Paul Walter

Farron: “Britain is better in Europe and Europe is better with Britain in it”

By Paul Walter | Sat 20th February 2016 - 1:25 pm
Continue reading »
Posted in News | 7 Comments
Advert
Mary Reid

Why do we hate politics?

By Mary Reid | Sat 20th February 2016 - 12:33 pm

Well, that headline clearly does not refer to you, dear reader. But it does apply to a large number of citizens of the UK, and, sadly, many young people.

I have been keeping an eye – in an encouraging way – on Shout Out UK, which aims to get more young people interested in politics and political activism, by challenging them with news and ideas from their peers. It is strictly non-partisan. Shout Out offers a platform to young writers and filmmakers, as well as providing educational materials that can be used in schools.

If you work with young people you might want to share their latest video.

Continue reading »
Posted in News | Tagged | 3 Comments
Paul Walter

++BREAKING NEWS: EU referendum to be held on June 23rd

By Paul Walter | Sat 20th February 2016 - 12:32 pm

From the Guardian:

Cameron confirms – as expected – that the referendum will take place on June 23.

The prime minister said that the question will be about whether the UK “will be safer stronger and better off working in a reformed Europe or out on our own.”

Continue reading »
Posted in News | 3 Comments
Stuart Bonar

Leaving Europe so we can adopt Aussie-style immigration rules won’t solve a thing

By Stuart Bonar | Sat 20th February 2016 - 10:18 am

 

Nigel Farage told the media last year, “I am saying that if we have an Australian-style points system, immigration would not be a problem.” He made the point again earlier this month, speaking to Sky News.

The fact that inside the European Union we can’t adopt a more restrictive Australian-style points immigration system is for many the single biggest reason there is to leave the EU. Rid ourselves of the shackles of Brussels, crack down, and, as Farage himself said, “immigration would not be a problem.”

It’s a point summed up by their migration spokesman, Stephen Woolfe MEP: “To restore Britain’s borders, we need to leave the EU & implement a fair & ethical Australian style points based system.”

Well, I’m on holiday in Australia this week, and I’ve been reading the papers. And one thing I can definitely say is that an Australian-style points system is no silver bullet when it comes to immigration.

Continue reading »
Posted in Op-eds | Tagged , , and | 19 Comments
Caron Lindsay

Farron: History shows that Britain is better when it is united with Europe.

By Caron Lindsay | Fri 19th February 2016 - 11:36 pm

So, just minutes before the 10 o’clock news, it was announced that A Deal Had Been Struck. Fancy that.

It had been a bit like the day the BBC camped outside the maternity hospital when William and Kate had their first child – except the outcome was not quite as joyful.

In news which will surprise precisely nobody, I can reveal that I will be voting to remain in Europe – despite Cameron’s deal, rather than because of it. I suppose we should just be grateful he didn’t sell our hard-won employment rights down the river in the process of reaching this rather mean-spirited agreement.

So, I’ve not changed my vote, the Outers are not satisfied with the deal, as if that were ever possible, so was there a point?

Continue reading »
Posted in News | Tagged and | 27 Comments
Newspuppy

Lib Dems have best by-election record this year

By Newspuppy | Fri 19th February 2016 - 8:25 pm

I know it’s only February, but look at these tweets from Britain Elects:

And the news gets better:

Continue reading »
Posted in News | 5 Comments
NewsHound

Reaction to the General Election Review

By NewsHound | Fri 19th February 2016 - 7:40 pm

Welcome to our whistle-stop tour of the coverage of our General Election Review. If you’ve missed our earlier pieces, you can read the document here.

The Mirror has a poll at the end of their piece. 28% of respondents say they’d vote for us in the future. I’ll take that.

The BBC quotes Tim Farron’s response:

The review – carried out by members of the party’s Campaigns and Communications Committee – made a string of recommendations to help the party fare better in any future coalition.

These include that Lib Dems should make it clear they will only automatically vote for legislation covered by the coalition agreement, and that the “wider party” should be represented in the negotiations.

Tim Farron, who replaced Mr Clegg as leader, said: “Blame and criticism can provide short term satisfaction, but do nothing for a future vision.

“This report is about setting a way forward, recognising the mistakes we made, and learning from them.”

Continue reading »
Posted in News | Tagged | 4 Comments
Advert



Recent Comments

  • User AvatarDavid Evershed 20th Feb - 5:35pm
    Britain will remain in Europe regardless of the referendum. However, we may vote to leave the European Union. So you can be pro Europe whilst...
  • User AvatarChris Cory 20th Feb - 5:34pm
    Be fair Ruth, all of us in the public sector know that we are only one more training course away from finally sorting the whole...
  • User AvatarChris Rennard 20th Feb - 5:31pm
    I have yet to read the full report as published, but it is clear from the media and social coverage that James Gurling and all...
  • User AvatarAnne 20th Feb - 5:31pm
    Gwyn Williams, the problem is that Australia and Canada don't want many of us. They are very picky. Unfortunately the majority of us have not...
  • User AvatarSimon Banks 20th Feb - 5:11pm
    I haven't seen all these vitriolic posts. I may have missed some as I'm just back from holiday. The problem about the question on what...
  • User AvatarIan Sanderson (RM3) 20th Feb - 5:06pm
    'The only institution that prints money in the UK is the Bank of England.' Apart from the Scottish and Northern Irish banks which issue their...