Penny Goodman selected as the Liberal Democrat candidate for Headingley in May

Yesterday evening, Leeds North West Liberal Democrats held a hustings for candidates hoping to represent the party at the Leeds City Council elections in May 2016. Penny Goodman, who lives on Grove Lane, was selected by the local party to stand as the candidate for Headingley ward.

Penny said:

I am thrilled to have been selected as the Liberal Democrat candidate for Headingley. I have lived in Headingley for nine years now, and it is a fantastic community. It’s diverse, vibrant, active and engaged, and has something to offer for everyone.

But it’s becoming increasingly obvious that Headingley’s Labour councillors aren’t doing everything they could to help the community and protect its interests. On the doorsteps, residents constantly report concerns to me about bins and graffiti, which I have been able to tackle on their behalf. But why aren’t the Labour councillors dealing with these issues properly? It is supposed to be part of their job.

Headingley can do better than this, and the record of action which I have already built up shows what I could do for this community if I am elected next May.

Penny and Greg

Local candidate Penny Goodman with Greg Mulholland MP

Tim Farron elected leader of the Liberal Democrats

Yesterday, Tim Farron was elected as the new leader of the Liberal Democrats. In a rally held to mark his election, Tim explained what he thinks the Liberal Democrats are for:

We are the party that sees the best in people not the worst. We are the party that believes that the role of Government is to help us to be the best that we can be, no matter who we are or what our background…..

That’s it. That’s our mission.

We see people as individuals not as opposing tribes, lined up against each other across borders. We favour co-operation over isolation – your failure is not my success. We stand up against the abuse of power, for entrepreneurship and individual endeavour.

We see immigration as a blessing not a curse and value the contribution every single individual has to make to this beautiful country of ours.

As the world changes around us, we see the opportunities and not just the dangers. Because we see the best in people. We trust people.

That’s why we stand up for the individual against the state. Why we stand up for the minority against the majority. Why we stand up for the outsider against the establishment. Because that is not just what we do, it is who we are!

You can read the full text of Tim’s speech here, or watch the video here:

Greg Mulholland re-elected

Today has been a bruising day nationwide for the Liberal Democrats, but we’re proud that the people of Leeds North West chose to re-elect Greg Mulholland as their MP. Speaking to the Yorkshire Evening Post after the election count, Greg said:

I’m delighted and honoured to have been elected for a third time in Leeds North West and very happy to be able to get on with my job in the constituency.

You can see the full Yorkshire Evening Post report, including a video of Greg’s acceptance speech, here.