Miriam Clegg: Men Who Look After Children Have 'More Cojones'

The Deputy Prime Minister's wife hijacks her husband's question and answer session to argue that 'taking responsibility' for your own children does not mean that you have less testosterone

Read and comment on the Telegraph article here | Georgia Graham, Political Correspondent | Wednesday, April 23, 2014
My comments:

Comment 1: A man changing nappies whilst wearing his pinnie is good experience for him, and will stand him in good stead when he has to go to war.

Warning: We emasculate our men at our peril! – © Mark

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Comment 2: Our civilisation was doing far better when women did what they were good at: looking after the family and children, and home-making. What is there about civilisation as it is today that makes you think that these feminists have improved anything? Take a look around you! People are badly-dressed, people behave badly, people have no manners, houses are no longer homes for the most part. People don't entertain. The divorce rate has gone throughout the roof, etc. Please show me evidence to the contrary. I'll be only too pleased to concede defeat if you are right. – G Mark

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Where Would You Rather Live – Great Britain or Little England?

THE GUARDIAN: If you agree that Britain is better off in the EU, make yourself heard now. The Lib Dems can't win this argument alone

This Easter we find ourselves in the middle of a European election campaign in which the question at the heart of the European debate is finally being addressed: should Britain remain a member of the EU, or is it time to leave?

The isolationists have been allowed to peddle their myths unchallenged for decades. Of all Nigel Farage's far-fetched claims – and there are many – the most outlandish is the idea that Ukip's call for an exit is the insurgents' battle cry. European withdrawal is presented as a great revolutionary promise, held in stark contrast to the status quo upheld by a homogeneous political elite.

What poppycock. For a start, Farage is every bit the professional politician he enthusiastically reviles. He and I were elected to the European parliament on the same day in 1999. I left after five years. The Ukip leader is still there. More important, there is nothing remotely new about his party's ambitions. Ukip is simply the fresh face of a long-standing Eurosceptic establishment, supported by many in the Tory party and significant parts of the press.

The sceptics' free run over this debate must now be challenged. On 22 May every gain they make will propel Britain closer to the door. We risk finding ourselves drifting further and further away from our biggest export market, jeopardising our still fragile economic recovery and threatening millions of jobs. At a time when the world's economic powerhouses are reaching beyond their own borders and working more closely with their neighbours, we will be turning away from ours.

If we end up stumbling out of the EU our police will be denied the cross-border co-operation they enjoy at present – in effect asking them to keep us safe with one hand tied behind their back. At every international summit and on each of the great dilemmas thrown up by globalisation, climate change, trade, global finance, terrorism and organised crime, Britain will be increasingly isolated, its influence diminished in the world. » | Nick Clegg | Monday, April 21, 2014

THE GUARDIAN – EDITORIAL: European elections: some things are bigger than Ukip: Europe is not going away so our European election campaigns should contain a debate about policy » | Monday, April 21, 2014

Live: Nick Clegg v Nigel Farage TV Debate on the UK and the EU

David Cameron Welcomes First Gay Marriages

Cameron: gay marriage will make society stronger

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Prime Minister says change to the law on same-sex marriage is in keeping with Britain's proudest traditions - but poll suggests it will cost Tories votes

Gay marriage will make British society stronger, David Cameron has insisted as an historic change to the meaning of matrimony comes into effect.

Mr Cameron said the introduction of same-sex marriage in England and Wales - after a debate which bitterly divided his own party and pitted church against state - was a tribute to “the sort of country we are”.

Writing in PinkNews, the gay and lesbian website, he said the redefinition of marriage was in keeping with Britain’s “proud traditions of respect, tolerance and equal worth”.

But opponents of the change said it had “ripped up” the centuries-old understanding of marriage and divided the country.

New polling seen by The Telegraph also shows that the issue could cost the Conservatives significant votes in the local and European elections in May. » | John Bingham, Social Affairs Editor | Friday, March 28, 2014


PINK NEWS: Nick Clegg congratulates same-sex couples marrying this weekend »

Nick Clegg and Nigel Farage Set for EU Debate

Nick Clegg and Nigel Farage

BBC: Nick Clegg and Nigel Farage are set to debate the UK's place in the European Union live on radio.

The deputy prime minister challenged the UKIP leader to a debate in the run-up to May's European elections.

Mr Clegg, who says his Liberal Democrats are the "party of in", argues that even threatening to leave the EU risks millions of British jobs.

Mr Farage says leaving the EU will give the UK control of its borders, but it will continue to trade with Europe.

Following negotiations between the two party leaders and broadcasters, two one-hour debates have been arranged. The first is being hosted by the LBC radio station from 19:00 GMT. On 2 April, round two will be televised live at the same time on BBC Two. » | Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Nick Clegg: 'Nigel Farage Wants to Turn the Clock Back'

Nick Clegg wants to be seen as the Stop Farage candidate in
the European elections.

THE GUARDIAN: In an interview the Liberal Democrat leader spells out plans to tackle Ukip by stressing benefits of EU membership

In perhaps the most cited speech of any Liberal leader, Jo Grimond closed the Liberal assembly in 1963, ahead of the 1964 election, with the promise: "I intend to march my troops to the sound of gunfire."

Nick Clegg, as he faces the European elections in May, has set his party on the same course. Faced with ever growing hostility to the EU, and to immigration, Clegg has decided to present the Liberal Democrats unambiguously as the party of "in" and of openness. He wants to be seen in these elections as the Stop Farage candidate and to make the debate about the very character of Britain. The planned TV debate with the Ukip leader will give him a chance not just to stand up to Farage, but to stand up for a Britain that does not want to hide.

There is an element of calculation in this. In a crowded field the Liberal Democrats risk being ignored and dumped into fourth place with Ukip replacing the Lib Dems as the amorphous party of protest. The Lib Dems may well be the party of in, but also come polling day the party of out, with all 12 of its MEPs expelled from the European parliament. It's not an outcome that Clegg discounts, saying simply if he is to lose any of his MEPs the thing he would hate most is losing them without a fight. » | Patrick Wintour, political editor | Friday, March 07, 2014

Boris Johnson IQ Comments Reveal 'Unpleasant, Careless Elitism', Says Clegg

THE GUARDIAN: Clegg accuses Johnson of talking about people as if they were dogs after he mocked the '16% of our species' with IQ below 85


Nick Clegg has attacked the "unpleasant, careless elitism" of Boris Johnson and his remarks about IQ, and accused him of talking about people as if they were dogs.

The deputy prime minister laid into Johnson after the Conservative London mayor mocked the 16% "of our species" with an IQ below 85 and called for more to be done to help the 2% of the population who have an IQ above 130.

Johnson made the remarks during a speech in honour of Margaret Thatcher, declaring that inequality was essential to foster "the spirit of envy" and hailing greed as a "valuable spur to economic activity".

In a furious response, Clegg said Johnson's viewpoint was "completely anathema" to him, as it suggested society should give up on some people who were never going to do well. This is a "dispiriting message to people trying to get on in life", he said. » | Rowena Mason and Nicholas Watt | Thursday, November 28, 2013

My comment on Boris over at The Telegraph:

I'm more than a little surprised that Benedict Brogan is so in awe of BoJo. Boris is a buffoon! If that guy ever makes it to Number 10, we'll surely come to rue the day.

I have no time for the clown. 'Cos that's what he is: a clown.

For every one bright idea this man has, he has ten that are ludicrous and stupid. Only a fool would be taken in by this impostor. Larger than life, BoJo is also the largest idiot on the political horizon. – © Mark

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Guardian's NSA Revelations: Spies to Go Under Spotlight

THE GUARDIAN: Deputy PM Nick Clegg says public accountability and trust to be examined in review of surveillance powers

British deputy prime minister Nick Clegg is to start conversations in government about how to update the legal oversight of the UK's security services in the light of disclosures by the Guardian that powerful new technologies appear to have outstripped the current system of legislative and political oversight.

Clegg's aides said he would be calling in experts from inside and outside Whitehall to discuss the implications of the new surveillance technologies for public accountability and trust. It is the first time such a senior figure in government has conceded that the revelations published in the Guardian have highlighted concerns about the accountability of the security services.

Clegg hinted at his plans in his weekly phone-in on London's LBC radio, saying: "I think it is right to ask whether there is anything more we can do to make sure the public feel accountability is working in this area properly. There is a totally legitimate debate about the power of these technologies, about how you get the balance right, how you do make sure these technologies are used in an accountable and proportionate way." » | Patrick Wintour, Rowena Mason and Dan Roberts in Washington | Thursday, October 10, 2013

THE GUARDIAN EDITORIAL: Spies and journalism: when worlds collide: The raging global discussion about the proper limits of surveillance of the past few months will become harder to ignore » | Editorial | Thursday, October 10, 2013

Liberal Weakness! Bearded Muslim Pupils Have Right to Show 'Full Faith', Says Nick Clegg

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Nick Clegg has said people have a right to "show their full faith" after two Muslim schoolboys were barred from classes because they would not shave their beards off.

Both 14-year-olds had been placed in "isolation" from the start of the new term at Mount Carmel Roman Catholic High School in Accrington, Lancashire.

Talks were held with the families of the two boys to resolve the problem but neither side backed down and the school has now decided the pupils can only return to school when they are clean-shaven.

Mr Clegg, the Deputy Prime Minister, said: "I think kids in school should all be treated the same. This is where we come to a difficult faultline - I think people should be able to show their full faith and wear what they want. But there are exceptions - in hospitals, in security sections."

The headteacher of the school, Xavier Bowers, has stressed that the matter is not one of religion but about dress code. » | Steven Swinford, Senior Political Correspondent | Thursday, October 10, 2013

Muslim Beard Boys Now Banned from School »

Liberal Democrats an 'Anchor' Holding Back Tories and Labour, Says Nick Clegg

The Liberal Democrats have thwarted many of the Conservatives’ greatest ambitions, saying “No” to a string of cherished Tory policies, Nick Clegg has claimed.

Read the Telegraph article here | James Kirkup | Wednesday, September 18, 2013
THE GUARDIAN: Nick Clegg: Lib Dems are out to end two-party politics » | Nicholas Watt, chief political correspondent | Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Miranda Rights: UK Takes Flak over Detention of Greenwald's Partner, File Destruction

A judge has ruled British police won't be able to fully inspect a lap-top or other items taken from the partner of a journalist who was involved in publishing NSA spy leaks. David Miranda was detained and questioned for nine hours under the Terrorism Act in London. The government's been under fire ever since detaining him, as well as forcing the Guardian newspaper to destroy files containing NSA data.

Ramadan Message from Nick Clegg, Deputy Prime Minister

Ramadan message from Nick Clegg, Deputy Prime Minister and leader of the Liberal Democrats in Britain. Clegg praises Muslims in Britain as a "voice for peace" following the horrific Woolwich beheading of British soldier, Lee Rigby, by one of their fellow Muslim jihadists.

Nonsense Aplenty from Clegg: Woolwich Attack: Nick Clegg Says Murder of Drummer Lee Rigby 'Flies in the Face of the Peace and Love that Islam Teaches'
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: The murder of a serving soldier by suspected Islamist terrorists in London “flies in the face of the peace and love that Islam teaches”, Nick Clegg said today.

The Deputy Prime Minister paid tribute for Muslim groups for responding to the brutal murder of Drummer Lee Rigby in Woolwich on Wednesday with a call for “unity and calm”.

Mr Clegg said: “Over the last few days London has shown itself at its best: an unbreakable city once again refusing to bow to hatred and violence. Of all the groups and faiths represented here today, I would like to pay special tribute to London's Muslim community.

“An unspeakable act has been conducted in their name. Yet while this has provoked feelings of frustration and anger - it flies in the face of the peace and love that Islam teaches - Muslim organisations, Mosques, Imams and community leaders have responded with a call for unity and calm. They have set an example for us all.” » | Christopher Hope, Senior Political Correspondent | Friday, May 24, 2013

Nick Clegg Defends Nobel Peace Prize for European Union
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg says awarding the 2012 Nobel Peace Prize to the European Union recognises more than 70 years of peace in Europe, with "arguing across negotiating tables" replacing "conflict across battlefields".

Cameron Stance Could Force Britain Out of EU, Clegg Claims

THE GUARDIAN: Deputy prime minister lets rip at Tory demands for a unilateral repatriation of powers from Brussels

An exasperated Nick Clegg gave vent to months of frustration with the Tories on Thursday when he let rip at David Cameron for endangering Britain's membership of the EU by demanding a unilateral repatriation of powers from Brussels.

In a sign of how the EU could destabilise the coalition, the deputy prime minister warned that Cameron was risking "an outright crisis" which could force Britain out of the EU. Hours later, Cameron hit back when he said he was confident he could repatriate powers.

Clegg turned on the Tories in a speech at Chatham House in London after his patience finally snapped earlier this month when the education secretary, Michael Gove, said Britain should "walk out" if EU leaders refuse to sanction the repatriation of powers.

"A grand, unilateral repatriation of powers might sound appealing," the deputy prime minister said. "But in reality it is a false promise wrapped in a union jack." » | Nicholas Watt, chief political correspondent | Thursday, November 01, 2012

Britische Liberale: EU-Mitgliedschaft steht auf dem Spiel
REUTERS DEUTSCHLAND: London (Reuters) - Nach der Abstimmungsniederlage der Regierung im Parlament haben die britischen Liberalen ihren konservativen Koalitionspartner vor einem Konfrontationskurs gegen die EU gewarnt.

Das könne die Mitgliedschaft des Königreichs in der Europäischen Union gefährden, sagte der stellvertretende Premierminister Nick Clegg am Donnerstag In London. "Sie werden niemals etwas erreichen, wenn Sie mit den Füßen stampfen und sagen, 'wir wollen Mitglied in diesem Club sein, aber einseitig die Spielregeln ändern und allein darüber entscheiden, was wir unterschreiben'", fügte der Chef der europafreundlichen Liberal-Demokraten hinzu. Eine solche Haltung könnte die EU in ihrem Haushaltsstreit in die Krise stürzen und Großbritannien an den Rand oder aus der Union drängen. » | Donnerstag, 01. November 2012

Nick Clegg Insists on Speaking Dutch at Cabinet Office Meeting
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Nick Clegg holds a meeting in London entirely in Dutch with Herman Van Rompuy, allegedly to outfox David Cameron's 'spy'.

Nick Clegg, who speaks five languages fluently, chose to conduct a recent meeting at the Cabinet Office with Herman Van Rompuy, the European Council president, entirely in Dutch.

Did the Deputy Prime Minister, whose mother is from the Netherlands, do so to outfox a Downing Street official whom David Cameron had allegedly sent to spy on their conversation?

“Nick enjoys being able to talk Dutch,” the Liberal Democrat leader's spokesman tells Mandrake. “Similarly, when he meets leaders from France or Latin America, he’ll speak French and Spanish. It’s very much appreciated when he goes. Read on and comment » | Tim Walker. Edited by Richard Eden | Thursday, October 25, 2012

Nick Clegg: Chamber Is Affront to Democracy
THE INDEPENDENT: As you read this I am with statesmen and dignitaries from more than 100 countries at the Rio+20 UN Conference on Sustainable Development. There are leaders from countries with a wide range of different democratic systems and almost overwhelmingly they are united by one belief: that the people who make the laws should be elected.

It seems bizarre to think that, in Britain in the 21st century, that should still be a controversial statement, and yet the majority of politicians in our own Parliament are not elected. They sit in the House of Lords, a body of appointed politicians that is growing at a startling rate and has no democratic mandate.

The Independent's revelations this week have shone an important light on the sometimes murky world of our second chamber and raised very serious questions. It should be stressed that the vast majority of peers obey the rules and that MPs, still tainted by the expenses scandal, need to be careful judging the behaviour of those in the Lords. But it does provide us with another opportunity to question why we think this is the best way to govern our country.

Lloyd George once described the House of Lords as being "a body of 500 men chosen at random from amongst the unemployed". In the years since he made that remark all that has really changed is the number – we are now pushing nearly 1,000 peers who get £300 tax-free a day just for turning up, more than half from the ranks of retired or failed politicians. For those retired MPs in the Lords, this amounts to a £1m top-up to their pensions. » | Nick Clegg | Thursday, June 21, 2012

Nick Clegg: Gay Marriage Is Inevitable
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Nick Clegg has said that same-sex marriage must “happen now” and insisted that opponents will not stop the Coalition changing the law.

The Deputy Prime Minister said that laws allowing homosexuals full marriage rights are inevitable, saying the current debate is about “when”, not “if” to make the change.

The Coalition is considering changing the law to allow couples of the same sex to marry in the same way as heterosexuals. The proposals have been opposed by many Conservative MPs and by the Church of England and the Roman Catholic Church.

Mr Clegg’s Liberal Democrats are enthusiastic supporters of the change, and the issue has sharpened tensions between the two Coalition parties.

The Deputy Prime Minister gave his support for same-sex marriage in an online video for the Out4Marriage campaign, which has recorded statements of support from several leading politicians.

“I’ve always been very clear on this: love is the same, straight or gay, so the civil institution should be the same too. All couples should be able to make that commitment to one another, regardless of who they love,” Mr Clegg said.

“I fought for equal marriage before I was in Government, and I’m even more committed to making it happen now – as a Liberal Democrat and as Deputy Prime Minister.”

He went on to suggest that opposition to the change will not stop the eventual introduction of same-sex marriage. » | James Kirkup, Deputy Political Editor | Wednesday, June 20, 2012

No British 'Drawbridge' to Stop Greek Immigration, Says Nick Clegg
THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: Britain would not bring down a “drawbridge” at the borders to stop an influx of immigration if Greece exits the euro, Nick Clegg has said.

The Deputy Prime Minister condemned the idea of stopping migrants from the financially stricken country as “far-fetched”, “apocalyptic” and “deeply unhelpful”.

His remarks are likely to be seen as a challenge to Theresa May, the Home Secretary, who has revealed officials are working on the possibility of emergency border controls.

This weekend, she told The Daily Telegraph it is “right that we do some contingency planning” aimed at controlling Britain’s borders in case there is a financial collapse in Europe.

She said there was no evidence of increased migration at present, but that it was "difficult to say how it is going to develop in coming weeks".

There are growing concerns that millions of Greeks could be forced to look for work abroad if a financial collapse engulfs the country. » | Rowena Mason, Political Correspondent | Sunday, May 27, 2012