Double by-election triumph for local Liberal Democrats

Jane Morgan and Nick BasonLocal Liberal Democrats are celebrating after Hale End and Highams Park FOCUS team members Nick Bason and Jane Morgan were elected to Waltham Forest Council

In a remarkable by-election victory, the Liberal Democrat Focus team candidates Jane Morgan and Nick Bason polled 1298 and 1295 votes respectively to beat off the challenge of the Conservative candidates (1223 and 1155 votes). 

The by-election was called after the sad death of Cllr John Beanse and the resignation due to ill health of Cllr Noel Penstone.

The Lib Dems were protecting a lead of less than 4% over the Conservatives in a ward represented by former Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith.  The Lib Dems are still the only party with councillors in all three of the borough’s parliamentary constituencies.

Speaking at the count, new Hale End and Highams Park councillor Nick Bason said:

“We would like to thank all those residents from all sides of the political spectrum who gave us their support today on the basis of the hard work put into the ward by the Liberal Democrat FOCUS team over a long period of time.”

Jane Morgan added:

“We campaigned on our record of action and accountability to residents.  It is these principles that we will continue to stand by as the new council team for the ward.

“Local people know they can trust the Lib Dem team to produce action and not just words.”

Local Liberal Democrat leader Cllr John Macklin hailed the result as “absolutely fantastic”.

He continued:

“This victory over the Tories is made all the more special when taking into consideration the high-profile slur campaign run against the Lib Dems in the ward and the negative campaigning tactics which we were the victim of.

“The result just goes to show that our commitment to year round hard work and accountability is ultimately rewarded and appreciated by the electorate.        

“It is simply not good enough to just turn up when there is an election on and sling mud at the other parties.  Voters are not fooled by these tactics.”
          
The Liberal Democrats have won four of the five Waltham Forest by-elections called during 2008, increasing their representation on the Council to 20 seats.

FULL RESULT

JANE MORGAN (LIB DEM)  1298
NICK BASON (LIB DEM)  1295
Conservatives   1223
Conservatives   1155
Labour    264
Labour    241
Green     142

Lib Dems Warn Residents Over Rise in Burglaries

Waltham Forest Liberal Democrats are warning local residents and business owners to ensure that they take steps to secure their property after police figures revealed a big rise in the number of burglaries in the borough.

The crime statistics, published on the Metropolitan Police website, show a 10.6% rise in burglaries in the last 12 months, with nearly 2,000 local reports of domestic burglary in the 12 months up to September 2008.

The increase comes despite a 3.1% fall in burglaries across London.

Ward-by-ward data available on the Met website reveals that, in some areas of Waltham Forest, instances of burglary have risen in the past year by almost 50%.

However there is good news elsewhere for Waltham Forest residents as police figures show that overall crime was down by nearly 7%.  Significant reductions in car crime and violent robbery significantly contribute to this fall.

Now Waltham Forest Lib Dems are encouraging local residents to make sure they take basic procedures both to secure their house and to combat opportunistic burglaries.

Local Liberal Democrat Leader Cllr John Macklin said:

“The rise in burglaries at both domestic and non-domestic properties is obviously a real concern. 

“Burglaries from commercial properties in Waltham Forest have risen by a massive 12.8% in the last year.

“Residents and business owners can help protect their properties from instances of burglary or attempted theft by following some of the simple security measures suggested by the police.”

The Metropolitan Police Website offers a range of crime prevention measures that encourage property owners to reduce their risk of opportunistic criminals — particularly when buildings are unoccupied.

CLICK HERE to read more about the Liberal Democrats ‘We Can cut Crime!’ campaign, including our ‘5 Steps to a Safer Britain’

Future of Walthamstow Greyhound Track

The Racing Post report on the Lib Dems meeting with SOSThe Waltham Forest Guardian is this week reporting the latest developments in the efforts of the Save Our Stow (SOS) campaign group to keep a greyhound racing and leisure facility on the site of ‘The Stow’.

The Waltham Forest Liberal Democrats met with SOS to hear their plans and offer any support to their campaign.

Local Lib Dem leader Cllr John Macklin said:

“We are, of course, fully in support of their efforts to keep the Stadium as both a greyhound racing track and a sport and leisure venue.

“The success of our leisure venues is an integral part of building a sustainable community in Waltham Forest and ensuring that we are attractive to both our residents and visitors. There is no long-term sustainability in forcing residents out of the borough to spend their leisure time.”

To read the Group statement on the campaign to save the track, which was published in the Racing Post (‘Local Councillors in Support of SOS Bid’, 26/9/2008), follow the link to ‘The Stow’ in the left hand panel of the screen.

Lib Dem Council Team Speak on Tesco Plans

Hale End and Highams Park councillor Sheila Smith-PryorThe Lib Dem team for Hale End and Highams Park have said that “any proposed developments should absolutely have to compliment existing buildings and services in the area”

At a recent residents meeting, Cllr Sheila Smith-Pryor and the Hale and Higham FOCUS team spoke of the need for any development in the area to meet strict requirements regarding its environmental impact and the knock-on effect of the quality of life for all residents.

A FOCUS survey conducted by former Liberal Democrat councillor John Beanse and the local team showed that, out of over 500 resident responses, there was a range of opinions expressed regarding the proposals.  Many residents said they were concerned about the size of any proposed Tesco development.

Cllr Smith-Pryor said:

“Residents will remember that the Lib Dem team worked hard to ensure their voices were heard during the previous Tesco application.

“We will do the same again to ensure that all residents views are represented on this important issue”.

“Attendees at the recent meeting wanted to hear the views of the local councillor team, and I was pleased to be able to report back on the work that we have been doing on behalf of residents.”

Waltham Forest Lib Dems Speak on Future of ‘The Stow’

Waltham Forest Lib Dems are

Cllr John Macklin
Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, Waltham Forest Council

Like the many residents who have written to us expressing their views on the closure, my Liberal Democrat colleagues and I are enormously disappointed at the recent turn of events regarding the future of Walthamstow Greyhound Stadium.

The huge show of support from residents and punters alike demonstrates the obvious affection that local people have for the Stadium. A quick straw poll in a recent meeting suggests that you would struggle to find a local Liberal Democrat councillor who has not at one point enjoyed a visit to ‘The Stow’!

Farid Ahmed and myself recently met a team from Save Our Stow at the Town Hall to hear about their plans to keep the Stadium in business as a greyhound racing venue.

We are, of course, fully in support of their efforts to keep the Stadium as both a greyhound racing track and a sport and leisure venue. As we told the team from Save Our Stow, we believe that the stadium is an iconic London venue and, perhaps more importantly, an enormously valuable part of Waltham Forest’s evening economy.

The success of our leisure venues is an integral part of building a sustainable community in Waltham Forest and ensuring that we are attractive to both our residents and visitors. There is no long-term sustainability in forcing residents out of the borough to spend their leisure time.

I am more than happy to work with Save Our Stow as I believe that ambitious and enterprising local residents and groups deserve to have their ideas listened to and fully considered.

Farid Ahmed
Liberal Democrat Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Walthamstow

What impressed me about the Save Our Stow proposals was the obvious research that had been undertaken into the viability of the business. A lot of work has gone into securing the means of funding to reopen the track and attracting additional investment to upgrade the facilities and establish Walthamstow as hub for the sport.

I discussed with Save Our Stow my disappointment that a new business model could not, apparently, be made to work by the previous owners in the way it has done at successful greyhound racing venues both in the UK and overseas, where the tracks still enjoy healthy support as family venues with a greater focus on hospitality and catering for parties and group events. It was very encouraging to hear their proposals to modernise and widen the appeal of the Stadium, adapting the facility into a modern leisure facility.

What Walthamstow absolutely cannot afford to have is yet another ‘land bank’ awaiting regeneration.

I am particularly interested in such a user group led bid for the track, as I have long believed that local leisure facilities are very often better run by those who use them and who have a locally based commitment to their ongoing success