15 Most Recent Stories From British Liberal Democrat News

Fri 30th Jul 2010:

Dovesdale goes against Scottish Government's own zero waste plan.

Jim Hume, Liberal Democrat MSP for the South of Scotland, has stated that he believes the Dovesdale incinerator goes against the Scottish Government’s own Zero Waste Plan and is seeking answers from Ministers on the issue.

McArthur attacks ferry cuts options.

Orkney MSP, Liam McArthur said that the options put to islanders about proposed ferry cuts were unattractive and accused the Government of failing to recognise the lifeline nature of the ferry services.

We must consider if Trident can be justified – Campbell.

Sir Menzies Campbell said: “This confirmation of what had already been predicted makes it essential that the case for like-for-like replacement of Trident should, as the Liberal Democrats have agreed, be part of the Strategic Defence Review.”

Thu 29th Jul 2010:

We need more trains and fewer planes - Jo Swinson.

Jo Swinson signed the 10:10 pledge to cut her carbon emissions by 10% by the end of 2010. To achieve this, Jo has switched from air travel to train travel for her regular journeys between East Dunbartonshire and Westminster.

Support the BBC, says Jo Swinson.

Jo Swinson MP has called on Culture Minister Jeremy Hunt to help the BBC remain strong and independent. Jo praised the BBC for providing high quality programming and news coverage which is “free of the influence of commerce, or indeed Rupert Murdoch.”

Liberal Democrat MSP for Central Scotland Hugh O’Donnell Prepares to go to Uganda to volunteer in VSO’s new Scottish Parliamentarian Volunteering Scheme.

Hugh O’Donnell, Liberal Democrat MSP for Central Scotland next week becomes the first MSP to volunteer in VSO’s new Scottish Parliament Volunteering Scheme. Mr O’Donnell will spend ten days helping the National Union of Disabled Persons of Uganda (NUDIPU) which lobbies for the rights of people with disabilities

Lib Dem response to independent budget review: Public needs to know Government's intentions.

Finance spokesperson Jeremy Purvis welcomes the independent budget review's report, and its clear call that the Scottish Government now needs to take seriously the task of shaping the choices it will make to reduce the Scottish Budget

Lib Dem claims SNP Government support for Highland food and drink industry “Derisory and insulting”.

Highland Liberal Democrat candidate Alan MacRae has condemned the new financial support the Scottish Government has awarded the food and drink industry in the Highlands as “paltry”.

Give workers freedom to choose retirement date, says Minister.

Commenting, Ed Davey said: “With more and more people wanting to extend their working lives we should not stop them just because they have reached a particular age. We want to give individuals greater choice and are moving swiftly to end discrimination of this kind. “Older workers bring with them a wealth of talent and experience as employees and entrepreneurs. They have a vital contribution to make to our economic recovery and long-term prosperity.”

Wed 28th Jul 2010:

Government should improve their freedom of information record.

Jeremy Purvis says the Scottish Government needs to improve its own very poor record on providing quality information to Freedom of Information requests.

Case for Islands fuel duty derogation 'compelling'.

Orkney and Shetland MP Alistair Carmichael has reiterated the commitment of the Coalition Government to cutting fuel prices in rural areas after Treasury Minister Danny Alexander announced that he expected that pilot schemes to help reduce costs will be brought forward within months.

ASBOs are a failed policy, says Brake.

Commenting on today’s speech by the Home Secretary in which she said  it was ‘time to move beyond’ Anti Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs), Co-Chair of the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Committee for Home Affairs and Justice, Tom Brake said: “The Home Secretary has listened to Liberal Democrat concerns.  “With more than half of ASBOs breached in 2008, this was a policy more about posturing than effective policing.  Local communities know that other measures, such as Acceptable Behaviour Contracts can nip problems in the bud before they escalate.  “Resorting to ASBOs was a sign of failure.”

Labour opposition to AV exposes staggering hypocrisy, says Hughes.

Commenting on Labour's decision to oppose legislation for a referendum on the alternative vote, which was a commitment in their manifesto, Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader, Simon Hughes said: “This is staggering hypocrisy from Labour. “Labour's shadow cabinet decision is not about principle, it is about naked opportunism. “With most of their leadership contenders claiming to back AV for a fairer voting system, it is astonishing they now wish to block the legislation to make that happen. “Each and every Labour MP campaigned on a manifesto committing to a referendum. Now they have the opportunity to make this happen but have chosen to say no for opposition's sake. “Labour can no longer claim to be the party of reform. It is now the party of vested interests and shameless self-interest.”

Tue 27th Jul 2010:

Evidence released shows Labour neglected Armed Forces, says Tim Farron.

The documents show that Labour ministers were formally warned that the military needed an alternative to the Snatch Land Rover in Iraq and Afghanistan. In a reaction to the revelations, Tim Farron said:   “This is yet another damning sign that the Labour Government ignored advice from its top military officials on their equipment needs. “As we long suspected, generals told ministers that they needed better equipment to protect their troops and to prevent more casualties. For years the Army had to make do with adding extra protection to their existing, unsuitable vehicles. “This is unacceptable in any situation and led to unnecessary casualties. I look forward to working with my Coalition colleagues to put these kind of indefensible practices behind us by making sure our brave soldiers are properly equipped.” To read the full document, please visit the Iraq Inquiry's website.

Coalition sets out ambitious climate change policies.

Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Chris Huhne today set out ambitious plans to tackle climate change and give the UK the secure, low carbon energy it needs. In his first Annual Energy Statement to the House of Commons, Chris Huhne laid out "a clear strategy for creating the 21st century energy system that this country urgently needs for an affordable, secure, low-carbon future." This included a series of measures to improve energy efficiency and boost renewables, protect vulnerable consumers, as well as pledging to push for ambitious action on climate change at home and abroad. Commenting, Chris Huhne said: “The coalition brings resolve and stability to energy and climate change policy.  Today’s Annual Energy Statement sets out 32 important actions, the beginnings of our efforts to introduce the transparency, certainty and long-termism needed by investors.  “Our future energy system is too important to rely on crystal ball gazing.  The 2050 Calculator provides the most comprehensive, long term analysis ever undertaken by Government.  The decision to publish this material is a watershed in government’s honesty with the public about what’s needed in the long term.  It will guide the decisions we make during this Parliament about the energy system we want in 40 years’ time.  “The challenge is ambitious but achievable.  We’re already on track to cut the UK’s emissions by 34% by 2020, and will do more if we can win the case for greater ambition across the whole EU.  But our line of sight needs to extend much further, through to the middle of the century. “The era of cheap, abundant energy is over, we must find smart ways of making the energy we use go further, and value it for the costly resource it is, not taking it for granted.  And even as we reduce overall demand for energy, we may need to meet a near doubling in demand for electricity, as we shift industry, transport and heating onto the grid. “There are big choices and big trade offs in how we do this.  The six pathways described today are only illustrative, but they highlight the scale and urgency of the task. “Choosing the high carbon alternative would be high risk.  It would lock in exposure to volatile oil prices, declining global reserves and rapidly increasing global energy demand.  We’d risk having a dead end economy lagging behind those with the foresight to grab a share of growth in green industries.” Co-Chair of the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Committee for Energy and Climate Change, Andrew George added: “Climate change is the greatest threat we face as a society and a planet. I am proud that Liberal Democrats in Government are taking this seriously and proposing radical steps to tackle it. “The Coalition has today set out the most ambitious programme to create a secure, low carbon economy of any British Government in history. “It is vital that as we tackle these issues we protect the most vulnerable consumers, which is why rolling out measures like home insulation and smart meters is so important.”

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