Author Archives: Dave Page

Dave Page

#RevokeArticle50 is now Lib Dem policy

By Dave Page | Fri 22nd March 2019 - 11:55 am

As Theresa May twists and turns in Europe trying to square the Brexit circle, it’s worth noting what isn’t going to happen – any agreement in Westminster on her Withdrawal Agreement today, Friday 22nd March.

The House of Commons petition to Revoke Article 50 notification has become a record breaker with over 2 million signatures,repeatedly bringing the petitions website down and attracting thousands of signatures per minute. Many organisations are shifting to support revocation, and it seems this Saturday’s march will contain more Revoke groups than those supporting a fresh referendum.

Our party leadership has repeatedly claimed that we are marching for a Peoples’ Vote, which they call the “only way out” of Brexit. They have confused the goal – an Exit from Brexit – with just one possible mechanism to deliver it. The debate has moved on, and the party risks looking irrelevant to the Remain movement in these vital days.

The Lib Dems’ Brexit policy has included an option to revoke Article 50 notification since Autumn 2018, when it was introduced by ordinary members as a policy amendment, then opposed by the party leadership. Last week in York, Liberal Democrat members voted for Brexit spokesperson Tom Brake’s policy on Brexit. This updates our option to revoke:

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Posted in Op-eds | Tagged , and | 32 Comments
Dave Page

Introducing LGBT+ Liberal Democrats

By Dave Page | Wed 20th May 2015 - 8:55 am

lGBT+ lib dems logoNew members have been asking about Lib Dem organisations that they can join.  You are welcome to submit similar items on behalf of other organisations.

The Liberals were the first party to support gay rights in a general election manifesto. The Lib Dems opposed Section 28 from the start, were the first to call for legal gender recognition for trans people, literally wrote the law on civil partnerships and were the first major party to support same-sex marriage, which was pushed through in Government by Lynne Featherstone as Equalities minister.

It’s clear that as a party we’ve always been there for LGBT+ people, and we always will. Liberalism is inherently opposed to conformity, and our party is constitutionally supportive of people regardless of gender orsexuality. However, there is room for an organisation which proactively advances the cause of equality and liberation.

LGBT+ Lib Dems, like its predecessor organisations, exists to promote the needs of LGBT+ people. We have ensured that the Lib Dems have been ahead of professional organisations such as Stonewall. As a recognised party body we submit policy straight to the Conference floor. We help the Lib Dems get the details right to make the best difference to LGBT+ peoples’ lives.

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Posted in Lib Dem organisations and Op-eds | Tagged | 5 Comments
Dave Page

Opinion: Let’s get out with Pride in 2015

By Dave Page | Fri 14th November 2014 - 3:28 pm

2013-08-dave-mancprideThe General Election next year may not be a happy occasion for the Liberal Democrats. If we find ourselves bruised and battered, depressed, demoralised, it will be hard to hold our heads up high and proclaim a strong liberal message. One thing that will keep us going is some old-fashioned, fun and inspiring community politics.

The Liberal Democrats have the longest and proudest record of supporting and empowering LGBT+ people of any political party. We were the first to call for gay rights in a manifesto, the first major party to support …

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Posted in News | 9 Comments
Dave Page

Opinion: Open standards: a liberal approach to technology

By Dave Page | Wed 17th October 2012 - 9:56 am

As we look at how we use technology to campaign as Liberal Democrats, we should consider the use of open standards.

Most people know something very basic about the World Wide Web – it was invented by Tim Berners-Lee. But the key to its success was not just the skill of its inventor; the standards behind the web were open, meaning that anybody could write a web server, web browser or web page. Dozens of programmes sprung up, all of them able to talk to each …

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Posted in Op-eds | Tagged , , and | 17 Comments
Dave Page

Opinion: The problem with Lib Dem conference security arrangements

By Dave Page | Fri 3rd June 2011 - 9:35 am

With the opening of registration for the Autumn Liberal Democrat conference this week, the first details have emerged of registrants needing to provide information to the police for “security checks”.

Looking at the Lib Dem blogosphere this morning, it’s clear that people are deeply unhappy with the requirements. I’m going to try to explain what the problem is, how it’s come about and what we might do about it.

What Information Is Required?

The pass application guidelines make it clear what is needed. First off, an up-to-date photo compliant with the new passport guidelines (which exist to make automated facial biometric recognition easier) for your conference pass.

Secondly, either your passport number, driving licence number or National Insurance number. If you don’t have any of the latter, it seems to be possible to come to some kind of arrangement with Greater Manchester Police (who are doing the checks on behalf of Birmingham’s West Midlands Police).

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Posted in Conference and Op-eds | Tagged | 28 Comments
Dave Page

Opinion: PCC’s rejection of Jan Moir complaint shows it up as entirely toothless

By Dave Page | Thu 18th February 2010 - 1:55 pm

The Guardian reports that the Press Complaints Commission has rejected a complaint from Andrew Cowles, the partner of the late Boyzone singer Stephen Gately, over a Daily Mail article by Jan Moir originally titled “Why there was nothing ‘natural’ about Stephen Gately’s death”. Moir stated that Gately’s death was not natural, despite official reports to the contrary, and claimed that the circumstances were “more than a little sleazy”.

Over 25,000 people complained to the PPC over the article, claiming that it was homophobic and slanderous. The article went on to compare Gately’s death to the suicide of Kevin McGee, …

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Posted in Op-eds | Tagged and | 20 Comments
Dave Page

Opinion: Liberal Democrats should show their Pride

By Dave Page | Tue 9th June 2009 - 6:30 pm

Every year around the country dozens of events are held to celebrate lesbian, gay, transgender and bisexual people. From huge parades in Manchester and London to the smaller events in Swindon and Stoke, the Liberal Democrats should be there.

Our commitment to equality goes back decades. The Liberals fought two general elections with gay rights policies in the manifesto before the Sexual Offences Act 1967, and we have continued to make LGBT equality a manifesto commitment. Back in the 80s and 90s the Lib Dems set the progressive agenda on equality, advocating an equal age of consent and opposing Section 28. …

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Posted in Op-eds | Tagged and | 13 Comments
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