LibDem Blogs - Archived!

I was chatting to a lovely Lib Dem about Conference speeches earlier today, and I noted how difficult it is to get a laugh (and there must be a reason other than me not being all that funny, obviously). So I came up with three rules to guarantee getting a laugh, assuming it’s a session where there are more than half a dozen people in the hall: 1 - Mention John Prescott2 - Be really funny3 - Be Party Leader Many members of the government inspire derision, but Mr Prescott's unique brand of ostentatious incompetence means he’s the only one ...

I was flicking through one of our journals at work - Computing, I think - and noticed a reference on the contents page to an article about the IT implications of police force mergers was accompanied by a photo of John Nettles captioned “Mergerac”. When I got to the article in question, the same photo had [...]

On the day that nominations open in the elections, Chris Maines and the Lib Dems are off to a flying start.

My post earlier today on the subject of the Darbyshires has drawn some interesting comments, as you can see. I hold no mandate to defend Leah and Robin, and it ill befits me to try and do so as I really don't know them that well. But perhaps one of them is reading this and so, treat this as an open letter... Dear Leah and Robin, I have read your blog since it was launched and, whilst I had some

Today's House Points from Liberal Democrat News. Home truths Evenin’ all. We’ve had a nasty gang in Dock Green this week: Jumbo Clarke and his henchmen. That’s Mauler Mactaggart, Nasty McNulty, Andy “The Card” Burnham and Asbo Blears. (There’s also Paul Goggins, but he’s too boring to have a nickname.) Thank you, PC Dixon. Home office questions made it clear why Charles Clarke keeps that crew round him. They are the only people in the Commons who make him look good by comparison. Take Tony McNulty. When it comes to being rude, not even Clarke can compete. On ...

Found out today that Roger McGough has dropped out of compering the concert in honour of Condoleeza Rice. he told the paper he had felt under presssure. I'm sure that's right. There's loads of anger about this visit. The Stop the War campaigners have been in to have a meeting with Warren Bradley.. leader of the council. He's putting together a protest letter to hand over to Dr Rice.

As First Minister, Rhodri Morgan has always been very circumspect in the way that he has reshuffled Ministers. He prefers the surgical incision rather than the wholesale night of the long knives. Thus when he carried out his last change he jettisoned only one Minister, brought in Brian Gibbons at Health and moved the much-criticised Jane Hutt sideways. Some thought he should have been more radical but Rhodri is nothing, if not loyal to his friends. Yesterday, in Finance Questions, the possibility of a further reshuffle was raised. Former Health Committee Chair, David Melding, was not satisfied with the way ...

Listening to Radio Wales this morning I heard an interview with the very charming and down to earth, Betty Morgan. Betty is 63 years old and has just won a silver medal for Wales in the Commonwealth Games in bowls. She hails from Llandrindod Wells and sounds wonderfully harmless. It was a bit of a shock therefore when she ended the interview by saying that she had to go for a doping test. I am sure that she tested negative but who knew that bowls had become so cut-throat?

Saw this wonderful piece on the BBC website (see link). Budget One Won but I think I would have voted for Budget Nine if I had seen it in time - Just to keep up my track record of not voting for winners!

Its getting to that time of year when we complete our tax returns. I called my tax office this morning to check a few details. Government departments get a lot of bad press for example the CSA or Benefits Agency. My experience with HMRC was very positive, they had instant records of last years conversations, my current tax status, knew what they were talking about and offered simple advice that I actually understood. They were able to make changes on the system as we spoke. The Internet Tax Return is also excellent, easy to use and ...

NHS Operating Framework Q: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the implications for (a) hospital and (b) ward provision of measures arising from the requirement in the NHS operating framework for 2006–07 for all NHS organisations to return a surplus. (John Hemming) A:The Department sets minimum standards for all areas of the national health service that must

Visited the playtower badly damaged by fire on sunday. There is speculation locally about how disappointed lewisham council will be if the empty building has to be demolished. 

The local election kicks off officially today, hence the bit of legalese in the header. I should state that the three current councillors for Chessington North & Hook are all standing again on 4th May and hope to gain your support. We are Sue Baker, Ian Reid and myself, all Liberal Democrats. Running a blog during an election will be interesting - very few councillors...

American readers might be interested to note that Reading winger Bobby Convey played the full 90 minutes for the USA in a 4-1 defeat in Germany on Wednesday night, but Goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann was an unused substitute. Convey lined up in his normal left wing role, and put in a very solid performance that included one impressive 40-yard run past a number of players which apparently prompted Sky Sports commentator Martin Tyler to say, "That's what Reading will be taking to the Premiership next season!" So he has decided they are up whatever Mr Coppell may say.

... That's one way of trying to make the budget interesting to your readers.

I read the recent stream of vitriol from Leah Darbyshire with some regret, as I never really got to know her when Robin worked for Southwark (not that I had much opportunity to talk to Robin either). And so, what do I think? My first impression on meeting the two of them was, I admit, to ask the question, "porn star or rock star?". Neither of them fit the image of "Liberal Democrat activist",

By common consent in the Lib Dem blogosphere, there's just one place to point you to tonight. If you ain't never read the Darbyshires, you ain't never read nothing like this.