Council slammed for directing visually impaired into middle of dangerous junction

Chorlton Lib Dem candidate Matt Gallagher has slammed the Council for failing to protect visually impaired pedestrians. Last Autumn Matt raised concerns about the tactile paving which helps visually impaired pedestrians to safely cross Keppel Road. The paving had been laid in such a way as to direct pedestrians into the middle of the busy junction with Brantingham Road (see top picture). Last October the Council admitted the paving had been incorrectly laid over six years before and promised to rectify the problem within 30 days. Six Months on the Council had still not fixed the problem. Thankfully after Matt and I raised this issue again a few weeks ago it has now been rectified (see bottom picture).

Matt said: “I was very concerned that someone who is visually impaired could suffer serious injury if they believed this paving was helping them to safely cross to the other side of the road. As it was they could find themselves in the middle of a very busy junction.”

After Matt raised this issue with me I contacted the Council who confirmed that the paving had been incorrectly laid. It is simply unacceptable for the Council to take such risks with people’s lives. I demanded that the Council deal with this as a matter of urgency; but it is disgraceful it took them so long to rectify a relatively simple problem.

Simon Hughes MP: Lib Dems do it better

In times like these, deciding who will run your council is more important than ever. Who will look after your money? Who will make scarce resources go further?

Labour councils have been spending millions on cars, redesigning their own plush offices and even suggesting a wine terrace. Labour councillors in Hull spent £8,000 on a new silverware cabinet!

Read more about Labour’s abysmal record of council spending here.

We need councillors who spend money wisely.

And the Conservatives are no better!

In Cambridgeshire they gave themselves a 19% pay rise, in Hammersmith and Fulham they spent £7,000 on a leaving party for their Chief Executive, and in Seaford they put up council tax by almost 10% to help pay for a Jubilee party.

We need councillors who spend money to protect services.

Liberal Democrats are making the right calls for their communities in difficult times.

Unlike Labour and the Conservatives, every Liberal Democrat council in England is freezing council tax. We’re opening libraries in Cardiff, Portsmouth and Bristol and our councils are more likely than any other to give low-paid workers a pay rise.

You can help us elect more Lib Dem councillors on Thursday by voting for us at your local polling station. You don't need your polling card to vote. If you're not sure where your polling station is, you can contact your local council.

Weekly list of planning applications for the week ending 20 April 2012

Below are recently submitted Planning Applications in the Chorlton area. You can find out more information about any of the proposals on the City Council's Planning Portal at http://tinyurl.com/yv6lex or by contacting the South Area Planning Group Manager - Roger Hall; Tel: (0161) 234 4536; email: r.hall@manchester.gov.uk . You can also make a Planning representation (in support or opposition) to Mr Hall or the designated planning officer for each application. Please feel free to contact me on (07947383740; cllr.v.chamberlain@manchester.gov.uk) if you wish to discuss any application and please also send me a copy of any representation you make. 


098820/FO/2012/S1 47 Edge Lane Chorlton Manchester M21 9JU
Erection of part two/part three storey detached house (C3).


099097/FH/2012/S1 32 Reeves Road Chorlton Manchester M21 8BT
Erection of two storey side extension to form additional living accommodation


099106/FH/2012/S1 39 Whitelow Road Chorlton Manchester M21 9HG
Erection of single storey side extension to form additional living accommodation


099127/TCA/2012/S1 9 And 11 South Drive Chorlton Manchester M21 8DX
Works to various trees


099124/FH/2012/S1 399 Wilbraham Road Chorlton-cum-Hardy  Manchester M21 0UT
Erection of first floor rear extension together with raising of height of roof to  form additional living accommodation

099100/FO/2012/S1 David Medical Centre, 274 Barlow Moor Road Chorlton 

Manchester M21 8HA

Erection of single storey front extension, elevational alterations and 1.4 high metre  front boundary wall

099101/AO/2012/S1 David Medical Centre, 274 Barlow Moor Road Chorlton Manchester M21 8HA

Advertisement consent for the Installation of externally illuminated individual letter sign

Planning Applications in Chorlton

Below are recently submitted Planning Applications in the Chorlton area. You can find out more information about any of the proposals on the City Council's Planning Portal at http://tinyurl.com/yv6lex or by contacting the South Area Planning Group Manager - Roger Hall; Tel: (0161) 234 4536; email: r.hall@manchester.gov.uk . You can also make a Planning representation (in support or opposition) to Mr Hall or the designated planning officer for each application. Please feel free to contact me on (07947383740; cllr.v.chamberlain@manchester.gov.uk) if you wish to discuss any application and please also send me a copy of any representation you make.


098975/FH/2012/S1  52 Brookburn Road Chorlton Manchester M21 8FE

Erection of two storey side and part single, part two storey rear extension, installation of rear dormer and resurfacing and reconfiguration of driveway following demolition of existing detached garage and conservatory


099018/TCA/2012/S1 72 High Lane Chorlton Manchester M21 9XF

Work to trees


098927/FU/2012/S1 4 Napier Road Chorlton Manchester M21 8AW

Change of use from bed and breakfast hostel (C1) to residential dwelling (C3)


098955/FH/2012/S1 31 Chorlton Green Chorlton Manchester M21 9FQ

Installation of rear dormer, erection of single storey rear kitchen extension and rendering of gable wall

Guest Blog; Cllr Bernie Ryan: No library closed by Lib Dem Councils

The elections next week are about who can provide the best local services.

Last year, more than 40 libraries were closed by Conservative and Labour councils. In stark contrast, for the second year in a row, no Liberal Democrat-controlled council in England and Wales closed any library.

Liberal Democrat-controlled Cardiff is opening five new libraries and Portsmouth and Bristol are also opening new libraries.

While Conservatives and Labour councils cut their budgets without regard for the most vulnerable, Liberal Democrat-controlled councils know how to protect essential services.

Libraries are a life-line for local communities, especially for those who are less well off, and give people the opportunity to relax, learn new information and skills or to use the internet if they don’t have it at home.

They are also an opportunity to get young people interested in reading. They should not be cut. Liberal Democrats understand that. Labour and Tories do not.

Cllr Bernie Ryan is a Liberal Democrat Councillor for Chorlton Park and candidate in the local election.

Citizens Advice Bureau in Chorlton

A Citizens Advice Bureau advisor will be available every Tuesday from 8th May 2012 at Darley Avenue Sure Start Centre (Next to Barlow Hall Primary School).

The advisor will be available between 9.30am and 1.30pm (Last appointment @ 12.30pm). Appointments are essential. To book an appointment please ring 0161-245-7013

CHORLTON GREEN FARMERS' MARKET AND CRAFT FAIR THIS SATURDAY

Sat 28 April - Farmers' Market and Craft Fair, 11am-5pm

Our regular market, held on the last Saturday of each month. The cream of the North West's farmers, growers, producers and artisans descend on Chorlton Green to sell directly to the public.

Several new stalls this month!

FARMERS' MARKET - IN FRONT OF THE HORSE & JOCKEY (NOW 16 STALLS)

CRAFT FAIR - INSIDE THE PUB

BBQ - ON THE TERRACE (IF FINE)

Top Council Boss Earns 1663% more than lowest paid

Shock new figures obtained from Manchester City Council shows that the highest paid employee gets paid sixteen times more than the lowest paid. Exclusive figures shown to the Manchester Evening News reveal the lowest paid worker at Manchester Council is paid just £12,489 per year. The highest paid employee is Chief Executive Sir Howard Bernstein who earns more than £ 203,000 last year.

Manchester's Lib Dem Leader Coun Marc Ramsbottom called for a radical overhaul of pay within the Council. "The gap between the lowest paid and the top earns must be reduced. The ratio should be a maximum of 10 to 1, but the current gap is 16 to 1 and the Council must take action to reduce
gap this over time" he said.

Chorlton Lib Dem Coun Victor Chamberlain who obtained the figures said "When Ed Milliband was running for Labour leader he called for a £7.60 minimum wage for UK workers . The Labour City Council does not even abide by this standard and provide dignity in work. It is not right for Council bosses to earn sixteen times more than the lowest earners." he said.

Note 1: Below is a table provided by the Council showing a breakdown of the
number of MCC staff on each pay grade.

Note 2: Lowest salary - SCP 6= £12,489 (this is the bottom point of Grade
1)Highest salary - £203,934

London 2012 Billboards in Chorlton

Earlier today I saw this billboard in the Chorlton Morrisons Car park. I thought it was a bit odd that Transport for London and the Mayor of London are paying for billboards in Chorlton! I asked the Council for any information they had about which Manchester roads will be affected by the London Olympic Games.

Having raised it with Council bosses I understand these billboards probably relate to the expected impact of the Olympic football matches being played at Old Trafford. However the Council don't see this impacting on Chorlton in any different way to a normal big football game; but they are going to double check!

For information below are the matches which will take place at Old Trafford.

• 26 July – UAE v Uruguay - 5pm (M)
• 26 July – Team GB v Senegal - 7.45pm (M)
• 29 July – Brazil v Belarus - 12pm (M)
• 29 July – Egypt v New Zealand - 2.45pm (M)
• 31 July – USA v Korea DPR – 5.45pm (W)
• 1 August –Spain v Morocco - 5pm (M)
• 4 August – men's quarter finals - 12pm (M)
• 6 August – women's semi-finals (W)
• 7 August - men's semi-finals (M)

Message from the Friends of Longford Park - Centenary Weekend Volunteers Needed! 12-13th May. Can you help?

We are really looking forward to the Longford Park Centenary Weekend but we do need more volunteers to help out! Can you help?

Saturday 12th May will be a 1912 Festival Day (1 – 9pm), when we encourage people to dress in Edwardian/ Downtown Abbey costumes!  There will be two performance stages with music, dance and song, which reflect the era. There will be craft workshops for kids and a variety of stalls for people to browse and buy.

Sunday 13th (1 – 5pm) on we will celebrate the Today’s Park, as it is now.  There will be a variety of different music styles from Cajun to Gospel, as well as a whole stage devoted to local young bands. People will also be able to get coaching in numerous sports such as football (under and over 7s), golf, tennis and basketball throughout the afternoon.

To ensure all this runs as smoothly and safely, we require volunteers who will provide stewarding across the two days.

Volunteer tasks will encompass setting up, sorting programmes and allowing access to the park, directing stallholders, artists and other visitors where necessary.  Stewards will be the first point of contact with members of the public coming to join in the fun. Stewards will hand out programmes and calendars for a small donation. During the event Stewards will be expected to watch over the event and assist members of the public, where necessary.

ECO Friendly (Green) Volunteers will also be required to ensure the park stays as litter free as possible and will help with recycling paper, cans, plastics and bottles.

Volunteers will be required throughout the day so any amount of time people can spare would be welcome. Although, we would be expecting volunteers to offer at least 3 hours of their valuable time...

Saturday :            12 noon – 3pm / 3pm - 6pm / 6pm – 9pm
Sunday:                12 noon – 3pm / 3pm – 6pm

The Coordinating Steward will fully brief you on the day and support you throughout the event on everything you need to do. We will provide refreshment to keep you going.

Please register your interest by visiting http://lp100longfordparkcentenary.org.uk/volunteer/ or contact Mark on 07528130349 or email mark@p3tc.co.uk.

We hope that the Longford Park Centenary will be a really enjoyable event for the whole community, if you need any further information, then please email info@lp100.org.uk.

Chorlton Good Neighbours Event - 17th May

Chorlton Good Neighbours invites you to an Over 50's Information Morning at Wilbraham St Ninian’s Church (Egerton Road South, Chorlton, M21 0XJ) on Thursday 17th May 2012 between 10am - 12noon. The event is completely Free.
There will be stalls from Age concern, Care & Repair, Chorlton Good Neighbours, Ring & Ride, Local Falls team & others.

 

Chorlton Good Neighbours are promoting the oppertunities to take advantage of:

• Energy Efficiency Advice
• Legal Advice
• Hand Massage
• Art Exhibition
• Benefits Advice
• Hearing advice

For more information contact Helen Hibberd on 881 2925 or email goodneighbours@btconnect.com

No Lib Dem Council Has Raised Council Tax – Tim Farron

Official reports have confirmed that no Liberal Democrat-run council in England has increased council tax for their residents. This is unlike both other major parties, many of which are increasing council tax by up to 3.5% this year.

Commenting on Labour and Conservative councils’ record on Council Tax, Liberal Democrat Party President, Tim Farron said:

“While Labour and the Tories fight over how many of their councils raised Council Tax, it’s clear that with the Liberal Democrats your money is safest: no Liberal Democrat-run council in England has raised Council Tax.

“Ordinary working families are struggling already with paying bills, without their councils increasing the burden.
“The choice in next month’s elections is clear: vote Liberal Democrat for financially responsible councils that create jobs. Vote Labour and the Tories for waste, mismanagement and tax rises.”

As well as freezing council tax across the country, Liberal Democrat councils are protecting front-line services, fighting to keep libraries and Sure Start centres open. This is in addition to the achievements of the Liberal Democrats in government, which after the Budget include a £130 income tax cut for all working families, the largest-ever rise in the basic state pension, an increase in child tax credits for the poorest families, and an increase in the Lib Dem Pupil Premium to £600 for every pupil receiving Free School Meals.

At every level of government, the Liberal Democrats are cutting taxes for low- and middle-earners and better targeting help to those that need it the most. It is a record of financial responsibility of which we can be proud.

Top 20 Council Tax Increases

Council; Control; Increase

Barrow; Labour; 3.50%

Babergh; No Overall Control; 3.50%

Darlington; Labour; 3.50%

Dover; Conservative; 3.50%

East Northamptonshire; Conservative; 3.50%

Gravesham; Labour; 3.50%

Huntingdonshire; Conservative; 3.50%

Leicester; Labour; 3.50%

Preston; Labour; 3.50%

Redcar & Cleveland; Labour; 3.50%

Stockton-on-Tees; Labour; 3.50%

Stoke-on-Trent; Labour; 3.50%

Gedling; Labour; 3.40%

Lichfield; Conservative; 3.40%

Luton; Labour; 3.40%

Middlesborough; Labour; 3.40%

Nottingham; Labour; 3.40%

Tunbridge Wells; Conservative; 3.30%

Cambridgeshire; Conservative; 3.00%

Richmondshire; No Overall Control; 3.00%

Source: Local Government Chronicle

Guest Blog from Cllr John Grant: Council’s action threatens another dirty stink

Cllr John Grant is the Liberal Democrat Councillor for neighboring Whalley Range ward. He recently published this post about the path on Egerton Road North. 

I am worried that current council action will again jeopardise the maintenance of a well-kept and much used path in Chorlton if they stop emptying the dog litter and general litter bins or remove them.

10 years ago the present attractive and well used path was a wet, muddy track. The city council is not responsible for it because it is private land but the local residents group successfully applied for money through the council’s CASH Grant scheme. The path was tarmacked, the borders planted and bins for general litter and dog litter were installed. What a transformation! Although the council approved the scheme it was not long before they started to question their responsibility in emptying the dog litter bins regularly. CASH Grants were not assessed for recurring cost. If the dog litter bins had been sited on pavement at each end it would remain council responsibility but not on private land. With pressure applied to the council a few years ago the council again agreed to continue to empty the bins but now they are saying ‘No’ again.

This is a long story of the wonderful way this path has been transformed and maintained through the efforts of local residents. It is popular with dog walkers, provides access to the South West Manchester Cricket Club and there is a specialist veterinary surgery nearby. This is not the first time the council has tried to stop emptying the bins. I wonder if a community solution could be found by installing noticeboards at either end to advertise local businesses which help to keep the path sweet smelling, clean and tidy through sponsorship. It is only £260pa that needs to be raised.

Can you help the Friends of Beech Road Park with Voluntary Gardening?

Once a month the Friends of Beech Road Park organise a voluntary gardening session to keep the park looking at its best.

They will next be out between 10.30 and 12.30 on 14 April, 12 May and 9 June.

If you are able to join them please bring hand tools if you can for weeding, planting etc.

For more details please contact 0757 087 9091.

Council putting Chorlton to the back of queue

This article was printed on Page 2 of Today's Manchester Evening News. It highlights Manchester City Council's new policy of cleaning streets, cleaning graffiti etc. based on an area's level of deprivation. Because the Council see Chorlton as being "rich" we are being deprived of the service other Mancunians are receiving and we are paying for! This is on top of the Council giving Chorlton the lowest road repair budget in the whole City.

 For every £1 Labour Town Hall Bosses are willing to spend on road repairs in Chorlton, they are spending £3 in wards such as Harpurhey and Crumpsall. They have achieved this by imposing ‘budget caps’ on the repair funds for certain wards – regardless of the condition of the roads within. When faced with similar road repair needs in different parts of the city, the Labour Executive have decided to allocate road repair funds in a way that clearly ignores the actual need for repair of the roads in question. Whilst Council Leader Sir Richard Leese’s ward of Crumpsall enjoyed an allocation of over £100,000 more than the city-wide average (meaning all recommended repairs will be completed this year); Chorlton had just four roads or pavements resurfaced this year.

Our Labour-dominated Council have drawn up a system that discriminates against those living in the M21 postcode area, and treats us as little more than a permanent source of ‘bail-out’ money to subsidize the Council’s vanity projects in other parts of the city. The people of Chorlton have always paid their fair share towards the running of our city, and have some of the lowest Council Tax arrears to prove it, while the Council ignores £43 million in uncollected Council Tax across Manchester.

There are many Chorlton residents who are far from ‘high earners’ and this new system treats them unfairly. It is spiteful, divisive and ill-thought out. The Council needs to go back to a system based on need not deprivation.

Liberal Democrat achievements in Government – post budget version

A few weeks ago I posted a “Liberal Democrat achievements in Government” infographic by Mark Pack. This is an updated version to take into account the 2012 budget.

Tim Farron replies to Lib Dem members’ letter: “Britain must be more liberal and free with Liberal Democrats in power, not less”

Lib Dem President Tim Farron has today sent this reply to the letter I co-signed yesterday:-

Thanks very much for the letter, I will raise this directly with Nick and his team. I think you probably know my views on this matter. As a Liberal I was extremely concerned by the press reports of new surveillance powers potentially to be included in the Queens Speech. I also agreed very much with Julian Huppert’s article on Lib Dem Voice — there must be no question of the authorities having universal internet surveillance powers. We are reasonable people and we should be prepared to look at what will now be draft legislation with an open mind, but we should be prepared to put our foot down and pull the plug if we consider the proposals to be illiberal. We must not as Liberal Democrats fall into a position of trying to amend, unpick or apologise for a piece of authoritarian Tory policy. Over the last couple of years we have made some mistakes, which is OK so long as we learn from them. This is our opportunity to put those lessons into practice. Britain must be more liberal and free as a result of Liberal Democrats in power, not less. The proposals as they were first set out undoubtedly cross a red line, we’ve crossed enough of those already – no more. Tim Farron MP President of the Liberal Democrats

Planning Applications in Chorlton received week ending 30 March 2012

Below are recently submitted Planning Applications in the Chorlton area. You can find out more information about any of the proposals on the City Council's Planning Portal at http://tinyurl.com/yv6lex or by contacting the South Area Planning Group Manager - Roger Hall; Tel: (0161) 234 4536; email: r.hall@manchester.gov.uk . You can also make a Planning representation (in support or opposition) to Mr Hall or the designated planning officer for each application. Please feel free to contact me on (07947383740; cllr.v.chamberlain@manchester.gov.uk) if you wish to discuss any application and please also send me a copy of any representation you make.

098919/FH/2012/S1 538 Wilbraham Road Chorlton Manchester M21 9LD

Creation of 2.75 metre raised rear deck


098962/NMC/2012/S1 32 Chequers Road Chorlton Manchester M21 9DY

Non Material Amendment to planning permission 097857/FH/2011/S1 to allow
elevational alterations and internal reconfiguration


098985/FH/2012/S1 30 Finney Drive Chorlton Manchester M21 9DS

Erection of two storey side extension with balcony at rear to provide additional living accommodation.


098902/FO/2012/S1 Barlow Hall Primary School Darley Avenue Manchester M21 7JG

Formation of 41 new car parking spaces alongside existing school driveway

An open letter to Lib Dem party president, Tim Farron: Concerns over our liberal identity and mission in government

Matt Gallagher, Chorlton's Lib Dem candidate, and I have both signed the following open letter to the Liberal Democrat party President. The letter was written by Cllr Lev Eakins a Lib Dem councillor for Northenden and co-signed by more than 150 fellow party members.

Dear Tim,

We understand that the leaked policy on RIPA Internet surveillance is now being reviewed more thoroughly, rather than rushed into the Queen’s speech. As such we would like you, as our president, to convey the following thoughts to appropriate Liberal Democrat ministers.

The Home Secretary wrote in the Sun on Tuesday that “Only suspected terrorists, paedophiles or serious criminals will be investigated.” This is akin to saying “if you’ve done nothing wrong, you’ve got nothing to worry about.” If the hacking scandal and ongoing Leveson inquiry has taught us anything, it is that argument is demonstrably false.

At first hacking was tolerated by the public when it was only celebrities and politicians who were victims. It was only after it was exposed that private individuals were hacked that there was public outrage. Even the Queen’s own police protection sold information about her to the News of the World. If our head of state cannot be safeguarded from corrupt police officers, what chance has the rest of us got?

This is our fear over these leaked proposals; we believe that extending universal, rather than targeted internet surveillance powers to the police, exposes innocent citizens to corrupt sections of authority. We agree with Julian Huppert MP when he argues that the police should only be allowed to access private internet usage when they have obtained a “named, specific and time-limited warrant” from a judge or minister.

In a February 2011 interview with the Guardian Nick Clegg said: “You should not trust government – full stop. The natural inclination of government is to hoard power and information; to accrue power to itself in the name of the public good.” And later: Clegg says the restoration of liberty is ongoing, and urges campaigners to “hold the government’s feet to the fire”. We are attempting to do just that with this letter.

Surely an important part of our party’s mission is to defend and protect the civil rights of our fellow citizens, and if we fail, our party’s liberal identity will be put at grave risk. We urge our ministers to heed our call – block these illiberal proposals and lead the charge for reform of RIPA to ensure our citizens enjoy the fair, free and open society we seek to build and safeguard.

Kind regards,

1. Cllr Lev Eakins, Manchester City Council
16. Cllr Victor Chamberlain, Manchester City Council
154. Matt Gallagher, Manchester

The full list of signatories is available on Liberal Democrat Voice.

Tax cut for 137,900 people in Manchester

On 6 April 2012 the Personal Allowance will be raised for the second year in a row, meaning 137,900 people in Manchester will get a £130 Income Tax cut and the number of the lowest paid people who have been lifted out of paying any Income Tax will reach 8,200.

Commenting, Manchester's Lib Dem Leader Coun Marc Ramsbottom said:

“The tax system had gotten increasingly unfair under successive governments over the last few decades, sucking more and more people into paying Income Tax.

“It was patently unfair that when Liberal Democrats came into office, millions of low-paid workers were paying a higher proportion of their income in tax than the richest were.

“I’m proud that Liberal Democrats did the right thing and made rebalancing the tax system a priority, putting it on the front page of our manifesto. More than a million people will have been lifted out of paying Income Tax all together and over 20m basic-rate taxpayers have received a £330 tax cut since the Coalition Government came into power.

“At the same time, Liberal Democrats are making sure the rich pay their fair share, by closing loopholes, introducing a tycoon tax and cracking down on tax avoidance. As we clean up the economic mess Labour left behind, it is right that the broadest shoulders bear the heaviest burdens.”

Lib Dem Nominations In for Local Elections

Nominations closed at 12 noon today and the Liberal Democrats are standing in 31 seats across the Manchester. In Moston they have decided not to field a candidate this time but have but have stood aside and urged local people to vote for the Independent candidate.

Manchester Lib Dem Group Leader Marc Ramsbottom said today: "We have first class candidates in 31 seats across the city and its clear we are the main competition to the Labour Party. Labour have already said they don't want any opposition in the Town Hall; that would be bad for democracy and bad for Manchester".

"In Moston there is clearly a strong local Independent candidate who will stand up for local residents and won't be bullied by Richard Leese." he added. This comes after Moston Councillor Henry Cooper resigned from the Labour Party last week in protest.

Matt Gallagher is the Lib Dem candidate in Chorlton ward for the local election on 3 May.

Interception of communications

This afternoon I received this email from Lynne Featherstone MP, Liberal Democrat Home Office Minister, which was sent out to all Lib Dem members about the concerning press reports about changes to the interception of communications.

"I wanted to write to reassure you that the current reports in the media about Government plans to snoop on your emails are complete nonsense.

Liberal Democrats have always been, and will continue to be, opposed to a centralised database that allows government to monitor your internet activity at will.

That is not going to happen under these proposals and never will happen in a government that includes me and the Liberal Democrats.

The proposals being considered would simply update the current rules – which allow the police in criminal investigations to find out who was contacted and when – to cover new forms of technology that didn’t even exist when the original laws were made, like Skype.

What this will not do is allow the government, or the police, or any other agencies, to read your emails and Facebook messages (or any other social media for that matter) at will. The content of your communications is currently, and will always be, protected by tough rules that mean a warrant is needed before any interception could take place.

Our party has a proud history of defending civil liberties which has continued in this Coalition Government.

We’ve scrapped ID cards, ended child detention for immigration purposes, stopped indefinite retention of innocent peoples’ DNA, restored the right to protest in Parliament Square, scrapped control orders and ended 28-day detention without charge – to name but a few!

And as long as Liberal Democrats are in Government we will continue to fight for everyday freedoms that our party has long held dear.

Yours,

Lynne

PS Nick Clegg has been talking about this today – to see what he said click here."