International Affairs
Britain must lead on defence and aid
The UK needs to strengthen both our Armed Forces and our soft power.
ED
by Ed Davey
25 Feb 2025
Pendle Liberal Democrats
STOP Colne Bank Closure
Santander has announced the closure of their branch in Colne on 14th July. Liberal Democrat councillors are campaigning to STOP the last bank in Colne closing. Please sign the petition. Demand that Santander think again!
Liberal Democrat councillors in Colne have reacted furiously to the announcement by Santander that the bank is closing their branch in the town in July. Please sign their petition against closure.
Newly elected Colne councillor, Andy Bell said, "This is crazy. The bank is the last one in Colne, what on earth are people supposed to do? We have a wonderful town centre bustling with businesses, shoppers during the day and buzzing in the evenings. The bank is a key part of our local economy."
Councillor Dorothy Lord said, "I'm very surprised at this. It's the only bank in Colne it's always very busy. This is devastating news for our town. It's a massive blow when the town centre is looking up and busier than ever. I'm furious."
The two Colne councillors have also submitted an emergency resolution to Pendle Council asking for urgent discussions with Santander in the hope of stopping the closure, and calling for a Banking Hub to be set up in the town if the branch is closed.
STOP Colne Bank Closing
Santander has announced they are closing their branch in Colne on 14th July. Please sign our petition to STOP the last bank in Colne closing.
Working hard for you
Liberal Democrats are working hard to represent our communities in Parliament, and in council chambers across Britain. We are committed to keeping council services local and effective!
In an historic General Election on 4th July the Liberal Democrats secured 72 seats in the new parliament on a vote share of 12.2%, for the first time securing the same share of seats in the Commons as their share of the vote. They are also now the largest third party in over a century, whilst the Conservatives have returned their fewest number of MP's ever.
This followed on from a local elections in which the Liberal Democrats came second here in the North West of England winning 50 seats to the Conservatives 43 seats, and across Lancashire we secured 3rd with 21.5% of the vote in the Police and Crime Commissioner elections.
Here in Pendle the Liberal Democrats are working hard to secure the help and services local people need following years of cuts and chaos from the former Conservative Government followed by the severe austerity of this Labour Government.
Pendle Council has agreed Liberal Democrat proposals to scrap a controversial multi-million pound Waste Transfer Station in Nelson.
At the council's budget meeting, Liberal councillors successfully proposed investing in a Empty Homes initiative; energy saving at sport and leisure centres; and public realm improvements in town centres (Barnoldswick, Brierfield and Earby), instead of spending over £2 million on the transfer station.
The Liberal group stopped Conservative cuts to street cleansing. The Tories wanted to cut two mechanical sweepers, reducing cleaning in many parts of Pendle, but with Nelson getting extra resources.
The Conservatives also wanted to charge for bulky household waste collections and lost bins. Theywanted to bring back a profit-driven private enforcement company to issue fines. Previously, the arrangement had resulted in ‘easy pickings’, such as dogs off lead, being targeted, with no improvement in littering or dog fouling. The Liberal group defeated these changes.
A Liberal Democrat proposal to re-wild Marsden Park Golf Course was lost. The course is set to close, and future use of the land is uncertain. A feasibility study into building a crematorium was also voted down, with a majority of councillors continuing to back spending millions on a large new cemetery in Nelson.
Vivary Ward By-Election
Colne Town Councillor Andy Bell has been selected as the Liberal Democrat candidate in the Vivary Bridge by-election to provide a strong voice for Vivary Bridge on Pendle Council.
Winter Fuel Betrayal!
The Labour Government's decision to end winter fuel allowance this winter could leave thousands of pensioners having to find an extra £450 this winter, or choosing between heating and eating.
Tackling Homelessness
Councillor Mary Thomas is pictured outside a house on Ruskin Avenue in Colne that has stood derelict for over 15 years. There are over 800 such houses in Colne that could be brought back into use before any green land is built on.
Safety First!
On 21 March 2024 Pendle Council narrowly voted in favour of a Liberal Democrat motion to implement stronger taxi safety measures. That resolution has still not been implemented! Tonight (29th January 2025) the Liberal Democrats put the safety of residents in Taxis ahead of party when they stepped down from the shared administration agreement that helped secure a fair deal for Pendle.
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