Author Archives: The Voice

The Voice

Vince Cable: this is a fair deal for students

By The Voice | Wed 3rd November 2010 - 6:00 pm

Vince Cable, Lib Dem secretary of state for business, innovation and skills, has sent the following email to Lib Dem members following today’s announcement of the Coalition’s proposals for higher education funding in England:

The Liberal Democrats have always championed our universities. We have long fought for a fair deal for students.

Now in Government we are in a position to turn that campaigning into real action.

The higher education package I am announcing today will promote high-quality university teaching and research. It will guarantee fair access for all, regardless of background. It will deliver a progressive, sustainable funding structure.

The key points are

…

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Posted in News | Tagged , , and | 36 Comments
The Voice

Liberal Democrat councillor arrested for alleged fraud

By The Voice | Sat 23rd October 2010 - 1:18 pm

From This is Cornwall:

A Liberal Democrat councillor and former constituency organiser for a West Cornwall MP has been arrested on suspicion of fraud.

Joe Taylor, of Pendeen Road, Truro, was last week arrested and bailed by police investigating a complaint of cheque fraud.

The enquiry is believed to centre around the charity Freedom Surf, a project which helps disabled people to go surfing and of which Mr Taylor, 34, was a director until July this year.

The current director, Mark Hills, has claimed that Mr Taylor billed the charity for more than £1,000 in administration fees after he stepped down.

Read the full …

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The Voice

Hemming in the headlines

By The Voice | Fri 22nd October 2010 - 11:50 am

The London Evening Standard reports:

The wife of an MP was today charged with burgling the home of her husband’s ex-lover and stealing a kitten.

Christine Hemming, wife of John Hemming, the Liberal Democrat MP for Birmingham Yardley, is alleged to have raided the home of Emily Cox, a researcher by whom Mr Hemming fathered a child in 2005. Mrs Hemming, 52, of Moseley, Birmingham, was not required to enter a plea during a brief appearance at the city’s magistrates’ court.

She was granted bail and committed for trial at crown court over the alleged burglary on the night of September 29. Her

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The Voice

What was different about the Liverpool conference?

By The Voice | Sun 17th October 2010 - 11:58 am

This video, filmed at the Lib Dem 2010 Autumn conference in Liverpool, contains interviews with Chris Huhne and Vince Cable about how conference is different now the party is in government, plus interviews with members, a look at why organisations hold fringe events and a tour around the exhibition area with interviews with one internal and one external organisation about why they have a stand in the exhibition area. Presented by Greg Stone and Jonathan Wallace.

You can view the video here.

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The Voice

Nick Clegg writes to Lib Dem MPs over tuition fees

By The Voice | Wed 13th October 2010 - 5:37 pm

Earlier today, Nick Clegg sent the following letter to all Liberal Democrat MPs:

Like you, I am painfully aware of the pledge we all made to voters on tuition fees ahead of the General Election. Departing from that pledge will be one of the most difficult decisions of my political career. It means doing something that no one likes to do in politics – acknowledging that the assumptions we made at election time simply don’t work out in practice. With the benefit of hindsight, I signed a pledge at a time when we could not have anticipated the full scale of …

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The Voice

The Independent View: Political Innovation No.6 – Citizen control of personal data

By The Voice | Wed 13th October 2010 - 3:43 pm

This is a cross-post by William Heath – originally posted on the Political Innovation site here.

If the big political innovation of the moment is to give power back to people, then a good place to do it is with personal data.

Whose data is it anyway? Whose health, whose education, whose identity, whose shopping history, bank details, travel plans, creditworthiness? Yet all these personal details, which affect us, are stored on hundreds of state and private-sector databases.

If I said there were 50bn personal records for …

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Posted in Op-eds and The Independent View | 2 Comments
The Voice

Mike Hancock arrested on suspicion of indecent assault

By The Voice | Wed 13th October 2010 - 1:41 pm

Reuters is reporting that Mike Hancock, Lib Dem MP for Portsmouth South, has been arrested on suspicion of indecent assault. Hancock, who is also a local councillor, has been released on police bail until 10th January.

As we reported earlier today, in a statement on his website yesterday, Hancock said

I can confirm that I was questioned on Tuesday 12 October by officers of the Hampshire Police in relation to allegations made against me by one individual. I attended the police station voluntarily, cooperated fully and answered all questions that were asked.

Normal processes now have to be

…

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The Voice

Vince Cable’s statement on tuition fees

By The Voice | Tue 12th October 2010 - 3:47 pm

The party has just issued the text of Vince Cable’s statement to the House of Commons, responding to the publication today of The Browne Report on higher education and student funding in England.

“With permission Mr Speaker, I would like to make a statement on the future funding of higher education and student finance, in the light of the report published today of Lord Browne’s independent inquiry.

Lord Browne was asked to undertake his review in November last year. The review was set up by Labour on a cross-party basis, and that is how we want to proceed.

I and my colleague

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Posted in News and Parliament | Tagged , , , and | 151 Comments
The Voice

London Lib Dem Mayoral candidate “applied to High Court” over non-approval

By The Voice | Mon 11th October 2010 - 5:23 pm

Yesterday’s Sunday Times reported that Patrick Streeter, one of the hopefuls for the Liberal Democrat London Mayoral candidacy, was not approved as a candidate and is now taking his case to the High Court.

…a potential candidate has taken the party to court after being dropped from the shortlist of five — and it’s not Opik.

Patrick Streeter, an Old Harrovian, red sock-wearing accountant, applied to the High Court last week for a stay of execution after being dropped at the interview stage last weekend.

He now expects the matter to be settled, but says: “The Labour vote

…

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Posted in London and News | Tagged | 8 Comments
The Voice

How you can help Liberal Democrat Voice

By The Voice | Tue 5th October 2010 - 8:55 am

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 three simple ways:

1. Let us have your tips for stories. Perhaps there’s something outrageous going on in your local council? Or you’re an expert in a particular area and have spotted a story other people have missed? Or you’ve seen …

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The Voice

Willie Rennie plans political comeback

By The Voice | Wed 29th September 2010 - 8:58 pm

One of the (many) disappointing moments from the general election was the defeat of Willie Rennie, the Lib Dem by-election victor in the famous 2006 Dunfermline contest. He was subsequently appointed a government special advisor in the Scottish Office.

Well now he’s back in the saddle of elected politics again. Here’s how the Dunfermline Press reports it:

Local members put Mr Rennie in prime position to win one of seven places as a list MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, which covers all of Fife and parts of Clackmannanshire, Perthshire and Stirling.

He secured first place ahead of Fife councillor Tim

…

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Posted in Selection news | Tagged | 7 Comments
The Voice

The Independent View: Political Innovation No.5 – Government information? Get the public to provide it!

By The Voice | Mon 27th September 2010 - 8:28 pm

This is a guest cross-post by Lauren Currie – originally posted on the Political Innovation site here.

For too long, policymaking has been monopolised by civil servants, self-serving pressure groups and sensationalist journalists. We get a vote once every four or five years and we’re expected to be satisfied with that.

Public services are too important to get lost in headline issues, and too big to leave to those who have the time and energy to write letters or sit on committees. The best communication happens when it’s easy to do, and when it’s a conversation, not just a complaint.

For this reason, …

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Posted in Op-eds and The Independent View | 2 Comments
The Voice

Liberal Youth support Farron for Prez

By The Voice | Sun 26th September 2010 - 10:57 am

The Liberal Youth Executive has voted to support Tim Farron in his bid to become the next President of the Liberal Democrats. Tim’s campaign was launched in the wake of the announcement by current President Baroness Ros Scott that she would not be seeking re-election.

Commenting, National Chair Martin Shapland said: ”On behalf of the Liberal Youth Executive I am delighted to declare our support for Tim Farron. He is a first class campaigner, a fantastic public speaker, and is an entirely approachable character. He understands the fundamental importance of youth participation in politics, and has a strong desire to work …

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Posted in News and Party Presidency | Tagged , and | 34 Comments
The Voice

+++ EXCLUSIVE: The MEP, the erotic award, the picture

By The Voice | Sat 25th September 2010 - 10:14 am

Lib Dem Voice is proud to have the first picture of North West MEP Chris Davies and his flying golden penis.

Davies won the trophy when he was named as Politician of the Year at the Erotic Awards 2010, for his work to give sex workers a voice at last year’s party conference and defending them from the prohibitionist policies of the previous government.

The award, proudly on show in Chris’s Stockport office, was previously held by another Lib Dem, Baroness Miller, and could be found in the office Sue Miller shared with Lord Lee of Trafford and Lib Dem party

…

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The Voice

Linda Jack’s day as guest editor

By The Voice | Fri 24th September 2010 - 9:41 pm

A big thank goes out to all at the Voice to Linda Jack, who has been our guest-editor for today.

Taking the theme of conference reviews, Linda has kept us busy with interviews and articles all day.

For posterity, here’s a list of the posts we have featured today.

…

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The Voice

Lib Dems pass motions on Trident and diversity

By The Voice | Wed 22nd September 2010 - 3:27 pm

News of two motions passed by Lib Dem conference today…

Diversity: Hughes to propose “radical changes” to promote candidate diversity

Simon Hughes, the party’s deputy leader, commented:

“I am glad that Conference agreed today that there will be a full set of proposals for candidate diversity and that we will have the chance to take decisions to change the face and mix of the Liberal Democrats.

“I will be presenting a paper to the Party’s Federal Executive next month which will propose radical changes in the way we select our candidates.

“This proposal will include the aim that half our candidates will be women …

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The Voice

Vince Cable speech to conference

By The Voice | Wed 22nd September 2010 - 12:28 pm

Speaking at the Liberal Democrat Autumn Conference today, Liberal Democrat Business Secretary, Vince Cable said:

I have come to account to you, Conference, for the work I have been carrying out in the Coalition Government.

I have managed to infuriate the bank bosses; acquire a fatwa from the revolutionary guards of the trades union movement; frighten the Daily Telegraph with a progressive graduate payment; and upset very rich people who are trying to dodge British taxes. I must be doing something right.

But I am told that I look miserable. I’m sorry, conference, this is my happy face. ‘Aren’t you having fun?’ …

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Posted in Conference | Tagged , , and | 3 Comments
The Voice

Full text: Nick Clegg’s speech to Liberal Democrat Autumn Conference

By The Voice | Mon 20th September 2010 - 4:18 pm

Speaking at Liberal Democrat Autumn Conference today , Liberal Democrat Leader and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg will say:

Two and a half years ago, I stood in this very hall to make my first speech as Leader of our party. I said that the chance for change was within our reach, and we had to seize it. That chance came. Perhaps not quite in the way many of us could have expected.
But the chance came and you – we – responded with real courage and conviction.

Cynics expected us to back away. Instead, we confounded those who said …

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The Voice

Jo Swinson invites Lib Dems to join campaign for fairer voting system

By The Voice | Sat 18th September 2010 - 1:15 pm

An email to Lib Dem members, signed by Jo Swinson, is promoting the Lib Dem rally taking place on Saturday evening, with some high-profile guest speakers, as the party gears up for next May’s referendum:

On Saturday, join Nick Clegg, Art Malik, Martin Bell, some surprise special guests and myself as we launch our campaign for a fairer voting system.

As you know , Nick Clegg is leading the fight in Parliament to secure the United Kingdom its first ever referendum on electoral reform.

Fighting for fairer votes will be one of the top priorities for the Liberal Democrats this coming year –

…

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The Voice

Citizen video journalism to hit the streets of Liverpool

By The Voice | Sat 18th September 2010 - 7:45 am

Chris Henry of Winkball.com writes for Lib Dem Voice about the site’s plans to give up to 10,000 members of the public their say on the big three issues facing the country…

This weekend sees the party political conference season continue with the Liberal Democrat Party conference in Liverpool. Much debate will certainly surround this conference after the Liberal Democrats found themselves in alliance with the Conservatives to form a coalition government after the drama of Britain’s hung parliament crisis in May.

With the media storm that surrounds this the party political season, one media outlet will be

…

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The Voice

Ming on university funding: new system may gain his support

By The Voice | Sat 18th September 2010 - 6:45 am

Former Lib Dem leader Ming Campbell was one of the party’s first MPs to indicate unhappiness with the Coalition’s programme for government, stating he would vote against any increase in student tuition fees that October’s Browne review on university funding might recommend. Under the terms of the Coalition agreement, Lib Dem MPs were supposed only to abstain on any such measure.

However, this week’s Times Higher Education Supplement indicates that the Coalition’s proposals for a graduate contribution may just be enough to win Ming over:

Speaking in the run-up to the Lib Dem conference in Liverpool starting on 18 September,

…

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The Voice

Lib Dem councillor in Barnsley joins Labour

By The Voice | Fri 17th September 2010 - 10:02 pm

The BBC reports:

Barnsley’s only Liberal Democrat councillor has joined Labour because of her opposition to her party’s decision to join a coalition government. Sharron Brook had represented the town’s Dearne Valley South ward as a Liberal Democrat since 2003. Her decision to switch to Labour, which controls Barnsley council, came after she was briefed on the government’s plans for children’s services. “It was on impulse really, I’d had enough,” she said.

Cllr Brook gained some prominence in the summer, when she circulated a leaflet denouncing the Lib Dems’ decision to go into coalition with the Conservatives, telling voters she was …

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The Voice

The Independent View: Political Innovation No.4 – opening policy research to the public

By The Voice | Fri 17th September 2010 - 1:10 pm

This is a guest cross-post by Ivo Gormley – originally posted on the Political Innovation site here.

Although Government claims to want our participation and wants us to appreciate its policies, it hides the evidence on which it bases its policies in fat documents and reports that are hard to read and only available free at special events at think-tanks around Whitehall.

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Posted in Op-eds and The Independent View | 1 Comment
The Voice

Richard Livsey dies

By The Voice | Fri 17th September 2010 - 8:04 am

Richard Livsey – Lord Livsey of Talgarth, former Brecon and Radnorshire MP and former Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, died peacefully at home on Wednesday night aged 75.

Kirsty Williams AM, the current leader of the Welsh Lib Dems, has paid tribute to Lord Livsey.

Richard Livsey was a man of immense honour and decency who was loved and respected by his constituents, colleagues and by politicians of all parties.

He will be remembered particularly as a champion for the rural communities in which he lived and an expert on agriculture, which he worked in all his professional life.

Nick …

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The Voice

The Independent View: Political Innovation No.3 – assertion-flagging: for less partisan, prejudiced blogging

By The Voice | Tue 14th September 2010 - 12:00 pm

This is a guest cross-post by Andrew Regan – originally posted on the Political Innovation site here.

Most political bloggers are motivated to fight what they see as bigotry, prejudice, and ill-informed, unjustifiable assertion.

Close up of an eye; click for photo credit

This is a fine and noble cause, because the spreading of false beliefs – without the evidence to support them – is bad for all of us, as is the displacement of informed argument by mere rhetoric. All the more so when the perpetrator …

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Posted in Op-eds and The Independent View | Tagged | 5 Comments
The Voice

Clegg on the “profound effect” of fixed-term Parliaments

By The Voice | Mon 13th September 2010 - 2:22 pm

NickClegg.com has noted the significance of today’s legislation to establish the principle of fixed-term parliaments, removing from Prime Ministerial whim the timing of future general elections:

“Establishing parliaments of fixed-terms is a straightforward, but fundamental, change in our politics. It is a simple constitutional innovation, but one that will have a profound effect.”

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has pledged the introduction of a five year fixed term parliaments will have a “profound effect” and lead to greater stability in the political system.

The Fixed term Parliaments Bill faces its second reading in the House of Commons this afternoon.

“Establishing parliaments of fixed-terms is

…

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Posted in News and Parliament | Tagged and | 27 Comments
The Voice

Clegg: Governing for the long term

By The Voice | Fri 10th September 2010 - 11:57 am

Nick Clegg gave the following speech to the Institute for Government yesterday:

Successful governments require a number of ingredients: strong leadership, public support, dedicated ministers, and a good dose of luck, to name but a few.

But above all they need a clear sense of purpose.

When governments lose sight of their overriding purpose for being in power, the glue that holds them together dissolves. We saw this in the latter years of Labour’s time in office. A directionless government, without the underpinning of a clear purpose, inevitably ended in factionalism, intrigue and bankruptcy.

This is a mistake we will not repeat.  In my speech …

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The Voice

Our litmus test of the state of UK politics today

By The Voice | Thu 9th September 2010 - 10:12 pm

This is a joint posting by Left Foot Forward, ConservativeHome and Liberal Democrat Voice

LitmusThe leading blogs of left, right and centre, Left Foot Forward, ConservativeHome and Liberal Democrat Voice have teamed up to publish a special, limited edition newspaper – Litmus – looking at the key issues facing Britain today, which will be distributed at the Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrat Party conferences.

It may not have been the Internet election that many had predicted but websites and social networks played a greater role than in any previous election. The blogosphere, in …

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Posted in Op-eds | 20 Comments
The Voice

BBC: Clegg seeks to calm public ‘anxiety’ over spending cuts

By The Voice | Thu 9th September 2010 - 9:35 am

The BBC reports:

Nick Clegg has sought to calm fears over the impact of spending cuts, insisting they will be spread over four years and not implemented immediately.

The deputy prime minister told the BBC he understood “people’s anxieties” about October’s spending review, likely to see departmental budgets cut by 25%.

But it was wrong to say a “Sword of Damocles” would fall overnight and cuts would be spread out until 2015.

He said extra financial support would be available to vulnerable areas.

You can listen to Nick’s interview with John Humphrys on BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme here.

If you’re lucky, and listen …

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Posted in News | Tagged and | 18 Comments
The Voice

The Independent View: Political Innovation No.2 – the politics of buying things

By The Voice | Wed 8th September 2010 - 12:00 pm

This is a guest cross-post by Dominic Campbell – originally posted on the Political Innovation site:

Well, you wouldn’t still be reading had I called it the politics of procurement now would you? (no, stop – don’t go!). No-one who engages with government procurement comes away impressed with it. It’s a process that wastes £billions and rewards process over outcomes.

Yet we all know that, deep down, it’s a symptom of a political problem. It is a system set up to manage …

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Posted in Op-eds and The Independent View | Tagged | 5 Comments
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  • James Dennison
    Thanks David. I certainly didn't mean to imply that the UK begins and ends with England — rather, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland already have substantia...
  • James Dennison
    Thanks Jana. My instinct would be to approach this from the other direction: rather than create a new English Parliament to exercise the powers currently exerci...
  • Jana
    “ Give England institutional expression” Just ‘institutional expression’? Unless it is viewed as acceptable that criminal laws in England, for exampl...
  • David Raw
    Professor Dennison write, "England does not need another large parliament or bureaucracy"..................... and goes on continually refer to England. Writ...
  • Jana
    We don’t need a cap on donations - we need a cap on total spending by each political party, both on routine running costs each year and on specific election c...