Author: stockportlibdems

Liberal Democrats launch manifesto

Today the Liberal Democrats released their General Election manifesto- ‘For a Fair Deal’. A fully costed policy programme that has the ambition needed to provide meaningful change to people across the country, while rejecting the divisive policies and rhetoric in favour of well-constructed policies designed to directly improve people’s everyday lives. This involves an ambitious plan to revive people’s faith in the NHS.

Cllr Mark Hunter, leader of Stockport Council said-

“We are delighted to present our manifesto to the public, who will be able to see fully costed policies that are central to rectifying the damage done by the Conservatives to our country. Nationally, confidence in the NHS is at a low point, whilst on our doorstep, the appalling condition of Stepping Hill hospital is obvious for anybody to see. The Liberal Democrats have a clear plan to invest in our NHS and prevent expensively firefighting crisis after crisis.”

The manifesto targets several other areas of failing infrastructure in the UK, including a guarantee to end the lack of access to dentists, to protect our environments from water companies dumping raw sewage into our rivers and lakes and measures to improve policing to make communities feel safe again.

Amongst these measures, however, is a clear personal priority towards improving the deal for both paid and unpaid carers, indicated by Ed Davey talking about caring for his disabled son, in the parties political broadcast released last week.

“Anybody who has watched our Party Election Broadcast will have been moved by Eds’ story, but it is a story that so many can relate to. In Stockport we have over 30,000 unpaid carers, and our plan will provide a fair deal for them, including paid carers leave and a statutory guarantee of regular respite breaks.”

The release of the manifesto comes as Stockport Liberal Democrat councillors and activists have been campaigning in prime target seats in the North West of Cheadle and Hazel Grove. Candidates Tom Morrison and Lisa Smart, both local councillors, are building on a clear second place finishes to the Conservatives in 2015, 2017 and 2019 and have been named the favourites to win the seats according to a New Stateman Forecast.

In the Stockport constituency itself, Cllr Wendy Meikle is also looking to build on a strong performance in the 2019 general election by joining her colleagues in campaigning for a fair deal for the people of Stockport.

Stockport Liberal Democrats look forward to Stockport Pride!

Sunday the 2nd of June will see Stockport mark its annual LGBTQ+ pride event in the town centre, where the Stockport  Liberal Democrats will be proud to fly the flag with our own stall.

The event will be based in and around the market place, with a parade, stalls and a stage with live performances, as the town celebrates Stockport’s LGBTQ+ community

Liberal Democrat Councillor, Jake Austin said

“We are looking forward to another fantastic Stockport Pride festival this weekend, marching alongside families, friends and our communities to show our support for the LGBTQ+ people of Stockport.

As Liberal Democrats we are proud to support everyone, no matter their background. Stockport Pride brings our community together to celebrate the diversity of our borough, and every year Pride becomes bigger and better. We can’t wait to be there on Sunday!”

For more information on Stockport Pride visit the Stockport Pride website

General Election forces further pause to Stockport’s Local Plan consultation

Action by the chaotic Conservative government has once again forced Stockport to pause consultation on our Local Plan.

Calling a General Election puts councils into a pre-election period where guidance states they must not schedule decisions on any issues that are controversial within the context of the election. The Chief Executive, on advice from her senior team, has decided that the consultation on the Local Plan would fall into this category. It thus has to be paused and rescheduled for later in the summer.

Speaking after this decision was announced, Cllr Mark Roberts, Deputy Leader of the Council and Local Plan Lead, said: “Having been delayed in 2022 by the shifting sands and the chaos of announcements during the Conservative Party’s leadership election and then again for over a year whilst Michael Gove took his time to rewrite the planning rules, Stockport, frustratingly faces yet another delay to our Local Plan. This time it is caused by the Prime Minister in his pursuit of a chaotic and rushed General Election, just as we were about to publish the draft plan for consultation.

“The Liberal Democrats want to deliver the right homes in the right places. We want our residents to have their say about our plan to protect the Green Belt from being concreted over by developers, as Labour would prefer and as had been proposed under their wider Greater Manchester plan that we rejected. We will now urgently review our timetable and ensure a full consultation is launched as soon as possible after the General Election is out of the way.”

Annual Council Meeting confirms Liberal Democrats to continue leading in Stockport!

Following a strong performance in the Local Elections earlier this month, the Annual Council meeting this afternoon confirmed that the Liberal Democrats will continue to lead Stockport Council for the year ahead.

At those elections, the Lib Dems were successful in defending every seat they already held whilst also making 2 gains from Labour, leaving them just 1 short of majority control of the council.

Cllr Mark Hunter, confirmed as remaining the Leader of the Council until May 2026, said:

“It was an honour to be confirmed once again as Leader of the Council. Work has continued since the elections to drive things forward, making sure residents gain the full benefits of the feel-good factor that’s everywhere in our borough right now.

“Having recently been awarded The Sunday Times ‘best place to live in the North West’, we are determined to ensure that we make the most of this time in the spotlight to push forward with the further regeneration and development of the place we all call home.  The £1bn regeneration of the town centre, including the new Viaduct Park and transport interchange, will be followed shortly by the launch of the consultation on a Local Plan for Stockport, delivering the right homes in the right places whilst protecting our green belt.

“The positive vision we have for Stockport has been fully supported by residents at the polling stations and we’re looking forward to repaying their faith in the coming months and years.”

Stockport Liberal Democrats proud to fly the Progress Pride flag

Friday, 17th May 2024 is International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia and so there is no better day for the Stockport Liberal Democrats to reaffirm that we are proud allies of our LGBTQIA+ community.

We’re acutely aware that many in public life have made the deliberate decision to conduct campaigns that have the purpose of creating division and discrimination directly targeted at the LGBTQIA+ community. This only encourages wider discrimination and violence to a marginalised community in already challenging times. That’s why we want to reaffirm our support for this part of our community, their rights and our commitment to being a welcoming and inclusive borough for all.

Cllr Frankie Singleton, Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Sport stated her support: “Being a ’Fair and Inclusive’ borough goes well beyond party politics.  I want all LGBTQIA+ residents and council colleagues to know that they are seen and valued. There’s no room here for division, ‘othering’ and discrimination.”

Cllr Jilly Julian, Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources added: “Every Stockport resident, business and colleague is a valued and unique part of our community.  The fantastic contribution of our vibrant LGBTQIA+ community is a vital part of what makes Stockport a great place to be, and no-one has the right to diminish that with fear or hate.”

Cllr Mark Hunter, Leader of the Council said “The Conservative Government have decided that it wants to make the rights of human beings into a culture war issue, the Liberal Democrats are clear both nationally and locally on our stance- Biphobia, Transphobia and Homophobia are unacceptable. The fight for the rights of these communities is ongoing and there is no room for complacency, we are proud to fly the Progress Pride flag on our Town Hall today.”

Stockport Liberal Democrats mark Global Accessibility Awareness Day 2024

This year on Thursday the 16th May, it’s Global Accessibility Awareness Day. The purpose of which is to create discussion surrounding digital access and inclusion, recognising there are more than 1 billion people across the world facing digital exclusion due to disability and other barriers.

In the UK, the Good Things Foundation report that for every £1 invested into digital inclusion, there is a £9 return back into the economy. It is not only vital that people are provided with access to the digital services to get along in day-to-day life, it also has tangible benefits to the UK as a whole.

Meanwhile, closer to home, the Liberal Democrat Cabinet on Stockport Council knows all about the importance of breaking down barriers for people entering the digital world, with incredible leaps being made in the last two years, and no signs of stopping. Cabinet Member Cllr Jilly Julian said-

“It is vital that everyone has access to the wide range of digital services that this Council has to offer. That’s why over the last year we’ve seen success of a number of schemes that are all about providing accessibility to our digital platforms for our residents. We’ve started this effort from home, the Council website uses both ‘Recite Me’ accessibility software alongside a language translation tool which has opened up our services to so many and is used thousands of times a month.

“We also recognise that for many, there are significant barriers to getting online at all, that’s why we’ve set up DigiKnow; a fantastic partnership that provides regular sessions across the borough empowering people with or without disabilities, to develop the skills and confidence to get online and make the most of the digital world.  We’re also working to combat data poverty here in Stockport”

“As more and more of daily life is conducted online, it’s crucial that we bring people along with us. Residents with sight loss, dyslexia or from a range of different circumstances have access to our online services thanks to Recite Me.  Meanwhile, residents with no experience of using technology, struggle to learn or people simply lacking in confidence online can join our community sessions and get the skills and support they need.”