LibDem Blogs - Archived!

The first meeting of the new Selly Oak District Committee will take place at 7pm on Tuesday 13 June 2006 at the Brandwood Centre, 157 Allens Croft Road, Brandwood, Birmingham. The agenda and papers can be found here. District Committees have been given responsibility for running local services like libraries, neighbourhood advice offices, community and leisure centres and local parks. The

The Council Cabinet will this Monday (12 June 2006) be asked to give their approval for detailed design work to begin on phase two of the multi-million pound Selly Oak New Road. The road will support investment of around £1.8 billion in Selly Oak and along the A38 corridor, providing direct access to the £500+ million hospital currently under construction and the planned £100+ million Sainsbury’s development. It will also divert traffic away from Selly Oak centre, allowing regeneration and environmental improvements to take place there. ...

The Western Mail is doing its best today to keep the Blaenau Gwent by-election interesting by seeking to pin down the Labour Parliamentary Candidate over his view on the Iraq war. (Meanwhile, Blogger does its level best to stop me posting this comment) The paper is accusing Owen Smith of misleading what few viewers Waterfront had left after 15 minutes or so of its dreadful by-election special, by claiming that the Western Mail had failed to include in a published interview with him his assertion that he would have voted against the war. Chief Reporter, Martin Shipton, sent him ...

In Bristol yesterday we were visited by a parliamentary scrutiny panel investigating local government in the South West for the white paper. Five MPs chaired by Phyllis Starkey with Clive Betts and John Cummings from Labour John Pugh for the Liberal Democrats and Paul Beresford for the Conservatives. Phyllis was a very effective chair and the panel listened carefully to our views. At our meeting...

I've been informed by Network Rail that work on the railway bridge is now scheduled to carry on until early August. This is apparently because whilst they were carrying out works to the first span of the bridge, they found the same defects in the other span which could not wait to be treated. Cllr Suzanne Williams and I seized on this opportunity to suggest to Network Rail that maybe the local residents could be compensated in some way for the considerable inconvenience they have been through, in particular by providing a light under the bridge to light the footpath. ...

That's the headline on a story in the Gulf Times. And I am pleased to read it. Some cats suffer quite terribly with hay fever.

Something else I wanted to say yesterday was that Sir Menzies Campbell has looked uncomfortable so far as Liberal Democrat leader because he has not been allowed to be himself. It began during the leadership campaign, when he was ambushed into a commitment to give up his jag. As I said at the time: The last thing Ming should do if he wins the leadership is sell his Jag. I see it as central to what could be a very popular image. He would be the new Inspector Morse or the sort of dependable Scottish lawyer who was always ...

The people at Blogger may be having a fun time snowboarding and eating jelly beans, but their site has not been working well for several days now. Last night I could not post at all, and I somehow doubt this will work either. [I take that back.] Raise your game, chaps. Anyway, this is something I wrote last night but could not post... Tony Blair's 101 per cent support for the police is starting to look pretty inadequate.This morning Sven Eriksson said of Wayne Rooney: "I'm confident he will take part in the World ...

It is good news, in as far as any killing is good news, if the one killed was actually al-Zarqawi. But was he an Al-Qaida big shot? Or a local militant who used the Al-Qaida brand name? If he was actually part of the Bin Laden franchise network , then Al-Qaida got established in Iraq from nothing after the ‘coalition’ invasion of Iraq. However Juan Cole sets out the case that al-Zarqawi was a grandstanding thug of Wahhabi sympathies but with no al-Qaida links, who renamed his ‘Salafi Jihadi’ group as ‘al-Qaeda Mesopotamia’ to wind up Bush and Blair. A ...

After the speech and the interview with Sky and the BBC, the bloggers had their turn. Andy Darley, Will Howells and myself got our chance to put our questions to Ming. We've just left - and I've been lent a computer to write my report. I'll concentrate on my questions - and leave the others to reveal their own scoops on their own blogs. {Ming meets the bloggers} Ming meets the bloggers The message is - to paraphrase - that Ming's leadership really starts now. The machinery is swinging into place to turn the Liberal Democrat Party ...

I was very chuffed to be invited earlier in the week to take part in an interview with Ming following today’s speech. At first, I thought I would have to decline, but as I was due to be in London anyway tomorrow I decided it was too good an opportunity to miss so rearranged my [...]

While I stand by my earlier praise of Ming's speech today, I have some harsh words for his mode of delivery. I have just seen him on BBC TV news. He should ditch the glasses for speeches. They are an impediment to communication. There are a wonderful range of contact lenses available, including "omnivision" systems for those of us past 45 years of age. There is no excuse for not using them for

Following Ming’s speech today, he met with a small group of LibDem bloggers (myself, Andy Darley, Peter from Apollo and Martin Tod), and we spent half an hour or so quizzing him on whatever subjects we wished. The speech The venue was The Atrium in Millbank and I arrived to find it full of party grandees. MPs [...]

Liberal Review is offering you the opportunity to put a question direct to Ming Campbell following today's well-received keynote speech - click over to www.liberalreview.com to find out how. Here's what I asked: "Three ingredients seem, to me, to be crucial in helping deliver successful public services: decent funding, local control, and competition between providers. Do you agree?" (Y'see, I

Liberal Democrat candidate Philip High yesterday won the Holt District Council by-election with over 50% of the votes cast, and on a turnout of over 50%. The result was:

Ming's speech this afternoon is a great start to his leadership. It is a very solid, coherent speech covering the main policy areas. As one would expect, he demonstrates his much-reported gravitas, his liberal heart and leadership skill. The fact that Tony Blair has come out with vituperative crticism of Ming, even before the speech is delivered, is a sign that the speech is bang on target. I am delighted about the headline-grabbing 2p reduction in the basic rate of income tax plus taking three million of lower paid and pensioners out of income tax payment altogether. I am particularly ...

I read that after much speculation the Wolverhampton to Walsall rail service will be axed from December. This doesn't come as a huge surprise to me I was expecting this to happen well over a year ago and CENTO and the train operators have consistently being undermining the service.

Liberal Democrat Leader Sir Menzies Campbell MP has today outlined his priorities for a liberal Britain in a major speech, including plans to protect the environment and to make the tax system simpler, fairer and greener.

I hadn't expected Surbiton Club for the Blind, which has an average age of 86, to be quite so jolly - which just shows that you should never have preconceptions about either disability or age. I turned up for their AGM and commented that the Secretary's report seemed to be all about food! The club meets every two weeks throughout the year, and this always includes a good tea. They...

June 26th is the day the United Nations has designated the International Day in Support of Survivors and Victims of Torture. A number of organisations have joined with TASSC International to set aside this month as Torture Awareness Month. While a lot of this action is targetted against the US Government the fact that Tony Blair has been aiding George Bush with flights through UK airports has

You can read it here. At the federal site, you can view a webcast in which Ming lays out his ideas and views. Also at the federal site is the launch of a new e-supporters network, for those who are interested in what the Lib Dems are offering and want to know more before becoming party members. A form to sign up to the e-supporters network is on the front page of the federal site. Later today, we will be offering a form for people to submit their questions to Ming Campbell. Watch this space! UPDATE: You can ...

After a longer-than-expected silence, I'll dip my toe gently back in the water by saying I thought Edward Davey did a good job on the Today programme this morning setting out the Liberal Democrats' new tax proposals. As is often the case I agree with the posts by both Jonathan Calder and James Graham on this same subject, which I suppose is no surprise. I only hope that the likes of James and Jonathan will state their views loudly and clearly over the next few months, because I fear that everyone from Lord Greaves to Liberator will step up ...

It seems to be true this time - Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, leader of al-Qaeda in Iraq, is dead. I hope this helps to prove the futility of violence. Zarqawi's bombs, guns and propaganda have cast a shadow over parts of Iraq for much of the last three years. But, as the old adage goes, those who live by the sword also die by the sword. Whilst those who opted for the peaceful, democratic route are forming their government, Zarqawi lies dead, and I think most Iraqis will be glad. He was never one of them; he ...

I am used to seeing young women on hen nights (them, not me) tottering down the pavement with pink bunny ears on (them, not me). It’s the done thing, these days, apparently. You weren’t anyone in 2006 if you didn’t totter down pavements with bunny ears on and then dance round your handbag in a [...]

The Liberal Democrat proposals on tax announced today are a substantial shift in the right direction. Taxes should be simplified and the burden of taxation must be capped, and preferably reduced from the current high level. The logic of our business policies- deregulation and the wholesale abolition of the DTi can help us achieve this. The decision to create penalty taxes to encourage green behaviour should not be seen in the context of the general taxation pool- the whole idea of penalties is to change behaviour, and therefore ultimately the tax yield form these penalties will fall. The key change ...

The Daily Telegraph today warns David Cameron to keep his word over his commitment to withdraw from the EPP: [This] was the one and only pledge that David Cameron made before he was elected as Tory leader. It is thought that at least 20 of his final round votes from MPs were based purely on this pledge. And its not just his own MPs and Party Members who will be holding him to this: Voters are disillusioned with politicians changing their principles at a whim. Mr Cameron made only one promise, and he must honour it. Vacillation has been the ...

Redcar Yorkshire Day CelebrationsSaturday 29th July 2006 Flat Cap Fling Winner will receive the DJ Tucker Ltd CupPlus prizes for the first three places FREE ENTRY 11am to 12 noon on Redcar High Street(near the Town Clock) Sponsored by DJ Tucker LtdElectrical & Mechanical EngineersZetland BuildingsMarske by the SeaRedcar, Yorkshire, TS11 6HS

Below is an entry form for the 2006 North Riding Duck Race. This year there will be only one category and the winner will receive the Colin Holt Cup, in memory of the Ridings Society Chair who died recently. To enter the race please print off the form and return it to me. If anyone is interested in sponsoring the race please let us know. North Riding of Yorkshire DUCK RACE Saturday 29th July 20062.30pmSaltburn Beck, Saltburn Winner will receive the Colin Holt Cup Plus prizes for the first three placesPrize for most ...

So Ming scored a direct hit at PMQs today, then. He must have done, because everyone's saying he did.And that rather highlights the problem with this leadership business. Ming's success today was partly because he left Tony Blair gasping like a newly-landed haddock, and partly because people were prepared to report that he did.It's no coincidence that the subject he stitched Blair up on was rendition flights - part of the whole US-UK-Iraq screw-up that helped him make his name as an effective and respected Parliamentarian. If he'd caught Blair napping on, say, education his success would have formed part ...

But it appears that he is not going with the blessings of M****ester ***. What a surprise - oh and if he gets injured again they may sue. All down to money again.

Coming at the same time that the Conservatives are embracing blog celeb culture, today a small number of bloggers will be granted An Audience With Ming after his keynote speech, being delivered from the venue where he did his (second) leadership campaign launch. Liberal Review are doing the democratic thang and opening up their questions to [...]

Not been able to post for a few days - got the mother of all summer colds which started last Saturday. Still not been able to shake it off - feel like I've got two heads. Sunday - Camden Lib Dems met to support Councillor Alexis Rowell launch the Green Fair in Regent's Park. It was so hot and my head was thumping like mad - I was actually shivering and had to wear a fleece gillet - still, managed to get there to support the show. The glorious weather - many Camden members turned up . ...

It was wonderful to see Belfast in the sun yesterday. Many people were sun-bathing on the grass in front of the grand City Hall. There were hordes sitting outside pubs enjoying the sun. Having visited the Crown last time, I added McHugh’s to my pub passport. It is in the oldest building in Belfast. I sat with my pint of Pilgrim’s Ale admiring the striking trick fountains in front of the Albert Memorial Clock. After all the "Troubles" it is good to see the people of Northern Ireland making a go of it. Belfast is a fine city with some ...

Through a freak of airline ticketting, on the flight to Belfast on Tuesday I sat sandwiched inside a boy band, namely G4. There was Ben to the right of me, and Matt, Mike and Jon to the left of me. Fresh from their appearance at the Royal Albert Hall, these triple-platinum album sellers were on their way to play the Waterfront in Belfast on Tuesday night and the Olympia, Dublin last night. It was exhilirating to be in their testosterone-soaked company. The event was made all the more interesting because I didn't fully know who they were, and could therefore ...

I have to admit that I wasn't looking forward to the latest leg of my journey, Osaka to Rotorua via Tokyo and Auckland. With a 4.30 a.m. start, a nine hour layover in Tokyo and a four hour layover in Auckland, it didn't seem very promising... But what of Kyoto? Well, I'm not a great temple person, it seems. They're all very pretty but I get greater pleasure out of feeding the koi (carp, and big

Discussion immediately after the local elections threw up some interesting thoughts about the differences between the Greens and the Lib Dems. At the same time, the environment is becoming a serious issue in national politics, with even the Tories claiming an environ-mantle. Are any other Lib Dem bloggers interested in contributing to some sort of book on this topic? The idea would be to look at what the distinctly liberal approach to environmentalism is, and the differences between the "Green movement" and green liberalism. If you are, drop me a line at richard.huzzey@NOSPAMoxfordlibdems.org.uk.