Libdems: we’re being ignored by Coalition
A YouGov poll for the Sunday Times yesterday found Libdem voters profoundly dissatisfied with the Tory-led coalition government.
YouGov asked: “How much do you think each of the coalition parties has gained or lost from being in the coalition?”
Only 27% of Libdem voters said their party had gained from being in the Coalition.
A massive 66% said they had lost from the deal.
YouGov also asked if…
David Cameron would be better off giving more policy concessions to the Liberal Democrats to help the Liberal Democrats and maintain the coalition
73% of Libdem voters agreed.
But what issues will Tories give on? That remains the big question…
On the NHS, this is the week Labour need to get their act together
Nick Clegg’s comments on Marr yesterday that the NHS bill needed “substantial” changes and that “no bill is better than a bad bill”, means changes are afoot. Will Lansley give in and/or resign? Will Clegg push hard or will he give in?
This could turn into a train-crash for the coalition, but that will require a concerted effort from Labour – especially shadow health secretary John Healey. Is he actually up to the job? I’m not convinced.
continue reading… »
Rally to support UKuncut protesters at court
Over a hundred protesters are expected to attend Westminster Magistrates Court today in support of UKuncut activists arrested by police at the TUC march on 26th March.
Around 140 people were arrested on the day and detained for taking part in the occupation of Fortnum & Mason to highlight tax avoidance.
Although the protest was peaceful, police arrested protesters as soon as they left the building despite telling them they were free to go.
The occupiers now face charges of aggravated trespass and the possibility of a prison sentence.
Last week over 300 people packed in to a room in Central London for an emergency open meeting called in response to increasingly serious attacks on the right to protest in the UK.
It was organised by Defend the Right to Protest campaign and one of the speakers was Labour MP John McDonnell.
Watch
The organisers say:
We aim to defend the protesters facing charges and to remind the government and the police that we can and will exercise our protest without fear of arrest or intimidation.
More on the Facebook event page
Lawyers back UKuncut on tax avoidance
Britain could slash its £30bn a year corporate tax avoidance industry in one swoop – and raise more money from higher tax revenues – if it switched to a principles-based approach rather than the present one of “legal certainty”, according to the Queen’s lawyers.
Robert Field, the head of tax at Farrer & Co, lawyers to the Royal Family, said last week: “Rather than tinkering with the present system of specific rules which leads to companies looking for loopholes to avoid tax, there are grounds for arguing that the UK could generate billions more by introducing a principle-based approach to the rule-book.”
…
Farrer believes the subject is so important that it is hosting a debate in London on 19 May which will be attended by some of the country’s top tax experts, including David Hartnett, the head of HM Revenue & Customs, as well as bankers and accountants.
…
Mr Field said: “I don’t think there has ever been a tax event like it. Everybody wants to come. Most people accept that we need change if taxing companies is to be made fairer. There is clearly a problem with corporate tax avoidance and one which we have seen has taken on a moral dilemma with lobbying groups like UK Uuncut taking a stand”.
For Alex Salmond, Scotland’s independence isn’t the point
The debate around Scottish independence often seems to miss something: there is no such thing as an independent country. Britain, for example, is a member of the EU, the UN, and NATO, and is a signatory to countless global or bilateral treaties.
The point is not some abstract idea about freedom and independence. The point is about powers, and power. Which powers should be held by Holyrood, by Scottish local authorities, or by communities in Scotland? Which powers should be held by Westminster, and which powers should be held by the EU?
continue reading… »
The ‘Yes to AV’ campaign: let the post-mortems begin
We already know the result. Now we need learn the lessons and do it much better next time, when that may be.
Some obvious and crucial points first.. Clegg was of course an albatross.
continue reading… »
Week of action against Atos begins Monday
Disability activists, claimant groups and anti-cuts campaigners have called a week of action against “poverty pimps” Atos Origin beginning on Monday 9th May with a picnic and party in Triton Square, home of their head office, at 2pm.
Both announced and unannounced protests are set to take place around the UK outside the offices and testing centres operated by Atos Origin.
Atos Origin have just begun a £300 million contract by the Government to carry out ‘work capability assessments’ on all of those claiming Incapacity Benefit.
It is claimed assessments are to test what people can do rather than what they can’t. The real purpose is to strip benefits from as many people as possible.
This testing system has already led to people with terminal illnesses and severe medical conditions being declared fit for work and having benefits cut. GP’s are ignored in favour of decisions made by Atos Origin’s computer.
To date around 40% of appeals against Atos Origin’s decisions have been successful.
Aist of Atos Origin’s corporate offices
Atos testing centres are listed here
Events across the UK to be helf starting on Monday listed here.
Saying ‘Libdems were punished for betrayals’ isn’t quite right
contribution by Jon Stone
The assertion that voters were particularly incensed by the betrayals of the yellows and sought to punish them in particular, drawing fire away from the Conservative Party, has shown up in both mainstream and niche coverage of events.
It is of course true that the Tories are the real enemy. But I’m not sure that the “Lib Dems drew fire from the Tories” argument really works. What actually happened last night? People who previously voted Libdem stopped voting Libdem.
continue reading… »
Greens win control of first council, in Brighton
The Greens are now the largest party on Brighton & Hove City Council after election results today.
This is the first time a local council in the UK has elected the Greens as the largest party.
Brighton and Hove Green convenor Bill Randall said,
The city has listened to the Greens and we have listened to the city. Greens will now sit down and plan how to take the city forward in these difficult times.
This is the first time the Greens have been the largest party on any council in the UK and people seem to be genuinely enthused by the option of a Green-led council.
Greens gained 10 councillors in the elections, taking their total to 23. That makes them the largest group of Green councillors in the entire country.
Green leader Caroline Lucas said:
Our councillors are determined to get the best possible deal for Brighton and Hove in these difficult times. And with all the results in, now is the moment for Greens to reach out to the many different groups – community organisations, businesses, unions and others – and local residents so that together, we can find the best solutions for this great city.
The Greens won 33% of the vote and displaced the Tories as the largest party on the council.
Why were Libdems ever in doubt that Tories would play dirty?
This morning the airwaves are jammed with Lib Dems telling tales to teacher. “He stole my referendum”, “he fibbed”, “he broke my coalition”
Can they honestly be surprised to find that Conservatives might lie sometimes? That Tories might sell their granny for an archaic voting system that gives them an unfair advantage? It’s like a gazelle complaining that a lion ate him. Or bread reacting with astonishment at being made into a sandwich.
continue reading… »
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