Some thoughts on the current trans quota chaosA recently published analysis on "lawfare", where changes in organizational policy are attempted through legal action, has looked at cases related to the Equality Act since 2018. The key finding is that there has been a concerted attempt to sue trans-inclusive organisations into a position where they become trans exclusive - a pattern not seen in any other equalities strand, and one which indicates a substantially well-funded and organized campaign. So organisations like the Girl Guides, the Quakers and, yes, the Liberal Democrats are threatened with court action or, in some cases, taken to court to be walloped over the ... (more) |
The way we talk about and portray children in care really mattersPhoto by Phil Hearing on Unsplash In the report of his inquiry into the death of Dennis O'Neill in 1945, Sir Walter Monckton wrote: It is first necessary to explain the basis of the policy of committing children to a local authority which may board them out. The "fit person," local authority or individual, must care for the children as his own: the relation is a personal one. The duty must neither be evaded nor scamped. That does not appear to be the view taken by the Reform UK member of Cambridgeshire County Council Andy Osborn. He told a meeting ... (more) |
A short-sighted attack on pension saving — and why Young Liberals should careIn the flurry of briefings ahead of the Chancellor's autumn Budget, one rumoured measure risks doing more long-term damage than most people realise: a cap or cut to the salary-sacrifice pension scheme. For those not steeped in the jargon, this is the mechanism that allows workers and employers to make pension contributions free of National Insurance. It's one of the few genuinely effective incentives for people to save for retirement — particularly for those who don't yet earn enough to make personal tax relief a meaningful motivator. Yet according to multiple reports, the Treasury is considering capping the amount that ... (more) |
Paul Hodgkinson reselected by Lib Dems for North CotswoldsCongratulations Paul Hodgkinson: Delighted to have been selected as Parliamentary Candidate for the North Cotswolds for the next General Election. One of the top target seats for the @libdems.org.uk in the country. Get in touch if you want to join my team! — Cllr Paul Hodgkinson (@paulcotswolds.bsky.social) 2025-11-13T07:46:18.452Z (more) |
Our West End street surgery tonight #dundeewestendWe are holding a Thursday street surgery tonight to speak with residents on any local issues or concerns they may have. Should you have an issue you wish to discuss with us, e-mail us at westend@dundeelibdems.org.uk or call Dundee 459378 and we will be pleased to meet you - many thanks. (more) |
Labour pile one crisis onto anotherWhy has the recent speculation about the future of Keir Starmer suddenly surfaced now? After all his position has been tenuous for some time. Could it be that his closest advisors leapt without looking in the hope of heading off a challenge and undermining potential rivals? If that is the case, it appears that they have badly misjudged, and in doing so have undermined the prime minister's position even more. The Guardian reports that there is growing pressure over the future of Morgan McSweeney after the prime minister's chief of staff was blamed for No 10's pushback against a possible ... (more) |
V.S. Pritchett reviews the Sword in the Stone in 1938V.S. Pritchett (1900-97) was still reviewing for the New Statesman in his late seventies when I started buying it in the sixth form. Here he is back in 1938, welcoming the publication of T.H. White's The Sword of the Stone in his review for The Bystander: The Sword in the Stone, by T. H. White (Collins 8s. 6 d.), is mixed, but, on the whole successful, fantasy about anachronisms and it contains two chapters at least which are the funniest things I have read for a long time. Mr. White's game is to tell the adventures of a boy called ... (more) |
Council Speech on HMO's (Houses in multiple occupation)The Conservative Group proposed a motion on HMOs at the 3rd November 2025 Council meeting. I spoke on the motion highlighting that the need for HMOs had been driven by the UK's broken housing market. My speech was as follows: To start with, let us be cautious to not stigmatise the people who live in HMOs. Because HMOs do meet a need: They provide independence for young adults, maybe saving to buy their first home. They can often be student accommodation. They might be the only option for a divorcee now having to support two homes. When used as temporary ... (more) |
Putting a motion to Full Council 14th July 2025I put forward a motion to this council entitled Helping Residents Through Hard Times. The motion was seconded by my ward colleague and Deputy Leader of the Council, Sam Martin. My speech on this motion was as follows: There are two messages that I want to get across through this motion. To our residents: we know many of you are struggling, but help is available. If you are not sure where to turn, contact the council. If it can't help then it can direct you to organisations that can. And to the Government: stop dithering and deliver the reforms to ... (more) |
The Joy of Six 1434GB News's new show broadcast live from the US features non-stop praise for Donald Trump and the channel's co-owner Paul Marshall begging MAGA politicians to "save the UK", reports Josiah Mortimer. Mills Dyer, who spent several years working in the Liberal Democrats' membership department, gives three reasons why they membership surges like the one the Greens are currently experiencing matter - and three why they're completely irrelevant. Tayo Bero is worried by the explosion in online content promoting the use of antidepressants: "Antidepressant use can be messy, stressful, confusing and seemingly interminable (don't even get me started on my experience ... (more) |