ALDC.org RSS Feed

Election Results from Thursday 3rd July 2008.

04/07/2008 15:07:38

Bexley LBC, Christchurch

Mid Sussex DC, Burgess Hill St Andrews

East Grinstead TC, Ashplats

Rother DC, Bexhill Sackville

Corsham TC, Corsham

Derbyshire CC, Eckington

North East Derbyshire DC, Killamarsh West

North East Derbyshire DC, Unstone

Barking and Dagenham LBC, Chadwell Heath

Havering LBC, South Hornchurch

Tadley TC,

Giving Power to People and Communities

03/07/2008 15:26:09

Earlier today Nick Clegg gave a major speech to the Local Government Association on giving power to people and communities:

"I am drawn to the philosophy of decentralisation and local empowerment for many reasons. There's the basic principle of subsidiarity - the liberal belief that decisions just ought to be taken as close to the people they affect as possible.

"But it's more than that. Centralised government simply doesn't work to deliver the change I want for Britain. It doesn't improve services fast enough. And it certainly doesn't deliver fairer outcomes – where everybody gets opportunities no matter their background.

"If the New Labour decade has taught us anything – this is surely it. The great experiment of trying to improve our public services for everyone by pouring money in through a tight funnel in Number 10 Downing Street has failed.

"And there's now no more money to put in. So it's time to think about how we improve our public services – not just how much we spend on them. And the biggest 'how' of all is decentralisation."

You can read the rest of Nick's speech - including his proposals to turn these ideas into specific action - on the Party's website.

Election Result from Friday 27th June 2008.

30/06/2008 21:15:56

South Norfolk DC, Diss

Conference Photos

27/06/2008 17:23:01

A selection of photos from the Local Government Conference earlier in the month are now on ALDC's Flickr site. Please let us know if you'd like (electronic) copies of any that you feature in!

Baroness Ros Scott and Andrew Stunell MP meet exhibitors in the Exhibition Hall.

Shadow Local Government Minister Julia Goldsworthy MP addresses conference.

Mark Pack, the Party's Head of Innovations, promoting the use of texting.

All photos copyright Fishnik.

Election results Thursday 26th June 2008

27/06/2008 11:54:03

Welwyn Hatfield BC, Hatfield Central

Burbage PC, Lash Hill

Hexham TC, Leazes

Blackpool UA, Park

Hatfield TC, Central

Election Results Thursday 19th June 2008

20/06/2008 12:19:28

Braintree DC, Braintree East

Braintree DC, Hatfield Peverel

North Tyneside MBC, Monkseaton North

Wellingborough BC, Wollaston

Richmond TC, West

Wyre BC, Great Eccleston

New Forest DC, Ringwood South

Building Liberal Communities

17/06/2008 10:37:28

Thank you for everyone who attended the "Building Liberal Communities" Lib Dem Local Government Conference on Saturday. Almost 300 Lib Dems from across the country came together for a packed day of policy, best practice, training and campaigns.

A report will be produced for members in the next edition of Campaigner.

In the meantime, our friends at Lib Dem Voice were kind enough to record the key Conference sessions as "Podcasts", which are available for you to listen below.

Enjoy!

Part One

The opening plenary of the Conference. ALDC Chair Sarah Boad introduces speakers Baroness Ros Scott, Andrew Stunell MP and Party President Simon Hughes MP.

Part Two

The Lunchtime plenary with speakers Chris Huhne MP & Steve Webb MP.

Part Three

The closing plenary which included Julia Goldsworthy MP.

Election Results Thursday 12th June 2008

13/06/2008 11:01:28

Waltham Forest LBC, Forest

East Sussex CC, Bexhill King Offa

Rother DC, Bexhill Collington

Flintshire UA, Hope

Gloucestershire CC, Brockworth

Harlow DC, Harlow Common

Illogan PC, Illogan

Carlisle City DC, Upperby

Oxford City DC, Holywell

Henley Needs You!

11/06/2008 12:22:20

The Henley By-Election has been called for 26 June 2008.

We’ve got the candidate...

We’ve got the leaflets...

Now we NEED YOU!

We've gained a huge head start over the Conservatives, who struggled through a difficult selection procedure. Their candidate is now having to defend the dreadful Conservative record running Oxfordshire County Council - we have loads of ammunition to fire at him! Canvassing is well underway and we are finding plenty of voters who supported Boris last time but who are undecided on who to vote for this time.

Our campaign HQ is open 9am to 9pm everyday between now and the close of polls on June 26th.

For more information go to www.henleylibdems.org.uk

We have a raft of local issues which we are already running petitions on and Stephen Kearney and the team are working closely with our local councillors and activists.

We are confident that we can get a really good result here - we just need your help.

Printed Published and Promoted by M Roberts on behalf of S Kearney (Liberal Democrats) c/o 9 Bertie Rd, off Wenman Rd, Thame, OX9 3XA

Election Results Thursday 5th June 2008

09/06/2008 14:12:59

Newhaven TC, Meeching

Uttlesford DC, Great Dunmow North

Forest Heath DC, Red Lodge

Newport UA, Bettws

Newport UA, St Julian's

Allerdale BC, All Saints

Newark and Sherwood DC, Edwinstone

Shropshire CC, Market Drayton

Gwynedd UA, Bowydd ad Rhiw

By-election results 29 May 2008

30/05/2008 12:09:21

Somerset CC, Shepton Mallet

Mendip DC, Shepton East

Mendip DC, Street North

South Somerset DC, Chard Crimchard

Offerton Park PC, Stockport

MyCouncillor - Tell us what you think!

27/05/2008 15:18:41

Tell us what you think!

All ALDC members are entitled to a free “Councillors Website” from ALDC on the mycouncillor website system. We only launched the service eight months ago, but we’ve been staggered by how many of you have taken up the system.

As the system approaches its 1st Birthday this summer, and we are planning a series of updates and improvements to improve the system. So we'd like to know what you'd like to see, from your experience of using the sites over recent months. Some things are already definitely planned, based on what you've already told us.

This includes:

an "online poll" that you can set yourself to ask people a simple question about a local issue
an "online petition" where people can sign up to a simple petition, which will help us gain more useful email addresses and phone/mobile numbers!
an automatically updated "Lib Dem News" page automatically included in the sites.

But what else would you like to see? We're really keen to hear back from site users AND non users about what would make the system more effective for you on the ground.

If you could send these to tim.pickstone@aldc.org before the end of June 2008.

By-Election Results 22 May 2008

27/05/2008 15:08:48

ALDC has not been informed of any local authority by-elections on Thursday 22 May 2008.

By-Election Results 15 May 2008

16/05/2008 11:05:35

Poole UA, Branksome East

By-election Results 8 May 2008

09/05/2008 16:24:47

Medway UA, Rochester South and Horsted

Local Government Conference 2008

09/05/2008 15:22:37

The 2008 Liberal Democrat Local Government Conference is on Saturday 14th June at the ICC Birmingham

Speakers include: MPs Julia Goldsworthy, Chris Huhne, Steve Webb and Andrew Stunell and Baroness Ros Scott.

Training is being provideed by the Campaigns Department, ALDC, IDeA, EARS, Midas Training and the Innovations Team at Cowley Street.

More details of the programme here

Many council groups are bringing along a team, so please help support
this important event.

Register now online at www.aldc.org - click on "events".
Registration starts at £40 for ALDC's Gold Members, but rates rise
before the day itself. Groups of 5 get one place free!

This is preceded by four events on Friday 13th June:

Leadership Summit. Council Group Leaders will have a chance to discuss issues facing them and their council area at a closed conference taking place at the Radisson SAS Hotel, Birmingham starting at 10.30am through to 5pm. If you are a group leader and want to attend this please email Seth Thevoz at the Leadership Centre for Local Government seth@localleadership.gov.uk

Representing ALL communities. A one day conference on issues and opportunities of working with Britain's black, ethnic and minority
communities. This should especially appeal to BME councillors,
activists and PPCs as well as those with a commitment to equality and diversity. £30 registration to the LGA (just £10 extra if registered
for the Local Government Conference the next day).

Political Group Officers Away Day. Open to all political group
reasearchers and support staff this will commence at 2pm through to
6pm in the Council House at Birmingham City Council. For more
information or to book a place please e-mail either Rob Banks
rob.banks@lga.gov.uk or Tom Dommett tom.dommett@basingstoke.gov.uk

The Local Government Dinner. This is a great evening event at 7pm for 7.30pm in the stunning Banqueting Suite at Birmingham City Council House. Tickets for this is just £30 and places can be booked online through ALDC.

Crewe Needs You!

08/05/2008 14:02:12

Liberal Democrat campaigners and activists are needed to help Elizabeth Stenton, the Liberal Democrat candidate in the Crewe and Nantwich Parliamentary by-election.

Elizabeth is working hard for people in Crewe and Nantwich, and she needs your help to become our next MP. ALDC's staff members have already been to Crewe and will be there this weekend.

Your help can really make a difference to her campaign.

Elizabeth Shenton’s Campaign HQ is open 9am and 9pm, 7 days a week at Capital House, Fourth Avenue, Crewe, CW1 6XL, 01270 847500.

There is parking available outside and it is 10-15 minutes walk from Crewe station.

More information from Elizabeth's website

Changed Circumstances 2008

02/05/2008 16:01:53

If your Lib Dem Group finds themselves in a "changed circumstance" after Thursday's local elections, then help is at hand!

A changed circumstance could be moving to control, opposition, NOC, or a significant shift in the balance of NOC, or a major change like a much smaller or larger group or new leadership.

Please remember there is no need to make a rushed decision in NOC. Often it is a very good idea to chat things through with someone from outside your area FIRST.

If you need urgent help over the weekend then we have staff on standby to help you, or we can put you in touch with some of the local government support agencies who can help. Over the weekend please email us (tim.pickstone@aldc.org) and one of our staff will ring you back.

On Sunday 4 May 2008 we have a Changed Circumstances event at Manchester Town Hall. This is 10.30am - 3.00pm in Committee Rooms 2 and 3. The event has been organised by the Leadership Centre for Local Government, together with ALDC and the IDeA. Its free to attend, and please bring as many of your group as needed. If you're attending "en masse" please let us know so we can plan logistics!. Tea and coffee provided, but not lunch so please pick up a sandwich/etc on you're way there.

Local Elections Update Friday Afternoon

02/05/2008 15:56:55

Well done to Liberal Democrat local campaigners up and down the country for some terrific results which have continued to to come in during the day:

BBC are estimating the Liberal Democrats beating Labour in the notional national share of the vote with 25% for the Lib Dems.
There are more Liberal Democrat Councillors than before, building on our gains last time most of these seats were up in 2004.
Lib Dems have taken control of Sheffield, Burnley, St Albans and Hull. Labour now only run just one of the big Met cities!
We have successfully defended control of Newcastle, Watford, Three Rivers this morning, as well as Stockport, Cambridge, Eastleigh and Rochdale last night. South Lakeland is yet to declare but looking good.
Liverpool remains in Lib Dem hands as an independent joins the group to maintain our majority.

Liberal Democrats making gains so far include:

6 Gains in Sheffield to take control AND 6 gains in Merthyr Tydfil as Labour lose control (including unseating the Labour leader!

5 Gains in Burnley (to take control) Stratford-upon-Avon, Hull (to take control) and Gosport (to deprive the tories of control)
4 gains in Oldham (to become the largest party), Derby (to become the largest party) and Colchester (where the tories lose control).
3 gains in Newcastle, Knowlsey and in Cheltenham and Wrexham where we become the largest Party. Three gains in Cardiff where we are already the largest party.
In Purbeck to Tories have lost control and are level pegging with the Lib Dems, in Exeter we are now the largest Party.

There was disappointment in Oldham, Warrington, North East Lincolnshire and Cheltenham where we missed out on control by just one seat.

In the new Northumberland Unitary Authority we are the largest party with 26 seats and in the new Durham Unitary Authority 27 councillors. These are gains from the Press Association "notional" figures of 12 and 17 seats respectively.

Less good news in West Lindsey where we lost the Council to the Conservatives, and in Pendle where we have lost control of the Council.

The scores at 1.00pm

Conservative + 243 Councillors to 2990
Labour - 297 Councillors to 2265
Lib Dems + 24 Councillors to 1742

Friday Lunctime Results Update

02/05/2008 12:57:31

Well done to Liberal Democrat local campaigners up and down the country for some terrific results which continue to come in this morning:

BBC are estimating the Liberal Democrats beating Labour in the notional national share of the vote with 25% for the Lib Dems.
Lib Dems have taken control of Burnley in addition to St Albans and Hull
We have successfully defended control of Newcastle, Watford, Three Rivers this morning, as well as Stockport, Cambridge, Eastleigh and Rochdale last night.
Liverpool remains in Lib Dem hands as an independent joins the group to maintain our majority.

Liberal Democrats making gains so far include:

6 Gains in Merthyr Tydfil as Labour lose control (including unseating the Labour leader!
5 Gains in Burnley (to take control) Stratford-upon-Avon, Hull (to take control) and Gosport (to deprive the tories of control)
4 gains in Oldham (to become the largest party), Derby (to become the largest party) and Colchester (where the tories lose control).
3 gains in Newcastle, Knowlsey and in Cheltenham where we become the largest Party. Three gains in Cardiff where we are already the largest party.
In Purbeck to Tories have lost control and are level pegging with the Lib Dems, in Exeter we are now the largest Party.

There was disappointment in Oldham, Warrington, North East Lincolnshire and Cheltenham where we missed out on control by just one seat.

In the new Durham Unitary Authority, we made a stunning 17 gains from the Press Association "notional" figures to give us 27 Councillors.

Less good news in West Lindsey where we lost the Council to the Conservatives, and in Pendle where we have lost control of the Council.

The scores at 1.00pm

Conservative + 184 Councillors to 2356
Labour - 214 Councillors to 1796
Lib Dems + 20 Councillors to 1372

Thursday Night Results

02/05/2008 09:38:22

Well done to Liberal Democrat local campaigners up and down the country for some terrific results last night:

BBC are estimating the Liberal Democrats beating Labour in the notional national share of the vote with 25% for the Lib Dems.
Overnight Lib Dem's have been making a net gain of Councillors with two-thirds of the results in
Lib Dems have taken control of St Albans and Hull
We have successfully defended control of Stockport, Cambridge, Eastleigh and Rochdale.
Liverpool remains in Lib Dem hands as an independent joins the group to maintain our majority.

Liberal Democrats making gains so far include:

6 Gains in Merthyr Tydfil as Labour lose control
5 Gains in Stratford-upon-Avon, Hull (to take control) and Gosport (to deprive the tories of control)
4 gains in Oldham (to become the largest party), Derby (to become the official opposition) and Colchester (where the tories lose control).
3 gains in Knowlsey and in Cheltenham where we become the largest Party.

There was disappointment in Oldham, Warrington and Cheltenham where we missed out on control by just one seat.

In the new Durham Unitary Authority, we made a stunning 17 gains from the Press Association "notional" figures to give us 27 Councillors.

Less good news in West Lindsey where we lost the Council to the Conservatives, and in Pendle where we have lost control of the Council.

The scores at 8.30am

Conservative + 147 Councillors to 1977
Labour - 162 Councillors to 1573
Lib Dems + 9 Councillors to 1086

Good Luck on Polling Day

30/04/2008 09:43:54

Good luck to all Liberal Democrat candidates in the local and london elections on Thursday from the team at ALDC.

Polling stations are open from 7am - 10pm and its our job to make sure that as many Liberal Democrat supporters turn up and vote as possible. I know that an enormous amount of work has already been put it up and down the country, so good luck on the day itself.

ALDC's office is open for emergency queries during office hours (9.15-5.15) on Thursday, and then again at 9.00am on Friday morning. We'll be posting Lib Dem results and stories from first thing Friday on the website. Take a look and let us know any good news stories from your area.

Good luck!

Everyone at ALDC

All eyes on the 1st May

02/03/2008 00:00:00

Important local elections take place on Thursday 1 May 2008. Elections will take place for all Welsh Unitary Authorities and in many Metropolitan, District and Unitary Authorities in England. London will vote for its Mayor and Assembly.

ALDC Gold members access our Local Elections Packs in the "Online Goldmine" which are packed full of leaflet templates, target letters and other materials. All ALDC members can access the Election Briefings, Election Tools and information bank resources on election law and related issues.

All Liberal Democrat candidates are being sent the ALDC candidate information service – but only if we know who you are! You can report your candidates details online here.

ALDC is here to provide advice and support to all Liberal Democrats on campaigning and election law issues. Use our online advice forms or call us on 01422 843 785.

2nd Local Government Conference - 14 June 2008

28/02/2008 00:00:00

Saturday 14 June 2008 is the date for the second national Liberal Democrat Local Government Conference at Birmingham’s International Convention Centre (ICC). The event, which is jointly organised by ALDC and the Local Government Associaiton Lib Dem Group, builds on the success of the first conference in 2007 which saw over 370 Liberal Democrats involved in local government came together for a highly succesful one day event.

The 2008 conference will see an even bigger programme of debate, training, exchange of ideas and high profile speakers form across the Party. Speakers include Shadow Local Government minister Julia Goldsworthy, Shadow Home Secretary Chris Huhne MP and local elections campaign chair Andrew Stunell MP . Training includes campaign training from ALDC and Campaigns Department staff, and training on councillor skills from ALDC and partner agencies.

Registrations are now open – click here to register online. Registration for the one day event starts at £30 for ALDC Gold Members - but it pays to register early as rates rise at the end of March.

A programme of activities is also planned for the Friday 13th in Birmingham before the Conference proper. This includes a Council and Group leaders event, and a one day conference for Black and Minority Ethnic councillors.

ALDC at Liverpool 2008

12/02/2008 12:56:15

Federal Party Spring Conference this year takes place 7-9 March 2008 in Liverpool. ALDC has a packed programme of training and fringe debate. Following on from our successful Councillor Skills Training Day, a full day of training is available for Lib Dem Councillors, and a parallel programme is available for campaign skills.

Fringe events include “Save our Post Offices” with Sarah Teather MP, “Food Miles” with Tim Farron MP (with kind support from Waitrose) and a Local Elections 2008 Briefing with Andrew Stunell MP and Hilary Stephenson.

Once again the IDeA will be joining us on our stand (Stand 5). ALDC and IDeA staff will be available give advice and information throughout the weekend.

More information in the Local Government Directory, available here.

Why not Stay on Sunday in Liverpool for a couple of hours after the conference finishes. Liverpool is the largest Lib Dem run council in the country – help keep it that way by joining ALDC and the Liverpool team leafleting in target wards on Sunday afternoon.