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10月31日
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+++ Leadership election +++
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Dear All,
There will now be a postal ballot of everyone who was a member of the party as of 4pm 31 October.
Ballot papers will be posted out on 21 November, with a return deadline of 15 December. The count and declaration will take place on 17 December.
Leadership hustings
There will be a series of hustings meetings during the campaign, including both traditional hustings meetings around the country and a range of different online hustings.
(Online hustings information will be added to it shortly once those arrangements have been confirmed).
Keeping in touch with the campaign
This page also includes details about the party's free text message news service, which will also be used to provide people with updates during the campaign.
In addition, if you have the party's free toolbar, you will find links (under the "Lib Dem links" button) to the party leadership election news page and all the candidate websites. It will also be updated to include links to the online hustings as they take place. You can install the toolbar from http://liberaldemocrats.ourtoolbar.com/
The leadership campaigns will be provided with a list of party members eligible to vote, including postal address and phone numbers from the party's records, and they are allowed to use these records as part of their campaigning. The party's email records are not provided to the campaigns, but each campaign will be entitled to supply three separate email messages which the party will then send out on their behalf to all eligible members for whom we have email addresses. In addition, of course, the campaigns can gather in their own email addresses (e.g. by asking people to sign up via their websites).
We expect a BBC Question Time dedicated to the leadership election in late November. I will let you know more as and when it is finalised.
Chris Rennard
Chief Executive, Liberal Democrats |
P.S. The party's weekly newspaper, Liberal Democrat News, will also be covering the leadership campaign. It costs only £30 a year. You can subscribe at http://www.libdems.org.uk/ldn
10月28日
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Mr Clegg is the bookie's favourite to win the contest | The Liberal Democrats were too "inward looking" under the leadership of Sir Menzies Campbell, party leader hopeful Nick Clegg has said.
Mr Clegg, the front-runner in the leadership contest, said he wanted to end the "mould of two-party politics".
Meanwhile, his rival Chris Huhne has reportedly said he would scrap the Trident nuclear weapons system.
But Mr Clegg said he was not prepared to unilaterally disarm "on a whim in a leadership contest".
'Ridiculous'
Mr Clegg, the party's home affairs spokesman, told ITV1's Sunday Edition: "What I seek to do is draw a line under two years of what has been, frankly, a rather introverted, somewhat inward-looking phase in the party's history."
He pledged to set an ambitious objective to "break the stifling mould of two-party politics within the next decade".
In Sunday's Observer newspaper Mr Huhne - the party's environment spokesman - said it would be "ridiculous" to replace the existing Trident system with "something of equivalent power, strength and lack of vulnerability".
His stance signalled a break with the party's policy on Trident which has been to delay making a decision on replacing the submarines.
'Nuclear disarmer'
Mr Clegg said his rival was not committed to "scrap Trident tomorrow".
He added: "I start with two principles. I'm a nuclear disarmer but I am, to my fingertips, a multi-lateralist.
"I do not believe that, just on a whim in a leadership contest, one should abandon the idea that Britain should play a role not only in disarming itself but disarming the world."
Mr Clegg is the bookies' favourite and frontrunner at Westminster after submitting nomination papers signed by 28 of the Lib Dem's 63 MPs - almost triple the 10 nominations secured by his rival.
The contest will be decided by a ballot of the party's entire membership, but the figures suggest a strong preference for Mr Clegg among the MPs the winner will lead at Westminster.
Ballots will be sent out in mid-November to members and the victor announced in mid-December.
| 10月27日
Lib Dem rivals pitch for top job
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Chris Huhne and Nick Clegg are battling for votes | Liberal Democrat leadership hopefuls Nick Clegg and Chris Huhne have set out their rival pitches in the first head-to-head hustings of the campaign.
Mr Clegg pledged to go after Tory leader David Cameron and "demolish" his vision of liberal Conservatism.
Mr Huhne promised a broadside against the prime minister and argued that huge investment in the schools and NHS has not been matched by results.
The two were battling for votes in the first of 10 regional gatherings.
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 I'm going to set about demolishing this idea of a liberal Conservative put about by David Cameron 
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The environment, social justice, civil liberties and the economy featured in the speeches of both men to the party faithful in Rugby, Warwickshire.
Priorities
Both also underlined the need for "ambition" in the party to break Britain's two-party system.
Mr Clegg, the party's home affairs spokesman, attacked Labour's record on social mobility and said taking on the Tory leader would be his number one priority.
"I'm going to set about demolishing this idea of a liberal Conservative put about by David Cameron," he declared.
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Gordon Brown is the patron saint of tax accountants
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"One of my first tasks as leader would be to cast the spotlight very, very strongly on Cameron saying 'if you are a liberal why are you leading a party which is so illiberal?'"
Mr Huhne, the party's environment spokesman, identified global warming as the central issue "not merely of this campaign, but of my life".
Frontrunner
He also branded Britain's £20bn commitment to Trident nuclear missiles "unacceptable" when troops lacked basic kit.
Mr Huhne mocked Gordon Brown as "the patron saint of tax accountants" and said nobody had seen real improvements in the NHS or education.
Mr Clegg is the bookies' favourite and frontrunner at Westminster after submitting nomination papers signed by 28 of the Lib Dem's 63 MPs - almost triple the 10 nominations secured by his rival.
The contest will be decided by a ballot of the party's entire membership, but the figures suggest a strong preference for Mr Clegg among the MPs the winner will lead at Westminster.
Ballots will be sent out in mid-November to members and the victor announced in mid-December. | 10月25日
1. Quantock Staghounds judgment
2. Casting for Recovery on Radio 4
3. Best Rural Retailer shortlists are published
4. Holiday auction - ends on 9th November
5. The Farming Help Partnership
1. Quantock Staghounds judgement
Last Friday the Crown Court in Taunton upheld the convictions under the Hunting Act of Richard Down and Adrian Pillivant of the Quantock Staghounds. High Court Judge Wyn Williams, who sat with two lay magistrates, found that "both men did not set out to break the law", but did not accept that "their belief that their activities was exempt was reasonable" and that they were therefore guilty of the offence.
It was frustrating that the court decided their belief that their hunting was legal was 'unreasonable' despite the fact that this was a very early test of what is undoubtedly a very complicated law. However, apart from the verdict, the judgement was much more positive than that of District Judge Parsons in the Magistrates' Court and it shows how the staghounds can hunt legally within the law.
The court agreed with us that 'flushing' deer or other mammals is likely to include a period of pursuit; it accepted that different hounds can be used to flush on any given day as long as no more than two are used at once; and it agreed that the stipulation for close control of dogs only referred to the part of a flush where they might obstruct the shooting of the mammal.
But it found that in order to comply with all the conditions of the 'flushing' exemption the Quantock Staghounds must ensure that:
- Guns are placed close to the flushing point and there is no extended pursuit outside cover.
- Reasonable steps must be taken to ensure that there are enough guns to shoot dead all deer flushed, although this does not mean that all deer flushed have to be killed.
- Hunting can only take place if the 'primary purpose' is one of those laid down in the exemption. It is therefore important that meets are arranged in response to, for instance, reports of deer damage rather than being listed in advance in the traditional manner.
- There are obvious practical changes which will have to be made to ensure that any flushing now complies with this judgement, but crucially it does not suggest, as the lower courts did, that hunting under the flushing exemption is not possible.
We may be frustrated by the nonsense and lack of logic in the Hunting Act, but pause for a moment to think what our opponents think of it. They spent decades campaigning for a law that they now find allows the staghounds to continue hunting as long as they take steps to kill more deer. And they call that a victory?
2. Casting for Recovery on Radio 4
Casting for Recovery (CfR) is going from strength to strength. Backed by the Countryside Alliance, this initiative is the first of its kind to combine therapy and support for breast cancer patients with the gentle art of fly-fishing.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and, as part of this national event, Sue Hunter, CfR's national co-ordinator, appeared on BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour on Wednesday 24th October. You can listen again to the eight minute piece on Casting for Recovery, in which Sue Hunter talks about her own experiences, fly-casting instructor Sue Shaw describes the benefits of angling and a participant in the recent CfR retreat explains how the scheme has helped her. Listen to these inspiring ladies on the Radio 4 website here and visit the CfR website to find out more about the initiative and retreats here.
3. Best Rural Retailer shortlists are published
The third annual Best Rural Retailer competition is hotting up now that the regional shortlists are being published. Check here to see if your region has declared yet, and if your retailer has made the cut.
Regional judging will soon be under way, with winners declared in mid-December. National winners will be announced at a House of Lords reception in February 2008.
Congratulations to the retailers who have been short listed, and those who nominated them, and good luck in reaching the next stage.
4. Holiday auction - ends on 9th November
If you have not already seen the selection of holidays for sale in our exclusive sale of Holidays 2007, browse the lots and catch the last of the great deals on offer.
A wide range of the holidays went very quickly but there is still a selection left, from private skiing chalets and a house in the South of France to a house on Exmoor.
5. The Farming Help Partnership
The farming help charities, ARC-Addington Fund, FCN & RABI, have launched the Farming Help Appeal for funds to help them in their work.
The three charities work together as the Farming Help Partnership, providing different but complementary forms of help and support to meet a wide range of needs in the farming community. For many in farming, 2007 has been a tough year so far and the Farming Help charities are experiencing very heavy workloads which are anticipated to rise further over the coming months due to problems exacerbated by recent events.
Although many farmers are facing real hardship, this year has seen a marked upturn in fortunes for some. This initiative is in response to a number of approaches made for an appeal such as the 'send a ton' of earlier years and enables the farming community to help its own. There are two aims: to raise much needed funds for the work of the Farming Help charities, and to raise awareness in the farming community of the help and support that is available.
Calls for help should be directed to the FCN Helpline on 0845 367 9990 or to RABI on 01865 727888 or ARC-Addington Fund on 024 7669 0587. Donations to the appeal can be made online at www.justgiving.com/farminghelp or by cheque, made payable to 'Farming Help Appeal' and sent to: Farming Help Appeal, c/o RABI, Shaw House, 27 West Way, Oxford OX2 0QH . Further information about the charities can be found at www.farminghelp.org.uk 10月22日
A thriving farming and meat industry needs good quality local abattoirs that's the message from the Welsh Liberal Democrat Conference recently.
The conference passed a motion calling on the Labour-Plaid Government to work with DEFRA to cut down on unnecessary red tape and recognise the importance of local abattoirs in the Welsh food industry.
Mark Young PPC for the Vale of Clwyd who spoke to a full hall at conferrence said: Small, local abattoirs are very important to the rural economy, providing an essential service and serving a farming and food industry that is vital for a prosperous economy.
Local abattoirs mean reduced food miles and contribute to the success of farmers Auctions such as the excellent Ruthin Animal Auction & Local Butcher Shops.
The government must ensure that abattoirs meet appropriate safety and hygiene standards to reduce the distance animals have to be transported. This will directly decrease the risk of diseases that affects people and animals alike.
Notes/Nodiadau:
The text of the motion reads:
Cynnig/Motion: Support for Local Abattoirs
(Pwyllgor Polisi Cenedlaethol/National Policy Committee)
Conference notes:
1) That there are 26 working abattoirs in Wales today which is a reduction from
58 in 1990 and 31 in 1995.
2) The concern expressed by organisations such as the Farmers Union of
Wales (FUW) and the Forum of Private Business (FPB) regarding gold plating
of European regulations covering the work of abattoirs.
3) That according to the FUW and FPB, the “gold-plating†of regulations
concerning buildings, inspections and risk material removal has a
disproportionate affect on small and medium sized abattoirs compared to
larger slaughterhouses..
Conference believes that:
1) A thriving farm and meat industry needs hygienic, good quality small and
medium sized abattoirs within easy reach for farmers.
2) Reducing food miles is an important objective for environmental, animal
welfare and local business reasons, and that securing a viable future for
small and medium sized abattoirs is key part of achieving this objective.
3) Ensuring that abattoirs meet appropriate safety and hygiene standards,
alongside reducing the distance that animals have be transported are
important in reducing the risk of disease.
Conference calls on the Welsh Assembly Government:
1) To review regulations concerning small and medium sized abattoirs in order
to increase their viability and reduce the distances travelled by live animals,
whilst maintaining high standards of hygiene.
2) To work with Defra to reduce instances of gold-plating European directives
and regulations that have a particular impact on small businesses.
3) To recognise and promote the role of small and medium sized abattoirs in
developing the Welsh food industry, particularly with regard to farmers
markets, traceability of meat and reduction of food miles.
End/Diwedd I hope that our Council now will work towards a vision that all stake holders share and is fully costed,with agreed deadlines and that we know who will be in charge of delivering the Education Plan!
Leader ousted after school report
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Rhiannon Hughes had wanted a chance to improve education | Denbighshire Council's leader and her cabinet have been ousted following a damning report into local education.
Independent councillor Rhiannon Hughes, said she was "disappointed" to lose the vote of no confidence by 23 votes to 20 and pleaded with the assembly government not to step in.
Ms Hughes had been blamed by opponents after a critical report into the county education service by inspectors Estyn.
A council spokesman said a new leader must be elected within three weeks.
In the meantime, the council's chief executive Ian Millar has been delegated responsibility to make executive decisions, which would have been taken by the council cabinet
On Thursday, the council, which is run by a coalition of Independents and Conservatives, received a notice of motion signed by 13 members expressing a vote of no confidence in Ms Hughes and her cabinet.
It was the second such motion within a year.
Ms Hughes survived the previous vote against her, but she recently lost the support of her coalition partners after the Conservatives joined with Labour and Plaid Cymru.
Speaking after the result, she said she was "disappointed," but added that good work had been done in Denbighshire's schools, and she would "do the same again".
Asked whether the Welsh Assembly Government should step in and take charge, she said: "I'm making an absolute heartfelt plea to the assembly - please don't intervene in Denbighshire."
She added: "We're now at a position where we have all the information that's needed to move forward. There are lots of really good educational things going on in Denbighshire."
She added she "felt sorry" for council officers who "will not have political direction in the next few weeks".
A crisis meeting held by the council last week accepted "radical change" was needed to improve education in the county and said it would "rigorously implement" the Estyn action plan.
Two recent reports have criticised the education service and its "ineffective leadership".
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DENBIGHSHIRE COUNCIL
Independents: 18
Conservatives: 9
Labour: 7
Plaid Cymru: 7
Democratic Alliance of Wales: 3
Non-aligned: 3 |
In September, a highly critical report by Estyn found failures at the council to address poor performance.
It followed a consultants' report, which criticised standards in schools.
Estyn's 35-page report said children's educational performance was below average at the ages of seven, 11 and at 16 when they take their GCSEs.
In 2006, Denbighshire also came 19th of the 22 authorities in Wales for the percentage of students gaining two AS/A levels.
The council said it had already begun to address some of the issues and had begun to invest £470,000 a year from 2006-07 on to improve attainment at key stage level 3.
'Clear vision needed'
It also said it had improved partnership working with the social services and tackled leadership problems at schools with the worst under attainment.
Earlier, Ann Jones, Labour AM for the Vale of Clwyd, said she believed Ms Hughes should go.
Speaking before the vote, she said: "I think the blame lies at her door and I don't think she can pass it anywhere other than her door.
"It might have been a good idea had she thought about her position a lot sooner than now."
Eryl Owens, a teaching union official, said he hoped any action taken would help improve education.
"What is currently needed is a clear vision for education within Denbighshire," he said.
"The report has stated that education hasn't been given enough priority within the council so far, and currently the expenditure for education is far lower than what it should be and what it needs to be." | 10月19日
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Nick Clegg was an MEP before he entered the Commons as an MP | Nick Clegg is expected to become the second person to announce he will bid to be the new Liberal Democrats leader.
The MP has called a news conference in his Sheffield constituency and has the backing of several senior figures, including ex-leader Lord Ashdown.
The party's home affairs spokesman is the favourite of bookmaker William Hill to succeed Sir Menzies Campbell.
Only environment spokesman Chris Huhne has so far said he would run since Sir Menzies resigned on Monday.
A number of other senior figures - including acting leader Vince Cable and MP David Laws - have already ruled themselves out of the contest.
Lib Dem manifesto writer Steve Webb, who had been expected to run, has given Mr Clegg his backing, and promised "several" other MPs would do the same.
Mr Huhne lost to Sir Menzies in last year's leadership election | He said the party needed a leader with strategic judgement who could communicate the values and policies of the Liberal Democrats.
"I believe that Nick best combines those qualities and can take our party on to a new level," he said.
Finance spokeswoman Julia Goldsworthy and universities spokeswoman Sarah Teather have also pledged their support.
"Nick has taken a stand on the issues that matter most to my constituents, such as the shocking reoffending rates of those released from prison, Labour's detention without trial, and the DNA database which appears to target young, black men," said Ms Teather, MP for Brent East in north London.
"We know that voters want a real alternative, and there is no doubt that Nick Clegg is the person who can best sell the Liberal Democrats' distinctive values and ideas to people in Brent."
Mr Kennedy joked "reasonably well-meaning individuals" contacted him | Bookmaker William Hill has made Mr Clegg favourite to win the race, giving him odds of 2/5, with Mr Huhne at 7/4.
Meanwhile former Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy has again insisted he will not stand for the position, despite being urged to run by "thousands" of people in recent days.
The MP insisted he was "content" with his life at present.
"I've had two general elections to lead the party, which has been a great privilege.
"I think I've had my shot," Mr Kennedy told BBC One's Question Time in Bradford, where he received the loudest applause of any guest when the panel was introduced at Thursday's recording.
And Birmingham Yardley MP John Hemming has also ruled himself out of the contest.
He had been sounding out parliamentary colleagues to see if he could secure the necessary seven nominations, but conceded he had not managed to do so.
In a message on his website, Mr Hemmings said he would indicate which candidate he was supporting in due course.
| 10月18日
1. Foot and Mouth compensation
2. Hunting in the Courts
3. Huntingdon Countryside Raceday
4. Climate Change Champion 2008
1. Foot and Mouth compensation
The news that Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) restrictions have been lifted across the country as of this week is more than welcome, although the spread of blue tongue in East Anglia means that many farmers in that area are still facing very real difficulties.
The end of FMD restrictions, however, is not the end of the story and questions of responsibility and compensation now come to the fore. In August I wrote to Environment Secretary, Hilary Benn MP, on the question of the scale and breadth of compensation that might be offered both to the agricultural sector and the many other parts of the rural economy that have been hard hit by the latest FMD outbreak.
As we now know, responsibility for this outbreak lies squarely with the Government, and the failure to contain the disease within the Pirbright Laboratory makes this an entirely different situation to the 2001 outbreak. Mr Benn's response was as non-committal as it was possible to be, which makes the paltry compensation payment offered to farmers this week no surprise. We will continue to lobby to ensure proper compensation for all those who have been affected by the 2007 outbreak.
It is ironic that, in instances where farmers have inadvertently caused pollution incidents, the full force of DEFRA and the law is applied without delay. When the Government is responsible, the reaction is nothing like as clinical.
If that was not enough, DEFRA has achieved a new level of bizarre behaviour by suggesting that we all to switch to less than fresh UHT milk, presumably from France or even further a field, in preference to the unadulterated product which has been good enough for the UK public for centuries. If final, conclusive evidence were needed that there is a lot of work that DEFRA still needs to do to convince the rural community that it has its best interests at heart.
2. Hunting in the Courts
The hearing in the House of Lords began last Wednesday, 10th October and concludes today. The Law Lords have heard the arguments as to why the Hunting Act is incompatible with Human Rights law and European Community law. They have also heard the appeal from Scotland that the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Act is incompatible with Human Rights law. If the Law Lords are persuaded that the Act violates any human rights or European law, they will then go on to consider whether the violation can be justified in terms of the legislation having a legitimate aim and being proportionate. Judgment is not expected for at least six weeks. This case is not about the relative merits of hunting; it is about whether Parliament acted lawfully in seeking to abolish it.
We are also awaiting the result of the appeal of the Quantock Staghounds against their conviction under the Hunting Act earlier this year. The case was heard by a High Court Judge who will present his judgment tomorrow afternoon in Taunton. Whilst of course we hope that Richard Down and Adrian Pillivant will have their convictions overturned we are faced with such a confusing and ambiguous law that the judgment in this case will be as critical as the verdict. We will be taking advice as soon as the judgment is available and will circulate our response as soon as we can.
3. Huntingdon Countryside Raceday
We are having a Countryside Raceday at Huntingdon racecourse on Thursday 8th November. Everyone who enjoys the country should join us for a day of top National Hunt Racing and rural attractions to raise funds for the Countryside Alliance. You can look forward to a parade of hounds, falconry displays and a chance to learn about all aspects of country life. The highlight will be the inter hunt charity race where you will be able to see subscribers, supporters and Masters battle it out in the final race of the day! There will also be a farmers market and traders fair.
To book call 01480 453373 quoting reference: HUNT07 for your reduced Main Enclosure badge. The Countryside Alliance will receive a £2 donation from all pre booked badges. Under 16's are free (with an adult) and there is free parking. Gates open at 10.50am with the first race commencing at 12.50pm.
4. Climate Change Champion 2008
Are you passionate about the environment?
Could you spread the message about climate change and represent England?
Climate Change is one of the most important issues facing the world today. There is strong evidence that human emissions of greenhouse gases are changing the world's climate. The main greenhouse gas is carbon dioxide (CO2), produced when we burn fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas for energy. To get the message out about what people can do to reduce their carbon footprints, the Countryside Alliance is supporting DEFRA's bid to find nine young Climate Change Champions to act as ambassadors in their regions.
DEFRA has launched a national competition across England to find nine outstanding young people, aged 11-18, to become the next Climate Change Champions for 2007/08. The first nine Champions were announced in May 2006 at 10 Downing Street and met the then Prime Minister, Tony Blair, before undertaking a European climate change expedition to the Chelenalp glacier in Switzerland. Since then all of the Champions have been busy speaking at events across England, talking to the media, representing their peers and helping ensure people are aware of the risks of climate change. The new competition to find the next nine Champions is now open and the winners will be announced and will start their 'year in office' in early January 2008.
The focus for this year's competition is on promoting behavioural change. Using any creative format they choose, entrants will be challenged to submit a news report, documentary or case study demonstrating:
"How best you can encourage your friends, family, school or community to make positive steps to reduce their carbon footprint"
The winning Champions will attend a European climate change expedition and will get to meet senior Government and international representatives to talk about the issue.
They will also receive a digital camera to record their 'time in office' and £1,000 to organise a climate change themed event at their school or college, or within their community.
Although DEFRA will provide the Champions with the facts and guidance, they will ultimately speak with their own voice, and will have the important task of representing their peers and others on this globally important agenda 10月15日
Statement by the Liberal Democrats
15 October 2007
President of the Liberal Democrats, Simon Hughes MP said today: "Ming Campbell has this evening submitted his resignation as the Leader of the Liberal Democrats with immediate effect. "Over the past two years, Ming has given stability and purpose to our Party. He has hugely professionalised the working of our Party and led its very successful preparations for the next general election. "Ming has made this decision - as all his political decisions - in the interest of his Party and Liberal Democracy throughout Britain. Every Liberal Democrat owes Ming a huge debt of gratitude. "Vince Cable, our Deputy Leader will take over as Party leader until a new leader is elected according to our rules. The detailed election timetable will be announced tomorrow."
 Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Vince Cable MP said: "During his time as Leader, Ming has earned the respect, affection and gratitude of the Party. This was reflected in the warmth with which his speech was received by the Party conference three weeks ago. The key message of that speech was that the Liberal Democrats are the only Party with the distinctive, positive vision of a fairer and greener Britain. "Throughout his political life Ming has campaigned for liberal values and social justice and we will ensure that we build on that legacy." Related link(s):
10月14日
German stays on as Lib Dem leader
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Mike German said he has "unfinished business" to do | The Liberal Democrat leader in the Welsh assembly has announced he is to carry on in the post - but only for another year.
Mike German told the Welsh party's autumn conference in Aberystwyth he would stand down in 2008.
Mr German said he had "unanimous support" from his colleagues in the assembly to continue as their leader.
He is also to stand for the separate role of Welsh Liberal Democrat leader which MP Lembit Opik is to vacate.
"I think it would be wise to do that, to bring the leadership into the National Assembly," Mr German told BBC Wales' Politics Show.
"I think that was Lembit's view, and I agree with him, and I think the party agree with that, and so what the intention will be, will be that we will have an election, or a contest, or simply nominations for both posts and I will put my name forward for both."
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There's a considerable political space for the Welsh Liberal Democrats
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Mr German has been under pressure since May's election and the failure of assembly government coalition talks involving the Liberal Democrats.
He has been party leader in the assembly since 1999 where he leads a group of six assembly members in Cardiff Bay.
He said he did not want to continue as their leader beyond 2008 because he would be 67, and would have to commit to a further three to four years in the job.
"I think that's time for a move on," said Mr German, although he said he did not want to go immediately.
"I think there's unfinished business, and my colleagues have agreed with this.
'Raft of things'
"We've got a campaign to build, a re-direction of the party, a sense of purpose and change internally in our party management methodologies.
"There's a whole raft of things which I'm engaged in now."
He said that his colleagues had supported him unanimously and there would not be a challenge for the leadership job.
Lib Dem party rules state that a leadership election must be held within a year of an assembly election.
Mr Opik announced his intention to step down as Welsh party leader after six years at the conference on Saturday, saying it would give him more time to continue working for his constituency.
He has also announced that he will stand for the federal presidency of the Liberal Democrats.
He told BBC Wales' Politics Show: "I think everyone knows now I'm standing for the federal presidency of the Liberal Democrats as a whole, that's a big job.
"I don't think it's fair on my constituency if I try to hold down the job of leader at the same time as running that campaign."
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Opik to step down from party post
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Lembit Opik has been Welsh party leader since 2001 | The leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats Lembit Opik has announced he is to stand down from the post.
He told the party's autumn conference that he was doing so after six years so that the positions of assembly group leader and Welsh party leader could be decided at the same time.
Assembly group leader Mike German is due to announce his intentions about his own future to delegates on Sunday.
Mr Opik, speaking in Aberystwyth, also appealed for critics to be more open.
The Montgomeryshire MP went on to say: "To those who are prepared to criticise me and others behind our backs, I ask you what's the point of doing that?
"A little more openness will go a long way to make us a more cohesive force in Welsh politics. If you've something to say, the most effective thing to do is to be open about it."
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We're happy with each other - be happy for us
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Mr Opik, an MP since 1997 and the party's industry spokesman, has made regular headlines for his relationship with Cheeky Girls singer Gabriela Irimia.
He told delegates about the "unpleasant" experience of reading "inaccurate, salacious and libellous" press reports about his private life.
Mr Opik said he had been advised not to complain about false stories about his relationship with Ms Irimia.
"With hindsight, I'm not sure this was the best approach," he said.
He thanked Ms Irimia, who listened to his speech from the front row of the conference hall, for "putting up with all the rubbish and misrepresentations".
"We're happy with each other - be happy for us," he said.
Mr Opik said the Lib Dems made a mistake in May when they tried to pursue two sets of assembly coalition talks, with Labour on the one hand and with Plaid Cymru and the Tories on the other.
He said the Labour option was "discarded prematurely".
But the party should strive for a distinctive voice.
He called for a campaign to re-categorise drug addicts as patients not criminals.
Giving addicts drugs on prescription would destroy the drug trade, he said.
Mr Opik said he wanted to concentrate on work in his constituency.
Lib Dem assembly leader Mike German paid tribute to Mr Opik as "a fantastic colleague and a fantastic communicator".
He said: "He has great talents and I know that he will use them to maximum effect in the wider party."
Mr German, who heads the party's six-strong assembly group, is due to reveal on Sunday whether he wants to carry on doing the job he has held since 1999.
He said he wanted to inform party members meeting in Aberystwyth of his decision first.
Lib Dem party rules state that a leadership election must be held within a year of an assembly election.
Meanwhile, delegates voted to change the rule that cost the Lib Dems a place in the proposed "rainbow coalition" with Plaid Cymru and the Conservatives after the assembly election in May.
From now on, the chair of the party's national committee will have an additional and casting vote in the event of tied votes at meetings.
In Lib Dem discussions about forming an assembly government, a proposed coalition deal was not endorsed because of a vote tied at 6-6.
One delegate at Aberystwyth told BBC Wales: "Even the most obscure golf club has a rule allowing the committee chair to have an additional casting vote when votes are tied.
"Had the party had such a mechanism when the coalition deal was up for discussion, recent political events in Wales would have turned out very different."
| 10月12日
1. Law Lords look at Hunting Act
2. Countryside Alliance unique holiday sale
3. Fly-tipping remains at epidemic levels
4. National Trust AGM
5. Cheltenham Countryside Race Day
1. Law Lords look at Hunting Act
Yesterday the Law Lords started to hear that the Hunting Act breaches the European Convention on Human Rights and European Law.
We have always believed that the Hunting Act was based on prejudice, rather than principle or evidence, and that it has no justification in terms of animal welfare or public benefit.
The only reason that it has not yet had a far greater impact on rural communities is that we have been so determined, and so successful, in keeping the infrastructure of hunting together whilst we campaign for repeal.
The fact that the Law Lords have even agreed to hear this case suggests that it has considerable merit and, whilst we hope that they will uphold the challenge, we are prepared to take both cases to Europe if necessary.
Yesterday Richard Gordon QC for the Alliance and the 10 named claimants argued that the Act violates the fundamental human rights of thousands of people whose livelihood and way of life revolve around hunting.
He said that: ``There are many for whom hunting is a core part of their lives and the rural communities in which they live,'' and that the Act was a ``disproportionate'' interference with the rights of individuals under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).
The hearing continues next week when the Law Lords will hear the Union of Country Sports Workers' claim that the ban in Scotland, introduced under the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Act, also infringes human rights.
A judgment is expected later in the year.
2. Countryside Alliance unique holiday sale
40 holidays from across the world are now available to buy - click here to view the Countryside Alliance's holiday brochure, featuring holidays to suit every taste and pocket. From a touring base offered in South Africa and a luxury villa in Thailand, to chalets in France and cottages in Ireland, plan your 2008 holiday now and help raise funds for the Countryside Alliance.
3. Fly-tipping remains at epidemic levels
New figures released this week from the Government's 'Flycapture' database show that fly-tipping is on the increase as highlighted by Countryside Alliance's anti fly-tipping campaign.
The Alliance found that fly-tipping cost the UK £150 million in 2005 and warned that changes such as fortnightly bin collections and bin taxes would make the situation worse. The new figures show that the number of incidents has increased from 2.5 million last year to 2.6 million this year.
77 per cent of incidents involved household waste, which is a 10 per cent increase on last year, suggesting that fortnightly bin collections are having a negative impact. 88 per cent of fly-tipping is reported to have taken place in predominantly urban authorities, but these figures do not include reports by farmers and landowners so they do not reflect the scale of the problem in the countryside.
These new figures come as no surprise following the warnings we gave the Government earlier in the year. Our predictions were ignored and now we all face even more fly-tipping than before. Despite the increase in incidents from last year, local authorities were only able to prosecute 1,371 offenders - only 0.06 per cent of the total incidents.
Everyone has a part to play in combating fly-tipping and all of our recommendations are detailed in the Alliance's new report - Time for Action.
4. National Trust AGM
A reminder that the AGM of the National Trust will be held at the Central Hall in Westminster in London on 3rd November 2007. Members of the Trust have been sent their voting papers for the resolutions and Council Elections (for which, this year, there are eight vacancies.)
The organisation, Friends of the National Trust (FONT) is happy to advise on the resolutions to be voted on, as well as on the rural credentials of those standing for election. The Countryside Alliance would urge all Trust members to use their votes - the strength of the rural community depends on everyone using their vote and their voice to guide rural-interest organisations. Click here for FONT's advice and bear in mind that completed papers must reach the Secretary of the Trust by Friday 26th October.
5. Cheltenham Countryside Race Day This year is the 20th anniversary of the Cheltenham Countryside Race Day, which was conceived by Michael Allsop and Michael Talbot Ponsonby in 1987. Over the twenty years, it has raised over £2m for the Countryside Alliance, and further considerable funds for a number of charitable organisations which have been nominated by Cheltenham Racecourse.
This is an example of how this large sum of money has been raised.
A team of guns lead by Martin Thompson of Ultimate Travel and Henry Henley of Ker and Downey have recently returned from the shooting trip of a lifetime in Kenya. Henry and Martin donated a week's bird shooting safari for six couples, and this was auctioned at the Countryside Race Day in November 2004. Ian Wills was the successful bidder. The trip was cancelled in 2006, due to the threat of bird flu, but the ageing party finally made it this February!
Ker and Downey set up a de luxe tented camp at Lewa Downs, which is full of spectacular game. The idea, originally, was to shoot guinea fowl, francolin and sandgrouse - however, early heavy rains meant the guinea fowl and francolin had nested early, so the shooting party walked up doves and quail for the first two days, and then flew up to Acacia Travel's camp in the arid country north of Samburu. The sandgrouse shooting there was a sportsman's dream, with up to 15,000 pairs coming in on the early morning and evening flights - they were very testing birds, especially the Lichensteins - certainly an experience not to be missed.
As well as the shooting, there were morning and evening game drives, horse riding and walks on foot in the bush.
It was a wonderful trip, hugely enjoyed by the whole party and a most generous donation to the Countryside Alliance from all those involved.
For information on bird shooting in Kenya, please contact Martin Thompson of Ultimate Travel, tel no. 0207 386 4646
10月8日
Urgent action needed In the Vale of Clwyd on affordable housing
DENIED: That is how many people across the Vale of Clwyd are feeling as homes become more expensive.
Mark Young PPC for the Vale says, "The Labour government has sat back and watched spiraling house prices for too long. We want action ."
Since Labour came to power back in 1997, house prices have gone up at almost four times the rate of earnings. This has made it difficult for people to get a foot on the property ladder.
Innovative proposals unveiled recently by the Liberal Democrats have called for 1 million new, affordable homes to be built by 2020. This is in line with recommendations that the Labour Government has received for many years, but failed to act on.
The Liberal Democrats also want to change the rules on stamp duty to stop price distortions caused by the current 'slab' boundaries. With the average house price in the Vale of Clwyd of £159.131 according to the BBC, stamp duty is paid by most of buyers.
"Stamp duty was never intended as a tax on everyone. Gordon Brown is making a lot of money from stamp duty, but isn't using that income to invest in new social and affordable housing.
"The Liberal Democrats want to reduce stamp duty for all homes up to £½ million, this would really give people a leg up into the market." 
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+++ A fair, free and green Britain +++
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Dear Voters,
On Saturday the Prime Minister announced that he has decided that there will not be an election this autumn.
I am disappointed by this loss of nerve. Over recent weeks our party has done a phenomenal job in preparing itself for an election campaign. We had signed off our manifesto, selected our candidates and mobilised our operation in order to fight what would have been a determined and effective campaign.
Our message would have been clear.
Labour and the Conservatives have never agreed on so much nor been so out of touch.
Only the Liberal Democrats can offer a fair, free and green Britain.
The change Britain needs
When the election is eventually called, we alone will campaign for the change that Britain needs: fairer taxes so that the super-rich pay more and ordinary families pay less; good education and health services that provide opportunity for all; and real action that will safeguard the environment - a zero carbon Britain.
I am grateful to all of you for the role that you have played in preparing for a campaign. Now we must maintain our efforts to ensure that we gain maximum votes and maximum seats whenever the election is finally called.
Best wishes,
Menzies Campbell
www.mingcampbell.org.uk | 10月6日 
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+++ GENERAL ELECTION DATE NEWS +++
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Dear Voters,
Just a note following the news that an autumn general election is off to thank all our supporters for your help and assistance as we prepared for a possible General Election campaign.
Ming Campbell's reaction
As Ming Campbell said, "Gordon Brown has clearly lost nerve".
Ming has this week also made the case strongly for fixed term Parliaments. It would be a much fairer and better system for holding elections. You can read more of Ming's comments at www.mingcampbell.org.uk
We geared up our campaign plans and had everything ready for a very strong campaign in which we would have benefited from the extra publicity of an election campaign.
Our MPs and many candidates have been telling me how hard many people had been working to prepare for the campaign.
We have increased our number of seats in the last four General Elections and I am confident that we would have done so again if there had been an election now. With your help, we will now continue working to increase our number of MPs whenever the election comes.
Our task now is to continue working to increase our profile, raise more funds, recruit more members and helpers, deliver many more leaflets and call on many more voters. We will show how we think people would benefit from our strong liberal, democratic and green values.
You can continue to keep in touch with all our campaigns via our website http://www.libdems.org.uk and via our toolbar http://liberaldemocrats.ourtoolbar.com
There will be vital elections next year in most of England and Wales (including for the London Mayor and Assembly) and we will soon also be choosing our Mayoral candidate and candidates for the European elections in 2009.
Thank you again for all you have done.
Best wishes,
Chris Rennard
Chief Executive, Liberal Democrats | 10月5日
1. Hunting for Repeal
2. Best Rural Retailer - last call for nominations
3. Time to fight for our Post Offices
4. FWAG's new Environmental Health Check service
5. A London lecture and a Peruvian trek
1. Hunting for Repeal
In the years running up to the passing of the Hunting Act we argued the case for hunting. We did it successfully enough to move public opinion against a total ban, to persuade every serious national newspaper to oppose it, and to force the Government into abusing logic, common sense and Parliamentary process.
Hunting now faces a different battle. Our priority is not simply the arguments for hunting, but the case against the Hunting Act, and the two are not always the same. We have spent the last week making that case to politicians of all hues at the main party conferences. Many MPs support the repeal of the Act on the simple grounds that it is illiberal, others that it is such a bad law it should not stay on the Statute Book. Most accept that the motivation of those who promoted it was prejudice, rather than any real interest in animal welfare. What we have learned since the Act came into force is that there is not just one reason that people support its repeal. There are many.
By limiting our arguments we limit our appeal, which is why our new document "The Case for Repeal" gives any number of good reasons for scrapping the Act. We must argue the points that are effective in persuading a broad audience, not just those we ourselves find convincing.
With Westminster in full election fever it may be that MPs of all three parties will face the voters sooner rather than later. I know that many of you will be actively campaigning to ensure that the next Parliament has as many MPs as possible who are sympathetic to rural interests.
In the meantime Richard Down and Adrian Pillivant of the Quantock Staghounds (QSH) have been appealing against their conviction under the Act in Taunton Crown Court. The case was heard again from start to finish with LACS employees Graham Floyd and Ed Shepherd giving evidence for the prosecution. The defence case included evidence from huntsman Richard Down, the three guns who where out on the day, and the landowner on whose land the deer had been grazing. Judge Williams concluded the case today and said he would return a judgement on 19th October. He will have to decide whether the hunting that the QSH carried out on the day in question fulfilled the conditions of 'exempt hunting'. If it did not he could still find Richard and Adrian not guilty on the basis that they reasonably believed that their hunting was exempt. Even if he does not find that, any judgment which brings some clarity to the law would be welcome, and would give the staghounds a framework to work within.
2. Best Rural Retailer - last call for nominations
Don't forget that the Best Rural Retailer competition closes to nominations on Saturday 6th October, so make sure your retailer is in the running for a shot at national glory - nominate now.
Having received an enthusiastic response from Parliamentarians and delegates at the main party conferences recently it is clear that, as Countryside Alliance Chairman Kate Hoey MP said at the 2006 competition reception: "the importance of our rural communities is something everyone, regardless of political colour, recognises, and it is community that this competition has been set up to celebrate."
3. Time to fight for our Post Offices
Following the publication this week of a list of the first 180 of 2,500 Post Offices earmarked for closure, the Countryside Alliance is urging: it's not over yet - fight for your branch.
The initial list of 180 branches covers East Yorkshire, the East Midlands and the South East and is online here. The Alliance is recommending that residents affected not only continue to use and support their branch, but make their views known to the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, and the National Consultation Team. Six weeks of consultation will precede any final decisions.
Click here for advice on how to help your branch - the Alliance will shortly be distributing "Save your Post Office" publicity packs, including posters and stickers - please email info@countryside-alliance.org with your address if you would like a pack for your Post Office.
4. FWAG's new Environmental Health Check service
The Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG) has become increasing concerned by the plethora of paperwork that farmers have had to deal with over recent years and appreciate that it is becoming a major issue for many.
In response to this need, FWAG has developed the concept of the Environmental Health Check service to help farmers get their paper work in order and put their mind at rest about the rules and legislation that could put their Single Farm Payment at risk or those 'must do' tasks that are essential to the requirements of ELS, CSS or HLS schemes. Read more about the scheme on the Alliance's site or visit FWAG's site at www.fwag.org.uk
5. A London lecture and a Peruvian trek
The Countryside Alliance lecture series will continue on Wednesday 10th October with the David Rattray Memorial Lecture on Rorke's Drift as told by David's colleague Rob Caskie. The lecture will take place at The Great Hall, Kensington Town Hall, London, W8 at 7pm.
The Countryside Alliance is organising a fundraising trek of the Salkantay trail in the Peruvian Andes for May 2008, and you could be part of it. The trek will include a sunrise at the Lost City of the Incas, Machu Picchu. The Salkantay Trail is a remote and ancient footpath passing through an amazing progression of ecological zones from sparsely vegetated pine meadows to the subtropical forest in the Inca Trail. The trek will take place from 17th -26th May 2008. For more details please call Jessica Garton on 01672 519470 or click here for a brochure. 10月4日
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NEWS FROM MING CAMPBELL
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Dear Voters,
All three of the party leaders have now had the chance to spell out their vision for the future of this country. In my speech at Brighton I made clear that the Liberal Democrats are ready to lead Britain in a new direction, and to build a society that is fair, free and green. I also made clear that only the Liberal Democrats have the policy platform to deliver that vision.
The cosy consensus
By contrast Labour and the Conservatives offer more of the same. The truth is that for all the sparring between Gordon Brown and David Cameron, they remain remarkably similar in their views.
They have reached a consensus - comfortable, cosy and complacent - on the big issues that require debate and on which the public deserves a real choice: the environment, taxes, pensions, nuclear power, tuition fees, and, of course, Iraq.
Iraq
When Tony Blair led Britain to war in Iraq he did so with support from both David Cameron and Gordon Brown. Now that Mr Brown has become Prime Minister he has not only refused to establish a proper framework for the orderly withdrawal of our forces from that country, but he has also shown a wrong-headed eagerness to put a spin on the disastrous situation there.
In recent days the government leaked plans to withdraw 2000 troops from Iraq, but when Gordon Brown made a formal announcement on Tuesday that figure had gone down to 1000. It then transpired that 270 of those troops had already come home, a further 230 had already been announced as due to come home and the remaining 500 are currently stationed in Germany.
The reality is that the Prime Minister has not announced a single new withdrawal from Iraq. To spin government announcements is questionable at the best of times - to do so on the issue of our troop deployment - when brave young men and women are risking their lives every day - is deplorable.
The principled opposition
As with so many other issues, only the Liberal Democrats have offered consistent and principled opposition to the war in Iraq.
That is why we must work night and day in the run-up to the next election to make clear that we are not just the real alternative to Labour and the Conservatives - we are the only alternative.
Whenever the next election is called, the Liberal Democrats can take votes from all of our opponents and strengthen our hand to deliver the Britain that we believe in: fair, free and green.
Thousands of you around the country demonstrated your eagerness to rise to that challenge when you joined me on the doorsteps in our Community Canvass Week. That was a foretaste of the campaign that lies ahead.
Together, we can build a better Britain.
Ming Campbell
www.mingcampbell.org.uk
| 10月3日
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The charity wants an "independent insight" into housing need | Homelessness in rural Wales has risen at almost twice the rate of urban areas over the past three decades, according to a social research charity.
The Joseph Rowntree Foundation said the numbers of homeless households in rural areas rose by 300% between 1978 and 2005. In urban areas they rose 160%.
There are concerns housing is becoming less affordable in rural Wales.
The charity has launched a commission to take evidence from experts and the public over the next five months.
The study, being launched in Cardiff, will look at property prices, affordability and availability of social housing outside of the major towns and cities.
The foundation's report looked at house prices compared to household income and found the "affordability ratio" had risen by 40% in two years.
It said the ratio - the average house price divided by mean household income - rose to 5.92 in 2005, when two years earlier it stood at 4.21.
'Sparse and expensive'
The charity said the Commission on Rural Housing in Wales will have an "independent insight into the issue of housing need in rural Wales".
A consultation paper and questionnaire has already been sent to organisations across Wales.
In addition to looking at existing research, the commission will also hold four "evidence sessions" over the next five months to hear from policy experts, officials and the public.
The commission's chairman Professor Derec Llwyd Morgan, a former vice-chancellor of the Aberystwyth University, said it would consider rural housing to be "everything outside the main cities and towns".
He said: "Levels of salary are quite low and house prices are quite high.
"If they can't afford to pay a mortgage, the difficulty of social housing is that it is sparse and very expensive."
Craig Read and Mary Anne Young from Penycae, near Wrexham, who have an 11-month-old son, were homeless for over a year.
They said they had to stay in a homeless centre before recently being housed through the Wrexham Housing Alliance.
"It was horrible, it really was. Not knowing where you were going to sleep the next night. We did look around but there was just nowhere we could afford," Mr Reed said.
In June, two housing bodies said Wales was short of around 40,000 affordable homes.
The Home Builders Federation and the Chartered Institute of Housing Cymru said fewer new homes were being built in Wales than at any time since WWII.
'First-time buyers'
In a statement, Deputy Minister for Housing Jocelyn Davies said the assembly government had made a number of commitments to increase affordable housing.
"There is specific help for first time buyers through our Homebuy programme and in rural communities we will look at broadening the scope and definition of agricultural worker," she said.
"I am also looking at extending the support for the Rural Housing Enablers, currently jointly funded, who are already in post across rural Wales."
| 10月1日 
Any Denbighshire School Closures Must Be Measured-Young
"School Closures must be more widely consulted on and the socio-economic impacts on the community must also be considered" said Mark Young, Welsh Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate.
"We are proposing this as a result of the first hand experiences across our county, at a time when Denbighshire & other authorities throughout Wales are looking at a reorganisation of their education provisions. We have been repeatedly concerned that councils all too often look predominantly at costs when making these considerations and automatically leap to closure rather than looking at more imaginative and effective alternatives.
"As a Chair of Governors at a rural School Bryn Clwyd, Llandyrnog, we and others have seen falling rolls lead to proposals for closure in numerous small schools in Denbighshire I am convinced that closures should be justified on educational grounds and not on the anticipated savings which rarely meet expectation.
"In Rural and Urban areas alike the local school has a huge impact upon the wellbeing and livelihood of its surrounding community, affecting its social makeup and its economic activity.
"For this reason Denbighshire should consider both the impact upon the community of closure and the uses to which a closed school building could be put.
"We have heard the frustrated voices of parents and local stakeholders who feel that they are not being listened to by Denbighshire or having input into the decision making process. Their knowledge of local needs often makes them well placed to put forward viable alternatives.
"Denbighshire needs to consult & work with all Local education professionals [Heads etc], those representing local communities and parents and pupils affected, including those at all nearby schools.
"We have found that mergers between infant and junior into single primary schools have to go through the same process as a school that is being closed, such red tape and bureaucracy over-complicates and there is a strong need for a simplified process.
"We need to create a new category of ′amalgamation′ alongside that of closure to facilitate genuine mergers between schools avoiding some of the steps required for a full closure.
"Parents and children alike should be given access and choice to the best education possible and for this to happen Denbighshire must work more imaginatively with local communities for positive alternatives to closure. I urge all local MPs, AMs, and Councilors to stop the fighting and work together for the sake of the Children's future"
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