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> Joining the Newbury LibDems
Simon Kirby
post May 23 2014, 08:16 PM
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I'm thinking about it. I'd like to see the town council reformed and made open and accountable, and I have a centre-left libertarian social conscience which is a reasonable match for LibDem values, so I've been thinking for a while about joining the party for the political platform it could provide.

I'm Apolitical at the moment and I like my Apolitical friends, and I think, as blackdog mentioned in another thread, that local politics would be better without the parties, but once a council is politicised it's a difficult job as an independent. As it happens I don't think the parties are necessarily the problem, I think the problem is that local politicians are not sufficiently independent. Issues at a parish or even district council will not generally touch on national party policy and politicians should be free to vote with their conscience without fear of embarrassing their party by appearing to be disunited. That is a problem of course, because people don't typically like to vote for disunited parties so there is always a desire to subdue differences for the greater good of the party.

Personally I see the party as a vehicle for political ideas and not an end in itself like you might support a football team, and I guess that attitude might create conflict within any party I joined if I wouldn't toe the line. Perhaps there are issues I might be convinced to keep quiet about, but it's a worry that in joining an organised party I'd either need to follow someone else's direction that I didn't agree with, or else create conflict by sticking to my principles. Of course I'd hope that in joining a party which shared my same general bag of values that I wouldn't often be isolated politically, but it could happen.

So anyhoo, Ruwan has invited me, and anyone else for that matter, to become involved, and I'd like to take that forward. I'm pretty sure I'd have Ruwan as a friend, but I'd like to see that the party experience would be relatively social too and not a complete stress-fest, so what I think would be cool is if Ruwan were to assemble a few friendly local LibDems for a meet-and-greet, and I was wondering if I could persuade anyone else to come along in solidarity with a view to joining the LibDems too.

Big ask I know, but if you're as unhappy with Newbury politics as I am then at some point we need to do something about it, and if Ruwan is able to show that we'd be welcome then I'd like to give the LibDems some serious consideration, and I think I'd find that easier in the company of Newts, and if it turns out that the LibDems aren't actually that welcoming then at least we'd have had an enjoyable evening finding that out.

Thoughts?


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On the edge
post May 23 2014, 10:04 PM
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Count me in. Ruwan is at least trying and he is right about changing within. Having looked at the main web sites recently, I have to say the LibDems seem the only one which does have a process for involving a simple member (so to speak) in policy formulation / review. The intent seems to be there at least.


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Turin Machine
post May 23 2014, 10:46 PM
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Good luck with that you two, not my party of choice by any means but I admire your decision to get involved at local level.


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motormad
post May 23 2014, 11:08 PM
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Meh, I would go along but feel it would be far too intense for me.

And besides, imagine I would feel like an atheist at a youth club at a church (I went to one of those so I'm allowed to say that).


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Exhausted
post May 24 2014, 09:39 AM
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Just think forward with this. You join the LibDems, stand for a seat at the local elections for the Town Council. You win and are therefore elected.

What now about your "Vexatious" title,

How could you overnight change from being vexatious to member and councillor when it was the LibDem council that identified you as such, assuming also that they retain their majority of course which I suspect may be in doubt.

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On the edge
post May 24 2014, 11:25 AM
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As someone quite famous once said, jaw jaw is always better than war war.


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Turin Machine
post May 24 2014, 11:48 AM
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They will need all the help they can get merely to stay afloat in the next elections. Some fresh blood may just be what is needed. Love the idea of poacher turned gamekeeper.


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Ruwan Uduwerage-...
post May 24 2014, 11:55 AM
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Dear Forum Members,

I have plenty of membership forms, or you can sign up online.

Come and assisting in changing local politics by joining the Liberal Democrat Party.

Getting elected will not be easy, but fresh people with new ideas and ways of doing things will refresh Newbury Town and West Berkshire District Councils.

Ruwan Uduwerage-Perera

Newbury Town Council - Councillor for Victoria Ward & Deputy Leader
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CharlieF
post May 24 2014, 02:48 PM
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QUOTE
I'm Apolitical at the moment and I like my Apolitical friends
biggrin.gif

QUOTE
as blackdog mentioned in another thread, that local politics would be better without the parties
biggrin.gif

QUOTE
I've been thinking for a while about joining the [LibDem] party for the political platform it could provide.
sad.gif



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Turin Machine
post May 24 2014, 03:31 PM
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QUOTE (Ruwan Uduwerage-Perera @ May 24 2014, 12:55 PM) *
Dear Forum Members,

I have plenty of membership forms, or you can sign up online.

Come and assisting in changing local politics by joining the Liberal Democrat Party.

Getting elected will not be easy, but fresh people with new ideas and ways of doing things will refresh Newbury Town and West Berkshire District Councils.

Ruwan Uduwerage-Perera

Newbury Town Council - Councillor for Victoria Ward & Deputy Leader


And you won't need to worry about commitment, the position won't last longer than the next election. laugh.gif


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The Optimist
post May 24 2014, 04:34 PM
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How does the saying go?

"Keep your friends close and your enemies closer"

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Cognosco
post May 24 2014, 05:28 PM
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QUOTE (The Optimist @ May 24 2014, 05:34 PM) *
How does the saying go?

"Keep your friends close and your enemies closer"

biggrin.gif


I think RUP has come up with a novel way of silencing Simon? unsure.gif
Can you imagine the reaction of the present incumbents at the town hall if Simon walks in?
They will have to have first aid attendants available if he were elected to the council but I don;t see that happening as a Liberal Democrat candidate though, unless the present lot are not around at the time. rolleyes.gif


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On the edge
post May 24 2014, 05:43 PM
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Walking in doesn't preclude walking out...but with rather more publicity.


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Turin Machine
post May 24 2014, 06:18 PM
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QUOTE (Cognosco @ May 24 2014, 06:28 PM) *
I think RUP has come up with a novel way of silencing Simon? unsure.gif
Can you imagine the reaction of the present incumbents at the town hall if Simon walks in?
They will have to have first aid attendants available if he were elected to the council but I don;t see that happening as a Liberal Democrat candidate though, unless the present lot are not around at the time.


And hopefully they won't be, a good clean sweep is what's needed. Clear out all the smug entrenched establishment and get some fresh blood. We need our own fox in the henhouse. tongue.gif


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Simon Kirby
post May 24 2014, 06:52 PM
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All cynicism aside, I think joining the Lib Dems is the right thing for me. It would be fair to say that my relationship with some in the local party is likely to be "frosty", but I'm passionate about what I believe in and I share Lib Dem values so given Ruwan's invitation it would be a betrayal not to join and support him. All respect to Cognosco, but I think what Ruwan has come up with is a novel way of giving me a voice!, though of course it would be helpful if my own personal situation were resolved.

Anyhoo, Newbury politics won't improve on its own, it needs people to get involved to demand a more open, engaged, and representative politics. If you believe in anything like the same values that I do then think about joining the Lib Dems with OtE and me and giving Ruwan some support.

Big post, and I apologise for that, but here's the basics of what Liberal Democracy means - it's good stuff I hope you agree:

Preamble

The Liberal Democrats exist to build and safeguard a fair, free and open society, in which we seek to balance the fundamental values of liberty, equality and community, and in which no one shall be enslaved by poverty, ignorance or conformity. We champion the freedom, dignity and well-being of individuals, we acknowledge and respect their right to freedom of conscience and their right to develop their talents to the full. We aim to disperse power, to foster diversity and to nurture creativity. We believe that the role of the state is to enable all citizens to attain these ideals, to contribute fully to their communities and to take part in the decisions which affect their lives.

We look forward to a world in which all people share the same basic rights, in which they live together in peace and in which their different cultures will be able to develop freely. We believe that each generation is responsible for the fate of our planet and, by safeguarding the balance of nature and the environment, for the long term continuity of life in all its forms. Upholding these values of individual and social justice, we reject all prejudice and discrimination based upon race, colour, religion, age, disability, sex or sexual orientation and oppose all forms of entrenched privilege and inequality. Recognising that the quest for freedom and justice can never end, we promote human rights and open government, a sustainable economy which serves genuine need, public services of the highest quality, international action based on a recognition of the interdependence of all the world’s peoples and responsible stewardship of the earth and its resources. We believe that people should be involved in running their communities. We are determined to strengthen the democratic process and ensure that there is a just and representative system of government with effective Parliamentary institutions, freedom of information, decisions taken at the lowest practicable level and a fair voting system for all elections. We will at all times defend the right to speak, write, worship, associate and vote freely, and we will protect the right of citizens to enjoy privacy in their own lives and homes. We believe that sovereignty rests with the people and that authority in a democracy derives from the people. We therefore acknowledge their right to determine the form of government best suited to their needs and commit ourselves to the promotion of a democratic federal framework within which as much power as feasible is exercised by the nations and regions of the United Kingdom. We similarly commit ourselves to the promotion of a flourishing system of democratic local government in which decisions are taken and services delivered at the most local level which is viable.

We will foster a strong and sustainable economy which encourages the necessary wealth creating processes, develops and uses the skills of the people and works to the benefit of all, with a just distribution of the rewards of success. We want to see democracy, participation and the co-operative principle in industry and commerce within a competitive environment in which the state allows the market to operate freely where possible but intervenes where necessary. We will promote scientific research and innovation and will harness technological change to human advantage.

We will work for a sense of partnership and community in all areas of life. We recognise that the independence of individuals is safeguarded by their personal ownership of property, but that the market alone does not distribute wealth or income fairly. We support the widest possible distribution of wealth and promote the rights of all citizens to social provision and cultural activity. We seek to make public services responsive to the people they serve, to encourage variety and innovation within them and to make them available on equal terms to all.

Our responsibility for justice and liberty cannot be confined by national boundaries; we are committed to fight poverty, oppression, hunger, ignorance, disease and aggression wherever they occur and to promote the free movement of ideas, people, goods and services. Setting aside national sovereignty when necessary, we will work with other countries towards an equitable and peaceful international order and a durable system of common security. Within the European Community we affirm the values of federalism and integration and work for unity based on these principles. We will contribute to the process of peace and disarmament, the elimination of world poverty and the collective safeguarding of democracy by playing a full and constructive role in international organisations which share similar aims and objectives. These are the conditions of liberty and social justice which it is the responsibility of each citizen and the duty of the state to protect and enlarge. The Liberal Democrats consist of women and men working together for the achievement of these aims.


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Simon Kirby
post May 24 2014, 06:53 PM
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QUOTE (Turin Machine @ May 24 2014, 07:18 PM) *
And hopefully they won't be, a good clean sweep is what's needed. Clear out all the smug entrenched establishment and get some fresh blood. We need our own fox in the henhouse. tongue.gif

smile.gif


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Turin Machine
post May 24 2014, 07:03 PM
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Another reason they won't get my vote,

" Liberal Democrats want to ban all conventional cars by 2040 and allow only electric and ultra-low emission vehicles on the roads.

Every diesel and petrol car would be scrapped by then or earlier if there are enough technological advances."

Nuff said squire!


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Cognosco
post May 24 2014, 07:23 PM
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Addendum to Preamble:

We maintain the right to ignore all of the above to obtain a place at the Cabinet table, even if it is a subservient position, manifestos are produced for guidance only and should be ignored completely in case of a hung parliament! rolleyes.gif


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blackdog
post May 24 2014, 07:34 PM
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QUOTE (Turin Machine @ May 24 2014, 07:18 PM) *
We need our own fox in the henhouse. tongue.gif

I hope Simon would be Simon's fox, not 'ours'.
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MontyPython
post May 24 2014, 07:44 PM
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QUOTE (Turin Machine @ May 24 2014, 08:03 PM) *
Another reason they won't get my vote,

" Liberal Democrats want to ban all conventional cars by 2040 and allow only electric and ultra-low emission vehicles on the roads.

Every diesel and petrol car would be scrapped by then or earlier if there are enough technological advances."

Nuff said squire!


With this and some of their other policies, why don't they do the environmentally friendly thing and save paper with their manifesto, all they need to put is:-

WE DON'T WANT TO GET ELECTED

PLEASE DON'T VOTE FOR US!

It is the same message really
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