Epsom & Ewell Liberal Democrats
Working hard for you all year round, locally and nationally with our councillors and MP
Well done to Helen Maguire for being elected our MP at the General Election on Thursday 4th July.
Thank you to all who voted for her, and for the army of volunteers who put so much effort in.
The work starts now.
You can watch her gracious acceptance speech via this link.
Julie Morris, Alison Kelly, Julian Freeman & James Lawrence: our local councillors elected in May 2023
Click the button below to read regular updates on local matters on our Facebook page.
Helen Maguire - our new MP
Read more about our new MP, Helen Maguire, on her dedicated website
Some of our local volunteers
If you want a better, fairer, society - both locally and nationally - please consider helping us in any way you can.
Epsom and Ewell News
Council Agrees £200K investment in Barrier-controlled Car Parks
The Borough Council's capital programme for 2012-13 will include a £200,000 investment in barrier-controlled car parks. Car parks at Depot Road, Upper High Street, Hook Road, Hope Lodge and the Town Hall will be converted to barrier-controlled with drivers paying on exit.
Council Agrees Action Plan for Alcohol-Related Crime in Epsom Town Centre (but still agrees later licensing hours)
The ludicrousness of Borough Council decisions associated with Licensing and Planning matters was exposed at a meeting of its Environment Committee on 23rd January. The meeting agreed that Epsom Town Centre should become the focus of a Community Safety Action Plan for one year, yet only a week earlier an Epsom-based club gained permission to extend its licensing hours from 2am. Even more surprising is that the Police and the council's own Planning Department had objected to the extension - the Police on the grounds of potential disturbance to residents and the Planning Department because it had already refused permission for the same establishment to extend its hours of operation. Epsom Town centre ranks amongst the highest areas for alcohol related disorder in the county. It regularly stands in the top 16% in the country for incidences of crime per 1000 of population. The premises which was granted the extension is not, in itself, known to cause crime or disorder issues but an ever-increasing population of
Surrey County Council News
Lib Dems condemn poor rates of return and secrecy as Surrey County Council bets the house on property investment
Liberal Democrats have condemned proposals for Surrey County Council to dramatically increase its property investment portfolio of commercial buildings , whilst at the same time removing the opportunity for scrutiny before decisions are taken. Currently, proposals to purchase commercial properties are brought before the county council's Cabinet for decision, albeit in private, whereas under the new arrangements the Cabinet would receive information on purchases after the decision has been taken.
Surrey Lib Dems attack “brutal” Tory cuts as millions are slashed from services
Liberal Democrat councillors have strongly criticised the Conservative-run County Council's plans to axe millions from essential services for Surrey residents, which were finally revealed today.
STATEMENT FROM CLLR HAZEL WATSON ON SURREY'S DECISION TO GIVE NOTICE TO QUIT THE LGA
Commenting on the news that Cllr David Hodge has unilaterally given notice for Surrey County Council to leave the Local Government Association (LGA) in a year's time, Cllr Hazel Watson, Leader of the Liberal Democrats on Surrey County Council, said today: "I am appalled by this decision. The Local Government Association is the key organisation within local government which enables the county council to lobby central government and make its case for resources and funding. The LGA has helped Surrey to save money, enabling the county council to recover millions of pounds back after the Icelandic banking crash. The county council needs a voice at the top table and this short sighted move takes that voice away. Only three councils in the country are not members of the LGA, so we are moving from the membership of a large and influential group to an isolated position on the fringes. "Cllr Hodge should have consulted widely within the county council before even considering such a rash and intemperate move. Yet again
UK Lib Dem news
Reversing the cuts to Bereavement Support Payments
Liberal Democrats have passed new policy to stand up for bereaved families and kinship carers, so more young people can grow up in a loving, stable home.
Supporting the Future of Music
We are committed to tackling the challenges facing our music industry head-on. By doing so, we can maintain the UK’s reputation as a global leader in music, while giving future generations the chance to share in its success.
Restoring the UK’s Reputation on the World Stage
The Liberal Democrats are committed to rebuilding the trust and compassion that the UK was once known for. We believe that our country has a responsibility to support those in need, no matter where they are in the world.