From May, a new clause will be slipped in to all government grant agreements, preventing public funding from being used to lobby the government. While the clause is aimed at quangos, it will also affect charities, and - crucially - academic research. As David Nutt puts it in yesterday's Guardian, this move is an attempt to "limit scientific outputs to those that support its policies". 

This is not just a slap in the face to evidence-based policy. It could be a deathblow.

Today a Liberal Democrat leaflet came through my door along with details of the local "Lib-Dem Team". Amoungst the names I noticed a Counillor that failed to be elected as a Conservatives some years ago, so stood as an independent for the community council. He has now joined the Liberal Democrats all in the space of just a few years.

In responce to his leaflet, here is my open letter to Welsh Liberal Democrat; Peter Black AM.

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Hello Peter

Much to my regret I cannot give the Lib-Dems any of my votes.

While the Lib Dems seem to express a distance from their former coalition
partners, the Conservatives, I feel actions speak louder than words. The Lib
Dems in Bridgend have taken in a defector, former Conservative now Liberal
Democrat councillor and I believe this still shows a strong link between Lib
Dems and the Tories.

While I understand a by-election is not required by the EC, I think it is very
telling that a by-election was not called, perhaps given that your party, the
Lib Dems do not think their mandate is different enough from the

#SaferInternetDay is a mixed day for Pirates. Of course it's important to stay safe online but often promoting safety online gets muddied with discouraging people to use emerging technologies for fear something bad might happen.

We take risks both online and offline. Should we really treat our online lives any differently? As we all know, there are a variety of ways we can keep ourselves safe online and the Pirate Party has been campaigning hard for over six years to protect our right to essential practices like encryption and anonymity.

Let's all share ways of being safe online and remember the purpose of this; we want to be safe so that we can enjoy our digital environment.

I continue to offer my full support to anyone who would offer us increased protection online without infringing on our freedoms or civil liberties.

Stay safe out there

David A Elston

Pirate Party Deputy Leader