After the Liberal Democrat Conference in Liverpool Nick Clegg announced that the party is setting up a network of Liberal Democrats living and working overseas. Liberal Democrats Abroad will be based in the International Office of the Party HQ in Cowley St with Lord Paddy Ashdown as its Patron.
In the aftermath of the Nobel Peace Prize announcement to Liu Xiaobo, 23 elders of the Chinese Communist Party have written a letter making some surprising demands. They have expressed their wish for the same changes which Xiaobo was originally sent to prison for. Amongst calls for a more tolerant approach to freedom of speech, they also addressed the need for more lenient policies regarding the internet censorship and the treatment of journalists.
Good Evening distinguished guests Ladies and Gentleman.
Anna Lo writes to her constituents in her Autumn report:
On Wednesday the Chinese Embassy hosted a celebration for the 61st Anniversary of the founding of the Peoples Republic of China. It brought together many of those who have worked with the Embassy as well as diplomats as diverse as Denmark and Sweden to Algeria and U.A.E.
Liberal Democrat Minister of State Jeremy Browne took delight in opening a reception last night at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for the Chevening Young Leader's Programme. He stressed the need for better links between our countries and some of the positive work and activities which are already undertaken.