Shepway Liberal Democrats are backing the Independent newspapers' "Campaign for Democracy". The Campaign aims to persuade the Government to reform our unfair electoral system, pointing out that the Labour Party was able to claim a majority with just 36 per cent of the popular vote, and 22 per cent of the electorate - a warning that our democracy cannot continue to stagger on unreformed.
A NOP survey for The Independent has found that 62 per cent of people agree that Britain should bring in proportional representation (PR) so that the number of MPs each party secures matches its votes more closely. Only 17 per cent disagree. NOP's finding is believed to show the strongest support yet for a switch to a proportional system.
The Liberal Democrats, have today following the Queen's Speech, accused Labour of not giving no respect to the electorate who had hoped the Government would listen more. Tony Blair has pledged to create a "culture of respect" as he put moves to tackle crime and disorder at the heart of his third term agenda.
Leader of the County Council Lib Dems, Cllr. Tom Smith-Hughes, has attacked the Conservative Borough Council planning consultation as a sham. This follows a statement by a leading Tory that ALL the new housing would be built in North East Chelmsford. That is, on the remaining green fields north of Springfield.
Commenting on the three Welfare Reform Bills announced in the Queen's Speech, Liberal Democrat Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, David Laws MP said:
Charles Kennedy today announced the new Liberal Democrat Shadow Cabinet. The positions of Shadow Chancellor, Foreign Secretary and Home Affairs remain unaltered.
