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Articles tagged with Tim Farron
Lib Dems reveal an identity crisis on day one of conference
by Anoosh Chakelian / 22 Sep 2012 15:04
Just when you were getting the hang of Lib Dem v Tory coalition divisions, a new tension reveals itself in the harsh yellow light of conference season: Lib Dem v Lib Dem.
The official theme is 'fairer tax in tough times', but from the consternation on tired faces, nervously chewed lanyards and restlessly twitching beards, it is clear from the onset that this is actually the soul-searching season - who are the Lib
Could Huhne become a Lib Dem king across the water?
by Charlotte Henry / 06 Feb 2012 16:08
The dust is now beginning to settle on Chris Huhne's inglorious departure from the cabinet, and Ed Davey has started a new week in a new job. Our civil service will no doubt try and ensure that the change of secretary of state is as smooth as possible, but the effects for the Huhne and Davey's party could be much longer lasting.
It's hard to underestimate the political weight Chris Huhne had until
Tories ponder Lib Dem future
by Amber Elliott / 25 Jan 2012 18:57
It seems some of the more settled Conservative MPs have been indulging in a bit of Lib Dem gossip of late.
With much of the business concentrated in the Lords at the moment, one MP admitted that "mischief is mostly what we have to amuse us".
At dinner last night, a group of older Tories pondered what might happen to Nick Clegg at the next election.
Apparently, they decided that EU
Liberal Democrat Tory-bashing awards 2011
by James Clayton / 21 Sep 2011 15:37
For the first time the Liberal Democrats have produced a set of metrics by which we can assess the performance of Liberal Democrat MPs and ministers and their conference as they do their best to knock their coalition colleagues. Below are the highlights and the final results (as decided by the panel).
5 points: Tories = selfish
Not particularly difficult hence the relatively low number of points available. Special attention should be
Tory jibes from 'grown up' Lib Dems
by Amber Elliott / 19 Sep 2011 10:20
One Lib Dem MP remarked to me last night how much the party had “grown up” in the last few years.
This doesn’t just mean the presence of more suits at conference, but in the tone of their politics. It’s a tougher, more combative Liberal Democrat party, supposedly.
Certainly, if we take Tim Farron’s speech in the main hall, there is less caution on the politics of coalition.
“The picture of
What does Tim Farron mean when he talks about community politics?
by Amber Elliott / 18 Sep 2011 17:39
I interviewed Tim Farron for this month’s Total Politics (full interview to go online shortly).
One thing that really struck me was his dedication to his local constituency. Supposedly, he’s dealt with more than 40,000 pieces of casework since 2005.
Today, Farron used his speech to expand on what he's picked up on locally, through the idea of 'community politics'.
In a well-received speech, he told Lib Dem delegates:
“This
Why Lib Dems should be for scrapping the 50p tax rate
by Charlotte Henry / 14 Sep 2011 11:25
The 50p tax rate has become another coalition cause célèbre for the Lib Dem left: "Look, look what we can stop those nasty Tories doing". Party President Tim Farron said that scrapping the rate for those that earn over £100K would be "phenomenally immoral", and even Danny Alexander said anyone who wanted to scrap it at the moment was "living in cloud cuckoo land."
While I don't doubt that some of
Who will suffer in the constituency shake up?
by Richard Roberts / 13 Sep 2011 13:07
The dust is beginning to settle after the scrum caused by MPs in Portcullis House yesterday lunchtime, all desperate to get their hands on a copy of the Boundary Commission’s proposals for changing constituency boundaries in England. While there is still a lengthy consultation process to come, the impact this review is likely to have on the futures of sitting MPs is beginning to become clear. Many in Westminster today still seem to be
Tim Farron on why he's launched an official AV inquiry
by Amber Elliott / 29 Jun 2011 09:53
Tim Farron has denied there will be a "blame culture" in the Liberal Democrat inquiry into the AV referendum.
His comments come after The Guardian highlighted misspent money and demoralised staff as two issues raised by the recently launched investigation.
It was revealed on Monday that the Liberal Democrats were holding an official inquiry into the AV campaign, separate to their examination of Scottish, Welsh and local elections.
Today,
Can Tim Farron ride to his party's rescue?
by Laurence Durnan / 19 May 2011 12:22
If you feel sorry for Nick Clegg, spare a thought for his poor rivals. With personal poll ratings plumbing uncharted depths for a Liberal Democrat leader, one might assume ambitious Padawans would emerge, glistening with promise, into the political limelight. Not so much.
Widely tipped as a future leader of his party, David Laws looked to be the surprise star of the coalition before he was forced to resign after just 17
All you need to know about AV
05 May 2011 11:31
Amber Elliott went inside both campaigns and found a maze of claim and counter-claim as well as some fervent activists
You can read full transcripts of her interviews with No campaign head Matthew Elliott, Lib Dem President Tim Farron, No to AV digital strategists Jag Singh and Lara Smallman and Lib Dem MP and Yes
Farron: 'The No campaign has been pretty disgusting'
by Amber Elliott / 03 May 2011 14:23
AE: When did you first get involved with the campaign?
TF: You could say it was when I joined the Liberal Party in 1986. It wasn’t the only reason that I got into politics but it was a major motivating factor. The sense of injustice at the 1983 election which saw Margaret Thatcher return with a 140 seat majority despite getting 40% of the vote and then proceeding to sell-off a whole load
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