Liberal Democrats

Met Police attend less than half of shoplifting incidents in the past year, figures reveal, as offending blows £1 billion black hole in UK high streets

by

The force sent officers to just 38 per cent of incidents during 2022/23  By George Odling Crime Correspondent Published: 22:08 GMT, 13 December 2023 | Updated: 22:47 GMT, 13 December 2023 Scotland Yard attended less than half of shoplifting incidents in the last year, despite soaring offending blowing a £1billion annual black hole in Britain’s high … Read more

Domestic abuse and burglary victims are waiting for up to 13 hours for Britain’s slowest police force to attend priority calls

by

Domestic abuse and burglary victims are left waiting for up to 13 hours for Britain’s slowest police force to attend priority calls, figures show. Police in Birmingham West took 13 and a half hours to respond to priority calls last year, according to data gathered from police forces across the country. Most forces aim to … Read more

The war on holiday lets moves inland: Cambridge considers cracking down on AirBnbs and holiday homes they say have ‘squeezed’ young locals out of the city

by

The war on holiday lets has moved inland – with councillors at a landlocked city preparing to vote on taking action against homes being converted into investment properties. Seaside towns and villages around the country have been introducing bans on short-term rentals and holiday homes over concerns they inflate prices, leaving locals unable to get … Read more

Jeremy Hunt warned he is ‘barking up the wrong tree’ with bid to lure over-50s back to work

by

Jeremy Hunt has been warned he is ‘barking up the wrong tree’ with attempts to lure people who have retired early back to work to help boost the economy. The Chancellor is expected to use his Budget next month to unveil measures designed to get more than half a million ‘economically inactive’ people to return … Read more

PM insists ‘levelling up’ agenda WON’T hurt Tory heartlands

by

Boris vows to boost the Red Wall AND the shires: PM insists ‘levelling up’ agenda in the Midlands and North WON’T hurt Tory heartlands or make ‘rich areas poorer’ as he scrambles to ease nerves after by-election defeat to Lib Dems PM has insisted prosperous areas in South will benefit from spreading growth He said … Read more

Boris Johnson insists his ‘levelling up’ agenda will not leave southern voters out in the cold

by

Boris Johnson tries to reassure southern voters as he insists his ‘levelling up’ agenda will not leave them out in the cold PM will insist prosperous areas in the South will benefit from spreading growth  His speech comes amid Tory jitters over last month’s Chesham by-election   He will say Government’s success will hinge on whether … Read more

Theresa May’s bid for Nato secretary general job sparks fears of by-election in Maidenhead

by

Theresa May’s bid for Nato secretary general job sparks fears of by-election in Maidenhead as Tory insiders admit they are ‘very worried’ of a repeat of the loss in Chesham and Amersham Talk of the ex-PM going for job of Nato secretary general has prompted concerns They fear voters in Maidenhead may replicate loss in … Read more

The excruciating minute-long CCTV footage of Matt Hancock and his married aide is revealed in full

by

Sixty seconds of unguarded passion: The excruciating minute-long CCTV footage of Matt Hancock and his married aide is revealed in full as he fights to keep his job Footage captures Matt Hancock appearing to check whether the coast is clear He then seems to lean on the door before passionate kiss with Gina Coladangel The video … Read more

Sven-Goran Eriksson’s interview with Kay Burley is constantly interrupted by ‘Lembit Opik’

by

‘Looks like Mr Opik really does want to talk to you’: Sky News viewers are left in stitches after Sven-Goran Eriksson’s interview with Kay Burley is constantly interrupted by bizarre ‘Lembit Opik’ phones calls Sven-Goran Eriksson’s interview was interrupted by bizarre ‘Lembit Opik’ calls Blunder took place on Kay Burley’s programme on Sky News this … Read more

SNP wins by-election in Airdrie and Shotts

by

SNP wins by-election in Airdrie and Shotts called after sitting MP opted to swap Westminster for the same seat in Holyrood Anum Qaisar-Javed was elected with 10,129 votes, ahead of Labour’s candidate Kenneth Stevenson came in second with 8,372 votes. Tory candidate got 2,812 SNP leader and Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon sent her congratulations  By Chris Jewers … Read more

Lib Dems and Greens enjoy resurgence after picking up string of Labour and Tory council seats 

by

Lib Dems and Greens enjoy resurgence after picking up string of Labour and Tory council seats The Lib Dems made gains across the country, including one Brexit stronghold Welcome news to leader Sir Ed Davey after party’s previous poor performance  Lib Dems deprived Tories of overall control of Cambridgeshire County Council  By Claire Ellicott Political … Read more

Alex Salmond’s new Alba Party recruits more than 4,000 members in its first week

by

Alex Salmond’s new Alba Party recruits more than 4,000 members in its first week – after poll put support at just three per cent Alba founder Laurie Flynn said the milestone was surpassed on Friday afternoon  Party says membership figure gives it more supporters than Scottish Lib Dems  But a recent survation poll found Alba will … Read more

Wife of Lib Dem peer Lord Marks who was caught speeding twice in five months avoids driving ban

by

Wife of Lib Dem peer Lord Marks who was caught speeding twice in five months avoids driving ban after lawyers said she needs car for childcare and to look after her ‘unwell’ husband Lady Clementine Medina Marks, 53, was caught speeding twice in five months The wife of Lib Dem peer Lord Marks avoided a ban … Read more