http://www.tamesidelibdems.org.uk/newsarchive.php Recent News Stories from Tameside Liberal Democrats en-GB Tameside Liberal Democrats http://www.tamesidelibdems.org.uk/ Prater Raines Ltd http://www.praterraines.co.uk/ (c) 2010 Tameside Liberal Democrats 2010-03-14T21:49+00:00 United Kingdom http://www.tamesidelibdems.org.uk/news/000118/longest_serving_tory_in_europe_joins_the_liberal_democrats.html The former leader of the Conservative MEPs has announced his defection to the Liberal Democrats at the Party's Spring Conference in Birmingham. Edward McMillan-Scott, who was the Conservative's most senior MEP, has joined the Liberal Democrats. He announced his defection to the Liberal Democrats at the Party's Spring Conference in Birmingham. 2010-03-12T18:19+00:00 http://www.tamesidelibdems.org.uk/news/000117/tameside_bnp_euromp_accused_of_expenses_coverup.html Nick Griffin has been accused by Tameside's Lib Dem MEP of an expenses cover-up. British National Party leader Griffin has yet to publish any details of how he is using expenses from the European Parliament that could be worth more than £280,000 per year. He is the only one of the North West's 8 MEPs to provide no financial information at all on his website. 2010-03-12T12:22+00:00 http://www.tamesidelibdems.org.uk/news/000116/holidays_for_cats_dogs_and_ferrets.html New EU rules will allow family pets to take continental holidays for years to come. Agreement has been reached to extend the 'Pets' Passport' scheme for cats, dogs and ferrets that have been vaccinated against rabies. 2010-03-09T15:30+00:00 http://www.tamesidelibdems.org.uk/news/000115/tories_must_say_why_they_refused_electoral_commission_interviews.html Commenting on reports from the Electoral Commission that Tory officials had refused requests to be interviewed by investigators, Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary, Chris Huhne said: "It's extraordinary that officials of a major political party should refuse a meeting to answer questions from the regulator designed to ensure funding is open and honest. 2010-03-05T10:56+00:00 http://www.tamesidelibdems.org.uk/news/000114/colin_firth_ken_macdonald_brian_eno_on_why_to_vote_liberal_democrat.html Actor Colin Firth, former Director of Public Prosecutions Sir Ken Macdonald QC and musician Brian Eno have all contributed to a book entitled 'Why Vote Liberal Democrat'. The book, which goes on sale on Thursday, covers topics as varied as fair taxes, gay rights, looking after our armed forces, political reform and the fight against climate change. 2010-03-04T13:21+00:00 http://www.tamesidelibdems.org.uk/news/000112/climate_change_boss_must_go.html The head of the scientific body that assesses evidence of global warming should step down, says Tameside's Lib Dem MEP. Chris Davies claims that the conclusions of the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change have not been shaken by recent criticisms, but admits that political will for action has been weakened. He is calling for IPCC chairman Rajendra Pachauri to offer his resignation to assist the organisation in regaining its authority. 2010-03-02T14:29+00:00 http://www.tamesidelibdems.org.uk/news/000113/tory_party_has_been_bought_like_a_banana_republic.html Commenting on Lord Ashcroft's admission that he is non-domiciled for tax purposes, Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary, Chris Huhne said, "The Conservatives' biggest donor is a tax-dodger from Belize who has not paid a penny of British tax on the vast bulk of his estimated £1.1bn fortune held offshore. 2010-03-01T23:29+00:00 http://www.tamesidelibdems.org.uk/news/000111/if_brown_believed_in_fairness_he_would_stop_rbs_bonuses.html Commenting on reports that RBS is set to pay out over £1bn in bonuses despite expectations of poor performance to be announced tomorrow, Liberal Democrat Shadow Scotland Secretary, Alistair Carmichael said, "The idea of a bank which is still propped up by taxpayers paying out over a billion in bonuses is offensive. There should be no rewards for failure. 2010-02-25T10:02+00:00 http://www.tamesidelibdems.org.uk/news/000110/eu_failing_on_ccs_goals.html A pledge by EU leaders to have up to 12 plants to demonstrate carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology operating by 2015 is set to fail, local MEP Chris Davies has warned. CCS development is regarded as crucial to curbing the emission of CO2 from the world's growing number of fossil fuel power stations. Instead of being released into the atmosphere the gas is buried permanently deep underground. 2010-02-24T11:00+00:00 http://www.tamesidelibdems.org.uk/news/000108/overcrowded_housing_reveals_labours_failure.html Commenting on today's report by Lloyds TSB Insurance which reveals the number of families living in overcrowded homes has hit a record high, Liberal Democrat Shadow Housing Minister, Sarah Teather said: "The news that a record number of families are trapped in overcrowded housing is yet more devastating evidence of Labour's failure on social housing. 2010-02-23T12:48+00:00 http://www.tamesidelibdems.org.uk/news/000109/energy_firms_clobbered_customers_through_the_cold_snap.html Commenting on Ofgem figures showing that energy companies are making £105 profit per customer, a 40% increase in the last three months, Liberal Democrat Shadow Energy and Climate Change Secretary, Simon Hughes said: "Energy companies clobbered households even as they struggled through the cold snap. 2010-02-22T18:37+00:00 http://www.tamesidelibdems.org.uk/news/000106/inflation_rise_shows_we_are_still_in_uncertain_times.html Commenting on inflation rising to 3.5% in January, Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor, Vince Cable said, "This figure is a stark reminder that despite the small growth in the economy at the end of last year we are still living in very uncertain times. 2010-02-17T11:55+00:00 http://www.tamesidelibdems.org.uk/news/000107/ministers_playing_down_effects_of_underemployment.html Commenting on today's figures from the Office for National Statistics showing a sharp rise in underemployment during the recession, Liberal Democrat Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, Steve Webb said, "Ministers are guilty of playing down the impact of the recession on working people by ignoring underemployment. 2010-02-16T17:17+00:00 http://www.tamesidelibdems.org.uk/news/000105/tameside_euromp_welcomes_european_move_to_end_horse_cruelty.html Tameside Lib Dem MEP Chris Davies has welcomed a successful step forward to ending the cruelty suffered by horses transported for slaughter. Last week, a written declaration calling for action was adopted in the European Parliament, having been signed by a majority of MEPs. 2010-02-15T14:51+00:00 http://www.tamesidelibdems.org.uk/news/000104/greenpeace_boss_praises_lib_dem_green_jobs_plan.html John Sauven Greenpeace Executive Director has said of the new Lib Dem plans to create jobs in wind power: "This is the kind of practical vision that will bring Britain huge benefits. 2010-02-12T11:21+00:00