Author Archives: The Voice

The Voice

Berwick candidate Julie Pörksen seeks views on post-16 transport

By The Voice | Fri 17th October 2014 - 10:58 am

Julie PorksenThe issue of transport so that over 16s can get to school and college is one close to Berwick Liberal Democrat PPC Julie Pörksen’s heart. She told us why earlier this Summer:

In the eighties, being a rural Northumbrian kid, I used to get the school bus to Ponteland, and just stayed on it for sixth form. Those wanting to go to college had to find their own way. Raising the age of participation and encouraging parity between a sixth form and a college education can only be a positive step for the opportunities and career and life choices for our young people.

If we are not to discriminate between 16-18 year olds in urban and rural areas across the whole country we must guarantee their rights to access free state education – and free transport is an integral part of that access.

So let’s be about action not just words – lets change the law and actually enable everyone to get on in life.

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The Voice

Jeremy Browne to stand down as MP: what Lib Dem bloggers have made of his decision

By The Voice | Thu 16th October 2014 - 8:40 pm

Jeremy Browne with beard AD LIBJeremy Browne’s decision to stand down as MP for Taunton Deane at the next election surprised many in the party. Ed Fordham wrote a tribute to Jeremy’s long service for the party on LDV here today — and the Lib Dem blogosphere has also had plenty to say. Here’s a selection…

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The Voice

++ Jeremy Browne to stand down as Lib Dem MP in May 2015

By The Voice | Wed 15th October 2014 - 1:37 pm

Jeremy Browne, Lib Dem MP for Taunton Deane, has announced he will not be standing again in May 2015. Here’s his tweet, complete with resignation letter:

Here’s Nick Clegg’s response to the news:

‘Jeremy Browne has decided that now is the right time to announce he will not stand at the next election and the Liberal Democrats wish him all the best for the future. The Deputy

…

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The Voice

What makes Nick’s work worthwhile: the Liberal Democrats’ Autumn PPB

By The Voice | Tue 14th October 2014 - 10:35 am

The Autumn PPB film crews spent time following the Cleggster around. It’s not bad, and you can really see what makes him tick:

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The Voice

28 Lib Dem MPs vote for recognition of state of Palestine, 1 against

By The Voice | Tue 14th October 2014 - 9:10 am

As we trailed here, last night saw the House of Commons debate a backbench motion (which is therefore not binding on the government): ‘That this House believes that the Government should recognise the state of Palestine alongside the state of Israel.’

By my count, 28 Lib Dem MPs backed the motion – their names are below – with just one against (Sir Alan Beith). As the BBC notes: “It is convention that ministers abstain when voting takes place on a backbench MP’s motion and those of both the Liberal Democrat and Conservative parties did so. It is, however, Lib Dem policy to support recognition of Palestinian statehood.”

The debate was a relatively short one, so there was time for only one speech from a Lib Dem: Cheltenham MP Martin Horwood’s contribution is reproduced below. You can catch up with the debate via Hansard here.

Lib Dem MPs backing the motion to recognise the state of Palestine:

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The Voice

++ BREAKING: Mark Hunter MP steps down as Deputy Chief Whip

By The Voice | Mon 13th October 2014 - 7:43 pm

It’s just been announced that Cheadle MP Mark Hunter has stepped down as the Liberal Democrats’ Deputy Chief Whip.

He told Nick Clegg in his resignation letter that he had never intended to stay in post for the whole duration of the Parliament and that the end of the Conference season was the time to move on:

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The Voice

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

By The Voice | Sun 12th October 2014 - 11:41 am

7 ver 4 fullMany thanks to the 22,400 visitors who dropped by Lib Dem Voice this week. Here’s our 7 most-read posts…

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The Voice

What’s being debated in our members’ forum this week?

By The Voice | Sat 11th October 2014 - 1:20 pm

members forum wordleLibDemVoice has two parallel sites. The first is our public blog, the thing you’re reading now. The second is our private members’ forum, which only current Lib Dem members can access.

If you’re a member and want to chat with fellow party members about any issue that’s on your mind, then why not sign up? In addition, you’ll be included in our regular surveys’ of party members’ views.

Here’s some of the most active discussions this past 10 days:

…

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The Voice

In the next month 27 seats will short-list their wannabe Lib Dem MPs

By The Voice | Sat 11th October 2014 - 11:25 am

Lib Dems winning hereHere’s the full list of selection contests in the coming month available for Lib Dems on the approved parliamentary candidates’ list, together with the closing date for applications.

The following seats have selections in progress and are currently advertising for candidates:

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The Voice

UKIP breakthrough, Labour scrape through

By The Voice | Fri 10th October 2014 - 8:35 am

The overnight news is that Douglas Carswell has been elected as a UKIP MP in Clacton with a majority of 12,068 over the Conservatives and 60% of the total vote. Liberal Democrats lost our deposit in 5th place, the 10th lost deposit this parliament.

Meanwhile in Heywood and Middleton, a Labour seat since its creation in 1983, Labour clung on with a majority of 617 votes over UKIP. This time, however, the Liberal Democrats did a little better, coming 4th with 5% and saving our deposit.

Here are the full results:

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The Voice

Praise for Norman Lamb’s work on mental health

By The Voice | Wed 8th October 2014 - 7:18 pm

Here is the video shown to Conference showcasing the work that Norman Lamb has done on mental health which was shown before his speech. 

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The Voice

IN FULL: Nick Clegg’s leader’s speech to conference

By The Voice | Wed 8th October 2014 - 1:30 pm

Clegg SpeechHere’s the text of Nick Clegg’s speech to the Lib Dems’ autumn 2014 conference:

Before I say anything else, I’m sure I speak on behalf of all Liberal Democrats when I say that our hearts and condolences go out to the family and friends of Alan Henning and David Haines for their tragic loss.

These were good men. In the work they did they stood for hope and compassion – the things that everyone in this room believes are more important than anything else. We have to take on the cowards who

…

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The Voice

BBC: “Nick Clegg not executed on stage until 1320”

By The Voice | Wed 8th October 2014 - 1:15 pm

That was the rather startling tweet from BBC South-East reporter Louise Stewart:

But it turned out to be a typo rather than a stay of execution:

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The Voice

Nick Clegg on the “great liberal cause” to boost mental health care: “I want this smack bang on the front page of our next manifesto”

By The Voice | Wed 8th October 2014 - 10:00 am

Nick clegg rally glasgow 2014Nick Clegg will announce a new Coalition Government policy in his leader’s speech to the Glasgow conference today – putting mental health provision on a par with physical health by announcing waiting time targets for people with mental health problems in England for the first time.

He’s expected to say later that “Mental health conditions are one of the last remaining taboos in our society, and yet they will affect one in four people” and to make three commitments:

  • “if you are waiting for talking therapies to help

    • …

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    The Voice

    Wednesday debates open thread: Nick Clegg’s speech

    By The Voice | Wed 8th October 2014 - 8:30 am

    Traditionally not many people turn up first thing on the last day – most are sleeping off Glee Club – but it would be a shame to miss the second emergency motion. After that the day builds up to the Leader’s speech,  with, unusually, no break for lunch and no lunchtime fringes. (I wonder how many of us will be finding ways of wasting our time in Glasgow because we had assumed it wouldn’t be over until 3.30pm at the earliest?)

    So for the last time this year, do add your comments about any debates and speeches in the auditorium.

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    Posted in Conference | Tagged | 16 Comments
    The Voice

    Conference Speeches: Tim Farron: Time for ambitious, active, liberal government

    By The Voice | Tue 7th October 2014 - 5:20 pm

    Tim Farron’s final speech to Conference was a cracker. Continuing the theme from his lecture to Social Liberal Forum Conference in the Summer – in fact he may have used some of the same lines – he made the case for a bold, distinctive liberal party to rebuild the country’s infrastructure for the 21st century.

    He also made a powerful challenge to the Tories on human rights, asking Cameron directly to explain what it was about the right to life or freedom from torture that he found quite so frustrating.

    He is trying to map out a way in which we can acknowledge the concerns of those tempted by the likes of UKIP without pandering to them. Here is the speech in full:

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    The Voice

    Conference Speeches: Kavya Kaushik from Saturday’s Rally

    By The Voice | Tue 7th October 2014 - 12:48 pm

    We have managed to get hold of a  wonderful speech given by former Liberal Youth co-Chair Kavya Kaushik at Saturday’s rally in which she talked of the joy of campaigning across the country and of the importance of defending our liberal values. Here it is in full:

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    The Voice

    Tall and Lindsay make the Liberal Democrat “power list”

    By The Voice | Tue 7th October 2014 - 11:45 am

    The  Times (£) today publishes its list of the Top 50 most influential Liberal Democrats which has been compiled by blogger turned LBC presenter Iain Dale. This site’s two co-editors and our Associate Editor are both in it.

    At 33, Stephen Tall is described thus:

    Last year Tall replaced Mark Pack as co-editor of the hugely successful Liberal Democrat Voice, the must-read site for party activists. A research associate at CentreForum, he is usually more at home with the politics of David Laws than of Simon Hughes, but rarely picks factional fights as a critical friend of the party who prefers to talk up its achievements rather than knock them down.

    This is all fine except its not accurate that he replaced Mark Pack. They worked together for several years.

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    The Voice

    Tuesday extras open thread: Ending in Glee

    By The Voice | Tue 7th October 2014 - 10:30 am

    This is almost your last chance to fit in some fringe experiences this year – there are no lunchtime fringes tomorrow, and only six early ones.

    Tuesday begins with Britain’s global economic recovery and ends with Glee Club – make what you will of that. In between you can update yourself on such diverse topics as residential care, criminal justice, rail, disability employment, welfare, immigration, tourism, food security, tax avoidance, garden cities and devo-max for Manchester.

    Tell us how your day is panning out.

    How to find out what is happening

    You can view or download the directory, which lists all the fringe …

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    The Voice

    Tuesday debates open thread: The big one – our pre-manifesto

    By The Voice | Tue 7th October 2014 - 8:30 am

    The main event of the day is the pre-Manifesto debate which will take up most of the morning, giving way only for football.

    The first emergency motion will take place this afternoon. Delegates have been voting on which two motions to take.  In between there is a chance to hear Norman Lamb, Edward Davey and Tim Farron, and to discuss our aging society.

    So what ‘s does the agenda look like?

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    The Voice

    Monday extras open thread: Breakfast, lunch and party

    By The Voice | Mon 6th October 2014 - 10:30 am

    Today is the day to do breakfast. Let us know if it was worth getting up early to attend one of the many breakfast fringe meetings.

    There is much going on throughout the rest of the day – have you noticed that fringe meetings have crept into the business day now?  Whether you want to hear about good parking management, drink driving, end-of-life priorities, aviation, experiments on animals, mental health, farming, trams, police constables or internships, you may want to end the evening celebrating the UK music industry at a party with Danny Alexander.

    Here’s a photo of Stephen Tall not paying attention …

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    The Voice

    Monday debates open thread: Flooding and equal marriage (unconnected, of course)

    By The Voice | Mon 6th October 2014 - 8:30 am

    There is a definite theme to this morning’s agenda – climate change, flooding and housing – while the afternoon highlights core Lib Dem values with a presentation on equal marriage followed by a debate on equalities. In between we hear from some of the heavyweights in the party (in the non-literal sense) and we throw questions at Nick Clegg.

    Please adds your comments on anything that is happening today in the main hall.

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    The Voice

    Conference Speeches: Steve Webb: “We spend £37 billion on pensions tax relief, mostly on well-off. Next Government will need to address the unfairness

    By The Voice | Sun 5th October 2014 - 9:15 pm

    Continuing our series of Conference speeches reproduced in full, here is Steve Webb’s from this afternoon. He said that he wants the next Government to look at tax relief on pensions and he looked back on the work that he had been doing on pensions over the last four years. He also revealed that the donor who gave £1 million to UKIP is standing against him in May. If this bothers you, If this bothers you in any way, you can donate to his local party here.

    Those of you who were paying attention to the news last week will have seen the story of the former Tory party donor who has now given a million pounds to UKIP.   What you may have missed is that he has announced that he will be standing against me at the next General Election.

    This sort of announcement certainly focuses your mind on the issue of fund-raising, and our next jumble sale will have to be a real corker!   Indeed, if anyone in the hall would like to help us level the playing field in Thornbury and Yate, I will be available to receive donations, but nothing over £100,000 please..

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    The Voice

    Conference Speeches: Willie Rennie – “If you want to stop the talk of ‘the 45’ or ‘the 55’ and talk about ‘One Scotland’, to take forward a programme of reform to unite the country, then we are your party.”

    By The Voice | Sun 5th October 2014 - 8:15 pm

    Willie Rennie challenged Nicola Sturgeon to reveal whether she is a Borgen Liberal or a Salmond Nationalist. He was also keen to emphasise that more powers must be delivered. He said that Labour and the Tories must not be timid in their approach:

    For the first time ever the people of Scotland were given the power. 

    The democratic power to decide whether to continue our relationship with our friends in the rest of the United Kingdom.

    With ballots not bullets. 

    By the people not the Lairds. 

    After open debate not behind closed doors. 

    I am so proud that people quietly, but with confidence, said no to independence.

    And in numbers now rarely seen in democracies they said yes – yes to partnership, yes to sharing, yes to our common endeavour and yes with an open hand;

    Comfortable in our own skin, generous in our compassion, proud of who we are.

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    The Voice

    Conference speeches: Alistair Carmichael – Coalition with Tories is like having a cat

    By The Voice | Sun 5th October 2014 - 7:45 pm

    Here is Alistair Carmichael’s speech to Conference morning, strangely devoid of news of his victory at the Lib Dem Disco last night.

    Good morning conference and welcome back to Glasgow.

    It has been quite a year since we last met here.

    Last November this was a city united in grief when Police Scotland’s helicopter fell from the sky and crashed into the Clutha Vaults pub at the other end of Argyle Street, killing ten people.  The response from the people of Glasgow at that time was remarkable.   They showed the truth of the slogan that is on the lanyards most of you are wearing today – People Make Glasgow.

    In July we hosted the best Commonwealth Games ever.

    We saw some truly memorable world class performances.

    No sooner was that over than we led the nation and the Commonwealth in commemorating the outbreak of World War One in 1914.

    And then we had a referendum.

    I confess I am speaking from a text this morning but I think that even without it I might have managed not to do a Miliband and forget to mention it.

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    The Voice

    Conference Speeches: Paddy Ashdown “You were never this nice when I was leader”

    By The Voice | Sun 5th October 2014 - 6:45 pm

    ipaddy 2014 glasgow rallyHere is Paddy’s speech from the rally last night.

    OK – now it begins.

    What comes next is the fight of our lives.

    And it’s going to be tough.

    But I am up for it and I know you are too.

    As a liberal I am used to fighting against the odds – tell you what, I relish it

    And taking a small band of trained and dedicated insurgents onto enemy territory against the odds – its what I was trained for – what I am used to

    -its what we have had to do before

    -and I am immensely proud, this time, to be doing it with you.

    We all know what we have to do.

    You’re the best street campaigners in British politics

    – now you are going to have to prove it – again.

    Now, we have a message – A STRONG ECONOMY, A FAIR SOCIETY; OPPORTUNITY FOR EVERYONE.

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    The Voice

    Conference Speeches: Jo Swinson to Conference rally

    By The Voice | Sun 5th October 2014 - 5:43 pm

    Jo swinson 2014 rally glasgowHere is Jo Swinson’s speech to the rally last night:

    Conference – hello and a very warm welcome back to Glasgow!

    It may still be a bit wet and chilly, but it’s still the friendliest city, and most importantly, still in the United Kingdom.

    A lot has happened since we met here last year.

    Fantastic year for sport:

    Winter Olympics, record medal haul for the UK

    Huge success of the Commonwealth Games here in Glasgow this summer – inspiring athletes from 13year old swimmer Erraid Davies to Jo Pavey’s fantastic gold medal at 40

    England won the World Cup – obviously in women’s rugby

    We’ve seen some key political milestones:

    No one pays income tax on the first £10,000 they earn

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    The Voice

    Sunday extras open thread: From Christian humanism to live jazz

    By The Voice | Sun 5th October 2014 - 10:30 am

    Thanks to everyone who joined us for the LDV Awards evening yesterday. So what will be the fun events today?

    There is a very full programme on the fringe today – from promoting healthy lifestyles to the Gibraltar reception, from cycling to the future of the BBC, with several sessions on various environmental issues. The RSPCA is offering beer and curry, and there will be live jazz at the Azerbaijan reception.

    Do let us all know about any events you went to, or any worth dropping in for.

    How to find out what is happening

    You can view or download the directory, which …

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    Posted in Conference | Tagged | 3 Comments
    The Voice

    Nick Clegg’s conference rally speech: “We may be the underdogs but we have the values, beliefs and resilience to win”

    By The Voice | Sun 5th October 2014 - 9:00 am

    “This is the fight of our lives” – that was the message from Nick Clegg at last night’s conference rally. You can watch it here:

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    The Voice

    Sunday debates open thread: From first aid to child abuse via crime and public services

    By The Voice | Sun 5th October 2014 - 8:30 am

    Thanks to everyone who contributed to yesterday’s open thread. Please add your reports, comments and recommendations on today’s business in the main hall below, sticking to things that are happening today.

    This will be the first full day of action in the splendid auditorium here at the SECC. Expect a full house for the debates on Welfare Reform and Public Services. In between, why not check out today’s Extras thread (fringes and everything else) which we will be posting at 10.30am?

    So what is happening today at Conference?

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