LibDem Blogs - Archived!

Fifteen years ago there was a panic in Britain about the "ritual abuse" of children. An idea which began on the wackier fringes of American Evangelical Christianity found its way to the heart of our social work establishment. As a result there were many raids on families and children were taken into care, most famously in Rochdale and the Orkneys. There were no successful prosecutions and it was generally accepted afterwards that the whole episode was an example of mass hysteria amongst people one hoped would know better. There seemed to be a process at work whereby our society's darkest ...

Of course you could just go onto Simon Titley's blog and play these two commentaries on ID cards from there, but if you are not in the habit of visiting that excellent site on a daily basis as I am then can I suggest that you visit them here? Once you have done that go and read Liberal Dissenter anyway. It will be worth the time and effort. Laugh at this re-write of Gilbert and Sullivan and then consider the implications of all that computer technology with this American nightmare.

Paul Holmes, the East Midlands' only Lib Dem MP, has been elected as the new chairman of the Parliamentary party, reports The Scotsman. He beat the previous chair Matthew Taylor by 36 votes to 23. Holmes was one of the founders of the Beveridge Group within the party, which was set up to "promote Beveridge’s message of civic responsibility and public accountability in public services". In practice this means that they want more spending on public services but are not so keen on structural reforms. Which makes the group rather conservative, though its members probably see themselves as radicals. The ...

The builders are busy on site now, and still on target for completion next year. There is detailed information about the project on the Council website. It will include a library, open learning centre, community hall, creche, cafe, loos, advice suites and a recording studio. Next month there will be another public meeting with residents to look at how things are shaping up.

The Inveresk Street Ingrate points us towards a Sight & Sound article on the incomparable Alastair Sim.

Thanks to Will Howells for drawing my attention to the news that the Liberal Democrat parliamentary party elected a new chairman yesterday. Paul Holmes, MP for Chesterfield, defeated the incumbent Matthew Taylor by 36 votes to 23 (59 of the 61 eligible MPs voted). The significance of this vote is that Taylor is close to party leader Charles Kennedy, whereas Holmes is perhaps the most militant of

Here are two rather good animations satirising ID cards: A British song... ... and an American nightmare.

That this House notes that the peoples of Europe oppose the concept of an ever closer union and calls for the UK Presidency to be used to develop proposals for a lighter touch European Union with fewer competencies, a smaller budget, and a lesser ability to make impositions on member states. EDM 318 has achieved limited amount of notoriety in the 2 short days since it was tabled. Quoting from

Following an election amongst Liberal Democrat MPs, Paul Holmes, the MP for Chesterfield, has replaced Matthew Taylor as chair of the parliamentary party. Paul received 36 votes; Matthew got 23 votes. This is an interesting outcome although it’s hard to know the reasons without being there. It could be that the MPs feel ideologically closer to [...]

Complainant: Ofcom own-initiative investigation Investigation against: Promote IT, Toucan Telecom, The Listening Company Ltd, ANT Marketing UK, Thompson Directories Ltd, Fax Information Services Ltd, Firestorm Marketing Ltd. Case opened: 16 June 2005 Issue: Persistent misuse of electronic communications network(s) or service(s) Relevant instrument: Sections 128 to 131 of the Communications Act

England 2, Australia 0 After years of being humiliated at cricket by the Australians, England seem to have turned up with their winning heads on: Australia humbled by Somerset duo England put Aussies to the sword As many cricketing sages point out, we've seen false dawns before. Still, they should beat us: Australia only exists because lots of English people got caught. (Australia is a former

Bush's climate row aide joins oil giant.

Why do they bother publishing this stuff? Who wants to go to an unfriendly campus?

It must have seemed such an easy way to get a bit of publicity, get Gwent Police to bring their latest weapon in the fight against drugs, the Ion Track Trace Detector Machine, into the Assembly and persuade AMs to line up to be tested in front of the cameras. Unfortunately, these stunts can often backfire.Both Conservative AM, William Graham, who arranged the demonstration, and Assembly Social Justice Minister, Edwina Hart, tested positive for drugs. By the time the news filtered into the chamber the national media were making enquiries and some AMs were having difficulty keeping a straight face. ...

Since last week (03 June letter) - I've been trying to find out from Homes for Islington and Caxtons (repairs unit) what I was to expect on Monday (date of appointment). The number of phone calls I have made is just ridiculous - had to bite my tongue several times each time I was transferred to yet another person (it was like banging my head on a brick wall). Eventually I was informed I would get a feedback call from somebody called Terry Newis. Guess what? no call. Monday the day of the appointment - early in ...

Date set for identity card debate - second reading on June 28th

I have a friend who is a teacher in London. Her school campaigned for a long time for a school bus because the nature of the area meant it was not safe for kids to travel to school on their own. They were denied a bus and a car park for parents - national policy to encourage kids to walk to school or use public transport. She has got fed up with the whole walk to school policy; she jokes that they should have a walk to work policy to clear the roads to enable parents to ...

They say God moves in mysterious ways - certainly applies to me these days. My computer chair has been on it's last legs for some time - been thinking of changing it but I've never had the time. I'm a fussy being when it come to styles, colours and all that - the ones I've seen with a high back, all the fancy padding and the adjustable levers are either in clashing colours or black and huge - also a bit pricey. With it on my mind - on my way out, picked up the Viking sales brochure ...

I need to chase up the missing answer to one of these questions where the Annex is missing. Otherwise more progress is being made. Interestingly the Prime Minister had no knowledge of the problem of "silent phone calls". Me: "Does the Prime Minister share my concern and that of a vicar in my constituency and many of his parishioners who are irritated by the nuisance of mechanical phone calls,

The Glasgow Herald reports that Sir Ming Campbell has just negotiated a "six-figure" deal for his autobiography. The book is due to be published in time for the autumn party conference in 2006. Most politicians' autobiographies are deadly dull but Ming seems aware of the pitfalls: "I was rather surprised to be approached because politicians writing their memoirs have got to be careful that they

‘Vote-rigging words’ Philippines’ top ringtone The allegedly wire-tapped voice of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo discussing vote-rigging has become a hugely popular ring tone in the mobile phone-obsessed Philippines.

It was announced at the screening of The Parting of the Ways at BAFTA last night that: There will be a third series of Doctor Who There’ll be another series of Doctor Who Confidential There’ll be a second Christmas special And… (Minor casting spoiler that you will find out anyway…) Hurrah!