Author Archives: Duncan Brack

Duncan Brack

Old Heroes for a New Leader: Chris Huhne

By Duncan Brack | Mon 26th November 2007 - 12:25 pm

As we have done in each of the last two Liberal Democrat leadership elections, in 1999 and 2006, the Liberal Democrat History Group has asked both candidates for the Liberal Democrat leadership to write a short article on their favourite historical figure or figures – the ones they felt had influenced their own political beliefs most, and why they had proved important and relevant. Their replies are being posted up here, and are also posted on our website. Earlier today, Nick Clegg’s were posted up; now it is the turn of Chris Huhne.

Chris Huhne MP – David Lloyd George

My …

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Posted in Leadership Election | 18 Comments
Duncan Brack

Old Heroes for a New Leader: Nick Clegg

By Duncan Brack | Mon 26th November 2007 - 11:25 am

As we have done in each of the last two Liberal Democrat leadership elections, in 1999 and 2006, the Liberal Democrat History Group has asked both candidates for the Liberal Democrat leadership to write a short article on their favourite historical figure or figures – the ones they felt had influenced their own political beliefs most, and why they had proved important and relevant. Their replies are being posted up here, and are also posted on our website. First off, here are Nick Clegg’s.

Nick Clegg MP – Harry Willcock and Vaclav Havel

In recent weeks I’ve made it clear …

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Posted in News | 10 Comments
Duncan Brack

Lib Dem Spring Conference (Liverpool), 7-9 March, 2008 – Motions Deadline Alert

By Duncan Brack | Fri 2nd November 2007 - 9:55 am

The deadline for Policy Papers and for Constitutional and Standing Orders amendments is Wednesday 21st November (noon). All motions should be sent to the Policy Projects Team on [email protected], or at 4 Cowley Street, London SW1P 3NB.

Any queries, please contact the Policy Projects Team on 020 7219 2576

(The deadline for policy and business motions is 9 January.)

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Duncan Brack

In search of the Great Liberals

By Duncan Brack | Fri 14th September 2007 - 9:30 am

William Ewart Gladstone, David Lloyd George, John Maynard Keynes, John Stuart Mill – who is the greatest Liberal of all time? All Lib Dems coming to the autumn party conference will be able to cast a vote.

The poll for the greatest British Liberal in history is being run by the Liberal Democrat History Group. In the first stage, in July, readers of the Journal of Liberal History voted between 15 potential candidates (plus an eclectic collection of write-ins).

We chose not to define what we meant by ‘great’ – leaving that up to our voters – but our criteria for candidates were that they must have been active in the Liberal Democrats, or its predecessors, or influential on Liberal thinking; they must have been British, or active in Britain; and they must be dead.

The final four to emerge were:

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Posted in Conference and News | Tagged and | 9 Comments
Duncan Brack

Conference: 12th September deadline looms

By Duncan Brack | Sat 8th September 2007 - 9:41 pm

To all conference reps and local parties – please note that 12 noon on Wednesday 12 September is the deadline for:

  • Emergency motions
  • Amendments to those motions still open for amendment
  • ‘Urgent issue’ discussions
  • Questions to party reports (which are available online here)

    • The first two in the list can be submitted by any 10 conference reps, local parties, SAOs, etc; the last two by any one conference rep.

    Just to remind people, because the procedure is still relatively new – ‘urgent issues’ are topics suggested for a general discussion without a vote at the end. There are two slots reserved for them at …

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    Duncan Brack

    Autumn Conference timing: tell us your views

    By Duncan Brack | Sun 15th April 2007 - 7:59 pm

    Federal Conference Committee is consulting party members about the timings of the autumn federal conference, from 2008 onwards. The present timing sees conference starting with consultative sessions on the Saturday afternoon and ending with the leader’s speech just before Thursday lunchtime. The main business of the conference generally takes place between Monday and Thursday.

    We would like to know your views on possible changes to this pattern. There is a case to be made for making more use of the weekend, allowing people who can’t come for a full week to be able to participate in more sessions. So conference could …

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    Posted in News | 1 Comment
    Duncan Brack

    Do you want to run the Rally at Autumn Conference 2007?

    By Duncan Brack | Mon 26th March 2007 - 12:00 pm

    Do you want to run the Rally at Autumn Conference?

    Federal Conference Committee has reopened the tendering process for the autumn 2007 conference rally. This process is open to any party body or group of members who wish to organise the rally.

    The deadline for bids has been extended to Monday 14th May and a decision will be made at the beginning of June.

    The organisation that wins the bid will get support from the Conference Office and FCC but needs to be prepared to put the time in to make it a good event. It is a great way to raise your …

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