Author Archives: Newsmoggie

Newsmoggie

Joey Essex on the Liberal Democats and “nice” and “honest” Nick Clegg

By Newsmoggie | Tue 31st March 2015 - 11:45 am

Liberal DemocatsIt’s fair to say that one of the last people we expected to turn up at a Liberal Democrat press conference was Joey Essex from TOWIE.

He was there this morning, though, as he’s doing some briefings for young people.

He managed to grab a selfie with Nick Clegg:

The Mirror has details of the conversation between them when Joey revealed that he thought we were called the Liberal Democats:

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Newsmoggie

Holyrood magazine interview with Willie Rennie: “the Scottish Lib Dem leader, in stark contrast to his counterpart in London, seems near universally liked”

By Newsmoggie | Sun 22nd March 2015 - 4:59 pm

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie gave an interview to Holyrood magazine ahead of the party’s conference in Aberdeen. The first few paragraphs told us that he was talkative, he smiled a lot and that he was “near universally liked.” We just wish that translated into poll ratings.

Alistair Carmichael described him as a “force of nature” on Friday and anyone who has seen the energy with which he campaigns from Shetland to Galloway will agree.

He doesn’t get everything right as his baffling response to the question about the difference Nicola Sturgeon brings to the role of First Minister shows, but he made  a solid defence of the party’s record in government and showcased the party’s USP – a strong commitment to civil liberties. There’s stuff in here that people across the UK will find useful.

The interview took place in the wake of the vote on the SNP’s plans for a super ID database. Willie had called for this measure to be done by primary legislation, not snuck in by committee, a clever move which secured the backing of Labour, Tories and Greens.

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Newsmoggie

LDVideo: Charles Kennedy visits a primary school

By Newsmoggie | Wed 11th March 2015 - 10:15 am

Charles Kennedy by Catch21productionsCharles Kennedy recently visited a primary school in Ilford to talk about his life as an MP. Both he and the children seem to have enjoyed his visit.

The Ilford Recorder has the details:

Kennedy, the MP for Ross, Skye and Lochaber, said he thoroughly enjoyed answering questions on his role.

“I have for some time been looking forward to visiting Winston Way Primary School and I am very grateful for the invitation to do so.

“Indeed, the pupils must have done their homework as the quality of questioning far outstretched what we often see in the House of Commons itself.”

He also added: “Engaging young people in politics is so important.

“To take an interest at a young age means there is a far better chance of taking an interest come the time young people can vote. That can only be a good thing.

There’s also a video, also available here on You Tube.

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Newsmoggie

Lib Dem Cllr wins world meat pie championship with vegetarian recipe

By Newsmoggie | Tue 17th February 2015 - 10:31 am

Lancashire county councillor David Whipp has won the World Meat Pie championship, which travelled this year all the way to Barnoldswick, Lancashire. Winning a world meat pie contest with a vegetarian pie is simply out of this world.

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Newsmoggie

Julian Huppert flummoxes the Commons

By Newsmoggie | Wed 4th February 2015 - 3:46 pm

Cometh the hour, cometh the person.

In yesterday’s House of Commons debate on DNA, it was a great opportunity for one of our small number of scientist MPs to bring forth their knowledge.

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Newsmoggie

Liberal Democrats winning here……or at least….erm….purring here

By Newsmoggie | Wed 28th January 2015 - 2:25 pm

Billy 1

This is the real Billy. The Purr Minister! Ah! What a cutie!

Fantastic news straight from Battersea Dogs and Cats home!:

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Newsmoggie

LibLink: David Laws – Tories will cut schools spending by a quarter

By Newsmoggie | Wed 7th January 2015 - 2:05 pm

Writing in today’s Telegraph, David Laws says that Tory plans will mean huge cuts to spending on schools:

The Conservatives are offering unfunded tax cuts, meaning they will have to go on making deep cuts to public spending – by far more than is necessary to balance the books.

This would be a huge threat to all we are achieving on education.

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Newsmoggie

Civil partnerships can now be converted into marriage

By Newsmoggie | Wed 17th December 2014 - 12:54 pm

As of last week, couples in England and Wales have the choice to convert their civil partnership into marriage, concluding a historic process of changing the law to give same sex couples the right to get married.

The Liberal Democrats were the first party to support same sex marriage and have delivered our promise to couples to allow conversions into marriage to take place. There is now no reason in the law why two people of the same sex cannot be married.

Liberal Democrat Minister for Equalities Jo Swinson said:

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Newsmoggie

Devolution must go beyond Westminster

By Newsmoggie | Wed 17th December 2014 - 9:15 am

Yesterday in parliament, William Hague announced four options to address the “English votes for English laws” issue. They are:

  1. Barring Scottish and Northern Irish MPs from any role in English and Welsh bills and limiting England-only bills to English MPs
  2. Allowing only English MPs, or English and Welsh MPs, to consider relevant bills during their committee and report stages, where amendments are tabled and agreed, before allowing all MPs to vote on the final bill
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Newsmoggie

LibLink: Nick Clegg – Mental health is top of our list

By Newsmoggie | Wed 26th November 2014 - 2:54 pm

Nick Clegg with 2010 manifesto at Glasgow 2014 by Liberal DemocratsWriting in the Express, Nick Clegg explains why he is making mental health a top priority for the Liberal Democrats:

I have ­decided to make mental health one of my priorities for the next parliament, something no political party has ever done before.

I want this commitment to ­continue to overhaul our mental health services on the front page of the Liberal Democrat manifesto at the next election.

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Newsmoggie

Norman Lamb picks up an “Oscar” for his work on mental health

By Newsmoggie | Wed 26th November 2014 - 1:30 pm

imageMinister of State for Care and Support Norman Lamb MP picked up the prize for the “Best Use of Evidence” at the Political Studies Association Annual Awards, dubbed the “Oscars of Westminster”. These were handed out at a dinner which took place last night at Church House, Westminster.

The MP for North Norfolk was presented with the award for his work on mental health by former Mayor of London Ken Livingstone in front of a packed audience of high-profile academics, politicians, political campaigners and journalists.

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Newsmoggie

LibLink: Nick Clegg – ensure there is no benefit abuse while retaining free labour movement

By Newsmoggie | Wed 26th November 2014 - 8:54 am

Nick clegg rally glasgow 2014
Writing in the Financial Times (registration needed), Nick Clegg argues in favour of immigration for work purposes from the EU, but lists a range of restrictions on benefits for those coming to the UK:

Overwhelmingly, European migrants come here to work and pay taxes.

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Newsmoggie

A cute cross-party christening

By Newsmoggie | Tue 25th November 2014 - 3:16 pm

Tom Watson is Labour MP or West Bromwich and general scourge of the Murdoch empire, which is no bad thing. He’s pretty much with us when he talks about the need to tackle politicians’ deference to the media.

He’s an old friend and university sparring partner of long-standing Liberal Democrat Federal Executive and Federal Conference Committee member James Gurling and this weekend became godfather to Gurling’s incredibly cute 9 month old son.

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Charlotte Henry resigns from the Liberal Democrats

By Newsmoggie | Wed 19th November 2014 - 12:28 pm

Prominent blogger and journalist, Charlotte Henry, has today resigned from the Liberal Democrats. She explains her reasons on her blog:

Today, with genuine sadness, I am resigning from the Liberal Democrat party.

I joined in 2009, becoming an intern for Don Foster MP. There are few better ways to get a political education than chasing after Don. Since then I’ve campaigned and consulted for candidates, held senior roles in the youth wing, and stood for the London Assembly and my local council. However, I can no longer remain in the Liberal Democrats.

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Newsmoggie

David Ward MP: Jerusalem synagogue attackers “driven to madness by failure of international community to deal with Israel”

By Newsmoggie | Wed 19th November 2014 - 11:54 am

David Ward MP’s tweet on the Jerusalem synagogue attack has been widely covered although, for him, it is relatively restrained:

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Jeremy Browne hits out at “arbitrary” mansion tax

By Newsmoggie | Wed 19th November 2014 - 9:18 am

Jeremy Browne - Minister for Crime PreventionIn today’s Times (£), Jeremy Browne slams the Lib Dem plans for a mansion tax:

Plans to introduce an “arbitrary” mansion tax on expensive homes will “undermine the fundamental principles of private ownership”, a former Lib Dem minister has warned.

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Newsmoggie

Ed Davey: Onshore windfarm opposition risks UK jobs

By Newsmoggie | Wed 12th November 2014 - 3:54 pm

Wind turbine - Some rights reserved by thomas vlThe Guardian reports:

Energy secretary Ed Davey has warned that the Conservative party’s opposition to onshore wind turbines risks undermining the creation of British jobs as new data showed 15,400 people are now employed in the wind power industry.

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Newsmoggie

LibLink: Tim Farron – Don’t blame immigrants – sort our problems

By Newsmoggie | Wed 5th November 2014 - 2:54 pm

Tim Farron Social Liberal Forum conference Jul 19 2014 Photo by Paul WalterWriting in the New Statesman, Tim Farron says we should direct our focus on solving this country’s housing shortage and wage inequalities problems, rather than blaming immigrants for our problems:

Looking at poll after poll shows that many communities are worried about the impact of immigration. I do understand their concerns. But it would be hugely disrespectful to the British public if we looked at those polls, and the problems they highlighted, and weren’t honest about the underlying drivers.

…

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Newsmoggie

Norman’s conquest: Mr Baker ‘will be missed’ – Independent

By Newsmoggie | Wed 5th November 2014 - 1:54 pm

normanbakerAs he quits mud-wrestling with Theresa May to spend more time with Piccadilly Circus (available in all good music outlets), Norman Baker receives very high praise indeed in an Independent editorial today. “The outgoing minister was more than just a troublemaker in the Home Office”, says the strapline, with the article including this passage:

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Newsmoggie

Early years pupil premium – local allocations announced

By Newsmoggie | Thu 23rd October 2014 - 11:56 am

school childrenThe government has announced the regional allocations for the Early Years pupil premium.

Nurseries, childminders and other early years providers throughout the country are set for a cash injection to help three and four-year-olds from disadvantaged families.

Children from low income families have often fallen behind more well off classmates before they even start school.​

But from April 2015, the Early Years Pupil Premium – which has been backed by groups like Barnados, 4Children and the Child Poverty Action Group – ​will mean extra money to make sure every child gets a …

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Newsmoggie

Former Liberal Democrat MP David Howarth re-appointed as an Electoral Commissioner

By Newsmoggie | Thu 11th September 2014 - 1:45 pm

David HowarthFormer Liberal Democrat Shadow Justice Spokesperson David Howarth has been re-appointed as an electoral commissioner by the Queen.

From the Cambridge News:

The appointment was announced this morning in the House of Commons before the start of the day’s business, with Mr Howarth joined by Lord Horam.

The chair of the Electoral Commission and other electoral commissioners are appointed by the Queen at the request of parliament and are charged with ensuring fair and proper running of elections.

Liberal Democrat Mr Howarth previously served as a commissioner from October 2010 to September 2013.

 The Electoral Commission website has more on the roles and responsibilities of the Commissioners..
During his last stint as a Commissioner he co-wrote the foreword to a report which started to look at a new structure for electoral law across the UK. The report outlined the 25 pieces of legislation which govern elections and looked at how those could be streamlined.
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Nick Clegg: The more men speak out against FGM, the sooner we can stop it

By Newsmoggie | Thu 24th July 2014 - 1:17 pm

Nick Clegg 3 - Paul WalterCosmopolitan magazine caught up with Nick Clegg at the Girl Summit the other day. They have launched their own campaign to remember the victims of “honour killings”, surely the most inappropriate way to describe cold blooded murder. The images they’ve had designed to illustrate their campaign are extremely hard hitting.

He was asked what he thought Cosmo’s young women readers could do to help end FGM and forced marriage:

…the most powerful change of all is girls and women speaking up. Not allowing this to lurk in

…

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Newsmoggie

Jo Swinson tipped to replace Ed Davey in Cabinet reshuffle…

By Newsmoggie | Thu 10th July 2014 - 3:30 pm

Jo Swinson Minister for Employment Relations and Consumer AffairsInteresting speculation from George Eaton in the New Statesman that Nick Clegg may have been listening to Stephen Tall and is about to reshuffle the Cabinet, replacing Ed Davey with Jo Swinson. Jenny Willott would take over Jo’s job at the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills.

The report says:

A senior party source suggests that Jo Swinson could replace Ed Davey, the Energy Secretary, in the party’s top team. Swinson, who recently returned from maternity leave (she is married to fellow Lib Dem MP Duncan Hames), has long been regarded as the strongest female candidate to enter the cabinet. She is a Clegg loyalist, a strong media performer, and has impressed during her time as a business minister.

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Nick Clegg doesn’t want his children to follow him into politics

By Newsmoggie | Tue 8th July 2014 - 2:15 pm

Nick Clegg in a London schoolThere are a couple of reports today of an interview Nick Clegg has given to the Radio Times. The publication itself, in its teaser, has him saying that, being a protective parent, he doesn’t want to see his children following him into politics because of its tough and hostile environment.

I’m like any parent. The first, most visceral instinct you have as a parent is you want to protect your children, and politics is a very rough business you know. It’s absolutely not for the faint-hearted

…

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Newsmoggie

Maybe tinned tomatoes are cheaper in Legoland…

By Newsmoggie | Tue 24th June 2014 - 8:50 pm

Lego ProstituteOh Danny!

From the Telegraph, a full month before the silly season, an amusingly cringeworthy non-story:

As Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Danny Alexander is supposed to ensure that Britain does not spend beyond its means as he helps implement the Coalition’s austerity plan.

But the senior Liberal Democrat was left embarrassed when he found himself unable to balance the books when he joined in a children’s shopping challenge.

Pupils from Cauldeen Primary School in Inverness all passed the test for buying food for one person for a week within a £10 budget.
However,

…

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Newsmoggie

Paddy: I know what it’s like to hide in a canoe for 5 days

By Newsmoggie | Wed 4th June 2014 - 2:53 pm

paddy book 2Paddy Ashdown’s ubiquitous presence on the media these days is not entirely an accident. I suspect, though, he wanted to spend more time talking about his new book, out tomorrow, than about Liberal Democrat plots and leadership crises. The Cruel Victory: The French Resistance, D-Day and the Battle for Vercors is currently making its way to my Kindle and I’m looking forward to reading it, harrowing though it will be. Paddy knows how to tell a story with intelligence and emotional punch.

He has been talking to all sorts of media outlets, but I came across this quick interview with Arabian News which was more book related. He was asked what he got out of writing:

Oh, the joy of creation I suppose, if that’s not too pompous a word. I think you’d call me an author rather than a writer, a writer is probably a somewhat higher level

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Newsmoggie

LibLink: Giles Goodall’s open letter to Polish people in Britain

By Newsmoggie | Wed 21st May 2014 - 5:33 pm

Illuminated Polish flagOver at the Huffington Post, Giles Goodall, Liberal Democrat South East Euro candidate has written an open letter to Polish people in this country to let them know how welcome they are here and how it’s important to protect that freedom of movement around Europe.

For ten years, Britain has welcomed you as workers, entrepreneurs, friends and neighbours. The Poles I know are open, flexible and ambitious. They work hard, often with too little recognition. Some have been elected as local councillors, and I know another who works

…

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Newsmoggie

Huppert on Astra Zeneca takeover’s threat to jobs, the European elections and the living wage

By Newsmoggie | Sat 17th May 2014 - 12:55 pm

Medical Drugs for Pharmacy Health Shop of MedicineJulian Huppert has been talking to Cambridge student magazine Varsity.

Not surprisingly, the subject of Pfizer’s proposed takeover of Astra Zeneca came up. Why should students be bothered?

It will have a direct impact on the prospects for people in particular disciplines, and will be a longer term issue about the future of Britain”, he replies. “This matters for students who work in STEM subjects, natscis, chem-eng, all of those subjects, because this could be their employment – even if you don’t work directly

…

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Lorely Burt to support female entrepreneurs

By Newsmoggie | Wed 23rd April 2014 - 6:13 pm

lorely-outside-parliament-1 lorely burtVince Cable has appointed Lorely Burt to a new role aimed at promoting and supporting female entrepreneurs. From the Yorkshire Post:

Liberal Democrat MP Lorely Burt will help women-led businesses to understand the help available to their new and growing firms.

She started her career in the prison service and rose to become assistant governor at HMP Holloway, a tough female-only prison in North London.

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Shirley Williams on her mother’s wartime nursing service and role of women in World War 1

By Newsmoggie | Sun 20th April 2014 - 10:50 am

shirley williams by paul walterNext week, Shirley Williams is to take part in the Stratford Upon Avon Literary Festival talking about her mother Vera Brittain’s role as a nurse volunteer in the First World War and on the wider role of women generally before, during and after the war.

From the Birmingham Post:

Baroness Shirley Williams is incredibly proud of her “wonderful” mother Vera Brittain, whose First World War memoir has been adapted into a new BBC drama with an all-star cast.

Testament of Youth charts Vera’s personal journey from an Oxford scholarship

…

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