I was born in the same year as Donald Trump and Dolly Parton. No problems deciding which is one of my favourite Americans! Actually I was born on exactly the same day as the late Freddie Mercury (infinitely more Dolly than Donald). Do the sums and you will realise that I was surprised to find […]
The Late Late Toy Show – an Irish institution
This Friday, Christmas in Ireland will officially begin. The institution that is The Late Late Toy Show will be aired live on RTE One and internationally on the RTE Player. It is the job of the Irish emigrant to explain to her non-Irish friends exactly what the appeal of The Toy Show is. Why do […]
LISTEN: Ed Davey on Any Questions
Ed Davey was on Any Questions last night. The other panelists were Kim Darroch, the UK’s Ambassador to the US until last year, Diane Abbott and Prisons minister Lucy Frazer The first question was on the various comings and goings at No 10. Ed pointed out how awful it was that in the middle of […]
2 November 2020 – today’s press releases
Four nations meeting welcome “first step” – Liberal Democrats Government urged to “lead by example” and restore hybrid Parliament Four nations meeting welcome “first step” – Liberal Democrats Responding to news that the four Governments of the UK have met to develop a UK-wide approach to restrictions for the festive period, Leader of the Liberal […]
Why hygiene, testing and shielding are better than lockdown and furlough
We need the current argument between Westminster and Manchester on the best strategy to tackle coronavirus. The issues involved need wider informed debate than has so far been allowed. Both government and science should accept challenge, and refine policy accordingly. We are told that policy is science-led and evidence-based. But extensive use continues to be […]
Reflections on World Mental Health Day
Back in 2007, when Nick Clegg made mental health the focus of his first major speech as Lib Dem Leader, it was pretty groundbreaking. And we walked the walk as well as talked the talk. Arguably the most successful part of our time in coalition was Norman Lamb’s work as mental health minister. Not only […]
Munira Wilson gets another PMQ – and calls for removal of “draconian” Coronavirus law
Some MPs never get to ask the Prime Minister a question at the most hotly contested parliamentary event of any week. Munira Wilson has been an MP for just 9 months, and has had two opportunities in the path month to ask a question at PMQs. This week she asked him to work cross-party to […]
25 September 2020 – conference day 1 press releases
Ed Davey opens Liberal Democrat conference Failure on test and trace is putting public health at risk Liberal Democrats back proposals for “world class” mental health support for health and care staff Liberal Democrats urge Government to tackle spread of fake news Time to campaign for Universal Basic Income has come, Liberal Democrats declare Ed […]
LibLink: Vince Cable Disbanding Public Health England is the last thing the Government should be doing right now
Writing in the Independent this week, Vince Cable condemned the Government’s decision to shut down Public Health England. He suggested that it was the scapegoat for the Government’s policy failings before setting out why it is such a bad idea: Aside from practical questions about who is to deal with other public health issues like […]
Exam Results and Gradings
Students and teachers are often disappointed with some or all of their grades, and this will always be so. Don’t let us be consoled by this and dismiss the anxiety over grades as a temporary, COVID driven problem requiring only an immediate, pragmatic solution. I was for several years in the early 2000s, a senior […]