Author Archives: The Voice

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
The Voice

Richmond Lib Dems apologise for “liar liar pants on fire” website photo

By The Voice | Tue 27th October 2009 - 6:55 pm

The Hounslow Chronicle has the story:

The Liberal Democrat leader of Richmond Council has apologised after a photograph of a child swearing appeared on his party’s website.

The image was used following Serge Lourie’s decision to postpone the signing of a contract to develop Twickenham Riverside. It shows a young boy sticking up two fingers, alongside the caption ‘liar liar pants on fire’ and accompanies an article attacking the borough’s Conservative group and residents’ group Richmond United Group (RUG).

It claims they have spread lies about the controversial proposals, which include allowing developer Countryside to build 32 homes on the site of

…

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The Voice

More financial power for cities

By The Voice | Tue 27th 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.

All the major parties spent party conference season trying to advance their localist credentials. However, there’s more the Liberal Democrats could do to reassert their radical localist credentials – most significantly, by …

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Posted in Local government, Op-eds and The Independent View | Tagged | 3 Comments
The Voice

British Muslims for Secular Democracy plan counter demonstration

By The Voice | Mon 26th October 2009 - 3:29 pm

News reaches the Voice about a demo planned for next Saturday.

British Muslims for Secular Democracy today announces the launch of its plans to organise a demonstration on Saturday 31st October to counter a demonstration by Al Muhajiroun, at which they will call for the abolition of democracy in Britain and the imposition of Shariah Law on all.

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Posted in Events | 4 Comments
The Voice

Opinion: Metro Mayors for UK’s largest cities

By The Voice | Mon 26th 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.

At party conference last month, I was struck by just how many of the UK’s biggest cities are run by the Lib Dems. You now control virtually every big city outside London – that means that, taken together, 25 million people …

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Posted in Local government, Op-eds and The Independent View | Tagged | 12 Comments
The Voice

LibLink … Vince Cable: Economic recovery? It’s vanished into a yawning gap between a rich capital and the rest of the country

By The Voice | Sun 25th October 2009 - 12:04 pm

Over at the Mail, Lib Dem deputy leader Vince Cable examines the “trickiest problem” facing Government: “to rein in public borrowing without making recession worse or damaging the useful things government does”. Here’s an excerpt:

The grim news that the economy is still in recession makes this dilemma more acute. It also reminds us that Britain is a deeply divided country. In the inflated metropolitan bubble of the City, there is a lot of excited talk about recovery based on a bounce-back in the stock market, city bonuses and rising house prices in posher parts of London.

This is a different world

…

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Posted in LibLink | Tagged and | 10 Comments
The Voice

Tory councillor defects to Lib Dems in Somerset

By The Voice | Sat 24th October 2009 - 5:48 pm

Just four months into Somerset being ruled by a Tory administration, and all is not well, as the local paper reports:

A BRIDGWATER county councillor has defected to the LibDems just four months after being elected as a Conservative – slamming the new Tory administration as ‘disastrous’.

Cllr Stephen Gill narrowly fought off Labour leader Pat Parker to gain the Bridgwater South seat in June, but has now crossed over party lines to join the side he helped to oust from County Hall. Explaining his decision to the Mercury, Cllr Gill said the amount of money spent to find a

…

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Posted in News | Tagged and | 1 Comment
The Voice

Labour’s Dawn Butler’s “strange” complaint: BBC should have invited me on before BNP’s Griffin

By The Voice | Sat 24th October 2009 - 1:30 pm

Poor Dawn Butler, the Labour MP for Brent South, whose plight – on expenses, her voting record and media outbursts – Lib Dem Voice has covered before. Now she is making the news for lambasting the BBC for inviting BNP leader Nick Griffin onto Question Time.

What’s wrong with that, you say, no more than Peter Hain did? Ah, but Dawn’s complaint is not so much that Mr Griffin appeared, as that she didn’t. Here’s an excerpt from the rather extraordinary letter, written by Dawn, I mean, by Brent’s Labour council group leader Ann John, and 19 of …

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Posted in News | Tagged , , , , and | 9 Comments
The Voice

The LDV Saturday caption competition – egging on the BNP’s Nick Griffin

By The Voice | Sat 24th October 2009 - 12:15 pm

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

nick-griffin

Here’s BNP leader Nick Griffin, whose controversial appearance on the BBC’s Question Time has dominated the headlines this week, getting splattered by an egg missile – what do you think he might be saying/thinking?

The winner of last week’s Bedford mayoral sensation caption competition (according to The Voice’s judging panel of one) – Ruth Bright, with a highly commended placing to Andy H.

Posted in Caption Comp | 5 Comments
The Voice

Vince – this “could yet become the deepest recession on record”

By The Voice | Fri 23rd October 2009 - 7:30 pm

The BBC reports the bleak economic news:

The UK economy unexpectedly contracted by 0.4% between July and September, according to official figures, meaning the country is still in recession. It is the first time UK gross domestic product (GDP) has contracted for six consecutive quarters, since quarterly figures were first recorded in 1955.

Here’s what Lib Dem shadow chancellor Vince Cable had to say:

For all the hopes of a quick recovery, these figures make it clear we are still in the longest and what could yet become the deepest recession on record.

“For all that has been thrown at

…

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Posted in News | Tagged and | 8 Comments
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