Michael Meadowcroft: time for Liberals to start truly believing in Liberalism
by Stephen Tall on September 30, 2012
Years ago, I wrote a blog-post, Time for some kick-ass liberalism: Liberalism and liberals have, for too long, been on the back foot, apologetically afraid to stick up for our credo – that the individual is best able to find (…)
Lib Dem members’ support for Coalition still high… but approval of Government hits new low
by Stephen Tall on September 29, 2012
Lib Dem Voice polled our members-only forum before conference to discover what Lib Dem members think of various political issues, the Coalition, and the performance of key party figures. More than 550 party members have responded, and we’re publishing the full results. 74% of members continue to support Coalition with Conservatives LDV asked: Do you support […]
On chairing Ming, Shami and John – and how I failed to find questions from women
by Stephen Tall on September 28, 2012
I enjoyed chairing Liberal Reform’s fringe meeting on civil liberties at the Brighton conference this week, featuring Shami Chakrabati, John Kampfner and Ming Campbell… … though (as usual) the request to speakers to speak for 5 minutes to allow plenty (…)
CentreForum’s ‘Liberal Hero of the Week’ #15 – The Liberal Democrat Conference
by Stephen Tall on September 28, 2012
Welcome to the 15th in our series — Liberal Hero of the Week — as chosen by Stephen Tall, Co-Editor of Liberal Democrat Voice, and Research Associate at CentreForum. The aim is to showcase public figures who help promote the four liberal tenets identified in The Orange Book: economic, personal, political and social liberalism. We highlight […]
How many people attended Lib Dem conference?
by Stephen Tall on September 27, 2012
That’s the question that Michael White asked, and here’s the answer he reports: A total of 5,000, including media, commercial interests, VIPs and assorted observers, say officials. It’s down on 2010 (6,500) but a recovery from last year’s 4,800. The (…)
Lib Dem conference closes: What the papers say…
by Stephen Tall on September 27, 2012
Plenty of comment in today’s papers about this week’s Lib Dem conference and Nick Clegg’s speech. Here’s a selection of views… Benedict Brogan (Daily Telegraph) I suspect we are going to have to start talking about a Lib Dem recovery at some point. No, really. Nick Clegg’s speech completed a fairly successful week for the […]
What I said on BBC’s Daily Politics…
by Stephen Tall on September 26, 2012
I guested today on the BBC’s Daily Politics — presented by Andrew Neil and Jo Coburn — alongside John Kampfner and (briefly) Bonnie Greer. The programme featured interviews with Danny Alexander and Tim Farron, and appearances by fellow blogger Mark (…)
What I thought of Nick’s speech in 5 tweets
by Stephen Tall on September 26, 2012
You can read Nick Clegg’s speech to the Lib Dem conference in full here. Here were my 5 quick takes on reading it through… Quick thoughts on Nick’s speech: 1) Lib Dem 2015 election strategy clear. 100% centrist – fairer (…)
Why I loathe leaders’ speeches. PS: It’s nothing personal, Nick
by Stephen Tall on September 26, 2012
Don’t tell anyone, but I’m leaving conference on Wednesday morning before our leader speaks. It’s nothing personal — I think my record’s pretty clear on supporting Nick Clegg’s leadership — but I find leaders’ speeches tiresome. The bullet points will have been carefully briefed to the press in advance, embargoed copies of the speech will […]
Must try harder. That’s my chief take-away from this year’s Lib Dem conference
by Stephen Tall on September 26, 2012
This year’s conference seems smaller, quieter than previously. That’s not surprising; the party’s shed 20% of its membership in the past couple of years and hundreds of councillors have lost their seats. With so many of the poor bloody infantry (…)
