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Nick Clegg MP

"Welcome to our website. The Liberal Democrats are now the only party that can deliver social justice. We are only choice for anyone who wants a fairer Britain.

"We will put money back in the pockets of ordinary families. We will build a stable, green economy for each and every one of us. We will change politics so that every person counts.

"You can find out more, including how to keep in touch or join the Liberal Democrats, on this site."

Recent updates

  • Liberal Democrat News 10th February 2012
    Article: Feb 10, 2012



    Confident Ed stands firm

    Strongly backed by Nick Clegg, newly appointed Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Ed Davey was quick to make his mark in his new role when he confirmed his personal commitment to green growth, green jobs and the wider use of wind power technology. "I think that onshore and offshore wind power has a real place in a balanced mix of energy generation so I'm a huge supporter of renewables" he said.

    100 Tory back-benchers have tabled a motion calling for a dramatic cut in subsidies for onshore wind farms but Ed is very clear where he stands. "Already we've seen through the subsidies that this government has invested in onshore wind that the price has come down to make onshore more competitive, so we've got money in all sorts of renewables because of the success of these investments.

    "There may have been a change at the helm, but there'll be no change in direction or ambition. My priorities are very simple: green jobs, green growth and getting the best deal for energy bill payers."Ed and Nick Clegg were visiting the Building Research Establishment's Innovation Park near Watford, a testing site for green homes, where they met graduates considering moving into green construction jobs. Nick Clegg told them "The race is on to lead the world in clean, green energy. The savviest states understand that going for growth means going green. Low-carbon markets are the next frontier in the battle for global pre-eminence.

    "We have every reason to be confident. The combination of enviable wind, wave and tidal power, a world-beating research base and a proud history of engineering give the UK a clear competitive edge. So we're already in pole position. But the reality is: we need to sharpen our elbows if we want to stay ahead." Ed Davey also announced that 155 community energy projects across the country have won a share of £5.1 million of funding from the Local Energy Assessment Fund. The winning bids include projects to demonstrate wall insulation to the public, schemes to check the energy efficiency of homes and events to promote energy efficiency in local communities.

    While Ed was getting to grips with his new job, Norfolk North's Liberal Democrat MP Norman Lamb was taking up his new appointment as Minister for Employment Relations, Consumer and Postal Affairs in the Department of Business Innovation and Skills. Welcoming him Secretary of State Vince Cable said "Norman's professional background as an employment lawyer and experience as the Liberal Democrat's Trade and Industry Spokesman make him an ideal replacement. He pioneered our policy to privatise Royal Mail and establish employee share ownership in the business so it is fitting that he will be responsible for implementing that policy."

    Norman, who was previously chief political adviser to Nick Clegg, expressed himself particularly delighted to be implementing the Post Office reforms he had pioneered in opposition. These would give employees a stake in the company.

    Two other new appointments were announced in the mini-reshuffle. Cardiff Central MP Jenny Willott becomes an Assistant Government Whip and Dunbartonshire East's MP Jo Swinson becomes PPS to Nick Clegg.

  • Donald Trump's millions won't bully Scotland
    Article: Feb 9, 2012

    Donald Trump has been urged to lie down in a dark room after another excitable outburst against Scotland's renewable plans.

    Willie Rennie MSPWillie Rennie MSPScottish Liberal Democrat leader, Willie Rennie MSP, has urged Mr Trump to calm down after he threatened to launch an international campaign against Scotland's renewable energy plans.

    Commenting on the letter to First Minister Alex Salmond, Mr Rennie said:

    "First Mr Trump accuses Scotland of being the laughing stock of the world, now he threatens to launch an international campaign. What Mr Trump needs to understand is that Scotland will live up to our responsibilities to tackle climate change.

    "This letter is a rather desperate attempt by a rich man who is used to getting his own way, but his latest tizzy is embarrassing. Instead of the world laughing at Scotland, Scotland is laughing at Mr Trump.

    "Global warming, limited fossil fuels and rising energy demand mean we need to create a sustainable energy resource that meets our needs and protects the environment for our children's future. That means we need to use a range of technologies from on and offshore wind, tidal, wave and emerging technologies. Mr Trump's dislike for turbines several miles from his golf course should not derail Scotland's ambition.

    "I would urge the First Minister to listen to Mr Trump but no more, and no less than anyone else. We won't be bullied by Mr Trump and his millions."

  • FM is Goliath blocking rights of ordinary Scots
    Article: Feb 9, 2012

    Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie challenged the First Minister today on the what his Government is doing to ensure that Scotland's Freedom of Information record does not slip behind other countries, including the rest of the UK.

    Willie Rennie MSPWillie Rennie MSPScotland's former Freedom of Information Commissioner, Kevin Dunion, issued a warning to the Scottish Government last week saying that Scotland's Freedom of Information system was at risk from slipping and he wasn't sure why the Scottish Government had decided to row back on this legislation.

    Mr Rennie challenged the First Minister to explain why instead of looking to roll this legislation out further, he had actually blocked the extension of information laws to cover housing associations, PFI companies and other public bodies.

    Commenting afterwards, Mr Rennie said:

    "Mr Dunion's comments are a serious blow to Scotland's aim of being a beacon of progress in this area.

    "Instead of trying to blame anyone else, the First Minister needs to explain why his Government blocked the extension of information laws in Scotland.

    "Access to information is important in a free and liberal Scotland so individuals can challenge those who wield power.

    "The First Minister needs to clarify why tenants in Lanarkshire can access information about their rent increases, but tenants in Glasgow cannot. Why can an arms-length company, spending millions of pounds of taxpayers' money, dodge giving answers when councils cannot?

    "Mr Dunion said himself that he was "not entirely clear why the Government has decided to row back" on improving Scotland's Freedom of Information system.

    "So it is up to the First Minister to be clear.

    "The First Minister always wants to be David, but, isn't he now Goliath, blocking the rights of ordinary Scots?"

  • Lib Dems vote for Scottish budget
    Article: Feb 8, 2012

    Scottish Liberal Democrats today voted for the Scottish Government's budget after additional spending was allocated to priority areas argued for by the party.

    Willie Rennie MSPWillie Rennie MSPIn a tight budget, the party argued for the additional finance supplied by the UK Coalition Government to be spent on colleges, social housing, transport projects and early intervention.

    Speaking after the debate, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie MSP said:

    "This budget wasn't perfect by any means but it was good enough to get our support.

    "The additional support for students, colleges, new homes and help for children from disadvantaged backgrounds reflected the priorities we argued for.

    "Together with the National Union of Students and thousands of students across Scotland, we made the case for a reversal of the £40million cut imposed on colleges by the Scottish Government. The Scottish Government have largely reversed that cut.

    "We argued for more funds to build homes for rent and more has been allocated today. To reach the homeless targets and the desperate need for more homes we will continue to press for more.

    "The additional spending on early intervention is welcome too in order to give children from disadvantaged backgrounds the best start in life.

    "We also welcome the commitment from John Swinney to explore the support for the Islands through the Air Discount Scheme."

  • Russell last man standing over college cuts
    Article: Feb 7, 2012

    Scottish Liberal Democrat Education spokesperson Liam McArthur MSP has urged the Education Secretary not to be the last man standing defending the SNP's college cut.

    Liam McArthur MSPLiam McArthur MSPMr McArthur has urged Mike Russell to join those calling on the Finance Secretary John Swinney to reverse the cuts in his final budget bill tomorrow.

    Commenting Mr McArthur said:

    "The Education Secretary risks being the last, lonely voice defending the SNP Government's savage cuts to the budgets of Scotland's colleges.

    "This is a ludicrous situation which has seriously undermined the Minister's credibility within the college sector, particularly with students and staff.

    "At a time when Scotland's unemployment rate is rising faster the elsewhere in the UK, and youth unemployment is seen as a priority, this attack by the SNP on colleges defies logic. Colleges help people of all ages, in all parts of the country to get up and get on.

    "It's time for Mr Russell to recognise this, put his pride to one side and join the calls on Mr Swinney to reverse these cuts using the additional sums made available by Westminster."

  • Laughing stock comment says more about Trump than Scotland
    Article: Feb 7, 2012

    Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie MSP has labelled Donald Trump's attack on plans to build offshore wind turbines in the vicinity of his golf course, as hysterical.

    Willie Rennie MSPWillie Rennie MSPMr Rennie's comments are in response to a letter written to Struan Stevenson MEP by Mr Trump, congratulating Mr Stevenson on his anti-renewable stance.

    Mr Trump says in his letter that: "These hideous and noisy structures will visually destroy the coast and seriously impact the quality of life for local residents.

    Mr Trump goes on to say: "This ugly and destructive facility and others like it must be moved or Scotland will soon witness the total devastation of its tourism industry and become the laughing stock of the world."

    In light of these comments, Mr Rennie has urged Mr Trump to show a little more respect for Scotland and its climate change responsibility.

    Commenting Mr Rennie MSP said:

    "Donald Trump's hysterical attack exaggerates the impact of the offshore turbines on his golf course. Mr Trump has the right to be heard but no more or less than anyone else with an interest in this application.

    "Renewable resources are a critical part of the answer to our energy challenge and tackling climate change. Liberal Democrats fully support Scottish efforts to meet that challenge.

    "Mr Trump should show a little more respect for Scotland. Calling it a laughing stock of the world says more about him than it does about Scotland."

  • Graham Watson: European renewable energy is answer to Gazprom gas crisis
    Article: Feb 7, 2012

    Commenting on the ongoing crisis where Italy, Romania, Bulgaria, Greece, Turkey and Germany have experienced reductions of up to 30% in Russian gas supplies from Gazprom over the last few days, Sir Graham said:

    "The freezing conditions across Europe highlight yet again the dangers of being so overly-reliant on Russia for a quarter of our gas. Gazprom has - understandably - diverted its supplies to keep Russian homes warm, leaving many European countries short and prices on the rise."

    "And we just don't know what Gazprom will do next."

    "But the wind is blowing harder than ever in the Scottish Hebrides and it is 15 C and sunny in southern Spain and Greece. If, instead of building gas pipelines, we were building electricity transmission infrastructure and switching from fossil fuels to wind and solar power, this week's energy outlook would be a different story. European renewables are the answer to our energy security."

    "Indeed, the sun is also shining bright as ever in the Sahara. Importing electricity from North Africa would in fact be more secure than Russian gas, due to the larger number of potential trading partners and the fact that electricity cannot be switched off like gas. Electricity is the ultimate 'just in time' product: that which is not transmitted today is lost forever."

  • Lorely Burt: Labour hypocrisy on bankers' bonuses
    Article: Feb 7, 2012

    "The sheer hypocrisy of Labour to point the finger on bankers' bonuses is staggering. Labour presided over the biggest boom in bonuses this country has seen, from £3.1bn in 2001 to £11.5 billion in 2007. At the same time, they sat back and knighted the financial speculators who led this country to the brink of economic collapse.

    "The Coalition Government inherited this economic mess from Labour and has taken decisive action to put the country back on track. We've capped cash bonuses at state owned banks to £2,000 and overall, the bonus pool is smaller than last year and considerably less than under Labour.

    "In Government, Liberal Democrats are doing the right thing - implementing the Vickers' proposals to make banking safer in the future, continuing our fight to get the banks to lend more and introducing the banking levy which raises £2.5bn a year. All Labour can do is complain from the side lines.

    "While Labour spent thirteen years being intensely relaxed about people getting filthy rich, Liberal Democrats have made clear that our priority is lifting the lowest paid people out of paying income tax all together."

  • Julian Huppert: Coalition cycling investment comes at a crucial time
    Article: Feb 7, 2012

    "Promoting cycling and green transport is the right thing to do and I am delighted Liberal Democrats in the Coalition Government are taking action.

    "This comes at a crucial time. Just five days ago The Times launched a cycle campaign in response to the shocking increase in fatalities among cyclists on our roads.

    "It is absolutely essential people should be able to walk to work or cycle to school in a safe environment. The extra £8m for Sustrans will go a long way to achieving this.

    "And the £7m for improved rail-cycle links will ensure that we continue to build a transport network which puts passengers first."

  • More work to be done to drive forward climate change targets
    Article: Feb 6, 2012

    Scottish Liberal Democrat Transport spokesperson Jim Hume MSP has said that more needs to be done to encourage local authorities to invest in 'green' vehicles.

    Jim Hume MSPJim Hume MSPFigures obtained through Freedom of Information requests by the Liberal Democrats reveal that only 1% of the total number of vehicles procured by local authorities in Scotland are either electric or hybrid cars.

    Mr Hume has said that while it is welcome that most local authorities are now investing in electric or hybrid cars, there needs to be a significant improvement if Scotland is to meet its ambitious climate change targets.

    The technology for electric or hybrid cars is improving and the cost of electric vehicles has dropped significantly. Mr Hume would like to see more councils investing in this type of exciting new technology.

    Commenting, Mr Hume said:

    "While we have seen some progress in recent years in the procurement of green vehicles by local authorities, much more still needs to be done.

    "Scotland has set some extremely ambitious climate change targets and experts warned this week that more needs to be done if we are to meet them.

    "Local authorities have their part to play in this and switching to greener cars is a step forward. Every part of Scotland needs to be doing its bit.

    "The technology for electric or hybrid cars is improving all the time and the cost of electric vehicles has dropped significantly. Councils should be investing in this type of technology whenever possible.

    "We need to see Scotland's local authorities doing their bit to drive forward Scotland's climate change targets."

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