Author Archives: The Voice

The Voice

Is the Lib Dem Euro-referendum pledge being dropped?

By The Voice | Tue 1st December 2009 - 4:00 pm

Cast your mind back a few months.  Speaking on Radio 4’s You and Yours on 16th June 2009, Nick Clegg said the only way to sort out the debate about EU membership was to

have a referendum in this country as to whether we stay in or stay out. What we can’t do is to be a member of a club and complain about it from the sidelines.

That Lib Dem policy may have started out as a quick fix to get the party out of a tight spot, but as it’s been stuck to, it’s become seen by many as …

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Posted in Europe / International and Op-eds | Tagged and | 25 Comments
The Voice

Nick: Government’s Afghanistan strategy “over-ambitious in aim and under-resourced in practice”

By The Voice | Mon 30th November 2009 - 5:05 pm

The BBC reports:

Gordon Brown has confirmed he will send 500 more troops to Afghanistan, taking the total UK deployment to over 10,000. He told MPs all conditions had now been met to send the extra personnel and that eight other countries had also offered additional troops. The UK force level will reach 9,500 but special forces takes this to 10,000.

Here in full is Nick Clegg’s Commons response to Gordon Brown’s announcement:

I join the Prime Minister in recognising and commending the enormously impressive work of our Armed Forces in Afghanistan.
Finally it has become mainstream to talk about the need for a big shift in strategy in Afghanistan.
When I first questioned the effectiveness of our action there six months ago and called for this kind of step-change, I was told it was unpatriotic.
The Prime Minister’s change of tone since then has been dramatic – and welcome.
The Liberal Democrat approach to Afghanistan has always been simple: we should do this properly or not at all.

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Posted in Europe / International and Parliament | Tagged , , and | 1 Comment
The Voice

What’s up on Act?

By The Voice | Sun 29th November 2009 - 5:10 pm

Chris Keating and Sam Lockwood from party HQ have penned this piece about the new LibDem social network, Act:

Launching a social network is a step into the unknown. If you open something up to thousands of Lib Dems then, frankly, the only thing you can expect is surprises. So those of us in Party HQ who are involved with online campaigning and supporter relations have been watching closely to see the kind of use people are making of this new tool.

We’ve been pleased so far with the response – over a thousand people registered in the last week, and a …

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Posted in Online politics | Tagged , and | 2 Comments
The Voice

‘Who is Nick Clegg?’ Find out tonight on BBC Radio 4

By The Voice | Sun 29th November 2009 - 3:45 pm

Tune in tonight, at 10.45 pm, to BBC Radio 4 if you want to hear Richard Reeves, director of think-tank Demos, examine the intellectual and philosophical roots of the Liberal Democrat leader, Nick Clegg, for the Political Roots: Liberals programme. (Repeated on Wednesday 2 December at 8.45 pm).

The BBC website carries an article by Richard, trailing the programme, with some revealing quotes from Nick – for example on the influence of his family in creating a liberal within him:

There was something floating around in my family … I don’t want to make it sound as earnest as it does –

…

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The Voice

If Vince is the Lib Dems’ Santa Claus, what does that make the rest of our MPs?

By The Voice | Sat 28th November 2009 - 4:30 pm

That’s the contention of Helen Rumbelow in Friday’s Times:

… although Vince has been popping up in the news all week — as the Liberal Democrat’s Shadow chancellor has for most weeks of the year — soon his duties will take him to the North Pole. The children’s gain is our loss.

For in our turbulent times, Vince brings comfort. We put our collective faith in Vince. I see it everywhere. In worrisome debates on the credit crunch TV presenters get tetchy with bankers, party leaders and financial gurus. But as soon as the bald grandpa with the twinkly current

…

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Posted in News | 1 Comment
The Voice

Lib Dem councillor expelled over police assault charges

By The Voice | Sat 28th November 2009 - 1:06 am

The Isle of Wight County Press Online has the story:

CALLS for a Lib Dem councillor to be expelled from the party have been made this week after it was confirmed 37-year-old Adrian Whittaker was alleged to have assaulted a police officer.

The calls were led by Island party vice-president and long-serving executive member Morris Barton. He said: “It is the party’s AGM tomorrow (Friday) and I am sure Cllr Whittaker’s expulsion from the party will be on the agenda. If Cllr Whittaker is subsequently convicted we will be seeking the Isle of Wight Council leader Cllr David Pugh’s support for

…

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Posted in Local government | Tagged | 11 Comments
The Voice

Vince: it’s time for a National Infrastructure Bank

By The Voice | Wed 25th November 2009 - 10:50 pm

The Lib Dems’ shadow chancellor Vince Cable today set out proposals today for the creation of what he’s calling a National Infrastructure Bank.

In his speech to The Civilisation Congress, Vince notes that the UK has one of the worst records for infrastructure investment in the OECD, and argues that there is an urgent need for a step change in infrastructure investment to create jobs, increase competitiveness, promote environmental sustainability and boost the economic recovery. Creating a National Infrastructure Bank – leveraging public funds with private capital – is, he argues, the best vehicle, especially with private investors beginning again to look for good long-term opportunities.

Here are the highlights from Vince’s speech:

There is a big hole in the prospects of the long-term recovery and growth of the UK economy.

Our infrastructure is currently rated 34 th in the world, which is poor by anyone’s standards. The Policy Exchange estimates that £500bn needs to be spent over the next decade on transport, energy storage, broadband and transmissions systems.

But in this recession, infrastructure investment is one of the first things to be squeezed and there is currently no prospect of investment on anything like the scale that is needed.

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Posted in Party policy and internal matters | Tagged , and | 1 Comment
The Voice

£800k pay-out to victim of Tory spin chief’s “consistent pattern of bullying behaviour”

By The Voice | Tue 24th November 2009 - 1:08 pm

Today’s Guardian reports the news:

A News of the World reporter who suffered from a culture of bullying led by former editor Andy Coulson, who is now David Cameron’s head of communications, has been awarded almost £800,000 for unfair dismissal and disability discrimination.

Matt Driscoll, a sports reporter sacked in April 2007 while on long-term sick leave for stress-related depression, was awarded £792,736 by the east London employment tribunal. It is believed to be the highest payout of its kind in the media, and legal costs could take News International’s total bill well over the £1m mark.

The award will cause fresh

…

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Posted in News | Tagged | 2 Comments
The Voice

Nick Clegg’s speech to the CBI conference

By The Voice | Mon 23rd November 2009 - 2:55 pm

Nick Clegg addressed the CBI conference in London this moring, “set out how to foster a rapid recovery and shape a new competitive, sustainable economy.” Here’s the full text of what he said:

We are in the teeth of one of the most difficult and unpredictable recessions we have ever faced.
The origins of the recession, at the heart of the financial services sector on which we have relied too heavily for far too long, begs profound questions about how we can rebuild the British economy on a different, more sustainable footing in the future.
As the CBI said this morning – this recession can be a catalyst for positive change.
In the short time we have today, I want to run through the five main areas where I believe urgent action is required not only to foster a rapid recovery in the short term, but to shape a new competitive, sustainable economy for the long term.

  • First: stabilise, decontaminate and re-balance our financial industry.
  • Second: a strong, credible plan to sort our Britain’s finances, to maintain confidence in our credit-worthiness.
  • Third: invest in infrastructure, to create jobs now and the right environment for sustainable growth later.
  • Fourth: decentralise decision-making and business support to drive growth in industries and regions that have been left behind
  • And fifth: change our tax system to put money into the pockets of people who both need it and spend it, helping rebuild consumer demand.
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The Voice

Tory councillor suspended over “foreign names” slur

By The Voice | Fri 20th November 2009 - 9:01 pm

Orpington Conservative Councillor Peter Hobbins has been suspended resigned from the party after criticising candidates with foreign names – and Central Office for picking them.

As News Shopper reports, Councillor Hobbins wrote:

“Not one of them has a ‘normal’ English name.

“They want to be the PPCs for Orpington and asked me for my personal advice on how they would be the best candidates for the Orpington Constituency. My view? For hells sake.

“Why are the Candidates Department so keen on these foreign names?!!!!

“The candidates department are simply rushing these names through.

“They have absolutely no idea about how Associations are organised

…

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Posted in News | Tagged and | 5 Comments
The Voice

Nick’s response to the Queen’s Speech: ” fantasy Queen’s Speech from a government that has run out of road”

By The Voice | Wed 18th November 2009 - 6:15 pm

So in the end the Queen’s Speech wasn’t cancelled – as the BBC reports:

Clegg, who had called for the speech to be cancelled and the remaining Parliamentary time before an election to be used to clean-up politics, said there was nothing in the proposed legislation to help create jobs, boost bank lending and fix the UK’s “rotten” political system.

And here in full is what Nick said today in response to the government measures announced by HM The Queen:

All the pageantry in the world cannot cover up the fact that this is a fantasy Queen’s Speech from a government that has run out of road in a Parliament that has lost the people’s trust.

This Queen’s Speech won’t give people the help and jobs they need in this recession and it won’t fix our rotten politics.

After 12 long years, in which this government has passed nearly 500 different laws, along with countless thousands of statutory instruments, it is right to stop and ask the question: what is this Queen’s Speech really for?

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The Voice

Nick’s Sheffield Hallam opponent quits as Tory candidate after just 10 days

By The Voice | Wed 18th November 2009 - 2:38 pm

Last week, LDV reported the Tories’ embarrassment in Nick Clegg’s seat of Sheffield Hallam, where news had just emerged that the party’s newly selected candidate had been kicked off a town council for failing to attend meetings.

The Tories’ Daniel Gage vowed at the time to fight on, promising a 20-year plan to take the seat from the Lib Dems. Just a few hours later he was ‘resigned’ by the local Tory association.

The Sheffield Telegraph tells all:

Daniel Gage, aged 24, was selected on November 7 as the Conservative representative to challenge Mr Clegg for his Sheffield Hallam seat.

But his campaign

…

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Posted in News | Tagged , and | 17 Comments
The Voice

LibLink … Vince Cable: Banks should pay for their own protection

By The Voice | Wed 18th November 2009 - 12:35 pm

In today’s Times, Lib Dem deputy leader and shadow chancellor Vince Cable advocates a 10% tax on bank profits to fund a ‘safety net’ until finance houses can be broken up and are no longer too big to fail. Here’s an excerpt:

Some bankers might claim that they are doing God’s work. But the banks all owe their continued existence to the British and American taxpayer.

Some have been supported directly — RBS, Lloyds-HBOS, and the fully nationalised Northern Rock — but all benefit from the guarantee that they will not be allowed to fail. UK banks have received the equivalent of

…

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Posted in LibLink | Tagged and | 2 Comments
The Voice

LibLink … CK answers Indy readers’ questions

By The Voice | Mon 16th November 2009 - 7:25 pm

It’s a Lib Dem-tastic edition of today’s Independent – in addition to Nick Clegg’s article calling for the Queen’s Speech to be cancelled so that Parliament can focus on the big issue of reforming itself, former Lib Dem leader Charles Kennedy is the focus of the paper’s ‘You Ask The Questions’ feature, in which readers pose their own often sharp and pointy questions. There’s some straight-talking from Charles, along with some discreet evasion on issues such as:

  • the circumstances of his forced resignation as leader (“I’ve long since moved on and would continue to advise everyone else to

…

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The Voice

Rabi Martins appointed Lib Dem Chief Exec Chris Fox’s diversity adviser

By The Voice | Mon 16th November 2009 - 7:11 pm

Last month, Nick Clegg admitted something that had been glaringly obvious for ages: the Lib Dem parliamentary party is “woefully unrepresentative of modern Britain”. Today Lib Dem interim chief executive Chris Fox signalled his determination to help Nick to get to grips with the problem by appointing a personal Diversity Adviser ahead of the General Election.

Here’s what the party press release has to say:

Rabi Martins, the parliamentary spokesperson for Luton North and past member of the party’s Federal Policy Committee will be the adviser to Liberal Democrat executive on equality issue. He will begin the role on Monday

…

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Posted in Party policy and internal matters | Tagged , and | 4 Comments
The Voice

LibLink … Nick Clegg: Don’t waste our time… bring forward real reform

By The Voice | Mon 16th November 2009 - 10:30 am

In today’s Independent, Nick Clegg makes a bold pitch – that Parliament should use the few months it has left before the election to try and actually achieve something to solve the big political issue of the year: restoring the public’s trust in Parliament. Here’s an excerpt:

On Wednesday, all the pomp and ceremony that Parliament can muster will be rolled out for the Queen’s Speech, setting out the Government’s list of new laws for the coming year. But the glitz and glamour will be based on a complete fiction. Parliament will find it difficult to pass any of the

…

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Posted in LibLink | Tagged , , and | 14 Comments
The Voice

Lib Dem peer admits exploiting expenses loophole

By The Voice | Sun 8th November 2009 - 3:50 pm

From The Sunday Times:

A HEREDITARY peer whose ancestor gave his name to the Falkland Islands has admitted “exploiting a loophole” in the rules to claim more than £140,000 in expenses from the House of Lords. Lord Falkland, the 15th viscount, designated a converted oast house in Kent as his main residence so he could collect allowances. Yet neither he nor his wife owns or rents the property. It actually belongs to his wife’s aunt, who also pays the utility and telephone bills. By saying his main residence was outside London, he was able to claim £174 a night

…

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Posted in News | 36 Comments
The Voice

Cambridge MP David Howarth to stand down

By The Voice | Thu 5th November 2009 - 5:11 pm

The party has just issued the following press release …

Liberal Democrat MP David Howarth today announced that he would be standing down from Parliament at the next election to concentrate on his career as an academic.

David Howarth said:

“After nearly 22 years of elected public office, the time has come for me to concentrate on my other life, as an academic. It has been a privilege to serve the people of Cambridge over that time, both in local government and in Parliament.

“I would like to thank the very large number of people who have helped me in politics over the past

…

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Posted in Selection news | Tagged and | 15 Comments
The Voice

Earthwatch debate

By The Voice | Mon 2nd November 2009 - 2:02 pm

News reaches the Voice of a debate about crises around water planned for later this month. If you’re able to attend, why not write it up for a post on Lib Dem Voice? See our notes for contributors for details.

Earthwatch Debate: From Tsunami to Drought

Thursday 19th November, 7.00pm – 9.00pm at the Royal Geographical Society, 1 Kensington Gore, London SW7 2AR

Chaired by award winning broadcaster Andrea Catherwood.

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The Voice

How you can help Liberal Democrat Voice

By The Voice | Sun 1st November 2009 - 9:20 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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Posted in Site news | 1 Comment
The Voice

The LDV Saturday caption competition – Nick Clegg’s desk job

By The Voice | Sat 31st October 2009 - 9:45 am

There’s no prize at stake – just the opportunity to prove you’re wittier than any other LDV reader …

Here’s Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg campaigning in Bradford East – what do you think he might be saying/thinking?

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Posted in Caption Comp | Tagged | 22 Comments
The Voice

LibLink … Vince Cable: We rage at bankers, and the state-backed casino rolls on

By The Voice | Fri 30th October 2009 - 10:45 am

Over at The Guardian’s Comment Is Free, Lib Dem deputy leader Vince Cable argues that simply “bashing bankers” will not solve the inherent structural problems in the banking system, and urges a considered response to address the issues. Here’s an excerpt:

Of course people are angry, and they have every right to be, especially when so many are losing their jobs in a recession triggered by a banking collapse. There are, however, different types of banks. Bonuses are a big issue in investment banks from proprietary trading, but are rare in retail banks. Some banks over-reached themselves and have been nationalised

…

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Posted in LibLink | Tagged and | 4 Comments
The Voice

Coming soon … Paddy’s novel

By The Voice | Thu 29th October 2009 - 6:25 pm

So the Financial Times tells us:

Paddy Ashdown, the party’s former leader, is moving on from writing his own memoirs and into fiction. No prizes for guessing the subject matter. Ashdown, a former Special Boat Squadron operative and (alleged) spy, is penning a novel which is expected to combine boats and, er, espionage. He is currently fine-tuning the central character – obviously not based on himself – and the dialogue, but work is said to be progressing well.

Have LDV’s readers any suggestions for the title?

Posted in Books | Tagged | 6 Comments
The Voice

LibLink … Norman Baker: Devil in detail of MP expenses rules

By The Voice | Thu 29th October 2009 - 6:05 pm

Over at The Guardian, the Lib Dems’ rottweiler-without-portfolio Norman Baker – the MP who was campaigning to clean up Parliamentary expenses long before it was fashionable – argues that Christopher Kelly’s report may help to restore parliament’s reputation, but the solutions it contains must be workable. Here’s an excerpt:

Kelly’s report is an important document and perhaps the most significant staging post in the long and painful journey towards restoring the reputation of parliament. Given the terrible exposures of their abuse of the expenses system, MPs have forfeited the right to decide their own pay and conditions. It was never a

…

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Posted in LibLink | Tagged and | 1 Comment
The Voice

More power for cities over skills budgets

By The Voice | Thu 29th October 2009 - 9:20 am

This week The Voice is running a four part series from the Centre for Cities, a think tank that works on analysis and policy to boost city economies. They launched their ‘Cities Manifesto’ at the Bournemouth Lib Dem Conference and this series looks in more detail at its main planks. You can also find out more at http://www.citiesmanifesto.org.

UK business leaders have become so fed-up with our skills system that they’re now refusing even to discuss it. Asked what the priorities for skills reform should be over the next five years …

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Posted in Local government, Op-eds and The Independent View | Tagged | 2 Comments
The Voice

Lib Dem council leader quits over ‘Astragate’ affair

By The Voice | Wed 28th October 2009 - 9:45 pm

The Local Government Chronicle reports:

Embattled Northampton BC leader Tony Woods (Lib Dem) has stepped down from the authority’s helm following the so-called ‘Astragate’ affair. Cllr Woods was officially sanctioned by the authority for leaving his untaxed Vauxhall Astra in the authority’s Guildhall car park for more than three months earlier this year.

In a brief resignation speech, Cllr Woods said the incident was a “silly, trivial mistake” that had seen him subjected to a level of abuse not even serious criminals faced.

Local paper the Northampton Chronicle & Echo quoted Cllr Woods as saying he was “truly saddened” to be standing

…

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Posted in Local government | Tagged and | 9 Comments
The Voice

Dodgy dealings at the G20?

By The Voice | Wed 28th October 2009 - 11:20 am

Chris Jordan is Economic Justice Campaigns Officer at at ActionAid and writes about their new campaign – and the opportunity you have to suggest a question to be put to Treasury Minister Stephen Timms.

With the G20 newly anointed as the premier global economic forum, the final Finance Ministers meeting of the year of the in St Andrew’s on 7 November will provide a useful insight into just what kind of ‘G’ the 20 intends to be.

Will they take the path of the G8, making and breaking commitments on an annual basis, or take the opportunity to step up and …

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Posted in The Independent View | Tagged , and | 2 Comments
The Voice

Building the houses we need in Britain’s cities

By The Voice | Wed 28th October 2009 - 9:20 am

This week The Voice is running a four part series from the Centre for Cities, a think tank that works on analysis and policy to boost city economies. They launched their ‘Cities Manifesto’ at the Bournemouth Lib Dem Conference and this series looks in more detail at its main planks. You can also find out more at http://www.citiesmanifesto.org.

In our cities, some of the most visible effects of the credit crunch are the housebuilding projects and plans that have ground to a halt. The regeneration of York Northwest …

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Posted in Local government, Op-eds and The Independent View | Tagged | 14 Comments
The Voice

Neil Matthews quits as Folkestone’s Lib Dem candidate

By The Voice | Tue 27th October 2009 - 11:25 pm

It’s deja vu all over again in Folkestone & Hythe … 18 months after Toby Philpott resigned as prospective parliamentary candidate, his successor, Neil Matthews, has also quit:

Shepway Liberal Democrats are sorry to announce that Neil Matthews has stepped down as Parliamentary Candidate for Folkestone & Hythe due to personal pressures. Neil remains an active part of the Shepway Liberal Democrats and Liberal Democrat Councillor for Hythe West.

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Posted in Selection news | Tagged , and | 11 Comments
The Voice

Mike Collins selected as Lib Dems’ Cotswolds candidate

By The Voice | Tue 27th October 2009 - 7:15 pm

The Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard reports:

A COUNTY councillor from Tewkesbury has been chosen to represent the Liberal Democrat party in the Cotswolds for the forthcoming general election. Mike Collins, 46, will oppose Cotswold MP Conservative Geoffrey Clifton-Brown who has held the seat for the last 17 years. …

“It’s time for a change, so I pledge to the people of the Cotswolds that I will do my best to represent them in a fair and honest way,” he said.

Posted in Selection news | Tagged and | 4 Comments
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