Party leader Tim Farron has tonight been at the Downing Street protest against the state visit invitation issued to Donald Trump. As he points out, part of the reason for rushing through this invitation, in spite of Trump’s horrendous and illiberal actions since taking office, is that Theresa May is desperate for allies and trade partners now that we are breaking our ties with our nearest neighbours in the EU.
You can see what Tim had to say for yourself in a quick video here.
Penny Goodman and the Headingley Liberal Democrat team have been out on the doorsteps on Bainbrigge Road, Spring Road, Spring Bank Crescent, The Poplars and Orville Gardens. We spoke to residents about their local concerns, and asked them to fill out a survey showing their priorities for the area.
Issues for residents in this area included cycle safety, anti-social behaviour, recycling and the appalling traffic jams every day from 4pm onwards along the main road. But perhaps the strongest concerns expressed were about the future of the Elinor Lupton Centre.
Wetherspoons, who now own this building, had their licensing application turned down last month, but we understand that they have now appealed against the decision. Residents are concerned that the original decision may be overturned, and in the meanwhile are angry and disappointed that the building has been allowed to become so run down and such a focus for graffiti.
If you have an issue which we can help with, or you would like to get involved in our local campaigning, do get in touch.
On Wednesday of this week, the Yorkshire Bank announced that it will be closing 39 branches, including the one on the Otley Road in Headingley.
Local MP Greg Mulholland has called on the bank to reconsider the decision, pointing out how much many people in Headingley – and especially vulnerable people – rely on their local branch. You can read more about Greg’s opposition to the closure here.
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Image by Mtaylor848 – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, Link
Theresa May’s Conservatives are getting ready to take Britain out of the Single Market.
Leaving the Single Market would be a disaster for jobs, businesses and the economy.
Don’t let the Tories push our economy’s self-destruct button – add your name today and support our campaign to keep Britain in the Single Market.
Today, Greg Mulholla
nd is holding his regular MP’s surgery at Sainsburys in the Arndale Centre, Headingley. He will be there from 12.30 to 1.30 p.m. for constituents to raise any issues which they would like his help with. No appointment is needed.
Full details of Greg’s regular constituency surgeries are available here. You can also meet with him by appointment on the third Friday of each month at the Cardigan Centre, Cardigan Road, Headingley.
Thanks to everyone who backed our Save Headingley Post Office campaign.
Since the Post Office announced they would be closing the branch and moving it into a shop, Penny Goodman and Greg Mulholland started the Save Headingley Post Office petition and wrote to the Post Office to demand that it stays open to properly serve the needs of residents. The Post Office have failed to find a shop that will take a counter, so we are calling on them maintain a proper branch with a full range of services.
Penny said:
They are saying that they intend to move the post office into another store, such as a shop or business. We all know what this actually means – the lack of a dedicated post office and a substantial reduction in services.
Greg added:
It is very disappointing that the future of such a vital community asset remains in limbo and we will continue to do everything we can to save it. We will continue to campaign and push the Post Office to retain the branch and the services that hundreds of people use every day.
Bin collection days in Headingley will be affected by the Christmas and New Year holidays. You can see the changed schedule below.
You can also now download an app to help you keep track of your bin collection days.
Research funding and ERASMUS at risk after Brexit vote
The outcome of the EU referendum has put at risk the UK’s access to European funding for research and study abroad.
In Leeds, this could have a serious impact on the work our universities do and the opportunities available to local students. The University of Leeds currently gets nearly 16% of its research income from European funding, supporting projects from developing better artificial joints to designing environmentally-friendly aircraft. It also sends hundreds of its students abroad each year on the popular Erasmus+ scheme.
The Liberal Democrats are fighting to safeguard the vital scientific research and opportunities for young people which EU funding has supported until now. At the recent Liberal Democrat conference, party members unanimously supported a motion calling on the government to protect both.
Local Liberal Democrat campaigner Penny Goodman lives in Headingley and works at the University of Leeds.
Penny said:
I feel very strongly about this issue, and made a point of attending Liberal Democrat conference this year so that I could vote for the motion. The research carried out in UK universities generates jobs, improves lives and keeps our country competitive. In the same way, sending our young people to study or work abroad gives them the skills, experience and international outlook which today’s employers are looking for. Now we know the outcome of the referendum, it is in all of our interests to protect these activities for the future.
The news came on Friday that an application to turn the former Elinor Lupton Centre into a licensed premises serving 500+ customers at a time has been refused. The full story is covered here in the Yorkshire Evening Post.
This is welcome news, given how strongly local people have objected to turning the Elinor Lupton Centre into a mega-pub. Headingley is already very well-provided with licensed premises, and the council has recognised their negative impact on local people through the Cumulative Impact Policy. This establishes a presumption against adding any new pubs to the area, and it is good to see that the policy was respected on this occasion.
Meanwhile, the building itself is now in an appalling state, and getting worse by the day. Local campaigner Penny Goodman has called on Wetherspoons, who now own the building, to take responsibility for its current condition and clean up the graffiti which is plastered all over it – but they refused. This is a Grade II listed building which could be a huge asset to our community. We can only hope that a positive use for the building, which respects the needs and interests of local people, can be found soon.
We have been out in Headingley this weekend delivering Focus leaflets and a nice big stack of Christmas cards! Have you had yours yet?
We’ll be putting the stories from the Focus leaflet online as well over the next few days.