Today Nick Clegg Leader of the Liberal Democrats gave his first official speech as Deputy Prime Minister on constitutional reform and the ‘New Politics’.

Speaking at his first major speech as Deputy Prime Minister, Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg said: “I have spent my whole political life fighting to open up politics. So let me make one thing very clear: this government is going to be unlike any other.

“This government is going to transform our politics so the state has far less control over you, and you have far more control over the state.
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Today was the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO). At the Town Hall in Ashton-under-Lyne and around the country, town halls, businesses and other properties flew the rainbow flag to raise awareness of prejudice and violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people.

Liberal Democrat European justice & human rights spokeswoman Sarah Ludford MEP, a Vice-Chair of the Liberal Democrat LGBT group Delga and an active member of the European Parliament lesbian & gay rights intergroup said, “Homophobia is still widespread in the 21st century and the fight against it must be reinforced. It can be vicious and life-threatening, as in aggressive legislation abroad; prejudiced, as in attitudes even in EU countries; or insidious as in football or the media here. Whatever from it takes, it is unacceptable.”

“Just recently the courts in Lithuania – an EU country – almost prevented Baltic Gay Pride celebrations citing ‘security’ concerns. Neighbouring the EU, Belarussian police in Minsk just last Saturday broke up a Slavic Gay Pride event, tearing away their flags and arresting a number of the marchers.”

“The Liberal Democrats and our ALDE group in the European Parliament have always led the way in campaigning on LGBT rights, both in our home countries and abroad.”

Liberal Democrat Special Conference in Birmingham today overwhelmingly approved the party’s Coalition Agreement with the Conservative Party.

Speaking after the vote, Liberal Democrat Leader and Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg said: “It is five days since I accepted the position of Deputy Prime Minister.

“Just five days, and we now know there will be no ID cards, no third runway at Heathrow, no more fingerprinting in schools without parents’ consent, no more child detention.
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The Special Conference of the membership of the Liberal Democrats today passed ‘Building a fairer Britain in government’. The conference is the third stage of the ‘triple lock’ process whereby the Lib Dems, as a democratic party, give the membership and Federal Executive a say in any coalition agreement as well as the MPs and Party Leader.

The motion as agreed reads: Read more »

Steve Broadhurst, Lib Dem candidate for Denton & Reddish, today observed: “After walking around Tameside, Denton and Reddish and whilst meeting with the constituents, I was dismayed to see the lack of patriotism on this of all days. St. George’s day indeed, if you didn’t know you wouldn’t have known. The only two things I saw was a ‘court jester’ outside Tameside Council Offices (they were also flying the Union Flag at half mast) and two ladies on a hen night with the George Cross painted onto their ‘wedding’ dresses.

“Scotland and Northern Ireland have a Bank Holiday for their patron saints. Why can’t England do the same? St. George’s Day is a brilliant opportunity for our country to come together and show the pride we have in our culture, society and history and fly the English flag with pride. I think a new Bank Holiday for St. George’s Day would be a great way to celebrate our wonderful country.

“I for one have decided to follow the American example and have started to wear our National flag in my lapel. Please click and register your support for a Bank Holiday to celebrate St. George’s Day.”

Find out more about the campaign to make St George’s Day a bank holiday here

An average of five polls conducted immediately after the Sky TV Leaders Election debate on Thursday night put Nick Clegg as the winner, with all instant polls showing him ahead of Gordon Brown. After the Foreign Affairs-led debate from Bristol dominated by issues like Iraq, immigration and climate change, Nick Clegg won 3 of the 5 polls on the night, building on his position after the first debate.

The five “instant” poll results on the night:

• Guardian/ICM: Clegg 33%, Cameron 29%, Brown 29%
• YouGov: Clegg 32%, Cameron 36%, Brown 29%
• ComRes: Clegg 33%, Cameron 30%, Brown 30%
• Angus Reid: Clegg 33%, Cameron 32%, Brown 23%
• Populus: Clegg 36%, Cameron 37%, Brown 26%
• Poll Average: Clegg 33.4%, Cameron 32.8%, Brown 27.4%

The election has been thrown wide open by Nick Clegg‘s first debate win. A number of polls have shown that the Lib Dems and the Conservatives are neck and neck, with Labour trailing in third. BBC journalist Michael Crick said on Newsnight “The momentum is still with Clegg.”

Once again Nick Clegg was judged the winner, following the second TV debate between the three party leaders last night. The debate focused on foreign affairs issues such as the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, the EU and our role in the world. Most polls reflected Nick as winning the debate.

With two weeks to go, Nick said that the election campaign is proving “one of the most exciting elections we have had in a very long time. People are beginning to hope we can do something different this time. Don’t let anyone tell you this time it can’t be different: it can.”