Chinese Liberal Democrats hold 3rd AGM

Nikki Li of Citizens UK was the guest speaker at the CLD AGM held on 7 Dec at Camden Townhall, sharing about the work of her organisation. These include fighting for the livelihoods of those working in the Chinese catering industry, campaigning for Strangers into Citizens and protesting against more gambling licences being granted in Chinatown,

CLDs have been working alongside the Chinese team members of Citizens UK over the past few years as well as with the Electoral Commission and BC Project to encourage more Chinese in UK to register to vote with our own "Missing Voices" literature.

Within the Party, the CLDs have supported, nurtured and mentored candidates of Chinese background, offered assistance to Councillors on outreach and continue to inform the Party on issues of concern to the Chinese community.

Merlene Emerson, said she felt honoured to be have been re-elected as Chair for another year. Cllr Linda Chung and PPC Neville Farmer were re-elected as Vice Chairs, Louise Arimatsu as Secretary and PPC Phil Ling as the new Treasurer. Cllr Sam Li, Andy Yau and Louise An continue as Exec members and Lawyer Yeing-Lang Crouch and her husband Roger were elected as the new joint Membership and Recruitment Secretaries. Ex-journalist Philip Tse and Gabrielle Wong will be co-opted into the executive committee as well.

When interviewed by Sing Tao Press on what the projects and priorities were for CLDs in the coming year Merlene said:

"I am delighted to have such a strong new executive team. We will continue to monitor the changes in the immigration rules as well as the impact of public service cuts on the Chinese community. We have also set up a task force to look into the effect of EU legislation on the import of Traditional Chinese medicine and will continue to support Citizens UK's campaign to stop the proliferation of gambling licences.

"We are planning an outreach programme in Sheffield next year where the Lib Dems will be holding our Spring Conference from 11-13 March. We are also working closely with the cross party organisation, Fairer Votes, to win the referendum in May 2011!"

See also Jonathan Fryer's blog on the AGM: http://bit.ly/dOztg6