Welcome to the Website of South Thanet Liberal Democrats
The Liberal Democrats exist to build and safeguard a fair, free and open society, in which we seek to balance the fundamental values of liberty, equality and community, and in which no-one shall be enslaved by poverty, ignorance or conformity.
"This is a very popular idea which would give the public something back for bailing out the banks.
"I welcome the Treasury Select Committee's review into what to do with the Government's holding in RBS and Lloyds and hope that it furthers the case for giving the public their share."
"The European Parliament has voted through an ambitious and innovative text today. On the key concern of maximum versus minimum harmonisation there is sufficient flexibility within an EU framework. This will allow countries with a very large debt to GDP ratio to take the necessary action to protect themselves.
Key Liberal Democrat initiatives were announced in the Queen's Speech on Wednesday including banking reform, a single tier pension, energy reform, strengthening shareholder power and House of Lords reform.
The Coalition government's next term will focus on helping families, supporting growth and jobs, and delivering long-standing reform to our banking sector. Long lasting reforms are proposed to put the UK on a stable footing and offer help and support to families, small businesses and communities, protect the environment, as well as reaffirming the commitment to helping the poorest nations.
The key themes from the 2012 Queen's Speech are economic growth, justice and constitutional reform.
These reforms will help build a sustainable future for our country. The Coalition Government's plans will offer help and support to families, small businesses and communities, protect the environment, as well as reaffirming our commitment to helping the poorest nations.
In 2010, Liberal Democrats joined the Coalition Government to act in the long-term national interest. Our most urgent task was to tackle the record deficit left to us by Labour and we're continuing this work today.
We have already made some tough choices, and we will continue to make sure we keep spending down so, unlike the rest of Europe, families can benefit from low interest rates and Britain is protected from the global debt storm.
Making a call or sending a text while on holiday or business in a European Union (EU) country is set to become cheaper this summer.
EPs are expected to vote on Thursday (May 10) for a cut in the price companies can bill customers for calls and texts, while also rubberstamping a maximum fee for data usage.
Last year large multinational companies operating in the developing world avoided paying taxes of approximately $165 billion to host governments.
Sharon Bowles MEP, who represents South East England in the European Parliament, has launched a new campaign - 'Own, Up, Pay Up!' - to shed light on the issue and to prevent future financial malpractice among EU multinationals.
"It's been a disappointing and difficult night for the Liberal Democrats. I'm really sad that so many colleagues and friends, Liberal Democrat councillors, who've worked so hard, so tirelessly, for so many years, for communities and families in their local areas, have lost their seats. And I want to pay tribute to all the great work that they have done.
"I'm determined that we will continue to play our role in rescuing, repairing, and reforming the British economy. It's not an easy job and it can't be done overnight. But our duty is to boost jobs and investment and restore a sense of hope and optimism to our country.
"I believe that, over time, people will come to acknowledge our unique role, the Liberal Democrats, in this Government as the only party that combines responsibility on the economy with social fairness."
