After the ending of child detention – what next?
After the moving and amazing presentation and big “thank you” to the Lib Dems from Citizens UK on the Sunday morning of conference, for ending the detention of children of asylum seekers, what could...
View ArticleOpinion: We await the lessons of Iraq while new conflicts loom
It is ten years this week since I agreed to act as lead independent political and governance adviser in Iraq, primarily in the British-controlled Southern Provinces – despite my known anti-war views....
View ArticleIn Full: Nick Clegg’s speech to the UN
Nick Clegg has been doing all sorts of good things at the UN General Assembly in New York this week. Last night it struck me that when I was my daughter’s age, the men with all the power in the world...
View ArticleOpinion: Planning a new constitution for the United Kingdom
This is the time of year when there is much political reflection. The Queen’s Christmas message this year was one of Her Majesty’s best. Whilst not everyone listens avidly to our Monarch’s words, the...
View ArticleLibLink: Edward McMillan-Scott MEP: Cameron’s EU policy plays into Putin’s hands
Edward McMillan Scott, Vice President of the European Parliament with responsibility for human rights and democracy has been writing about how David Cameron’s European policy has enabled Russia’s...
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Paddy: We’re one mistake away from war in Ukraine
Whenever there’s a horrible international situation, I always want to hear what Paddy Ashdown has to say. He’s very wise on all the intricate web of international relations, agendas and history. I...
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Opinion: Ontario Liberals show real Grit, win a fourth term and make history...
Congratulations to our cousins in the Ontario Liberal Party in Canada who, overnight, have won a remarkable fourth term of provincial government and, at the same time, have made history with leader...
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Paddy: “A problem caused by killing Arab Muslims won’t be made better by...
I had been waiting to see what Paddy Ashdown would have to say on Iraq because he’s probably the person in British politics who best understands the international complexities of all the world’s...
View ArticleActually, this having the World Cup in England might be a good idea
I am not a huge football fan. Unless it involves Inverness Caledonian Thistle, I really don’t care and even then it’s more of a spiritual thing. I don’t actually need to watch 22 men kick the bag of...
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Baroness Kishwer Falkner writes: We should not repeat previous failures in...
Every year, as the long summer recess approaches, those of us who cover foreign affairs speculate as to which international crisis will precipitate a recall of Parliament. This year we were spoilt for...
View ArticleOpinion: The future of the State
The Liberal Democrat pre-manifesto sets out our ambitions to take power from ‘the stifling hand of Whitehall’ and return it to citizens and communities: but does the state have the power it once did?...
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A powerful message from Canada’s Liberal leader in response to Wednesday’s...
What would you want a liberal to say in the wake of shocking and violent events in your country? It must be something pretty close to Justin Trudeau’s words, full of dignity, wisdom and empathy. Watch...
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Botswana elections: Liberal Democrats help sister party and its “calm...
Yesterday was polling day in the General Election in Botswana. 57 parliamentary seats are up for grabs along with council seats across the country. The Botswana Democratic Party has been in power since...
View ArticleTim Farron writes… Never has the political market been so crowded in the UK....
I cannot start this article without expressing my deep shock and concern for the families affected by the attack on Charlie Hebdo. It is stark warning that we can no longer take for granted the liberal...
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Opinion: A liberal postcard from Athens
View image | gettyimages.com Sunday morning in Kifissia, one of the leafy northern suburbs of Athens, and the view from my bedroom balcony is blue sky with dark clouds looming – a fitting scene for...
View ArticleNick Harvey MP writes… We mustn’t let eurosceptics spoil useful defence...
Today in London the UK’s foreign and defence secretaries, Philip Hammond and Michael Fallon, will meet their French counterparts, Laurent Fabius and Jean-Yves Le Drian. Of course, there is nothing...
View ArticleOpinion: Liberals must stand up to Russia over Ukraine
The weekend after the party gathered in Liverpool, Liberal Youth gathered in Leeds for our spring conference. There was plenty of campaigning, socialising and of course stimulating debates on policy....
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Baroness Liz Barker writes… International Office supports the next generation...
Liberal Democrats do love a challenge. Not for us the easy life of safe seats and majority governments. Oh no, marginal and year round campaigning is the life for us. So imagine that this is your...
View ArticleLiberal Democrats should commit to abolition of all global borders
The upcoming referendum on Britain’s membership of the European Union is both an opportunity and a threat for the Liberal Democrats. The party has an opportunity to define itself clearly as the most...
View ArticleEd Fordham’s Letter from Belgrade
I am sitting in a hotel here in Belgrade eating my breakfast. It’s Serbia so meat is the dominant feature. But I have just walked around the corner of the block to the hotel where they are issueing the...
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