Folkestone and Hythe District Council passed a motion declaring a Climate Emergency on Wednesday night. The motion was moved by the Green Party, with support from the Lib Dems and Labour. As ever. to win the debate, we'd need to persuade a member of the administration or two to back us, but we started full of hope...

I've seen, and had reported, a few examples recently of bin emptying where the bin bags are left by waste bins for subsequent collection, which are then attacked and ripped open (by seagulls, mainly). Thanks for the reports (you know who you are!).

I've chased this with the Contracts Manager at F&H Council, who has today said:

This reception for all SE members & other LD members and hope, you will be able to join us for this event and listen to our guest speaker.

There will be a cash bar.

Join us for our 2019 Autumn Conference at the sunny Bournemouth seaside. Autumn Conference is our largest annual event and features lively debates, speeches, policy discussions, fringe events and a range of social events. Conference is open to party members, supporters and observers who want to find out more and engage with the Party.

Rob Bird welcomes the election of Jo Swinson as the new Leader of the Liberal Democrats

Jo Swinson will bring a new dynamic to the party and to the country. She is fed up with the broken politics of Westminster and the failure of the two party system to reach out to all people across the country. Too many people feel that they have been ignored or taken for granted by the Conservative and Labour parties, preoccupied by their own self-interest and political infighting. Only the Liberal Democrats have the values, the ideas and the common strength of purpose to stand up to those who are doing so much to damage our country.

I love this party.

I was just 17 when I became a Liberal Democrat. Honestly, if you'd have told me that I'd one day get the chance to write this post as the party's new leader I wouldn't have believed you.

The first thing I want to do is say a huge thank you to everyone who took part in this election. But special thanks must go to my good friend Ed Davey.

At the County Council meeting on 11th July the Liberal Democrats were due to propose a motion calling for Kent County Council to remove peak time restrictions for disabled persons bus passes. The motion was withdrawn by the County Council Chairman following a last minute objection by KCC's senior financial officer.

Liberal Democrat analysis of new Home Office figures, published this week, has revealed that the Conservative Government cut funding to Kent Police by 6% in real terms between 2015-16 and 2019-20.

According to Liberal Democrat analysis, total government funding to all 43 forces (in 2019-20 prices) fell from £8.48 billion in 2015-16 to £7.99 billion in 2019-20. 32 of the 43 forces across the country experienced cuts of 6% or more.