[IMG: Famine 1975! America's Decision: Who Will Survive?] You may be wondering who on earth the Paddock Brothers are? William and Paul Paddock wrote a book in 1967 called 'Famine 1975! America's Decision: Who will survive?'. The brothers predicted that there would be a food shortage crisis because of the world's growing population. Their horrendous solution was to leave the poor people of India and other countries which had famines to suffer because they only had themselves to blame and their existence was not doing anybody any good. Food aid for these people, according to the Paddocks, was a waste ...
Evidence of what voting according to beliefs might deliver in St Ives constituency On May 7 2015. Visit http://ukpollingreport.co.uk/2015guide/stives/ for a history, with numbers, for this seat. The past is the best predictor of the future so either Andrew George or the Tory candidate will be the M.P on Friday 8 May. [IMG: Cllr Sue James campaigning for Andrew George] Cllr Sue James awaiting the arrival of Nick Clegg & Andrew George On the door step, the Green Party are trying to convince supporters that despite the 'First Past The Post' electoral system they should vote with their beliefs rather ...
The Liberal Democrats have selected Elaine Bagshaw for the Tower Hamlets Mayor by-election following Lutfur Rahman's election being struck out by the courts on grounds of electoral fraud. The police, meanwhile, have launched a new investigation into election fraud in Tower Hamlets: Police are investigating four new allegations of electoral fraud at scandal-stricken Tower Hamlets after the borough's mayor was found guilty of corrupt practices. Detectives have been tasked with reviewing allegations included in a 200 page court report that declared void the 2014 election victory of former mayor Lutfur Rahman. Scotland Yard confirmed that the 'exceptional circumstances' of the ...
Lib Dems Believe Wordle 47 Freedom - Opportunity for Everyone
Liberal Democrats Believe... 48 - Nick Clegg We've talked a lot about building a stronger economy. We've talked a lot about creating a fairer society. But maybe we haven't talked enough about why - why those things matter. They matter because they are the only way we can enable everyone to get on in life - or as I'm calling it today, quite simply, Opportunity for Everyone. And that comes from something which is unique to us Liberal Democrats: it's an innate optimism about people. Ultimately we believe that the job of government, above all else, is to enable people ...
Newspapers from across the political divide are united in their belief Liberal Democrats have been a force for good in government. In their editorials, national titles recognise the Liberal Democrats achievements in government and the stability the party has brought to the country in the last five years. The newspapers also acknowledge that in the inevitability of a hung parliament, the Liberal Democrats will anchor Britain in the centre ground and stop a lurch to the right or the left.Endorsements include:The Independent: Many of the Government's achievements are owed to the Liberal Democrats. The party has been "a force for ...
Sebastian has made another video, this time discussing many of the issues that South Cambridgeshire voters have raised with him during the campaign.
General Election May 7th - A Few Facts to Consider [IMG: LD rosette] OKAY - after all these weeks the finish line is coming upon us. Your LibDem candidates on May 7th are: Bury St Edmunds David Chappell http://davidchappell.org.uk/en/ Ipswich Chika Akinwale http://www.libdems.org.uk/chika_akinwale Central Suffolk& North Ipswich Jon Neal http://www.libdems.org.uk/jon-neal South Suffolk Grace Weaver http://www.libdems.org.uk/grace_weaver Suffolk Coastal James Sandbach http://www.james4suffolkcoastal.com/ Waveney Stephen Gordon http://www.libdems.org.uk/stephen_gordon West Suffolk Elfeda Tealby-Watson http://www.libdems.org.uk/elfreda_tealby_watson A few things to remember when you cast your vote on Thursday: In 2010 the Labour government left a mountain of debt for the nation. Liberal Democrats shouldered unpopularity to take ...
It's only a couple of months since Ukip were being heavily tipped to win up to a dozen seats on Thursday. Yet the Faragistas look doomed for disappointment. Shouty Nigel was out-insurgented by Cool Nicola in the debates. The right-wing press has rallied behind their chap, Cameron. Three MPs seems now to be the best they can hope for, with enough runner up spots as solace. All of which means some have hastily written Ukip off. That would be a mistake. They look likely to rack up a double-digit vote share, an impressive achievement that would yield them at least ...
Like the BBC poll tracker, I've not changed much since January. In January, I said the seat distribution would be:Lab - 277 Tory - 265 LD - 45 SNP - 35 (Northern Ireland I'm not confident to predict so their 18 go here) Plaid - 4 Independent - 3 Kipper - 2 Green - 1I'm going to amend that somewhat today, to:Lab - 259 Tory - 266 LD - 45 SNP - 55 (Northern Ireland I'm not confident to predict so their 18 go here) Plaid - 3 Speaker*** - 1 Independent/Other - 1 Kipper - 1 Green - 1The ...
Tue 5th
17:58
2015 General Election Day 37: John Thurso's Huge Manatee chases King Arthur to Land's End
There's one question that's been predominant in my thoughts today: as the leaders set off on their final legs of their great campaign tours, some of them are promising to campaign day and night and go without sleep. So, how exactly do you campaign at 3am? Yes, there are a few people working overnight shifts and people who happen to be up at that time for one reason or another, but is loitering around a police officer on a night beat really the best use of anyone's time compared to sleep? [IMG: John Thurso on a casual day.] John Thurso ...
[IMG: Lib Dem achievements in government - 12. Shared parental leave] For more, see the full infographic: What have the Liberal Democrats achieved in government? [IMG: Share on Facebook] [IMG: Share on Twitter] Show support for Lib Dems on social media The Liberal Democrats have achieved so much in the last five years. Now help the party achieve even more in the next five years: Sign up to this Thunderclap to share a message on the eve of poll about voting Liberal Democrat Sign up to this Facebook event to show that you're voting Liberal Democrat
Sue Sweeney of radio Newcastle did the honours today in cutting the ribbon for the official opening of Willowburn's new shop which is just round the corner from the Post Office. Unlike the previous shop, this is much more than just a bookshop, with a range of clothing, vintage items and much more as well as books. The volunteers who made the bookshop such a success were also out in force, and have got stuck into the wider retailing operation, as well as acting as advocates for the hospice. They will all need our support, both in donating to the ...
Tue 5th
17:25
Nick Clegg wants to turn Britain into a cycling nation - and earns praise from Chris Boardman
I found out about this not because it came in in a Google alert but because a family member, who has nothing to do with politics, shared it on Facebook. That family member lives in a key Liberal Democrat seat so I hope he's going to do the right thing and vote for Danny on Thursday. It's the only thing to do in Inverness if you really don't want an SNP MP as I know he doesn't. This family member is a really hardcore cyclist. Ten days ago he took part in the Mallorca 312. That's where people cycle all ...
It's not what the Tory press tell you our values are but what they really are. This is a uplifting video in the last days of what has been an utterly uninspiring general election campaign all round.
I read the Tory and Lib-Dem manifestos too. By gosh the LD manifesto was long! Although, it was a less excruciating read than the Labour one, which I suspected had been penned by someone who cut their teeth writing local authority 'mission statements'. On the other hand, about the only thing the Tory manifesto had [...]
This is what popped into my inbox at 13:34 this afternoon: [IMG: Labour 72 hours email] 72 hours? That's Friday! A bit late for those few Labour voters who remain to get to the polls. There is an element of there but for the grace of god go I in this. That email was most likely sent out by some exhausted staffer who hasn't slept since about Friday. One thing that political activists understand is quite how much an election takes out of you, so this is posted with a certain amount of empathy. * Caron Lindsay is Editor of ...
The five years since the last general election have been brutal for the Liberal Democrat's popularity. But in key areas they have proved the party right. 1. Coalitions can work Our first peace time coalition in decades survived for a full term. It retained a working majority and had little trouble delivering its legislative agenda. [...]
This post from two years ago reminds us how Balls and Miliband have flip-flopped over the need for government cuts:Liberal Democrats have been accused by Labour of propping up the Conservatives and worse, but Nick Clegg, deputy prime minister reminds us: Nearly two years ago, Liberal Democrats chose to do the right thing in the national interest at a time of crisis. We put tribalism aside and the good of the country first. We didn't come into politics to make cuts, but with the economy on the verge of collapse we knew we had to take the difficult decisions necessary ...
This year's ALDC-LGA Lib Dems Local Government Conference will be taking place at the Mercure Hotel in Manchester on the 19th and 20th of June. The Local Government Conference is a highlight of the year for local campaigners, combining training, information, valuable networking opportunities. The conference agenda will be made available soon. A map is here Lunch and [...]
Tue 5th
15:07Watch: Paddy's Team Talk for the final few days: Where we need to win, we're winning and what's more...
As activists all over the country pull up their hoods to protect them from the torrential rain, Paddy pops up to say thanks, to remind us to keep going till 1o pm on Thursday and reminds us why we are doing it – for stability, decency and unity in our country. He also reminds us that the Tories know that we are winning where we need to be and points out that at this stage in the last election they said they only had to win 14 seats, this time they are saying it's 23 but we know it's more. ...
Tue 5th
14:07There's a manatee loose on the internet - and it will encourage voters towards the Liberal Democrats
I knew there was something weird going on with my Facebook feed. There are plenty Liberal Democrat related items in it all the time, but I've noticed adverts for things I've been interested in. I've also noticed that the UK Liberal Democrat website now seems to tell me lots of things about the very excellent Mike Crockart. I suspected technical wizardry of some description and wondered what was coming next given the way that Austin Rathe and his colleagues seem to be able to get into my head. The secret is out now. It's called Operation Manatee. A manatee, as ...
Over on the Guido Fawkes blog there is an extract from Labour campaign supremo, Lucy Powell, in which she lands her leader in some significantly hot water: 'Asked on 5Live this morning whether having to carve their pledges into stone was a sign the public didn't trust them, Labour's election chief inexplicably replied: "I don't think anyone is suggesting that the fact that he's carved them into stone means, you know, means that he will absolutely, you know, not going to break them or anything like that."' In The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, C. S. Lewis recounts how ...
South Gloucestershire is the economic powerhouse of the West of England and this has helped to keep unemployment well below the national average. But more needs to be done to ensure that our local economy benefits everyone. We will: Expand and promote apprenticeship schemes that provide real experience and prospects for our young people.Work with businesses, schools and colleges to make sure people have the skills they need to help our local economy to thrive and create jobs.Continue to improve broadband connectivity throughout rural and urban areas and to give residents more choice over their broadband provider.Ensure even better support ...
For polling day on Thursday, Cornwall Council are giving limited free parking in some car parks - but only where they are the closest to a polling station. I'm not aware that this is the case in Launceston but it is a very good initiative. For those who vote at St Thomas Church Hall, you can park on the road at Riverside for free - just be mindful that there will be a lot of traffic. More than half the town will vote at the Town Hall. I asked the town council if they will allow a small amount of ...
[IMG: People using computers and driining coffee] To add to the targeting of website content based on where people are (see The front page of the Lib Dem website isn't all it seems), the Liberal Democrats are now rolling out a unique digital advertising campaign targeting swing voters and those not certain to vote. With letterboxes often crowded with pizza leaflets and it becoming increasing difficult to find people in when out doorstep canvassing, online advertising offers the opportunity to reach voters where they actually are spending their time – as long as you can reach real people, living in ...
So I'm lucky enough to be standing in the general election in the borough where I grew up and I've lived since day one. Yesterday I was out knocking on doors, trying to persuade local people that I'm the right choice to stand up for them in Westminster (and looking pretty snazzy while I'm at it). Then we spotted a cat. Look how cute he is with his little white feet! And he must have been a Liberal Democat (sorry) because he came with us to the next house. And the next house... And the one after that too... In ...
This is a placeholder post, to explain the lack of posting today. I'm going to be posting a ten-essay series on Mindless Ones, one a day, and it was meant to be starting yesterday, but it'll be starting tomorrow, because reasons (it'll all be written before it starts going up). There should be an ebook [...]
Tue 5th
12:16Norman Baker's genius response to David Cameron: David, I need you to stop sending dishonest and pat...
[IMG: Norman Baker by Liberal Democrats] The Tories don't seem to have got the hang of excluding the opposition from their target mailings. This may be a good thing as we wouldn't have had the joy of reading our Norman Baker's fantastic and hilarious response to a missive he received from David Cameron, in whose government he served until last November. Here's the Prime Minister's letter: [IMG: David Cameron Letter] And here, in full, is Norman's pithy response. Enjoy. Rt Hon Norman Baker 23 East Street Lewes BN7 2LJ Dear David Cameron Thank you for your letter of 1st May, ...
I'm thinking that few people gave much thought to who actually organised the stop ukip demonstration in Ramsgate this last weekend. Although I noticed a SWP member (Socialist workers party that no longer take part in elections) apparently organising things. From talking to people at the protest I understand those taking part were mainly in support of the labour candidate Will Scobie, although there was a broad spectrum of left wing activists. The labour party are not hiding their contempt for the democratic system by using their stop Farage slogan on campaign literature, so I wonder whether they ought to ...
Tue 5th
11:55
The best Lib Dem poster display I've ever seen, a Dalek and meeting a fellow BlackBerry Passport fan
In Liberal Democrat Newswire #64 I reported on the slightly bizarre goings on in Eastbourne where Liberal Democrat MP has just an impressively omnipresent poster display that one constituent has been inspired to create a computer game affectionately mocking Stephen Lloyd's poster display. When you go round the constituency, it's easy to see why: 9 seconds. Longest I've managed to walk in Eastbourne without seeing @stephenlloydebn posters. — Mark Pack (@markpack) May 4, 2015 But the most important news: I discovered a fellow Blackberry Passport user. [IMG: Lib Dem activist Matt has a very fine taste in smartphones] Lib Dem ...
Tue 5th
11:50Media endorsements are building a narrative to keep Cameron in office, whatever the result
Those of you who read Simon Wren-Lewis will understand his concept of 'mediamacro' – the tale of the UK's macroeconomic situation over the last few years as reported and explained by the media. It's a simple morality tale where the country overspent and now has to repay its debts, because just like a family budget, you have to pay off your credit card eventually. It's easily repeated, easily expressed and also completely wrong in depicting how a national economy actually works. However, it's a very useful story to have as the official narrative if you want to justify a certain ...
Three months ago I set out a Lib Dem case against Coalition 2.0. As polling day approaches, I believe that case has grown stronger. I'm still hopeful the Lib Dems will hold on to more than 30 seats (and gain one in Watford). Our message is finally getting some cut through, Nick Clegg has fought a [...]
Treasury figures analysed by the Liberal Democrats show the last Labour government signed off at least 138 Private Finance Initiative (PFI) projects in the hospital sector with private firms during their time in office. These controversial deals are the real threat to the NHS and are set to cost taxpayers £11.7bn in repayments over the next parliament. Today (5 April) Ed Miliband warned of a "financial bombshell", but this new analysis shows that it was Labour who mortgaged the future of the health service to the hilt and asked future taxpayers to bail them out. These PFI deals saw private ...
When I saw this yesterday, my blood was boiling for a bit. You have to stick with it, because it does actually get better. There are a couple of things I'd have done differently. There was no need for body parts to come into the conversation at all. We need to think about all sorts of inclusion, here. Secondly, I'd have liked a recognition that women face particular barriers and Liberal Democrats want to tackle those – but the way to do that is for us all to do that together. Gender discrimination is bad for everybody. Another 20 seconds ...
I'm glad I delivered Marley Hill and Byermoor yesterday with my final Focus in my ward. Pleasant weather all round. Not so this morning. Anyway, here's a look at the front page of my Focus. It's simply just a reminder that the Lib Dems are the only party in the ward active all year round. And lots of people vote for us just because of that.
Independent "Many of the good things the Coalition has done are owed to the Liberal Democrats. Nick Clegg may not personally recover from the tuition fees debacle, despite being right (eventually). But history will record him as the man who turned a party of protest into one of The Times "Nick Clegg made a bold decision to take the Liberal Democrats into government. Power has been a justified gamble for the Liberal Democrats...Their signature policy of taking people who earn £10,000 or less out of taxation altogether has been one of their Sunday Times "...[the Coalition] did survive ...
Over the Bank Holiday weekend I had to take some enforced leave from general election campaigning to be in Manchester to take part in filming for a TV documentary about my childhood adoption and the recent reunion with my two blood-sisters. The past few months have been an emotional roller-coaster, from the moment my sisters [...]
[IMG: Lib Dem achievements in government - 11. Same sex marriage] For more, see the full infographic: What have the Liberal Democrats achieved in government? [IMG: Share on Facebook] [IMG: Share on Twitter] Show support for Lib Dems on social media The Liberal Democrats have achieved so much in the last five years. Now help the party achieve even more in the next five years: Sign up to this Thunderclap to share a message on the eve of poll about voting Liberal Democrat Sign up to this Facebook event to show that you're voting Liberal Democrat
[IMG: Ed Miliband and his inscription] Milistele unveiled Yesterday, just four days before the election, the Leader of the UK Labour Party, Ed Miliband, unveiled an eight-foot limestone slab, carved with his six main election promises. Reviews were mixed, but it was a delight to all who regularly get to look at ancient inscriptions: political texts in stone have become so rare! Enough to bring me back to blogging after a long hiatus. The media faced quite a dilemma: They weren't actually sure what to call such an object. Most went for 'stone monument', but some plumped for tablet (way ...
First past the post is sounding its death knell "Only lib dems are interested in boring stuff like voting reform" "Shut up about voting reform, nobody cares" ... "But the system is so unfair! I've got a brilliant idea nobody has ever had before! Let's have a proportional voting system!" *weary sigh* (tags: ) Ten Things I Won't Miss After The Election - number 3 is my number 1 (tags: ) More wisdom from Andrew Hickey: We Need STV, Not "PR" (tags: ) The Backfire Effect and Benefits Sanctions (tags: ) Test drive of a petrol car by the Tesla ...
Caring for our environment has always been a key Lib Dem principle. Over the past four years we have worked to increase the amount of rubbish South Gloucestershire recycles. We will use green space designation powers to help keep our area green for future generations. We will: Use the Council's planning powers to protect green spaces to the same level as the Green Belt.Work to ensure more affordable housing is available locally (including through support for self-build schemes) while ensuring that neighbouring authorities also take their fair share.Protect the local Green Belt from unsuitable developments.Continue to improve recycling rates and ...
[IMG: Ed tombstone] Until last week I thought the Labour campaign was going quite well. They neutralised their vulnerability on the economy and tax. Their campaign on the NHS was dishonest but largely unchallenged. Their portrayal of the election as a choice of values had some resonance. And then it went wrong. Ed Miliband, their leader, has shown a disastrous lack of judgement – he is setting himself up for an impossible task after election day. And that could be disastrous for the left in Britain. The clearest symbol of this came on Sunday, when Mr Miliband unveiled his six ...
[IMG: Bringing home the bacon: The Labour leader tried to confront his inability to match his camera-friendly rivals, which culminated in the above image of him struggling to eat a bacon sandwich ] There never was an election campaign in history, at least outside the USA, so desperately lacking in authenticity. Yes, there are some exceptions. The revelation of SNP aggression last night, as they battered Jim Murphy and Eddie Izzard, did at least appear to be a glimpse of something real. Otherwise, it is exhausted slogans (exhumed from the 1940s), fake concern, and very, very careful politicians. I found ...
As the speculation continues on the make-up of the next government, I have been thinking a lot about the prospect of another Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition. We went into coalition in 2010 for three main reasons 1) because the country needed a strong, stable government to sort out the economy which was in crisis 2) to stop the Tories from doing nasty, right-wing things, and 3) to get our own great policies, such as pupil premium implemented. So where are we in 2015? We do not have the same level of economic difficulty as we did in 2010. The deficit is ...
[IMG: 72316_10151146554085872_516093712_n]
There's just something missing from this photo... [IMG: Labour's Seem Malhorta "speaking with local residents", so the caption claims]
The Liberal Democrats have produced a series of 20 videos giving snippets of our manifesto in BSL. We are the first major party to do so. The full list is here. We'll also put them up on here in batches over the next wee while. If you want to see all our posts, just click on the bsl tag at the bottom of this post. In this post, you will find crime, freedom and equality and political reform. Crime Freedom and equality Political reform
Tue 5th
08:41
As the two party system crumbles, the two parties in question cling to it tighter than ever
A few days ago, Ed Miliband had his five key manifesto pledges set in stone. Literally. In a move that has already become the stuff of political and social media legend, he had an 8'6 limestone slab engraved with his own promises to the electorate. Fortunately for him, "I will not do a deal with the SNP" does not feature amongst them. This is following David Cameron's bizarre pledge to create a law saying he has to set a certain something in law, by law, a law that could be undone by him or any other prime minister anyhow. As ...
From the Liverpool Echo web site – Mr Osborne also declared his "door was open" to Joe Anderson over proposals for a Merseyside Mayor, providing it is the wish of voters in the area. [IMG: Cllr_Joe_Anderson,_Leader,_Liverpool_City_Council.jpeg] Well here's a odd story. A Tory Chancellor seemingly trying to do Liverpool's Labour Mayor a favour in his ambitions to run all our lives across Merseyside/The Liverpool City Region. But is it odd? Well not if you look back at the history of the Tories backing Labour on Merseytravel/Merseyside Passenger Transport Authority. Or what about the short lived Tory/Labour joint administration on Sefton ...
From Sheena Wellington : Lunchtime Recital: Wighton Heritage Centre at the Central Library Tomorrow - Wednesday 6th May, 1.15pm admission free! On Wednesday lunchtime, historical harp specialist Simon Chadwick will present a quirky and provocative concert of "hot political tunes from three hundred years ago". This elegant 18th century Scottish harp music addresses the pressing political issues of the early 1700s, with sweet sounds, melancholy jigs and startling anecdotes. Simon will play the beautiful decorated replica of the medieval Scottish "Queen Mary" harp, in a free lunchtime concert in the atmospheric ambience of the Wighton Centre, upstairs in the Central ...
Some of you will have hopefully noticed that I've now installed a proper mobile version of this blog, which means it's easier to read and navigate if you're looking at it on your phone. Please let me know if there are any problems with it, so I can break more things under the hood as I try and fix it. And just a reminder while you're here that there are several ways to keep up with this blog. You can subscribe via email using the box on the right of the page (or at the bottom on the mobile version), ...
I cannot understand why Ed Miliband is so feeble in his "defence" of Labour's borrowing record. Indeed, he fails to defend it at all (twice in the last week: in the "Leaders' TV Question Time" last Thursday, when David Dimbleby repeatedly badgered him "Did you borrow too much?" and yesterday on the Radio 4 "Today" programme, when he was harassed by John Humphries on the same topic). Instead of robustly refuting this bit of Tory spin Miliband burbles on about new schools and hospitals built by PFI - a double error as PFIs are a costly nonsense and it is ...
The Liberal Democrats have announced a final 'red line' that the party would demand in any coalition negotiations. After five years of pay restraint, teachers, nurses, police officers and all those who work in the public sector should no longer face pay cuts - and that it's time to offer some light at the end of the tunnel. Our proposals would introduce a minimum pay increase in line with inflation for the next two years, and guarantee real terms increases in pay once the books have been balanced. This means a nurse on £25,000 would receive a minimum pay increase ...
South Cambridgeshire voters are being reminded that polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm this Thursday (7 May) for them to cast their vote in Parliamentary, District Council and Parish elections. Voters are also advised: you don't need your polling card with you to be able to voteif you haven't returned your postal vote, completed and sealed voting packs can be dropped off at your polling station and your vote will still countyou can only cast your vote at the polling station your home address is registered under - this is listed on your polling card or you ...
