Gay Marriages; Straight Civil Partnerships!

Lib Dem Equalities Minister, Lynne Featherstone announced today that the Government is to open a consultation which will consider the following:


1.  Making marriage available to couples regardless of gender or sexuality and
2.  Making civil partnership similarly available to all


Continuing their strong support of the LGBT community, the Lib Dems are the first party of Government to promote this policy which, if successfully incorporated into law, will finally allow any couple that wishes to cement their union, by marriage in church, the capacity to do so.....although some organisations, such as the Church of England, have already said that they will not allow LGBT marriages on their premises.


And what of the Lib Dems coalition partners?  Never known for being a particularly pink-friendly party, it is gratifying that Teressa May, the Home Secretary, appears on this occassion to be sympathetic to the issue.  However back-benchers such as Edward Leigh, Conservative MP for Gainsborough, have already registered their contempt for the LGBT community by declaring “Once we have departed from the universally understood framework of marriage, there is no logical reason why the new alternative institution should be limited to two people. Why not three? Or thirty-three?".  Leigh clearly confuses gay-rights with bigamy or should that be bigotry?  Leigh continues to rant that “same-sex couples already have all the rights of marriage in the form of civil partnership. Why must they also have the language of marriage?" failing to recognise that "they" also have rights and "they" also form part of the electorate that he is supposed to represent.


For those wanting to support this issue then please either get in touch or follow the link http://lgbt.libdems.org.uk/en/page/equal-marriage

Sussex to lose 1 in 6 police officers

Shocking news emerged this week with Sussex Police announcing the loss of 1 in 6 front-line police officers over "the next few years".  Whilst the claim is these will all be through natural wastage, the fact of the matter is that this county will be in the top 4 who are chopping the most roles - behind massive forces such as Greater Manchester Police and West Midlands.

Whilst our area is indeed a low crime one, let's hope that the loss of officers will not impact on this status.

As usual local, Conservative, MP Nicholas Soames was suitably vague in his reaction which has been quoted as "It's been known for  a long time that police budgets will have to be cut and there's a very good reason for that". One wonders what the good reason is when most people agree that front line policing is a necessity to maintain law and order.

So, who, Mr Cameron is running the Country?

It is with alarm that we hear today that last year the City made up 50.8% of all donations received by the Conservatives.  Given the ongoing issues with regulation within the Square Mile, and the fact that 57 individuals, in donating in excess of £50,000, are now permitted direct access to the Prime Minister via the so-called 'Leader's Group', it does make one wonder where money really does talk.....or at least influence! 

Is it right in this era of austerity that non-elected elitist rich can determine how the rest of society should repay the Country's debt?  Moreover I belong to the school of thought that thinks it is the bankers, albeit on a global scale, are predominantly responsible for messing up the western economies.   These same financial 'experts' are now enjoying close relations with those that are charged with running the Country.......a worrying revelation indeed.