Almost a week ago, LDV emailed those Lib Dem party members signed-up to our private discussion forum inviting them to take part in a survey focusing on MPs’ expenses. Many thanks to the 240+ of you who completed it; we’ve published the results in full on LDV over the last few days. You can catch up with all our past exclusive LDV members’ surveys by clicking here.

1.

LDV asked: Now that the Speaker of the House of Commons, Michael Martin, has resigned a handful of Liberal Democrat MPs have been suggested as the new Speaker. It has …

On Tuesday evening, LDV emailed those Lib Dem party members signed-up to our private discussion forum inviting them to take part in a survey focusing on MPs’ expenses. Many thanks to the 240+ of you who have so far completed it; we’ve been publishing the results on LDV over the last few days. You can catch up on the results of all our past exclusive LDV members’ surveys by clicking here.

Today we’re publishing the result that always prompts a bout of nerves in the leader’s office – how LDV’s party member readers view Nick Clegg’s performance. LDV …

On Tuesday evening, LDV emailed those Lib Dem party members signed-up to our private discussion forum inviting them to take part in a survey focusing on MPs’ expenses. Many thanks to the 240+ of you who have so far completed it; we’ve been publishing the results on LDV over the last few days. You can catch up on the results of all our past exclusive LDV members’ surveys by clicking here.

1.

LDV asked: The following MPs have been named by the Telegraph in connection with the MPs’ expenses row. Please indicate those you believe – on the …

On Tuesday evening, LDV emailed those Lib Dem party members signed-up to our private discussion forum inviting them to take part in a survey focusing on MPs’ expenses. Many thanks to the 240+ of you who have so far completed it; we’ll be publishing the results on LDV over the next few days. You can catch up on the results of all our past exclusive LDV members’ surveys by clicking here.

1.

LDV asked: On the basis of all that you have read, seen or heard – and trying to put party loyalties to one side – which …

On Tuesday evening, LDV emailed those Lib Dem party members signed-up to our private discussion forum inviting them to take part in a survey focusing on MPs’ expenses. Many thanks to the 230+ of you who have so far completed it; we’ll be publishing the results on LDV over the next few days. You can catch up on the results of all our past exclusive LDV members’ surveys by clicking here.

1.

LDV asked, Which of the following statements most closely matches your own view:

And here’s what you told us:

>> 38% – The alleged abuses by MPs of the allowances system is an issue of fundamental importance to the political system.

>> 56% – The alleged abuses by MPs of the allowances system is an important issue, but the reporting of it has sometimes been over-the-top.

>> 4% – The alleged abuses by MPs of the allowances system is pretty trivial compared with the other issues facing this country.

>> 1% – Don’t know / Other.

2.

We then asked: The Daily Telegraph has been running the MPs’ expenses story, having apparently obtained stolen data by paying a source up to £100,000. MPs’ expenses were due to be published by Parliament itself in June after a long-running FOI campaign. Some have criticised the Telegraph’s actions as ‘chequebook journalism’, while others have defended the paper for exposing the alleged abuses of the allowance system by MPs. Do you think, on balance, the Daily Telegraph’s actions have been:

Here’s what you said:

On Tuesday evening, LDV emailed those Lib Dem party members signed-up to our private discussion forum inviting them to take part in a survey focusing on MPs’ expenses. Many thanks to the 220 of you who have so far completed it; we’ll be publishing the results on LDV over the next few days. You can catch up on the results of all our past exclusive LDV members’ surveys by clicking here.

First up, we’re going to look at what you said about the expenses stories concerning Lord (Chris) Rennard, the party’s chief executive. Here’s what we asked: Though …

The new LDV members’ survey is now live – this one focuses exclusively on the hot topic of MPs’ expenses. So if you are a registered member of the Liberal Democrat Voice forum – and any paid-up party member is welcome to join – then you now have the opportunity to make your views known. Questions we are asking your opinion on include:

- your views on MPs in general and the Telegraph’s reporting;
- which party you think has been hardest hit by the allegations;
- which Lib Dem MPs named by the Telegraph you think have questions to answer;
- whether …

Over the last week or so, Lib Dem Voice has invited the members of our private forum (open to all Lib Dem members) inviting them to take part in a survey, conducted via Liberty Research, asking a number of questions about the party and the current state of British politics. Many thanks to the almost 200 of you who completed it; we’ve been publishing the results on LDV over the last few days. You can catch up on the results of our exclusive LDV members’ surveys by clicking here.

Today, in the final part, we turn our attention to the performance of the Liberal Democrat shadow cabinet, and a handful of other senior Lib Dems. Reproduced below, in alphabetical order, are the full results of our survey, which shows how effective each MP is felt by members to be, together with a net satisfaction rating (those who think they’re very/fairly effective minus those think they’re very/fairly ineffective).

The list is a long one, so here’s the skinny:

First of all, who’s at the top of the charts…

Top 5:
Vince Cable: +97%
Chris Huhne: +62%
Norman Baker: +60%
Lynne Featherstone: +55%
Julia Goldsworthy +46%

Then we have the ones who, erm, aren’t at the top of the charts…

Bottom 5:
= Don Foster: -11%
= Roger Williams: -11%
Stephen Williams: -11%
Nick Harvey: -17%
Michael Moore: -23%

And then let’s look at those with highest levels of ‘Don’t know / No opinion’…

5 most anonymous:

= Willie Rennie: 43%
= John Thurso: 43%
Paul Burstow: 52%
Jenny Willott: 53%
Alistair Carmichael: 65%
Roger Williams: 68%

Finally, for the second time, we asked about other leading Lib Dem figures outside the shadow cabinet – here’s how you rated them:

Andrew Duff, Leader of the UK Lib Dem MEPs: -11% (-6% in November)
Kirsty Williams AM, Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats: +42% (-25% for Mike German in November)
Mike Tuffrey, Leader of the Liberal Democrat group on the London Assembly: -17% (-21% )
Ros Scott, Party President-elect of the Liberal Democrats: +50% (+52%)
Tavish Scott MSP, Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats: +15% (+16%)

Full results follow:

Over the last week or so, Lib Dem Voice has invited the members of our private forum (open to all Lib Dem members) inviting them to take part in a survey, conducted via Liberty Research, asking a number of questions about the party and the current state of British politics. Many thanks to the almost 200 of you who completed it; we’re publishing the results on LDV over the next few days. You can catch up on the results of our exclusive LDV members’ surveys by clicking here.

First up, LDV asked: Do you think, as a …

Over the last week or so, Lib Dem Voice has invited the members of our private forum (open to all Lib Dem members) inviting them to take part in a survey, conducted via Liberty Research, asking a number of questions about the party and the current state of British politics. Many thanks to the almost 200 of you who completed it; we’re publishing the results on LDV over the next few days. You can catch up on the results of our exclusive LDV members’ surveys by clicking here.

In the light of the controversy over Swiss right-to-die organisation Dignitas, LDV asked: Do you think the law should be changed, so that it is no longer illegal to assist a relative in seeking assisted suicide abroad?

Here’s what you told us:

Yes – 75.3%
No – 17.5%
Don’t know – 7.2%

Here’s a small selection of your comments:

Some confusion is useful. Leave it to the courts.
The right to die in dignity should be respected.
This is not the sort of thing which Parliament should interfere with. A Nelsonian blind eye is a much more adult, progressive and Liberal approach.
I do not think suicide should be encouraged, whether assisted or not, whether here or abroad.
Very frequently assisted suicide as it is called is an act of love.
I don’t think it should be illegal to travel abroad and if assisteed suicide is legal in a foriegn juristiction then thats there problem.
To each a life is given and it is for each to ‘live it’ and ‘death it’ as they deem right – so long as no harm to others is caused.
It must be a difficult decision and I couldn’t do so; let’s not criminalise those who are brave enough to do so.
By analogy with abortion, if we legalise it in the UK, then we can regulate the circumstances in which it’s permissible.

We then asked: Should assisted suicide be legal in the UK?

Again, there was strong support, but less strong than for allowing it to happen overseas:

Yes - 61.9%
No – 26.8%
Don’t know – 11.3%

Here’s a little of what you said:

At least, not until the change in the law okaying ones done abroad is given some time.
It’s going to happen anyway. Legalise and regulate it very tightly, that’s vastly better than having it happen unregulated in secret.
But with important legal safeguards to guarantee informed consent.
I have every sympathy with those who are suffering intolerably and wish to end their own life but I am concerned for those who may be pressured to this against their wishes.
I don’t support assisted suicide. But I think patients should be able to give waivers to allow enhanced palliative care even if it shortens their lives as a side-effect.

Finally for today, we asked about the criminalisation of incitement to hatred over sexual orientation, as supported by the Lib Dems last month: Liberal Democrat spokespeople have supported a new law to ban incitement to hatred against individuals based on their sexual orientation. What do you think?

Over the last week, Lib Dem Voice has invited the members of our private forum (open to all Lib Dem members) inviting them to take part in a survey, conducted via Liberty Research, asking a number of questions about the party and the current state of British politics. Many thanks to the almost 200 of you who completed it; we’re publishing the results on LDV over the next few days.

We asked: The Chief Medical Officer has proposed fixing a minimum price for alcohol sales in Britain. This measure is opposed by the Tories and Labour, but …

Over the last week, Lib Dem Voice has invited the members of our private forum (open to all Lib Dem members) inviting them to take part in a survey, conducted via Liberty Research, asking a number of questions about the party and the current state of British politics. Many thanks to the almost 200 of you who completed it; we’ll be publishing the results on LDV over the next few days.

First up, we asked about the Lib Dems’ policy on tax: Nick Clegg this week announced that the Lib Dems would no longer find it possible to cut the overall burden of taxation because of the current economic crisis, as had been announced in last year’s Make It Happen policy document. The party will continue to pledge to cut the taxes of low- and middle-income earners, though, funded by raising taxes for the wealthiest. Which of these statements best represents your view?

Here’s what you told us:

8.3% – Nick Clegg was wrong to drop the party’s pledge to cut the overall burden of taxation
8.3% – Pledging to cut taxes at all, even for the lowest paid, in the current economic circumstances is unrealistic
3.1% – Don’t know

Here’s a selection of your comments:

After a bit of a hiatus, the LDV members’ surveys are set to be revived. So if you are a registered member of the Liberal Democrat Voice forum – and any paid-up party member is welcome to join – then you now have the opportunity to make your views known on a range of issues in our April members’ survey. Topics we are asking your opinion on include:

- Lib Dem tax policy post-credit crunch;
- when you think the economy will recover;
- whether British troops withdrawn from Iraq should be redeployed to Afghanistan;
- your views on assisted suicide;
- your take …

Over the last week or two, Lib Dem Voice has invited the members of our private forum (open to all Lib Dem members) inviting them to take part in a survey, conducted via Liberty Research, asking a number of questions about the party and the current state of British politics. Many thanks to the 210+ of you who completed it; we’ve been publishing the results on LDV over the past week. Today’s is the final part.

First up, LDV asked: LDV asked: Do you think, as a whole, the Liberal Democrats are on the right course or on …

Over the last week or two, Lib Dem Voice has invited the members of our private forum (open to all Lib Dem members) inviting them to take part in a survey, conducted via Liberty Research, asking a number of questions about the party and the current state of British politics. Many thanks to the 210+ of you who completed it; we’ve been publishing the results on LDV over the past week.

Today we turn our attention to the performance of the Liberal Democrat shadow cabinet. And little did I know when I prepared this for publication quite how topical the subject would be, with well-sourced rumours of an imminent reshuffle! For the record, Steve Webb, Chris Huhne, Julia Goldsworthy and David Laws (all mentioned by name in yesterday’s Mirror story) are all rated positively by LDV-reading party members.

Reproduced below are the full results of our survey, which shows how effective each MP is felt by members to be, together with a net satisfaction rating (those who think they’re very/fairly effective minus those think they’re very/fairly ineffective). The list is a long one, so here’s the skinny…

First of all, who’s at the top of the charts…

Top 5:
Vince Cable: +94%
Chris Huhne: +67%
Norman Baker: +64%
Lynne Featherstone: +57%
Norman Lamb +45%

Then we have the ones who, erm, aren’t at the top of the charts…

Bottom 5:
Edward Davey -6%
Stephen Williams: -16%
Roger Williams: -18%
Nick Harvey: -18%
Michael Moore: -26%

And then let’s look at those who have increased their ratings most over the past month…

5 highest climbers:
Lynne Featherstone +27%
Sarah Teather +25%
Willie Rennie +16%
Norman Lamb +15%
Simon Hughes +14%

Finally, for the first time this month, we asked about other leading Lib Dem figures outside the shadow cabinet – here’s your net satisfaction rating for each of them:

Ros Scott, Party President-elect of the Liberal Democrats +52%
Tavish Scott MSP, Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats +16%
Mike German AM, Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats -25%
Andrew Duff, Leader of the UK Lib Dem MEPs -6%
Mike Tuffrey, Leader of the Liberal Democrat group on the London Assembly -21%

Full results follow:

Over the last week or so, Lib Dem Voice has invited the members of our private forum (open to all Lib Dem members) inviting them to take part in a survey, conducted via Liberty Research, asking a number of questions about the party and the current state of British politics. Many thanks to the 210+ of you who completed it; we’re publishing the results this week on LDV.

The last couple of months has seen the British political landscape transformed, with suggestions that Gordon Brown might take advantage of recession-induced panic to spring a quick general election. So …

Over the last week, Lib Dem Voice has invited the members of our private forum (open to all Lib Dem members) inviting them to take part in a survey, conducted via Liberty Research, asking a number of questions about the party and the current state of British politics. Many thanks to the 210+ of you who completed it; we’re publishing the results this week on LDV.

A couple of weeks ago, LDV featured the results of one of PoliticsHome’s PH100 surveys of ‘experts and insiders’, which asked the following question:

“The Lib Dems have set the agenda

…

Over the last week, Lib Dem Voice has invited the members of our private forum (open to all Lib Dem members) inviting them to take part in a survey, conducted via Liberty Research, asking a number of questions about the party and the current state of British politics. Many thanks to the 200+ of you who completed it; we’re publishing the results this week on LDV.

This month saw the announcement of the result of the all-member ballot to elect the next President of the Liberal Democrats: Baroness Ros Scott won, with a resounding 72% of the vote, …

Over the last week, Lib Dem Voice has invited the members of our private forum (open to all Lib Dem members) inviting them to take part in a survey, conducted via Liberty Research, asking a number of questions about the party and the current state of British politics. Many thanks to the 200+ of you who completed it; we’re publishing the results this week on LDV.

Tonight we look at what you consider to be the most important issues facing the UK. A word of explanation about the categories that were presented as options: they were based on …

Over the last week, Lib Dem Voice has invited the members of our private forum (open to all Lib Dem members) inviting them to take part in a survey, conducted via Liberty Research, asking a number of questions about the party and the current state of British politics. Many thanks to the 200+ of you who completed it; we’ll be publishing the results this week on LDV.

First up, we asked about the current state of the British economy. LDV asked: At our September conference, the party approved the Make It Happen policy document which committed the Lib …