Liberal Democrats launch local government election campaign (Islington Liberal Democrats)

Islington Liberal Democrats <Islington_ld@cix.co.uk>

Liberal Democrats launch local government election campaign

April 15, 2002 12:00 AM

Liberal Democrats today launched their campaign for the forthcoming May 2nd local government elections at a Westminster press conference. Rt Hon Charles Kennedy MP said: ìLiberal Democrat councils offer value for money, investment in education and have a strong environmental record. ìWe are enormously proud of our record. Liberal Democrat controlled Liverpool has cut council tax where Labour had previously made it the highest in Britain. Primary schools in Richmond gain some of the best results in the entire country, and in Sutton they have one of the best recycling schemes.î ?Liberal Democrat councillors work hard for local people.? Don Foster MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow DTLR Secretary, said: ?Liberal Democrats believe that local councils should be set free to provide quality public services that meet the needs of local people. At present, local councils have direct control of less than 20% of their budgets.?Less ring fencing and micro-management from Whitehall will mean more freedom for local councils to act on voters' priorities. More freedom for local councils will allow proper investment in police and schools. ?Liberal Democrats believe that local government must be given back to the people it serves. That is what reconnecting people with politics is about.?Lord Rennard, Liberal Democrat Director of Campaigns and Elections, said:?Liberal Democrats expect to defend the gains we made from the Conservatives in the 1990s and to make further progress against Labour.?The Conservatives no longer have any councillors in some of the biggest councils in the country ? such as Liverpool, Manchester and Newcastle ? and people are disappointed with Labour. Local people know that a vote for the Liberal Democrats is a vote for quality public services and hard working councillors.?Sally Hamwee, Chair of the Greater London Assembly, said: ?Liberal Democrats have had a huge impact on how councils are run up and down the country. In Islington, the Liberal Democrats have transformed services for local residents and brought council finances under control. I look forward to Liberal Democrats being able to do the same for the residents of Southwark.?