Author Archives: The Voice

The Voice

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

By The Voice | Tue 7th January 2014 - 1:49 pm

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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The Voice

Liberal Democrat Voice Roll of Honour 2013 – Part 2

By The Voice | Mon 6th January 2014 - 2:32 pm

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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The Voice

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

By The Voice | Sun 5th January 2014 - 5:56 pm

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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The Voice

Liberal Democrat Voice Roll of Honour 2013 – Part 1

By The Voice | Sun 5th January 2014 - 1:48 pm

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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The Voice

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

By The Voice | Sat 4th January 2014 - 11:01 am

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

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The Voice

What could you do with £32?

By The Voice | Tue 31st December 2013 - 11:30 am

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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The Voice

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.”

By The Voice | Mon 30th December 2013 - 12:35 pm

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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The Voice

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

By The Voice | Sun 29th December 2013 - 1:15 pm

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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The Voice

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

By The Voice | Sat 28th December 2013 - 11:57 am

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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The Voice

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

By The Voice | Tue 24th December 2013 - 7:16 pm

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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The Voice

Kirsty Williams AM’s Christmas Message

By The Voice | Tue 24th December 2013 - 3:45 pm

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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The Voice

++Jo Swinson and Duncan Hames welcome son Andrew

By The Voice | Tue 24th December 2013 - 2:46 pm

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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The Voice

LDVideo: Nick Clegg’s Christmas message

By The Voice | Tue 24th December 2013 - 11:45 am

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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The Voice

What’s being debated in our members’ forum this week?

By The Voice | Sat 21st December 2013 - 1:45 pm

LibDemVoice has two parallel sites. The first is our public blog, the thing you’re reading now. The second is our private members’ forum, which only current Lib Dem members can access.

If you’re a member and want to chat with fellow party members about any issue that’s on your mind, then why not sign up? In addition, you’ll be included in our regular surveys’ of party members’ views.

Here’s some of the most active discussions this past 7 days:

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The Voice

Ibrahim Taguri selected for Brent Central PPC

By The Voice | Fri 20th December 2013 - 9:12 pm

Ibrahim Taguri selected for Brent CentralBrent Central Liberal Democrats have selected Ibrahim Taguri as their successor to Sarah Teather to stand at thee 2015 General Election.

Ibrahim born in Brent, grew up in Willesden Green and has spent many years working in the charitable sector.

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The Voice

++ Lib Dem deputy leader Simon Hughes replaces Lord McNally as Justice Minister

By The Voice | Wed 18th December 2013 - 2:42 pm

Simon HughesNews just in:

Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader Simon Hughes has replaced Lord (Tom) McNally as the Liberal Democrat Minister of State for Justice.

Lord McNally has been appointed as the new Chair of the Youth Justice Board, a post which he will take up in mid-March 2014. Simon Hughes will take over as Justice Minister with immediate effect.

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Leader and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said:

“Tom McNally has been a fantastic minister who has pushed through a Liberal agenda in the Ministry of Justice. He will now bring the same

…

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The Voice

Ros Kayes chosen by West Dorset Lib Dems to take on Oliver Letwin in 2015

By The Voice | Sat 14th December 2013 - 9:45 am

The Lib Dems have been runners-up in the West Dorset constituency since it was created in its modern form in 1992. Oliver Letwin was first elected in 1997 and has narrowly held the seat the seat since then. It would take only a 3.5% swing towards the Lib Dems to win it.

The party has this week moved a step nearer towards that goal with the selection of an energetic local candidate, Ros Kayes, as their website highlights:

West Dorset Liberal Democrats have selected Bridport based Cllr Ros Kayes to fight the seat for the party in the General Election of

…

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The Voice

FOUND: David Cameron’s Little Black Book

By The Voice | Wed 11th December 2013 - 2:13 pm

So David Cameron’s keeping a little black book of the things Lib Dems have stopped him doing in Government – things he wants to put in the next Tory manifesto.

A copy has been found, and it’s scary reading:

Liberal Democrats think these policies are unfair. Do you want schools to be run for profit? Or a record of all your emails and texts to be kept? Or do you want your boss to be allowed to fire you at will?

Click here to help us stop David Cameron’s Little Black Book …

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The Voice

Spring Conference reprieved

By The Voice | Tue 10th December 2013 - 12:26 pm

Spring 2013 Federal Conference agendaA couple of weeks ago Lib Dem Voice reported that party members were being consulted by Federal Executive about the future of Spring Conference, following a consultation session at Glasgow.  This was driven by financial pressures and the need for the Spring Conference to be cost-neutral.

Options included keeping it as it is but with cost savings, reducing its length from two days, or abolishing the Spring Conference completely .  The second option was preferred by Federal Executive.  Not surprisingly, the Federal Conference Committee did not support either abolition or any changes to the length of the conference.

Gareth Epps reports that yesterday evening the Federal Executive agreed to not make any changes, but to see how online technology could make the conference more accessible to the wider membership.

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The Voice

Bob Russell’s surgery lasts for 12 hours – is this a record?

By The Voice | Tue 10th December 2013 - 10:06 am

bob russell_2Bob Russell, the Lib Dem MP for Colchester, claims to have set a record by holding a surgery that lasted for 12 hours.

It seems that 36 people made appointments to see him last Friday. It’s not entirely clear whether he had originally planned it to go on for so long, or whether he just had a very long list of people who wanted to see him.

He claims to have seen 10,000 constituents at his surgeries since he was elected in 1997.

So your challenge today is to establish whether …

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The Voice

Nick Clegg’s Commons tribute to Mandela: “let us honour his memory by ensuring that the hope he gave lives on”

By The Voice | Mon 9th December 2013 - 7:50 pm

clegg on leveson 2Nick Clegg offered his tribute on behalf of the Lib Dems today to Nelson Mandela’s immense contribution to leading South Africa away from apartheid and towards democracy. Here’s what he had to say:

The Deputy Prime Minister (Mr Nick Clegg):
On behalf of the Liberal Democrats, let me add my voice to the many tributes to Nelson Mandela, the father of modern South Africa. Our thoughts and condolences are with his loved ones, the people of South Africa, and everyone around the world who is grieving his loss.

Nelson Mandela’s message

…

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The Voice

MPs condemn MPs’ pay rise

By The Voice | Mon 9th December 2013 - 1:13 pm

MPs of all sides are objecting to IPSA proposals to increase their pay by 11%, alongside some less-reported minor cuts to expenses and a move to a career-average pension scheme, that make the whole package, we are told, cost-neutral.

Danny Alexander has called the rise “wholly inappropriate”:

I think most people will find it utterly incomprehensible that a time of pay restraint for the public sector and further squeezes on Government spending that IPSA should be recommending . I think it would be wholly inappropriate to get such a large pay rise when every other public sector worker sees pay

…

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The Voice

Christmas present ideas from the LDV team and friends: Day 9

By The Voice | Mon 9th December 2013 - 8:55 am

Giles Goodall at ALDENext up in our series of Christmas present ideas comes from regular contributor and Euro candidate Giles Goodall.

Just in the nip of time for Christmas – with a release date two days after the last ever episode airs on BBC4 – comes the box set of all three series of Denmark’s hit political drama. Which self-respecting, Europe-minded, coalitionist Lib Dem could be without the Borgen Trilogy?

After the heady days of a surprise election victory, novelty of entering government, and mounting pressure of compromising on your ideals in

…

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The Voice

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

By The Voice | Sun 8th December 2013 - 2:00 pm

Many thanks to the 16,600  visitors who dropped by Lib Dem Voice this week. Here’s our 7 most-read posts…

Opinion: Child taken from the womb by social services.  Really?( 137 comments) by Evan Harris

Jo Swinson takes on Daily Mail’s Liz Jones, who thinks she shouldn’t be “procreating” (11 comments) by Caron Lindsay

Hemming helps woman in forced caesarean and adoption case (28 comments) by Caron Lindsay

Times: “The increasingly confident and powerful Mr Clegg” (28 comments) by Newshound

Opinion: Women must stop stepping into the political shoes of men (45 comments) by Andy Boddington

Nelson Mandela: the long walk is …

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The Voice

Christmas present ideas from the LDV team and friends, days 6, 7 and 8

By The Voice | Sun 8th December 2013 - 12:30 pm

We’ve fallen a bit behind with our Christmas present ideas, so here we catch up with 3 ideas.

The first is from party president Tim Farron who wants us to look up. Literally. He suggests that a telescope would be an amazing gift because:

It opens up the awesomeness of everything.

Regular LDV contributor Alisdair Calder McGregor suggests this Doctor Who laden page. He says:

I don’t think I really have to explain why do I?

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The Voice

Nick Clegg’s Letter from the Leader: Nelson Mandela

By The Voice | Sun 8th December 2013 - 9:13 am

A very brief note this week, devoted to Nelson Mandela. Nick highlights his statement and points us towards the debate that will take place in the House of Commons tomorrow.  We also discover that Paddy spends time on his phone at the dinner table. He wouldn’t get away with that in LDV Towers.

libdem letter from nick clegg

A very sad week. I never met Nelson Mandela but, like many of you, I’ve also never known the world without him in it. This weekend it feels like an emptier place.

I was having dinner

…

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The Voice

Christmas present ideas from the LDV team and friends: Day 5

By The Voice | Thu 5th December 2013 - 3:45 pm

Mark Pack's snazzy clipboardDo you have a great big long list of people to buy Christmas presents for and no idea what to give them? I hope that you will find our ongoing series of present suggestions helpful.

Today, our former co-editor Mark Pack puts forward something that will surprise nobody. He’s always keen to make sure that Liberal Democrats are the best equipped political geeks around. Last year he was keen to ensure that we didn’t let a little bit of snow and ice get in the way of …

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The Voice

Liberal Youth by-elections are go!

By The Voice | Thu 5th December 2013 - 11:31 am

As we reported recently, Liberal Youth are currently holding by-elections for Membership and Communications Officer.

This morning, emails containing links to the electronic ballot were despatched to voters. If the party knows you are under 26, in full time education and you have supplied an email address, you should have received an email from Opavote. If you have not, please contact the Returning Officer at [email protected].

Details of candidates and their manifestos can be found here.

Posted in News | Tagged and | 1 Comment
The Voice

Brent Labour councillor Dhiraj Kataria joins Liberal Democrats

By The Voice | Tue 3rd December 2013 - 4:29 pm

Lorber KatariaBrent Council’s Liberal Democrat contingent was strengthened today when West Harp councillor Dhiraj Kataria left Labour to join them.

He gave his reasons as:

I have become increasingly disillusioned by the way the Brent Labour Group has operated – and particularly by the top-down way in which that it has been led. I feel decisions taken by the Labour Group and Labour Executive members, such as closing half our libraries and cutting street cleaning, have been against the interests of my constituents.

I have been impressed by the Liberal Democrat Group’s commitment to

…

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The Voice

Christmas present ideas from the LDV team and friends – Day 3

By The Voice | Tue 3rd December 2013 - 2:45 pm

Welcome to Day 3 of our  series of Christmas present ideas. Today it’s the turn of Mary Reid.

Sweet-ToothSweet Tooth by Ian McEwan

Ian McEwan has written another masterful novel, set in the murky world of MI5 in the 1970s. The outcome is actually given away in the first paragraph, but the final chapter is still surprising and revelatory. In between, we follow a young and seemingly ill-prepared recruit to the service as she is given the task of subverting a novelist. She had herself been introduced to MI5 by an older …

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