As you know, Liberal Democrats are unique in British politics as the only party whose policy is developed democratically through a member elected policy committee, member votes at conference and a member voice that is listened to at every level of the party.
The same will be true of our next Manifesto. At the 2015 General Election we have a huge opportunity to break the outdated two-party mould of British politics for good. But to achieve this, we need to develop strong policies that reinforce our values, appeal to our potential supporters and can be delivered in Government. That’s where you come in.
Following Conference’s approval of the Manifesto Themes Paper, the members of the Manifesto Working Group and I want to continue a dialogue with members as we draft the Pre Manifesto Document that will go to Autumn Conference 2014.
So this weekend we are launching the party’s biggest ever manifesto consultation “Have Your Say”, with several ways for members to get involved, including:
· A new website – www.manifesto2015.org – where any member can discuss proposals and submit their own ideas, which will then be reviewed by the Manifesto Working Group, with the best ones opened up for further debate.
· Support for local parties to hold their own discussion meetings.
· A regional Manifesto Roadshow, which will visit:
o Leeds – 12th November
o Yeovil – 14th November
o Tregynon – 16th November
o London – 4th December
o Birmingham – January (tbc)
o Aberdeen – 30th March
o Welsh Spring Conference (tbc)
I’d like to encourage every member to get involved, whether online or at local meetings. We will all be campaigning on our 2015 Manifesto, so I want everyone to have their say as we write it!
* David Laws is Liberal Democrat Minister for Schools.
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7 Comments
Are there plans to hold an event in the north west?
I hesitate to make a comment of this nature, but it’s hugely disappointing that there are no regional manifesto events either the North-West, where we have several MPs and an MEP, or even the North-East, where we have two MPs, a regional MEP and where we, until recently, had control of the largest LibDem local authority in Newcastle, and Durham City. Including these areas into the regional manifesto would be a big encouragement to party members there, and also provide a perspective on UK politics which may otherwise be lacking from the regions already listed.
“But to achieve this, we need to develop strong policies that reinforce our values, appeal to our potential supporters and can be delivered in Government. ”
Can we start this by ditching the automatic assumption that private is good and public is bad. Many good things would flow from breaking with that particular tenet of faith.
It is a huge shame that the party hasn’t embraced a modern democracy with all member votes on policy proposals that are put forward democractically.
Rather alarmed by the appendage of the word ‘expert’ to outside organisations – wot, like lobbyists, private companies, etc???
Good to see that Orange Book editor and author David Laws is heading the Manifesto Working Group. But disappointed the road-show won’t be visiting Norfolk (you have two MPs in the county). Still, if Orange Book ideas are going to form the basis of the manifesto, I will join the party.
@HuwSayer
There must be something in the manifesto about the buses in the regions. They are not used and are being taken off. because they are unreliable, a service can be taken off after six weeks, the bus companies make no effort to advertise them. the bus companies just take them off if they are not paying. Its a farce.