President reveals name for new Welsh Lib Dem HQ (Blaenau Gwent and Torfaen Liberal Democrats)

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Blaenau Gwent and Torfaen Liberal Democrats <Brian.Thomas@blaenau-gwent.gov.uk>

President reveals name for new Welsh Lib Dem HQ

October 12, 2008 12:00 AM
Originally published by Welsh Liberal Democrats

Freedom Central - that's the name that Welsh Liberal Democrat bosses have chosen for their new HQ office in Cardiff Bay.

President Christine Humphreys announced the name in her closing speech to conference in Swansea today.In her closing speech, Christine Humphreys said the new name represented the party's values, presenting them in a forward looking way.She said: "As many of you will know we asked members to think of a name for the new office in Atlantic Wharf. We were looking for something that reflected our values as a Liberal Party, and said something about who we are."We had a number of suggestions: T? Lloyd George; Revolution House; Democracy Chambers; Liberty View; even Liberal Summit - although that wasn't really appropriate for a ground floor office!"In the end, the panel agreed to call the new office: Freedom Central-Rhyddid Canolog. Because Freedom is Central to this party. I hope you like it."In her speech, she said the weekend's debates over the constitution had left the party "fit for the second decade of devolution".Ahead of the first all-female leadership contest in UK politics, she highlighted the party's success in allowing women to rise to the top."In the Welsh Liberal Democrats we stand at the dawn of a female era. Our chief executive, our president, our vice-president and our next leader, whoever may emerge, will all be female. "Sisters are no longer doing it for themselves - they're doing it for all of us in this party. And that's significant. Because women holding senior roles in political parties has always been seen as exceptional. But we are making it mainstream.She praised the party's commitment to equality."This emergence of female leaders is not happening because we're somehow better than men. That's not the argument - and never has been in this Party. This party has allowed and encouraged the progression of women - because no-one is holding us back. "We didn't need to have positive discrimination and all-women short lists for Assembly and Parliamentary seats. Because we didn't need to fight chauvinism as Labour women had to; we haven't needed to become as masculine as the men - as Maggie Thatcher had to in the Conservative party - and we certainly haven't had to become bitbulls with lipstick to make an impact in this Party! In this Party you get the job on your merit. "I want to send a message to women across Wales: this is a party of opportunity for you. If you ever thought Welsh politics was just for men, then politics has changed. And it is the Welsh Liberal Democrats who are changing it."She also called on the party to keep up the battle to ensure minority groups also had the same opportunities."Equality, is not a battle that is ever won. It is an eternal vigilance. We can pat ourselves on the backs today, but we have to remain alert. We have to ensure opportunities are available for all. By our actions we have shown there is no glass ceiling for women in this party. We now have to do the same for other under-represented groups. That is our challenge."Notes:Christine Humphreys was speaking at 1500h on Sunday 12 October.