Liberal Democrat Conference backs localism motion

Liberal Democrat Autumn Conference today reiterated its commitment to devolving power to local people and called for the Government to be ambitious in its plans for decentralisation.

Conference today passed a motion calling for:

· The strengthening of local authorities to give local people more power in their communities.

· The freeing up of local administration by ending detailed central control.

· Giving local government financial autonomy and more revenue-raising powers.

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Minister for Communities and Local Government Andrew Stunell said:

"Localism is in the Liberal Democrats' DNA, and today we have once again demonstrated our commitment to putting power back in the hands of people on the ground, not bureaucrats in Whitehall."

"Different communities have different needs - what works in Windsor won't necessarily work in Warrington, and this principle will be central to the forthcoming Localism and Decentralisation Bill."

"For too long, local government has been run in a command and control fashion from Whitehall. What Liberal Democrats in government are doing now is setting councils free from top-down diktats and allowing local people to have a real say in local decisions."