"Quite apart from winning Oxfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Shropshire outright, the Lib Dems are set to lead Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Devon councils, with the possibility of a deal in Hertfordshire, and a long shot at power in Cornwall."Matthew Pennell reviews the local elections. Rei Takver reports that the new Reform UK constitution gives its chair sweeping, unchecked authority within the party. Gabrielle Pickard-Whitehead on a report that shows women in the North of England face deep inequalities: "Northern women work longer hours for lower pay, are more likely to live in poverty, have fewer qualifications, and face a shorter life expectancy ...
Sun 11th
21:45
What will, and won't, work for Labour in the face of Reform's rise? - The Week in Polls
The latest edition of my weekly political polling round-up, The Week in Polls, is out. As it says: Steve Akehurst has another excellent piece out concentrating on detailed polling analysis regarding Reform curious Labour voters in the Westminster constituencies which are key for Keir Starmer's party. The full report comes with a handy eight point summary of the findings... Find out more by reading this edition of The Week in Polls here, and you can sign up below to receive future editions direct to your email inbox:
On Wednesday 14th May at 5:30 PM I will leave the town hall in Liverpool by taxi having arrived at it in the Lord Mayor's chauffeur driven car. I will have finished my year as Lord Mayor of our wonderful city and in time my name will be added to the bronze plaques which record all the Mayors and Lord Mayors of Liverpool since 1207. It had been my intention to spend part of this weekend reflecting for you all on my year as Lord Mayor. I am afraid I will have to keep you in suspense until Wednesday. My ...
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Liberal Democrats have set up an internal "Reform watch" to monitor Nigel Farage's party in local government, reports the Guardian. The paper quotes Ed Davey as saying Labour and the Conservatives are too scared of the threat from Reform to hold it to account. The report sets out what the work of the unit will be: A key part of the monitoring will be to see if and how Reform-run councils try to cut services, Davey said. Many families had been "alarmed" by Farage's comments saying too many people were being diagnosed with special needs or ...
Ed Davey has written a book about his own varied and lifelong caring experience and it's coming out on 22 May, just in time for me to tae my copy with me on my Highland holiday. He sent an email to party members telling us about the book and letting us know that we can get 30% if we pre-order by 21 May. He said: As you know, caring is, and has been, much of my life. And yet, it is only since becoming Leader that I have felt comfortable and compelled to speak about it. In my first speech, ...
This week, MPs and MSPs could take big steps towards passing legislation to pass assisted dying. In Westminster, the first of three days discussing amendments to Kim Leadbetter's Private Members Bill takes place on Friday. In Holyrood, Lib Dem MSP Liam McArthur presents his Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill. This is the next step in a process which has been going on for nearly 4 years. You can see all the various stages here. Prior to that, there was extensive consultation from the end of 2021. Personally, I have long supported assisted dying. I think it is ...
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared last month. We've just heard from Cllr Ben Rigby, the Group Chair of the Lib Dem Group on Brentwood Council, a Lib Dem led council in coalition, that they too have been listed for an award so we have added them in and are re-running the article. The Local Authority publication the Municipal Journal has shortlisted a number of Lib Dem-led Councils for their 'Local Authority of the Year Award'. The Award recognises "councils who, through a collective effort, drive innovation and are delivering the best outcomes for their communities". What is really striking ...
Before Arthur Brown released Fire, he released a single called Devil's Grip on Me. And this was on the B-side. Give Him a Flower is a mixture of groovy Hammond organ, Kevin Ayres vocals and an early David Bowie novelty record. An interview with Psychedelic Baby! reveals that Brown fits my ideal profile of a Sixties musician: he had a father who played jazz and he sang as a boy. It also reveals that he was one of the first graduates on the scene - before then the expectation was that you would put away childish things like "pop music" ...
An alternative VE day message - Standing with Ukraine. In 2025, the world marks 80 years since Victory in Europe (VE) Day. But the war in Ukraine rages on – a stark reminder that peace and freedom can never be taken for granted. While we celebrate the end of an old conflict, millions of Ukrainians are still living through the devastation of an ongoing war. On behalf of the European Movement UK we went to Ukraine, to put Ukrainian voices in front of a British audience and to ensure their voices are not forgotten. We are presenting these stories in ...
The Vatican What's in a name? If you're the Pope, quite a lot. With 2,000-years of history, the incoming Bishop of Rome is able to choose a name from among his 266 predecessors whose career best reflects his values. American-born Robert Prevost has chosen to be known as Pope Leo XIV. This is an important nod to Pope Leo XIII, who led the church from 1878 to 1903 and is generally regarded as the father of modern Catholic social teaching. He called for the church to address social and economic issues, and emphasized the dignity of individuals, the common good, ...
It looks like Andrew Kilburn is now the fourth councillor elected with Reform UK next to their name on the ballot papers in the local elections but now no longer a Reform councillor. Andrew Kilburn was elected for Benfieldside ward in County Durham on 1 May 2025, and a page for him appeared on the County Durham Council website. But that page has since gone. There have been rumours that several Reform councillors elected to County Durham were in fact ineligible under election law and this looks like it could be confirmation of at least one having to resign and ...
With thanks to Francis De Franco and Dundee Westenders, an aerial photo of the West End in 1969. At the top of the photo you can see the Angus Hotel. From this landmark you make your way around the photo.
And so it starts. Reports say that several of Reform's new intake of councillors were in shock after winning their seat. Many had not expected to win, others had well-paid jobs that would now be compromised by their new role, and, of course none of them were prepared for the task ahead and the responsibilities they are taking on. It is no surprise therefore that already there have been one or two casualties. The BBC, for example reports that the newly-elected Reform councillor for Newark West, Desmond Clarke, has resigned from Nottinghamshire County Council following election on May 1st, triggering ...
