There was an inspiring address from former Liberal Democrat leader Paddy Ashdown at the Sutton party’s annual general meeting, held at the Salvation Army centre on 24 November. There was a good turnout of Sutton South Ward members for what was a packed meeting.

Paddy accepted that we live in difficult times but stressed that we must hold on to our liberal values. In a wide ranging discussion following his address members stressed that given the result of the 2010 election, with a hung Parliament, it was the responsible thing for the Liberal Democrats to enter a coalition. We had taken the edge off what would otherwise have been more extreme Tory policies, and there were benefits. Members stressed the need to maintain our concern, as Liberal Democrats, for equality, diversity, internationalism, multi-culturalism and helping the less fortunate. We must lead the struggle against the messages of UKIP, which were of separatism and isolation, and a desire to return to a model of England in the 1950’s.

We have two excellent local Members of Parliament in Tom Brake and Paul Burstow, and need to do all that is required to get them re-elected in May.

Ruth Dombey reminded the meeting of how successful we had been last May, winning 45 of the 54 seats on Sutton Council, holding all our seats and winning two more from the Tories – in Worcester Park and Nonsuch Wards. This on a day that had not been propitious for the Liberal Democrats elsewhere. We need to keep up that momentum to win the Parliamentary seats next May.