15 Most Recent Stories From British Liberal Democrat News

Thu 11th Mar 2010:

Social care commitment needed from Labour and Tories says Lamb.

Commenting following today’s cross party Age UK, at which the health spokespeople of the three main parties met to discuss the reform of social care, Norman Lamb said:   “It’s clear from today’s social care summit that voters want politicians to come together and solve one of the biggest social challenges facing our country.   “We need long-term solutions to this problem so that older people are treated with the respect they deserve. We cannot continue with the current system where people have to sell their homes to pay for care and the quality of care on offer is not up to scratch.   “There was broad agreement that solving the crisis in social care is going to require a partnership between the state and individuals and if the other parties are willing then there is no reason why the current differences in opinion should be insurmountable.   “Liberal Democrats want to put an end to the political bickering. We are willing to work with the other parties to solve this problem once and for all. There should be no preconditions and we are open to all ideas that seek a solution that will be fair, affordable and sustainable.   “Rather than shouting at each other let’s have a commitment from all three parties to start finding a solution now.”

Brown reveals police assault figures.

Liberal Democrat Justice Spokesperson Robert Brown MSP has revealed that there was a 10% increase in the number of police officers assaulted between 2007/08 and 2008/09 in Scotland

Mcarthur: Governemnt must explain about Hunterston.

Commenting as the Scottish Government set out their plans to reduce carbon emissions,Liberal Democrat MSP for Orkney, Liam McArthur said that Carbon Capture and storage offers a great opportunity for Scotland but the Government must explain its approach to coal-fired power station at Hunterston

Wed 10th Mar 2010:

We must rebalance our foreign policy that is over-reliant on the US.

Nick Clegg said:   “Gordon Brown and David Cameron want to pretend that foreign policy is not an issue at the General Election. Gordon Brown doesn’t want to remind voters of the disastrous decision to go to war in Iraq. David Cameron doesn’t want to remind voters that he is friendless in Europe.   “The real truth is that the future of British foreign policy is as much in the balance as the future of our economy, or the future of our political system.   “This election is an opportunity to turn the page on the Labour-Conservative consensus on foreign policy which has been in place since the Suez crisis: one of following what the White House wants rather than leadership in Europe and the world.   “Of course our relationship with the US is of immense importance, but that should not mean that Britain unquestionably does what America wants when it is not in our interests to do so. On Iraq, on Russia, on the Middle East, on the interrogation of torture suspects and many other issues our strategic interests have differed.   “Baroness Manningham-Buller’s admission that the US kept our security forces in the dark about unacceptable interrogation techniques only confirms the impression of an unbalanced and unequal relationship.   “That is why, in the same way we must rebalance an economy that is over-reliant on bankers, we must rebalance foreign policy that is over-reliant on the White House. It is time to repatriate British foreign policy by standing tall in our European backyard and pursuing a policy of partnership – not followership – with our friends in the US.   “At this General Election only the Liberal Democrats realise what is at stake and are prepared to spell out what a different foreign policy would look like.”

Liberal Democrats launch policy for young people.

Launching the paper at The Salmon Youth Centre in Bermondsey, the policy outlined how the Liberal Democrats will ensure that all young people have better access to after-school facilities, comprehensive support and training for those entering the workplace and legislation in place to stamp out homophobic bullying. The paper includes proposals to: Introduce a new ‘Paid Internship’ scheme allowing 800,000 young people to receive a ‘Training Allowance’ of £55 a week for up to 3 months Support schools, colleges and apprenticeship schemes to promote opportunities for disabled children and young people Immediately remove young people under 16 from the National DNA Database unless they have committed a sexual or violent offence Ensure that all schools include ways to tackle homophobic bullying and at least one teacher in every school has sufficient training to do so Cut back on bureaucracy and red tape so youth organisations are free to be creative and flexible Commenting, Lynne Featherstone said: “It is clear that Labour will continue to fail our young people and the Conservatives will ignore them completely. “While youth organisations are left to do their vital work on a shoestring, greedy bankers are bailed out by the taxpayer and flaunt their bonuses while we watch every penny. “Our young people will inherit an economy where it is tougher then ever to enter the work place. “It is high time that realistic measures are put in place to support the future workforce from mass unemployment and crippling debt. “Only the Liberal Democrats will give young people and those who work with them the chance for a real future.”

Brown is leading with a weak hand says Cable.

Responding to the Prime Minister’s economic speech this morning and the announcement of the Budget date, Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor, Vince Cable said: “Gordon Brown’s speech shows he is leading with a weak hand. “It’s very difficult to see how the man who claimed to have abolished boom and bust can campaign on his stewardship of the economy after the greatest bust for decades. “The only reason he is, of course, is because the Conservatives are even worse. The only consistent thing about their economic policy is that they have been consistently wrong. “The Budget must clearly spell out where Labour intend to make spending cuts in order to tackle the budget deficit.  All we have seen from the Prime Minister today is more waffle. “Gordon Brown admits that there are bumps in the road ahead.  The public know that and expect all parties to follow the Liberal Democrat lead and tell them where the bumps are and how we will be navigating our way over and around them.”

Half of schools not good enough says Laws.

Commenting on today’s Ofsted figures, which show that half the schools they inspected last term were considered to be no better than ‘satisfactory’, David Laws said: “Labour has had 13 years to get a grip on education, but thousands of children still attend schools which are not considered to be providing good standards.   “In spite of the controversy about whether these figures can be compared with earlier years, the bottom line is that half of schools inspected were not good enough.   “We need more well-led and properly funded schools if we are to address the disadvantages faced by so many young people in Britain.”

Brown: Never any justification for domestic abuse.

Robert Brown MSP says there is never any excuse for domestic abuse as Strathclyde police made 2000 arrests during a two-month crackdown on domestic violence

Brown: Reoffending figures appallingly high.

Robert Brown MSP says that the rates of reoffending are appallingly high

Purvis: Veterans must be given same care as in England.

The Scottish government has announced that it will give £80,000 to fund veteran’s projects, Convenor of the Cross-Party Group on Supporting Veterans in Scotland,Jeremy Purvis MSP said the Scottish Government must make sure there is not a gap in support north or south of the border.

SNP must respond to depressing teeth figures - Finnie.

Liberal Democrat Health spokesperson Ross Finnie MSP has revealed that almost a quarter of men and over a third of women over 55 are estimated to have no natural teeth

Smith: Raising attainment must be motivation for change.

Commenting on Conservative calls for 'radical change' in Scotland's education system, Education spokesperson Margaret Smith said Scotland's future is not worth change for change's sake.

Untitled.

Tue 9th Mar 2010:

Cameron in complete disarray over NI deal says Carmichael.

Commenting after a vote at the Northern Ireland Assembly, Alistair Carmichael said: “It’s time for David Cameron to come clean about the position of his new alliance on policing and justice. “With the UUP saying one thing, and the Tories saying the complete opposite, voters will struggle to understand what exactly joint Tory/UUP candidates stand for. “What we’re seeing is the Tories in complete disarray. When it takes George Bush to step in as the voice of reason, it’s clear that David Cameron has dug himself a very big hole. “This raises serious questions about David Cameron’s judgement. If he can’t manage to steer a straight course in opposition, how on earth would he cope as Prime Minister?”

Lord Taverne requests House of Lords investigate Ashcroft.

The Honours Scrutiny Committee withdrew its objections to Lord Ashcroft becoming a peer on the basis of his clear undertaking that he would “take up permanent residence in the United Kingdom again before the end of the calendar year”.   Commenting, Lord Taverne said:   “If Lord Ashcroft’s undertaking was broken, or significantly changed without the House of Lords being informed, that would be a serious breach of the Code of Conduct.   “Lord Ashcroft does not appear to have been straight with the Lords. This directly contravenes the principles of standards in public life and therefore raises the question of his suitability for public office.   “Transparency and honour are vital to maintain the standing and good name of the House of Lords. The opaque and secretive nature of Lord Ashcroft’s behaviour risks bringing the House of Lords into disrepute.”

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