Baroness Cathy Bakewell Speaks at Stroud LibDem AGM

Cathy Bakewell, who leads for the Liberal Democrats in the Lords on the subject of Housing , was guest Speaker at our AGM in Whitminster on Saturday. The topics discussed included the war in Syria and a reduction in the voting age for the Europe Referendum but most of the questions related to the Housing Bill and its implications for local people. Baroness Bakewell explained that the Bill introduced by the Government was very thin because it included 37 clauses where power was given to Ministers to legislate later. She said that parts of the bill would be vigorously opposed by Liberal Democrat Peers who would co-operate with peers from other parties. In questions from the floor members stressed the importance of making sure that local towns such as Nailsworth and Dursley were excluded from rules forcing housing associations to sell to tenants. Cathy confirmed that this would be a priority.

Cathy warned us that the result of the Oldham by-election would be bad for us. We do have support in parts of Oldham but not in the part that lies in this constituency where we have never done well.

On a more positive note Cathy said that our peers are organising themselves to respond to requests for participation in action days and meetings. Locally we shall be making sure that we organise events to which they can come.

At the meeting former Stroud District Council Chairman Dennis Andrewartha stood down as chairman of the local party. Adrian Walker-Smith, the new Chairman, thanked him for thirty years of service to the party and the community as an activist, County Councillor, District Councillor and Parish Councillor.