Rebuilding the Quango state?The 1999 referendum that created the Welsh Assembly was partly fought on a programme of scrapping the many quangos that had been used by the Tories to run Wales during the previous four UK Tory governments. These bodies had been viewed as expensive, unaccountable and a handy refuge for Tory bigwigs, who had eschewed the democratic process for careers elsewhere. The jury is still out on the eventual bonfire of these bodies but it was not a process, as far as I'm aware that was followed in England. Now, it appears that we have come full circle with Keir Starmer's ... (more) |
21 November 2024 - the overnight press releasesCarers UK research: government needs to recognise the critical role carers play Health survey reveals impact of Long Covid on Scots Cole-Hamilton comments on Audit Scotland report Carers UK research: government needs to recognise the critical role carers play Responding to Carers UK research putting the economic value of care provided by unpaid carers at £184 billion a year, Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey said: I have been a carer most of my life, first for my mum when I was young and now for my severely disabled son John, so I know how challenging it can be, but also ... (more) |
Michael's weekly ward surgeries today! #dundeewestendMichael's surgeries take place today and are as follows : Thursdays at 5.45pm prompt - West End Campus (come to reception area of St Joseph's RC and Victoria Park Primary Schools) Thursdays at 6.30pm prompt - Harris Academy reception area All welcome - no appointment necessary! (more) |
In which Jeremy Thorpe, John Pardoe and Paul Tyler tour selected resorts of Cornwall and Devon by HovercraftThe summer of 1974 was enlivened by Jeremy Thorpe and other Liberal MPs touring the beaarty ches of Britain by hovercraft, in anticipation of a general election in the autumn. Harold Wilson duly called one for October. Whether people enjoying a seaside holiday would be in the mood to meet politicians is a point you hope the party considered first. Anyway, here is a report from the West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser (15 August 1974) looking forward to such a tour by Thorpe, John Pardoe and Paul Tyler. There's a mention too for Edward Sara, the Liberal candidate for Falmouth ... (more) |
20 November 2024 - today's press releasesDentists left in the dark as government fails to assess impact of NICs hikes Thames Water: we need to see an outright ban on exec bonuses whilst sewage scandal drags on Cole-Hamilton attacks national insurance impact on GPs and care providers Dentists left in the dark as government fails to assess impact of NICs hikes The Liberal Democrats have revealed that the government made no assessment of its recent tax hike on NHS dentists. Responding to a parliamentary question from the Liberal Democrats, Labour government minister Stephen Kinnock responded that "no assessments have been made yet on the potential impact ... (more) |
Santa's new sleigh delayed by snow and won't feature in tonight's Shrewsbury Christmas lights switch-onEmbed from Getty ImagesSad news from Shrewsbury, but at least the Shropshire Star wins our Headline of the Day Award. (more) |
Lib Dems mark Transgender Day of RemembranceThe Liberal Democrats have marked Transgender Day of Remembrance, saying on social media: Today on Trans Day of Remembrance we remember those who have lost their lives to transphobic violence, and reflect on how we as a society can end this loss of life. Liberal Democrats will always stand up for the rights of everyone in the LGBT+ community. Sadly, there has been another rise in the number of trans people who have been killed because of who they are. We're getting on for 1 person a day – 350, mostly trans women of colour. From Pink News: The number ... (more) |
Daisy Cooper challenges Labour on National Insurance rise at PMQs"OBR figures suggest that the increase in NICs will cost more to social care providers than the money that the government has announced for that sector in the budget."@libdemdaisy has implored the government to protect health and care providers from the NIC hike. pic.twitter.com/ywt7qWuZK1 — Liberal Democrats (@LibDems) November 20, 2024 Last week I was contacted by a constituent whose husband has stage 4 bowel cancer. He had a routine scan in June but did not receive the results until early November, and unfortunately during that period he received unsuitable chemotherapy and his cancer has progressed. Given that Shropshire has ... (more) |
Mark Pack's November 2024 report: A guaranteed way to lose votesThe importance of next May A blessing and a curse of a democracy is that elections keep on coming around. So while this year has been an exhausting one of election campaigns already, we also need to be turning our eyes to the local elections coming up in May. Most of the seats up in May were last contested when the Conservatives were still on an electoral high back in 2021. Therefore they provide us with an important opportunity to follow up on our major gains from the Conservatives at both local and Westminster level since 2021. They also provide ... (more) |
A guaranteed way to lose votes (LDN #190)Liberal Democrat Newswire #190 came out a few days ago and you can now read it in full below. But if you'd like the convenience of getting it direct by email in future just sign up now: Welcome to Lib Dem Newswire #190, and as it's nearly the season of gift giving a reminder that you can get the full paid-for version of my weekly polling newsletter, The Week in Polls, free for 60 days with this special offer for LDN readers: Get 60 days free for The Week in Polls There has been a big migration of Liberal Democrats ... (more) |