http://www.crawley.libdems.org.uk/newsarchive.php Recent News Stories from Crawley Liberal Democrats en-GB Crawley Liberal Democrats http://www.crawley.libdems.org.uk/ Prater Raines Ltd http://www.praterraines.co.uk/ (c) 2008 Crawley Liberal Democrats 2008-07-06T04:59+01:00 United Kingdom http://www.crawley.libdems.org.uk/news/000513/deposit_protection_scheme_must_be_responsibility_of_the_banks_and_not_the_taxpayer.html Commenting on Alistair Darling's proposals aimed at protecting savers' deposits, Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor, Vince Cable said "The run on Northern Rock has made it clear that the system of deposit protection must be improved to prevent future runs on banks." 2008-07-01T13:20+01:00 http://www.crawley.libdems.org.uk/news/000512/take_the_neighbourhood_watch_quiz.html The Neighbourhood & Homewatch Network (England and Wales) web-site (www.mynhw.co.uk) is now up and running with lots of useful tips and advice on home and neighbourhood safety. They also list events and training guides you can download to find out about all aspects of Neighbourhood watch. 2008-06-22T08:04+01:00 http://www.crawley.libdems.org.uk/news/000511/lib_dems_plan_green_firms_rebate.html Speaking at a joint press event with Greenpeace, Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg said that companies that "green" their premises with energy-saving improvements should be offered a rebate or reduced bill. 2008-06-20T16:25+01:00 http://www.crawley.libdems.org.uk/news/000507/dont_go_without_your_card_warns_lib_dem_mep.html Holidaymakers should make sure they have a card that entitles them to free medical treatment across Europe. In 2006 the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) replaced the old E111 form needed to get medical treatment in the EU. 2008-06-20T05:06+01:00 http://www.crawley.libdems.org.uk/news/000506/if_china_russia_and_america_dont_need_it_why_do_we.html Lib Dem MP, Jenny Willott has presented to parliament a Bill in parliament to remove DNA records for individuals who are not charged or are acquitted of crimes in an attempt to stem the flow of personal data held by government agencies on British citizens. 2008-06-12T16:03+01:00 http://www.crawley.libdems.org.uk/news/000509/laura_moffatt_fails_to_defend_freedom_in_commons_vote_on_42_days.html Sir Menzies Campbell used his first parliamentary speech since resigning as the Liberal Democrat leader to issue a rallying call to MPs to accept that their duty to protect freedom "transcends all of our other responsibilities". Crawley's Labour MP, Laura Moffatt failed to respond to that call and allowed the Government's 42 days detention without trial bill to get through the House of Commons by just nine votes. 2008-06-12T09:09+01:00 http://www.crawley.libdems.org.uk/news/000508/nhs_should_be_transformed_into_a_peoples_health_service.html Speaking ahead of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the NHS, Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg has criticised the Government's record of waste and inefficient centralised control in the health service, which has led to widening health inequalities. 2008-06-10T21:54+01:00 http://www.crawley.libdems.org.uk/news/000510/id_cards_could_threaten_privacy__select_committee_report.html The Home Affairs Select Committee has called for proper safeguards on the plans for compulsory ID cards to stop "function creep" threatening privacy. It wants a guarantee that the scheme will not be expanded without MPs' approval. The government says that the scheme would not be used as a surveillance tool. However, the Committee's report said "We seek the further assurance that any initiative to broaden the scope of the scheme will only be proposed after consulting the information commissioner and on the basis that proposals will be subject to parliamentary scrutiny in draft form,". Committee chairman Keith Vaz said there could be "potentially disastrous consequences" if data was mishandled. 2008-06-09T12:09+01:00 http://www.crawley.libdems.org.uk/news/000505/world_environment_day_government_wasting_time_on_climate_change.html Lib Dem MP Jo Swinson has marked World Environment Day by criticising the Government for wasting time in the fight against climate change. Figures produced this week by the Office of National Statistics reveal that the UK's greenhouse gas emissions have fallen by just 0.4% since 1999. 2008-06-05T20:07+01:00 http://www.crawley.libdems.org.uk/news/000504/tory_come_lately.html The Conservatives have recently been making a great deal of noise about the need to compensate people who lose out as a result of Labour's decision to double the 10p income tax starter rate. But they refused to support a compensation package when one was proposed last year! 2008-05-25T16:30+01:00 http://www.crawley.libdems.org.uk/news/000503/strasbourg_chaos_for_another_year.html One of Crawley's Lib Dem MEPs, Sharon Bowles, reports that on one day MEPs voted on dates for next year's Strasbourg calendar and the next they get stranded. 2008-05-23T16:23+01:00 http://www.crawley.libdems.org.uk/news/000502/lib_dem_candidate_no_longer_a_fire_hazard.html Darren Wise, Lib Dem candidate at the last local elections in Southgate and previously in Furnace Green, is celebrating the fact he is no longer classed as a "Fire Hazard" by UGC Cinemas. Darren, who is a wheelchair user, has been prevented for the last 10 years from going to the Cinema on his own as he was deemed a "Fire Hazard" by them - and they insisted he could only go if he was accompanied. 2008-05-21T14:08+01:00 http://www.crawley.libdems.org.uk/news/000501/new_database_an_orwellian_step_too_far.html Ministers are to consider plans for a database of electronic information holding details of every phone call and e-mail sent in the UK, it has emerged. The plans, reported in the Times, are at an early stage and may be included in the draft Communications Bill later this year, the Home Office confirmed. 2008-05-20T13:51+01:00 http://www.crawley.libdems.org.uk/news/000500/nick_cleggs_speech_on_the_liberal_democrat_approach_to_taxation.html Liberal Democrat Leader, Nick Clegg today called for tax cuts for low and middle-income earners after a decade of tax hikes and unprecedented public spending rises. 2008-05-20T13:48+01:00 http://www.crawley.libdems.org.uk/news/000499/clegg_voices_afghan_campaign_fears.html Failure in Afghanistan would be "devastating" while the Nato mission was "hanging in the balance", Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg has said on a visit. Speaking during his first trip there, Mr Clegg warned that without lasting peace and stability Afghanistan could revert to a "pariah state. The consequences of failure would be devastating," he said. 2008-05-18T10:08+01:00