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Tag Archives: willie rennie

Salmond promises childcare revolution after turning down Rennie’s plans for nursery education

By Caron Lindsay | Sat 23rd March 2013 - 7:30 pm

Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond gave his keynote speech to SNP Conference this afternoon. There were three things in it that struck me as a Liberal Democrat.

A numbers game

Apparently a “yes” vote for independence would be a vote for a “prosperous economy and a just society.” Does this remind you of any phrase being used rather a lot at the moment by any Liberal Democrat who can be persuaded to do so? I wonder how prosperous an economy built on wildly optimistic estimates of oil revenues would be to start with.

Many nationalists have been complaining about their fixed budget doesn’t …

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Posted in Op-eds | Also tagged alex salmond, childcare, Scotland and Scottish independence referendum | 6 Comments

My highlights of Scottish Liberal Democrat Conference

By Caron Lindsay | Wed 20th March 2013 - 11:56 am

I’m a bit bleary eyed today. One conference is exhausting, two on successive weekends is positively foolhardy. Following that up with a trip to London for Federal Executive is craziness.

I spent the weekend in Dundee where Scottish Liberal Democrats held their main Conference. Over three days, there were no fewer than twelve policy debates, some of them incredibly powerful or controversial. Here are my highlights.

The Secret Courts debate

Yes, I’m biased as I proposed the motion rejecting the Government’s proposals, but the debate itself was very high quality. Liberal Youth co-chair Kavya Kaushik won the Russell Johnston award for the best …

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Posted in News and Op-eds | Also tagged mental health, Scotland, Scottish liberal democrat conference, secret courts, tavish scott, vince cable and wilie rennie | 2 Comments

Scottish Liberal Democrats launch new Facebook page

By The Voice | Thu 14th March 2013 - 3:55 pm

Ahead of Scottish Conference in Dundee this weekend, Scottish Liberal Democrats have launched a new Facebook page for news, views, infographics and pictures about the Scottish Liberal Democrats.

Their picture of today is a head shot of leader Willie Rennie with all the nice things that journalists keep saying about him.

The Conference has its fair share of controversy – debates on secret courts, snaring and smacking over the next three days.

There will be keynote speeches from Vince Cable, Nick Clegg, Jo Swinson, Michael Moore and Malcolm Bruce as well as …

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Posted in News | Also tagged facebook and Scottish liberal democrat conference | Leave a comment

Willie Rennie backs plans to give 16/17 year olds vote for Independence Referendum

By Caron Lindsay | Wed 13th March 2013 - 3:30 pm

One of the many good things, as I wrote last year, that Liberal Democrat Secretary of State for Scotland Michael Moore delivered in the Edinburgh Agreement was a provision to allow 16 and 17 year olds to vote in the referendum on independence. He was pleased to be able to persuade the Coalition Government to agree something which had long been Liberal Democrat policy. To be fair, it had also been SNP policy.

Yesterday, the SNP Government, whose responsibility it is to legislate for the referendum, introduced their Bill to extend the franchise to include 16 and 17 year olds. …

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Posted in News | Also tagged david green and liberal youth scotland | 1 Comment

Willie Rennie on Newsnight Scotland: You have to be cautious when you predict oil revenues

By Caron Lindsay | Wed 13th March 2013 - 11:57 am

There’s been a bit of a stooshie over future North Sea oil revenues in the last week or so. First, as the BBC tells us, a leaked draft of a Scottish Government report said that volatility in projecting revenues created uncertainty and could lead to spending cuts. Now, Alex Salmond tells us that it’ll all be fine and there’ll be a great big oil boom just as Scotland becomes independent. The SNP projections for the first year of independence are pretty much double what the OBR predicts.

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie went on Newsnight Scotland on Monday night …

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Posted in News | Also tagged alex salmond, john swinney, north sea oil, oil revenues, Scotland and Scottish independence referendum | 2 Comments

Willie Rennie and John Prescott crack a joke on Twitter…

By Caron Lindsay | Sun 3rd March 2013 - 10:47 am

The last two big Liberal Democrat by-election winners have not let their place in Liberal Democrat legend go to their heads. Mike Thornton MP (I am not going to get tired writing that in a hurry) was interviewed on BBC News this morning while, as he told us, he was heading to buy a new head for his shaver.

Willie Rennie, who pulled off a spectacular victory in 2006 and has gone on to become leader of the Scottish Party was not too grand to make the tea for us the other night as we were phone banking for Eastleigh.

Willie …

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Posted in News | Also tagged by-election winners, humour and mike thornton | 1 Comment

“Bedroom Tax” – should social landlords be doing more to encourage swaps?

By Caron Lindsay | Wed 20th February 2013 - 9:36 am

The “bedroom tax” which is not actually a tax, but a cut in Housing Benefit if a tenant in social housing has more bedrooms than they are deemed to need, has caused much anxiety and disquiet in recent weeks. Its introduction in April means that tenants in social housing will need to find around £60 a month on already hard-pressed budgets. If they are unable to pay the extra, then they face eviction. Even ifsocial landlords decide not to evict and merely to pursue rent arrears, the stress of that debt and its impact on a family’s ability to keep …

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Posted in Op-eds | Also tagged bedroom tax and housing | 69 Comments

Electoral Commission advises SNP to change Independence Referendum question

By Caron Lindsay | Wed 30th January 2013 - 1:30 pm

The Electoral Commission has published its advice on both the question for next year’s referendum on whether Scotland should leave the UK and spending limits. Both sides of the debate have been quick to accept the recommendations, which means that most of the issues on process should now be resolved.

This means that Scots will be asked next Autumn to answer:

Should Scotland be an independent country? Yes/No

This is different from the SNP Government’s proposed question:

Do you agree that Scotland should be an independent country?

And also from the rather cumbersome question drawn up by a panel set up by the parties who …

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Posted in News | Also tagged electoral commission, Michael Moore, scottish independence and Scottish independence referendum | 7 Comments

Willie Rennie: No to independence doesn’t mean no to change

By Caron Lindsay | Wed 30th January 2013 - 8:55 am

Scottish Liberal Democrat Leader Willie Rennie sent an email to members yesterday outlining what he is trying to do as regards building a consensus around further powers for the Scottish Parliament in the event of no vote in next year’s independence referendum. If I had been him, given the proximity of Scottish Conference and how fabulously awesome it is going to be, with lots of controversy and debate, I would have put a link at the bottom enticing people to go and register.But seeing as he didn’t – you can find out all the information you need here.

Anyway, here is his email in full:

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Posted in News | Also tagged home rule, Scotland, Scottish independence referendum and Scottish liberal democrat conference | 3 Comments

Willie Rennie MSP’s New Year Message: 3 vital issues we must tackle in 2013

By Willie Rennie | Mon 31st December 2012 - 3:59 pm

After the merriment of Christmas, New Year is a time to look forward. A time to set new goals and ambitions. A time to confront those things that we have put off in previous years.

For most, this will mean eating less and exercising more but as a nation we are confronted with far greater challenges than losing a few pounds.

The welfare state was constructed and sustained with the goal of eradicating what Beveridge called “the five giant evils of society” – squalor, ignorance, want, idleness and disease.

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Posted in News | Also tagged new year message | 1 Comment

Lynne Featherstone takes on church leaders on equal marriage

By Caron Lindsay | Wed 26th December 2012 - 4:45 pm

Liberal Democrat hero of everything to do with equalities, Lynne Featherstone, has used her blog to take a coach and horses through the arguments that various church leaders have been using this Christmas to attack the Coalition’s plans to introduce equal marriage.

Sometimes MPs’ and Government Ministers’ blogs can become quite bland. This is not the case with Ms Featherstone’s. It’s good that she is quite comfortable with the idea of talking directly. It’s important that someone does. Willie Rennie did exactly the same up here in Scotland …

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Posted in News | Also tagged catholic church, equal marriage and lynne featherstone | 25 Comments

Willie Rennie MSP’s Christmas message: Strong liberal voices fight for young people, stand up to vested interests and work with others

By Willie Rennie | Mon 24th December 2012 - 5:43 pm

Over the last year journalists, opponents, perhaps even some supporters were writing us off. How could a group of five MSPs, cut by two thirds in the Scottish Parliamentary Elections, make any impact on the Scottish political scene? Although our opponents will always deride us in public, I know that in private they are fizzing that Liberal Democrats continue to punch above our weight.

Scotland is, by and large, a tolerant, liberal, understanding, compassionate country. Its …

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Posted in News | Also tagged christmas message and Scotland | 2 Comments

A year in the life of…..the Scottish independence referendum

By Caron Lindsay | Wed 19th December 2012 - 2:30 pm

I thought it might be a bit amusing to trawl through the Lib Dem Voice archives and have a look at how certain stories have developed during 2012.

This time last year, it looked like it was all going wrong for the Scotland Bill that Secretary of State for Scotland Michael Moore was piloting through Parliament. On top of that, confusion reigned over the forthcoming referendum on independence with the Scottish and Westminster Governments seemingly on a collision …

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Posted in Op-eds | Also tagged a year in the life of, better together, graeme cowie, katy gordon, Michael Moore, nicola sturgeon, paul edie and Scottish independence referendum | 5 Comments

A snapshot of Scottish Liberal Democrat Conference

By Caron Lindsay | Wed 31st October 2012 - 7:47 pm

Scottish Liberal Democrats met for a busy annual Autumn conference in Dunfermline last Saturday. The day started with the most delicious sliced sausage ever. Subjects debated by members (all of whom have a vote), include reverse vending machines, honest lets, cuts to student funding, affordable childcare and the Home Rule Commission chaired by Sir Menzies Campbell. Charles Kennedy also took part in that debate.

There were keynote speeches from Secretary of State for Scotland Michael Moore, new Business and Equalities Minister Jo Swinson and leader Willie Rennie. Danny Alexander did a question and answer session on the Mid Term Review and …

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Posted in News | Also tagged donald gorrie, Jo Swinson, Michael Moore, Ming Campbell, nikki thomson and Scottish liberal democrat conference | Leave a comment

In other news… Nick talks Dutch, Farron’s footie boycott, Hemming’s whistleblower charter & more

By Stephen Tall | Sun 28th October 2012 - 6:45 pm

Here’s a round-up of stories we haven’t had time to cover on the site this past few days…

Nick Clegg insists on speaking Dutch at Cabinet Office meeting (Telegraph)

Nick Clegg, who speaks five languages fluently, chose to conduct a recent meeting at the Cabinet Office with Herman Van Rompuy, the European Council president, entirely in Dutch. Did the Deputy Prime Minister, whose mother is from the Netherlands, do so to outfox a Downing Street official whom David Cameron had allegedly sent to spy on their conversation? “Nick enjoys being able to talk Dutch,” the Liberal Democrat leader’s spokesman tells Mandrake.

…

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Posted in News | Also tagged chris rennard, john hemming, john leech, keith house, Michael Moore, nick clegg, paul tyler, simon werner, siobhan brasier, stuart bray, tim farron and vincent mckee | 3 Comments

Rennie: SNP’s assertions blown apart by fact

By Caron Lindsay | Wed 24th October 2012 - 4:02 pm

Scotland has had its share of political drama these past ten days. First there was the Edinburgh Agreement which saw Liberal Democrat Secretary of State for Scotland Michael Moore given an honourable mention by CentreForum. Then the Scottish Liberal Democrats unveiled their vision for Home Rule and a federal UK. Then last Friday, the SNP abandoned their opposition to NATO membership ahead of the Independence Referendum, a decision led to the resignation of two of their MSPs. This leaves Alex Salmond’s Government with a tiny single vote majority in Holyrood. In practice, though, the two MSPs will mostly vote with the Government.

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Posted in Op-eds | Also tagged alan cochrane, alex salmond, information commissioner, nicola sturgeon and telegraph | 11 Comments

Willie Rennie writes: Salmond must tell us what Ryder Cup trip cost

By Willie Rennie | Wed 10th October 2012 - 7:47 pm

Scottish Liberal Democrat Leader Willie Rennie writes for local newspapers in his Mid Scotland and Fife constituency:

The excitement surrounding Team Europe’s victory in the Ryder Cup should bring the opportunity that comes our way at Gleneagles in two years time into sharp focus.

250,000 people poured onto the course between the first strike of the ball during the practice rounds and the last putt of the final pairings.

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Posted in News | Also tagged alex salmond, featured, ryder cup and Scotland | 7 Comments

SNP MP’s Twitter tirade against Moore and Swinson

By Caron Lindsay | Tue 4th September 2012 - 8:09 am

One of the problems faced by the SNP is the army of so called cybernats who spew nasty, insulting bile across the internet at anyone who dares to question SNP policy or independence – which, of course, are one and the same thing. Alan Cochrane from the Telegraph wrote earlier this year about these toxic, often anonymous individuals.

Those who cannot take part in this great debate without questioning the patriotism, and often the parentage, of those who don’t agree with them are much more accurately described as Cyberscum. As such they are, of course, a legitimate target for those

…

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Posted in News | Also tagged alan cochrane, Jo Swinson, Michael Moore, pete wishart, Scotland, Scottish independence referendum, snp and telegraph | 14 Comments

Nick Clegg in Scotland: another opportunity for Scots to get to know him wasted

By Caron Lindsay | Wed 29th August 2012 - 2:25 pm

I am proper livid today. Nick Clegg came to Scotland yesterday. Not that you’d know from the amount of media coverage the visit attracted. There’s not much in today’s papers, although STV covered his visit to a factory in Jedburgh.

What would Scots have learned about our Deputy Prime Minister over the last year? People remember that he had paint thrown at him when he came up last August but his visits since then have largely gone unnoticed. That, I believe, is because we are being far too timid in what we do with him: every time he comes …

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Posted in Op-eds | Also tagged mental health, nick clegg, pupil premium and Scotland | 15 Comments

In other news… Teather on pupil premium, State of play for Welsh Lib Dems & other stories

By Stephen Tall | Tue 28th August 2012 - 6:15 pm

Here’s a round-up of stories we haven’t had time to cover on the site this past few days…

Teather: Pupil premium ‘changing the way schools think’ (BBC)

The Liberal Democrat MP and minister at the Department of Education Sarah Teather, said the policy is about “changing the whole way schools think”. Speaking to The World At One, she said there is a “scandalous gap” between those from poor backgrounds and those from wealthier backgrounds. ” about focusing money on the individual child regardless of where that child is,” she told Martha Kearney. Under the policy, by this September schools in England

…

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Posted in News | Also tagged aldc, bob morgan, bristol mayoral election, calderdale council, corby, cycling, janet battye, jeremy hilton, john hemming, jon rogers, kirsty williams, martin sime, nader fekri, pupil premium, sarah teather, stephen williams, steve webb, sunday trading, thatcham and welsh liberal democrats | 2 Comments

RIP Donald Gorrie

By The Voice | Sun 26th August 2012 - 11:59 am

The BBC reports the sad news of the death of former MP, MSP and stalwart Scottish Liberal Democrat Donald Gorrie:

Former Liberal Democrat MP and MSP Donald Gorrie has died aged 79. Mr Gorrie represented central Scotland in the Scottish parliament from 1999 to 2007, and represented Edinburgh West as an MP before devolution. …

His former parliamentary assistant, Hugh O’Donnell, who succeeded him in parliament said: “Donald Gorrie was my mentor, my friend and my guide. “He will be sadly missed by those who respect a politician and a man of independent character and principle”.

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie

…

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Posted in News | Also tagged donald gorrie and hugh o'donnell | 7 Comments

Who Lib Dem members think are the most effective non-MPs at promoting the party

By Stephen Tall | Tue 14th August 2012 - 7:55 am

Lib Dem Voice polled our members-only forum recently to discover what Lib Dem members think of various political issues, the Coalition, and the performance of key party figures. Some 500 party members have responded, and we’re publishing the full results.

Oakeshott, Ashdown and Pack top your list

LDV asked: Which prominent Lib Dems who are NOT MPs (eg, peers, campaigners) are doing an effective job of promoting the party to the public? Please write-in.

…

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Posted in LDV Members poll | Also tagged brian paddick, Caroline Pidgeon, chris davies, chris rennard, evan harris, kirsty williams, lord mcnally, Mark Pack, matthew oakeshott, paddy ashdown, ros scott, shirley williams, stephen tall, susan kramer and tony greaves | 6 Comments

Rennie questions Salmond’s £400k on “London embassy” for the Olympics

By Caron Lindsay | Wed 1st August 2012 - 3:36 pm

The Scottish Government, understandably enough, has decided to showcase Scotland to the representatives of business and government from all over the world who are currently visiting London for the Olympics. Showing Scotland off is never a bad thing, especially when we are hosting the Commonwealth Games in 2 years’ time.

They have, bizarrely, blown £400,000 on hiring the Army and Navy Club in Pall Mall and renaming it Scotland House. There, according to First Minister Alex Salmond, visitors can see:

what a great place Scotland is to have a holiday or do business in, and what wonderful food and drink and

…

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Posted in Op-eds | Also tagged alex salmond, heather stanning, helen glover, olympics and Scotland | 2 Comments

What happens people work together – equal marriage to become reality in Scotland

By Caron Lindsay | Wed 25th July 2012 - 12:59 pm

The Scottish Government announced this morning that it would legislate for full equal marriage in Scotland, giving same sex couples the right to marry and allowing those religious organisations who wish to conduct these marriage ceremonies to do so. No celebrant or religious organisation will be compelled to carry out marriage ceremonies for same sex couples. This is everything that campaigners for equal marriage have been asking for and is the culmination of a vibrant 4 year campaign which has won hearts and minds across Scotland.

Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon made it clear that cross party support for equal marriage …

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Posted in News | Also tagged equal marriage, lynne featherstone, nick clegg and Scotland | 8 Comments

The SNP, equal marriage and a large dose of red herring

By Caron Lindsay | Thu 19th July 2012 - 1:55 pm

Equality campaigners across Scotland were quietly confident on Tuesday. It had been widely expected that the SNP Government would at least allow equality in civil marriage if not religious. After all, the measure had already secured the support of a majority of MSPs and the Equality and Human Rights Commission report suggest sthat it has the support of over 60% of Scots. The Government’s plans have, however, attracted vocal opposition from some religious organisations.

However, the Government announced that it was delaying the decision and setting up a Cabinet Committee to “further examine some particular issues of detail”. A …

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Posted in Op-eds | Also tagged cardinal keith o'brien, equal marriage, LGBT rights, nicola sturgeon, Scotland and snp | 8 Comments

Better Together, the pro UK campaign launches in Edinburgh

By Caron Lindsay | Wed 27th June 2012 - 12:28 pm

The campaign to keep Scotland within the UK launched on Monday in Edinburgh. Led by former Chancellor, Alistair Darling, it aims to “promote the view that Scotland is a better and stronger country as part of the United Kingdom”. The name of the campaign, Better Together, is positive and deliberately does not include the word “no”.

There were keynote speeches from Darling and a finale by Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie, but the stage was mainly given over to a selection of ordinary people who took to the stage to explain why they wanted Scotland to stay in the Union. Some of them are in this video, the Best of Both Worlds, also available here on You Tube.

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Posted in News | Also tagged alex salmond, alistair darling, better together, Scotland and scottish independence | 8 Comments

Willie Rennie says Salmond should meet Dalai Lama

By Caron Lindsay | Wed 20th June 2012 - 6:55 pm

First Minister Alex Salmond loves to meet international dignitaries and world leaders. Every chance he gets, he’s off playing a larger than life role on the international stage. Just last weekend, he was in Los Angeles promoting Scottish business and schmoozing with celebrities at a film premiere. It’s all the more surprising, then, that he can’t find a space in his diary to meet the Dalai Lama when he visits Scotland this week. This is in stark contrast to the reception the exiled Tibetan Spiritual Leader received in 2004 when he addressed the Parliament and met the then First …

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Posted in News | Also tagged alex salmond, china, dalai lama, david cameron, human rights and nick clegg | 10 Comments

Alex Salmond holds court at Leveson with added fun and games

By Caron Lindsay | Wed 13th June 2012 - 9:07 pm

Tonight the Olympic Torch arrived at Edinburgh Castle. There was one person who was unusually absent from such a significant gathering. I don’t know how much say Leveson witnesses get in choosing the date that they appear, but I can’t imagine our First Minister Alex Salmond would have deliberately chosen a court date in London over a major event at home in Scotland.

He didn’t look so disappointed, though. He had the manner of someone who was enjoying the experience far more than could be considered decent. Alex Salmond always loves going south of the border and holding court. He charmed …

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Posted in Op-eds | Also tagged alex salmond and leveson inquiry | 8 Comments

The day the Nationalists stole me

By Caron Lindsay | Wed 30th May 2012 - 6:28 pm

Last Friday saw the launch of Yes Scotland, the campaign for Scottish independence. I wrote at the time that it really amounted to some white blokes talking in a cinema.

It’s not been a good week for them because yesterday they were forced to change their website after I found out my photo was on it, among others, under the headline “Powered by people o’ independent mind”. The clear implication was that I support their cause when I absolutely do not.

I also found out I had a profile on their site, and had been awarded 50 “political capital” points for …

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Posted in News | Also tagged Scotland, Scottish independence referendum and yes scotland | 4 Comments

In other news… Mensch sticks up for Clegg, Rennie takes on Salmond, Bristol mayoral election latest & other stories

By Stephen Tall | Sun 27th May 2012 - 5:25 pm

Here’s a round-up of stories we haven’t had time to cover on the site this past few days…

On day UKUncut protestors targeted Clegg family home, Tory MP Louise Mensch urges people to donate £5 to Lib Dem funds (ConHome)

Louise Mensch, the Tory MP for Corby is recommending that her followers donate £5 to the Liberal Democrats for today only. She thinks it will show solidarity with the Cleggs who have been targeted by UNuncut protestors today. Hundreds gathered outside the Putney home of the Lib Dem leader, some chained themselves to railings and they held a noisy but apparently

…

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Posted in News | Also tagged alex salmond, bristol council, graham walker, iain roberts, leamington council, louise mensch, nick clegg, st austell & newquay, stephen gilbert, stephen williams, ukuncut and yvonne moore | 11 Comments

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