15 Most Recent Stories From British Liberal Democrat News

Fri 12th Mar 2010:

Purvis condemns SNP bonus revelation.

Jeremy Purvis condemns massive bonuses paid to senior civil servants while rest of public sector makes cuts

SNP must not duck responsibilities on high speed rail.

Alison McInnes says that Scottish Transport Minister needs to make sure that high-speed rail from London is met in Scotland by a much improved Scottish train system, which gets people all around the country quickly

Scott challenges Salmond's unfair ferry policy.

Tavish Scott challenges the First Minister about the rise in Calmac ferry fares and the impact on local business of slowing down ferries between the northern isles and the mainland

Thu 11th Mar 2010:

We need a public inquiry into new nuclear says Hughes.

Commenting, Simon Hughes said: “It would be completely unacceptable for the Government to rush through new nuclear in its last days in office without a public inquiry.   “New reactors still haven’t been approved and no-one knows how we’re going to deal with the deadly waste.   “Ed Miliband has made himself judge and jury having already expressed a clear view on new nuclear.   “The Liberal Democrats are strongly opposed to a new generation of nuclear power. We must have an immediate full and transparent public inquiry before any decision is made.”

Lyon welcomes UK Government calls for new LFA criteria.

“It is vital that we target the money available at the areas that need it most.”

High Speed Rail’s future must include Scotland - Bruce.

Following the UK Government’s announcement on a future High Speed Rail line, Gordon MP Malcolm Bruce said: “There is a broad consensus for investing in high speed rail in the UK but as is often the case the devil is in the detail.”

RET and rises in business rates.

Commenting following todays FMQs local Liberal Democrat PPC Jean Davis said:- "Tavish's point is that everyone should be treated fairly."

Carmichael joins Westminster Sport Relief charity mile.

Orkney and Shetland MP Alistair Carmichael joined more than 30 MPs and Members of the House of Lords to complete a Westminster Mile for Sport Relief on Wednesday 10th March.

Gray must make clear whether he backs or sacks Anne Moffat.

Responding to the NEC's decision to allow the East Lothian Labour Party to vote on Anne Moffat's future, Stuart Ritchie, Liberal Democrat Candidate for East Lothian has called on the MSP for East Lothian to say whether he will be voting to back or sack Anne Moffat.

Jo Swinson calls for chemotherapy centre at Stobhill.

Jo Swinson MP has backed calls for chemotherapy services to be provided at the new Stobhill Hospital.

Social care commitment needed from Labour and Tories says Lamb.

Commenting following today’s cross party Age UK, at which the health spokespeople of the three main parties met to discuss the reform of social care, Norman Lamb said:   “It’s clear from today’s social care summit that voters want politicians to come together and solve one of the biggest social challenges facing our country.   “We need long-term solutions to this problem so that older people are treated with the respect they deserve. We cannot continue with the current system where people have to sell their homes to pay for care and the quality of care on offer is not up to scratch.   “There was broad agreement that solving the crisis in social care is going to require a partnership between the state and individuals and if the other parties are willing then there is no reason why the current differences in opinion should be insurmountable.   “Liberal Democrats want to put an end to the political bickering. We are willing to work with the other parties to solve this problem once and for all. There should be no preconditions and we are open to all ideas that seek a solution that will be fair, affordable and sustainable.   “Rather than shouting at each other let’s have a commitment from all three parties to start finding a solution now.”

McArthur: Government must explain about Hunterston.

Commenting as the Scottish Government set out their plans to reduce carbon emissions,Liberal Democrat MSP for Orkney, Liam McArthur said that Carbon Capture and storage offers a great opportunity for Scotland but the Government must explain its approach to coal-fired power station at Hunterston

Untitled.

Wed 10th Mar 2010:

We must rebalance our foreign policy that is over-reliant on the US.

Nick Clegg said:   “Gordon Brown and David Cameron want to pretend that foreign policy is not an issue at the General Election. Gordon Brown doesn’t want to remind voters of the disastrous decision to go to war in Iraq. David Cameron doesn’t want to remind voters that he is friendless in Europe.   “The real truth is that the future of British foreign policy is as much in the balance as the future of our economy, or the future of our political system.   “This election is an opportunity to turn the page on the Labour-Conservative consensus on foreign policy which has been in place since the Suez crisis: one of following what the White House wants rather than leadership in Europe and the world.   “Of course our relationship with the US is of immense importance, but that should not mean that Britain unquestionably does what America wants when it is not in our interests to do so. On Iraq, on Russia, on the Middle East, on the interrogation of torture suspects and many other issues our strategic interests have differed.   “Baroness Manningham-Buller’s admission that the US kept our security forces in the dark about unacceptable interrogation techniques only confirms the impression of an unbalanced and unequal relationship.   “That is why, in the same way we must rebalance an economy that is over-reliant on bankers, we must rebalance foreign policy that is over-reliant on the White House. It is time to repatriate British foreign policy by standing tall in our European backyard and pursuing a policy of partnership – not followership – with our friends in the US.   “At this General Election only the Liberal Democrats realise what is at stake and are prepared to spell out what a different foreign policy would look like.”

Liberal Democrats launch policy for young people.

Launching the paper at The Salmon Youth Centre in Bermondsey, the policy outlined how the Liberal Democrats will ensure that all young people have better access to after-school facilities, comprehensive support and training for those entering the workplace and legislation in place to stamp out homophobic bullying. The paper includes proposals to: Introduce a new ‘Paid Internship’ scheme allowing 800,000 young people to receive a ‘Training Allowance’ of £55 a week for up to 3 months Support schools, colleges and apprenticeship schemes to promote opportunities for disabled children and young people Immediately remove young people under 16 from the National DNA Database unless they have committed a sexual or violent offence Ensure that all schools include ways to tackle homophobic bullying and at least one teacher in every school has sufficient training to do so Cut back on bureaucracy and red tape so youth organisations are free to be creative and flexible Commenting, Lynne Featherstone said: “It is clear that Labour will continue to fail our young people and the Conservatives will ignore them completely. “While youth organisations are left to do their vital work on a shoestring, greedy bankers are bailed out by the taxpayer and flaunt their bonuses while we watch every penny. “Our young people will inherit an economy where it is tougher then ever to enter the work place. “It is high time that realistic measures are put in place to support the future workforce from mass unemployment and crippling debt. “Only the Liberal Democrats will give young people and those who work with them the chance for a real future.”

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