15 Most Recent Stories From British Liberal Democrat News

Fri 9th Jan 2009:

Lib Dems take bypass campaign to the Glens.

Local Lib Dems are taking their campaign to ‘Speed Up the Bypass’ west of the Highland Capital as they seek to build pressure on the Scottish Government to commit funding to the vital project. In the course of the next two weeks, campaign leaflets will be delivered to residents in Glenurquhart and Glenmoriston inviting them to join the fight to get the bypass built. Just over 2,000 people in Inverness have already backed the campaign by signing postcards, petitions and online.

Thu 8th Jan 2009:

Scott reacts to ISA outbreak.

Commenting on the confirmed outbreak of an infectious fish disease, Infectious Salmon Anaemia (ISA), at a salmon farm site in the west of Shetland, local MSP for Shetland and leader of the Liberal Democrats in Scotland Tavish Scott said: "I am dismayed that one farm in waters on the west of Shetland has had a confirmed case of ISA. I vividly recall the difficulties for the Shetland salmon industry 10 years ago when ISA caused enormous financial problems for fish farmers.

Hume - Is Minister preparing to U-turn on forestry plans?

Liberal Democrat Environment spokesperson Jim Hume MSP has seized on a letter from the Environment Minister to the Convenor of the Rural Affairs and Environment Committee, in which the Minister appears to be paving the way for a u-turn on his discredited proposals to sell off swathes of Scotland’s forests.

SNP plans for new prison in turmoil.

Jeremy Purvis MSP, Liberal Democrat Finance spokesperson, can reveal that plans to build a new prison at Low Moss in Bishopbriggs are in chaos as the extent of the SNP funding fiasco become clear.

Wed 7th Jan 2009:

Budget ball in SNP's court - Rumbles.

Commenting after holding a meeting with the Finance Secretary and the Minister for Parliamentary Business, Liberal Democrat Chief Whip Mike Rumbles said: Mike Rumbles MSP“I am extremely disappointed that the Ministers refused to consider the principle of personal tax cuts in the Scottish Budget. “As it stands, the Budget is an inadequate response to the economic storm facing Scotland. The SNP has to remember that it is a minority Government and needs support from other parties.

Lib Dems hold budget talks with Scottish Government.

Liberal Democrats held talks with the Finance Secretary about the Scottish Government’s Budget earlier today. Chief Whip Mike Rumbles has urged Ministers to consider introducing tax cuts that will stimulate the economy and help Scotland through the recession. Jeremy Purvis MSPCommenting ahead of the meeting, Liberal Democrat Finance spokesperson Jeremy Purvis MSP said: “The SNP seem very complacent about the budget next week as they need other party support to secure its passage.

One million people ordered to court for unpaid Council Tax.

Julia Goldsworthy Over a million people were summoned to court last year because they failed to pay their Council Tax in full, research by the Liberals Democrats has found. A survey of more than 170 councils found that in the last year: More than 1m people have been summoned to court for falling behind with their Council Tax payment Bailiffs were called to collect Council Tax arrears from almost 600,000 people Councils filed for bankruptcy for over 1,700 people in order to collect Council Tax arrears The Liberal Democrats are calling for all public bodies, including local authorities and government departments, to follow a Code of Conduct to ensure that families are not bankrupted unnecessarily during the recession. Commenting, Liberal Democrat Shadow Local Government Secretary, Julia Goldsworthy said: "This survey shows the devastating effect that failing to pay Council Tax can have on families, especially those already struggling to cope with mortgage repayments and rising bills. "Just as lenders are being asked to reduce repossessions, public bodies should do everything they can to ensure that bankruptcy is only ever a last resort. "This is not a licence to avoid paying bills, it is about ensuring that court appearances and bankruptcy are avoided where possible. "It is high time the unfair Council Tax was scrapped and replaced with a fair tax based on the ability to pay."

Children must be treated as children - Brown.

Commenting on reports that the Scottish Government is considering raising the age of criminal responsibility, Liberal Democrat Justice spokesperson Robert Brown MSP said: Robert Brown MSP"I strongly support raising the age of criminal responsibility.

Fuel poverty risks lives during cold snap.

Liam McArthur, Liberal Democrat Energy spokesperson, has warned that the current cold snap could claim the lives of many vulnerable people due to confusion over provision of anti fuel poverty measures.

Finnie calls for mobile phones to be allowed in Scottish hospitals.

Ross Finnie MSP, Liberal Democrat Health spokesperson, has called for the rules on mobile phone use in hospitals to be relaxed in Scotland. Mr Finnie's call follows new Department of Health guidelines in England that allow the use of mobile phones in areas where they do not interfere with hospital equipment. Ross Finnie MSPCommenting Mr Finnie said:

Tue 6th Jan 2009:

Lib Dem leader backs local economy plan.

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Tavish Scott MSP has backed Jo Swinson MP’s plan to give a boost to the local economy in East Dunbartonshire. Tavish Scott joined Jo Swinson to launch the Liberal Democrats’ East Dunbartonshire Economic Recovery Plan in Milngavie town centre today. The three-point plan includes: Tax cuts – Liberal Democrats will cut income tax by closing tax loopholes and shifting the tax burden to the most polluting activities.

Scott backs campaign against Bishopbriggs prison name.

Scottish Liberal Democrat Leader Tavish Scott MSP has backed the campaign against the name ‘HM Prison Bishopbriggs’ being given to the new prison being built on the site of the town’s old Low Moss facility.

Mon 5th Jan 2009:

On the 12th day of Christmas my true love said to me, save our real Christmas trees.

Jim Hume MSP, Liberal Democrat Environment spokesperson, has called on everyone to recycle their Christmas trees and cards while warning that real Christmas trees will be a thing of the past if the Scottish Government press on with plans to sell off Scotland's forests.

Forth Crossing runs risk of being national embarrassment - Purvis.

Commenting on the Finance Secretary's request for an interest free loan from the Treasury to fund the proposed Forth Crossing, Liberal Democrat Finance spokesperson Jeremy Purvis MSP said:

Baker: Trainspotters and passengers stopped using counter-terrorism powers.

Norman Baker Figures obtained by the Liberal Democrats reveal that nearly 160,000 people were stopped by police officers on railway property in the year between October 2007 and September 2008. Of these, more than 60,000 were stopped using counter-terrorism powers. A further 60,000 were stopped using police stop and search powers. Commenting, Liberal Democrat Shadow Transport Secretary, Norman Baker said: "While it is important to be vigilant about the threat of terrorism to the transport network, the sheer scale of the number of people stopped by police on railway property is ridiculous. "The anti-terror laws allow officers to stop people for taking photographs and I know that this has led to innocent trainspotters being stopped. "This is an abuse of anti-terrorism powers and a worrying sign that we are sliding towards a police state. "Trainspotting may be an activity of limited and indeed questionable appeal, but it is not a criminal offence and it is not a terrorist threat. "Law-abiding passengers get enough hassle on overcrowded trains as it is without the added inconvenience of overzealous policing."  

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