16-17 May 2020: the weekend’s press releases

Lib Dems: Covid-19 mental health implications a ticking time bomb Lib Dems call for permanent remote voting option for MPs Govt must be transparent if they want public support for reopening schools Davey: Govt approach to tracing ‘totally inadequate’ Lib Dems: Govt putting ideology above people’s lives in refusing to extend Brexit talks Govt must […]

Ten years of living with the Black Dog

Embed from Getty Images My first encounter with what I call the black dog was in the early months of 2010, not long after I went off work the previous autumn. I initially rebuffed my GP’s offer of antidepressants. That was partly because of a misplaced idea that it would be an admission of weakness […]

Civil Liberties and the NHS App

The NHS has launched a tracing App for trialling in the Isle of Wight. How does it measure up against the civil liberties checklist that I authored on Lib Dem Voice on 15th April, along with some excellent additions within the comments? First, the positives: I urged that opting in should be voluntary. It is. […]

We must revive Britain’s history of bold policy

Coronavirus has blown open many of the issues contemporary society faces as a whole. The UK Government has acted radically in the last few weeks. The furlough scheme has guaranteed many workers pay, and a huge effort has provided support for charities and businesses. Yet many have been left behind. Those laid off have joined […]

Public scrutiny of lockdown exit strategy

The Government must publish its “exit strategy” for easing the “lock down” for public scrutiny to avoid repeating past mistakes and ensure that when the time comes it is ready and it does not overlook anything or anyone. For example as a former Director of Social Services and Non-Executive Director of an NHS Trust it […]