Author Archives: The Voice

The latest quarterly donation reports show relatively modest donations from the Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust to the Liberal Democrats (£8,725 in the third quarter of 2008), but via their website comes news that more money is on its way:

Grants made in 2008
October 2008 Quarter

Liberal Democrats

£1,230,000 towards campaigning costs in the lead up to the next General Election allocated as follows:

* £150,000 to support campaigns in key seats with women, black and minority ethnic candidates;
* £700,000 towards the cost of campaign staff and literature;
* £200,000 for election related training;
* £180,000 to support voter contact operations.

www.libdems.org.uk

The Office of the Leader

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As Anders Hanson has written earlier today:

It’s so hard to write this.  As some of you may know, Neil Trafford has died in a car accident.  I wasn’t sure if I should write anything here so soon, but when I started writing things down I found that although it was upsetting it was also helpful.

Neil was one of those amazing people who was not only a really committed Liberal Democrat and a phenomenal campaigner, but was also great fun to be with, was very outgoing and sociable and had a real normal life outside of the party.

Neil was hugely …

Via The Sunday Times:

One of Britain’s least active MEPs has been receiving more than £40,000 a year for office expenses despite having no office in his constituency.

David Sumberg, a Conservative MEP for the North West of England, has already declared he pays £54,000 a year for secretarial support from his wife.

Since the current European parliament was elected in 2004, Sumberg has made just two set-piece speeches and 12 one-minute “explanations of votes”. He has tabled five questions and sits on a committee but has not written any of its reports or tabled any resolutions.

“If there was a competition for

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Nick Clegg appeared on the Daily Politics show today, talking about Liberal Democrat tax cut plans and how the party is ahead of the curve. You can watch the piece here.

The US Presidential election maybe, perhaps diverted attention away from this post on Lib Dem Voice on Tuesday night, highlighting the three Tory councillors in South Norfolk who have, independently of each other, ended up with criminal convictions.

The incident did, however, inspire one local Lib Dem, Terry Gilbert, to compose some verse to commemorate the occasion. It’s well worth reading in full at his blog, Averse to the Right, but here’s a teaser:

So, what of their commitment
To fight anti-social crime?
Well, it might be better if
They kept themselves in line!

No fewer than three Councillors,
All Tories (one this week),
Have

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Via the BBC:

Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg has warned of an “epidemic of mental distress” if Britain is plunged into a recession.

It could “dramatically increase” the numbers of people suffering stress and depression, he said in a speech.

Mr Clegg said mentally ill people should be allowed to limit their own access to bank loans to prevent themselves getting into debt.

He says people should be able to take action when well so they cannot acquire new loans when they are ill.

More on Nick Clegg’s website, including the full speech.

Via The Guardian:

Barclays is raising up to £7.3bn, mainly from Middle East investors, who could end up owning nearly a third of the UK’s second largest bank.

The deal allows Barclays to strengthen its balance sheet without getting help from the taxpayer, but its terms, which are seen as generous to its new investors, drew fierce criticism today from Liberal Democrat deputy leader and Treasury spokesman Vince Cable.

“This is a scandal of mammoth proportions,” he said. “Here is a bank which relies on the taxpayer to bail it out if the going gets rough but which has offered Middle Eastern

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