Helen Morgan was granted a Westminster Hall debate today on the reopening of the railway from Gobowen to Oswestry. BBC News gives the background to it: The restoration of the link was approved last year as part of the Restoring Your Railway fund, but the new government confirmed it was cancelling the scheme. That initiative would have funded 38 railway projects in total. Chancellor Rachel Reeves has said the cuts were needed to address a £21.9bn black hole in public finances and the Department for Transport would assess each individual project as part of a review. The previous government had ...
In just 2 days' time, Liberal Democrats will be gathering in Brighton for our annual Conference. Sadly, for the first time since 2011, I won't be there. I was only going to be able to come for 24 hours, but, unfortunately, my husband is ill. He'll be fine, but now is not the time to leave him. I'm still scarred by my trip to the Witney by-election in 2016. He hadn't been well just before but seemed to be on the mend. To cut a long story short, within hours of my return the next evening, he was spirited away ...
Liberals are naturally optimistic and reasonable. We recognise the past struggles to establish open, tolerant societies, the rule of law and accountable government, but too easily assume that those battles have been won. In the 1990s, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, the most optimistic Liberals thought we were entering a post-conflict liberal world. It's now clear that the principles of a liberal political and economic order have to be defended against multiple threats. Our society has become far more socially liberal than our grandparents; but not all are persuaded, and illiberal groups within Britain and outside are doing ...
The Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) & CCLA Cllr Awards offer an annual opportunity for members of the public to highlight the contributions of the often unsung heroes of local democracy. The glittering Awards ceremonies, held at The Guildhall, London, for English and Welsh councillors and City Chambers, Edinburgh, for Scottish elected members, have always provided an evening of glamour and gratitude for those working tirelessly behind the scenes to improve the places we live. However, with the Awards now in their 15th year, it's never been more important to shine a light on councillors across Great Britain who go ...
John Harris says the government needs to start giving people hope and quickly: "Among all the numbers, there is a huge story here about the everyday reality of people's lives. What I would call ambient austerity - litter everywhere, overgrown grass verges, potholed roads, rusty slides and swings - is now deeply ingrained. It sits at the heart of the cynicism towards politics and politicians that is intensified by social media. It has also been a sizeable part of most of the political ruptures of the past 14 years, not least Brexit - and, at the election, the way that ...
OK, there's more to political leadership than having the right strategy, and Mel Stride has never been the most charismatic of politicians, but I can't help noticing that Conservative MPs have just voted out the leadership candidate who has so far made the most sense. Here he is being quoted by the Standard yesterday: "And what that is going to need is somebody that can lead our party over months and over years to get the right policy platform together that we can unite around to reach out to those voters that we lost to Reform, but equally not to ...
Our next maiden speech comes from Will Forster, the new Liberal Democrat MP for Woking who spoke in the Budget Responsibility Bill. This text is below: Thank you, Ms Nokes, for giving me this opportunity to make my maiden speech. Before I do, I pay tribute to the hon. Member for Southend East and Rochford (Mr Alaba), who spoke of his and his constituency's proud military past. I am sure that he will see his constituency through these tough challenges and on to a brighter future. It goes without saying that it is a great privilege and an honour of ...
Marie Goldman, the new Lib Dem MP for Chelmsford, made her maiden speech in the debate on the Budget Responsiblity Bill. The text is below: First, I congratulate Members who have also made their maiden speeches in the Chamber this afternoon. In particular, I congratulate the hon. Member for Swindon North (Will Stone). I wonder whether his skills as a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black-belt led him to apply to be an extra in those movies that he mentioned. I will be watching out for him in the fight scenes. It is the honour and privilege of my life to be standing ...
The University of Dundee Archives is having an Open Day tomorrow - Thursday 12 September. Drop in 10am-1pm or 2pm-4.30pm for a chance to see some of the amazing archives relating to the history of Dundee, Scotland and beyond.
This may well be a press release from a political party but the survey it refers to is genuine and disturbing. An opinion poll carried out on behalf of the Liberal Democrats has found that over half (55%) of UK pensioners who were asked say they will likely heat their homes less this winter due to the withdrawal of the Winter Fuel Payment, while four in ten (39%) say they will cut back on essentials. The poll also found that two-thirds (65%) say they will take cost-cutting measures due to the government's announcement to withdraw the Winter Fuel Payment support ...
Much of my political "career" has come about for one of three main reasons;I was the slowest person in the room to say "no"It was a job that nobody else much fanciedI was in the right spot at the right timeI ought not to complain in truth, after all, I've had opportunities that most people don't get, I've travelled the world and I've probably done some good along the way. And, something that does perplex me, a surprising number of people have gained the idea that I might be vaguely capable. Now I'm not getting carried away here. As a ...
