Tim Farron vs Norman Lamb: Lib Dem leadership race set to be two-man contest June 2, 2015 With nominations closing today for the Liberal Democrat leadership contest, the election is shaping up to be a two-man race between Tim Farron and Norman Lamb. The party veterans have both declared their candidacies to replace Nick Clegg, who stepped down after the General Election last month. Ballot papers are set to be [...]
Charles Kennedy: Lib Dems, Labour and Tories unite to pay tribute June 2, 2015 Tributes and respects for Charles Kennedy, the former Liberal Democrat leader, have poured in from across the UK's political landscape this morning following his death at 55 years old. Below we've gathered what leaders from across the political spectrum remember about Kennedy: Read more: Former Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy dies aged 55 Liberal Democrat tributes [...]
Transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin: HS2 fight “has been won” – work to start in next two years June 2, 2015 The £50bn battle over HS2 has been won and work on the project will begin in two years, according to transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin. During a speech in Leeds, McLoughlin said the controversial high speed trainline will be built in full, as the government had received a “massive vote of confidence” when it won the [...]
Metropolitan police release images of men in connection with Douglas Carswell attack June 2, 2015 Police have released the images of three men in connection with the verbal attack on Ukip MP Douglas Carswell last week. Carswell was caught up during the anti-austerity protests that took place around Whitehall and St James' Park following the Queen's Speech last Wednesday. Demonstrators chanted “Ukip racist” and “don't come this [...]
Local councils own 580 restaurants, 378 pubs and 174 hotels – among other assets June 2, 2015 Councils across the country are sitting on millions of pounds of assets as their portfolios include an impressive array of property – including 378 pubs and 174 hotels. Freedom of information requests sent by the Taxpayers' Alliance show that local councils also own golf courses, shopping centres and a cheese factory. Despite austerity measures being [...]
Charles Kennedy, former Liberal Democrat leader, dies in Scotland aged 55 June 2, 2015 Charles Kennedy, the former leader of the Liberal Democrats, has died at his home in Fort William aged 55. Police Scotland said there were no suspicious circumstances involved. The cause of death is yet to be confirmed A statement on behalf of his family read: It is with great sadness, and an enormous sense of [...]
Lloyds share sale sparks Treasury rift as George Osborne ignores warning on value for money June 1, 2015 The Treasury is in disagreement with its own advisers over the sale of shares in Lloyds Bank, as George Osborne seeks to fulfil his General Election pledge to sell a large chunk directly to retail investors. The sale could prove popular, but would also mean selling the shares at a discount – reducing the profit [...]
European Commissioner Jean-Claude Juncker says Brexit “not desired” by British June 1, 2015 Jean-Claude Juncker, the European Commission president, has claimed that Britain will not vote to leave the EU. Juncker said that was confident that a Brexit would not occur, stating that David Cameron's motives in holding a referendum were to make Britain's membership permanent. Speaking to the German newspaper, Sueddeutsche Zeitung, he said: Brexit is not [...]
Lib Dem leadership candidate Norman Lamb calls for cannabis legalisation June 1, 2015 Norman Lamb, a candidate in the two-horse race to succeed Nick Clegg as leader of the Liberal Democrats, has called for the UK to legalise cannabis. The former care and support minister said Britain would benefit from legalising, regulating and taxing the sale of cannabis – drawing on the examples of US states such as [...]
Electoral system “bust” in most unrepresentative election to date June 1, 2015 Westminster's voting system is "bust" following the result of the General Election, the Electoral Reform Society (ERS) has said. In a report entitled "The 2015 General Election: A voting system in crisis", the ERS argued that the case for electoral reform was undeniable, following the "most disproportionate [result] in British history". Read more: General election [...]