Author Archives: The Voice

Suspension of Lord Rennard

The Liberal Democrats have just issued this statement:

Nick Clegg made clear last week, and again this morning, that it would be inappropriate for Lord Rennard to resume the Liberal Democrat whip unless he apologises. Lord Rennard has refused to do so.

The Regional Parties Committee, which oversees disciplinary procedures under the English Party membership rules, today decided to suspend Lord Rennard’s membership of the party pending a disciplinary procedure. As such, he cannot return to the Liberal Democrat group in the House of Lords.

Lord Rennard will now be investigated for bringing the party into disrepute on the grounds of his failure

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The Rennard case: what Caron Lindsay and Stephen Tall have said about it

Lib Dem Voice’s co-editors, Stephen Tall and Caron Lindsay, have both written on their own blogs about the fall-out from the independent investigation into the allegations against Lord (Chris) Rennard.

Stephen wrote on Friday summarising the background to the mess the party finds itself in here: Q&A on the allegations against Lord Rennard. (My conclusion: it’s a mess.)

And on Sunday Caron posed the question, How is the party going to get through this?

There is an obvious path to peace.

It’s not too late for Chris Rennard to apologise, and to do it well. I really think that he should

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Clegg: “Basic decency” that Rennard should apologise for distress caused

Nick Clegg has been doing a round of media interviews this morning – the original purpose was to unveil the Coalition’s mental health strategy, but they’ve been overshadowed by the continuing row over the allegations of sexual impropriety against Lord (Chris) Rennard.

Lord Rennard has decided not to issue an apology to the women who have made complaints against him for any distress caused as recommended by Alistair Webster’s independent report. The QC issued a further statement on Sunday explaining he thought it would be no more than “common manners” for an apology to be offered.

Here’s what …

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Internal investigation into Lord (Chris) Rennard: new statement issued by Alistair Webster QC

On Wednesday, Alistair Webster, the QC appointed by the party to examine the evidence in the disciplinary case being considered against Lord (Chris) Rennard, released this statement explaining his investigation.

A further statement has just been released today:

“In view of the extensive comment which has followed my statement, and in view of some of the statements made by those directly concerned, I wish to make the following quite clear:

“1. My report to the RPC has not been provided to any other party for one reason only: the Committee had unequivocal advice from independent solicitors that to publish it without

Posted in News and Party policy and internal matters | Tagged and | 37 Comments

New Statement from Liberal Democrat Women

LDW believe the entire process from the word go has been mishandled. As a result we have been left with an unsatisfactory position which has not been fair to anyone involved.

We, have been talking to Senior Members of the Party about how LDW can contribute to resolving this distressing situation. Our involvement has been welcomed and we have been working behind the scenes to help in anyway we can. We are speaking to the Leader’s Office to arrange a meeting with Nick Clegg as soon as possible.

LDW is aware that the women who made the allegations against Lord Rennard have …

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Nick Clegg: Inappropriate for Lord Rennard to rejoin Lib Dem Lords if he does not apologise

A statement released tonight by a Liberal Democrat spokesperson

Nick Clegg is of the view that as long as Lord Rennard refuses the very reasonable request from Alistair Webster QC to apologise that it is inappropriate for him to rejoin the Liberal Democrat group in the House of Lords. Nick has communicated this to the Chief Whip and Leader of the House of Lords group.

In addition, a growing number of party members have come forward to make representations to the party that Lord Rennard’s refusal to apologise in itself brings the party into disrepute.

The Lords Chief Whip and Leader of the

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Coalition minister calls for minimum wage increase (that’s Vince, 4 months ago, in case you were wondering)

Here’s the Lib Dems’ Vince Cable on 14 September 2013:

vince min wage - sept 2013

And here’s the Tories’ George Osborne – four months later – on 10 January 2014:

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Statement from Liberal Democrat Women

Liberal Democrat Women is whole heartedly against sexual harassment and unwanted indecent or sexually inappropriate advances of any kind.  This includes within the workplace and throughout our Party at every level.

We believe strongly that positions of power should never be abused.

We need to trust that there was a thorough and impartial investigation. Whilst our Party has made mistakes in the past we need to look to the future and ensure that the culture in the Party continues to change following the suite of measures implemented following the Morrissey Review and those measures are remain under constant review.

We expect an apology from Lord …

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Statement by Lord Rennard

I am pleased that this brings to an end all investigations concerning allegations made against me on Channel 4 News last February.

The Metropolitan Police also investigated the allegations thoroughly and over several months and found that there was no case to proceed.

My wife Ann and I are very grateful to our families and many friends both inside and outside the Liberal Democrats who have shown unwavering support throughout.

We are particularly grateful to Alex Carlile QC, who helped us to ensure that justice was eventually done, and to Richard Cannon of Janes Solicitors who guided us through the police processes.I now …

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Internal investigation into allegations against Lord Rennard

Statement of Alistair Webster QC’s conclusions
Following allegations made in a Channel 4 documentary early in 2013 I was appointed under Rule 7.6 of the English Party’s membership rules to investigate and determine whether or not it was appropriate to charge Lord Rennard with acting in a way that had brought the party into disrepute. The charge, if proved, might warrant his expulsion from the Liberal Democrats or other sanction under the Party’s rules.

Let me be clear from the outset that the evidence suggests that Lord Rennard’s behaviour has caused distress to a number of women, so much so that they came forward several years after the events in question.

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Michael Moore appointed as EU Business Adviser to Nick Clegg

Nick Clegg has asked former Secretary of State for Scotland Michael Moore to be his Adviser on European business affairs. The unpaid role will see Michael working with businesses across the UK to understand the key trade, investment and regulatory issue affecting their dealings in the European Union.

He will carry out a review of the issues and report to Nick Clegg by the Summer.

Michael Moore said:

Britain’s engagement with the rest of Europe is fundamental to our future economic well-being. At this crucial moment in the development of the UK’s relationship with the EU, I am delighted to take on this

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LDV’s Sunday Best: our 7 most-read articles this week

Many thanks to the 14,800  visitors who dropped by Lib Dem Voice this week. Here’s our 7 most-read posts…

What’s with the Nick Clegg/Ed Balls love in? (18 comments) by Caron Lindsay

Opinion: Foodbanks: Are there more hungry people than a decade ago? (25 comments) by Iain Roberts

Don Foster MP to stand down in 2015 (12 comments) by Caron Lindsay

Opinion: The Immigration Trap (76 comments) by David Allen

Should MPs be allowed to take their babies into the voting lobby? (26 comments) by Caron Lindsay

Lorely Burt to stand for Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader (19 comments) by The …

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Liberal Democrat Voice Roll of Honour 2013 – Part 6

We wanted to honour those Liberal Democrats that our readers felt were true stars of 2013. Over the past few days, we have sought out  nominations and now have a rather impressive list, of which this is the final part, that we’ve been publishing in instalments over the past week. Here is the final  part. Their names come with the comments made about the contribution they have made. Some are parliamentarians, some are councillors, most are grassroots activists. Let’s celebrate them and the many others who are fighting for Liberal Democrat values and victory. These are our Liberal Democrat stars of 2013.

You can read part 1 here, part 2 here part 3 here,  part 4 here and part 5 here.

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Liberal Democrat Voice Roll of Honour 2013 – Part 5

We wanted to honour those Liberal Democrats that our readers felt were true stars of 2013. We sought out  nominations and now have a rather impressive list that we’ve been publishing in instalments during this week. Here is the penultimate part. Their names come with the comments made about the contribution they have made. Some are parliamentarians, some are councillors, most are grassroots activists. Let’s celebrate them and the many others who are fighting for Liberal Democrat values and victory. These are our Liberal Democrat stars of 2013.

You can read part 1 here, part 2 here part 3 here and part 4 here.

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Liberal Democrat Voice Roll of Honour 2013 – Part 4

We wanted to honour those Liberal Democrats that our readers felt were true stars of 2013. We sought out  nominations and  have a rather impressive list that we’ve been publishing in instalments during this week. Here is the fourth part. Their names come with the comments made about the contribution they have made. Some are parliamentarians, some are councillors, most are grassroots activists. Let’s celebrate them and the many others who are fighting for Liberal Democrat values and victory. These are our Liberal Democrat stars of 2013.

You can read part 1 here, part 2 here and part 3 here.

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Liberal Democrat Voice Roll of Honour 2013 – Part 3

We wanted to honour those Liberal Democrats that our readers felt were true stars of 2013. We sought out  nominations and now have a rather impressive list that we’ve been  publishing in instalments during this week. Here is the third part. Their names come with the comments made about the contribution they have made. Some are parliamentarians, some are councillors, most are grassroots activists. Let’s celebrate them and the many others who are fighting for Liberal Democrat values and victory. These are our Liberal Democrat stars of 2013.

You can read part 1 here, and Part 2 here.

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+++ Lorely Burt to stand for Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader

lorely-outside-parliament-1Solihull MP Lorely Burt has announced that she is to stand for the Deputy Leadership of the Liberal Democrats. The post became vacant when previous incumbent Simon Hughes became a Minister last month.

Lorely has secured the nominations of 24 of the required 29 MPs.

Lorely has a background in business and is described as having broken many glass ceilings during her career, including being the first women to chair the Liberal Democrats’ Parliamentary Party.

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Nick Clegg: Nothing I look forward to more on my birthday than DPMQs

DPMQBob Russell wished Nick Clegg “Happy Birthday” at his monthly Deputy Prime Minister’s Questions today, hence the quote in the headline.

Nick dealt robustly with a wide range of questions, from regional airports, food banks, the triple lock on pensions to Syrian asylum seekers. He managed to get in a reference to his disagreement with George Osbourne over the fiscal methods that should be used to reduce the deficit after 2015, claiming a sincerely held difference of view. He advocated a mix of public spending constraints, welfare savings and fair taxes on those with the broadest shoulders.

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Liberal Democrat Voice Roll of Honour 2013 – Part 2

We wanted to honour those Liberal Democrats that our readers felt were true stars of 2013. We sought out  nominations and now have a rather impressive list that we’ll be publishing in instalments during this week. Here is the second part. Their names come with the comments made about the contribution they have made. Some are parliamentarians, some are councillors, most are grassroots activists. Let’s celebrate them and the many others who are fighting for Liberal Democrat values and victory. These are our Liberal Democrat stars of 2013.

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LDV’s Sunday Best: our 7 most-read articles this week

Many thanks to the 12,700 visitors who dropped by Lib Dem Voice this week. Here’s our 7 most-read posts…

So we might have Ed Balls in a Labour/Liberal Democrat coalition Cabinet after all.. (86 comments) by Caron Lindsay

NEW POLL: Who is your Liberal Voice of the year? (20 comments) by Stephen Tall

LibLink: Richard Reeves: The Clegg Factor (50 comments) by Newshound

New Year Reflections from Charles Kennedy: 2014 is not for the politically timid (17 comments) by Charles Kennedy

Opinion: Putting the facts into Britain’s fraudulent immigration debate (30 comments) by Giles Goodall

Going it alone (54 comments) by …

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Liberal Democrat Voice Roll of Honour 2013 – Part 1

We wanted to honour those Liberal Democrats that our readers felt were true stars of 2013. Over the past few days, we have sought out  nominations and now have a rather impressive list that we’ll be publishing in instalments during this week. Here is the first part. Their names come with the comments made about the contribution they have made. Some are parliamentarians, some are councillors, most are grassroots activists. Let’s celebrate them and the many others who are fighting for Liberal Democrat values and victory. These are our Liberal Democrat stars of 2013.

Baroness Liz Barker

For this speech in the same …

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LDV’s 2013 Best: our dozen most-read articles of last year

Many thanks to the  555,972 visitors who dropped by Lib Dem Voice in 2013. Here’s our 12 most-read posts…

The affair is none of our business, but how did it get in the papers anyway? (54 comments) by Caron Lindsay

Tom Brake on 38 degrees and the Transparency and Lobbying Bill (84 comments) by Tom Brake MP

Sarah Teather won’t fight 2015 election (286 comments) by Caron Lindsay

The Economist’s political map of the UK: north/south divide revealed (35 comments) by Stephen Tall

Simon Hughes MP writes: My vote on the same sex marriage bill (111 comments) by Simon Hughes MP

Posted in News and Site news | 2 Comments

What could you do with £32?

In these straitened times, we are sure that you have better things to do with £32 than pay it needlessly to the party’s Conference registration Department. You could of course still give it to the party, but that’s by the by.

It could also pay for a meal out, or a trip to the sales, or 3 or 4 books, 4 one day travelcards in London and a coffee when you get there. Or a round of drinks in the Conference bar…

Today is the last day when members can register for Liberal Democrat Spring Conference at the lower rate. Don’t miss …

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Lib Dem HQ tweets: “Dear Twitterbots, we are happy with our 2000 new party members. We do not need your offers of 5000 new followers.”

Those scamps in the Lib Dem press office have clearly had a good Christmas, judging by their Twitter timeline this morning following up on the news that the party’s membership has increased in 2013

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LDV’s Sunday Best: our 7 most-read articles this week

Many thanks to the 9000 visitors who dropped by Lib Dem Voice this week. Here’s our 7 most-read posts…

Time to expose UKIP (32 comments) by Issan Ghazni

Telegraph: “Liberal Democrats believe that party can oust several Tories” (22 comments) by Caron Lindsay

Same story, two very different headlines (30 comments) by Caron Lindsay

Vince tells Andrew Marr: Immigration panic does damage, politicians should give facts not resort to harmful populism. (42 comments) by Newshound

Two thirds of Lib Dem members say yes to HS2 (12 comments) by Stephen Tall

Duncan Hames steps down as PPS to  Nick Clegg and Simon

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Who’s your leading Liberal Democrat Star of 2013? Part 1

We have our Liberal Voice of the Year award, but that’s for people outside the party.

We also thought it might also be a good idea as we reach the end of the year to celebrate people in the party who we thought had made an outstanding contribution in 2013. When I say we, I’m including you in this. Some of the team will be making their own suggestions and we invite you to either submit your own posts by emailing [email protected] or just put your suggestions in the comments to the various posts that will be appearing over the next …

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Duncan Hames steps down as PPS to Nick Clegg and Simon Wright takes over

Following this afternoon’s wonderful news about the safe arrival of Andrew Lennox Marshall Hames,  the Belfast Telegraph reports that his dad, Duncan Hames, has decided to step down from his position as Parliamentary Private Secretary to Nick Clegg so that he has “more time to spend with our new baby”:

Mr Hames said: “When I told Nick that I would be wanting more time to spend with our new baby, I knew he would understand.

“Now that our son, Andrew, is with us, I am stepping down as the Deputy Prime Minister’s PPS.

“I truly appreciated the opportunity to see the coalition

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Kirsty Williams AM’s Christmas Message

From mybrecon.co.uk

nick clegg kirsty williams - 1FOR me part of the Christmas period is about reflecting on the year that has been and looking forward to the year coming up.

2013 has been an interesting year here in Wales. There have been ups, with strong signs of the UK’s economy improving and unemployment falling in the constituency. There have also been downs, with Wales falling further behind England and Scotland in both education and health standards.

Next year is set to be even busier for me. I recently won a ballot to bring

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++Jo Swinson and Duncan Hames welcome son Andrew

When Jo Swinson and Duncan Hames got engaged, they announced it by a co-ordinated tweets.

They carried on that tradition to announce the birth of their son Andrew. He was born on Sunday, but they’ve just announced his arrival in the last few minutes.

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LDVideo: Nick Clegg’s Christmas message

Not just a talking head this year. We see pictures of Nick visiting a school and Great Ormond Street Hospital, pulling crackers and chatting with children. Someone needs to tell him not to stick his hands in his pockets after he’s done the antibacterial wash, though. Oh, we just did.

Enjoy.

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