Author Archives: The Voice

Senior Liberal Democrats react as Scots vote to stay in UK

By The Voice | Fri 19th September 2014 - 8:31 am

The sovereign will of the Scottish people, by a margin of, give or take a bit, 55%-45 %, is to stay in the UK. In voting No, they put their trust in David Cameron, Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg to deliver more powers to the Scottish Parliament.

Here’s how senior Liberal Democrats reacted. First, Nick Clegg:

I’m absolutely delighted the Scottish people have taken this momentous decision to safeguard our family of nations for future generations.

In a dangerous and uncertain world I have no doubt we are stronger, safer, and more prosperous together than we ever could be apart.

But a vote against independence was clearly not a vote against change and we must now deliver on time and in full the radical package of newly devolved powers to Scotland.

At the same time, this referendum north of the border has led to a demand for constitutional reform across the United Kingdom as people south of the border also want more control and freedom in their own hands rather than power being hoarded in Westminster.

So this referendum marks not only a new chapter for Scotland within the UK but also a new chapter of constitutional renewal across the UK.

Willie Rennie:

Posted in News | Tagged Danny Alexander, kirsty williams, nick clegg, Scotland, Scottish independence referendum and willie rennie | 13 Comments

++ Mike Hancock MP quits Lib Dems

By The Voice | Thu 18th September 2014 - 11:41 pm

Mike Hancock, elected as Lib Dem MP for Portsmouth South in 2010 but suspended from the party following allegations of sexual harassment made by a constituent, has resigned from the party, according to the Independent:

(Hancock) spent almost five years denying that he had sexually harassed a vulnerable constituent until eventually he admitted in court that he had behaved in a way that made her “feel deeply uncomfortable and discriminated against”.

He was suspended from the Liberal Democrats’ parliamentary group and lost his seat on Portsmouth Council. The party has

…

Posted in News | Tagged mike hancock and portsmouth south | 7 Comments

Scottish independence referendum: open thread…

By The Voice | Thu 18th September 2014 - 11:25 pm

Polls closed at 10pm in the referendum which will decide if Scotland remains within the United Kingdom. The final opinion poll of the campaign – YouGov’s, released an hour ago – points to a 54% No, 46% Yes result. Within a few hours we’ll know how accurate that forecast is.

Certainly those involved in the Better Together camp seem confident of victory. After all the tension of the last fortnight, it might all prove to be something of an anti-climax: a narrow but decisive confirmation …

Posted in News | 16 Comments

Nick Clegg’s statement on David Haines’ murder: Islamic State an affront to every peace loving Muslim in the world

By The Voice | Sun 14th September 2014 - 1:11 pm

Nick Clegg has made the following statement about David Haines’ murder:

The barbaric murder of David Haines is a crime of the most horrendous kind.

My thoughts at this time are with the family of David Haines who have experienced something no family should ever have to go through.

This murderous organisation calls itself Islamic State.

But it is not a state, it is a brutal terrorist outfit whose actions are an affront to every peace loving Muslim around the world.

No religion could possibly justify such grotesque acts.

The British Government will not rest until these killers face justice.

Posted in News | Tagged david haines and nick clegg | 42 Comments

In the next month 19 seats will short-list their wannabe Lib Dem MPs

By The Voice | Sat 13th September 2014 - 5:00 pm

Here’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:

Posted in Selection news | Tagged general election 2015 | 5 Comments

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

By The Voice | Sat 13th September 2014 - 1:00 pm

LibDemVoice 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 7 days:

Posted in Site news | Leave a comment

Catch-up LDVideo: Nick Clegg hails “a manifesto for the next generation”

By The Voice | Sat 13th September 2014 - 12:00 pm

It ended up being buried by this week’s news from Scotland and the Royal Baby – but the Lib Dem pre-manifesto was launched this week. You can read Stephen Tall’s initial take on it here and watch Nick Clegg hail it as “a manifesto for the next generation” in this video:

Posted in YouTube | Tagged liberal democrat manifesto 2015 and nick clegg | 4 Comments

Lib Dem MEP Catherine Bearder on Lord Hill’s EU appointment: “A victory for British influence in Europe”

By The Voice | Wed 10th September 2014 - 4:00 pm

When David Cameron appointed Lord (Jonathan) Hill, an influential but anonymous Tory peer more used to operating in the background, the fear was he’d be sidelined by new European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker – especially after David Cameron’s attempt to veto Juncker’s candidacy. The portfolio for paper-clips (or trombones as they’d be known in Brussels) or some such. But, as ITV News reports:

In fact he’s been given one of the big economic jobs, and perhaps the one best suited to a UK Commissioner: financial services. Given London’s dominance and the EU’s known desire to clamp-down on everything from bonuses to a Financial Transaction Tax, this could hardly be better. It has long been the UK’s view that financial services regulation is best, where possible, left to the domestic regulator, and we can expect Lord Hill to take policy very much in that direction.

Posted in Europe / International | Tagged david cameron, european commission, Jean-Claude Juncker and jonathan hill | 53 Comments

LDVideo: “Hypocrites, idealists and liars – can politics be sincere?” – watch Shirley Williams debate with George Galloway and Peter Oborne

By The Voice | Wed 10th September 2014 - 11:58 am

Recently, Shirley Williams took part in a debate held by the Institute of Arts and Ideas, on the subject of sincerity in politics. Also participating were George Galloway, Peter Oborne and Philip Collins, speechwriter to Tony Blair.

We must confess to not yet having had the time to watch the whole thing but we like what we have seen, like the bit when Shirley Williams takes Galloway to task for misquoting her and he, who had been in a massive rant about how politicians were a bunch of liars, was forced to admit he’d been exaggerating to make his point.

Shirley talks about how the media contribute to false perceptions of politicians, giving an example of how someone said to her that they could never vote for her because she was all for state education yet sent her son to Eton. Shirley doesn’t have a son.

Posted in News | Tagged institute of arts and ideas and shirley williams | 4 Comments

Clegg’s pitch to Scotland to say No to independence: “Change is on its way.”

By The Voice | Mon 8th September 2014 - 4:16 pm

The weekend news of the first poll pointing to a possible Yes vote in the Scottish independence referendum has dominated the headlines – and it may prompt those parties campaigning for Scotland to remain within the UK to commit irrevocably to further devolved powers to the Scottish Assembly. That was the strong message today from Lib Dem leader and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, speaking at a press conference this morning:

For the first time in my political lifetime, there is clear, unwavering unity on this question. Finally, everyone who believes in the United Kingdom believes in more power – more control for Scotland, in Scotland.

Posted in News | Tagged nick clegg and Scottish independence referendum | 41 Comments

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

By The Voice | Sun 7th September 2014 - 12:25 pm

Many thanks to the 15,300 visitors who dropped by Lib Dem Voice this week. Here’s our 7 most-read posts…

One from June: Yes Scotland is a bit late to realise that Wings Over Scotland is bad news (24 comments) by Caron Lindsay

Postponed: Lib Dem pre manifesto launch delayed owing to international situation (30 comments) by Stephen Tall

Posted in Site news | Leave a comment

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

By The Voice | Sat 6th September 2014 - 11:45 am

LibDemVoice 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.

Here’s some of the most active discussions this past 7 days:

Posted in Site news | Leave a comment

‘Bedroom Tax’: Lib Dem Andrew George’s Affordable Homes Bill wins key Commons vote backed by Lib Dem / Labour MPs

By The Voice | Fri 5th September 2014 - 7:50 pm

A year ago Lib Dem members voted at the party’s conference for an urgent review of the impact of what’s termed by critics the ‘Bedroom Tax’. Two months ago Danny Alexander announced he’d be recommending a major U-turn on the policy. And this afternoon, as the BBC reports, Lib Dem MPs teamed up with Labour to vote through reforms which mean that tenants who cannot be found a smaller home will be exempt from the cuts, as well as disabled people who need a spare bedroom or who have adapted homes:

Liberal Democrat and Labour MPs have joined forces to defeat Conservatives in a Commons vote to partly overturn housing benefit changes. MPs backed the Affordable Homes Bill at second reading by 306 votes to 231.

Posted in News | Tagged andrew george, bedroom tax, Danny Alexander and featured | 28 Comments

++Vince Cable to vote for Bedroom Tax reform

By The Voice | Fri 5th September 2014 - 1:17 pm

I'm cancelling my meetings today to go to vote for the Lib Dem bill to fix the Tories' unfair bedroom tax. http://t.co/xIt9UTTmSF

— Vince Cable (@vincecable) September 5, 2014

Posted in News | 34 Comments

How to get Lib Dem Voice by email

By The Voice | Thu 4th September 2014 - 3:45 pm

Why not join hundreds of other Lib Dem Voice readers in getting our latest headlines by email?

Some people like regularly visiting a site to see if there’s new stories of interest. Some people like subscribing to its news feed (RSS) and checking that way. But if you prefer email, you can instead sign up to get a daily early morning email with a summary of the previous day’s posts from Lib Dem Voice, complete with a note of how many comments each post has got and convenient links to click on if any take your fancy and you want to take a read.

Posted in Site news | Leave a comment

Former Clacton UKIP candidate ousted by Douglas Carswell resigns and backs local Liberal Democrat Councillor

By The Voice | Wed 3rd September 2014 - 2:03 pm

This time last week, Roger Lord was looking forward to facing Conservative MP Douglas Carswell in the General Election next May. He might not have expected to trouble his majority too much but he was secure in his position.

That didn’t turn out so well for him when he heard that he was being ousted as candidate in the same way that we all did.

He’s not very happy about it and has quit his Council seat. He has given his rather unexpected backing for the ensuing by-election to Liberal Democrat District Councillor Gary Scott whom he described as a “genuine person”. Gary is not putting himself forward for the by-election.

Posted in Op-eds | Tagged gary scott, roger lord and ukip | 31 Comments

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

By The Voice | Sun 31st August 2014 - 5:07 pm

Many thanks to the 13,200 visitors who dropped by Lib Dem Voice this week. Here’s our 7 most-read posts…

Alison Goldsworthy quits party saying it’s no place for women who “want to deliver change” (78 comments) by The Voice

Nicola Sturgeon challenges Nick Clegg to do the Ice Bucket Challenge (7 comments) by Caron Lindsay

Coup for UKIP as Tory MP Carswell defects, triggers by-election in Clacton (79 comments) by Stephen Tall

Yes Scotland is a bit late to realise that Wings over Scotland is bad news (21 …

Posted in Best of the blogs and Site news | Leave a comment

In the next month 32 seats will short-list their wannabe Lib Dem MPs

By The Voice | Sat 30th August 2014 - 5:30 pm

Here’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:

Posted in Selection news | Tagged general election 2015 | 5 Comments

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

By The Voice | Sat 30th August 2014 - 3:00 pm

LibDemVoice 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.

Here’s some of the most active discussions this past 7 days:

Posted in Site news | Leave a comment

Gerald Vernon-Jackson selected to contest Portsmouth South

By The Voice | Fri 29th August 2014 - 10:24 am

Portsmouth Liberal Democrats last night selected Cllr Gerald Vernon-Jackson for the Portsmouth South seat currently held by independent MP Mike Hancock.

Posted in News | 14 Comments

Carmichael and Crockart rock at the Ice Bucket Challenge

By The Voice | Wed 27th August 2014 - 1:35 pm

Two very different but very funny takes on the Ice Bucket Challenge phenomenon from the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West.

Mindful of some concerns of wasting water, Alistair Carmichael did his with iced sea water from the beautiful Tingwall Pier near his Orkney home. He started with a thinly veiled threat of terrible revenge on those who nominated him and then:

Posted in News | Tagged Alistair Carmichael, gordon aikman, ice bucket challenge and mike crockart | 5 Comments

Caron Lindsay on this evening’s referendum debate

By The Voice | Mon 25th August 2014 - 6:04 pm

Over on STV, our own editor, Caron Lindsay, has been making some predictions about the Salmond/Darling debate this evening.

Alex Salmond goes into tonight’s debate as the underdog.

The Yes campaign is behind in the polls and he knows that he failed to make a convincing case for independence three weeks ago.

Posted in LibLink | Tagged Scottish independence referendum | 17 Comments

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

By The Voice | Sun 24th August 2014 - 4:33 pm

Many thanks to the 13000 visitors who dropped by Lib Dem Voice this week. Here’s our 7 most-read posts…

Lord Rennard’s membership of the Liberal Democrats reinstated by Party Committee (61 comments) by Caron Lindsay

Statement from Lord Rennard (51 comments) by The Voice

Post Rennard, what should the party do? (43 comments) by Linda Jack

Posted in Site news | Leave a comment

Alison Goldsworthy quits party saying it’s no place for “women who want to deliver change”

By The Voice | Sun 24th August 2014 - 11:55 am

In an interview with The Times newspaper (£), Alison Goldsworthy said that she had resigned from the Federal Executive of the Liberal Democrats, of which she was Vice Chair. She has since confirmed to us that she had resigned from the Party. This means that none of the four women who made allegations of improper behaviour against Chris Rennard remains a member of the party. Chris Rennard denies the specific allegations but issued an apology to the women in May in which he expressed his “his regret for any harm or embarrassment caused to them or anythingwhich made them feel uncomfortable.”

Alison described the events which led to her complaint:

Posted in News | Tagged alison goldsworthy, linda jack, liz lynne, lord rennard, party presidential election 2014, party structure and sal brinton | 78 Comments

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

By The Voice | Sat 23rd August 2014 - 2:00 pm

LibDemVoice 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.

Here’s some of the most active discussions this past 7 days:

Posted in Site news | Leave a comment

Statement from Lord Rennard

By The Voice | Thu 21st August 2014 - 8:56 am

A spokesman for Lord Rennard issued the following statement last night:

All allegations made about Lord Rennard have now been investigated thoroughly. This included a seven month investigation by specially trained officers of the Metropolitan Police. The police decided that there could be no charges and did not even a send a file to the Crown Prosecution Service.

In addition, there was a lengthy investigation by independent QC Alistair Webster. He also concluded that there was insufficient evidence even to proceed to a disciplinary hearing.

The Liberal Democrat Party has now dealt with all the allegations and the matter is closed.

We must advise anyone against publishing or broadcasting defamatory remarks. Accusations that were rejected by both the Metropolitan Police and an independent QC would be treated as such.

Posted in News | Tagged chris rennard | 51 Comments

Stephen Williams calls for zero tolerance of homophobia on football terraces

By The Voice | Wed 20th August 2014 - 10:40 am

Liberal Democrat Communities Minister has called for the FA, football clubs and the Police to work together to combat homophobia on football terraces.

From Pink News:

He said: “We need to stamp out homophobia on the terraces with the same vigour that we banished racism. It isn’t acceptable that footballers still feel the need to hide their sexuality out of fear of abuse.

“I want homophobia to be treated with zero tolerance just the same as racism and I want clubs, stewards, the police and FA to work even harder to

…

Posted in News | Tagged football, homophobia, pink news and stephen williams | 5 Comments

Danny Alexander and David Torrance discuss the Independence Referendum

By The Voice | Wed 20th August 2014 - 8:56 am

It is an hour and six minutes of your life you won’t get back, but it is actually worth listening to this conversation between Danny Alexander and political commentator David Torrance as part of Dundee University’s Five Million Questions project.

David has just written a book on Federalism so it was obvious he was going to be quizzing Danny on that subject.

It’s also available on You Tube here. Enjoy. It’s much better than a lot of the hot air around the independence referendum.

Posted in LibLink | Tagged 5 million questions, Danny Alexander, david torrance, federalism, Scotland and Scottish independence referendum | Leave a comment

Danny Alexander says Liberal Democrats will continue free museum access

By The Voice | Tue 19th August 2014 - 8:51 am

Access to museums and galleries such as the British Museum, the Tate Modern, the Science Museum and the V & A will remain free under new Liberal Democrat proposals according to The Guardian which quotes Danny Alexander as saying:

Our museums and galleries are some of the best in the world. They are a source of inspiration and education for millions across the country. As Liberal Democrats in government we’ve played our full part in making sure they have the funding and operating freedoms to widen access to all parts of society. The fact that attendance is at record levels and that last year was the first time that a majority of people had visited a museum or gallery shows that free access is a policy that works.

“We’re now committing to maintaining that free access in the next parliament so that people from all backgrounds and income groups can make use of these great institutions without concerns about the cost. I see this as another way of helping make sure that as many people as possible have the best chance of getting on in life.

Posted in News | Tagged arts, Danny Alexander, guardian and museum | 12 Comments

Top of the Blogs: The Lib Dem Golden Dozen #386

By The Voice | Sun 17th August 2014 - 7:00 pm

Welcome to the Golden Dozen, and our 386th weekly round-up from the Lib Dem blogosphere … Featuring the seven most popular stories beyond Lib Dem Voice according to click-throughs from the Aggregator (10th-16th August, 2014), together with a hand-picked quintet, you might otherwise have missed.

Don’t forget: you can sign up to receive the Golden Dozen direct to your email inbox — just click here — ensuring you never miss out on the best of Lib Dem blogging.

As ever, let’s start with the most popular post, and work our way down:

Posted in Best of the blogs | 1 Comment

Op-eds

Observations of an Expat: West Bank Settler Sanctions (Tom Arms)
Recollections of 9/11 (George Cunningham)
Why we need a Trade NATO (Dominic Sokalski)
‘I Fear a Target on My Back’ — A Liberal Democrat’s fight for Hong Kong’s freedom (Alan Dai)
Making the most of the Government’s belated action on illegal Israeli settlements (Jonathan Brown)

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Sarah Olney bids to become candidate for Mayor of London

Going for four in a row in Scotland

Observations of an Expat: Canada

Happy Birthday to us!

Author Archives: The Voice

Senior Liberal Democrats react as Scots vote to stay in UK

Willie Rennie:

++ Mike Hancock MP quits Lib Dems

Scottish independence referendum: open thread…

Nick Clegg’s statement on David Haines’ murder: Islamic State an affront to every peace loving Muslim in the world

In the next month 19 seats will short-list their wannabe Lib Dem MPs

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

Catch-up LDVideo: Nick Clegg hails “a manifesto for the next generation”

Lib Dem MEP Catherine Bearder on Lord Hill’s EU appointment: “A victory for British influence in Europe”

LDVideo: “Hypocrites, idealists and liars – can politics be sincere?” – watch Shirley Williams debate with George Galloway and Peter Oborne

Clegg’s pitch to Scotland to say No to independence: “Change is on its way.”

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

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

‘Bedroom Tax’: Lib Dem Andrew George’s Affordable Homes Bill wins key Commons vote backed by Lib Dem / Labour MPs

++Vince Cable to vote for Bedroom Tax reform

How to get Lib Dem Voice by email

Former Clacton UKIP candidate ousted by Douglas Carswell resigns and backs local Liberal Democrat Councillor

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

In the next month 32 seats will short-list their wannabe Lib Dem MPs

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

Gerald Vernon-Jackson selected to contest Portsmouth South

Carmichael and Crockart rock at the Ice Bucket Challenge

Caron Lindsay on this evening’s referendum debate

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

Alison Goldsworthy quits party saying it’s no place for “women who want to deliver change”

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

Statement from Lord Rennard

Stephen Williams calls for zero tolerance of homophobia on football terraces

Danny Alexander and David Torrance discuss the Independence Referendum

Danny Alexander says Liberal Democrats will continue free museum access

Top of the Blogs: The Lib Dem Golden Dozen #386

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