Stephen Robinson - working for Chelmsford and for you

Stephen is Liberal Democrat candidate for Chelmsford, campaigning to be the local Liberal Democrat MP after the next General Election. He was a close second last time.

In Chelmsford, the LibDems were second to the Conservatives in all recent elections and are the clear challengers. No-one else can win in Chelmsford.

Locally, the Lib Dems are a strong opposition on Chelmsford Borough Council and hold ALL five of the Essex County Council seats in the Chelmsford town area. Lib Dems will use this position to continue to challenge the Conservatives' damaging policies on the environment (such as housing and new road building).

Stephen's aims

• Healthy, safe and fair communities

• A greener and more sustainable environment

• Clean up politics - www.takebackpower.org

Recent news about Stephen Robinson

Sat 27th Jun 2009:

Honouring our Armed Forces.

On Armed Forces Day, Chelmsford Lib Dem campaigner Stephen Robinson has paid tribute to our armed personnel but said they need action not just warm words. He said, "Our Army, RAF and Naval personnel deserve our respect but they also deserve the best possible support, service conditions and equipment. This applies in service and after they leave. [more...]

Thu 11th Jun 2009:

No summer holiday for MPs until they fix the system.

Chelmsford Liberal Democrat Stephen Robinson is backing Leader Nick Clegg's call to keep MPs hard at work until they have fixed our political system. The Lib Dems are backing a radical reform package that could be enacted within 100 days - and is all about people Taking Back Power - www.takebackpower.org

Mon 8th Jun 2009:

Good news for Lib Dems in Euro results too.

The Liberal Democrats in Chelmsford have seen their vote in the European Parliament election rise by 1735 since the last such election in 2004, showing a swing from Conservative AND Labour AND UKIP to the Lib Dems. These votes helped Andrew Duff to be re-elected as Lib Dem MEP for the area. Coming on top of excellent local election results, this all points to a close race to be the MP for Chelmsford - between Lib Dem Stephen Robinson and the Conservatives.

Fri 5th Jun 2009:

Lib Dems celebrate five election wins!

Liberal Democrats are celebrating winning all five county council seats wholly in the Chelmsford parliamentary constituency in the local elections held on 4th June. Councillors Tom Smith-Hughes, Mike Mackrory and Maureen Miller were re-elected, and Jude Deakin and Margaret Hutchon were elected to the county council for the first time.

Sat 23rd May 2009:

Lib Dems back reform on Parliamentary expenses.

The Liberal Democrats have acknowledged how disgusted the public are about MPs abusing the expenses system. Said Chelmsford Parliamentary Candidate Stephen Robinson: "I am as shocked as anyone at the antics of too many of our MPs. This has got to stop.

Thu 30th Apr 2009:

New prison at Runwell is not the way to cut crime - Robinson.

The Government proposal this week for a new prison at Runwell near Chelmsford will not cut crime says Chelmsford Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate Stephen Robinson. "Locking up more and more people, only for them to come out and commit more crime, is madness," said Mr Robinson.

Tue 21st Apr 2009:

Cut taxes for Chelmsford residents - Liberal Democrats.

Well over 6000 people in Chelmsford would be taken out of income tax altogether under new tax proposals launched by the Liberal Democrats. Thousands more would see their income tax bill slashed by £700 a year.

Sun 12th Apr 2009:

Wasteful VAT cut only benefiting the rich.

The Government's VAT cut is benefiting the richest households the most, figures highlighted by the Liberal Democrats have revealed. The richest households will save around £1.2bn from the Government's VAT cut, while the poorest 10% will only save an estimated £360m. Said Chelmsford Lib Dem Candidate Stephen Robinson, "This just confirms that the tiny VAT cut was a waste of our money."

Tue 31st Mar 2009:

Chelmsford Lib Dem launches "It's MY data".

Chelmsford Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate Stephen Robinson, has launched his "It's MY data - not the government's" campaign. [See www.ourcampaign.org.uk/itsMYdata ] The Lib Dems are opposing plans for the government to collect all our text messages, emails, Facebook and My Space messages.

Mon 30th Mar 2009:

Lib Dems call on government to abandon Runway 2 Public Enquiry.

The public enquiry into plans for a second runway at Stansted should be abandoned, as air traffic numbers through the airport continue to fall. That was the call from Lib Dem Shadow Transport Secretary Norman Baker MP when he visited the Essex Airport.

Sun 8th Feb 2009:

Conservatives don't really oppose Stansted expansion.

Conservative pledges on environmental damage to mid Essex from runway building have been revealed to be wafer-thin. In the House of Commons last week, Conservative Shadow Transport Secretary Theresa Villiers MP said: "We do not rule out the possibility of airport expansion in the south-east" (see Hansard: http://is.gd/iP0B)

Chelmsford Children would benefit from schools plan.

Extra cash for schools in Chelmsford to boost the education and life chances of thousands of children would be on the cards if the Liberal Democrats get their way. It would mean £47.6 million extra for big improvements to Essex schools and teaching.

Tue 6th Jan 2009:

County Council's maintenance policy a 'danger to the disabled'.

The latest victim of the cutbacks in footpath maintenance is local Councillor Ros Webb. She tripped and injured herself on uneven block paving in Market Square, Chelmsford town centre.

Fri 19th Dec 2008:

Lib Dems launch Green Road out of the Recession.

Protecting the environment should remain a priority in recessionary times; indeed, the Liberal Democrats believe that Britain can take the "green road" out of the recession. "Helping the environment can create jobs and leave a legacy that will save energy, put money back into people's pockets and fight climate change," says Chelmsford Lib Dem Stephen Robinson.

Tue 2nd Dec 2008:

Stephen Robinson condemns rail fares increase.

The Liberal Democrats have demanded a freeze on rail fares and called for the planned rail fares increases for January to be abandoned. This follows the train operators' announcement of a 6% increase in the cost of regulated fares for January 2008,

Norman Baker MP in Chelmsford to talk about death of David Kelly.

Lewes MP Norman Baker (Lib Dem Shadow Secretary of State for Transport) was in Chelmsford last week to support Stephen Robinson's campaign to become Lib Dem MP for Chelmsford and to discuss his book "The Strange Death of David Kelly".

Fri 28th Nov 2008:

Lib Dems stand up against Labour's police state.

Opposition MPs locked up; massive database of all your personal details; ContactPoint - a database of all children in the UK; more CCTV cameras than any other country in the western world; and the DNA from millions of innocent adults and children stored on computer. "This is Labour's police state in Britain today," said Chelmsford Liberal Democrat Stephen Robinson, following the arrest of Damian Green MP "and only the Liberal Democrats can be relied upon to stand up for the British people's hard-won freedoms."

Tue 25th Nov 2008:

£5bn tax hike will hit low earners and business.

The Chancellor should have cut income tax to make the tax system permanently fairer, say the Liberal Democrats. There is no VAT on food, children's clothes and some other things; it is low on domestic fuel and petrol duty has gone up. So the VAT cut has little impact on the least well off. "The UK tax system is already unfair and Labour have made it worse!", said Chelmsford Lib Dem Stephen Robinson. Lib Dem Shadow Chancellor, Vince Cable MP explains:

Fri 21st Nov 2008:

Lib Dem MP condemns local rail cuts .

Chelmsford's train operator National Express East Anglia has announced that it is removing the restaurant car and call centre jobs from for its service in East Anglia. One of the Lib Dem MPs (who regularly uses the line) has joined Chelmsford Lib Dem Stephen Robinson in attacking the decision. Norman Lamb MP said: "This line is already a second-class service in many respects."

Mon 3rd Nov 2008:

Stephen Robinson visits anti-Kingsnorth Greenpeace ship.

Local Lib Dem candidate Stephen Robinson visited the Greenpeace ship 'Rainbow Warrior', when stationed at Southend. It was part of the campaign to persuade Gordon Brown to 'give coal the boot' by rejecting proposals for a new coal-fired station at Kingsnorth in Kent.

Fri 31st Oct 2008:

Local Lib Dem to help make the case for Britain's role in Europe.

How can the European Union (EU) help resolve the economic crisis; and what does the future hold for the EU if the Lisbon Treaty is not approved? These issues will be addressed at a public meeting on Saturday 8th November at 4.00pm at the Millennium Centre, Baddow Road, Great Baddow, Chelmsford. It will be addressed by Bill Rammell MP and Stephen Robinson.

Thu 23rd Oct 2008:

Essex potholes get deeper .

Less than half of local residents are satisfied with the speed at which potholes are fixed or with the quality of the repairs. These are the findings of a review of Essex County council's highways maintenance initiative from the Conservative-led administration.

Wed 22nd Oct 2008:

Clegg criticises government targets on visit to Chelmsford.

Government plans to test children as young as three years old have been criticised by Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg MP. He was visiting Tanglewood nursery school in Chelmsford with local Lib Dem candidate Stephen Robinson.

Tue 21st Oct 2008:

Chelmsford Lib Dems Recruitment Success Recognised.

Chelmsford Liberal Democrats' campaigning success has been recognised by the party at a regional level, as they picked up an award for Membership Development at the Liberal Democrats' East of England Liberal Democrat Conference. The local party in Chelmsford have increased their membership by around 20% since the start of the year, thanks to regular recruiting sessions.

Mon 20th Oct 2008:

Robinson welcomes Lib Dem Economic Recovery Plan.

Chelmsford Lib Dem candidate Stephen Robinson has welcomed the Lib Dem package of measures to help people in the current downturn. These include: significant tax cuts for low and middle earners; help for housing and people in debt; cutting energy bills, and an end to 'short-termism' in the city.

Mon 13th Oct 2008:

Lib Dem success at University Freshers' Fair.

Stephen Robinson and Chelmsford Lib Dems were (for the fifth year running) the only political group present at the Anglia Ruskin Freshers' Fair. The Liberal Democrats picked up a lot of interest in their campaigns and youth & student group.

Liberal Democrats slam "grotesque" invasion of privacy.

Chelmsford Liberal Democrats have slammed Labour's decision to go ahead with ID Cards. Parliamentary candidate Stephen Robinson said that the money could be much better spent on putting more police directly onto our streets.

Tue 7th Oct 2008:

Robinson on the march against child poverty.

The national campaign to end child poverty was joined last Saturday by Chelmsford Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate Stephen Robinson. He took part in a campaign march to a rally in Trafalgar Square to back the aim of abolishing child poverty by 2020.

Nick Clegg in Chelmsford on Thursday.

Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg will be answering questions from anyone who turns up this Thursday evening to a public meeting in Chelmsford. The question time will follow from a number of visits around Chelmsford with local parliamentary candidate Stephen Robinson, who is hoping it will boost his campaign to be the town's MP at the next election.

Mon 29th Sep 2008:

No Plastic Bags campaign goes national.

Chelmsford Lib Dem Stephen Robinson joined environment spokesman Steve Webb MP and other Lib Dems from around the country in the campaign against widespread use of plastic bags. This follows on from the petition launched by Stephen and the motion to the borough council from Cllr Chris Rycroft.

Wed 3rd Sep 2008:

Green taxes must rise AND income tax be cut.

Income tax should be cut from 20p to 16p per £ - its lowest level for nearly 100 years. "This is one of a range of tax measures from the Liberal Democrats that will reduce the burden imposed by the Labour government on hard pressed families," said Stephen Robinson, Chelmsford Lib Dem Parliamentary Candidate. [continues…]

Mon 1st Sep 2008:

Government must help thousands on verge of repossession.

Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor Vince Cable MP has called on the government to do more to protect those at risk of repossession in the current economic climate. Dr Cable's proposals include introducing regulated Mortgage Rescue Schemes. These would allow families struggling with repayments to sell all or part of the equity in their house, and then rent it back from a housing association or private firm to help keep them in their home

Sun 17th Aug 2008:

Urgent action needed to protect most vulnerable from utility bill rises.

With energy companies recently announcing price rises of up to 35%, Stephen Robinson, Parliamentary Candidate for Chelmsford, has said that energy companies should be compelled to use the money from a £9 billion European windfall to help protect some of the most vulnerable people from the effects of fuel poverty.

Thu 14th Aug 2008:

Public back campaign to save Post Office Card Account.

Chelmsford residents have been contacting local Liberal Democrats to register their concerns over the future of the Post Office Card Account (POCA). The current contract runs out in 2010 and the Government will soon choose a successor, prompting fears that the Post Office will not be awarded the new contract.

Calls to introduce 999 'texting' service.

Chelmsford Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Campaigner Stephen Robinson is backing MP Adrian Sanders' Parliamentary campaign to introduce a 999 text service.

Wed 6th Aug 2008:

Liberal Democrats set out vision for Britain.

Lib Dem Party Leader Nick Clegg has set out his party's vision for Britain in a new document called 'Make It Happen'. Chelmsford Lib Dem Stephen Robinson commented, "The document discusses income tax cuts across the board; real action to cut crime and improve health & education; and reforming the political process to give everyone a voice."

Mon 4th Aug 2008:

Lib Dem campaigners secure commitment to review parking charges at Broomfield Hospital.

Local Liberal Democrat campaigners have secured a commitment that the unfair parking charges at Broomfield hospital will be reviewed after Mid Essex Hospital Trust has paid off its outstanding debts in April 2009. This was one of the complaints raised most frequently by the 1,400 respondents to Stephen Robinson's recent inquiry into the state of the NHS in Chelmsford.

Fri 25th Jul 2008:

Chelmsford Residents hit hard by rising prices - Stephen Robinson.

Local residents in Chelmsford are being hit hard by rocketing costs and the Lib Dems are running a "Fair Deal for Britain" campaign in response. Said the Lib Dems Westminster candidate Stephen Robinson: "It doesn't matter how much you earn, all of us are paying more when we buy basic groceries, pay the gas bill or fill up the car.

Mon 21st Jul 2008:

Lib Dem Post Office campaign ongoing, as Conservatives try to catch up.

Liberal Democrats continue to campaign to save the Post Office card account, which was put out to tender by the Labour government last year. They feel that to award the contract to another provider would clearly make things worse for Post Office Ltd. Said Lib Dem Parliamentary Candidate Stephen Robinson: "Post Offices form the heart of many of our communities, and need to be allowed to provide more services to make them sustainable. However, the Labour government seems prepared to sentence them to a slow death from neglect."

Wed 18th Jun 2008:

Back our Post Offices - save the card account.

Chelmsford Liberal Democrats are backing calls to save the Post Office card account, which currently helps keep open local post offices around the country. The Government has added uncertainty to the future of the Post Office network by putting the Post Office Card Account (POCA) out to tender. If another organisation such as PayPoint or an international bank wins the tender, the Post Office Network will lose a vital part of their business, with further closures likely.

Mon 9th Jun 2008:

Survey reveals support for Lib Dem health plans.

In a major survey of our local health services, Chelmsford residents have said they are mostly happy with standards of medical care and NHS staff, but have attacked waste of money, bad management and interference from central Government. The findings come in a survey conducted by the local Liberal Democrats and Parliamentary Candidate Stephen Robinson.

Sun 8th Jun 2008:

Lib Dems dig in for Springwatch.

On Saturday, local Liberal Democrats joined a range of BTCV volunteers and residents of the Brownings Avenue / Eastern Crescent area to build garden areas on the field in between. It was all part of the BBC Springwatch project. Local ward councillors Graham Pooley and Jude Deakin, Cllr Alan Arnot (Patching Hall) and Parliamentary Candidate Stephen Robinson took part in the digging and planting process.

Mon 26th May 2008:

Lib Dems top green ratings.

A new report into the green policies of the major parties makes grim reading for David Cameron. His Conservative party was judged to be the worst of the parties on the environment. Mr Brown's Labour Party were shown to have missed their own targets on carbon emissions and green energy. But Nick Clegg's Liberal Democrats were the clear green winners in the report.

Tue 20th May 2008:

Government tax policy fiasco still leaves 1.1 million worse off.

Many people in Chelmsford could still be over £100 a year worse off following the Government's latest tax tinkering, according to Chelmsford Liberal Democrat Stephen Robinson. In March 2007, Labour announced the abolition of the 10p tax rate in a bid to win the general election that never was. Last week's panic adjustment to tax allowances is designed to help them cling on to the Crewe & Nantwich seat in this week's by-election.

Thu 15th May 2008:

Chelmsford retains Fairtrade status.

Chelmsford has retained its status as a Fairtrade town. Local Lib Dem parliamentary candidate Stephen Robinson, a Fairtrade campaign supporter, said: "I welcome this news. The Fairtrade campaign is one way we can all help re-balance the massive wealth gap between rich and poor nations - just by thinking a bit more carefully when we go shopping."

Tue 29th Apr 2008:

High Bridge Road should stay, say Lib Dems.

Chelmsford Council committed itself last week to knocking down High Bridge Road, from near the Odeon roundabout to Springfield Road. The local Liberal Democrats have condemned this as bad for the environment, a waste of money and sure to make traffic at the Army & Navy much worse.

Mon 14th Apr 2008:

A Fair Deal for Chelmsford.

Chelmsford Lib Dem Parliamentary Candidate Stephen Robinson was out on the streets this weekend to highlight his campaign for a fair deal for Chelmsford residents - including keeping the 10p tax rate. The 'fair deal' offered by Stephen and the Liberal Democrats include: abolish Council tax (which has DOUBLED in Essex under the Conservatives in the last ten years), and cut income tax by 4p per £ now - for everyone.

Residents turn out at Courtman House; demolition would "choke Chelmsford".

A group of angry Maltese Road residents turned out for a local press photo last week to oppose demolition of Courtman House. The developer is pressing ahead with his appeal, asking the Government's inspector to allow demolition, even though the council said No.

Mon 31st Mar 2008:

Pothole campaign gains national attention.

The Lib Dem campaign to persuade Essex County Council to repair more potholes has reached the attention of the national press. The Sunday Times sent a photographer down to Chelmsford to meet with local Lib Dem campaigner Stephen Robinson and photograph some of the many potholes in the Kings Road area. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article3646291.ece

Thu 13th Mar 2008:

Pothole Competition Winner Announced!

Chelmsford Liberal Democrats have announced the results of their competition to find the worst pothole in Chelmsford. The number of entries received demonstrated just how bad the problem is across Chelmsford. The winner was Heather Searle from the Kings Road area, where the problem is particularly acute, as can be seen from the photos on: http://chelmsford-libdems.org.uk/pages/Potholes.html

Earlier Stories

Complete archive on the official site.

Chelmsford Liberal Democrats News Stories, provided by Prater Raines Ltd http://www.praterraines.co.uk/.

(c) 2009 Chelmsford Liberal Democrats

2005-06 News about Stephen Robinson

Hospital problems down to central controls - Robinson http://chelmsford-libdems.org.uk/news/000122.html

Carbon emissions in Chelmsford unsustainable - Robinson http://chelmsford-libdems.org.uk/news/000120.html

Robinson speaks out against more Tory road chaos http://chelmsford-libdems.org.uk/news/000119.html

Robinson helps launch Greener Chelmsford http://chelmsford-libdems.org.uk/news/114.html

Robinson back in the classroom http://chelmsford-libdems.org.uk/news/113.html

Robinson at Fairtrade AGM http://chelmsford-libdems.org.uk/news/111.html

Robinson attends Freshers Fair at Anglia Ruskin with Lib Dem colleagues http://chelmsford-libdems.org.uk/news/110.html

Robinson cycles into town on Car Free Day http://chelmsford-libdems.org.uk/news/109.html

Robinsons renew passports to avoid national database http://chelmsford-libdems.org.uk/news/108.html

Robinson backs "Taking Power" campaign http://chelmsford-libdems.org.uk/news/107.html

Robinson joins Fair Trade campaigners in Chelmsford High Street http://chelmsford-libdems.org.uk/news/103.html

Robinson joins colleagues on Bromley campaign trail http://chelmsford-libdems.org.uk/news/100.html

Conservatives cannot 'go green' says Robinson in letter to press http://chelmsford-libdems.org.uk/news/99.html

MP's crocodile tears over Post Office closures http://chelmsford-libdems.org.uk/news/98.html

Sustainability should be central to new housing - Robinson http://chelmsford-libdems.org.uk/news/97.html

Base the European Parliament in Brussels - Robinson http://www.chelmsford-libdems.org.uk/news/93.html

Lib Dems not part of Con/Lab deal over schools - Robinson http://chelmsford-libdems.org.uk/news/92.html

Lib Dems best for environment http://chelmsford-libdems.org.uk/news/91.html

"Government, not EU, responsible for regionalisation and bureaucracy" - Robinson www.chelmsford-libdems.org.uk/news/90.html

"Tory MP backs down on ID cards" - Robinson www.chelmsford-libdems.org.uk/news/86.html

"Worsening state of local NHS dentistry" says Robinson www.chelmsford-libdems.org.uk/news/85.html

Robinson and fellow Chelmsford Lib Dems campaign against town centre one way system www.chelmsford-libdems.org.uk/news/84.html

Budget a missed opportunity says Robinson www.chelmsford-libdems.org.uk/news/83.html

Smith-Hughes & Robinson campaign on Post Offices www.chelmsford-libdems.org.uk/news/82.html

Robinson meets new Leader at conference www.chelmsford-libdems.org.uk/news/80.html

Robinson & colleagues celebrate Dunfermline election win www.chelmsford-libdems.org.uk/news/78.html

Robinson joins colleagues at national summit www.chelmsford-libdems.org.uk/news/76.html

Robinson campaigns against ID cards and Big Brother database www.chelmsford-libdems.org.uk/news/71.html

Robinson raises Post Office campaign nationally www.chelmsford-libdems.org.uk/news/70.html

Robinson, Smith-Hughes + Charman in Post Office protest www.chelmsford-libdems.org.uk/news/69.html

Robinson helps in Cheadle by-election win www.chelmsford-libdems.org.uk/news/60.html

Robinson slams Govt. for scandal of abandoned cars www.chelmsford-libdems.org.uk/news/59.html

MORE TRAINS NOT LESS - Robinson www.chelmsford-libdems.org.uk/news/58.html

News Stories from May 2005: www.chelmsford-libdems.org.uk/news/index200505.html

News Stories from April 2005: www.chelmsford-libdems.org.uk/news/index200504.html

Robinson asks "How can we possibly believe Tory tax promises?" www.chelmsford-libdems.org.uk/news/31.html

Robinson attends meeting of the Lib Dem parliamentary party: www.chelmsford-libdems.org.uk/news/30.html

Robinson welcomes Lib Dem MPs Simon Hughes & Lembit Opik to Chelmsford, to greet 100th new party member: www.chelmsford-libdems.org.uk/news/16.html

Robinson attends briefing at Charles Kennedy's office www.chelmsford-libdems.org.uk/news/13.html