Tag Archives: vince cable

Lib Link: Vince Cable Human rights day: Demand better for freedom and dignity

By NewsHound | Mon 10th December 2018 - 8:55 pm

Vince Cable has written an article for Human Rights Day over on the party website. It’s 70 years today since the International Declaration on Human Rights was signed.

On 10th December 1948, history was made. The United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

In the shadow of the Second World War, the nations of the world came together to declare that everyone – no matter who they are and where they live – has the same fundamental rights.

With one voice, we pledged to “strive by teaching and education to promote respect for these rights and freedoms and by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance.”

That was a mission statement for the world. But it equally serves as a mission statement for the Liberal Democrats today.

We are committed to promoting and protecting human rights, here in the UK and around the world.

And, as we celebrate the momentous step that was taken 70 years ago today, we must also rededicate ourselves to that mission.

Posted in LibLink | Also tagged human rights | Leave a comment

Bottle it Day: Lib Dems react

By Caron Lindsay | Mon 10th December 2018 - 7:30 pm

Rather than face certain defeat now, Theresa May shelves plans for a Commons vote on her Brexit deal in order to try to stave of likely defeat in a few weeks’ time.

Lib Dems have been reacting to developments.

Vince Cable confirmed that we would support Labour in the unlikely event that our so-called opposition actually decided to move a motion of no-confidence in the Government.

The Prime Minister’s authority has drained away. It is the duty of Jeremy Corbyn to call a vote of no confidence in the Government, which Liberal Democrats would support.

After that Liberal Democrats will continue to press for a People’s Vote. MPs from all parties should join us in giving the people a final say, with the option to remain in the EU.

Welsh leaderJane Dodds said that the only way to resolve the Brexit embarrassment was a People’s Vote:

Brexit has become a national embarrassment. Negotiations with the EU have been chaotic since day one, but this is a new low. The fact Theresa May has postponed the vote on her deal to avoid defeat shows there is no support for her Brexit deal in Parliament.

Delaying the vote on her Brexit deal is an unprecedented blow to Theresa May’s authority, but it solves nothing. There is no majority for any Brexit deal in Parliament and now no majority for Brexit at all amongst the public. Whilst this remains the case, no Brexit deal will get through Parliament.

The only solution to the ongoing Brexit crisis is going back to the people. We must give the people the final say and the opportunity to choose an Exit from Brexit. This is the only solution and the Prime Minister should immediately back it.

Our current deal gives us:
✅ MEPs who have a say on EU laws.
✅ Power to veto any EU decision.
✅ Ability to travel & work across Europe.
✅ Zero barriers to trade.
✅ A yearly financial rebate.

Yet we complain we can’t get a good enough deal… #BrexitDeal #ExitFromBrexit

— Jane Dodds (@DoddsJane) December 10, 2018

Christine Jardine asked the PM why, if she could change her mind over the backstop, the people couldn’t be given the chance to vote again:

Wera Hobhouse asked how many of the people who voted to leave in 2016 voted for her deal:

Tim Farron was unimpressed with the Labour Party:

Open goal. Jezza hits the corner flag.

— Tim Farron (@timfarron) December 10, 2018

And on a lighter note, the Lib Dem Press Office has been on form today:

Posted in News | Also tagged christine jardine, jane dodds, lib dem press office, tim farron and wera hobhouse | 16 Comments

4 December 2018 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Tue 4th December 2018 - 11:30 pm

It perhaps tells you all that you need to know about the state of our politics when the Government is found to have acted in contempt of Parliament and yet, hours later, nobody has resigned. But you can guess what’s dominating today…

Lib Dems demand urgent action on prisons crisis (already covered here)
UK can get out of Brexit mess
Moran: Govt is fostering a culture of senseless competition in our schools
Cable: Legal advice must be published urgently
Parliament wins back control, but people must have their say
Cable: Bring country together with a People’s Vote

UK can get out of Brexit mess

Responding to the …

Posted in News | Also tagged brexit, court ruling on article 50, ed davey, education policy, layla moran, ofsted, parliamentary procedure, prison reform and tom brake | 1 Comment

3 December 2018 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Mon 3rd December 2018 - 11:59 pm

It’s been a busy day, perhaps not a great surprise as the Brexit debate in the Commons reaches its denouement…

Cable: Halt “egregious imbalance” of May vs Corbyn Brexit debate
Lib Dems back amendment to stop no deal Brexit
Lib Dems: Govt have held Parliament in contempt
Govt remain clueless on immigration
Lib Dem peers defeat Government on civil liberties (see here for our earlier coverage)
PM must stop pandering to the Saudi regime
Lib Dems lead fight for renters’ rights
Govt must publish Brexit legal advice

Cable: Halt “egregious imbalance” of May vs Corbyn Brexit debate

Today Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Vince Cable has called on the …

Posted in News | Also tagged arms sales, brexit, debate, housing policy, immigration, john shipley, olly grender, parliamentary procedure, saudi arabia, tom brake and wera hobhouse | 4 Comments

WATCH: Vince Cable’s message of solidarity with the Jewish community on Hanukkah

By The Voice | Sun 2nd December 2018 - 12:55 pm

Here’s Vince’s message for Hanukkah:

Leader of the Liberal Democrats @vincecable shares his message on Hanukkah pic.twitter.com/4gbKDdRWFd

— Liberal Democrats (@LibDems) 2 December 2018

Posted in News | Also tagged hanukkah | Leave a comment

29 November 2018 – today’s press releases (the 500 miles edition)

By Mark Valladares | Thu 29th November 2018 - 11:50 pm

Later than usual this evening, as I’ve spent the evening at a Proclaimers concert, courtesy of my lovely wife… it wasn’t 500 miles away…

PM leaving us in the dark on immigration
Cable: May “running scared” of real opposition
Lib Dems warn BBC that ‘Brexit debate’ may breach Ofcom code
Government has let down victims over second Leveson Inquiry

PM leaving us in the dark on immigration

Theresa May has today refused to confirm when the immigration white paper will be published. She was asked by Liberal Democrat MP Norman Lamb after Ministers originally promised to publish the white paper last year, but that deadline has …

Posted in News | Also tagged brexit, christine jardine, debate, health, immigration, leveson inquiry and norman lamb | Leave a comment

28 November 2018 – today’s press releases (part 2)

By Mark Valladares | Wed 28th November 2018 - 11:10 pm

Davey: Brexit deal leaves police in the dark (see tomorrow morning)
Lib Dem victory on tackling ‘Sex for Rent’
Lib Dems accuse Govt of contempt over Brexit legal advice row
Labour must give “unequivocal guarantee” they will back a People’s Vote
Bank of England confirm any Brexit will hurt the economy

Lib Dem victory on tackling ‘Sex for Rent’

After pressure from Liberal Democrat MP, Wera Hobhouse, the Crown Prosecution Service have today confirmed they will be conducting a review to update their guidelines on ‘sex for rent’.

After speaking in the Westminster Hall Debate on the issue, Wera Hobhouse said:

It is great to see progress is

…

Posted in News | Also tagged brexit, Parliament, peoples vote, sex for rent, tom brake and wera hobhouse | Leave a comment

28 November 2018 – today’s press releases (part 1)

By Mark Valladares | Wed 28th November 2018 - 10:55 pm

Another sizeable batch today, although one of my colleagues has asked me to hold one back until tomorrow. Indeed, we’ve had so many that I’m breaking them up into two posts…

Tory failure to prepare for Brexit risks empty shops & disruption at ports
Lib Dems secure key concessions on counter-terror laws
Chancellor’s comments show May’s cabinet in chaos
Cable: PM must stop threatening the country with no-deal Brexit
Cable: UK could be worse off than Government impact assessments say

Tory failure to prepare for Brexit risks empty shops & disruption at ports

Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran has slammed the Tories for “refusing to provide information …

Posted in News | Also tagged brexit, brian paddick, counter terrorism measures, layla moran, tom brake and trade | Leave a comment

26 November 2018 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Mon 26th November 2018 - 10:00 pm

Just two press releases today, as the timetable for the Parliamentary debate (at least, the one in the Commons) is scheduled…

Hedges case should never have happened
PM ducks Cable challenge to debate Brexit

Hedges case should never have happened

Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Christine Jardine has welcomed news that Matthew Hedges, who was given a life sentence in the UAE for spying, has received a presidential pardon.

Following this morning’s announcement Ms Jardine said;

It is a great relief to see that Matthew will be returning to his family in the UK.

However, this should never have happened in the first place and

…

Posted in News | Also tagged brexit, christine jardine and matthew hedges | 6 Comments

25 November 2018 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Sun 25th November 2018 - 10:01 pm

Cable: PM’s deal remains a disaster (already covered here)
PM’s letter a PR exercise
Unsafe medical devices have no place in our healthcare system

PM’s letter a PR exercise

Responding to the Prime Minister’s open letter calling on the British public to back her deal, Liberal Democrat Brexit spokesperson Tom Brake said:

The Prime Minister’s letter is nothing more than a PR exercise. If Theresa May were serious about seeing whether the public support her deal, then she would offer them a vote on it.

It is outrageous that she claims to be campaigning for people to support her deal ‘for the good of our

…

Posted in News | Also tagged brexit and tom brake | Leave a comment

Vince: Brexit deal is a disaster for the British people

By The Voice | Sun 25th November 2018 - 12:30 pm

The Brexit Deal is a disaster and the people should be given the chance to vote on it says Vince Cable.

Speaking as EU leaders endorsed it, Vince said:

This is a sad day for everyone involved; the deal the EU have endorsed remains a disaster for the British people.

What has been agreed is vague at best and is essentially an agreement to have an agreement. There is still no majority in Parliament for it, and “No Brexit” remains the only real alternative.

Nobody voted to make themselves poorer and damage the UK’s standing in the world. It is time the Prime Minister granted a People’s Vote, with the option to remain in the EU.

At the London Regional Conference yesterday, he said t was important to get “no deal” off the table as we campaign for “no Brexit.”

Posted in News | Also tagged brexit and stephen lloyd | 10 Comments

Vince tells PM: Brexit Deal is “pathetically weak”

By Caron Lindsay | Fri 23rd November 2018 - 10:25 am

Vince Cable questioned the Prime Minister yesterday when she made her statement on the political declaration of the EU withdrawal agreement. He highlighted one particularly worrying aspect of it:

This is essentially an agreement to have an agreement, and it is full of worryingly vague aspirations. How, for example, can the Prime Minister justify paragraph 24, which relates to medicines, chemicals and aviation safety, where we currently have strong agreed co-operative standards? She has managed to negotiate an agreement to

“explore the possibility of cooperation”.

That is pathetically weak, and it will cause great anxiety to millions of people who depend on high standards of safety.

Ultimately, this deal is a massive kicking of big issues into some very long grass. Nothing will be decided before we leave the EU. This makes it more important than ever that we stop Brexit.

May’s response just emphasised how uncertain this all is:

In relation to these negotiations, we are not able to put legal texts together until we have left the European Union and are no longer a member of the European Union—that, of course, is what we will be able to do when we leave on 29 March 2019.

Brexit is a leap into the fog. We owe future generations better than this.

Posted in Op-eds | Also tagged brexit and jeremy corbyn | 2 Comments

22 November 2018 – today’s press releases (part 2)

By Mark Valladares | Thu 22nd November 2018 - 11:50 pm

And, as promised, the rest of today’s bounty…

Davey: Serious failings revealed in ISC report must be put right
Majestic plc preparing for last of the summer wine
Cable: PM’s plan is ‘pathetically weak’
CBI leaders highlight Brexit concerns

Davey: Serious failings revealed in ISC report must be put right

Responding to the Intelligence and Security Committee’s report on the 2017 terror attacks, Liberal Democrat Home Affairs spokesperson Ed Davey said:

We are all immensely grateful for the work our police and security services do responding to terror attacks and stopping others from being carried out.

This report reveals a number of serious failings that must be put

…

Posted in News | Also tagged brexit, ed davey, intelligence and security committee and tom brake | 1 Comment

21 November 2018 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Wed 21st November 2018 - 10:15 pm

Having completed another meeting of the Federal International Relations Committee, featuring an exploration of the distant reaches of Article 7 of the Federal Constitution of the Party, your editor’s mind turns to press releases…

Moran: Gov must recognise state of Palestine
Cable: Prokopchuk’s Interpol position is still ‘an insult to the victims of the Salisbury attack’
Sanctions needed to get Matthew Hedges home
Davey: PM must publish immigration white paper now
Lib Dems announce Siobhan Benita as London Mayoral candidate

(covered separately here)

Lib Dems lead fight to protect vulnerable people in care
Davey: Something going very wrong in energy market

Moran: Gov must recognise state of Palestine

Liberal …

Posted in News | Also tagged christine jardine, ed davey, energy policy, immigration, interpol, layla moran, liz barker, london mayoral election 2020, palestine and siobhan benita | 1 Comment

20 November 2018 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Tue 20th November 2018 - 11:55 pm

Another busy day, but I’m pleased to note that a bit more use is being made of our Spokespeople in the Lords. After all, there are rather more of them than in the Commons, and they’re a valuable asset when it comes to holding the Government to account…

Cable: Bank of England must conduct honest assessment of Brexit deal
Cable: Govt must block Interpol election of Alexander Prokopchuk
Tories to blame for missed NHS targets
Cable: Our priority is building the momentum for a People’s Vote
Vulnerable people put in homes not fit for human habitation
The licence fee is not the Government’s to spend

Cable: …

Posted in News | Also tagged asylum seekers, brexit, ed davey, interpol, Jane Bonham Carter, judith jolly, NHS, peoples vote, targets and TV licence | 4 Comments

Vince: Don’t let older generations impose their prejudices on young people

By Caron Lindsay | Tue 20th November 2018 - 10:24 am

Vince did an interview last week that I expect he enjoyed more than most. The interviewer wasn’t Eddie Mair, or Andrew Neil, but his grandson Ayrton. As an ambassador for the I Will campaign , which aims to engage young people in social action, he took the chance to interview his Grandad.

Vince has always been pretty robust about how the older generation has shafted young people. He talked about how important it is for young people to get involved, engaged and to get out and vote.

Watch the video here:

My grandson and @iwill_campaign

…

Posted in News | Also tagged i will campaign and young people | 25 Comments

15 November 2018 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Thu 15th November 2018 - 10:00 pm

A tricky day for a Press Team, I’d suggest. After all, all the attention is directed towards who might, or might not, resign, and whether or not a leadership contest will be called. Who’d be a press officer under such circumstances?…

Cable: The Conservative Government is in meltdown
Cable: PM’s incompetence leaves UK unprepared for all options
Brexit chaos hitting UK businesses hard
Cable: ‘No Brexit’ clearly on the table
Cable: PM in Brexit denial

Cable: The Conservative Government is in meltdown

Responding to the resignation of Brexit secretary Dominic Raab, Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Vince Cable said:

The Government started Britain on a journey with no

…

Posted in News | Also tagged brexit and tom brake | 1 Comment

Vince: People’s Vote is now probable

By Caron Lindsay | Thu 15th November 2018 - 9:04 pm

Well, it’s been quite a day.

I don’t work Thursdays, so under normal circumstances, I would have been glued to the telly and social media bringing you a blow by blow account of everything as it happened.

As luck would have it, I was at a housing conference. It was excellent, I learned loads, I met lovely people and I wouldn’t have missed it for any political drama, even without the excellent scones, jam and cream at the afternoon tea break.

I will admit to the occasional glance at Twitter to see the drama unfold. Looks like my crystal ball was a bit wonky the other day when I said that ministers wouldn’t create a fuss to cling on to power. However, the way that Amber Rudd and Nicky Morgan have been shoring Theresa May up today makes me worry that some Tory Remainers are folding as they have done fairly regularly for the last 30 years or so. Anna Soubry and Sarah Wollaston are still flying the People’s Vote flag, though.

I was on a cold station platform when May held her press conference. I spent the journey home glued to Twitter. No, she wasn’t resigning, she was just spouting the same Brexity rubbish and clinging to her deal that only she really loves.

There is no way her deal is in anything like the national interest. David Lidington couldn’t say it would make us better off. We would end up abiding by rules we had no way in making. I think those rules are generally ok to be honest, but it’s better if we have some deal of ownership of them.

Not only that but a Sky News poll became the second major tv poll in a week to show a majority of support for remaining in the EU. 54% would choose Remain, while 55% want a People’s Vote.

The party hastily organised a rally for an exit from Brexit in Parliament Square tonight. Vince told the assembled crowd that a People’s Vote had moved from possible to probable. Here he is:

"No Brexit is on the table. We've got to win it. We've got to get the People's Vote." At the end of a chaotic day @vincecable addresses anti-Brexit demonstrators.
This is your future, and your choice. Demand the final say > https://t.co/Mp2XkNJx4v pic.twitter.com/4rZUzcggOm

— Liberal Democrats (@LibDems) November 15, 2018

Earlier in the day, Christine Jardine talked about how the Liberal Democrats had led the way on campaigning for the People’s Vote and how it was now the only way out of this mess.

Posted in Op-eds | Also tagged brexit and christine jardine | 7 Comments

14 November 2018 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Wed 14th November 2018 - 11:50 pm

It’s been a long day today, with the last press release issued after 10 p.m….

Tories “unacceptably risky” on impact of Brexit food shortages
Number Ten bows to pressure on FOBT stakes
Failures on women’s health becoming the norm
DUP “punishment beating” comments unacceptable and dangerous
‘No Brexit’ still a very real possibility
Country still none the wiser on PM’s blindfold Brexit
Brexit will rob UK of crucial cross-border crime-fighting tools

Tories “unacceptably risky” on impact of Brexit food shortages

Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran has warned the Tories are being “unacceptably risky” as a House of Commons committee finds that failures in preparing for Brexit mean food shortages …

Posted in News | Also tagged Alistair Carmichael, brexit, christine jardine, ed davey, european arrest warrant, fobt, food security, justice across borders, layla moran, northern ireland, public accounts committee, tom brake, wera hobhouse and women’s health | 2 Comments

Brexit deal open thread….Lib Dems react

By Caron Lindsay | Wed 14th November 2018 - 8:01 pm

I predicted on Facebook this morning that there would be few if any resignations in the wake of the Brexit deal and it looks like, thus far at least, I’ve been proven right. The thing is, Tories love power. They feel entitled to power. When they have it, even if they are trashing the place, they are not going to give it up. So they grit their teeth and put up with a deal we know that they hate.

The deal is by its very nature worse than the deal we have at the moment. For sure, the EU needs its backside kicking in many ways, but then so does our own governance. Let’s face it, we have a whole house full of unelected people, with special places reserved for the leaders of one denomination of one religion. We allow governments elected on barely a third of the vote virtually unchecked power.

We have been leaders in the EU. We have helped form the rules. We’re giving up all that to take what we’re given. In what universe is that taking back control? It’s like we’ve gone into a restaurant and ordered a roast beef with all the trimmings and been given a heap of tripe.

Lib Dems have been reacting to the news tonight. Vince picked up on two little words in the PM’s statement – no Brexit, which she said was a possibility.

The crucial change is that the Prime Minister and the Government have admitted for the first time that the choice for the country is not just between this bad deal or ‘no deal’. Instead, ‘No Brexit’ is a very real possibility.

“It is time to return this issue to the country, and give people the option to Remain.

Willie Rennie pointed out the chaos in the Tory Party:

This Conservative Government is in total chaos. The veneer of unity in the cabinet will not secure unity in the country, parliament or even their own party.

This deal will not satisfy anyone regardless of whether they voted leave or remain. Instead Brexit will hurt the pockets of ordinary people and leave the UK weakened.

Theresa May has a chance to steer the UK away from the cliff edge. She should call a People’s Vote and give the public the power to choose what happens next.

Posted in News | Also tagged brexit deal, christine jardine and willie rennie | 29 Comments

13 November 2018 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Tue 13th November 2018 - 11:00 pm

We’ve had a deluge of press releases today, perhaps unsurprisingly, given events…

Moran: Isolation booths are a symbol of a broken education system
Davey: Brexodus already damaging NHS and social care
Lib Dems back move to defeat ‘craven’ Govt over FOBT delay
Brexit will derail the gravy train
Davey: Tory cuts make our borders less secure
Both Tories and Labour must be transparent about Brexit mess
Layla Moran: Botched Brexit can be stopped
Cable: Deal will be torn apart before ink is dry
MPs must now let people have final say on Brexit

Moran: Isolation booths are a symbol of a broken education system

Responding to a report by the BBC …

Posted in News | Also tagged brexit, christine jardine, ed davey, eu migration, food supplies, gambling, isolation booths, layla moran, NHS, tom brake and uk border force | 10 Comments

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

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

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

The text follows:

Posted in News | Also tagged ALDE congress, brexit and featured | 17 Comments

9 November 2018 – today’s press releases

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

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

Another Johnson joins the campaign for a People’s Vote

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

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

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

Meanwhile

…

Posted in News | Also tagged brexit, ed davey and migration policy | 12 Comments

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

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

Vince makes Time magazine this week.

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

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

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

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

And the march itself helped make it more likely:

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

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

Posted in News | Also tagged brexit and time magazine | 18 Comments

6 November 2018 – today’s press releases

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

Tory Minister slammed for accusing police of exaggerating pressures

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

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

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

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

Police chiefs are warning of

…

Posted in News | Also tagged brexit, crime, ed davey, jane dodds, jobs and policing | Leave a comment

Vince: The Commonwealth wants us to stay in the EU

By The Voice | Tue 6th November 2018 - 12:30 pm

Last month Vince gave a lecture to the Institute of Commonwealth Studies on the subject of Brexit and how it would affect the Commonwealth.

You know how you get Tory Brexiteers looking to the Commonwealth as a whole new opportunity for us? Well, the commonwealth leaders themselves would prefer we stayed in. Vince pointed out:

The first thing that struck me as I started looking through some of the comments on BREXIT and the Commonwealth was the enormous contrast between the tone of the comments coming from the UK, and particularly from the advocates of BREXIT, and those coming from the Commonwealth governments themselves. I think Patricia Scotland summarised the debate on this subject by saying that most of the Commonwealth leaders were hoping that Britain would stay in. It was very clear, that statement. I suspect she understated the argument but there was a very clear preference that most Commonwealth countries have more influence as a result of being in the European Union than being outside. I contrast that with a strangely, almost euphoric attitude of a lot of people in the UK who see the Commonwealth in terms of a big new opportunity opening up.

So why are commonwealth countries so anxious?

Posted in Op-eds | Also tagged brexit and the commonwealth | 6 Comments

LibLink: Vince Cable: Brexit’s real life impacts are already hitting the UK hard

By Caron Lindsay | Sun 4th November 2018 - 10:28 am

Vince was up in Edinburgh this week (not, contrary to some reports, flying business class and staying in luxury). After an early start to do budget media stuff, he voted on the budget at 6:30 or so and caught a flight an hour later. He and Christine Jardine got to the Edinburgh West dinner at about 9:45 and both were in sparkling form.

In fact, I think that the speech Vince gave was better than his Conference speech. There was none of the schoolboy, carry-on style humour, and just a very simple, effective liberal message. He talked about needing to be honest with people about the future funding of public services – we will need to pay more tax. He talked about Brexit and our desire to stop it too, but he had plenty of vision about helping those who need it most – putting more money into Universal Credit and stopping its rollout until the problems with it are sorted out. He talked of his surprise that Labour had abstained on he Tory tax cut for better off people as he led our MPs to oppose it.

Timed to coincide with his visit was an op-ed in the Scotsman which he used to describe the detrimental impact that Brexit is already having on us:

Posted in Op-eds | Also tagged brexit, budget, Scotland and the scotsman | 16 Comments

1 November 2018 – today’s press releases

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

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

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

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

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

Leader of the Liberal Democrats Vince …

Posted in News | Also tagged brexit, christine jardine, ed davey, education policy, electoral law, fixed odds betting terminals, jane dodds, kirsty williams, policing, taxation, tom brake and Wales | 1 Comment

Unlike Labour, Lib Dem MPs will oppose Budget tax cut for better off

By Caron Lindsay | Thu 1st November 2018 - 10:59 am

As I said on Monday, the bit that annoyed me most about the Budget was that better off people were getting a tax cut when the benefit freeze continued and only a third of what was needed was put back into Universal Credit. Add to that the people who have their much-needed disability benefits cut back for the most arbitrary of reasons after deeply flawed assessments and you can maybe see why I am so fuming.

Astonishingly, Labour is backing the Tory plans – although some may revolt.

So it’s good to see that Vince Cable will lead Liberal Democrats in voting against the tax cuts and asking for the £1.3 billion to be spent on reversing the cuts to social security. The press release actually says welfare, but I really wish they wouldn’t call it that. Social security is important for everyone. There needs to be a safety net to help those in the most difficult situations at any time. It’s what a civilised society does. It should be enabling and freely given, not grudgingly given with unreasonable expectations written into its heart as it is at the moment.

Vince said:

Posted in Op-eds | Also tagged budget, labour, Lib Dems and tax cuts | 19 Comments

29 October 2018 – today’s press releases (part two)

By Mark Valladares | Mon 29th October 2018 - 10:25 pm

As promised, part two of today’s output from the Party’s Press Team…

Fiscal Phil’s sticking plaster Budget

Responding to the Chancellor’s Budget, Liberal Democrat Leader and former Business Secretary Vince Cable said:

This was all very modest stuff, with more in it for potholes than schools and the police. A standstill non-event.

With growth remaining stubbornly low and Brexit weighing down our economy, it is clear the big problems are still to be tackled. It was a sticking plaster Budget, when major surgery lies ahead.

If we are to see an end to austerity, then we need a proper injection of

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Posted in News | Also tagged Alistair Carmichael, budget 2018, climate change, don foster, ed davey, gambling, stephen lloyd, tom brake and universal credit | 5 Comments

Op-eds

Josh Babarinde writes…The Lib Dem Summer of Strategy (Josh Babarinde)
Mathew on Monday: “We need to be bold” (Mathew Hulbert)
As a party we must be better defined for the 2029 general election (Chris Bowers)
From national averages to local realities: inequality in our communities (Tom Walker)
We do have a two tier system, Part 2 (Neil Hickman)

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Josh Babarinde writes…The Lib Dem Summer of Strategy

Alison Suttie writes: Thank you to our volunteers

What’s going on with party strategy?

A strange but welcome feeling

Tag Archives: vince cable

Lib Link: Vince Cable Human rights day: Demand better for freedom and dignity

Bottle it Day: Lib Dems react

4 December 2018 – today’s press releases

3 December 2018 – today’s press releases

WATCH: Vince Cable’s message of solidarity with the Jewish community on Hanukkah

29 November 2018 – today’s press releases (the 500 miles edition)

28 November 2018 – today’s press releases (part 2)

28 November 2018 – today’s press releases (part 1)

26 November 2018 – today’s press releases

25 November 2018 – today’s press releases

Vince: Brexit deal is a disaster for the British people

Vince tells PM: Brexit Deal is “pathetically weak”

22 November 2018 – today’s press releases (part 2)

21 November 2018 – today’s press releases

20 November 2018 – today’s press releases

Vince: Don’t let older generations impose their prejudices on young people

15 November 2018 – today’s press releases

Vince: People’s Vote is now probable

14 November 2018 – today’s press releases

Brexit deal open thread….Lib Dems react

13 November 2018 – today’s press releases

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

9 November 2018 – today’s press releases

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

6 November 2018 – today’s press releases

Vince: The Commonwealth wants us to stay in the EU

LibLink: Vince Cable: Brexit’s real life impacts are already hitting the UK hard

1 November 2018 – today’s press releases

Unlike Labour, Lib Dem MPs will oppose Budget tax cut for better off

29 October 2018 – today’s press releases (part two)

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Josh Babarinde writes…The Lib Dem Summer of Strategy

Alison Suttie writes: Thank you to our volunteers

What’s going on with party strategy?

A strange but welcome feeling

Tag Archives: vince cable

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