Latest news with #LiberalDemocrat
Times
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Times
Trump opens golf course in Scotland after ‘stopping a war'
With red, white and blue fireworks, a self-proclaimed mission to 'put out fires all over the world' and a nod to his family dynasty, President Trump opened his 'masterpiece' golf course. After a five-day trip to Scotland dominated by golf buggy diplomacy and the announcement of an EU trade deal, he proceeded onto his new 'Mona Lisa' course at Menie in Aberdeenshire behind a bagpiper and band. The US president was watched by members of his family and VIPs, including John Swinney, the first minister of Scotland; Danny Alexander, the former Liberal Democrat politician; Robbie Fowler, the former footballer; Gianfranco Zola, now a football manager, and the Ukrainian footballer Andriy Shevchenko. On the final day of his visit, Trump said: 'We'll play it very quickly and then we'll go back to DC and put out fires all over the world. We did one yesterday, as you know. We stopped a war. We've stopped about five wars, so that's much more important than playing golf, as much as I like it.' Standing on the green with sons, Eric and Donald Jr, and Donald Jr's children, Spencer and Chloe, the president acknowledged that he had not always seen eye to eye with the locals, who had staged a protest beyond the security cordons on Monday, but insisted that they 'love' him now. He said: 'We started with a beautiful piece of land, but we made it much more beautiful. And the area has welcomed us. If you remember, at the beginning, it wasn't quite a welcome, but it wasn't bad. But with time, they've liked us more and more. Now they love us and we love them.' Before the ceremony, which was delayed while the president practised his swing in the driving range, loudspeakers blared out Hot Stuff and Greased Lightning along with tracks from the Beach Boys and Jerry Lee Lewis. A US flag flew beside a Scottish flag as White House staff wore 'Trump Scotland' branded clothing. Trump told his guests that the 'unbelievable development' was only possible when 'Sean Connery said 'let the bloody bloke build his golf course''. Showing that he has inherited his father's tendency towards hyperbole, Eric Trump said he had taken on his father's passion project when he 'went off to do larger things and save the free world'. He said: 'We had an unlimited budget and we exceeded it. This was his Mona Lisa. My father's always said some people really appreciate the painting on the wall. And he never did, right? 'For him, creating this, these beautiful sculpting dunes, sculpting the land. That was always his painting. 'So I hope today we honour the greatest man I know. Our best friend, a person who has led this company for 30 years and now leads the most powerful nation in the world and is doing a hell of a job.' The keen golfer took the new course for a spin EVELYN HOCKSTEIN/REUTERS Earlier, the president held a 15-minute meeting with Swinney. It is understood that they discussed Gaza and oil and gas taxation in the North Sea before posing for a picture. Swinney said it had followed a 'pleasant dinner' on Monday evening when the talk 'around the table' had focused on the Open Championship, which Trump hopes will return to his course at Turnberry. On Monday, Sir Keir Starmer travelled from Turnberry to Menie with Trump on board Marine One, the president's helicopter, for what the US president said was a special 'preview' for the prime minister. A Hollywood-style promotional video for the new course showed Trump wearing a 'Trump International' blue bobble hat as he examines the plans for the links, which boasts 'the world's largest natural bunker'. He is seen saying: 'So let's see, 18 is going to be incredible. Why aren't we moving this green? I want to see the ocean. This is incredible'. Upon arrival, guests travelled past Trump MacLeod House, renamed in 2008 after Trump's Scottish-born mother Mary Anne MacLeod, 'to reflect its status as the Scottish residence of Donald J Trump'. A huge US flag flies from a flagpole outside the building designed by the architect John Smith in 1835. After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the president drove off the first tee, followed by his son, Eric, and Paul McGinley, the professional golfer. The president strolled to the first tee at the new course BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/GETTY IMAGES As a final hurrah, fireworks were set off, emitting red, white and blue smoke streams. When a journalist shouted out to ask what Trump would say to Binyamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, Trump replied that as US president he was simply 'trying to get the world straightened out'. There was clearly no time for more questions as the music immediately cranked up. The president had golf to play. Swinney said that while the cost of the five-day visit had been 'significant' for Scotland, it had been worth it for the 'opportunity'.
The Independent
3 hours ago
- Business
- The Independent
Lords accused of trying to block Labour's zero-hours contract ban for ‘bad bosses'
Peers in the House of Lords have been accused of trying to block key protections for millions of workers as they push through major changes to Labour's Employment Rights Bill. The Lords last week voted in favour of several amendments brought forward by Conservative and Liberal Democrat peers which row back on reforms to zero-hours contracts, day-one protections and more. It comes as a blow to the government – which pledged in its 2024 manifesto to end 'exploitative' zero-hours contracts – and sets up a showdown between the Lords and Commons. General secretary of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), Paul Nowak said: 'the sight of Hereditary Peers voting to block stronger workers ' rights belongs in another century. It's plain wrong.' 'They are doing the bidding of bad bosses,' he added, and encouraged the government to 'stand firm.' Under the Lords' amendments, the requirement for employers to offer zero-hours workers a contract would be changed to instead require the worker to ask for the arrangement. Protections against unfair dismissal from day one of employment were also amended, instead bringing the time up to six months. Legislation currently ensures the protections after two years of employment. There were also several amendments to trade union laws voted in, including a requirement for members to actively opt into trade union political funds, rather than opt out. This came alongside another amendment to ensure the 50 per cent turnout threshold for industrial action is not repealed in the bill. The amendments were put forward by Tory peers Lord Hunt, shadow business minister, and Lord Sharpe, alongside Liberal Democrat Lord Goddard. Ministers will address the amendments when MPs return to Commons from summer recess at the start of September. The two houses will then continue to vote on the changes in a process known as parliamentary 'ping-pong' before a finalised version of the bill is agreed upon. Responding to criticism, Lord Hunt said: 'All the evidence shows that workers value and support that flexibility and the diverse job opportunities it continues to create. The world of business – which creates the wealth we need – has repeatedly made it very plain that the Government's proposals go too far and jeopardise that vital flexibility. 'In too many respects the Government's Bill aims to give new powers to the trade unions as organisations, not to the workers themselves, but the Lords amendments would create a better balance. They will protect and create more jobs and serve the working people of Britain well.'
BBC News
6 hours ago
- Business
- BBC News
Work to begin on Mepal crematorium and pet cemetery next month
Work on a new crematorium in a village will begin next month after a contractor was appointed to deliver the Construction will build the bereavement centre in Mepal, East Cambridgeshire, which will include a graveyard, remembrance garden, function room, memorial walkway and pet Cambridgeshire District Council said the crematorium near Ely will run on electricity, meaning it can be operated on a green energy Conservative administration has, though, faced opposition to the plans from Liberal Democrat councillors who called the £13m project a "white elephant" and launched a petition opposing it. Party leader Lorna Dupré said she was "not convinced that it is the role of a council to build and run commercial facilities in order to compete with established private providers in a challenging market".A nearby crematorium on Knights End Road in March is already "well-established" and can "easily afford to respond to the price war that the council is proposing to launch against them," she leader Anna Bailey said the project will provide "social value" to the district through "the creation of local jobs through the build phase, volunteering and using local suppliers and supply chains".She previously said that "being able to say goodbye to a loved one in such a beautiful and tranquil lakeside setting that not only protects, but enhances, wildlife, is something this council is very proud to be able to deliver".The new crematorium will be built on the site of the former Mepal Outdoor Centre, which closed in 2017 after a fire, with access from the A142 north of the documents suggest the new crematorium will have the capacity for 108 visitors, while there will be parking on site for 123 vehicles. Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
7 hours ago
- General
- BBC News
Cotswolds mum says 'don't be afraid or ashamed to use food banks'
A mum-of-two living with a serious long-term illness is urging those in need not to "be afraid or ashamed" to seek help from food which is not her real name, said Cirencester Foodbank gave her emotional support, financial advice and essential food parcels after she received a life-changing diagnosis and an eviction Wynn, the Gloucestershire food bank's CEO, said 35% of its users were in work. He called for the government to provide those in need with more practical help.A government spokesperson said it was "determined to help people out of poverty and tackle the unacceptable rise in food bank dependence in recent years". Despite commanding some of the highest house prices in South West England, more than 2,000 children are classed as living in poverty in the South Cotswolds constituency, according to the area's MP. Alice and her family were evicted from their home just two months after she received her diagnosis last said the pressure of her situation was "overwhelming" and "almost too much to take" before she reached out to the food bank."They won't judge you or make you feel small, they are there to help," the 40-year-old said. Alice claimed she initially felt "embarrassed" at the thought of relying on other people, but their assistance made it feel like a "weight has been lifted"."[I feel] much better and much happier now knowing I've got their support and something to fall back on," she added. 'Multi-faceted' issues In a recent report, Cirencester Foodbank found an increasing number of those with mental health issues and long term illnesses were asking for also said almost three quarters of men referred to the service were Wynn said the reasons behind food bank use in Cirencester were "multi-faceted", with one issue being that people struggled to access cheaper supermarkets in towns."There's a bit of a premium for people living in [rural] spaces whereby, to get to low cost food, you have to have access to transport," he added difficulties surrounding "low income seasonal work" in rural areas also contributed to food bank usage among working Wynn said he would like to see employers offer staff more information about benefits. 'Broken welfare system' Dr Roz Savage, Liberal Democrat MP for the South Cotswolds, said child poverty was often said she would like to see the Labour government remove the two-child benefit cap, introduce more support from early years onwards and protect Personal Independence Payments."The most vulnerable members of our society are being squeezed even further when they just can't afford it," she Department for Work and Pensions said it was launching breakfast clubs, increasing the Universal Credit main rate above inflation and reforming the "broken welfare system".
Daily Record
a day ago
- Health
- Daily Record
RSPCA warns certain dogs are 'ticking time bomb' that can carry disease risks
The animal welfare charity has likened the process of importing pooches into the UK as "Deliveroo for dogs" Buying or adopting a dog always comes with risks, namely around the canine's health and/or how likely they are to lash out or not take to training as well as the owner would hope. There are also circumstances that can exacerbate these risks, and it turned out importing dogs into the UK is one of them, according to an animal charity, which is calling for stricter regulations on animal rescues doing just that. The RSPCA has cited concerns about disease risks and behavioural issues, just as government statistics show that in 2023, 320,000 pets were brought into the UK under travel pet schemes and 44,000 entered as commercial imports. RSPCA spokesman David Bowles compared the process to " Deliveroo for dogs" and called on the government to tighten regulations on animal rescues. He told the BBC: "The RSPCA's major concern is these dogs are essentially ticking time bombs – coming over, not being health tested. "Diseases are now coming in through these dogs. They're affecting not just the dogs that are being imported - they could also affect the dogs already in this country and their owners. "They've almost set up a Deliveroo for dogs and that is a real problem." Currently, rescue organisations in Scotland must be licensed, but there is no such rule for England, Wales or Northern Ireland. Just weeks ago, a bill that aims to stop animal smuggling and cruelty cleared the Commons with cross-party support. Legislation put forward by Liberal Democrat MP Dr Danny Chambers will reduce the number of animals for non-commercial entry into the UK, ban the import of puppies and kittens under six months old or heavily pregnant dogs and cats, and halt the import of dogs and cats who have been "mutilated," including having their ears docked. The MP for Winchester's Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs , Cats and Ferrets) Bill was supported by the Government, and will now proceed to the House of Lords on its passage to becoming law. "I've seen the devastating consequences of puppy smuggling," Dr Chambers said. "It's unimaginably cruel to separate puppies and kittens from their mothers at a very young age, and then bring them across borders in substandard conditions where they're then sold for maximum profit by unscrupulous traders who prioritise profit over welfare. "Careful consideration has been given to setting these limits, balancing the need to disrupt illegal trade with minimising impact on genuine pet owners. "To underpin this, only an owner, not an authorised person, will be permitted to sign and declare that the movement of a dog or cat is non-commercial." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. Mr Chambers criticised the influence of social media on the increased demand for dogs with docked ears, while a party colleague said one reason for the interest in dogs with cropped ears is "that a lot of influencers on Instagram and other social media platforms pose with these dogs or show they have these new dogs with cropped ears". "Many people aren't aware that this is a mutilation," he pointed out. "They think it's how the dogs' ears normally look, and it drives a demand for dogs that look like this."
