Bristol East Liberal Democrats

In his keynote speech to the Liberal Democrat Conference, Party Leader and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has outlined his goals for the Government and the country over the coming years. He reiterated his commitment to liberal values on the environment and human rights and his determination to ensure a fair chance for every child, saying "every child can do good things, great things, if only we give them the opportunities they deserve."

On 5th May you have a choice. You can keep the discredited First Past the Post system to elect our MPs, or you can choose a new and fairer system - Alternative Vote (AV). Back the campaign for change at www.YesToFairerVotes.org

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Pauline Allen, Brislington East Ward said "I read with interest the new Labour leader, Ed Miliband's letter to the Post. I would first like to congratulate Ed on his new job. As a Liberal Democrat I welcome the election of some who has quickly junked most of Labour's policies of the last decade in favour of Lib Dem policies.

Cllr Jackie Norman said "As was predicted by pundits, the General Election resulted in the first "Hung" or "Balanced" Parliament in a generation. Opinion polls during the campaign found that are large portion of the electorate was actually wanting this outcome, in order to force politicians to work together to solve the giant economic problems our country currently faces . The public were right to want that, in my opinion.

Bristol East Spokesman Mike Popham says thank you to voters. The election period showed that people were fed up with the status quo and wanted a change to the business as usual attitude to politics. What I got was a clear message that people love Bristol but have a passion to make it even better. During the campaign I spoke to countless residents, delivered leaflets and answered your enquiries.

Bristol City Council's ruling Liberal Democrats are set to make good their pledge to build a new swimming pool in Bristol East.

The council's Lib Dem leader and budget supremo, Barbara Janke, has ensured funds are earmarked to kickstart the Speedwell project next year (2011-12). The money is included in the council's new Medium-Term Financial Plan, which is published today (Tuesday).

Last night was the final of the three televised Leaders' debates. Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Nick Clegg, debated with Gordon Brown and David Cameron about the economy. Subjects discussed included breaking up the banks, creating more jobs and reinvigorating the British economy.

Most post-debate polls scored this final debate to David Cameron, but again put Nick Clegg clearly ahead of Gordon Brown. An analysis by pollsters Angus Reid of previously undecided voters who watched the debate gave Nick Clegg 37%, David Cameron 25%, Gordon Brown 22% and Not sure 16%. Angus Reid found that 32% of undecided voters say they are now more likely to vote for the Liberal Democrats after watching the final debate, with just 18% Conservative and 15% Labour.

Students will be saddled with debts as high as £44,000 in the next five years under Labour and Conservative plans to raise tuition fees after the election, the Liberal Democrats have predicted. Only the Liberal Democrats are committed to scrapping tuition fees and opposing any attempt to raise them. We will phase out tuition fees over six years, starting by immediately scrapping final year fees for students doing their first degree.

During a hustings today Labour MP Kerry McCarthy admitted that her constituency, Bristol East had become 'ignored'.

Prospective Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament Mike Popham agreed. "In my most recent canvassing of just over 2,000 households in Bristol East I often found residents complaining of feeling either let down or ignored.

"David Cameron's competence to lead must be questioned", Bristol East prospective Member of Parliament Mike Popham said.

"Trumpeting local Tory candidate Adeela Shafi as 'one of a new generation of women MPs' was a clear mistake in the 'changed' Tory Party's selection techniques." he added.

According to national and local news reports, Adeela Shafi has had 3 county court judgments against her. One of them amounted to almost £325,000!