Charles Kennedy MP was met by rapturous applause today at the Winding Wheel. The former Liberal Democrat leader came to launch Chesterfield Borough Council's new Manifesto with their vision for the next four years. Charles spoke on the Manifesto proposals along with Chesterfield MP Paul Holmes and Council Leader Ray Russell.
Nick Clegg MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary, will be addressing the West Midlands Regional Conference to be held at St. Edmund's School on Compton Park on Saturday 24th March. In advance of his visit Mr Clegg has commented on the Lord Chancellor's views on the current sentencing rules and the 'whole life' tariffs. He said: "The Lord Chancellor is right to worry about the lack of public confidence in our criminal justice system. One of main reasons for this is the doublespeak used in sentencing. It is difficult for the public to understand that 'life sentences' now average 11 years in prison. 53 so-called 'lifers' sentenced in 2000 have already been released. We urgently need greater honesty in sentencing. Life should mean life only for those most serious offenders whom the courts believe should spend the rest of their days in prison."
Liberal Democrat Peers are encouraging members of the public to have their say on reform of the House of Lords. The Peers, including Lib Dem Lords Leader Tom McNally, and Joan Walmsley, asked the public to write down their views and place them in a ballot box outside Parliament during today's debate on reform of the Upper Chamber. They are also launching their own consultation website, which will be found at www.lordsreformvote.org
Teachers in mainstream schools do not expect as much of children with special needs as their counterparts in special schools, new research has suggested. The Strathclyde University study has raised concerns the pupils may not be doing as well as they could.
A part of the brain associated with emotional learning and fear shrinks in people with autism, research suggests. Teenagers and young men with autism in the study who had the most severe social impairment were found to have smaller than normal amygdalae. The researchers from the University of Wisconsin suggested the amygdalae may shrink due to chronic stress caused by social fear in childhood. The study was published in the Archives of General Psychiatry.
The Lib Dem led city council is saving money as well as saving the planet thanks to a deal it's made on buying 'green' electricity.
