Local Liberal Democrats are heading to York this weekend for the party’s Regional Conference. As activists gear up for next year’s important elections, they will be hearing from MP’s and campaign experts on how best to fight for their seats. There will also be a consultation session on Localism, to establish Lib Dem priorities on returning power to local communities. And Hilary Myers, currently the parliamentary spokesperson for both Halifax and Calder Valley, will be chairing the Parliamentary Reports session which will hear from MEP Diana Wallis, Lord David Shutt of Greetland and the ever popular Phil Willis, MP for Harrogate & Knaresborough, who will be retiring at the next election.
The conference will be holding debates on local bus services, benefit fraud and employment policy for disability equality. Hilary has a special interest in disability and employment issues and will argue for a range of policy measures that will reduce the barriers disabled people face when looking for work. “It has not been this tough for job-seekers for many years,” said Hilary, “but we must remember that for some it is tougher than most. We need to make public transport more accessible, provide better financing for the Access to Work scheme and introduce a Partial Capacity Benefit for those who cannot work full-time. Work is good for us. It gives us purpose and status, improves our self esteem and gives us a place in mainstream society. No one should be excluded from a right to work just because they have a disability.”