Pledges for fairness win Liz Lynne's support for historic coalition deal
May 14, 2010 6:47 PM
Liz Lynne with Paul Tilsley, who runs the Lib Dem - Conservative partnership administration on Birmingham City Council
Speaking ahead of a special party conference in Birmingham, Euro MP Liz Lynne has urged Lib Dem members to back the coalition agreement because of the 'cast iron pledges for fairness' written into the deal.
Liberal Democrat members, activists and parliamentarians are again heading to Birmingham this weekend for a special conference to discuss the historic agreement for Britain's first coalition government since 1945.
West Midlands region MEP Liz Lynne said she was looking forward to a lively and heartfelt debate, and welcomed the chance for party members to discuss the Lib Dem-Conservative coalition deal in depth.
She said: "I have always been a conviction politician. I have never supported coalition proposals with either party before and like many I was very concerned by the fast moving events of the last few days.
"However, on Tuesday two things did become clear. Firstly, as I expected, there was clearly no possibility of a workable deal with Labour and the Nationalists, the maths didn't add up and most of the Labour leaders were not interested.
"More importantly, Nick and his negotiating team won approval for many of our key manifesto commitments in the draft agreement with the Conservatives. They did a fantastic job.
"The document produced is remarkable, it contains cast iron commitments for fairness on taxes, on schools, on a green economy and big steps forward on political reform. Not everything we wanted, but a huge step forward nonetheless.
"There is also the financial crisis, it is clear that we face a national emergency. Getting Vince Cable and David Laws into key cabinet jobs will help our country deal with this crisis and protect the vulnerable too.
"I am particularly pleased that we persuaded the Conservatives to agree to end Labour's policy of imprisoning innocent children in asylum centres, which is cruel and wrong. The agreement makes clear that basic human rights will be respected.
"The new coalition has already announced the end of ID cards, which Labour refused to do.
"Politics is ultimately about getting our policies and principles carried through into government. This coalition gives us the chance at last to show at least in part what Liberal Democrats can do to win real change. Coalitions work well in most of Europe and also in recent times in Scotland and Wales.
"We do need to be vigilant and responsible, but I hope the party can unite to back this agreement and support Nick and his team in trying to make this historic government a success."
ENDS
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