LibDem Blogs - Archived!

Talking to JG today, my idealistic friend. He thinks the solution (to greenhouse emissions, congestion etc.) is for people to stop travelling. Not so easy. Even if we persuaded people to give up foreign holidays, people have to travel further for work now. It reminded me of a conversation I had with my dad a few months before he died. I'd travelled to stay with him by Virgin rail. I described the new trains to him, the plugs for laptops and phones and how everybody seemed to be working as they travelled. "But if they ...

In Memory of Robin Cook To die in the hills is peaceful, To die in the hills is bliss. If I want to go let me enjoy my last hours Away from the bustle, and life's cares and woes. To breathe in the hills air is beauty To breathe a last breathe there divine. Farewell Robin Cook, you were a breathe of fresh air. Farewell what a shame they called time. The last time I saw the late MP for Livingston

One outcome of the recent terrorist attacks in London is a renewed debate about what it means to be British. Presumably the idea is that, if we expect Muslims living in Britain to be more British, we ought first to have some idea of what this obligation actually means. This assumption was implicit in Tony Blair's statement on Friday about terrorism, when he said: If people want to come here,

Geek alert: If you have no interest in computing/technology, ignore this post! As one of the many fans of Technorati, I frequently use the site to see what's going on in the blogosphere. One of the more interesting features of the site is the ability to track links to specific blogs. Since recently taking up blogging again, I've used this feature to see who is linking to me. Technorati also helpfully provides a JavaScript script which inserts some HTML on my blog providing an easy way of accessing this information. It displays the Technorati logo ...

A couple of weeks ago I was invited to Dysart School, our school for children with severe learning difficulties. The dozen or so young people in the sixth form unit have developed a Young Enterprise scheme, Dysart Designs, selling cards, bookmarks, mobiles and calendars. The Mayor and others with the young people at Dysart School This event was to launch Dysart Designs Online Shop, allowing the young people to sell their products on the Internet. This is an excellent and imaginative development of the Council's online payment system. Everyone involved - Council ...

A few days ago, I posted on the topic of generational theft, the process whereby the baby boomers are enjoying life at the expense of those under 35. Another way this process is happening is in the present generations' profligate use of oil. My attention has just been drawn to this article. Although it was published nine years ago, nothing has occurred since to diminish its relevance; if

Before the advice bureau I visited one of the places which has a particular anti-social behaviour problem. One of my objectives is to improve this area (which I won't identify for the moment.) One of the most cost effective mechanisms for improving areas is action on anti-social behaviour. I achieved my personal record for an eviction of 12 working hours recently in that area. Other changes

The Prime Minister has outlined plans to extend powers to deport or exclude foreigners who encourage terrorism. Already we can exclude or deport those who pose a threat to security. However, Blair now wants to clamp down on those who advocated terror and worryingly is prepared to amend human rights laws to make such deportations more straightforward. Just how far is he prepared to bend to the

According to The Guardian Britain is now on the verge of acquiring third world status with regards to the propriety of our democratic status. International election monitors are applying fresh pressure on the government to introduce new measures to combat postal voting fraud. And to think that we used to send people to monitor the safety and security of electoral processes in other countries.

Tory AM, Mark Isherwood, writes in the Western Mail letters page this morning: "It was with much surprise that I noted the article in the Western Mail speculating about the leadership of the Welsh Conservatives in the Assembly. As a member of the Welsh Conservative Group I can confirm that this is the first I have heard about such speculation. ...We are a strong united group within which there has been no speculation whatsoever about our leadership." Is it me or does he protest just a little too much? ...

I've been watching the cricket most of the past few days. The Test itself has been hugely exciting - runs scored quickly, wickets falling regularly, and a great atmosphere from the Edgbaston crowd. If Test cricket were like this every game football would soon have a run for its money, I'm sure. What I realised, though, was how much I'm going to miss Channel 4's coverage when the Test rights go to Sky next summer. It is a quality production from top to bottom. Take the production in the tea break today - an in-depth analysis of how field placings ...