Croydon Liberal Democrats today announce their candidates to fight the five by-elections following the resignations of Labour and Conservative councillors across Croydon borough.

Croydon's Liberal Democrats are determined to prove to those voters in Croydon that they do have a choice beyond Labour and the Conservatives - the two parties that have let Croydon residents and businesses down so badly over the last 15 years.

The Covid-19 pandemic has put a financial strain on businesses, households and local councils, but Croydon Council’s financial mess wasn’t just a result of Covid. We have been let down by Labour who have ignored overspends and borrowed heavily to fund risky investments and pet projects like Brick by Brick.

Local Tories have been quick to criticise, but they were also part of the problem. Not only are the cuts to local councils a result of Tory national government, but the Tory-run council increased the council’s debt more between 2006 and 2014 than Labour have done since 2014.

Liberal Democrats know that strong local neighbourhoods are the key to our economic recovery across London and in Croydon. 

Businesses have been hit hard by the today vowed to put impact of Covid-19. But London is resilient and will bounce back stronger and better than ever with the right ideas. That’s why we want to reinvent the high street.

Whilst largely unconditional bailouts have been given to private train companies to get them through COVID, the Government are not giving TfL the same support and Londoners will pay the price.

Croydon Liberal Democrats support Croydon Council’s efforts to introduce Low Traffic Neighbourhood in Crystal Palace and Upper Norwood, as part of a number of similar initiatives across the borough. Tackling the climate emergency cannot wait and any attempt to tackle emissions, improve air quality and encourage people to walk or cycle are welcome.

Croydon Liberal Democrats are calling for greater powers for Croydon Council to take action on carbon emissions as figures show progress to cut emissions across the UK has stalled since 2016.

In Croydon, emissions have fallen from 1,118 kt in 2016 to 1,047 kt in 2018 - not fast enough to achieve Net Zero Emissions by 2050. 

Highlighting the need for “action now, not promises”, the Liberal Democrats are calling for more powers for those who are “best-placed to tackle the climate emergency in their areas”: local authorities. 

Claire Bonham, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Croydon North said: 

“The Liberal Democrats are fighting to tackle the climate emergency. We have a plan to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2045, but - as things stand - we’ll struggle to even meet the 2050 deadline. Local authorities are best placed to tackle the climate emergency in their area. We are calling for the Government to give local authorities more powers to take action on carbon emissions. This means powers to tackle congestion, invest in public transport, insulate our homes, and create new green jobs."

Wera Hobhouse, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for the Climate Emergency and Environment said:

"Unlike the Liberal Democrats, this Tory Government does not have a plan to reach net zero. These statistics prove - yet again - that we’re not making anywhere near fast enough progress to tackle the climate emergency. We need climate action now, not promises to act tomorrow. Climate action delay is no better than climate change denial. The next generation are looking to us and we have a duty to act."

The Liberal Democrats have revealed that Brexit is already costing the government £380–470 million a week – money that could have been spent on the NHS instead.
 

Liberal Democrats have today urged people to vote for them to "stop Boris and stop Brexit", as they unveil ready-to-go legislation for a People’s Vote as soon as Parliament returns after the election.

The Liberal Democrats have today unveiled ambitious plans for a £50 billion Regional Rebalancing Programme to invest in infrastructure projects outside London, helping to tackle ingrained inequality across the UK.

The Liberal Democrats have today announced that "it's time to shift the goalposts on safe standing", by introducing safe-standing in top-flight football, offering more choice, a better atmosphere, and cheaper tickets for fans.