20 Most Recent News Stories

Merlene thanks voters and supporters in Hammersmith

12.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Sat 8th May 2010

Merlene delivering her thank you speech at the end of the Count on 7 May 2010

"It has been a privilege to have been the Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Hammersmith. I would like to thank my team, Liberal Democrat supporters and most of all, those who had voted for me and sought Liberal Democrats to deliver a fairer Britain.

"I am proud of the fact that we ran a very positive campaign throughout and pleased that despite only a one percent increase in the vote share nationally, our leader Nick Clegg now has real bargaining powers with both of the major parties. We will ensure that we work together to serve the national interests and I would urge all our supporters to stay united and bear this in mind.

"What the results in Hammersmith show is how unfair and flawed our current electoral system is which denies voters the chance to support the party and candidate they might prefer and had to resort to tactical voting instead. It is vitally important that political reform be firmly on the agenda as Lib Dems negotiate for power sharing in the days and weeks ahead.

"At the personal level, I am pleased that my involvement in politics has provided inspiration to others especially young people to become more engaged. Voter turn out was high and there was certainly a great deal more excitement engendered from these elections as compared to those of the past.

"I remain your Lib Dem Parliamentary spokesperson for Hammersmith for now and would welcome any feedback as to how you would like the Liberal Democrats to serve and represent you here in Hammersmith.

"Please join us and register to receive automatic email updates here on the Home page."

Vote Lib Dems today! Merlene delivers her polling day message:

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 6th May 2010

"In the last few weeks I have witnessed a real sea change in Hammersmith.

For the first time in decades your vote can make a real difference. You have a choice to carry on voting for Labour who got us into the present financial mess, for the Conservatives who are most likely to maintain business as usual, or you can choose a different future.

What we need at this point in time is to consider what are our values, and work towards a fairer society, a greener economy and a chance to clean up politics for good.

Only by voting for me and the Liberal Democrats will you provide a strong mandate for electoral reform and take back power.

Regardless of who emerges as your Prime Minister after May 6th, you can at least choose to have a Liberal Democrat MP who will fight your corner here in Hammersmith.

Vote for me and the Liberal Democrats today - anything else would be a wasted opportunity."

Brian Paddick joins Merlene's battlebus on bank holiday weekend

10.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 3rd May 2010

Brian Paddick (right) helping to dress the bus

Unfazed by a dismal weather forecast, Merlene and her enthusiastic and young team of supporters boarded their open-top double decker campaign bus again on Sunday. With them was Brian Paddick, Lib Dem Mayoral Candidate in 2008 (and of 'I'm a celebrity..get me out of here' fame).

This was the 3rd time that they have used this novel way of campaigning to reach out to voters in Hammersmith and Shepherds Bush. The first time was on 18th April attended by Lord Dholakia, ex-President of the Liberal Democrats and the second time, last Saturday, 23rd April when the bus stopped off at Shepherds Bush market and Ravenscourt Park en route to pick up passengers.

Merlene said

"Due to the shortage of time before May 6th, I've found using the bus a good way for me to be visible to my constituents. This is in addition to door knocking, but I cannnot physically cover 47,000 households.

"I am serious about fighting this seat even though residents may hear otherwise from my opponents (as you might expect!) The whole political scene has changed since the televised leaders debate and it is an exciting time to be a Liberal Democrat. I want to give voters a chance to choose to reform the electoral system, our flawed banking system and have a fresh start for a fairer Britain."

Undecided voters swing to Lib Dems following final Leaders Debate

6.09.15pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 30th Apr 2010

Last night was the final of the three televised Leaders' debates. Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Nick Clegg, debated with Gordon Brown and David Cameron about the economy. Subjects discussed included breaking up the banks, creating more jobs and reinvigorating the British economy.

Most post-debate polls scored this final debate to David Cameron, but again put Nick Clegg clearly ahead of Gordon Brown. An analysis by pollsters Angus Reid of previously undecided voters who watched the debate gave Nick Clegg 37%, David Cameron 25%, Gordon Brown 22% and Not sure 16%. Angus Reid found that 32% of undecided voters say they are now more likely to vote for the Liberal Democrats after watching the final debate, with just 18% Conservative and 15% Labour.

In his closing statement at the final leaders' debate, Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg said:

"Everything I've said during these three television debates is driven by my simple belief that if we do things differently this time, we can create a fairer, better Britain.

"As you decide how to cast your vote, of course you'll be told by these two, that real change is dangerous, that it can't be done.

"Don't let anyone scare you from following your instincts. Together next week we can change Britain for good.

"Just think how many times you've been given lots of promises by these two old parties - only to discover when they get into Government that nothing really changes.

"We can do so much better than that this time.

"Of course I can't guarantee that every problem you face will be solved overnight. But I can guarantee that I will work tirelessly to deliver greater fairness for you.

"Fairer taxes, so that you pay less but people at the top pay their fair share.

"A fair start, smaller class sizes, for your children.

"A different approach to the economy.

"And open, decent politics which you can trust once again.

"I believe all this can happen. This is your election. This is your country.

"When you go to vote next week, choose the future you really want. If you believe like I do that we can do things differently this time, then together we will really change Britain.

"Don't let anyone tell you it can't happen. It can. This time, you can make the difference."

"Lib Dems suddenly cool" reports the Telegraph

12.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 30th Apr 2010

On 27 April, reporters from the Telegraph came to meet with Merlene Emerson outside Shepherds Bush tube station, to investigate how she was managing her campaign post 'Cleggism'.

They were able to witness first-hand how many in the public were ready to give Lib Dems a chance in a traditionally Labour and Tory battle ground.

"There is really a desire to have another choice and I feel that I owe it to constituents to give them another option. There are many floating voters around" said Merlene Emerson.

Merlene shared about how she had to double her budget and produce extra glossy leaflets as residents complained that they had not heard from her. In addition she has hired an open-top old route master to run a more visible campaign.

"Its almost cool to be Lib Dem." Merlene continued "And I hope people will have an open mind and vote with their hearts."

To watch the whole video go to http://tiny.cc/9efvt

Third and Final Party Leaders' TV debate: The Economy

2.25.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 28th Apr 2010

On Thursday 29th April from 8.30pm, BBC One will host the final live Prime Ministerial Debate of the General Election from the Midlands. Nick Clegg, Gordon Brown and David Cameron will again be going head to head in the run up to the General Election next Thursday.

The first half of the 90 minute programme, chaired by Question Time host David Dimbleby, will debate the economy, with the remaining time to discuss other election issues. The debate will also be broadcast live on BBC Radio 4, with coverage starting at 8pm. You can submit your own question to the debate on the BBC website at http://tinyurl.com/yasmba5

With Lib Dem Leader Nick Clegg widely believed to have won the first two debates, this is the final opportunity to see the three leaders debating issues together directly before the General Election.

Clegg Scores Second Win in Party Leaders Debate

3.06.44pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 23rd Apr 2010

An average of five polls conducted immediately after the Sky TV Leaders Election debate on Thursday night put Nick Clegg as the winner, with all instant polls showing him ahead of Gordon Brown. After the Foreign Affairs-led debate from Bristol dominated by issues like Iraq, immigration and climate change, Nick Clegg won 3 of the 5 polls on the night, building on his position after the first debate.

The five "instant" poll results on the night:

• Guardian/ICM: Clegg 33%, Cameron 29%, Brown 29%

• YouGov: Clegg 32%, Cameron 36%, Brown 29%

• ComRes: Clegg 33%, Cameron 30%, Brown 30%

• Angus Reid: Clegg 33%, Cameron 32%, Brown 23%

• Populus: Clegg 36%, Cameron 37%, Brown 26%

• Poll Average: Clegg 33.4%, Cameron 32.8%, Brown 27.4%

The election has been thrown wide open by Nick Clegg's first debate win. A number of polls have shown that the Lib Dems and the Conservatives are neck and neck, with Labour trailing in third. BBC journalist Michael Crick said on Newsnight "The momentum is still with Clegg."

Race hots up in Hammersmith as Emerson raises her game

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 23rd Apr 2010

The positive impact of the Leaders/Prime Ministers debate has affected voters intentions up and down the country and Hammersmith has been no exception.

H&F Liberal Democrats have found very warm reception at the door steps when out canvassing and it is clear that the whole race has now been blown wide open.

The battle for the Bush and in Hammersmith became even more interesting after the hustings at St Paul's last night.

Comments were received such as:

"Merlene was excellent!"

"I was proud to be Lib Dems… thanks for presenting a well balanced view."

"Merlene spoke authoritatively on subjects such as the economy, housing and immigration."

In her closing address Merlene made an impassioned plea to the audience:

"For the first time in decades, you have the opportunity to change the face of politics for good. It can happen here too in Hammersmith."

"Some of you have said that you need to vote Labour in order to keep the Tories out. Or for the Tories to keep Labour out. In other words you're voting for your second choice to keep out the third … now wouldn't that be a wasted vote?" [applause]

You're invited to join Merlene and H&F Lib Dems on board their campaign bus this Saturday 24 April. We'll be leaving Lyric Square around 12-12.30pm and going to be stopping near Shepherds Bush Market tube station at 2pm and at Ravenscourt Park (Paddenswick Park entrance) at 3.30pm. You can hop on and off at any time.

Second Party Leaders' TV debate: Foreign Affairs

11.08.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 21st Apr 2010

The second Party Leaders Debate is taking place this Thursday starting at 8pm on Sky News. Nick Clegg, Gordon Brown and David Cameron will again be going head to head in a TV debate in the run up to the General Election on May 6th, this time leading on Foreign Affairs.

The first half of the 90 minute Election Debate on Sky News will be devoted to Foreign Affairs, with the rest on any topic. The debate comes from Bristol, and will be chaired by Adam Boulton. Sky are inviting questions before the debate, with more information at http://news.sky.com/skynews/Election/debatequestion

You can see the debate live anywhere that you usually watch Sky News: Sky Digital Channel 501, Virgin Media Channel 602 and Freeview Channel 82 and online at skynews.com Live Video Streaming. BBC 2 will also be showing the debate in full at 11.30pm after Newsnight.

The third debate will take place on the BBC on 29th April at 8.30pm, focusing on the Economy.

Nick Clegg is widely judged to have won the first Party Leaders debate, watched by 9.9 million people, with the ITV/ComRes poll after the debate giving Nick Clegg 43% of the vote. Over the last week, the Liberal Democrats have seen a massive surge in the opinion polls.

In polls published on Tuesday, the Liberal Democrats lead in two, and polled between 34-26% of the vote in all of them:

• Angus Reid for PoliticalBetting: LIB DEM 33%, CON 32%, LAB 23%

• YouGov in The Sun: LIB DEM 34%, CON 31%, LAB 26%

• Populus in The Times: CON 32%, LIB DEM 31%, LAB 28%

• ComRes for the Independent/ITV: CON 35%, LIB DEM 26%, LAB 26%

There are a number of ways you can show your support for the Liberal Democrats General Election campaign:

• You can download free posters to print and put in your window to support the Lib Dems at http://www.libdems.org.uk/posters.aspx

• You can buy an "I agree with Nick" window poster and badge at http://tinyurl.com/y3tc5hs

• Over the last week, thousands on new members have joined the Liberal Democrats. If you are not already a member, you too can join today online at https://www.libdems.org.uk/join_us.aspx

Lord Dholakia joins Merlene on election battle bus in Hammersmith

11.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 19th Apr 2010

On Sunday 18 April, Liberal Democrats in Hammersmith took their campaign to the streets in an open-top election battle bus attended by reporters from the local Fulham Chronicle to the South China Morning Post.

Merlene flanked by former Liberal Democrat President Lord Dholakia and Lady Dholakia greeted local residents saying:

"You have the exciting opportunity on May 6th of changing the face of politics in the UK, starting here in Hammersmith.

"I and the Liberal Democrats promise to clean up Westminster, deliver fairness, and change politics for the better!"

Both Lord and Lady Dholakia came to Hammersmith to endorse Merlene as the best candidate for Hammersmith and to fly the flag for the Liberal Democrats. Supporters and volunteers continued on the bus sponsored by BC Project from Brook Green via Westfield to Chinatown to remind eligible voters to register by 20 April 2010.

Nick Clegg Storms First Ever Party Leaders Debate

12.01.00am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 16th Apr 2010

The polls following the first ever Party Leaders General Election debate on ITV are showing that Nick Clegg has won a convincing victory over David Cameron and Gordon Brown. The debate was the first ever Leaders debate during a UK General Election campaign, and the pollsters are giving it as a big victory for Nick Clegg and the Liberal Democrats.

The ITV / COMRES poll held by ITV and announced shortly after the debate gave Nick Clegg as the winner by a huge margin:

• Nick Clegg 43%

• David Cameron 26%

• Gordon Brown 20%

YouGov, Channel 4, Guardian, Daily Mail, The Times and Angus Reid polls following the debate also scored Nick Clegg as the clear winner of the first Leaders debate. Angus Reid said that 42% of voters were more likely to vote for the Liberal Democrats as a result of the debate.

The Daily Telegraph's headline following the debate said "Clegg's star rises in great TV showdown".

The Times comment "Enter the Outsider: Nick Clegg seizes his moment in historic TV debate".

Even Conservative commentator and blogger Iain Dale said "I think Nick Clegg won the day".

In summing up the debate, Nick Clegg said Labour and the Tories have made the "same old mistakes over and over again. Despite all the problems and challenges we have, we can be hopeful about the future if we chose something different."

Only 3 weeks to go to Polling Day

3.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 15th Apr 2010

"ITV's finally aired my interview, but I'm disappointed it was cut short. We're more than a spanner in the works! http://tinyurl.com/y6hweub" - tweet for the day.

London Tonight came to Hammersmith on 8 April and their coverage of the apparently controversial race in Hammersmith was televised on the 6 o'clock news last night.

Had my interview not been cut short you would have heard Liberal Democrat policies for fairer taxes, more investment for schools and on environmental issues. I stressed that this election will be one on the big issues, on reforming the banking system, addressing our deficit and most importantly of all, the chance to clean up Politics for good.

You can now follow me on twitter @merleneemerson

First Party Leaders' TV debate: Domestic Affairs

12.01.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 15th Apr 2010

Tonight on ITV, Nick Clegg, Gordon Brown and David Cameron will be going head to head in a TV debate. This is the first of three debates that will be taking place in the run up to the General Election on May 6th.

These are the first of this kind of televised Party Leader debates in the UK. The first debate comes from Manchester, will chaired by Alistair Stewart and the first speaker will be Nick Clegg. Each leader gets a one-minute opening statement and a 90-second closing one.

The first half of the 90 minute Election Debate will be devoted to domestic affairs, with the rest on any topic. ITV are inviting questions before the debate, with more information on their special debate website at http://www.itv.com/electiondebate/

If you have a question for the first half of the debate on issues such as the NHS, Education, Immigration, Law and Order, the Family, the Constitution, Trust in Politics or Political Reform you can email them to debate@itv.com. You can also send a question for the second half of the debate on other election issues.

The second debate will take place on Sky on 22nd April at 8pm focusing on Foreign Affairs, and the third on the BBC on 29th April at 8.30pm on the Economy.

Fairness - The Liberal Democrat Manifesto Launch

10.24.35am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 14th Apr 2010

Nick Clegg has launched the Liberal Democrat General Election manifesto. The manifesto sets out four clear priorities of fair taxes, a fair chance for every child, a fair economy, and a fair deal by cleaning up politics.

At the launch, Nick Clegg said:

"Every manifesto needs to have an idea at its heart. The basic idea that animates this manifesto is something I have always believed. I believe every single person is extraordinary.

"The tragedy is that we have a society where too many people never get to fulfil that extraordinary potential.

"My view - the liberal view - is that government's job is to help them to do it. Not to tell people how to live their lives. But to make their choices possible, to release their potential, no matter who they are.

"The way to do that is to take power away from those who hoard it. To challenge vested interests. To break down privilege. To clear out the bottlenecks in our society that block opportunity and block progress. And so give everyone a chance to live the life they want.

"There's a simple word for those ideas, and it's a word this manifesto is built on: fairness."

The Liberal Democrat manifesto outlines 4 steps to a fairer Britain:

Fair taxes that put money back in your pocket

• The first £10,000 you earn tax-free: a tax cut of £700 for most people

• 3.6 million low earners and pensioners freed from income tax completely

• Paid for in full by closing loopholes that unfairly benefit the wealthy and polluters

A fair future creating jobs by making Britain greener

• Break up the banks and get them lending again to protect real businesses

• Honesty about the tough choices needed to cut the deficit

• Green growth and jobs that last by investing in infrastructure

A fair chance for every child

• Ensure children get the individual attention they need by cutting class sizes

• Made possible by investing £2.5 billion in schools targeted to help struggling pupils

• Give schools the freedom to make the right choices for their pupils

A fair deal by cleaning up politics

• Put trust back into politics by giving you the right to sack corrupt MPs

• Restore and protect hard-won British civil liberties with a Freedom Bill

• Overhaul Westminster completely: fair votes, an elected House of Lords, all politicians to pay full British taxes

You can download the Liberal Democrat manifesto at http://www.libdems.org.uk/our_manifesto.aspx along with summary documents and videos for each of the key areas, order a paper copy and find audio and easy read text versions.

Hammersmith mourns tragic air crash over Smolensk

10.38.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 12th Apr 2010

Dinti Batstone of H&F Lib Dems and Lib Dems Friends of Poland signs the Condolence Book at POSK

Together with Lib Dem Friends of Poland, Hammersmith and Fulham Liberal Democrats would like to express our deepest condolences to all Poles following the tragic air accident in Smolensk.

We are particularly saddened by the loss of Monsignor Bronislaw Gostomski, much loved and respected parish priest of St Andrew Bobola in Shepherd's Bush. Father Bruno will be much missed not only by Poles, but also the wider local community in which he was active.

Merlene Emerson, Henrietta Bewley and Dinti Batstone today laid roses and signed the condolence books at POSK and St Andrew Bobola on behalf of local Liberal Democrats.

Apply for a Postal Vote Now: Deadline 20th April

7.38.46pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 12th Apr 2010

With the General Election on 6th May, there is still time to arrange a postal vote. Voting by post is an easy and convenient way of voting if you are unable to get to the polling station on polling day - for any reason.

Applications to vote by post must also be received no later than 11 working days before Polling Day. With the General Election taking place on Thursday 6 May the deadline to apply for a postal vote, or to amend or cancel existing postal or proxy voting arrangements, will be 5pm on Tuesday 20 April.

All eligible electors have the right to organise to vote by post rather than attend their allocated Polling Station.

A postal vote can be sent to your home address or to any other address that you give. Postal votes can be sent overseas, but you need to consider whether there will be enough time to receive and return your ballot paper by election day.

Postal votes are usually sent out about a week before election day (the exact date will vary depending on your local Council), to give you time to complete it and send it back so that it arrives by close of poll (10pm on May 6th).

The Liberal Democrats have created a tool to make registering for a postal vote easy. Available online now at https://www.libdems.org.uk/vote_by_post.aspx all you need to do is:

• Complete all the fields marked with an asterisk (*)

• Print, sign and date the form generated

• Send the application form to the address provided on the form

Hustings in Hammersmith on the Israeli-Palestinian issue

12.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 8th Apr 2010

On the evening of 7 April the West London branch of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign held hustings for the Parliamentary candidates for Hammersmith at the King Street Rivercourt Methodist Church, ably chaired by Mr Salim Alam (third from left in picture).

This is a complex and sensitive issue and one that cannot be ignored by serious politicians around the world, with the exception perhaps of the Tory candidate who had boycotted the event (but we did say serious).

Armed with advice from the Liberal Democrat Friends of Palestine as well as the Liberal Democrat Friends of Israel before the event, Merlene was able to convey with authority the party policy on the subject. The Lib Dem policy on Gaza was laid down as far back as 8 March 2009 in the aftermath of Operation Cast Lead and included the calling of an arms embargo on Israel by Britain and the EU.

Merlene also shared about her personal experience as a mediator since 2000 and urged the UK and international community to help mediate a two state solution that would bring peace to the region.

See also http://shepherdsbushw12.com for a report on the event.

All on board the Liberal Democrat Election Battle bus - Merlene's campaign is off to a flying start!

4.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 6th Apr 2010

It's time for real change. Change in policies and change in political direction. The only way to achieve this is by electing an intelligent and hard working MP who will be a positive voice for local residents.

"As Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg had said, it is the Liberal Democrats who carry the torch of progressive politics now" said Merlene.

We've had 65 years of Labour and Tories making the same old mistakes over and over. The choice in this election is between more of the same with the 2 old parties or real change with the Liberal Democrats. This election is an exciting opportunity for people in Hammersmith to choose something different. Lib Dems will clean up politics, deliver fairness, and change politics for good!

"It was the Liberal Democrats who were right in our call on the dangers of the bubble economy and it is our Treasury spokesman, Vince Cable MP who has the best plan for getting our finances back on track again" reminded Merlene.

"I am delighted that Merlene is taking on the role of our standard bearer in Hammersmith. She is highly capable, articulate and a very effective champion for causes and communities which she identifies with" commented Vince Cable MP.

" Her professional background as a City solicitor establishes her as someone with serious credentials in the worlds of business and the law; she is not a professional politician" he concluded.

Victory Vince: Cable Wins Channel 4 Chancellors Debate

10.32.08pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 29th Mar 2010

The first ever TV debate between the three candidates to be the next Chancellor has seen Lib Dem Vince Cable win a clear victory. In a Channel 4 on-line poll carried out immediately after the debate, Vince out-polled both Alistair Darling and George Osborne.

The Channel 4 vote results are at http://tinyurl.com/yza4m6a and place Vince Cable as clearly ahead of both the Labour and Conservative contenders:

• 36% Vince Cable

• 32% Alistair Darling

• 32% George Osborne

BBC Commentator Nick Robinson said on the 10 o'clock news that "it was Vince Cable who generated the most applause."

A separate Yougov / Channel 4 poll carried out on the eve of tonight's "Ask The Chancellors" debate on asked voters of all parties which of the three men would be best for the job. 26 per cent picked Mr Cable, against 17 per cent for the Chancellor, Alistair Darling, with just 12 per cent opting for the Shadow Chancellor, George Osborne. You can read more at http://tinyurl.com/yks5lza

The Guardian's "Wiintour and Watt" blog at http://tinyurl.com/yl9rf3r said that "The consensus tonight, at Westminster and in the Twittersphere, is that 'King Vince' was the runaway winner of the first major televised debate of the general election campaign."

You can watch Vince Cable's closing statement again online at http://j.mp/cyxywl

You can join the Liberal Democrats at www.libdems.org.uk/join_us.aspx

Ask the Chancellors: Live debate on Channel 4

10.38.00am BST (GMT +0100) Sun 28th Mar 2010

Lib Dem Shadow Chancellor Vince Cable will take on Alistair Darling and George Osborne in a live Channel 4 debate on 29th March

At 8pm on Monday 29th March, Channel 4 will stage a live debate between the would-be Chancellors, Liberal Democrat Vince Cable, Labour's Alistair Darling and Conservative George Osborne. Krishnan Guru-Murthy will be asking the questions.

From 7pm on the night, Channel 4 will be hosting a discussion of the debate. You can send questions and comment to chancellordebate@channel4.com and follow the debate and comment at http://www.channel4.com/microsites/A/askthechancellors/

You can also get involved on Twitter by "tagging" your Twitter messages "#askthechancellors".

Vince Cable is the Liberal Democrats' Deputy Leader and Shadow Chancellor and one of the most popular current politicians. A 22/23 March poll by YouGov showed more people thought he would make the best Chancellor than either Alistair Darling or George Osborne.

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