Looking Back… Looking Forward

This is the next of a series of postcards which Anita Day, Parliamentary Spokesperson for Grantham and Stamford has written to members and supporters

In the next week or so, the newspapers will start publishing their reviews of the year. And what a year it's been… I doubt many of us will look back on 2016, and hope to have a repeat! We've experienced the deaths of several influential people from the world of entertainment (my personal Bottom Three were David Bowie, Prince and Alan Rickman, but there were so many); the resurgence of populist, extremist right-wing politics across much of the West; the apparent acceptance of racism and xenophobia into the mainstreams of society; the election of Donald Trump in the US… and of course, that vote here in the UK. .... and that's leaving aside the rise in global conflict and religious intolerance. L

We've also been introduced to some catchy phrases this year, such as the 'democratic will of the people', 'enemies of the people', 'clear mandate', the particularly informative 'Brexit means Brexit' and perhaps the most depressing, the 'post-truth era' (what does that say about any society where that is even a concept?!)

I wish with all my heart that the Brexit referendum had had a different result. And yet… that vote may prove to be the best thing to have happened to the Liberal Democrat party! Eighteen months ago, we had been decimated in the polls and were regarded by some as an irrelevant laughing stock. But no-one could say that now! Unlike the two major parties who have struggled to work out what they actually believe in, and UKIP which is struggling to work out whether they have a purpose anymore, we have articulated and maintained a clear, unanimous position which has resonated with many people. Our membership has grown by nearly 20,000 since the summer, we have made 28 net gains in local government by-elections this year (versus 33 net losses for the Conservatives) and have fought three incredible parliamentary by-elections in the last 6 months, with Sarah Olney elected in Richmond Park by overturning a Conservative majority of 23,000! If the swing of 20% achieved in Witney and Richmond Park were replicated nationwide, we would win another 26 seats and easily wipe out the Conservative majority in the House of Commons!

So it really feels like the momentum is with us, and we have everything to play for in 2017. But for that to happen, we need to mobilise our members. Here in South Lincolnshire, we have County Council elections coming up in May, but even sooner than that, we have Town Council elections on 12 January in Market Deeping, where our own Callum Robertson is up against 2 Independent candidates, and trying to join our existing councillor, Adam Brookes. Local authority elections are vital because they not only allow us to influence people's lives in a very direct way, but they establish our political presence, and help voters to see that we are a real alternative to the status quo. And experience tells us that, if we can persuade people to vote Lib Dem in local authority elections, they are more likely to vote for us in other elections too.

So…. this is a plea for your help. If you are able to get along to Market Deeping in the next couple of weeks to help us deliver some leaflets, we would be very grateful. A round typically takes about an hour- sometimes less- and can be a sociable activity as you can do it with a friend or colleague, or even walk your dog at the same time! Please contact Adam at adam.brookes@gmail.com if you think you might be able to help us.

We would also love to see you at the Lib Dem Pint social event on Friday 30 December at 7.30pm at The Deeping Stage, Market Place, Market Deeping. If you've never been to a Lib Dem Pint before, it's a great opportunity to meet fellow members in the area and find out what is going on, and how you might want to get involved in the #LibDemFightback. Please join us if you can!

I think that's it from me for this year. I wish you a very peaceful and joy-filled Christmas, and- if you can't come along on the 30^th- a very Happy New Year!

Take care, and speak soon

Anita

South Lincs Liberal Democrats
Membership Development

07753 904676
Follow me on Twitter: @AnitadayA