15 Most Recent Stories From British Liberal Democrat News

Wed 10th Mar 2010:

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

Nick Clegg will say:   “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.”

Export figures are deeply alarming says Cable.

Commenting on the news that UK exports took their biggest plunge in more than three years during January, Vince Cable said: “These are deeply alarming figures which suggest that British exporters simply haven’t been able to take advantage of the big devaluation which occurred in the last year. “They suggest that the long term decline and neglect of British manufacturing has taken its toll and that an awful lot more needs to be done to rebalance the economy to make it more competitive.   “It is wrong to suggest that the British economy can escape from this recession by just relying on exports. It just isn’t happening. “Exports are one modest part of the national economy. We need an economy that is strong and secure across the board – and the Liberal Democrats are committed to delivering that.”

Tory social care ‘poll tax’ will only help the wealthy says Lamb.

The figures, released ahead of tomorrow’s cross-party social care conference, undermine Conservative claims that their plans would enable older people to pass their homes on to their children as two thirds of pensioner households would have to sell or release equity from their homes to pay for the private insurance scheme. The figures reveal that: 63% of pensioner couple households (1.4m) do not have non-housing assets of £16,000 (cost of insurance to cover both pensioners) 71% of single female pensioner households (1.6m) do not have non-housing assets of £8,000 64% of single male pensioner households (600,000) do not have non-housing assets of £8,000 Commenting, Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary, Norman Lamb said:   “The reality is that Conservative social care plans are unworkable, unfair and unaffordable for the majority of pensioners in this country and do nothing to pay for the costs of care at home.  “This is basically a ‘poll tax’ and many people on modest means will be wondering how the Tories could think it’s fair that they should pay the same amount for care as multi-millionaires. “David Cameron needs to start being honest with older voters. Most couples don’t have a spare £16,000 to cover an insurance premium and it’s incredibly dishonest to say this will stop people from having to sell their homes to pay for care.  “The Tories need to explain how they’re going to get the numbers to add up on this plan especially as the private insurance market has failed to get people interested. Perhaps this is yet another example where the Tories need a little help when it comes to using a calculator. “Whoever wins the next election cannot avoid the fact that we’re facing a crisis in funding for care. What we need is a long-term solution which is both fair and affordable in the long-term.”

Support crossing plans – Bruce.

Gordon Lib Dem MP Malcolm Bruce has urged support for Aberdeen City Council’s plans for a third road crossing of the River Don.

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