Jo Swinson's reaction to the defeat of the government by 27 votes tonight: The attempt to shut down Parliament by Boris Johnson is authoritarian and anti-democratic. The fact that the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom wants to silence the people and their representatives shows that Boris Johnson will pursue Brexit at any cost, even at the cost of our democracy. "That is why the Liberal Democrats, along with a majority of MPs in the House of Commons, have voted to take control of the order paper tomorrow. "We look forward to voting for cross-party legislation to stop Boris Johnson's ...
News: thrilled to be entrusted by parliamentary colleagues to be @LibDems Deputy Leader Huge thanks to everyone for their support. Looking forward to working with my friend & leader @joswinson #LibDems are the united party leading the #StopBrexit fight https://t.co/bojQo6njJz — Ed Davey MP [IMG: 🔶] (@EdwardJDavey) September 3, 2019 A very good team indeed. * Caron Lindsay is Editor of Liberal Democrat Voice and blogs at Caron's Musings
Readers may have noticed that the news of Phillip Lee's defection was fast-tracked onto our front page earlier this afternoon, but his dramatic move to the Liberal Democrat benches shouldn't overshadow the good news story that was Jane Dodds's arrival on our benches, especially given how many Liberal Democrat Voice readers lent a hand in Brecon and Radnorshire... HS2 Should not be funded with a 'blank cheque' In response to reports that HS2 could be delayed for up to seven years, with an additional estimated cost of over £20bn, former Liberal Democrat Leader Tim Farron said: It is shameful that ...
Strictly speaking, the Liberal Democrats do not have a deputy leader. However, the Parliamentary Party in the House of Commons (i.e. the MPs) elect a deputy leader. Previously that post was held by Jo Swinson but her accession to the party leadership required a new deputy. That new deputy is her defeated rival for the leadership, Ed Davey: News: thrilled to be entrusted by parliamentary colleagues to be @LibDems Deputy Leader Huge thanks to everyone for their support. Looking forward to working with my friend & leader @joswinson #LibDems are the united party leading the #StopBrexit fight https://t.co/bojQo6njJz — Ed ...
We've always been a broad church. One of the hallmarks of liberal politics is that if offers space for disagreement, without letting that disagreement define us. Liberal Democrats not only tolerate but champion the rights of people who hold different views to our own. And that's no bad thing. But there has to be some ... Continue reading Dr Phillip Lee →
By a majority of 27, Boris Johnson has lost his first vote in Parliament. He's quite the record-breaker: Government loses. Johnson the first PM to lose his first Commons vote since Roseberry in 1894. — Sam Freedman (@Samfr) September 3, 2019
Ros is a member of the Shadow Sponsor Body tasked with overseeing the essential work of dragging the core of the Parliamentary Estate into the modern age, or perhaps as accurate, salvaging the building before it explodes, catches fire or is flooded with sewage. In that capacity, she had some thoughts to outline in response to what turned out to be a rather short, and harmonious, Report Stage... My Lords, I will add my thanks to all those who have worked during August to come up with a solution that meets not just the needs of those moving the amendments ...
Opened in 1831, the Cromford and High Peak Railway linked the Cromford Canal at High Peak Wharf with the Peak Forest Canal at Whaley Bridge. Remarkably, most of the the railway and its rope-hauled inclines survived until 1967. This video shows the line's locomotives taking the stock for an excursion train from Buxton.
"If the Lib Dems can paint themselves as the only party that can end the whole Brexit debate, and moreover do so quickly, I think the party can pick up a huge number of seats in a snap election." Nick Tyrone says our slogan at the next election should be 'Revoke and Make it Stop'. Alison Faulkner looks at the use and misuse of the concept of 'recovery' in mental health. The death of Richard Booth, the self-styled King of Hay-on-Wye. leads David Boyle to mourn the lost radicalism of the UK. "The same year saw her adventure novel The ...
I saw this on Twitter, checked and discovered something remarkable. On the day I turned 14 the top three records in the UK singles chart were all about death: Seasons in the Sun - Terry JacksBilly, Don't be a Hero - Paper LaceEmma - Hot ChocolateI remember there was an item at the time remarking on the phenomenon and discussing its significance on the BBC Radio 4 arts programme Kaleidoscope - no doubt introduced by Paul Vaughan. For what it's worth, I hated the Terry Jacks record in 1974, though in later life I was to fall in love with ...
Current De Bourgondiërs, by Bart Van Loo The Devil in Amber, by Mark Gatiss Resurrection of the Daleks, by Eric Saward Resurrection of the Daleks, by Paul Scoones Last books finished Cat Country, by Lao She Oyasumi, by Renee Rienties, Coco Ouwerkerk and Kimberley Legito Geelen Setting the Truth Free: The Inside Story of the Bloody Sunday Campaign, by Julieann Campbell Pigs in Heaven, by Barbara Kingsolver Audio The Forsaken, by Justin Richards Next books Anthropological Studies of Religion: An Introductory Text, by Brian Morris The Writing Life, by Annie Dillard
Conservative MP Phillip Lee has today joined the Liberal Democrats, removing the government's majority in the House of Commons.
The Liberal Democrats have announced that Bracknell MP Phillip Lee has joined the party. Phillip Lee, defecting from the Conservatives, joins the Liberal Democrats, having held the seat since 2010. He is the fourth addition to the Liberal Democrat parliamentary party in the last few months. Speaking after joining the party, Liberal Democrat MP Dr Phillip Lee said: Over 27 years ago I joined the Conservative & Unionist Party led by Sir John Major. Since 2010 I have had the privilege of representing the Bracknell Constituency. The Party I joined in 1992 is not the Party I am leaving today. ...
[IMG: ITV reports a Tory defection to Lib Dem Party] The post ITV reports a Tory defection to Lib Dem Party appeared first on @ambitiousmamas.
I seem to have a habit of arriving in places on milestone days. I arrived in Llandrindod Wells on the day the Brecon and Radnorshire by-election writ was moved. Today I have arrived in Sheffield Hallam on the day the MP is expected to resign (2:30pm is the crucial moment). I'm here for two days of delivery in this handsome constituency. The HQ (above) is in a fine old house with plenty of room. As well as paying my respects to the by-election legend which is Erlend Watson, I was able to chat with Miranda Roberts and our PPC herself, ...
This week, perhaps even today, is likely to be the most crucial for UK politics since the Second World War. In the Commons no one is quite sure what will happen. It al depends on what the Speaker permits, how the government wriggles to get round it, how many Tories have the courage to rebel and how many Labour (30 under Stephen Kinnock?) support Johnson (would you believe it?) The best option, in my view, is for MPs to order the revocation of Article 50 and have done with it. Since they haven't yet seen the light, the second best ...
Mon, 12:08: A backstop referendum in Northern Ireland? Reading @BBCKatyaAdler's important thread on EU perceptions of UK parli... https://t.co/3twIWKY8ZL Mon, 13:36: Ivan Rogers: the realities of a no-deal Brexit https://t.co/ZmEMf7otbk Fantastic and sobering analysis, as ever, from Sir Ivan Rogers. Mon, 15:19: RT @thouse_opinions: The #Brexit points to a clash between two visions of democracy: parliamentary democracy, which parliament is trying to... Mon, 15:48: RT @LordWoolamaloo: "A sort of wheezing, groaning sound..." Very sad to hear of the passing of Terrance Dicks, whose writing & scripts mad... Mon, 16:06: RT @Paul_Cornell: Terrance. I don't know where to begin. He was ...
Signed up as a Lib Dem supporter and donated. I cast my vote at age 18 for Ted Heath and every general since I have been a Conservative, often canvassing. I am done Thus an email I saw this morning. Also this morning Justine Greening, long-time Conservative MP for my neighbouring constituency of Putney, resigned ... Continue reading Is the Lib Dem investment in coalition government paying off?
The political media like to converge on a consensus of events and to do so very quickly after something has taken place. Yesterday's Boris Johnson rambling into a microphone for six minutes is no exception. What had been briefed heavily beforehand was that unless MPs give up on their quest to get legislation through the House stopping no deal from happening on October 31st, or unless that legislation fails to pass for whatever reason, Johnson will seek a general election to take place on October 14th. Every key journalist in the bubble was briefed the exact same message, so this ...
Details of roadworks for the month below – please note this includes some road closures – for the full list see the GM Roadworks site here The Major roadworks in September are: – Hilton Lane 10 September 2019 (at the bottom of Sandy Lane) – Multi-way signals (BT) – Bottom of Rainsough Brow (near the roundabout for Kersal Vale Road) – Stop/Go signs until 9 September 2019 (Bury Council) – St Ann's Road – Bury New Road end – road closure 29 September 2019 (United Utilities) – And road resurfacing work as follows: Mount Road (2-13 September).Cuckoo Lane (9-20 Sep).Ostrich ...
Our local mental health charity the Creative Living Centre is seeking new Trustees to bring additional skills, experience and commitment to the team. More information below at this link.
A Ceilidh with Toll Bar Ceiligh Band and Caller (no dance knowledge necessary). This is on 4 October 2019 at the Carlton Club, Bury Old Road and is a fundraiser or Bury Samaritans. Tickets from burysamaritans@gmail.com
Amidst today's drama, let's not forget that Jane Dodds, our new MP for Brecon and Radnorshire and Beatrice Wishart, our new MSP for Shetland, take their seats today. So not only are the Government content to shut down Parliament, they are now thinking of calling an election to silence MPs and enable a #NoDealBrexit. These attempts to override MPs won't succeed, we will continue the fight to take #NoDeal off the table. https://t.co/Xo4hEv70zk — Jane Dodds AS/MP [IMG: 🏴] [IMG: 🇪🇺] [IMG: 🔶] (@DoddsJane) September 2, 2019 * Caron Lindsay is Editor of Liberal Democrat Voice and blogs at Caron's ...
I watched Johnson's speech last night and was a little lost for words. "Is that it?" I thought to myself. Nothing new. Just an attempt to move us to an election Johnson wants but claims he doesn't want. If a snap election is held, there will be an improved performance for the Lib Dems, Labour and Conservative votes will drop and the SNP may pick up seats. As Labour will drop more than the
The collapse of the Italian government was anything but unexpected. Ever since the demagogic League (Salvini's Party) and the populist Five Stars Movement (5SM) signed a deal – they never dared call it an alliance – political analysts have realized that their platforms and constituencies were too different for the agreement to last. Eventually, the 5SM realized that they were going to be crushed by the League's deadly embrace. Under the Italian constitution, elections are not necessary to form a new government if the new coalition wins a majority in the Parliament. Thus, the 5SM is contemplating an alliance with ...
I was intrigued at the claim by local Conservatives this morning, that Wales is to receive £1.2 billion as a result of the Prime Minister's announcement on education spending in England. If that is the case then surely he has also changed the funding formula under which the Welsh Government receives its money. In fact, using the Barnett formula, the schools spending announcement would mean an extra £153m in 2020-21, £283m in 2021-22 and £419m in 2022-23 (nominal terms), a total of £855m. This is because the £1.2bn figure includes allocations for increased pension costs (which will go back to ...
A Prime Minister with no mandate intends to shut down Parliament to pursue a reckless agenda which could lead to food and medicine shortages. He threatens to end the careers of anyone on his side who defies him. No, not the plot of some fanciful work of fiction I read on holiday. Quite possibly the plot of a film in a few years time. There is a surreal feeling about what's happening at the moment. A colleague of mine commented when we heard that Conservative MPs were being summoned to the garden of Downing Street that some of the rebels ...
Greater Manchester's councils are looking for the public's views on nighttime transport – 6pm and 6am. Results from the Transport at Night survey will provide a unique insight into how people travel at night and help to strengthen any ask of Government for the funding and powers that are needed to deliver changes. The survey has been launched to find out how Greater Manchester's night time transport options work for people going out in the evening and, equally, those working at night time – from shift workers and bar staff, to taxi drivers and hospital staff. The survey closes at ...
With thanks to Sheena Wellington, here's the latest update from Friends of Wighton with its next event tomorrow : Wighton Heritage Centre, Central Library Wednesday 4th September : 1.15pm - 1.45pm. Lunchtime Recital with Claire Garabedian, cello Dr Claire Garabedian, is a professional cellist specialising in historical performance, a Certified Music Practitioner (USA), and an experienced researcher focusing on the effects of the arts on people with dementia/people. She has presented her work throughout the UK, Europe and the USA, including at the Hay Literature Festival and on BBC Radio 4. Claire will play an engaging combination of familiar and ...
I may not be in any position of great (or even little) authority have a plan to resolve Brexit. Jump to TL:DR or read on. Before I expose it to the harsh criticism of your judgement though let me set the scene a little, as I see it. In many respects it feels like the Brexit end game has now begun. The Tory's are descending in to civil war and Boris Johnson has launched an all out assault on
I may not be in any position of great (or even little) authority have a plan to resolve Brexit. Jump to TL:DR or read on. Before I expose it to the harsh criticism of your judgement though let me set the scene a little, as I see it. In many respects it feels like the Brexit end game has now begun. The Tory's are descending in to civil war and Boris Johnson has launched an all out assault on
