Merlene Emerson
Building bridges between the Liberal Democrats and the silent majority
Greater London Authority
My Priorities
- Improving Londoners' quality of life - by pressing for more affordable housing, safer streets, improved transport and a greener environment.
- Challenging the Tories in Local Government - by being an independent voice against the 3 Tory controlled Councils (in the boroughs of Hammersmith & Fulham, Kensington & Chelsea and City of Westminster)
- Better accountability - by using my legal skills to hold the Mayor to account, to ensure greater transparency and value for money services.
The Liberal Democrats are the Real Alternative to the Labour Government and to the Tory Local Government, neither of which are open nor sufficiently accountable to you. Only with the Liberal Democrats can you be assured of an open and transparent government that puts the people and community at the heart of decision making. Not spin and image. And not arrogance and complacency.
We pledge to create a fairer, greener and safer London for you. And remember, ALL LONDONERS, no matter what your background or aspirations, have a right to be heard and have your views represented.
West Central is undeniably a very privileged place to be living in. There are however estates and neighbourhoods suffering from a lack of attention from past and present Tory controlled administrations. Violent crime has been rising and public transport is creaking under the strain of 100 million visitors to London a year. More.
Apr 28th: Brian Paddick visited Shepherd's Bush market on 18 April and chatted with stall holders and organisers of the recently launched Shepherd's Bush Market Watch. Merlene and the Liberal Democrats are working with the local community to ensure that much needed investment is put in by landlords Transport for London, and that the market continues to thrive within this diverse neighbourhood.
Apr 28th: Merlene and other Lib Dem activists joined thousands of Chinese, Bangladeshi and Turkish British workers from the catering industry in a massive demonstration in Trafalgar Square on Sunday 20 April. These communities are among the most self-sufficient and entrepreneurial but are suffering from heavy handed tactics used by Border Immigration Agency which has done little for community cohesion . The new immigration Points System will also add to the labour shortage currently facing the industry.
Apr 6th: "I take the view that there should be no boycott of the Olympic Games itself and that Sports should not suffer at the expense of Politics. However as a liberal and member of Amnesty I am against breaches of human rights in all countries. In the case of Tibet, dialogue is needed not propaganda. If both sides are already agreed on limited autonomy not independence for Tibet, then what is holding up a peaceful diplomatic solution?"
Mar 4th: Defection of a high profile Tory to Lib Dems. Merlene and Brian welcomed Dirk Hazell, former Chair of London Conservatives to the Liberal Democrats on 4 March. Mr Hazell described the change from 'Norris' to 'Boris' as a downgrade for his former Party. He prefers to call himself a 'convert' rather than a 'defector' to the Lib Dems.
Feb 10th: Celebrating diversity: Merlene, with LibDem mayoral candidate Brian Paddick, celebrates Chinese New Year in Gerrard St, Soho.
Dec 17th: Merlene has written to the Kensington Chronicle protesting at the proposed closure of the Post Office at W H Smith in Fulham. The full text of the letter is available for download here (33 kb).
Dec 14th: Merlene has been active in the campaign to save the Kensington Odeon from redevelopment. More details can be found at the Hammersmith and Kensington Times.
Nov 21st: With Brian Paddick in Chinatown when we visited the Chinatown Community Centre and one of the restaurants that had been raided by Border Immigration Agency on 11 Oct. We are working on lobbying for change in the law and practice so that hardworking employers are not persecuted by the authorities.
Nov 8th: Portobello Road campaign with Kensington & Chelsea Liberal Democrats. We need to preserve the unique character of Portobello Road and the shops that currently serve the community as against development of more gated communities.
Nov 7th: Child Poverty Rally - we presented a petition to Alistair Darling to make Child Poverty history. 1 in 3 children in the UK live in poverty at the moment and I was there to support the challenge by charities such as Save the Children that this is simply not good enough for a Labour government.
Oct 31st: a Criminal Justice Board (CJB) symposium was held in Chinatown (organised by the Chinese in Britain Forum and London Chinese Community Network. Here, I am discussing with the Vice Chair of the CJB, John Scott how we need to recruit more ethnic minorities into the Police force and criminal justice system, moving from community engagement to community participation.
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