Lib Dem Candidates Back O2H Campaign and Observer Petition

     Michael Green, the Liberal Democrat PPC for St Albans, and Hannah Hedges, the recently-selected Liberal Democrat PPC for Hitchin and Harpenden, are backing the Observer’s petition in favour of a new hospital close to St. Albans.

     “The new hospital will represent a significant improvement in hospital provision in the area,” said Miss Hedges. “The Hatfield site envisaged by Option 2 is good not only for the residents of Harpenden, St. Albans and the surrounding villages but also for the communities of Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire as a whole. I would urge local residents to sign the Observer’s petition and back the O2H campaign.”

     Mr. Green added, “Cllr. Robert Donald and the Liberal Democrats have campaigned long and hard firstly to stop the downgrade of St. Albans City Hospital and then to secure adequate replacement services in the area. The site of the new hospital is not a party political decision. Option 2 has gained all-party support and is the choice of a large majority of local residents. I will happily work with Labour and Conservative politicians to ensure that the Government is aware of the strength of local feeling.”

This item dated 20 April 2004 posted on the web site on 25 April 2004

 

Lib Dems Kick off Local Campaigning

     St Albans Liberal Democrats will be kicking off their local campaigning for District and European elections on Wednesday 21 April 2004 with a visit by House of Lords Transport Spokesperson Baroness Ros Scott.

     Baroness Scott will be talking to local activists about transport problems in St Albans as well as joining in canvassing in one of the wards that Liberal Democrats hope to win on 10 June.

     Councillor Robert Donald, leader of the Lib Dem Council group, said, “We expect to make significant gains based on our excellent result in the Verulam Ward by-election”.

     Baroness Scott will be joined by St Albans European Candidate Chris White who, according to opinion poll data, is now close to becoming a second Liberal Democrat European MP for the East of England.

This item dated 18 April 2004 and posted on the web site on 25 April 2004

 

Lib Dems Triumph and Verulam By-Election

     Liberal Democrat Sue Campbell scored a decisive victory in a by-election for the Verulam Ward of St Albans District Council on 5 April.

     Sue won by 265 votes, and secured half of all the votes cast. This is the second of the three Verulam seats to be captured by Liberal Democrats from the Conservatives in the last two years.

     Winner Sue said, “I had a very warm welcome on the doorstep and am looking forward to championing local residents on St Albans Council.”

     Expressing himself delighted with the result, leader of the Lib Dems on St Albans Council, Councillor Robert Donald said, “This is an excellent result and shows that only the Liberal Democrats can defeat Conservative candidates in St Albans.” Lib Dems now have 24 out of 58 seats on the Council.

     Local Lib Dem European Election candidate Cllr Chris White said, “This shows we are well on course for more good news in June when we fight Euro and local elections.”

     Commenting on Labour’s dismal performance, Michael Green, Lib Dem prospective parliamentary candidate for St Albans said, “With Labour pushed into fourth place, the next general election looks promising for us. It is difficult to see St Albans wanting to return a Labour MP.”

This item dated 5 April 2004 posted on the web site on 25 April 2004

 

MP Condemned over Broken Promise
But Top-Up Fees Can Still be Stopped, Say Lib Dems

     St. Albans MP Kerry Pollard has been condemned by the Liberal Democrats for breaking a clear election promise to the people of St. Albans by voting in favour of student top-up fees.

     Commenting following tonight's House of Commons vote on the Government's Higher Education Bill, St. Albans Liberal Democrat Prospective Parliamentary Candidate Michael Green said:

     "Two and a half years ago, Kerry Pollard was elected on an election manifesto specifically opposed to top-up fees¹. Now he has turned round and voted for them.

     "Even Labour MPs say that the Government's proposals will create a two-tier higher education system, with the best universities filled mostly with the richest students². Having benefited from free universities themselves, Government ministers are now pulling up the ladder of opportunity behind them.

     "No wonder so many people feel betrayed by Labour when they let them down and break their promises as blatantly as this.

     "71 Labour MPs had the courage to stand by the policy they were elected on and join the Liberal Democrats in the voting lobby to oppose the Bill. If just three more had joined us this unfair and ill-judged Bill would have been defeated.

     "Having passed its second reading the Bill is now likely to become law. However top-up fees will not be introduced until 2006 – after the next general election. That means that if the Liberal Democrats can defeat Kerry Pollard and just 2 other Labour MPs at the next election this proposal can still be reversed.

     "Only the Liberal Democrats can be relied upon to oppose top-up fees. The Liberal Democrats are the only Party to have come up with a viable, sensible and costed alternative to this disgraceful policy.³"

¹ In their 2001 Manifesto Labour said: "We are against top up fees and have legislated to prevent them".

² For example: Top-up fees are "a really bad idea. [They would create] Real two-tier universities and the rich would pay extra fees and go to the classy, elitist universities, rather like the US." (Clare Short MP, The Independent, 18/11/02) "The Labour party has no business putting obstacles in the way of working class youngsters going on the very best courses if they can pass the exams and have the ability." (Nick Brown MP, 27/09/03) "Raising the price of intellectual aspiration will only reinforce its perception as a luxury of the few, rather than the right of all.’ (Ian Gibson MP, 16/09/03) "What we are doing here is setting up two tiers of universities" (Jeremy Corbyn MP, The Guardian 26/01/04)

³ Liberal Democrats would stop top-up fees, scrap existing tuition fees and bring in fair grants for poorer students. This would cost £2 billion a year. We would pay for it by taxing incomes over £100,000 a year at 50%. This would raise £4.7 billion a year. The remainder of the money would be spent on free personal care for the elderly, and on keeping down council tax.

This item posted on the web site on 1 February 2004