For months, Saturday March the 25^th had been earmarked by ‘Unite for Europe’ as the day to celebrate the EU and ‘march for Europe’. Coinciding with the 60^th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome that founded the union, and four days before Article 50 is to be invoked, this was the occasion to remind the Tory government that the country remains divided on Brexit.

Islington Lib Dems gathered last night at Christ Church, Highbury to review a year of local Islington politics and elect a new executive.

At the most well attended AGM in recent years, members reviewed the previous years accounts, took reports and asked questions of outgoing officers and listened to speeches from incoming officers Alain Desmier and Baroness Ece-Hussein.

The Islington Lib Dems have gone from strength to strength in 2016 with membership numbers at a record high and a very encouraging by-election result in Barnsbury.

Incoming Chair Alain Desmier told members that it was he was honoured to represent the local party as chair and that "vulnerable people in Islington are being let down because we aren’t there to represent them and we need to change that".

Baroness Ece-Hussein, appointed as President for 2017, told members that she would use her role to ensure that the local party focused on diversity of council candidates for the next local elections and spoke passionately about the need for everyone in the party to encourage others to join and stand for the Lib Dems.

After a short break to enjoy mince pies and wine, Caroline Pigeon a member of the London Assembly for the Liberal Democrats spoke about her experiences campaigning on issues across the capital like improving public transport and stronger policing and spoke candidly about the difference between working with Boris Johnson and Sadiq Khan.

Team Islington are heading to Richmond Park on Sunday. Join us and help in an essential parliamentary by-election. Getting our candidate Sarah Olney elected is hugely important not just for our party, but to send a message to the Tory government that their handling of Brexit is out of order.

So join the team for some campaigning. No experience needed and you'll get a briefing on the way to Richmond by some of the more experienced campaigners.

We're meeting outside Highbury and Islington tube at 10.30am Sunday, before getting the tube and train to the campaign HQ. It's in zone 3 so you just need your Oyster card/contactless to pay.

If you've never been campaigning, it's good fun and by far the best - and most important - way you can get involved. Join us! There will be a mix of activities on offer, whether door knocking or delivering.

If you're not sure whether to come or simply want more info then contact me - Keith Angus - before the event and I'll happily fill you in on what's involved. 07792 039535.

If you are coming then remember to download the app MiniVan on your mobile device before you come. It's our online campaigning tool and makes the process easy and simple. Just search 'MiniVan' in your AppStore or Google Play to find it. Learning how to use it is simple and straightforward - one of us will explain it on the way to Richmond.

We look forward to seeing you!

More event information on our Facebook page 

24 SEPTEMBER 2016

Islington: It’s Now Up to Us
 
Lib Dems make bold move on Jeremy Corbyn’s Islington North seat.
 
Last chance to save the centre-left of politics from a generation of Tory rule; time to eject Corbyn from his seat “before it’s too late” 

Liberal Democrat conference is nearly here and members will gather in Brighton, Saturday 17th September - Tuesday 20th, next week.

As ever, Islington will be sending a strong delegation of members. We'd love to have you with us by with the seaside and you are able to buy tickets now. If you are planning to attend last minute, drop us an email at hello@liberalislington.com and we'll make sure we send you details of other

One of the busiest Islington Lib Dem meetings for several years, successfully selected two parliamentary candidates last night. Terry Stacy and Keith Angus will stand as the Prospective Parliamentary candidates (PPC) in the two Islington constituencies in the event of snap general election.

Selected as PPC for Islington South and Finsbury, Terry Stacy spoke about his plans for the future, he said, “We need to be prepared for all eventualities. It’s so important that at the next elections we fill Parliament with parliamentarians who are unambiguously Pro-European and support the principles of tolerance and fairness for all. Only Lib Dems in Government can deliver and represent the views of all of our community”

Plastic bag use has plummeted in England since the introduction of a 5p charge last year, under the previous coalition government.

Over 16,000 people have joined the Liberal Democrats since Tim Farron declared that the party will go into the next General Election committed to restoring Britain’s place at the heart of Europe, over 200 of those here in Islington.  The joining rate peaked at one new member a minute, as impassioned people continued to join the only UK party that refuses to give up Britain’s place in Europe.

This weekend the Islington Lib Dems were overwhelmed by the generosity of residents as they collected donations for our local foodbank. 

Liberal Democrat Mayoral Candidate Caroline Pidgeon joined local residents and London’s TravelWatch in criticising TFL plans to cancel the 277 bus service from Dalston to Highbury Corner. The 277 route, which currently runs through Hackney on its way between Leamouth, in Tower Hamlets to Highbury Corner, may in the future have to terminate at Dalston Junction following the proposed redesign of Highbury Corner.