Building a Norfolk Where Young People See a Future
An op-ed by our leader in Norfolk, Brian Watkins.
The Liberal Democrat Group at county hall have made it clear: with the right choices, we can open up a brighter future for every young person in our county. That means removing the barriers that hold young people back and investing in foundations. If we want a thriving county, we must start backing the people who will shape its future.
We believe every young person should have the chance to use their talents and build a life that reflects their potential. We want young people with different needs and abilities to have access to the support, opportunities and experiences that help them grow, thrive and live full, rewarding lives. We want young people to feel hopeful that hard work is recognised, hopeful that opportunity is within reach, and hopeful that Norfolk can be a place to build their future. Too many feel they must leave the county to find the chances they deserve, and that simply isn’t right. We want young people to believe they can stay here, build a career here, save for a home here and put down roots in the communities they love. That is why we are fighting so hard for them, because at the heart of all we do is a simple belief: that every young person in Norfolk deserves opportunity, confidence and hope.
That belief underpinned every amendment we brought to Budget Council. From advocating for dedicated graduate‑level Speech and Language Therapists to creating specialist roles using AI to tackle the administration’s ever‑growing EHCP backlog, our proposals focused on expanding opportunities for all children and young people. Our most impactful offer was simple: 50% discounted bus fares for 18–25-year-olds. As Cllr Steffan Aquarone stated:
Cllr Steffan Aquarone
“Our buses are not just routes to get people from A to B. They are routes to apprenticeships, to training, to seeing family, and for keeping medical appointments that people simply cannot afford to miss.
Too many young lives are narrowing far too early. For people from a low-income background, the cost barrier bites even harder.
For a rural county like ours, access is opportunity… when young people can’t move, they can’t learn, can’t earn and can’t put down roots."
Watch Steff's speech on our bus fare cut proposals here:
By offering a 50% bus discount for all 18–25 year olds across Norfolk, we would attract and keep our next generation of talent, promote Norfolk as a viable place to live in so we can strengthen the communities that rely on them.
Whilst we are disappointed that the Conservative administration rejected a package of practical, affordable proposals aimed at supporting young people, strengthening prevention, and laying the foundations for a better‑run, future‑ready Norfolk, we are not deterred. Our ideas presented at Budget Council demonstrated a clear and credible alternative administration and one ready to lead Norfolk through the coming years and the challenges of Local Government Reorganisation.
Now that local elections in May have been confirmed, the choice before Norfolk is becoming clearer. It is clear who understands the reality of our county, who is offering a hopeful path forward, and who is laying the groundwork for both today’s Norfolk and the Norfolk our young people will inherit. And it is clearer still which party is prepared to lead that future.
We are offering a different vision for Norfolk's Future
The Liberal Democrats say the Budget vote highlights a deeper choice facing the county; prevention or crisis management; investing in young people or watching them leave; laying foundations or papering over cracks.
We put forward a serious plan for Norfolk entering a decisive moment, especially with Local Government Reorganisation ahead. We are disappointed the administration rejected it, but our direction remains clear. Norfolk’s future starts with its young people, and Norfolk needs leadership with vision, energy and purpose. The Liberal Democrats are ready to provide it, for this generation and the next.
Watch the budget amendment debate at county hall below.
