Southend Lib Dems manifesto ahead of May 2 elections

Ahead of the elections on May 2, the Lib Dems have said they will continue to “work hard for everyone’s betterment”.

They vow to keep Southend “vibrant and resilient” to encourage people to want to “live, work and play in our city”.

One of the party’s policies is “housing for all, whatever their circumstances” and the group aim to “ensure that the homeless are not disadvantaged or refugees made unwelcome” in the city.

Community safety is also important to the party, who say they will continue to maintain CCTV coverage to help protect residents and businesses.

Paul Collins, candidate, and Liberal Democrat group leader, said: “Southend Liberal Democrats are always proud to represent their communities and our city.

“We will continue to work hard for everyone’s betterment. Our manifesto sums up our ambition for Southend, as it is ‘your environment, your wellbeing, your economy and your city’.

“Liberal values, collaborative working and standing up for residents remain our goals.

“This is tough as this Conservative government has squeezed local council budgets, year after year, and what we have left to improve quality of life in Southend becomes harder and harder to manage.

“Fortunately, our team of Liberal Democrat candidates and councillors have vision, experience and ambition to keep Southend vibrant and resilient, so we may encourage people so that they want to live, work, and play in our great city.

“We love Southend and want others to do so as well.”

The Lib Dems have vowed to ensure that climate change agenda is across the whole range of council services and at the forefront of all projects.

They also say “we have to be more diverse in the city centre”, using the Ironworks as an example of how community can work together and further leisure interests.

The Echo will be publishing manifestos or election commitments for all political parties in the run-up to the May 2 election.