LibDem Blogs - Archived!

My complimentary copy of this book, which is edited by Tim Worstall, arrived in the post this morning. In the Guardian Jane Perrone describes it as "an accessible introduction to the breadth and quality of writing on offer from some British blogs". She goes on to say: For me, what lets the book down is its typography. I'd thought gimmicky use of a typeface that looks like it was ripped straight off a dot matrix printer circa 1982 had been deemed unfashionable long ago. And it seems a bit pointless to employ a fake html to indicate when ...

This morning's Guardian led on the story that: The attorney general last night threatened newspapers with the Official Secrets Act if they revealed the contents of a document allegedly relating to a dispute between Tony Blair and George Bush over the conduct of military operations in Iraq ... The attorney general, Lord Goldsmith, last night referred editors to newspaper reports yesterday that described the contents of a memo purporting to be at the centre of charges against two men under the secrets act. Under the front-page headline "Bush plot to bomb his ally", the Daily Mirror reported ...

notably among right wing commentators (like Tony Blair reported here). But on today's six o'clock BBC TV news (soon to be renamed the 1800 News following a recent leaked EU directive) there was an interview that showed the BBC at its showstopping, worldbeating best. A BBC sound engineer has just discovered - certainly recorded for the first time - invertebrate conversation and communication.

I've lost my voice today - this is the only way to keep me quiet. After squeaks yesterday that sounded like Minnie Mouse on helium and thoroughly amused those who phoned, my whole voice disappeared today. I put it down to talking on the same stage as Mr Galloway last week in what became a battle between residents & their representatives against the developers and Council officers on the subject of the developments of the changing rooms and the extension of the hostel on Weavers Fields. Mr Galloway was slightly more conciliatory towards the Liberal ...

by Peter Regular readers will have worked this out for themselves. Your Inner Child Is HappyYou see life as simple, and simple is a very good thing.You're cheerful and upbeat, taking everything as it comes.And you decide not to worry, even when things look bad.You figure there's just so many great things to look forward to.

Speaking of politicians with a delusion of adequacy, Peter Mandelson will be attending Hong Kong next month. We want Peter to know the importance we attach to progress on Fair Trade. Live8Live have set up a page where you can email Mandy and tell him what we want. Please go and add to his inbox!

Back in the sixties they would have been occupying the VCs office if a Uni had tried to ban items of clothing. The design of some of Imperial's halls of residence have designed out the ease of occupation and riot (limited places to congregate, corridoors twist and turn etc).If Imperial is anything like other Uni's then the staple fashion is the hoodie. Normally advertising a students course, year of study, hall of residence, or sports team! I could see several campus enterprises going bust.And finally, when has a hoodie concealed a face? If it does, then how can the wearer ...

I cannot believe that this excellent new blog has passed me by for so long. When I first applied to Cowley Street for 'Approved PCC' status, I was concerned that my CV might not show a lifetime of preparation for political service (since that is what it is) - instead, I have spent twenty years doing the ordinary things that people do - earn a living, get married, have children, get divorced, get married again (the last two being optional but increasingly commonplace). I have come to realise that 'ordinariness' is a quality that some of our MPs would benefit ...

by Peter The propspect of large parts of south east England disappearing under low-cost Prescott houses has not filled me with delight over recent months. It strikes me as short-sighted utilitarianism. Few things will influence our future than where people live, and cost-cutting (generally a good thing) may not be the approach to follow. Lousise Alexander's recent posts on planning issues are

The debate on the legislation that will finally abolish ACCAC, ELWa, WDA and WTB yesterday was fairly low key in comparison to the heat that has been generated since the First Minister first mooted the idea over 16 months ago. On ELWa the opposition raised again the issue of sixth forms. By and large we have found a solution to the problem of the Minister's civil servants proposing a reorganisation following merger, which will then be adjudicated on by her. This scenario raised the potential of the Education Minister acting as a judge and jury on what are quasi-judicial matters, ...

The appearance of the Prime Minister in front of his twice-yearly scrutiny committee threw up at least one interesting issue.Tory MP, Sir Patrick McCormack was interested in Tony's view as to whether it was possible for one man to be both Secretary of State for Wales and Northern Ireland. Obviously, the answer was yes. However, what was not made clear was why, given the Prime Minister's view that "because of devolution in Wales and Scotland there is a very much reduced requirement [in Whitehall]", the Wales Office budget doubled between 1999 and 2005.

Police Q: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will revise the Police and Criminal Evidence Code to facilitate the re-interview of terrorist detainees after charge; and if he will make a statement. (John Hemming) A: During Report Stage on the Terrorism Bill on 9 November 2005, my right hon. Friend, the Home Secretary agreed to look at whether it might be possible to extend

It is interesting that within weeks of terrorist suspects’ arrest in Australia, apparently aiming to blow up a nuclear test centre, Tony Blair believes that more nuclear power is just what the UK needs. The Prime Minister is said to believe nuclear power can improve the security of the UK's energy supply and also help on climate change. But what security will be provided to ensure we don't have a