Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual equality lobbying group Stonewall has quizzed both Lib Dem leadership contenders on their stance over LGB equality and a few specific issues. Both Chris Huhne and Nick Clegg gave answers which do the party proud and reflect that, as with previous Lib Dem leaders, we can look forward to a new party leader who is strongly committed to LGBT equality - whichever of them wins.
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Gordon Brown's competence as PM has come under fire during heated Commons exchanges following the donations row. Acting Liberal Democrat Leader Vincent Cable said he had gone "from Stalin to Mr Bean" in a matter of weeks, "creating chaos out of order rather than order out of chaos." Property developer David Abrahams gave Labour more than £650,000 under other people's names over four years. It has emerged that Labour's chief fundraiser Jon Mendelsohn was told about it last month, but did not tell anyone else - he said he wanted to sort out the matter with Mr Abrahams and explain it to him personally. Chris Huhne MP has written to Met Chief Ian Blair asking him to investigate whether there is a conflict of interest over Mr Abraham's hidden donations to the Labour Party and a planning approval granted to him when the Department of Transport's Highways Agency lifted its objection. In the Commons yesterday Communities Secretary Hazel Blears promised to look into the details of the planning application.
Brickhill Borough Councillor Charles Royden has described road improvements in Tyne Crescent, Brickhill as complete madness and dangerous for all road users.
Bedford Borough Liberal Democrats challenged the County Council's incinerator plans in a council meeting last night.
The President of the National Farmers Union, Peter Kendall has said that he is 'delighted' to support Tim Farron's Home on the Farm initiative, calling it a 'win win situation for farmers and local people. The initiative would see disused farm buildings allowed to be converted into local affordable housing.
Local MP, Tim Farron spoke in the House of Commons last night during the debate on the Housing and Regeneration Bill, and voiced his concerns that inflexible planning rules - especially in the national parks - were preventing the provision of affordable homes for local people. As a result, Mr Farron expressed scepticism that the targets set by the Government would be missed due to this inflexibility on planning restrictions.
