Christmas service changesThe Council has advised that refuse/recycling collections will be one day later than usual for the week after Christmas.
| Regular scheduled collection day | Changed collection day |
| Monday 26 December | Tuesday 27 December |
| Tuesday 27 December | Wednesday 28 December |
| Wednesday 28 December | Thursday 29 December |
| Thursday 29 December | Friday 30 December |
| Friday 30 December | Saturday 31 December |
Today is a day for reflection, as we consider the consequences of the fateful decision to go to war in Iraq.
Our first thoughts need to be with the families across the world who have grieved loved ones, experienced life-changing injuries, and witnessed destruction and despair often beyond description.
There is no justice that can compensate their loss, and today we have learned from the Chilcot Report what we all knew already in our hearts – it did not have to be this way.
For many members in my local party, the Iraq war was a genuine turning point.
Many others chose to join the Liberal Democrats when they saw Charles Kennedy step up to the challenge, in difficult times, and provide the strong, principled leadership our country so desperately needed.
In 2003, every Liberal Democrat MP voted AGAINST going to war in Iraq.
It was the right thing to do, and that has been proven again today. Sir John Chilcot’s report has shown that this was a war of choice, that options for a peaceful resolution still existed, and that our Prime Minister wilfully mislead parliament and the British people to march us into a war he had already decided to launch.
I was proud to see our leader Charles Kennedy refuse to compromise, despite enormous pressure and abuse pouring in from all sides, on the Liberal Democrats’ commitment to internationalism and respect for international law.
You can see Charles’ speeches below, he was a real example of principled leadership in a time of crisis. It is not just Liberal Democrats who are missing Charles today. Our whole country is all the poorer without him.
Finally, while Chilcot gives us the chance to reflect on past mistakes, we still have a duty to oppose the mistakes that our leaders are making today!
Right now, Britain risks cutting herself off from our most valuable allies and trading partners, putting millions of jobs at risk and doing massive harm to our economy. I’m proud of Tim Farron for showing equal determination and leadership to fight Brexit and put Britain back where we belong, at the heart of an open, tolerant, free, and prosperous Europe.
If you agreed with us in 2003, if you agree with us now in 2016 – it is time to join the party that is proudly and passionately fighting for the better future we all believe in.
Residents protest outside the Town Hall over road closures introduced as part of the ‘Mini Holland’ scheme
The recent protest by over 1,200 residents against the road closures in Walthamstow and Leyton showed that the Council’s Mini Holland plans, including closing local roads, does not have the support of all residents despite the Council saying that they had.
Protesters not against the scheme or cyclists, but against road closures
The protesters went out of their way to say that they were not against the scheme or cyclists, but against the road closures. The Council’s plans have succeeded in causing division and anger across the Borough. The closing of roads has forced vehicles onto the already congested main roads like Lea Bridge, Hoe Street, and Leyton High Road and has resulted in a massive slow down of traffic, increased congestion and increased pollution.
Congestion and pollution bad for all
All of this is detrimental to residents, cyclists, pedestrians and bus users. Focus Team member Bob Sullivan, who was in the Town Hall listening to the Mini Holland debate, was appalled by the Labour Council restricting residents from hearing the debate, as they only allowed 12 protesters in, although the chamber can hold over a hundred. He was shocked by the arrogant, illiberal attitude with which Labour Councillors treated residents’ concerns. They were not prepared to review the Mini Holland plans despite residents’ requests and their own Labour MP’s request.
Council continues to ignore residents
They are, in fact, going to ignore residents and continue to put in similar divisive plans across Leyton, Leytonstone and Chingford!
The FOCUS Team reminds all drivers to be aware of the changes in regulations regarding the ‘paper’ driving licence.
The Barking – Gospel Oak Rail User Group has issued a press release, highlighting that full electrification and/or more carriages are at least another three years away.
You can see the full press release here: Barking – Gospel Oak PRESS RELEASE
Since polls closed last Thursday, more than 10,000 new members have joined the Liberal Democrats.
The surge continues as Liberal Democrats across the country have been fighting back and making the case for liberal values of freedom, liberty and change.
Liberal Democrat President Baroness Sal Brinton said:
Something quite extraordinary is happening across the country and our party membership has never grown faster. Events are taking place all over the country and we are delighted so many new people are joining the liberal fight back.
People were devastated by the results last week, but rather than sit back and lick their wounds, people have been invigorated and inspired.
They are coming together to rebuild a strong, Liberal Democrat party, showing that the politics of hope and tolerance can thrive in the face of the politics of grievance and fear.
or online at:
On the penultimate day of the election campaign, Nick Clegg said “you face the biggest political decision of your life”.
With the polls neck-and-neck and no party likely to hold a majority in parliament, voters face the prospect of a new government lurching to the extreme left, the extreme right, or breaking up the country unless they vote Liberal Democrat to anchor Britain to the centre ground.
Nick Clegg said only the Liberal Democrats will provide “stability, unity and decency” after Polling Day, highlighting six ‘red lines’ which must be agreed to as part of any coalition negotiations in the next government. These key policies will benefit millions of people across the country by creating a stronger economy and fairer society with opportunity for everyone.
The Liberal Democrats outlined six ‘red lines’ during the election campaign covering: education, the economy, tax, health, public sector pay and the environment:
Nick said:
Tomorrow, you face the biggest political decision of your life. Our economic stability, our decent British values of openness, generosity and tolerance and the unity of our United Kingdom are all at stake.
Without Liberal Democrats to keep the next Government safe, stable and fair, Labour or the Conservatives will be left to run a messy and unstable minority Government, dependent on the SNP on the one hand or UKIP and the DUP on the other.
The Liberal Democrats will give a heart to a Conservative Government and a brain to a Labour one. Every Liberal Democrat MP makes Labour’s reckless borrowing and the Conservatives’ ideological cuts less likely. And every Liberal Democrat MP is a barrier between Nigel Farage and Alex Salmond and the door to 10 Downing Street.
We face a second election before Christmas without the Liberal Democrats in Coalition
Britain faces a second General Election before Christmas without Liberal Democrats to provide stability in coalition, Nick has warned.
The Liberal Democrat leader said it would be impossible for a minority government to pass key legislation without signing off controversial concessions to the nationalists and Nigel Farage.
It means a Labour or Tory-minority would collapse if they failed to offer ‘sweeteners’ to the SNP, UKIP or the DUP – or their own backbenchers rejected these backroom deals.
This makes a second General Election in 2015 election almost inevitable without more Lib Dem MPs in parliament.
The warning comes as party analysis reveals:
The last thing Britain needs is a second election before Christmas. But that is exactly what will happen if Ed Miliband and David Cameron put their own political interest ahead of the national interest.
The only party that will ensure stability is the Liberal Democrats.
National Press recognises that the Liberal Democrats, in the Coalition Government, has been a good successful moderating influence.Local campaigner Bob Sullivan writes:
There are only two days to go.
Having been in finance for all of my working life it amazes me to hear the Labour Party and other parties trying to make out that the only way to get out of debt is to borrow more, and for the Tories way out of debt is to cut benefits for the poor and disabled but not ask for a penny from the rich.
The only sensible party is the Lib Dems – I hear you saying ‘He would say that’. Having seen the debates and the media coverage the Lib Dems would stop the Tories taking from the poor and Labour spending again money we do not have. But don’t believe what I say:
Please see below what the National papers are now saying about the Lib Dems. Seems a bit hypocritical as most of the time they have never missed a chance in trying to rubbish Nick Clegg and the Liberal Democrats. They have finally come to their senses in recognising that the people need to vote for the Lib Dems to bring about a stable Government and a fairer society.
Newspapers from across the political divide are united in their belief Liberal Democrats have been a force for good in government.
In their editorials, national titles recognise the Liberal Democrats achievements in Government and the stability the party has brought to the country in the last five years.
The newspapers also acknowledge that in the inevitability of a hung parliament, the Liberal Democrats will anchor Britain in the centre ground and stop a lurch to the right or the left.
Endorsements include:
Many of the Government’s achievements are owed to the Liberal Democrats. The party has been “a force for progress”. The Coalition deserves another chance.
The country would benefit from Liberal Democrat “moderation” in Westminster” – in seats where the Lib Dems are challenging “we would vote tactically for them.”
The best hope for the country is for the Conservatives to team up with the Liberal Democrats again. Vote for Nick Clegg in Sheffield Hallam.
…the next Commons would be enhanced by the presence of Lib Dem MPs.” Vote for the Liberal Democrats in Tory-facing seats.
Nick Clegg and his Lib Dem colleagues deserve to stay. Tory supporters in Labour-Lib Dem marginals “may wish to vote for the Lib Dem candidate”.
Where only the Lib Dems can beat Labour, “give the Lib Dems your vote this time”.
The best hope for Britain is with a continuation of the Coalition
Lib Dems tempered Tory excess and delivered the last government’s greatest success with a tax-free allowance worth £800.
As we enter the final stretch of the campaign, more and more people are recognising that only the Liberal Democrats can keep Britain safe, stable and fair.
Everybody knows that no one will win the election outright, so the big question you face is: who do you want influencing the next Government?
Do you want an unstable minority government with either UKIP or the SNP dragging Britain off to the extremes of left and right, or do you want the Liberal Democrats to keep
Britain in the stable centre-ground?Our party has put the country first and shown that coalitions can be strong and stable.
It’s wonderful that even our harshest critics now acknowledge the Liberal Democrats have been, and will be, a force for good in British public life.
Thank you for taking an interest
Tel: 020 8556 8335/07922 011 434
7:00am Thursday 23rd April 2015 – Waltham Forest E-Guardian
Paddy Power has won the right to open a sixth betting shop in a high street despite public opposition.
The company was successful in appealing against a decision by Waltham Forest council’s planning committee to deny a change of use at 620 High Road, Leytonstone.
Paddy Power was granted a premises licence in October despite more than 1,200 people signing a petition against the move.
Yesterday, a planning inspector, appointed by the Secretary of State for Communities, ruled in the betting giants favour in a move a council spokesman described as “another example of an inspector not supporting local concerns regarding the clustering of betting shops.”
The betting shop will operate under the condition that it will not be open to customers after 10pm on any day of the week and CCTV is installed to deter criminal activity.
The inspector approved the application despite it adding an ‘obvious’ third betting shop to the immediate vicinity.
Following the closure of Leytonstone police station, the inspector also heard local concerns that the police presence in the area had been reduced, but said “The Metropolitan Police’s crime prevention officer did not raise this as a concern when consulted.”
The inspector continued:
I do not consider that an additional betting office within the immediate area would result in a significant alteration to the balance [of being a retail-led high street], or result in a clustering effect that would be detrimental to the retail attraction of the immediate area or wider centre.
The appellant operates a chain of betting offices, and although the use would not make a large contribution to local regeneration or have a significantly positive effect in tackling social deprivation, its corporate responsibility policies are clear and links with the local community are encouraged.
The FOCUS Team says:
Local people will be wondering what is the point of the Council spending time and resources securing changes to planning regulations, if they are going to be over-ruled by inspectors who choose to ignore local opinion.
The following are quotes from independent organisations following publication of the Liberal Democrat Manifesto:
EEF, The Manufacturers’ Organisation
“Business will welcome the clear emphasis on economic growth and a skilled workforce to deliver it. The fact this is at the heart of the (Liberal Democrat) manifesto shows a clear grasp of what the UK economy needs to propel it forwards.”
Nuffield Trust
“Taken with the party’s welcome commitment to increase funding on the NHS by a total of £8bn by 2020 and their ambitious pledges on public health, the (Lib Dem) manifesto sets an encouraging tone for how the NHS and social care will be treated in any coalition negotiations.”
National Union of Teachers
“We welcome the Liberal Democrats’ prioritisation of education funding. We also welcome the Liberal Democrats’ commitment to putting a qualified teacher in every classroom.”
Malcolm Trobe, Deputy General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders
“We very much welcome the Liberal Democrats’ commitment to increasing real terms funding for education during the next parliament and that they have pledged to do so on the basis of per pupil spending. This is essential in ensuring that funding keeps pace with the forecast increase in the number of pupils.”
Doug Parr, Greenpeace Chief Scientist
“If many of these (Liberal Democrat)pledges on energy and nature protection were to be enacted it would be a huge win for the environment.”
Vicky Pryce, Chief Economic Adviser at Centre for Economics & Business Research
“There is much here to woo female voters. [The Liberal Democrats’] plan to make [free hours of childcare] available for all 2 year olds too and to extend it to all working parents from the end of their paid parental leave when their child is nine months old is the strongest of the three main parties. They also make the clearest pledge of all parties to directly address the gender pay gap.”
Brian Berry, Federation of Master Builders
“The Liberal Democrat pledge to only borrow for capital spending that enhances economic growth or financial stability, will not only boost the economy, it will also help address the housing shortfall. Also the Party’s commitment to ensure that investment in infrastructure, including in housing and energy efficiency, continues to rise both in absolute terms and as a share of the economy is much-needed and welcome.
Alistair MacDonald QC, Bar Council Chair
“In a week of manifesto launches, today feels like it is third time lucky. Promises were long over-due on reversing the hike in up-front court fees, reviewing tribunal fees, ensuring legal aid is available to those who need it and re-introducing legal aid for judicial review. But today they were delivered. The commitment to maintaining a viable, competitive and diverse market of legal aid providers is also one we can fully support.”
Christian Aid
“Today’s Liberal Democrat manifesto offers a vision of a fair and sustainable future for all, including the world’s poorest people. Christian Aid welcomes the Liberal Democrats’ ambitious proposals which would see this country continuing to lead the world on the most vital matters over the next five years. The party’s policies for promoting the UK’s low-carbon economy and dealing with global environmental problems amount to a coherent package which would be a strong opening gambit in any negotiations with other parties. We are also really pleased to see the party’s recognition that helping people living in poverty requires commitment across many UK government departments – it cannot be left to just one.”