Author Archives: Helen Duffett

Helen is the Liberal Democrats' Internal Communications Manager. As well as being part of the Lib Dem Voice team, she blogs at www.helenduffett.blogspot.com and is on Twitter as @helenduffett. Helen loves Underground trains and transport history.
Helen Duffett

The LDV Friday Five: 17 May 2013

By Helen Duffett | Fri 17th May 2013 - 5:00 pm

It’s Friday. It’s five o’clock. Here’s a fistful of lists that sum up the LDV week:

5 most-read stories on LDV this week

  1. Vince Cable: we will force a referendum vote in Parliament (30 comments) by Vince Cable MP
  2. Clegg leadership plot: Gove’s ‘crazy grenade’ detonates, briefly, before Tories revert to arguing about Europe (31 comments) by Stephen Tall
  3. Ukip surge to 18% in latest ICM poll: Lib Dems at 11% (38 comments) by Stephen Tall
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Helen Duffett

The LDV Friday Five: 10 May 2013

By Helen Duffett | Fri 10th May 2013 - 5:00 pm

It’s Friday. It’s five o’clock. Here’s a fistful of lists that sum up the LDV week:

5 most-read stories on LDV this week

  1. Local elections 2013: Summary of overnight Council results (25 comments) by Caron Lindsay
  2. What the 2013 local elections mean – for the Lib Dems and the next election (and beyond) (79 comments) by Stephen Tall
  3. Local elections 2013 live blog….. (19 comments) by The Voice
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Helen Duffett

The LDV Friday Five: 3 May 2013

By Helen Duffett | Fri 3rd May 2013 - 5:00 pm

It’s Friday. It’s five o’clock. Here’s a fistful of lists that sum up the LDV week:

5 most-read stories on LDV this week

  1. Nick Clegg MP writes… The Labour and Tory exodus (79 comments) by Nick Clegg MP
  2. While David Cameron and Owen Jones unite in favour of universal benefits, I want us to get explicit about why redistribution matters to society (27 comments) by Stephen Tall
  3. What will happen to the Lib Dems in Thursday’s local elections? (25 comments) by Stephen Tall
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Helen Duffett

The LDV Friday Five: 26 April 2013

By Helen Duffett | Fri 26th April 2013 - 5:00 pm

It’s Friday. It’s five o’clock. Here’s a fistful of lists that sum up the LDV week:

5 most-read stories on LDV this week

  1. The Economist’s political map of the UK: the north/south divide revealed (35 comments) by Stephen Tall
  2. How a spreadsheet error has wrecked the world economy… or not (74 comments) by Joe Otten
  3. How Thatcherite are you? (27 comments) by Stephen Tall
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Helen Duffett

Fairer Taxes – Preview tonight’s Lib Dem Party Political Broadcast

By Helen Duffett | Thu 25th April 2013 - 3:51 pm

Tonight’s Party Political Broadcast by the Liberal Democrats repeats the message that we have delivered a rise in the tax threshold, showing how people will benefit from this.

Nick Clegg says,

If you earn the minimum wage we have halved your Income Tax bill. And if you work tirelessly in a low-paid job, you’ll no longer pay any Income Tax at all.

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Posted in Lib Dem TV | Tagged and | 11 Comments
Helen Duffett

The LDV Friday Five: 19 April 2013

By Helen Duffett | Fri 19th April 2013 - 5:00 pm

It’s Friday. It’s five o’clock. Here’s a fistful of lists that sum up the LDV week:

5 most-read stories on LDV this week

  1. Rebecca Taylor MEP writes…Electronic Cigarettes: No smoke, but lots of fiery debate (24 comments) by Rebecca Taylor MEP
  2. Julian Huppert writes…Update on the Defamation Bill (15 comments) by Julian Huppert MP
  3. Ding Dong & Mrs T. It’s simple: don’t buy it and don’t ban it (47 comments) by Stephen Tall
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Helen Duffett

AD LIB digital edition – teething problems solved

By Helen Duffett | Thu 18th April 2013 - 10:20 am

Hopefully all of you have had the chance to have a play with the new AD LIB interactive digital edition which was launched this month.

If not, why not have a play now?

Remember, this issue is free to all party members.

As well as all the good stuff you get with the paper copy, the digital edition has a number of interactive elements. If you want to listen to Paddy’s conference speech while reading his cover interview, you can. If you’re intrigued about Eluned Parrott’s ‘On the Record’ music choices, you can click straight to the music videos. And if you …

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Posted in Party policy and internal matters | Tagged , and | 4 Comments
Helen Duffett

The LDV Friday Five: 12 April 2013

By Helen Duffett | Fri 12th April 2013 - 5:00 pm

It’s Friday. It’s five o’clock. Here’s a fistful of lists that sum up the LDV week:

5 most-read stories on LDV this week

  1. Opinion: Dr Strangelove: or how I got utterly fed up with the Left (118 comments) by Jack Williams
  2. RIP Margaret Thatcher (42 comments) by The Voice
  3. Paddy Ashdown pays tribute to Margaret Thatcher (and shows Nick how it’s done) (66 comments) by Stephen Tall
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Helen Duffett

The LDV Friday Five: 5 April 2013

By Helen Duffett | Fri 5th April 2013 - 5:00 pm

It’s Friday. It’s five o’clock. Here’s a fistful of lists that sum up the LDV week:

5 most-read stories on LDV this week

  1. Secret Lib Dem-UKIP talks revealed (16 comments) by The Voice
  2. A reply to Dan Hodges: why it’s not surprising some Tories aren’t bothered about winning in 2015 (9 comments) by Stephen Tall
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Helen Duffett

AD LIB: Digital edition on its way

By Helen Duffett | Thu 28th March 2013 - 1:25 pm

Paddy Ashdown cover of Ad Lib magazineWhen AD LIB launched last December one message we got back loud and clear, not least from Lib Dem Voice readers, was that you want a digital version.

Well, we’ve only gone and done it. And, what’s more, it will be available next week.

We’ve been working hard with the good people of PageSuite to get the digital edition ready to launch alongside the publication of April’s magazine, which will land through letterboxes next Tuesday (after the Bank Holiday).

And we’re making it a truly interactive experience …

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Posted in News | Tagged , , , , , , and | 7 Comments
Helen Duffett

The LDV Friday Five: 22 March 2013

By Helen Duffett | Fri 22nd March 2013 - 5:00 pm

It’s Friday. It’s five o’clock. Here’s a fistful of lists that sum up the LDV week:

5 most-read stories on LDV this week

  1. I’m a liberal and I’m against this sort of thing. Leveson-style press regulation, that is (as well as secret courts) (67 comments) by Stephen Tall
  2. Opinion: The ‘Bedroom Tax’ does not pass the Fairer Society test (47 comments) by John Coburn
  3. Opinion: Time for Liberal Democrats to consider new claims about climate change (72 comments) by Michael Taylor
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Helen Duffett

Candy Piercy replaces Jo Shaw on the Lib Dems’ Federal Executive

By Helen Duffett | Tue 12th March 2013 - 8:41 pm

Jo Shaw’s resignation from the Liberal Democrats on Sunday created a vacancy on the Liberal Democrats’ Federal Executive committee.

The votes from the original internal party election in 2012 have now been recounted and Candy Piercy has been elected.

Candy told Lib Dem Voice:

Although I am very glad to be on the FE again, I am very sad that the reason for this is the resignation of Jo Shaw. Jo was a fierce campaigner on the FE who always spoke up loud and clear for her principles.

I will do my best to carry on that approach. I will stand up

…

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Posted in Party policy and internal matters | Tagged , , and | 6 Comments
Helen Duffett

Mike Thornton MP’s maiden speech

By Helen Duffett | Tue 12th March 2013 - 9:49 am

The newest Liberal Democrat MP spoke for the first time in Parliament yesterday in a debate on the Financial Services (Banking Reform) Bill, paying tribute to the work of his predecessors David Chidgey and Chris Huhne. As is traditional, he praised his constituency and described its history as a bustling industrial and railway town.

Mike Thornton began by thanking all those who campaigned with him during last month’s by-election, and the voters of Eastleigh for putting their faith in him.

Mike’s full speech, as recorded in Hansard:

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for allowing me to make my maiden speech during this important

…

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Helen Duffett

Vince Cable on Labour’s opposition day debate on Mansion tax

By Helen Duffett | Mon 11th March 2013 - 8:55 pm

This evening, the Liberal Democrats have confirmed they won’t vote for Labour’s mischievous Opposition Day debate on mansion tax, instead tabling a Coalition amendment stating our support for the mansion tax and the Conservatives’ opposition to it. Vince Cable, architect of the mansion tax, has issued a statement explaining why:

This amendment allows Liberal Democrats in Parliament to back our long-held policy of the mansion tax. We created it and will continue to champion it.

The amendment also makes it clear that although we are in coalition with the Conservatives, we have different views on the desirability of a mansion tax.

…

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Posted in News and Parliament | Tagged , , and | 66 Comments
Helen Duffett

The LDV Friday Five: 8 March 2013

By Helen Duffett | Fri 8th March 2013 - 5:00 pm

It’s Friday. It’s five o’clock. Here’s a fistful of lists that sum up the LDV week:

5 most-read stories on LDV this week

  1. Eastleigh by-election: my first thoughts (80 comments) by Stephen Tall
  2. Three things the Liberal Democrats must learn from Eastleigh (50 comments) by Caron Lindsay
  3. Nick Clegg’s son to go to state secondary school (204 comments) by Caron Lindsay
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Helen Duffett

Mike Thornton MP takes his seat in the Commons

By Helen Duffett | Wed 6th March 2013 - 3:55 pm

By-election winning Lib Dems Alan Beith, Simon Hughes, Mike Thornton, Sarah Teather, Mark Hunter and David Chidgey
By-election winning Lib Dems. Photo by Helen Duffett, on Flickr.

From the BBC:

The newly elected Liberal Democrat MP Mike Thornton has taken his seat in the House of Commons after winning the Eastleigh by-election.

He took his oath of allegiance to the Crown earlier.

New MPs are not allowed to speak in debates, vote, or get paid,

…

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Posted in News and Parliament | Tagged , , , , and | 4 Comments
Helen Duffett

The LDV Friday Five: 22 February 2013

By Helen Duffett | Fri 22nd February 2013 - 5:00 pm

It’s Friday. It’s five o’clock. Here’s a fistful of lists that sum up the LDV week:

5 most-read stories on LDV this week

  1. What Google reveals about the current state of play in Eastleigh (7 comments) by Mark Pack
  2. Eastleigh by-election: your essential round-up of the latest campaign news (19 Feb) (6 comments) by Stephen Tall
  3. Half a defence of John O’Farrell’s comments on Margaret Thatcher (64 comments) by Stephen Tall
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Helen Duffett

Eastleigh Tory candidate “running scared” from hustings

By Helen Duffett | Thu 21st February 2013 - 9:52 am

Missing Tory candidateThe Conservative candidate has pulled out of the BBC Radio 5 Live hustings this morning, and is facing accusations of running scared of voters.

From The Guardian:

There is growing concern within the party that with a week to go before polling day her no-nonsense and frequently off-message approach is damaging its chances of seizing the seat from the Liberal Democrats.

Candidates from the other major parties were attending the debate – chaired by Victoria Derbyshire – on Thursday morning for 5 Live, a major set-piece of the week. But Conservative

…

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Posted in News and Parliamentary by-elections | Tagged , , , , , and | 8 Comments
Helen Duffett

The LDV Friday Five: 15 February 2013

By Helen Duffett | Fri 15th February 2013 - 5:00 pm

It’s Friday. It’s five o’clock. Here’s a fistful of lists that sum up the LDV week:

5 most-read stories on LDV this week

  1. Mike Thornton selected for Lib Dems in Eastleigh (37 comments) by Helen Duffett
  2. +++ Neck and neck: first Eastleigh constituency poll (47 comments) by Mark Pack
  3. Three things we’ve learned from today’s opinion polls (115 comments) by Stephen Tall
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Posted in Friday Five | 1 Comment
Helen Duffett

Mike Thornton in favour of equal marriage

By Helen Duffett | Wed 13th February 2013 - 9:51 am

Lib Dem candidate for Eastleigh Mike Thornton responded yesterday to the question of whether he supports equal marriage.

@Beauchamp74 asked Mike, and the Tory and UKIP candidates, for their position:

Mike replied in favour, which gets @Beauchamp74′s vote:

Posted in News and Parliamentary by-elections | Tagged , and | 5 Comments
Helen Duffett

Mike Thornton selected for Lib Dems in Eastleigh

By Helen Duffett | Sat 9th February 2013 - 6:54 pm

.@dannyalexander congratulates @Mike4Eastleigh on his selection by local Lib Dems tonight
Photo by Helen Duffett on Flickr.

Eastleigh Liberal Democrats have selected a local Business and Development Manager as their candidate for the upcoming Parliamentary by-election in the constituency.

Mike Thornton, a parish and borough councillor since 2007, plays an active part in the community. He is involved with the annual Bishopstoke Carnival and is a member of the local church.

Mike lives with his wife and daughter in Bishopstoke and …

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Posted in Parliamentary by-elections | Tagged , and | 39 Comments
Helen Duffett

The LDV Friday Five: 8 February 2013

By Helen Duffett | Fri 8th February 2013 - 5:00 pm

It’s Friday. It’s five o’clock. Here’s a fistful of lists that sum up the LDV week:

5 most-read stories on LDV this week

  1. The end of Chris Huhne’s career in politics: initial reactions (74 comments) by Stephen Tall
  2. Equal marriage: 2 Lib Dem MPs against and a further 9 (or 10) Missing In Action (164 comments) by Stephen Tall
  3. Eastleigh by-election (24 comments) by Mary Reid
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Helen Duffett

++Eastleigh by-election on February 28

By Helen Duffett | Wed 6th February 2013 - 5:28 pm

Just released by Lib Dem HQ:

I can confirm that Liberal Democrat Chief Whip Alistair Carmichael will tomorrow, Thursday 7 February, move the writ to trigger the Eastleigh by-election.

The by-election will be held on Thursday February 28.

Liberal Democrat Party President Tim Farron said:

Liberal Democrats have proud 20-year record of action in Eastleigh, fighting for people in both local government and in Westminster.
The people of Eastleigh should have the opportunity to elect someone to serve the constituency as soon as possible.
This is going to be a tough fight, and clearly a fight that’s between Liberal Democrats and Conservatives. I know that

…

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Posted in News | 20 Comments
Helen Duffett

How would you use an extra £600? Preview tonight’s Lib Dem Party Political Broadcast

By Helen Duffett | Wed 6th February 2013 - 5:03 pm

The latest Lib Dem Party Political Broadcast is airing tonight, with a variety of people telling how they’d use an extra £600 per year, thanks to Liberal Democrats cutting income tax:

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Posted in Lib Dem TV | Tagged , , and | 30 Comments
Helen Duffett

Spring 2013 Conference agenda now online

By Helen Duffett | Wed 6th February 2013 - 3:26 pm

The Conference Agenda has been finalised and is now available online, along with policy and consultation papers.

The agenda features a variety of debates including one on education (“Every Child Taught by an Excellent Teacher”) and another on corporate tax avoidance.

There are also Q&A sessions with Ministers on International Affairs, Green Jobs and Health and Social Care. Nick Clegg will do a Leader’s Q&A on Saturday 9 March at 15:50 and Paddy Ashdown’s sure-to-be-barnstorming speech as Chair of the 2015 General Election campaign is at 11am on Saturday 9 March.

Every motion in the agenda is open to amendment, and the …

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Posted in Conference | 4 Comments
Helen Duffett

The LDV Friday Five: 1 February 2013

By Helen Duffett | Fri 1st February 2013 - 5:00 pm

It’s Friday. It’s five o’clock. Here’s a fistful of lists that sum up the LDV week:

5 most-read stories on LDV this week

  1. Has it all gone Jenny Tonge for David Ward? (87 comments) by Mark Valladares
  2. Labour party ‘gerrymandering’: recalling the only occasion in a century when a party has interfered with electoral boundaries (54 comments) by Simon McGrath
  3. Nick Clegg’s son’s schooling is none of your business (130 comments) by Nick Thornsby
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Posted in Friday Five | 1 Comment
Helen Duffett

The LDV Friday Five: 25 January 2013

By Helen Duffett | Fri 25th January 2013 - 5:00 pm

It’s Friday. It’s five o’clock. Here’s a fistful of lists that sum up the LDV week:

5 most-read stories on LDV this week

  1. Opinion: it’s no good counting on those rose-tinted spectacles (138 comments) by Richard Morris
  2. Sheffield Labour councillor opposes own decision (12 comments) by Joe Otten
  3. Northern council cuts are Labour’s choice – it’s that straightforward! (28 comments) by David Hennigan
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Helen Duffett

The LDV Friday Five: 18 January 2013

By Helen Duffett | Fri 18th January 2013 - 5:00 pm

It’s Friday. It’s five o’clock. Here’s a fistful of lists that sum up the LDV week:

5 most-read stories on LDV this week

  1. And the winner of our Liberal Voice of the Year award is… Sam Bowman (64 comments) by Stephen Tall
  2. Opinion: Liberals must learn the lessons of Thatcher (63 comments) by David Thorpe
  3. Jessops – is administration a euphemism for obliteration? (14 comments) by Mark Blackburn
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Helen Duffett

Nick Clegg to join LBC for weekly radio phone-in

By Helen Duffett | Mon 7th January 2013 - 4:23 pm

LBC announced this morning:

Starting on Thursday 10th January at 9.00am, Call Clegg will be the first time a senior member of Government has agreed to be challenged by listeners every week about the big decisions being made in Downing Street.

Every Thursday morning for half-an-hour, the Deputy Prime Minister will go head-to-head with LBC 97.3 breakfast host Nick Ferrari and his listeners, who will be able to call, email, text or tweet Nick Clegg directly with their questions.

Mr Clegg said: “I’m doing this because I don’t think politicians get to hear enough from people directly. You can’t do the right

…

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Posted in News | Tagged , and | 31 Comments
Helen Duffett

The LDV Friday Five: 4 January 2013

By Helen Duffett | Fri 4th January 2013 - 5:00 pm

It’s Friday. It’s five o’clock. Here’s a fistful of lists that sum up the LDV week:

5 most-read stories on LDV this week

  1. NEW POLL: Who is your Liberal Voice of the Year? (25 comments) by Stephen Tall
  2. So you think Ukip are the new third party? Let’s have a look at the data… (75 comments) by Stephen Tall
  3. Which Lib Dem minister had the worst year? Here’s what party members think… (9 comments) by Stephen Tall
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