CALLING NOTICE

West Midlands Regional AGM & Online Conference

Will be held on Saturday November 14 2020

Details and nomination papers for elections to the Regional Exec, Conference timings and agenda and how to book, will follow - but in the meantime please make a note of the date.

Contact: Rob Wheway, Secretary West Midlands Liberal Democrats - [email protected]

After a bruising general election result last week despite a fantastic campaign by a host of amazing PPCs across the West Midlands, we want to take some time to hear from all our members, new and old, on how we can do better as a region.

Sign up here.

David Craddock selected as the new Chair of the West Midlands Liberal Democrats.

Beverley Nielsen, previous Chair of the West Midlands Liberal Democrats and PPC for West Worcestershire has decided to step down as Chair of the West Midlands to focus on West Worcestershire as the issues in Westminster build, and a General Election is potentially around the corner.

The Regional Executive has, therefore, voted to install David Craddock, formerly Chair of Campaigns into the role, to take us to the end of year, by which a new Chair will be formally voted in at the AGM.

On Beverley's time as Chair, David Craddock said 'Firstly, I'd like to thank Beverley for her tireless and sterling work on behalf of the Lib Dems in the region in recent years. She has put us on the map and I do hope that she will continue to engage and advise myself and the Executive Committee going forward. I would like to build on her work and give our region more of a say within the party centrally.'

David continues: 'The West Midlands is a huge area consisting of over 3 million people, and if the Lib Dems are to get into Government we need to do much better here than we have done in the past. With both disaffected Labour and Conservative supporters coming over to us we have the best opportunity for many years to improve our representation in both local and central government. I am also continuing to lead our campaign plans in preparation for a General Election for this year and hope that we can build on our success in the recent European Elections by installing one or two new MP's in Westminster.'

You can keep up with Beverley's campaign by looking for updates on her website.

About David:

In addition to David's Lib Dem work, David is a Non-Exec Director of an international children’s publishing company and a food security enterprise operating in Africa. He is also a Trustee of a local Mental Health Charity.

• give campaigners and supporters the opportunity to learn how the EU works in order to help when campaigning in a general election or peoples vote, both of which seem closer after this week.

1. to get publicity both in the EU and the UK to demonstrate there is plenty of support in the West Midlands for the UK to stay as full members of the EU with the deal we already have.

• Depart Birmingham (and one other collection point to be confirmed) early morning.
• Travel by executive coach with P & O ferry crossing
• Check into 4* President Brussels Hotel
• Evening music concert at Parliament with Green Party group

• Breakfast at the hotel, then coach to the Parlamentarium
• Chance to join a pro-Remain demonstration (NB: this may take place Thursday)
• Official European Parliament Visit and tour with Phil Bennion MEP
• Evening  at leisure in the Grand Place exploring bars and cafes

Breakfast at the hotel

• Morning at leisure – chance to join a pro-Remain demonstration  (NB: this may take place Wednesday morning)
• PM: Depart to Calais for ferry to Dover then back to coach drop off points.

More Info

Booking Form

Contact: Izzy Knowles [email protected]

The Liberal Democrats in the West Midlands have returned an MEP to the EU, following an increase in vote share in the region. Former, and returning MEP, Phil Bennion, said: 

"This is a fantastic result in the West Midlands, following a successful local election campaign that gave us our biggest ever gains. We appreciate everyone who voted for us - you have all played a part in building our country up, instead of backing others who want to knock it down. I also thank my fellow candidates and the whole campaign team who did an amazing job.

"I can guarantee I will turn up to the European Parliament to do the job I was elected to do; I'm not sure this is a guarantee all newly-elected MEPs can make. I will actively work on bettering the lives of the people in the UK and Europe.

"My priorities are clear - that we tackle the climate emergency. Public services and jobs will be improved and - if we can stop brexit - they will be protected. Supporting sustainable farming, balancing data & security with civil liberties and tackling crime are all things we can do better, now that Liberal Democrats have more seats at the table in the EU.

"The people have voted on a clear mandate - that a vote for the Lib Dems is a vote to Stop Brexit, and work with our European colleagues to tackle the big challenges of our time."

The Climate crisis can only be stopped by Europe-wide action, the Liberal Democrats said today, as they called for Europe to adopt a "net zero greenhouse gas emissions target" by 2050. 
 
Liberal Democrats in government, led by former Climate Change Secretary Ed Davey MP, led the successful Europe-wide negotiations on the current 2030 target, and said "anyone who wants to stop our climate crisis should vote to stop Brexit".
 
The Liberal Democrats are calling for a UK target of net zero emissions by 2045 - and believe the EU must adopt a target of at least net zero by 2050, a key policy in their forthcoming manifesto for the European elections to be unveiled this Thursday.


West Midlands EU Election Candidate and spokesperson on Climate Change, Jeanie Falconer, said:

"Liberal Democrats have long led on the issue of protecting and improving our environment, so the key question is - how do we solve the climate change crisis? Stopping Brexit would be a big step forward.
 
"The EU has been leading climate action internationally, but it was Liberal Democrat Ministers in coalition that got Britain to push the EU to be more ambitious about our tackling our climate change crisis.
 
"If Britain leaves the EU, we cannot influence 27 other countries on climate change without a seat at the table, and we will watch on as our power to influence is reduced on the world stage. 
 
"So for anyone who wants to stop our climate change crisis, it's clear they need to vote to for Lib Dem MEPs in the EU elections. After the local election results last Thursday, it's also clear that to stop Brexit, people need to vote Liberal Democrat."

 




Notes:

Ed Davey led the UK's international negotiations on climate change between 2012 and 2015 at the EU and UN, and won legally binding targets on all 28 EU countries, for cutting greenhouse gases by at least 40% by 2030. This 2014 Liberal Democrat climate victory was critical for achieving the UN global Paris Climate Treaty in 2015.015.

The Liberal Democrats have secured the highest gains for the Party in local elections, that were held on May 2.

Gaining over 700 Lib Dem councillors nationally, May 2019 delivered the highest number of gains in the history of the Party. With an increase of 30 councillors in the West Midlands, the region accounts for 5% of the increase, with an increase in vote share for areas we didn't win this time.

These significant results are bolstered by taking control of Town councils in Stratford and Ross-on-Wye and many more Lib Dems being elected to Parish councils too.


Newly-elected Councillor for Malvern Hills (Priory) and EU Election Candidate, Beverley Nielsen, said:

“Standing up for local people by building our council base is what the Lib Dems are proud to be known for. Many people have told us they are very upset with the tired and split Conservative and Labour parties, and it's time for something different.

"People know that locally, nationally and through the European Union - Liberal Democrats demand better, and deliver better. 

"I'm looking forward to representing the great people of Malvern and showing them that electing Lib Dems gets things done!"


Former MEP and candidate 1 on the West Midlands Lib Dem list for the EU Elections, Phil Bennion, said:

"This is a great set of results for the Liberal Democrats and a fantastic springboard for the EU Elections on May 23.

"Having been part of the Liberal Democrat team in Europe and personally leading on important issues in the European Parliament, I realise how important it is to have Lib Dems in the EU. We change people's lives for the better, which we will continue to do in the areas that have elected Lib Dem councillors.

"The West Midlands deserves better and with the Lib Dems leading the charge for remain, we can deliver better for the people of our fantastic region.

"Every vote for the Liberal Democrats is a vote to Stop Brexit."




Full results:

Area - Total returned (change)

Bromsgrove - 3 (+3)
East Staffordshire - 1 (0)
Herefordshire - 6 (+4)
Lichfield - 1 (0)
Malvern Hills - 9 (+5)
Rugby - 9 (0)
Solihull - 6 (+2)
Staff Moorlands - 1 (-1)
Stratford-upon-Avon - 11 (+8)
Telford & Wrekin - 4 (+1)
Walsall - 2 (0)
Warwick - 9 (+7)
Wychavon - 6 (+1)
Wyre Forrest - 3 (+1)
 

We are happy to announce our 7 candidates for the EU Parliament elections on the 23rd May 2019:

Our West Midlands Euro Candidates are:

1. Phillip Bennion
2. Ade N. Adeyemo
3. Jeanie Falconer
4. Jenny Wilkinson
5. Jennifer Gray
6. Beverley Nielsen
7. Lee Dargue

More details about our candidates can be found here.

The results of the 2019 Exec elections are as follows:

Elected Unopposed

• Chair – Beverley Nielsen
• Vice-Chair (Urban) – Jennifer Gray
• Vice-Chair (Rural) – Phillip Bennion
• Treasurer – Philip How
• Chair of Candidates Committee – Jock Gallagher
• Ordinary Members – David Craddock, Slawomir (Adam) Fejfer, Richard Vos, Richard Whelan
• English Council Representatives – Jennifer Gray, Philip How, Morgan-Ross Inwood, John Kelly, Napier Penlington, Jenny Pinkett, Richard Vos and Hugh Warner
• Policy Committee Members – David Craddock

Elected

• Chair of Policy Committee - Yeow Poon
  
  • Votes for Yeow Poon - 153
  • Votes for Morgan Ross Inwood - 76
  • Turnout - 6.5%

Your Regional Conference Committee have adopted a fresh approach this year, planning an innovative, interactive day for participants in our first Launchpad event in the West Midlands. Working closely with Your Liberal Britain, we are giving you the chance to formulate and develop your own forward-thinking policy ideas, providing you with the tools you need to fight Brexit and giving you the chance to question influential figures from across the Region. Alongside the Regional AGM, awards and training sessions, we aim to provide a range of informative sessions, offering something for everyone.