Nick Clegg joins Liberal Democrat Councillors at Packed London Conference
June 19, 2010 10:03 PM
Nick Clegg, Deputy Prime Minister
Liberal Democrat Herts County Councillors Nick Hollinghurst and Ron Tindall today attended an excellent one-day conference in Transport House, Smith Square. Held by the Local Government Association for Liberal Democrat Councillors it was notable for is optimism, confidence and cordiality. Starting out with a brisk canter through recent events Nick Clegg was at his frank, friendly best as he opened proceedings - then plunging straight in to a no-holds barred Q&A session. Delegates were surprised to learn some of the politics behind the press reports during the election campaign. Several of Labour's last-minute announcements were nothing more than cynical, uncosted commitments of unknown amounts of future tax to buy the political support of specific groups or areas.
The Coalition is now having to face up to real world financing, bridge the fiscal gaps, fill in the bugetary holes and cut back on Labour's folly. Sadly this will mean cutting in the short term things we would otherwise still have wished to do - but the hope is that these can be later restored.
There was plenty of opportunity for training sessions and for the exchange of views and experience. For councillors specialising in education there was an extra surprise session. Sensitive to Lib Dem unease over recent proposals the Education Minister, Michael Gove, decided to take time out to meet 30 of our top councillors over lunch. Those that couldn't attend got feedback at the final session. He was left in no doubt of our determination that deprived areas should benefit, rather than suffer, from these proposals, that finance for existing schools should remain at an appropriate level, that standards are maintained if not enhanced and that any resulting reconfigurations should be sensitive to community needs. Unease remained, but Gove surprised everyone by his sensitivity to the concerns, his willingness to address them and by promising one or two concessions. He, for his part, expressed surprise that the Liberal Democrats were able to field such a large group of keen, well-informed councillors at short notice on a Saturday in the middle of the world cup.
The day finished with a business-like session with Simon Hughes, now in a pivotal role within the party. Simon gave good, clear explanations of the changes within the party, his aims and objectives as Deputy Leader and his views as an insider of how parliamentary reform might evolve in detail. Finally, closing remarks from the chair reminded delegates that this conference had reached maximum numbers well ahead of the closing date and advised them to book early for the Liverpool Autumn Conference as both places and accomodation are filling up fast. With the Liberal Democrats now in government a greater number of UK and overseas observers was expected.
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