Category: politics

Lib Dems, Presidential electionsLeave a comment

Exclusive: Presidential candidate, Tim Farron MP: why Lib Dems should vote for me

Michael McFarland Campbell

[Following the article on Lib Dem Voice, Tim Farron MP offered to write an article for this blog covering NI and Wales, here is the article – uneditied, straight from Tim’s keyboard.-Ed.] I wrote an article for Lib Dem Voice the other day about what I would do for Scotland why I hope that party members will choose me as our new President.  I then thought that I need to talk about Wales and Northern Ireland too and what I can offer them and about the political challenges I see us facing together At this time especially, we need distinctive … Continue reading Exclusive: Presidential candidate, Tim Farron MP: why Lib Dems should vote for me

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APNI, catholic, christian, DUP, Education, news, Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland life, politics4 Comments

either a farce or we’ve moved very far indeed

Michael McFarland Campbell

Reading the news about the First Minister’s comments about integrated education in Northern Ireland has got me thinking. It really isn’t that long ago since I spoke in a debate, nay, I seconded the motion, at Alliance Party Conference in the Dunadry Hotel, in 2009. The motion was proposed by Alliance Youth, – I was only just a member back then (before being kicked out for being too old). The proposal was that the State should withdraw funding from schools that don’t withdraw religious control on them. In other words, to create a State education sector that was truly integrated, … Continue reading either a farce or we’ve moved very far indeed

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Lib Dems, Tuition Fees1 Comment

Nick Clegg: funding of higher education unsustainable – not just the funding Nick

Michael McFarland Campbell

Just received an email from The Rt Hon Nick Clegg MP, deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, about the tuition fees debacle. In it, he says Most of you will agree that the existing system of the funding of higher education is unsustainable I do agree with him that the existing system of funding higher education is unsustainable, but might we not look at the underlying reasons for this. There are way too many students in the country, studying for far too many degrees. Some students, like perhaps Andrew Croskery, a recent graduate of QUB seem to see a … Continue reading Nick Clegg: funding of higher education unsustainable – not just the funding Nick

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Belfast, DUP, news, Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland life, Sinn Féin1 Comment

stop the cuts, make some cuts… make up your mind Sinn Féin

Michael McFarland Campbell

Good to see that the all-Ireland political entity known as Sinn Féin is using joined up campaigning. On one side of the border that they now recognise (cf Belfast Agreement) people are being encouraged to join with Gerry Adams and protest the cuts – see poster… Whilst in Northern Ireland, Sinn Féin is saying that they want to make savings cuts worth £1billion and make £800 million in revenue. According to Eamonn Mallie, the deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness said (on tackling the economy) Let us have a bit of blue sky thinking – thinking outside the box. Mr Mallie … Continue reading stop the cuts, make some cuts… make up your mind Sinn Féin

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Environment, news, Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland life, politics3 Comments

councils delay has gone to Poots

Michael McFarland Campbell

By now we should be well down the road for reorganisation of the local district councils in Northern Ireland from the 26 current district councils to the 11 council model. Sadly for some, though better for actual local democracy and relation of councillor to constituent, this has not happened. According to the BBC, Northern Ireland’s Minister for the Environment, Edwin Poots, of the DUP, said that he remained committed to reforming local government Committed to reforming local government he may be, but not committed to bringing forward the legislation necessary to enable this to be done. For Mr Poots has … Continue reading councils delay has gone to Poots

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Lib Dems3 Comments

updated 5.50pm – Kramer forgets the Welsh – oops

Michael McFarland Campbell

update: 5.50p.m., Guest Editor of Lib Dem Voice today, Caron Lindsay, says: I specifically asked both candidates to write 500 words on what they could do for Scotland so it’s not surprising that her article is specific to Scotland. Therefore it should be noted that this post was originally posted at 11.14 a.m., prior to this clarification from Caron. I am maintaining the substance of the article, however, as it reflects the articles as they were posted. In setting out her stall on Lib Dem Voice today, Lib Dem Presidential hopeful Susan Kramer MP, from Richmond, appears to have forgotten … Continue reading updated 5.50pm – Kramer forgets the Welsh – oops

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Lib Dems, politics, Tuition Fees1 Comment

Lib Dem MPs – remember your pledge – it’s OUR policy!

Michael McFarland Campbell

I hope that all Lib Dem MPs will uphold their pledge. They must remember what our policy says: Liberal Democrats are the only party which believes university education should be free and everyone who has the ability should be able to go to university and not be put off by the cost.   Continue reading Lib Dem MPs – remember your pledge – it’s OUR policy!

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Lib Dems, politics, Tuition Fees1 Comment

Coalition Government minister still supports Scrap Tuition Fees campaign

Michael McFarland Campbell

It is interesting to note that Sarah Teather MP, Minister of State for Children & Families is supporting the Scrap Tuition Fees campaign on her own website. I hope that she will continue to give her full support to this campaign when voting in the House of Commons on the Browne Report. Fair student finance is a campaign that has been near to my heart since I was a student at the University College of Ripon & York St John back in 1997 when I joined the Liberal Democrats during the general election campaign. As a member of LDYS I … Continue reading Coalition Government minister still supports Scrap Tuition Fees campaign

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Lib Dems, politics, Tuition FeesLeave a comment

Lib Dems against scrapping the cap! – another signature

Michael McFarland Campbell

I have just joined the Lib Dems against scrapping the cap! group on Facebook. On the 12th of October 2010 Lord Browne published the findings of his review of Higher Education funding. The proposals include scrapping the current cap (meaning that some so called ‘elite degrees’ could cost £12,000 a year) and reducing funding for “less important” degrees. Although some of our MPs, such as Tim Farron, have come out and vowed that they will rebel against this, 2 of our key players have come out in support of Browne’s proposals – Nick Clegg and Vince Cable. It is time … Continue reading Lib Dems against scrapping the cap! – another signature

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Lib Dems1 Comment

@flocktogether gets us sorted… @libdemsni

Michael McFarland Campbell

A simple email to Martin Tod (co-founder of Flock Together) was all it took to get the Northern Ireland local party of the Liberal Democrats listed in the same manner as the Brussels & Europe local party on Flock Together. I only hope that the Federal Party site will follow suit – eventually. Watch out for announcements of our future events on the site. Continue reading @flocktogether gets us sorted… @libdemsni

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