Tag: Liberal Democrats

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2010 – in monthly viewing figures…

Michael McFarland Campbell

It is now the year of our Lord two thousand and eleven, and it is time for some stats from this blog. Monthly viewing figures Jan 2010 – 501 Feb 2010 – 136 Mar 2010 – 125 Apr 2010 – 116 May 2010 – 101 Jun 2010 – 73 Jul 2010 – 301 Aug 2010 – 899 Sep 2010 – 2,648 Oct 2010 – 4,624 Nov 2010 – 2,899 Dec 2010 – 6,091 2010 was a year that really saw this blog take off. One of the main reasons that this is so is because of the influence of a … Continue reading 2010 – in monthly viewing figures…

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Blogging, Gyronny of EightLeave a comment

Gyronny of Eight #2

Michael McFarland Campbell

Jeffrey Tucker highlights an alternative proclamation. Keith McGrellis wants HMG to leave our internet alone. Daniel Mitsui decries the degradations of Chartres Cathedral Gareth Epps gives us three thoughts on ‘Cablegate’. Mark Pack explains the plans to give prisoners the vote. Barton le Clay wonders whether school fingerprinting will go the way of ID cards. Paul Walter says goodbye to two real journalists Fr. Z shows that the Holy Father is leading the reform of the reform at Midnight Mass. Related Articles Gyronny of Eight #1 (gyronny.wordpress.com) Top of the Blogs: The Lib Dem Golden Dozen #193 (libdemvoice.org) Continue reading Gyronny of Eight #2

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Cornwall, Cymru, England, Lib Dems, Northern Ireland, politics, Scotland, Tuition Fees, United Kingdom, Wales1 Comment

Amongst the shouting – there were good things in that vote too

Michael McFarland Campbell
Shamed be he who thinks ill of it (shamed be w...
Her Majesty has more ministers responsible for Higher Education, than just those based in Whitehall. Image via Wikipedia

Motions inextricably linked

The debate on this motion in the House of Commons yesterday:

That the draft Higher Education (Basic Amount) (England) Regulations 2010, which were laid before this House on 29 November, be approved.

was inextricably linked to that on

That, for the purpose of section 24 of the Higher Education Act 2004, the higher amount should be increased to £9,000, and to £4,500 in the cases described in regulation 5 of the draft regulations in Command Paper Cm 7986, and that the increase should take effect from 1 September 2012.

However, whilst I do not agree with the trebling of fees for full-time undergraduates, as has been made clear in recent posts. As one who has been a part-time undergraduate the provisions on the inclusion of part-time students within the student loan system for the first time is one part of the Bill with which I can agree. Continue reading “Amongst the shouting – there were good things in that vote too”

Belfast, Blogging, Lib Dems, London, news, politics, Tuition Fees7 Comments

The 27 betrayed their Party – Shame on them!

Michael McFarland Campbell
The Palace of Westminster at night as seen fro...
The Palace of Westminster wherein the 27 Rebel MPs betrayed their Party, led by Rebel Leader Nick Clegg MP Image via Wikipedia

On another Lib Dem blog we read that

Today’s tuition fee vote is a milestone for the Liberal Democrat party. It is the first time the party has had to seriously consider the wisdom of a policy designed for permanent opposition from the perspective of government. Continue reading “The 27 betrayed their Party – Shame on them!”

APNI, Belfast, Conservatives, DUP, Labour, Lib Dems, London, news, Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland life, Police, politics, PSNI, SDLP1 Comment

violence in Belfast as the vote loomed – reaction

Michael McFarland Campbell
Protestors and police clash as Translink Metro is broad to standstill during Protest on Tuition Fees. Pic © 2010 Michael Carchrie Campbell
Protestors and police clash as Translink Metro is brought to standstill during the protest on Tuition Fees in Donegall Square, Belfast on December 9th, 2010. Pic: © 2010 Michael Carchrie Campbell

This afternoon, I happened to be in Belfast City Centre as the protest on tution fees was taking place at the gates of Belfast City Hall.

Earlier this evening as Northern Ireland Liberal Democrat Chair I issued a press release. I said: Continue reading “violence in Belfast as the vote loomed – reaction”

Fairer Votes, Labour, Northern Ireland life1 Comment

Labour Yes to Fairer Votes campaign takes off

Michael McFarland Campbell

Today sees the launch of Labour Yes! – the Labour Party’s Yes to Fairer Votes Campaign, together with a well branded website in line with the main Yes! campaign website. One of the things that caught my eye was Get involved The Labour Yes Campaign is looking for volunteers to be Labour Yes Champions in every constituency in the UK. If you are interested in becoming the Champion for your area please email volunteer@labouryes.org.uk The Campaign will be organising campaign activity alongside regular Labour campaigning sessions. If you would like to talk to us about bringing Labour Yes volunteers to … Continue reading Labour Yes to Fairer Votes campaign takes off

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Lib Dems, Tuition FeesLeave a comment

Watch yourself Nick Clegg: the 104/103 haven’t done it – but I will!

Michael McFarland Campbell
Nick Clegg's pledge on Tuition Fees - Void if elected
The Rt Hon. Nick Clegg, Deputy Prime Minister, lies to the Electorate.

With the vote in the House of Commons on Tuition Fees approaching later this week, it is clear that most of the Liberal Democrats MPs are not going to stick to the pledges that they made

TO VOTE AGAINST
ANY INCREASE IN FEES
in the next parliament
and to pressure the
government to introduce
A FAIRER ALTERNATIVE.

As Gareth Epps said on Sunday,

I have heard rumours of at least one resignation from the Government, and think it in the interests of the Party and of higher education as a whole if this happens.  Continue reading “Watch yourself Nick Clegg: the 104/103 haven’t done it – but I will!”

APNI, Conservatives, DUP, Fairer Votes, Labour, Lib Dems, news, Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland life, politics, SDLP, Sinn Féin, TUV, UUPLeave a comment

It’s a small change – but it will make a big difference

Michael McFarland Campbell

The most ambitious voter contact programme in British political history will be getting off the ground this weekend. The first wave of a total of 50 phonebanks will be open in cities across the United Kingdom. The cause
? The campaign for Yes to Fairer Votes for the Referendum on May 5th on the voting system used for Westminster elections. 140,000 already signed up Saturday 4th December will go down in history as the day it started. Already 140,000 people have signed up to help the campaign. I am proud to be one of them. This campaign truly is one from … Continue reading It’s a small change – but it will make a big difference

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Lib Dems, Tuition Fees9 Comments

Nick Clegg MP: no confidence from party?

Michael McFarland Campbell

Featured on Liberal Democrat Voice Candidates’ Petition to MPs On another blog I have highlighted the petition on tuition fees sent to the 57 Lib Dem MPs on tuition fees. In writing it, it struck me that we are getting to the stage that the public is ending up with no confidence in the party as a whole. Are we all as members losing confidence in the leadership of Nick Clegg? Nick Clegg made a pledge The photograph pictured here is just a simple reminder that Nick Clegg signed the pledge TO VOTE AGAINST ANY INCREASE IN FEES in the … Continue reading Nick Clegg MP: no confidence from party?

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London, newsLeave a comment

Transparency must be seen across all levels of governments

Michael McFarland Campbell

The move by the coalition government in Whitehall towards more transparency may be a step in the right direction, but it needs to be only part of the general move to make government at all levels in the United Kingdom transparent. I look forward to seeing websites like this throughout the local government and regional and national government structure as well. Continue reading Transparency must be seen across all levels of governments

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