Tag Archives: nick clegg

Nick Clegg: Coalition is like blue tractor pulling little yellow trailer

4:20pm Tue May 8th

Attempting to relaunch the coalition after last Thursday’s election massacre, Nick Clegg just compared blue and yellow livery of tractors at the factory they are visiting as “tailor made for politics of coalition”. Scrapbook couldn’t agree more — as The Times’ Michael Savage observes:

“The tractor factory Cam and Clegg are visiting appears to make Big Blue tractors that pull little yellow trailers.”

A factory worker telling the pair they “have to get their act together” isn’t the only reason this appears to have misfired:

That was dreadful on every conceivable level – PR, political, aesthetic. Govt looks more lethargic & dogmatic than it did before election.
— Ian Dunt (@IanDunt) May 8, 2012

Sketch writers and cartoonists: start your engines.

Cameron and Clegg’s relaunch — at company outsourcing to China

2:55pm Tue May 8th

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David Cameron and Nick Clegg are set to botch their coalition relaunch, dubbed “Rose Garden part II” – by conducting it at a firm on the verge of major production outsourcing to China. The prime minister is set to tell press and dignitaries gathered at E2V Technologies in Chelmsford:

“Our job is to build a recovery on real growth and investment”

But while the production of certain sensitive defence technologies will be retained in the UK, Scrapbook understands the lion’s share of new manufacturing is moving to China. The PM and DPM’s visit has even necessitated the return of some senior staff from the far east, where they have been looking at new offices.

Good to see Dave and Nick finally have a jobs plan (for Guangdong province).

Clegg determined to keep £2.4m donation generated through fraud

1:44pm Mon April 23rd

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The Liberal Democrats’ former treasurer may be called to testify in court after the party refused to hand back a £2.4m donation which is known to be the proceedings of fraud. Party donor Michael Brown (above right) is currently awaiting extradition after going on the run to the Dominican Republic.

Victims of Brown, who posed as a bond dealer, are naturally slightly peeved that Nick Clegg is refusing to hand back their cash. But an Electoral Commission investigation claiming the party received the donation in “good faith” cleared the way for them to trouser the money.

In the meantime, Nick has been busy telling Sunday Politics that it was nothing to do with him:

“I should stress that this is something which happened as far as the Liberal Democrats are concerned before I was even an MP”

But this might not wash with defrauded lawyer Tony Brown (no relation), whose legal team have suggested that they want to call former party treasurer Reg Clark to the stand. With the Electoral Commission’s original investigation under fire, it could all get very messy indeed.

Perhaps understandably, Tony didn’t want his $5m spent on Charles Kennedy election posters.

Tim Farron to put tanks on Clegg’s lawn over benefits Legal Aid vote

5:22pm Tue April 17th

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With the last few grains trickling through the hourglass on Legal Aid, Liberal Democrat President Tim Farron will put himself at loggerheads with Nick Clegg this evening — having tabled an amendment opposing plans to deny Legal Aid from disabled people and others on low incomes.

Last year, thousands of disabled people were helped by legal aid advisers to overturn inaccurate benefits decisions that had left them struggling without the means to live.

Farron’s rebel amendment seeks to protect:

Civil legal services provided in relation to any review or appeal concerning a benefit, allowance, payment, credit or pension under –
(a) the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992,
(b) the Jobseekers Act 1995,
(c) the State Pension Credit Act 2002,
(d) the Tax Credits Act 2002,
(e) the Welfare Reform Act 2007,
(f) the Welfare Reform Act 2011, or
(g) any other enactment relating to social security.’.

With rebellions on tuition fees, the forest sell off and NHS Bill already under his belt, Farron has been sure to put a marker down on many of the key issues for Liberal Democrat activists.

Another line of the “Farron 4 Leader” leaflet will have been penned by midnight.

Lib Dems invent customer service award … and give it to themselves

4:46pm Mon March 12th

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Mad claims in Liberal Democrat leaflets are nothing new, but this is the first time Scrapbook has seen the balls required to give yourself a fictional award.

According to the caption, the photo above apparently shows:

“Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg presenting an award to David and his team for helping thousands of residents each year.”

There is no explanation why MP David Ward was selected and no one has any idea what the award is, or who these “thousands of residents” that he’s helped are – but it sure looks impressive, doesn’t it.

We’re sure the residents of Bradford East are thrilled to see David Ward doing the job he is paid for.

Nick Clegg: The Health Bill is so great … that we need to change it more!

6:56pm Mon February 27th

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Flip-flopping Nick Clegg is struggling to make up his mind about his government’s own legislation. After praising the Health Bill over the past few months, Clegg has now wr itten to Lib Dem MPs and peers to asking them to, erm, make more changes.

Back in June 2011, Clegg was describing the Health and Social Care Bill as follows:

“We listened. And now we have a plan I hope we can all get behind.”

But 200 hours of scrutiny and 1,000 amendments later, Clegg now says:

“However, given how precious the NHS is … we want to see changes made to this Bill …”

Everyone clear?

Police investigate Lib Dem candidate after Scrapbook exposes racism

2:51pm Wed February 8th

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A former Liberal Democrat council candidate is under investigation by police after Political Scrapbook exposed a series of vicious Islamophobic comments on his Facebook page. The probe into the so-called “Redcar racist”, Dave Stones, comes after a concerted effort by Nick Clegg’s office and party HQ to ignore the issue.

Scrapbook revealed Mr Stones’ comments last month, when he was campaigning in a by-election for Redcar and Cleveland council — previously safe Liberal Democrat seat which he then lost to Labour. He had posted comments calling for a “pork restaurant” and “topless bar” should be built next to a mosque, as well as smears suggesting Muslims objected to the sale of remembrance poppies.

The scandal was exacerbated by the party’s attitude towards it, with accusations of a cover-up as senior party leaders refused to act by suspending Stones. Neither local MP Ian Swales, Nick Clegg or party HQ would responded to questions, despite a leaked email showing they were aware of the remarks.

“Liberal Democrat HQ all the way to Nick Clegg’s office and key figures like the President and Chief Whip are aware of this and we are carrying on with the by-election.”

So to paraphrase Sayeeda Warsi: is Islamophobia acceptable at Nick Clegg’s dinner table?

Anti-islam candidate exposed by Scrapbook loses safe Lib Dem seat

12:14pm Fri January 20th

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Nick Clegg with in Redcar with local MP Ian Swales, who has refused to comment on the scandal

The Liberal Democrats have lost a previously safe council seat after Political Scrapbook published a series of shocking islamophobic comments from their candidate. Dave Stones’ sick remarks came to light two weeks ago and were resolutely ignored by Lib Dem senior leadership despite overwhelming criticism from a host of anti-racism institutions.

Although appearing on leaflets, Ian Swales MP appears to have stayed away from campaigning and the vote count – yet like his senior Lib Dem colleagues has utterly failed to condemn Stones’ comments. Left to sell a racist candidate, numerous demotivated Lib Dem activists stayed away.

Nick Clegg, who leaked emails revealed was fully aware of the controversy, was clearly hoping to brush the matter under the carpet without comment, but instead saw a majority of almost 400 disappear.

The polls yesterday saw voters punish Stones and his party, with the results as follows:

John Hannon (Lab) – 539 votes

Dave Stones (LD) – 484 votes

Matthew Bennet (Con) – 76 votes

After their drubbing at the ballot box, Clegg’s continuing silence will be even more damning.

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