Articles tagged Liberal Democrats:
My Book of the Year: "I Never Promised You a Rose Garden by Jonny Oates
- 29 Dec 2020
Unless you're a political geek, or a LibDem, you've probably never heard of Jonny Oates, but take it from me, if you read his book you'll want to know more about him. This is not the book I expected it to be. Given his background in Liberal Democrat politics, and his positi...
It Shouldn't Happen to a Radio Presenter 68 - When a LibDem Hasn't Done Her Homework
- 13 Nov 2019
Last night on LBC I interviewed LibDem environment spokeswoman Wera Hobhouse about the floods in South Yorkshire and Derbyshire. She's been on my show several times before and always been rather impressive. This interview, however, turned into a bit of a car crash for her. She...
LibDem MEP Questions Motives of Poppy Wearing Brexiteers
- 29 Oct 2019
We wear red poppies for remembrance and hope for a peaceful future (Royal British Legion). But the EU provides more than hope, after centuries of conflict it was created to ensure that it must never happen again. Am I wrong to be cynical about Brexiteers wearing poppies? — ...
Who Will be the Next LibDem Leader (And Does it Matter)?
- 17 Mar 2019
One of the many mysteries of British politics is why on earth the LibDems are still languishing at under 10% on the polls, given they are the only political party in the UK to have a united and understandable position on Brexit. They have 48% of the electorate to woo, b...
From the Archives: Long Read 'In Conversation with Shirley Williams'
- 7 Jan 2019
Iain: Do you enjoy Question Time? Shirley: Mostly I do. I’ve had a couple of experiences that I didn’t enjoy at all. I think almost entirely with the Hitchens brothers. I can tell you from personal experience that if you have both Hitchens, it is devastating! One thing, the...
From the Archives: My Long Read 'In Conversation' With Paddy Ashdown
- 23 Dec 2018
Back in 2009 I did a lengthy interview with Paddy Ashdown for Total Politics. Last night I found it on an old computer so I thought I'd share it with you. It makes for fascinating reading and really stands the test of time. This is the full length version and has never been pu...
My Personal Tribute to Paddy Ashdown - A Political Hero of Modern Times
- 22 Dec 2018
"I would absolutely LOVE to do this." Those were the typically enthusiastic words from Paddy Ashdown when I emailed him to invite him to take part in one of the first episodes of my new political panel show, CROSS QUESTION. Sadly it was never to happen. Only a few days ...
In Defence of Nick Clegg - The Man Who Likes Taking Risks
- 21 Oct 2018
I remember back in around 2003 my friend Duncan Brack, a leading figure in backroom LibDem politics, told me about a Liberal Democrat MEP called Nick Clegg. “He’ll be LibDem leader one day,” said Duncan. Two years later Nick Clegg swapped the European Parliament for Westminste...
What the Liberal Democrats Need Is Another Jeremy Thorpe
- 9 Sep 2018
On Tuesday I’m going to be interviewing Vince Cable for an hour - yes, you read that right - in the LBC studio. 8-9pm, since you ask. It comes off the back of his speech on Friday, in which he essentially announced he’s entered the world of lame duckery. Any political leader w...
Top 50 Liberal Democrats 2014
- 26 Sep 2014
Each year I assemble a group of experts to compile a list of the top fifty most influential Liberal Democrats; this year, the panel judged their performance since September 2013. Given the party’s awful performance in May – beaten into fifth place by the Greens in the European...