Federal Conference Committee reportThe newly elected Federal Conference Committee (FCC) met on the evening 8 December, following the most recent round of Federal Elections. I would like to begin by offering warm congratulations to all newly elected and re-elected members of the Committee. I look forward to working with you over the coming years. I also extend commiserations to those who were not not successful on this occasion, and a heartfelt thank you to members who were not re-elected or who chose to stand down. Their contribution to delivering our conferences over the last term has been exceptional. The new FCC members are: ... (more) |
Those Labour MPs who voted for (and against) the Lib Dem customs union bill in fullEmbed from Getty ImagesLabour List has helpfully printed the names of the 13 Labour MPs who voted for the Liberal Democrat customs union bill yesterday and the 3 who voted against. For the bill Sadik Al-Hassan (North Somerset)Fleur Anderson (Putney)Tonia Antoniazzi (Gower)Richard Burgon (Leeds East)Dawn Butler (Brent East)Marsha de Cordova (Battersea)Meg Hillier (Hackney South and Shoreditch)Imran Hussain (Bradford East)Afzal Khan (Manchester Rusholme)Peter Lamb (Crawley)James Naish (Rushcliffe)Simon Opher (Stroud)Bell Ribeiro-Addy (Clapham and Brixton Hill) Against the Bill Jonathan Brash (Hartlepool)Luke Myer (Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland)Josh Newbury (Cannock Chase) It's interesting that there are some old lags of the left on ... (more) |
The Peggie case and the problem of shadow fundingAn employment tribunal recently dismissed almost all claims in the closely-watched Peggie v Fife Health Board case. Sandie Peggie, a nurse with gender-critical beliefs, sued her employer over its policy allowing a trans woman doctor to use the female changing room. The tribunal found no direct discrimination, no indirect discrimination, and no victimisation. Only one narrow procedural claim succeeded. For many, this reads as vindication of trans-inclusive policies. But there's a bigger story liberals need to understand. This case is part of a coordinated litigation campaign operating largely in the shadows, bankrolled by wealthy individuals and organisations whose funding remains ... (more) |
The cruelty is the point: ruscism and Russia's war on civiliansI read a lot of posts and articles from people who try to dissect the reasoning behind Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine. Some conclude that it is simply a geopolitical squabble between two post-Soviet states. Others suppose that NATO and/or the EU must have "provoked" Russia into invading a completely separate nation that is not formally a member of either international organisation, despite both organisations allowing nations to join or leave as they please; see Brexit for the EU and the most recent threats of US departure from NATO. However, I propose a much simpler, albeit darker, reason for Russia's ... (more) |
Final day of the West End Christmas Fortnight #dundeewestendToday marks the last day of the West End Christmas Fortnight and here's what is on : 10am to 4pm - DJCAD Design and Craft Pop-Up Shop - Matthew Building, 13 Perth Road - unique Christmas presents made by DJCAD graduates, plus art materials for gifts and making cards or decorations. 10.15am - Pilates - Blackness Library - for further information contact pilatesforyou3@gmail.com 11.30am - Baby Bookbug - at Blackness Library and also 2.30pm - Bookbug - same location - all welcome! 4pm to 5.15pm - Social Knitting Group - at The Wardrobe, 112 Nethergate. All abilities welcome, free and ... (more) |
Covid fraud under the Tories cost the taxpayer £10.9 billionThe BBC reports on the report of the Covid Counter Fraud Commissioner, Tom Hayhoe, which concludes that much of the £10.9bn in taxpayer money lost to fraud and error in Covid support schemes is now "beyond recovery". Hayhoe's report says that the response to the pandemic had led to "enormous outlays of public money which exposed it to the risk of fraud and error", with employment support schemes set up by the previous Conservative government, including furlough and help for the self-employed, suffering £5bn of fraud: Many of the support measures were credited with propping up the economy throughout the ... (more) |
Michael Slater reveals the origins of A Christmas CarolThe great Dickens scholar Michael Slater, who died last month, explains the background to A Christmas Carol, reveals Dickens' reasons for writing it and discusses its monumental success. (more) |
Peter Kellner: The pro-Brexit majority of 2016 has literally died outHuffington Post had gone behind the New World (formerly New European) paywall and emerged with a story about the level of public support for Brexit today: Peter Kellner, who founded YouGov and sat as its president until 2016 - the year of the Brexit referendum - predicted that there's most likely a majority of 8 million now in favour of rejoining the bloc. And, because psephology is a heartless science, he said a lot more, beginning with the observation that more than six million Britons have died since 2016: Considering the turnout among older voters was higher than average and ... (more) |
Liberal ActionJust like so many people, I went through much of my life following the politics I grew up with. Growing up in Wales, this was nationally Labour. After years of following the Labour ideology without questioning it and spending many years involved with student politics, it was the Brexit vote that made me think. The morning the Brexit result was announced, my young daughter turned to me and said, "That's rubbish, what are you going to do about it?" This was my turning point. I soon found out that my political home was not Labour, and the personal views I ... (more) |
When they ran special trains for us(Editor's note: The above photo merely gives a flavour of the 1906 election and is unrelated to the specifics of the article below.) It's a torn and faded paper poster in a nondescript frame; no illustrations, just 30 or so lines of red-printed text in a wide range of sizes. But it's a strong contender for the treasured item I would rush to save from a fire. "We are seven!" it begins. Then in huge type, "Great Liberal DEMONSTRATION" followed by the much smaller but far more interesting line: "To celebrate the return of a Liberal MP for every constituency ... (more) |