Nick Clegg launches Liberal Democrat environment manifesto

The Liberal Democrats have set out radical plans to protect the environment and set the economy on a path to a zero carbon Britain. The proposals include a £3.1bn green economic stimulus package, plans to slash energy use and improve energy efficiency, and a UK Infrastructure Bank to embed green investment for the long term.

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg said:

“This election is not like any other.

“Climate scientists tell us that the next government will be the last that can stop dangerous climate change.

“That is a huge responsibility for the party that wins this election. But it’s an even bigger responsibility for the voters that will choose them on May 6.

“So my message is this: don’t settle for a Labour party that has had thirteen years to deliver on the environment and has failed. Don’t settle for a Conservative party that talks the talk on green issues, only to align themselves with climate change deniers in the European Parliament. And don’t give your vote to a Green Party that cannot make a difference in Westminster.

“Instead, choose the only party that was taking a stand on saving the planet well before it became fashionable. The only party that has led the way on tackling climate change, from championing the 10:10 campaign in our councils, to setting out radical plans in Parliament to cut Britain’s carbon emissions. Choose the only party that in the wake of the economic crisis is setting out a credible vision for a new and sustainable economy.

“Something really exciting is happening in British politics. This is a huge opportunity to set Britain on the road to a prosperous and green future.

“We should seize it.”

Download our environment manifesto (Adobe pdf document)

Show YOUR support!

Want to show your support for the Lib Dems in this election? You can do so easily by displaying a window poster in your house – and what’s more, you can now get a poster design quickly over the internet to print at home.

Just use the link below to download an Abode “pdf” file of a Liberal Democrats poster. You can print this in colour or, if your printer only does black-and-white, print on yellow / orange paper. Trim down the dotted lines, add a little sticky tape to the corners to hold it in place and you’re away!

Download a poster here.

Let’s make it a Bank Holiday

Steve Broadhurst, Lib Dem candidate for Denton & Reddish, today observed: “After walking around Tameside, Denton and Reddish and whilst meeting with the constituents, I was dismayed to see the lack of patriotism on this of all days. St. George’s day indeed, if you didn’t know you wouldn’t have known. The only two things I saw was a ‘court jester’ outside Tameside Council Offices (they were also flying the Union Flag at half mast) and two ladies on a hen night with the George Cross painted onto their ‘wedding’ dresses.

“Scotland and Northern Ireland have a Bank Holiday for their patron saints. Why can’t England do the same? St. George’s Day is a brilliant opportunity for our country to come together and show the pride we have in our culture, society and history and fly the English flag with pride. I think a new Bank Holiday for St. George’s Day would be a great way to celebrate our wonderful country.

“I for one have decided to follow the American example and have started to wear our National flag in my lapel. Please click and register your support for a Bank Holiday to celebrate St. George’s Day.”

Find out more about the campaign to make St George’s Day a bank holiday here

Clegg Scores Second Win in Party Leaders Debate

An average of five polls conducted immediately after the Sky TV Leaders Election debate on Thursday night put Nick Clegg as the winner, with all instant polls showing him ahead of Gordon Brown. After the Foreign Affairs-led debate from Bristol dominated by issues like Iraq, immigration and climate change, Nick Clegg won 3 of the 5 polls on the night, building on his position after the first debate.

The five “instant” poll results on the night:

  • Guardian/ICM: Clegg 33%, Cameron 29%, Brown 29%
  • YouGov: Clegg 32%, Cameron 36%, Brown 29%
  • ComRes: Clegg 33%, Cameron 30%, Brown 30%
  • Angus Reid: Clegg 33%, Cameron 32%, Brown 23%
  • Populus: Clegg 36%, Cameron 37%, Brown 26%
  • Poll Average: Clegg 33.4%, Cameron 32.8%, Brown 27.4%

The election has been thrown wide open by Nick Clegg‘s first debate win. A number of polls have shown that the Lib Dems and the Conservatives are neck and neck, with Labour trailing in third. BBC journalist Michael Crick said on Newsnight “The momentum is still with Clegg.”

Another take on the manifesto

Have you seen “Believe in Fairness” yet? At Tameside Lib Dems we love this animation of the key points of the Liberal Democrat manifesto.

We hope you’ll take five minutes out to watch it — there’s music but no speech so if you do not have speakers on your PC or have hearing difficulties you don’t miss out on any of the important stuff.

Second debate shows it’s a three-party contest

Once again Nick Clegg was judged the winner, following the second TV debate between the three party leaders last night. The debate focused on foreign affairs issues such as the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, the EU and our role in the world. Most polls reflected Nick as winning the debate.

With two weeks to go, Nick said that the election campaign is proving “one of the most exciting elections we have had in a very long time. People are beginning to hope we can do something different this time. Don’t let anyone tell you this time it can’t be different: it can.”

Still time for a proxy

Going to be away on May 6th? While it’s now too late to get a postal vote, you can still appoint a ‘proxy’ to vote on your behalf. The deadline to get a completed proxy application submitted to the Town Hall for the 6th May Election is 5.00pm on Tuesday, 27th April 2010.

There is a form you can get from the council’s website to appoint someone to vote on your behalf, or you can call 0161 342 3036. But hurry!

Find out more on the council website

Second Party Leaders’ TV debate: Foreign Affairs

The second Party Leaders Debate is taking place this Thursday starting at 8pm on Sky News. Nick Clegg, Gordon Brown and David Cameron will again be going head to head in a TV debate in the run up to the General Election on May 6th, this time leading on Foreign Affairs.

The first half of the 90 minute Election Debate on Sky News will be devoted to Foreign Affairs, with the rest on any topic. The debate comes from Bristol, and will be chaired by Adam Boulton. Sky are inviting questions before the debate, with more information at http://news.sky.com/skynews/Election/debatequestion

You can see the debate live anywhere that you usually watch Sky News: Sky Digital Channel 501, Virgin Media Channel 602 and Freeview Channel 82 and online at skynews.com Live Video Streaming. BBC 2 will also be showing the debate in full at 11.30pm after Newsnight.

The third debate will take place on the BBC on 29th April at 8.30pm, focusing on the Economy.

Nick Clegg is widely judged to have won the first Party Leaders debate, watched by 9.9 million people, with the ITV/ComRes poll after the debate giving Nick Clegg 43% of the vote. Over the last week, the Liberal Democrats have seen a massive surge in the opinion polls.

In polls published on Tuesday, the Liberal Democrats lead in two, and polled between 34-26% of the vote in all of them:

  • Angus Reid for PoliticalBetting: LIB DEM 33%, CON 32%, LAB 23%
  • YouGov in The Sun: LIB DEM 34%, CON 31%, LAB 26%
  • Populus in The Times: CON 32%, LIB DEM 31%, LAB 28%
  • ComRes for the Independent/ITV: CON 35%, LIB DEM 26%, LAB 26%

There are a number of ways you can show your support for the Liberal Democrats General Election campaign:

Local MEP welcomes Lib Dem surge!

Writing to party members today, Tameside Lib Dem MEP Chris Davies says: “The political situation is extraordinary. For the opinion polls to move by as much as 14 points overnight in favour of one party is unprecedented. And for it to happen in favour of the Liberal Democrats is a delight.”

“It reveals just how many people would prefer not to have to vote for David Cameron as an alternative to Gordon Brown, and just how much latent support there is for our party that comes to light only when we get the rare opportunity to be treated as equals.”