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) |
The Davey DilemmaParty strategists are pondering an offer from the BBC which could have a serious impact on our party's fortunes. Ed Davey has been invited to appear on this year's Strictly Come Dancing. Those in favour of the move argue that appearing on the programme could boost Ed's popularity and, with it, the party's electoral success as well as cheering up the nation. It's ten years since his namesake, former Labour Cabinet Minister Ed Balls, achieved national treasure status after his hilarious efforts on the show, performing Gangnam Style with great aplomb. It's just over fifteen years since our then Deputy ... (more) |
And another new Lloyd George Book!A very welcome arrival this week - Paul Spackman's Lloyd George - Welsh Radical, World Statesman, published by Barnthorn Publishing. It's the first full-length "life" for many years, and the result of seven years research, and aims to give a more holistic portrait of the politician and the man. Paul's approach is to "explore the specific and distinctively Welsh roots and influences" that shaped Lloyd George. He highlights the social reforms that laid the foundations of the Welfare State, Lloyd George's vital replacement of Asquith in the Great War, his treatment of Germany at Versailles, the Irish settlement, and the ... (more) |
Depeerage packages[IMG: House of Lords. Photo: Parliamentary copyright images are reproduced with the permission of Parliament] Ninety-two hereditary Peers of the Realm are packing up their ermine and saying farewell to their traditional home from home. As Liberal Democrats we are pleased that Parliament has taken one more step towards the full reform of the House of Lords – although we won't rest until we have a fully elected Upper House. But spare a thought for those departing peers. They are the product of families who have served this country for many hundreds of years, with many lifetimes of experience in ... (more) |
EXCLUSIVE: New focus group insights on political party leaders[IMG: a person holding a brown envelope] An envelope. Photo by Kerngker Stock on Pexels.com. Focus group questions such as 'if a political party leader were an animal, what sort of animal would they be?' often get mentioned in order to ridicule them. But the reason they are used is the same reason I love them: the answers tease out something useful. As I wrote in my book, Polling UnPacked: If this book were an animal, what sort of animal would it be? That is the sort of apparently absurd question beloved of media coverage of focus groups. But there ... (more) |
UK faces existential energy shock from Iran warThe Independent reports on warnings by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that the UK is facing one of the largest shocks from the conflict in the Middle East, and that Britain's economy is "especially exposed" to spiralling prices because of its reliance on gas‑fired power. They have compared the impact of rising prices to a "large sudden tax on income" for a family, warning that the "de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz and damage to regional infrastructure have produced the largest disruption to the global oil market in its history": Writing in a blog post on Monday, it ... (more) |
31 March 2026 - today's press releaseRecall Parliament to address ferry crisis say Scottish Liberal Democrats Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton has today called for the Scottish Parliament to be recalled to address the crisis engulfing Scotland's ferry network as communities in Argyll & Bute and up and down the west coast face yet more upheaval, with up to eight ferries out of action. The Scottish Parliament can be recalled up until 8th April. Mr Cole-Hamilton made the comments as he and Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey visited the key target seat of Strathkelvin & Bearsden to play tennis with community activist and candidate Adam ... (more) |
Ed Davey on Keir Starmer's "staggering lack of backbone"A Liberal Democrat media release says: Responding to confirmation that the King will make a second state visit to the US, Ed Davey, Leader of the Liberal Democrats, said: "The Prime Minister is showing a staggering lack of backbone by pushing ahead with this state visit while Donald Trump treats our country with contempt. "To send the King on a state visit to the US after Trump dismissed our Royal Navy as 'toys' is a humiliation, and a sign of a government too weak to stand up to bullies. "What appalling thing does Trump have to do next to make ... (more) |