If anyone wants a bit more detail about the motion, I’m the original author of the motion and I’ve published the Liberal Youth policy briefing paper on the motion on google docs. You can find a link to it, and other related info, here:

http://thepotterblogger.blogspot.com/2011/08/policy-briefing-on-esa-motion-published.html

Good for you, George W.P,. Only things that concern me are that the motion might have gone further (making it genuine medical assessment, with the associated duties of care, removing the financial set-up with atos etc), and that what effect would passing said motion actually have? We’ve seen already how the Select Committee’s condemnation of the WCA last week was countered from within Govt by a sulphurous and deeply misleading press release from the DWP. The Tories are in control, and look like fighting to preserve the ludicrous,costly and malign WCA regime (and their own ludicrous costly and malign regime).

@Alisdair,

I know there are problems with the motion as there’s this constant process of minor amendments that can radically change the letter of the motion, if not the spirit of it. I’ve been speaking to disability campaigners and they’ve made quite a few minor, but important, suggested revisions which I’m currently working to get made. Hopefully the motion will be ready by the time people get to vote on it.

George – well done for your work on this and pushing it. Do you want to blog more on this for LC?

@5

Yes please. I did actually email LC about it through your Contact Us link but I didn’t even get an auto reply so it might be easier if you were to contact me at wpotter[dot]george[at]gmail[dot]com. Cheers

Well done george. However I would suggest one amendment:

Atos lose their contract and never again win a public sector contract.

Nothing about the time limiting of ESA – surely the most significant aspect of the changes?

“Greater accuracy in assessment, particularly for those with fluctuating conditions.

• A less stressful assessment process.”

Thinking about it george, you need to be very specific on this;

demand that assessment is undertaken by qualified doctors, who are not paid to disqualify people, and that failing an assessment does not mean being thrown to the wolves – but instead will lead to gradual and supported returns to work.

Planeshift @ 6

Having read this week’s Private Eye, I see the biggest irony in all this. Not only have the bastards raised its profits to the tune of forty million Euros, due in no small part in driving British disabled people into poverty, but some joker has awarded them the contract to run the IT…

…for 2012 Paralyimpic games in London!!!!!

Surely the 2012 Paralympic games must now be called, due to the fact no-one will be able to quailify for being disabled enough to take part?

“some joker has awarded them the contract to run the IT…

…for 2012 Paralyimpic games in London!!!!!”

Fuck me. Is this right? If so, I think there’s a serious case for athletes boycotting the games. Now *there* would be a group of sponging malingerers the government wouldn’t relish a fight with.

Good for you btw George.

@7

Actually there is a bit about the time limit:

Conference calls for:
2. Opposition to an arbitrary time limit on how long claimants can claim contributory ESA.

@Planeshift

I’m currently working on the changes you suggested – it’s pretty much a case of the some amendments are suggested by government people, LY make some of the changes, and then we try and get it changed back again.

Oh, I thought for a moment that they were going to tackle the Tory’s social cleansing program and their condemnation of many to sit with the heating off this winter. Really, the title could be a lot clearer.

@13

Hyperbole much?

Although I’m afraid I can’t, with a good conscience, ever vote for the Lib Dems again, I am grateful to whoever is responsible for this turn of events and have never been more confident in my conviction that the Labour Party are a washed out, workerist anachronism who detest the disabled more than any other leading party. Thanks James Purnell.