Putin has to go. But when and how? What will be the result of his Ukrainian failure in Russia and the rest of the world? How much damage will be inflicted on Ukraine and almost every other country before he is thrown out of the Kremlin? Working on the assumption that the West will win (any other scenario is unthinkable), what will be the short, medium and long-term repercussions for the world? The immediate consequence is Hell for Ukraine, pariah status and economic disaster for Russia and economic pain for everyone else. Vladimir Putin expected Ukraine to fall into his ...
The Liberal Democrats have called for tougher sanctions for ministers who break the ministerial code, including being fined or forced to resign. The Liberal Democrats said that "partygate" showed that Boris Johnson and other Conservative ministers can't be trusted to mark their own homework and that urgent reforms are needed to restore faith in Parliament and the democratic process. The party's package of reforms include: Putting the Ministerial Code into law and making sure it is fully independent of the prime minister. Appointing an Independent Adviser to oversee the Code and launch their own investigations Introducing a range of sanctions ...
The war in Ukraine has now lasted more than twice as long as most pundits predicted. Inevitably the "fog of war" has descended and it is difficult to discern any actual facts from the many claims and counterclaims. What is sadly indisputable is that hundreds if not thousands of largely young soldiers, plus many civilians, some of them children, have already been killed, others maimed, and thousands of families have fled their homes to seek asylum elsewhere. The only pleasing fact in this scenario is that the Ukrainian railways offer free travel to the refugees. I wonder if, in similar ...
I've taken a long time to finally write this piece. This year I have been elected to represent the Scottish Liberal Democrats on the Executive Committee. I wanted to help improve our relationship between our membership and decision-making bodies in the party. Thinking of this, it made sense that now was the right time. I want to start conversations by communicating my views and my history in the party. I started my active political following and involvement in the run-up to the 2010 election, a happier time when "Cleggmania" was running wild. Who then, honestly, could say they foreseen Brexit? ...
NB: With Russia's unprovoked murderous assault on Ukraine, I am actively looking at alternative hosts for this journal, preferably those which will retain as much content as possible. I am very uncomfortable with being part of the Russian economic system at present, in however small a way. In the meantime: Second paragraph of third chapter of The Postmistress:There was France and Germany. Austria. England. Poland. Letters printed in straight lines in the comforting typeface of school, the world ordered as neatly as the men now were. Since the draft had begun in October, each man's number pulled by hand from ...
The Guardian reports: It may seem an unlikely electoral secret weapon, but as the Liberal Democrats gather for their spring conference this weekend, polls and canvassing have highlighted an issue the party hopes can help secure soft Tory votes: sewage in rivers. Described by one official as the rural equivalent of air quality in cities, the problem of privatised water companies discharging raw sewage has, Lib Dems say, become electorally toxic for the government, and could push more Conservative-held seats the party's way. The conference, which will be online apart from a speech by the leader, Ed Davey, is the ...
Ok folks let's admit it. A discussion of governance issues is probably not on the top of the list of things to discuss over the dinner table or down at the pub. However, the method by which Liverpool will be ... Continue reading →
In response to Priti Patel's announcement that Ukrainians will be able to apply for their visas online and then complete their biometric documents upon arrival in the UK, Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson Alistair Carmichael MP said: "It is shameful that the Home Secretary has to be dragged inch by inch towards a compassionate response to Ukrainian refugees fleeing Putin's bombs. "Even after all the appalling images we have seen, Priti Patel is still limiting the scheme to those with close family in the UK, and forcing them to apply for a visa before they come here. That has to ...
Responding to the news that Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has been sanctioned, Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Layla Moran MP said: "The sanctioning of more individuals including Abramovich is well overdue. The Government must now confirm that these individuals' mansions will be used to house Ukrainian refugees. "The Foreign Secretary must also urgently assess whether these oligarchs have been able to sell off any of their assets due to the Government's delay in acting. "But we also need to go further and faster. There are hundreds of Kremlin-linked oligarchs and following this announcement, we have sanctioned just 18. It's not ...
Thu, 17:59: 110 hours left to nominate in this year's Hugo awards! https://t.co/SfW9ypyORq Thu, 18:28: Nebula ballot, Goodreads / LibraryThing stats https://t.co/p3oGwZ2TSj Thu, 21:51: RT @anneapplebaum: Must read. On Lavrov's mysteriously loaded mistress, and her daughter. Fri, 03:59: 100 hours left to nominate in this year's Hugo awards! https://t.co/SfW9ypyORq Fri, 06:51: For anyone looking for detail on the awful war in Ukraine, ISW's daily updates are the best source I have seen. Unfortunately they come through quite late at night our time, but are well worth reading. https://t.co/jKCVVwMu2j Fri, 10:45: RT @Cygie: Huidige stand van de #CoronaBarometer in België. Doorschijnende ...
It is always useful to get an inside view on government, and when it comes from a disaffected ex-minister then it can be particularly revealing. The Mirror reports on evidence given by Lord Agnew to MPs on the Commons Treasury Committee on Wednesday, in which he said the Covid loan scheme meant "happy days if you were a crook" as he revealed shockingly lax Treasury checks on relief cash for firms. The peer branded the the government's anti-fraud efforts a "Dad's Army" operation where basic checks were overlooked, as he hit out at the Tories' "lamentable" record on tackling fraud: ...
At 2.15pm on Sunday Conference will be debating a motion F30 Tackling the cost of living crisis. A swathe of proposals are being recommended, including scrapping the rise in NI, ending the freeze on Income Tax personal allowance, uprating pensions and reinstating the £1000 boost to Universal Credit amongst others. These are in addition to policies that have already been agreed such insulating homes, and taxing income from capital more fairly. Three amendments, which add (or remove) options, will also be discussed. Ed Davey has today added to the mix by calling on the Chancellor to take the radical step ...
A press release from the Lib Dems, which is already getting some nice front page coverage, brings the news... Ed Davey calls on the Chancellor to slash VAT from 20% to 17.5% for one year to tackle soaring bills.The move would save families an average of £600 as the cost of living crisis hits hard.Slashing VAT would boost struggling local high streets and the economy while keeping spiralling inflation down. The Liberal Democrats have demanded an emergency cut to VAT to protect families from soaring bills and the worsening cost of living crisis. The party has proposed reducing the standard ...
Four council by-elections this week, though only two with Liberal Democrat candidates which is, regrettably, down one on last time these seats were contested. Those two Lib Dem candidates however... BY-ELECTION RESULT Hitchin South, Hertfordshire County Council Lib Dem: 2,401 Con: 690 Green: 223 CPA: 35 Lib Dem HOLD Congratulations to the newly elected Cllr Keith Hoskins! pic.twitter.com/MMfxRCplA0 — ALDC (@ALDC) March 11, 2022
From the City Council : Dundee City Council proposes to make an Order under Section 14(1) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 for the purpose of facilitating City Fibre cable installation works. The Order is expected to be in force for three weeks from 14 March 2022. Its maximum duration in terms of the Act is eighteen months. The effect of the Order is to prohibit temporarily all vehicular traffic in (1) Strawberrybank between Perth Road and Magdalen Yard Road, (2) Osborne Place between Shepherds Loan and Magdalen Yard Road and (3) Shepherds Loan between Perth Road and Magdalen ...
