Campaigns and Issues

Excess Packaging

In October 2007, Jo presented a bill to Parliament, setting out her case for a reduction in the amount of packaging used for products bought in our stores. Jo said on the bill, "Excessive and wasteful packaging makes absolutely no economic or environmental sense. Despite increases in recycling, domestic waste has risen by a fifth since 1997. The average family now spends £470 per year on packaging. Government attempts to tackle the packaging problem have been much too timid and much too slow."

The Packaging (Reduction) Bill would see a national body set up to promote and enforce packaging reduction, as well improve existing regulations. Customers would also be able to recycle packaging in supermarkets. There is no need for a banana to be shrink wrapped or easter eggs to come with ludicrious amounts of casing. What is required is a bill which allows consumers to dispose of packaging at the store and Trading Standards to clamp down on waste.

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Or visit the Official Campaign Site

www.scrapthispack.com

Climate Change

Climate change is fast becoming one of the defining issues of our times. Urgent action is needed. The Liberal Democrat Party are committed to ensuring that the UK meets it's Kyoto obligations well before the deadline, getting more people onto public transport, and leading the campaign for more renewable energy sources. However, while there is much that policy-makers can and must do, I firmly believe that it is up to each and every individual to try to make a difference. This section of the website provides access to key Liberal Democrat policy on tackling Climate Change, provides links to related websites and suggests some practical advice on what each person can do to limit the damage we are inflicting upon our environment.

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Save our Post Offices

The Post Office network has suffered systematic neglect at the hands of our Labour Government and the Conservative Governments that preceded it. It has reached the point of needing major investment and reinvigoration if the closure of many thousands of Post Offices that is expected in the years to come is to be avoided.

The Government's refusal to commit to the future of Post Office Card Accounts is symbolic of its neglectful attitude to the whole Post Office network. The cards are used by 4.5 million people, and have proven far more successful than originally expected, however the Department for Work and Pensions is phasing out card accounts by 2010, forcing people to change how they receive pensions and benefits.

Other Government departments are also withdrawing services from the Post Office. The DVLA has been encouraging people to renew tax discs online rather than at the Post Office. The TV licensing authorities will no longer use Post Offices for TV licences. Combined with card accounts, this amounts to a cross-departmental assault on Post Office services.

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Young People - Get involved!

As the youngest MP in Westminster, it seems fitting that my website should have a page dedicated to young people. When I speak to young people in schools in East Dunbartonshire, a real sense of enthusiasm and interest in politics comes across. However, when it comes to getting involved in politics - be it through political parties, charities or other means - it seems interest often starts to wane.

Is this because young people really don't care about the future of politics in this country? Of course not! Often the problem can be knowing where to start, how to get involved, or how to figure out your own opinion on the big issues such as Iraq and the environment.

This page is intended as a starting point for the young people of East Dunbartonshire; an introduction to the possibilities that are out there for making real change happen. It is also a call to action - if you see a problem, look for a solution; if you have an opinion, make sure it's heard. In other words, don't hang around - get involved!

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A Better Deal for Pensioners

The Lib Dems set out plans to transform Britain's inadequate and complex state pensions system, with the introduction of a universal Citizen's Pension.

The Citizen's Pension would be paid at £114.05 per week (2006/07 figure), instead of the £82.05p basic state pension. The pension would rise year-on-year in line with the increase in average earnings and would be paid to all those over state pension age.

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