Building a better city

June 2006

Good news recently for the city and the council has seen a new ferry operator for the commercial port which it owns and the colour and excitement that the stopover of the Volvo yacht race has brought.

Whether it is getting the Tricorn down – something Labour and the Tories said could not be done – or a programme to resurface our roads and banish potholes, I believe the Lib Dem administration is making a real difference to Portsmouth. And we will also continue to listen to people and try and correct mistakes because as I have said before we are not perfect!

In light of the dramatic increase of Liberal Democrat councillors in the city from seven, four yeas ago, to 21, today, I was pleased that we maintained our position in the recent elections. While gaining one seat, it was though disappointing to lose Terry Hall from the council by just 17 votes. She has proved to be a first-rate councillor – as culture supremo masterminding the saving of the Kings Theatre and bringing many new events such as the Volvo stopover to the city. And I hope she will be back at some point!

While politics in this city has always been robust and vigorous, it was disappointing to see the Tories be so negative in their election literature. In one leaflet, with 17 articles in it, they could only manage one sentence on what they would for the city! David Cameron has said he is a true blue Conservative, a liberal Conservative and heir to new Labour. One day, he and the local Tories will have to make up their minds what they do stand for – if anything!

The Liberal Democrats are now, according to a BBC opinion poll, the most trusted on the NHS. And in a recent opinion poll for Friends of the Earth, 83% of people thought the Lib Dems cared most of the three main parties about the environment. So I believe as we articulate our clear, consistent and costed policies in a straightforward manner, we will win increased support.