In his keynote speech to the Liberal Democrat Conference, Party Leader and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has outlined his goals for the Government and the country over the coming years. He reiterated his commitment to liberal values on the environment and human rights and his determination to ensure a fair chance for every child, saying "every child can do good things, great things, if only we give them the opportunities they deserve."

On 5th May you have a choice. You can keep the discredited First Past the Post system to elect our MPs, or you can choose a new and fairer system - Alternative Vote (AV). Back the campaign for change at www.YesToFairerVotes.org

AV is a small change that makes a big difference.

Saying YES! to Fairer Votes Means:

Several Exeter Lib Dem members, councillors and activists will be joining together with other local groups tomorrow in response to a planned English Defence League 'Ban the Burka' event taking place in the City Centre.

The Celebration of Diversity arranged to coincide with the event will take place from 11am until 2pm at Bedford Square, just off the High St tomorrow (Saturday 12th February) and will demonstrate Exeter's proud open and welcoming nature to everyone regardless of their beliefs and backgrounds.

Exeter City Council's proposal to close many football pitches is short-sighted, regressive and lacks imagination. It will deny hundreds of active active young people the opportunity to stay fit and build confidence and team-working skills. Sport provides a valuable social place where young men can expend their energy in a creative, positive and exciting way.

On 9th September 2010, 12 council seats are up for election following the legal ruling made over Exeter unitary status and a by-election in Topsham ward following the resignation of a sitting Conservative Councillor

This is a result of the last Labour government ordering Exeter to change to a Unitary Council. While doing that, they extended some Councillors' terms to avoid having elections for just a single year in office.

The decision to probably hold this year's round of Exeter City Council elections at the height of the holiday season has been described as "nuts" by local Lib Dem Graham Oakes.

The elections were deferred by the last Labour government as part of their plans to turn Exeter into a unitary authority - a move quashed by the incoming Coalition government. A judge has now decided the Labour government acted unlawfully in extending the terms of the councillors and has ordered that they be turned out of office, including Tim Payne who was elected this May in a by-election.

The announcement that a referendum on replacing the unfair First Past the Post voting system will be held on May 5th 2011 has been welcomed by Graham Oakes, the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson for Exeter saying:

"The 2010 General Election was the latest example of how the present voting system fails to reflect the will of the people. Any fair minded person looking at the number of votes cast for each party and the number of seats they ended up with will see the present system is totally flawed. Its only strength seemed to be that it avoided coalition government but this time it delivered exactly that."

The Coalition Government published its first Budget yesterday and it contained few surprises but did hold out hope for Exeter..

Lib Dem Deputy Leader Simon Hughes commented:

"Liberal Democrats made the correct judgement last month to be influential partners in a majority coalition, rather than be marginalised opponents of a minority Government entirely implementing Conservative policies,:

Exeter Lib Dems had a stall at this weekends Respect Festival at Belmont Park. The festival, celebrating diversity and promoting tolerance, enjoyed excellent weather and thousands of people viewed a wide range of entertainments.

Local Lib Dem Parliamentary Spokesperson Graham Oakes commented:

"It was a great festival supported by thousands of local people and I would like to congratulate the organisers."

Victims of the Equitable Life collapse can finally expect compensation as Liberal Democrat MPs push forward new legislation.

Local Liberal Democrat Graham Oakes described the announcement as a "massive relief" for the millions of people who lost up to half their pensions in the collapse.

The Equitable Life Bill, which was outlined to the House of Commons yesterday [Wednesday], will give the Treasury the authority to make payments to policyholders or dependents who have been fighting the Labour Government for compensation since 2000.