LibDem Blogs - Archived!

I hate rain when it's not expected.Rushed off last night to attend the London Region Exec meeting. Kings Cross tube station is not far but leaving the station there was a sudden rush of strong wind. Felt a right 'Charley' when my umbrella blew inside out and fell apart. It was like one of those comedy shows battling with the wind and rain whilst trying to keep my hair dry. Oh the vanity of women - not a problem for most men. One of the best meeting I have attended. Received several congrats for all the work I put in ...

This is the running order Speaker rambles on a bit with things that must be said Long serving back bencher speaks - refers to constituency and tries to be funny Relatively new backbencher does same Leader of Opposition Prime Minister Leader of Liberal Democrats Who cares...... Kevin Barron opened but the House slightly llost patience with him when he rambled on a little too much about the

Back in March, discussing a Commons speech by Siôn Simon, the Labour MP forBirmingham Erdington, I suggested: there is a law that people accuse others of the faults they most fear in themselves, much as those who make most fuss about homosexuality are supposed to be repressed homosexuals themselves.I wrote this because Simon accused Conservative Members of being "childish and ridiculous" while himself speaking in the most bizarre sing-song voice. So let's call the affliction Siôn Simon Syndrome - or SSS for short. I think I have found another sufferer. Last year I complained about Simon Hoggart turning his fire ...

Security around the State Opening of Parliament gets tighter this year and this morning it was particularly frustrating when the 24 bus was put on divert - meaning I had to lug a heavy bag some distance. Was amazed to find that there were still some reasonable seats available when I went along to reserve my seat for later in the day. At 11.25 we assembled for prayers (and to confirm our reserved

There are four new MPs who are already high profile in some regard. Chris Huhne and Nick Clegg have both been MEPs and Lynne Featherstone and Susan Kramer have both been high profile on a London basis. All are ones to watch but it is interesting to note that the boys have been singled out for preferment already. It could be argued that the European Parliament has more kudos than the GLA (discuss)

Now that really would be funny. The excellent blog politicalbetting.com looks at the evidence.

So the PM tells that he has listened to the electorate? So what is there in the Queen's Speech to show that he heard us? There's a whole plethora of new legislation, but no sense of a change of direction that I can discern. And there, centre-stage, is our old friend, the ID card. Nothing symbolises the increasingly authoritarian nature of this administration more than expecting British Citizens in

I have now had a comprehensive reply from the Wales Audit Office to my request that they investigate claims that the Culturenet Cymru, 100 Welsh Heroes poll was fixed to enable Aneurin Bevan to triumph over Owain Glendower and Tom Jones. The letter is very detailed and I do not have much time so I will set out their main conclusions now and deal with the specific allegation later on. The letter states that in short the Wales Audit Office staff found: Culturenet Cymru following proper procurment procedures, procured website design, development and production services and related promotional ...

with no scientific training tells doctors how to do their jobHe also mentioned the effect of omega 3 fatty acids on improving County Durham school childrens' behaviour. Having been proved successful, maybe they'll use it on the thick and misbehaved of Eton.

The Western Mail reports this morning that the Assembly Government has finally admitted it cannot deliver on its promise of a free breakfast for every primary school child in Wales. "Yet Education Minister Jane Davidson maintained that Labour had never made the promise in the first place.......""It is the case that local education authorities and schools cannot be forced to provide breakfast free of charge under the current statutory framework, but that framework can be altered by an Act of Parliament."The Assembly has a major role in the preparation of Government Bills relating to education in Wales. The Assembly Government ...

The reasons for Charles Kennedy's decision to trash systematically the reputation of his party's conference (see yesterday's posting) are becoming clearer.Today's Guardian reports,The Lib Dem leader has appointed pro-market "Orange Book" MPs as key spokespeople, in time for the major policy overhaul he announced last week.Today's Independent adds,Charles Kennedy shifted his Liberal Democrat Party to the right by promoting young Turks who espouse the politics of free-market liberalism.This Liberal Democrat reshuffle is of more symbolic importance than anything else. Taken at face value, it does rather have a ring of "And tonight Matthew, I'm going to be a shadow cabinet ...

The details of the reshuffle are now common knowledge. If I were an "on message" party sycophant I would now go on at length about how this reshuffle is the best thing since sliced bread and how every single appointment is inspired. The truth is that you would not believe me and everyone has their own idea of what a "fantasy shadow cabinet" would be. On a personal level I have made no secret of

For those of you who are not too sure.Start at your local railway station.Catch train to London Heathrow Airport.Catch flight from London Heathrow to Dallas Fort Worth Airport.Hire car at Dallas Fort Worth Airport.Start going toward the 'Airport Exit' on 'International Parkway South' - follow for 0.2 miles.Turn left onto the highway toward 'Terminal East Parking' - follow for 0.3 miles.Turn left onto 'International Parkway North' toward 'North Airport Exit' - follow for 2.9 miles.Take the 'Highway 114 west' exit toward 'Fort Worth' - follow for 29.2 miles.Then continue on 'US 287 north' - follow for 91.1 miles.'US 287 north' ...

This morning's Daily Express has an article in support of its "Bring back National Service and get rid of the yobs" campaign by the Executive Director of Community Service Volunteers. Her name? Dame Elisabeth Hoodless.

The Queen's Speech really demonstrates why this government is so incompetent. It seems quite clear to me that the government at the most senior level don't really understand what is happening on the ground. The normal systems of feedback are not operating properly. This was seen when the GP targets stopped people from booking appointments in advance. One of the bills talks about having laws fade away. One hopes that this does not apply to Habeas Corpus which has been on the statute book since the 1600s. On Health Improvement they really need to be looking at ...

Last week I went over to the House of Commons. I went over to see my uncle, who was re-elected with a substantially increased majority. We had tea in the Pugin Room- a tea room that faces the river. It was a strange atmosphere- very much like being in a school at the beginning of term. As we talked, various new M.P.s came in- some being conducted around by the parliamentary prefects- the party whips. I spoke to a couple of new Conservatives and was stuck by how little they knew about the procedures of the club that they were ...

Intriguing news is that all of the lay people have resigned en masse from this committee. The allegations appear to be that TVBC does not take the subject of standards in public life very seriously and that suggestions and letters by lay members have not been acted upon. Odd really because I would have thought that any council of any political colour would want to be doing all they can to ensure

For the last few weeks Sunday evenings have been the time when a group of key people got together to organise the campaign. We all got together again on Sunday but this time it was for drink, food and chat. Everyone very keen to start planning the next campaign and it was difficult to get people to stop talking shop.

There are many odd customs in Parliament. One is that one can only book a seat if you turn up and put a prayer card in. If you are not, however, in the chamber when it starts sitting then you lose your place. Together with three other Liberal Democrat MPs from the Year of 2005 I took part of the vigil on the electoral system.is a photograph of Steve Williams MP for Bristol West and myself.Whilst uploading the images I found another cat.Still no white persian though. There are, however, three cats to go.I have also ...