LibDem Blogs - Archived!

Armenians around the world have commemorated the 90th anniversary of the killings of hundreds of thousands of people by the Ottoman Empire reports the BBC For more background on the Armenian genocide read this article by Robert Fisk, which was published in the Independent on 28 January 2000: "Who now remembers the Armenians?" Hitler asked, just before he embarked on the destruction of European Jewry. Precious few, it seems. As the memorial day for the Nazi genocide against the Jews was proclaimed by Mr Blair this week, there was not a single reference to the slaughter of one and a ...

A canvasser yesterday came across someone who claimed to be a loyal worker on behalf of the Conservatives. Only problem was that he appeared to want to vote for someone called "Sandra Nokes" Canvasser gently tried to clarify voting intention and it was clear that it was a "Nokes" vote but we thought it a little strange that a party worker had trouble with the name of their candidate.

Out canvassing in Stockbridge yesterday and encountered a very pleasant woman who was "organising Francis's campaign". Clearly they are relaxed about this seat because she had decided to come to Hampshire to stay with friends for the weekend.

Tony Blair said previously: "Labour has no plans to introduce tuition fees for higher education." and that Labour had "no plans" to increase National Insurance.

Tim Worstall has posted his latest weekly round up of the best in British blogging here. Now he even has a sponsor.

I just tried out this website. I am delighted to report that I am overwhelmingly Liberal Democrat (not that I doubted it!!)

Sorry I've not posted in a week. I've been campaigning quite hard (shockingly!!!) Last week I took part in a Radio Leicester debate. I was up against candidates from other constituencies across Leicestershire, including a Tory from Leicester South, the Labour candidate from Bosworth and a UKIP candidate from Melton. The debate was in education, which plays into my hands (as I'm a teacher).

Ayoub Khan, Mike Whitby and myself spoke at the Vaisakhi in Handsworth Park today. The Vaisakhi is the celeration of the creation of the Khalsa which happened 306 years ago. There are two marches one from Birmingham and one from Sandwell which meet up in the park. There is a stage with Sikh music and various stalls. Anyone is welcome to come and as with many of Birmingham's celebrations

So true, so true (well, certain types of love anyway... The Greeks did have 4 words for it :) ): Love is... When you are tied with invisible threads When their pain is your pain regardless of the distance between you When in facing the greatest trials of your life the last thought you wish to hold for eternity is of them Unlike lust, love does not torment your dreams For it is not what may be or what was but what is, as the stars are ...

Judgment day at last on Iraq The war is an election issue - whether Blair likes it or not, writes the Lib Dem deputy leader Menzies Campbell Sunday April 24, 2005 Observer Here in Britain during this election campaign, we debate the merits of local income tax, the future of the NHS and whether Conservative sums add up. But in Iraq the daily grind continues. Since the Prime Minister called the

Checking through my messages, it is clear that the national campaign is going well. Although there are still a few seats that we are defending that are a concern, it is clear that in many of our target seats we are now extremely well placed. The feeling on the ground in Wycombe is also extremely positive- and reinforced by a general increase in the poll ratings for the Liberal Democrats- the one poll showing us down at the same level as the 2001 election has been dismissed as a rogue poll- all the others are showing substantial progress. This week ...

Last night's Doctor Who was fascinating if only for its political allegory - a British Prime Minister urging the World to focus its nuclear arsenal on imaginary weapons of mass destruction, and so close to a General Election as well - priceless! As if on cue today's newspapers have focussed on Iraq, with the publication of government legal advice, cautioning that the invasion could be illegal. The leaked document appears to confirm for the first time that the Attorney General, Lord Goldsmith, had serious reservations about the legality of the conflict, only to change his mind as British and US ...

It has been bothering me for days. My wife received a Labour Party election communication earlier this week, which I have of course read from cover to cover. And yet something is not quite right. This morning I realised - there is not a single photograph or mention of the Prime Minister on it. Are they ashamed of him? We should be told. Two other aspects of the leaflet strike me as interesting. Firstly, its obsession with the Liberal Democrats, clearly acknowledging that we are the main challengers to Labour in Swansea East. Secondly, the biography of the candidate and ...

Having not written my blog for a couple of days - can't for the life of me remember what I did Friday! Guess it was canvassing and delivering?Did get several phone messages and emails about a negative letter from the Tory candidate. The recipients are so outraged by its over the top attacks on me that they get in touch to say they will be voting for me. Two of them say they are Tories - but are just totally disgusted with the Tory letter.Early start on Saturday to hand deliver our 'good morning' leaflets to people who will be ...

6pm. Monday. GU2 Student Radio for the University of Surrey. It has been confirmed that I will be taking part in a debate as a student representative of my political party. The panel shall be: Liberal Democrats - Chris Ward (moi)Conservatives - Michael ChambersLabour - Paul Sanderson You can listen if you are on campus at the University of Surrey on 1350AM. However, if you are not, you still don't need to miss out. You can listen online on www.gu2.co.uk. This will be an excellent opportunity for the student community to question us on our ...

Lord Bonkers writes: In the last ten days of the campaign, highly trained sheep will be released across rural constituencies to sing "Jerusalem," "The Land" and other Liberal anthems, thus increasing the party's vote. Here Charles Kennedy is seen rehearsing two altos in "Lloyd George Knew My Father."