Dozens of Labour Party members in Margaret Beckett's constituency are to defect to the Liberal Democrats today in protest at her handling of the Lebanon crisis. They announced their decision today at the Pakistani Community Centre, Derby.
Commenting on today's Chatham House report, which says that Iran's influence in the Middle East has been bolstered by the 'war on terror', Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Sir Menzies Campbell said "This report comes as no surprise. Intervention in Iraq was always bound to carry unintended consequences. Iran's belligerence over Israel and nuclear weapons is a clear indication of the extent to which it feels strengthened. The White House and Number 10 Downing Street have a grave responsibility."
Liberal Democrat Leader Menzies Campbell received a boost earlier in the week from a new poll showing that, in contrast to both Tony Blair and David Cameron, most people do not think he is 'all spin'. The MORI survey for the Sunday Times asked people - "Politicians are often accused of being all spin and no substance, would you say this is or is not a fair criticism of the following politicians?" Sir Menzies was the only Party Leader where more people thought it was an unfair criticism, Tony Blair recorded a massive 64% thinking it was a fair criticism.
After a bad July Poll for ICM, the Liberal Democrats have bounced back with 22% in the latest (August) ICM/Guardian Poll. Almost all the addition support has come from Labour. Labour's rating of 31% is a 19 year low for the party and the second lowest rating sine the Guardian started this polling in 1984!
Liberal Democrat Leader, Sir Menzies Campbell MP has today written an open letter to supporters, we re-print it below.
Almost a quarter of A-level entries were awarded the top grade this year, results published on Thursday show. Pupils and teachers have worked extremely hard for these results and deserve to celebrate. Liberal Democrat Shadow Education Secretary, Sarah Teather MP said "The annual carping of backward-looking commentators who always want to claim standards were better 'back in their day' is unproductive and frankly boring."
