Mr Clegg urged a new relationship between government and the City
Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg has pledged to tackle "bad practice" in the City of London as he outlined plans for a better system of regulation.
He said he wanted his to be the "party that the City can trust" but said "more intelligent" regulation was needed to prevent "boom and bust excesses".
His planned reforms include some to rein in the bonus culture and pay.
He also backs bringing house prices within the official inflation index and making bank charge more transparent.
Outlining his New Deal for the finance industry, Mr Clegg said excessive pay and bonuses could lead to a "culture of greed and gambling".
'Binge lending'
He said the increasing wealth of the City of London had produced "few visible positive spillovers" for neighbouring areas and little benefit to "provincial Britain".
He said: "The credit crunch has exposed a major contradiction within UK banking - an industry which simultaneously presents itself as fiercely competitive and entrepreneurial but then runs to the government to be bailed out in times of difficulty."
He said the Thatcher government's "big bang" reforms had created innovation, but had also led to a boom-bust cycle of "binge lending", followed by negative equity and repossessions.
Mr Clegg said the City of London was "one of the most dynamic and creative parts of the British economy" but was "by no means perfect".
"For too long, the government has refused to stand up to or consult with the City when there are problems," he said.
"I want the Liberal Democrats to be the party that the City can trust, but also the party that will take on injustices and bad practice, for the benefit of the country and the economy as a whole."
He said: "There are children going without food, there are people without shelter.
"It is utterly unacceptable that when international aid is offered, the regime will try to prevent that getting in."
Mr Alexander told BBC 2's Newsnight on Thursday the "best way forward" was not unilateral action but an international "united front" to win access for aid agencies.
"Our responsibility is to make sure that our sole focus is getting the aid to the people who desperately need it."
'Important step'
He said carrying out forced air-drops of supplies would be the wrong action to take.
But Mr Clegg said the United Nations had a right to step in when governments failed to protect their own people.
The Lib Dem leader told BBC Radio 4's The World at One: "I think the time is now coming, drawing very close to taking the most drastic step of all, which is dropping aid directly into Burma, irrespective of the wishes of the Burmese regime.
"This, of course, in practical terms is not an ideal solution because you're dropping aid from the air, it doesn't guarantee it gets to the people who need it.
"But I think it would be an important step to show that the international community is simply not going to stand idly by."
Gordon Brown calls for the restrictions to be removed
The World Food Programme (WFP) has halted aid shipments to Burma after the contents of its first delivery were impounded on arrival in the military-ruled country.
The UN body says the Burmese government seized tonnes of aid material flown in to help victims of Cyclone Nargis, which has killed tens of thousands.
The WFP said it had no choice but to halt aid until the matter was resolved.
Speaking at a press conference in London, representatives from the Red Cross, Save the Children and medical relief agency, Merlin, said access was severely restricted, but some aid was getting through.
A Merlin spokeswoman said they had been able to provide some medical supplies, and that a boat was ready to provide hospital facilities, but that there was now great danger from malaria, dengue fever and snake bites.
Save the Children said they were reaching a extra 10,000 people each day with a basic life saving response kit of bottled water, food, plastic sheeting and blankets.
'Flowing funds'
The Red Cross said they were working through several thousand trained volunteers in the country and had been able to distribute about 2,000 family kits, which include items such as cooking pots and blankets.
Jasmine Whitbread, of charity Save the Children, said despite the obstructions, it was imperative people do not stop their donations for fear the funds and supplies will fall into the wrong hands.
She said: "Our concern is that people will start to doubt whether their donations are really getting there and making a difference.
"Our message is that we are reaching these people and we really desperately need the funds to continue flowing."
As of 1900 BST on Friday, donations from the UK had reached some £4m, said the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), which coordinates national fund raising at times of overseas emergency.
Statement from Mike German, Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats
"I have received a request from party officers that I should allow the party to complete the President’s review of the constitution – including the rules for electing the leaders of the party – before I resign as leader.
"I have taken soundings within the party and the Assembly group, and feel this is a sensible way forward.
"I said earlier in the year that I would stand down when it was sensible and practical to do so, and having received this request from the party’s senior officers, I have decided that I will resign following the debate on the constitution at our Autumn Conference."
Notes:
A copy of the letter, from the chair of the NEC, John Last, to Mike German AM is attached below.
Autumn Conference takes place in Clydach on Oct 10-12. Conference committee has yet to agree a timetable for the weekend.
Mike German holds two posts. He is leader of the party, and leader of the Assembly group. His resignation will trigger the opening of nominations for both posts.
Allowing the constitutional review to run its course will give Conference Reps an opportunity to decide whether the election should be fought under the existing rules, or whether these should be changed. Attempts to change the rules at Spring Conference in Llandudno received majority support in the hall, but failed to achieve the two-thirds majority required to amend the constitution.
The timetable for an election would be set by the National Executive Committee. A contested election is unlikely to be shorter than seven weeks.Mike German will be available for interview following the Rural Development Committee at 11am.
Lord Holme advised Liberal and Lib Dem leaders for almost 30 years
Senior Liberal Democrat Lord Holme has died at the age of 71 after a long illness, it has been announced.
The peer was the party's Northern Ireland spokesman in the 1990s and a close advisor to Sir Menzies Campbell, Paddy Ashdown and David Steel.
A family spokesman said: "Lord Holme of Cheltenham died yesterday at his home in Lurgashall, West Sussex, after a long battle with cancer."
He leaves his wife, Lady Holme, two sons, two daughters and grandchildren.
His family said the funeral will be held in the village church and a memorial service will take place in London at a later date.
'Liberal to the core'
Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg said Lord Holme had made a "huge contribution" to the party over many decades would be "greatly missed".
"His wisdom, kindness and advice were a great source of support for every party leader during that time," he said.
He was widely respected and shaped the course of British politics as no other non-elected Liberal has achieved
Lord Ashdown, former Lib Dem leader
Lord Richard Holme was chairman of the 1997 Lib Dem election campaign, was made a privy councillor in 2000 and served as chairman of the Lords Constitution Committee.
He also became chairman of TV watchdog, the Broadcasting Standards Commission in 1999, but resigned after little more than a year over newspaper revelations about his private life.
Former party leaders have also been paying tribute to Lord Holme's contribution.
Lord Ashdown described him as "a man of outstanding talent, who was liberal to the core".
"He was widely respected and shaped the course of British politics as no other non-elected Liberal has achieved."
Sir Menzies described him as "one of the most perceptive analysts of politics in this country".
He said Lord Holme had advised Liberal and Liberal Democrat leaders for the best part of 30 years and his advice was "almost always right".
The Electoral Commission says local polls are more complex to organise
Polling stations have opened for elections to councils across Wales.
People can vote for the 22 county councils and many town and community councils from 0700 BST until 2200 BST.
About two million people are eligible to vote in elections which will help to decide how the larger councils spend nearly £20bn over the next four years.
The results will also be closely watched as a verdict on the performance of the main political parties, both at Westminster and in the Welsh assembly.
The new and re-elected councillors will take charge of key services such as schools, social services, recycling and refuse collection, leisure centres and planning.
Thousands of would-be county councillors are standing for more than 1,200 seats.
It's very straightforward but staff will explain what needs to be done
Kay Jenkins, Electoral Commission
Most councils will start counting when polls close on Thursday, but others will leave it until Friday morning. That means that a full picture will not emerge until Friday afternoon.
Electoral Commission Wales head Kay Jenkins said local elections were the most complex to run because there were so many candidates and so many elections taking place at the same time.
She said people with postal votes who had not managed to send them off could still have their say on the day.
"If they've applied for a postal vote, they can't actually vote in person at a polling station," she said.
WHO RUNS WELSH COUNCILS
Blaenau Gwent: Labour
Bridgend: Liberal Democrat / Conservative / Plaid Cymru / Independent
Caerphilly: Labour
Cardiff: Liberal Democrat
Carmarthen: Labour / Independent
Ceredigion: Independent / Liberal Democrat / Labour
Conwy: Independent / Conservative / Plaid Cymru / Liberal Democrat
Denbighshire: Independent / Conservative / Plaid Cymru
Flintshire: Labour
Gwynedd: Plaid Cymru
Merthyr: Labour / Independent
Monmouth: Conservative
Neath Port Talbot: Labour
Newport: Labour
Pembrokeshire: Independent
Powys: Independent
Rhondda Cynon Taf: Labour
Swansea: Liberal Democrat / Independent
Torfaen: Labour
Vale of Glamorgan: Labour / Plaid Cymru / Independent
Wrexham: Liberal Democrat-led Board
Ynys Mon: Anglesey Forward / Radical Independents
She advised anyone with a postal vote who had not yet sent it in to seal it and take it to the polling station.
Ms Jenkins also advised anyone who had applied for a postal vote and not received one to contact their local authority during the day for a replacement ballot pack, although they might have to go to the council offices to pick it up.
She said anyone planning to vote at their local polling station could do so without their polling card because they would simply be asked for their name and address.
Most local authorities have more councillors than they have electoral wards, because wards can be represented by as many as five councillors.
In a multi-member ward electing four councillors, for example, people would be able to cast four votes - or fewer, if they choose.
Ms Jenkins advised people to read the instructions on the ballot paper carefully to avoid confusion.
"If they feel confused at all, they should ask the polling station staff who will be able to tell them exactly how many candidates to vote for," she said.
"Some people, as well, will have two ballot papers because they may also be able to vote in the community council election.
"It's very straightforward, but staff will explain what needs to be done and there are instructions on the wall and the ballot paper."
Some authorities, such as Cardiff, are publishing the results ward-by-ward online.
BBC Wales election coverage:
Web: The BBC Wales News website - bbc.co.uk/walesnews - will provide continually updated coverage throughout Thursday and on Friday.
Radio: Radio Wales and Radio Cymru: Results programmes from 0030 to 0300 BST on Friday. Also on Radio 5 Live from 2200 to 0500 BST and Radio Four from 0000 to 0300 BST.
TV: Betsan Powys and Adrian Masters will provide regular updates from Wales on Election Night 2008 from 0005 to 0600 BST on BBC One Wales and the BBC News channel.
Walking around Rhyl this weekend in the sunshine it was lovely to see so many people out and about enjoying themselves in our town. The numbers of people on the Prom, children in the playground and people playing bowls shows that people are still visiting Rhyl and that they can have a good day out here. If only there was more for them to do, and to spend their money on, while they were here. We could make so much more of our High Street and attract businesses rather than losing our retailers. The continental market is always popular when it is here in the summer so why couldn't we have a regular market during the holiday season? We could encourage street entertainers and musicians to provide outdoor entertainment for our tourists. The Events Arena is another area that we could make more use of. The summer entertainments are well attended but we need more of them. I'm sure there are numerous local groups that would be happy to have a free venue to promote their art and entertain us at the same time. If we could tie in activities in the arena with a regular weekly market we would see larger numbers of tourists coming here and discovering what else the area has to offer. This would benefit our retailers, hoteliers and small businesses. The development plans for this area will come to nothing if we cannot attract the investors and the people who have money to spend here. These are all things that Rhyl does well but we should do more of them and advertise them widely. Give the tourists more of what they want and put Rhyl back on the tourist map!
Yours faithfully Colum McCormack Welsh Lib Dem Candidate for Rhyl West
We will work to create pride in Denbighshire where both businesses & residents feel the services provided are relevant for our community, efficiently delivered and provide value for money .
Education. Create a long-term plan so that our children have a good quality education. By stakeholders listening to what is needed and working with parents, Governors, teachers and the council who are there to support the process. Defending village schools will be our priority.
Communities. Support our communities so that we have good policing, that the streets are clean, we have recycling for all and that our roads are repaired promptly. Ensure our buses are more regular, that they link into the rail system, that villages and towns are equally served. We will help farming & Businesses flourish.
“Re-connecting with our rural communities”/”Ail gydioa’ncyumunedaugwledig”.
Roger has agreed to offer a general overview of the issues at stake for our rural communities: school shutdown fears, post office closures, lack of start-up business opportunities for youngsters in our rural communities and the lack of meaningful transport links from rural villages to the towns.
Agenda
Chairperson – The Lord Roger Roberts of Llandudno / Cadeirydd – Yr Arglwydd Roger Roberts o Landudno
7 – 7:30 = Refreshments / LLuniaeth
7:30 – 7:40 = Introductory speech by The Lord Roger Roberts of Llandudno / Araitharweiniolgan Yr Arglwydd Roger Roberts o Landudno
7:40 – 8:10 = The future for rural educational services in Denbighshire and launch of the Education Working Group / Y dyfodolargyfergwasanaethauaddysgyngnghymunedaugwledig Sir Ddinbych a lansiad Pyllgor Gwaith Addysg (To be led by the candidates with audience participation)
8:10 – 8:40 = Our vision for post office services, rural public transport and sustainable business development in rural Denbighshire / Eingweledigaethargyfergwasanaethauswyddfeydd post, trafnidiaeth cyhoeddus a datblygiadbusnesaucynnaladwyyngnghefngwlad Sir Ddinbych (To be led by the candidates with audience participation)
8:40 – 8:50 = Summary by The Lord Roger Roberts of Llandudno / Crynodebgan Yr Arglwydd Roger Roberts o Landudno
8:50 = End of public meeting / Diwedd y cyfarfodcyhoeddus
“Re-connecting with our rural communities”/”Ail gydioa’ncyumunedaugwledig”.
Public Meeting in Llandyrnog Village Hall, April 26th 7pm – 9pm / CyfarfodCyhoeddusynNeuadd y PentrefLlandyrnog, Ebrill 26ain, 7y.h. – 9 y.h.
Meeting led by the Lord Roger Roberts of Llandudno and open to all interested participants / Arweiniaeth y cyfarfodgan Yr Arglwydd Roger Roberts o Landudno ac ynagorediunrhywcyfrannwyr a diddordeb
As has been widely reported, last Thursday 28th March 2008, saw numerous Voluntary and Community organisations attend a public meeting at Rhyl Town Hall in order to demonstrate their support for the Denbighshire Community Agency, which is under threat of closure, following the withdrawal of it’s funding by Denbighshire County Council. I could go on almost forever in listing the numerous organisations up and down the County who have benefited from the support and guidance of the Agency, and the effect of its closure are I think agreed by all to be drastic in the extreme.
The campaign to persuade the County Council to rescind their decision is one that cuts across party political allegiances and I would urge therefore that all candidates standing in the forthcoming County Council elections should publicly demonstrate their support for the Agency.
I write with regard to your article of 2 April about offenders helping to clean up Rhyl. I would like to commend Mr Dave Jones and his team for the great work they are doing to help keep our town clean - the areas they are working in are showing a marked improvement. The Council should learn from this example. We pay an extortionate Council Tax and our Cleansing Services, as far as I can see, are not doing what they are paid to do. Streets need to be cleaned regularly and while some streets get an occasional visit from a road-sweeping machine others have not been touched for a long time. When this machine is used it merely skirts around the parked cars leaving all the debris that accumulates behind them to be blown out into the road again when the cars are driven away. What we need are old-fashioned road-sweepers with brooms who can get into areas inaccessible to this machine. It would be cheaper, greener and more effective. It would also provide work for more people in an area of high unemployment and restore some dignity and pride in our town. The road sweepers should particularly be employed to follow behind the refuse collectors clearing up the mess left behind when they lift up the waste sacks. I have personally seen the ludicrous situation where the cleaning machine goes down a street, neatly avoiding all the rubbish sacks, just before the refuse collectors remove the rubbish which has often been ripped apart by seagulls and which leaves a trail of waste that is blown all the way down the street!
Another area of particular concern is the coach park on Crescent Road and the surrounding land. This area is the arrival point for many tourists coming to visit Rhyl and it gives a very poor first impression of the town. The coach park itself has not been swept for a long time and is overgrown with weeds. It is full of potholes and in a generally shabby condition. Beside the coachpark is a footpath where a large amount of debris, remnants from a disused garage which was seriously fire damaged six months ago, still hasn't been cleared up. The fire was originally caused by homeless people sheltering in the garage and they continue to use the burnt out building for this purpose today. Not only is it unsightly it is also a health and safety concern and something should have been done about it many months ago. Surely the Council should have taken action to get this mess cleared away before now.
Yours Colum McCormack, Welsh Lib Dems. County Council Candidate for West Rhyl.
Welsh Liberal Democrats launched their local election campaign in North Wales today highlighting their achievements in building safer, greener communities – and providing better value for money.
At the North Wales launch of their manifesto – Safer, Greener, Better Value –in Wrexham Mike German, leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, said his party’s record of achievement in the North was the envy of other parties.Wrexham’s record includes a spectacular 33% drop in crime, a transformation from bottom to top of the recycling league in four years, and all while keeping council tax low.
Mr German AM, leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, said: ”Wrexham’s record is the envy of Labour councils across Wales. All the parties are talking about safer and greener – but the Welsh Liberal Democrats have the action to prove it.
”We’re hearing lots of huffing and puffing from Labour at this election, but the action is there for people to see. Welsh Liberal Democrats have delivered – that’s why people don’t want Labour back.
Cllr Aled Roberts, leader of Wrexham council said: “When we talk about community safety, we have the figures to back it up. Over the last four years, our investment in additional PCSOs has led to a 33% drop in crime in Wrexham.
“On Greener communities, our record speaks volumes too. From 21st in Wales under Labour, Wrexham is now second over the last six months. Recycling has gone up from 12% to 43%! That’s green action.
“And we’ve done this while investing in education, raising levels of achievement and keeping council tax low – that’s better value for money.”
North Wales AM Eleanor Burnham added: “Across North Wales, Welsh Liberal Democrats are contesting more wards than ever before. We are proud of our record in Wrexham, where we have shown we can make a positive difference to the town. And even in Conwy, where we have just one Welsh Liberal Democrat on the executive the results have been spectacular – a major increase in recycling, achieving Assembly targets two years ahead of schedule.
“People are tired of Labour. They are tired of their bumbling in Westminster, tired of their centralising of power in Cardiff Bay and tired of their old fashioned way of running local authorities. They can see what the Welsh Liberal Democrats have done where they've taken over from Labour, and want some more of that change in their communities."
Notes: The Welsh Liberal Democrat manifesto – “Safer, Greener, Better Value” is available to download from www.welshlibdems.org.uk</A< p>
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I think the time is now coming, drawing very close to taking the most drastic step of all, which is dropping aid directly into Burma 
