A new Guardian/ICM poll puts the Liberal Democrats on 21%, up six points on the last ICM poll two weeks ago, and up three compared to the October poll for the Guardian. Full party ratings (with changes from last month's Guardian poll) are: Con 37% (-3), Lab 31% (-4), Lib Dems 21% (+3).
Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Vince Cable has attacked Gordon Brown for failing to provide a coherent view on Britain's future. In his speech today to the CBI, the Prime Minister showed his support for the expansion of Heathrow and a new generation of nuclear power stations. Mr Brown also hinted at a rethink on capital gains tax changes which have been opposed by many business people. And he promised tougher rules on people on benefits accepting training offers.
Ahead of today's Middle East peace process summit in Washington and Annapolis, Liberal Democrat Shadow Foreign Secretary, Michael Moore MP, has written to the Foreign Secretary to urge a new strategy for dealing with Hamas. The US secretary of state met Israeli and Palestinian negotiators over the weekend to try to bridge gaps between them before this week's conference.
Today two Folkestone projects have gone head-to-head for a "People's Millions" award on ITV regional news. The voting numbers have now been announced for the two projects, with voting closing at midnight.
Liberal Democrats in Newcastle are stepping up their campaign for a GPs surgery in Lemington. This follows the North East Strategic Health Authority's confirmation that Newcastle's PCT can bid for one of 100 new surgeries in under-resourced areas across the country.
Residents of Dunstall Hill contacted Zahid Shah to report an abandoned vehicle in a car park. When he inspected Zahid found a vehicle with flat tyres, rusty bodywork, the radio ripped out and no tax disc - all signs of an abandoned car. Zahid has informed the authorities and as this car had still has its number plates the registered keeper will be told to remove it. If this doesn't happen the vehicle will removed and crushed.