Archive for Liberal Democrats
9 March, 2008 at 9:21 pm
· Filed under Campaigns, Church & faith, Liberal Democrats ·Tagged beliefs, conference, Labour, Liberal Democrats, Nick Clegg, policies, politics
Sometimes party conference is an escape into a feelgood cocoon, where everyone is a Lib Dem, and politics is about discussing ideas in the warm not pounding the streets in the rain. Politics is a tough old game and you need that comforting fix, that gathering of the clans, to give you the boost to keep going. Sometimes it’s too much, literally stifling and you have to get out to get some fresh air. Today was different. The blast of fresh air from the real world came into the conference hall, courtesy of the leader. Yes, Nick Clegg rightly attacked the other parties. Did you know that the Labour government pillaged funds for fighting child poverty to cut inheritance tax for the 6% richest? Or that the Government that used to talk about an ethical foreign policy sells arms to 19 of the 20 countries it’s identified as the worst human rights’ abusers?
But he also attacked our own complacency. We’re rightly proud to be the greenest party (greener even than the Greens); but only 1 in 14 people agree with us that climate change is a pressing problem. Nick struck a chord with me when he said we’ve got to do more than simply say “I told you so” when the tipping point comes. And that means really getting out and listening to people not simply doing a PR pose. Labour’s ‘big conversation’ was an invitation-only stunt, listening to hand-picked fans. The Conservatives are listening to all sorts of people, but doing little in response. Nick’s been out listening for real, no cameras, no agenda. A couple of months ago, I went for a mid-week meal with my parents, on the edge of London. That same night Nick Clegg was doing a listening meeting at my old school down the road. I only found out when Nick came to Islington the next week and mentioned it in passing. “You should have said, I could have been there” I said. “But that’s not the point,” said Nick. He’s right.
For all the talk about personalised services, both Government and business are getting further away from people. There are straws in the wind; the BBC ‘White’ season; the fight for our post offices; the revolt against overseas call centres; anger over MPs expenses, Heathrow expansion, battery hens, and more. Even the FA Cup is showing the backlash of the underdogs. When I lost my council seat back in 2006 it hurt like hell, but that didn’t matter; it wasn’t about me. Islington residents didn’t want a Labour council - they’d only just got rid of generations of a dreadful Labour council - but they wanted the Lib Dems to listen. Rival politicians still snigger about election losses; but the residents I talk to don’t care about all that. They want politicians who take time to listen and who remember why they are there. We must never be too busy putting our policies into practice to stop and listen to the people we serve. And we must never simply be there to prop up the Government of the day rather than put our constituents first.
After his election as leader, Nick admitted that he didn’t believe in God. One of my humanist friends at conference teased me yesterday, asking if I thought God believed in Nick Clegg? One of the things that troubles me as a Christian in politics is that so much of what politics plays on hate and fear. People don’t actually like the Orwellian minutes of hate that passes for political debate these days. Private Eye rightly mocks the overuse of the word ’solutions’ but solutions are what we need. Last year I blogged about what I wanted in a leader. Someone who likes people, who sees people as the solution, not the problem. Nick may not be a believer, but his speech today was full of the values that make me both Christian and liberal.
He talked about beliefs, about striving to do what’s right, about second and third chances, about optimism and empowerment, about sincerity and hope. I’m certain God does believe in Nick Clegg. And so do I.
Permalink
24 February, 2008 at 10:34 pm
· Filed under Campaigns, Family & friends, Liberal Democrats ·Tagged by-elections, football, Highgate, Lynne Featherstone, Rachel Allison
Another by-election campaign is underway, this time in Highgate ward. So this morning saw me heading up the Holloway Road on the 43 to meet the Highgate team at Jacksons Lane community centre. It’s an appropriate rendez-vous, because the future of the community centre is one of the key issues in the by-election.
Jacksons Lane is a converted church, and as busy as many churches this Sunday - with salsa and belly dancing classes, a children’s play and an evening theatre session on offer. Last year a tree fell and damaged the roof and thousands of pounds have been spent on repairs; so it’s particularly short-sighted of Labour-led Haringey Council to be non-committal about future funding of the centre. This may explain why Labour have come fourth or even fifth in Highgate ward of late.
The weather was sunny and so was our mood. The Lib Dem candidate, Rachel Allison, is charming, energetic and cares passionately about her area, pointing out key local issues - from shortage of parking for patients at the 15-doctor GP surgery to over-development of the conservation area - and greeting lots of residents by name; she’ll make an excellent councillor for Highgate, and I hope she gets in. Certainly the voters I canvassed, in a typical London mix of big houses and small flats, were all very supportive.
One woman I met was an academic studying women in politics, and voting for Rachel; and she’s also a big fan of Highgate’s Lib Dem MP Lynne Featherstone. We also chatted about Hillary Clinton’s prospects. I aired my theory that having seen the achievements of Madeleine Albright, Condi Rice and Nancy Pelosi, maybe the US just doesn’t see having a woman President as the big breakthrough it would have been a cycle ago? Not so, said my contact: they just don’t like Hillary.
As an armchair Arsenal fan, watching a Carling Cup final between Chelsea and Spurs was never going to be a priority for me; but Highgate is full of Spurs fans (Rachel’s husband and son were already at Wembley) so canvassing was off for the afternoon. I headed to the West End bar where Richard was watching the match. It was an exciting finish with a winning goal in extra time, and good natured despite several yellow cards; nothing like yesterday’s horrific foul against Eduardo. It’s deeply weird being surrounded by cheering Spurs fans - even the evening rain didn’t dampen their spirits - but at least it’s a good omen for Rachel.
Permalink
19 February, 2008 at 9:15 am
· Filed under Liberal Democrats, Movies & media ·Tagged Ed Davey, EU, Lisbon Treaty, politics, referendum, Today
Maybe I was only half-awake but I felt a bit frustrated by Ed Davey’s comments on the Today programme this morning re the Lisbon Treaty debate. Normally Ed is excellent at getting the key message out of any story. This morning he was up against a Labour Euro-sceptic backbencher and managed to sound as if he was defending not only the Treaty - Ed made good points on fighting terrorism, crime and pollution - but also the Government’s handling of it.
In the same way that all quiz questions are easy when you’re at home yelling at the TV, I found myself thinking of my ideal response.
There are things in the Treaty that are in Britain’s best interests, so we are voting for them
However there should be proper debate; this arrogant government won’t even listen to its own backbench MPs
In fact we need a real debate on the real issue: Europe in or out, and let the people not just MPs have their say. Is the Government listening? Don’t hold your breath.
Permalink
16 January, 2008 at 5:21 pm
· Filed under Liberal Democrats ·Tagged Bath, Don Foster, MPs, politics
A great website to track what MPs are up to is www.theyworkforyou.com. It gives you lots of search functions, including by topic. According to the site, “Popular searches today: Don Foster, portable antiquities”
Don, first elected as MP for Bath in 1992, may be a veteran. But I wouldn’t call him an antique.
Permalink
16 January, 2008 at 2:15 pm
· Filed under Campaigns, Consumer, Liberal Democrats ·Tagged finance, Labour, Northern Rock, tax, Treasury, Vince Cable
The Northern Rock saga drags on. It’s one of those stories which dropped from the headlines but is far from solved. Vince Cable and the Lib Dems have been alone in making the case for nationalising Northern Rock, not to run it permanently, but to limit taxpayer losses and get the bank in shape for a new owner. It would also be the best chance to support Northern Rock employees and charitable projects in the North East.
In November, the taxpayer subsidy was reckoned to be £900 each, a huge sum in the circumstances. I even did a photo posing with a giant £900 sign to make the point. Sadly my photo is already out of date.
The BBC reports that Northern Rock has been given about £26bn of Bank of England emergency loans, but with government guarantees to savers and other lenders, the total aid package underwritten by the taxpayer comes to more than double that. So the individual taxpayer bill is now at least £1500.
The Government may talk about tackling inflation but this is one price rise that’s out of control.
Worse still, we don’t exactly how much has been lent, if we’ll get it all back, and if the bank will pay interest. If only my bank manager took the same generous approach to my personal liquidity crises….
Back in December, Labour MPs voted through a motion which “notes the Chancellor’s assurance that he will keep the House fully informed of further developments with regard to Northern Rock.” But now all the Treasury will say is “the terms and conditions of the facilities are confidential.”
Nationalising Northern Rock is finally on the Government agenda, although probably too late to get back all the public money lost.
Am I wrong to see a message in today’s TV schedules: ‘Deal or No Deal’, ‘Mission Impossible’ and ‘Move over Darling’?
Permalink
9 January, 2008 at 1:37 pm
· Filed under Campaigns, Consumer, Liberal Democrats ·Tagged bills, Clegg, energy, fuel poverty, Islington, Labour, Npower, politics
Nick Clegg has used his first Question Time to highlight the impact of rising energy prices on the poorest families and pensioners across Britain. He asked the Prime Minister ”With 25,000 people predicted to die this winter alone from the cold, I think we need a more specific commitment from the prime minister. Will he agree today to take action to stop the energy companies from hitting the poorest families with higher bills on pre-paid meters, so we can end the scandal of the poorest families paying the most for their energy needs?”
Last year Energywatch reported that energy companies are charging prepayment meter users an average of £195 extra each year for their gas and electricity compared to the best available deals. In the worst case, Npower, the gap between prepayment customers and internet customers in some parts of Britain is £304. Now we are told London gas users will have to pay around £45 more for gas a year than some other regions.
Many Islington families depend on pre-paid meters. So I too hope that the Government can come up with some action to protect them. As a minimum, the prepay meter price should be equalised with the standard quarterly rate.
Permalink
28 November, 2007 at 11:31 pm
· Filed under Campaigns, Liberal Democrats ·Tagged Gordon Brown, Islington, James Graham, Labour, London Underground, petitions, pizza, politics, Vince Cable
Tonight was Islington Lib Dems’ Pizza & Politics; this month our guest speaker was James Graham, the leading Lib Dem blogger. James talked about blogging, the leadership election and the challenges facing the party over the next few months. The pizza inspired a culinary motif, with James floating the idea of ‘slow politics’ (as in ‘slow food’) where we spend more time developing and involving people in campaigns. But he also praised Vince Cable’s skill as acting Leader, which has shown the best kind of opportunism in reacting to the news of the day. And we also touched on speeding up the stodgy policy-making process. So faster politics has its fans too.
Normally we talk about a specific policy area – affordable housing or access to higher education – so this was a change; people seemed to enjoy it as the pizza eating and discussion went on long after the usual finish time. Plus James works in Islington and has agreed to take a daytime delivery route; now that’s what I call a successful evening.
Before the pizza, we went out petitioning in Caledonian ward, collecting signatures on our latest petition. Since the collapse of Metronet, there’s a real risk that the cost of the failed PPP will fall on the tube users who were supposed to benefit. Hence the petition slogan ‘Don’t let the PPP (Public Private Partnership) become Passengers Pay the Penalty’. The PPP is another policy with Gordon Brown’s fingerprints all over it.
Caledonian is a Labour ward – in fact has always been apart from 2002-06 – so we were expecting to find at least some firm Labour voters. Not one. I think Brown’s strategists may yet regret not having that 07 general election.
Permalink
22 November, 2007 at 11:53 pm
· Filed under Liberal Democrats, Movies & media ·Tagged politics, Question Time, Scotland
It’s Question Time from Glasgow. As you would expect from a loyal Lib Dem, I’m agreeing with David Steel more than David Aaronovitch. Or any of Annabel Goldie, Nicola Sturgeon or Wendy Alexander. David Steel pointed out that all democracies are under attack from terrorism but none has a detention time without charge as long as the UK’s 28 days. So why does the Government want to extend it? If we give up our freedoms, we give in to the terrorists’ agenda.
In the spirit of pluralism, credit to Labour journo David Aaronovitch for pointing out that the Clegg/Huhne row was about policy, which is what political debate should be about. And to Annabel Goldie for pointing out that in the controversy over public over funding to Scotland, the facts are being misrepresented by the English media; perhaps she should have a word with her Tory colleagues south of the border.
The most applauase went to the chap in the audience who pointed out that at least the next Lib Dem leader will have been elected - unlike Gordon Brown.
Permalink
19 November, 2007 at 2:01 pm
· Filed under Campaigns, Liberal Democrats ·Tagged army, Maya Evans, peaceful protest, politics, Remembrance, Vince Cable, war dead
Earlier I mentioned Vince Cable’s excellent performance on the Today programme. Now in today’s post comes a letter from a local member, commenting favourably on Vince’s performance at Prime Minister’s Question Time.
PMQs now open with naming the latest war dead. As an ex-serviceman, my correspondent goes on to say “Sending condolences to the family of soldiers killed in action is not necessary. Providing medical assistance for our disabled ex-servicemen is needed – NOW.” Like many in the WWII armed forces, he voted Labour in 1945 “as it was hoped that Labour would put the medical needs of the disabled ex-servicemen at the top of the agenda. It was not so…” Plus ça change.
Gordon Brown is happy to read the names of the dead; less happy to meet the needs of the living. As the wind and rain blow away the Remembrance wreaths, and public attention moves on from poppies to tinsel, we should not forget the covenant that applies all year round.
At least MPs are free to name the dead. When Maya Evans did the same, she was arrested. What kind of country is it, that sends some of its citizens to die abroad, then punishes others for marking the fact at home?
No wonder my correspondent – proud of his army record - is now voting Liberal Democrat.
Permalink
13 November, 2007 at 8:51 am
· Filed under Campaigns, Consumer, Liberal Democrats ·Tagged Europe, Islington, Labour, Lib Dems, parking, referendum, tax, Tories
It’s only Tuesday morning but this week we’ve already had both the Lib Dems and the Conservatives proposing referendums (*or referenda), on Europe and Council Tax respectively.
The Lib Dems have been characterised as uncritically pro-Europe, and we’ve not always done much to challenge that. We should. I believe that countries working together to solve problems like climate change, terrorism, trafficking and pollution makes sense; I believe that the right response to globalisation and the power of multi-nationals is to have strong international institutions, not fragmentation; I believe that the EU has given its members peace and prosperity and I want to be part of that. But I’ve never had the chance to say so. I have dim memories of the last Euro referendum (I favoured the anti EU vote then solely on the basis that their ads were funnier) but as Vince Cable reminds us, those of us whose working lives are now affected by the EU have never had a vote on it. And we should. Let’s have a vote on the real question - do we think we are better off in the EU or not? And let all the parties be honest on their position. Of course, the Tories don’t have a united position on Europe. Which may of course may be part of the they rushed out their own refendum idea - on council tax.
As far as the Tories’ proposals for council tax go, to paraphrase Dr Johnson, their proposals are both original and good; but the bits that are good aren’t original, and those that are original aren’t any good. The idea of having a referendum on the level of council tax increase isn’t new. And like all the best Tory policies these days, it’s nicked from the Lib Dems. Where Lib Dem councils have had council tax referendums, they have shared the honest choice between modest increases plus service cuts with larger increases to raise investment in local services.
The difference in the Tory plans is firstly that the decision to hold a referendum - the ‘trigger’ point - will be set by the man in Whitehall. This means that a local election could be fought and won on the premise that an increase in spending in local services was needed, only for the Whitehall dictat to force a referendum on that same issue.
Secondly their referendum would not affect the council tax level which had triggered the referendum - but would force a rebate in the following year’s tax. That makes a nonsense of budget planning - councils would be tied into a council tax cut even before they know the level of Government grants, the demand for services or the local mood. One year the council puts up council tax to build a new old people’s home or swimming pool; the next it has to raise charges or reduce access to the same facility because of the forced rebate. It’s a recipe for increasing the kind of binge-budgeting - up the year after elections, down the year before them - which already gives council services roller-coaster financing.
What the Tories are failing to do is address the inherent unfairness of council tax. It’s not related to ability to pay, but on the (notional) value of your home. So you may face a bill you can’t afford calculated on the basis of an asset you cannot liquidate and may not even own. Unlike inheritance tax, council tax is a property tax that everyone pays, every year. And because it only raises at most a quarter of local council expenditure, you have to cut £4 from budgets for every £1 cut in council tax. Abolishing council tax, replacing it with a system based on ability to pay and raised via the existing income tax system would be fairer, simpler - and save a fortune on council tax collection, benefits - and rebates. Only the Lib Dems are promising to axe council tax.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m not opposed to referendums or to rebates. Here in Islington, the Lib Dem council has given us both this year.I got a £20 rebate on my council tax because I pay by direct debit, saving the council time and costs (I took the option to give the £20 to Islington’s Climate Change fund, so no extra drinks, sorry). The Lib Dems have consistenly kept their pledge to keep council tax below the London average, so no need for a referendum on that. But we did get a referendum vote on whether the Council should switch the cost of residents’ onstreet parking permit from a £95 to a banded scheme based on CO2 emissions. All the parties on the Council (Lib Dem, Labour, and the lone Green) supported the permit change. But only the Lib Dems supported a referendum. Why? Having been elected on a pledge not to raise parking charges, the Lib Dems felt it was right to have a vote before breaking that pledge. Meanwhile our Labour MP showed her contempt for democracy by ripping up her ballot paper, and urging others to do the same; a misjudgement. Lib Dem trust in the people paid off; a majority in every ward for putting green taxes into action.That’s the right way to do referendums. A clear question on a basis of clear principle. No wonder Labour won’t support them.
Permalink
« Previous entries
