HAPPINESS IS EMPOWERMENT

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 20th Sep 2006

Speaking in yesterday's debate on "Wealth or Well-being" at the Liberal Democrat Party Conference in Brighton, Paul Holmes, MP for Chesterfield said:

"Wealth is important in creating well-being. I have never met a person on a low income who wouldn't welcome a pay rise.

"However, we need to strike a balance between economic success and social and environmental effects. The expansion of the East Midlands Airport and the widening of the M1 will boost the economy of the region but the concerns of local residents about the noise and pollution created must not be dismissed.

"Quality of life is important and needs to be considered in planning new developments. Housing estates need schools, shops and good local transport links.

"The East Midlands needs to attract more good quality jobs to avoid creating a legacy of illness like the coal mining and manufacturing industries of the past.

"A sense of control over your life is critical to individual well-being. This government's centralisation has taken away control from people and communities leaving people feeling powerless and disenfranchised. We need to take back control over local affairs to give people back their happiness and sense of worth.

"Local people should be allowed to run their lives. This would strengthen communities and re-engage people with politics. Its time to replace government agencies with genuine local control."