Tag Archives: Scottish liberal democrat conference

My highlights of Scottish Liberal Democrat Conference

By Caron Lindsay | Wed 20th March 2013 - 11:56 am

I’m a bit bleary eyed today. One conference is exhausting, two on successive weekends is positively foolhardy. Following that up with a trip to London for Federal Executive is craziness.

I spent the weekend in Dundee where Scottish Liberal Democrats held their main Conference. Over three days, there were no fewer than twelve policy debates, some of them incredibly powerful or controversial. Here are my highlights.

The Secret Courts debate

Yes, I’m biased as I proposed the motion rejecting the Government’s proposals, but the debate itself was very high quality. Liberal Youth co-chair Kavya Kaushik won the Russell Johnston award for the best …

Posted in News and Op-eds | Also tagged mental health, Scotland, secret courts, tavish scott, vince cable, wilie rennie and willie rennie | 2 Comments

My speech in secret courts debate to Scottish Conference

By Caron Lindsay | Mon 18th March 2013 - 7:57 am

Ok, this might be slightly egotistical, but I thought you might be interested in seeing the speech I made proposing the motion opposing the legislation on secret courts at Scottish Conference this weekend. The motion, calling for a repeal of the legislation to be put into our manifesto in 2015, was passed overwhelmingly. There were in fact only two votes against in a busy hall, and one of them was from Jim Wallace. If you scroll to the bottom, you can see a wee snippet of it.

Here’s what I said:

For over four centuries our legal systems have been based on

…

Posted in News | Also tagged secret courts | 2 Comments

Scottish Conference overwhelmingly rejects secret courts

By Caron Lindsay | Sat 16th March 2013 - 11:48 am

Only two members of the Scottish Liberal Democrat conference voted against a motion opposing the introduction of secret courts. One of them was Jim Wallace, whose name is on the Government’s bill.

The leadership didn’t put up a fight, which in some ways is more frustrating. Why won”t they come forward and engage in the debate? It’s clear they have no intention in taking the slightest bit of notice of the vote, or the previous votes carried by enormous majorities at Federal Conference.

There was only one speech against and that was from someone who opposed secret courts in principle but …

Posted in News | Also tagged Scotland and secret courts | 14 Comments

Scottish Liberal Democrats launch new Facebook page

By The Voice | Thu 14th March 2013 - 3:55 pm

Ahead of Scottish Conference in Dundee this weekend, Scottish Liberal Democrats have launched a new Facebook page for news, views, infographics and pictures about the Scottish Liberal Democrats.

Their picture of today is a head shot of leader Willie Rennie with all the nice things that journalists keep saying about him.

The Conference has its fair share of controversy – debates on secret courts, snaring and smacking over the next three days.

There will be keynote speeches from Vince Cable, Nick Clegg, Jo Swinson, Michael Moore and Malcolm Bruce as well as …

Posted in News | Also tagged facebook and willie rennie | Leave a comment

Opinion: Ban barbaric, unnecessary snaring

By Euan Davidson | Thu 14th March 2013 - 10:27 am

One of Liberal Youth Scotland’s campaigns this year has concentrated on encouraging the Scottish Liberal Democrats to adopt a policy to ban snaring. We believe that this practice is barbaric, cruel, indiscriminate and unnecessary.

On Saturday 16^th March, Scottish Liberal Democrat conference will debate an LYS motion calling for a ban on snaring. Scotland has led the way on this issue with the Scottish Government adopting new guidelines in 2008. However research undertaken by the Scottish Society for the Prevention of cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) has shown that 85% of the public are in favour of an outright ban.

One Aberdeenshire Vet …

Posted in Op-eds | Also tagged animal welfare, liberal youth scotland, Scotland and snaring | 7 Comments

Willie Rennie: No to independence doesn’t mean no to change

By Caron Lindsay | Wed 30th January 2013 - 8:55 am

Scottish Liberal Democrat Leader Willie Rennie sent an email to members yesterday outlining what he is trying to do as regards building a consensus around further powers for the Scottish Parliament in the event of no vote in next year’s independence referendum. If I had been him, given the proximity of Scottish Conference and how fabulously awesome it is going to be, with lots of controversy and debate, I would have put a link at the bottom enticing people to go and register.But seeing as he didn’t – you can find out all the information you need here.

Anyway, here is his email in full:

Posted in News | Also tagged home rule, Scotland, Scottish independence referendum and willie rennie | 3 Comments

A snapshot of Scottish Liberal Democrat Conference

By Caron Lindsay | Wed 31st October 2012 - 7:47 pm

Scottish Liberal Democrats met for a busy annual Autumn conference in Dunfermline last Saturday. The day started with the most delicious sliced sausage ever. Subjects debated by members (all of whom have a vote), include reverse vending machines, honest lets, cuts to student funding, affordable childcare and the Home Rule Commission chaired by Sir Menzies Campbell. Charles Kennedy also took part in that debate.

There were keynote speeches from Secretary of State for Scotland Michael Moore, new Business and Equalities Minister Jo Swinson and leader Willie Rennie. Danny Alexander did a question and answer session on the Mid Term Review and …

Posted in News | Also tagged donald gorrie, Jo Swinson, Michael Moore, Ming Campbell, nikki thomson and willie rennie | Leave a comment

Michael Moore’s Westminster Notes

By Michael Moore MP | Wed 31st October 2012 - 4:28 pm

Every week, Liberal Democrat Secretary of State for Scotland writes a column for newspapers in his Borders constituency. Here is this week’s edition.

Eyemouth Renewables

I have been working with Eyemouth Harbour Trust and other local stakeholders over recent years to ensure our local economy benefits from the planned offshore wind development in the Firth

Posted in News | Also tagged Michael Moore, Scotland and Westminster Notes | Leave a comment

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Tag Archives: Scottish liberal democrat conference

My highlights of Scottish Liberal Democrat Conference

The Secret Courts debate

My speech in secret courts debate to Scottish Conference

Scottish Conference overwhelmingly rejects secret courts

Scottish Liberal Democrats launch new Facebook page

Opinion: Ban barbaric, unnecessary snaring

Willie Rennie: No to independence doesn’t mean no to change

A snapshot of Scottish Liberal Democrat Conference

Michael Moore’s Westminster Notes

Eyemouth Renewables

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Social mobility: is the Coalition doing enough to encourage it?

Stephen Tall asks: "Did Nate Silver write in vain?"

Nick Clegg: "Of course the EU has to change"

"Mad, swivel-eyed loons": a top Tory on the Tories

Tag Archives: Scottish liberal democrat conference

The Secret Courts debate

Eyemouth Renewables

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