LibDem Blogs - Archived!

Though I'm sorry Daz's splendid paedo-pop homage, Teenage Life, couldn't triumph tonight - another misfortune we can lay at the door of Mr Blair's obsession with Dubya - I'm delighted that the Finns rocked Eurovision. Three hours seemed a little too long to indulge post-ironically, though, so I've enjoyed a Tales of the City evening instead: reading volume 3, and watching volume 1. It's got all

I was very sad to hear of the death of Freddie Garrity. Those of a certain age may remember him as the lead singer of "Freddie and the Dreamers" with hits like "You were made for me" and "I'm telling you now". His trademark was that he used to swing his legs around like mad during the instrumental break of the songs. I wouldn't be surprised if Monty Python based their "Silly Walks" on the way he

Any ideas why many of us sit through three hours of the Eurovision Song contest, including the best part of an hour of voting from 37 countries? Beats me. It was obvious early on that Finland would win. "Roy Wood and the boys", as Terry Wogan called them. The French singer was flat and some justice was served by France only getting a few points (rather like the UK's nul points when we sang out of

Attended a post election party in Reading last night, guest speaker was Chris Huhne MP, runner up to Ming the less than Merciless* in the Lib Dem leadership contest earlier this year. There he is The man is an excellent speaker, with some interesting ideas and understands the need for the Lib Dems to be regarded as "credible" as well as having solid policies. He even quoted this poem (which I

Is anyone else worried that that action shot of him, demonstrated here, is the only photo of him that's ever used? Surely it's not that he's not important enough for there to be other pictures of him around?

New on Radio 4, Heresy: David Baddiel presents the programme which dares to commit heresy. Panellists including Vicky Coren, Armando Ianucci, Guardian film critic Peter Bradshaw argue that some of our most deeply held received opinions are plain wrong. David Baddiel In front of a studio audience, who will join in the debate, the panel will use their wit and wisdom to dispute some of the following

I’m not liveblogging Eurovision - better make that clear. However, I have to mention: Switzerland were first up and their multi-national soppy horror If We All Give A Little was as lyrically twee as I thought the first time I heard it. Yuck. If they wanted my vote, they obviously didn’t realise that Give A Little [...]

Gosh, some campaign group just crashed the lottery live on BBC1! Anyway, what was I about to say? Ah yes: Alex and Simon having previously written extra scenes for Who episodes, I couldn’t help myself. Apologies for the tastelessness… Short Trips Mickey approaches the front door and knocks. There is no answer. He knocks again before trying the [...]

I had planned to spend next Saturday delivering my ward FOCUS newsletter but now I will have to reschedule. I have just bought two tickets to watch Swansea City Football Club play Barnsley in the League One play-off final. I can hardly wait.

Today's Guardian tells us that Tony Blair intends to move to curb the powers of the House of Lords to wreck his government's legislation programme after a series of bitter clashes between the Commons and the unelected house over terrorism laws, ID cards and hunting. In doing so he has rejected a deal negotiated by Lord Falconer, the Lord Chancellor, to balance changes in the powers of Lords with plans for a newly elected House. Instead, he wants to end a century-old agreement that, imperfect as it is, has prevented the abuse of power through rational argument and the ...

There is now formally "a government" in Iraq. As with in the 1920s and 1930s the defining issue in Iraq is "the occupation". (Previously it was RAF bases). All the political parties are opposed to the occupation. The occupation, however, gives an argument for the "insurgents" to recruit. The UK government has no real "strategy" in Iraq that is worth the name. They say that they want to wait

Conservative councillor joins BNP Mr West, 50, said yesterday: “I have decided to seek refuge from political correctness by applying for asylum with the British National Party — Britain’s finest and most decent party — in our country’s hour of need. “The Conservative Party’s list of candidates which deliberately exclude white male candidates in favour of women, non-white and homosexual or lesbian candidates, is discrimination of the worst kind.”

The British Airports Authority has objected to proposals to link Edinburgh Airport to the Scottish Rail network. Trains already run past the end of the runway on their way north to the Forth Bridge and Glasgow/Edinburgh trains run to the south of the Airport across the A8. But the proposals are the build links from these routes to connect up to a hub near the terminal building. At the present

I’ve spent some part of this week thinking about Martin Kettle, assistant editor and regular columnist for thegrauniad, following a conversation I had with a colleague about who is currently the best British political journalist. I said Philip Stephens of the Financial Times and Andrew Rawnsley of The Observer. He said Matthew D’Ancona of The Sunday Telegraph (with which I half agree) and Mr

Writing in The Times this morning, Matthew Parris says: An impression has spread and needs to be questioned. It is that the new leadership of the Conservative Party has slid towards the centre in all things. I believe that in matters of foreign and defence policy the opposite is true. Here, and on Europe, I think the instincts of the party’s new leadership have shifted the Opposition to the right. Those of us inclined to see David Cameron and his friends as moderate and consensual in every sphere, domestic and foreign, may be in for a surprise.In an important article, ...

I spent a very interesting evening last night with Trading Standards Officers and the South Wales Police in Swansea City Centre checking out whether pubs and nightclubs were willing to serve underage customers. We were accompanied by two young people aged 14 and 15, made up for a night out. The idea was that under the supervision of Trading Standards Officers and plain clothes police officers they would try to enter various establishments and attempt to buy alcohol. If they succeeded then they would pass their purchase straight away to Trading Standards and leave the premises. A uniformed Police ...

Happy John Stuart Mill’s* 200th birthday (hat-tip: Richard Huzzey), and if you want to celebrate by seeing just the authoritarian dystopia the world could be without him, tune in to BBC1 tonight at 6.35 to watch Doctor Who: The Age of Steel, as the Cybermen take over. Yes, it’s on nearly an hour earlier than last week. For another frightening dystopia, tune in to News 24 at any time and listen to Mr Blair. Alert readers will notice I’ve just updated my sidebar; it’s now a mix of recent entries and the older ones I thought were any good. ...

There is uproar in Brimingham at the suggestion that Heinz may move production of that most British of sauces, HP, to Holland. What an outrageous suggestion! This is a British icon we are talking about. It has a drawing of the House of Parliament on the label. (If they move it to Holland will they put a picture of the Tweede Kamer on the label?!) Our 'Arold was so fond of it they called it

I mentioned yesterday my modest wager on Mark Warner as a potential Presidential election winner. At least he has broken through in rural areas for the Democrats in Virginia. The Telegraph today highlights Mudcat, the Democrats' latest weapon in the southern states. Mudcat is a "gun-loving, stock-car-racing-made country boy" who has been advising top Democrats on how to win the Southern states. I

Today is the 200th birthday of John Stuart Mill. On Liberty is one of my favourite books, and I'm sad enough to re-read it every year. The most famous section, which brings a tear to every liberal cheek, is worth repeating: The sole end for which mankind are warranted, individually or collectively, in interfering with the liberty of action of any of their number, is self-protection. That the only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilised community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others. His own good, either physical ...

South Wales Police want to hear our views on the proposed merger and creation of a single all-Wales Police force. No, really, they do. Log on here and complete the survey. Hurry, the Chief Constables walk out on 1 June so your views could be crucial.