Today, Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats Simon Hughes stated his belief that the Government would deliver equality in marriage rights for couples regardless of gender before the end of this Parliament.

You can see the full interview and video here: http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2010/07/19/deputy-lib-dem-leader-simon-hughes-says-government-will-allow-gay-couples-to-marry/

Simon Hughes’ call comes after Liberal Youth Scotland managed to pass support for the Equal Marriage Campaign into Scottish Liberal Democrat policy in March of this year. The motion was overwhelmingly passed, and supported by leading party figures, including Scottish leader Tavish Scott.

Simon Hughes said: “It would be appropriate in Britain in 2010, 2011, for there to be the ability for civil marriage for straight people and gay people equally.”

Watch Simon Hughes’ full response to the question of Equal Marriage:

Commenting,President of Liberal Youth Scotland Kristian Chapman said: “Liberal Youth Scotland has campaigned extensively on the issue of tuition fees supporting our colleagues south of the border and we will continue to do so until tuition fees are abolished in England, just as the Scottish Liberal Democrats achieved in Holyrood.

Moving to a graduate tax system helps to reduce the financial barriers to young people entering higher education, and will allow more young people to achieve their full potential.

Of course this does not apply to the thousands of Scottish students let down by the SNP’s promise to “dump student debt” that has never materialised, but it will make a difference for English students studying in Scotland, as any increase in tuition fees would have had to mean an increase for these students too.”

Chair of Liberal Youth Martin Shapland said:

“I am pleased to hear of the Business Secretary’s suggestions to move towards a fairer system to pay for higher education.

The devil is in the detail, and I trust that this will be viewed as an interim step towards realising our long term policy and we will be seeking those assurances at Autumn Conference.

While today’s speech will provide little comfort to the millions of students let down by Labour, I am proud that Liberal Democrat Ministers are taking the lead in ending this regressive policy”

“We need to support the organisations working across the world to promote human rights and equality.

“Liberal Democrats in Government at Westminster are already taking these steps. Thanks to us, the coalition is committed to using the UK’s relationships with other countries to push for unequivocal support for gay rights and for UK civil partnerships to be recognised internationally.

“Gay rights should be promoted right across the globe. The fact that two gay men in Malawi were jailed for their relationship was extremely worrying, particularly given the historical links between our two countries.

“Working at Westminster, we will also stop the deportation of asylum seekers who have had to leave particular countries because their sexual orientation or gender identification puts them at proven risk of imprisonment, torture or execution.

“Liberal Democrats are proud to have been at the forefront of advances in gay rights. Much has been achieved for social justice and for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people’s rights. Civil partnerships and a toughening up of hate crime laws are two notable examples, but there is still much more to do and we are determined to keep pushing the agenda.

“I hope that this weekend is a tremendous success and that the sun shines on Pride 2010.”

On the 17th July Glasgow is holding its own Pride event, and we at Liberal Youth Scotland would like to have a great presence. If you are able to be in Glasgow on the 17th, a Saturday, then please email callum.leslie@liberalyouth.org and confirm that you will be there.

“The last few days has been historic both for our party and for the country. Our views and policies will now represented at every level Government and that is something we can all take pride in.But the coalition deal between the Liberal Democrats does not mean giving up some of the principles and policies that we have held and fought for over a number of years. For young and first time voters the Liberal Democrat commitment to remove University Tuition fees was one of the key reason we won those votes and that must not be forgotten.

Liberal Youth believe that given all 57 Liberal Democrat MPs rightly signed the NUS’ ‘Votes for Students’ pledge they must keep this promise. We feel strongly that when a vote on this issue takes place, Liberal Democrat MPs should be able to vote to uphold this pledge, not simply abstain as is suggested in the deal with the Conservatives. However, Liberal Youth does not believe that this should be considered as a vote of confidence in the new coalition government, but simply a free vote, the kind of which regularly occur in the House of Commons. Liberal Youth believe this to be such a key issue that we are tabling an amendment to the motion on the agreement for a coalition government at Liberal Democrat Special Conference on Sunday. Our proposed amendment reads as follows:

‘Conference expresses its concern that Liberal Democrat MPs who signed the ‘vote for students’ pledge may be unable to uphold this pledge under the abstention agreement on the Lord Browne report in the ‘Higher Education’ section of the agreement for a coalition government and expresses its hope that Liberal Democrat MPs can vote against any rise in the cap on tuition fees which isn’t index linked.

Conference calls upon Liberal Democrat MPs to ensure that on any decision made on the Lord Browne report, they above all else take into account the impact on student debt.

Conference affirms our aspiration to scrap tuition fees.

Conference also affirms that any vote on tuition fees should not be held as a vote of confidence in the government.

Liberal Youth are incredibly worried that a whole generation of young people from lower-income backgrounds will be shut out of university education all-together if we see even higher tuition fees. Therefore, Liberal Youth are asking you to support this amendment, to reaffirm our stance on tuition fees, and force our ministers to fight for lower fees in the cabinet and allow our MPs to oppose such measures in the commons.’

If you are willing to come out and back the amendment, please sign the petition at http://www.tuitionfees.org.uk, so that we can create a real grass-roots campaign.

The full coalition agreement between the Conservative Party and the Liberal Democrat can be read here:

Many Thanks,

Alan Belmore
Chair of Liberal Youth”

Please log on to www.tuitionfees.org.uk and sign the petition backing the amendment.

That is why as the President of Liberal Youth Scotland I pledge to continue the hard work of the organisation and campaign for a fairer and more accountable Westminster parliament, accessible graduate employment for the many who are leaving university in the next few months, uphold the fight against tuition fees along with NUS Scotland and raising the profile of the Homophobia is Gay campaign.

Despite the election results being disappointing, I can take satisfaction in having seen more young people than ever before wanting to have their say in the election. This must be maintained and we will be working closely with The Electoral Commission and About My Vote to ensure as many people can exercise their right to vote and have their voice heard in 2011.

So enough about what is to come, why not come see us in action or go one better and get involved?! Liberal Youth Scotland will be at the Demo for Democracy this Saturday in Edinburgh, find out more here; http://www.power2010.org.uk/page/event/detail/wr4k. It is time for a new age of politics. This is just the start of the things to come.

Kristian Chapman

President of Liberal Youth Scotland

Follow us:

In September, we had our most successful Freshers’ season ever. We recruited hundreds of new members, with droves signing up in Glasgow, Aberdeen and Edinburgh to help the societies there with their efforts in our target seats.

Since the end of last year, Liberal Youth Scotland have been holding action events across the country, breaking delivery records in Edinburgh and Glasgow. We have been joined by members from all of our major University branches, as well as others from all across the country. At one event we were even joined by our counterparts from Liberal Youth UK, including Liberal Youth chair Alan Belmore.

Since the end of March, our members have been working tirelessly in their respective branches. I know for a fact that members have been working from early morning to the wee small hours to try and elect more Lib Dem MPs. I myself had the privilege of visiting every target city during the campaign, and was inspired by the drive and determination of our members on the ground.

I know LYS has been a little quiet, but that is only because our members, and the Executive themselves, are spending every waking moment doing any job that needs doing. Spare a thought for the following people who I think deserve a mention, for their contribution this year, and throughout the campaign:

Kristian Chapman, LYS President 2010: PPC for Aberdeen North, a very positive seat with a high student population, and key member of John Sleigh’s team in Aberdeen South, and final year student!

Ruaraidh Dobson, LYS President 2009: Very active PPC in Paisley and Renfrewshire North, the youngest in the country, and a big part of Katy Gordon’s campaign in Glasgow North.

Kieran Leach, LYS VP (Campaigns) 2010: PPC for Falkirk, and working with the campaigns department in Clifton Terrace.

There are many others I could mention, like all of our society Presidents, all of our other LYS members who are PPCs, and of course the dozens of hard working rank and file members, but I single these three out as the example: we are certainly not sitting around!

As for me, I’m helping run the campaign against the Prime Minister. 101-1 on us winning, maybe worth a quid…

Thank to you all for your work, keep it up. Not long left.

Callum Leslie
Vice-President (Communications)
Liberal Youth Scotland

We in the Liberal Democrats believe our judgement on the big issues which face this country has been proven, from the economy to the illegal invasion of Iraq. Our party respects the passion and talent of young people not demonises them. We want every young person to fulfil their potential independent of their financial standing, and to save the only world we have from irreversibly damage caused by climate change. For me choice is clear; a progressive and fair set of policies or 5 more years of the same old blue-red red-blue politics. We must seize this chance to build a fairer Britain.

Liberal Youth branches across the country will be working to get as many Liberal Democrats MPs elected as possible to have the maximum impact in getting our policies adopted, so please get involved. Voting does make a difference. Your voice can be heard. Don’t wake up on May 7th wishing you could have done more. I wish you the best of luck for the upcoming campaign, with your help we can bring about the change this country need.
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Alan Belmore, Chair of Liberal Youth

This year, over 500 million pounds will be cut from education budget; 900 million pounds over the next three years. This massive cut will affect education at all levels. Universities are expected to cut thousands of jobs across the country. Not only will this directly affect the quality of education received, but there will be a lack of funding for places, meaning many able students will struggle to get to University at all. The Russell Group has predicted that some smaller universities may not survive the cuts. Labour has encouraged more and more students to go to university, and then pulled the rug from under their feet.

Currently, there are no tuition fees in Scotland. In England, tuition fees are capped, currently at over three thousand pounds per year. However, one think tank recommends removing the cap on tuition fees altogether. This would price poorer students out of university, encouraging elitism. Access to higher education should not be a privilege based on wealth, but the ability to learn. Because of this, Liberal Democrats would phase out tuition fees in England over 6 years.

Students are currently the only group in society kept below the poverty line. The maximum support from the government is £4510 per year, which is still well short of the £7000 needed to reach the cost of living. While some are lucky enough to have parental support, not all do. Many suffer financial hardship as a result of this, or jeopardise their education by working excessive hours in part time jobs. The Liberal Democrats support a minimum income guarantee for students, so each student would get enough money to bring them up to the cost of living each year through a combination of loans, grants and parental support.

The choice is clear: funding cuts under the old system of red-blue, or we can make a change, change that works for you. The Lib Dems are building a fairer Britain.

Sophie Bridger is President of Glasgow University Lib Dems

Yesterday, Gordon Brown finally plucked up the courage to go to the Palace, and set a date for the election. On May the 6th, we have our biggest chance ever to make a difference on a national stage.

All of us know the difference that Lib Dem MPs, MSPs, MEPs and Councillors can make at a local level, imagine what we could do nationally!

In just 30 days time we have the opportunity to make that a reality.

We as the Scottish Liberal Democrats and Liberal Youth Scotland stand for:

1. Fairer taxes that put money back in your pocket
   You will pay no tax on the first £10,000 you earn – cutting most tax bills by £700.
2. A fair chance for every child
   Recruit more teachers and provide more one to one tuition to help struggling pupils.
3. A fair future: create jobs by making Britain greener
   Invest in public transport, a programme of home insulation and new social housing.
4. A fair deal for you from the politicians
   Make politicians accountable and give you the right to sack corrupt MPs.

And as Liberal Youth Scotland we will continue to campaign on;

1. The Minimum Income Guarantee

Working with NUS Scotland we want to see better finical support for students and are calling for a minimum income guarantee of £7,000 a year.

2. An End to the discriminatory Blood Ban

Despite being in the 21^st Century, Gay and bisexual men still can’t give blood

We want to see this come to an end.

3. Equal Marriage Rights

At the party conference this year we successfully passed our motion of equal marriage rights, love between any two people is still love and it is time the law sees it that way.

Get involved.

The best way to do this is to get involved with your local Liberal Democrat party, you can find out who that it @ In Your Area.

We have four target seats in Scotland: Edinburgh South, Aberdeen South, Edinburgh North & Leith and Glasgow North. If you live near these cities then go get involved there.

However the simplest way for you to get involved right now is to promote us on Facebook and Twitter. Make sure you use the #Libdems hashtag whenever you tweet about the election. Share links on Facebook about Lib Dem related news and events.

For the next 4 weeks lets light up the internet with Lib Dem media.

Got a Lib Dem story you want us to publish? Email scotland@liberalyouth.org.

If you want any more information at all on how you can help, contact us at scotland@liberalyouth.org.

This is our time to make a change. This is our best chance ever to have an influence on Government after May the 6th, but it won’t happen without YOU.

During the weekend we were informed by the array of fringe events and debates; and inspired by speeches from the likes of Nick Clegg, Tavish Scott and Malcolm Bruce. It was also fantastic to see so many young members with the courage to get up and speak to conference. In addition events such as LYS’s annual quiz night made the weekend an exceedingly enjoyable experience.

Liberal Youth Scotland’s biggest triumph of the weekend was the passing of our Equal Marriage motion which would open up marriage to single sex couples and civil partnerships to mixed sex couples. With many speakers cards submitted and heartfelt speeches from the likes of Margaret Smith MSP it is definitely a subject people feel passionately about. This is a true Liberal matter and we can be proud to belong to a party committed to such equality and must continue campaigning to extend this equality.

First time conference-goer Joe Gallagher of Aberdeen University summed up the weekend fantastically when he said:
“Despite being a member of the Liberal Democrats and rather informed about politics, I had never actually witnessed a party conference and suspected that outside of our little university group, the party would not be particularly vibrant.”

“I imagined Scottish Conference to be a pretty hum-drum affair, full of men in grey suits and monotonous debate. I was however pleasantly surprised by the youthfulness and diversity of those involved, showing that the Liberal Democrats are the party of modern Britain; and judging by the inextinguishable passion of the orators, we have a chance of being the party that defeats the voter apathy created by the Tories and Labour.”

“I left Perth with a sense of being part of something and with the intent of getting more involved and spreading the message of liberalism.”