An entertaining survey of a problem with a surprisingly long history.
Keir Starmer is expected to announce a compulsory digital ID card for British citizens tomorrow. Thankfully, our Science and Technology spokesperson Victoria Collins has committed the party to opposing it. In a statement she said: Liberal Democrats cannot support a mandatory digital ID where people are forced to turn over their private data just to go about their daily lives. People shouldn't be turned into criminals just because they can't have a digital ID, or choose not to. This will be especially worrying to millions of older people, people living in poverty and disabled people - who are more likely ...
A press release from the party brings the news: Digital ID: Liberal Democrats cannot support mandatory scheme Responding to the news that the Prime Minister is expected to announce plans for a compulsory UK-wide digital ID scheme in a speech on Friday, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Science, Innovation & Technology Victoria Collins said: Liberal Democrats cannot support a mandatory digital ID where people are forced to turn over their private data just to go about their daily lives. People shouldn't be turned into criminals just because they can't have a digital ID, or choose not to. This will be especially ...
Matt Thomas with Steffan Aquarone MP Political parties are very nervous of innovation and getting anything on a platform at a conference is always likely to incur significant costs or bureaucratic resistance, but the European Speechwriter Network, working with Steffan Aquarone MP, managed a barely perceptible coup at the Liberal Democrat Conference in Bournemouth this week. We hosted a fringe event in memory of Dr Max Atkinson, who died in July 2024. Max was an academic, author and speechwriter. He rose to prominence when he coached a woman who had never spoken in public before to win a standing ovation ...
The Farnham Herald reports: A senior councillor has quit the Farnham Residents Group to join the Liberal Democrats, warning that "Farnham cannot afford to be parochial" ahead of next year's unitary elections. Cllr Tony Fairclough, deputy leader of Waverley Borough Council and portfolio holder for enforcement and regulatory services, said he believed Farnham would be better represented through a national party as Surrey prepares for major local government changes... Waverley Liberal Democrat leader Cllr Paul Follows welcomed Cllr Fairclough as the group's 23rd councillor on the borough council. He said: "I am thrilled that Tony has decided to join us. ...
Unlike many Lib Dems I came to politics relatively late in life, but opposition to ID cards, along with the Iraq war, were absolutely key to my "Tony Blair made me a Liberal Democrat" political origin story. So you can imagine my surprise to wake up on Sunday to a BBC website headline telling me "Lib Dems consider ditching opposition to ID cards" and quoting Ed Davey as stating "times have changed". He's right, but not in ways that make ID cards more appealing, and none of the fundamental liberal arguments against are changed by inserting the word 'Digital' in ...
Apparently when someone is convicted of a capital crime in some states of the USA the cry precedes him as he walks to death row, "dead man walking." That is certainly what it will feel like for Labour members whose spirits will be improved by being in the best city in the world but will be in a difficult position. This week, of course, Lib Dems were in buoyant mood in Bournemouth. I was not there but everyone who was tells ne what a great conference it was and everything in our camp seems to be eyeing up further successes ...
Each year the Local Government Information Unit runs the Cllr Awards. This year three Lib Dems have been shortlisted for England and Wales, though none in Scotland. The LGIU doesn't give any background to the nominations, so we have unashamedly gathered some information together courtesy of ChatGPT. Do please add more details in the comments. Community Champion Cllr Harry Boparai Harry serves on both Surrey County Council and Spelthorne District Council. He was the Liberal Democrat candidate (PPC) for Spelthorne in the 2024 General Election. His profile on the Surrey Lib Dem site tells us: Harry has a particular interest ...
We are holding a Thursday street surgery tonight to speak with residents on any local issues or concerns they may have. Should you have an issue you wish to discuss with us, e-mail us at westend@dundeelibdems.org.uk or call Dundee 459378 and we will be pleased to meet you - many thanks.
Ed Davey went full on in his criticism of Nigel Farage and Reform in his conference speech on Tuesday. He asked representatives what kind of country we want, and was very clear where the Liberal Democrats stand on this question and on the Labour government. He told us that Labour are not nearly ambitious enough to make the big changes our country needs, that they have no vision for our country's future, no plan to really change things: Conference, don't just take it from me. That's what Labour MPs and Labour members are saying about their own government. After being ...
