Tag Archives: bath and north east somerset

Mary Reid

Groundbreaking!

By Mary Reid | Fri 5th May 2023 - 8:41 am

This is a groundbreaking night for the Liberal Democrats. We are exceeding all expectations. We have delivered a hammer blow to the Conservative Party in the Blue Wall ahead of next year’s general election.

That was Ed Davey early this morning BEFORE we heard the result from Windsor and Maidenhead.

Yesterday’s elections were built on the excellent results for the Lib Dems in 2019, so we were being somewhat cautious about our capacity to increase our wins this time. On the other hand the Conservatives had been managing expectations by making out that fewer than 1000 losses on the night would be a victory of sorts. In the event, the night ended with the Tories already down by 228 councillors, with some of the most vulnerable blue wall areas yet to be counted. Lib Dems are already up by 61, and three quarters of all councils are yet to declare.

So what happened in Windsor and Maidenhead? This is what happened:

LDEM: 61.0% (+37.5)
CON: 24.2% (-14.3)
LAB: 14.8% (+2.6)

Just savour that for a minute. We gained 13 seats to take control for the first time, and …

Now I wonder if anyone tried to canvass the King?

So what else has been going on since our last post?

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The Voice

Bath & North East Somerset adopts net zero housing policy

By The Voice | Thu 26th January 2023 - 11:32 am

Liberal Democrat controlled Bath and North East Somerset Council has become the first council in England to adopt an energy-based net zero housing policy as part of its commitment to tackling the climate emergency.

The new housing development policy will ensure the energy use of any proposed development is measured and meets a specified target — setting a limit on the total energy use and demand for space heating. It will also require sufficient on-site renewable energy generation to match the total energy consumption of the buildings — ensuring the development is 100% self-sufficient.

New policies will also address building emissions such as a policy to limit carbon emissions resulting from the materials used in the construction of large-scale developments. These ‘upfront’ embodied carbon emissions will be limited to 900kg CO2 e/m2.

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Mark Valladares

The curious tale of a 5G mast in Bath

By Mark Valladares | Tue 29th December 2020 - 8:56 am

There was a curious, and rather unlikely piece, in the Guardian on Boxing Day, courtesy of that well-known friend of Liberal Democrats, Nick Cohen, suggesting that Liberal Democrat councillors in Bath had opposed a new 5G phone mast for reasons linked to the theory that 5G was responsible for occurrences most politely described as conspiracy theories.

Naturally, proper research was not involved, nor did he actually speak to anyone linked to the decision to refuse planning permission.

It always puzzles me that so many people, including Liberal Democrats, claim to be sceptical about our media, yet seem willing to believe unreservedly anything …

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Caron Lindsay

Former MP and Councillor David Bellotti dies at 72.

By Caron Lindsay | Wed 10th June 2015 - 11:18 pm

More sad news tonight as we hear that the surprise Liberal Democrat winner of the 1990 Eastbourne by-election, David Bellotti, died this morning.

I remember the delight when he won the Eastbourne by-election in 1990. Just 18 months earlier, the party had been utterly gubbed in the European Elections and his victory showed that we were well and truly alive. Sadly he lost his seat at the General Election two years later.

In latter years, he lived in Bath where he was Don Foster’s agent and a Councillor on Bath and North East Somerset Council. I know how much admiration his ward colleague Katie Hall had for him.

I just had a wee look at Hansard to look at the sort of issues he talked about. You can tell a lot about someone by the things they raise in their maiden speech. 25 years ago, he was talking about mental health and social care:

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Recent Comments

  • Ed Sanderson
    Very sad news. I remember many a lively evening of erudite discussion in Leeds - Michael was a true intellect - and a genuinely warm soul. My condolences to his...
  • Jack
    This is bang on. What is the point of a liberal party that won't stand up for rights, especially when both government and opposition want to make hay out of div...
  • Matt (Bristol)
    I totally understand this is a key issue for many Lib Dems (and I'm not speaking for Lib Dems myself, I'm an ex-member). But I don't understand how this 'vangua...
  • John Grout
    Fully agree with all of this. I've seen a few MPs' Pride Month posts reference Section 28 abolition and Same-Sex Marriage - we need to start talking about this...
  • Mick Taylor
    I knew Michael for over 54 years. Michael eventually joined the LibDems in 2006. I should know, I signed him up! I always found his writing inspirational and hi...