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A week ago, I wrote an article attacking the Telegraph’s coverage of the MPs’ expenses row under the deliberately provocative headline, What has the Telegraph done for the reputation of journalism? Amidst all the outrageous abuses by MPs that the newspaper has reported, I said, it’s also been guilty of some shoddy reporting, giving equal prominence to stories which simply  [ Read More ]

Jo Swinson and Sir Alan Beith have both found themselves dragged into the latest set of allegations to be circulating – for the record, and avoidance of doubt, looking at the newspaper reports it doesn’t seem either of them have any reason not to be able to look their constituents in the eyes. Sir Alan Beith The Telegraph’s story about  [ Read More ]

As you prepare to devour your innocent-looking Easter eggs this holiday weekend, bear in mind this piece of research by Lib Dem MP Jo Swinson: Easter eggs only take up 40% of their packaging, and remain one of the most wasteful products on supermarket shelves. You can read the BBC news report detailing Jo’s investigations HERE. Jo comments: While it  [ Read More ]

Today’s Mirror reports on the Government’s latest initiative to cut down on pastic bag use – an advertising campaign: The average shopper uses 13,000 plastic bags in their lifetime, according to a study. Research by the Department of Environment said a person gets through 160 new carrier bags each year. Last year 9.9 billion of them were handed out in  [ Read More ]

Jo Swinson, Lib Dem shadow foreign affairs minister – and one of LDV readers’ top choices for promotion to the party’s shadow cabinet – is the Lib Dem representative on tonight’s Question Time (BBC1 and online, 10.35 pm GMT). Jo will appear alongside former Justice Secretary (and former flatmate of Tony Blair) Lord Falconer, Conservative shadow secretary for children, schools  [ Read More ]

Are you tuning in tonight for BBC1’s flagship political discussion show (10.35 pm, and online)? If so, you’ll have the pleasure of seeing Jo Swinson, Ed Davey’s deputy at foreign affairs and Lib Dem MP for East Dunbartonshire, whose talents many of you would like to see put to full use in the party’s shadow cabinet. In fact there’s a  [ Read More ]

Yes, it’s the day of the Big Debate on Make It Happen, the party’s policy and consultation document, and there’s keen anticipation here in the conference hall. Over 100 members have applied to speak so far, so we can expect some fiery views on both sides of the should-we-cut-the-tax-burden debate. The party’s manifesto chief Danny Alexander has introduced Make It  [ Read More ]

Lib Dem shadow foreign affairs spokesperson (and women and equalities spokesperson, too) Jo Swinson is one of the panellists on tonight’s Question Time (broadcast on BBC1 and online from 10.35 pm GMT). Once again, I have to say it looks like a good line-up… The panel will also include the Secretary of State for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs Hilary  [ Read More ]

By popular request, here’s the current list of which Lib Dem MPs have declared for which leadership candidate so far. (Originally compiled with the help of Jonathan Isaby of The Daily Telegraph.) The list shows that Nick has attracted two MPs who supported Chris as leader in 2006: Greg Mulholland and Stephen Williams; and eight who supported Simon Hughes (all  [ Read More ]

I’m grateful to Jonathan Isaby of The Daily Telegraph, who has compiled (and allowed me to reproduce here) his up-to-date list of which Lib Dem MPs have declared for which leadership candidate so far. Jonathan comments: “Below are my most up-to-date lists, which suggest that Huhne now cannot possibly overtake Clegg in terms of MPs declaring. Brackets state where they  [ Read More ]