LibDem Blogs - Archived!

Reading about the Roy Meadow disciplinary hearing, I'm very glad that I'm no longer a child care lawyer. There is a big problem with the way the medical profession assesses evidence and reaches conclusions. They claim science on their side, but it is an odd kind of scientific method that they use. Example: child psychiatrists who interviewed children in cases of sexual abuse. That was controversial enough, but there were cases where the child denied sexual abuse, but the psychiatrist claimed to diagnose it anyway from 'body language'. Example: Roy Meadows covertly video'd parents to get evidence ...

Today's House Points column from Liberal Democrat News. While I was writing it Hoey became one of the 20 Labour MPs to vote against the government's identity card bill. So I need not be embarrassed by my liking for her. A load of Hoey Kate Hoey used to be that rare thing, a Trotskyite PE teacher. (“Touch all four walls and expound the principles of Permanent Revolution. Go!”) Then, like many ultra-leftists, she realised things would go more smoothly if she recanted her early beliefs. So much so that in 1989 Labour HQ imposed her on Vauxhall as ...

If you live in Shropshire, own a llama and would like it to follow a career in show business then this story from the Shropshire Star is for you. If you don't, then it may be of less interest.

I was told today by an enthusiastic resident that there is a fruit and veg stall every Thursday at St. Hilda's Community Centre in Club Row. Evidently it's half the price of Tesco's! Hot tip: get there before 11am. Also: yesterday saw an architect about a Planning Application refusal which appears to be subjective. Met with Director of Culture and Environment about doing a review of Open Spaces in the Borough (she's not keen as this clashes with the development of the Open Spaces Strategy which has yet to be approved by Cabinet). Successful meeting ...

It's been widely reported that because of complaints by drivers -Clamping is to be banned on Islington's streets . It means the borough, the last in London to introduce clamping, in 2003, will be the first to scrap it. Last year about 11,000 vehicles were clamped in Islington, bringing in £700,000..........The move could see dozens of other councils following Islington's lead. Camden Council and Westminster Council are already considering scrapping clamping...............

Have you ever thought of being a school governor? It's an interesting way of getting involved in your local community and using your skills in a voluntary capacity. Kingston Council gives advice on becoming a school governor. One of my tasks as the lead member for Children and Young People's Services in Kingston is to ensure that we fill all the vacancies for Local Authority governors in our schools. If you'd like to find out more then do contact me directly, or follow the contact link on the Council site.

Democracy and rights in the UK have taken yet another blow. As from the 1st of August it will be illegal to protest within half a mile of the Houses of Parliament. Remember that 'protest' includes quietly standing on the pavement doing nothing (except perhaps holding up a sign). You can apply for permission to protest, [...]

Well, today wasn't quite the day I expected it to be, largely as a result of weather-related eventualities. I've still really enjoyed myself pottering around the sights of Berlin, where there is always a lot to do. This afternoon I spent most of my time in the Gemäldegallerie; it's a nice enough gallery, although I think it falls into the usual trap of art galleries everywhere - namely, that art is interesting because it is art, when actually most of the paintings are pretty uninspired. Then again, maybe in most people's eyes my opinions count for nothing because I find ...

And here they are: different coloured icons! The XML file behind this isn’t as well structured as it could be but it does what it needs to do. The red marker is me; yellow for my parents; grandparents are green; great-grandparents blue; and g-g-grandparents are purple.

It's hoying it down in Berlin today, which is a shame, as that put paid to my hopes of going to the Olympiastadion guided tour (too much of it would be outside, and it's too far out of the centre). However, I did have the following wonderful exchange in the Starbucks that's just on the eastern side of the Brandenburg Gate (I love the symbolism): Barista: "For here or to go?" (Looks outside) "Ah... for here"

For those following EU issues know that UK takes over the Presidency of the European Union today - for the next six months. There is an official website UK Presidency of the EU 2005 (not the most innovative design in the world) which has some useful information.

Trying to use the phrase "Every paramedic in Mid and West Wales has been trained in thrombolytic therapy treatment" in Plenary is not something I would attempt. It is little surprise therefore that when Health Minister, Brian Gibbons did so on Wednesday, his first attempt came out as "Every paramedic in Mid and West Wales has been trained in paralytic". It is a shame that the Assembly's Record of Proceedings failed to record the slip-up.

There are a number of areas in which there are very strong feelings worldwide and there unreconciled disputes. One is the aspect of globalisation and "free trade" vis a vis protectionism. The government are clearly committed to globalisation. The consequences in terms of jobs being exported and challenges such as the proposed Multilateral Agreement on Investments are continually brought to the

Yesterday (Thursday) was Ian's last day in employment. He has been made redundant from his job as a history lecturer at Staffordshire University. Student recruitment at Staffordshire plummeted as soon as tuition fees came in and has never recovered. Ian had cleared his desk yesterday. Today we went on a visit to Rode Hall in Cheshire. The visit was one of a series of outings Staffordshire CPRE has during the summer. We were shown round the house by the owner Sir Richard Wilbrahim. The eighteenth century house is delightful. I was ...

The UK takes over the Presidency of the European Union today and will hold it for the next six months. There is an official website for the UK Presidency which has the thrill-a-minute readability factor that is so common to official EU sites. What fascinated me most was the logo. This has white [...]