We store cookies on your device to make sure we give you the best experience on this website. I'm fine with this - Turn cookies off
Switch to an accessible version of this website which is easier to read. (requires cookies)
MENU

links to audio and video content

Welcome to Congleton Liberal Democrats

If you want things to be different, really different, choose the party that is different - the Liberal Democrats. There is hope for a different future, a different way of doing things in Britain, if we're brave enough to make a fresh start. Change for real, change for good.

We stand for a stronger economy in a fairer society, helping every person to get on in life.

The Liberal Democrats are more competent than Labour on the economy and fairer than the Conservatives, the only true Party of the centre ground in British politics.

  • We are the only party who will put money into people's pockets with fair tax cuts, the only party to offer universal childcare and smaller classes in our primary schools, the only party who would use Gordon Brown's wasted billions to create thousands of jobs today by investing in homes, hospitals, schools and public transport to build the green economy of tomorrow, the only party that will rebuild the jobs, homes and hopes this recession has destroyed.

Peter and Nick

Peter Hirst and Nick Clegg

Our intention is that this website will be a useful resource for local people to find out more about the local Liberal Democrats and the campaigns we are running.

However, we would like it to be more than that - we would like to hear from you. Online you can:

Recent updates

Newer items
  • The door is open to a Brexit deal on freedom of movement
    Article: Jul 4, 2017
    By Nick Clegg, former Leader of the Liberal Democrats in The Financial Times - https://www.ft.com/content/18e5dc98-5f2b-11e7-8814-0ac7eb84e5f1
    EU governments could accept an emergency brake on immigration
    At the heart of Westminster, there lurks a secret. Both Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn want to thwart the moderates in their party who are opposed to a "hard" Brexit. And both have alighted on the same alibi: they claim that since we cannot change the rules governing freedom of movement and stay in the single market, then we have no choice but to leave the single market altogether. It sounds neat - and democratic. After all, few would disagree that immigration in general, and EU free movement in particular, played a significant role in the EU referendum last year. EU leaders regularly emphasise the importance of the "four freedoms". And so the logic flows effortlessly: the will of the British public must be obeyed; EU freedom of movement must go; single market membership must be rescinded. This argument is self-serving nonsense.
  • Nurse with baby (By Salim Fadhley from London, UK (Sarah the Nursey Nurse) [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons)
    Worrying rise in nurses leaving the profession
    Article: Jul 3, 2017

    Figures released today by the Nursing and Midwifery Council have shown a reduction in the numbers of nurses and midwives registered to work in the UK.

    Commenting, Lib Dem health spokesperson and former health minister Norman Lamb said:

    "These figures are extremely concerning. For the first time we have more nurses and midwives leaving the profession than joining it, with a sharp rise in U.K. nurses and midwives deciding to leave the country and practice overseas.

  • Money / banknotes (pounds sterling) in hand
    Household savings fall to lowest rate in 50 years as Brexit starts to bite
    Article: Jun 30, 2017

    Household savings have plummeted to their lowest level in 50 years, official figures published today have revealed. It comes after figures yesterday showed household borrowing has continued to grow, with unsecured consumer credit increasing by £1.7bn in May.

    Vince Cable has warned the stark figures show the economy is on an unsustainable footing and that this could have "severe consequences" when combined with the impact of an extreme Brexit.

  • Corbyn has betrayed Labour voters by refusing to back single market amendment
    Article: Jun 29, 2017

    The Liberal Democrats have accused Jeremy Corbyn of failing Labour voters who wanted a different approach to Brexit, after he imposed a three-line whip on his MPs to abstain on a cross-party amendment to keep the UK in the single market.

    Only 49 Labour MPs voted for the amendment, fewer than a fifth, while the rest abstained.

  • Victory on NI abortions shows power of cross-party pressure
    Article: Jun 29, 2017

    Former Equalities Minister Jo Swinson MP has said the government's last-minute announcement that women from Northern Ireland will be able get abortions for free on the NHS in England shows "the power of cross-party pressure."

    Jo Swinson was among the MPs who had signed an amendment by Stella Creasy on the issue, which had been selected for a vote today.

  • Over 340,000 secondary school pupils taught in class sizes over 30
    Article: Jun 29, 2017

    The Liberal Democrats have accused the government of treating schoolchildren like "battery hens," as shocking figures published today have revealed the number of pupils in classes over 30 continues to soar.
    344,000 secondary school pupils are now being taught in class sizes over over 30, up 21% compared to two years ago

  • Single market amendment must be backed by "the many, not the few"
    Article: Jun 29, 2017

    The Liberal Democrats have called on Jeremy Corbyn to ensure a cross-party amendment on the single market is backed by "the many, not the few" in a crucial vote later today.

    The cross-party amendment to the Queen's Speech, signed by all Liberal Democrat MPs, calls on the government to set out proposals to stay in the single market and customs union.

  • The British people deserve their say
    Article: Jun 29, 2017
    By Dr Peter Hirst in Congleton Chronicle

    Dear Sir, - I cannot resist the temptation to respond to Ken Elliott's letter in last week's Chronicle, page 30.

    He bemoans my hypocrisy in talking about respecting political decisions made by a democratic process when talking about the Brexit referendum.

    This gives me the opportunity of reminding your readers that we are not disputing the referendum result, despite the shoddy processes involved.

  • Bus budget should match housing rise
    Article: Jun 29, 2017
    By Dr Peter Hirst in Congleton Chronicle

    Dear Sir, - I would like to clarify the reason for the current consultation by Cheshire East on subsidised bus routes that has been discussed in the Chronicle recently.

    The decision to cut the bus subsidy was made at the budget meeting of Cheshire East Council on 23rd February so, whatever the result of it, there will be £1.6m less to spend from April next year on this important aspect of public transport.

  • Lib Dems to support amendment on lifting public sector pay cap
    Article: Jun 28, 2017

    This follows the Liberal Democrats leading calls to increase pay for firefighters, nurses and police in the wake of the Grenfell Tragedy and recent terrorist attacks.

    The party has also urged Labour MPs to back amendments calling on the government to keep Britain in the single market and customs union, warning that an extreme Brexit would mean the country cannot afford to invest more in public services.

Older items