Commenting on Ruth Kelly's gay rights voting record Liberal Democrat Women and Equalities Spokesperson, Lorely Burt MP said: "How can the gay community trust equal rights legislation to be properly implemented and enforced when Ruth Kelly has such an ambiguous record on gay rights?
Local MP and chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Hill Farming, Tim Farron, has welcomed today's announcement by new DEFRA minister David Miliband that 85% of Single Farm Payments will be made by the end of the week. However, Mr Farron remains critical of the length of time it has taken to make these payments, and is concerned that many local farmers have had to shoulder the cost of commercial loans as a stop gap while waiting for their Single Farm Payments.
Local MP Tim Farron is continuing to work to save Sedbergh's Auction Mart. The Mart, which held its final sale at the end of April, now faces an uncertain future.
Park Ward Liberal Democrats have started to deliver a "Thank You" Focus across the Ward. Voters are thanked for turning out to vote in the election on 4th May in which the Lib Dem candidate, Robin Lawrence, shot up from third place to 128 votes of winning. Robin has vowed to continue to work in Park throughout the year.
Dundee Liberal Democrat local party Convener Raymond Lawrie has today (Tuesday 9th May) welcomed the Scottish Arts Council's decision to increase funding to the thriving arts community in Dundee.
A credibility crisis is building in Britain's political institutions, says Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell. Reform of the voting system and the House of Lords were "roadblocks" to getting people more involved in democracy, said Sir Menzies. He was speaking at a conference about democracy in the wake of the local elections, when turnout was 36%. The conference was organised by the Power Commission, which recently reported on how to get people more involved with politics.