Liberal Democrat Voice

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

Advert

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

Tim Farron: I want the Liberal Democrats to become the “gold standard” for the way voluntary organisations treat volunteers and staff

By Tim Farron MP | Tue 19th August 2014 - 10:40 pm

Since the allegations against Lord Rennard were first aired on Channel Four News, I’ve worked hard with members, activists, HQ staff and our parliamentary parties to fundamentally change the way our party treats these matters.

We asked Helena Morrissey to look at our party’s culture and practices and her report helped us to recognise our failings and set about correcting them.

We have changed our rules and codes of conduct at every level, from grassroots members to parliamentarians so that everyone involved in the party is aware of their rights and responsibilities. We have changed how complaints are reported and addressed, and …

Posted in Op-eds | Tagged internal party discipline, jeanne tarrant, morrissey report and party disciplinar | 29 Comments

Lord Rennard’s membership of the Liberal Democrats restored by Party Committee

By Caron Lindsay | Tue 19th August 2014 - 10:24 pm

It’s been announced tonight that the suspension of Lord Rennard’s membership of the Liberal Democrats has been lifted, bringing to an end the disciplinary process against him.

From the BBC:

The former Lib Dem chief executive was suspended after being accused of bringing the party’s name into disrepute for failing to apologise over sexual harassment claims.

He apologised in May for his behaviour.

A Liberal Democrat spokesman said the dropping of disciplinary proceedings had now brought the matter to a close.

A Party spokesperson is quoted as saying:

The Regional Parties Committee met this week to consider whether the party had been brought into disrepute by statements made by Lord Rennard, or on his behalf, following the publication of Alistair Webster’s conclusions.

It decided not to proceed with the disciplinary process against him. This brings the matter to a close and means the suspension of his membership is lifted.

Posted in News | Tagged chris rennard | 61 Comments

LibLink: Willie Rennie: Alex Salmond’s future looks bleak so he turns to the past

By Caron Lindsay | Tue 19th August 2014 - 6:36 pm

Willie Rennie has been writing for the Daily Express in response to Alex Salmond’s invocation of Robert the Bruce yesterday. The First Minister has obviously given up on the detail and is sticking with the Big Picture aimed at emotional appeal. I’ve always been one for tugging on the heartstrings. I go on about it all the time. You do need to have some facts in there somewhere, though. It helps if those facts have some relation to the truth, as well.

It’s been annoying me for some time that the pro UK side has not been quick enough to rebut the ridiculous claims that the pro-independnece side makes about the NHS. They claim that it’s been privatised in England. I’m no fan of the changes in the Health and Social Care Act of 2012, but I know that health care is still free at the point of need as it should always be. It’s been annoying that few senior Labour figures have rammed that home to the SNP, perhaps because it doesn’t suit them to do so in a Westminster General Election context. Willie makes it perfectly clear who calls the shots as far as the Scottish NHS is concerned:

Posted in LibLink | Tagged alex salmond, daily express, Scotland and Scottish independence referendum | 1 Comment

Advert

Opinion: Kippers’ squeals show we are a more liberal country

By Stuart Bonar | Tue 19th August 2014 - 4:25 pm

Poor judgment: that’s the reason UKIP MEP Janice Atkinson has given for referring to a Thai-born supporter as “ting tong from somewhere”. I was “completely tired out”: that’s how Farage explained his statement during the European election campaign that he’d be concerned if Romanians moved in next door. Excuses, excuses.

I don’t know about you, but I don’t ever consider whether or not to use a racial epithet. I don’t think to myself, on balance I judge it right to refer to that person as …

Posted in Op-eds | Tagged diversity, equality, janice atkinson, liberty, nigel farage and ukip | 31 Comments

Paul Burstow MP: Liberal Democrats announce package of measures to help carers

By Paul Burstow | Tue 19th August 2014 - 2:59 pm

There are 6.5 million carers in the UK today looking after friends and family who started to need a little help to carry on their day to day lives. Sadly for both carers and those they care for, a little help can become a lot more as conditions deteriorate and people are able to do less for themselves.

That one in eight of us is willing to selflessly prioritise the needs of our loved ones is truly inspirational. But too often as …

Posted in News | Tagged aging, carers, norman lamb and paul burstow | 6 Comments

Sloths are cool – but they can’t run Liberal Youth

By Caron Lindsay | Tue 19th August 2014 - 1:30 pm

This little chap is a cutie, isn’t he?

He was the star of the email sent to Liberal Youth members kicking off the 2014 Annual Elections for which I am again the Returning Officer.

I don’t know yet how we’re doing but I am really keen for an email from me to beat the open rates of previous sloth emails sent from Liberal youth and, of course, the notorious one featuring Ed Balls.

Being involved in the running of Liberal Youth can be fantastic fun. It’s a long time since I was eligible but I really enjoyed being involved in Scottish SDP Students back in the day. I met friends for life during those years. Others have had the opportunity to head to places like Sri Lanka and Georgia to train young people in those countries.

Posted in News | Tagged liberal youth elections 2014 | Leave a comment

Revenge porn: Ministry of Justice launches consultation, Hannah Thompson interviewed on Women’s Hour

By Caron Lindsay | Tue 19th August 2014 - 11:55 am

We’ve written about the issue of revenge porn extensively over the last few months, most recently covering the amendments introduced in the House of Lords which would make it illegal for abusive ex partners to upload intimate images to the internet without consent.

Yesterday, the Ministry of Justice launched a consultation on the issue, saying:

The Government is keen to understand more about the scale of this issue, whether incidents are being reported to the police or other authorities and, where they are, how these are being dealt with. This will allow us to

…

Posted in News | Tagged government consultations, hannah thompson, julian huppert, olly grender and revenge porn | Leave a comment

Let Kirsty Williams know your views on nursing levels in Wales

By Caron Lindsay | Tue 19th August 2014 - 10:25 am

Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Kirsty Williams has been on a mission for some time to ensure minimum nursing levels in Welsh hospitals. She explained on this site why this was important in a post in March this year.

Evidence is increasing from across the world on the positive impact that nurse staffing levels have on patient care and the recruitment and retention of staff. Nurses who have fewer patients to tend are able to spend a greater amount of time with each patient and as a result can provide better care. If they are more easily able to identify potential problems with a patient’s care, then they are able to play a preventative, rather than a simply reactive, role and consequently reduce the level of treatment needed and the cost of this care to the NHS. It also means better support for staff which leads to more manageable workloads, increased job satisfaction and reduced levels of stress or burnout.

Kirsty’s attempts to put staffing levels on a statutory footing has now reached the next stage. She has published a draft Bill and is currently running a consultation on it. You can access the Bill and the Consultation Document here.

Posted in News | Tagged kirsty williams, more nurses nurse staffing bill, NHS, senedd and Wales | 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

Danny Alexander: “We would all be diminished by Scottish independence”

By NewsHound | Mon 18th August 2014 - 4:40 pm

With just a month to go before the referendum on Scottish independence, Danny Alexander gave an interview to yesterday’s Sunday Telegraph emphasising that a vote for independence would be forever and that he would be “desperately sad” to see the UK, with its strong social and economic ties, break up.

He suggested that people from other parts of the UK could urge their family and friends in Scotland to vote No on September 18th.

Posted in Op-eds | Tagged Danny Alexander, Scotland and Scottish independence referendum | 16 Comments

Life on the Campaign Trail #1: Ibrahim Taguri, Brent Central

By Ibrahim Taguri | Mon 18th August 2014 - 2:59 pm

Liberal Democrat Voice has asked key Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidates to give us an insight into what they’re doing in their areas and what they want to do for their communities. Ibrahim Taguri, PPC for Brent Central kicks the series off by saying that he would dedicate his first term to eradicating child poverty by 2020. Read on to find out why this is so important to him.

Being a parliamentary candidate is a huge privilege. Especially for my home town of Brent. Having …

Posted in Op-eds | Tagged brent central life on the campaign trail and ibrahim taguri | 2 Comments

Opinion: If we remove prison as an option for drugs possession, savings must go to boost probation service

By Cara Jenkinson | Mon 18th August 2014 - 1:29 pm

As a magistrate in North London, I welcome the recent Liberal Democrat proposal to remove prison as a sentencing option for drug possession. I have seen so many defendants who are in and out of prison, never breaking the depressing cycle of re-offending. However to keep drug addicts out of prison we will need to make sure that the alternatives work.

Currently it is very rare that first time offenders accused of drug possession would be sent to prison With first time offenders, the …

Posted in Op-eds | Tagged drugs, justice and probation | 10 Comments

Opinion: Need, not a magic number, should determine size of the state

By Mark Pack | Mon 18th August 2014 - 11:59 am

Ironically, one of strongest views expressed about the size of the state in The Orange Book was by Vince Cable, subsequently more usually associated with wanting more state spending during the recession but at the time of The Orange Book wishing to see a cap introduced on the level of state spending.

Jeremy Browne has more recently talked of wanting to reduce the size of the state to around 35-38% of GDP but more significant has been David Laws’s comments which in effect put any push by people such as himself in the party for reducing the size of the state into the deep freeze. He attacked the Conservatives, saying:

“Their desire to shrink the state by continuing to cut spending long after the deficit has been cleared trumped their rhetorical commitment to expanding opportunity for young people. Clearly a political dividing line on fiscal policy matters more to them than the effort to reduce poverty and expand life chances.”

Posted in Op-eds | Tagged david laws, jeremy brown and state intervention | 39 Comments

Opinion: Better Together should agree to a third independence referendum debate

By Alex Dingwall | Mon 18th August 2014 - 10:05 am

It appears that despite lengthy discussions between Sky news and the Yes and No campaigns there will now be no third televised debate between the two campaigns.

According to the Sunday Times:

A spokesman for Better Together said: “We made it clear right from the start that all television debates would have to be done before the first postal votes start to go out.

There are only two weeks now before around 1m people who are registered for postal votes start to receive their voting forms.

It’s only right that the debates between the leaders of the Yes and No campaigns have all been seen by then. If Mr Salmond had not spent so much time trying to delay both the STV and BBC debates, other bids could have been accommodated.”

Posted in Op-eds | Tagged alistair darling, better together, Scottish independence referendum and willie rennie | 10 Comments

Opinion: Generating electricity – why we should push for renewables, not fracking

By William Hobhouse | Mon 18th August 2014 - 8:15 am

This article is about how we generate electricity in the UK, and makes the case for electricity generation to be 100% carbon-neutral, and to be frack-free.

Climate change remains one of the greatest risks of our age. We know that the climate is changing: we can either accept the risks and take what comes, or we can mitigate the risk by using technology to end our dependency on fossil fuels. Liberal Democrats campaign for the latter.

In 2013, figures for the UK and the whole EU for electricity generation are as follows:

On these figures, we have some catching up to do. Many would think that given the particular advantages of wind and tides our islands have, we would be doing more than catching up – we would be leading.

Posted in Op-eds | Tagged energy, fracking, nuclear energy and renewable energy | 80 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

Ex-MEP Sharon Bowles appointed non-executive director of London Stock Exchange

By The Voice | Sun 17th August 2014 - 5:30 pm

The London Evening Standard reports the appointment of former Lib Dem MEP, Sharon Bowles, who stood down at the May 2014 European elections, to the board of LSE:

The London Stock Exchange has appointed one of the most senior former Liberal Democrats in Europe to its board as non-executive director. Ex-MEP Sharon Bowles was one of the short-listed candidates to become Governor of the Bank of England before Mark Carney was appointed. Bowles, 61, is widely seen as one of the most influential people involved in shaping EU policy on financial services regulation, including the key second Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (Mifid II).

Posted in News | Tagged london stock exchange and sharon bowles | Leave a comment

Hughes: Lib Dems will extend Freedom of Information to open up public services run by private companies

By The Voice | Sun 17th August 2014 - 3:00 pm

It’s been a week of Lib Dem policy announcements, foreshadowing the party’s pre-manifesto to be voted on by members at this October’s conference in Glasgow:

Monday: Norman Baker: “The Lib Dems want to restore the public’s trust in the police”
Tuesday: Fairer funding for Wales: “Lib Dems will actually do something about it,” vows Kirsty Williams
Wednesday: Steve Webb: Lib Dems will introduce “fair warning” for job-seekers who break benefit rules before sanctions imposed
Thursday: Lib Dems pledge more tax cuts: after personal allowance raised to £12.5k will also increase National Insurance threshold

And on Friday, ready for the weekend papers, Simon Hughes – the Lib Dem justice minister – highlighted plans to bring housing associations, water companies and the Big Six energy companies within the scope of the Freedom of Information Act, opening them up for public accountability.

Posted in News | Tagged energy companies, freedom of information act, housing associations, simon hughes and water companies | 5 Comments

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

By The Voice | Sun 17th August 2014 - 1:00 pm

Many thanks to the 12,732 visitors who dropped by Lib Dem Voice this week. Here’s our 7 most-read posts…

Vince to quit? The party’s “senior sources” have been out and about stirring again… (33 comments) by Stephen Tall

Why Lib Dems shouldn’t keep schtum about tuition fees (153) by Stephen Tall

LibLink: Tessa Munt – Why I’m boycotting Israeli goods and services (73) by NewsHound

Posted in Site news | 1 Comment

Gaza: Senior Lib Dems speak out against Hamas, urge continuing ceasefire; and Lib Dem Friends of Israel issue statement

By The Voice | Sun 17th August 2014 - 11:15 am

This weekend’s Guardian published a letter from five senior Lib Dems – including Sir Alan Beith MP, Lord Dholakia and Baroness Sarah Ludford – condemning Hamas and urging both sides in the conflict to continue their ceasefire in Gaza:

As Liberal Democrats, we are totally committed to the state of Israel being able to live within secure borders, and wish to see the removal of the existential threat to Israel’s security by an internationally recognised terrorist group, and the creation of a viable

…

Posted in News | Tagged alan beith, barry aspinall, friends of israel (Lib Dem), gaza, israel, middle east, monroe palmer, navnit dholakia, palestine and sarah ludford | 89 Comments

Opinion: What Andy Burnham didn’t tell you about NHS privatisation

By K B | Sun 17th August 2014 - 8:45 am

Andy Burnham’s recent set-piece speech on the NHS, the latest instalment of Labour’s “summer offensive”, opened with a neat bit of scene-setting. By briefly championing a group of Darlington mothers who are presently marching 300 miles in protest at the use of private providers in the NHS, he conjured a mood of protest while subtly co-opting their campaign. Thereafter he sought only to reduce the 2015 general election to a “binary choice” between “a part-privatised, two-tier health market under David Cameron” and “a public, integrated national health and care service under Labour.”

In terms of how he defined that choice, though, Burnham could hardly have done worse than to frame his argument with an example from Cambridgeshire, singling out for particular criticism its attempt to integrate care services for older people.

Posted in Op-eds | Tagged andy burnham, cambridgeshire, frank dobson, health, labour, NHS and pfi | 74 Comments

Pauline Pearce: “Why I am not running for Lib Dem president”

By The Voice | Sun 17th August 2014 - 8:30 am

Until yesterday, there were four candidates for the post of Party President, which will become vacant later this year when incumbent Tim Farron’s term of office expires: Sal Brinton, Linda Jack, Liz Lynne and Pauline Pearce. However, Pauline has now withdrawn from the race – as she explains in this five-minute video:

Post by Pauline Pearce (Lady P).

Posted in Party Presidency | Tagged pauline pearce | 48 Comments

In the next month 39 seats will short-list their wannabe Lib Dem MPs

By Stephen Tall | Sat 16th August 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. They include Watford, on paper the 6th most winnable Tory seat for the Lib Dems, needing a swing of just 1.39%, as well as Redcar, where incumbent MP Ian Swales, whose majority over Labour is 5,214, is stepping down. And if anyone fancies taking on health secretary Jeremy Hunt, his South West Surrey seat is also up for grabs.

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

Posted in Selection news | Tagged general election 2015 | 4 Comments

The Independent View: Could the USA’s November mid-term elections herald the return of the long-fabled “Liberal Hour”?

By Vittorio Trevitt | Sat 16th August 2014 - 3:00 pm

The November mid-term elections in the United States will be vital for the future of the Democratic Party, as it not only seeks to retain its control of the Senate, but possibly reclaim the House of Representatives after four years under Republican control.

If it wishes to do so, the Democrats must be clear in what it stands for in social policy, and carry out a programme of major liberal reform that fulfils the promises of hope and change that Barack Obama evoked amongst so …

Posted in The Independent View | Tagged barack obama and usa | 9 Comments

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

By The Voice | Sat 16th August 2014 - 1:45 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

Quote of the Week: Lauren Bacall – “I’m total, total, total liberal and proud of it.”

By Stephen Tall | Sat 16th August 2014 - 11:00 am

Here’s Lauren Bacall, who died this week, aged 89, being interviewed by Larry King in 2005:

KING: “Wait a minute. Are you a liberal?”
BACALL: “I’m a liberal. The “L” word!”
KING: “Egads!”
BACALL: … I love it. Being a liberal is the best thing on earth you can be. You are welcoming to everyone when you’re a liberal. You do not have a small mind… I’m total, total, total liberal and proud of it. And I think it’s outrageous to say “The L word”. I mean, excuse me. They should be damn

…

Posted in News | Tagged lauren bacall | 12 Comments

Jo Swinson launches “Scotland should stay!” petition

By Stephen Tall | Sat 16th August 2014 - 8:15 am

Jo Swinson, Lib Dem MP for East Dunbartonshire, is inviting those who “think Scotland should be stay part of the United Kingdom” to sign a petition saying so ahead of the independence referendum on 18th September. Here’s the text of the email circulated to party members last night:

In just over a month my fellow Scots and I will cast the most important vote of our lives.

I’m hoping there’s a resounding vote for Scotland to stay as part of the

…

Posted in News and Scotland | Tagged Jo Swinson, lets stay together, scottish independence and scottish ndependence referendum | 7 Comments

Opinion: The Liberal Democrats must support biomedical research

By Tom Holder | Fri 15th August 2014 - 4:42 pm

Norman Baker has stated he wants to ban animal research in the UK.

Recently, the first successful Ebola treatment to be used on humans was developed thanks to research in monkeys by combining three monoclonal antibodies which had been harvested from mice. With 1,000 people dead, 2,000 sick, four countries affected, and tens of thousands at risk, this treatment could become a game changer.

But Norman Baker wants to ban animal research in the UK.

Thanks to animal research conducted in the UK, we …

Posted in Op-eds | Tagged animal testing and featured | 24 Comments

Bobby Dean MP writes: The resilient state

Sarah Olney bids to become candidate for Mayor of London

Going for four in a row in Scotland

Observations of an Expat: Canada

Stephen Williams calls for zero tolerance of homophobia on football terraces

Danny Alexander and David Torrance discuss the Independence Referendum

Tim Farron: I want the Liberal Democrats to become the “gold standard” for the way voluntary organisations treat volunteers and staff

Lord Rennard’s membership of the Liberal Democrats restored by Party Committee

LibLink: Willie Rennie: Alex Salmond’s future looks bleak so he turns to the past

Opinion: Kippers’ squeals show we are a more liberal country

Paul Burstow MP: Liberal Democrats announce package of measures to help carers

Sloths are cool – but they can’t run Liberal Youth

Revenge porn: Ministry of Justice launches consultation, Hannah Thompson interviewed on Women’s Hour

Let Kirsty Williams know your views on nursing levels in Wales

Danny Alexander says Liberal Democrats will continue free museum access

Danny Alexander: “We would all be diminished by Scottish independence”

Life on the Campaign Trail #1: Ibrahim Taguri, Brent Central

Opinion: If we remove prison as an option for drugs possession, savings must go to boost probation service

Opinion: Need, not a magic number, should determine size of the state

Opinion: Better Together should agree to a third independence referendum debate

Opinion: Generating electricity – why we should push for renewables, not fracking

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

Ex-MEP Sharon Bowles appointed non-executive director of London Stock Exchange

Hughes: Lib Dems will extend Freedom of Information to open up public services run by private companies

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

Gaza: Senior Lib Dems speak out against Hamas, urge continuing ceasefire; and Lib Dem Friends of Israel issue statement

Opinion: What Andy Burnham didn’t tell you about NHS privatisation

Pauline Pearce: “Why I am not running for Lib Dem president”

In the next month 39 seats will short-list their wannabe Lib Dem MPs

The Independent View: Could the USA’s November mid-term elections herald the return of the long-fabled “Liberal Hour”?

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

Quote of the Week: Lauren Bacall – “I’m total, total, total liberal and proud of it.”

Jo Swinson launches “Scotland should stay!” petition

Opinion: The Liberal Democrats must support biomedical research

Most Read

Op-eds

Recent Comments

Bobby Dean MP writes: The resilient state

Sarah Olney bids to become candidate for Mayor of London

Going for four in a row in Scotland

Observations of an Expat: Canada

Subscribe

Most Read

Search

Op-eds

Recent Comments