A Liberal England guest blogger shows us around Snailbeach MineGinger Beard Mark and the musician Eric Loveland Heath visit the old lead mine at Snailbeach in Shropshire. In its heyday in the second half of the 19th century, it was the most productive lead mine in the country. Eric Loveland once wrote a guest post for Liberal England about growing up in Snailbeach and his reaction to it today. And you can download his digital album Snailbeach Mines Trust. See? It's not just me who's taken with the place. (more) |
Mathew on Monday: Carl Cashman is a Liberal Hero - and his critics would love his media reachThere has been no shortage of criticism directed at Carl Cashman over the past few days following his appearance as the cover star of Attitude magazines Pride edition. Yet, looking at much of the reaction, I cannot help but conclude that there is more than a hint of the green-eyed monster at work. The truth is that many of those complaining would love to have Carl's reach, his charisma and his ability to connect with audiences far beyond the traditional Liberal Democrat bubble. His interview is an excellent one. He speaks about the importance of promoting positive masculinity to young ... (more) |
Parents shocked after children's paper hedgehogs found to contain pages from explicit novelThe Guardian wins our Headline of the Day Award for this worrying one from the Wirral. (more) |
ALDC's by-election report - 2 July 2026Twelve principal authority by-elections across England, Wales and Scotland took place on Thursday 2nd July, carrying on a trend of unusually high numbers of by-elections over the past few weeks. Reform UK were defending three seats. The Liberal Democrats, Labour and Independents/Localists were defending two each. Plaid Cymru and the Conservatives were defending one each. Wales Three by-elections took place in the county of Powys, with one in Torfaen. All four by-elections were triggered by a councillor winning a seat on the Senedd, and unlike in England, Welsh law dictates that you cannot hold both a council and Senedd seat. ... (more) |
Welcome to my day: 6 July 2026 - a nation dares to dream?We don't often "do sport" here at Liberal Democrat Voice – perhaps a reflection of the Editorial Team's interests – but it would seem strange not to mark last night's extraordinary events in Mexico City's Azteca Stadium where an English team put up one of its most memorable performances to win 3-2 against Mexico. From an English Nationalist (a.k.a. Reform) perspective, it's obviously a mixed blessing. England win – good – but with a team mostly consisting of people whose families would be on the next available plane out if they could gain power at the next election. I'd argue ... (more) |
Dan Boatright-Greene re-selected by Lib Dems for West Worcestershire[IMG: Dan Boatright-Greene and Liberal Democrats] A party press release brings the news: West Worcestershire Liberal Democrat members have re-selected local councillor Dan Boatright-Greene as their Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for the next general election. Dan finished second in West Worcestershire at the 2024 general election, receiving 13,236 votes and reducing the Conservative majority from 24,499 in 2019 to just 6,547. Living near Pershore, Dan represents the town on both Wychavon District Council and Worcestershire County Council. A former teacher, he leads the Liberal Democrat group at the county council and currently serves as Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Education, Special ... (more) |
Write a guest post for Liberal EnglandI love publishing guest posts here on Liberal England. Why not try writing one yourself? It could be on how the Liberal Democrats should respond to the changed political landscape, on politics more generally or... anything really. Why not an article about a local campaign or quirky piece of history? Please drop me an email if you'd like to discuss your idea first. I'd hate you to spend time on a piece I really wouldn't want to publish. Here are the last 10 Liberal England guest posts:In the cause of duty: Walter Stolworthy is remembered at Wymondham station - Neil ... (more) |
Farage and the gifts from crypto entrepreneur convicted of fraudI really am trying not to keep writing about the Reform UK leader but so much stuff is coming out about Farage at the moment that it is inavoidable. The latest outrageous revelation is that the Clacton MP did not declare gifts and benefits provided by a crypto entrepreneur who has previously been convicted of fraud. The paper says that Reform MP, Robert Jenrick has admitted that the his leader had accepted staff, security and accommodation from George Cottrell, but claimed they were personal gifts provided before he became an MP and so did not need to be declared: Jenrick's ... (more) |
Call for the Rutland Water Monster to be displayed in OakhamMore than 2000 people have signed a petition calling on Rutland County Council to acquire the fossil ichthyosaur found at Rutland Water in 2021 for display in the county museum at Oakham. Writing on Oakham Nub News, Lawrence Fenelon, chair of the Friends of Rutland County Museum and Oakham Castle, says: At March last year RCC's accounts showed over £39m of usable capital reserve. Why can't a small bit of it be used to get the Sea Dragon back in Rutland? If it is not spent by March 2028 it will go to the new combined authority and be lost ... (more) |
The Jenkinsite Policy Network present a new vision for British liberalismIn March this year we announced the Jenkinsite Policy Network after a members vote, and though it has taken longer than any of us expected, we have finally gotten to the stage where we can announce our statement of intent! The statement was drafted by myself, Andy Chandler and Mathew Hulbert (of Matthew on Monday fame) and is intended to set out the principles of Liberal Social Democracy that will inform the policies we intend to push going forward. We have done this with the aim of broadening debate within our party. We recognise that despite election successes of the ... (more) |