Author Archives: The Voice

The Voice

Carmichael behind in first major test since becoming Secretary of State for Scotland

By The Voice | Mon 14th October 2013 - 10:25 am

We all know that Secretary of State for Scotland Alistair Carmichael likes a social drink or two, although as he says himself  “please do not take this to mean that I have any sort of addiction issue.” So many of his friends were surprised when he decided to take part in Macmillan Cancer Relief’s Go Sober for October fundraising campaign.

The ante was considerably upped during the first week when his old friend, ace campaigner and party legend Sheila Ritchie, decided on a Twitter whim to take part as well and challenged Alistair to a competition to see which of them could raise the most money.

This, of course, was all before Alistair was promoted to the Cabinet. Imagine having to face Theresa May, Chris Grayling and Iain Duncan Smith without being able to have a wee dram.

We aren’t half way through October yet, but at the time of writing, Sheila is some £300 ahead of Alistair, with £1025 pledged to his £710.

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The Voice

Did Nick Harvey turn down the job of Lib Dem chief whip?

By The Voice | Sun 13th October 2013 - 1:30 pm

nick harvey weaponSir Nick Harvey, summarily sacked as defence minister by Nick Clegg a year ago, was offered a job in government at last week’s reshuffle — at least according to James Forsyth in the Mail on Sunday:

The Lib Dem leader had hoped Nick Harvey would be his Chief Whip. But, to Clegg’s surprise, Harvey turned down the job. ‘Clegg was gobsmacked,’ one Lib Dem tells me. The Deputy Prime Minister didn’t expect him to reject an invitation to join his inner circle. Harvey had been sounded out about taking

…

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The Voice

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

By The Voice | Sun 13th October 2013 - 12:30 pm

Many thanks to the 18,000 visitors who dropped by Lib Dem Voice this week. Here’s our 7 most-read posts…

…

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The Voice

Lib Dem councillor Sarah Brown 27th most influential on Indy’s 2013 Pink List

By The Voice | Sun 13th October 2013 - 11:08 am

Sarah_Brown_(politician)Many congratulations to Sarah Brown, Cambridge Lib Dem councillor, who has been ranked in today’s Independent on Sunday Pink List 2013 as the 27th most influential campaigner making a difference for a more equal society. That, incidentally, puts her one place higher than Eddie Mair…

27. (34) Sarah Brown
Councillor

The Cambridge Councillor is the only out transgender politician in Britain. Representing the Liberal Democrats for the Petersfield Ward, Brown has been made the Executive Councillor for Community Well-Being this year. A member of the LGBT and Liberal Democrats Executive, she is also

…

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The Voice

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

By The Voice | Sat 12th October 2013 - 6:50 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 week:

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The Voice

LDVideo: Vince Cable praises Royal Mail’s “very good launch” onto the stock market

By The Voice | Sat 12th October 2013 - 2:30 pm

Royal Mail shares soared on their first day’s floatation yesterday, prompting inevitable accusations that the company had been priced too low. Here’s Lib Dem business secretary Vince Cable explaining his aim to assure long-term investment irrespective of the froth of the “spivs and speculators”:

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The Voice

Julie Pörksen selected as Liberal Democrat candidate for Berwick

By The Voice | Fri 11th October 2013 - 11:20 am

Julie PorksenJulie Pörksen will be the Liberal Democrat candidate for the Berwick constituency at the 2015 general election.

An agricultural economist, Julie grew up in Belsay, Northumberland. She was selected yesterday evening. Julie stood as a candidate in the Northumberland County Council elections last May, slashing the Tory majority in Amble West with Warkworth to one vote.

Sir Alan Beith is standing down at the next election after 40 years as Berwick’s MP.

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The Voice

Chemical weapons watchdog wins the 2013 Nobel Peace Prize

By The Voice | Fri 11th October 2013 - 10:09 am

The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has won the 2013 Nobel peace prize.

The Hague-based global chemical weapons watchdog, supported by the United Nations, is currently aiming to help destroy Syria’s chemical weapons capacity by the beginning of November.

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The Voice

Clegg: Guardian’s leaked Snowden secrets of “immense interest to people who want to do us harm”

By The Voice | Thu 10th October 2013 - 8:07 pm

Clegg HeadMI5 chief Andrew Parker spoke out yesterday against the leaking of intelligence secrets by Edward Snowden to The Guardian, claiming it seriously endangered national security and had given terrorist groups like al-Qa’ida “the gift they need to evade us and strike at will”. Nick Clegg was asked if he agreed on his LBC radio phone-in show, Call Clegg. Here’s what he said:

Nick Ferrari: Deputy Prime Minister, do you agree with the Prime Minister, who says that Andrew Parker, the Security Chief’s warning to the Guardian’s publication of those files handed

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The Voice

Malala Yousafzai wins European Prize for freedom of thought

By The Voice | Thu 10th October 2013 - 2:45 pm

Malala Yousafzai at Ministerial meeting with Afghanistan in New YorkMalala is known to all as the Pakistani girl shot through the head and neck after protesting  against the Taliban’s closure of girls schools in her region of the Swat valley. Now fully recovered she has been awarded the 2013 European Parliament Sakharov Prize for freedom of thought, human rights and democracy.

Liberal Democrat MEP Sir Graham Watson was the first to put Malala Yousafzai forward as a nominee and led the campaign for her nomination and award in the European Parliament. …

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The Voice

Alistair Carmichael on Sir Menzies Campbell

By The Voice | Thu 10th October 2013 - 11:34 am

Menzies CampbellAlistair Carmichael, the newly promoted Secretary of State for Scotland, added his thoughts about the retirement of his colleague Sir Menzies Campbell to those posted yesterday.

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The Voice

Willie Rennie and Iain Smith praise Sir Menzies Campbell

By The Voice | Wed 9th October 2013 - 6:55 pm

mingWe told you earlier that Sir Menzies Campbell had announced that he’s retiring as MP for North East Fife in 2015.  Scottish Liberal Democrat leader and fellow Fife Parliamentarian Willie Rennie had this to say:

Menzies Campbell’s wise and intelligent counsel has guided our nation through some of its most testing dilemmas.  From Yugoslavia to Iraq to Syria he has been insightful and calm but never feared standing out from the crowd.

For over thirty five years Ming has dedicated himself to his constituency of North East Fife and in return local people have put their trust in him.  He converted a healthy Conservative majority into a healthy Liberal Democrat one.

Ming Campbell excelled in life – from Olympic sprinter to Advocate to political statesman.  To have excelled at one would be remarkable but to have excelled at all three is truly astonishing.

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The Voice

Ming Campbell announces he’s to retire as MP in 2015

By The Voice | Wed 9th October 2013 - 3:39 pm

Ming Campbell, Lib Dem MP for North East Fife since 1987, has today announced his decision to retire from the House of Commons at the next election.

It’s been an enormous privilege to have been an MP for 26 years and to represent such a wonderful constituency as North East Fife. My wife and I have made many friends and have been supported by constituents of all political persuasions and none.

It is always a regret to begin the process of retiring from the House of Commons but I believe now is the time to start. I have written to

…

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The Voice

Simon Hughes re-selected for Bermondsey and Old Southwark

By The Voice | Wed 9th October 2013 - 10:53 am

In news which will surprise nobody, Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader Simon Hughes has been re-selected by his local party in Bermondsey and Old Southwark to fight the 2015 General Election as reported by the London SE1 community website.

Simon said:

Since I was first elected, we’ve been through a lot. Fighting to have tube stations in Bermondsey and Southwark, unemployment dropping from nearly 20 per cent to 7 per cent, regeneration of our high streets, and many things that matter to local people like better housing and schools, and more training and jobs.

But little compares to the work I have been

…

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The Voice

In Full: Nick Clegg’s speech on Europe: Richer, stronger, safer, greener

By The Voice | Wed 9th October 2013 - 9:19 am

Nick Clegg in DublinHere, for posterity’s sake, is Nick Clegg’s speech on Europe from yesterday:

I am a pro-European – that is no great revelation, I know. But sometimes you need to say it, clearly and unambiguously.

The isolationist forces in Britain are on the rise – UKIP on the doorstep; Conservative politicians at their conference; familiar headlines in some of our newspapers each placing Britain’s ills firmly at Brussels’ door: too much immigration, too much crime, too much red tape. And every time Europe is back in the spotlight, their hostility towards it – this negative reaction to all things continental – drowns out the other voices in this debate.

Pro-Europeans have to take some responsibility for that. The moderate and rational voices have been too quiet up until now. But we cannot afford that silence anymore. We are no longer asking if Britain will have a referendum on continued membership, we are asking when Britain will have a referendum on continued membership.

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The Voice

In full: Nick Clegg’s and Michael Moore’s exchange of letters

By The Voice | Mon 7th October 2013 - 11:28 am

As we reported earlier, Michael Moore is to leave Government and will be replaced as Scottish Secretary by Alistair Carmichael.

When a Minister leaves office, there is always an exchange of letters between them and their party leader. Here is the exchange between Mike and Nick Clegg:

Nick Clegg’s letter to Mike Moore:

Dear Mike

I want to thank you for the vital role you have played as Secretary of State for Scotland over the past three years.

You became Scottish Secretary in 2010 at a critical time in Scotland’s relationship with the rest of the United Kingdom and you have managed the challenges of

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The Voice

+++ Carmichael replaces Michael Moore as Secretary of State for Scotland

By The Voice | Mon 7th October 2013 - 10:19 am

From the BBC:

Michael Moore has been sacked as Secretary of State for Scotland and replaced by Alistair Carmichael, another senior Liberal Democrat.

The move comes as a reshuffle of Conservative and Lib Dem ministers in the coalition government is under way.

Mr Moore was a leading figure in the No campaign ahead of the referendum on Scottish independence next September.

Moore had been Secretary of State since he replaced Danny Alexander at the end of May 2010.

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie praised Mike Moore’s achievements and welcomed Alistair Carmichael’s appointment. He said:

Mike Moore is leaving on a high after

…

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The Voice

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

By The Voice | Sun 6th October 2013 - 3:28 pm

Many thanks to the  13,800 visitors who dropped by Lib Dem Voice this week. Here’s our 7 most-read posts…

I need the Liberal Democrats to stand up for me when Conservative ministers denigrate me (62 comments) by Matt

On the Lib Dem conference polling bump (or lack thereof) and what it means for the party (68 comments) by Stephen Tall

Of course, the Daily Mail has form when it comes to smearing party leaders’ families (21 comments) by Stephen Tall

Might some of the welfare changes be a little more helpful to people than Osborne made out? (69 comments) by Caron …

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The Voice

Who will follow in Tom McNally’s ermine footsteps?

By The Voice | Sun 6th October 2013 - 10:25 am

The news Helen Duffett posted this week — Tom McNally to stand down as Leader of the Lib Dem Lords — was rather drowned out by the Tory conference and the row over the Daily Mail’s smearing of Ralph Miliband. But as the BBC’s parliamentary correspondent Mark D’Arcy (no, not the fictional Mr Bridget Jones: different guy) points out here, it’s a role that matters lot these days, especially with the House of Lords here to stay for the forseeable…

The decision of the avuncular Lib Dem Lord to stand down as deputy leader of the House and leader

…

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The Voice

A reply to Matt on welfare by Lib Dem ministers Norman Lamb and Steve Webb: “We believe in standing up for the vulnerable”

By The Voice | Sun 6th October 2013 - 8:30 am

This week, Lib Dem Voice published a deeply personal account by one of our readers, Matt: I need the Liberal Democrats to stand up for me when Conservative ministers denigrate me. It was read by many in the party, including two Lib Dem ministers in the Coalition — Norman Lamb MP (Department of Health) and Steve Webb MP (Department for Work and Pensions) — who have co-authored the following response.

lamb and webb

When we read the article posted on Lib Dem Voice on Wednesday by Matt, setting out very personally the distressing and painful experiences he has faced over the past few years in trying to access the welfare and health support he needs, we felt it was important that we respond properly to what he had said.

As Liberal Democrats, we instinctively understand that divisive rhetoric is both unhelpful and inaccurate, and for both of these reasons we should all remain constantly vigilant in challenging those who use this type of language to denigrate any member of our society. We believe in standing up for the vulnerable and providing support to those who are facing personal difficulties in their lives.

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The Voice

Bob Russell reselected for Colchester

By The Voice | Sat 5th October 2013 - 1:58 pm

sir-bob-russell-mp-in-the-commons-smallSir Bob Russell, MP for Colchester, has been unanimously re-selected in a ballot of Colchester Liberal Democrats.

Sir Bob was elected to the Commons in 1997, and re-elected in 2001, 2005 and 2010, each time with an increased majority. In 2010, he commanded a majority of nearly 7,000 over the Conservatives.

He told the East Anglian Daily Times that  he wants to “quash rumours” that he will be standing down and has announced that he will be seeking re-election in 2015.

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The Voice

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

By The Voice | Sat 5th October 2013 - 1:00 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 10 days:

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The Voice

Lib Dem equalities minister Jo Swinson backs Elle magazine’s ‘Make Them Pay’ campaign

By The Voice | Sat 5th October 2013 - 10:49 am

jo swinson by paul walterJo Swinson is not only the government minister responsible for employment relations, consumer and postal affairs – she’s also the Lib Dems’ equalities minister. And she appears in November’s issue of Elle magazine backing its ‘Make Them Pay‘ campaign:

Today, we are proud to announce, the government has gotten behind us too. Women and Equalities minister Jo Swinson is urging all women to follow the advice in The Feminist Times and Mother campaign: ‘If he does the same job as you, ask him his salary.’

Praising our initiative,

…

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The Voice

++ Lib Dem membership UP for first quarter in a decade outside elections

By The Voice | Fri 4th October 2013 - 3:55 pm

That’s the news just in from the party’s HQ:

Congratulations to all involved, especially those local parties who’ve successfully retained and/or recruited members. Full speed ahead to elections in 2014 and 2015!

PS: anyone know how the Tories’ membership figures are looking? Ah yes.

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The Voice

Lib Dems hold Aylesbury Oakfield and Taunton Halcon

By The Voice | Fri 4th October 2013 - 2:35 pm

There were three very good local election results for the Lib Dems last night.

Congratulations to Allison Harrison and Mark Willis who held Oakfield in Aylesbury for the Liberal Democrats. UKIP came in 80 or so votes behind, and took almost double the votes of the Tories who were in third place.

We also take our hat off to Roger Hurst who held Mickleham in the Mole Valley on an impressive 49% turnout.

AV Oakfield 1
AV Oakfield 2
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The Voice

Former Council Leader pleads guilty to serious charges

By The Voice | Tue 1st October 2013 - 5:34 pm

The former Leader of Lib Dem held Kingston Council, Derek Osbourne, appeared today at Southwark Crown Court, charged with 17 counts of possessing and distributing indecent images of children. He pleaded guilty to them all.

Cllr Liz Green, the current Council Leader, made this statement:

Colleagues and acquaintances have expressed shock and sadness to me about Derek, who was held in high esteem by many of us across the political divide. The news of his arrest for serious sex charges back in June came as a bolt out of the blue to all of us.

The police have said that his offences

…

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The Voice

Andrew Stunell to stand down in 2015; Lisa Smart selected

By The Voice | Tue 1st October 2013 - 8:41 am

stunnell and smartAndrew Stunell has announced that in 2015 he will be retiring as the MP for Hazel Grove, where he was first elected in 1997.

Andrew, who was knighted in this summer’s Birthday Honours, has held several roles within the Parliamentary party, including Chief Whip, Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, and more recently as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government in the Coalition.

Before entering Parliament he had a wealth of experience in local government, serving as a councillor for many years, as an …

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The Voice

Jason Zadrozny selected by Lib Dems to fight for Ashfield at next General Election

By The Voice | Sun 29th September 2013 - 5:15 pm

jason zadroznyOne of the largest swings to the Lib Dems at the last election was in the Nottinghamshire seat of Ashfield: Jason Zadrozny gained a massive swing of 17% from Labour, but was pipped by just 192 votes by TV journalist Gloria De Piero, taking over the seat from the disgraced Geoff Hoon.

Well, local Lib Dems have offered Jason second go. He has been selected for a return match, as the Nottingham Post reports:

Mr Zadrozny will go head-to-head with Labour MP Gloria de Piero at the polls in 2015, with

…

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The Voice

Nick Clegg’s Letter from the Leader: “The world’s children deserve our protection”

By The Voice | Sun 29th September 2013 - 9:00 am

This week Nick reflects on two speeches in two weeks: the first to the party’s conference in Glasgow, the second to the UN general assembly. In one he announced free school lunches for the youngest children in English schools; in the other he announced an extra £100m of aid to help Syrian refugees. As Nick says, “We all hate the idea of a child going hungry. Be they a refugee on the borders of Syria, or the neglected child of a troubled family in an inner city: the world’s children deserve our protection.” You can read the letter in full, below…

libdem letter from nick clegg

Last week, I was at our party conference in Glasgow. This week I’m writing to you on a flight back from the UN in New York, where I spoke at the General Assembly and discussed Syria, Iran UK and arms control.

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The Voice

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

By The Voice | Sat 28th September 2013 - 6:40 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 10 days:

…

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