Working for people in the North East

 Liberal Democrats - winning here

North East Welcomes Party Conference

Liberal Democrats in the North East were delighted that, for the first time ever, our party conference came to our region. The conference was held in The Sage, Gateshead from 9th to 11th March and was a huge success with delegates impressed and delighted with both the Sage and Tyneside.

Our thanks to all who helped give a good North East welcome to the 2000 delegates, staff and conference visitors.

World Champion backs MEP's safety campaign

North East MEP Fiona Hall has received the backing of Formula One champion Michael Schumacher in her bid to improve road safety.

Fiona's ongoing 'See Me, Save Me' campaign aims to make the installation of sensors on lories mandatory. This would help prevent collisions caused by blind spots which currently prevent drivers from seeing nearby cyclists and pedestrians. On a visit to the European Parliament to launch a 'Decade of action for road safety', Schumacher threw his weight behind her efforts.

Speaking with Fiona, Schumacher said it was an important campaign and that he had first hand experience of the problem.

"Almost everyday I cycle on the roads, I know what it means." he said.

Fiona expressed her pleasure at Schumacher's support, saying,

"It's a real boost to have the support of the world's most famous driver. This campaign began in the North East but has grown beyond expectations to achieve widespread support from all quarters. We must now maintain the momentum to ensure the warm words are translated into real action."

Redcar MP praised for steelworks campaign

Business Secretary Vince Cable has praised the work done by Redcar MP Ian Swales in the campaign to reopen Redcar steelworks.

Ian Swales wanted assurances that changes to immigration laws would not stop bosses of Sahaviriya Steel Industries (SSI) from coming to help make the former Tata Steel site successful.

In a question to Vince Cable in the Commons, Ian was assured that Thai executives would be allowed work in the UK and was praised by the Business Secretary for "ensuring that SSI was able to come to the UK and transform the prospects of the Redcar plant".

Ian commented, "I have worked tirelessly with others since becoming our local MP to help secure a buyer for the former Tata site and it is great that the Coalition Government is doing its bit to help reopen the steelworks."

"Hopefully the plant will be able to reopen soon and create hundreds of jobs for people in the area.

"This is also good news for the other foreign owned businesses in Teesside and will lessen the barriers to future inward investment."

Sir Alan Beith says "Green Deal is a massive economic opportunity"

Sir Alan Beith MP has welcomed the announcement that by 2015 up to 100,000 Green Deal workers could be employed in the effort to upgrade and insulate Britain's homes.

The Green Deal, a Liberal Democrat manifesto commitment, is the Government's new and radical way of making energy efficiency available to all, whether people own or rent their property.

Sir Alan said: "This is good news for people living in my constituency, for the north east as a leader in green technology and development and for the country's economy.


I want Britain to say goodbye forever to leaky lofts and chilly draughts. At a time of increasing gas prices energy efficiency is a no-brainer.
This is a massive economic and job opportunity which could help Britain's economy turn the corner. With up to 100,000 green jobs up for grabs over the next five years, and even more in the long term, this is about growing our economy."