Category Archives: News

European Liberals adopt 2019 manifesto, express regret over Brexit

By Mark Valladares | Mon 12th November 2018 - 8:28 am

Liberals from across Europe gathered in Madrid this week to debate and fine tune a document designed to be the focus for liberal campaigning in the run-up to next year’s European Parliamentary elections.

The document is divided into key themes as follows;

For a united Europe ready for the future
A Europe of innovation and opportunities for all
Opportunities and innovation through small and medium-sized enterprise and free trade
Digital innovation that benefits and unites us
A Europe that leads on the global stage
A responsible Europe that works better for you
Making every Euro count: investing wisely

It is a document which is ambitious for a liberal Europe, …

11 November 2018 – today’s absence of press releases

By Mark Valladares | Sun 11th November 2018 - 10:40 pm

Not surprisingly, there have been no press releases on Remembrance Sunday. Normal service will, I presume, resume tomorrow.

1 Comment

Senior Liberal Democrats mark 100th anniversary of the Armistice

By Caron Lindsay | Sun 11th November 2018 - 10:00 am

As acts of remembrance take place in communities the length and breadth of the country, our senior people have said what the day means to them:

At the eleventh hour the guns fell silent. A hundred years on my thoughts are with those who did not live to enjoy it, or the futures they had dreamed of #Armistace100

— Christine Jardine MP (@cajardineMP) November 11, 2018

Willie Rennie said:

Today we mark a huge milestone of remembrance. We remember and honour those who fought for freedom and gave their lives to keep us safe, in the First World War and since.

100 years on it’s important to take time to reflect on the sacrifice of both those who fought bravely abroad and the men and women who kept life going on the home front.

Tagged 100th anniversary of armistice and remembrance sunday | 3 Comments

10 November 2018 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Sat 10th November 2018 - 8:15 pm

Never let it be said that we at Liberal Democrat Voice ignore the wishes of our readers. Yesterday, Tony H. suggested that I include a list of the press release headlines at the beginning of the article. It seemed like a good idea to me, so I’ll model this today…

In other news, I’m expanding the range of press releases we publish, including those from the ALDE Party, as you may find them of interest.

European liberals adopt manifesto for the 2019 elections
No deal Brexit could lead to food shortages in hospitals

European liberals adopt manifesto for the 2019 elections

After a very successful …

Tagged ALDE Party manifesto 2019, food supply, Hans van Baalen, taavi rõivas and tom brake | 1 Comment

WATCH: Vince Cable tell Europe’s Liberals that Brexit can be reversed

By The Voice | Sat 10th November 2018 - 5:06 pm

Here’s Vince Cable’s speech to the ALDE Congress in Madrid.

The text follows:

Tagged ALDE congress, brexit, featured and vince cable | 17 Comments

9 November 2018 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Sat 10th November 2018 - 12:24 am

Today’s press releases are running on Spanish time today, which perhaps explains why I’ve missed my usual pre-midnight slot. Regardless, do enjoy today’s press releases…

Another Johnson joins the campaign for a People’s Vote

Responding as Jo Johnson resigns from the Government to campaign for a People’s Vote Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable, said:

We warmly welcome Jo Johnson’s support of the campaign to give the people the final say on the deal and a chance to exit from Brexit.

This is a fascinating situation in which Jo and his sister are united in opposing their brother Boris and his Brexit plans.

Meanwhile

…

Tagged brexit, ed davey, migration policy and vince cable | 12 Comments

ALDC by-election report – 8 November 2018

By ALDC | Fri 9th November 2018 - 2:46 pm

There were four seats up for grabs this week in what was a tricky week for the party. Lib Dem candidates stood in all four elections however faced some tough tests in relatively safe seats. We’d like to thank our candidates Nigel Bakhai, Lesley Rideout, Christopher Styles-Power and Robert Thurston for all their hard work campaigning and for representing the party in some difficult battles.

Ealing LB, Dormers Wells

Lab 1868
Con 429
LD Nigel Bakhai 188
Green 106

Turnout 26%
Lab Hold
Percentage change from 2018

Harlow DC, Bush Fair

Labour 543
Con 460
UKIP …

Tagged aldc and local government by-elections | 31 Comments

Jo Swinson’s book nominated for an award

By Caron Lindsay | Fri 9th November 2018 - 10:25 am

Jo Swinson’s Equal Power was one of my best reads of this year. I have now bought or won four copies of the thing – one on my Kindle, one real one and two to give away. Last weekend, I spent a small fortune on yet another at the Edinburgh West dinner. It is a book that everyone should read. It’s not just a book, it’s an action plan. Jo is never one to underestimate anyone’s capacity for work, so she shows us how we can be the change we want to see.

So I’m chuffed to see that Equal Power has made the shortlist in the “Best Non Fiction by a Parliamentarian” category in the Parliamentary Book Awards 2018. The awards ceremony will be held on 4th December and the winners will be chosen by parliamentarians themselves. The 11 shortlisted books are as follows:

Best Memoir by a Parliamentarian

The Power of Politicians by Tessa Jowell, and Frances D’ Souza, edited and with an introduction by Claire Foster-Gilbert (Haus Publishing (published with the Westminster Abbey Institute))
In My Life: A Music Memoir by Alan Johnson (Transworld)
Confession of a Recovering MP by Nick de Bois (Biteback)
Confessions of a Political Maverick by Austin Mitchell (Biteback)

Best Non-Fiction by a Parliamentarian

Equal Power: Gender Equality and How to Achieve It by Jo Swinson (Atlantic)
Eve Was Shamed: How British Justice is Failing Women by Helena Kennedy (Random House)
Yes She Can: Why Women Own The Future by Ruth Davidson (Hodder)
Adam Smith: What He Thought, and Why it Matters by Jesse Norman (Penguin)

Tagged books, equal power and Jo Swinson | Leave a comment

Observations of an ex pat: Stones v Avalanche

By Tom Arms | Fri 9th November 2018 - 8:55 am

In the wake of the victory in the House of Representatives, Democrats are preparing to hurl stones at President Trump. The Donald—flushed with Senate victory– has responded by setting loose a pre-emptive avalanche.

The cheers had yet to subside when presumptive Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi announced that Democratic victory in the lower house meant the restoration of legislative oversight and the constitutional system of checks, balances.

In practical terms this means the House withholding funds for Trump’s wall and immigration programmes and launching corruption investigations into cabinet members. Of course, there is also the number one target—Trump and his family. This involves inquiries into sexual misconduct, obstruction of justice, violation of campaign funding laws, possible tax evasion, ethics violations, Russian collusion and, support for the Mueller investigation.

Impeachment is lurking about in the political background. A Democratic majority in the House means they could quickly pass a resolution. But it would hit the brick wall of Trump acolytes in the Senate where a two-thirds majority is required to remover the president from the White House.

Nancy Pelosi also extended the traditional olive branch in her victory press conference. Donald Trump initially responded with a corresponding show of traditional bipartisanship. It lasted—at the most—five minutes. The suspension of White House credentials for CNN reporter Jim Acosta and the firing of Attorney General Jeff Sessions insured that the political chasm that divides America has only widened.

Tagged observations of an ex pat and us midterms | 3 Comments

8 November 2018 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Thu 8th November 2018 - 11:40 pm

High Court rules Government must reverse cuts to modern slavery victims

Responding to today’s High Court ruling that the Government acted unlawfully when it cut payments to modern slavery victims, Liberal Democrat Home Affairs spokesperson Ed Davey said:

Theresa May once rightly called modern slavery the great human rights issue of our time, but her Government cut support for victims by 40%, leaving them vulnerable to further exploitation.

Now that the court has ruled those cuts unlawful, the Government must reverse them and ensure that victims receive the help they need to escape the terrible bonds of slavery.

You can’t fight

…

Tagged ed davey, grenfell tower, modern slavery and wera hobhouse | 1 Comment

A fresh new voice in Washington DC

By Paul Walter | Thu 8th November 2018 - 10:40 am

Ilhan Omar has just been elected as US Representative for the 5th district of Minnesota. Along with Rashida Tlaib, elected for Michigan’s 13th district, she is one of the first two Muslim women to be elected to the US Congress.

1 Comment

7 November 2018 – (the rest of) today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Wed 7th November 2018 - 11:00 pm

Tonight’s press releases are brought to you from Madrid, where hundreds of liberals from across Europe are gathering for the ALDE Party Congress. This feature might be rather more erratically timed than usual until Sunday…

Brexit legal advice must be published

Liberal Democrat Brexit Spokesperson Tom Brake has called on the Government to end their “murky games” and publish all legal advice on Brexit plans for the Irish border.

Mr Brake said:

Refusing to publish legal advice on Brexit makes a mockery of the discredited mantra ‘Take Back Control’. Choosing to withhold this information from the public raises serious questions about what

…

Tagged Alistair Carmichael, brexit, gagging orders, scottish parliament, tom brake and wera hobhouse | Leave a comment

Press Release – 7th November 2018

By The Voice | Wed 7th November 2018 - 5:00 pm

Pharma leaders call for urgent action to protect medicine supply

A group including representatives of major pharmaceutical companies have written a joint letter to the Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, to state that if urgent action is not taken the UK will not have a medicine supply that will suffice in a no deal Brexit.

A letter has been sent to the Health Secretary from organisations including the ABPI, the Brexit Health Alliance, and the ABHI urging the Government to raise the warning level to ‘red’ in regards widespread shortages of medicines and device supply in no deal Brexit.

In the joint …

HS2 – Is it worth it?

By Tahir Maher | Wed 7th November 2018 - 1:35 pm

I have been ambivalent about HS2 and working in the rail industry was somewhat biased towards the idea of building a high-speed rail link. I am not always convinced with the arguments when people say we can spend funds better elsewhere as I find such arguments lack a follow through or a wider perspective (yet I propose to do precisely that in this article). However, the astronomical costs of HS2 are making me question if there is a viable business plan anymore. The drive for its build now seems to be political rather than economic.

The Department for Transport (DfT) says there will be almost 15,000 seats an hour on trains between London and the cities of Birmingham, Manchester, and Leeds, trebling the current capacity. The plan was HS2 would connect London to Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Sheffield, and the East Midlands.

The first phase timing was considered ambitious by the Public Accounts Committee which is due to be opened by the end of 2026 for high-speed travel between London and Birmingham. Subsequent phase to Manchester and Leeds could start being built in the middle of the next decade, with the line to be opened by 2032-33. The cost of phase one (London to Birmingham) has already increased from £16bn to £22bn (an increase of 38 percent) due to the amount of tunneling required and purchase of land. The total cost of HS2 at the moment is expected to be £52bn. Although an article in the Sunday Times quoted one of the people who work at DfT, who made the estimates, who now says that the full cost could be well over £100bn.

Also posted in Op-eds | Tagged HS2 | 72 Comments

Press Release for 7th November

By The Voice | Wed 7th November 2018 - 10:30 am

Tory Minister slammed for accusing police of exaggerating pressures

A lot of Tories seem to have taken an approach that when their backs are against the wall say what you need to get away and deal with the consequence later. This is just another example.

Liberal Democrat Home Affairs spokesperson Ed Davey has today slammed Policing Minister Nick Hurd for accusing police chiefs of routinely exaggerating the pressures they face.

Speaking in Parliament today, Ed Davey warned “Police chiefs say the pension deficit, if it’s filled, could cost up to 10,000 police officers.” He asked the Minister “Does he agree with them?”

Responding to Ed Davey, the Minister said: “No I don’t. I think the number is exaggerated, which is not unusual for the police.”

Following the exchange, Liberal Democrat Home Affairs spokesperson Ed Davey said:

Police chiefs are warning of huge further cuts to police numbers, and the Conservatives’ response is simply to accuse them of exaggerating. It’s deeply alarming.

Tagged policing | 2 Comments

UK democracy is a rotten borough – Liberal Democrats must act like it

By Tom King | Wed 7th November 2018 - 7:35 am

Results from the largest opinion poll since that slightly odd one in 2016 are in, and what a surprise: Brexit negotiations have not convinced people that the sunny uplands are just over the brow of this particular Everest.

Instead, there is a definite shift in public views: an eight-point majority for Remain in Survation’s 20,000-person poll (54-46). More interesting was the map showing the extent of the change; Leave-loving Wales is now Remain, while ‘Labour Leave’ constituencies in the north of England have also seen the light – or the lights going out.

As is so often the case, there were immediate redoubled calls for a People’s Vote from Remainer politicians.

I am technically in favour of a new vote. I marched for one in London two weeks ago. The last time I marched, it was against the Iraq war; a simple choice. However, this time, I marched not because I thought another referendum was the right policy, but because nothing better is on offer.

Also posted in Op-eds | Tagged brexit | 38 Comments

How others see us: “Vince Cable leads the charge to reverse Brexit”

By NewsHound | Tue 6th November 2018 - 10:10 pm

Vince makes Time magazine this week.

In the wake of the 700,000 strong People’s Vote march, he sat down with Time’s Billy Perrigo to discuss all things Brexit.

The article starts at that incredible march where Vince had the line of the day:

London has a reputation for bad weather, but on Oct. 20 at about midday, the sky was a perfect blue. That was good news for Vince Cable, the leader of the U.K.’s centrist Liberal Democrats party. Buoyed by the lack of rain, he and roughly 700,000 others marched on the Houses of Parliament to call for a “People’s Vote,” or second referendum, on Britain’s withdrawal from the European Union.

“We’re all here,” Cable told the assembled marchers, “because we can see that Brexit is a potential disaster and because we believe it can be stopped.” Although he spoke alongside politicians like London Mayor Sadiq Khan and Green Party former leader Caroline Lucas, it was his line that drew some of the wildest cheers: “It’s not inevitable.”

And the march itself helped make it more likely:

“Critics of the People’s Vote campaign thought there would be a token march with a few thousand people,” Cable says of the recent 700,000-strong protest. “But it was on a scale that far surpassed any realistic expectations.” That, he thinks, reflects a broader change in Britain — one that could simultaneously reverse Brexit and sweep the Liberal Democrats to relevance once again. It might sound like wishful thinking, but Cable is confident. “It’s very clear that there has been a change in the mood,” he says.

Sometimes it is interesting to see ourselves us others see us. Certainly liberal in a US sense is not quite as progressive as many of us in this party imagine ourselves to be:

Tagged brexit, time magazine and vince cable | 18 Comments

6 November 2018 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Tue 6th November 2018 - 9:30 pm

Tory Minister slammed for accusing police of exaggerating pressures

Liberal Democrat Home Affairs spokesperson Ed Davey has today slammed Policing Minister Nick Hurd for accusing police chiefs of routinely exaggerating the pressures they face.

Responding to Ed Davey, the Minister said: “No I don’t. I think the number is exaggerated, which is not unusual for the police.”

Following the exchange, Liberal Democrat Home Affairs spokesperson Ed Davey said:

Police chiefs are warning of

…

Tagged brexit, crime, ed davey, jane dodds, jobs, policing and vince cable | Leave a comment

5 November 2018 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Mon 5th November 2018 - 11:59 pm

I’ve allowed myself to be distracted today, and almost forgot to get these up…

Government must end EU citizens rights uncertainty

Today the Liberal Democrats spokespeople for Home Affairs and Brexit, Ed Davey and Tom Brake will stand alongside representatives from the3million, advocating for EU citizens in the UK who fear for their rights in the event of a No Deal Brexit.

Liberal Democrat Home Affairs spokesperson Ed Davey said:

The Conservative Government’s chaotic approach to the Brexit negotiations is making ‘no deal’ more likely by the day. The millions of EU citizens living in the UK and British citizens living

…

Tagged defence, ed davey, eu migration and menzies campbell | Leave a comment

Housing First

By Joe Bourke | Mon 5th November 2018 - 8:55 am

Housing First is an approach to homelessness that focuses on housing homeless people immediately, whatever their needs, and giving them direct control over their own support and treatment. The programme works by putting people in touch with housing providers, health workers, social care staff and other services.

While there are about 4,750 rough sleepers in England (many with mental health and addiction problems), there are far larger numbers of homeless families in temporary accommodation. Few homeless families have the high support needs of rough sleepers; most are poor. What these families need first and foremost is an adequate, affordable home.

Housing First …

1 Comment

Welcome to my day: 5 November – remember, remember…

By Mark Valladares | Mon 5th November 2018 - 7:54 am

Talk about gunpowder, treason and plot. It’s been that sort of weekend, with the exposure of Theresa May’s supposedly secret plot to keep the United Kingdom in the Customs Union, or a Customs Union, or something with the words ‘customs’ and ‘union’ in it.

I do find myself wondering how both Labour and the Liberal Democrats respond to any ‘deal’ which keeps us in the Customs Union. You might reasonably assume that there would be some Conservative rebels, and the DUP might be flaky, so, in order to get such a deal through the Commons, some Labour support might be necessary. …

1 Comment

4 November 2018 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Sun 4th November 2018 - 10:30 pm

Naturally, Brexit again dominates the news, but there is at least comment on the increasing problems with HS2…

Best deal for UK is what we already have

Responding to reports in today’s Sunday Times that Theresa May has negotiated a deal with the EU that would see the UK remain in the Customs Union, Liberal Democrat Brexit spokesperson Tom Brake said:

The deal the PM seems to have secured will leave us rule takers not rule makers.

It is time she conceded that the best deal we will get is the one we already have: in the customs union, in the single market

…

Tagged brexit, HS2, jenny randerson and tom brake | 21 Comments

3 November 2018 – today’s press releases… or not, as the case may be…

By Mark Valladares | Sat 3rd November 2018 - 11:30 pm

Nothing for you today, I’m afraid, but, as I’ve been to see ‘A Star is Born’ this evening, I thought that I’d offer you a little video from the soundtrack…

WATCH: Christine Jardine rip into the Tory Budget

By The Voice | Sat 3rd November 2018 - 1:14 pm

On Politics Scotland this week, Christine Jardine shredded the entire budget red book with a few carefully chosen words and some gestures which would make a very fine gif if any of you are so inclined.

Tagged budget 2018, christine jardine and featured | 4 Comments

2 November 2018 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Fri 2nd November 2018 - 10:15 pm

It’s a sign of how much is going on ‘under the radar’ whilst Brexit unfolds that, of today’s press releases, only one is obviously Brexit-related…

Cost of Brexit spiralling out of control

Responding to the Government’s admission that Operation Brock will now cost £30 million, £10 million more than was previously stated, Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Brexit, Tom Brake MP said:

The cost of Brexit is continuing to spiral out of control. The Conservative Government’s plan to turn Kent into a car park, Operation Brock, is now costing the tax payer an additional ten million more than the figure they gave in the

…

Tagged brexit, ed davey, gender equality, home office, knife crime, layla moran, norman lamb, second homes, stephen lloyd and tom brake | 6 Comments

Best wishes to Paddy

By The Voice | Fri 2nd November 2018 - 3:40 pm

Paddy Ashdown revealed to Somerset Live today that he is being treated for bladder cancer:

Yes, I’m afraid I can confirm that. I have known for about three weeks that I am suffering from a cancer of the bladder.

I’m being effectively and wonderfully looked after by everyone at Yeovil Hospital, in whom I have complete confidence.

We must see about the outcome, which as always with things like this, is unpredictable.

I’ve fought a lot of battles in my life.

Tagged featured and paddy ashdown | 7 Comments

Selecting our candidates for London

By Mary Reid | Fri 2nd November 2018 - 2:39 pm

If you are a party member in London then a bit of voting is in order.

The Mayor of London governs the Greater London Authority, and s/he is scrutinised and challenged by the 25 members of the London Assembly.

This week voting has opened for our candidates for the London elections in 2020. Most London members have received their online ballot instructions this week by email, while others should get their papers in the post.

When the London elections come around every four years, voters are sometimes a bit bemused to be presented with three ballot papers, each using a different electoral system. This provides plenty of material for happy hours of discussion by the election geeks amongst you …

Tagged greater london authority and london assembly election 2020 | 7 Comments

1 November 2018 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Thu 1st November 2018 - 8:00 pm

We’ve got a veritable torrent of press releases today, starting with an example of the Party being rather more radical than Labour…

Cable: £1.3 billion for higher-rate payers should be used to reverse welfare cuts

The Liberal Democrats have announced they will be voting against the Government’s plans to raise the higher-rate tax threshold to £50,000.

The policy – announced in Monday’s budget – will cost an estimated £1.3 billion pounds next year, money which could instead be used to reverse cuts to Universal Credit or end the benefits freeze a year early.

Leader of the Liberal Democrats Vince …

Tagged brexit, christine jardine, ed davey, education policy, electoral law, fixed odds betting terminals, jane dodds, kirsty williams, policing, taxation, tom brake, vince cable and Wales | 1 Comment

31 October 2018 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Wed 31st October 2018 - 11:11 pm

It’s Halloween, and the Press teams on either side of Offa’s Dyke are still working away…

Don’t Let Down Welsh Farmers – Welsh Lib Dems

Following the closure of the Welsh Government’s Brexit and Our Land consultation, the Welsh Liberal Democrats have urged the Welsh Government to carefully listen to the views of farmers and ensure farmers are not let down as they begin to consider their response.

The Welsh Government’s proposed model for supporting farmers and land managers after Brexit involves removing any aspect of direct support and instead focusing on promoting economic resilience and public goods.

The Welsh Liberal Democrat response to …

Tagged brexit, campaign finance, farming, layla moran, mark williams, tom brake, Wales and william powell | Leave a comment

It’s Pumpkin Time….

By Caron Lindsay | Wed 31st October 2018 - 9:39 pm

No Hallowe’en could ever be complete without an Alex Cole-Hamilton pumpkin.

The only #pumpkin I managed to carve to ‘hall of fame standard’ this year. #HappyHalloween from Vladimir Pumptin: #pumpkincarving #Halloween pic.twitter.com/B9GhYWZcOO

— Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP (@agcolehamilton) October 31, 2018