Local action
Winchester has one of the highest carbon footprints in the country and, although our unemployment rate is relatively low compared to the rest of the country, it has still doubled in the last two years – and there are more people looking for jobs than there are jobs available.
I’m passionate about getting more action to tackle climate change – locally, nationally and internationally. I believe our high carbon footprint makes it a moral duty – and I also believe it’s a huge opportunity for jobs and our economy.
I’ve worked to get the council to support green jobs and insulate more homes. I’ve also worked hard in the background to support Winchester Action on Climate Change (not least running a big chunk of their IT!).
2008 should have been a huge wake-up call to say that our old way of doing things was unsustainable – both financially and ecologically. Â We have to change, and I strongly believe we have to help create the new low carbon future here in Winchester and Chandler’s Ford.
National priorities
The Liberal Democrats will shift the economy away from the traditional over-reliance on the City of London and on financial services.
Our plans will usher in a new era where growth is enabled in every part of Britain in a way that promotes green technology and creates lasting jobs.
We will put an end to the casino banking that caused the financial crisis by breaking up the banks and encouraging regional and local ways to bring competition back to the financial sector and make sure businesses can find the money they need to grow.
Under our plans, councils will regain control of business rates, reconnecting local enterprise with local politics; Local Enterprise Funds will help people invest in growing businesses in their area and Regional Stock Exchanges will give companies a way to move into public equity without the huge risks and costs of a London listing.
The Liberal Democrats will also create a new National Infrastructure Bank to bring in private money to build the transport links, energy grid and public buildings we need for a sustainable, low carbon economy in every part of Britain.