At the launch of the new Draft Bill on energy, Liberal Democrat Secretary of State of Energy and Climate Change Ed Davey, writes:

Over the next decade, around a fifth of existing power plants are due to close, against a background of increased energy demand and increasing prices. We need new investment simply to keep the lights on.

But more than that, we need a clean energy revolution to meet our ambitious climate change goals and make this the greenest government ever.

That’s why I am bringing forward a new Energy Bill today.

You can read more about our clean energy revolution here.

We also need to transform our energy market to reduce the risk and cost of low carbon technologies.

That’s what our Bill does.

The UK is fast becoming a world leader in renewable energy, especially in off shore wind. I want us to lead the world in Carbon Capture and Storage too.

And we are also tackling rising energy bills. Without reforming the energy market bills will rise by around £200 in the coming years. Our reforms will mean bills are around 4% lower than they otherwise would have been.

Going green is good for the economy, good for Britain and good for you.

Yours,

Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change

(Image licensed under Creative Commons from DECC)

Dr Harding hosted a meeting for local residents isolated by the bus cuts.

If it isn’t going to happen, why can’t they just tell us now? asks Jackie.’ This group of residents have been completely isolated by the changes in October 2011, and they are foiled in their attempts at every corner.’
Another Lib Dem Councillor, Margot Power , also a town councillor, has put out a survey on transport needs for residents.
We are hoping to see what needs could be met by other means. It is being distributed in Alresford- if you’d like a copy, please email me: jackie.porter@hants.gov.uk.

the route of the old railway line is mapped out on the display.

Why become a Friend of the Line?
• Have a say in the management of the old railway line which has been designated as a public footpath
• Contribute to the management of the public footpath
• Look to increase ways in which public access can be made to other sections of the line from the Worthys to Alresford.
• Promote the use of the path as an alternative, attractive way through the valley.
Interested visitors included residents all the way from Alresford to Kings Worthy, and many useful suggestions were made that will be taken up in future.
One resident suggested that we tie up with the Watercress Line, to promote sustainable travel.
!Bruce Graham representing the Worthys Conservation volunteers suggested that we carried out a survey to record the biodiversity of the line as it is in 2012. This involves a 24 hour watch- and many Friends of the Line who signed up on the day volunteered to help with this!
Princes Mead Headmistress, Penelope Kirk acompanied by the Bursar, Richard, came along to support the scheme too.

In all, about thirty five people signed to become a Friend of the line: a good start for a sunny morning!

Higher Education is often the gateway to higher earning power too, but it shouldn't be at the expense of debts for life

Liberal Democrats have long held the view that at least two years of a three year course should be available to all. The third year would not be guaranteed unless two years had been completed satisfacatorily- and in some cases, a third year is not necessary.

This guarantee of support through the Higher Education process would be a start- but is £2500 enough with Uni fees set at £9000? In my view, the challenge is for young people to be able to leave Higher education without a debt for their tuition.

Read more in this article : http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2012/may/21/nick-clegg-student-premium-university

(Click picture to play video)

It is shameful that, despite all the promise on a four or five year old’s first day at school, or the passion of their teachers, you can all too often plot that child’s path just by asking how much their parents earn.

The £2.5billion Pupil Premium was one of the four pledges on the front page of our manifesto.  And now, with Liberal Democrats in government, schools are using the money for things like breakfast clubs; homework clubs; or to provide one-to-one-tuition. These are the sort of experiences many middle class children take for granted but a poorer child might rarely enjoy.

Yesterday I visited a fantastic primary school to see how they are spending their Pupil Premium, highlight our new Summer Schools to ease the transition from primary to secondary, and to set out our plans to reward teachers and hold schools to account.

The Pupil Premium shows that, in tough times, we are implementing Liberal Democrat values and prioritising help for those pupils who need it most.

Best wishes,

Nick Clegg MP

Leader of the Liberal Democrats and Deputy Prime Minister

PS Click here to find out how much money your local school will receive from the Liberal Democrats’ Pupil Premium.

At a drop in exhibition at Kings Worthy today, SSE showed how their proposed upgrade of the system will provide more consistent electricity supplies across the North and East of Winchester, from the Worthys, through the Itchen Valley.
You can see the progress of the work on www.sse.com/theworthies
The work has been planned for some time: and is set to start in the next few weeks.

Progress will be subject to successful schemes to cross the trunk roads and railways, and the ban on road closures during the Olympic period. SSE don’t expect customers to be cut off for long whilst the new systems are put in but there may be short planned periods whilst changeovers etc. are made.

If you know of a person who may be vulnerable during this work (needing a consistent electricity supply for dialysis or oxygen etc) please contact SSE direct via the website or ask me for a ‘vulnerable person ‘ form.

The old cable (right hand side of the picture) will be replaced by the black multi strand cable (left hand side of the picture) on the overhead lines through the itchen Valley. It is stronger, and cannot be abraded so easily, and it won’t fuse if two cables touch and spark.

The thick cable (in the centre) will be laid underground in the Worthys. Each of the three inner cables will carry the supply for less houses, and then, there will be extra capacity in each of the three cables to take up extra houses if one cable is damaged, and the supply is threatened.
There will be automatic switching gear in the boxes, so that if one cable is damaged,perhaps during building work elsewhere, then houses can be switched onto another cable supply remotely.
All of this work should be complete by the Autumn

This week, Paul Burstow (Liberal Democrat minister at the Department of Health) has launched a national £4 million lung cancer awareness campaign. The campaign, the first of its kind, will use TV, radio and press adverts, and advertising on pharmacist bags and inside GP surgeries, to raise awareness of the disease.

One of its aims is to persuade anyone who has had a cough for more than three weeks to see their doctor.

You can find more information about coughing and lung cancer at the Department of Health website, here: http://www.dh.gov.uk/health/2012/05/coughing-could-be-a-sign-of-lung-cancer-2/

With 33,000 new cases diagnosed each year, lung cancer is a blight on the lives of far too many of our families and an early diagnosis can make all the difference. Please take the opportunity of the Be Clear on Cancer campaign to find out more about prevention and diagnosis, and to visit your local doctor if you’ve had a persistent cough – it is always better to be safe than sorry!

http://www.dh.gov.uk/health/tag/be-clear-on-cancer/

Apparently, Winston Churchill said that ‘the greatest argument against democracy is a five minute discussion with a potential voter.’ Rather a damning statement from a man who changed his politics over time!

In local elections many people say it is the person that they vote for, but many stick to their favourite party, whatever their policies. Which method do you use?
Do you vote in Local Elections? Chances are if you are reading this, then you do! Thank you!

That being said, the results of the elections held on Thursday 3rd May were as follows:

KINGS WORTHY (turnout 41.6%)
Fullaway (Lab) 145
Johnston (Lib Dem) 755
Jones (Con) 576

THE ALRESFORDS (turnout 46.8%)
Cook (Lib Dem) 1273
Griffiths (Con) 959
Wight (Lab) 152

WONSTON & MICHELDEVER (turnout 37.6%)
Adams (Lab) 225
Keston (Lib Dem) 288
Lipscomb (Con) 1153

Congratulations to the winning candidates.

http://www.libdemvoice.org/norman-lamb-writes-putting-two-national-treasures-back-on-their-feet-28397.html
Two of the organisations that the British public feels passionately about are Royal Mail and the Post Office.
In this article, Norman Lamb describes how the Liberal Democrats are using their influence in Government to keep them in public ownership and buoyant as organisations that work.

So, the local elections are today- and many people tell us that they think that Local candidates should be independent.
So what do you get if you vote for us locally.
Liberal Democrats promise to report back to Parish councils- we present written reports as necessary and remain accountable to the public.
Liberal Democrats campaign for the things you want- we listen and reflect your views in our campaigning
Liberal Democrats like to see evidence to back up their campaigns- we frequently ask for your views, either through a survey, or a Street Focus.
Liberal Democrats want to see more items recycled, with a separate a food collection, and doorstep glass recycling

Locally Liberal Democrats have campaigned for a better deal for cyclists, a new school run by the Local authority and better accountability of the bus services.
Please go out and vote today- it’s the one day in the year when you can ensure that Democracy rules!