I am catching up here, so brief notes as well as a bit of narrative about Friday afternoon and evening. Sheffield is where I was born, and has undoubtedly improved for the better ! Arrival at the station, and no need for a taxi - straight onto a tram to nearby hotel. How it should be done !
Consultative session on “inequality” was first. I like these sessions, they are thoughtful, the press are not there to misprepresent what is said, and we all get a chance to contribute to future policy.
A good and wide ranging debate on inequality, how we defined it, what were today’s causes of it and how to tackle it.
I asked that “poverty of aspiration be added to the list of what it meant. We now have more than one generation that has people with very little hope for themselves. Much of the discussion was based on a book I have yet to read “the spirit level”.
Why is inequality not so marked in other countries?
Why is the gap between rich and poor increasing ?
Financial situation is made worse by pay having to pay more for goods through extortionate credit and buying household items such as “pay as you view “ TV.
Basic banking still not available .
Measurement of deprivation needs tackling so areas with pockets of deprivation and individuals are identified, so relevant support and help given.
Importance of benefit system and taxation that is genuinely progressive.
A call I strongly supported about getting rid of upper earnings limit of National Insurance which only helps the better off.
Inequality of transport options so the poorer and les mobile in our society can only use public transport that is infrequent, inflexible and unreliable as well as expensive.
Need for citizens income which gives equality of opportunity as well as security of income. Cost of that along with other universal benefits such a heating allowance bus pass winter fuel could be dealt with by simple taxation.
After meeting a Stockton member who is a student at Sheffield University, a heartening experience that we have young and keen members with a lot to offer in their skills and enthusiasm, it was off to face the barricades. Not pleasant, standing in the queues to get into the conference hall having to be protected by police and having untrue and ludicrous accusations shouted at us by the socialist workers and others. The socialist workers party didn’t win the election, in fact not one seat, so they are not speaking up for anyone. The Lib Dems won 8% of the seats in parliament, so we can hardly be blamed for, as a minority party in the coalition all the perceived problems there are. I say perceived as reading the banners and trying to make out the chantings, they were way off course. I don’t know how they dare complain about cuts to police budgets when they were there causing police to be off the streets of their usual areas and holding them back here.
I am not a usual fan of “the rally” on the Friday night of conference, but I did enjoy this one. It was really good to be in the midst of fellow Lib Dems hearing about what we were doing in the country in councils we were leading. I was surprised if pleased to hear how not one Lib Dem run council has closed a Sure Start centre or library. Paul Scriven, leader of Sheffield City Council telling up what is happening in the City of my birthplace. President Tim Farron was worth the journey to Sheffield alone. Here is his speech, and if you can find a link to a video of it well worth doing.
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