Last weekend, I visited Broomhill High Street to check up on changes made along the pavement. I was disappointed to see barriers left out and uneven surfaces, all for the most unimaginative alteration to the area. There is a real concern amongst businesses here that these changes to parking will reduce customer numbers and make … Continue reading Visiting Broomhill High Street
TOM PARKIN: A Future For The Liberal Democrats
The questions I believe we should ask our leadership candidates in the 2020 race: More on narrative and electoral objectives and less on policy.
Tom Parkin is a Liberal Democrat activist and prospective candidate for Sheffield City Council. He is the editor of Liberal Base and blogs at tomparkin.org. He Tweets @tompjparkin.
As the Liberal Democrat leadership contest rolls on, it is clear both Ed Davey and Layla Moran are eager to shift our policy platform to a greener and more radical position.
Let’s be clear. The election of a new figurehead will not in itself boost our standing in the opinion polls. Nor is it a matter of identifying the perfect policy combination to regain the seats lost since 2015. The internal reforms needed are urgent, wide-ranging and long-standing. There is no quick fix and we mustn’t expect our fortunes to change overnight.
Here, I set out a three stage…
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GIANNI SARRA’s Senate Series: MAINE
Gianni Sarra is a PhD candidate at King’s College London. He is a recipient of an Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) London Interdisciplinary Social Science Doctoral Training Partnership studentship award and his doctoral research is on ‘The Dirty Rules Dilemma: Achieving Justice in Conditions of Corruption’.
One of the most important states in determining control of the Senate will be in Maine. Long-term Senator, Susan Collins, is the sole Republican left in New England’s congressional delegation. Though Maine leans towards the Democrats, Collins was able to win her previous elections in landslides thanks to a reputation as an independent-minded moderate.
The Trump era, however, has dealt a heavy blow to that reputation, and now polling shows Collins narrowly behind in her fight to get reelected in November. How good are her chances, and what was it exactly that caused her situation to become so perilous?
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Susan Collins has long…
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TOM PARKIN: ‘Becoming’ – Michelle Obama – Netflix Review
Tom Parkin is a Liberal Democrat activist from Sheffield and editor of Liberal Base. He runs a personal blog at tomparkin.org and can be found on Twitter @tompjparkin.
‘You don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone.’ This is certainly true of former First Lady Michelle Obama. For those seeking a reminder of life before the Trump administration, look no further. ‘Becoming’ on Netflix follows Obama’s autobiography of the same name, which in March 2019 sold over ten million copies.
But for those expecting this authorised work to be a job application for the 2020 Vice-Presidential nomination, you’re in for a dissapointment. The final cut comes across as a purposeful end to a former life. Obama herself declares the pre-presidential years…
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Joint Letter to Mark Pack: Cllr Paul Hodgkinson and Tom Parkin on the Liberal Democrat’s long-term strategy
From: Cllr Paul Hodgkinson, Tom Parkin To: Mark Pack Dear Mark, We hope this finds you well and safe. Here is our joint submission to you on the Liberal Democrat’s long-term strategy. Why a joint submission? Paul has been a Liberal Democrat member since 1992 and serves … Continue reading Joint Letter to Mark Pack: Cllr Paul Hodgkinson and Tom Parkin on the Liberal Democrat’s long-term strategy
Thank you! Election as Sheffield Young Liberals’ Campaigns Officer for 2020/21
On 26th March, I was pleased to have been elected Sheffield Young Liberals' Campaigns Officer for the year 2020/21. There is a lot of work to do to build up our student base, but I am looking forward to the challenge. Many thanks to all the other candidates who stood in this election and congratulations … Continue reading Thank you! Election as Sheffield Young Liberals’ Campaigns Officer for 2020/21
Want something to read? Here’s 5 liberal books to keep you going!
As the UK heads into at least three weeks of lockdown, here are some suggestions for Liberal Democrats in want of a good book. British Liberal Leaders (2015) - Edited by Duncan Brack, Robert Ingham and Tony Little The Wrath of Capital: Neoliberalism and Climate Change Politics - New Directions in Critical Theory (2014) - … Continue reading Want something to read? Here’s 5 liberal books to keep you going!
Crookes Canvassing Session – Sheffield Lib Dems
On a very rainy Wednesday afternoon, the Sheffield team were out again, this time in Crookes, canvassing to get Bex Atkinson elected to the City Council in May. Bex runs a zero-waste shop on Crookes high street and runs as a Green Liberal Democrat. Her experience as a local business person and environmental activist is … Continue reading Crookes Canvassing Session – Sheffield Lib Dems
Beighton Canvassing Session – Sheffield Lib Dems
The Sheffield Liberal Democrats had another successful canvassing session in Beighton yesterday evening. Well done to the Lib Dem team for going out on the doors! We even managed an action shot! (Featuring THREE Toms)
Thank You! Selection as the Lib Dem Candidate for Manor Castle – Sheffield City Council Election 2020
On Tuesday evening, I was selected by the Sheffield Liberal Democrats as the candidate for the Manor Castle ward for May's Sheffield City Council election. These are challenging, yet exciting times for our city. With more Liberal Democrats elected to City Hall, Sheffield can move forward with the right kind of leadership, that is inclusive, … Continue reading Thank You! Selection as the Lib Dem Candidate for Manor Castle – Sheffield City Council Election 2020
