News Archives - Page 3 of 5 - Mansfield & Ashfield Liberal Democrats

Scrapping Ofsted must be the beginning of the end of teaching to the test

22nd September 2019/in Hucknall, Sherwood /by Leon Duveen

Responding to today’s announcement by the Labour Party that they will campaign to abolish Ofsted, Liberal Democrat Shadow Education Secretary Layla Moran MP said:

“It is always good to see the Labour Party copying another key Lib Dem education promise, just as they followed us in calling for SATs to be scrapped, here they are trailing in behind again.

“The Conservatives’ high stakes testing regime is hurting our children. SATs and Ofsted inspections are causing stress and anxiety for pupils and teachers, even though they mean nothing for a child’s life chances.

“Ofsted lost the trust of the teaching profession long ago. We need an inspection system that parents and teachers can trust, supporting schools to succeed rather than punishing them for failure.

“But Angela Rayner must go further. We must end teaching to the test – which is why Liberal Democrats want to scrap league tables in their current form. Parents should be able to see the full picture of how their school is doing, not just how well Year 6 pupils do in a week of English and Maths tests.

“Liberal Democrats demand better for our children. They should come home from school happy, healthy and with the skills they need to succeed in life – not just as children who know how to pass exams.”

Thoughts on the Lib Dem Conference

21st September 2019/in Conference, Hucknall, National, Sherwood /by Leon Duveen

I couldn’t make Conference this year because of work commitments but I did manage to catch some of it on BBC Parliament. Watching the debate on Europe on Sunday morning was definitely a highlight, including the fantastic speech 13 year old Niamh O’Connell from Reading. You can watch the debate here from 3:06:00 (Niamh’s speech is from 3:22:00)

However Conference, like the Lib Dems, is about much more than Brexit. The debates covered a wide range of issues. from Railways to the removing the Home Secretary power to remove British Citizenship; from tackling Climate Change to supporting tourism in the UK. You can read all the motions passed in Bournemouth on the main Lib Dem Website.

Obviously, Jo Swinson’s first speech to Conference (from 4:24:00) as leader was eagerly anticipated and she didn’t let us down. Electrifying and clear, she laid out just why she has the ambition to lead us back into Government, even be the Government in the near future.

You can tell how scared both the Tories & Labour (as well as the other extremist parties) are of Jo by the level of vitriol and lies being aimed at her and the Lib Dems. We must be brave and hold firm to our principle so when the General Election comes (and come it will either later this year or early next year) we will reap the benefits of being the one Party with a clear, understandable and defendable position of how to take the UK forward and out of the Brexit mess.

We should be in the Commons, not at Conference

17th September 2019/in Hucknall, Sherwood /by Leon Duveen

Liberal Democrat members have passed an emergency motion calling on the Conservative Government to recall Parliament immediately so that it can sit until Article 50 is extended.

The motion demands that Boris Johnson asks the Queen to revoke the prorogation order, and states that future decisions about when Parliament sits should be handed to MPs.

Liberal Democrat members have also reaffirmed their commitment to a package of reforms that would make the Government more accountable. These include giving a House Business Committee control of the Order Paper and ensuring a new Prime Minister has to win a vote of confidence before they take office.

The motion renews the Liberal Democrats’ campaign for proportional representation in elections and an elected House of Lords.

Speaking after the motion was passed, Liberal Democrat Stop Brexit Spokesman Tom Brake MP said:

“Boris Johnson has shut down democracy and silenced people’s voices in the middle of the biggest crisis in recent history.

“MPs should be in Parliament, holding the Tory Government to account, and stopping them from trying to force the country into a disastrous no-deal Brexit. It is absurd that it may take a Supreme Court ruling to allow MPs to do their job.

“An unelected Prime Minister, with no majority, cannot be allowed to trample over our democracy. That is why Liberal Democrats have passed this motion, calling for parliament to be immediately recalled. Liberal Democrats will continue to stand up for the people.”

Lib Dem membership rises to over 120,000

6th September 2019/in Hucknall, Sherwood /by Leon Duveen

The Liberal Democrats have today announced that there are now 120,845 members of the party.

A further 17,102 people have registered as ‘supporters’.

Commenting on the highest ever membership figures for the party, Liberal Democrat Leader Jo Swinson said:

“I’m delighted that we have reached another significant milestone in our membership.

“More and more people are joining the Liberal Democrats, and showing their commitment to stopping Brexit.

“We are an open, inclusive and progressive party that is growing in Parliament and across the country.

“I welcome all those who have joined us and share our liberal values.”

Progress along Papplewick Lane

21st April 2019/in Ashfield, Hucknall, News /by Martin Howes

Good news 1: Resurfacing near Moor Road

Thank you to everybody who signed our petition calling for the council to resurface the section of Papplewick Lane nearest to Moor Road, Papplewick. There were a large number of signatures! Nottinghamshire County Council (and their contractor Via) have put this resurfacing into their work schedule for June 2019.

Local campaigner Martin Howes commented

This is great news. When the resurfacing finally happens, it will make this stretch of road safer for motorists and cyclists

Good news 2: Parking restrictions near the station

Lib Dem campaigner Vicki Charlton has been leading the calls for parking restrictions on the section of Papplewick Lane between the station mini-roundabout and SOS Garage. We are pleased to report that Nottinghamshire County Council has agreed to introduce parking restrictions at that end of Papplewick Lane. The necessary work is planned for later in 2019.

Petition: Resurface Papplewick Lane

4th April 2019/in Ashfield, Hucknall, News /by Martin Howes

Thank you to everyone who responded to our recent Residents Survey. The most frequently mentioned issue was the terrible state of the road surface on Papplewick Lane, near to Moor Road.

This stretch of road was listed in last year’s road repairs programme, but nothing happened. Because of the strength of feeling locally, we’ve launched a petition to Nottinghamshire County Council.

Please add your name to the petition by entering your details below and clicking the Sign Petition button.

If the form below doesn’t load correctly you can sign the petition by visiting https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/PUDNQ/

Hucknall Residents’ Survey 2019

2nd March 2019/in Ashfield, Hucknall, News /by James Harvey

What’s your opinion?

What improvements could make the biggest difference to Hucknall? What are your priorities for our area? We want your comments and suggestions. Please take part in our Residents Survey.

If the below survey doesn’t load correctly you can also access the survey by visiting https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/8025D/

Twenty is plenty

1st March 2019/in Hucknall /by Martin Howes

Speeding traffic is a concern of many local residents in Hucknall.

Hucknall Lib Dem campaigner Martin Howes says “In my view, a speed limit of 20 miles per hour should apply to residential side streets across the whole of Hucknall. On the streets where our families live, twenty is plenty.”

As well as improving road safety, lower traffic speeds bring several other benefits. These include encouraging more cycling and walking, reducing traffic noise and reducing pollution.

Enforcing the speed limit on main roads

We would like to see the county council do more to remind motorists of the speed limit. Electronic speed indicator signs can be part of this strategy. We know that police resources are stretched, but the safety of our children must be a priority. There is a strong case for more enforcement of speed limits.

Vicki Charlton Vaughan Potholes 20181104

Fix our crumbling roads!

1st December 2018/in Ashfield, Hucknall, News /by Vicki Charlton

Many roads in Hucknall need repairing. Streets have been badly affected by extreme weather in recent years.

Road markings have worn away in many places. Some junctions have no markings at all.

Local campaigner Vicki Charlton says

“Last year’s diversion during the railway bridge replacement meant that more heavy traffic used the roads in the Vaughan estate. Little has been done to repair the damage other than a few potholes being filled with cold tarmac.”

We’re calling on the council to make this work a priority in their road repairs programme.

Liberal Democrats select candidate for Sutton Junction & Harlow Wood By-Election

10th November 2018/in Ashfield, News /by James Harvey

Last week the former Labour Councillor for Sutton Junction & Harlow Wood ward of Ashfield District Council resigned forcing a by-election to take place on Wednesday 12^th December 2018. When this seat was fought in 2016 the Liberal Democrats narrowly missed out on winning the seat by only 6 votes!

I am pleased to announce that, following a meeting of the Executive Committee, Martin Howes has been selected as the Liberal Democrats’ candidate for this election.

On his selection Martin says

“This is a time of great uncertainty in British politics. I am proud of our Lib Dem policies. I am very pleased to represent the Liberal Democrats in this by-election. If elected, I will work tirelessly.”

Our acting chair Andy Rimmer would like to offer his thanks on behalf of the party to those that expressed an interest in being our candidate, and to wish Martin luck in the upcoming election.

You can find more details on Martin here.

We will be starting our campaign this weekend with door knocking to get nomination signatures and drawing up a fuller campaign plan. If you are able to offer your support in time or money please get in touch with Martin’s agent for this election James Harvey on james.harvey@mansfieldandashfieldlibdems.org.uk.