Suffolk local elections 2023: The Liberal Democrats set out their stall
SuffolkNews has spoken with members of all the main parties going into the local elections In May.
We’ve covered Green, Labour and the Conservatives. Next up is the Liberal Democrats, which has 82 candidates in the running.
East Suffolk
The Green, Liberal Democrat and Independent (GLI) group at East Suffolk Council is led by a Liberal Democrat, Cllr David Beavan.
Cllr Beavan, who represents Southwold, hopes the GLI group along with Labour will overturn the Conservative majority at East Suffolk Council. There are currently 39 Conservatives, five Greens, seven Labour and three Liberal Democrats – and the latter is putting 24 candidates forward in East Suffolk.
He said: “I’m pretty solid in my ward. We haven’t seen sight nor sound of any opposition candidates here.
“Across East Suffolk, it is pretty much a straight fight between the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives. There are certainly a lot of ex-Conservatives that are really wavering.
“It is mainly the national picture that is putting people off the Conservatives.
“The question is whether these people will come out and vote. I’m worried about the turnout. The requirement for Voter ID gets in the way of democracy.”
The government is introducing the requirement for a passport or other form of photo ID from May’s elections. Those without a valid form of ID will have to apply for a voter authority certificate by 5pm on April 25.
More information, including where to apply and valid forms of photo ID, is provided by the Electoral Commission.
The three main issues the party is campaigning on in East Suffolk are the commitment to grow the Green economy, including by insulating homes; building 500 truly affordable council houses after the Conservatives sold 36 more than they built last year, and refocussing planning on local opinion rather than developers.
On April 23, national party leader Ed Davey depicted the “developer-led approach to housing” as the problem with the government’s approach to development on Laura Kuenssberg’s BBC show.
The Liberal Democrat launch in East Suffolk was on March 25, during which former Liberal Democrat minister Don Foster said the difference between them and Conservatives was that they work for their residents rather than themselves.
Babergh
There are three Liberal Democrats on Babergh’s council and 23 candidates.
Liberal Democrat Cllr David Busby is the only person in his party on the cabinet – where he is responsible for finance, assets and investments.
Cllr Busby said: “In Blue wall seats such as Babergh, the Liberal Democrats are the only credible alternative to the Conservative Party.
“The amazing feedback our council candidates and campaigners have received on the campaign trail has shown it’s very much time for change in local Babergh politics.
“Vote for us, and we will work with your community to deliver what is best for you and Babergh.”
Like Cllr Beavan and party leader Ed Davey, Cllr Busby is interested in involving residents in the planning process. He said he would propose asking residents where they want houses and the kinds they want – rather than just listening to developers.
Cllr Busby, who represents Copdock and Washbrook, said the party was struggling to get candidates at first, but he now feels positive as he’s joined by some very good candidates.
Mid Suffolk
There are 13 Liberal Democrat candidates running for Mid Suffolk wards, and five current councillors.
Group leader Cllr John Field said: “A change from the Conservatives is essential. It is a tired party that has lost its way after adapting to UKIP ideals and damaging the economy as a result.
“The austerity years have pushed government salaries to the point where people can’t afford to live in the face of surging prices and company profits.
“The reception on the doorsteps is positive but canvassing always involves speaking to people who will open the door. They tend to be those who support you.
“That said, the desperation with the Conservatives is clear.”
The main messages of the Mid Suffolk District Council put forward by Cllr Field are:
· Ensuring developments are at the right location and scale while protecting the environment.
· Campaigning for a better bus service
· Fighting to improve facilities for our towns and villages
· Campaigning for action to clean up our rivers and streams
· Being passionate about protecting the countryside
· Fighting for action to limit climate change – not just words
· Promoting solar panels on homes and factories, not fields
· Pressing for better house insulation to reduce costs and environmental damage
· Fighting for action on the potholes that plague our area.
West Suffolk
There are no Liberal Democrat councillors in West Suffolk, but there are five candidates.
A statement on behalf of the Chairman of the West Suffolk Liberal Democrats, Helen Korfanty, explains: “While we are not standing a full slate of candidates in West Suffolk, we are standing in places where we have excellent local candidates and we have a chance to provide a credible alternative to both the Conservatives and Labour.
“We pride ourselves in being the local party that gives priority to listening to residents’ concerns.
“We have knocked on many hundreds of doors across the district and listened to what local people are concerned about – from potholes to air pollution.
“We like to think we have a good chance of making gains across the district and building ourselves as a credible alternative to the two stale options of the Conservatives and Labour in our area.”
The West Suffolk Liberal Democrats’ policies include:
- Ending the 'whack-a-mole' strategy on potholes by focusing on a proactive strategy on smaller potholes before they start becoming a real problem, and calling a district-wide review into the number of potholes in West Suffolk
- Maximising Section 106 funding to make sure local communities have the capacity to take more housing developments, and ensuring it is spent in the areas where the new housing developments are planned
- Calling for the continued recognition of European dentist qualifications in the UK to stop dentists from leaving in their droves.
Section 106 funding is given by developers to ensure the areas they build in have the infrastructure needed for the increased resident numbers.
