PAUL HOLMES RESPONSE TO THE NEW 'ROUGH GUIDE TO CLIMATE CHANGE'

12.00.00am GMT Mon 20th Nov 2006

Visit www.roughguides.com for more information

The Liberal Democrats are this week breaking new ground with the launch of their on line virtual conference to discuss ways to Britain-engage Britian's young people in democracy.

Paul Holmes, MP for Chesterfield and a local teacher for 22 years, said: "Fewer than two in five young people voted at the last general election. There is a major problem with our democracy when so few people think that their vote counts.

"The 'Taking on line' online conference is a major new initiative to re-engage people with democracy. The Liberal Democrats want to give people of all political persuasions the opportunity to discuss how to give power back to the people.

"This conference will be open to everyone who wants to discuss how democracy in the UK can be improved. It will provide an excellent forum for debating the recommendations of the POWER Commission inquiry into strengthening our democracy.

"It is essential that we break the trend towards ever increasing centralisation that has left so many people disillusioned with politics. Many people have been made to feel powerless by the growing number of unaccountable Quangos running their lives.

"Registration is open now, so visit www.takingpower.org to take part in the debate today. Just one click will bring you closer to democracy!"