Liberal Democrat Voice

What Lib Dem members think about Europe, Cameron’s ‘veto’, and the Eurozone

By Stephen Tall | Sat 11th February 2012 - 7:55 am

Lib Dem Voice has polled our members-only forum to discover what Lib Dem members think of various political issues, the Coalition, and the performance of key party figures. Some 570 party members responded, and we’re publishing the full results.

Party members split over the future of Europe

LDV asked: Which of the following options would be your ideal future for the UK and the European Union?

…

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The LDV Friday Five: 10 February 2012

By The Voice | Fri 10th February 2012 - 5:00 pm

It’s Friday. It’s five o’clock. Here’s a fistful of lists that sum up the LDV week:

5 most-read stories on LDV this week

Posted in Friday Five | Leave a comment

LibLink: how to achieve digital nirvana – inbox zero – by Mark Pack

By NewsHound | Fri 10th February 2012 - 4:08 pm

The Voice’s Mark Pack has published some useful tips on how to get to where every busy Parliamentarian, councillor, candidate and activist wants to be – Inbox Zero.

They include such gems as:

3. Stop using your inbox as a substitute for filing

Quite often there will be an email you have read, responded to but do not want to forget quiet yet. Perhaps you have made an order and don’t want to bury away the confirmation until the goods arrive. That is fine — but do not use your inbox for that. Create a “pending” folder to hold these interim messages.

…

Posted in LibLink | Tagged Mark Pack | 2 Comments

This week’s council by-election results: Lib Dems GAIN in Towcester

By Helen Duffett | Fri 10th February 2012 - 1:06 pm

From the Independent:

Liberal Democrats made two landslide gains from Tories in the latest council by-elections, suggesting their voting support has not been dented after the resignation from the Government of Chris Huhne.

Their candidate Chris Lofts took Northamptonshire County Council’s Towcester division on a massive swing of more than 30% since the 2009 shire polls.

Party colleague Lisa Samiotis triumphed at Towcester Brook, South Northamptonshire District.

This brings the total of Lib Dem gains this month to three, after a win from Labour last week.

This week’s results, courtesy of ALDC are as follows:

Posted in Council by-elections | 15 Comments

Opinion: Crime, transport and the battle for London Mayor

By Paul Haydon | Fri 10th February 2012 - 11:30 am

Just six months ago today London was emerging from its third night of rioting, with a semblance of order only just beginning to take hold as a massive police presence descended on the city. The fear in the streets was palpable. We had been given a brief and terrifying glimpse of what sheer anarchy looked like, the rage and shameless opportunism of London’s marginalised youth provoking deep existential questions about what was wrong with our society.

Yet, as the contest for London Mayor begins to build up momentum, Ken and Boris’ campaigns continue to revolve around the same old topic …

Posted in Op-eds | Tagged brian paddick, crime, london mayoral election and riots | 4 Comments

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Political clichés I dislike #2: ideological

By Mark Pack | Fri 10th February 2012 - 10:25 am

I’ve previously written about my dislike of that venerable clichéd demand for “government to send a strong signal”. Government isn’t a bloody semaphore team, thank you very much.

Not even I’m willing to believe it was the power of that blog post alone (plus natty diagram) which cowed the political classes into giving up semaphoring addiction. Yet the phrase does seem to crop up rather less often now, perhaps because of a change from the Labour government’s love of telling people what to do?

But we have not arrived in a happy new post-Brown cliché free world.

Instead, the one that now has …

Posted in Op-eds | 35 Comments

Opinion: The good, the bad and the ugly of the Lib Dems

By Scott Hill | Fri 10th February 2012 - 9:41 am

This week has been something of a mixed bag for the Liberal Democrats. Aside from getting over the fact we have lost one of our most respected and feared heavyweights in Chris Huhne, we have been forced to accept that a serious reassessment of our position within government is required and necessary.

Needless to say, the ceaseless commentariat and Westminster gossips are not helping matters. There have been three stories – all different in topic and angle – that have focused attention on the junior coalition partner in recent …

Posted in Op-eds | Tagged chris huhne, Liberal Left and parliamentary boundary review | 41 Comments

Government responds to consultation over individual electoral registration

By Mark Pack | Fri 10th February 2012 - 8:55 am

Sensible news from the government yesterday with talk of modification to its plans for individual electoral registration in the light of comments made during its consultation.

Many people (including myself) criticised the plans to weaken the legal requirement to register, either because they oppose voluntary registration in principle or because even if they are warm to voluntary registration in theory they think that switching to individual registration and voluntary registration at the same time is a recipe for disaster. One should be done, sorted and settled in before the other is addressed.

As has been heavily trailed, the government is indeed thinking again and it is now:

Reconsidering an individual’s ability to opt out – looking to either tighten this provision or remove it altogether.

Another area of criticism during the consultation was over concerns that the last ‘traditional’ electoral register would be too dated by the time the new process is brought in for it to be a good basis for the new process. However, running the traditional process for another year would run up extra costs running into the tens of millions. The government is therefore proposing a sensible sounding compromise of postponing the autumn 2013 electoral register canvass to spring 2014, so that it is much less dated when it is used as the basis for the new process but without requiring an extra canvass.

Many traps lie in the administrative details of electoral register canvasses, which is why I only say “sensible sounding compromise”; we’ll have to see how the details look as people pour over them in the coming days and weeks.

The government is also proposing to make more extensive use of data matching so that different public sector records are used to help populate the electoral register. You can read more about this and the other parts of the government response below.

If you are wondering why bother with individual electoral registration in the first place and why Labour first kicked off the plans for introducing it, see What’s the point of switching to individual electoral registration?

Government Response to Pre-legislative Scrutiny and Public Consultation on Individual Electoral Registratio…

Posted in Election law | Tagged electoral registration | 4 Comments

97% of Lib Dem members back Nick’s call for raising income tax allowance to £10k as immediate priority

By Stephen Tall | Fri 10th February 2012 - 7:55 am

Overwhelming support for ‘further and faster’ tax-cuts for low-paid

LDV asked: The Coalition is committed to increasing the level at which income tax becomes payable, from its current £7,475 to £10,000 by 2015. The tax-free threshold was expected to rise by about £630 annually. However, in a recent speech Nick Clegg said, “I want the Coalition to go further and faster in delivering the …

Posted in LDV Members poll | Tagged nick clegg, tax and tax cuts (Lib Dem) | 4 Comments

LibLink: Brian Paddick – London is increasingly policed by force not consent – thanks to its mayors

By Nick T | Thu 9th February 2012 - 5:17 pm

Lib Dem London mayoral candidate Brian Paddick had a piece on the Guardian’s Comment Is Free website yesterday on what is his undoubtedly his strongest issue – policing.

Here’s a sample of what Brian had to say:

Crime will be far more of an issue in the election of the mayor of London on 3 May because the mayor is now the elected crime and police commissioner for London. He alone sets police priorities and the police budget and he alone will hold the Metropolitan police to account. Far from holding the police to account, to date

…

Posted in LibLink | Tagged boris johnson, brian paddick, ken livingstone, london mayoral election and policing | Leave a comment

Ed Davey MP writes… Solar power for the many, not the few

By Ed Davey | Thu 9th February 2012 - 4:27 pm

Some things in politics are symbolic. For dyed-in-the-wool environmentalists like the Liberal Democrats, solar power is one of these things – indisputably clean, green and cutting edge technology. The sort of thing Liberal Democrats in a government that aims to be the greenest ever should be unequivocally behind.

Our commitment to the environment was why I joined the party in the first place.

So I understand why many of you were confused and disappointed when the Government appeared to scale back the Feed in Tariffs that allow people to install solar panels in their homes and businesses, not least when our decision …

Posted in Op-eds | Tagged department of energy and climate change, feed-in tariffs, renewable energy and solar power | 28 Comments

Opinion – Twitter: powerful campaign tool or waste of effort?

By Alan Muhammed | Thu 9th February 2012 - 2:55 pm

The simple tweet “F*ck” at 10am with the reply “Agreed” last Friday was the only source and all the evidence I required to know that Chris Huhne had been charged. Two words tied emotion with cognition. I followed Nick Clegg’s tax cut speech live through the medium of 140 character paraphrase: a sort of Focus-speak reduction I can only imagine would have the speech-writers crying. The utterance “Borgen – Danish West Wing” was all the persuasion necessary to watch it religiously.

Twitter is free, fast and tragic. And if it wasn’t powerful in facilitating the fall of …

Posted in Online politics and Op-eds | Tagged connect, jamie matthews, julian huppert, tim farron, twitter and victor chamberlain | 3 Comments

Lib Dem members launch group opposed to the coalition

By Nick T | Thu 9th February 2012 - 1:51 pm

The Guadian reports:

The first Liberal Democrat group openly opposed to the coalition is to be launched at the party’s spring conference in Gateshead next month with a warning that the coalition has been a political disaster for the party, as well as a denial of its radical roots.

Launching a website on Wednesday, the group Liberal Left said it hoped to become a rallying point for members opposed to the coalition and those who see the party as a centre-left organisation seeking common cause with Labour, Greens and others on the centre left.

One

…

Posted in News | Tagged Liberal Left, linda jack and richard grayson | 22 Comments

LDVideo: Liberal Democrat peers rebel against coalition plans

By Stephen Tall | Thu 9th February 2012 - 12:45 pm

More than 60 Lib Dem peers have rebelled against the Coalition government’s plans during this Parliament. Here Baroness (Susan) Kramer talks about how she and her colleagues attempt always to be constructive in their dissent.

* Warning: the following video contains scenes with Quentin Letts, which some viewers may find distressing.

Posted in YouTube | Tagged house of lords, quentin letts and susan kramer | 1 Comment

Clegg signals new approach to individual voter registration in evidence to Parliamentary committee

By Nick T | Thu 9th February 2012 - 11:28 am

Last Wednesday saw Nick Clegg return for his annual appearance before the House of Lords Constitution Committee. As one might expect, a whole range of political reform and constitutional issues were covered in the 90 minute evidence session.

One interesting answer by the Deputy Prime Minister which caught my attention was on the topic of individual voter registration. Asked by Liberal Democrat peer Lord (Chris) Rennard whether there would be changes to the government approach as set out in the earlier White Paper when we see legislation on the issue soon, Clegg had the following to say:

The short answer is ‘yes’….We

…

Posted in Election law and News | Tagged chris rennard, constitutional reform, electoral registration, nick clegg and political and constitutional reform committee | 7 Comments

Opinion: Labour’s embracing of economic liberalism is to be welcomed

By David Thorpe | Thu 9th February 2012 - 9:28 am

The first sign that man is moving from the reckless abandon of late youth to the windswept comfort of early maturity can be found in his reaction to the sight of falling snow. Where once it would have been an excuse to declare the days schedule defunct, this year it signalled only the onset of boredom.

Consequently I dusted down my new year’s resolution to ‘laugh a lot more’ and began thinking about Labour’s attitude to economics. I propose to look at the Labour leadership’s deeper economic instincts to provide a guide as to how they might actually run the economy.

Ed Balls

Posted in Op-eds | Tagged economic liberalism, economy, ed balls, ed miliband, orange book and vince cable | 21 Comments

NHS reforms: Lib Dem members opposed by 2-to-1 majority

By Stephen Tall | Thu 9th February 2012 - 7:45 am

LDV asked: The Health and Social Care Bill which will implement radical reforms to the NHS was passed by MPs last September. From what you have seen or heard about the Coalition’s plans for the NHS, do you support or oppose them?

So, by a two-to-one margin, Lib Dem members in …

Posted in LDV Members poll | 12 Comments

How the Guardian makes the news, then reports the news

By Mark Pack | Wed 8th February 2012 - 7:58 pm

A nimble two-step from The Guardian:

1. Polly Toynbee sends tweet encouraging all and sundry to take part in an open-access online poll being run by the BMJ.

2. The Guardian reports result of said BMJ poll.

Then only thing missing, alas, is:

3. The Guardian then realises that reporting a voodoo poll which its own staff have been encouraging people to take part on is low grade self-referential journalism and pulls poll report.

Hat tip: Anthony Wells

Posted in News | Tagged journalism, polly toynbee and the guardian | Leave a comment

Lembit does an impression of the Angel of the North

By Caron Lindsay | Wed 8th February 2012 - 4:25 pm

Seriously, he does.

And he doesn’t care what anyone thinks, either, as he said to Sky News yesterday.

Thing is, as we all watch the uncomfortably inappropriate close ups, his dad dancing and numerous other cringeworthy snippets, we are compelled to listen to what is actually quite a good song by the Good Suns. A very clever marketing ploy, I think.

Enjoy, or whatever. Just don’t charge the Voice for any post traumatic stress counselling you might need.

Posted in News | Tagged humour and lembit opik | 3 Comments

Labour MP Docherty brands local Community Council as snobs and nimbys

By Caron Lindsay | Wed 8th February 2012 - 2:25 pm

Thomas Docherty has courted controversy since he was elected as Labour MP for Dunfermline and West Fife in 2010. He certainly has a novel approach to winning friends and influencing people.

First of all, he had a go at certain of his fellow MPs whose attire, he felt was too casual for the Commons.

Then he was a leading voice in the campaign to have a statue of Tony Blair at Westminster.

During my four years working for Willie Rennie when he was Dunfermline’s MP, I can safely say that neither of these issues were ever raised with him by one …

Posted in News | Tagged Dunfermline, labour party and thomas docherty | 2 Comments

EXCLUSIVE: Majority of Lib Dem members back Coalition’s benefits cap

By Stephen Tall | Wed 8th February 2012 - 1:20 pm

59% of Lib Dem members back benefits cap at £26,000 or lower

LDV asked: Under the Coalition government’s proposal the cap on benefits will apply to the total sum of all benefits a household receives, including income support, jobseekers allowance, child benefit and housing benefit. The government is setting the maximum at £26,000, the average earnings of a British family after tax. What do …

Posted in LDV Members poll | Tagged benefits, house of lords and paddy ashdown | 20 Comments

A Postcard from… Bucharest

By Cristian Ghita | Wed 8th February 2012 - 11:55 am

The wall on the Liberal Democrat Voice office has another postcard, this time from Dr Cristian Ghita, a visiting scholar at Edinburgh University who hails from Bucharest. Here he takes us behind the current headlines.

On Monday, February 6^th, The Romanian Prime Minister resigned, following nation-wide protests. The BBC reported that “In a statement, Mr Boc, 45, said that in a time of crisis, his centrist government had not taken part in a popularity contest but had acted to save the country.”

Wonderful statement, and one that would have befitted a Prime Minister leaving his office! A pity, therefore, that it …

Posted in Europe / International | Tagged a postcard from and romania | 4 Comments

How you can help Liberal Democrat Voice

By The Voice | Wed 8th February 2012 - 10:25 am

The Voice is only a success because of the interest and support from our readers. For many people just lurking and reading the site is all they want to do – and that’s fine, we’re grateful for people taking the time to read the site.

You can though help us continue to produce interesting content for a growing audience. Here are four simple ways:

1. Let us have your tips for stories. Perhaps there’s something outrageous going on in your local council? Or you’re an expert in a particular area and have spotted a story other people have missed? Or you’ve seen …

Posted in Site news | Leave a comment

Michael Moore MP’s Westminster Notes

By Michael Moore | Wed 8th February 2012 - 8:55 am

Referendum on Independence

Now that we know that a referendum will definitely be held on Scottish independence, I am committed to working with the Scottish Government to ensure we have one that is fair, legal and decisive. A few weeks ago I launched a consultation to seek views on how we could achieve this and I want to encourage Borderers to take part to make their voices heard on this incredibly important issue.

Following the launch of the consultation I have also met with the CBI, Scottish Engineering and others and I plan to meet with many other Scottish businesses, representatives of …

Posted in Parliament | Tagged ed davey, Michael Moore, post offices, Scotland, Scottish independence referendum and Westminster Notes | 1 Comment

Glasgow Labour councillor banned from public office over rape comments

By Mark Pack | Wed 8th February 2012 - 7:25 am

Early last year I briefly reported on the shocking comments about the alleged rape of a child made by one of its Glasgow councillors, William O’Rourke.

The case has now finally worked its way through the system and he has been banned from holding public office:

A Glasgow Labour councillor has been banned from holding office over alleged comments he made about a case involving the alleged rape of a nine year old.

William O’Rourke, who represented the Greater Pollok ward, was suspended from the party last March after he allegedly suggested that the young victim may have been a willing

…

Posted in News | Tagged glasgow city council and william o'rourke | 8 Comments

Opinion: Jenny Willott is wrong on the Welfare Reform Bill

By George Potter | Tue 7th February 2012 - 7:03 pm

On Sunday Jenny Willott wrote an article on LDV explaining the reasons behing Lib Dem MPs voting to reject the Lords amendments to the Welfare Reform Bill. However, I’m afraid that, as someone who has been campaigning on this for several months, I am not satisfied with her explanation and think that there are several flaws in her justifications.

For example, to put what Jenny said another way, 4 in 10 people affected by the time limit will lose ESA completely. That’ll be 280,000 people with long term illness or disability that prevents them from working. Those who lose it …

Posted in Op-eds | Tagged welfare reform | 36 Comments

Op-eds

Observations of an Expat: When Donald met Xi (Tom Arms)
Conference from the other side of the barrier (Barry Rhodes)
Proper Grimond liberalism (Jack Meredith)
Is Conference still supreme? (John Kelly)
Ed Davey’s Conference speech (Hugh Andrew)

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What does a Lib Dem “trans activist” look like?

Caron’s kitchen table diary

Victoria Collins MP writes.. The ask that changes everything

To get Britain growing, we must cut business costs

What Lib Dem members think about Europe, Cameron’s ‘veto’, and the Eurozone

Party members split over the future of Europe

The LDV Friday Five: 10 February 2012

5 most-read stories on LDV this week

LibLink: how to achieve digital nirvana – inbox zero – by Mark Pack

This week’s council by-election results: Lib Dems GAIN in Towcester

Opinion: Crime, transport and the battle for London Mayor

Political clichés I dislike #2: ideological

Opinion: The good, the bad and the ugly of the Lib Dems

Government responds to consultation over individual electoral registration

97% of Lib Dem members back Nick’s call for raising income tax allowance to £10k as immediate priority

Overwhelming support for ‘further and faster’ tax-cuts for low-paid

LibLink: Brian Paddick – London is increasingly policed by force not consent – thanks to its mayors

Ed Davey MP writes… Solar power for the many, not the few

Opinion – Twitter: powerful campaign tool or waste of effort?

Lib Dem members launch group opposed to the coalition

LDVideo: Liberal Democrat peers rebel against coalition plans

Clegg signals new approach to individual voter registration in evidence to Parliamentary committee

Opinion: Labour’s embracing of economic liberalism is to be welcomed

NHS reforms: Lib Dem members opposed by 2-to-1 majority

How the Guardian makes the news, then reports the news

Lembit does an impression of the Angel of the North

Labour MP Docherty brands local Community Council as snobs and nimbys

EXCLUSIVE: Majority of Lib Dem members back Coalition’s benefits cap

59% of Lib Dem members back benefits cap at £26,000 or lower

A Postcard from… Bucharest

How you can help Liberal Democrat Voice

Michael Moore MP’s Westminster Notes

Glasgow Labour councillor banned from public office over rape comments

Opinion: Jenny Willott is wrong on the Welfare Reform Bill

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What does a Lib Dem “trans activist” look like?

Caron’s kitchen table diary

Victoria Collins MP writes.. The ask that changes everything

To get Britain growing, we must cut business costs

Party members split over the future of Europe

5 most-read stories on LDV this week

Overwhelming support for ‘further and faster’ tax-cuts for low-paid

59% of Lib Dem members back benefits cap at £26,000 or lower

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