Author Archives: The Voice

Lib Dem peer admits exploiting expenses loophole

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

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

…

Posted in News | 36 Comments

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

…

Posted in Selection news | Tagged cambridge and david howarth | 15 Comments

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.

Posted in Events | Leave a comment

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 …

Posted in Site news | 1 Comment

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?

Posted in Caption Comp | Tagged nick clegg | 22 Comments

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

…

Posted in LibLink | Tagged banking and vince cable | 4 Comments

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 paddy ashdown | 6 Comments

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

…

Posted in LibLink | Tagged christopher kelly and mps expenses | 1 Comment

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 …

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

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

…

Posted in Local government | Tagged northampton and tony woods | 9 Comments

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 …

Posted in The Independent View | Tagged g20, stephen timms and vince cable | 2 Comments

Building the houses we need in Britain’s cities

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

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 …

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

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.

Posted in Selection news | Tagged folkestone & hythe, neil matthews and toby philpott | 11 Comments

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 cotswold and mike collins | 4 Comments

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

…

Posted in News | Tagged richmond upon thames council, serge lourie and twickenham | Leave a comment

More financial power for cities

By The Voice | Tue 27th October 2009 - 9:20 am

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 …

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

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.

Posted in Events | 4 Comments

Opinion: Metro Mayors for UK’s largest cities

By The Voice | Mon 26th October 2009 - 9:20 am

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 …

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

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

…

Posted in LibLink | Tagged recession and vince cable | 10 Comments

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

…

Posted in News | Tagged defections and somerset county council | 1 Comment

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 …

Posted in News | Tagged ann john, bbc, bbc question time, brent council, dawn butler and sarah teather | 9 Comments

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

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

…

Posted in News | Tagged recession and vince cable | 8 Comments

LibLink … Chris Huhne: Griffin is trying to peddle hatred against Muslims

By The Voice | Fri 23rd October 2009 - 3:55 pm

Over in the Independent, Lib Dem shadow home secretary Chris Huhne writes about his experiences on last night’s BBC Question Time as a fellow panellist alongside BNP leader Nick Griffin. Here’s an excerpt:

The key method of Griffin was on display: pretend to be moderate and reasonable in order to garner support which would be revolted if it knew his real agenda. He was confronted with quotes from YouTube, in which he told David Duke of the Ku Klux Klan that the BNP had to move softly because the British people were not yet ready for talk of racial purity, so

…

Posted in LibLink | Tagged bbc question time, bnp and nick griffin | Leave a comment

BBC1 Question Time: your Lib Dem blogs reader

By The Voice | Fri 23rd October 2009 - 10:34 am

Here’s the click-through of posts published on the Lib Dem blogs in response to last night’s BBC1 Question Time, with Nick Griffin. If we’ve missed your post, or you write something later on, please post your link in the comments thread:

Nick Griffen’s grin (Lynne Featherstone);
This week, dancing the military goosestep, it’s Nick and Eva! (John Ault);
So #bbcqt – what a laugh, eh? (Jennie Rigg);
Is the BNP a repository of the psychologically unstable? (Liberal Revolution);
Nick Griffin on BBC Question Time – the verdict, #bbcqt (Mark Thompson);
Nick Griffin – pretending to

…

Posted in News | Tagged bbc question time, bnp and nick griffin | 5 Comments

Simon Hughes on the Labour MPs “failing to match climate rhetoric with real action”

By The Voice | Thu 22nd October 2009 - 7:15 pm

Lib Dem Voice yesterday covered the video Simon Hughes made to highlight the Lib Dems’ opposition day motion on climate change, and the 10:10 campaign’s call for a commitment to a 10% cut in the UK’s carbon emissions in 2010. The Lib Dems’ motion was straightforward:

That this House believes that it is vital that the UK demonstrates political leadership at all levels in response to the climate crisis, and that this is particularly important ahead of the United Nations Climate Change summit in Copenhagen if there is to be an international agreement which will avert the worst effects of catastrophic climate change; further believes that immediate practical responses to the crisis should include a massive expansion of renewable energy and energy efficiency and a commitment for all homes in Britain to be warm homes within 10 years; acknowledges that action taken now to tackle the climate crisis will cost less than action taken in the future; notes the declared support of Labour and Conservative frontbenchers to the objective of the 10:10 campaign which calls for 10 per cent. greenhouse gas emission reductions by the end of 2010; agrees that the House will sign up to the 10:10 campaign; calls on Her Majesty’s Government and all public sector bodies now to make it their policy to achieve a 10 per cent. reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by the end of 2010; and further calls on the Government to bring a delivery plan before this House by the end of 2009 on how these objectives will be achieved.

But Labour MPs said no, rejecting the motion – you can find a full list of MPs who opposed it below – but, first, here’s what Simon Hughes had to say:

Posted in Parliament | Tagged 10:10 campaign, climate change, environment, labour party and simon hughes | 3 Comments

LibLink … Paddy Ashdown: Afghanistan’s future lies in strengthening its tribal structures, not in its corrupt government

By The Voice | Wed 21st October 2009 - 6:14 pm

Over at The Independent, former Lib Dem leader Lord (Paddy) Ashdown assesses the situation in Afghanistan in the light of President Karzai’s belated acceptance of the need for new, legitimate elections. Here’s an excerpt:

… no one should be in any doubt what the new vote will cost, not just in treasure but in blood. A new election may do something for President Karzai’s legitimacy, but it won’t alter the problem he poses if, as Mrs Clinton at least seems to expect, he is re-elected. What then?

Some say that Karzai II must be very different from Karzai I and the international

…

Posted in Europe / International and LibLink | Tagged afghanistan, devolution, hamid karzi and paddy ashdown | 1 Comment

Evan secures Parliamentary debate on Trafigura and libel laws

By The Voice | Wed 21st October 2009 - 10:15 am

Lib Dem MP Evan Harris has secured a debate on libel law and the reporting of Parliamentary proceedings following Carter Ruck’s attempts last week to gag The Guardian from reporting details of a Parliamentary Question concerning Trafigura’s activities. (You can catch-up on LDV’s reporting of the issue here.)

The debate will take place today in Parliament’s Westminster Hall today, 21st October, from 2.30-4pm.

Explaining the purpose behind the debate, Evan says:

There is a lot of concern in Parliament and in the media over the impact of English law on freedom of expression, but the people who should be

…

Posted in Parliament | Tagged #carterruck, #trafigura, evan harris and libel | Leave a comment

LibLink … Chris Huhne: Why I will debate with Nick Griffin

By The Voice | Wed 21st October 2009 - 9:45 am

Over at the Guardian’s Comment is Free blog, Lib Dem shadow home secretary Chris Huhne – who will be appearing alonsgide BNP leader Nick Griffin on Thursday night’s BBC1 Question Time – argues that it is time for liberals to challenge the fascists head-on. Here’s an excerpt:

The BBC has judged that two MEPs in a nation-wide election entitles the BNP to a voice on Question Time, just as previously a similar threshold elevated Ukip and the Greens. The BBC’s duty of impartiality is too important to have broadcasting executives decide that some opinions are acceptable and others are not, providing

…

Posted in LibLink | Tagged bbc question time, bnp and chris huhne | 3 Comments

Nick Clegg – “Parliament houses a shooting gallery but not a creche”

By The Voice | Tue 20th October 2009 - 10:20 pm

Today witnessed the appearance of Nick Clegg (as well as Gordon Brown and David Cameron) in front of the Speaker’s Conference, chaired by the new Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow.

The issue this special committee has been asked to look at is: “Consider, and make recommendations for rectifying, the disparity between the representation of women, ethnic minorities and disabled people in the House of Commons and their representation in the UK population at large”.

You can watch Nick give his views and answer questions on the Parliament website here (his part begins about 48 …

Posted in Parliament | Tagged commons speaker, equalities, john bercow, nick clegg and Parliament | 7 Comments

Op-eds

Mathew on Monday: Davey has been given a second chance. Now he must show us what his leadership is for (Mathew Hulbert)
The decapitation strategy (Michael Taylor)
Welcome (belatedly) to my day: 12 October 2026 – a leadership challenge, or a challenge to the leadership?… (Mark Valladares)
Is Ed Davey toast? (Caron Lindsay)
A plea from a member – more ambition and less equine pacification please… (Nick Baird)

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Lib Dem Women: Amplifying women’s voices at Conference

Author Archives: The Voice

Lib Dem peer admits exploiting expenses loophole

Cambridge MP David Howarth to stand down

Earthwatch debate

How you can help Liberal Democrat Voice

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

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

Coming soon … Paddy’s novel

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

More power for cities over skills budgets

Lib Dem council leader quits over ‘Astragate’ affair

Dodgy dealings at the G20?

Building the houses we need in Britain’s cities

Neil Matthews quits as Folkestone’s Lib Dem candidate

Mike Collins selected as Lib Dems’ Cotswolds candidate

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

More financial power for cities

British Muslims for Secular Democracy plan counter demonstration

Opinion: Metro Mayors for UK’s largest cities

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

Tory councillor defects to Lib Dems in Somerset

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

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

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

LibLink … Chris Huhne: Griffin is trying to peddle hatred against Muslims

BBC1 Question Time: your Lib Dem blogs reader

Simon Hughes on the Labour MPs “failing to match climate rhetoric with real action”

LibLink … Paddy Ashdown: Afghanistan’s future lies in strengthening its tribal structures, not in its corrupt government

Evan secures Parliamentary debate on Trafigura and libel laws

LibLink … Chris Huhne: Why I will debate with Nick Griffin

Nick Clegg – “Parliament houses a shooting gallery but not a creche”

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Vince Cable writes: Drill, baby, drill…or not

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Lib Dem Women: Amplifying women’s voices at Conference

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