Plaid/Labour confusion over stock transfer continues

Anthony Taylor's latest posting (http://cllranthonytaylor.blogspot.com/2009/08/plaid-housing-minister-refutes-defend.html) exemplifies this, right down to the strange use of the word "refute".

Call for nominations for the Liberal International Prize for Freedom 2010

Each year, Liberal International presents the Prize for Freedom to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the promotion of freedom and human rights.

Previous laureates include the late Benazir Bhutto, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, Vaclav Havel, Mary Robinson, Aliaksandr Milinkevich and Lord Avebury (Eric Lubbock).

The next Prize for Freedom will be awarded in the year 2010, under the following criteria for the nominees:

1. Individuals who fight for liberal values, promoting freedom of conscience, human rights, democracy and peace
2. Individuals who are key contributors to significant changes in a country or region
3. Individuals to whom this award might offer protection from extreme forms of political persecution
4. LI member party leaders or groups may not be considered except for extraordinary circumstances as the Prize aims to stand behind those who fight for democracies without political protection.

Details at the Liberal International web site.

Question the Leader without going to Bournemouth

Duncan Brack explains how party members can put questions to Nick Clegg and other key figures in the party for answering at Conference in September, without actually attending.

Banks should not be bailed out by credit unions

Join Peter Black AM and Ali Goldsworthy in campaigning to change the government's mind on this.

If like Peter and Ali you think that Credit Unions shouldn’t be bailing out failing banks here are three things you can do to help get the Government to change its mind.

1, In just 1 minute, join the newly established Facebook group

2, In just 3 minutes, once you have joined encourage others to do the same from your friends list. Make sure you include any elected representatives

3, In just 10 minutes, write a note to your MP, saying why you object. If you have a blog publish it on there too.

Remember the Government needs to change its mind by September 1st so this really is urgent.

Taxation without representation: bank money and larceny

Conall Boyle, a member in Margam, writes:

Can I draw your attention to an excellent article in an obscure place?

“The scandal of taxation without representation
George Gabriel, 12 - 08 - 2009
In a modern financial economy where private profit is founded upon and embedded in the social unit, the public must decide what value we will see it create."

The full article can be found at
http://www.opendemocracy.net/article/email/the-scandal-of-taxation-without-representation

At last! An excellent article, the first article I've seen which gets to the nub of the matter -- that we need to ‘begin to prize open a topic normally subject to the tightest of technocratic seals’: that it is fractional reserve banking which lies at the heart of the out-of-control money system. I love the description that this is 'taxation without representation', or to put it more bluntly larceny on a grand scale. No wonder they can pay such huge bonuses! They have control of our money, and can in effect make as much of it as they want.

But how did the author stumble on this great wisdom? Most of us ‘money reformers’ are people at the margins. How soon can we have street demos demanding that we get back control of our money?

Liberal Democrat MP calls for greater deaf awareness in Parliament

Liberal Democrat MP Malcolm Bruce (far right in picture) is calling on MPs to lobby the Government on deaf related issues as part of this year's deaf awareness week campaign.

Malcolm wants to strengthen the voice of the deaf community in Parliament further

He is currently Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Deafness, and spoke ahead of the group's annual general meeting later this month. He will update the group on the year's activities and look forward to the year ahead. The group currently has over 100 Parliamentarians from both Houses.

Pontardawe Craft Fair

Because of technical difficulties, South Wales West Liberal Democrats will not after all be able to have a stand at the Fair in Pontardawe the weekend after next.

Young people and body images

Liberal Democrat shadow foreign affairs minister (and previously shadow to women's and young persons' portfolios) Jo Swinson's proposals are:

1. Protect children from body image pressure by preventing the use of altered and enhanced images in advertising aimed at under 16s, through changes to Advertising Standards Authority rules. We would work with industry regulators and professionals to find ways to ensure that children have access to more realistic portrayals of women (and men) in advertising.

2. Help women make informed choices by requiring adverts to indicate clearly the extent to which they have been airbrushed or digitally enhanced and altered.

3. Encourage the British Fashion Council and design schools to ensure students are taught to and judged on their ability to cut to a range of sizes and body types.

4. The fashion industry should implement all the recommendations in the Model Health Inquiry, including introducing model health certificates for London Fashion Week.

5. Require cosmetic surgery advertising and literature to give surgery success rates by collecting and publishing Patient Reported Outcome Measures. This would assess whether the surgery had the desired effects.

6. Ensure age-appropriate modules on body image, health and wellbeing, and media literacy are taught in schools.

There is more information and comment in Jo's posting on Liberal Democrat Voice.

Assembly Member to hold advice surgery in Briton Ferry

The Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for South Wales West, Peter Black, will be holding two advice surgeries this week.

Mr. Black will be in Briton Ferry Library on Friday 7 August from 3pm to 4pm. He will then be available at Gorseinon Library from 4.30pm to 5.30pm.

No appointment is necessary.

Grand Designs on Refurbishment

Thanks to Green Liberal Democrats for putting us on to the demonstration house put up in Westminster by the Great British Refurb campaign.