Why we do this stuff

I spend a lot of time thinking about and commenting on national issues. About what goes on in macro economics. About Westminster policy and how it fits with Lib Dem philosophy. About opinion polls and how they'll affect the national party.

But that's not what it's all about, is it?

Last night was the Ham, Petersham and Richmond Riverside Liberal Democrat's monthly ward meeting. And as ever, I sit there and admire the huge amount of work and the passion which our councillors and the other officers of the ward apply to what they do. They devote huge amounts of time working to make where we live a safer, more fulfilling and and more rewarding place with a humour and dedication that is second
to none. They have amazing local knowledge, and familiarity with the people of Ham. And they do it all with a firm grip on what as Lib Dems we believe in and why we think community really matters.

Last night we discussed (amongst lots of other things) day care for the elderly, buses, local library provision, the local low carbon initiative and the local housing partnership. All things that make a real difference round here.

Making the lives of the people we live around safer, better, easier. That's what we do this stuff for. The politicians of Ham and Petersham know that. We all need to keep it top of mind too.