Liberal Democrats and social enterprises connect over breakfast
28 October 2009
On 27 October, the Social Enterprise Coalition and the LGA Liberal Democrats co-hosted a breakfast meeting at Local Government House in Westminster. Shadow Chancellor Vince Cable MP, Julia Goldsworthy MP, Deputy Chair of the LGA Richard Kemp, and Liberal Democrat councillors attended alongside social enterprise leaders. The meeting is one of a series that the Coalition is convening with the three main political parties in order to ensure that social enterprise is a key part of their agendas.
The meeting provided a chance for the Liberal Democrat attendees to ask questions and better understand the opportunities and barriers facing social enterprises. It also gave the social enterprise practitioners a chance to engage with the Liberal Democrats about how social enterprise fits into the party’s agenda. Three leading social entrepreneurs presented at the meeting: Peter Holbrook, CEO of Sunlight Development Trust; Jo Pritchard, Joint Managing Director of Central Surrey Health; and Mark Sesnan, CEO of GLL.
Vince Cable MP said “It was extremely useful to have the chance to hear first hand from social enterprises about their work and the challenges they face. These are difficult times for the economy and social enterprises have a valued role to play. I look forward to continuing the Liberal Democrat dialogue with them."
Richard Kemp said: “The LGA has been and will remain very supportive of social enterprise. This is a crucial time for communities, for business and for the economy and social enterprise must remain high on our agenda.”
Jonathan Bland, CEO of the Social Enterprise Coalition said: “We had a very productive meeting that follows a lot of work we’ve already done with the Liberal Democrats. I hope that this will continue to be a lasting and collaborative discussion about how we can work together to grow and support the social enterprise movement.”
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