Join the Campaign for Fairer Votes for all
The liberal democrats attending the Liverpool Lib Dem conference rally have been treated to barnstorming speeches by senior figures in the party and major supporters of the ‘Yes’ vote campaign.
The evening opened with Liberal Democrat and actor Art Malik explaining why he wants to see the ‘Yes’ vote succeed highlighting the anathema of the current voting system that disenfranchises so many voters and maintains the ‘safe seats’ culture in far to many seats across Britain.
Next up was the Chairman of the Electoral Reform Society who have campaigned tirelessly for electoral reform and the STV system.
He pointed out that campaigns to change the electoral system were not new, that they have going on since 1909. He wad pleaded to report that following a poll of its members the Electoral Reform Society was completely behind the Yes campaign.
Next on stage was Pam Giddy who is one of the driving forces within the Yes campaign which is an umbrella organisation of groups and individuals of all party’s and none which is campaigning for the Yes vote next year.
Pam pointed out that there is still a risk to the vote even taking place as it could still be stalled in the commons and the house of lords. She highlighted that many of those opposing the vote and potentially threatening the passage of the bill are those in the safe eats with most to lose should the referendum take place.
She said “The public must be aloud to speak. They will not take kindly to being denied this right by MP‘s.
The focus of evening then moved on to the politicians with a rousing speech from Jo Swinson MP and the almost traditional tub thumping speech from Tim Farron (standing in for Charles Kennedy who stuck on a train somewhere), peppered with jokes but driving home the importance of winning the AV vote referendum if we really want to see a new kind of politics in Britain.
The climax of the rally was the speech from Nick Clegg, his first to conference as Deputy Prime Minister, he started by thanking the party for their efforts over the election and boldly restated the fact that he still wanted to be Prime Minister which was met with rapturous applause in the hall.
He went to explain some of the many achievements we have already managed after only 5 months, changes to the tax regime taking thousands of low paid people out of tax all together, the pupil premium and setting g the stage for real political reform.
He urged the party to take stock of what we have already achieved against what we said on the doorsteps during the election and take a moment to enjoy the successes gained in a very short period with more to come.
The evening ended with fireworks and a long standing ovation.
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