LibDem Blogs - Archived!

I never thought I'd be endorsing Geoff Hoon. But in an interview in today's Observer, he had this to say on the subject of our identity: Despite more people travelling and working across the Channel, the argument had 'gone in the wrong direction' since 1975, with scepticism hardening. Yet it should be possible for Britons to feel European too: 'I can support England if they are playing Scotland

Tim Worstall has posted his latest selection of the best things in the British blogosphere here.

I have just had this article in Friday's Independent drawn to my attention but, alas, there is no on-line version. It appears that composer Stuart Wood is seeking to stage a musical on the London stage based on the character of Sian Lloyd, weathergirl and fiance of Lembit Opik MP. He has even persuaded Sian to narrate a CD of the show, which is to be called Melody. The central character eventually ends up with a DJ called Bob! This might pose a bit of a worry for Lembit but according to the article he is 'cool' about the project ...

Rod Eddington's interview in the Times (my entry for Monday June 6th) stated that he is keen on cutting down domestic flights - they should be replaced by high speed train links, but he still wants to expand airports. This just might have something to do with the fact that reduction in international flight emissions does not count towards our Kyoto targets, but domestic flight emissions do. "Tony Blair is making climate change a top G8 and European presidency issue but there's a clash of interests. While he's talking about climate change, the UK is planning more ...

The Observer today seeks to get to grips with the new intake of Conservative MPs and in particular what hope they offer for the future of their party. Amongst those featured is David Davies MP AM, who reveals a bit more about his misspent youth. David Davies, the new Monmouthshire MP and former Welsh Assembly member, was puzzlingly described by one national newspaper as 'even more right-wing than his near-namesake [David Davis]'. But Davies told The Observer, without serious fear of contradiction, that he was 'probably the only new Conservative MP who used to wear earrings'. ...

The second reading of this bill comes before the House of Commons on 21st June 2005. This is an interesting issue because of its philosophical complexity. It has the so-called "chattering classes" particularly agitated because of its potential for further constraining free speech. Free Speech is rightly not an absolute. It is entirely possible to use words published in various ways to cause

Seem to have had a great success with the pupils (terrors) from Ackland Burley school since the last fight & theft incident in the shop when the head and police came. The kids know they can't intimidate me and now they've actually started to queue up and behaving themselves. Better still, one by one the real problem boys (banned from entering) have been coming into the shop and apologising for their pranks (they take petty theft as a game) - Alex, Hasif, Anton & Ali etc have all been on their best behaviour since their bans have been lifted (everybody ...

The trip to Edinburgh was useful because it let us put into context some of the evidence that has been given to us as a committee on the statementing of children with Special Educational Needs. It was also topical in the light of comments by Baroness Warnock that she has changed her mind on the system she helped to put in place thirty years ago. 'Thirty years ago it seemed right that there be no stigma in education and that everyone should get the same start in life, but there are problems in mixing everyone together. I was never ...

There is a danger that this blog could become a photo album of course but that is not the intention here. The Welsh Assembly's Education and Lifelong Learning Committee visited Edinburgh on Thursday and Friday this week to see for themselves what the Scottish Parliament was doing about children with special educational needs. The top picture shows members of the Committee with some of our hosts at the bottom of the steps in the new Scottish Parliament building leading from the garden lobby to the chamber. This is a popular venue for TV interviews. The ...