Stephen Tall

++ Susan Kramer takes over from Norman Baker at Transport

By Stephen Tall | Mon 7th October 2013 - 2:40 pm

No sooner do we report Norman Baker’s promotion to the home office than the Prime Minister tweets out the news of his replacement: Baroness (Susan) Kramer, the first Lib Dem candidate for the London mayoralty and later MP for Richmond Park — in which role she helped lead opposition to Labour’s proposals for a third runway at Heathrow. More recently she served as a Lib Dem peer on the Parliamentary Commission on Banking Standards.

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Stephen Tall

++ Jeremy Browne sacked from Home Office, replaced by Norman Baker

By Stephen Tall | Mon 7th October 2013 - 2:25 pm

That’s not a headline I’d have predicted writing…

Jeremy Browne has always been a bit of a marmite character within the party: an Orange Booker economically, but not a social libertarian. He was regarded as having had a successful stint in his first government post at the Foreign Office (although unless you accidentally start a war I’m not sure what the criteria for a bad stint are). His move to the home office, replacing Lynne Featherstone, was intended to reduce the number of clashes with Home Secretary Theresa May.

However, it’s not been a happy match. Despite an early success …

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Adam Nathan

Opinion: Nick Clegg to set out patriotic case for a reformed Europe

By Adam Nathan | Mon 7th October 2013 - 1:04 pm

In January, I wrote for Liberal Democrat Voice just as British Influence, the cross-party umbrella campaign to keep Britain in Europe, was starting and Prime Minister David Cameron was about to fire the starting gun for an in/out referendum on our EU membership.

Tomorrow in London, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg will throw his weight back into the debate with an important speech setting out our party’s stall on the pro-European agenda, including our own commitment to an in/out referendum.

Lib Dems will fight the European Parliament elections next year on …

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Caron Lindsay

Sometimes it makes sense to take one of your best players off the field – but it hurts

By Caron Lindsay | Mon 7th October 2013 - 12:20 pm

michael-moore-mp-secretary-of-state-for-scotlandWhen I was about 10, I had a bit of an obsession with football. I quickly grew out of it, I hasten to add. I had my favourite players, most notably Sandy Jardine, Alan Rough and, above all, Kenny Dalglish. These three could do no wrong in my young opinion. Even then I knew playing for Partick Thistle was a good thing.

I used to get very irked whenever one of them was substituted, especially when they were playing well. I just couldn’t see why you would take off a proven performer …

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The Voice

In full: Nick Clegg’s and Michael Moore’s exchange of letters

By The Voice | Mon 7th October 2013 - 11:28 am

As we reported earlier, Michael Moore is to leave Government and will be replaced as Scottish Secretary by Alistair Carmichael.

When a Minister leaves office, there is always an exchange of letters between them and their party leader. Here is the exchange between Mike and Nick Clegg:

Nick Clegg’s letter to Mike Moore:

Dear Mike

I want to thank you for the vital role you have played as Secretary of State for Scotland over the past three years.

You became Scottish Secretary in 2010 at a critical time in Scotland’s relationship with the rest of the United Kingdom and you have managed the challenges of

…

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Sam Bowman

The Independent View: The Lib Dems can – and should – be the Party of the Entrepreneurs

By Sam Bowman | Mon 7th October 2013 - 10:30 am

Every party claims, in some way, to be on the side of small business, but none has really given new and potential businesses much time or attention. Firms that do not yet exist are much less easy to champion and harder still to help than existing small businesses, but they are no less important.

It may be no wonder, then, that not one of the three main party leaders mentioned entrepreneurs in their Autumn conference speeches. That’s why today we at the Adam Smith Institute are helping to launch The Entrepreneurs Network, a new think tank dedicated to giving …

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The Voice

+++ Carmichael replaces Michael Moore as Secretary of State for Scotland

By The Voice | Mon 7th October 2013 - 10:19 am

From the BBC:

Michael Moore has been sacked as Secretary of State for Scotland and replaced by Alistair Carmichael, another senior Liberal Democrat.

The move comes as a reshuffle of Conservative and Lib Dem ministers in the coalition government is under way.

Mr Moore was a leading figure in the No campaign ahead of the referendum on Scottish independence next September.

Moore had been Secretary of State since he replaced Danny Alexander at the end of May 2010.

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie praised Mike Moore’s achievements and welcomed Alistair Carmichael’s appointment. He said:

Mike Moore is leaving on a high after

…

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Gareth Epps

Orpington Liberals Win London Club Of The Year

By Gareth Epps | Mon 7th October 2013 - 8:38 am

Orpington Liberal ClubIt is tempting to headline this as the top Social Liberal Forum! But Orpington Liberal Club, under the stewardship of well-known long-time Liberal Democrat activists Duncan Borrowman and Grace Goodlad has done far more in winning the accolade of CAMRA’s London Club of the Year 2013. Wearing my dual hat, I’m not aware of any Liberal Club that has won such an award, ever. (Please feel free to challenge that in the comments)

Two years ago, Orpington’s Liberal Democrats were struggling to make the club a success and wondering if …

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Caron Lindsay

Top of the Blogs: The Lib Dem Golden Dozen #347

By Caron Lindsay | Sun 6th October 2013 - 7:00 pm

Welcome to the Golden Dozen, and our 347th 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 (29 September – 5 October, 2013), together with a hand-picked quintet, normally courtesy of LibDig, 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:

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Posted in Best of the blogs | Tagged and | 1 Comment
The Voice

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

By The Voice | Sun 6th October 2013 - 3:28 pm

Many thanks to the  13,800 visitors who dropped by Lib Dem Voice this week. Here’s our 7 most-read posts…

I need the Liberal Democrats to stand up for me when Conservative ministers denigrate me (62 comments) by Matt

On the Lib Dem conference polling bump (or lack thereof) and what it means for the party (68 comments) by Stephen Tall

Of course, the Daily Mail has form when it comes to smearing party leaders’ families (21 comments) by Stephen Tall

Might some of the welfare changes be a little more helpful to people than Osborne made out? (69 comments) by Caron …

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Mark Valladares

Next week in the Lords: 8-10 October

By Mark Valladares | Sun 6th October 2013 - 1:42 pm

House of LordsYes, our Noble Lords are back after their summer break, and with the excitement of an election contest to come. Add to that the introduction of three new Liberal Democrat peers, and there’s quite a lot to cover this week.

Tuesday sees the introduction of Olly Grender to the Lords, or as I ought to refer to her, Baroness Grender. As there has never been a Grender in the Lords previously, she isn’t obliged to be ‘of’ anywhere in her official title. We will be covering her maiden speech as, …

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Caron Lindsay

Nick Clegg’s Letter from the Leader: Sticking to the task

By Caron Lindsay | Sun 6th October 2013 - 12:14 pm

The letter is much more interesting than its uninspiring title. A very personal tribute to Andrew Stunell, standing down as MP for Hazel Grove in 2015  and praise for Lisa Smart, who was this week  selected to fight the seat. The underlying theme is that Liberal Democrats are anchoring Britain in the liberal centre ground while the other parties lurch to left and right. 

The personal stuff about Andrew and Lisa made me think that it would be good if, over the next few months, he highlighted the successes of some of our local councillors as well as parliamentary candidate as …

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Stephen Lloyd

Stephen Lloyd MP writes… 100 Members in 100 Days: The Eastbourne Challenge

By Stephen Lloyd | Sun 6th October 2013 - 11:05 am

Just after I was first elected as MP for Eastbourne, some three years ago (crikey – doesn’t time fly by) I pledged to do everything I could to ensure Eastbourne would buck the economic trend; and it’s worked. We have had a tremendous success in keeping unemployment down locally – it’s actually 30% lower than at the General Election! A key part of that success was to start an apprentice recruitment campaign early on – I was the first new MP to do so after the general election.

Under the banner ‘100 Apprentices in 100 Days’, I set about contacting …

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The Voice

Who will follow in Tom McNally’s ermine footsteps?

By The Voice | Sun 6th October 2013 - 10:25 am

The news Helen Duffett posted this week — Tom McNally to stand down as Leader of the Lib Dem Lords — was rather drowned out by the Tory conference and the row over the Daily Mail’s smearing of Ralph Miliband. But as the BBC’s parliamentary correspondent Mark D’Arcy (no, not the fictional Mr Bridget Jones: different guy) points out here, it’s a role that matters lot these days, especially with the House of Lords here to stay for the forseeable…

The decision of the avuncular Lib Dem Lord to stand down as deputy leader of the House and leader

…

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Telegraph accused of Labour bias over Miliband’s dad – or was it the BBC? #LOL

By Andy Boddington | Sun 6th October 2013 - 9:36 am

Milk Bottle Politics 200I cannot help but be amused by the coverage of the affair of Ed Miliband’s dad in the Sunday Telegraph.

First up is an article declaring the “BBC accused of becoming Ed Miliband’s mouthpiece.” It seems that Andrew Bridgen, Tory MP for North West Leicestershire – a champion of a living wage for MPs – has reported Auntie to its governors for allowing Miliband to “milk” coverage for Labour’s advantage.

It’s a story on fairly thin ground, but I have long imagined that there is an old adage among right wing journalists. “If in doubt where a story is going next, bash the BBC.”

Of course party politics has had a role in the affair of Ed Miliband’s dad. But it has mostly been a debate about the nature of our press. Above it has been an examination of the character of the Mail’s journalism under Lord Rothmere and its daily weekday editor Paul Dacre. Nick Clegg was forthright on the matter: the Mail is “overflowing with bile about modern Britain”. As I said earlier, that’s just right.

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The Voice

A reply to Matt on welfare by Lib Dem ministers Norman Lamb and Steve Webb: “We believe in standing up for the vulnerable”

By The Voice | Sun 6th October 2013 - 8:30 am

This week, Lib Dem Voice published a deeply personal account by one of our readers, Matt: I need the Liberal Democrats to stand up for me when Conservative ministers denigrate me. It was read by many in the party, including two Lib Dem ministers in the Coalition — Norman Lamb MP (Department of Health) and Steve Webb MP (Department for Work and Pensions) — who have co-authored the following response.

lamb and webb

When we read the article posted on Lib Dem Voice on Wednesday by Matt, setting out very personally the distressing and painful experiences he has faced over the past few years in trying to access the welfare and health support he needs, we felt it was important that we respond properly to what he had said.

As Liberal Democrats, we instinctively understand that divisive rhetoric is both unhelpful and inaccurate, and for both of these reasons we should all remain constantly vigilant in challenging those who use this type of language to denigrate any member of our society. We believe in standing up for the vulnerable and providing support to those who are facing personal difficulties in their lives.

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Stephen Tall

In the next month 30 seats will select 29 wannabe Lib Dem MPs (and one MSP)

By Stephen Tall | Sat 5th October 2013 - 4:45 pm

Lib Dems winning hereHere’s the full list of selection contests in the coming month availabel for Lib Dems on the approved parliamentary candidates’ list. Some top targets for the party are among them…

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

    Harrogate & Knaresborough (4th October)

    Truro & Falmouth (4th October)

    Birmingham Edgbaston (7th October)

    Birmingham Hall Green (7th October)

    Dover and Deal (11th October)

    Folkestone and Hythe (11th October)

    Lewisham Deptford (11th October)

    Lewisham East (11th October)

    Lewisham West & Penge (11th October)

    Ludlow (11th October)

    Oldham East and Saddleworth (11th October)

    Oldham West and Royton (11th October)

    South

…

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Posted in Selection news | 3 Comments
Sean O'Curneen

Will Lib Dem councillors miss out on this year’s LeaDeRs Awards?

By Sean O'Curneen | Sat 5th October 2013 - 3:00 pm

The deadline for submitting nominations for the Local and Regional Liberal Politicians Awards, LeaDeRs, organised by the ALDE Group in the EU’s Committee of the Regions has been extended until 10 October, to allow members of those parties in Europe (such as the Lib Dems) who have been tied up with party conferences, or in other cases, election campaigns.

Open to Liberal Democrats from across Europe, nominations have so far been received for work carried out by local councillors from Germany, Italy, Ireland, Hungary, Estonia, and Latvia. Others from France and Spain are on their way.

Previous winners include Paul Scriven, …

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Posted in Europe / International | Tagged , and | 2 Comments
The Voice

Bob Russell reselected for Colchester

By The Voice | Sat 5th October 2013 - 1:58 pm

sir-bob-russell-mp-in-the-commons-smallSir Bob Russell, MP for Colchester, has been unanimously re-selected in a ballot of Colchester Liberal Democrats.

Sir Bob was elected to the Commons in 1997, and re-elected in 2001, 2005 and 2010, each time with an increased majority. In 2010, he commanded a majority of nearly 7,000 over the Conservatives.

He told the East Anglian Daily Times that  he wants to “quash rumours” that he will be standing down and has announced that he will be seeking re-election in 2015.

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The Voice

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

By The Voice | Sat 5th October 2013 - 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 10 days:

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The Voice

Lib Dem equalities minister Jo Swinson backs Elle magazine’s ‘Make Them Pay’ campaign

By The Voice | Sat 5th October 2013 - 10:49 am

jo swinson by paul walterJo Swinson is not only the government minister responsible for employment relations, consumer and postal affairs – she’s also the Lib Dems’ equalities minister. And she appears in November’s issue of Elle magazine backing its ‘Make Them Pay‘ campaign:

Today, we are proud to announce, the government has gotten behind us too. Women and Equalities minister Jo Swinson is urging all women to follow the advice in The Feminist Times and Mother campaign: ‘If he does the same job as you, ask him his salary.’

Praising our initiative,

…

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Stephen Tall

The poll findings which should encourage (some) Lib Dems and worry Labour

By Stephen Tall | Sat 5th October 2013 - 8:45 am

I highlighted during Lib Dem conference season an interesting finding from Lord Ashcroft’s latest polling of marginal seats:

Lord Ashcroft – the former deputy Tory chairman and the man who spends more on polling than all the political parties combined – released his latest findings this week. 13,000 voters in the 40 Conservative seats with the smallest majorities were surveyed, including eight where the Liberal Democrats came second in 2010: Watford, St Albans, Oxford West & Abingdon, Harrogate & Knaresborough, Camborne & Redruth, Truro & Falmouth, Newton Abbot and Montgomeryshire.

Remember: these are seats which are potential Lib Dem gains in

…

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Newsmoggie

LDVideo: Nick Clegg playing table tennis

By Newsmoggie | Fri 4th October 2013 - 4:45 pm

During the Federal Conference, Nick Clegg went on a visit to Drumchapel Table Tennis club in Glasgow and ended up actually playing a game. I suspect the collective blood pressure of his entourage was a bit on the elevated side while he was doing it. After all, they usually make sure that their principals never get into any situation that could cause embarrassment.

Thankfully, though, Nick is pretty good at table tennis and acquitted himself well.

The club filmed the proceedings and put it up here on You Tube.

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The Voice

++ Lib Dem membership UP for first quarter in a decade outside elections

By The Voice | Fri 4th October 2013 - 3:55 pm

That’s the news just in from the party’s HQ:

Congratulations to all involved, especially those local parties who’ve successfully retained and/or recruited members. Full speed ahead to elections in 2014 and 2015!

PS: anyone know how the Tories’ membership figures are looking? Ah yes.

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Caron Lindsay

A few thoughts after Matt’s brave post – we have to make the system more realistic, fair and compassionate

By Caron Lindsay | Fri 4th October 2013 - 2:58 pm

It’s impossible to read Matt’s brave post on his battles not just with his own severe illnesses, but with the welfare system without feeling deeply moved. I felt upset and angry at the many failures of the state to give him the care and support he needs. I’m not just talking about medical care. It’s about having to fight for the benefits which put food on the table and keep a roof over his head. A liberal society takes care of those who are too ill to make their own living. There can never be a compromise on this. …

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The Voice

Lib Dems hold Aylesbury Oakfield and Taunton Halcon

By The Voice | Fri 4th October 2013 - 2:35 pm

There were three very good local election results for the Lib Dems last night.

Congratulations to Allison Harrison and Mark Willis who held Oakfield in Aylesbury for the Liberal Democrats. UKIP came in 80 or so votes behind, and took almost double the votes of the Tories who were in third place.

We also take our hat off to Roger Hurst who held Mickleham in the Mole Valley on an impressive 49% turnout.

AV Oakfield 1
AV Oakfield 2
Posted in Local government and News | Tagged | 5 Comments
John Thurso

John Thurso MP: Lobbying Bill to be amended to protect charities and lobby groups

By John Thurso | Fri 4th October 2013 - 2:02 pm

Big Ben Orange Blue 200Government’s “Transparency” Bill seeks to ensure that those who are not standing in an election, but nonetheless wish to spend money influencing the outcome, are also subject to tight limits within constituencies and have to be transparent about the source of their money. It builds on existing law passed by Labour, and reduces present spending limits.

However, the Bill has caused an unexpected row, with charities and lobbying groups claiming that restrictions on election expenditure could be a “gag” on their right of free speech. That is not the experience of candidates. Nonetheless, I wanted to make absolutely sure the Bill was about changing what people could spend, rather than restricting in any way what they could say. I tabled probing amendments at the Committee Stage of the Bill, and for the first time in my parliamentary career, a Minister accepted my argument from the Despatch Box and promised to do roughly what I had asked!

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Posted in Op-eds | Tagged and | 17 Comments

They shoot planning ministers don’t they?

By Andy Boddington | Fri 4th October 2013 - 1:02 pm

Pickles and Quelch BolesThe planning minister wants to be shot. I’m not making this up. At the Conservative Conference he was asked about Tory proposals for further planning reform after the next election (£). The minister replied: “I’m going to answer it very simply. If I’m still planning minister after the next election, I want you to shoot me.”

Of course, planning minister Nick Boles has form in this territory. Back in May, he said that “if anyone comes to me with an idea for new planning legislation I am going to shoot them” (£). Putting aside the fact that new planning guidance and permitted development rights are gushing out of his department like an overflowing sewer, he’s obviously a man used to swaggering around Whitehall with a gun in his pocket.

But then, as I have noted before, Nick Boles is Mr Quelch from Billy Bunter reincarnated.

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Fiona Hall MEP

The EU is cutting red tape – a victory for the Lib Dems

By Fiona Hall MEP | Fri 4th October 2013 - 11:02 am

EU Flag and ScissorsOn Wednesday the European Commission unveiled a major set of proposals that will significantly cut unnecessary red tape, especially for small businesses, following a sweeping review of all EU legislation. Perhaps the most eye-catching of these was the decision to withdraw proposed health and safety rules that would have banned hairdressers from wearing jewellery and high heels at work. Unsurprisingly, this did not garner anywhere near as much coverage in the tabloid press as when it was first proposed.

Far more important though are the concerted efforts to simplify or repeal overly burdensome and unnecessary EU rules across the board. Commission President Barroso’s recent assertion that the EU needs to be “big on the big things and smaller on the small things” was more than just empty words. As we near the European elections, the Commission is beginning to wake up to the growing tide of euroscepticism and the widely held belief that EU regulation is overly meddlesome.

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Posted in Op-eds | Tagged and | 13 Comments

If Alistair Cooke reported the Obamacare standoff: “A real shutdown… not really!”

By Andy Boddington | Fri 4th October 2013 - 9:15 am

Alistair CookeThere are voices from history that cannot be forgotten. Among them is that of Alistair Cooke, a Brit who understood America like no other.

There are times when I really miss Alistair. He had a unique ability to explain to us the seemingly bizarre and sometimes incomprehensible machinations of American politics and government.

Of course, he spoke of much more than politics in his Letter from America broadcasts. His tale of Gershwin and Russian immigration still gives me goose bumps. His lament on the closure of Woolworths captured the aspirations of a generation. He even managed to make golf sound entertaining, even vaguely important.

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Posted in News and Op-eds | Tagged and | 8 Comments
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