New Hounslow Lib Dem website opens up Local Democracy to voters

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 21st Aug 2006

The new Hounslow Lib Dems website is actively promoting local democracy and accountability.

Hounslow Liberal Democrat group leader Andrew Dakers has today described the party's new website as a "leap forward" in helping to take the lid off how local government works. As well as having a new look and feel, this website carries the latest news from Hounslow's fastest growing party. For the first time we are including information on how local government is organised and how to become a councillor.

Cllr Andrew Dakers commented:

"Our new website is a major leap forward and keeps Hounslow Liberal Democrats on the cutting edge. New content helps answer the obvious questions that are rarely explained such as: how our council is structured; and how any member of the public that supports the Liberal Democrats can apply for training and development towards becoming a councillor. It also provides easy access to video messages and Hounslow Council webcasts."

Henry Kay, Liberal Democrat activist and web developer, said:

"As Hounslow's effective opposition, it is essential that we hold the council's new administration to account. The new website provides Hounslow citizens with direct access to key tools and information about the functioning of their council. We are actively promoting local accountability and democracy."

New sections of this website:

• How local government works - this section explains how the local council is organised and the rules by which it operates. It also looks at new ideas around citizenship and how policy is turned into practice through strategies like the Community Plan.

• Becoming a local councillor - provides links to key resources for people interested in knowing more about what the role involves, as well as an opportunity for people to sign up to the Lib Dems' training programme for prospective councillors

• Video messages - short video updates on the website homepage from local and national leaders

• Webcasts - the site now links directly to Hounslow Council webcasts so users can quickly and easily see their councillors in action

Core sections:

• Values and policy - local, city, national and European parliament election manifestos

• News - every week the latest articles on the Lib Dems' continued campaigning for a fair and green Hounslow are published

• Constituency branches and spokespersons - the party's local branches and spokespersons for each parliamentary constituency have dedicated web pages

• Local councillors and their surgeries - all four Lib Dem councillors have regular surgeries in their local areas and can be contacted at any time

Related Links:

How local government works

Becoming a councillor