OxWAB at Conference (Oxford West and Abingdon Liberal Democrats)

Oxford West and Abingdon Liberal Democrats <info@oxwablibdems.org.uk>

OxWAB at Conference

September 21, 2006 12:00 AM

Representatives from Oxford West & Abingdon Liberal Democrats were playing a full part in the Liberal Democrat Conference 16th-21st September.

City and County Councillor Jean Fooks spoke in Monday's debate on the new policy paper "Stronger Families, Brighter Futures". She said that we are failing our looked-after children and must do better. Jean said, "More emphasis on working with families would result in fewer children being taken into care and better outcomes for families and children". She criticised the paper for saying little about the housing problems faced by care leavers. "The good news is that while under Labour care leavers in Oxford had to go down the homelessness route, being housed in temporary accommodation first, now with a Lib Dem administration in Oxford there will be an allocation of permanent housing for care leavers at 18".

On Tuesday, our MP, Dr Evan Harris, moved an amendment in the Green Switch Tax debate, arguing to retain the top rate of 50p on incomes of over £150,000 per annum. The amendment was lost.

Jean also spoke in the debate on Wednesday about Transport and Social Inclusion. She highlighted the problems faced by people in rural areas. Jean said, "The Government's bright ideas on Extended Schools and Children's Centres are essentially aimed at urban areas. How can young people in the country get to schools after hours or to leisure facilities unless their parents drive them? What happened to integrated transport, buses that meet trains? And we need affordable public transport."

Cllr Alan Armitage speaking at conference 2006

Your local representatives in action

City and County Councillor Alan Armitage spoke in the human rights debate on Thursday 21st September about the importance of the Human Rights Act 1998 in defending the rights of refugees. Alan said, "I believe the vast majority of British people would agree that our country should offer the lifeline of refuge. If Labour really mean to abandon the Human Rights Act, then such cases could only be decided by the European courts. This would deprive many people of justice, because of the costs, and take years to be resolved, whilst the appellants wait in limbo."

Dr Harris has a press release about his speech on his personal website. The councillors' speeches are available here.