Our councillor in Cuffley, Hertfordshire, Brent Cheetham, is a strong campaigner for renewable energy supplies. He recently, and succesfully, supported a local energy recycling plant in the face of strong conservative opposition. He is also a supporter of the Friends of the Earth and is asking readers to sign the latest FoE petition calling upon the Energy Secretary, the Lib Dem minister, Ed Davey to set targets for ‘clean electric’ in his forthcoming Energy Bill.

He urges you to click here to sign

One of the posters put out by the NLP in support of Local Shops

The Sunday trading laws were waived because of the Olympics. Now the Coalition want to waive them permanently, which might be seen as a further nail in the coffin for small family shops! A report in the Sunday Telegraph suggests that such moves will be fought by an alternative coalition of unions, small businesses and the church! Multiples (Supermarkets) are allowed to do some limited trade on Sundays at the moment but that is not enough as it seems that the government wants them to be open 24/7 and 365 days a year!

The bigger picture is a declining number of shops (and pubs) as town centres slowly die or survive around a supermarket. It is the way modern society has gone, cheaper and convenient. Yet, the loss of our town centres as thriving shopping centres has other negative spin-offs, increased vandalism, a shrinking community spirit, reduced choice and a larger carbon footprint as we travel further afield for our purchases. The shopping centres played an important role as the glue that help maintain our community spirit.

The National Liberal Party has campaigned in favour of small shops as we believe they are part of the that mix. We would like to see a balance restored where these can centres thrive again. Councils and government can play a part through tax breaks and investment and you can do so too by, wherever possible, shopping local!

THE CON-DEM CUTS seem to be affecting every social group in Britain. Ordinary working families, the unemployed, the disabled and youngsters have all been hit hard. However, spare a thought for Britain’s pensioners who are really finding it tough going.

According to the Mail Online (1) many pensioners have seen the cost of living rise by nearly 20 per cent since 2008. This means that “they are having to find an extra £1,000 per year to maintain the same living standards. It compares with average UK inflation of 13 per cent over the same period.”

The Mail report notes that this increase is due to the fact that pensioners tend to spend more money on heat, electricity and food. As these items have all soared in price, Senior Citizens have been hit badly.

For instance, “Gas tariffs have leapt by 25.3 per cent in just the past year, while electricity is up by 15.5 per cent.”

Cameron and Clegg also cut the Winter Fuel Payment for all OAPs. Those over 80 had £100 docked (with their WFP being cut from £400 to £300) whilst other pensioners faced a £50 deduction (from £250 to £200).

We feel that pensioners represent one group of people who we have a genuine responsibility to care for. To us, the actions of this Con-Dem government represent a national disgrace.

(1) http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2086480/Elderly-hit-20-rise-living-costs-Pensioners-suffering-household-bills-soar.html

See and hear our National Secretary explain why you should read our latest ideological journal the New Horizon….

For your free copy CLICK HERE