Author Archives: The Voice

Nick’s conference speech: “When our opponents tell us we are finished, remember Eastleigh!”

By The Voice | Fri 8th March 2013 - 7:05 pm

Here’s the text of Nick Clegg’s speech at the start of the Spring Conference Rally in Brighton tonight:

I know it is unusual for me to speak at the start of the rally but there’s an issue I want to address head on.

Today is International Women’s Day. It is right that we come together as a party to celebrate the life changing advances in women’s rights both at home and around the world. Advances that Liberal Democrats championed in opposition and are delivering in Government.

But it is also right that – following the events of recent weeks – we

…

Food safety: a conflict of interest that should worry you

By The Voice | Fri 8th March 2013 - 12:51 pm

The author of this piece wishes to remain anonymous, due to political restrictions on their activity, and is involved in local government regulation.

It will be interesting to see if the horse meat scandal brings any of the supermarkets to court. Selling something that is not what you say it is, is an offence unless you have a defence of ‘due diligence’. As a local government regulator, I doubt very much that any of the supermarkets will be brought before the courts. Why? Because successive governments have made the enforcement of regulations on big business has been made so difficult in …

Posted in News and The Independent View | Tagged cherwell district council, food safety and sainsbury | 5 Comments

Women Liberal Democrats and sexual harrassment allegations

By The Voice | Tue 5th March 2013 - 8:53 am

We have received this statement from the Chair of Women Liberal Democrats, Miranda Whitehead, which has been sent to all their members. In view of its subject matter we have decided to reproduce it in full.

Women Liberal Democrats ( WLD) are very concerned by the sexual harassment allegations involving the party .

Of equally serious concern is the implication that the party did not deal appropriately with these complaints when they were first raised and failed to offer support.

We are also aware that it appears WLD was not seen as a place to turn for people with concerns. As some of these allegations are historical we are having to look back through our records, to be certain that these issues weren’t raised to the SAO, but whatever the case that is a failure on the part of WLD, and for that I am personally very sorry.

Posted in Party policy and internal matters | Tagged public concern at work, sexual harassment and women liberal democrats | 17 Comments

Don’t forget #CallClegg on at 9am today

By The Voice | Wed 27th February 2013 - 8:57 am

In a change to the usual schedule, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg will be taking questions from listeners around the country at 9am this morning, Wednesday (not tomorrow, Thursday):

At 9.00, @nick_clegg will take your calls with @nickferrarilbc on @lbc973. You can listen live to #CallClegg here: bit.ly/13iKZtN

— Lib Dem Press Office (@LibDemPress) February 27, 2013

Not that there’s much for him to talk about this week…

Posted in News | 2 Comments

Lord Rennard: further reports and a new statement

By The Voice | Tue 26th February 2013 - 6:33 pm

Radio 4 ran a piece about the allegations against Chris Rennard today which covered a wide range of the questions raised so far. You can listen to it here. (Update – also written up by the BBC here.)

A spokesperson for Lord Rennard also issued a statement today, which says:

Lord Rennard refutes these allegations. He will co-operate with any properly constituted inquiry.

He has been notified of an internal investigatory panel within the Party. The matter must now be regarded as sub judice pending its proceedings and no further statement will be issued in the interim.

Posted in News | Tagged chris rennard | 14 Comments

Mark Pack on BBC comments on Chris Rennard allegations

By The Voice | Tue 26th February 2013 - 7:05 am

Lib Dem Voice co-editor Mark Pack was interviewed by the BBC yesterday about the allegations concerning Chris Rennard. Here’s what he had to say:

Posted in News | Tagged chris rennard and Mark Pack | Leave a comment

Stephen Tall on Sky News comments on today’s Chris Rennard allegations

By The Voice | Mon 25th February 2013 - 10:40 pm

Lib Dem Voice co-editor Stephen Tall was interviewed on Sky News earlier today about the allegations concerning Chris Rennard — here’s what he had to say:

Posted in YouTube | Tagged chris rennard and stephen tall | 9 Comments

Farron: “We screwed this up”

By The Voice | Mon 25th February 2013 - 9:53 am

Speaking on Radio Four’s Today programme, Party President Tim Farron spoke candidly about the the handling of the alleged inappropriate behaviour of the party’s former chief executive, stating very plainly:

The one thing I probably can tell you without going through due process is that we screwed this up as a party. There are individuals out there who we have a duty of care towards who we did not fulfil that duty of care to them and that is something we have to learn from, apologise for, and make sure never happens again.

He emphasised two key points which will guide the …

Posted in News | Tagged liberal democrats and tim farron | 4 Comments

Statement from Nick Clegg on Chris Rennard allegations

By The Voice | Sun 24th February 2013 - 7:35 pm

The following statement by Nick Clegg has just been issued:

The allegations made on Channel 4 concerning Lord Rennard last Thursday were extremely serious and distressing to the women involved. It is critical they are investigated thoroughly and dealt with properly and they will be.

But I would like to make one thing crystal clear. I did not know about these allegations until Channel 4 informed the party of them shortly before they were broadcast. I have today spoken to one of the women in the broadcast who I respect and admire and who confirmed that she had never raised the issue

…

Posted in News | Tagged chris rennard, featured and nick clegg | 11 Comments

Chris Rennard steps aside from party roles to avoid “embarrassment” to Lib Dems

By The Voice | Fri 22nd February 2013 - 10:40 am

Further to the allegations broadcast on last night’s Channel 4 News that former Lib Dem chief executive Lord (Chris) Rennard behaved sexually inappropriately towards women working for the Liberal Democrats, he has announced he’s stepping aside from his current active roles within the party — as a Lib Dem peer and a member of the party’s federal policy committee — to avoid “embarrassment” to the party. Here‘s the Telegraph report:

The top Lib Dem official official will temporarily stand down from his party duties to avoid “embarrassment” to the party, after several women made accusations about his conduct on

…

Posted in News | Tagged chris rennard | Comments Off

Party launches investigation over C4 News allegations

By The Voice | Thu 21st February 2013 - 7:52 pm

The party has launched an internal investigation, headed by Party President Tim Farron, in response to allegations aired on tonight’s Channel 4 News.

The party released this statement in response to the report:

In view of the serious allegations put to us by Channel 4 and the concerns raised about how such issues have been handled in the past, Nick Clegg has asked Tim Farron, the Party President, to establish an immediate review into all our procedures for dealing with these issues, including a thorough examination of how allegations made in the past have been handled. This review group had its

…

Posted in News | Comments Off

Eastleigh Tory candidate “running scared” from hustings

By The Voice | Thu 21st February 2013 - 9:52 am

The Conservative candidate has pulled out of the BBC Radio 5 Live hustings this morning, and is facing accusations of running scared of voters.

From The Guardian:

There is growing concern within the party that with a week to go before polling day her no-nonsense and frequently off-message approach is damaging its chances of seizing the seat from the Liberal Democrats.

Candidates from the other major parties were attending the debate – chaired by Victoria Derbyshire – on Thursday morning for 5 Live, a major set-piece of the week. But Conservative

…

Posted in News and Parliamentary by-elections | Tagged david cameron, eastleigh by-election, empty chair, featured, Maria Hutchings, mike thornton and tim farron | 8 Comments

Gove forced into GCSE U-turn ‘under Lib Dem pressure’

By The Voice | Thu 7th February 2013 - 7:35 am

The morning’s big news is that Conservative education secretary Michael Gove is set to announce a U-turn today on his plans to scrap the current GCSE exams and replace them with a new EBacc qualification in 2015. Here‘s how the Independent reports it:

The Education Secretary bowed to overwhelming pressure for a rethink from Nick Clegg, the Deputy Prime Minister, the exams regulator Ofqual and MPs from all parties. It is understood that he decided to act after being warned by civil servants that one key plank of his reforms – handing each of the core subjects over to just

…

Posted in News | Tagged david laws, EBacc, education, gcses, michael gove and schools | 27 Comments

Equal marriage: the speeches of Stephen Gilbert, Stephen Williams and Simon Hughes

By The Voice | Wed 6th February 2013 - 8:45 am

Last night saw the House of Commons approve the second reading of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill. Three Lib Dem MPs spoke, and here are their contributions to that historic debate…

Stephen Gilbert (St Austell and Newquay) (LD):

It is a pleasure to follow the hon. Member for Chesterfield (Toby Perkins), who has articulated what many people of faith across our country have struggled with before coming to the conclusion that love should be for one and all and that marriage should not be an exclusive institution.

I declare an interest:

…

Posted in News and Parliament | Tagged equal marriage, simon hughes, stephen gilbert and stephen williams | 4 Comments

Tessa Munt and Tim Farron on Chris Huhne’s downfall

By The Voice | Mon 4th February 2013 - 7:40 pm

Reaction to Chris Huhne’s shock decision to plead guilty to perverting the course of justice over a 2003 speeding case and to quit as MP for Eastleigh has been rolling throughout the day.

Here’s two of Chris’s backbench colleagues on today’s events. First, Lib Dem MP for Wells, Tessa Munt, who praised his work as a “fantastic constituency MP”:

Posted in News and YouTube | Tagged chris huhne, tessa munt and tim farron | 11 Comments

Lib Dem donor Brompton Capital given all clear by the Electoral Commission

By The Voice | Mon 28th January 2013 - 9:20 am

A month ago, the Sunday Telegraph splashed on allegations by Labour MP Michael Dugher demanding the Electoral Commission investigate donations to the Lib Dems from Rumi Verjee via Brompton Capital Limited.

Well, the Electoral Commission has now investigated — and it’s given the donations the all-clear, and ruled out pursuing the matter any further:

“We have carefully considered whether there is sufficient reason to believe that a breach of PPERA may have taken place, and whether the matter warrants referral for a case review or investigation. Having

…

Posted in News | Tagged brompton capital, donations (Lib Dem) and rumi verjee | 7 Comments

Opinion: what living on benefits really means

By The Voice | Fri 25th January 2013 - 12:51 pm

Suel writes:

Every time I hear the phrase “a life on benefits”, it’s like a slap in the face to my brother, who lives in my spare room while looking for a job. He’s not lazy or a scrounger, he just can’t find a job. As Sarah Teather said two weeks ago

the term “scroungers” has become so pervasive in social consciousness that even those on benefits do not attempt to debunk the entire category, only to excuse themselves from the label.

I asked my brother if he was willing to share what his life on benefits was like:

Her brother writes:
I have …

Posted in Op-eds | Tagged benefits uprating bill | 91 Comments

LDVideo: Clegg – “Overwhelming priority of the British people is jobs, growth and a strong economy”

By The Voice | Wed 23rd January 2013 - 7:45 pm

Caron Lindsay reported here earlier today Nick Clegg’s initial reaction to David Camern’s announcement there will be an in/out referendum on the UK’s membership of the European Union. Here’s what he told the BBC:

And here’s the transcript of his interview with Sky News:

Posted in YouTube | Tagged eu referendum and nick clegg | 3 Comments

LDVideo: Liberal Democrats: coalition, polls and 2015 election

By The Voice | Tue 22nd January 2013 - 8:55 pm

Today’s BBC Daily Politics looked at the Lib Dems’ electoral fortunes.

In clip 1, they interview Lib Dem peer Lord (Tony) Greaves, former Lib Dem turned Labour councillor James Allie, and Gareth Epps, of the Social Liberal Forum…

Posted in YouTube | Tagged daily politics (bbc), gareth epps, james allie, tim farron and tony greaves | Leave a comment

LDVideo: Tim Farron – It would be “completely mad to have a referendum now” on EU

By The Voice | Tue 22nd January 2013 - 8:25 pm

Lib Dem party president Tim Farron — who resigned from the Lib Dem front-bench in 2008 to vote in favour of a referendum on the Libson Treaty — explained today why he thinks it would be “completely mad” to hold a referendum while the UK is tryng to get out of the biggest recession in living memory. You can watch the 2-minute video here:

Posted in YouTube | Tagged European referendum, european union and tim farron | 5 Comments

The LDV Saturday Six: 12 Jan 2013

By The Voice | Sat 12th January 2013 - 12:10 pm

~~It’s Friday. It’s five o’clock.~~ Sorry, let’s try that one again… It’s Saturday. It’s 12 noon (ish). Here’s a fistful of lists that sum up the LDV week:

6 most-read stories on LDV this week

++ Government wins vote on Benefits Uprating Bill; 6 Lib Dem MPs rebel (83) by Stephen Tall
So, about that Lib Dem wipeout in 2015 then… (84) by Stephen Tall
LibLink… Nick Clegg: Labour need to tell us what they would cut (90) by The Voice

Posted in Friday Five | Leave a comment

How to get the most out of your Lib Dem Voice comments

By The Voice | Tue 8th January 2013 - 1:55 pm

How to get a photo to appear next to your comments

You may have noticed that next to some people’s comments is a small picture of themselves, such as:

If you want a picture to appear next to your comments you need to do two things.

Posted in Site news | 3 Comments

How you can help Liberal Democrat Voice

By The Voice | Sun 6th January 2013 - 4:55 pm

The Voice is only a success because of the interest and support from our readers. For many people just lurking and reading the site is all they want to do – and that’s fine, we’re grateful for people taking the time to read the site.

You can though help us continue to produce interesting content for a growing audience. Here are four simple ways:

Posted in Site news | 4 Comments

LibLink: Tim Farron – A party of both competence and compassion is in a unique position in British politics

By The Voice | Sun 6th January 2013 - 12:15 pm

In today’s Observer, party president Tim Farron begins the year in chipper mood, pointing out that the political pundits are quick to predict the deaths of political parties, including the Lib Dems — yet we’ve endured it all to become now a party of government:

This year marks the 30th anniversary of Margaret Thatcher’s landslide, after which serious political commentators, including those writing for the Observer, speculated that Labour could never win again.

In March, we will observe the 10th anniversary of

…

Posted in LibLink | Tagged tim farron | 14 Comments

The LDV Friday Five: 4 January 2013

By The Voice | Fri 4th January 2013 - 5:00 pm

It’s Friday. It’s five o’clock. Here’s a fistful of lists that sum up the LDV week:

5 most-read stories on LDV this week

NEW POLL: Who is your Liberal Voice of the Year? (25 comments) by Stephen Tall
So you think Ukip are the new third party? Let’s have a look at the data… (75 comments) by Stephen Tall
Which Lib Dem minister had the worst year? Here’s what party members think… (9 comments) by Stephen Tall

Posted in Friday Five | Leave a comment

LibLink… Nick Clegg: Labour need to tell us what they would cut

By The Voice | Wed 2nd January 2013 - 2:41 pm

Nick Clegg has issued a challenge to Labour in today’s Times. Rather than, he says, oppose every single cut the Coalition has made, Labour should be saying what they would cut to pay for their policy priorities. If Labour want benefits to rise at the rate of inflation, then they need to spell out exactly how they would pay for it.

Firstly, he talks about what the Coalition has achieved for economic growth, and how it has been pragmatic on cutting the deficit, changing its plans as the global economic circumstances changed:

Here in the UK we have now paid off around

…

Posted in LibLink | Tagged benefits, economy, labour, nick clegg and the times | 90 Comments

The 7 most-read posts of 2012

By The Voice | Mon 31st December 2012 - 5:55 pm

As 2012 draws to a close, here are the 7 most-read posts published on Lib Dem Voice this year. Thank you to the hundreds of thousands of readers who’ve joined us in the last 12 months; we look forward to seeing you again next year.

Posted in News | Tagged featured | Leave a comment

Nick Clegg’s New Year’s resolutions 2013

By The Voice | Fri 28th December 2012 - 3:00 pm

Here is Nick’s New Year message:

Posted in News | Tagged new year and nick clegg | Leave a comment

LibLink: Richard Reeves – Have yourself a merry liberal Christmas

By The Voice | Fri 28th December 2012 - 11:00 am

Over at the CentreForum blog, the liberal think-tank’s associate director, Richard Reeves, takes a look at the “communitarian dream” that is Christmas through a liberal lens:

Christmas combines in one package a number of elements that make us bristle. Religion, especially of an organised variety. Tradition for the sake of itself. The insanity of present buying. And semi-tyrannical familial expectations. … One liberal reaction to all this is to simply grin and bear it. … But bristling and bearing won’t really do. Liberal hostility to faith, family, community and tradition is well founded; they can all inhibit individual freedom. But the

…

Posted in LibLink | Tagged christmas and richard reeves | 5 Comments

Op-eds

The liberalism we need: a platform for people to thrive and live their version of a best life (Josh Matthews)
Tom Arms’ World Review (Tom Arms)
Observations of an Expat: West Bank Settler Sanctions (Tom Arms)
Recollections of 9/11 (George Cunningham)
Why we need a Trade NATO (Dominic Sokalski)

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Sarah Olney bids to become candidate for Mayor of London

Going for four in a row in Scotland

Observations of an Expat: Canada

Happy Birthday to us!

Author Archives: The Voice

Nick’s conference speech: “When our opponents tell us we are finished, remember Eastleigh!”

Food safety: a conflict of interest that should worry you

Women Liberal Democrats and sexual harrassment allegations

Don’t forget #CallClegg on at 9am today

Lord Rennard: further reports and a new statement

Mark Pack on BBC comments on Chris Rennard allegations

Stephen Tall on Sky News comments on today’s Chris Rennard allegations

Farron: “We screwed this up”

Statement from Nick Clegg on Chris Rennard allegations

Chris Rennard steps aside from party roles to avoid “embarrassment” to Lib Dems

Party launches investigation over C4 News allegations

Eastleigh Tory candidate “running scared” from hustings

Gove forced into GCSE U-turn ‘under Lib Dem pressure’

Equal marriage: the speeches of Stephen Gilbert, Stephen Williams and Simon Hughes

Tessa Munt and Tim Farron on Chris Huhne’s downfall

Lib Dem donor Brompton Capital given all clear by the Electoral Commission

Opinion: what living on benefits really means

LDVideo: Clegg – “Overwhelming priority of the British people is jobs, growth and a strong economy”

LDVideo: Liberal Democrats: coalition, polls and 2015 election

LDVideo: Tim Farron – It would be “completely mad to have a referendum now” on EU