The Liberal Democrats exist to build and safeguard a fair, free and open society, in which we seek to balance the fundamental values of liberty, equality and community, and in which no-one shall be enslaved by poverty, ignorance or conformity.

• Join the Liberal Democrats Today.

• Register for FREE email updates.

Fighting climate change - Liberal Democrat initiative adopted

Mole Valley District Council has passed a Liberal Democrat motion supporting the 10:10 campaign to reduce carbon emissions. The Council has pledged to get as close as possible to a 10% reduction in 2010 and to encourage its staff, residents and partner organisations to sign up to the initiative.

Councillor Bridget Lewis-Carr and campaigner Dave Howarth are going to cycle more

Liberal Democrat councillor Caroline Salmon, who proposed the motion, explains why this is so important: "The U.K. only reduced its emissions by about 4% between 2005 and 2008. 10:10 says this isn't fast enough to save our planet. 10:10 is about empowering climate change by getting individuals and institutions to reduce their carbon footprints. It believes that we can reduce energy use by 10% by the end of 2010, by getting everyone to look at how they use energy and thus use less. This adds an important element of urgency in an area where many organisations are merely setting targets 10 years into the future. We hope that all residents of Mole Valley will join us in signing up to the 10:10 pledge."

At its recent annual Conference in Bournemouth, the Liberal Democrats committed to support the 10:10 initiative and LibDem-controlled councils around the country have signed up. Locally Lib Dem motions to adopt 10:10 have been rejected by Conservative councils in Guildford and Surrey.

To find out more and join up to 10:10, go to

www.1010uk.org.

Welcome cut to red tape for South East's small businesses Thu 11th Mar 2010 South East England's Lib Dem Euro MPs have both welcomed today's European Parliament vote in favour of exempting struggling small businesses from producing onerous annual accounts.

Surrey Police Plans for more Bobbies on the Beat Mon 8th Mar 2010 The Surrey Police Authority is to hold a widespread public consultation on their plans to expand their force by about 200 new constables over the next 3 years, paid for by cutting about 50 senior officers and relocating Police Stations to council offices and supermarkets. About 100 of the new officers would join the neighbourhood police teams of "Bobbies on the Beat". This initiative has been supported by the Lib Dem members of the Surrey Police Authority.

Tories Abandon Environment Tue 23rd Feb 2010 The Tories have published a list of 'Ten reasons to vote Conservative' which did not include any reference to the environment or climate change.

Evening parking charges to stay New! Tue 16th Mar 2010 The Tories running Mole Valley are making more cuts including the free service that deals with rat problems, some maintenance of sports pitches and some grants for Arts & Leisure. They are also raising charges at Dorking Halls and retaining the evening parking charge.

Vince Cable says Lib Dems the only party of genuine economic reform New! Tue 16th Mar 2010 In a speech to Demos in January, Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor Vince Cable set out the key pillars of the Liberal Democrat economic manifesto. His speech was as follows:

Senior Tory joins Liberal Democrats New! Tue 16th Mar 2010 South East MEP Catherine Bearder has welcomed Edward McMillan-Scott's defection to the Liberal Democrats.

Capel incinerator finally defeated Sun 21st Feb 2010 Final confirmation of the defeat of Surrey Conservatives' plan for an incinerator at Capel has come in a letter from the County Council confirming that the planning applications have been withdrawn. The letter also states that an application has been received to return the site to Greenfield status in accordance with the existing planning permission.

Archive of earlier news stories.

News Story Feed (v1.0).

You are not logged in.