This document sets out agreements reached between the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats on a range of issues. These are the issues that needed to be resolved between us in order for us to work together as a strong and stable government. It will be followed in due course by a final Coalition Agreement, covering the full range of policy and including foreign, defence and domestic policy issues not covered in this document.
A leading Shropshire Liberal Democrat today appealed to party members to trust their national leaders despite the "serious doubts and questions" that remain over the coalition.
The outcome of the general election - a coalition with the Conservatives was not particularly desired or foreseen, yet what Nick Clegg has achieved is the best possible outcome given the only real alternative were a minority Conservative administration, that could if left to its own devices, have inflicted severe damage on the structure of our society and economic recovery.
Lib Dem County Councillor David Kendall has managed to get answers to a number of key questions regarding "Banking on Essex" from Tory controlled Essex County Council. Cllr Kendall, a long term critic of the scheme, asked just how much support had been given to small businesses in Essex since it's launch in a blaze of publicity back in late 2009. Judging by the answers it seems he was right to have those concerns.
Cllr David Kendall is assuring residents that the Liberal Democrats are still very much the opposition on Brentwood and Essex councils and will continue to hold the local Tories to account, despite the national Liberal Democrat-Conservative coalition government that is now in place.
The Labour ID Card system and related National Identity Register are to be abolished. Delga exec member Jen Yockney said "This is one of many pieces of good news for Lib Dem members and supporters from the new coalition government. In particular LGBT campaigners have expressed concerns about the implications of the ID system for privacy, and other issues such as its limitations for transgender and genderqueer people.