Congleton Liberal Democrats

Britain's railways are essential to everyday life - they transport millions to and from work and around the country day in, day out.

Unfortunately, all too often our trains are late, crowded or cancelled. Ticketing is a confusing mess and the railways and their rolling stock are in desperate need of investment.

It's no secret: crime rates in the UK have been rising.

Brutal knife and gun crimes have become a sad fixture of our headlines, while conviction rates for offences including violent robberies and sexual assaults have experienced an alarming decline.

Why?

Since 2015, the Conservatives have cut £1bn from police budgets while resolutely maintaining that falling policing numbers have nothing to do with rising crime.

There are just 11 days left to get your nominations in for the candidates you'd like to see elected to party committees.

If you need a reminder of which roles are up for election, here it is:

Top of the bill is Federal President, to take over from Sal Brinton on 1 January and serve for 2020, 2021 and 2022. This is a major role chairing the party's Federal Board, protecting and representing members, and acting as guardian of the party's interests. Hustings will be held throughout the country during the two-month campaign, and candidates may raise and spend £20,000 campaigning for the job.

With beautiful sunny Bournemouth as a backdrop, Paddy's friends and colleagues took to the main stage to share their fond memories of him.

Now on BBC Parliament: tributes are paid to the late party leader Paddy Ashdown at the Liberal Democrat conference in Bournemouth pic.twitter.com/mR3wEMTmar

- BBC Parliament (@BBCParliament) September 17, 2019

What an amazing week we have had.

Hearing about our 700 council gains. 15 European gains.

Chuka, Sarah, Angela, Philip, Luciana and Sam joining from the Conservatives and Labour. The Brecon win for the wonderful Jane Dodds against the Conservatives.

It's happening in Scotland too. Councillor Fiona Dryburgh left Labour to join us. And Councillor Mark McGeever left the Conservatives to join us.

Since the EU referendum, the Liberal Democrats have been on the side of Remainers.

Whether in Parliament, in the courts, in the media or on the streets, we've been leading the fight for three years to stay part of the European Union.

For three years, we've been leading the fight to remain in the European Union

Today, Jo Swinson, Leader of the Liberal Democrats closed Conference with a rousing speech outlining her vision for a Liberal Democrat government winning the next General Election powered by the surging Liberal Democrat movement across the county.

Tribute to Paddy Ashdown

We remember a man who was bold, fearless, determined

There is something that the architects of Brexit are desperately trying to distract us from.

Our planet is in crisis, balanced on a knife-edge at the point of no return.

Our planet is in crisis, balanced on a knife-edge at the point of no return.

Due to man-made climate change, global temperatures are soaring, the polar ice caps are melting faster than ever before, and whole nations are already facing the existential crisis of rising sea levels and extreme weather. Whole species of animals are being wiped out month by month, and global famine is a very real threat.

Hello Conference!

What a brilliant time to be a Liberal Democrat!

On the 7th May next year, London voters will make a decision of national and international importance. Who will be the next Mayor of London.

They will decide who they believe embodies the very spirit of London. Who will stand up for global, liberal, pro-European, warm-hearted and dynamic values. Who will reflect and reinforce the optimism, diversity and entrepreneurialism of our capital.

Conference, I don't know about you, but when you knock on doors canvassing, and people say "Oh, you're all the same", it can be quite frustrating.

Brexit has changed all that. Everyone now knows, we are very different from Johnson's Conservatives and Corbyn's Labour.

Only the Liberal Democrats want to stop Brexit. Let's face it. Our great country could be just 46 days from economic catastrophe.