Defending Local DemocracyWhile we are all campaigning in this year's local elections, Liberal Democrats need to be aware of the implications of the 'English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill', which has already passed the Commons and is now close to completing its passage in the Lords. It's designed to complete the project the Conservatives began of imposing elected mayors and 'Combined Authorities' all across England, with larger unitary authorities to replace remaining district and county councils. As the Liberal Democrat group's Cabinet Office spokesman, I had not intended to get actively involved in the Bill beyond its constitutional significance for the governance ... (more) |
The importance of posters for political campaigns[IMG: Liberal Democrat winning here election poster in garden] I've forgotten whose home I took this photo at. Let me know if it is yours! At election time, Liberal Democrat members and supporters are often asked to put up a poster in their window or if the local team can put up a poster on stakeboard outside their home. We often treat such requests as if it is obvious why someone should say 'yes'. But we also get people saying 'yes' more often if we treat them respectfully and also explain why putting up a poster is a helpful thing ... (more) |
How Labour government policies are hitting the hospitality sectorThe Guardian reports that two-thirds of hospitality businesses are planning to cut jobs as a result of "suffocating" costs imposed by government, as new business rates and higher wage bills come into force. The paper says that many pubs, restaurants and hotel companies will see their costs increase significantly from today after Rachel Reeves's changes to business rates and an increase in minimum wage thresholds announced in the November budget: An industry-wide survey of 20,000 hospitality businesses has found that as a direct result of the cost increases, 64% of firms plan to cut jobs, 42% intend to reduce trading ... (more) |
The Aldersbrook: A lost London river resurrectedHere's an inspirational video with John Rogers and Paul Powlesland. John's blurb on YouTube says: A London walk with the brilliant Paul Powlesland of the River Roding Trust, discovering how the forgotten river Aldersbrook near Ilford has been rescued and revived by the local community, saving it from becoming another lost river of London. An ancient branch of the River Roding, the Aldersbrook was buried beneath undergrowth and silt and clogged with rubbish. Volunteers from The Friends of the River Roding worked tirelessly to remove the silt from the riverbed, dispose of hundreds of bags of rubbish and cut back ... (more) |
1 April 2026 - today's press releases9 in 10 new primary teachers don't have full-time permanent work Cole-Hamilton: We will save small business from SNP rates wrecking ball Welsh Lib Dems urge Government to put small and local firms first in public contracts 9 in 10 new primary teachers don't have full-time permanent work Scottish Liberal Democrat education spokesperson Willie Rennie MSP has today said that the SNP have "broken promise after promise to teachers and children", as new figures show that 9 in 10 post-induction primary school teachers didn't have full-time, permanent employment in 2025. New figures show that between 2018/19 and 2024/25: The percentage ... (more) |
Britain's top woman chess player is just 11 years oldEmbed from Getty ImagesThe English Chess Federation is justifiably excited: British chess phenom Bodhana Sivanandan has made history by shooting to the top of the UK chess rankings after a sensational start to 2026, the English Chess Federation is pleased to report. The 11-year-old from North London has rocketed to the number one English female spot. She is rated higher than the top women in all the other UK nations, and she has also broken into the world's top 100 women for the first time, currently sitting at number 72. World chess rankings are compiled by the International Chess Federation ... (more) |
Election law: the tidy-up that might, finally, beginThe latest edition of my email newsletter about work in Parliament, A Lord's Eye View, is out and you can also read it in full below. But if you'd like to get future editions emailed direct to you as soon as they are published, sign up now: At times the government resembles a recalcitrant teenager unwilling to take the time to tidy up the mess in their bedroom. Sure, doing other things is more fun. Sure, it's a pain to have to spend time tidying up. Sure, there's so much other stuff that's more important. Sure, it's BORING BORING BORING. ... (more) |
Max Wilkinson writes....Free speech, X and immigration - FAO Katie LamFree speech is an important principle in Britain. It's one of the things that gets me out of bed in the morning. It's why I so strongly believe we must remain in the ECHR, which protects in law our right to free expression. I am a supporter of free speech because whether I agree with you or not, as a liberal I'm always keen to hear what you think. That applies as much to the vexed question of immigration as it does to anything else. I take a nuanced view on the subject, just like the majority of British people. ... (more) |
Exclusive: Lib Dems to ditch yellow - and party name - in secret rebrandThe Liberal Democrats are planning to abandon the iconic yellow colour scheme in favour of mauve, following a review by a boutique consultancy to "help the party live its best life". The party is also thinking of changing its name to something more "on trend". A spokesperson denied rumours that the party was suffering a midlife crisis. A slide deck, marked "Secret - but we'll have to tell them eventually", recommends a phased transition to a "trust-forward colour ecosystem". "Yellow, in stakeholder sentiment analysis, was described by participants as 'loud,' 'a bit much,' and 'like being shouted at by a ... (more) |
Hazel O'Connor: Will You?Hazel O'Connor is a goddess and - sorry, Bob Holness - this is the greatest saxophone solo on a British pop single. (more) |