Rochdale marked St George's day with the raising of the flag outside Rochdale Town Hall. Leader of the Council Alan Taylor was joined by a number of local residents and councillors at the front of the town hall for the celebrations. The St George's flag also flew outside many pubs, businesses, cars and homes.
"Two years ago, the Liberal Democrats took control of our Council for the first time ever, and during that time we've continued to deliver on our exciting programme of change and improvements for our Borough. This is your Council, and our main aim is to make your Council a listening Council that can react to your suggestions and worries. This manifesto again demonstrates some of our achievements, and sets out our next step and our priorities for the coming year. We highlight jobs, health, our environment, community safety, provision for the older members of our community, and our strong commitment to value for money.
President of the Liberal Democrats, Simon Hughes MP, has taken time out to officially launch Rochdale Borough Liberal Democrat's manifesto for 2008 alongside Rochdale MP Paul Rowen. Mr Hughes came to Littleborough and talked to local residents over a cup of tea at Littleborough Coach House.
Commenting on the outcome of Ofgem's summit today where energy companies promised to renew their efforts to tackle fuel poverty, Liberal Democrat Shadow Environment Secretary, Steve Webb said:
Dundee LibDems today (Tuesday 22nd April) criticised as "thoroughly inadequate" Labour's announcement of a review into poverty, following backbench pressure over the abolition of the 10p Income Tax rate.
Gordon Brown's attempt to head off a defeat over the abolition of the 10p income tax band appears not to have won over rebel Labour MPs. 39 have signed an amendment challenging the decision - enough to beat the Government if repeated in next week's Commons vote. Party whips have told MPs a vote against the bill will be a vote of no confidence in the government. During second reading debate on the Finance Bill yesterday, Chief Secretary to the Treasury Yvette Cooper said an inquiry into child poverty would be expanded to include low earning households without children. Labour MPs have continued to criticise the scrapping of the 10p rate. "Gordon Brown should just stand back and say, maybe I didn't quite get the sums right," said Ian Gibson MP.