Liberal Youth : Reporting Back From Feltham

By Tom Wood | Thu 5th January 2012 - 3:53 pm

In recent years the festive season seems more likely to bring a byelection than it does a white Christmas. With Christmas shopping, horrible weather, and the prospect of a few short days where politics stands still, Liberal Democrat activists could be forgiven for not prioritising a byelection in the safe Labour seat of Feltham and Heston.

With the writ moved for before Christmas, and the Eurozone crisis boosting UKIP’s support, the local party and campaign team, led by Dan Purchese, had a fight on their hands. In an election where we needed to at least retain our deposit, we needed …

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Posted in Parliamentary by-elections | 4 Comments
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Chris Davies

Chris Davies MEP writes… Assisted dying is a liberal issue

By Chris Davies | Thu 5th January 2012 - 12:27 pm

It was a Liberal Prime Minister, Guy Verhofstadt (now the leader of the ALDE Group in the European Parliament) who ensured that legislation to permit medically assisted dying was brought forward in Belgium a decade ago.  Publication of the report by the independent commission on assisted dying, chaired by Lord Falconer, should be a reminder to our Liberal Democrat leadership of our own very similar party policy on the subject.

Medically assisted dying (the patient self-administering) or euthanasia (the doctor providing direct assistance) are very definitely liberal matters.  They are about respect for individual wishes when the frailty or immobility of the individual …

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Posted in Op-eds | Tagged , , and | 15 Comments
Mark Pack

Flying Free: Nigel Farage’s take on his own life

By Mark Pack | Thu 5th January 2012 - 10:25 am

Events and the political calendar are likely to keep UKIP as one of the most prominent ‘other’ political parties in the UK over the next few years, making this newly revised and expanded autobiography of its most high-profile and flamboyant personality, Nigel Farage, timely not only for the party’s own fans but for anyone else interested in British politics.

It is a well written, lively book, full of the sort of pugnacious language that has helped give Farage his high popularity. It is also rather kinder to some of his opponents that you might expect if you had only come across Farage through his headline grabbing strings of insults aimed at others, though when it comes to the EU and its main functionaries he doesn’t hold back. He even has some kinds words to say for the man who threatened to kill him – and rightly so given the person’s mental health had fallen apart.

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Posted in Books | Tagged and | 9 Comments
Mark Pack

The Liberal Democrat challenges for 2012: Treating supporters as active participants

By Mark Pack | Thu 5th January 2012 - 8:50 am

To mark the start of 2012, we’re running a series of posts over consecutive days on the main challenges for the Liberal Democrats in 2012. I’ve already written about the four priorities for the party’s new Chief Executive, Tim Gordon, but as the Liberal Democrats are more than just the one man whilst he has four, this series sets out six for the party.

Despite my comments about how risky the predictions business is, regular readers would hardly have been taking much of a gamble expecting me to return to the issue of treating people as active participants rather than passive spectators in this series.

Embracing the campaigning power of members and supporters (as Willie Rennie has done) would not only boost the party’s impact on government, it would also give members and supporters ways of feeling involved, committed and motivated – and to see how Liberal Democrat presence and pressure can make a difference:

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Posted in Op-eds | Tagged and | 1 Comment
Stephen Tall

Lib Dem members’ 394 suggestions for the new party chief executive’s top priorities

By Stephen Tall | Thu 5th January 2012 - 7:35 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. 564 party members responded, and we’ve been publishing the full results here.

We asked the question: “The Liberal Democrats have just appointed a new chief executive, Tim Gordon, to take over from Chris Fox. What do you think should be Tim’s top priorities as party chief executive?”

Here’s a wordle of the 394 responses received:

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Posted in LDV Members poll | Tagged | Leave a comment
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Caron Lindsay

Jo Swinson urges action to help young develop positive body image

By Caron Lindsay | Wed 4th January 2012 - 7:59 pm

Scottish Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader and MP for East Dunbartonshire Jo Swinson, has again urged advertisers and retailers to use models covering a diverse of sizes, ages and shapes in their advertising and media campaigns to reflect the reality of different body shapes and to promote healthy body image.

Co-founder of the Campaign for Body Confidence, Jo is currently chairing a Parliamentary Inquiry into the causes and consequences of body image anxiety.

Her calls come as the retail market floods with health fads and “miracle weight-loss products screaming out at people to diet as part of New Year resolutions.  Jo  is concerned that this will …

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Posted in News | Tagged , , , and | 4 Comments
William Jones

Opinion: Let’s get case for Alan Turing pardon debated in Parliament

By William Jones | Wed 4th January 2012 - 6:59 pm

Today, I ask you as fellow Liberal Democrats to sign the Grant Alan Turing a Pardon petition on the number 10 website.

The petition reads:

“We ask the HM Government to grant a pardon to Alan Turing for the conviction of ‘gross indecency’. In 1952, he was convicted of ‘gross indecency’ with another man and was forced to undergo so-called ‘organo-therapy’ – chemical castration. Two years later, he killed himself with cyanide, aged just 41. Alan Turing was driven to a terrible despair and early death by the nation he’d done so much to save. This remains a shame on the

…

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Posted in Op-eds | Tagged , , , and | 19 Comments
Graham Winyard

Opinion: Parliament needs our help on the NHS Bill

By Graham Winyard | Wed 4th January 2012 - 4:48 pm

We are in real difficulty over the NHS Bill.  Spring conference showed the party at its best.  The membership expressed concerns and the leadership responded deftly with the “listening exercise”.  This aimed to reassure NHS and public opinion by securing substantial changes to Andrew Lansley’s proposals, without too much loss of face within the coalition.

We have not succeeded.  The changes to the Bill have failed to quell fears that the NHS is being fragmented in pursuit of market dogma.  There is no serious support or enthusiasm for the Bill within the NHS; indeed opposition among the health professions is hardening.  …

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Posted in Op-eds | Tagged , and | 24 Comments
Sam Barnett

Opinion: In the name of the Olympics

By Sam Barnett | Wed 4th January 2012 - 3:28 pm

With the summer 2012 drawing ever closer, it is no surprise that the amount of column inches devoted to the London Olympics is increasing. What has surprised me, though, has been how much of this coverage has been of the controversies that seem to be multiplying around the Games, and just what may be done in the name of the Olympics next year.

Flatly, I am worried that the Government is importing dodgy methods of event management to Stratford and the rest of London. The security measures recently announced are especially concerning. I hope no Liberal in Britain is reassured by …

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Posted in Op-eds | Tagged , and | 4 Comments
Mark Pack

How to get Lib Dem Voice by email

By Mark Pack | Wed 4th January 2012 - 2:46 pm

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

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

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Mark Valladares

Coming up in the Lords… 10-20 January

By Mark Valladares | Wed 4th January 2012 - 12:47 pm

Welcome to Liberal Democrat Voice’s coverage of the House of Lords, where we’ll be flagging up some of the forthcoming events at the more reflective end of the Palace of Westminster. So, without further ado…

The House of Lords returns to work next Tuesday after its Christmas recess, with a heavy legislative schedule to be dealt with before the end of the Session, and the first fortnight offers a hint of what is to come.

Days 2, 3 and 4 of the Committee Stage of the Legal Aid, Sentencing …

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Linda Jack

Opinion: A bright new year?

By Linda Jack | Wed 4th January 2012 - 11:25 am

For me, this year is starting as it is for millions of our fellow citizens – dealing with a complete change, having found myself redundant.

I am though, one of the lucky ones. I don’t need to worry about getting a new job for a while. I have the luxury of taking my time and hopefully finding something that suits me rather than being forced to take something, anything, to keep the wolf from the door.

But most don’t have that luxury, for our young people coming out of school or university with all the enthusiasm and aspiration of youth finding themselves …

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Posted in Op-eds | Tagged | 9 Comments
Zadok Day

Opinion: Minimum alcohol pricing – an attack on the poor

By Zadok Day | Wed 4th January 2012 - 10:25 am

News that David Cameron is planning on imposing minimum alcohol pricing has not produced anything near the level of disgust that it should have.

This policy has the fatal flaw of expecting alcoholics and binge drinkers to behave in a rational and financially prudent manner. It’s self-evident that both groups will continue to purchase alcohol at a higher price, sacrificing other parts of their budget to make up the difference – perhaps clothing, perhaps food, perhaps their children. And let’s not forget, this policy will penalise all drinkers, not just the minority who commit crimes whilst under alcoholic …

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Posted in Op-eds | Tagged | 57 Comments
Mark Pack

The Liberal Democrat challenges for 2012: May’s elections

By Mark Pack | Wed 4th January 2012 - 8:50 am

To mark the start of 2012, we’re running a series of posts over consecutive days on the main challenges for the Liberal Democrats in 2012. I’ve already written about the four priorities for the party’s new Chief Executive, Tim Gordon, but as the Liberal Democrats are more than just the one man whilst he has four, this series sets out six for the party.

When the May 2012 set of seats were previously contested in May 2008 the party made net gains – up 33 seats overall – despite a 4% fall in the party’s notional national vote share* – …

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Posted in Op-eds | Tagged | 10 Comments
Mark Valladares

European candidate selections: is that the time already?

By Mark Valladares | Tue 3rd January 2012 - 7:25 pm

News has reached your reporter that, in a radical break with tradition, the English Candidates Committee is likely to meet later this month to address key questions relating to the selection of European Parliamentary candidates for elections due in May 2014, where Liberal Democrats will be defending seats held in each of the nine English Regions (two in South East England) and in Scotland.

Radical, because the Committee usually only meets four times a year, with the first meeting at the Spring Federal Conference, and the newly elected Chairs …

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Posted in News and Selection news | Tagged and | 1 Comment
Helen Duffett

Sir Bob Russell MP: “I have spent my entire adult life fighting the establishment but clearly, I have failed.”

By Helen Duffett | Tue 3rd January 2012 - 6:50 pm

Bob Russell MP, who who was first elected when Nick Clegg was only four years old, has received a knighthood in the New Year’s Honours list.

Sir Bob, who received the honour for his public service, has described the honour as “A matter of great personal importance and significance to me.”

The BBC reports:

The Liberal Democrat, who’s been involved in local politics for more than 40 years is among the region’s most outspoken MPs, particularly since the formation of the coalition.

This is a significant honour for a man who for decades has been one of the most colourful characters on

…

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Posted in News | Tagged and | 1 Comment
Helen Duffett

Richard Thomas is Welsh Lib Dems’ new Chief Executive

By Helen Duffett | Tue 3rd January 2012 - 5:32 pm

Richard Thomas started today as the Chief Executive of the Welsh Liberal Democrats.

The BBC reports:

The Welsh Liberal Democrats’ former head of communications has been appointed as the party’s chief executive.

Richard Thomas takes up the post as the Lib Dems get ready for local elections in all Welsh councils in May.

He takes over from Joanne Foster who now works for Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg.

As well as his previous job with the party, he has worked for Lib Dem MPs and as a public affairs consultant.

Here’s how Richard shared the news on Twitter:

…

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Posted in Party policy and internal matters and Wales | Tagged and | Leave a comment
Jock Coats

Opinion: Liberating the land – prosperity through Rigorous Liberalism

By Jock Coats | Tue 3rd January 2012 - 4:35 pm

The central tenet of what I call “Rigorous Liberalism” is that a truly liberal state would seek to eradicate economic, social and class barriers to equal opportunity before creating more government programs to subsidise people at a disadvantage in markets distorted by decades or centuries of privilege and rent-seeking.

Nowhere is this need more obvious than in land, planning and housing policy. Artificially restricting land supply drives up land prices and drives down housing quality. If customers can only afford so much and most is sunk into land costs there’s not a lot left for competition to drive up …

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Posted in Op-eds | Tagged and | 18 Comments
NewsHound

Stephen Lawrence – “Some justice at last”

By NewsHound | Tue 3rd January 2012 - 3:43 pm

The BBC reports the stunning news:

Two men have been convicted of the racist murder of black teenager Stephen Lawrence, 18 years after he was stabbed to death at a south London bus stop.

Gary Dobson and David Norris were found guilty by an Old Bailey jury after a trial based on forensic evidence.

Scientists found a tiny blood stain on Dobson’s jacket that could only have come from Mr Lawrence.

As he was led away, Dobson told the jury they had condemned an “innocent man”. Sentencing will be on Wednesday.

Stephen’s parents, Doreen and Neville, wept in court as the jury found

…

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Posted in News | Tagged | 1 Comment
Mark Pack

How you can help make the workings of party committees more accountable

By Mark Pack | Tue 3rd January 2012 - 1:50 pm

One issue which comes up regularly in different ways is party members feeling they do not know what the party’s federal committees are up to in their name. Without getting too lost into the rights and wrongs of each individual case, I think we have a problem from both ends – committee members do not communicate enough and also members do not get in touch with them enough.

The way to break that is to improve the basic flow of information, so more information comes out from committees, prompting members in turn to ask and lobby more, prompting committee members in …

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Posted in Party policy and internal matters | 4 Comments
Michael Carchrie Campbell

Opinion: The forgotten family member and what Nick said…

By Michael Carchrie Campbell | Tue 3rd January 2012 - 11:53 am

Many people think of the Liberal Democrats as a family. I know that I have often felt part of a huge family when I have been across on ‘the other off-shore island’ whether it’s at conferences – Federal Party, Scottish Party, or LDYS (oops: I’m showing my age) – or helping with elections be they local elections in Manchester with Cllr Paul Shannon and our dear friend the late Neil Trafford, or when I helped in Ipswich with all the camaraderie that …

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Posted in Op-eds | Tagged | 13 Comments
The Voice

London Lib Dems hit out at Boris’s fare hikes as “shameful”

By The Voice | Tue 3rd January 2012 - 11:25 am

London Lib Dem mayoral candidate Brian Paddick and leader of the London Lib Dems Caroline Pidgeon have criticised Boris Johnson’s 7% price hike for public transport fares which came into force today. Here’s the party’s official statement:

Commenting on the Mayor’s 2012 fare rises being introduced today Brian Paddick, the Liberal Democrat Mayoral candidate said:

“Once again we start the year with another painful fare package from Boris Johnson. For the fourth year in a row he has racked up fares by far more than the rate of inflation.

“His latest rises will simply add to the financial problems

…

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Posted in News | Tagged , , and | 4 Comments
Mark Pack

The perils of political canvassing

By Mark Pack | Tue 3rd January 2012 - 10:25 am

May your new year on the doorsteps go better than this pair of all too true scenes from Vote, Vote, Vote for Nigel Barton:

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Posted in Op-eds | Tagged | 4 Comments
Mark Pack

The Liberal Democrat challenges for 2012: The Budget

By Mark Pack | Tue 3rd January 2012 - 8:50 am

To mark the start of 2012, we’re running a series of posts over consecutive days on the main challenges for the Liberal Democrats in 2012. I’ve already written about the four priorities for the party’s new Chief Executive, Tim Gordon, but as the Liberal Democrats are more than just the one man whilst he has four, this series sets out six for the party.

Political pundits rarely get their predictions right. It isn’t that they are particularly bad at punditry, it is just that – as research has shown across several fields – experts generally have a pretty poor predictive record. One prediction, however, that is rather safer than leaving your chocolate in my safe-keeping is that the economy will continue to be the dominant political issue.

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Posted in Op-eds | Tagged and | 8 Comments
Stephen Tall

The Lib Dem Voice Golden Dozen of 2011

By Stephen Tall | Mon 2nd January 2012 - 7:08 pm

My Voice colleague Helen Duffett has already published the final round-up from the Lib Dem blogosphere of 2011 here. Our Golden Dozen deliberately eschews posts published on this site: its aim is to share the link-love around.

But for those who are interested — not least the Voice Collective — here are the most-read posts published on LibDemVoice during 2011:

1. Opinion: However unfair it is, Chris Huhne should step down
Simon McGrath | Published 22nd May 2011

2. Chris Huhne’s election expenses: once again, nothing to see here, move along
By Mark Pack | Published 25th May 2011

3. Barnsley …

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Posted in Best of the blogs | Tagged , , and | 2 Comments
NewsHound

LibLink: Mark Pack – Why David Cameron won’t be calling a snap general election

By NewsHound | Mon 2nd January 2012 - 5:11 pm

Over on the LSE’s British Politics blog, The Voice‘s Mark Pack has been explaining why commentators speculating about a snap general election have got it wrong:

Fixing the date of the next general election (and future ones) outside the control of the Prime Minister was a central part of the Conservative/Liberal Democrat coalition agreement because it was a way of guaranteeing the five-year deal. Otherwise the risk for the smaller party is that at any point the larger one can suddenly pull the rug out from under an agreement and call an election. No doubt it helped sweeten the pill for

…

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Posted in LibLink | Tagged and | 3 Comments
Nick T

“A political trauma, but a policy success” – the FT’s verdict on tuition fees

By Nick T | Mon 2nd January 2012 - 4:27 pm

One year on from what remains, for many Liberal Democrats, the most traumatic decision yet taken by the coalition, the FT (via an editorial in the newspaper) has provided its assessment of the policy.

Here’s what the newspaper says on the policy itself:

Many academics and students continue to grumble about the move to charge undergraduates for their tuition costs. But governments looking for ways to reduce their outgoings should consider raising such charges – so long as they do it fairly, as the UK has.

It is a big concern that high college fees – and the fear of them –

…

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Posted in News | Tagged and | 32 Comments
Mark Pack

Campaign Corner: Is it better for a candidate to have a website or a blog?

By Mark Pack | Mon 2nd January 2012 - 2:55 pm

The Campaign Corner series looks to give three tips about commonly asked campaign issues. Do get in touch if you have any questions you would like to suggest.

Today’s Campaign Corner question: I’m standing in May and not sure what matters most – my website, having a blog or both?

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Posted in Campaign Corner and Online politics | Tagged | 4 Comments
The Voice

How you can help Liberal Democrat Voice

By The Voice | Mon 2nd January 2012 - 9:45 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 …

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Posted in Site news | 2 Comments
The Voice

Top of the Blogs: The Lib Dem Golden Dozen #254

By The Voice | Sun 1st January 2012 - 7:00 pm

Welcome to the Golden Dozen, and our 254th 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 (25-31 December, 2011), 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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