Duncan Dunlop MSP on the failings of the child care systemHere's the powerful maiden speech on the Scottish child care system made by the Lib Dem MSP Duncan Dunlop. He was elected from the South of Scotland region, thanks to the more sensible electoral system that pertains north of the border. (more) |
The Joy of Six 1525"Unlike Blair, he was deeply and passionately engaged in the current moment. He had not fossilised his world view. He was intellectually present. He spoke clearly and trenchantly about what populism is and the threat that it poses. 'They are careless of the strife they cause,' he said. 'They trade on grievances in our society. Where ills exist, they exaggerate them. They then blame those ills on minority groups of a different race or religion. It is ugly politics that deserves no place in our country.'"Ian Dunt says John Major is a better former prime minister than Tony Blair will ... (more) |
ALDC by-election report, 28th MayOne principal authority by-election took place this week in Swansea. The Conservatives were attempting to defend this council seat. Swansea Council, Fairwood This week's by-election was triggered by the death of long-serving Conservative councillor Paxton Hood-Williams, who represented this council ward for over 20 years. At the most recent council elections in 2022, the Conservatives topped the poll, albeit with a much smaller majority than in 2017, whilst we finished in last place. Turnout fell by nearly 10% in this by-election compared to 2022. We were able to leapfrog into first place, whilst the defending Conservatives plummeted down to fifth ... (more) |
Sanne Dijkstra-Downie's maiden speech in the Scottish ParliamntSanne spoke yesterday in the debate on Scotland's energy. (more) |
Man in Ally McCoist tree dispute takes matter to Scottish GovernmentThe Herald wins our coveted Headline of the Day Award. (more) |
Lord Bonkers' Diary: A nation holds its breathIt's been an eventful week with Lord Bonkers, but let me recover my breath and acknowledge a couple of debts. The idea of Andy Burnham employing a sealed tram came from Andrew Crowther on Bluesky. The list of Labour grandees recalled by Starmer also comes from Bluesky. It was involuntarily contributed by Brynley Heaven, who once wrote a guest post here. I had intended to use the idea but substitute my own choice of names. When it came to it I couldn't improve on his list. Bad writers borrow, darling, but good writers steal. Sunday News reaches me that Labour ... (more) |
Swansea relaunches: a small story about why Young Liberals matterApologies – this post has been removed for further editing by the writer. * Jack Meredith is a member of the Welsh Liberal Democrats and founder of the Jenkinsite Policy Network, a party political group rooted in the liberal social democratic tradition of Roy Jenkins. His writing focuses on democratic reform, social justice, economic democracy, and the institutional foundations of effective government. He has written for Lib Dem Voice, Liberator, Nation Cymru, Bylines Cymru, and the Morning Star. (more) |
Lib Dems gain seat from Conservatives in Wales[IMG: Beth Rowe leaflet] One of Beth Rowe's leaflets from Swansea. Only the one principal authority council by-elections this week but it extends the Liberal Democrat winning start to this new cycle of by-elections. It came in Fairwood ward on Swansea Council: Fairwood (Swansea) Council By-Election Result: [IMG: 🔶] LDM: 29.3% (+19.9) [IMG: 🌹] LAB: 22.6% (-9.3) [IMG: âž¡] RFM: 17.0% (New) [IMG: 🙋] Ind: 11.5% (New) [IMG: 🌳] CON: 10.3% (-30.3)No PLC (-18.1) as previous.Lib Dem GAIN from Conservative.Changes w/ 2022. — Election Maps UK (@electionmaps.uk) 2026-05-28T23:04:15.672Z Many congratulations to Beth Rowe and the Swansea Liberal Democrat team on ... (more) |
Was Farage hacked?The Independent reports that Labour has challenged Nigel Farage to disclose which authorities are investigating an alleged Russian hack linked to a £5 million gift he reportedly received. The paper says that Anna Turley, Labour's chairwoman, has written to the Clacton MP, urging him to publicly confirm whether he has reported the suspected cyber-attack to either the police or the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC). She has said that if Farage fails to respond, then the Labour Party intends to make a report itself "in the public and national interest": Farage received £5 million from Thailand-based crypto-entrepreneur Christopher Harborne in ... (more) |
Council by-election results scorecard 2026-2027Here's the tally of seats changing hands in principal authority council by-elections held between the May 2026 and the May 2027 local elections: Con Lab Lib Dem Green Reform SNP Plaid Ind/ Other Net Con – – -1 (0/-1) – – – – +1 (+1/0) 0 Lab – – – – – – – – 0 Lib Dem +1 (+1/0) – [1] – – – – +1 (+1/0) +2 Grn – – – [1] – – – – 0 Ref – – – – – – – – 0 SNP – – – – – – – – 0 Plaid ... (more) |