Surely this effort (did they put in any effort ?) is a contender for the worst leaflet produced by a political party in this election ? It's like Ashes to Ashes or Life on Mars in that this sort of leaflet was last seen in this area back in the 1980s. Another sign surely that Labour have as good as given up here ? This leaflet went out in Acle but has not been seen anywhere else.
Liberal Bureaucracy advises the Liberal Democrats not to get overexcited and abandon their target seat strategy. While Liberal Vision, in the person of Angela Harbutt, has a scheme for raising fund for the next tranche of Lib Dem hopes. "Could what we are seeing be the British equivalent of the US 'Tea party'?" asks Simon Goldie. "Dan Hannan assumed the movement would be aligned to the Conservatives but perhaps the UK version resembles the original Boston tea party and has its root in Whig liberalism?" Mark Reckons mounts a defence of Libertarian Party leader Chris Mounsey, who abandoned his sweary ...
First we take Meon Valley, then we take Bournemouth West. I was going to put another video in here today, but I can't decide which one of these to choose. As Alix says, something weird is happening, and I get the feeling we might all be just a bit too close to it to see exactly ...
#iagreewithnick www.youtube.com Who would you rather run our Economy?
#iagreewithnick www.youtube.com Why this new voter will be supporting LibDems. www.iagreewithnick.info - created at http://animoto.com
#iagreewithnick www.youtube.com Why I'll be voting LibDem on May 6th. - created at http://animoto.com
Mike Haw (Campaign Organiser) talking to newly converted Lib Dem voter Sufura Zafar Well what a manic few days we have had here in the office! It's been four days since the resounding success of Nick Clegg's performance in the first of the leaders' debates in Manchester, and here in the campaign office we're only just finding ...
During the election campaign Lib Dem Voice is each day (more or less) highlighting six blog-posts from the Lib Dem Blogs Aggregator which we think are well worth reading. Here's our pick from 14th April ... Post election deals: number two cannot play second fiddle to number three (Jock Coats) Let's assume for one magical moment that the Lib Dems remain in second place and take the second highest share of the vote, after the Tories, and that Labour takes the third highest share of the vote. ... It would be utterly unconscionable in such circumstances to do any deals ...
The iPad is coming to the UK in a few weeks time. Since the product was launched, half a million have been sold. By most people's standards it's already an outstanding success. I think we can all agree that Apple have a reputation for delivering well presented products which just work. That's a great thing when so many technological products are rubbish. But there's a dark-side to Apple – no other company seeks to control what you do with your own devices more than Apple Computer. Last month, Apple annoyed developers by withdrawing apps which contained errotic content. At last ...
Charlotte Gore is worried that the switch to the Lib Dems in the polls is a style over substance presentation only shift. In the comments, Jennie and Steph both disagree, for different reasons. Her server won't let me comment currently, so you lucky lucky people get the text as a post. I think Jennie, Steph and Charlotte are all correct. Most people vote for a variety of reasons, including perception of policies, how they're explained, trust in the leader/team, who's the prettiest (or, in this case, least worst), who they think is competent, what the policies will do for them ...
That's the subject of an incendiary tweet from Mark Pack this evening which purports to show the results of a YouGov poll asking this question: How would you vote if thought LibDems "had a significant chance of winning the election nationally"? It has this simple answer: LD 49% Con 25% Lab 19% Now, we know from the Lib Dem surge™ that the Lib Dems CAN win nationally. So we should be able to recreate these figures on polling day. It is now the urgent duty of every Lib Dem supporter up and down this country to publicise these figures in ...
Is it just me or are the media and old school party hacks from the tories and labour, floundering around as Nicks performance last week has thrown the whole process open.Are they desperate to see what happens this week before they jump of the fence and come up with line they can all stick with.This is the first GE for 23 years I have been able to take a back seat and watch the media not being
This morning went to our office to set up two new enthusiastic volunteers with work for the day. Then over to Kingston Park in Newcastle to help launch our manifesto for the North East, which outlines the policies in our manifesto that can help the North East. a good event and it was good to catch up with the other Lib Dem parliamentary candidates to see how it is going. Well, I think! Anyway, it was back to reality as I went out with the volunteers to deliver in Blaydon and then in Kibblesworth. A positive reception from the doorstep. ...
We have had such a warm welcome on the doorstep while out canvassing, so thank you to all those we have met. Many have asked for a copy of our manifesto, our printed manifesto is quite a chuncky document, so here is the link to it and below a quick summary, a fair chance for every child • Ensure children get the individual attention they need by cutting class sizes • Made possible by investing £2.5 billion in schools targeted to help struggling pupils • Give schools the freedom to make the right choices for their pupils fair taxes that ...
The Children and Families Select Committee produced a report recently discussing 'efficiency options' with regards to spending by Children's Services and Safeguarding. Outlined in the document from Surrey County Council (under Conservative control) were concerns that they were not delivering services within their 'financial envelope'. This is political speak for 'spending ...
A planning application (2010/01029/PA) has been received by the Council for the demolition of part of the Eaton Electrical site and its redevelopment to provide 80 houses. The houses will share their access road with the access to Yardleys School from Reddings Lane. The rest of the Eaton Electrical site will stay in production making electrical switchgear. The planning application can be seen via this link - comments need to be in by 4th May. If you want to contact me about the application please comment on this posting or drop me an email via roger@rogerharmer.net.
Five new polls reported tonight – and it's still resoundingly good news for the Lib Dems with the surge holding steady: YouGov in the Sun ... CON 33(+1), LAB 27%(+1), LIB DEM 31%(-2) Opinium in the Express ... CON 32%(-7), LAB 26%(-5), LIB DEM 29%(+12) ComRes for the Independent/ITV ... CON 32%(+1), LAB 28%(+1), LIB DEM 28%(-1) Angus Reid for PoliticalBetting.com ... CON 32%(-6), LAB 24%(-4), LIB DEM 32%(+10) ICM in the Guardian ... CON 33%(-1), LAB 28%(-1), LIB DEM 30%(+3) Anthony Wells' UK Polling Report 'poll of polls' is still playing catch-up with the last five days' quite extraordinary ...
Heresy Corner has a counterfactual exploring what could have happened had we have had a proportional electoral system in 2005. His main message is that we have nothing to fear from such a system. Amen.LDV explains how Linda Jack wants your help to defeat Nadine Dorries. Please Jeebus make it happen!Craig Murray asks if there's been something funny going on with recent polling.Political Betting has the figures that suggest the Lib Dem surge shows no sign of abating. Monday bonus. Just to show that even though we are in the midst of an election campaign I can still be non-partisan, ...
Been out in Dundee West tonight with John Barnett and the team - and it is very clear that the move to support the Liberal Democrats is huge - really huge. The old politics is over and the panic amongst the Tories and Labour is palpable. Liberal Democrats in the Dundee West constituency today formally adopted John Barnett as their candidate for Dundee West in the forthcoming General Election. Married with two children at school, John has a law degree from the University of Dundee. He has been an active member of the Liberal Democrats since school and has been ...
I'm not (yet?) a social media bunny, but I do love the way things go viral and want to share this little gem with you. Enjoy! Janet:-)
Dear All. I am about to take some time off from blogging and probably from twitter. this is due to a variety of reasons including Starting a new course, local Campaigning and some Home issue. I hope that you have enjoyed my blog recently and would be happy to use this as an opportunity to host some other peoples material ...
Download your own colour Lib Dem poster here.
(Apologies to Andrew Lloyd Webber) It seems that the two main parties, or at least the ones that used to be the main parties, can't quite work out how to respond to Nick Clegg and the sudden surge of support the Lib Dems are having in the polls. There is a theory that Lib Dem support will help Labour although how being pushed into third place helps isn't clear. If you agree with this theory then the lack of Labour attack can be seen as deliberate: why attack a party that can help you win? Except that the Liberal Democrats ...
Download your own colour poster here.
Liberal Democrats in the North East have launched their ideas for a fairer North East in Newcastle today. Launching the party's regional manifesto, Lord David Shutt of Greetland (pictured third left), Lib Dem Chief Whip in the House of Lords, said: "The Leader's debate last week has shown that the Liberal Democrats are a credible political force. Here in The North East, the Liberal Democrats have been Labour's main challengers for years and have demonstrated that we are able to make a difference once in charge. Our principles set out in our manifesto nationally will also bring a very positive ...
Friends of the Earth submitted manifesto proposals to all three parties, our key demands were * Sufficient investment in switching to a low carbon economy to: achieve a reduction in UK greenhouse gas emission of 42 per cent by 2020; create jobs and boost the recovery; and eliminate fuel poverty. * A local carbon budget for every local authority: that caps CO2 in the local area in line with the scientific demands for emissions cuts and local circumstances; and enough money and technical support to enable councils to do their bit to tackle climate change. * A new law which ...
The astonishing, persistently stunning poll numbers for the Liberals leaves everyone scrambling asking Who? What? Where? Why? The party has confirmed that in the 24 hours after last Thursday's TV debate, the party banked £120,000 in donations. That's stunning. And no doubt Cowley Street are already working round the clock to try and deal with this extraordinary upshift. Also, the worldwide web might also crash from so many people googling Nick Clegg. (see previous post). So, how to marshal this support properly with barely 400 hours to go until polls close? As Michael Crick has pointed out, even in seats ...
We're in second place!! This could be our best result since this constituency was formed in 1997 - as the recent total of our data shows we have overtaken Labour into second place. How did we reach this possibility? For three months we have been door canvassing and phone canvassing and hardly found any support for Labour. People who had voted Labour before informed us that they felt betrayed by Gordon Brown's government and that the party had left its roots. Most of these were going to give us a chance as we were listening more to the concerns of ...
The current fluctuations in the polls may return to the norm soon. While there have been wild excitement from Lib Dem bloggers here and here, we may not know what effect the last few days will have on British politics for quite a while. Even if things go back to as they were, something may have been started that cannot be stopped. As Alix Mortimer makes clear in her post, 'Something weird is happening', it seems as though people who are not normally political are getting involved and supporting the Liberal Democrats. They see the party, rightly or wrongly, as ...
Well, the poll results are fantastic at the moment in the lead in a number and a new poll for ITV Wales has the Lib Dems in 2nd place and importantly for us here in Ceredigion a Plaid Cymru collapse down to just 9%, a swing of -5% from the last Wales wide poll and ...
Much-hailed as the general election that would see bloggers, tweeters et al come of age, so far it is TV that is making all the running at game-changing events. But lets not write off the underlying impact of the new media..... But I think this image - picked up over on Freethinking Economist website - will be one of the images,if not THE image of the 2010 election. [IMG: google] Simply gobsmacking.
It has been one of those days that many core activists hate - I have been delivering in the rain. We had no choice but to do this if we want to keep on track in our local election campaign but it is a thankless task. My feet were wet through by 9:30 and it felt that I was walking in a puddle for the rest of the day. Nationally, well it is starting to look like the debate may have been a game changer. A clutch of polls out tonight put the Lib Dems in 2nd place and one ...
A couple of days ago I blogged about the fact that David Cameron was refusing to take questions from Jeremy Paxman. I argued at the time that an empty chair should be placed where David would have sat and Paxman would have 30 minutes to fire questions he would have asked Cameron.Well it now seems that after Nick Clegg answered Paxman's questions and Gordon Brown has agreed to be interviewed,
A mile or two from Maidwell is Draughton, reached by an unfenced road that goes up quite a steep hill. When you get there you realise you are higher than the surrounding countryside because there are dry stone walls in the village. Draughton consists of little more than a church and a few houses. So it is a surprise to find this sweet little clubroom next to the church.
From a senior campaign source: "We're talking here about offering our services to the Labour Party as we're the ones with the experience of fighting general elections when you're in third." The more serious point is that many people, even inside the Liberal Democrats, have consistently under-estimated just how large scale the party's targeting efforts are for this general election. It would be wrong of me to publicise information I know from working for the party until last year, but it's safe to say that (a) it's massively bigger than previous targeting efforts – so much so that during this ...
Regrettably it's not this one. It's actually the We got Rage Against the Machine to #1, we can get the Lib Dems into office! It's unofficial, but it's now got more than 105,000 members, up from around 13,000 members a week ago. That's a new sign up every 6.6 seconds on average. For the full story, see here.
Andy Newman writing on Socialist Unity has questioned why I defended Devil's Kitchen blogger Chris Mounsey last week. As I blogged he had appeared on the Daily Politics and had not defended himself when Andrew Neil quoted some strong language he had used on his blog. Andy says of Mounsey: For example, this is what he says about trade unions: "We should utterly destroy them, and do it soon." The language that Chris Mounsey uses to express that point of view is however extremely offensive, and you can read the original here: The real speciality of Chris Mounsey, an old-Etonian ...
Imagine a criminal court in which you are told that unless you plead guilty your lawyers will be taken off you and you will have to cope with all the procedures without any help.What we have in the family courts (see link) is a situation where legal aid can be (and is from time to time) removed merely because people are uppity enough to want to disagree with the local council.In this case (see
Our group meeting this evening was a good place to pick up political gossip. One item that previously slipped by me was a Labour councillor deselection in Gateshead. Another story that I had already heard about but was elaborated tonight was an interesting bail out of Labour's rather meagre delivery system in parts of Gateshead that used to be reached by Labour but now seem to be causing them
Wales, Wales, Wales First Wales - A press conference in Cardiff Bay with Kirsty Williams and Simon Hughes launching a policy on green jobs. Nick was particularly making the point that, whilst the decision to pursue large scale off-shore wind generation in the UK, the majority of the machinery needed is made overseas, mainly in Sweden and Germany. It is right that we should be seeking to switch from dirty fuels to clean energy, but we need to maximise the jobs and other benefits that will come from that switch. Second Wales - Then it was off to Cardiff University ...
Migrainey and tired after delivering three rounds today after work, so just links. For those USians (sorry Sean) who don't understand what all the fuss is about with the UK election, Debi has nicely explained the British system and the current unusual situation, as well as providing links to half a dozen other posts I was ...
There are lots of these springing up on youtube. I love this one
Torygraph writer Cristina 'Odious' Odone has an article today which makes for a pretty unpleasant attack on the candidate I am Agent for in the election, Dr Evan Harris. She attacks Evan for his position on abortion (broadly in line with the current law but making it easier for women to access abortions earlier and with less stressful processes) and assisted dying (where he is broadly in line with the vast majority of people). She apparently believes that Evan's stances on these issues somehow make the Lib Dems 'creepy' and that he deserves the tagline 'Dr Death' for his efforts. ...
Earlier today Lib Dem Voice published a post asking the question, Are YouGov and Murdoch 'push-polling' for the Tories? This followed internet reports that the online pollster had been posing deliberately leading questions designed not simply to test public opinion, but to lead it. Liberal Conspiracy picked up the story and put the question direct to Peter Kellner of YouGov, whose elliptical reply stated: As with all agencies, we ask all kinds of questions for all kinds of clients; some public, some private. For purposes of testing theories, messages or policies we will often test statements phrased one way for ...
This new leaflet will be winging it's way out in the ward this week. If you'd like to see an electronic copy it's avaiable here (via "The Straight Choice" website). Even better if you'd like to help deliver it(!) then you can contact Andy Pellew for details.
Here is a selection of issues making headlines during the past week: Analysis of TV debate by Bracknell branding expert South East Housing Plan would be scrapped if the Conservatives formed a government 'I dobbed in Prescott wife but the police didn't care' - Goodbye MacKay Campaign report to the police the taking of a cup and saucer from Admiralty House in London. Breach of code complaint on councillor rejected Council bosses' wage rises rapped in survey Anger at response to hospital petition If you know of any other local political stories then please add them in the comments below. ...
The Shropshire Star carries the news that Bill Yates, who was the Conservative MP for The Wrekin between 1955 and 1966, has died in Australia. Yates was a prominent critic of Sir Anthony Eden during the Suez Crisis. Interestingly, after losing his seat at Westminster, Yates emigrated to Australia and became a Liberal Member of the House of Representatives for the division of Holt in Victoria between 1975 and 1980.
Despite what many have suggested, the TV debate on TV last week has done nothing but good for the LibDem's, launching them into the public spotlight and bringing the policies into public scrutiny. All bias aside, I was suitably impressed with Nick Clegg – he came across as forthright, honest and telling it as it is, ...
The Guardian poll today follows other polls putting the approx 10 point surge in Lib Dems in even firmer ground. (Conservatives 33%, Liberals 30%, Labour 28% :source Guardian/ICM). Even more spectacularly politicalbetting.com is reporting that the Angus Reid/Politcal Betting Poll shows Liberals 32%, Conservatives 32% and Labour 24%. Something remarkable is happening. Checkout politicalbetting.com later this evening for further results. No wonder David Cameron scrapped his tired old "attack Labour" election broadcast and went into his garden to record something else for broadcast today. He does not refer to Nick Clegg or the Liberals - but his message is pretty ...
Howard's cartoon from last Friday's Liberal Democrat News.
It's less than a week since Lib Dem Voice brought you news of a fresh new unofficial Facebook fan group, We got Rage Against the Machine to #1, we can get the Lib Dems into office! We noted then that the group was "almost as big" as the official Lib Dem Facebook group, having just reached the 13,000 members mark. Since then LibDem2010.com (its official web address) has gone well and truly viral, and today it passed the 100,000 member mark. In fact it didn't just pass it, it smashed it. As I type it stands at 102,759 members. By ...
I thought of this clip when I heard yougov have been push polling for The Sun. Enjoy
[IMG: tory_Quo] The Conservatives are, notoriously, against any change to our electoral system. In the recent debate on the Constitutional Reform and Governance Bill, where the government's proposals on the Alternative Vote (AV) were discussed, the Tories displayed crass opportunism in their argument against AV. The entire thread of Dominic Grieve's speech was that AV was not as good as First Past the Post (FPTP) because it might be less proportional. However, when David Howarth rose to put forward the case for the Single Transferable Vote (STV), the most proportional system, the Tories voted against it. Now, the Lib Dem ...
"GET ME SOME FOCUS GROUP RESEARCH (to tell me what to say next)"... ...That's about the size of it. Never mind about worrying about your own message. Or stating from the heart where you have fundamental disagreements with Liberal policy. I could understand - and respect - that. But no. It's being reported widely on the web and now on the BBC that some party is now conducting a survey of voters to establish the best lines of attack on the Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg. That's just poor. That's lacking the courage of your own conviction. That's being LED ...
Where there are two levels of local government, it's quite common for someone to be a councillor for both, such as being both a district and a county councillor in the same area. However, standing for two councils in different areas is another matter. It's perfectly legal (as you can qualify in different areas under, for example, the live and work qualifications) but it raises questions about how committed you are to either place – or how you would do the two jobs, representing different areas on different councils, if elected. So far three Green Party candidates who are doing ...
really excellent quality of doorstep chinwag today. some engaged citizenry here will be a lovely place to get moving after 6 may
This is what the Conservatives have to say on the subject... Britain can benefit from immigration, but not uncontrolled immigration. Look at any aspect of life today and you will see the contribution that migrants have brought, and not just to the economy. We want to continue to attract the brightest and the best people to the UK, but with control on the overall numbers coming here. A Conservative government will reduce net immigration to the levels of the 1990s - tens of thousands a year, instead of the hundreds of thousands a year under Labour. Our immigration policy is ...
I usually make some time each day to read other political blogs of all political persuasions if only to have a laugh at blatent untruths in the desparate attempt to get elected. Todays nominee seems to believe that blogging complete rubbish somehow makes it true if you say it enough times, unfortunately for this blogger there are two untruths that can be very easily exposed even when he moderates comments which he finds uncomfortable in his parallel world of reality. I am of course referring to our Green candidate locally who insists that even if an independently taken photo contradicts ...
There is a danger that the stage has been reached when we automatically disbelieve the government when it warns of a great danger. I believe, for example, that climate change is a great danger. Quite a lot of my friends, however, are dubious partly because the government is pushing it. Consider the really major government scares of the last few years - things which were supposed to result in the death of millions - which proved to be nothing like the threat alleged. SARS, avian flu and swine flu all come instantly to mind. And what about the most ramped ...
Just noticed this on the Wikipedia page about the 2010 General Election: Apparently, to win, the Liberal Democrats need -264644657485465544884541545487 seats! That's going to make for an interesting night on May 6th.
(apologies to those of you who arrived at this site expecting something about a Marvin Gaye record. You will be bitterly disappointed). This graph demonstrates cat out of the bag, Google-style: I had worried slightly that my dismissal of the Conservative dismissal of the Lib Dems was underproven (i.e. a big sulky exaggeration). Perhaps, instead, they are ...
Apt song for how I'm feeling about the Lib Dems at the moment... Ain't No Stoppin Us Now We're on the move Ain't No Stoppin Us Now We've got the groove There's been so many things thats held us down. But now it looks like things are finally comin' around. I know we've got, a long long way to go, and where we'll end up, I don't know. But we won't let nothin' hold us back, we're putting our selves together, we're polishing up our act! If you felt we've been held down before, I know you'll refuse to be ...
That's the question asked by the Lesbian & Gay Foundation and answered by the party's Equalities spokesperson, Lynne Featherstone: How do you feel about Labour taking credit for a lot of Liberal Democrat Policy around LGB&T issues? Imitation is the highest form of flattery! But Labour still hasn't gone far enough. It is an absolute scandal that Labour chose not to explicitly outlaw gay bullying in schools. As a result thousands of younger gay people do not have full protection from bullying they need. Labour enjoy a pretty good record on LGB&T rights. How would the Liberal Democrats go further ...
It's only a few days since a few of us were chatting about a new Facebook group called "We got Rage against the machine to number 1, we can get the Lib Dems into office". It's completely unofficial and we thought it was doing quite well to have accumulated 10,000 members. What did we know? A few minutes ago it passed 100,000 members - a tenfold increase in members in less than a week. At the same time, the Conservatives official fan page had around 47,000 members. Now it has 49,715. Not nearly such an impressive increase. It does seem ...
Things must be bad at Tory HQ. We've given Iain Dale writer's block! Surely there must be some pro-Tory spin you can think of to post today, Iain? Have CCHQ really not sent you anything usable recently? I thought the news about Cameron pledging a nationwide school talent show was jolly exciting. Maybe try that?
It's been a little chaotic on Planet Bureaucrat over the past few days, what with arranging and rearranging flights to Cyprus for a wedding - don't ask, just don't... However, I do find myself fretting slightly about the opinion polls. The problem with them is that they have tremendous allure, allure sufficient to distract us from our gameplan, i.e. the existing targeting strategy. Yes, if things stay where they are, we might win some unexpected victories, but they are most likely to be based on places where we have established campaigns, and where a national swing can overcome a weak ...
Hi again everyone! What a week it has been for us all, so busy with so many things going on. I hope you have all seen the posters going up across the borough and a massive thank you to all those have put them up. It's fantastic to see so much support and that local people appreciate the hard work that we put in to represent you all. Recently I've been working on housing issues, over crowding, antisocial behaviour and problems with the work taking place as part of 'Decent Homes'. If you have experienced any problems recently, do let ...
The Disability charity Scope is running a campaign to make polling stations more accessible. They've got a great website where you can look up details for the polling station near you and also take part in a survey to report back. Even though more and more people are registering for postal votes, accessibility at the actual polling stations is vital and although most local councils will review their locations on a regular basis this is really welcome as a campaign. In Liverpool, as I discovered recently, we also involve an organisation that supports blind and partially sighted people in making ...
As Chair of the Housing, Health and Community Care Scrutiny Panel since 2008 I have worked hard to ensure that mental health services are regularly on our agenda to try and inject much needed local accountability into our services here in Reading. Most recently we scrutinised the effectiveness of so-called 'Talking Therapies' which are having a really positive impact on people. The Lib Dems are committed to extending access to counselling and cognitive behavioural therapy to more people. In this picture I'm pictured with Paul Farmer ,Coley resident, who has been campaigning tirelessly for a better deal for patients for ...
According to a poll by YouGov for the Sun the Lib Dems have taken the lead in the General Election polls for the first time with 33% of the vote. The Tories are following with 32% and Labour back at 26% Campaigning yesterday in Sutton Nick Clegg said: "The opportunity is immense. A growing number are starting to hope, starting to believe a little door has opened." He added: "The old parties, when they feel things aren't going their way, they start lashing out." So I guess we have that to look forward to! Here's Nick's speech to young people ...
Linda Jack needs at 12% swing to beat Nadine Dorries in Mid-Bedfordshire. That's a tough target – but by no means impossible (see seats such as Hornsey & Wood Green last time), especially given the party's poll boost in recent days. To turn the possibility into reality Linda's campaign needs more funds to help run an even more intensive grassroots effort in the second half of the campaign: (Also available to view here).
I'm sure that many of you will have watched or heard about the ITV Political Party Leaders' debate last Thursday night. It was genuinely history-making in a couple of ways. For a start off, it was the first televised debate between the Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrat Leaders and secondly it was possibly the first time that many people had heard Nick Clegg, Leader of the Lib Dems speak. And the public verdict according to the poll by ComRes straight after the debate was that Nick Clegg won the arguments resoundingly. Another poll for the Times said that 61% of ...
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Will the Liberal Democrats being no 1 in the national polls translate into real votes? Well, people are donating real money to our campaign. And taking real posters to put up. And they are all real voters. Who are registered to vote. Not counting my chickens, mind. PS Sky site not picking up my posts again: let's try mentioning as many GE things as I can: Wokingham, John Redwood, Mark Ashwell, George Davidson, Marjory Bisset, Ann Zebedee, Prue Bray - oh and Nick Clegg.
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I read on the BBC website this morning that David Cameron is stating that "a vote for Nick Clegg could leave Britain "stuck" with Labour". Some one needs to take David Cameron to one side and give him a sharp talking to. Because he is just plain wrong.Wrong on sentiment.Wrong on tactics. First and foremost the current poll of polls puts the Tories on 33% with Labour and Liberal Democrats on 29% each (and who knows where this will end). Yes, on the "just for fun" BBC Election Seat Calculator this gives the Labour 280+ seats and the Tories about ...
'Push-polls', for those unfamiliar with the term, are a political campaigning technique "in which an individual or organization attempts to influence or alter the view of respondents under the guise of conducting a poll" (Wikipedia).* And it looks like Rupert Murdoch's Sun newspaper has been paying internet polling firm YouGov to undertake some push-polling against the Lib Dems, following the surge in support for Nick Clegg's party after last week's televised debate. Former British ambassador Craig Murray spotted the following comment on the PoliticalBetting.com website, and noticed its significance: Just done a YouGov, Mostly about Clegg & LD Here was ...
My "things to link to" directory is overflowing. Here, then, for your delectation, are:Feministy stuff: can we all please stop treating women as a homogenous group? Geeky Stuff: Firefox Optimisation, Tribble breakfast cereal Lib Demmery: Do you detest Nadine Dorries as much as the next thinking person? Help to kick her out; Lib Dem manifesto in online format, for all your reference needs; Andrew Hickey on why voting Lib Dem is important for everyone, not just Lib Dems; Alix Mortimer on the bottom-up-ness of our campaign; and Charlotte Gore on why the Labservative tactics to discredit us just aren't working. ...
Have just come back from visiting my first Grandchild! Certainly has put things in perspective, this general election really is about campaigning for the future generations in our community and our country. Issues regarding the economy, the environment and jobs will directly affect the generation who are just now being born and growing up - as such we must work for them as much as (maybe even more than) those who are voting now. It is for these reasons that I am campaigning for the Liberal Democrat's message of fairness; fair taxes, a fair chance for every child, a fair ...
Stuart Adam and Mike Brewer of the Institute of Fiscal Studies argue, in their April 'observations' piece on Liberal Democrat tax cutting policies, that it is meaningless to make the claim that the poor pay more of their income in tax than the rich. However, no sooner do they make this observation than they go on to confirm that official statistics show this is the case. No one, they explain, disputes the ONS data which shows that the poorest fifth of households paid 38.7% of their income in tax. Neither is there any dispute that this compares with a tax ...
Sitting outside the office having lunch with an old friend who came down to help the campaign. Then out to knock on doors.
The polling cards that have come through our door for the forth-coming elections are headed with this legend: Representation of the People Acts Over the weekend, I watched the latest episode of Ashes to Ashes on BBC1 and it was set on the day of the 1983 General Election. The polls were starting to come out over the weekend that put the Liberal Democrats in second and in some cases in front – ahead of both the Tories and Labour. Ashes used a news clip from 1983 mentioning that the SDP/Liberal Alliance (the forerunner of the Liberal Democrats) had been ...
Amazing how that round of leaflets I just finished delivering took what felt like a fraction of the time the previous one did, despite containing exactly the same addresses. Not even the usual bouts of pain in the knees and ankles would have stopped me. Yes, the Big Mo is very much with us and keeping me fired up. Whether or not it'll still be there in 17 days' time is anybody's guess, and already the swiftboating has started from the big battalions, but right now it feels good, and like Warren Zevon said, enjoy every sandwich. So good to ...
I see that the Daily Telegraph have picked up on one of my tweets from Saturday, where I said I was taking the afternoon off to see my football team Livingston playing in what in the end was the important season deciding match. Let me put the record straight. This was my first afternoon off in over 2 months from the election campaign, I do take one evening a week off, we all have to relax sometime. This was also my first Saturday afternoon at Almondvale all season, I managed two Tuesday night games earlier in the season. This is ...
Businesses across Scotland have more than enough to deal with at the moment - remember that recession thing that's been going on? Remember those banks you and I own part of which refuse to lend money to sustainable businesses? I mean, that's like refusing to put oil in a car. Just so you know, the Liberal Democrats would make sure that the banks supported businesses a whole lot better. But anyway, you get the drift - it's not easy to run a business at the moment. In the background, a business rates revaluation has been going on which has seen ...
Labour in Darlington are panicking. I've just had a phone call from a life-long Labour voter saying three Labour canvassers, including someone called "Jennifer, I think", and she thought one of the others was the MP (but surely they wouldn't let him loose on the electorate would they?) had been browbeating her saying if she switched to voting Lib Dem it would just let the Conservatives win. She's
Sorry for the lack of updates I've been campaigning pretty much flat out. But it's all good. I took part in an enjoyable & lively radio debate with the Labour and Conservative candidates on Friday in between canvassing, delivering leaflets, chatting to residents and supporters across the constituency. It seemed to go well (when I got home I had an email from a caller who had asked a question saying she liked my answer to a question which was nice!) I reported a few weeks back about the positive reaction me and members of my Lib Dem team are getting ...
Want to know more about what the Lib Dems stand for & what will will do in office? Then watch this video & let others know about it.
Pushed for time, but want to keep up-to-date with how the campaign's going? Here are today's must-reads ... Election 2010 could be the death knell for first past the post (Lewis Baston, Guardian) The electoral system could not survive a perverse outcome in which the first party comes third and the third party comes first - or one in which the second-placed party has an overall majority, despite the support of fewer than one voter in three. Either case would make Florida in 2000 look like a model of democracy. There would be a justified crisis of confidence in a ...
It does appear that the traditional UNS methodology for seat projections cannot cope with a Lib Dem surge.I have done some calculations on a retention swing. That is a calcalation on the basis that in each seat the national transfer of votes is replicated. However, if Labour have lost a third of their votes nationally they lose a third of their votes that were cast previously in each seat
In her post, 'Something weird is happening' Alex Mortimer looks at why the Liberal Democrats are scoring highly in the polls. The video she mentions is below. I don't know who put it together but they clearly know a lot about Lib Dem policies and support them. The video weaves together the party's manifesto providing a narrative that is direct and personal. Whether, you are a Lib Dem supporter or not, in fact whether you agree with all the policies that the party is putting forward isn't the point. The video is a brilliant illustration of what can be done ...
Following on from the first debate the second (of three) Election Debates will take place on Thursday 22nd April at 8pm on Sky News. Unlike many other Sky channels this channel is accessible on Freeview - you don't have to be a Sky subscriber to watch the program! The BBC will be simulcasting the event so you can listen live on BBC Radio 4 by visiting The World Tonights' Prime Ministerial Debates page here The First Election Debate is still available on ITV Player (ITV's Catch-Up service): Clicking here will take you directly to the program. Alternatively if you'd like ...
[IMG: http://www.wikio.co.uk] Here is the short version of the Nick Clegg being interviewed by Paxman (12 April 2010) - I think this shows that Nick is cool under fire, and how he got ready to take on the CONservative and Labour party leaders. Labour and Tory's have tried to spin the last leaders debate as some how "an easy ride for Nick." Well he had the balls to be Paxman'd, which is more than can be said for Cameron who has bottled out! I'm also finding Tory and Labour blogs very interesting at the moment, despite their candidates (well, not ...
Take three minutes and fifteen seconds out of your life to watch this video (yes, Imogen, this means YOU): It was made by a bunch of activists, unpaid and unprompted. As Alix Mortimer says, money CAN'T buy that kind of campaigning - which, to be frank, is good, because we really haven't got that much money. What we have got is the right policies, and the people who fully and wholeheartedly believe in them. We have hope, and we have good positive ideas, and we don't need to attack the other parties because we can stand on our own merits. ...
The Conservative blogosphere is awash with assertions that Liberal Democrat policy is as riddled with holes as a Swiss cheese, anything to reassure them that the unexpected surge in our support will go away if they wish it long enough. Perhaps they ought to read their manifesto first... We have said we need to freeze public sector pay (as Labour have said also) to help reduce the huge budget deficit that is threatening our recovery. We also need to cap public sector pensions at £50,000 a year. We all have to pull together to bring the deficit down. But we ...
Like all Plymouth's prospective MPs I have been asked some questions by local artist Steve Clement-Large. His questions and my answers are below, but you can see his original blog post HERE. So, here you go: What do you regard as unique about your Party's policy regarding the Arts and Creative Industries? I'll let the other parties speak for themselves, although I honestly couldn't find anything about this at all in the Conservative manifesto - apologies if I missed it but I genuinely looked. There are several pledges in the Lib Dem manifesto about the arts and culture, but I'd ...
Sunday: So Mr Frown wants to talk MORAL BANKRUPTCY? As Ms Sandy Topsywig announced on the News Quiz, Nick Clegg received 61% public support after Thursday's debate and goes on to play Dorothy in the West End As for Mr Balloon, only the LORD can save him now! But the big loser was Mr Frown. If Hard Labour CRASH in the polls, why would Unions pour good money after bad? After Iraq we all KNOW that it's Hard Labour who're MORALLY BANKRUPT. After "no more boom and bust" we KNOW that they're INTELLECTUALLY bankrupt. But might they go ACTUALLY bankrupt? ...
Just a quick reminder that tomorrow (Tuesday 20th April) is the last day for you to register to vote in the upcoming elections. If you haven't already received a poll card, you may not be registered to vote - and that means you don't get a say in the future of Fallowfield and Whalley Range. If you think you are registered to vote, but haven't received a poll card, contact Manchester City Council's Electoral Services Unit on 234 1819. You'll need to download and print off a registration form today and put it in first-class post today, or you can ...
One part of Labour's misleading campaign relates to Winter Fuel Payments.Both the Labour Party and the Liberal Democrats are proposing to phase out Winter Fuel Payments for those aged 60 and 65. (I think the tories are also committed to this.)The Liberal Democrats want to keep the payments for those people who are getting pension credit and to cut the tax for those who pay tax (or are in work)
David Yelland produced an interesting piece for the Guardian.co.uk yesterday. What he attempts to show is the inherent bias within the media with regard to the level of reporting and treatment given to the Liberal Democrats. His comment "that serious men and women now stay outside of politics because our national discourse is conducted with ...
I was sure I would wake up this morning and find it was all a dream. Sky News appeared last night to have reported that the Lib Dems were in the lead in a YouGov poll in the Sun. I recall Nick Clegg's campaigning being featured first before the other party leaders – we were after all the party in the lead. In fact my back is hurting because I left campaign HQ at 1130 after a twelve hour day putting the first freepost to bed. The agent's day here is usually far longer but she is younger and fitter ...
During this recession, many people across Angus will be feeling the pinch, working fewer hours or with reduced pay, whilst still having to meet rising food and petrol costs. With huge bonuses for bankers and tax dodging millionaires donating to political parties, most voters must be wondering whether politicians will deal with this unfairness. The Liberal Democrats have long campaigned for a fairer tax system. We promise that if you earn less than £10,000 you will pay nothing, zero, £0 in income tax. If you earn more that that, you will pay £705 less. So if you earn, say £8,000, ...
News that nationalist and right-winger Mr Dervish Eroglu, has beaten centre left incumbent, President Mehmet Ali Talat in the Presidential elections in North Cyprus, seems to have come as a surprise to some commentators of Cyprus. This result has been a foregone conclusion for some time for many Turkish Cypriots. Mr Talat spent the best part of 2 years in peace talks, with his Greek Cypriot counterpart, Mr Christofias, where real progress was being made, but with little to show to his electorate. We are told these will continue. After the Greek Cypriots voted overwhelmingly against the 2004 Annan Peace ...
On the 98th anniversary of the Titanic disaster, it was the Conservative Party's by-election teams that hit an iceberg last Thursday. Of the five seats they were defending, we are pleased to report four losses - three of which came our way as did a very close second in the Tories' only successful defence. Three of the five by-elections reported to ALDC this week centred on Wisbech in Cambridgeshire, with our candidate Dave Patrick running for Wisbech Town Council, Fenland District Council, and Cambridgeshire County Council at the same time. The openings on the two principal councils were a result ...
David Cameron is sounding the alarm bells! David Cameron has warned a vote for Nick Clegg could leave Britain "stuck" with Labour and said only the Tories can bring "real change". He said people were "fed up with the status quo" but without a decisive Tory win "fudge and division" was risked. In other words, Mr Cameron ...
Since April 14th, the odds of a hung parliament have risen from 40pc to 60pc. I have no reason to doubt the veracity of the FT's survey of investors: given all they have to worry about, no doubt they would prefer to be able to drop 'political risk' from the list, and would prefer undivided ...
In the words of Will Bailey from the West Wing, "Something weird is happening. We're winning." Polls schmolls. It's a volatile period; the most you can say with any certainty is that the race has closed up a bit. If we stick at 25% on the day, I'll be very happy. No, I'm talking about this. ...
The Liberal Democrats will today launch plans to create jobs that last by stimulating a green, sustainable economy. The plans include investing in wind energy, energy efficiency in public buildings and homes, and bringing empty homes back into use through renovation. Commenting, Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg said: "This week I will be focusing on the most ...
When Nick Clegg said over the weekend, that 'something different is happening' in this campaign, he once again put his finger on it: people up and down the country feel for the first time that there is an alternative. Many more young people, are for the first time engaged in politics enough to want to go out and vote. If a week is a long time in politics, Nick has shown that even a few days can turn the old system upside down. Voting at each successive general election has declined. What is there to motivate people if the result ...
Last Summer a planning application was submitted to convert the hotel near the top of Kendrick Road into a house of multiple occupation (HMO). I joined local residents who live nearby in raising concerns about the application in particular in relation to the impact the change of use could have on the character of the Kendrick Road Conservation Area and the amenity of local residents. A meeting was organised by a resident which I attended and was well-attended by neighbours. Residents who live in and around Kendrick Road care deeply about the area which is fantastic and there is a great community spirit there. A large number of ...
Given the Mail on Sunday's story casting aspertions on Nick Clegg for not being properly British in their eyes ("His wife is Spanish, his mother Dutch, his father half-Russian and his spin doctor German. Is there ANYTHING British about Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg?") now seems a good time to revive a post I wrote on a previous occasion when the Mail took to defining British: As Sunder Katwala has pointed out, the Daily Mail has said it thinks it is a mistake for people who were born here but whose parents where born overseas to be counted as British. ...
So, the Conservatives and Labour parties have been surprised to discover that the Lib Dems are - wait for it - popular. But they don't know how to deal with it. One thing for sure, both parties are now scouring through our manifesto to find policies that they can disagree with. So if you're wondering what our policies really are, here is something to watch.
Liberalism is at root an optimistic philosophy, free from the fear that Conservatism seeks to propagate.
About a hundred enthusiastic people from Camden and Brent gathered at the Hampstead synagogue in Dennington Park Road, West Hampstead, last night, formally to adopt Ed Fordham as the Liberal Democrat candidate for the Hampstead and Kilburn constituency. These are heady days to be a LibDem, not least in a marginal seat such as Ed's. ...
Some very clever person has produced a fantastic video showing what you'd get if you vote for the Liberal Democrats. A lot more positive than the rather grating messages of the other 2 parties which seem to be summed up by Labour saying vote Clegg get Cameron and the Tories saying vote Clegg get Brown. Well, actually, if you vote for Clegg, you get Clegg and you get real, positive change. James Graham shows how here at Comment is Free So does Jennie And so does Daddy Richard
Here's how to get Lib Dem "I agree with Nick" badges and stickers. (Badges cost 65 pence.) [IMG: I agree with Nick] Order your badges
This is a new Lib Dem 'viral' video: OK, it has the odd spelling mistake, but at least you know it was put together by a real person. And that it was put together without the benefit of the Ashcroft millions. I love it.
I almost feel sorry for the forces of Labservatism. The more they U-turn from #iagreewithnick, into attacking with all guns blazing, the more they reveal themselves to be utterly shallow and opportunistic. The best they could probably do is take the Lib Dem phenomenon on the chin and carry on as normal. But psychology demands otherwise. Anyway I took a look at the FTSE 100 this morning to see what effect the increased odds of a hung parliament might have on share prices when markets open, after all the excellent polls of the weekend. This is what I saw. OMG ...
I've just been watching Nick at a student Q&A on the BBC election website and just for a few seconds the live feed was replaced by a cable channel running adverts for flirting services. Come on BBC, sort it out!
The last edition of ALDC's Campaigner before the start of the election contained this piece from me: Knowing why people vote the way they do is tough. It's not just because people may be reluctant to be honest to others about their motivations, but people are also often bad at understanding themselves. In fact, one of the findings increasingly coming out from research into how we make decisions is that often we make a decision using our subconscious and only afterwards come up with a justification for it. Our subconscious decides, our conscious rationalises. It is an intriguing - and ...
In Cardiff this morning, the Liberal Democrats launched plans to create jobs that last by stimulating a green, sustainable economy. The plans include investing in wind energy, energy efficiency in public buildings and homes, and bringing empty homes back into use through renovation. Commenting, Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg said: "This week I will be focusing on the most important issue of all in this election: how we can build a new economy from the rubble of the old. Under Governments from the old parties, economic policy was made entirely subservient to the needs of just one square mile - ...
There must be an election on....regular postings to follow
The Independent has commissioned a survey of businessmen by ComRes which has revealed an improvement in Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg's standing. The proportion who have confidence in him has doubled from 20 to 41 per cent in the past month, which is way above the 28 per cent rating for Mr Brown. Unsurprisingly the Tory leader gets a higher rating as this might be regarded as his natural constituency but the numbers are all going our way. Perhaps more of a worry for the Conservatives is that the number of businessmen who believe the shadow Chancellor George Osborne "lacks ...
Here we go again, Lord Mandelson has spoken publicly of the possibility of a coalition with the Lib Dems, mentioning the need for constitutional reform again. The answer to this is quite simple: not on my watch, mate. To repeat what I have said several times before but it bears repeating: I will not support a coalition with either party as I do not believe they can be trusted to do what is best for the country. I am fighting the Henley election to win, so that I can implement Lib Dem policies: lower taxes for almost everyone, a higher ...
By some astonishing oversight, the TUC Blog has failed to report an extremely important view on transaction taxes. This is quite odd, since Touchstone has been assiduous in keeping us up to date every time they find some tenuous reason to proclaim support for Robin Hood Tax, and the TUC is nothing if not a ...
Naturally there is much discussion as to what the Liberal Democrats will do if there is a balanced parliament. (Why do both the press and parties, including the Liberal Democrats, persist in using the negative term "hung" rather than "balanced" which is both more accurate and has positive connotations?) An item on the Radio 4 "Broadcasting House" programme on Sunday morning vividly illuminated the nature of the already existing coalition in British politics. The item was a short clip of Nick Clegg attempting to take his turn in a Commons Prime Minister's Questions, against a background of oafish barracking from ...
It seems that there are lights on the tree as well so that the posters can be seen at night. Luckily it is not on a flight path, though I do not suppose it matters whilst all the planes are grounded.
The thing that stood out for me (about from me worrying about whether the party has sorted out a way to neutralise our poilcy negatives - not that they're are not right but can be easily misrepresented in one line - see The Sun!) in this Sun article bashing us for our liberal policies is that their poll reported that 54% supported our policy to bring in STV! Time to shout it proud! Electoral reform is no longer a minority subject!
I am doing well – yet another mention in the top dozen Click here to see my listing.
We are pleased with the amount of new plastic grass grid that we have managed to get for Haycombe Drive. As this settles in the appearance of the Drive will improve as less of the grass verge gets churned up by parked cars. Once the grass seed has had time to establish itself the plastic fencing will come down. This work is proving so successful and popular that many...
The SouthGate Jobs and Training Bus has been very successful and new dates when the bus will be visiting communities across the district are now planned. Phases Two and Three of the SouthGate, Bath development are scheduled to open in May and autumn this year. The bus is offering support for both retailers seeking staff and individuals looking for work. The partnership between...
"Let's vote LD" – from the Twitter feed of George Hollingbery, the Conservative candidate for Meon Valley: [IMG: George Hollingbery - Twitter screenshot]
Only one application in the last list for Southdown Ward: Southdown App Ref: 10/01163/FUL Registered: 1st April 2010 Expiry Date: 27th May 2010 Location: 41 Elliston Drive Southdown Bath Bath And North East Somerset BA2...
A fascinating, and I believe hugely important, new report by the Institute for Public Policy Research (ippr) concludes that it is not immigration but alienation and an inability to overcome social challenges such as isolation and low skills which are the ...
The deadlines coming up this week are: Deadline for submitting electoral registration request in order to be able to vote at the election: Tuesday 20 April Close of nominations for general election: 4pm on Tuesday 20 April Deadline for appointment of election agents for general election: 4pm on Tuesday 20 April Deadline for withdrawals of nominations for general election: 4pm on Tuesday 20 April Deadline for submitting requests to change or cancel existing postal or proxy vote arrangements: 5pm on Tuesday 20 April Statement of persons nominated and notice of poll (if no objections to nominations) for general election: 5pm ...
[IMG: The Labour candidate's 'house prices' leaflet] I was absolutely astonished to come across this leaflet from Labour's general election candidate in Hornsey and Wood Green, which claims that local house prices are being damaged by Lib Dem campaigning! I struggle to understand what was going on in the mind of the person who wrote this. Clearly this is nonsense. But even if it were true – does the Labour candidate think that we should keep quiet about the serious failures in Haringey Council for the sake of local house prices? Is she going to contact the Audit Commission and ...
Yesterday I started a blog post with a famous quote, I have since discovered that this was a massive mistake as it has simply lead to me gaining many many spamming comments on my blog and a few spam pingbacks! I realised something though, these spammers have no right to invade my blog, they come over ...
Boris Johnson has a fascinating article in the Telegraph today. Fascinating not because it's a well thought out or argued piece (as Boris is well capable of), but because it is a hopelessly muddled and poorly constructed transparent attack piece. The sense of entitlement just drips off the page. I can only assume it is "written for the troops" to keep up their morale because I am sure this will do little to persuade the waverers as indeed a brief glance at the comments below it from the readers will make clear. I have responded to some of his points ...
The BBC have been trying to get someone on their flagship programme Today to talk about their response to the Lib Dems and none was available. Th editor of Conservative Home stepped into the breach. Don't panic Mr Cameron, don't panic.... I've a bone to pick with Conservative Home. In a bit of negative campaigning they accused John Pugh of being 'young and inexperience'. Now John is not only a grandfather he is also old to enough to get a bus pass! He was also Leader of Sefton Council and has won two general elections as well as having a ...
Good morning! Another wonderful day without the noise of air traffic above our heads has just started. I think that now that we savoured what life is without that constant noise we'll be more careful before agreeing to more planes to fly above us next time new routes are proposed. I find that quality of life has improved, ...
Give or take a few minutes, there are 32 hours until 5pm tomorrow - that is the absolute deadline for registering to vote. If your name is not on the electoral register by then, even if something happens before May 6th that really passionately makes you want to have your say you will not be able to cast your vote. You can find out more about registering to vote here. Registration is easy - you just need to fill in a form which you can download from that site and send it first class today, or hand it in to ...
The deadline to register to vote is tomorrow (unless you're planning to vote BNP or Racist UKIP, in which case it was yesterday, sorry...) You can register here if you're not already registered. Remember, this is an election where literally anything could happen... Tagged: politics
With all attention focussed on the polls and of course, on the volcano ash, today's Independent highlights what is really at stake in this election. They report on claims by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, who suggest that more than 500,000 public-sector jobs could be axed in the next five years under a post-election squeeze on spending, which will be far greater than any of the main political parties are admitting. The organisation's chief economic adviser, Dr John Philpott claims that the jobs cull could lead to a 10 per cent reduction in the 5.8 million public-sector workforce ...
Click here
On Saturday I posted about the clutch of Sunday newspaper polls confirming the Lib Dem surge. Since then, it has only become more apparent, with YouGov publishing a poll in today's Sun that has the Lib Dems in first place - the first well-respected pollster to do so. This is a very strange time to be a Lib Dem. I can't tell you how exciting it is to see people I know - people I thought to be fairly apathetic about politics - watching the debates, reading commentary, and joining grassroots groups seeking to influence the election. And most exciting ...
Tomorrow's the deadline to get on the register to vote - but there's still time to get the form from www.aboutmyvote.co.uk, print it off and put it in the post first class or drop it round to the council in person. This is shaping up to be one of most exciting general elections we've had in Britain - so make sure you don't miss out on your chance to take part!
IanB has a post over at Counting Cats (see what I've done there?) responding at length to a discussion he, I and some others have been having at the UK Libertarian Forums about whether a true market-anarchy could actually exist. His post though, moves on a little bit, to argue that even if it could, it would not be a terribly libertarian society. Now, this is an important issue for me, because it was by understanding (or believing I understood) how a market anarchy could deliver justice,... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, ...
After a weekend of Lib Dem surges in all of the polls this really is the make or break week for the Liberal Democrats. A glance at yesterday's and today's papers are a of forecast the barrage of wild distortions of Lib Dem policy that will come all week. And don't forget that (and whisper it) Nick Clegg has a SPANISH WIFE! Clearly we have not had a danger to the country like this since the King of Spain married the Queen of England. I hear the Daily Mail is contemplating a front page demanding fire beacons to warn of ...
Here's a reminder of that important deadline tomorrow. If you are not registered to vote you can get on the list of voters online via this link. Register to vote You have ...
Today (19/04/10) The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) publish an indepth research report, Exploring the Roots of BNP Support IPPR conducted regression-based analysis to see whether or not high levels of immigration do raise communities' support for the BNP, or if other variables - such as political disengagement - are important. Their findings suggest that areas that have higher levels of recent immigration than others are not more likely to vote for the BNP. In fact, the more immigration an area has experienced, the lower its support for the far right. Rather, the evidence points to political and socio-economic ...
Today (19/04/10) The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) publish an indepth research report, Exploring the Roots of BNP Support IPPR conducted regression-based analysis to see whether or not high levels of immigration do raise communities' support for the BNP, or if other variables - such as political disengagement - are important. Their findings suggest that areas that have higher levels of recent immigration than others are not more likely to vote for the BNP. In fact, the more immigration an area has experienced, the lower its support for the far right. Rather, the evidence points to political and socio-economic ...
The game has changed, but most of the dead tree press and the BBC are still playing silly buggers despite the fact that on Thursday night Nick Clegg threw a six. Another YouGov poll has us is first place today. This is not an isolated blip any more. This is a sustained pattern. The Tory media outlets are shitting themselves. The Tories are in meltdown, terrified that we might actually get STV in and they'll never see an outright majority again. Labour are boasting that even if they come third in the polls UNS still gives them the most seats ...
A Conservative government will establish a Public Sector Co-op Service, which will have a full-time staff with the resources and expertise needed to provide guidance to every public sector body about becoming a co-op. This is a direct quote from 'An Invitation to Public Sector Workers', the Conservative Public Sector manifesto, which they published on Saturday. No, really, I kid you not. I find myself wondering if this has been terribly well thought through. You see, as a junior tax official, I work for an organisation that raises money, albeit not that much these days, but nevertheless, you get my ...
If you want to vote on May 6 then April 20 is your last chance to register. You must post your completed form 1st class today.
As another poll puts the Liberal Democrats on top, it is pretty clear that whatever happens over the next few days, the party is going to reach levels of support not seen for nearly a century. To be absolutely frank, it is a fantastic but daunting prospect. The party will immediately face two crises: one will be the constitutional wrangling of a minority Parliament, the second will be the continuing economic crisis. Barring a fluke, there seems no chance for the Conservatives or Labour to form a majority government, and the Parliament seems set to be "well hung" (not a ...
@stealthmunchkin but he was calling for a Labour candidate to resign for doing exactly the same thing. in reply to stealthmunchkin # @stealthmunchkin sorry for not making it clear. Here is his tweet: http://bit.ly/cojfiB in reply to stealthmunchkin # still no sign of elections taking place on the @lincolncouncil website. # RT @ladpolitics: Ladbrokes: Who will win the 1st Debate? 5/4 Clegg, 13/8 Cameron, 11/4 Brown. http://bit.ly/7ySJWZ # @stephenpglenn that deadline seems a little to late... in reply to stephenpglenn # @BBCLauraK UKIP can't find enough candidates spin it as "not standing against eurosceptics" in reply to BBCLauraK # RT ...
We all know there are banana skins during an election - from other parties helpers trying to infiltrate under false pretences (I recall from the Brent East by-election a Conservative member of staff pretending to be a journalist) or even the media just trying to catch a candidate out on policy or the like. But, when you create your own banana skin, there is very little sympathy out there. Peter Lyburn is the Conservative candidate for Perth & North Perthshire and he has made a major mistake this week.David Cameron has made a major issue of getting business men and ...
Over on Comment is Free I've written this article: Today's polls confirm that the leaders' debate on Thursday has become a game changer. Ever since 1983, much of the focus on the progressive end of politics has been on tactical voting to prevent the "left" vote from splitting. But as we move towards a genuinely multi-party ...
Well they say a week is a long time in politics – and how right that adage seems to be. An incredible reaction from the country to Nick Clegg in the first of the Leaders' Debates. However we Liberal Democrats are trying not to get distracted by the opinion polls, and are working even harder to ...
I spent the first part of today on an open-top bus, hired by the BC Project to encourage British Chinese to register to vote before the deadline on Tuesday and to vote in the general and local elections on 6 May. This is particularly important because Britain's Chinese community traditionally stayed aloof from politics, though that ...
Last week all we heard from the leaders of the Labour Party and the Conservative Party was 'I agree with Nick'. I am sure there is someone who actually counted the times of times that phrase was uttered.Now Gordon and David have decided that they don't need to agree with Nick. That more scrutiny needs to take place of Liberal Democrat policy. So this leaves me thinking:Did David and Gordon
Let's assume for one magical moment that the Lib Dems remain in second place and take the second highest share of the vote, after the Tories, and that Labour takes the third highest share of the vote. The appalling unfairness of Britain's system will have been revealed to the world in no uncertain terms - forget George Bush in 2000; we would look like a banana republic frankly, the laughing stock of the developed world's democracies. The psephologists suggest that even with... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]] ...
Out again this morning to deliver letters to voters in Buckhurst Hill. It was great delivering in the sunshine and a lot of area covered. In fact, I heard this evening that once again we have almost delivered the whole of Buckhurst Hill in a weekend.Last week I sent an email to key activists saying that unlike the Conservatives and Labour parties who have the national papers day in day out
Kirsty Williams delivered 'straight' answers to difficult questions posed by members of the public in the televised Welsh Leaders' debate on Sky. Speaking after the debate, Kirsty Williams said: "Everyone knows that this election is wide open. As someone who lives here and works in Wales, I understand the concerns of Welsh voters. Today I asked the people to place their trust in us, the Liberal Democrats, to do the tough job of working for a fairer Wales. "We've had 65 years of blue-red Labour Conservative politics and look where we are, a poor economy and a rotten political system. ...
The Liberal Democrat policies will now be exposed. That is the threat from Labour and Tory sources since the polls made a giant percentage leap following Nick Clegg's success in the leaders' debate. Well what kind of threat is that? The leaders' debate exposed Liberal Democrat policies and support went up. On the 6th April I wrote that it was good to get criticism. Liberal Democrats are now a threat and the other parties must rebut our policies. If that fails then the other two parties will fall back on the "they can't form a government" argument. The answer to ...
Unfortunately there are issues between LibDemBlogs and MyCouncillor blogs. I hope to have these fixed in the next few days.
