I'm not at Liberal Democrat Autumn Conference in Glasgow this week. It's the first I've missed in about twenty years, and I am missing it - Richard and I would love to be there, but we're getting married in twenty days' time and just don't have the time or the money. Following it on TV, one person who you can't miss in Glasgow is Nick Clegg. This morning he was interrupted - I can't say interviewed - on the Today Programme, so his latest answer on what the Lib Dems stand for is the latest of my Liberal Mondays quotations... ...
Another long and eventful day at conference... Housing Policy Motion Great motion here from Tim Farron on building affordable housing. For me this was always going to be one of the most important motions of the week and I was hoping to speak in it, although unfortunately didn't get called up due to the large [...]
Inspired by the Liberal Democrat Autumn Conference in the city.
I was asked to write a short piece for the issue of The House Magazine available at the Liberal Democrat Conference. Winston Churchill had a watchword during the war: KBO. Given the failure of the coup against Nick Clegg and his determination the Coalition will last until the last possible moment, the only strategy open to the Liberal Democrats is to Keep Buggering On. Though Nick fought a favourite's campaign when he was elected as leader and avoided discussing policy, many hoped his accession would see the party moving away from pavement politics - the exploitation of local problems, often ...
One of the rather depressing aspects of this political conference season is the general unpleasantness with which senior party figures attack their political rivals. You would never guess, would you, that a General Election is just seven months away... When Noel Coward sang "Don't let's be beastly to the Germans", he was, of course, being ironic, attacking those who wanted to go easy on the defeated Germans after World War II. And I don't particularly want to go easy on the Conservatives - I'm not one, I don't want to be one, and I don't agree with the basic philosophy ...
#501323475 / gettyimages.com Chiming nicely with Liberal Democrat crime policy, this fringe meeting takes place in the Crowne Plaza Conference Hotel, Barra Room, Glasgow, from 1pm to 2pm tomorrow (Tuesday 7 October). With refreshments! This event will explore how research evidence is used in policy-making - with a focus on crime policy - and the barriers to the better use of clear, high-quality evidence. It will also question misconceptions and misinformation in the political debate on crime policy and how we can use trials and experimental research on crime reduction to learn what works - and what does not. On ...
From the Curator of Museum Services at the University of Dundee : This Thursday the Great War Dundee partnership will be giving the public the first chance to explore the contents of a unique WW1 time capsule. Many of you will have seen the media coverage when we opened the time capsule created by Post Office workers in Dundee at the end of the Great War. The creators of the shrine had instructed that it should be opened by the Postmaster in the presence of the Lord Provost on 4 August 2014. The event took place in City Chambers in ...
Earlier today, I had site visits with an officer from the City Council's Roads Maintenance Partnership to both Perth Road and Lime Street, following residents' concerns about the poor state of the pavement. With regard to Perth Road, the concern is the pavement on the north side between Pennycook Lane and the Sinderins junction, where we discussed the footpath's condition with a local resident who had unfortunately had a bad fall on the pavement some time ago. The major problem with this stretch of footpath is that it is both heavily used, being in the Perth Road shopping area, but ...
Why Vote Liberal Democrat? – Alex Marsh has read Jeremy Browne's latest book. It's fair to say he's not impressed. How long would it take us to put people on the moon? – Andrew Ducker asks a question I've wondered about before, but unlike me, he gets answers. The Status Quo Is Not a Neutral Position: Fiction and Politics – " I expect these folks who think pure genre fiction is free from politics think we should just write about a post-racial capitalist utopia, where men are men and women are women. Because writing such a thing is not a ...
If you're interested in welfare, you'll know thatGeorge Potter has been one of the most ardent campaigners against the Coalition's welfare reforms. And, true to form, he spoke in yesterday's welfare debate. However, it's not what he said that riled Louise Mensch. It's what he was wearing. She was reacting to George's tweet showing the BBC picture of him speaking: My contribution at conference: George Potter (Reforming the Welfare System): http://t.co/su1OSYxIZK — George Potter (@georgewpotter) October 5, 2014 In a series of tweets, Louise and others slated his fashion choices and accused George of whining when he complained. Have a ...
I've written elsewhere about why policies aren't the key thing for the Liberal Democrats at the moment. There have, however, been two significant new policies unveiled so far at the Liberal Democrat conference in Glasgow: The Liberal Democrats will challenge David Cameron to "put his money where his mouth is" by boosting the health budget before next May's general election. The Prime Minister has pledged that a Conservative government would ensure above-inflation rises for the NHS in England each year between 2015-20. But Danny Alexander, the Lib Dem Treasury Chief Secretary, will demand that an immediate injection to head off ...
Lib Dem Voice has polled our members-only forum to discover what Lib Dem members think of various political issues, the Coalition, and the performance of key party figures. Almost 600 party members responded to this set of questions – thank you – in a supplementary poll run last Thursday and Friday. (All figures below are compared with the last time we asked this question, a year ago, in September 2013.) 68% of Lib Dem members predict another hung parliament in 2015 What do you believe is the likeliest outcome of the next general election? 13% (+5%) – A minority Conservative ...
With the local elections behind us in Ealing and the Scottish Referendum now decided, it has shown us that to get people can be interested in politics they need to feel their vote will mean something. In Ealing the percentage who turned out to vote was about half that of Scotland. The approach from the Liberal Democrats is always to engage and involve residents and interested groups, in both the formation of policies and the feedback process about how Council services are being managed. Gary Malcolm speaking up for our health service At my local ward forum meeting, covering part ...
[IMG: LDflooding] The Lib Dems have today agreed to new measures that will combat adverse weather resulting from climate change. The proposals will reduce the likelihood of a repeat of the widespread flooding that occurred in 2013-14. Following today's vote it is now party policy to introduce regulations that will see higher standards for buildings in at risk locations, as well as proposals that will assist landowners in adapting to new risks and improving the natural defences of lowland areas. Inadequate building regulations and agricultural practices have been partly blamed for the wide extent of the flood damage last winter. ...
[IMG: Glasgow conference 2014] I'm lucky enough to live near Eastleigh in Hampshire, and I often need to go into Southampton for work. If I get a chance at lunchtime I go for a stroll on Southampton Common, a large open space close to the city centre. One of my favourite parts of the Common is Southampton Old Cemetery, an area of overgrown graves and tombstones that has largely been given over to wildlife, but where you can still wander around and read the inscriptions, still see the little details of other people's lives and deaths. Among the overgrown memorials ...
Last night I attended a fringe meeting entitled Ten years since the Orange Book - What should authentic liberalism look like? organised by the Institute for Economic Affairs and chaired by Isabel Hardman of the Spectator. I can't quite remember the last time I went to an IEA event. Generally speaking I tend not to make a habit of it. Layer on top of that the fact that the hook was the OB and I wasn't really on home territory. I went along largely out of curiosity. What might transpire in a corner of the Liberal Democrat universe that I ...
Stockport Council has been offering free parking in its car parks and on-street parking since the Lib Dems introduced it in 2007 for anyone driving a Band A car, which have been identified by the tax disc until now (these include electric vehicles, most hybrids and very low emission cars). Following the Government decision to abolish tax discs, the Council will now offer a permit to those covered by the scheme at a nominal cost of £10 per year, in order protect the environment and encourage people to drive such cars. If you still have a valid tax disc in ...
[IMG: ERS logo] For so long, those who care passionately about political reform have been told there are more important things to worry about - that tax, welfare and housing will always take precedence over the constitution and questions of process. The Scottish independence referendum has almost put an end to that kind of talk. As the Liberal Democrats have always known, politics and the constitution fundamentally shape the collective decisions we make, and are therefore of the utmost importance. The referendum also undermined the old put-down that no one cares about constitutional reform. Try telling that to the 97% ...
At conference, on Tuesday morning, the party will be holding a debate called "Reclaiming the People's Game". That will build on current Liberal Democrat policy and our Manifesto commitment to [...]
As the 'differentiation max' policy gets into full swing at the Conference, there is plenty that we Lib Dems can cheer, but all this counts for naught if we do not draw our lines in the sand and share our bottom line in the event of future coalition discussons. It was made clear at the SLF conference in July that the manifesto would have 'no red lines', a point laboured by Danny Alexander on the fringes at Glasgow. Yet again, Clegg took to the airwaves today describing us as a 'middle ground anchor', a benign and meaningless phrase which casts ...
Last night I was sitting in this very seat and I commented in an IM that I was really looking forward to stretching out in bed when Peyton Manning was finished doing his thing. Sometimes I really do look forward to bed, maybe much more so than I really should. This feeling is more prevalent in the autumn and the winter and last night was the first time that I was genuinely anticipating stretching out and lounging around in the warmth of my bed. So I laid there and thought that I'd write a blog post on it but there ...
[IMG: Nick Clegg at Conference. Photograph: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images] I'm current on the train back from Liberal Democrat Conference in Glasgow. And since I have a 5 hour train journey, here are my thoughts on the Conference, from what I saw. 1. The policy motions have been dull And I mean really dull. Usually there is some form of controversy, but no motion had anything that really divided anyone. The most controversial thus far was One Member, One Vote. And even then, only one individual spoke against the principle of it (no prizes for guessing who). The motion on ...
Mon 6th
13:29
Opinion: Conference season so far - and what's with the Tories and Human Rights anyhow?
Normally, as you all know, Lib Dem conference comes before Labour and Tory conferences. But this year, due to the timing of the Scottish independence referendum, Lib Dem conference is the last one up. This means that for those of us who luckily (or unluckily, depending on your point of view) form part of the travelling circus that does all three conferences each year, instead of turning up bright eyed and bushytailed at our conference we've already done Tory conference, usually a killer health wise. I myself already have a mild case of conference flu that I've taken to Glasgow ...
Here's the new film from the Liberal Democrats: You can also watch this on YouTube.
Mon 6th
12:30Conference speeches: Kirsty Williams: Liberal Democrats are the radical, positive choice
Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Kirsty Williams gave her keynote speech to Conference this morning. Full of passion, radicalism and determination to fight the divisive, dog-whistle politics we are seeing more and more of these days. I don't think I have ever wanted to run out of the hall and get a speech up on here quite so much. I have to say to Paddy that if he doesn't make sure Kirsty is on telly every single day of the short election campaign and as much as possible between now and then, I will actually challenge him to a fight. And ...
Lib Dem Voice has polled our members-only forum to discover what Lib Dem members think of various political issues, the Coalition, and the performance of key party figures. Some 735 party members responded – thank you – and we're publishing the full results. LDV asked: How would you rate the performances of the following leading Liberal Democrats and government ministers? Full results are published below, but here's two key lists for those who want to cut to the chase... (with comparison to April 2013 ratings in brackets) Top 5 Lib Dem performers in the Government: Steve Webb +67% Lynne Featherstone ...
Mon 6th
11:55
Not much new policy, but a new smartness about coalition negotiations on show in Glasgow
[IMG: Lib Dems voting at conference. Photo courtesy of the Liberal Democrats - https://twitter.com/LibDems/status/518768017409601536] As predicted in my preview of the Liberal Democrat conference in Liberal Democrat Newswire, so far there hasn't been much in the way of high profile policy fights nor that much headline grabbing in the way of new policies. But there has been a new smartness about how to make policy announcements which may be put to the test in a hung Parliament. It's most obvious on tax. Simply saying the Lib Dems want to raise taxes a bit and the Tories are against raising taxes ...
[IMG: Western town] When I was twenty-two years of age, I was desperate to make my living playing music somehow. The only way to do that where I grew up, in the hinterlands of western Canada, was by playing country and western. So I auditioned for a group of five blonde girls who called themselves The Sisters who were looking for a backup band that they had decided to christen "Southern Heat". I got the gig as the bass player and was then introduced to the rest of those who had made the cut. There was the guitarist Jason, who ...
From the Council: Contractors working on behalf of National Grid Gas will be undertaking mains renewal works on The Downs in Cheadle and, as part of these works, connection works will be undertaken on Schools Hill, at the junction with The Downs. These works will require the use of two way signals on Schools Hill from 20th October 2014 to 26th October 2014.
[IMG: Handshake man - women] I am proud to belong to a party that strives to represent the unrepresented, defend the rights of minorities and works hard to achieve equality for all. Our work in government to tackle inequality has improved the lives of many and made society as a whole fairer. But, whilst we have made real progress in improving the deal for women in the workplace, it remains unacceptable that in the 21st century women remain underrepresented at the top and suffer significant pay disadvantages throughout many organisations. At conference in Glasgow, the Federal Policy Committee will present ...
[IMG: Sal Brinton] Continuing my series of guest posts from candidates for Lib Dem President, today it's Sal Brinton with her plans: Sal's Action Plan from 1 January to 1 July 2015 Going into any new post in an organisation where there are problems, identified or not, it is important to break down activity from the start. These are my initial Action Points, saying what I want to see, and how it will be done, and when that work will start. First ten days: I want to change the rules so someone cannot walk away from a complaints procedure and ...
Dacorum Councillor and Liberal Democrat activist Nick Hollinghurst was appalled when, during the Tory party conference last week, Chancellor George Osborne announced his plan to freeze benefits and tax credits for two years. Councillor Hollinghurst said, "I am appalled at both the insensitivity the Tory Chancellor and his lack of good sense in threatening 10 million households in this way. Moreover, this will hit more than 5 million working families." Tax credits are paid to families who have had the drive and initiative to find work and keep a job. They're still on low incomes, but are well on the ...
Today is the day to do breakfast. Let us know if it was worth getting up early to attend one of the many breakfast fringe meetings. There is much going on throughout the rest of the day – have you noticed that fringe meetings have crept into the business day now? Whether you want to hear about good parking management, drink driving, end-of-life priorities, aviation, experiments on animals, mental health, farming, trams, police constables or internships, you may want to end the evening celebrating the UK music industry at a party with Danny Alexander. How to find out what is ...
-Follow and keep in touch!Jeremy Brown is in pretty robust form this Liberal Democrat conference – getting his message about 360 degree liberalism out to everyone. He was no different at a fringe event for Liberal Reform, declaring that the Lib Dems could take some inspiration from Boris Johnson. Jeremy Browne has been spreading his [...]
incisive post on benefits and how IDS's plans will hurt vulnerable people (tags: ) [IMG: comment count unavailable] comments
Abbotswood Action Group local volunteers have big plans for sorting out Abbotswood. If you would like to offer your help in any way - from doing some gardening to coffee drop-ins, there is something for you to do. To offer, please contact St Nicholas Family Centre - or Tony Davis will pass on your details. A good way to find out more is to go to Abbotswood Apple Day on 18th October 11-3pm and try jam making, apple pressing and lots more.
Mon 6th
09:30The Independent View: IFS Director Paul Johnson - Balancing the books: some unpalatable choices
Paul Johnson is Director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies. He will be speaking on 'Balancing the books - tax and spending choices in the next Parliament' alongside Ian Swales MP and Anne Fairpo of the Chartered Institute of Taxation, with BBC Scotland's Business and Economy Editor Douglas Fraser in the chair, at 6.15pm on Tuesday at the SECC (Dochart 1). All conference attendees welcome. We weren't supposed to be here. When George Osborne delivered the Coalition's first Budget in June 2010 the plans he set out suggested that the job of rebalancing the nation's finances would be more or ...
Boris Johnson our conservative Mayor of London closure of East Dulwich Police station in June 2013 without a suitable replacement has been a disaster for local Policing. By the local Police management own admission at a Dulwich Community Council meeting our local Police now spend a third of their time traveling to and from our areas from their base in Camberwell. To solve this problem local East Dulwich councillors and Dulwich Lib Dems have been campaigning for a new base for Police enabling our Police to minimise time away form our ares. Ideally a Police base but any base that ...
[IMG: Clegginator] This is a reminder, by the way, of how when done right arguing strongly in favour of civil liberties is key to an election-winning strategy for the Liberal Democrats. It's not an issue top of many people's list of policy priorities, but aside from its own substantive importance it's also a key way to show the party has values – and values different from those of the other parties. That's important because The opinion poll crosstabs lie: or why policy isn't what Lib Dems need to concentrate on. It's also a policy area that both attracts flak and ...
In an election year you can't expect too much excitement at a party conference. Not if things are going well. And day two of the Lib Dem conference was not terribly exciting. But for those who want to read between the lines there was plenty of interest. The big item in the morning was a motion on welfare. The progenitors of the motion were from the left of the party, or at any rate those who have been resisting the party's flirtation with "neoliberalism", as many on the left like to call it. I missed the debate, but apparently it ...
[IMG: The House magazine feature on the Liberal Democrats] That was the question from The House magazine, and here's the answer I gave them: Survival. That quite simply has to be the top Liberal Democrat priority given the party's sustained lowly opinion poll ratings. The prospects for survival, and not just survival but survival in a strong enough position to force another hung Parliament and continued power in government, are promising - but there is no room for complacency. It's a good sign that the declared candidates in the race to succeed Party President Tim Farron are all talking about ...
Because today is a public holiday, my usual ward surgeries at the West Park Centre and the Mitchell Street Centre do not take place. However, my Thursday ward surgery at Blackness Primary School (6.15pm in the staff room on the ground floor) will take place as usual. From next week (13th October) onwards, due to the school Autumn holidays, my surgeries do not take place and resume on Monday 27th October when the new school term starts. I can be contacted, however, at any time at home on 459378 or via my e-surgery at esurgery@frasermacpherson.org.uk.
This is my final day at the Federal Liberal Democrats conference and it is also the day that the Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats gets to address representatives. As the Western Mail reports, Kirsty to planning to send a very clear message to the party leadership that Wales should not be left out of talks on the future of the UK's constitution: She will also throw down a challenge to the Lib Dems' rivals, saying: "Now is the time for the other parties to step up to the plate. I challenge them to do as Nick Clegg has done ...
There is a definite theme to this morning's agenda – climate change, flooding and housing – while the afternoon highlights core Lib Dem values with a presentation on equal marriage followed by a debate on equalities. In between we hear from some of the heavyweights in the party (in the non-literal sense) and we throw questions at Nick Clegg. Please adds your comments on anything that is happening today in the main hall. Today's timetable 09.00-10.00 F19 Policy motion: Adapting to Climate Change in the UK 10.00-10.20 F20 Speech: Kirsty Williams AM 10.20-11.20 F21 Policy motion: Building the Affordable Homes ...
I have, over a considerable period, pressed the City Council to provide a second School Crossing patroller in Lawton Road at the Harris Academy decant site, given the very large footfall (1000+ pupils) in the morning, lunchtime and at the end of the school day. I recently raised this (again) at the Harris Academy Project Board and have since been given the following update from the Head of Education (Secondary and Additional Support Needs): "Lawton Road should have two crossing patrols. One is currently redeployed to Craigowl PS. We are hoping to have this post filled shortly. Recruitment and Management ...
Perfectionism is something we speak of approvingly – it is the weakness it is ok to confess to in interviews – but an excellent article by Melissa Dahl for New York Magazine's Science of Us blog explains it can actually be a ruinous pathology: Still, there's a distinction between perfectionism and the pursuit of excellence, Greenspon said. Perfectionism [...]
This Liverpool Echo (see link above) story needs teasing out more but at face value Knowsley Council are in the dock for managing City Region money poorly and having to send it back. Knowsley blame Government but it is clear that Liverpool Council think Knowsley are the real problem! Some Liverpool City Region leaders blame this farce on the dysfunctional way the city region authority is operating. Of course they are still smarting over not being able to come up with either a name for the joint authority or agree who should chair its meetings! No wonder things continue ...
[IMG: rsz_duck_pond_-_church_view_farm_lydiate] Seen at Church View Farm, Lydiate. The old duck pond was leaking so it is undergoing a big refurb' and will be re-clayed on the bottom. Can't imagine the ducks were too keen on the work but their new home will be ready soon. The photo is amongst my Flickr shots at:- www.flickr.com/photos/86659476@N07/
Mon 6th
07:45Who should be the Lib Dem shadow chancellor in 2015 - Vince or Danny? Here's what Lib Dem members th...
Lib Dem Voice has polled our members-only forum to discover what Lib Dem members think of various political issues, the Coalition, and the performance of key party figures. Some 735 party members responded – thank you – and we're publishing the full results. [IMG: ldv vince danny] Currently the Lib Dems do not have a shadow chancellor. Vince Cable held the role in 2010. Danny Alexander has been chief secretary to the treasury for the past four years. Who do you think should represent the Lib Dems in the 'Ask the Chancellors' televised debate during the 2015 general election campaign? ...
Herb Cohen, the Mothers of Invention's manager, had not always been in the rock and roll business. He'd started out representing folk acts, so when Jimmy Carl Black, working in a music shop as a day job while waiting for the Mothers to start earning enough money for him to live on, got to know [...]
Another great day at conference! Here's my round-up: Reforming the welfare system Great motion moved by Kelly-Marie Blundell, PPC and hopefully our next MP for Guildford. Also two great amendments including added provision to improve advice services for those desperately needing access to benefits, and added reforms to avoid Welfare to Work being abused and [...]
