Author Archives: Mark Hanson

The Independent View: an awesome opportunity – can we take it?

By Mark Hanson | Thu 4th November 2010 - 1:18 pm

Two awesome opportunities for a crushing blow to the dictatorial and oppressive policies set in place by the previous Labour government are approaching. The question remains, however, whether our present Conservative-led Government will rise to the challenge, and this makes the historic influence of the Liberal Democrats vital in the next few months.

The two opportunities are thus: the completion of the review into counter-terrorism measures; and the publication of the Freedom Bill, an important Liberal Democrat gain in the Coalition Agreement.

The Freedom Bill is due to be published in draft form any day now, and it is, as yet, …

Posted in The Independent View | 10 Comments

Opinion: Genuine chance for Lib Dem breakthrough

By Mark Hanson | Mon 15th June 2009 - 1:20 pm

In the current tumultuous political times, both Labour and the Conservatives are clothes shopping, trying on different shades of a variety of colours. Labour has embraced the True Blue capitalist philosophies, and the Tories are trying to show themselves as champions of the poor and oppressed.

Yet the Liberal Democrats are sitting comfortably in their well-worn pants of proportional representation and civil libertarian values. Sitting comfortably is not an option in politics.

The issue of PR is being seriously considered by Labour, and the Conservatives are now attempting to portray themselves as the friends of liberty. This is a real challenge …