This is the first issue
of a regular newsletter for members and supporters of
the Liberal Democrats.
The newsletter is also being sent to lapsed members
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of our policies, but may not want to commit themselves
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Elections
First the Good News
Nationally, this was a sensational result for the
Liberal Democrats.
During the campaign Charles Kennedy made clear that
our twin aims were to win more seats and more votes
than in 1997.
We succeeded in both.
52 MPs is more than we - or our predecessors - have
had at any election since 1929.
19% of the vote is our highest share since the party
was formed in 1988.
We have broken new ground in this election, winning
our first seats in
Derbyshire and Norfolk since 1931, our first in Shropshire
since 1923, and our first in Surrey since 1910.
In 1997, many interpreted our result as a bit of
a freak, a high water mark from which we were bound
to go down.
For example, The Independent's Election Guide said:
"If Mr Kennedy holds onto 47 MPs … he will have
scored a magnificent result."
And now the "not so good" news
Locally the story was not so good.
Despite a good campaign, Dave Gayler failed to alter
the political map and Diana Organ was returned as MP
for the Forest of Dean.
We were disappointed to lose three County Councillors
in the Forest of Dean. In previous years, the Conservatives
failed to contest many of the Forest Divisions. This
time there was a definite change in tactics and they
put up candidates in every seat. This paid off for them
with Conservative wins in Severn Dean and Tidenham.
A District Council by-election took place in Newnham
on the same day as the General Election. Although our
candidate, John Holman, came third, our share of the
vote increased.
Lessons have been learned from these elections and
the local Lib Dems are already working on their campaign
strategy for the District Council elections.
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Conservative leadership
election - would you trust them to run the country?
There was a "Stop Portillo" campaign, a
"Stop Clarke getting through to the final round"
campaign… indeed, there seems to be everything except
positive enthusiasm for any of the candidates.
With a system that relies on a ballot of MPs, ordinary
Conservative members have been denied the full choice
of candidates that Liberal Democrat members had when
Charles Kennedy was elected two years ago in a full
'one member, one vote' ballot of all party members.
Democracy in the Conservative Party still seems to
be in its infancy.
Women Power
Joy Henbest recently stood down as Lib Dem Group
Leader on the Forest of Dean District Council. We would
like to thank her for all the hard work she has put
in over the years. She is not retiring completely and
will continue to play an active role on the Council.
Sue Henchley (Mitcheldean) has been elected to take
over as Group Leader. We wish her luck in this new job.
Congratulations go to Councillor Liz Boait who has
been elected Lib Dem Group Leader on the County Council.
Council news
All Councils are currently undergoing restructuring
as part of Labour’s modernisation process.
The Forest of Dean District Council is planning a
revised committee structure with a politically balanced
executive.
The County Council is going along the Leader and
Cabinet route. It remains to
be seen whether this can work with a hung council.
No-one knows who will form the new cabinet as the
three political groups are still in the early stages
of negotiation. To read Mark Harper’s letters to the
papers you would think it was a foregone conclusion.
It isn’t; unless of course, he has inside information
about the Conservative’s plans. We saw from the last
Council that they prefer to be in opposition, rather
than work with other groups. The trouble is that if
everyone did that, the Council wouldn’t be able to reach
any decisions at all.
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Garden
Party
Saturday 18th August 16:30
With barbecue, plant sale, bookstall
Russell Lodge, Parkend
£5 a ticket, under 12yrs £2.50
If you can, please let Heather know if you are coming
so that we can gauge numbers. This will help with catering.
Forum on Forest Transport in the Green Age
Tuesday 18th September 19.30
Friends of the Earth speaker
Coleford Community Centre
Quiz
Friday 26th October 19:30
Friendly and fun: refreshments
Tickets £4 bring friends
Minsterworth Village Hall.
Annual General Meeting
Saturday 10th November 14:30
Details to follow
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