Asylum hotels: state-endorsed robbery will not fix the crisis Lib Dem MP calls for National Crime Agency crackdown after "mountain of waste" uncovered in Oxfordshire Greene calls for Scotland-wide school fire safety audit Poll suggests Lib Dems can win over wide range of voters and take on SNP Scottish Conservatives seem to have nothing but name-calling left Asylum hotels: state-endorsed robbery will not fix the crisis Commenting on the Government's annoucement to confiscate asylum seekers' jewellery to pay for their housing costs, Liberal Democrat Home Affairs spokesperson Max Wilkinson MP said: The Government must fix the asylum system, but stripping ...
There's a sad and fascinating story in today's Guardian about Mick Meaney, and Irish labourer who in 1968 was buried alive in a coffin under a Kilburn builder's yard. He hoped the stunt would bring him riches and fame, but he was swindled by his manager and returned to Ireland with nothing to show for it: No Guinness Book of Records representative recorded Meaney's feat and a rival burial artist named Tim Hayes, who spent less time underground in a regular-sized coffin, disputed his champion credentials. Later in 1968, a former nun named Emma Smith had herself buried beneath a ...
Mon 17th
20:56
One of the problems with our political system is that it produces such inexperienced leaders
In recent days I've come across three instances of people arguing that one of the problems with our political system today is that it produces such inexperienced leaders. You can hear Robert Saunders making this argument in the latest episode of Nick Cohen's podcast The Lowdown. (Click play on the video and you'll get the relevant extract.) Mark Garnett also touches on it in his new book Downing Street Downfalls: The Misadventures of Britain's Prime Ministers Since Thatcher, which I review in the next Liberator. In the book he writes: Even before Brexit there had been signs that individuals with ...
Every week Lib Dem MPs ask questions in Parliament, aiming to hold the Government to account. But last week proved to be busier than usual for newly elected President Josh Babarinde. He asked The Question of his partner Connor in the House of Commons chamber, with the permission of the Speaker and the help of fellow MP Jess Brown-Fuller. And our Earl Russell was on hand to take these beautiful photos. We think Josh is the first MP to actually propose in the Chamber itself, though photos of that private moment can't be published. How cute is this? [IMG: 💛] ...
The following is lifted 100% from a post by Matthew Hulbert on Liberal Democrat Voice (17th November "Liberals should say this clearly: You don't fix the asylum system by making life harder for refugees. You fix it by creating safe, managed, humane routes to the UK; by processing claims efficiently; and by helping people (not forcing them) to integrate and contribute once they're here, as the overwhelming majority of people do. A genuinely fair system would do three things. First, expand safe and legal routes so people fleeing war and persecution don't have to gamble their lives on dangerous ...
Mon 17th
16:50
Mathew on Monday: Labour's Reform-lite immigration crackdown isn't leadership - it's politics by fea...
Today the Labour government is unveiling what it grandly calls the "largest asylum overhaul in modern times". In reality, it's a Reform-lite crackdown designed to appease the tabloids and outflank the Right, rather than deliver a workable, humane, or genuinely thought-through immigration system. Temporary refugee status, a 20-year wait for permanent settlement, harsher limits on family reunion, and tightened appeal rights-these aren't the hallmarks of a compassionate, confident government – they're the trademark of a party terrified of looking 'soft,' a government more interested in signalling toughness than addressing the real drivers of a broken system. Ministers coaching their MPs ...
Mon 17th
10:59ALDE Party Congress: Liberal Democrat leadership at the heart of Europe's liberal family
Three weekends ago, I had the privilege of leading the Liberal Democrat delegation to the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) Congress in Brussels — one of the most important international gatherings for liberal parties from across Europe. It was the culmination of months of preparation and a clear demonstration that the Liberal Democrats are once again stepping up as leaders within our wider liberal family. The response to our call for delegates was exceptional. We took 35 members to Brussels — one of our largest, most diverse delegations in recent memory. We were proud to include a ...
DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - WEEKLY ROAD REPORT REPORT FOR THE WEST END WARD - WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 17 NOVEMBER 2025 Milnbank Road (Bankmill Road to Forest Park Road) - closed from Friday 14 November for 5 working days for Scottish and Southern Energy Network work. Old Hawkhill - road closed from approximately 50m south of Hunter Street (building defect) from 9 October 2025 for approximately 3 - 6 months. Peddie Street - give and take traffic control for 5 weeks from 17 November 2025 for lighting works. Perth Road (Hawkhill to Taylor's Lane) - closed eastbound on Monday 17 November ...
I wrote a few days ago that Labour are poised to block amendments to their planning bill designed to protect English wildlife and its habitats from destruction. Their rationale apparently, is that protecting animals such as dormice, badgers, hedgehogs, otters and nightingales, and rare habitats such as wetlands and ancient woodlands from developers is harming growth. However, one House of Commons committee has carried out an inquiry that has come to a contrary conclusion. The Guardian reports that the inquiry has conccluded that nature is not a blocker to housing growth, a view in direct conflict with claims made by ...
