Author Archives: The Voice

Liberal Democrat Voice Stars of 2015 Part 6

We wanted to honour those Liberal Democrats that our readers felt were true stars of 2015, which has been one of the toughest years in our party’s history. Over the past few days, we have sought out  nominations and now have a rather impressive list that we’ll be publishing in instalments during this week. Here is the sixth  part. Their names come with the comments made about the contribution they have made. Some are parliamentarians, some are councillors, most are grassroots activists. Let’s celebrate them and the many others who are fighting fto keep that Liberal Democrat flame alive. These are our Liberal Democrat stars of 2015.

 Cllr Frank Hindle

He has been a councillor in the town for 25 years he and served as opposition group leader on Gateshead Council during the difficult years of the coalition. He has also been N.E Regional Chair and was the Parliamentary candidate in Gateshead in 2010 and 2015. He has been the election agent for the local authority elections for years. and he is currently starting a term as Chair of Gateshead Liberal Democrats. Frank has dedicated his life to the party and deserves some recognition for his dedication and work.

Dave Hodgson and Christine McHugh

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Farron blasts shelving of enquiry into banking culture

We already know that the Government tried to slip out lots of bad news (including crucial evidence of the hardship caused by the Bedroom Tax) in a giant Take out the Trash day before Christmas, but the Financial Conduct Authority used Hogmanay to slip out the fact that it wasn’t going to bother with publishing a review into banking culture. Apparently it “wouldn’t help.” Try telling that to the people who suffered as a result of one of the worst crashes in history.

Tim Farron was on this one straight away and ended up getting quoted pretty widely. He said:

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Liberal Democrat Voice Stars of 2015 Part 5

We wanted to honour those Liberal Democrats that our readers felt were true stars of 2015, which has been one of the toughest years in our party’s history. Over the past few days, we have sought out  nominations and now have a rather impressive list that we’ll be publishing in instalments during this week. Here is the fifth part. Their names come with the comments made about the contribution they have made. Some are parliamentarians, some are councillors, most are grassroots activists. Let’s celebrate them and the many others who are fighting fto keep that Liberal Democrat flame alive. These are our Liberal Democrat stars of 2015.

 James Baker and Mick Taylor from Calderdale

For going  above and beyond the call of duty for the party despite various health & personal difficulties.

Sheree Miller

For being our outstanding candidate in Boleyn Ward by-election, who got a thoroughly deserved second place. Just brilliant on the doorstep, talking to people, listening to their concerns. And a great chilli too.

Amy Stuart

As a representative of the influx of members post-election and for her inspirational speech at Conference Rally.

Posted in LDV Awards and Op-eds | Tagged | 2 Comments

Liberal Democrat Voice Stars of 2015 Part 4

We wanted to honour those Liberal Democrats that our readers felt were true stars of 2015, which has been one of the toughest years in our party’s history. Over the past few days, we have sought out  nominations and now have a rather impressive list that we’ll be publishing in instalments during this week. Here is the fourth part. Their names come with the comments made about the contribution they have made. Some are parliamentarians, some are councillors, most are grassroots activists. Let’s celebrate them and the many others who are fighting fto keep that Liberal Democrat flame alive. These are our Liberal Democrat stars of 2015.

Cllr Fran Wilson

Fran is Leader of Maidstone BC

You can’t get bluer then the County of Kent, with only two out of the counties district and borough Councils not being Tory controlled, one of those is UKIP lead,  the other is Lib Dem lead Maidstone. Maidstone went orange in May 2015, despite a disappointing general election result, the Lib Dems continue to be the main opposition to the Tories in the Town. Under the leadership of veteran Lib Dem Cllr Fran Wilson, the Councils Lib Dem group brought together a rainbow coalition of parties to take control of the Council and rid Maidstone of its unpopular Tory rulers. Uniting Lab, UKIP and Independents they have dumped the hated Labour executive/cabinet system and reintroduced the more inclusive committee system, as a result giving every Councillor a voice on the Council. This is Fran’s second stint as Council Leader, who is the only female Council Leader in Kent, being no novice to local government,  she walks a daily tight rope of trying to keep the Tories out of power in Maidstone, with her informal “rainbow” coalition, at the same time Fran and her colleagues continue to fly the Lib Dem flag in Kent and deliver key Lib Dem polices in the Town.

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The Lib Dem week in Scotland

Welcome to our weekly roundup of what the Scottish Liberal Democrats, led by Willie Rennie, have been getting up to.

The plight of 50,000 children on housing waiting lists

Jim Hume highlights the tens of thousands of children on housing waiting lists in Scotland. This is an area entirely devolved to the SNP Government. Jim said:

It’s unbelievable that someone has been on a council house waiting list since the end of the Second World War. The lack of housing available for social rent in this country is a disgrace and Ministers should be ashamed of themselves. The SNP has muddied the waters on housing by backtracking on election promises and Scots and their children are paying the price.

The Scottish Liberal Democrats believe children need the best start in life. This cannot be achieved if there is uncertainty about whether they’ll even have a roof over their heads. Last week we discovered 30,000 children have been homeless on Christmas Day over the past three years. When you put that figure with the tens of thousands of children currently on housing waiting lists, it paints a very bleak picture for young people needing support as they’re grow up in Scotland.

Projects such as the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership, which is funded by the Scottish Government, are bringing properties back into use but not at a rate that will actually make much of a difference.

These kind of schemes need more funding so that they can stop being a drop in the ocean and start having an impact. How many more thousands of children will be left languishing on waiting lists before the Scottish Government recognises there is a housing crisis in this country?”

Posted in A weekly catchup and Scotland | Tagged | 2 Comments

Liberal Democrat Voice Stars of 2015 Part 3

We wanted to honour those Liberal Democrats that our readers felt were true stars of 2015, which has been one of the toughest years in our party’s history. Over the past few days, we have sought out  nominations and now have a rather impressive list that we’ll be publishing in instalments during this week. Here is the third part. Their names come with the comments made about the contribution they have made. Some are parliamentarians, some are councillors, most are grassroots activists. Let’s celebrate them and the many others who are fighting fto keep that Liberal Democrat flame alive. These are our Liberal Democrat stars of 2015.

Everyone involved in making sure we had a full slate of candidates in parliamentary elections

I’d like to nominate as Lib Dem stars all the people involved in making sure we have a full slate of candidates in parliamentary elections. Being the end of 2015 I’m thinking particularly of the General Election but the same will apply to all elections. That’s the people in the states and regions who manage the process, those who organise approval, selection and appointment of candidates, the returning officers who work with local parties, and those in local parties who do the shortlisting. It is a huge organisational job that I think most members won’t appreciate the scale of, and it takes a small number of activists a lot of time to get right and is obviously crucial for us as a political party.

Bradley Hillier-Palmer

As one of our newest members in Camden, he has led a charge of activity around supporting refugees – including street stalls collecting for Calais, and is actually in Calais this week helping refugees struggling.
He embodies the Liberal Democratic spirit of equality, community and liberty with enthusiasm and action, and I have no doubt he will go on to be a valuable asset to the Lib Dems
Posted in LDV Awards and Op-eds | Tagged | 1 Comment

Lib Dems in the New Year Honours

The New Year Honours were announced late last night. We have trawled through the list and have spotted a couple of prominent Liberal Democrats.

But we are sure there are others known to you, our readers.  Please let us know in the comments about anyone we have missed, and we’ll add them to this post.

Posted in News | Tagged and | 26 Comments

Kirsty Williams blasts cuts to student nurses’ financial support

One of the worst elements of the Governemnt’s Comprehensive Spending Review was the proposals to cut bursaries for student nurses. This is particularly reprehensible given that nursing students spend so much of their time actually working on wards. In fact, there are many wards that would buckle under the pressure if they weren’t there.

Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Kirsty Williams, who has led the way in proposing a bill that would guarantee safe nurse staffing levels in Wales, has blasted the proposals and written to health secretary Jeremy Hunt to express her concerns. She said:

The UK already has a shortage of nurses; it’s outrageous that the Tories are now scrapping the valuable support available to student nurses. This will likely only exacerbate the problem by putting people off training to be a nurse.

This ill thought-out decision will badly impact student numbers in England, which would then no doubt have consequences for Wales’ ability to recruit too.

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LDV’s 2015 Best: our 7 most-read articles this year

7 bestMany thanks to the 675 000 visitors who dropped by Lib Dem Voice between 1 January and 27 December 2015. Here’s our 7 most-read posts…

The night of the long sgian dubhs (79 comments) by Charles Kennedy

It was emotional enough reading this at the time, but even more so now that we know it was the last article he was to write for us.

The Lib Dem Voice election night live blog (291 comments) by the Lib Dem Voice team.

Not going to lie, this is a tough one to read. It’s the first time I’ve actually gone through it since the horror of that night and my stomach is churning.

My thoughts fairly on into the night as we realised that the Tories were heading for victory:

I’ve said all along that there was a risk of a Tory majoirity. Blukip could be a reality on these results. This really feels like 1992 all over again – although the Tory right wingers then were cuddly teddy bears compared to the worst of them now.

And so it transpired that they were.

Posted in Site news | 1 Comment

Liberal Democrat Voice Stars of 2015 Part 2

We wanted to honour those Liberal Democrats that our readers felt were true stars of 2015, which has been one of the toughest years in our party’s history. Over the past few days, we have sought out  nominations and now have a rather impressive list that we’ll be publishing in instalments during this week. Here is the second part. Part 1 is here. Their names come with the comments made about the contribution they have made. Some are parliamentarians, some are councillors, most are grassroots activists. Let’s celebrate them and the many others who are fighting fto keep that Liberal Democrat flame alive. These are our Liberal Democrat stars of 2015.

Kris Castle

She gave up her London job to go at the Yeovil South Ward like a PPC. Lib Dem but unworked for perhaps 8 years, she came a close fourth when the tsunami came in, with the largest losing vote in the region. She also worked three other wards keeping South Somerset DC under LD leadership (NOC) for the 34th year. Kris also initiated work to transform the Constituency after losing our MP. Whilst this is not a tale of unmitigated success, it is one of determination and care.

Pete Dollimore

For his ceaseless efforts on behalf of London Lib Dems, one of those backstage heroes who do the bulk of the work in so many organisations, without ever being recognised.

Pete has supported me so much over the years offering advice and support. I know many others would say the same too.

All the staff who lost their jobs after the election

I nominate the staff who lost their jobs together with their supportive families, along with all those constituency activists everywhere who didn’t deserve the results they got.

Posted in LDV Awards and Op-eds | Tagged | 12 Comments

“Chancellor has key questions to answer on flooding”- Farron

York flooding 2Tim Farron has written to George Osborne to ask him to provide additional funds to help repair flood-hit infrastructure. He also had some fairly pithy comments about David Cameron’s visit to the north, inviting him to do more than parade around in wellies.

He said:

The Government’s approach to flood defences is short-sighted.

In 2012 I said more funding was needed to deal with the torrential rain and ‘freak’ weather that was becoming more prevalent.

In the years since I have repeated that call and do so again today. We need to urgently review every shelved flood defence scheme.

The Prime Minister pulling on his wellies, wading through some water for a photo op and doing a couple of interviews doe not make people believe he is doing enough.

He needs to show he cares about the North by following up his words with deeds.

Posted in News | Tagged and | 34 Comments

Liberal Democrat Voice Stars of 2015 Part 1

We wanted to honour those Liberal Democrats that our readers felt were true stars of 2015, which has been one of the toughest years in our party’s history. Over the past few days, we have sought out  nominations and now have a rather impressive list that we’ll be publishing in instalments during this week. Here is the first part. Their names come with the comments made about the contribution they have made. Some are parliamentarians, some are councillors, most are grassroots activists. Let’s celebrate them and the many others who are fighting fto keep that Liberal Democrat flame alive. These are our Liberal Democrat stars of 2015.

 Mathew Hulbert

For welcoming me into the party, being a guiding light, and a voice of sense

Kirsty Williams

For her excellent advocacy work for my friends throughout the last 6 months.

Gwynoro Jones

Gwynoro Jones for his excellent articles, his rooting us off the old SDP in the traditions, and his views going forwards.

Posted in LDV Awards and Op-eds | Tagged | 2 Comments

Richard Kemp is selected as our candidate for Mayor of Liverpool

richard kempLiverpool Lib Dems have announced that they have selected Cllr Richard Kemp to run for Mayor of Liverpool in the election in May 2016. On his blog, Richard says:

You will know from your own conversations that people are tired of our Mayor. He has made a laughing stock of Liverpool time and time again. The result is that Manchester is leaping ahead of us on all fronts but especially those that relate to the economy and employment. But I am not standing just because I don’t like the Mayor. I will be fighting on a range of liberal issues which are the ones on which we rescued this City and gave it a future from 1998 to 2010 when we controlled the City.

Posted in News | 4 Comments

Tim Farron on why he supported air strikes – and other things

 

Yesterday the Independent on Sunday published an interview with Tim Farron under the headline ‘Lib Dem leader on why he went against his party over Syrian air strikes‘.

Tim Farron has argued that the Liberal Democrats are “not a pacifist party”, following grassroots criticism of his decision to back Syrian air-strikes – a move opposed by two-thirds of members.

The Independent on Sunday can reveal that the Lib Dem leader was rebuked at a meeting of a senior party committee this month for failing to consult properly on the controversial vote.

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“Whatever jokes he made about himself, he was nobody’s fool”

 

Ian Hislop remembered Charles Kennedy in The Observer yesterday.  He writes:

think Charles would have laughed. David Cameron was one of the last to arrive at his memorial service and walked down the aisle looking for a seat. The only one available was in a pew next to Nick Clegg. “Awkward,” said someone sitting next to me as the prime minister greeted his former coalition partner warmly and sat down.

Politics is a funny business in both senses of the word – bizarre and comic – and Charles Kennedy always had a keen sense of this. It was why the public warmed to him so strongly because he realised that the world that engaged him so passionately could strike ordinary people as strange or ridiculous. Acknowledging this was a way to bridge the gap and he was always very good on Have I Got News for You, irreverently answering questions using exaggerated political cliches or avoiding them entirely using absurd evasive euphemisms.

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Former BBC Director General: Liberal Democrats secured better settlement for BBC

Former BBC Director General Mark Thompson has told how the Liberal Democrats in coalition government secured a “different and better” settlement for the BBC. Now that the Conservatives are unmoderated, things are not so good for what many feel is the highest quality public service broadcaster in the world.

The Guardian reports:

Giving his his first interview about the BBC since he left in 2012, after eight years at the helm, Thompson said the broadcaster was having to pay for government policy. “It’s welfare … It’s totally inappropriate to use BBC to support social transfer in this country.”

When George Osborne tried to impose the same cost on the BBC during negotiations in 2010, Thompson started writing his resignation letter, along with several BBC Trustees. This July the current director general, Tony Hall, agreed to shoulder the burden in return for relief from other costs.

“In 2015 the political circumstances are very different and it is much tougher for the BBC. In 2010 it was the coalition government and the Liberal Democrats … played a very big part in securing a different and better settlement. That recourse has not been available to the BBC this year.”

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Lib Dem Lords vs the Home Office #1: Roger Roberts

Last week the Government’s appalling Immigration Bill was debated in the Lords. Liberal Democrat peers made some cracking speeches opposing it. As it’s Christmas, we thought we’d publish them all in full over the next few days, beginning with Roger Roberts.

Roger’s record on standing up for the vulnerable people caught up in our immigration system is fantastic. Here he does it again:

My Lords, it has been a heart-warming month in a way. We saw refugees from Syria being welcomed to the Isle of Bute, and I am proud of some Canadian connections when we hear that Justin Trudeau promised that Canada, under its new Liberal Government, will welcome 25,000 refugees by the end of February. Last week when the first plane arrived in Toronto, the call went out: “Please do not go to the airport: too many people are already there welcoming the refugees”. I only wish that our country had a similar feel.

I know that there are some people who will oppose this. Indeed, some even opposed Welsh people coming to London and opening dairies 100 years ago. However, most people are compassionate and kind, yet this Bill flies against all that compassion and kindness. So much has been said already that I must make my speech shorter than it was. One of the provisions of the Bill is the “deport now, appeal later” system. What will happen then? What percentage of those who appeal now have their appeals accepted? Is it 30% or 50%? Some say that it is 70%. That will not be possible with this measure. It will overturn the judicial appeals process of our country: “Go abroad and we will forget all about you”.

Posted in News | 11 Comments

Merry Christmas to you and yours

christmas

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Kirsty Williams’ Christmas message with a difference

A very different Christmas message from the rest as Kirsty Williams shares one of her family traditions, reading Dylan Thomas’ A Child’s Christmas in Wales.

Kirsty read an extract and it’s great to see how passionate and involved she gets in the story. Brilliant stuff.

Kirsty Williams’ 2015 Christmas MessageThis year’s Christmas message from Kirsty Williams is a little different…A very merry Christmas from all of us at the Welsh Liberal Democrats.

Posted by Welsh Liberal Democrats on Wednesday, 23 December 2015

Get yourself a cup of tea and enjoy this.

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Rennie calls for emergency summit on alcohol pricing

Today the European Court of Justice ruled that minimum alcohol pricing is contrary to EU law if other tax options exist.

From the BBC:

A legal challenge was brought by the SWA, which argued the Scottish government’s legislation breached European law.

The European court ruling said: “The Court of Justice considers that the effect of the Scottish legislation is significantly to restrict the market, and this might be avoided by the introduction of a tax measure designed to increase the price of alcohol instead of a measure imposing a minimum price per unit of alcohol.”

It added: “The court states that it is ultimately for the national court to determine whether measures other than that provided for by the Scottish legislation, such as increased taxation on alcoholic drinks, are capable of protecting human life and health as effectively as the current legislation, while being less restrictive of trade in those products within the EU.”

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie called for an emergency summit to review options:

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Tim Farron: A message of hope at Christmas

Tim Farron has delivered his first Christmas message as leader of the Liberal Democrats and reflected on a message of hope for the festive period.

Tim Farron's Christmas message

Tim Farron's Christmas message

Posted by Liberal Democrats on Tuesday, 22 December 2015

Posted in Op-eds | Tagged | 4 Comments

Farron: Tackling inequality is my mission for 2016

Tim Farron says that his mission for 2016 is to raise inequality up the political agenda. In a special Christmas message for the Mirror, he says:

From my family, to yours I want to wish readers of the Sunday Mirror a happy, joyous and restful Christmas.

My primary mission politically in 2016 is to raise the issue of inequality up the political agenda.

No-one should go hungry or homeless in Britain. We must have a national crusade to end this scandal. Once and for all.

We have the mission but we must also have the will power to do it.

The values of Christmas – charity, togetherness and compassion must be taken forward and I am committed to doing that.

He also reveals some of what he will be doing over the Festive Season:

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Chair of Ethnic Minority Liberal Democrats is re-instated by the party

The Independent reports:

The chairman of the Liberal Democrats’ ethnic minority group, who was controversially ejected from the party last month, has had his membership re-instated.

Posted in News | 12 Comments

A tale of two Lib Dem knights

Twice in the last 8 days a former Liberal Democrat Cabinet Minister has headed to the Palace to kneel before Prince Charles to formally receive their knighthood.

Last week it was the turn of Sir Danny Alexander, who said:

It was a great honour and a wonderful ceremony and it’s all rather humbling.

It was something I didn’t expect but it is a real honour to have the recognition for the work I did in the coalition government – turning the economy around and getting the country on the right track.

Today, Sir Vince Cable had his big day. The Yorkshire Post has the story:

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Tim Farron: Government should hang its head in shame over fracking in national parks

Tim Farron has reacted to the Commons vote which enabled tracking under national parks in England. His constituency has two national parks.

He said:

The Government today relaxed the rules on fracking around and under National Parks and other protected sites. The Government used a parliamentary wheeze to pass the change with no parliamentary debate.

Last week the Government signed up to a landmark climate change deal and is now abandoning those pledges to create a market for another fossil fuel.

Our National Parks and areas of Scientific Interest are now at risk and the Government should hang its head in shame.”

It is disgraceful that the government are ploughing ahead with fracking at the same time as scrapping the Carbon Capture and Storage scheme which is important for mitigating against climate change.

He was on Radio 4’s PM programme this evening. You can listen here at around 8.35 minutes in.

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Lords’ maiden speeches: Malcolm Bruce: the importance of tackling conflict and building stability overseas

We’re publishing our new Lords’ maiden speeches. Here’s Malcolm Bruce’s in a debate on the defence and security review recently. His main interest is in international development and he wanted to make the point that we need to focus on resolving conflict and building stability overseas.

Lord Bruce of Bennachie (LD) (Maiden Speech): My Lords, I am delighted to follow the noble Lord, Lord McConnell, a very distinguished former First Minister of Scotland. I agreed with much of what he said.

When I stood in the October 1974 election, came fourth and lost my deposit, I never dreamed that I would rise today as a Member of your Lordships’ House. I want to thank everyone who has made my arrival here in the last few weeks such an enjoyable experience. I am genuinely grateful for all the guidance and help I have received at all levels and from my sponsors, the noble and learned Lord, Lord Wallace of Tankerness, and the noble Lord, Lord Kirkwood of Kirkhope. The doorkeepers, attendants and catering staff are incessantly cheerful, helpful and friendly—not just to me but to my friends and family, my demanding children and grandchildren.

I had the honour to represent the constituency of Gordon for 32 years. Gordon is not a place; it is the heartland of the Gordon family, historically headed by the Dukes of Gordon, including General Gordon of Khartoum and the 18th-century Duchess who recruited soldiers into the Gordon Highlanders with a kiss. It also produced a Prime Minister, Lord Aberdeen, who appointed Gladstone to his Cabinet. Lord Aberdeen’s family seat was Haddo House where, until fairly recently, June, the late Dowager Marchioness of Aberdeen, presided over many musical and cultural activities. She endeared herself to me when, after one election, she said: “Malcolm, I am so pleased you got back. I worried you might lose. I was so worried, in fact, I very nearly voted for you.”

Posted in LibLink | Tagged , and | 2 Comments

Farron condemns government on fracking in national parks

Tim farron photo by liberal democrats dave radcliffeTim Farron has condemned the government decision to allow fracking in national parks and other sensitive areas, protected at Liberal Democrat insistence under the coalition. The change is being made by statutory instrument so that the House of Commons will not be allowed to debate it.

Tim said

Posted in News | Tagged | 17 Comments

LDV’s Sunday Best: our 7 most-read articles this week

7 ver 4 fullMany thanks to the 11,400  visitors who dropped by Lib Dem Voice this week. Here’s our 7 most-read posts…

Vince Cable writes…Where we can all agree on Syria (39 comments) by Vince Cable

++Breaking..Carmichael election stands. Petition refused. (43 comments) by Caron Lindsay

Syrian airstrikes decision – stirrings of unhappiness in the party (51 comments) by Paul Walter

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Lib Dem Jobwatch: Fundraising, campaigning jobs and internships available

There are some very interesting jobs and opportunities with the Liberal Democrats which close this week.

You’ll need to be quick off the mark to apply for a 12 week internship at the party’s Scottish HQ at Clifton Terrace in Edinburgh as it closes on Tuesday. It’s under the Access to Elected Office scheme through Inclusion Scotland:

 

The role will involve carrying out a research project in concert with Inclusion Scotland and the Scottish Liberal Democrats on the barriers to involvement by disabled people in party activities and the seeking of elected office, while carrying out work within the Party HQ to support their work.

Candidates for the roles must define as disabled people (under the Equality Act 2010, including those with sensory impairments), and candidates with either existing personal involvement with the Scottish Liberal Democrats and/or who have a strong interest in future active involvement will have an advantage. This is because part of the project is concerned with the development of the interns themselves towards greater political engagement, and some existing knowledge and contacts within the Scottish Liberal Democrats and/or aspirations to become more involved in the party would be a considerable advantage in carrying out the project work.

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Heathrow and Saudi banks – where Boris invests London taxpayers’ millions

Well, well. Boris is against Heathrow expansion, isn’t he? You have to then wonder why his office is investing millions in Heathrow airport. According to the Independent on Sunday, the Mayor’s office invested £3.54 million in the airport just two weeks ago. Liberal Democrat Assembly member Stephen Knight is quoted:

The GLA said that notwithstanding Mr Johnson’s trenchant views on Heathrow, it remained a suitable investment. But critics of the Mayor, who is ultimately responsible for GLA investments, said there was a clash between the mayor’s public position and his officials’ investment decisions.

Mr Knight said: “Only Boris Johnson would not be able to understand the total contradiction between publicly opposing a third Heathrow runway, whilst behind the scenes pouring millions of pounds of London taxpayer’s money into Heathrow bonds, which will help finance such an expansion.”

Posted in News | Tagged , , and | 8 Comments
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