Letter from the Lib Dem Party Conference - Paul Rowen MP

Paul Rowen MP addresses the Liberal Democrat party conference on global security.

I have continued my tradition of a hectic Liberal Democrat Conference. I have already spoken on the main stage, criticising Government attitudes to security and extremist issues, joined former Rochdale MP Liz Lynne MEP on discussing issues in Kashmir and hosted a packed meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Light Rail, of which I am chairman. Later today (Monday 15 September), I will be telling a meeting for the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive why I am supporting the 'YES' Campaign that will 'revolutionalise' public transport in Greater Manchester.

The Conference in Bournmouth, Nick Clegg MP's first major one as Leader is being dominated by discussions over plans for tax cuts at the heart of the Liberal Democrat battles with Labour and the Conservatives. I fully back Nick Clegg's ambitious plans which would lead to tackling extreme poverty. Conference is always a busy time and this is no different. It's a real opportunity to get our positive messages in the public eye. As Liberal Democrats, we are determined to make this happen and I hope that people out there will see a fully costed set of policies that will really make a difference.

I have spoken on the new Liberal Democrat policy on global security. I told the Conference in their debate on 'Weaker Communities, Radicalisation and the Search for Identity' that 7/7 was a wake up call for Britain. The notion that terrorist bombs could be planted by British born Muslims sent the government into a frenzy of activity. Yet increasing detention without trial or identity cards do little to restore confidence in Britain's broken communities.

For years under the Tories and New Labour we've seen local authorities and the communities they serve denigrated and destroyed by a centralising government. Whether it is Academy schools, Privatised Housing Estates or Trust Hospitals, local people have less say in how they are run and the services they provide. The bonds that have held people together have successively been broken as job opportunities have disappeared and mutual trust between those in authority and communities have weakened.

All communities young and old, ethnic minority or main stream, feel society no longer meets their needs and aspirations. In these circumstances extremists find a fertile ground to radicalise young people. They increasingly feel they are not listened to and turn instead to the voices of extremists. Labelling these people as Muslim extremists or insisting local Imams learn English or Mosques teach citizenship is yet another example of top down driven policy making.

The government talk long about involving communities and listening to people. Yet when they want to set up an advisory group of Muslims they appoint the same tame discredited leaders that they have listened to for years.

Four years ago when riots erupted in Bradford, Burnley and Oldham, Rochdale, with a similar ethnic mix was not affected. Why? Since 1992 Rochdale has had an Asian Housing strategy. That has ensured that Housing estates and schools remain mixed and multi ethnic. It has recognised diversity and encouraged involvement. Five of the 33 strong Liberal Democrat group that lead Rochdale are Muslim – two of them have senior responsibilities including responsibility for transport, regeneration and community cohesion. Rochdale is a beacon Council for community cohesion. It happened before 7/7 and not as a result of government diktat.

This government is not listening to Britain and Britain is increasingly not interested in what they have to say.

As Liberal Democrats we recognise that if we are to strengthen and reawaken community confidence then the institutions locally that serve and work with them need to be re-energised.

That does not need special treatment for Muslims/Hindus or Christians but it does mean political parties, local institutions and organisations need to be representative of the communities they serve. It means empowering local people not selecting those special interest groups that the government deem to listen to. This paper addresses these points and I commend it to Conference.

I am expected on stage tomorrow where he will be debating the party's new transport policy. As part of this, I will be speaking about the huge transport benefits of supporting the Transport Innovation Fund Bid in return for peak-only Congestion Charging. I will also be repeating my call for more control of our buses, trains and trams.