Author Archives: Callum Morton

Callum Morton

Opinion: Apprenticeships all across the UK are changing the lives of young people. I should know, because I’m one of them

By Callum Morton | Thu 12th September 2013 - 3:43 pm

I was told growing up that going to University was the pinnacle of all human achievement, that it would set me up for life. I didn’t do well in my A-levels and university became out of my reach, so I began working in students’ unions instead. Now, as an apprentice in Tom Brake’s office, I am gaining knowledge, developing new skills and working towards a qualification – all whilst making a difference in the local area. It has made me passionate to do more; I will be standing to be a councillor at next year’s local elections. I’ve come a …

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Posted in Op-eds | Tagged and | 4 Comments
Callum Morton

Liberal Youth Activate gives the new Liberal Youth leadership a renewed focus on Further Education

By Callum Morton | Tue 2nd July 2013 - 5:00 pm

liberalyouthI write post Activate, Liberal Youth’s flagship training weekend. This year, it also included policy debates and constitutional amendments – two of which were on Further Education.

Liberal Youth’s leadership on Further Education has improved significantly over the past year, with Freshers Fairs conducted in FE institutions for the first time, as well as training for regional chairs on how to engage with Further Education students in their areas.

I’ve demanded much better from the Liberal Youth Executive for 6 years, arguing that setting our foundations in Further Education would make the …

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Callum Morton

The path to 2015 should be one guided by our principles, not by doubt

By Callum Morton | Fri 13th January 2012 - 8:52 am

Before the Christmas break, I produced an article on Lib Dem Voice about how the EU veto could and should be the first step of many where our party expresses its individuality in coalition loud and clear. After this blog I saw many opinion articles about where we stood on various issues. The conclusion? Varied.

Let’s just take one example – tuition fees. Some of us think we will be congratulated at the next General Election for making the loans system fairer. Wrong. While ensuring that up-front fees are in the past and protecting graduates by asking no one to

…

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Callum Morton

Opinion: Individuality on EU is the start of the Liberal Democrat recovery

By Callum Morton | Wed 14th December 2011 - 8:55 am

Lib Dems would have winced when the news broke about Cameron’s EU veto, but it’s the biggest chance yet to express our party’s individuality.

Since the tuition fee rise and EMA’s abolition, I haven’t liked Nick Clegg. Although I agreed with the coalition being formed, I didn’t agree with the coalition negotiation team he chose. I haven’t agreed with a lot of what he’s done as leader. And I’ve sat grumbling about it for months. But over the past few days my respect for Nick has significantly improved.

Why? Well I’m starting to see something different from Nick and our party. I’m …

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Posted in Op-eds | Tagged , , , , and | 36 Comments
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