Our place to talk – an independent website for supporters of the Liberal Democrat party in the UK.

The most-read independent website by and for Lib Dem supporters. Not paid for by trade unions or millionaires.

Advert

Author Archives: Mark Valladares

I’m a veteran Party bureaucrat, having joined the old Liberal Party at university. And, perhaps not entirely surprisingly, I’ve held a range of positions since then - everything from Secretary-General of the Young Liberals to being a member of the ALDE Party‘s Financial Advisory Committee. Returning Officer, Presidential consort, committee secretary, you name it, I’ve probably done it. These days, I’m the Chair of the Parish Council for a (very) small rural village in Suffolk’s Gipping Valley, and a member of the East of England Regional Candidates Committee.

8 December 2018 – today’s (absence of) press releases

By Mark Valladares | Sat 8th December 2018 - 11:51 pm

Another day without press releases, I’m afraid, so instead, some music…

Posted in News | Leave a comment

7 December 2018 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Fri 7th December 2018 - 11:42 pm

I’ve spent my evening helping Colchester Liberal Democrats to select their new PPC, which is why this is a bit late in the day. I’m hoping that we’ll have their press release tomorrow, which is why I’m not telling you who won… So, without further ado, here are today’s press releases…

Davey: Brexit gambling UK’s safety and security
Liberal Democrats lead the march to a people’s vote
Labour must guarantee a people’s vote
The Economist backs a people’s vote
Brexit would put the brakes on Britain, F1 bosses warn

Davey: Brexit gambling UK’s safety and security

Responding to the Home Affairs Select Committee Report on the Home …

Continue reading »

Posted in News | Tagged brexit, ed davey, formula 1, national security, peoples vote, policing, tom brake and wera hobhouse | 1 Comment

6 December 2018 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Thu 6th December 2018 - 11:35 pm

You begin to sense the uncertainty emanating from Whitehall, but there’s plenty going on elsewhere in the governance jungle…

Brexit plans could lead to European Windrush scandal
Mental Health Review must lead to more investment
Universal Credit Causing Housing Crisis – Welsh Lib Dems

Brexit plans could lead to European Windrush scandal

Responding to the Department for Exiting the EU’s policy paper on Citizens’ Rights, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Home Affairs Ed Davey said:

The Government has finally admitted that free movement of labour won’t end this March.

The fact they tried to sneak this out shows yet again that people can’t trust anything this

…

Continue reading »

Posted in News | Tagged brexit, ed davey, immigration act, jane dodds, joe carter, mental health, norman lamb, universal credit and Wales | Leave a comment

5 December 2018 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Wed 5th December 2018 - 11:30 pm

I see that one of my colleagues has gotten here first… but here’s the list in full…

Govt plan to trap Britain on a never-ending Brexit hamster wheel (as published here)
Lib Dems: Asylum seekers need action, not a review of rights
Corbyn too in pockets of the unions to back a People’s Vote

Lib Dems: Asylum seekers need action, not a review of rights

In the Chamber this afternoon, Home Secretary Sajid Javid was asked about lifting the ban on asylum seekers working in the UK.

He said “We currently have no plans to change that arrangement but it is one of the …

Continue reading »

Posted in News | Tagged asylum seekers, brexit, ed davey and tom brake | 5 Comments

4 December 2018 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Tue 4th December 2018 - 11:30 pm

It perhaps tells you all that you need to know about the state of our politics when the Government is found to have acted in contempt of Parliament and yet, hours later, nobody has resigned. But you can guess what’s dominating today…

Lib Dems demand urgent action on prisons crisis (already covered here)
UK can get out of Brexit mess
Moran: Govt is fostering a culture of senseless competition in our schools
Cable: Legal advice must be published urgently
Parliament wins back control, but people must have their say
Cable: Bring country together with a People’s Vote

UK can get out of Brexit mess

Responding to the …

Continue reading »

Posted in News | Tagged brexit, court ruling on article 50, ed davey, education policy, layla moran, ofsted, parliamentary procedure, prison reform, tom brake and vince cable | 1 Comment

3 December 2018 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Mon 3rd December 2018 - 11:59 pm

It’s been a busy day, perhaps not a great surprise as the Brexit debate in the Commons reaches its denouement…

Cable: Halt “egregious imbalance” of May vs Corbyn Brexit debate
Lib Dems back amendment to stop no deal Brexit
Lib Dems: Govt have held Parliament in contempt
Govt remain clueless on immigration
Lib Dem peers defeat Government on civil liberties (see here for our earlier coverage)
PM must stop pandering to the Saudi regime
Lib Dems lead fight for renters’ rights
Govt must publish Brexit legal advice

Cable: Halt “egregious imbalance” of May vs Corbyn Brexit debate

Today Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Vince Cable has called on the …

Continue reading »

Posted in News | Tagged arms sales, brexit, debate, housing policy, immigration, john shipley, olly grender, parliamentary procedure, saudi arabia, tom brake, vince cable and wera hobhouse | 4 Comments

2 December 2018 – today’s press release

By Mark Valladares | Sun 2nd December 2018 - 10:20 pm

Gove admits final say may go to the people

Responding to comments from Michael Gove that a People’s Vote is possible, Liberal Democrat Brexit Spokesperson Tom Brake said:

The Government has made a Horlicks out of Brexit and now one of its chief architects has admitted that the final say might go back to the people.

Nobody voted for this bad deal.

Michael Gove is right. If Parliament rejects the deal, the Liberal Democrats and many others across the House will demand a People’s Vote with an option to remain in the EU.

Posted in News | Tagged brexit and tom brake | 3 Comments

1 December 2018 – today’s absence of press releases

By Mark Valladares | Sat 1st December 2018 - 10:30 pm

A day off from the media melee today so, as is my habit on such days, some music to take our minds off of the chaos around us.

Today, to reflect the G20 meeting in Buenos Aires, we take a short hop over the Andes to Santiago, for a live performance by Eva Ayllon and Inti Illimani Historico…

Posted in News | Tagged culture | 1 Comment

30 November 2018 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Fri 30th November 2018 - 11:50 pm

Just two today, perhaps a reflection of Parliament not sitting today…

Increase in fares an insult to passengers

Responding to the announcement of an average of 3.1% more for rail tickets from 2 January, Liberal Democrat Transport Spokesperson Baroness Jenny Randerson said:

Millions of people right across the country are paying over the odds for rail tickets despite not getting the service they pay for. It is frankly an insult to passengers to increase fares yet again.

Conservative Ministers have been conspicuously absent on this announcement, no doubt because they are aware the many problems with the rail network are a result of

…

Continue reading »

Posted in News | Tagged brexit, jenny randerson, layla moran and rail fares | 2 Comments

29 November 2018 – today’s press releases (the 500 miles edition)

By Mark Valladares | Thu 29th November 2018 - 11:50 pm

Later than usual this evening, as I’ve spent the evening at a Proclaimers concert, courtesy of my lovely wife… it wasn’t 500 miles away…

PM leaving us in the dark on immigration
Cable: May “running scared” of real opposition
Lib Dems warn BBC that ‘Brexit debate’ may breach Ofcom code
Government has let down victims over second Leveson Inquiry

PM leaving us in the dark on immigration

Theresa May has today refused to confirm when the immigration white paper will be published. She was asked by Liberal Democrat MP Norman Lamb after Ministers originally promised to publish the white paper last year, but that deadline has …

Continue reading »

Posted in News | Tagged brexit, christine jardine, debate, health, immigration, leveson inquiry, norman lamb and vince cable | Leave a comment

Tom Brake’s letter to the Speaker

By Mark Valladares | Thu 29th November 2018 - 7:15 am

Yesterday, we reported on an argument over the publication of the full legal advice as given to the Government on the Brexit deal. However, it might be helpful to get a better sense of exactly what is being argued and why, so here’s Tom Brake’s letter to Speaker Bercow…

Dear Mr Speaker,

I am writing to you regarding the Government’s refusal to publish the full legal advice on the Brexit deal.

You will be aware that the House passed the following humble address:

‘That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, that she will be graciously pleased to give directions that the …

Continue reading »

Posted in News | Tagged parliamentary procedure and tom brake | Leave a comment

28 November 2018 – today’s press releases (part 2)

By Mark Valladares | Wed 28th November 2018 - 11:10 pm

Davey: Brexit deal leaves police in the dark (see tomorrow morning)
Lib Dem victory on tackling ‘Sex for Rent’
Lib Dems accuse Govt of contempt over Brexit legal advice row
Labour must give “unequivocal guarantee” they will back a People’s Vote
Bank of England confirm any Brexit will hurt the economy

Lib Dem victory on tackling ‘Sex for Rent’

After pressure from Liberal Democrat MP, Wera Hobhouse, the Crown Prosecution Service have today confirmed they will be conducting a review to update their guidelines on ‘sex for rent’.

After speaking in the Westminster Hall Debate on the issue, Wera Hobhouse said:

It is great to see progress is

…

Continue reading »

Posted in News | Tagged brexit, Parliament, peoples vote, sex for rent, tom brake, vince cable and wera hobhouse | Leave a comment

28 November 2018 – today’s press releases (part 1)

By Mark Valladares | Wed 28th November 2018 - 10:55 pm

Another sizeable batch today, although one of my colleagues has asked me to hold one back until tomorrow. Indeed, we’ve had so many that I’m breaking them up into two posts…

Tory failure to prepare for Brexit risks empty shops & disruption at ports
Lib Dems secure key concessions on counter-terror laws
Chancellor’s comments show May’s cabinet in chaos
Cable: PM must stop threatening the country with no-deal Brexit
Cable: UK could be worse off than Government impact assessments say

Tory failure to prepare for Brexit risks empty shops & disruption at ports

Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran has slammed the Tories for “refusing to provide information …

Continue reading »

Posted in News | Tagged brexit, brian paddick, counter terrorism measures, layla moran, tom brake, trade and vince cable | Leave a comment

27 November 2018 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Tue 27th November 2018 - 10:30 pm

There’s a decidedly Welsh flavour to today’s press releases, as Theresa May hits the road in an attempt to sell a dead parrot to the masses…

Police acting as first responders to people with mental ill health
Welsh Lib Dems Welcome Aled Roberts as New Welsh Language Commissioner
Theresa May Must Give Wales a People’s Vote – Welsh Lib Dems
Stars Oppose Brexit at Hay Festival – Welsh Lib Dems
Davey: Govt’s failure to publish immigration plans “unacceptable”

Police acting as first responders to people with mental ill health

Responding to today’s report by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services on Policing and …

Continue reading »

Posted in News | Tagged aled roberts, brexit, ed davey, immigration act, jane dodds, mental health, policing, welsh language and william powell | 1 Comment

26 November 2018 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Mon 26th November 2018 - 10:00 pm

Just two press releases today, as the timetable for the Parliamentary debate (at least, the one in the Commons) is scheduled…

Hedges case should never have happened
PM ducks Cable challenge to debate Brexit

Hedges case should never have happened

Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Christine Jardine has welcomed news that Matthew Hedges, who was given a life sentence in the UAE for spying, has received a presidential pardon.

Following this morning’s announcement Ms Jardine said;

It is a great relief to see that Matthew will be returning to his family in the UK.

However, this should never have happened in the first place and

…

Continue reading »

Posted in News | Tagged brexit, christine jardine, matthew hedges and vince cable | 6 Comments

An unexpected weekend of inspiration in darkest Staffordshire…

By Mark Valladares | Mon 26th November 2018 - 7:18 am

I’m on my way home from a weekend away as you read this, having spent the weekend in the fringes of the Winter ALDC Kickstart event. I say ‘fringes’ because I didn’t actually participate in any of the training, wasn’t either a mentor or being mentored, and indeed only attended the dinner and part of the final plenary.

So, how could I have been inspired by an event I was barely at?

It’s a funny thing, but being around a group of people, some of whom I’ve known for quite a long time, some of whom are complete strangers, but all of …

Continue reading »

Posted in Op-eds | Tagged aldc and kickstart | 4 Comments

25 November 2018 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Sun 25th November 2018 - 10:01 pm

Cable: PM’s deal remains a disaster (already covered here)
PM’s letter a PR exercise
Unsafe medical devices have no place in our healthcare system

PM’s letter a PR exercise

Responding to the Prime Minister’s open letter calling on the British public to back her deal, Liberal Democrat Brexit spokesperson Tom Brake said:

The Prime Minister’s letter is nothing more than a PR exercise. If Theresa May were serious about seeing whether the public support her deal, then she would offer them a vote on it.

It is outrageous that she claims to be campaigning for people to support her deal ‘for the good of our

…

Continue reading »

Posted in News | Tagged brexit, tom brake and vince cable | Leave a comment

24 November 2018 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Sat 24th November 2018 - 10:02 pm

So much for the Conservative and Unionist Party, I guess…

PM’s immigration plans a disaster for economy and public services
PM puts Gibraltar in jeopardy

PM’s immigration plans a disaster for economy and public services

Responding to the announcement of the plans to issue low-skilled migrants with 11-month visas, Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperon, Ed Davey said:

Theresa May’s plans would be disastrous for our economy and public services. Not only would these restricted visas put off skilled workers from working in the UK, but they simply won’t be able to fill gaps in sectors such as the NHS, social care and construction due to

…

Continue reading »

Posted in News | Tagged ed davey, gibraltar, immigration and tom brake | 5 Comments

23 November 2018 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Fri 23rd November 2018 - 10:30 pm

Today’s releases are brought to you from ALDC’s Kickstart event, taking place this weekend in the heart of Staffordshire. There are three hundred Liberal Democrat campaigners and activists here, learning the skills required to run effective, and hopefully, successful campaigns in the months and years ahead.

Tories must take back control of smart meters
Women must have equal heart attack care to men
Davey to PM: Come clean on European Convention on Human Rights
PM must back People’s Vote on Brexit
Government must not be complacent on Hedges case

Tories must take back control of smart meters

Responding to the NAO Report on rolling out smart meters, …

Continue reading »

Posted in News | Tagged brexit, christine jardine, ed davey, european convention on human rights, judith jolly, matthew hedges, peoples vote, smart meters, tom brake and women’s health | 4 Comments

22 November 2018 – today’s press releases (part 2)

By Mark Valladares | Thu 22nd November 2018 - 11:50 pm

And, as promised, the rest of today’s bounty…

Davey: Serious failings revealed in ISC report must be put right
Majestic plc preparing for last of the summer wine
Cable: PM’s plan is ‘pathetically weak’
CBI leaders highlight Brexit concerns

Davey: Serious failings revealed in ISC report must be put right

Responding to the Intelligence and Security Committee’s report on the 2017 terror attacks, Liberal Democrat Home Affairs spokesperson Ed Davey said:

We are all immensely grateful for the work our police and security services do responding to terror attacks and stopping others from being carried out.

This report reveals a number of serious failings that must be put

…

Continue reading »

Posted in News | Tagged brexit, ed davey, intelligence and security committee, tom brake and vince cable | 1 Comment

22 November 2018 – today’s press releases (part 1)

By Mark Valladares | Thu 22nd November 2018 - 11:40 pm

Our Press Team have been incredibly busy today, so much so that I’m going to have to deal with this in two parts, both of which are going to be larger than usual. So, without further ado…

Lib Dems: Levels of homelessness an ‘absolute disgrace’ (see article here)
Tory paralysis failing domestic abuse victims
Health Sec knows UK in critical condition
PM’s deal goes from fudge to farce
Tory bucket list for pupils ‘an insult’
Lamb: Tories must not neglect young people with mental illness

(see article here)

Davey: Reducing climate-changing gases demands real leadership

Tory paralysis failing domestic abuse victims

Responding to official statistics published …

Continue reading »

Posted in News | Tagged brexit, child and adolescent mental health services, climate change, domestic abuse, ed davey, education policy, homelessness, layla moran, norman lamb, tom brake and wera hobhouse | 3 Comments

21 November 2018 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Wed 21st November 2018 - 10:15 pm

Having completed another meeting of the Federal International Relations Committee, featuring an exploration of the distant reaches of Article 7 of the Federal Constitution of the Party, your editor’s mind turns to press releases…

Moran: Gov must recognise state of Palestine
Cable: Prokopchuk’s Interpol position is still ‘an insult to the victims of the Salisbury attack’
Sanctions needed to get Matthew Hedges home
Davey: PM must publish immigration white paper now
Lib Dems announce Siobhan Benita as London Mayoral candidate

(covered separately here)

Lib Dems lead fight to protect vulnerable people in care
Davey: Something going very wrong in energy market

Moran: Gov must recognise state of Palestine

Liberal …

Continue reading »

Posted in News | Tagged christine jardine, ed davey, energy policy, immigration, interpol, layla moran, liz barker, london mayoral election 2020, palestine, siobhan benita and vince cable | 1 Comment

20 November 2018 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Tue 20th November 2018 - 11:55 pm

Another busy day, but I’m pleased to note that a bit more use is being made of our Spokespeople in the Lords. After all, there are rather more of them than in the Commons, and they’re a valuable asset when it comes to holding the Government to account…

Cable: Bank of England must conduct honest assessment of Brexit deal
Cable: Govt must block Interpol election of Alexander Prokopchuk
Tories to blame for missed NHS targets
Cable: Our priority is building the momentum for a People’s Vote
Vulnerable people put in homes not fit for human habitation
The licence fee is not the Government’s to spend

Cable: …

Continue reading »

Posted in News | Tagged asylum seekers, brexit, ed davey, interpol, Jane Bonham Carter, judith jolly, NHS, peoples vote, targets, TV licence and vince cable | 4 Comments

19 November 2018 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Mon 19th November 2018 - 11:50 pm

No music today, I’m afraid, for we have another clutch of press releases, including one which some of our readers might vaguely recognise as an overdue recycling of an old theme…

PM must come clean on immigration plans
Lib Dems: Only alternative to Brexit is a ‘People’s Vote’
FOBT change finally ending cruel grip of industry on vulnerable people
It’s time Fox was given his P45
Tories can no longer bury Brexit truth

PM must come clean on immigration plans

Responding to Theresa May’s speech to the CBI conference this morning, Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson Ed Davey said:

Theresa May is desperately trying to win over the

…

Continue reading »

Posted in News | Tagged brexit, christine jardine, department for international trade, ed davey, fobt, immigration, liam fox and tom brake | 3 Comments

Time to nail a vision to the mast…

By Mark Valladares | Mon 19th November 2018 - 7:54 am

At a time when the Government, or at least some of it, is offering the British public a Brexit deal which appears unacceptable to Remain and Leave supporters alike, where five Cabinet Ministers have taken it upon themselves to go try to redraft it in their own image, regardless of the fact that they might need to agree it with the European Union, the fact that the Leader of the Opposition cannot even bring himself to say how he would vote should there be a second referendum might seem like a mere sideshow in a Whitehall farce.

One need not be …

Continue reading »

Posted in Op-eds | 23 Comments

18 November 2018 – today’s absence of press releases

By Mark Valladares | Sun 18th November 2018 - 10:00 pm

It’s another Sunday, and whilst much has been said, no press releases have been received. So, instead, here’s another musical interlude for you. My former next door neighbour introduced to me to the wonders of sixteenth and early seventeenth century lute music, and here’s an example, courtesy of the Swedish lutenist, Jakob Lindberg…

Posted in News | Tagged culture | 2 Comments

17 November 2018 – today’s press release

By Mark Valladares | Sat 17th November 2018 - 11:55 pm

Davis’ self appointment ‘farcical’ – Brake

Responding to reports that David Davis has spent several days in Washington speaking to US Trade Officials about a free trade deal with the UK, Liberal Democrat Brexit spokesperson Tom Brake said:

Having failed to negotiate properly with the EU, the idea that David Davis is now touting himself as Britain’s self-appointed ‘man in Washington’ is farcical. The Prime Minister must confirm he has not been acting in any official capacity or with her blessing.

David Davis and his Brexiter colleagues have got us into a huge mess, with Britain now facing a damaging and

…

Continue reading »

Posted in News | Tagged brexit, david davis and tom brake | 15 Comments

16 November 2018 – today’s press release

By Mark Valladares | Fri 16th November 2018 - 10:45 pm

Lib Dems in ‘call to action’ to stop Brexit

Liberal Democrat Brexit Spokesperson Tom Brake MP has today written to Remain MPs from all political parties, urging them to back the Liberal Democrat’s campaign for a People’s Vote in the fight against Brexit.

Tom Brake said:

The Liberal Democrats have been consistently fighting for the last two years, but we know that now is the time for every single MP to make their decision on the most important matter facing the UK.

That is why I have written to Remain MPs urging them to join us in this fight.

…

Continue reading »

Posted in News | Tagged brexit and tom brake | 3 Comments

15 November 2018 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Thu 15th November 2018 - 10:00 pm

A tricky day for a Press Team, I’d suggest. After all, all the attention is directed towards who might, or might not, resign, and whether or not a leadership contest will be called. Who’d be a press officer under such circumstances?…

Cable: The Conservative Government is in meltdown
Cable: PM’s incompetence leaves UK unprepared for all options
Brexit chaos hitting UK businesses hard
Cable: ‘No Brexit’ clearly on the table
Cable: PM in Brexit denial

Cable: The Conservative Government is in meltdown

Responding to the resignation of Brexit secretary Dominic Raab, Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Vince Cable said:

The Government started Britain on a journey with no

…

Continue reading »

Posted in News | Tagged brexit, tom brake and vince cable | 1 Comment

14 November 2018 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Wed 14th November 2018 - 11:50 pm

It’s been a long day today, with the last press release issued after 10 p.m….

Tories “unacceptably risky” on impact of Brexit food shortages
Number Ten bows to pressure on FOBT stakes
Failures on women’s health becoming the norm
DUP “punishment beating” comments unacceptable and dangerous
‘No Brexit’ still a very real possibility
Country still none the wiser on PM’s blindfold Brexit
Brexit will rob UK of crucial cross-border crime-fighting tools

Tories “unacceptably risky” on impact of Brexit food shortages

Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran has warned the Tories are being “unacceptably risky” as a House of Commons committee finds that failures in preparing for Brexit mean food shortages …

Continue reading »

Posted in News | Tagged Alistair Carmichael, brexit, christine jardine, ed davey, european arrest warrant, fobt, food security, justice across borders, layla moran, northern ireland, public accounts committee, tom brake, vince cable, wera hobhouse and women’s health | 2 Comments

Most Read

Op-eds

We need a tax rise to fund additional defence spending (Simon McGrath)
Putting Liberal values into practice in the heart of London (Victor Chamberlain)
Sanctions against Israeli settlers welcome – but inadequate (Jonathan Brown)
Protecting children shouldn’t mean abolishing their right to privacy (Tara Foster)
AI and Liberal Democracy (Robin Ashby)

Advert

Recent Comments

Adam
Well, LibDemVoice keeps posting articles about the need to be "radical", so maybe a radical move might be to stop being one of only 4 countries in the world tha...
Jenny Barnes
What sort of taxes? Well, given the need for a some fossil fuel demand destruction for 1) supply loss from Hormuz closure and 2) risk of excessive global temp ...
Nonconformistradical
"The land registry should already have areas for each holding." According to https://www.landregistry.org.uk/faq/ "Not all land is registered, and there ...
Peter Davies
Exact valuation of land is difficult as in most areas it is seldom sold as a separate entity. Initially it should be introduced at a very low rate so inaccuraci...
Nonconformistradical
Land Value Tax - on what basis should land be valued and how much work would there be in carrying out the valuation across the country?...