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."
Liberal Democrats in West Berkshire have shown that their "STOP SANDLEFORD" petition, launched earlier this year, was not just electioneering. The Petition was formally presented to West Berkshire Council's Executive Committee on Thursday, with 510 signatures - many obtained since the May local elections - by local campaigner Roxana Nash-Williams.
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
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.
Figures from West Berkshire Council and across the country show that first-time voters have registered in their thousands. First-time voters, young and not-so-young, have registered to vote in their thousands as Nick Clegg and the Liberal Democrats have rejuvenated the political process in the UK.
Social networking websites Twitter and Facebook are alive with messages proclaiming "I agree with Nick", and responding to a Labour jibe in the Leaders' Debate by saying that "Nick got real".
An average of five polls conducted immediately after the Sky TV Leaders Election debate on Thursday night put Nick Clegg as the winner, with all instant polls showing him ahead of Gordon Brown. After the Foreign Affairs-led debate from Bristol dominated by issues like Iraq, immigration and climate change, Nick Clegg won 3 of the 5 polls on the night, building on his position after the first debate.
The second Party Leaders Debate is taking place this Thursday starting at 8pm on Sky News. Nick Clegg, Gordon Brown and David Cameron will again be going head to head in a TV debate in the run up to the General Election on May 6th, this time leading on Foreign Affairs.
The first half of the 90 minute Election Debate on Sky News will be devoted to Foreign Affairs, with the rest on any topic. The debate comes from Bristol, and will be chaired by Adam Boulton. Sky are inviting questions before the debate, with more information at http://news.sky.com/skynews/Election/debatequestion
Every independent commentator says that Nick Clegg came out of last Thursday night's TV debate head and shoulders above Gordon Brown and David Cameron.
"As Nick said, the two old parties have let us down too often. If you want real change - now is the time to vote for it," said David Rendel. "It's clear that nationally, the Liberal Democrats offer the country the only real alternative to the same old politics of the last 65 years," he continued.
The polls following the first ever Party Leaders General Election debate on ITV are showing that Nick Clegg has won a convincing victory over David Cameron and Gordon Brown. The debate was the first ever Leaders debate during a UK General Election campaign, and the pollsters are giving it as a big victory for Nick Clegg and the Liberal Democrats.
Under the Liberal Democrats, more than £4m will be pumped into West Berkshire's schools to give a fair chance to every West Berkshire child.
The Liberal Democrat manifesto 2010, launched this morning, pledges an investment of £2.5 billion in Britain's schools, and West Berkshire's share will be £4,029,256.
