Tag Archives: durham county council

Reform in local government guilty of attacks on those with the least

By Callum Robertson | Tue 16th December 2025 - 10:55 am

No one should be trapped in poverty. That’s a principle that is core to our identity as Liberal Democrats. Another is trust—trusting people to manage their own lives, with the government stepping in only when necessary to help. That’s why we champion universal credit for those who need support and an NHS free at the point of use.

These principles drove us in government: when we raised the personal tax threshold, taking millions out of paying income tax and enabling people to keep more of what they earned. We also did it when we introduced targeted help like the Pupil Premium to give disadvantaged children a fair start.

They guide us in local government too, where Liberal Democrat councils run some of the most progressive council tax reduction schemes in the country—Watford, Three Rivers, and Richmond among them.

Posted in News | Also tagged watford borough council | 3 Comments

Lib Dem Amanda Hopgood to lead Durham County Council

By The Voice | Thu 27th May 2021 - 11:23 am

Great news from Durham. Liberal Democrat Councillor Amanda Hopgood has taken over as Durham County Council leader after Labour lost their majority (and 21 seats) in May’s local elections.

From the BBC:

The alliance, made up of Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, independents and a Green councillor, officially took over at the council’s annual meeting on Wednesday.

Ms Hopgood, who leads the Liberal Democrat group, said she was “honoured and privileged” to have been elected leader.

She said: “County Durham is a fantastic place, not just for those of

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