North West Hampshire Liberal Democrats

Welcome to the

North West Hampshire Lib Dem Website

Luigi Gregori NWM PPC

The North West Hampshire Liberal Democrats have selected former British Army Officer, Luigi Gregori, an Andover-based local champion, as their Prospective Parliamentary Candidate. After a full career as an Army officer, Luigi volunteered for a number of charities and is a school governor. He joined the Liberal Democrats in 2015 and has been heavily involved in local politics. Currently, Luigi is the Andover branch chair.

Following his selection, Luigi Gregori said "I am honoured to be selected as the Liberal Democrats Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for North West Hampshire. At this period in our country's history, we are under threat from the forces of intolerance and narrow ideology. In all this, I believe that and I know that many you of you do as well, the Liberal Democrats offer a beacon of hope and positive action."

"This is not just on Brexit where we are the only large Remain party," Luigi stated, "but also on the other issues that plague the most vulnerable in our society. On social justice, health, education and social care as on so many others, we the Liberal Democrats offer a way forward that will benefit us all as individuals and members of our communities."

Whitchurch Councillor Keith Watts welcomed the appointment: "Luigi is a strong campaigner with deeply held liberal values. He will make an excellent MP." Tadley Councillor Warwick Lovegrove added: "Luigi has consistently championed his local residents and he delivers. As a fellow veteran, he is good news for us all."

Contact Luigi:

Email:Luigi4NWHants@gmail.com

Facebook:Luigi Gregori

Twitter:@LibDemsNWHants

Help Luigi's Campaign.

Dates for Hustings: Tadley Whitchurch

Recent updates

Our Commitment to Community Policing

Article: Nov 30, 2019

By Brian Paddick

Too many people feel unsafe in their own homes and walking down their local streets. So many communities feel exposed and vulnerable.

The Conservatives' cuts to police numbers have contributed to a rise in violence and decimated community policing. 47% of people say they never see police foot patrols, up from 30% in 2014-15.
5 things the Liberal Democrats will do to build a brighter future for young people

Article: Nov 29, 2019

Every child deserves the best start in life.

That's why children's charities have asked every party leader how their policies will help children and generations to come.

Here are five things the Liberal Democrats will do to build a brighter future for every young person:

1. Stop Brexit

Brexit is a disaster for our young people. It limits our ambitions and our horizons.
US Pushing for Chlorinated Chicken Trade

Article: Nov 28, 2019

"We must stop Boris Johnson ramming through a damaging Trump trade deal."

The US trade team is offering PR tips on how to force chlorinated chicken down our throats.

That tells you everything you need to know.

Leaked documents from the US-UK trade deal talks have revealed the truth. The US team agreed to share their "public lines" on chlorine-washed chicken.

Why? They argue it's to "inform the media narrative."

In reality, it's "how to sell the lie."

These trade talks hang in the balance due to Brexit. US negotiators had 'the most angst' about EU limits to the use of chemicals in food production. They want a no-deal Brexit so we can break from EU regulations on food standards.

The Tories' desperation for a trade deal with Donald Trump risks leading to lower standards for the food on our tables. A hard Brexit means fewer regulations and standards on the quality of our food.

This will not just be damaging to our health. It will be incredibly damaging to our food production industries, too.

We must stop Boris Johnson ramming through a damaging Trump trade deal. It will do great damage to both British consumers and farmers.

We will stop Boris, stop Brexit and uphold our world-leading food standards.

Our country's health is at the heart of our vision for a brighter future.
Johnson Happy to Sell NHS

Article: Nov 28, 2019

Today, a document was released that lays out the details of talks involving UK and US officials.

The documents are horrifying.

They reveal what looks like a deal cooked up between the Tories and Donald Trump that puts our NHS on the table. This, despite Johnson's repeated insistence that the NHS is not for sale.
Five reasons why Jo Swinson is the candidate to tackle inequality

Article: Nov 28, 2019

The UK has the fifth largest economy in the world, but one in five of us lives in poverty.

Yet instead of addressing inequality, the Tories' heartless welfare policy has led to soaring levels of poverty across the country.

That's why Jo Swinson's Liberal Democrats have come up with a bold plan to tackle inequality across the UK. As the Resolution Foundation recognises, Liberal Democrats have the most progressive manifesto of all the major parties, focused on ensuring everyone has the same opportunities regardless of where they come from.
The Problem With Boris Johnson

Article: Nov 28, 2019

By Jo Swinson

"Boris Johnson only cares about Boris Johnson."

When I meet children and teenagers in schools, they often ask me what you need to be good at to become a politician.

And my answer is always this:

Being able to write a press release and understand legislation is important for the job. But you can learn all of that.
Our plan to end rough sleeping

Article: Nov 28, 2019

By Liberal Democrats

More than 700 people die while homeless each year. It is the most shameful example of the failure of our housing and welfare systems.

The Conservatives just don't seem to care. They are sitting on their hands, failing to protect the most vulnerable people in society.

The latest government figures show that, under the Conservatives, the number of rough sleepers in England on a single night has risen by 31% since 2015, to 4,677. In 2018, 1,320 people were prosecuted under the Vagrancy Act, according to the homelessness charity Crisis.
Stop Boris, Stop Brexit

Article: Nov 28, 2019

Today, we've unveiled two posters attacking Boris Johnson.

The first attacks him for lying to the Queen, Parliament and the people. The other will show him flanked by Donald Trump and Nigel Farage with the caption: "Brexit is good for them, how is it for you?"

And this is the whole point of this election. While Boris Johnson and his backers may stand to benefit from Brexit, it's families across the country who will suffer.
Johnson Happy to Sell NHS

Article: Nov 27, 2019

Today, a document was released that lays out the details of talks involving UK and US officials.

The documents are horrifying.

They reveal what looks like a deal cooked up between the Tories and Donald Trump that puts our NHS on the table. This, despite Johnson's repeated insistence that the NHS is not for sale.
From Under the Duvet….

Article: Nov 27, 2019

"Being stuck in bed most of the time doesn't have to mean it's all over and life is finished."

'Confined to bed'. 'Restricted to bed'. Bedbound, bedridden.

Words and terms that sound so pitiable. So pathetic. So awful. A life that's hardly worth living. The end of ever having a 'normal' life again. Better off dead.

But that's not the case.

It doesn't have to be like that. Being stuck in bed most of the time doesn't have to mean it's all over and life is finished. There is so much that can still be done, so much left to do, so much life yet to live.

I know there are many people who are in horrible pain or, at least, in considerable discomfort for much of the time. I can't speak for them as I haven't experienced it. I don't fall into that category, but there are also lots of people, like me, who are just unable to get up much because of their impairment.

This can be due to the medical equipment they need to stay alive or due to the lack of help and support they have.

Or just because it's such hard work to do it and it's often not worth the effort. I'm one of that category.

With assistance, I can get up and sit in my wheelchair and go out but I usually just can't be bothered. It takes several people, lots of planning and a whole load of equipment to get me into my wheelchair and ready to leave my room.

So much faff and palaver.

And then, of course, we would have to do the reverse to get me back to bed later on, when I return, so I usually just don't do it. Another two hours of my life, one at either end of the day, that I wouldn't get back. Why go through all that if I've nothing to do, nowhere to go and no-one to see. Might as well just stay put.

Most of the things I would do if I got out of my bed can also be done from under my duvet anyway! So, most of the time, that's where I stay.

Shopping? I can get what I want online and have it delivered straight to my door. I can get items from anywhere in the world, not just my local high street, and it's all so very easy.

Meet with friends for coffee? I have some lovely friends who come around to my house to visit regularly, with delicious treats and gooey cakes so that we can indulge ourselves together, here. I'm considering buying a coffee machine too. Last of the big spenders!

Trips to the cinema? Netflix is a thing and I have a Dvd player.

"Most of the things I would do if I got out of my bed can also be done from under my duvet anyway!"

Meet new people? Hello Facebook and Twitter! Loads of people from all over the world to chat to there.

Get a job? More and more employment opportunities are available online which can be done from home. Amongst other things, I've done envelope stuffing, entered responses from surveys onto a database and worked on a national helpline where I provided advice, information and assistance to callers by phone, email and letter.

Continue my education? I am considering doing a course online through Open Learn or the Open University or with one of the plethora of US universities which have online courses. The world of education is, as they say, my oyster.

Be involved in local life? All things are possible. I've stood - well, lain down any rate - for election to my local Council. I'm involved with local pressure groups, trying to improve life for everyone in my area, too. They all have websites, with a Social Media presence, and so do I.

And National Politics is not a no-go area either. I can be involved with that too. I've been a member of the Party for many years, and I've been on the national Executive for the Liberal Democrat Disability Association for several years. I was recently on a selection panel for a role at HQ which was conducted by phone and online and that all went very well.

I was very much involved with the whole process, felt that my opinion was valued and considered and never got the impression I was just a token towards diversity and inclusivity. Hopefully, I'll get the chance to do something similar again in the future.

I am also a bit of a teacher too. Once or twice per year for the past 4 or 5 years, my lovely GP has sent a group of medical students from Kings College Hospital round to visit me so I can help them learn how to work with people like me and develop their 'bedside manner'.

I consider this to be helping a lovely GP with her work, a valuable lesson for the students that they can't learn from books and I love doing it. It's part of my way of 'giving back' and saying 'Thank you'. If it means that even just one of them becomes a better, more empathetic medic as a result then I've done my job, made a difference and I'm happy.

"There are plenty of things to do, people to meet and 'virtual' places to go so I'm off to meet, do and visit them all as soon as I can."

And then there are the hobbies and activities which can all be done from or in my bed too. I like writing. Both fact and fiction. I have had my work published in the National Press, written articles for magazines and journals and have been commissioned to produce items for various websites on a variety of topics.

I also have fun every year with something called 'Nanowrimo' or National Novel Writing Month. This takes place worldwide every November and participants are challenged to write a novel of at least 50,000 words in just 30 days. Thousands take part and its such fun. Your imagination runs riot and the words can just flow. Several people have written best-selling novels after taking part in the challenge but, even if you don't, it's still really good fun trying. I've done it twice so far, achieving my 50k once, and I have an idea bubbling at the back of my brain for my next attempt.

Whether anything comes of it, watch this space but, if nothing does, there's always next year!

Spending most of your life under a duvet is no longer a reason for withdrawing from the world and slamming the door shut. There are plenty of things to do, people to meet and 'virtual' places to go so I'm off to meet, do and visit them all as soon as I can.

Why not join me, it'll be fun!