Author Archives: the founding editor

Today’s leadership news links

By the founding editor | Published 22nd October 2007 - 9:10 am

The only thing I could find this morning was this Q&A between Chris Huhne and the readers of the Independent which includes questions on the nature of liberalism. drug use, whether Chris should be ashamed to be wealthy, and a couple of good policy questions.

If you know of more news web links, do post them in the comments.

Posted in Leadership Election, News | 11 Comments

Shameless plug for my other gaff

By the founding editor | Published 22nd October 2007 - 9:00 am

I’m blogging the leadership contest from the perspective of a floating voter over on my personal blog where you’ll find:

Posted in News | 2 Comments

Your Sunday papers

By the founding editor | Published 21st October 2007 - 9:41 am

The Sunday Telegraph says:

In an article for this newspaper, Chris Huhne aims the first personal shot at Nick Clegg – claiming that his rival risks being seen as little more than a “Tory twin”.

You can read the article here and make your own mind up. While in the Observer a saccharine, though at times revealing, interview with Nick Clegg brings such revelations as:

He wields politics’ deadliest weapon, charm. There is also a sprinkling of stardust. Next week he will meet Halle Berry at a film premiere of his mate Sam Mendes’s Things We Lost In The Fire

And you’ll find that …

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Posted in Leadership Election, News | 15 Comments

Leadership contenders go head-to-head

By the founding editor | Published 20th October 2007 - 10:38 am

Nick Clegg and Chris Huhne will go head-to-head at the South Central Regional Conference in Newbury, Berkshire today.

I’m sure it will be carried on News24, so if anyone can enlighten us in the comments as to when the hustings is due to start (for some reason News Online systematically deny their readers information like this) then we’d be very grateful!

Posted in Conference, Leadership Election, News | 9 Comments

Acting leader says entire Northern Rock management board should have been “cleared out on day one”

By the founding editor | Published 20th October 2007 - 10:36 am

Vincent CableThis story appears in the Guardian and other places:

Commenting on the resignation of Northern Rock’s chairman Matt Ridley, Liberal Democrat Acting Leader and Shadow Chancellor, Vince Cable MP said: “The Government should have made Mr Ridley’s departure a condition of its loan, rather than waiting for him to go.

“Furthermore there are other directors, including Derek Wanless, who are equally culpable. All of the senior management of the company led by Mr Applegarth should have been cleared out on day one.

“I nonetheless welcome this step as belated recognition that somebody in Northern Rock should be

…

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Posted in News | 5 Comments

Nick Clegg launches campaign, pledging to take Liberal Democrats “beyond our comfort zone”

By the founding editor | Published 19th October 2007 - 11:36 am

You can find an introduction to Nick’s leadership bid on the web site of his local paper (thanks to Andrea for pointing out) – no campaign web site yet.

He began by sending condolences to the friends and family of Jonathan Matondo. He then paid tribute to Menzies Campbell.

He said the party would have to be “bold” and “move “outside our comfort zone” as “three party politics was in the balance.”

He said “we cannot test the patience of the British people” and that a long term commitment must be made to liberalism.

Clegg said the party should “extend our reach” and …

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Posted in Leadership Election, News | Tagged | 39 Comments

Campaign Clegg launches today

By the founding editor | Published 19th October 2007 - 8:00 am

Hello, me again. Your regular Lib Dem Voice team are away for the weekend running leadership campaigns or “having a life” and have asked me to stand in. Apparently there’s only so much havoc one can wreak in four days.

Today will see the launch of Nick Clegg’s leadership campaign. Here’s what we’re expecting so far:

  • It will be in Sheffield
  • Former Sheffield Hallam MP Richard Allan is Clegg’s campaign manager
  • Weather permitting, it may be outdoors
  • The web site will be at www.nickclegg.com

As the launch is in Sheffield, I’ll bet you a big slice of cake that an allusion to Nick’s Parliamentary majority …

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Posted in Leadership Election, News | Tagged , | 6 Comments

David Cameron to reshuffle Tory Shadow Cabinet today…

By the founding editor | Published 2nd July 2007 - 3:54 pm

…according to those ever-present “Sky Sources”

UPDATE: David Cameron has appointed non-elected Conservatives to his shadow cabinet, including Sayeeda Warsi (Community Cohesion) and Pauline Neville-Jones (Shadow Secretary of State for Security). Both will take up seats in the House of Lords.

Posted in News | 8 Comments

Liberal Democrats select Nigel Bakhai for Ealing Southall

By the founding editor | Published 2nd July 2007 - 10:25 am

Nigel BakhaiLocal choice Nigel Bakhai is set to challenge Labour once more in Ealing Southall, after being selected by Ealing Southall Liberal Democrats. Nigel Bakhai doubled the Lib Dem vote at the 2005 General Election.

The Liberal Democrats are the main challengers to Labour in the seat. They were second at the last General Election.

Local Liberal Democrat Nigel Bakhai said:

“Living in the heart of the constituency I know the issues that local people face. Labour has taken our area for granted for too long.

“This election is about local people electing …

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Posted in News, Parliamentary by-elections | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Party releases ‘holding statement’ from Shirley Williams

By the founding editor | Published 28th June 2007 - 11:36 am

“I met Gordon Brown at 6:30pm on Wednesday evening. We had a friendly and constructive discussion. I was not offered a Ministerial position and would not have accepted one.

“The Prime Minister and I talked briefly about the dangers of unsecured nuclear materials and nuclear proliferation, subjects I have worked on as a member of the Board of Directors of the Nuclear Threat Initiative in Washington DC.

“NTI is a private organisation established by Senator Sam Nunn of the Democratic Party, former chairman of the Senate Armed Service Committee, and Ted Turner, founder of CNN. Senator Richard Lugar of the Republican Party, …

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Posted in News | Tagged | 9 Comments

By-election machine hits the ground running

By the founding editor | Published 27th June 2007 - 10:06 pm

With a double by-election likely on July 19, the Liberal Democrat by-election machine is now gearing up for action.

The Ealing Southall HQ will open on Saturday morning, near Southall station.  You’ll find it at Unit 5, Urban Hive, Grand Union way, Bridge Road, Southall, UB2 4EX. 

The agent will be Chris Leaman, London Campaigns Officer and agent for Sarah Teather at the last General Election. The agent in Sedgefield will be Campaigns Officer Ruth Millburn.  Chris Rennard told MPs this evening that both campaigns would be very hard fought and that we would make every possible effort over the next three …

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Posted in News, Parliamentary by-elections | Tagged , | 18 Comments

Baroness Williams ‘to join’ government of all the talents

By the founding editor | Published 27th June 2007 - 10:01 pm

According to the 24 hour news channels some of the papers will report tomorrow that Shirley Williams is to  join Gordon Brown’s government - not in ministerial office but in a position that will place her “close” to Gordon Brown.  No more detail yet, but we’ll not have long to wait to find out for certain.

Posted in News | 11 Comments

Mandelson’s ‘homoerotic admiration’ for Tony Blair

By the founding editor | Published 22nd June 2007 - 2:04 pm

The promotional vehicle for Andrew Rawnsley’s Channel 4 documentary on Tony Blair’s premiereship trundles on, today with a quote on the Guardian arts blog:

“Of course Peter Mandelson had an almost homoerotic admiration for Tony – it was embarrassing,” opined Bazza in one of his gloriously unguarded off-piste moments.”

Greater love hath no man than one who didn’t know he’d be sacked twice in the next ten years.

Posted in Opposition watch | Tagged , | 6 Comments

Ask the leader: Menzies Campbell takes questions at 5pm on News 24

By the founding editor | Published 19th June 2007 - 12:38 pm

Liberal Democrat leader, Sir Menzies Campbell, will be talking to Emily Maitlis on BBC News 24 on Tuesday, 19 June at 1700BST.

You can submit a question here.

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Tory’s Speaker spanking

By the founding editor | Published 29th May 2007 - 1:56 pm

A small, simple pleasure – but click to watch David Heathcoat-Amory being given a verbal spanking by Mr Speaker Martin, from last week’s business questions. No wonder the Tories hate him.

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