At noon today nominations closed for this year's set of local elections. Early indications show it is only the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives who are standing at least one candidate in every ward, proving it is only the Liberal Democrats are the real opposition to this Conservative Council.
We all want to be safe from terrorists and villains. It is, however, sometimes important not to lose sight of the fact that our liberties also need to be protected. The first measures to be avoided are those that reduce liberties and have no appreciable effect on our safety.
Newcastle's Council Tax has fallen to 85th highest in the country, reflecting the Lib Dems' promise to keep Council Tax rises below inflation.
Liberal Democrat deputy leader Vince Cable has attacked "ridiculous" Commons procedures after he was banned from asking a question about the Queen. Mr Cable mentioned the Monarch in a question on the economy to Harriet Harman, who was standing in for Gordon Brown at PMQs. He said: "It was reported this week that Her Majesty the Queen had cancelled her diamond wedding celebrations because it was judged to be inappropriate to engage in extravagance at a time of economic gloom and recession. Do you share my view that this demonstrates Her Majesty's unerring instincts for the public mood, or does the Government think she was overreacting?" But Speaker Martin would not let the question be answered.
Residents on Costead Manor Road and Greenshaw have contacted the Brentwood North Lib Dem Team concerning the frequency of their 71 Bus Service. The service links Costead Manor Road with Brentwood High Street and Stondon Massey. Upon examination of the timetable, Brentwood North candidate Ross Carter and Cllr Reg Straw found that not all of the journeys serve the estate. The Lib Dem Petition to call for increased journeys has attracted strong support.
Since 1998 over 109,000 people have claimed incapacity benefit while living abroad, at a cost of £1m a week to UK taxpayers, according to new research revealed by the Liberal Democrats. The cost to the taxpayer in the past ten years has been almost half a billion pounds.