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Liberal Democrat MP Alistair Carmichael today paid a fond tribute to Baroness Shirley Williams, who passed away on Monday. The Orkney and Shetland MP took the opportunity during Business Questions this morning to eulogise a woman the Liberal Democrat Party Leader Ed Davey had called a “Liberal lion and true trailblazer”. Addressing the House of Commons, Alistair Carmichael said: "Thank you Mr Deputy Speaker. Can I say to the Leader of the House I hope members from all parties may be allowed to pay some tribute to my late colleague and friend Baroness Williams of Crosby.  "She was somebody who blazed a trail for women in politics for over five decades of public life in this country. She was blessed with a magic combination of both a fine political mind…

The House of Lords has today passed a Lib Dem amendment that would allow individuals trapped in unaffordable mortgages, known as ‘mortgage prisoners’, to access mortgages with much fairer rates. Mortgage prisoners had their mortgages nationalised after the financial crash and then sold on by the Treasury to vulture funds or inactive lenders, and therefore have been stuck paying what MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis has called “obscene interestrates”. The amendment, tabled by Lib Dem Peer John Sharkey, would require the introduction of a cap on the rates charged to mortgage prisoners and, under specified circumstances, ensure their access to fixed rate interest deals. Lib Dem Lords Treasury spokesperson Susan Kramer said: “So many stories from mortgage prisoners have been shared with me over the past few weeks, many of them quite frankly heartbreaking.“The overwhelming…

The Liberal Democrat candidate for Police and Crime Commissioner for Derby and Derbyshire, Stan Heptinstall, is delighted to hear that a “green light” has now been given to building a Police Response Hub somewhere in the High Peak area. Stan says: “This is exactly what is needed – a substantive police presence in North West Derbyshire. It is to be hoped that the plans can be approved, the funding put in place,  and that real progress will be made as soon as is possible”. However, Stan has been contacted by people in New Mills about lack of progress in creating a full police presence in their town following closure of their police station back in 2017. Apparently, the current provision is less than adequate. Stan has promised to make restoring…

The Liberal Democrat candidate for Police and Crime Commissioner for Derby and Derbyshire, Stan Heptinstall, responded to a request for his views on fox hunting. He said that he was totally opposed to this cruel “sport”. Since then, it has been reported that the Conservative PCC candidate has refused to offer her opinion on this matter and there are worrying reports on social media of the hunting fraternity referring to the Conservative candidate as “our candidate”.  Stan says: “I cannot believe that a candidate for Police and Crime Commissioner could support barbaric and cruel acts that are illegal” and has called on the Conservative candidate to state her position.

The Liberal Democrat candidate for the role of Police and Crime Commissioner for Derbyshire is Stan Heptinstall. Stan served the whole of his working life as a senior academic in the Medical School at the University of Nottingham and is now an Emeritus Professor of the same university. Alongside his professional career he has always had a huge interest in his local community. He served for many years as a local councillor, attaining the position of Mayor. He was acclaimed for his representational role through the award of an MBE by the Queen and his appointment as an Honorary Alderman by those who appreciated his long service to local government. Stan describes himself as a “people person” and has always worked hard for others and especially those in any difficulty.…

North East Derbyshire Liberal Democrats spokesperson for Housing, Cllr David Hancock, has called the Conservative administration out on their ‘smoke and mirrors’ tactics over trying to hoodwink the residents of North East Derbyshire into believing that they had a sound evidence base to challenge the proposed local plan. On 12th July the leader of NEDDC wrote the Planning Inspector asking her to withdraw all proposed sites from the Green Belt around Dronfield, Eckington and Killamarsh. In her response, Inspector Sarah Housden, wrote: “It is not clear from your letter what evidence would justify allocating fewer sites for housing. Your letter refers to sites KL1 and the remaining area of DR1 but there are other Green Belt deletions for housing in the submitted Plan.” Cllr Hancock responded, “The Tories have spent…

Speaking on the release of NEDDC's "reassurance" to the residents of Tupton, Lib Dem Group Leader, Cllr Ross Shipman said: “This statement gives little reassurance to the people of Tupton, who quite rightly will be angry at this lip service from the Tory-led authority. “The fact the press get to hear about the decision before elected Councillors in the Tupton ward, shows just how much the Conservatives hold Tupton residents in contempt. “Local residents deserve better and won’t forgive the Council for how this whole process has been handle.” NEDDC's statement can be read here. Cllr David Hancock, Chair of Lib Dem controlled Tupton Parish Council and Lib Dem Spokesperson for Housing, had invited NEDDC Leader, Cllr Martin Thacker (Con), and NEDDC Chief Executive, Dan Swain, to address Tupton residents…