Lib Dems News Headlines - Yahoo! News UK

UK coalition to last despite rifts, infighting - deputy PM

Wed, 22 May 2013 12:30:22 +0100

By Andrew Osborn LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's deputy prime minister on Wednesday took the unusual step of holding a news conference to say the country's two-party coalition would hold together until 2015 as he tried to stabilise a government beset by infighting and rifts. In a move that risks being cast as a sign of weakness by political opponents, Nick Clegg, the leader of the Liberal Democrats, the junior partner in the coalition, sought to reassure voters that his alliance with Prime Minister David Cameron would endure until the next national election. ...

Nick Clegg Reads Tory Right The Riot Act

Wed, 22 May 2013 12:20:57 +0100

Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg has insisted that the coalition will last until 2015 as he attacks Conservative backbenchers for being "consumed by game playing".

Clegg gives Tory backbenchers both barrels

Wed, 22 May 2013 10:44:21 +0100

Nick Clegg railed against Conservative backbenchers this morning, in a speech which saw him demand that David Cameron stop buckling to their demands and "get back to governing".

Govt 'will stay together' despite strains: Clegg

Wed, 22 May 2013 03:14:48 +0100

Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg said on Wednesday he was committed to keeping the coalition government together until the next election in 2015 despite strains over Europe and gay marriage.

Coalition to last despite rifts, infighting - Clegg

Wed, 22 May 2013 00:42:45 +0100

By Andrew Osborn LONDON (Reuters) - Deputy prime minister will take the unusual step of holding a news conference on Wednesday to say the country's two-party coalition will hold together until 2015 as he tries to stabilise a government beset by infighting and rifts. In a demarche that risks being cast as a sign of weakness by political opponents, Nick Clegg, the leader of the Lib Dems, will try to reassure voters that his alliance with Prime Minister David Cameron will endure until the next national election. ...

Britain backs push for alternative small firm funding sources

Mon, 20 May 2013 01:08:26 +0100

LONDON (Reuters) - British firms should look for funding outside the banking sector, Business Secretary Vince Cable said on Monday, marking the latest effort to generate growth among small- and medium-sized businesses (SMEs). Faced with a barely growing economy, the government has targeted smaller companies as a major source of growth and has introduced reforms to encourage start-ups and make it easier for existing businesses to expand. "Britain's businesses cannot grow, export and innovate without proper access to bank credit. ...

Help offered to probation mutuals

Mon, 20 May 2013 00:17:16 +0100

Probation staff who start their own John Lewis-style mutuals will be offered support to bid for contracts under the Government's rehabilitation reforms, Nick Clegg will announce.

Cable warns on 'reckless' EU exit

Thu, 16 May 2013 03:52:36 +0100

Liberal Democrat Business Secretary Vince Cable will today brand advocates of EU withdrawal "self-indulgent and reckless", as he warns that a British pull-out would mean an "exodus" of international firms from the UK and the loss of thousands of jobs.

UK warns Sri Lanka on abuses before Commonwealth summit

Wed, 15 May 2013 16:28:21 +0100

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain said on Wednesday there would be "consequences" for Sri Lanka if its leaders did not address international concerns over human rights abuses, ahead of a Commonwealth summit scheduled to be held in Colombo in November. Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg told parliament "despicable human rights violations" had taken place in Sri Lanka, but that Britain still planned to attend the Commonwealth meeting there, a stance that has drawn heavy criticism from rights groups. ...

Clegg 'fighting effort to oust him'

Sun, 12 May 2013 11:18:41 +0100

Nick Clegg's opposition to childcare reforms is part of an effort to fight off internal efforts to oust him as Liberal Democrat leader, Education Secretary Michael Gove said.

Lord Rennard: Baroness Defends Sex Claims Peer

Fri, 10 May 2013 09:25:52 +0100

Shirley Williams has said fellow Liberal Democrat peer Lord Rennard, who is currently being investigated for allegations of sexual harassment, is "absolutely selfless" and at worst guilty of "misbehaving".

Planned childcare reforms in chaos

Thu, 09 May 2013 17:58:12 +0100

The Government's childcare reforms were in chaos after Nick Clegg hit out at plans to relax rules on the number of toddlers nursery staff can supervise.

Childcare: Clegg Resists Nursery Ratio Shake-Up

Thu, 09 May 2013 13:34:20 +0100

The coalition's flagship childcare reforms have been thrown into doubt after Nick Clegg signalled he does not support loosening ratios in nurseries.

'Chaos and incompetence': Clegg makes Tory childcare minister wriggle

Thu, 09 May 2013 11:01:31 +0100

Education minister Liz Truss has conceded the coalition's childcare plans remain up in the air after Nick Clegg's intervention yesterday.

Blunt instrument: Immigration clampdown dominates Queen's Speech after Ukip surge

Wed, 08 May 2013 00:59:01 +0100

David Cameron and Nick Clegg are meeting voters' concerns about immigration and the rise of Ukip head-on with an immigration bill forming the centrepiece of today's Queen's Speech.

Jo Swinson 'Almost Killed' By Biscuit Reaction

Mon, 06 May 2013 09:32:12 +0100

Liberal Democrat minister Jo Swinson says she almost died after suffering an allergic reaction to a biscuit.

Cameron under pressure over Europe

Sun, 05 May 2013 18:20:55 +0100

David Cameron is under pressure to defy his Liberal Democrat coalition partners and stage a referendum on Europe before the next general election.

Government may sell 40 billion pound student loan book - report

Sun, 05 May 2013 14:42:14 +0100

LONDON (Reuters) - The government is considering whether to sell its 40 billion pound student loan book as part of a series of privatisations that includes selling off the Royal Mail Group, the Sunday Times newspaper said. The government is testing the market with the sale of a 900 million pound tranche of loans, which was announced by Business Secretary Vince Cable on March 26. The newspaper said that the government was now looking at wholesale privatisation. ...

Clegg hits out at Tories and Labour

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 14:43:39 +0100

Nick Clegg has accused the Tories and Labour of being dragged to the "extremes" of right and left in the latest salvo of the battle for votes in Thursday's local elections.

"Snoopers' charter" won't happen, says Clegg

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 13:51:22 +0100

By Michael Holden LONDON (Reuters) - Deputy prime minister on Thursday ruled out plans to allow police and spy agencies access to details of people's Internet use, dubbed a "snoopers charter", threatening division in the coalition government over security and civil liberties. Senior police and security chiefs argue that unless they are given new powers to monitor online activities, militants and crooks will exploit advances in communication technology such as Facebook and Skype. ...

Clegg kills off snoopers' charter live on air

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 10:24:26 +0100

Nick Clegg sounded the death knell of the controversial snoopers' charter today, during a radio phone-in show which left listeners reeling.

Last ditch resistance to NHS reform crumbles

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 09:22:01 +0100

A last-ditch effort to stop the government's NHS reform programme fell apart in the Lords last night, with Tory and Lib Dem peers forcing through wide-ranging changes to the health service.

Yard probes peer sex allegations

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 18:39:50 +0100

Scotland Yard has launched an investigation into allegations that a Lib Dem peer sexually harassed activists.

Teather takes on asylum seeker support cuts

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 13:01:26 +0100

Cuts to support for asylum seekers should be scrutinised by parliament, former Liberal Democrat minister has urged MPs.

Cameron rivals 'not Thatcherites'

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 17:11:46 +0100

Both Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg have rejected Prime Minister David Cameron's claim that "We are all Thatcherites now".

UK "quadruple-checking" London Marathon security after Boston

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 12:14:42 +0100

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain is "double, triple, quadruple checking" security arrangements for this weekend's London marathon after the tragic events in Boston this week, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said on Thursday. Explosions at the Boston marathon finish line on Monday killed three people and injured 176. No arrests have yet been made. The London race, first run in 1981, will attract 36,000 runners on Sunday, among them Britain's double Olympic champion Mo Farah, who will be cheered on by hundreds of thousands of supporters lining the course. In a weekly radio phone-in for LBC 97. ...

Cable Climbdown After One Direction Blast

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 15:23:26 +0100

Business Secretary Vince Cable has been forced to backtrack after suggesting that the high pay of pop bands like One Direction is "downright insensitive and grossly immoral".

Conservatives against conservatories: Coalition faces down extensions rebellion

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 10:32:27 +0100

Conservative and Liberal Democrat backbenchers are set to take on the government over rules controlling home extensions later.

PMQs on funeral day 'a bit odd'

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 12:18:34 +0100

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has suggested it would be "a bit odd" to go ahead with Prime Minister's Questions on the day of Baroness Thatcher's funeral.

Clegg to hit out at Tory spending

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 03:48:56 +0100

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg is due to launch a blistering attack on the Conservatives, claiming they squander taxpayers' money on vanity projects.

Clegg slams Labour over tax claims

Sat, 06 Apr 2013 18:50:54 +0100

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has attacked Labour for trying to "pull the wool over people's eyes" about sweeping tax changes.

Clegg under fire over ski holiday

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 23:38:47 +0100

Nick Clegg has come under fire for taking a luxury skiing holiday as fresh benefit reforms kick in leaving many struggling households facing shrinking incomes.

Cameron in coalition rift over Trident nuclear system

Thu, 04 Apr 2013 19:47:50 +0100

By Andrew Osborn LONDON (Reuters) - Prime Minister David Cameron reopened a rift in his coalition government over the future of Britain's nuclear deterrent on Thursday, saying potential threats from countries such as Iran and North Korea meant it could not be scaled back. Cameron's comments put him at odds with his Liberal Democrat coalition partners who want to find a cheaper alternative to Britain's multi-billion pound submarine-based Trident nuclear missile system to try to save money at a time when the nation's finances are mired in debt. ...

Clegg humiliated after Cameron jumps the gun on Trident

Thu, 04 Apr 2013 09:44:41 +0100

The prime minister went out of his way to humiliate Nick Clegg this morning with a robust defence of Britain's nuclear capability which left the Trident review looking redundant even as a face-saving exercise.

We will deport Qatada, says Clegg

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 12:05:56 +0000

The Government remains determined to deport the radical cleric Abu Qatada despite the latest legal setback, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has said.

Vince Cable Attacks Bank Capital Ruling

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 10:50:29 +0000

Vince Cable, the Business Secretary, has attacked plans to force Britain's banks to raise up to £25bn to strengthen their balance sheets, warning that it would slow the pace of economic recovery.

Lib Dem MP Mike Hancock To Be Investigated

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 16:02:39 +0000

An investigation has been launched into the conduct of Lib Dem MP Mike Hancock.

PM made 'colossal blunder' on press

Sat, 23 Mar 2013 00:32:11 +0000

David Cameron made a colossal "strategic blunder" in pulling out of talks on the creation of a new regulator for the press, former Liberal Democrat leader Paddy Ashdown has said.

Immigration: Lib Dems Call For Security Bonds

Fri, 22 Mar 2013 20:08:53 +0000

Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg has called for a bail-like system of security bonds to tackle visa abuse.

Britain considers tough Australia-style border controls

Fri, 22 Mar 2013 16:10:12 +0000

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain is considering introducing much tougher border controls and may oblige visitors from "high-risk" countries to hand over a returnable cash bond to deter them from overstaying their visas, its deputy prime minister said on Friday. "We need an immigration system that is zero-tolerant towards abuse," Nick Clegg said in his toughest speech on the subject yet, talking of a "crisis of public confidence" in the immigration system. Clegg said he had asked the home office or interior ministry to look at starting a pilot scheme for the cash bonds. ...