Nick Clegg MP web chat – 20.01.2010

[ukyp]

Leader of the Liberal Democracts, Nick Clegg MP, joined us for a web chat on Wednesday 20th January 2010.

To view a transcript of the web chat go to http://www.ukyouthparliament.org.uk/webchats/nickclegg_200110.html

[Liam Hannan]

Nick; do you think that the use of modern technology presents a metrocentric bias to engaging young people in politics?

For a start, young people in urban areas of the country are statistically more likely than their rural counterparts to possess the latest technology and be in touch with the latest trends, and further, research has identified a geographic bias in terms of "e-trends" which tend to spread north from London over a period of months or years, thus putting young people anywhere north of the Humber at a disadvantage when attempting to engage over tweetbook, facepalm or the latest digital craze. Surely sticking to traditional print media is best?

[Austin Sheridan]

Good, I will think up some good questions then.

I have a some Youth Group meetings in my constituency over the next 5 days so I will ask them what they think :D

Looking forward to this.

[Andy]

For Clegg:
It's nice to see one of the 'big three' party leaders taking time out to engage with the youth online. I have two questions, please answer at least one.

1) PR
Your party supports proportional representation, do you not think that using PR could see a rise in extremist parties gaining representation? Having the extremist parties gaining any sort of representation is bad in my book.

2) Votes @ 16
The Labour Party's youth wing supports votes @ 16, however the Labour Party's MP's haven't bothered trying to get any legislation passed to allow young people to vote @ 16. I know the LibDems support votes @ 16, how would you go about passing this? Don't you think young people are more venerable to extremist ideals? Don't you think that political education should be introduced first?

[Austin Sheridan]

For Mr Clegg;

As you know Scottish independence is a huge issue for everyone in Scotland and people of all ages young and old are interested in Scotland's constitutional future.

Many polls have shown that the people of Scotland support a referendum (Nationalists and Unionists)

So my questions are;

Do you think the Scottish Lib-Dems should support a referendum on independence to give the people of Scotland the democratic right to choose whether they want to remain in the Union or not?

If a Referendum takes place, Should the voting age be lowered to 16 for all elections including the referendum on independence? Surely a political party that supports lowering the voting age to 16 will support lowering it to 16 to let young people have a say on Scotland's constitutional future?

Thanks,

Austin.

[kylet15]

Our armed forces offer young people careers and training which they wouldn't get otherwise. If elected, would you make sure that our Armed Services aren't cut any more, to protect an outlet for young people who aren't receptive to education and to make sure that vital line of youth employment is kept in the British Economy?

The Liberal Democrats have often talked about changing the electoral system, is your party open to investigating voting at 16 and standing and possible election to any office at 16?

[ciara_squires]

Don't you think young people are vunerable to extremism? I know the SWP seems a very much student movement, so don't you think that political education should be introduced first?


I know this is for Nick but can't help but reply as you seem to have turned a legitimate and good question about political education and vunerable young people into a dig at the SWP! SWP isn't a student movement although there is a large student group SWSS, just like any other student society, young tories, socialist students...let's face it, the people in SWSS or any other politicial societies aren't the ones who need the political education since they're some of the most passionate about politics and just use it as an outlet for student campaigns and student politics....

[REDALERT]

Nick, would you continue your support of both the armed forces and the police in this country by ensuring they get the best eqiupment? Abd, if the situation arises in the general election, would you enter into a coalition with another party?

Thanks, nice to see a major politician taking time out to speak to young people

[kylet15]

Nick, would you continue your support of both the armed forces and the police in this country by ensuring they get the best eqiupment? Abd, if the situation arises in the general election, would you enter into a coalition with another party?

Thanks, nice to see a major politician taking time out to speak to young people

Just to note that questions have to be related to young people, that isn't a youth related question :)

[Paul]

Just to note that questions have to be related to young people, that isn't a youth related question :)
The focus is on "what young people care about" rather than "youth issues" [what they decide we care about]. REDALERT cares about this issue.
Nick will take any question on any issue, but the focus is on what young people care about.

[LordAnubis]

With Business as a whole being shook up within the past few years for a number of different reasons, where do you see young people playing a role in this and how would you maximise them playing a role, if any?

[kylet15]

The focus is on "what young people care about" rather than "youth issues" [what they decide we care about]. REDALERT cares about this issue.

It later says,

but only questions on issues relating to young people will be answered

That therefore means that he will only ANSWER those questions that relate to young people.

[Daniel Frost]

Nick, have you considered trying to persuade the Co-Operative Party to defect from Labour?

[Paul]

Do you support extending the measures of the The Electoral Fraud (Northern Ireland) Act 2002 to mainland Britain to reduce vulnerability to fraud? These measures have been proven to increase Public Confidence in elections.

http://centrallobby.wik.is/Fair,_open_and_honest_elections/Purity_of_Elections
Public confidence in the electoral process in the UK was the lowest in Western Europe in 1997, and has almost certainly declined further as a result of the extension of postal voting. Surveys conducted on behalf of the Electoral Commission show an increase in the proportion of electors regarding postal voting as being “very or fairly unsafe from fraud” from 34 per cent in 2004 to 46 per cent in 2005. More in-depth survey research for the 2004 all-postal pilots revealed that while 71 per cent of voters in non-pilot areas regarded postal voting as safe, only 51 per cent of voters in pilot areas felt this was the case.

[Conzales]

If you became PM, would you implement the Calman commission suggestions? If so, what kind of time scale would you use?

[Emperor_Jackal]

Nick will try to answer as many questions as possible between 16.30 – 17.00

Oh dear god. That won't be anywhere near enough time for this thread, never mind Twitter.

Nice idea though anyway.

[Jamest]

Why should I vote LibDem?

What do the Liberal Democrats offer young people?

What do you think about the term - "The LibLabCon", basically suggesting that there are no big differences between the main parties, and they are all infact are very similar. Do you agree?

[Red-Fred]

Looking at evidence that shows a link between higher inequality and greater incidences of mental and physical illness; crime and re offending and poorer education for young people, what would you do to tackle this?

[kylet15]

Do you think its fair for people who have earned money, through hard work and entrepreneurship should be forced to pay massive taxes on that because they're successful, to give tax breaks to people that include alcoholics, drug addicts(people who are proven to play the benefits system to the max) while it may not necessarily help families, given that their income would increase which would mean that the Tax Credits Benefit that they would most likely receive would fall in adjustment to the increase in income.

Mr Clegg, you talk about a fairer society, what is fair about hard working people who have been hard working, prudent and successful to be punished for this by massive taxes? Whats fair about making pensioners, who have bought houses years ago, pay massive taxes because their house increased in price from when they bought it?

On the Youth Parliament, are you open to the consideration of making the youth parliament a public institution, i.e its written in law that it exists and therefore guaranteeing it funding, being able to write into the bill that it must be consulted on issues affecting young people, making sure that it must work for the interests of Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland and making sure that it has fair and proper elections, to make sure young people have a proper democratic voice.

And finally, on defense, the Liberal Democrats have been sketchy on defense. Can you give myself and those reading this debate that the Liberal Democrats will make sure that the Armed Forces would not be(in a Lib Dem Government) and that the Lib Dems will never support measures to cut the size of our Armed Forces and try to do their best to make sure our armed forces are properly equipped and supported?

[Emperor_Jackal]

Do you think its fair for people who have earned money, through hard work and entrepreneurship should be forced to pay massive taxes on that because they're successful, to give tax breaks to people that include alcoholics, drug addicts(people who are proven to play the benefits system to the max) while it may not necessarily help families, given that their income would increase which would mean that the Tax Credits Benefit that they would most likely receive would fall in adjustment to the increase in income.

Lawd. I wonder what your opinion on the aristocracy is.

[Jamest]

Mr Clegg, you talk about a fairer society, what is fair about hard working people who have been hard working, prudent and successful to be punished for this by massive taxes? Whats fair about making pensioners, who have bought houses years ago, pay massive taxes because their house increased in price from when they bought it?


Are you talking about the mansion tax? Isn't that for homes that are worth over 2million?

[LordAnubis]

Are you talking about the mansion tax? Isn't that for homes that are worth over 2million?

Was, I think they scrapped it as it cost more to implemnent it that it would gain.

[kylet15]

Lawd. I wonder what your opinion on the aristocracy is.

Dosn't bother me.

In my perfect country, we wouldn't have classes and it could be argued that we don't have "classes" anymore in the UK.

I don't believe that after QE2 the Monarchy and then the Aristocracy will last that long anyway.

[James2200]

I don't believe that after QE2 the Monarchy and then the Aristocracy will last that long anyway.

So wrong :)

[matt.lmx]

Nick,

Liberal Democrats supposedly believe in 'equality', or rather, 'equality of opportunity'. I presume this to mean a fair distribution of wealth, as well as freedom from discrimination in the law. As income equality - as has been mentioned - is so closely correlated with quality of life, health, education and crime, how do you propose we create a fairer society? Through redistribution - taxes and benefits - or targeting the source, and creating less of a need for state intervention?


Also, how would scientific research be used to create better laws in regards to controversial areas like drugs? Would you be willing to give the scientific community more of a say in government policy, even if it meant going against your own opinions?

[Mossad]

Do you think young people will repeat the mistake of their parents and continue to vote for the Conservatives and Labour? Can you honestly see this changing any time soon?

How do you think political parties can be improved to appeal to young people? I was a member of your party for a year, but didn't really get anything out of it.

Are the Liberal Democrats going to vote against the Digital Economy Bill? This is related as this bill is a big concern to young people.

[Mockler]

Nick Clegg: Why do you support representative democracy?

[stevegadd2]

Nick - I have severe dyslexia and struggled to read and write until i was in year 4 which is 9 years old.

I was in a normal primary school in a class of 30 children, i was not improving my reading or writing through the school year so my parents decided to take me out of school and put me into a independant school which had one on one leassons every week. I had a one on one lesson with a specialist dyslexia teacher for three years. Through this time my grades improved so did my writing I also started to enjoy reading which I never thought I would do as a always hated reading.

If i had not moved school I would not have been able to competentley read and write without a one on one lesson every week. What are your policies on school class sizes and one on one lessons, I think if we made one on one lessons with a specialist teacher availble at a primary school level it would help thousand of peaople suffering from dyslexia.

Thank You

Stevegadd2

[Michael Lockwood]

How do you think the current economic climate will effect your manefesto?
And will it effect your long turm policy of helping students?

(By the way you're doing a very good job Nick :))

[James2200]

Wow this has gone from three posts to four pages in just over a few hours. :eek:

My Question

The United Kingdom has been, and still is, a very complex country. Usually denied by its inhabitants as a wold player, it really still is. My question will not only be related to young people, but to people of all the United Kingdom.

A) As we grow up, the economic downturn will fade away and we shall be the people who begin to start out succesfully, unlike the lost generation to this global downturn. How can you assure the maintanance of the United Kingdom in order to secure vital jobs on both sides?

B) As we reach our 20s our PM will be faced with a big decision. Whether to defend this countries place in the world or let it fade out. How will me voting LibDem make Great Britain keep it's global status, as I know you are planning to fade out Trident and force more cost with the abolition of University Tuition fee's.

In Short

A) How can the Economy be saved and how will the UK stay united?
B) How will the LibDems defend the UKs global status and what is it's plans for our defence budget + spending?

Regards
James Browning

[Hamsterwaffle]

Given the track record of the system in Britain, how long do you predict it is before democracy will start providing us with halfway decent leaders?

[Conzales]

Given the track record of the system in Britain, how long do you predict it is before democracy will start providing us with halfway decent leaders?

I hope Clegg answers this one, he would earn my respect if he did :D.

[Hamsterwaffle]

I hope Clegg answers this one, he would earn my respect if he did :D.
I somehow doubt he will though.

[James2200]

I somehow doubt he will though.


I doubt that 90% of these would be answered and his get-out-of-it tactic will be that it isn't related to young people

[AKU//]

Nick,

Does the Liberal Democrat policy of abolishing university fees, include all degrees or just undergraduate ones?

Cheers,

Josh

[Liam Hannan]

I doubt that 90% of these would be answered and his get-out-of-it tactic will be that it isn't related to young people

Indeed. That was not (in my opinion) a fair or intelligent criterion.

There would be an uproar if he turned up at the Muslim Council of Great Britain but refused to answer questions unless they were related to Islam... Surely if he wants young people to engage in politics then it makes sense to let them engage fully rather than patronising them by insisting that all questions are "related to young people" - which, as those of you who speak English know, is a non thing... Pensions? They do concern us, because of mismanagement of private schemes and breaking the link between pensions and the cost of living means that in order to avoid spending life beyond age 75 in a box one needs to start saving about age eight. Defence? Well, that concerns us too, not only because young people are in the military but because defence policy has a socio-economic impact that will influence young people... virtually everything relates to us in some way shape or form.

That said; such a stipulation was probably not made by the man himself. I would guess it was either by his staff - who are keen to avoid him being ambushed by mental extremists (which is fair enough) or UKYP staff who don't want to be seen to be biased in the run up to a general election as that could impact their funding (which, again, is fair enough). If I was arranging this I'd have built in a get out clause for him too. It's not every day that someone vying to be Prime Minister takes the time to actually try and engage a bunch of teenagers, especially on mediums which are thought to be "young person friendly" and even if it is only a short window of time, it still says a lot for the man that he's willing to engage with people who are most likely unable to vote in the election. I think we've got to remember that Uncle Dave, for all his trying to be hip and trendy has yet to actually "walk the walk". And Goggsy? Well, he's got a country to run (badly).

I was actually most shocked at the questions; I had presumed that, with the forums being peppered with reasonable intelligent people who are politically minded, they would have been able to work within the constraints of keeping it "young person related"...

There was one post that had such a clear party political agenda I actually facepalmed. It did, however, remind me of something when it talked about enshrining UKYP in legislation.

In Scotland, the Liberal Democrats made a promise to the Youth Parliament that Lib Dem MSPs would work with MSYPs to introduce one bill a year, if the MSYPs so wished (I don't know if this has ever been followed up on). Would the 'Dems at Westminster be willing to offer a similar deal to UKYP?

[Thom]

Mr Clegg.
Do you believe any government funding, not relating to national security should be displayed (online, for example) to the public.

To further this, Do you believe the public can be expected to believe in a government where the voters can't see what's going on behind closed doors?

[France-22]

Hi Nick,

Thanks for coming to anwser the questions of the members of the UKYP forums. here are my questions:

1- Why should I vote for the lib-dems, when I'm 18, and not for the conservatives or labour?

2- Do you support votes at 16? And if yes, when do you plan to implement this if you are elected PM?

3- Will you give the people of the UK the right to vote on a referendum on the Lisbon treaty and on every other EU treaty?

Thanks a lot for your time, Ben Alford.

[Generation Zero]

Dear Nick Clegg;
Thanks for trying to engage young people in a way that many parties wouldn't. Since the votes at 16 issue has already been raised, I would like to put the following questions to you?

If elected, would you hold a referendum on electoral reform?

By when would you plan to extricate British troops from the dangerous and wasteful war in Afghanistan?

On climate change; would you end the carbon market system that the private sector exploits, and is effectively paying criminals to commit crime, and instead introduce sanctions on polluting countries?

What is your view on the proposed 2009 Welfare Reform Bill?

That's all for now and thanks again;
Nathan Akehurst (Deputy MYP, Kensington and Chelsea)

[awki]

Dear Mr. Clegg,

It concerns me that far too much importance in British politics today is placed upon image, especially considering that young people are taught to buy into it by companies profiting from the glorification of image.

In the much anticipated TV debate this year, how will you show young people that they are not just voting for a skillfull and charismatic leader, but also for a party whose central tenets are uniquely appealing to anyone who values a stronger and fairer society?

[nlotmani]

Mr Clegg.
How important do you feel Universiry education is to the country as a whole and young people?
If you are elected in May as our primeminister, what changes, if any, will you be making to the way Universities are run and funded and how students are funded. Will you be making any changes to the tuition fee?

Best of luck in the elections,
Nathalie :)



wiredradio.co.uk

[Paul]

Is it fair that University Grants are given based on parental income and not future probability of loan repayment? (surely someone doing a medicine or law degree should be getting a loan, rather than a grant) Or grants given on society's need for the graduate? (so grants for foreign language students & physicists)

Particularly considering the high level of personal debt in the UK and remarriage, income is not a solid indicator of ability to provide for children at University.

[bloker]

Nick Clegg: Why do you support representative democracy?

I think you may have misworded this question, Mockler

Nick, I realise there are many questions here (of varying importance, I hasten to add), but what does your party aim to do to tackle child poverty and the breakdown of the traditional family as an institute through which children learn basic values and ideals?

Mientras no voy a votar a favor de los Demócratas Liberales, espero que puedan proporcionar el necesario cambio al politiqueo de Westminster.

(Moving completely off point, with a sense that I'm straying down rocky territory here, is there a means through which the Liberal Democrats could initiate an enquiry into allegations made upon John Leech MP, concerning the truthfulness of his electoral campaign in 2005 with respect to The Christie Hospital?)

[wackyracer]

To Nick Clegg:

Grammar schools are not mentioned once in your policy paper on education.
Would you create more, would you close any, and would you accept that they are essential in that they help Britain to produce
young people who academically excel, rather than condemning those who are very bright to not having their academic talent nurtured, and to being taught as if they have the average intelligence of every other pupil around them?

You said at the end of 2007 that 'faith schools have an important role to play' in your focus on education [The Jewish News, 27 December 2007]. Has the recent Supreme Court ruling changed your opinions on faith schools? Would you do anything to protect them?

At your summer conference, you said you would scrap tuition fees, yet you also said 'the only question is when we can afford to scrap them'. At a cost of £12.5 billion surely we cannot afford to scrap them anytime soon, and certainly not during the next 5 years?

[kingston1991]

Nick Clegg,

I and many other students at my University and across the country feel let down by the Liberal Democrats' policy of University Tuition fees. First your party said they were committed to abolishing them, now we have been told they will be phased out over a period of six years. Student tuition fees are a very sensitive issue and a vast number of the Lib Dem vote comes from students. Could cuts not be found in other areas, on other programmes, in order for your party to abolish tuition fees in the first term should you be part of a government?

In terms of the Lib Dems' chances of forming a government at the next election should there be a hung parliament, why are you and your party so reluctant to address this issue? If you were to form a government with one of the other parties, how much influence would your policy have? Which policies and priorities would you advance as part of a coalition government?

Why should students vote for your party?

[Harriet93]

Hi Nick,
I'm curious, I'm a very passionate supporter of the Lib Dems, I've volunteered on your website to help at election time, but how can a young person (under 18) feel like they have any real contribution at election time? Is there really a way that passionate young people can get involved in the process when we're denied the vote?

Thanks very much, best of luck in the next election,
Harriet

[Ben Farren]

Mr Clegg

Your party supports Proportional Representation, how would you stop events like those which happened in Weimar Germany, more than half a century ago, happen today, when the support of extremist parties, however wrongly, is there?

[joem]

nick,

why is it that the military are always seen as the easy target for budget cuts, surely cutting back our military capability lowers our ability to defend our interests on a global scale, and a better funded military could do more to help with natural disasters (such as the earthquake in Haiti)?

[joem]

What would you do to try a fix what i see as a situation where people living in different constituent countries of the UK feel more and more isolated from each other (especially in the case of Scotland)? I for one would hate to see an independent Scotland.

[annie]

HOW sucessful do you think the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagne were? If you could change the talks, What would you have done to make a more sutible, strong and effective binding deal?

[grace1996]

Hi Nick, thanks for taking time out to answer our questions. Here’s mine...

1) Rural areas like Lincolnshire suffer from a lack of amenities such as swimming pools to help young people keep fit, and having to travel many miles by car undermines the ethos of trying to reduce our carbon footprint. Do you think there should be free public transport available to counter these problems?

2) If the vote were lowered to 16, the political landscape might change dramatically, for example, young people might be more environmentally sensitive and vote accordingly. Is this 'one' of the reasons why some experts play down the rights of the child?

Grace

[ash]

Hello Nick Clegg!

My friend left school at the age of 16, and went to work in an apprenticeship and has recently been made redundant. They are unable to have job seekers allowance because they are not over the age of 18, and most people who are out of work over the age of 16 are not able to receive any benefits, would this be something you would consider changing or perhaps opening up different schemes for those who do not wish to continue with education or go into an apprenticeship, because most of the people who are under the age of 18 do not even get counted for being unemployed?

I was also wondering about VAT rates, my friend works in one of the top fashion retailing shops in the UK, and they have decided to not increase the VAT, similarly other companies has also decided to not increase VAT, the problem is, that for 2 months my friend said that the company had a code for the discount of VAT, but after those 2 months the prices went back to normally and no changes were made, this includes, stores such as the Arcadia group, River Island and Superdrug, who similarly had no VAT discounts after a few months. Stores that did keep to the VAT discount, were Marks and Spencers and O2, Would you consider investigating into these claims and dealing with the companies who did not stick to the lower VAT rate?

[Liam Hannan]

Nick; what steps do you think could be taken to return to a "common sense" health and safety agenda, one that would not restrict the opportunities open to young people and prevent things happening for them?

[kylet15]

Nick; what steps do you think could be taken to return to a "common sense" health and safety agenda, one that would not restrict the opportunities open to young people and prevent things happening for them?

I just have to say, bloody good question.

The only good thing that H&S has done has meant that we don't have to do PE when its icy....

[cs00093824]

Hi Nick,

What are your views on Higher Education tuition fees at University?

Thanks

[Liam Hannan]

Hi Nick,

What are your views on Higher Education tuition fees at University?

Thanks

Poor show. You have a once in a lifetime opportunity to question a leading national politician, and you want to use it to give him a soft question that can be answered with a copy and paste from the party manifesto?

Paxman's job is safe for a little while longer.

[I.Forrest]

Hello,

I find this matter quite disturbing and essence of corruption but what do the Lib Dems propose to do to stop underage drinking because I know for a fact, not out of personal experience, that underage drinkers purchase alcohol from Supermarkets not Public Houses, as alcohol in Public Houses is much more expensive than supermarkets as they can afford to keep prices low and attract customers below or over the legal drinking age. When you come across young people drinking in a park, house etc. they are usually drinking from cans of alcohol, which are sold in supermarkets NOT in Public Houses and even with all this evidence the Labour government refuse to put restrictions on supermarkets, probably because they receive funding from them and would not want to go against them even for the safety of the youth of the United Kingdom. Do the Lib Dems propose more restrictions on Public Houses and let supermarkets run free with even more underaged customers to kill by alcohol poisoning or do they propose to tighten restrictions on supermarkets as Labour has done on Public Houses?

Ian Forrest

[maniacgeorge]

Nick,
After recently announcing that your flagship tution fee scrapping policy will be only brought in over 6 years are you worried that the huge "campus vote" that you recieved with that policy will now dissipate? Anyone of voting age now would not see the policy enacted before leaving university,so it takes away motivation to vote for your party. Lib Dem seats with large student numbers such as where I live in Bath will surely be under threat;what does your party now offer today's students specifically which others do not?
Thanks,
George Lindars-Hammond
DMYP Bath and North East Somerset

[PoliceStory]

Nick,

Ultimately, I consider your party to be the of high spending. Economically illiberal.

That aside, I don't like your ideas on UK federalism and their Home Rule ethos: I'm an old fashioned Unionist, and had I been around at the time I'd have left with the Liberal Unionists and joined the Tories. I also take objection to your proposed constitutional reforms: stuff like replacing the Lords with an elected second chamber. You also seem to be in something of a state of turmoil at the moment, with uninspiring UK-wide and Scottish leaders.(No offense to you Nick.)

My antipathy towards the Lib Dems is by no means strong - I quite like them really. I'd consider voting for them in something like the European Parliament elections. I reserve my vitriol for UKIP, SNP, and Labour.

But are the Lib Dems always going to be on this route, or are you going to move away from Social democracy and at least towards more of the Orange book style of liberalism?

[Liam Hannan]

Nick; do you think raising the school leaving age to 18 is counter productive?

We appear to be over-educating anyway nowadays, which means a large amount (up to 40%) of our population are out of the workforce for anywhere up to 6 years longer than they need to be. (2 years from 16-18 in high school, and up to 4 years in university for a degree). The point being that since degrees don't really train one for the workforce, but studying removes one from the workforce, we are harming ourselves economically.

If we could get more people working between the ages of 16 and 22 we might not have to raise the retirement age.

[Liam Hannan]

Nick; do you think that the government should take punitive action against practices that aim to discriminate against people on the basis of age?

Please answer with specific reference to Mosquito Devices and the Redruth Curfew.

[Austin Sheridan]

Nick,

Do you agree with me that the UK should scrap Trident and cut the defence budget? this saving could save frontline services that actually matter to people.


e.g

The Money saved could scrap tuition fees in England.

If you form a coalition Government with Labour after the General election will you put pressure on getting them to reform our voting system and work towards replacing the House of Lords with a new democratic second chamber?

Thanks,

Austin.

[Liam Hannan]

Nick; a question on climate change.

Seeing as we're trying to cut our carbon emissions, and encourage young people to use more public transport, what improvements need to be made to the system - particularly in rural areas - and what sort of incentives or discount schemes do you think should be offered to young people in order to encourage them to use public transport?

[James2200]

My Question

The United Kingdom has been, and still is, a very complex country. Usually denied by its inhabitants as a world player, it really still is. My question will not only be related to young people, but to people of all the United Kingdom.

A) As we grow up, the economic downturn will fade away and we shall be the people who begin to start out succesfully, unlike the lost generation to this global downturn. How can you assure the maintanance of the United Kingdom in order to secure vital jobs on both sides?

B) As we reach our 20s our PM will be faced with a big decision. Whether to defend this countries place in the world or let it fade out. How will me voting LibDem make Great Britain keep it's global status, as I know you are planning to fade out Trident and force more cost with the abolition of University Tuition fee's.

In Short

A) How can the Economy be saved and how will the UK stay united?
B) How will the LibDems defend the UKs global status and what is it's plans for our defence budget + spending?

Regards
James Browning

[Liam Hannan]

Wow this has gone from three posts to four pages in just over a few hours. :eek:

My Question

The United Kingdom has been, and still is, a very complex country. Usually denied by its inhabitants as a wold player, it really still is. My question will not only be related to young people, but to people of all the United Kingdom.

A) As we grow up, the economic downturn will fade away and we shall be the people who begin to start out succesfully, unlike the lost generation to this global downturn. How can you assure the maintanance of the United Kingdom in order to secure vital jobs on both sides?

B) As we reach our 20s our PM will be faced with a big decision. Whether to defend this countries place in the world or let it fade out. How will me voting LibDem make Great Britain keep it's global status, as I know you are planning to fade out Trident and force more cost with the abolition of University Tuition fee's.

In Short

A) How can the Economy be saved and how will the UK stay united?
B) How will the LibDems defend the UKs global status and what is it's plans for our defence budget + spending?

Regards
James Browning



My Question

The United Kingdom has been, and still is, a very complex country. Usually denied by its inhabitants as a world player, it really still is. My question will not only be related to young people, but to people of all the United Kingdom.

A) As we grow up, the economic downturn will fade away and we shall be the people who begin to start out succesfully, unlike the lost generation to this global downturn. How can you assure the maintanance of the United Kingdom in order to secure vital jobs on both sides?

B) As we reach our 20s our PM will be faced with a big decision. Whether to defend this countries place in the world or let it fade out. How will me voting LibDem make Great Britain keep it's global status, as I know you are planning to fade out Trident and force more cost with the abolition of University Tuition fee's.

In Short

A) How can the Economy be saved and how will the UK stay united?
B) How will the LibDems defend the UKs global status and what is it's plans for our defence budget + spending?

Regards
James Browning

Twice?

hmmm...

[Liam Hannan]

Nick; in the next Parliament will you make a commitment to seeing a votes at 16 bill tabled, either by the government or by a private member?

Once this bill is tabled, what steps will you take to prevent it being filibustered as was the last one?

[James2200]

Twice?

hmmm...

I was trying to narrow down the chance of picking a colour he hates :p

[morton700]

Thank you so much for taking the time to engage in debate with young people as I think too few politicians do.

Do you think that the media gives an accurate portrayal of young people and if not, what can be done to give a fairer image?

[Jme369]

A question raised by a friend earlier:

Do you Nick agree with David Cameron's assumption/proposal that all teachers should have 'top' degrees in order to teach (1st class or 2.1s)? If so, how do you think this will impact the staffing problem that we see already? Would this not be also a barrier in the way of more young people aspiring to teach to achieve their goal?

Thanks,
Jacob

[Apollo]

Mr Clegg,

I am a great supporter of the Liberal Democrat’s green policies to distribute smart meters and decent insulation to Britain’s homes as well as your drive for renewable energy production. I am worried by the sharp rejection of commissioning any future Nuclear Power stations, due to our current reliance on energy imports and the fact many power stations are to be decommissioned in the next few years. I am therefore apprehensive about approaching adulthood in a country either reliant on European energy (whilst the renewable energy resources are being established) or experiencing blackouts.
If an energy shortage occurs in the following decades, would reliable contingency plans be put into place?

Many Thanks

[Austin Sheridan]

Hmmmm hes late!

[matt.lmx]

Oi!!!

Cleggy!

[Paul]

Is the man himself twittering as we speak?

http://twitter.com/NICK_CLEGG

Official Tweets from the Leader of the @libdems. Managed by @davidangell

[Paul]

I will never forgive UKYP for making me go on that vile piece of degenerate filth some people call a "social networking website".

It's more commonly referred to as "the microblogging site".

[ukyp]

Sorry for the delay guys. I few answers from Nick Clegg coming up...

[Liam Hannan]

*holds breath in anticipation*

[Nick Clegg MP]

Nick Clegg,

I and many other students at my University and across the country feel let down by the Liberal Democrats' policy of University Tuition fees. First your party said they were committed to abolishing them, now we have been told they will be phased out over a period of six years. Student tuition fees are a very sensitive issue and a vast number of the Lib Dem vote comes from students. Could cuts not be found in other areas, on other programmes, in order for your party to abolish tuition fees in the first term should you be part of a government?

Why should students vote for your party?

Let me be clear. We are the only party which will scrap tuition fees. They are wrong. It’s just plain wrong that young people who are studying hard are having to leave university with this dead weight of debt around their necks before their adult life has even started. We will scrap tuition fees. But we want to treat students like grown-ups and everyone knows that money is tight now and when money is tight you can’t do everything exactly as we could when there was much more money around. So what we are saying is that we will scrap them but it will take a little bit longer. It will take six years rather than doing it overnight as we once thought we could. We will do this immediately by scrapping tuition fees for all students in their final year of study. And then we will work down to the other years, and extend it to part time students, and so over a six year period this injustice of tuition fees will be scrapped.

[kylet15]

........................

[PoliceStory]

we want to treat students like grown-ups

Is that why you answer the questions that you have a script for?

[Nick Clegg MP]

The Liberal Democrats have often talked about changing the electoral system, is your party open to investigating voting at 16 and standing and possible election to any office at 16?

I think that people should be able to vote at the age of 16. The government can ask a 16 year old to join the army and fight in Afghanistan, and possibly lose their life in Afghanistan, but that 16 or 17 year old is not allowed to vote for the government who is asking them to lay their life on the line. That is just wrong. If you can ask someone to die for this country, they should have the right to vote for the government of the country. So I can guarantee that we will continue to campaign for votes at 16.

[Nick Clegg MP]

How do you think political parties can be improved to appeal to young people? I was a member of your party for a year, but didn't really get anything out of it.



I’m sorry to hear that. My experience is what young people want when they get involved with politics is to feel they are being listened to and to feel they have a role in how political parties develop their ideas. The Liberal Democrats are different for so many reasons. One of the big ways we are different is that I can’t make up policy just like that. We are a democratic party as the name suggests. We are the Liberal Democrats. We believe in democracy in the country of course, but believe in internal democracy as well. Our policies are formed by members, thousands of members up and down the country, sending in their ideas and also coming to our conferences where we formally adopt and change policy. So I hope if you want to be involved with politics, joining the Liberal Democrats is the way to get really involved.

[Nick Clegg MP]

Hi Nick, thanks for taking time out to answer our questions. Here’s mine...

1) Rural areas like Lincolnshire suffer from a lack of amenities such as swimming pools to help young people keep fit, and having to travel many miles by car undermines the ethos of trying to reduce our carbon footprint. Do you think there should be free public transport available to counter these problems?

Grace

I think the problem is that in rural parts of the country, there just isn’t a regular bus service for young people to use. I was talking to a friend of mine, who is an MP in rural part of Somerset, and he was saying for some young people it is really difficult, they feel really cut off. There just isn’t a regular bus service where they can get on to the bus and meet their friends or go to the nearest town where there might be a swimming pool or a public gym they might want to use. So I think we have to make bus services more available. It’s frankly a scandal that bus services have been privatised in the way they have. In pretty much any part of the country, outside London, bus companies can now chop and change routes, cancel routes, chop and change fares without asking any local people. I want to see the way buses are regulated in London applied in every part of the country, so that the patchwork of bus services (where in some areas they do provide affordable tickets to young people) are spread much more evenly around the country.

[cig1705]

I think that people should be able to vote at the age of 16. The government can ask a 16 year old to join the army and fight in Afghanistan, and possibly lose their life in Afghanistan, but that 16 or 17 year old is not allowed to vote for the government who is asking them to lay their life on the line. That is just wrong. If you can ask someone to die for this country, they should have the right to vote for the government of the country. So I can guarantee that we will continue to campaign for votes at 16.

Not true, Sir. Since HMG signed a UN protocol in 2003, barring some soldiers just shy of 18, it has been illegal to deploy soldiers in combat who are under 18, not that they were esp. common before. Lib Dem MPs have asked about this in the Commons, so I am most surprised at your claim! :)

[Nick Clegg MP]

HOW sucessful do you think the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagne were? If you could change the talks, What would you have done to make a more sutible, strong and effective binding deal?

It was a spectacular failure and disappointment. If we don’t make up for the failure of an ambitious agreement, Copenhagen might go down in the history books as the moment that political leaders around the world failed to face up to the biggest crisis this generation faces, which is chronic and escalating climate change. I think it was particularly worrying that the US President, Barack Obama (who in so many other respects people look to for hope in global affairs) basically cut a deal with the Chinese government and cut out and ignored Europe, which was pressing for a much more ambitious agreement. So I think Europe needs to work out how as a European bloc we can get the Chinese and Americans back to the negotiating table and say “this isn’t good enough”. We need big cuts in carbon dioxide emissions, which are legally binding, which all of us sign up to. Otherwise, we are selling the planet short. Is that really what this generation of political leaders want to be remembered for?

[snail]

How can you possibly believe in Climate change when there has been no statistically significant warming for the past 15 years, and the earth has been cooling for the past 9.

Along with scientists proving that there has been little to change in either of the ice caps?

Also, with Al Gore's Hockey Stick graph failing to have impact if you simply go back 200 years and you can see another warm peroid equal to our own (and evidently pre-industrialisation)

[France-22]

It was a spectacular failure and disappointment. If we don’t make up for the failure of an ambitious agreement, Copenhagen might go down in the history books as the moment that political leaders around the world failed to face up to the biggest crisis this generation faces, which is chronic and escalating climate change. I think it was particularly worrying that the US President, Barack Obama (who in so many other respects people look to for hope in global affairs) basically cut a deal with the Chinese government and cut out and ignored Europe, which was pressing for a much more ambitious agreement. So I think Europe needs to work out how as a European bloc we can get the Chinese and Americans back to the negotiating table and say “this isn’t good enough”. We need big cuts in carbon dioxide emissions, which are legally binding, which all of us sign up to. Otherwise, we are selling the planet short. Is that really what this generation of political leaders want to be remembered for?
Finaly someone on the forum aggres with me!:)

[Nick Clegg MP]

In Scotland, the Liberal Democrats made a promise to the Youth Parliament that Lib Dem MSPs would work with MSYPs to introduce one bill a year, if the MSYPs so wished (I don't know if this has ever been followed up on). Would the 'Dems at Westminster be willing to offer a similar deal to UKYP?

As you know the system in Westminster is quite different to Holyrood. The House of Commons is frankly a bit of a stitch up, where the government of the day can do what it likes. So it’s much more difficult for opposition parties in Westminster to get new legislation on the statute books as it is in younger parliaments like Holyrood. I wish we could have the freedom to say we will be able table a bill whenever we like but it just doesn’t work like that. This stitch up in Westminster, where everything is done according to the wishes of the government whips, rather than the wishes of the British people, is one of the many reasons I think we need to completely change the way things are run. But in a reformed parliament, where things work better, I would love to think that the Liberal Democrats could work with Members of the Youth Parliament and other groups in tabling new draft legislation.

[ukyp]

Thanks to Nick Clegg for taking the time to respond to some of the questions. Obviously we have loads and loads of questions which haven't been answered. But we are hoping Nick will have a bit more time over the next few days to answer a few more.

[France-22]

Thanks to Nick Clegg for taking the time to respond to some of the questions. Obviously we have loads and loads of questions which haven't been answered. But we are hoping Nick will have a bit more time over the next few days to answer a few more.

Great he's coming back, I thought it was just today. Question: will Gordon Brown & David Cameron also appear on the forums?

[Liam Hannan]

I’m sorry to hear that. My experience is what young people want when they get involved with politics is to feel they are being listened to and to feel they have a role in how political parties develop their ideas. The Liberal Democrats are different for so many reasons. One of the big ways we are different is that I can’t make up policy just like that. We are a democratic party as the name suggests. We are the Liberal Democrats. We believe in democracy in the country of course, but believe in internal democracy as well. Our policies are formed by members, thousands of members up and down the country, sending in their ideas and also coming to our conferences where we formally adopt and change policy. So I hope if you want to be involved with politics, joining the Liberal Democrats is the way to get really involved.

I'm glad to see such a firm commitment to democracy.

I'm unsure, however, about how that commitment can currently be reconciled with Tavish Scot's anti-referendum stance in Holyrood. Is there a logic behind that or is it just a party thing?

[Austin Sheridan]

Will Nick answer this?

#5 01-14-2010, 14:19
Austin MacScaithghil
Put me in the Scottish Parliament Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Glasgow, Scotland
Posts: 6,164
Blog Entries: 39

Re: Nick Clegg MP web chat – 20.01.2010

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For Mr Clegg;

As you know Scottish independence is a huge issue for everyone in Scotland and people of all ages young and old are interested in Scotland's constitutional future.

Many polls have shown that the people of Scotland support a referendum (Nationalists and Unionists)

So my questions are;

Do you think the Scottish Lib-Dems should support a referendum on independence to give the people of Scotland the democratic right to choose whether they want to remain in the Union or not?

If a Referendum takes place, Should the voting age be lowered to 16 for all elections including the referendum on independence? Surely a political party that supports lowering the voting age to 16 will support lowering it to 16 to let young people have a say on Scotland's constitutional future?

Thanks,

Austin.

[Andy]

Great he's coming back, I thought it was just today. Question: will Gordon Brown & David Cameron also appear on the forums?

Brown will get someone else to pose as him, and Cameron will just post pictures of himself (advice for Cameron if he does come on here; The photo of you holding a rescue dog is win).

[Apollo]

How can you possibly believe in Climate change when there has been no statistically significant warming for the past 15 years, and the earth has been cooling for the past 9.

Along with scientists proving that there has been little to change in either of the ice caps?

Also, with Al Gore's Hockey Stick graph failing to have impact if you simply go back 200 years and you can see another warm peroid equal to our own (and evidently pre-industrialisation)

Would it be you just contradicted yourself?!
"How can you believe in Climate Change"?
"The earth has been cooling for the past 9."

We want to save the planet, but actually we will also destroy ourselve if we don't start living sustainably! The planet will sort itself out after we're gone!

[kingston1991]

Will Nick answer this?

#5 01-14-2010, 14:19
Austin MacScaithghil
Put me in the Scottish Parliament Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Glasgow, Scotland
Posts: 6,164
Blog Entries: 39

Re: Nick Clegg MP web chat – 20.01.2010

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For Mr Clegg;

As you know Scottish independence is a huge issue for everyone in Scotland and people of all ages young and old are interested in Scotland's constitutional future.

Many polls have shown that the people of Scotland support a referendum (Nationalists and Unionists)

So my questions are;

Do you think the Scottish Lib-Dems should support a referendum on independence to give the people of Scotland the democratic right to choose whether they want to remain in the Union or not?

If a Referendum takes place, Should the voting age be lowered to 16 for all elections including the referendum on independence? Surely a political party that supports lowering the voting age to 16 will support lowering it to 16 to let young people have a say on Scotland's constitutional future?

Thanks,

Austin.

I cannot understand why the scots are so for independence. The amount of cash you get out of being in the UK is unbelievable, and unfair. Scots recieve £1,644 more per head per year than residents of England under the barnett formula. I notice the scottish independence movement were quiet during the financial crisis as well. If Scotland went independent from the UK, it would be the end of Scotland.

[wackyracer]

I'd like to know why my last post did not appear; perhaps anything that is against the Lib Dems is being moderated away?

[Liam Hannan]

I cannot understand why the scots are so for independence. The amount of cash you get out of being in the UK is unbelievable, and unfair. Scots recieve £1,644 more per head per year than residents of England under the barnett formula. I notice the scottish independence movement were quiet during the financial crisis as well. If Scotland went independent from the UK, it would be the end of Scotland.

I'm afraid you are misinformed.

As a starter for ten, the Nationalist movement was not quiet during the financial crisis which is, indeed, still continuing. As you may have noticed, however, it is considerably more difficult for them to get press than the unionists - a situation which has not been helped by this "leaders" debate debacle - so if you are not resident in Scotland, and not actively following Scottish politics it would be easy to miss (the anglo-centric bias of the UK media is a personal hobby horse, I think it's better for everyone I don't go off on that particular tangent today).

Furthermore, Scotland does get more public spending per head than does England - however, it also contributes more per head than England (thanks, largely, to significant offshore resources - approx. 30% of national output). Because the resources are situated offshore they are not accounted for in "scottish" figures by the Treasury, but in "offshore" figures - a region which the McCrone report points out, was specifically created by the then Labour government shortly after the discovery of oil (the timing was not accidental) in order to hide the potential wealth of the oil fields. The Barnett formula is by no means unfair to anybody - except perhaps the Scots! It takes account of the lower population density; which increases service costs, it takes account of higher per capita contributions to the UK purse, and it is loosely based on population so as not to allow Scotland to become too disperate in spending vis a vis the rest of the UK.

The Adam Smith institute predicts that Scotland could not only survive happily as an independent state, but that it would see faster economic growth than the UK as a whole for the next 4 decades (estimated to grow at roughly twice the UK rate).

If we were as much of a liabiltiy as you seem to think; why would anybody object to us leaving?

[Chevtherev]

Hey Nick.
I feel schools out of major city's do not get enough money therefore have to live on scraps, like my school. Will your party campaign for more money to schools in more rural areas?

[kylet15]

Hey Nick.
I feel schools out of major city's do not get enough money therefore have to live on scraps, like my school. Will your party campaign for more money to schools in more rural areas?

Rural schools don't know what living is!

City Schools are underfunded while schools in rural area's, for spending per pupil can sometimes get double what a City School would get.

[France-22]

But we are hoping Nick will have a bit more time over the next few days to answer a few more.Still waiting...

[Austin Sheridan]

Still waiting...

It's all been a bit of a let down indeed. :(

[Nick Clegg MP]

1) PR
Your party supports proportional representation, do you not think that using PR could see a rise in extremist parties gaining representation? Having the extremist parties gaining any sort of representation is bad in my book.



Dear Andy and Ben: Power should belong to the people of Britain – all of them. Not just those who live in marginal seats. We don’t tackle the BNP by denying people that power. We tackle the BNP by addressing the concerns which get people to vote for them.

That means creating an immigration system which works – bringing back exit controls, for instance – so that people can have confidence in it. And we need to sort out the country’s housing crisis – making cheap loans and grants available so that people can bring houses back into use, for instance, and letting councils borrow money to buy up unused homes.

The first past the post system can’t be relied on too stop the growth of extremism. As BNP councilors in Burnley, Barking and Dagenham, Stoke and others all show, it won’t. Far right parties prey on people’s frustration. Any voting system that’s as disempowering as the current one is part of the problem, not the solution.

[Nick Clegg MP]

By when would you plan to extricate British troops from the dangerous and wasteful war in Afghanistan?



Dear Generation Zero: What we are doing in Afghanistan is extremely important. We simply cannot allow Afghanistan to revert to a haven for terrorism, with its people oppressed and impoverished.

But of course we want our troops to come home as soon as possible with their heads held high, having been successful in the job we asked them to do. For that to happen we don’t only need a clear military strategy; we need a clear political strategy too.

Stability will only be possible in Afghanistan if its people have faith in their new political institutions. So the corruption that has been rife in Karzai’s government must be stamped out. And that government must be willing to work with its opponents, and power should be dispersed to tribal leaders, in order to bridge ethnic and tribal divisions. I also believe the role of Afghanistan’s neighbours is crucial in ensuring stability, including China and Iran.

[Nick Clegg MP]

Nick, would you continue your support of both the armed forces and the police in this country by ensuring they get the best eqiupment?

Dear REDALERT and Joem: I absolutely agree our troops should be properly equipped – and I think they should be paid more; it’s outrageous that starting salaries are lower than for constables or nurses. I’ve been campaigning on this and we’re committed to spending MoD money better so we can afford it.

We also need to rethink our defence spending. With the public finances in such a mess we have to be sensible about using the money that is available to make Britain as secure as possible. That means working more with our allies, especially in Europe, for example on buying equipment more efficiently. And it also means taking decisions on the projects we really need. The Trident nuclear missile system is a good example. It’s a cold war relic that doesn’t provide us with the best protection against modern threats. We shouldn’t be spending billions of pounds replacing it on a like-for-like basis.

[Nick Clegg MP]

With Business as a whole being shook up within the past few years for a number of different reasons, where do you see young people playing a role in this and how would you maximise them playing a role, if any?

Dear LordAnubis: It’s simply not fair that young people – who had nothing to do with this recession – have been hit so hard by it. Out of every five people who are out of work, two are under 24. Struggling to find work at that stage in a person’s career can do real damage to their self confidence. So under a Lib Dem government no young person would spend more than 90 days on Jobseekers Allowance before we gave them more training or an internship. That’s not just right for them, it’s right for the economy. Young people have a huge amount to contribute – talent we can’t afford to waste.

[Nick Clegg MP]

Mr Clegg, you talk about a fairer society, what is fair about hard working people who have been hard working, prudent and successful to be punished for this by massive taxes? Whats fair about making pensioners, who have bought houses years ago, pay massive taxes because their house increased in price from when they bought it?



Dear Kyle15 and matt.lmx: Britain suffers from a tax system that is grossly unfair. The poorest people in society lose a bigger chunk of their income to the tax man that the richest. My party believes we need to correct that imbalance. Especially as millions of families struggle through this recession. It’s only right that those with the broadest shoulders bear more of the burden.

That’s why the Lib Dems are proposing a ‘mansion tax’ - a small additional levy on the value of homes above £2m, which would affect less than a quarter of a percent of properties. Of course any change to the tax system raises some legitimate concerns, but we’ve planned for those, particularly for pensioners. So over-65s could roll over their tax bill each year, for instance, and have the bill eventually paid out of their estate.

The mansion tax is one part of a radical package of reforms to make the tax system fairer. We also want to make sure no one pays tax on the first £10,000 they earn, putting £700 back in the average earners pockets.

[Nick Clegg MP]

How do you think the current economic climate will effect your manefesto?
And will it effect your long turm policy of helping students?

(By the way you're doing a very good job Nick :))

Dear Michael: The truth is that the days of shopping list manifestos are over. The black hole in the nation’s finances means political parties are going to have to take tough decisions on what the country can and cannot afford. The difference between the parties will be how we make those decisions and how straight we are with people about them. The Liberal Democrats are prioritising investment in education and jobs, but we understand that will mean cuts elsewhere, which is why, for example, we propose to cap pay rises for people working in the public sector at £400. We are also being honest about the need to put some of the multi billion pound spending commitments we have promoted in the past – like new free childcare entitlements and a new citizen’s pension – on hold until they become affordable again. And some of our other pledges, like scrapping tuition fees, will have to be phased in over a longer period of time.

[Nick Clegg MP]

What do you think about the term - "The LibLabCon", basically suggesting that there are no big differences between the main parties, and they are all infact are very similar. Do you agree?

Dear Jamest and France-22: You should vote Lib Dem if you believe in fairness. Fair taxes – making the wealthy pay their fair share so that everyone else can pay less; a fair start for children – cutting class sizes and targeting help for disadvantaged children; a fair jobs package - putting money into green employment; and a fair politics – handing power back to people.

Labour has had 13 years to deliver on fairness, but inequality’s got worse, not better. And the Tories main priority is cutting inheritance tax for the best off. If you want a fairer Britain, you have to vote Lib Dem.

[Nick Clegg MP]

Hi Nick,
I'm curious, I'm a very passionate supporter of the Lib Dems, I've volunteered on your website to help at election time, but how can a young person (under 18) feel like they have any real contribution at election time? Is there really a way that passionate young people can get involved in the process when we're denied the vote?

Thanks very much, best of luck in the next election,
Harriet

Dear Harriet93: I’m sure your local party would be delighted to hear from you if you want to help out – there’s plenty to do in the campaign ahead! But I know how many young people, who want to make a difference, find themselves left out from the current political system. It’s one of the reasons why Lib Dems have always supported lowering the voting age to 16.

[Nick Clegg MP]

In the much anticipated TV debate this year, how will you show young people that they are not just voting for a skillfull and charismatic leader, but also for a party whose central tenets are uniquely appealing to anyone who values a stronger and fairer society?

Dear Awki: This election is a real opportunity for the Liberal Democrats. People are fed up of the same old empty promises they get from the other parties. I travel around the country a lot, speaking to people from all over, and you can really feel the appetite for something different. As for the debates, they’re a real opportunity for parties to get across their vision for Britain. Personality does play a part in politics, but at the end of the day what people really care about is values.

[Nick Clegg MP]

Nick - I have severe dyslexia and struggled to read and write until i was in year 4 which is 9 years old.

I was in a normal primary school in a class of 30 children, i was not improving my reading or writing through the school year so my parents decided to take me out of school and put me into a independant school which had one on one leassons every week. I had a one on one lesson with a specialist dyslexia teacher for three years. Through this time my grades improved so did my writing I also started to enjoy reading which I never thought I would do as a always hated reading.

If i had not moved school I would not have been able to competentley read and write without a one on one lesson every week. What are your policies on school class sizes and one on one lessons, I think if we made one on one lessons with a specialist teacher availble at a primary school level it would help thousand of peaople suffering from dyslexia.

Thank You

Stevegadd2

Dear Stevegadd2: You make a really important point. I believe passionately in the importance of early years education, which is why my party has plans to cut class sizes and to target help at pupils who need it most – whether that’s through smaller class sizes, one-to-one teacher support or after-school help.

[Nick Clegg MP]

A question raised by a friend earlier:

Do you Nick agree with David Cameron's assumption/proposal that all teachers should have 'top' degrees in order to teach (1st class or 2.1s)? If so, how do you think this will impact the staffing problem that we see already? Would this not be also a barrier in the way of more young people aspiring to teach to achieve their goal?

Thanks,
Jacob

Dear Jme369: All teachers should have an excellent knowledge of their subject and have good literacy and numeracy skills, but it is too simplistic to assume that just by raising the qualifications that teachers need you automatically improve teaching in our schools. Teaching isn’t like any other job – good teachers need to be able to enthuse and motivate young people; those are very special skills. And when we find a good teacher, government should trust them to get on with it, instead of constantly interfering and piling on the paperwork.

[Nick Clegg MP]

On climate change; would you end the carbon market system that the private sector exploits, and is effectively paying criminals to commit crime, and instead introduce sanctions on polluting countries?

Nathan Akehurst (Deputy MYP, Kensington and Chelsea)

Dear Generation Zero: I don’t for a minute think that carbon trading is enough, but I do think it has an important role to play – giving companies an incentive to go green. We need to broaden its reach so that there are fewer exemptions and so that it can have a real effect in cutting emissions – as well as auctioning permits, so the price of carbon would go up and raise the costs to companies who don’t change their ways.

[Nick Clegg MP]

Mr Clegg,

I am a great supporter of the Liberal Democrat’s green policies to distribute smart meters and decent insulation to Britain’s homes as well as your drive for renewable energy production. I am worried by the sharp rejection of commissioning any future Nuclear Power stations, due to our current reliance on energy imports and the fact many power stations are to be decommissioned in the next few years. I am therefore apprehensive about approaching adulthood in a country either reliant on European energy (whilst the renewable energy resources are being established) or experiencing blackouts.
If an energy shortage occurs in the following decades, would reliable contingency plans be put into place?

Many Thanks

Dear Apollo: I’m glad you like those policies. The way to deal with future energy shortages is to absolutely get behind renewables now. Nuclear power always comes with a huge cost, and fossil fuels aren’t just bad for the climate, they keep us dependent on other countries with access to oil. Britain has the opportunity to be a world leader in green energy. It’s going to be one of the most important industries of our lifetime, but we won’t be at the forefront of the green revolution if we hedge our bets.

[Nick Clegg MP]

Do you think the Scottish Lib-Dems should support a referendum on independence to give the people of Scotland the democratic right to choose whether they want to remain in the Union or not?



Dear Austin: I’m happy to have the debate on independence – it’s an important one. But I do think that at a time when Scots are worrying about their jobs and their homes, a referendum on independence – which it’s pretty clear would be lost – isn’t a priority. What I am keen to see are rapid moves to give the Scottish Parliament more powers within the UK, especially over raising its own money. The Calman Commission gave us a plan; we should run with it fast.

[Nick Clegg MP]

Do you support extending the measures of the The Electoral Fraud (Northern Ireland) Act 2002 to mainland Britain to reduce vulnerability to fraud?


Dear Paul: We’re obviously keen to look at ways to tackle voter fraud in Great Britain – including the Northern Irish experience. We pushed for individual voter registration to deal with the scandals we’ve seen in recent years and, though the NI experience is rather different to the rest of the UK, we’ll keep an eye on developments.

[Nick Clegg MP]

If you became PM, would you implement the Calman commission suggestions? If so, what kind of time scale would you use?

Dear Conker: Absolutely – I think it’s a major step forward for a stronger Scottish Parliament and I want to see it implemented as soon as possible.

[Nick Clegg MP]

How would scientific research be used to create better laws in regards to controversial areas like drugs? Would you be willing to give the scientific community more of a say in government policy, even if it meant going against your own opinions?

Dear matt.lmx: I think it’s really important that scientists can give advice to government without fear or favour. Professor Nutt’s sacking showed we can’t take that principle for granted. I believe we badly need a more evidence based approach to a whole series of policies, including drugs, which is why we’d set up a stronger Drugs Commission to look at the whole issue in the round.

[Nick Clegg MP]

Are the Liberal Democrats going to vote against the Digital Economy Bill? This is related as this bill is a big concern to young people.

Dear Mossad: Artists need support. But I have concerns about the way the government’s planning to do this. We need to make sure that the threshold for first warnings over illegal download isn’t too low, that the proof of illegal downloading meets an agreed standard and that we don’t let the government simply rewrite copyright law when it likes. We also need a year’s grace to make sure people know where they stand. Let’s see how the government takes this forward.

[Nick Clegg MP]

Nick Clegg: Why do you support representative democracy?

Dear Mockler: Representative democracy is still the best way of keeping politicians accountable – I’d like to try the proper version in Britain! We’ve got to sort our politics out – ending the safe seats that give MPs jobs for life. All MPs and councilors should know they have to work for their voters; I also want to introduce recall elections so people have the right to sack corrupt MPs; and giving more power to local communities is a cornerstone of our plans to make Britain more democratic.

[Nick Clegg MP]

Mr Clegg.
Do you believe the public can be expected to believe in a government where the voters can't see what's going on behind closed doors?

Dear Thom: No. It’s still too easy for the government to keep information secret. And it’s still too hard for whistleblowers to sound the alarm. That has to change.

[Nick Clegg MP]

Given the track record of the system in Britain, how long do you predict it is before democracy will start providing us with halfway decent leaders?

Dear Hamsterwaffle: That’s for you to decide, not me. You have the vote: choose people you believe in.

[Nick Clegg MP]

Will you give the people of the UK the right to vote on a referendum on the Lisbon treaty and on every other EU treaty?


Dear France-22: Part of the point of the Lisbon Treaty was to end the endless debate over institutions – and I certainly don’t think there’s much appetite for any new Treaties in the EU. The debate in Europe should now move on, away from treaties and institutions and towards policies – is the EU doing everything it should to improve lives for its people?

Although Lib Dems are pro-European, we’re far from blind to Europe’s failings and we’re working to tackle them – pushing for reform of the CAP for example. But we also want to get the most out of co-operation that we can – making the Single Market work properly, creating jobs for people in Britain; acting together on climate change; and tackling international crime.

[Nick Clegg MP]

W what does your party aim to do to tackle child poverty and the breakdown of the traditional family as an institute through which children learn basic values and ideals?

Dear Bloker: Our tax plans would do a huge amount to help people who are struggling – putting £700 back into the pockets of every person on the minimum wage by making sure the wealthy pay their fair share. We’d be able to take 3.6 million people out of the tax system altogether, which would make a huge difference to children in poverty. We also want to do more to help children in poverty at school, targeting funding at those who need it most, to finally break the cycle of deprivation that traps generation after generation.

[Nick Clegg MP]

What steps do you think could be taken to return to a "common sense" health and safety agenda, one that would not restrict the opportunities open to young people and prevent things happening for them?

Dear Liam: It’s a cultural issue, and one we need to work on as a society. But politicians have a real responsibility not to scaremonger on issues like crime or health because all that does is make people feel anxious about decisions that involve an element of risk. The media has a big part to play here too.

[Nick Clegg MP]

Do you think that the media gives an accurate portrayal of young people and if not, what can be done to give a fairer image?

Dear Mortin700: I think it’s often very unfair. What hope is there for the future if young people are constantly told their only role in society is as criminals and louts? Much more should be said about all the positive things young people up and down the country achieve and do and politicians, in particular, need to make that point.

[Nick Clegg MP]

Nick; do you think that the use of modern technology presents a metrocentric bias to engaging young people in politics?For a start, young people in urban areas of the country are statistically more likely than their rural counterparts to possess the latest technology and be in touch with the latest trends, and further, research has identified a geographic bias in terms of "e-trends" which tend to spread north from London over a period of months or years, thus putting young people anywhere north of the Humber at a disadvantage when attempting to engage over tweetbook, facepalm or the latest digital craze. Surely sticking to traditional print media is best?

Dear Liam: I guess any form of communication is going to be more appealing or available to some people than others – which is why we need to use as many different forms as possible! Broadcast, press, leaflets, canvassing and the internet all have a role to play and I think we shouldn’t leave any of them out. That said, we need to tackle online access issues across Britain – especially in rural areas. We’ve been pushing for faster action on rural broadband, for instance, for precisely that reason.

[Nick Clegg MP]

Nick,

If you form a coalition Government with Labour after the General election will you put pressure on getting them to reform our voting system and work towards replacing the House of Lords with a new democratic second chamber?

Thanks,

Austin.

Dear Austin: We’ll put pressure on whichever party is in power to reform our Parliament to make it more democratic. Neither Labour nor the Conservatives are willing to back fair votes because they don’t want to disturb a system that allows them to take turns in government. A system that can get a party into power on just 22% of the eligible vote. And while Labour has had 13 years to reform the House of Lords to make it fully democratic, the Conservatives have said it isn’t a priority. Both parties talk the talk on fixing our broken politics, but without a real commitment to change I’m afraid that talk is cheap.

[ciara_squires]

Dear Generation Zero: I don’t for a minute think that carbon trading is enough, but I do think it has an important role to play – giving companies an incentive to go green. We need to broaden its reach so that there are fewer exemptions and so that it can have a real effect in cutting emissions – as well as auctioning permits, so the price of carbon would go up and raise the costs to companies who don’t change their ways.

Do you really, honestly think carbon trading makes companies who have millions and millions in profits to go green?

[Hamsterwaffle]

Dear Hamsterwaffle: That’s for you to decide, not me. You have the vote: choose people you believe in.
You Sir have impressed me, and I am not a man easily impressed.

[Dirk/DSF]

Dear Austin: I’m happy to have the debate on independence – it’s an important one.

It's cetainly important to a lot of people, certainly in Scotland. Yet, you refused to support the bill to give the ordinary people in Scotland a chance to decide for themselves. Would you not agree that this is an elitist approach? Unaccountable bureaucrats making the decision for people?

But I do think that at a time when Scots are worrying about their jobs and their homes, a referendum on independence – which it’s pretty clear would be lost – isn’t a priority.

I would argue that this is as important a time as any. At a time of economic crisis, redundancy and repossession, surely the People of Scotland should have a chance at self-governance, in order to deal with a recession independently and, perhaps, cooperatively. At this time, the Barnett squeeze could be most damaging.

I agree that a referendum would probably be lost. But the idea is to get the discussion in the open - among the People. This way people won't be caught off-guard, when another referendum is put forward.

What's more, i'd remind you that the bill put forward by the SNP is not in favour of independence, but asking the People, what the Government should do: discuss independence with Westminster etc.

What I am keen to see are rapid moves to give the Scottish Parliament more powers within the UK, especially over raising its own money. The Calman Commission gave us a plan; we should run with it fast.

Remember the entire purpose of the Calman Commission, though - to find an alternative to Scottish Independence. That doesn't mean the proposed system is better.

While personally, i find considerable merit with a Federalist system, in comparison to the current system, because i am a localist in search of eliminating the democratic deficit, i think that it would be more democratic that more local authorities should have legislative superiority. That they should be able to opt-out of laws and that their legislation should be able to replace, nullify or have primary consideration over a more centralised authority's piece of legislation.

Dear Hamsterwaffle: That’s for you to decide, not me. You have the vote: choose people you believe in.

I think that argument is fallacious, as you yourself even admit that the voting system is flawed. You yourself criticise the existence of safe seats. You yourself are concerned with the idea of "politician" becoming a career.

I think we also have to remember the dominance of the Labour and Conservative parties. In all honesty, these parties have been becoming more and more similar recently - New Labour bailed out the bourgeoisie, who got us into the mess in the first place and the Conservatives are continuing their policies of increasing poverty and the policy of tax cuts for the very rich, while taxing poor people into the ground. How can either of these be people we believe in?

The argument that firstly, this is a democracy, and secondly, that the people have the power (as denoted and implicit with the first premise) is simply false, and ultimately, could even be damaging. We also have to remember the unaccountability of "representatives". I think the best person to represent me is myself.

[Andy]

Rep for Clegg: +1 :)

[Conzales]

Good on Nick Clegg for answering the questions.

[Liam Hannan]

Alright, I'll give it to him. I'm pretty impressed.

[Daniel Frost]

Thanks for blanking me, Nick :rolleyes:

[Jamest]

Thanks Nick.

[Lord Bellingcroft]

I'm impressed.