28Jul 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Liberal Democrats baffled at Labour refusal to stop clothing waste and oppose modern slavery

Borough news
Liberal Democrat councillors Diane Williamson and Garth Harkness were left baffled when Labour councillors voted against their motion at the full meeting of Oldham Council on Wednesday 15th July 2020.  Councillor Harkness’s and Williamson’s motion asked Oldham Council to work with representatives from the clothing manufacturers and retailers; the trades unions in these sectors; and campaign groups to develop a strategy to end clothing waste, meet clothing need and tackle the exploitation of garment workers in this Borough. Councillor Williamson said:  “Across the country there are schemes where people donate clothing and the third sector and local authorities then direct people, who are in need, to these places so that they can get clothing for a special occasion, as well as job interviews.  People are given vouchers and some organisations put a…
Read More
10Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Davey: UK needs Green Recovery Plan to counter COVID-19 economic damage

Parliamentary news
Responding to an Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) report that predicts the UK economy will shrink by 11.5% and experience the worst economic contraction among developed countries due to the coronavirus, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “Coronavirus has proven to be a bigger threat to people’s jobs and livelihoods than even the financial crash. People are rightly worried about their jobs, their families and their communities. We must ensure no one is left behind. “The UK desperately needs a Green Recovery Plan. We can rebuild the economy and protect the environment by creating jobs through embracing new, green technologies.  “The Prime Minister must also stop the double-whammy of a no-deal by ending the uncertainly and extend the Brexit transition period, protecting access to markets…
Read More
21May 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Lib Dems: Tackling the climate crisis is at the heart of coronavirus recovery

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats have secured cross-party support for their calls for local authorities to be empowered to enact measures that would help tackle the climate emergency as well as recover from the coronavirus crisis. The cross-party letter sent to Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick states “we cannot simply return ‘back to normal’” and that “tackling the climate emergency is at the heart of our recovery”. Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for the Climate Emergency, Energy and the Environment Wera Hobhouse initiated the letter, putting forward measures that include incentivising councils to support sustainable travel, revitalising high streets and allowing local authorities to close streets to traffic at allocated times. Following the letter, Wera Hobhouse said: “We cannot return to ‘normal’ following the Covid-19 crisis. The measures introduced by the Transport Secretary to promote the use of sustainable transport are…
Read More
14May 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Lib Dems say Manchester Airport money must come with green conditions

Borough news
Following reports that Oldham Council is set to borrow in the region of £13 million to contribute to a Greater Manchester scheme to support Manchester Airport, Lib Dem Councillor Sam Al-Hamdani called on the scheme to be balanced by a requirement for the airport to introduce improved green targets.  Councillor Al-Hamdani said: “Manchester Airport is extremely important for the region in terms of jobs and investment. However, if we are serious about the green targets that Oldham Council – and indeed Councils across Greater Manchester – have set, we must make sure that any investment comes with a green badge.” Traveller numbers have dropped dramatically, and at the moment, no-one knows quite what long-term impact the coronavirus and lockdown will have on international travel. But whatever the impact, lowering our carbon emissions…
Read More
02Apr 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Davey response to postponement of COP26

Parliamentary news
Responding to reports that COP26 in Glasgow has been postponed, former Secretary of State for Climate Change and Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “Regrettably it is the right decision to postpone COP26 during the coronavirus crisis. With the virus only just beginning to hit parts of our world, and with real worries about its impact on people here at home and in the world’s poorest countries, a global meeting involving thousands of people would simply be too risky to public health.  “Yet we can’t let up on efforts to battle the risk climate change poses to the world either - so it’s vital these key UN climate talks happen as soon as it’s safe to do so in 2021. “The British Government as the hosts of COP26 must…
Read More
02Nov 2019 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Fracking move won’t make up for Tory neglect of the environment

Parliamentary news
Responding the Government ending support for fracking in the UK, former Liberal Democrat Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change Ed Davey said: “A moratorium on fracking is welcome but it is not a ban. Liberal Democrats back an immediate ban now - given the evidence we are now in a climate emergency. “The law Liberal Democrats passed to protect communities from earthquakes and seismic tremors caused by fracking has done alot to prevent the Conservatives pressing ahead with fracking. It is not surprising to me that our brake has now led to this. “But this belated, eve of election policy pause won’t distract voters from the Tories’ shocking record on the environment - not least the Prime Minister’s, when he lobbied to relax air pollution laws. “With Johnson desperate to please his climate change denier…
Read More
17Oct 2019 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Stop the threat of fracking in Oldham

Borough news, Campaigns
Councillor Howard Sykes MBE and the Oldham Liberal Democrats have consistently campaigned on environmental issues, locally and nationally.  At a time when climate change activists are taking to the streets to campaign against the negative effects of climate change.  Councillor Sykes MBE reveals the Council’s weak policy when it comes to shale gas extraction (also known as Fracking).  Councillor Sykes MBE has challenged Council Bosses on their Fracking position. Oldham’s Fracking policy within the 2013-2020 environmental strategy is incredibly vague.  Within the document, shale gas extraction is mentioned as something the Council will consider. There is a possibility fracking can take place locally.  No Fracking currently takes place in Oldham Borough, but this weak policy means it might happen soon. “We have green countryside and a stable water table in…
Read More
16Oct 2019 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Liberal Democrat idea to reduce air pollution around schools

Borough news
Councillor Howard Sykes MBE asks for special restrictions to be placed on vehicles waiting outside of schools.  This is to reduce air pollution.  Restrictions apply at peak times in other parts of the UK to reduce air pollution in problem areas.  Councillor Sykes wants to trial this locally for Oldham Schools.  This could successfully reduce traffic and encourage more families to walk and cycle to school.  The Greater Manchester Clean Air plan is unclear when it comes to its school’s policy and the Liberal Democrats want Oldham to lead the way. In the current version of the Greater Manchester Clean Air plan, the only mention of schools is a couple of sentences saying Greater Manchester Combined Authority should find ways to help people use their cars less.  There is no…
Read More
08Oct 2019 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Liberal Democrat conference outlined ambitious UK strategy on climate change, young carers and business reforms

Campaigns, Parliamentary news
Councillor Howard Sykes MBE has welcomed plans agreed by Liberal Democrat Conference (14–17 September 2019), which he attended, to tackle economic, social and environmental problems. The conference held last month in Bournemouth debated net zero-carbon emissions in the UK by 2045.  It also aimed to tackle the ever-growing number of Young Carers who are still missing out on important life skills due to heavy care responsibilities.  Conference voted to draw clear support guidelines for Young Carers and declare a series of initiatives to combat the UK’s carbon footprint. The Liberal Democrats also backed a radical tax shake up for businesses.  Liberal Democrats have already brought the issue forward locally in Oldham Borough at the July 2019 Council meeting.  They want big companies to pay their fair share just like everyone else…
Read More
12Jul 2019 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Liberal Democrat leader gets Council to back United Nations Goals

Borough news
The Leader of the Opposition and of the Liberal Democrat Group, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, delivered Oldham Council’s backing for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals at its most recent meeting.  In September 2015, 193 world leaders met at the United Nations General Assembly in New York to adopt seventeen Sustainable Development Goals.  These goals seek the eradication of extreme poverty and hunger, improvements in public health, reductions in child and maternal mortality, better educational outcomes, more gender equality, better international co-operation and a environmentally sustainable future for our planet to help the United Nations achieve the ambition articulated in their 2000 Millennium Declaration of creating ‘a more peaceful, prosperous and just world’ by 2030. Councillor Sykes believes that local government, as well as the UK government, should be aiming…
Read More