Effective Opposition
The Liberal Democrats have been the only party who have provided effective opposition to Labour over the past eight years. On gay adoption, repeal of Section 28, transgender issues and civil partnership rights, the Lib Dems have been unanimous in their support for a change in the law. The parliamentary party and regionally elected representatives around the country have been at the forefront of campaigns to ensure the police are more responsive to the needs of the LGBT community, and that reports of homophobic hate crime are taken seriously. Our party leader, Charles Kennedy MP frequently refers to the struggle for gay equality in his speeches and the party manifesto for the coming general election will outline the progress we still need to make to ensure an equal society for all. Key issues for the coming election will be focused around the themes of freedom, fairness and trust and will include proposals for an Equality Act, which will outlaw discrimination based on sexual orientation. Contrary to popular be
