Tue 29th Jul 2008:

Video: Nick Clegg's summer message.

Nick Clegg has recorded a summer message for Liberal Democrat members and supporters. In it he talks about the problems facing Labour, how the Liberal Democrats would help families with the rising cost of living, and the party's plans for the autumn. You can watch a subtitled version of the video on Overstream. 

Thu 17th Jul 2008:

Nick Clegg launches 'Make It Happen'.

Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg today launched the party’s Make it Happen document, which is a statement of the party’s vision and values. ‘Make it Happen’ sets out in clear language the party’s position on important issues such as the economy, taxation and the health service.You can read Make it Happen here.

Thu 7th Aug 2008:

Liberal Democrats outline youth crime proposals.

Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary, Chris Huhne, today accused both Labour and the Conservatives of ‘falling over each other to be tough on crime’ as he promoted his party’s new plans for stopping young people from committing crimes.The ideas outlined in the document A Life Away From Crime also highlight how to stop children who have been found guilty of minor offences from committing more serious crimes.The main proposals include: Making young people pay back the damage caused to communities without involving the criminal justice system The formation of a Youth Volunteer Force to engage young people in activities that benefit local people Running nationwide restorative justice programmes, with a particular emphasis on early intervention in schools and care homes Creating a dedicated PCSO youth officer in every area to work with teenagers most at risk of offending Targeting guns and knives through intelligence-led stop and search, hot-spot policing and action in schools Chris Huhne said:"If we want to tackle the problem of youth crime, we need to take action early to stop kids from embarking on a life of crime before it’s too late. "The old parties are falling over each other trying to be tough on crime, but nothing is being done do stop young people getting sucked in to a cycle of crime."Ministers know that programmes to divert kids away from crime work, and are even happy to promote such projects. However, they have failed to fund them properly in favour of punitive policies that grab headlines but achieve little."It is time for a new approach to youth justice which both prevents crime and confronts young people with their actions if they do break the law." To read the paper click here.

Wed 20th Aug 2008:

Government bureaucracy turning away childminders - Brooke.

Commenting on the news that the number of registered childminders has fallen by over 10% in four years, Liberal Democrat Shadow Children Spokesperson, Annette Brooke said: "The Government’s overly prescriptive and bureaucratic approach to pre-school care is causing childminders to turn away from the profession. "It is now becoming increasingly difficult for parents to find quality and affordable childcare. "Ministers must rethink the current system so that the new measures find the right balance between ensuring that children are cared for in a suitable environment, without placing unreasonable demands on childminders."

Benefits change penalises vulnerable pensioners - Barrett.

Commenting on reports that thousands of pensioners could miss out on hundreds of pounds worth of backdated benefits as a result of changes to the pension credit, council tax benefit and housing benefit systems, Liberal Democrat Work and Pensions Spokesperson, John Barrett said: "With these changes, the Government is giving with one hand and taking away with the other. "I cannot see any justification for the change in the backdating rules other than to save money for the Exchequer. The simple reality is that some of the most vulnerable pensioners will be missing out on hundreds, perhaps thousands of pounds as a result. "The Government should be focusing on increasing the benefits take-up rate rather than penalising pensioners who were either unaware of the help that is available, or unsure of how to apply."

New mortgage figures show housing market in freefall - Cable.

Commenting on today’s Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) announcement that mortgage lending in July 2008 was nearly a third lower than at the same time last year, Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor, Vince Cable said: "This is more evidence off a housing market in freefall. "As thousands of pounds are wiped off the value of homes each month, the only people selling are those who have no alternative. "Although painful, house prices must be allowed to return to more affordable levels following years of huge price rises on the back of unsustainable levels of personal debt. "The Government must act to ensure that we have no repeat of the Tory recession of the 1990s, when hundreds of thousands of families unable to pay their mortgages were thrown out of their houses."

Conservative policy is nothing but hopelessly vague ambitions - Clegg.

Commenting on George Osborne’s speech today, in which he attacks the Government for having let down poor families, Liberal Democrat Leader, Nick Clegg said: "George Osborne’s restaurant has a menu without prices. There is something for everyone, but no one has to pay. "What passes for Conservative policy is nothing but a series of hopelessly vague ambitions. They would rather repeatedly tell us that we are broken than say what they would do to fix things. The only genuine policy they have is a tax break for the richest 6% of people. "The Liberal Democrats know that to create a fairer society we need tax cuts for people on low and middle incomes, whilst high earners and those who damage the environment pay more. "It’s time for the Conservatives to realise that power must be earned not inherited and to start setting out some serious policies."

Leo Abse paved the way for greater equality - Featherstone.

Paying tribute to the late Leo Abse, former MP and gay rights champion, Liberal Democrat Youth and Equality Spokesperson, Lynne Featherstone said: "As a nation we should be grateful for his contribution as a Parliamentarian. He spearheaded some of the most momentous changes in legislation, paving the way for greater equality. "His successes in Parliament freed many from the shackles of paternalism and bigotry, allowing us some of the basic liberties we now take for granted."

Ticket scams will disappoint hundreds of fans - Foster.

Commenting on reports that many fans hoping to attend Reading Festival who bought tickets from unlicensed resellers have not been sent tickets, Liberal Democrat Shadow Culture, Media and Sport Secretary, Don Foster said: "It seems that music fans from across the country will be left hugely disappointed again this weekend as a result of these scams. "It’s quite disgraceful that ticket touts are getting away with conning people for successive music festivals. "The public needs to have confidence that the websites they’re purchasing from are legitimate and that will only happen when we have a proper code of conduct in place. "These latest reports must act as a wake-up call for the Government. We need ticket resellers to be licensed as part of a wider strategy for squeezing out these illegal practices."

Diabetes strategy worthless without obesity focus - Lamb.

Commenting on today’s Department of Health study into progress made since the publication of its diabetes plan for England five years ago, Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary, Norman Lamb said: "This report shows the NHS has taken a step in the right direction, but there is still a long way to go before people with diabetes are getting the help they need to manage their condition. "But what is most striking about the report is what it doesn’t say. Almost no mention is made of the big risk that, unless we effectively tackle obesity, the number of people suffering with diabetes will almost certainly increase. "A diabetes strategy will not be worth the paper it’s written on if a greater focus is not put on obesity. "The Government is spending an enormous amount on treating conditions caused by obesity and not nearly enough on prevention. It’s treating the symptom rather than the underlying causes. "We need to ensure that the message about the vital importance of a healthy lifestyle gets through to the public, especially to children and families."

Remove children from the DNA Database - Miller.

All children should be removed from the National DNA Database immediately unless they have committed a serious sexual or violent crime, according to new Liberal Democrat plans published today.The proposals would dramatically increase safeguards for all personal data in the wake of numerous Government and private sector data protection failures. The Liberal Democrats’ plans include: Strengthening the role of the Information Commissioner and doubling his budget Removing under 16s from the DNA database, except those convicted of a violent or sexual offence Properly informing citizens of opt-outs from government databases Introducing extensive civil penalties for serious breaches of data security Commenting, Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson Baroness (Sue) Miller said: “We’ve seen no end to this Government’s shambolic approach to data security. Discs lost in the post. Laptops lost on trains. Files left lying around. “The Government is collecting more and more information about us, but seems utterly incapable of keeping it safe. “Only the Liberal Democrats have comprehensive proposals to keep private information safe. We will ensure only essential data is stored and that proper systems are in place to prevent its loss or misuse.” To read the full document click here

Time to end GCSE 'dumbing down' debate - Brooke.

Commenting ahead of tomorrow’s release of GCSE results, Liberal Democrat Shadow Children Spokesperson, Annette Brooke said: "After 11 years of a Labour Government, most young people are still failing to achieve five good GCSEs including English and Maths. "If we are going to have a world class education system, we must do more to improve educational achievement in this country - especially among the most disadvantaged children. "Some children find themselves falling behind long before they even reach GCSE age. Spotting and tackling underachievement in the early years is vital. "It is time to put an end to the debate over whether exams are getting easier - it’s not fair on young people who have worked so hard and rightly want to celebrate. "A fully independent watchdog that can stand up to Government and act as a real guardian of standards, is the only way to put a stop to those claims that education is being ‘dumbed-down’."

Breaking up BAA monopoly long overdue - Baker.

Commenting on today’s Competition Commission report, which recommends that BAA sell two of its three London airports, Liberal Democrat Shadow Transport Secretary, Norman Baker said: "Today’s decision is a victory for UK air passengers who have put up with a second class service at what should be London’s first class airports. "The Liberal Democrats were the only party to call for the sale of two of the London airports. "Breaking up the BAA monopoly is a long overdue move to make aviation fairer to passengers. The next step is to end the hidden public subsidy to the aviation industry to make air travel fair to the environment as well."

Road pricing scheme could leave motorists paying twice over - Baker.

Commenting on Government proposals to introduce trial road pricing schemes, Liberal Democrat Shadow Transport Secretary, Norman Baker said: "There is a real danger that motorists will end up paying their road tax twice over if road pricing is introduced without scrapping Vehicle Excise Duty. "Motorway and trunk road pricing is the way forward but only if it replaces other taxes. Otherwise it will become another green tax that the Government has given a bad name to. Green taxes must not be stealth taxes. "Given the fiasco caused by ministers’ decision to hike up car tax retrospectively, motorists will have no confidence that the Government is trying to do anything other than squeeze more money out of them."

Absurd to financially penalise schools for poor results - Laws.

Commenting on reports that specialist schools failing to reach the Government’s GCSE pass rate benchmark could be stripped of additional funding, Liberal Democrat Shadow Children, Schools and Families Secretary, David Laws said: "It would be absurd for the Government to financially penalise schools with lower results. These schools are often the ones in the most challenging catchment areas. "There is a strong case for funding all schools at the specialist status level and then providing additional top-ups on the basis of deprivation."

Tory silence over harassment campaign unacceptable - Davey.

The Liberal Democrats today condemned David Cameron’s failure to probe the Watford Conservative Party following the local parliamentary candidate’s sustained campaign of harassment and criminal damage against his Liberal Democrat rivals. Liberal Democrat Chair of Campaigns and Communications, Edward Davey wrote to Mr Cameron to demand action following Ian Oakley’s guilty pleas on August 5, but the Tory leader has done nothing. In a second letter to Mr Cameron today, Edward Davey said: "I deeply regret that a fortnight later you have failed to act in this matter or to apologise for the severe distress that this disgraceful campaign has caused. "It is simply unacceptable for the Conservative Party to fail to address the very serious matters that have been raised as a result of this case. "I trust that you will now act to rectify this shameful situation with a due sense of urgency."

BAA should be forced to sell two London airports - Leech.

Commenting ahead of tomorrow’s Competition Commission preliminary report, which is expected to recommend a break-up of BAA’s near monopoly on London airports, Liberal Democrat Transport Spokesperson, John Leech said: "Passengers who experienced the Terminal 5 chaos will understand why Heathrow has been called a ‘national embarrassment’. "The Competition Commission has an opportunity to end this near monopoly and create a better experience for passengers. "BAA should be forced to sell two of its London airports. Passenger interests are too often being pushed aside for profits and high retail rents. The current situation is helping no-one."

Government must help those facing repossession - Cable.

Commenting on warnings from the British Chambers of Commerce that the UK could face recession in the next six to nine months, Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor, Vince Cable said: "Last week we had official statistics confirming that unemployment was rising. This week we have confirmation from the BCC that the reality is one of serious economic difficulties, with growing evidence of rising unemployment. "Rising unemployment is not just a disaster in itself. Since the mid 1990s, claimants have been unable to get help with mortgage payments until they’ve been unable to work for nine months. This means many of those out of work will face the threat of repossession. "The Government must intervene to stop mortgage lenders moving quickly through the courts to force people out of their homes. "The spectre of two million unemployed is worrying enough, but there is a hidden army of people who want to work but are not officially unemployed. Many have retired prematurely, are looking after children or acting as carers and are finding it increasingly difficult to get work."

NATO split between neo-Conservatives and realists - Davey.

Commenting on the outcome of talks between NATO foreign ministers on the crisis in Georgia, Liberal Democrat Shadow Foreign Secretary, Edward Davey said: "It’s clear that NATO ministers couldn’t agree, and that’s why their communiqu is so vague. "Britain seems, as always, to be following Washington’s line, but other countries seem more realistic about what is achievable. "There is a real danger that NATO becomes split between neo-conservative-inclined nations like Britain and the US, and more pragmatic countries like France and Germany. "The best way to stare down Russia is for NATO and the EU to remain united on everything from defence through to energy and trade. It’s a great shame that in this critical debate Britain’s voice is discounted as just a mere echo of Washington’s."

Cameron's posturing on Georgia simply not credible - Davey.

Commenting on reports that Conservative Leader David Cameron is travelling to Georgia following his calls for NATO to speed up it’s application for membership, Liberal Democrat Shadow Foreign Secretary, Edward Davey said: “David Cameron is right to criticise Russia but wrong to promise Georgia early NATO membership. “It is simply not credible for Britain and NATO to make confetti commitments to protect every nation with the lives of our service men and women.  When David Cameron matches his tough talk on expanding NATO more quickly with a pledge to double defence spending or introduce military conscription perhaps then we could take him seriously. “Posturing and photo opportunities are one thing, serious statesmanship when Britain’s armed forces are already overstretched is quite another.”  

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