Parliament will now have to debate legislation paving the way for a referendum on Britain’s membership of the European Union, after a Conservative MP announced he would table a Private Member’s Bill.

A draft bill will be tabled on the lines of the draft published by the Conservative Party on Tuesday, which requires a national referendum by the end of 2017 on the question: “Do you think that the United Kingdom should remain a member of the European Union?”

On his regular phone-in show on LBC 97.3, Deputy Prime Minister and Lib Dem Leader, Nick Clegg said Ukip and “an increasingly large number of Conservatives” wanted to leave the EU.

“I think that would be a calamitous mistake for the country because I think it would make us poorer, it would jeopardise potentially millions of jobs, investors wouldn’t invest in this country because they do it because we are part of the world’s largest borderless single market, it would make us less safe because we work in the EU to go after criminal gangs who cross borders, it means we can’t deal with cross-border things like climate change, I also think it makes us less relevant in the world,” said Nick.

The owners of the Old Cement Works Site on the A283 in Upper Beeding have applied to the South Downs National Park (Ref SDNP/13/01523/CND) for planning permission to remove the conditions required as part of the planning approval given last year for the continued use of buildings and concreted areas for use of buildings and concreted areas for storage at the Site until 31 January 2015. These planning conditions require the submission of a scheme for the restoration of the site and the submission of a management plan.

I have objected to this latest application as the Site is a complete eyesore in the National Park. These planning conditions were to help address the situation and were supposed to have been carried out by now. Allowing these conditions to be removed will mean that nothing will done before 2015 to tidy up the eyesore of old mobile homes, rubbish and graffiti. In addition the owners would be allowed to defer once more the need to address what development should take place at this old cement works site.

Surely the National Park Authority should be requiring a plan for the future of this site which has been a blot on the landscape for far too long?

In the recent elections for West Sussex County Council!!

On 2 May 38% of voters across West Sussex voted for Conservative candidates, 30% for Ukip candidates, 14% for Lib Dem candidates, 14% for Labour candidates and 4% for other candidates. Yet of the candidates elected, 65% were Conservatives, 14% Ukip, 11% Lib Dem, 8% Labour and 2% Independent.

As usual the Conservatives then converted their 65% of elected councillors to all eight Cabinet and eight Deputy Cabinet Members, all four Select (Scrutiny) Committee Chairmen & four Vice Chairmen and all except one other Committee Chairmen and all other Committee Vice Chairmen. So the sole non-Conservative Chairman is the Lib Dem Chairman of the Regulation, Audit and Accounts Committee (which I chaired for 12 years, and is required under the County Council constitution to be chaired by a member of the opposition). And, of course, the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the County Council are also Conservatives!

So on the new County Council the Conservative 65% of elected councillors becomes 97% of the leading councillors.  So that is how 38% becomes 65%, then 97% – first-past-the-post voting democracy in action!!

Writing in the Independent, she spelled out some of the economic consequences of such a move:

We are currently on the cusp of a game-changing trade deal between the EU and the US, which will bring billions of pounds to the British economy and create tens of thousands of jobs. The US has also made it quite clear that our ‘special relationship’ would cease to be special were the UK outside the EU. Major trade agreements with India and Japan are also in the pipeline. To leave the EU now would mean turning our back on the global economy and jeopardising crucial trade and investment.

Not only would we lose our potential market, but we would have fewer companies setting up shop in this country and creating jobs:

Meanwhile, those companies from outside the EU which choose to invest in the UK do so largely because of its role as a gateway into the single market. If we were no longer a member, we would rapidly lose our position as the top destination for companies establishing their European headquarters. Investors in Britain’s booming car industry would also look elsewhere if they no longer had tariff-free access to the European market. Earlier this year two of Britain’s biggest car makers, Ford and BMW, warned that exiting the EU would be disastrous for the UK’s economy.

She suggests that Lawson may be motivated by a desire to protect bankers from curbs on bonuses and by his views on climate change:

Lawson’s arguments suggest he is perhaps less worried about Britain’s economy as a whole and more about the potential threat that EU rules pose to his friends in the City, for example the recent cap on bankers’ bonuses. Yet even senior banking figures have repeatedly warned that leaving the EU would be utter “lunacy” as it would have a catastrophic impact on the UK’s financial sector. London currently deals with around 40% of global euro-denominated trading, more than anywhere else in the world. Outside the EU, the UK would have no way to influence European financial legislation and ensure its economic interests are protected.

As a long-standing climate change sceptic, it is perhaps no great surprise that Lawson opposes the EU, which has put the fight against global warming high on its agenda. His climate sceptic thinktank has consistently questioned overwhelming scientific evidence, apparently choosing instead to promote the agenda of its handful of wealthy backers. He confirms the notion that Conservatives will only pursue the narrow vested interests of a rich elite, while ignoring the needs of the population at large.

 

* Newshound: bringing you the best Lib Dem commentary published in print or online.

I have added a page (EU facts & figures – click on in left column) to highlight the truth about immigration to the UK and that only 29% relates to immigration from the rest of the EU. In addition it shows that immigrants pay 37% more in taxes than the cost of services they receive, and that 95% of male immigrants work compared with 83% of people already here. Finally I show a chart illustrating the £4.2bn benefit to UK taxpayers from structural investment from the EU.

Conservative – 1322

Jessica Sproxton-Miller – 848

Ukip – 670

Labour – 288

Many thanks to all those who voted for Jessica, and indeed to all those 35% of the electorate who actually voted. To those who did not vote – don’t complain about County Council services for the next four years!

It is a bright and sunny day and so unless you have already voted by post there is no reason for not going to vote in these important elections for West Sussex County Council. When the votes are counted tomorrow we will all know who is to run the County Council for the next four years.

Here in Bramber Castle the Liberal Democrat candidate is Jessica Sproxton-Miller, and she is committed to continuing the campaigning policy on behalf of local people which Derek Deedman has followed for the last twelve years.

Out of all the improvements campaigned for by Derek, some work is still ongoing: – just remember, it was Derek Deedman and the Lib Dems who campaigned over the years for ….

* the removal of the road humps in The Street Bramber which have resulted in vibrations from traffic causing damage to the the historic buildings along this road. Derek has ensured the inclusion of a scheme in the Highways Works Plan, and Jessica would ensure that, subject to consultation, the work will be carried out soon.

* a 30 mph speed limit on Clays Hill which is now in operation. Sadly 30mph repeater signs are not allowed under current traffic legislation. Work will need to be undertaken to enforce the new speed limit and Jessica would continue the fight to achieve this.

*  a proper crossing for crossing for pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians on the Downs Link at the A283 in Bramber. Derek has requested that a suitable scheme be included in next Highways Works programme to be considered at the June meeting of the Chanctonbury County Local Committee. Jessica would work to ensure that such a scheme is included in the Plan.

* a reduced speed limit – from 40 to 30mph on Henfield Road with work by local people. Derek ensured that a Traffic Regulation Order was being approved for consultation this year for the work to take place. Jessica would ensure this happens.

* safety improvements at the A283 junction with Canons Way. Derek has already ensured visibility improvements and better traffic junction signs. Following a speed survey which showed 90% of traffic travels at under 60mph, Derek has called for a safety scheme to be considered in a future Highway Works Programme and Jessica would continue to work for this.

* safety improvements at the Horsham Road junction with Horsham Road. A scheme is now included in the Highway Works Programme and Jessica would ensure it is implemented.

Vote for Jessica Sproxton-Miller today to ensure these and other campaigns continue! 

Andrew has lived in the area for some 40 years and is a Master Printmaker, with workshops in Cowfold. He also provides a printmakers engineering service throughout the country. Married to Elizabeth, they have two sons and six grandchildren.

A previous vice chairman of Upper Beeding Parish Council, he was an active member on behalf of the local community for many years. He was also a Horsham District Councillor between 2004 and 2007 where he was the Opposition Spokesman on Environment and Waste.

If elected to represent the Cowfold etc Ward on 2 May, Andrew wants to use his knowledge and experience to help the Liberal Democrat opposition on Horsham District Council to protect frontline services and to bring forward smarter ideas for environmental and waste services. He is opposed to then green waste collection charges being introduced by the District Conservatives to avoid increasing Council Tax but which represents an increase of over 20% on Band D properties (and much more on lower rated properties) on the District element of the Tax

Jessica has lived in Small Dole in the Bramber Castle Division for 17 years and has a teenage son who attends Steyning Grammar School. She works at Sussex University as an administrative assistant in a team which supports students with disabilities. Also a graduate of Sussex University, Jessica has a Masters degree from the Open University.

A member of the Bramber Castle Focus Team,. Jessica has worked with retiring County Councillor Derek Deedman on a number of campaigns on behalf of the local community.

A previous member of Upper Beeding Parish Council, Jessica is currently the Chairman of the Small Dole Village Hall Committee and in addition she has assisted in the preparation of the Steyning & District Community Plan.

Jessica is committed to working to ensure the retention of services on which local people, particularly the older and younger members of the community, depend, and the improvement of services.

If elected to represent the Bramber Castle Division on 2 May, Jessica wants to use her knowledge and experience to support the Liberal Democrat manifesto commitment to use some of the excessive reserves built up by the Conservatives to reduce the impact of the recent cuts to these services, to increase services for vulnerable adults, especially those with learning disabilities, young people services and bus services.

Jessica also wants to continue the work of retiring Lib Dem County Councillor, Derek Deedman, and if elected on 2 May would work hard for local people. She would keep them regularly informed of her actions on their behalf at County Hall, consulting them on local issues and campaign for improvements to services in the area such as a safe Downs Link crossing of the A283 in Bramber, safety improvements at the Horsham Road and Canons Way junction on the Steyning Bypass, speed reductions on the Henfield Road in Upper Beeding and removal of the Bramber speed humps scheme.

Finally Jessica is appalled at the lack of road maintenance by the County Conservatives over the years that resulted in the considerable number of potholes across the County this last winter. And, if elected on 2 May, she will support the implementation of the Liberal Democrat manifesto commitment to invest in the maintenance of the county’s roads, pavements and cycle ways, to help to reduce injuries to pedestrians, cyclists and damage to vehicles.

Andrew has lived in the area for some 40 years and is a Master Printmaker, with workshops in Cowfold. He also provides a printmakers engineering service throughout the country. Married to Elizabeth, they have two sons and six grandchildren.

A previous vice chairman of Upper Beeding Parish Council, he was an active member on behalf of the local community for many years. He was also a Horsham District Councillor between 2004 and 2007 where he was the Opposition Spokesman on Environment and Waste.

Andrew is a keen proponent of the need for personal responsibility in the community, provided that there is an efficient and trained back up from social services operating at all levels. He is completely opposed to the many cuts in these services made by county conservatives that have particularly hit vulnerable adults in the community.

If elected to represent the Henfield Division on 2 May, Andrew will support the Liberal Democrat manifesto commitment to use some of the excessive reserves built up by the Conservatives to reduce the impact of these recent cuts, to increase services for vulnerable adults, young people services and bus services (such as the 17 bus service)..

Andrew is also appalled at the lack of road maintenance by the County Conservatives over the years that resulted in the considerable number of potholes across the County this last winter. And, if elected on 2 May, he will support the implementation of the Liberal Democrat manifesto commitment to invest in the maintenance of the county’s roads, pavements and cycle ways, to help to reduce injuries to pedestrians, cyclists and damage to vehicles.