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.
The protestors who are part of Occupy Edinburgh are close to being removed from the Meadows. After being removed from St Andrews Square the protestors re-located to the park.
The Liberal Democrat Leader of Edinburgh Council, Jenny Dawe, wanted to make it explicity clear that the Liberal Democrat group within the council never approved of the occupation of St Andrews Square.
Text of Leader's Report after 80 days in power in Edinburgh
As Leader of the City of Edinburgh Council I am determined that the Council provides people-friendly public services worthy of Edinburgh residents. The Leader's Report is a useful means of informing individuals, community interests, businesses and partner agencies of our progress. It had, however, become too triumphalist with the Council taking credit for every success in the city, even those in which we had played no part, and glossing over difficulties and challenges for which we had direct responsibility. I intend my Leader's Reports to be a more honest and less arrogant assessment of our city and our Council.
Cllr. Jenny Dawe, member for Drum Brae/Gyle Ward, is Edinburgh's new Leader. Jenny will lead the Liberal Democrat/SNP administration, with Cllr. Streve Cardownie of the SNP as Deputy Leader.
Speaking after the Council Meeting on 24 May 2007, at which her position was announced, Jenny said: "It is a great honour to be in this position of leading the administration of our capital city. There will be many challenges ahead - not least the fact that we have been left with difficult decisions to take because of Labour's omissions in the dying years of its 23 years of running the city. The Council's Reserves have been run down, there are departmental overspends to tackle, and a need to rationalise Coucnil property. However, I have a great team around me and I am confident that we will work well together for the good of the city."
Edinburgh now has a Liberal Democrat Lord Provost, Councillor George Grubb, member for Almond Ward.
In promoting his appointment at the first Full Council Meeting after the elections, Cllr. Jenny Dawe, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, expressed her delight at nominating George for the position.
She said: "Born and brought up in Edinburgh, George Grubb has a deep love and intimate knowledge of the capital. He has a tale to tell about just about anything and I have no doubt that he will make good use of his fund of personal and acquired knowledge to entertain and instruct at the many occasions he will have to attend.
Following a week of intensive and exhausting negotiations with other political parties on the Council, Edinburgh now has an administration formed between the 17 Liberal Democrat councillors and the 12 SNP councillors.
A partnerhip document has been signed by Cllr. Jenny Dawe, on behalf of the Liberal Democrat Group, and by Cllr. Steve Cardownie on behalf of the SNP Group.
The Liberal Democrats have won 17 seats on the City of Edinburgh Council, making them the biggest party. Labour has been reduced from 30 to 15, the Tories from 13 to 11, the SNP up from 1 to 12, with 3 new Greens.
Negotiations to form a stable administration for the next 4 years have been underway since Saturday morning. The Liberal Democrats have elected a team of five to head the negotiations.
Our Liberal Democrat candidates across the city have been reporting an extraordinarily warm welcome on the doorsteps and from people met while out delivering literature. Many have commented that they know that they don't just receive newsletters from us at election time but all the year round; and they like that regular news and opportunity to comment.
Speaking to constituents in West Edinburgh on the day before the historic STV elections for the City of Edinburgh Council, Cllr. Jenny Dawe, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, said: "We have been running a positive campaign to get Liberal Democrat Councillors elected to the Council. The lies and misrepresentations that Labour candidates have been publishing about us and our policies demeans what should be a tough but fair contest for votes. We do not think that the electorate is foolish enough to believe what Labour is saying in its last-ditch desperation not to be wiped out, but it has a destructive effect on local politics.
Cllr. Jenny Dawe, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on the Council, speaking on the launch of Winning a Bright New Future for Edinburgh with the Lib Dems …
Edinburgh is a great place to live, a fine city in which to work and a fantastic locality to visit. However, Edinburgh has been let down by a Council that is remote, impersonal and does not listen to what people want. Edinburgh needs a new Council worthy of its people.
