Mathew on Monday - ‘Patriotism’ should build communities- not police them The government has today announced plans for a “patriotic renewal” of Britain’s communities. Ministers say the policy is about strengthening social cohesion and promoting the “shared values” that unit...

It’s Monday and thus, time for Mathew Hulbert’s weekly column. This week, community, Brits in the Gulf and Larry the Downing Street cat are his themes… www.libdemvoice.org/mathew-on-mo...

Green Party members be warned, after the party comes the hangover One by-election win does not a government make. As a queer millennial living in East London, I am surrounded by Green Party Members. To paraphrase Derry Girls, ‘It’s wall to wall Green Party Members, ...

The Greens win a Parliamentary by-election amidst much excitement. @millsdyer.bsky.social suggests here that, ultimately, it won’t matter much… www.libdemvoice.org/green-party-...

Pensioners are a Deadweight Loss And I’m one of them: sitting in a Band E 4-bed house worth £600k. Yet all we get at York this week is another “hand wringing” motion on local government finance (F19), same as we got two years ago. It...

“Pensioners are a deadweight loss”, says self-confessed pensioner Tony Vickers. Ragebait, or something more profound?… www.libdemvoice.org/pensioners-a...

Rebuilding Britain’s defences Britain cannot rely solely on others for its defence. Recent events in the Middle East have shown how quickly the world can spiral into conflict. When powers such as the United States, Israel and Iran...

Events in the Middle East remind us that UK defence capability is still an ongoing challenge. Mo Waqas explains here how it also offers opportunities… www.libdemvoice.org/rebuilding-b...

Our tech guru has twiddled some knobs and we are back!!

We appear to be experiencing some “technical difficulties”, so please bear with us whilst we refer this to our technical expert…

Observations of an ex pat: Iran Iran and the US have been on a collision course since 1979 when the radical Islamic state was founded and 44 US diplomats were taken hostage. But why now? But also, what are the who’s, what’s, how’s, ...

A little later than usual, our Foreign Affairs Editor gives his view on America's and Israel's war with Iran. www.libdemvoice.org/observations...

Tom Arms’ World Review Texas is a bright red, far-right Republican, conservative state. It has not elected a Democrat to the US Senate for 37 years. That may be about to change. And if it does the repercussions will rock th...

Tom Arms' World Review

www.libdemvoice.org/tom-arms-wor...

You decided that, not only were we obviously spineless loyalists to a Party you don’t particularly care for any more, but that your first response should be to publicly chastise a volunteer group for our perceived failings without having the decency to check with us first.

James, I really couldn’t care less about your use of the word ‘huh’ in whatever manner you choose. I don’t even care about an apology - it would be off-brand for you anyway. What I object to is your public assumption that we’d rejected your comment because we simply didn’t like it.

Warranted, perhaps, but not expected. After all, I’ve known @jamesgraham.theliberati.net long enough to know what to expect…

No, James, it was fished out of “pending”, but you keep on justifying your behaviour to yourself.

James, your comment wasn’t blocked, the article had pre-moderation set. And so, one of the volunteer team took time out of their Sunday lunchtime to approve it. Me, actually (Mark).

There’s snarky and there’s unnecessarily rude. Perhaps you might try counting to ten next time?

Roz Savage MP write: Not left, Not right. Liberal. Not Left. Not Right. Liberal. The Green victory in the Manchester Gorton and Denton by-election should stiffen every Liberal Democrat spine. Not because we suddenly face a new political opponent. Bu...

Roz Savage MP writes...Not left. Not right. Liberal www.libdemvoice.org/roz-savage-m...

Lib Dem takeaways from Gorton and Denton It would be very churlish not to congratulate Hannah Spencer and the Greens this morning. It's a good feeling to win a by-election. Having another young, progressive woman in Parliament is so much bet...

Our editor @caronmlindsay.bsky.social sets out her thoughts on the #gortonanddentonbyelection www.libdemvoice.org/lib-dem-take...

Scottish Liberal Democrats call for measures to tackle medical misogyny Scottish Lib Dem Women, the official Lib Dem organisation representing women, took a motion to Scottish Conference at the weekend which called on the Scottish Government to improve women’s health care...

Great debate at @scotlibdems.org.uk conference on @scotlibdemwomen.bsky.social motion outlining measures to tackle medical misogyny fest @cajardinemp.bsky.social, @hedgecraftmama.bsky.social @ajcarer66.bsky.social @beatricewishartmsp.bsky.social and many others. www.libdemvoice.org/scottish-lib...

Whatever works for you, April. We really welcome contributions from across the liberal family.

And, in fairness, we’d love you to do that… if you find the time. No pressure from us, though.

Daisy Cooper announces new economic policy - Get Britain growing again In a major speech in the City of London this morning, Daisy Cooper has announced Liberal Democrat plans to break up the Treasury and move it to Birmingham. A new Department for Growth would include t...

Daisy Cooper announces new Lib Dem economic vision: Get Britain growing again by breaking up the Treasury and moving it to Birmingham. www.libdemvoice.org/daisy-cooper...

intriguing! not long to wait!

Celebrating Progress – Leading with Pride This recent cross-party weekend organised by the Local Government Association brought together councillors from the Liberal Democrats, Labour and Conservative groups from across the country. While it ...

The recent LGA weekend conference, “Leading with Pride”, brought together councillors from the Conservatives, Labour and the Liberal Democrats. @christinewhelan.bsky.social reports on events… www.libdemvoice.org/celebrating-...

Why Vince is wrong about Gorton However much I love Vince Cable, I can’t let his comments urging people to vote tactically for Labour in the forthcoming Gorton and Denton by-election pass without comment. He told the I Paper: He poi...

Why Vince is wrong about Gorton by @caronmlindsay.bsky.social. Put simply, Labour don't deserve our vote until they stop enabling Refomr. www.libdemvoice.org/why-vince-is...

Jim Wallace has died I know that everyone reading this will be as shocked and sad as I am to hear of the terrible news that Jim Wallace, a giant of this Party, died today. We send our love to his wife Rosie, and his daugh...

We are so so sad to hear of the death of Jim Wallace, a liberal of such decency and integrity who led our party to achieve so much in the early years of devolution. He also served as Lib Dem Leader in the Lords and was Advocate General For Scotland. www.libdemvoice.org/jim-wallace-...

What history might teach us about the 2028 US Election In America, it is conventional political wisdom that the campaign for their next presidential election begins the day after the last one. A recent opinion poll suggests that half of Americans are alre...

So, if Donald Trump doesn’t run in 2028, who are the potential contenders and what does history suggest in terms of likely pointers? Samuel Jackson offers some suggestions… www.libdemvoice.org/what-history...

Ofcom has failed; banning under-16s won’t fix it By 261 votes to 150, the House of Lords has backed a social media ban for under-16s. Arguments for the ban On the one hand, I understand the need for action. A study from the Child Mind Institute sugg...

The arguments for and against a social media ban for under-16s offer a philosophical challenge for liberals, and @jackmeredithwrites.bsky.social outlines some of the evidence for and against… www.libdemvoice.org/ofcom-has-fa...

Pilgrimage to Beijing When one of the world’s superpowers becomes a totally unpredictable rogue state it makes sense to reduce dependence on it. One way of doing so is to engage more closely with the other superpower: Chin...

With Keir Starmer off to China tomorrow, Vince Cable offers his thoughts on why the trip is so important and what the risks and opportunities are… www.libdemvoice.org/pilgrimage-t...

Mathew on Monday: Illiberal Labour and the War on Local Choice One of the most important questions in politics is a simple one: do those in power trust people to make decisions for themselves? Not to always decide wisely, not to always choose outcomes that minist...

If it’s Monday, it must be time for Mathew Hulbert’s look back at the events of the past week, featuring local elections postponement, prospects for the Tories and congratulations to Liberal Democrats in North Cotswolds… www.libdemvoice.org/mathew-on-mo...

An eventful weekend Perhaps the most dangerous claim Keir Starmer ever made will turn out to be his General Election slogan, arguing that changing the Labour Party made him well qualified for changing the country. This l...

The Labour Party selection of a by-election candidate has gone horribly awry. Geoff Reid offers some thoughts on the events of the past weekend… www.libdemvoice.org/an-eventful-...

Liberator 433 is out! Liberator 433 is out and you can download it for free here: You can also sign up here to be emailed when each new issues comes out: What’s in this issue? The War Down the Road From Ukraine Combat medi...

It is with great pleasure that we support our friends in the Liberator Collective, and to advise that their latest issue is live. As a taste, here’s what they’re covering there… www.libdemvoice.org/liberator-43...

Defending Our Future: The Blueprint For The Lib Dems To Modernise and Protect British Democracy As Reform continues to lead the polls, we are witnessing a movement that mirrors Trump’s MAGA movement in the US, unlawfully arresting, detaining, and sometimes deporting non-white residents, includin...

Events in the US warn us that democracy is a fragile thing. First-time contributor, @tusharaneja.bsky.social outlines the risks and some ideas to counter them… www.libdemvoice.org/defending-ou...