Fairer, Greener and Better – by Nick Stanton 

Southwark has been transformed by the Liberal Democrats. In just a few short years the Borough has gone from one of the worst in London to one of the best. Prudent budgeting and financial competence has meant Southwark residents have benefited from below cost of living council tax rises or no rises, rather than inflation busting rises under Labour, local peoples’ satisfaction with the council has increased and the local environment has improved with people feeling much safer, with better street lighting, cleaner streets, a revolution in recycling and action to reduce greenhouse emissions with even tougher targets than the 10:10 campaign.

Over the last five years, Southwark Council has invested more than £370 million in council homes delivering refurbished homes and estates to a much higher standard than the Labour government’s basic standard – giving tenants what they want, rather than what they are told they need. And the schemes to regenerate Bermondsey Spa, Canada Water, the Aylesbury and The Elephant and Castle are – despite Gordon Brown’s recession – on track.

More Southwark children are getting a good start in life than ever before with record results year on year for both primary and GCSE pupils. A record that stands in stark contrast to Labour, who oversaw a schools system so dreadful that their own government had to privatise the education department and hand it to firm of road engineers to run.

It’s clear nationally after 13 years that Labour’s time is up – they’ve let down the people of Southwark and of the UK, but that doesn’t mean the Tories deserve support – they never stand up for everyday people. So it’s no surprise that more and more former Labour voters are realising it’s the Liberal Democrats who share their important values – helping the poorest and weakest in society, fighting injustice and discrimination and protecting vital public services.

In this programme for the next four years, the Liberal Democrats guarantee to make Southwark a fairer, greener and better place to live, work, visit and bring up children. As usual, the election across Southwark is between the Liberal Democrats and Labour – a vote for the other parties may just allow Labour to sneak back in.

In 2002 and 2006 Southwark Liberal Democrats created a list called “Six to Fix” – six cast iron promises which we promised to implement. We kept those promises. This year we are promising another Six to Fix. They are, if you like, the highlights of this manifesto.

Yours sincerely

Nick Stanton
Leader of Southwark Liberal Democrats