democracy in this town. I have known Cllr Mac Loughlin for some time and don't doubt his competence. It cannot be right though that he and the Deputy Leader of the council seem to be making the decisions the rest of the Conservative Group having abdicated all decision making to them.
Members of Bournemouth Council are put there by residents to engage in debate and listen to what other members have to contribute. It is clear that the council is suffering from the lack of independent minded members who act on the wishes of those that they serve. Both Cllr Everingham and the councillors of Townsend have acted with the highest integrity.
Action on Debt
Whilst it is welcome news that there has been a very slight reduction by the Bank of England to base rates this is unlikely to be passed on to borrowers.
A great amount of people in Bournemouth will face misery in the New Year due to expensive credit and store cards with exorbitant interest rates ,some as high as 29%. Many people are lured into debt by artificially low ,or no interest rates , in the short term which they pay heavily for later.
Bournemouth Liberal Party calls for responsible lending and a minimum and maximum interest rate, We believe the Government needs to do much more in the promotion of Credit Unions and Mutual Societies. The Government should also take action on unsolicited and repeated offers of credit. Where it is proven that inadequate enquiries were made of the borrowers ability to meet repayments for that debt to be reduced or written off entirely.