Lib Dems rebel over free schools

By Alex Stevenson Liberal Democrat activists have defeated their leadership over coalition plans for free schools and academies. In the first major act of rebellion at the autumn conference voters clearly rejected schools minister Sarah Teather’s attempt to water down a motion stating that “conference is concerned by the establishment of academies and free schools […]

Deputy Scottish Lib Dem leader steps down

By politics.co.uk staff The deputy leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats has stepped down, citing his workload. Michael Moore, who is also Scottish secretary, said the pressures of being a Cabinet minister mean he is not prepared to remain in the role, which he held for seven years. He was immediately replaced by Jo Swinson, […]

Hughes: We won’t sign on the dotted line

By Alex Stevenson The Liberal Democrats will use their party conference to defy the coalition government’s policy, Simon Hughes has told politics.co.uk. The party’s deputy leader’s comments came as Lib Dem delegates in Liverpool debated a motion expressing concern at education secretary Michael Gove’s proposals on free schools and academies. “It’ll just remind people the […]

Ashdown: We don’t know how this will play out

By politics.co.uk staff The fate of the Liberal Democrats following the coalition agreement is still uncertain, a former party leader has admitted. Paddy Ashdown refused to criticise the decision to enter government with the Conservatives while appearing on the Today programme, but he admitted the future was unclear. “We do not yet know how this […]

Hold your nerve, Clegg asks Lib Dems

By Alex Stevenson Nick Clegg has appealed to Liberal Democrat members in his first conference speech as deputy prime minister to “hold our nerve”. The request came just hours after conference delegates in Liverpool defeated the party leadership over the coalition government’s plans to create new free schools and academies. Mr Clegg directly addressed the […]

Clegg: Labour opposition is ‘hysterical’

By politics.co.uk staff Some elements of opposition to the Liberal Democrats’ role in government are “hysterical”, Nick Clegg has told party activists during a Q&A. The session, which took place at the party’s autumn conference in Liverpool, saw Mr Clegg accuse the opposition and Guardian columnist Polly Toynbee in particular of perpetuating a “betrayal myth” […]

Analysis: Jubilation and jitters at the Lib Dem conference

Celebrations at a return to power are being tempered by deep anxiety as the Liberal Democrats’ autumn conference in Liverpool gathers steam. By Alex Stevenson With the party in power for the first time in many decades this should be an opportunity for triumphalism. That seemed unlikely after the party’s number of MPs dipped below […]

Ashcroft quits Tory party deputy chairman role

By politics.co.uk staff The Conservatives’ main donor and deputy chairman, Michael Ashcroft, is to quit the party. The dramatic move comes just months after his decision to forsake his non-dom status. Lord Ashcroft wrote a withering attack on the Conservative election campaign, printed in the Telegraph, saying he was irritated the party did not win […]

Alexander goes to war with unions and tax evaders

By politics.co.uk staff Danny Alexander started a war on two fronts today, when he attacked trade unions and tax evaders in his speech to the Liberal Democrat conference. The chief secretary to the Treasury said some unions were “spoiling for a fight” and would misrepresent the coalition government’s arguments about the deficit. “There are a […]

Clegg launches AV campaign as Ed Miliband promises to ‘punish’ him

By Ian Dunt Nick Clegg has launched the ‘yes’ campaign for the AV referendum amid ever more angry attacks from Ed Miliband. The Labour leadership candidate, who has built his campaign on his ability to attract votes from the Liberal Democrats, said he would “make sure he is punished at the ballot box” for joining […]