Author Archives: Helen Duffett

How would you use an extra £600? Preview tonight’s Lib Dem Party Political Broadcast

By Helen Duffett | Wed 6th February 2013 - 5:03 pm

The latest Lib Dem Party Political Broadcast is airing tonight, with a variety of people telling how they’d use an extra £600 per year, thanks to Liberal Democrats cutting income tax:

Posted in Lib Dem TV | Tagged fairer tax, kirsty williams, nick clegg and party political broadcast | 30 Comments

Spring 2013 Conference agenda now online

By Helen Duffett | Wed 6th February 2013 - 3:26 pm

The Conference Agenda has been finalised and is now available online, along with policy and consultation papers.

The agenda features a variety of debates including one on education (“Every Child Taught by an Excellent Teacher”) and another on corporate tax avoidance.

There are also Q&A sessions with Ministers on International Affairs, Green Jobs and Health and Social Care. Nick Clegg will do a Leader’s Q&A on Saturday 9 March at 15:50 and Paddy Ashdown’s sure-to-be-barnstorming speech as Chair of the 2015 General Election campaign is at 11am on Saturday 9 March.

Every motion in the agenda is open to amendment, and the …

Posted in Conference | 4 Comments

The LDV Friday Five: 1 February 2013

By Helen Duffett | Fri 1st February 2013 - 5:00 pm

It’s Friday. It’s five o’clock. Here’s a fistful of lists that sum up the LDV week:

5 most-read stories on LDV this week

Has it all gone Jenny Tonge for David Ward? (87 comments) by Mark Valladares
Labour party ‘gerrymandering’: recalling the only occasion in a century when a party has interfered with electoral boundaries (54 comments) by Simon McGrath
Nick Clegg’s son’s schooling is none of your business (130 comments) by Nick Thornsby

Posted in Friday Five | 1 Comment

The LDV Friday Five: 25 January 2013

By Helen Duffett | Fri 25th January 2013 - 5:00 pm

It’s Friday. It’s five o’clock. Here’s a fistful of lists that sum up the LDV week:

5 most-read stories on LDV this week

Opinion: it’s no good counting on those rose-tinted spectacles (138 comments) by Richard Morris
Sheffield Labour councillor opposes own decision (12 comments) by Joe Otten
Northern council cuts are Labour’s choice – it’s that straightforward! (28 comments) by David Hennigan

Posted in Friday Five | Leave a comment

The LDV Friday Five: 18 January 2013

By Helen Duffett | Fri 18th January 2013 - 5:00 pm

It’s Friday. It’s five o’clock. Here’s a fistful of lists that sum up the LDV week:

5 most-read stories on LDV this week

And the winner of our Liberal Voice of the Year award is… Sam Bowman (64 comments) by Stephen Tall
Opinion: Liberals must learn the lessons of Thatcher (63 comments) by David Thorpe
Jessops – is administration a euphemism for obliteration? (14 comments) by Mark Blackburn

Posted in Friday Five | Leave a comment

Nick Clegg to join LBC for weekly radio phone-in

By Helen Duffett | Mon 7th January 2013 - 4:23 pm

LBC announced this morning:

Starting on Thursday 10th January at 9.00am, Call Clegg will be the first time a senior member of Government has agreed to be challenged by listeners every week about the big decisions being made in Downing Street.

Every Thursday morning for half-an-hour, the Deputy Prime Minister will go head-to-head with LBC 97.3 breakfast host Nick Ferrari and his listeners, who will be able to call, email, text or tweet Nick Clegg directly with their questions.

Mr Clegg said: “I’m doing this because I don’t think politicians get to hear enough from people directly. You can’t do the right

…

Posted in News | Tagged lbc, nick clegg and nick ferrari | 31 Comments

“It was a tough battle” – Shirley Williams on the birth of the SDP

By Helen Duffett | Thu 29th November 2012 - 4:17 pm

Shirley Williams tells the story of the 1981 Gang of Four breakaway, which eventually led to the formation of the Liberal Democrats, in the first issue of AD LIB magazine, out next week.

“…we said, if we haven’t got anywhere else to go, we’ll create one.”

Those nascent views crystallised after the party’s 1981 Wembley conference which committed it to unilateral nuclear disarmament and withdrawal from the EEC and NATO. Within hours Williams, Owen and Rodgers were drawing up the plans which would lead to the creation of the SDP.

“The three of us met – not Roy, at that point –

…

Posted in News | Tagged bill rodgers, david owen, limehouse declaration, SDP and shirley williams | 11 Comments

Nick Clegg: “Let Leveson speak”

By Helen Duffett | Thu 29th November 2012 - 12:17 pm

The Leveson Report on the culture, practice and ethics of the press will be published today at 1:30pm.

Speaking to the BBC this morning Nick Clegg said,

I think we should leave Lord Leveson to speak for himself. But my views on this subject are well known.

I believe in a vigorous free press that holds the powerful to account and isn’t subject to political interference. But a free press does not and cannot mean a press that is free to bully innocent people, or free to abuse grieving families.

I hope when Lord Justice Leveson gives his full statement later today, we will

…

Posted in News | Tagged harriet harman, leveson inquiry and nick clegg | Leave a comment

AD LIB: A new magazine for Liberal Democrats

By Helen Duffett | Wed 21st November 2012 - 2:43 pm

Last month I asked for your views on the new members’ magazine to replace Liberal Democrat News.

We got loads of really good feedback and we’ve tried to get as much of it into the magazine as possible.

Of course, no one has ever made 100 per cent of Liberal Democrats happy 100 per cent of the time, but we sincerely hope AD LIB lives up to most (if not all of) your expectations.

We’re not giving away too much about the content yet, but Twitter and Facebook profiles for AD LIB are up and running and for a teaser we’ve released the front cover (above right).

I know, I know, as defenders of transparency in public life how can we justify keeping the contents secret?

Posted in News | Tagged ad lib magazine and featured | 18 Comments

Joe Biden appreciates Nick Clegg’s friendship

By Helen Duffett | Sat 17th November 2012 - 11:20 am

From a White House press release this week:

Readout of Vice President Biden’s Call with Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Nick Clegg

Vice President Biden spoke to Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Nick Clegg today to thank him for his congratulatory message following last week’s U.S. election. The Vice President expressed appreciation for Deputy

Posted in LDVUSA and News | Tagged joe biden and nick clegg | 3 Comments

Tim Farron MP emails party members: Thanking our candidates on this tough day

By Helen Duffett | Fri 16th November 2012 - 6:53 pm

Party President Tim Farron MP has just emailed Liberal Democrat members with a message of thanks and encouragement on this day of election results.

I wanted to put on record the party’s thanks to our candidates in yesterday’s PCC elections, by-elections and Bristol mayoral election.
We had many excellent candidates and teams who worked very hard to fly the flag for our party. I thank them all and I’m sure you would like to do the same.

It was a tough day, and whilst we may not have gained anything the hard work we’ve put in lays the foundations for the challenge ahead.

However

…

Posted in News and Parliamentary by-elections | Tagged featured and tim farron | 4 Comments

The other local elections: Lib Dems gain five and hold three

By Helen Duffett | Fri 16th November 2012 - 2:53 pm

The Liberal Democrats have gained five council seats and retained all three of their previously-held seats in the raft of council by-elections they were contesting yesterday.

In Wallsend, North Tyneside, Michael Huscroft gained from Labour with 58.2%, or 1158 votes.

David Siddans won in Rossett, Harrogate Borough Council, with 48.9% of the vote (897), in a 25.6% swing from the Tories.

From the Harrogate Advertiser:

Councillor John Fox, Constituency Chairman, Harrogate and Knaresborough Liberal Democrats said: “This is the first Liberal Democrat gain from the Conservatives in the north of England this year. We are absolutely delighted to have overturned a

…

Posted in Council by-elections | Tagged david siddans, di keal, flora ponsonby, john fox, john tompkins, julia gibson, lizz ayre, margaret marshall and michael huscroft | 29 Comments

Federal Committee Election results 2012

By Helen Duffett | Sat 10th November 2012 - 9:43 am

Liberal Democrat Federal Conference reps have voted for members of party committees for 2013-2014; the results are as follows:

Federal Executive committee
Places: 15
Candidates elected:

Qassim Afzal
Elaine Bagshaw

Posted in Party policy and internal matters | Tagged eldr council delegation, featured, federal conference committee, federal executive, federal policy committee and international relations committee | 20 Comments

George Selmer selected for Lib Dems in Middlesbrough

By Helen Duffett | Mon 29th October 2012 - 3:24 pm

Middlesbrough Liberal Democrats have selected a local jobs expert as their candidate for the upcoming Parliamentary by-election in the constituency.

George Selmer, who grew up and went to school in Middlesbrough, has outlined his plan for the town – focusing on jobs, housing and safeguarding local facilities under threat from Labour cuts.

Commenting on his selection, George said:

Posted in Parliamentary by-elections and Selection news | Tagged george selmer, ian swales and middlesborough | 2 Comments

A new magazine for Lib Dems – tell us what you want

By Helen Duffett | Tue 23rd October 2012 - 2:17 pm

Lib Dem News is changing. After 14 years at the helm, editor Deirdre Razzall is retiring and the time has come for us to take a fresh look at one of the key ways members can get information about what’s going on in the party.

First of all we’re going to change the format. In the age of news websites, blogs and social media there’s less of a need for a weekly publication to supply members with news.

By switching to a monthly magazine format we can do a whole lot more – features, interviews, long form journalism, debates.

Posted in News | Tagged deirdre razzall and lib dem news | 17 Comments

Lynne Featherstone MP wins Attitude magazine’s Politician of the Year Award

By Helen Duffett | Thu 18th October 2012 - 1:40 pm

At the inaugural Attitude Awards, former Liberal Democrat Equalities Minister and current Minister for International Development, Lynne Featherstone received the Politician of the Year Award for her work to secure equal marriage for same-sex couples.

From the Attitude website:

As much of the debate over the issue has descended into hysterical farce, we salute Lynne Featherstone for her clear and concise defence of the reforms. The minister has refused to be sidetracked, stating in March: ‘The

Posted in News | Tagged attitude, equal marriage, lynne featherstone and stephen gilbert | 18 Comments

Marisha Ray selected for Lib Dems in Croydon North

By Helen Duffett | Wed 17th October 2012 - 11:13 pm

The Liberal Democrats have tonight selected Marisha Ray as Parliamentary Candidate for the Croydon North by-election, caused by the death of Malcolm Wicks MP.

Marisha, a married mother of one, is a former IT professional. She spent much of her childhood with close family friends in Croydon. Marisha served as a councillor in Islington between 2002 and 2010, and was an executive member with special responsibility for tackling crime (2006-08), implementing a groundbreaking gang prevention strategy.

Posted in Parliamentary by-elections and Selection news | Tagged croydon north, islington council, malcolm wicks and marisha ray | 10 Comments

Nick Clegg’s autotuned apology viewed 1.8 million times

By Helen Duffett | Sun 30th September 2012 - 5:53 pm

Not only has the charity single version of Nick Clegg’s tuition fees pledge apology been the surprise hit of the year, entering the Top 40 download chart, but The Poke‘s video has now been viewed more than 1.8 million times on YouTube.

From The Wall blog:

James Herring, of PR firm Taylor Herring which worked with the The Poke on the autotuned story (and has done since The Poke launched two years ago), says that Clegg was such an easy target that the opportunity was simply too good to miss.

“We worked through the night to create the mash up

…

Posted in Humour | Tagged james herring, nick clegg, paul walter and the poke | Leave a comment

Liberal Democrat Party Awards 2012: The winners

By Helen Duffett | Sun 30th September 2012 - 4:20 pm

Each year at Autumn Conference, the Party President presents awards for outstanding service to the Liberal Democrats.

Tim Farron appealed for nominations back in May, and presented the awards on the final afternoon of Conference in Brighton last week.

Tim Farron also took a moment to thank all those who work hard in their local areas and for their local parties, everyone who campaigned in the council elections in May, and those who will play a part in this autumn’s elections for Police Commissioners, the Bristol Mayor and Parliamentary by-elections.

The winners of the 2012 Party Awards are as follows:

Patsy Calton Award

…

Posted in Party policy and internal matters | Tagged camden liberal democrats, diana iwi, duncan borrowman, featured, jane hollis, leicester liberal democrats, michael foxley, sal brinton and tim farron | 1 Comment

Blog of the Year Awards 2012: The Winners #LDBOTY

By Helen Duffett | Sat 22nd September 2012 - 11:20 pm

What’s loosely termed the awards “ceremony” for the 2012 Liberal Democrat Blog of the Year Awards has just drawn to a glittering close. As the last firework fades in Brighton’s night sky, I’m delighted to announce the winners:

Posted in Best of the blogs and Conference | Tagged 2012 Brighton Conference, liberal youth and mark thompson | Leave a comment

Blog of the Year Awards 2012: The Shortlists

By Helen Duffett | Sat 22nd September 2012 - 7:33 pm

Nominations for the Liberal Democrats’ Blog of the Year Awards 2012 closed on 14 September. Since then, the judges, Kirsty Williams (Assembly Member for Brecon and Radnorshire and Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats), Nick Thornsby (Lib Dem Blogger of the Year 2011), Tim Gatt (ITV News Digital Output Editor), Stephen Tall (Co-Editor, Lib Dem Voice), Alan Muhammed (Lib Dem Voice’s social media manager), & Helen Duffett (that’s me – Co-Editor (Associate) Lib Dem Voice) have been poring over the entries for the five categories.

It’s been a big task, and a fun one, to distil so many excellent examples of Lib Dem blogging and e-campaigning into lists of the best.

Congratulations if you’ve been shortlisted, but if you haven’t: remember that the shortlists are based on the judges’ subjective opinions. The awards are intended to be a fun way to celebrate the talent in the Lib Dem blogosphere, whilst introducing you to some blogs you might not have read before.

Next, a plug for the awards ceremony itself. If you’re at party conference in Brighton, do come along to the Pavilion Room, Grand Hotel, Brighton, from 9.45pm tonight, Saturday 22nd September.

Now, without further ado, here are the shortlists: (Drumroll, please)

Posted in Best of the blogs and Conference | Tagged 2012 Brighton Conference, alan muhammed, blog of the year awards, helen duffett, kirsty williams, lynne featherstone, nick thornsby, stephen tall, tim farron, tim gatt and twitter | 3 Comments

Blog of the Year Awards 2012: Vote for Best non-Lib Dem politics blog

By Helen Duffett | Fri 21st September 2012 - 5:08 pm

It’s time to cast your votes (by STV) in the category for Best non-Lib Dem politics blog in the Lib Dem Voice Blog of the Year Awards 2012.

Simply use the app below and vote by 5:30 tomorrow.

The results will be announced at the BOTYs ceremony at Conference tomorrow night (10pm, Pavilion Room at the Grand Hotel, Brighton) and will appear online shortly afterwards. Follow the ceremony on Twitter using the hashtag #LDBOTY.

Poll closed, results tonight

…

Posted in Best of the blogs and Conference | Tagged blog of the year awards | 1 Comment

Martin Horwood MP to chair Lib Dems’ 2013 local election campaign

By Helen Duffett | Thu 20th September 2012 - 4:23 pm

From a Party news release:

Liberal Democrat MP for Cheltenham, Martin Horwood has been appointed as the Chair of the Liberal Democrat 2013 Local Election Campaign.

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Leader and Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg said:

I am delighted that Martin will be heading our 2013 local election campaign.

With Martin’s wealth of local government and campaigning experience, I know he will do an excellent job.

I look forward to working with him to deliver the results our hard-working councillors and activists deserve.

Commenting further, Martin Horwood said:

I’m honoured and a little daunted to be asked to take on this role. It’s no secret

…

Posted in Party policy and internal matters | Tagged local elections, martin horwood and nick clegg | 8 Comments

Nick Clegg: “We made a pledge. We didn’t stick to it – and for that I’m sorry”

By Helen Duffett | Wed 19th September 2012 - 6:03 pm

Nick Clegg has just emailed Liberal Democrat party members:

I’ve been travelling the country talking to party members over the summer. I’ve heard a lot of you say you think it’s important for the party and me personally to address, head on, the many concerns raised about the decisions I took in recent years about higher education funding and tuition fees.

I agree. Where we get it wrong we must hold our hands up, but when we get it right, we can hold our heads up too.

That is why I’ve made this video which will be our next Party Political Broadcast and which we are sharing with the media this evening:

Posted in News | Tagged nick clegg and tuition fees | 127 Comments

Lib Dems’ former HQ on the market for £11 million

By Helen Duffett | Wed 19th September 2012 - 1:23 pm

Photo credit: Loz Flowers on Flickr.

The Liberal Democrats used to call it home. Now 4 Cowley Street (vacated by the party in summer 2011) is up for sale as a 6-bedroom house for £11 million.

Estate agents Hathaways describe “Cowley House” as:

…an architecturally astounding property.

Hidden in the heart of Old Westminster the property was purpose-built as offices in the early 20th century, but the layout is such that it will make a particularly grand and spacious London home.

…

Posted in Party policy and internal matters | Tagged cowley street | 8 Comments

Lib Dem Blog of the Year Awards 2012 – nominations now open

By Helen Duffett | Wed 29th August 2012 - 4:53 pm

The Liberal Democrat Blog of the Year Awards, run by Lib Dem Voice, are back for their seventh year. As usual, they’ll be awarded in a ~~budget~~ lavish ceremony at the party’s autumn conference in Brighton.

Click on the following links to see last year’s Shortlist and the Winners.

This year’s awards are as follows:

Posted in Best of the blogs | Tagged alan muhammed, andrew reeves, blog of the year awards, helen duffett, kirsty williams, nick thornsby, stephen tall and tim gatt | 1 Comment

Autumn 2012 Conference agenda: online now

By Helen Duffett | Fri 10th August 2012 - 3:20 pm

Simon Hughes MP emails party members:

We’re now just a few weeks away from our main annual conference.

If you’re already heading to Brighton this year, that’s great. I look forward to seeing you there.

The agenda is now online.

As well as the opportunity to debate with, quiz and meet the Deputy Prime Minister and the Parliamentary Parties, we have a packed programme including speeches from Sarah Teather, Tim Farron and Vince Cable, and policy debates on growth, housing and green jobs.

If you’ve not yet signed up to come to conference, please do so here.

It is a

…

Posted in Conference | Tagged simon hughes | 3 Comments

LibLink: We can’t sit in our golden chamber resisting democracy – Paddy Ashdown responds to attack on reform

By Helen Duffett | Tue 10th July 2012 - 6:55 am

In the Mail on Sunday this week, Lord Ashdown responded to Lord Carlile’s article from the previous week, which had opposed Nick Clegg’s plans for Lords reform:

If ever there was a time for a strong democratically based second chamber to buttress our democracy, it is now. Whatever view you take of the Cameron/Clegg proposals, nobody can seriously call them ‘ill-considered’. They were preceded by a Royal commission, four white papers and three joint committees. Every party called for it in their manifestos at the last Election.

The Cameron/Clegg reform Bill does not ‘trash’ the Lords, as some claim

…

Posted in LibLink | Tagged alex carlile, lords reform and paddy ashdown | 2 Comments

Welsh Lib Dems select Dr Bablin Molik to fight the Cardiff South & Penarth by-election

By Helen Duffett | Sun 8th July 2012 - 10:40 am

Cardiff South and Penarth Liberal Democrats have selected Dr Bablin Molik as their candidate for the Cardiff South and Penarth by-election at a hustings with local party members.

Dr Bablin Molik, a researcher and mother of two, plays an active part in the community. She has helped set up a Saturday school in the area and she had worked with organisations helping women gain confidence and skills to be able to take an active role at every level in their communities.

Bablin …

Posted in News and Parliamentary by-elections | 3 Comments

Paddy Ashdown meets his younger self

By Helen Duffett | Mon 2nd July 2012 - 4:23 pm

Broadcast on Saturday, a Radio 4 interview with Lord Ashdown, featuring clips from the BBC archive from throughout his career:

From rookie MP to Liberal Democrats leader, from the Royal Marines to high office in Bosnia, Paddy Ashdown relives his life from the archives in a frank and sometimes emotional conversation with John Wilson.

From his early days in the army to his leadership of the Liberal

Posted in LibLink | Tagged featured and paddy ashdown | 2 Comments

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