Berlin reminded me how loud we must be for Ukraine[IMG: Large billboard expressing solidarity Ukraine] From last Wednesday to Sunday, I visited Berlin with my girlfriend. From the museums and Christmas markets to the people and the general atmosphere, I loved it, reminding me why we must seek to rejoin the EU as soon as possible. But one thing that struck me, almost immediately, was the continued and vocal support for Ukraine in its fight to defend itself against Russian imperialism. From the moment I stepped out of my hotel, which was only a stone's throw away from the Checkpoint Charlie Museum, the support was evident. A huge Ukrainian ... (more) |
Danny Chambers' Animal Welfare Bill becomes lawDogs, cats and ferrets across the world have cause to be grateful to Lib Dem MP Danny Chambers. His Bill preventing puppy smuggling and trafficking of heavily pregnant animals received Royal Assent from the King yesterday and is now the law of the land. "Britain will no longer be a market for animal cruelty" said Danny to Lib Dem Conference in September. Here's his whole speech where he was completely upstaged by Vikki Slade's gorgeous dog Todd. Speaking as his Bill received Royal Assent, Danny said: I am incredibly proud to see this Bill receive Royal Assent and become law. ... (more) |
The Joy of Six 1444"The mansion tax will impact less than the top 0.7 per cent of households. At a time when Britain's public services are stretched to breaking point and taxes will inevitably have to increase, it is only right that we asked the wealthiest property owners to contribute more. Asking the wealthiest to pay more to lift children out of poverty or to invest more in the NHS and social care is the fair thing to do. In fact, it is the Liberal Democrat thing to do, or at least it was up until a few days ago."Paul Hindley says Ed Davey ... (more) |
Chelsea Whyte selected for Runnymede and Weybridge[IMG: Chelsea Whyte selection graphic] On being selected for Runnymede & Weybridge, Chelsea Whyte said: I am delighted and honoured to have been selected as the Lib Dem parliamentary candidate for Runnymede and Weybridge. With my team, I'll be speaking to voters across the constituency over the coming months, so if you want to get involved, please get in touch! See here all the Liberal Democrat PPCs for the next general election selected and publicly announced so far. Keep up with news about Lib Dem selections If you'd like to hear about future selections, just sign up for my monthly ... (more) |
Jury trial is not a luxury or a quirky traditionFor over 20 years, I have stood in cramped cells and worn-out courtrooms, watching the state line up against the individual. I've seen frightened teenagers, exhausted mothers, people who made bad choices and people who were wrongly accused. Throughout it all, one thing has kept our justice system feeling fair: when it really mattered, ordinary people had the final say. Twelve strangers, chosen from the community, sitting together as a jury. Now, a Labour Government that claims to be "on the side of the many" is quietly pushing that safeguard towards the exit. Last week, more than 100 lawyers warned ... (more) |
Federal Election counts happening todayAfter a three week delay, the counts for the Federal elections will get underway at 10 am. By the end of the day, we should know who has been elected to the Federal Board, Federal Conference Committee, Federal Policy Committee, Federal International Relations Committee, ALDE delegation, Federal Council and the Councillor representatives to FPC, FCC and FC. The counts were delayed in the wake of the decision of the Returning Officer to change the ways the diversity quotas operated just one day before the ballots opened. This was successfully challenged to Federal Appeals Panel which led to the results being ... (more) |
Practical Plants sessions from Ninewells Community Garden #dundeewestendNinewells Community Garden has excellent Practical Plants sessions that all residents are welcome to attend. These take place on the first Friday and third Tuesday of each month from 2pm to 4pm Come and get hands on working in the medicinal garden and learn how to identify and harvest plants that will have uses in supporting your health and wellbeing. The gardening session for all abilities. (more) |
So many leaksThe Guardian reports that the Office for Budget Responsibility complained to senior Treasury officials in the run-up to the budget about a flurry of leaks that it said spread "misconceptions" about its forecasts. The paper says that Professor David Miles of the OBR's budget responsibility committee told MPs on the Treasury select committee on Tuesday that the watchdog had raised the issue of leaks with the department before the chancellor's statement last week. Rather ironic considering the OBR then leaked the whole budget, but still a valid criticism despite that faux pas: "I think it was clear that there was ... (more) |
A Tory/Reform pact?One of the national newspapers is reporting that Farage is open to some kind of electoral pact at the next general election between Reform and the Conservatives. The suggestion is that each side would stand down in constituencies where they are weaker than the other. I suspect this will never happen. Reform is a coalition. Part of that coalition is a grouping made up of former Labour voters who (more) |
Belated by-election resultsA pile up of Christmas fairs, two sets of Christmas lights switch on ceremonies and a day long manifesto meeting meant my weekly by-election analysis is a bit late (well actually very late!) So let's start with the results.Hunstanton ward in Kings Lynne and West NorfolkAnother Reform gain, this time from the Independents. Reform had not previously stood.Lib Dems came in second, only 46 behind (more) |