| Gail Coleshill's New Year Message 2008 |
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A Liberal Democrat Wish for a more Liberal and Fairer Society in 2008 I want to start by wishing all in North East Somerset a Happy New Year. For the Lib Dems it is a positive beginning with new leader Nick Clegg. Over the last 10 years the Lib Dems have struggled to be rightfully recognised as the true radicals in Britain. Looking at the changes they have led in care for the elderly, recycling, energy efficiency, student fees, council tax reform all over the country you can see that our influence is spreading. Nick Clegg will be leading our party in pressing for a peaceful solution in Iraq and Afghanistan so that our Servicemen and women can return to their families. Improving the economies and the rights of the ordinary people would do far more to resolve conflicts than going in with all guns blazing. We will be continuing our campaign to get basic rights for Carers. The Government have recently delivered another blow to Carers by depriving them of the right to make up lost contributions so that they can get a full pension. Nick Clegg will also be leading the move to get better public services and more democratic power to the people.Close to home I would like to see more facilities not just for the young and families but for the elderly too. Quality of life is not just about a good diet and warmth in the home. People’s health and outlook on life has shown to be significantly improved by social and sporting interaction. In the more rural areas Liberal Democrats have helped to bring about the Ring-&-Ride and taxi bus services giving the elderly and disabled more freedom and access to amenities in our town centres. In this project we have worked with Councillors of all parties and local organisations to bring it to more areas. We have been fully supporting the new Two Tunnels Sustrans cycle route and rapid transit routes to enable residents of outlying areas to reach the towns and cities. Light rail between Radstock and Bristol must be the favoured transport solution to my mind. I feel immensely privileged to have been given the opportunity by my local party to take up the fight for the Westminster seat once again. For too long we have had a Labour MP who has taken the seat for granted and claimed one of the highest Parliamentary expenses in order to keep it. I believe it is time to put people before politics, energy efficiency before profit, community care before private healthcare and get power away from Westminster and back to local people. My party’s environmental credentials, our belief in protecting liberties, and ensuring everyone receives the same basic education and healthcare are what people want in 21st century Britain. Boundary changes since the last General Election have given the Liberal Democrats a boost and made North East Somerset a winnable seat for all three parties but I and my colleagues will continue to campaign on our community politics for local people now, and up to, and beyond the next General Election.
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