Comments on: Richard Kemp writes… We can’t go on like this http://www.libdemvoice.org/richard-kemp-writes-we-cant-go-on-like-this-4130.html Our place to talk - an independent website for supporters of the Liberal Democrat party in the UK. Sun, 12 Feb 2012 00:35:27 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Richard Kemp http://www.libdemvoice.org/richard-kemp-writes-we-cant-go-on-like-this-4130.html#comment-63265 Richard Kemp Mon, 22 Sep 2008 10:06:42 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/?p=4130#comment-63265 Gareth is right to say that the paper was available on the web site. However most people were not aware of this or made aware of it so a paper not availabale to most is of little use. Of course there are some poor Lib Dem councillors and groups. This is why we have established a Lib Dem Improvement Board with the assistance of relevant parts of the Party and outside agencies to try and work with groups in opposition or control with probelsm or opposrtunities. Lib Dem councillors in Eastleigh tell me that that they had informed Chris that they disagreed with the resolution and I know that most of them at conference voted for the amendment. Gareth is right to say that the paper was available on the web site. However most people were not aware of this or made aware of it so a paper not availabale to most is of little use. Of course there are some poor Lib Dem councillors and groups. This is why we have established a Lib Dem Improvement Board with the assistance of relevant parts of the Party and outside agencies to try and work with groups in opposition or control with probelsm or opposrtunities. Lib Dem councillors in Eastleigh tell me that that they had informed Chris that they disagreed with the resolution and I know that most of them at conference voted for the amendment.

]]> By: Neil Bradbury http://www.libdemvoice.org/richard-kemp-writes-we-cant-go-on-like-this-4130.html#comment-63098 Neil Bradbury Sat, 20 Sep 2008 18:18:40 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/?p=4130#comment-63098 I would add to this that our MEPs are not kept "in the loop" enough about policy development, even when it concerns the EU. Cowley st appears to have little knowledge of the work that they are doing, even when they have pioneered legislation which directly impacts on policy proposals for the party nationally. I would add to this that our MEPs are not kept “in the loop” enough about policy development, even when it concerns the EU. Cowley st appears to have little knowledge of the work that they are doing, even when they have pioneered legislation which directly impacts on policy proposals for the party nationally.

]]> By: Gareth Epps http://www.libdemvoice.org/richard-kemp-writes-we-cant-go-on-like-this-4130.html#comment-63054 Gareth Epps Sat, 20 Sep 2008 11:11:48 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/?p=4130#comment-63054 Richard, er, I downloaded the paper from the party website sometime in August. Check your facts before making accusations. (Admittedly, I was looking to make an amendment, which was done and drafted in, though as the debate was incredibly poorly run, and neither I nor any speaker was called to speak on it, nobody would have noticed) Yes, there does need to be a new balance struck between Parliament and local government. But local government does not mean the small elite involved in the Local Government Association, but the vast majority of Liberal Democrats in local government who are not running the administration. It will be interesting if David Laws' meetings with group leaders get anywhere. As a group leader I think I've received about 1 mailing from ALDC and the LGA Group combined since May. Richard, er, I downloaded the paper from the party website sometime in August. Check your facts before making accusations.

(Admittedly, I was looking to make an amendment, which was done and drafted in, though as the debate was incredibly poorly run, and neither I nor any speaker was called to speak on it, nobody would have noticed)

Yes, there does need to be a new balance struck between Parliament and local government. But local government does not mean the small elite involved in the Local Government Association, but the vast majority of Liberal Democrats in local government who are not running the administration.

It will be interesting if David Laws’ meetings with group leaders get anywhere. As a group leader I think I’ve received about 1 mailing from ALDC and the LGA Group combined since May.

]]> By: Martin Land http://www.libdemvoice.org/richard-kemp-writes-we-cant-go-on-like-this-4130.html#comment-63051 Martin Land Sat, 20 Sep 2008 10:56:33 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/?p=4130#comment-63051 I'm not sure enough of us know enough about this to either really understand your article or to comment on it. I would say though Richard (and I accept that many of our MPs are distant from local government - which in my opinion comes from 'Cowley Street') that many MPs do really understand the problems that their constituents are experiencing. Equally I can introduce you to Councillors who I would say fail to understand the needs of their constituents. All around the country today there are Lib Dem councillors - as well as Tory and Labour ones - who feel it will be perfectly OK to carry on increasing council tax at 4.9999999% ad infinitum regardless of the current state of the economy. I'm afraid I'm not as sanguine as you about the ability of Councillors to deliver. I’m not sure enough of us know enough about this to either really understand your article or to comment on it. I would say though Richard (and I accept that many of our MPs are distant from local government – which in my opinion comes from ‘Cowley Street’) that many MPs do really understand the problems that their constituents are experiencing.

Equally I can introduce you to Councillors who I would say fail to understand the needs of their constituents. All around the country today there are Lib Dem councillors – as well as Tory and Labour ones – who feel it will be perfectly OK to carry on increasing council tax at 4.9999999% ad infinitum regardless of the current state of the economy.

I’m afraid I’m not as sanguine as you about the ability of Councillors to deliver.

]]> By: jim http://www.libdemvoice.org/richard-kemp-writes-we-cant-go-on-like-this-4130.html#comment-63048 jim Sat, 20 Sep 2008 09:57:11 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/?p=4130#comment-63048 What was the input of Chris Huhne's local councillors in Eastleigh to the proposal? What was the input of Chris Huhne’s local councillors in Eastleigh to the proposal?

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