Don Foster

Liberal Democrats | Bath

A Big Conversation in Southmead

You may have heard about the Labour Party’s Big Conversation – meetings all round the country for people to tell their MPs what THEY think needs to be done to build a better, fairer future. 

I held a Big Conversation meeting at the Greenway Centre so that people from the voluntary sector could tell me their answers to one main question: What can the Government do to help you to help your clients even better than you do now?

People came from many different groups including the Southmead Project and the Southmead Development Trust.  With the aid of a cup of tea and a biscuit or two, they sat in groups to talk of their organisations and what they thought the Government should do.  I went round to each group but, so that I didn’t miss anything, they all made notes so that I can go back to the Government and tell them the results.  One message that came through loud and clear was that people want to spend more time doing their work and less time applying for funds!  Some people told me that certain groups got left out: that while there was money for young children and teenagers, those between 10 – 13 missed out.

I also asked what people thought the Government had done well and we got a big ‘thumbs up’ for Sure Start, which helps young children and their parents.

I couldn’t invite everyone in Southmead, but you can still join in the Big Conversation and tell the Government your views.  You can write to FREEPOST Big Conversation; phone 08705 900 200 or text 84402 (25p plus your usual text charges.).  If you have access to the internet you can email bigconversation@new.labour.org.uk or look at the website www.bigconversation.org.uk.

We think we’ve done a lot in the past 7 years, but there is still a lot to do. Why not let the Government know what you think is the most important next step?