WHATEVER HAPPENED TO OUR "BUSES" MOTION?

1.00.00pm GMT Fri 22nd Jan 2010

Yorkshire and the Humber Liberal Democrats Autumn Regional Conference on 7 November 2009

Apologies for the lack of a report back from the Yorkshire and the Humber Liberal Democrats Autumn Regional Conference on 7 November 2009. But - better late than never; here it is.

You'll remember that we submitted a motion for debate stating that the present modus operandi of urban bus services in the region was in danger of failing and should be replaced by a system of franchised bus routes similar to that in London. It was to be proposed by our Parliamentary Candidate, Clr Nicola Turner, but she was unfortunately unwell and couldn't attend the Conference.

However, fellow Colne Valley Councillor David Ridgway stepped into the breach with aplomb and the motion was overwhelmingly carried with just one person voting against - who admitted to David afterwards that he had only voted against to see whether the Chair was awake!!

The conference was opened by Phil Willis, who is retiring as MP for Harrogate at the General Election. Reports were presented by the region's Chair (Francesca Marritt), Treasurer (John Smithson), its spokespeople in the House of Lords (David Shutt) and House of Commons (Andrew Stunnel), and its re-elected MEP, Diana Wallis. Other attendees included Greg Mulholland, MP for Leeds North West, plus a bevy of candidates including those from Harrogate, York Outer, Bradford East, Hull North, etc. etc. and, last but not least, the newly elected Mayor of Bedford, who spoke about the local government position and his own remarkable victory.

It emerged from the reports that the party was polling between 2% and 5% higher nationally than at the equivalent time prior to the last General Election. This all put the conference into good heart and a positive tone was definitely set for the future.

(With thanks to David Ridgway)