Blog Archive
Alan Belmore leads the Ginger Revolution on Vice TV
Wed, 5 May 2010 - by Tom Johnson
The Uni-Q Young Leaders Debate, released today, shows the Liberal Youth Chair Alan Belmore battling with his Labour and Conservative counterparts on issues from the economy to immigration. But a new video by Vice TV shows where he's really in his element.
An Idea For A New Voting System
Fri, 30 April 2010 - by Niall Cruickshank
The voting system needs a change. First Past the Post (FPTP) only works when you are electing one candidate because you are voting for them alone; your vote is not split three ways (PM, party, candidate). In proposing a new system, I think a fairer system will be better, it can be argued that in the current electoral system there is no relation between votes cast and seats gained. Nick Clegg has constantly been referring to Labour getting a majority of seats when only 1/3 of people voted for them. I am no expert but I think something along my proposal will be fairer, but it will make the system more complicated.
UKIP must decide whether it's a party or a pressure group. Right now, it's neither
Tue, 27 April 2010 - by Tom Johnson
The UK Independence Party launched its election manifesto on the 13th of this month. If you missed it, and let's face it, you probably did, the manifesto contained a wide range of policies and pledges covering all the major election issues.
If those were Nick Clegg’s ‘skeletons in the closet’, he’s pretty clean
Fri, 23 April 2010 - by Rob Dale
The British have a ‘more insidious cross to bear’, because of their sense of moral superiority, than the Germans do in respect of Nazi guilt. This was according to what was actually a rather interesting and provocative article Nick Clegg wrote while an MEP back in 2002.
Young PPCs week 12: Adrian Ramsay
Mon, 19 April 2010 - by Adrian Ramsay
I said in my last post that there was a huge amount of work to be done between the time of writing and the General Election. Now, less than three weeks before polling day, I'm feeling very optimistic, because a huge amount of work has been done.
PMQs or Mudslinging?
Wed, 14 April 2010 - by Niall Cruickshank
A couple of weeks ago, I was watching Question Time, and Shirley Williams said something about PMQs which has become evidently true. She said that PMQs had become “Mudslinging”. I thought David Cameron said that he wanted an end to the Punch and Judy Show? Bruising encounters once in a while are not a bad thing, especially if the government has done something embarrassing, but when it’s close to an election, people expect answers to their questions.
Young PPCs week 11: Jamie Saddler
Mon, 12 April 2010 - by Jamie Saddler
“We’re undecided”. That’s the phrase I’m hearing more than any other on the doorstep as I go round the Wirral South constituency. Sure, there’s plenty of people telling me they’ll definitely vote Lib Dem, and a smattering of support for the other parties as well, but the overwhelming number of people I meet are genuinely unsure over which way they want to vote. Let down by Labour, and not convinced by Cameron, disillusioned over expenses, but fearful of the future, the votes of thousands of people in my constituency, and millions across the country are up for grabs in a way that hasn’t happened in my lifetime. People are prepared to listen, and open to persuasion. And that can only be a good thing for the Liberal Democrats and my campaign.
Why should the public take political advice from big business?
Thu, 8 April 2010 - by Rob Dale
Business leaders came out last week in support for the Tories promise to lessen tax rises on National Insurance. This was no doubt a bitter pill for Labour to swallow, as they have courted the business community and been its favoured party ever since Tony Blair took control in 1994. But just how important was this ‘victory’ for the Tories? Yes, those who promise goodies and tax cuts before an election usually go on to win, but are the British public really looking to take political advice from rich and powerful business leaders?
Young PPCs week 10: Nick Varley
Wed, 7 April 2010 - by Nick Varley
Good morning! It’s bright and early at 7:15 on Wednesday morning and I’ve got to admit I’m a bit tired. The General Election was called yesterday at 11am and I left the house ten minutes later, only to return from the Durham Conservative Office at 10:30 pm last night. And then I had to sort my e-mails out, and then write a speech.
Social Networking Sites: Should Users Be More Responsible For Their Own Safety?
Fri, 2 April 2010 - by Danielle Joseph
As social networking grows and becomes part of society’s daily activities, negative connotations are becoming far more apparent with news reports of crimes that involve social networking sites at some instance. As ‘users’ of these sites, should we retain responsibility for our safety?
Obama is healing US politics
Wed, 31 March 2010 - by Rob Dale
President Obama operates in an interesting way. For weeks he had been laying low, appearing not to do very much except make a few long speeches. His healthcare bill was looking in severe jeopardy and he was gradually being written off by friends and enemies as a weak, indecisive failure.
Young PPCs week 9: Emily Benn
Mon, 29 March 2010 - by Emily Benn
Time seems to be going more quickly than ever. I’ve spent the past 4 weeks in meetings, on visits and campaign sessions across East Worthing and Shoreham, getting the chance to talk to as many people as possible.
VoteMatch 2010 is here!
Mon, 29 March 2010 - by Tom Johnson
Still unsure who to vote for at the next election? Don’t know which party actually represents your views? Then check out Unlock Democracy and their fantastic quiz Vote Match.
The Pirate Party
Fri, 26 March 2010 - by Ewan Lindley
The PPUK, the Pirate Party of the UK, is part of a growing international movement inspired by the incredible successes of the original Pirate Party in Sweden, which has seen a dramatic growth of support and now holds two seats in the European Parliament. The PPUK, like its Swedish namesake, is a party dedicated to new and innovative policies designed to deal with what they see as the realities of the digital age.
Strikes are significant, but they won’t determine the election
Wed, 24 March 2010 - by Rob Dale
It’s looking pretty certain that the general election is indeed going to be held on May 6th. So the budget Alistair Darling ‘unveils’ this today is really a bit of a lame duck – despite claims that it won’t contain any ‘giveaways’, he can say pretty much whatever he likes as there’s very little chance he’s going to be walking back into the Treasury come May 7th.
Young PPCs week 8: Harry Aldridge
Mon, 22 March 2010 - by Harry Aldridge
I’ve just returned from the UK Independence Party Spring Conference in Milton Keynes where we officially launched our election campaign. Conferences are always a highlight and this short but sweet one-day event was no exception. Most of our 500 adopted candidates were present, and we are on course to field perhaps 550 in the coming election, more than we ever have before. The mood was certainly buoyant, aided by positive opinion poll ratings.
When education, education, education isn't necessarily right
Fri, 19 March 2010 - by Natasha Lipman
University budgets are being slashed left right and centre, and thousands of students might not get to go to university this year. What a shame. I’ve always been slightly cynical about the university system in this country, especially the fact that it was key government policy to get as many kids into uni as possible, whether or not they were suited to further education. To be fair, this argument has fizzled out a little bit; the money has, after all, run out.
Talented Youth: A Call for More Realistic Internship Opportunities Nationwide
Wed, 17 March 2010 - by Danielle Joseph
Graduates nationwide leave university with debt and years of study behind them to enter a world of work experience and entry level job opportunities. How accessible are these opportunities? Well, in some cases, not very, with the trend of auctioning internships gaining attention.
Young PPCs week 7: Jamie Saddler
Mon, 15 March 2010 - by Jamie Saddler
I write this having just spent the weekend in Birmingham at the Lib Dems’ very successful Spring Conference. We’ve had terrific media coverage over the last few days, and Nick Clegg’s speech on Sunday afternoon was fiery, passionate, and very well-received. The message that the Liberal Democrats are the only party who can provide the fair future most people want came through loud and clear, and will resonate well with the public.
