A key part of my platform to become Leader of the LGA’s Liberal Democrat Group was about raising the profile of local government in my party, and the successes of our councillors and councils in the wider local government world.
So, I was delighted we were able to do this at our Liberal Democrat Spring Conference, which saw an in-person event for more than 100 key councillors and campaigners, alongside our online conference, to which more than 1,200 people logged in.
“Liberal Democrats in local government stand by to do what we can for Ukraine”
We used it to showcase Liberal Democrat council achievements, with speakers from Oadby and Wigston, Hinckley & Bosworth, York, and Cambridgeshire – and we were delighted to have Helen Morgan, the new MP for North Shropshire, join us to celebrate her stunning by-election win.
We supported a conference motion on empowering local government to tackle climate change, and backed amendments stressing a stronger role for local government in tackling air pollution and sewage discharges.
We heard stunning speeches from Cllr Shaffaq Mohammed, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group at Sheffield City Council, and from South Cambridgeshire’s Cllr Pippa Heylings – reinforcing the central role that local government plays in our party.
There was also a moving address by Kira Rudik, Ukrainian MP and Leader of the liberal Holos Party. She thanked us and local government in the UK for everything we are doing to help her nation.
As ever, Liberal Democrats in local government stand by to do what we can to support Ukraine.