A new biography of David Lloyd George will be released soon. Written by Paul Spackman and published by Barnthorn Publishing, it aims to correct oft-repeated misunderstandings and misconceptions of the true nature of the man and of his policies. I'm looking forward to reading it. You can read more about Paul, and his book, on Barnthorn's website.
Carl Cashman says be believes Liverpool, which we ran between 1998 and 2010, could be the first core city in the UK to return to Liberal Democrat control. In an interview with the Liverpool Echo to mark the second anniversary of his becoming leader of the Lib Dem group on the city council, he talks of people's disappointment with the Labour government and the opportunities and responsibilities it brings: "I thought they would at least have a little bit of a honeymoon, but it's been quite clear to me that there's been a backlash from that and I think there's ...
We are the party of civil liberties – that is what, we would argue, should be an uncontested fact. From the Snoopers Charter to campaigning for equal rights for minority communities, it is the raison d'être of the Liberal Democrats and the Liberal Party before us to stand up for civil liberties, recognising that the role of the state is not to micromanage or infringe on people's core rights. This belief is why we at Liberal Reform are so opposed to the Online Safety Act (OSA). Fundamentally, legislation should seek to make a positive difference to the lives of people ...
So, God love our party but aaarrrggghhh sometimes it drives me crazy. So, before I rant (I know...not like me at all, right?; LDV Editor: "Er, if you say so Mathew"), let me say that I do indeed love our party. I've been a member for fifteen years, I've been a Borough and Parish Councillor, am now a regular 'Lib Dem commentator' on various national broadcasters; the family that is our party has helped see me through the death of both of my parents and indeed my own near death illness earlier this year (special thanks to my friends and ...
It's the question that I dread above all others. A conversation starter that stops me dead in my tracks. Four little words that confuse and conspire. An innocent enquiry that sends me spiralling into an abyss of self-doubt. I'm nearly fifty years old and I'm still not able to answer that most simple of queries: 'Where are you from?' Because it's not a simple question at all. Our sense of place plays a huge role in our lives. It becomes a part of our identity. Of who we are. And it tells us – and the world – where we ...
Mon 28th
10:45
What we've lost in a world obsessed with conflict: Reflections from South Asia to Southeast Asia
When I was seven years old, I watched as India and Pakistan stood on the brink of war. Tanks were deployed. News anchors looked panicked. People stocked up on food, and entire communities braced themselves for the worst. Even as a child, I understood something terrible could happen. That fear never really left me. A few years later, I witnessed Iraq descend into chaos. The fall of Saddam Hussein didn't bring peace, it created a power vacuum. The West celebrated regime change. But on the ground, it was the start of endless suffering for ordinary Iraqis. I was just a ...
I once went to a improvisation workshop where they said that referring back to something you've said earlier is naturally funny - it may be the first rule of comedy, Spike. So here we revisit both the Rutstock festival and Freddie and Fiona's cottage. We leave Lord Bonkers plotting their downfall and awaiting the return of the Well-Behaved Orphans (unless they've all defected to Moscow). We'll visit him again on the Lib Dem Conference issue of Liberator. Sunday Reasoning that "Nature is God's living, visible garment" and "malt does more than Milton can to justify God's ways to man", I ...
Discover Together is a programme to support parents into employment through a six-month paid role within NHS Tayside. These positions will be supplementary, so customers can learn while they work and can be supported into flexible employment to balance work and family commitments. Find out more at
This was a huge issue at the time of the Brexit referendum, but according to this article in the Independent the problems caused to the music industry by the schism are still ongoing. The paper says that some of Europe's top music festivals will feature half as many British acts as they did before Brexit this summer, as red tape continues to hammer the music industry. They add that Sir Elton John is among those who have warned that the UK's departure from the EU has caused a "logistical nightmare" and placed "leg irons" on travelling musicians: Some of Europe's ...
