11:55 pm
Tomorrow's Daily Mail reports that John Prescott is coming under pressure on the following grounds (some more damning than others): Gambling insiders revealed he was the "driving force" behind the Government's plans for new super casinos;He met Mr Anschutz on seven occasions to discuss regeneration of the DomeCabinet ministers are worried Mr Prescott is "losing it";Blairite PR guru Matthew Freud played a pivotal role in getting Mr Anschutz access to Government ministers;Mr Prescott visited a giant casino in Australia at the height of the row over the Gambling Bill in 2004 - although the visit was blandly described at the ...
11:35 pm
The UNITE Group and CALA Homes (Midlands) Ltd have organised a public exhibition of their proposals for a mixed student and residential development on a site at Elliott Road in Selly Oak. Venue: Elim Church Centre, Exeter Road, Selly Oak, Birmingham B29 6EU Monday 10 July 2006, 4pm-8pm The proposed site lies between Elliott Road, the canal, Selly Oak Hospital and the industrial units on Selly
11:19 pm
The Daily Telegraph is reporting that the Leonard Cheshire charity is thinking of changing its name because no one has heard of the former war hero these days. Among the proposed new names are A-BL UK and eQual UK. Another strategy might be to try educating people. As a first effort in that direction, let me mention that Cheshire ran his first home at Gumley Hall near Market Harborough. (Don't look for it; it's not there any more.)
9:44 pm
Bromley and Chislehurst, it's not over yet - Stephen Glenn been sniffing around for info (he's good at that) - read all about it. Certainly saved me a lot of writing. It appears that both John Hemming-Clark the independent candidate from the by-election and UKIP has contacted Scotland Yard regarding the election of Bob Neill the Conservative candidate last week. The investigation may take some weeks while the Boys in Blue contact Bob Neill, John Hemming-Clark, members of UKIP (who have prepared a ...
8:26 pm
According to a new report by the Electoral Commission the impact of Labour's postal voting 'reforms' is only felt to be safe from fraud by only 37% of voters, down from 51% in 2005. A further 44% believe postal voting is very or fairly unsafe from fraud and abuse. Labour's dirty campaigning techniques are clearly taking their toll on public confidence in the democratic process. This can only get worse as we get closer to the next General Election and the likely end of Labour's unrepresentative grip on power. The Deputy Prime Minister is already showing complete contempt ...
5:48 pm
More news this morning of grassroots Tories rebelling against the Cameroonisation of their party. This time it is a group of the usual suspects from South East Wales who are angry with David Cameron because they say he is trying to force them to back the National Assembly when they don't want to. This must pose a bit of a dilemma for Welsh Tory leader, Nick Bourne. He has signed up for more powers for the Assembly whilst a significant group within his own party are seeking to abolish the whole shebang altogether. What is that phrase ...
5:36 pm
Society magazine 'Tatler' reports that David and Samantha Cameron are top of the list of society hostesses' guestlists - three places ahead of the Earl and Countess of Mornington. I must say I have been trying to get the Earl and Countess of Mornington to attend one of my parties for a long time, in order to play the world's most authentic game of "Mornington Crescent" but, alas, all gilt-edged
5:35 pm
There is a typically articulate and passionate deconstruction of Blair's public service initiatives in the Guardian's 'Comment is free' today.
5:23 pm
The Guardian has a good comment article today from Polly Toynebee on some plans to close a tax loophole. It demonstrates quite well that either The Conservatives (in particular George Osbourne) will either say absolutly anything to oppose the Government...
5:18 pm
I am told that all the talk on the Big Brother forums at the moment concerns remarks made by one housemate whose proposed solution for homelessness is to recruit those suffering this unfortunate fate into the army. I am reminded of the episode of Yes Prime Minister in which Jim Hacker proposed conscription as the solution to unemployment. Unfortunately for him his scheme fell foul of a number of valid obstacles culminating in the realisation that a professional army is actually quite choosey as to who recruit. In this case the objections to this perfectly vile proposal are so numerous ...
4:59 pm
I'm please to see Ming Campbell stepping into the case of 3 Natwest bankers who are due to be extradited to the USA under our ludicrous and unbalanced treaty (Guardian Story). This is an ideal opportunity for Ming to show...
4:40 pm
The new speaker of the HoL has been announced this afternoon: Congratulations to Baroness Hayman.The interesting thing about this election is that the Lords used the Alternative Voting system (AV). OK, its not a proper proportional system because no system can be proportional when one candidate is being elected. But its good to see different voting systems in the heart of our democracy.
4:08 pm
In the course of work today, I've been reading this 1840 circular, issued to Whigs in Illinois (including Abraham Lincoln), with instructions on how to campaign. Political activists may be amused to see how little has changed... January, 1840. GENTLEMEN:--In obedience to a resolution of the Whig State convention, we have appointed you the Central Whig Committee of your county. The trust
2:04 pm
It is 28 degrees centigrade in the chamber today and Trish Law has just made her first statement of intent - she is here to represent the people of Blaenau Gwent. I know that we are meant to be sitting in an environmentally friendly building, but as we all slowly melt during the course of the afternoon, then the decision not to install air conditioning may well be questioned.
1:55 pm
"The US ambassador to Baghdad, Zalmay Khalilzad, has said the death of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi last month has had no impact on the violence." Yesterday's Urgent Question: John Hemming: In many conflict situations, people start to want revenge more than they want peace. In the battle for hearts and minds, the danger is of creating vast resentment. Would it not be sensible for the Government to
11:40 am
Over twenty years ago I remember going along to the primary schools' Folk Dance Festival to watch my own sons taking part. The event has thrived and grown since then. It was great seeing so many children dancing and enjoying themselves yesterday. Several schools had worked on quite challenging maypole dances as well. I recalled taking part in a maypole dance when I was a...
10:54 am
Yesterday the BBC reported that the East Midlands Regional Assembly failed to get government spending to dual the A46 between Newark and Widmerpool. The section of road has a high number of accidents and sees 23,000 vehicles a day. One of the big issues for the East Midlands and Lincolnshire is that we have lots of major A roads, but they are only single carrigageway. The costs and disruption to upgrade these road are massive, however could there be a compromise. The main problem with these roads is slow moving vehicles and impatient drivers. If we had frequent overtaking spots ...
10:50 am
Last night's Regional Campaign Committee agreed to set up a West Midlands Liberal Democrats Activist Network to help in Local Government by-elections in the West Midlands and Parliamentary by-elections across the UK. Below are more details, but firstly I am offering a prize for a better name - we couldn't think of a better one last night!
10:35 am
It is good to see Ming Campbell standing up to the US over extradition. At present the UK is obliged to extradite UK citizens to the US virtually on demand under the 2003 Extradition Act, passed in the wake of the September 11 attacks on the US. But the US Senate (worried that Irish Republican suspects might be caught by it) has not ratified the Treaty. This is how Ming is reported on the BBC. Sir Menzies said the arrangements were not reciprocal and were a "piece of ineptitude" by the UK Government. "We have this extraordinary situation in ...
10:24 am
There does seem to have been a lot of loose emotion flying around this week. The sports arenas, particularly, seem to have become cry fests: the anguish of Andy Murray in his straight sets defeat, the tears of David Beckham as be bade farewell to the captaincy of the England football team and the less forgivable defiant truculence of Rooney, whose immaturity does not allow him to take responsibility for his own actions. We seem to have become much more "in touch" with our feelings- anger, pride, rage and sadness. Psychologists might say that this is a good thing. I ...
10:19 am
Redcar and Cleveland Council has held 'constructive' talks with bus operator Arriva North East to help secure improved services on a series of key routes across the Borough. The Council's Main Overview and Scrutiny Committee will meet the company at a special meeting in Eston Town Hall on Thursday, July 6 to debate Arriva's new arrangements and the changes made since following detailed discussions between Council officers and the company's senior management. Arriva has confirmed that, in response to customer comments, three service amendments have already been agreed - a commitment to run the 64A along the full length of ...
10:10 am
Last week, the US Supreme Court ruled that the military tribunals created at Guantánamo Bay by Mr Bush to try (trans: hold indefinitely) ‘terror suspects’ violate both American law and the Geneva Convention. My Liberal instincts desperately hope this will lead to some action, and the end of this obscenity. It’s an horrific way to treat the people involved; goodness knows what it’s doing to their friends and families; and it’s a giant recruiting poster for terrorism. But I have another reason. I have dual nationality – I’m an American citizen, and I want to feel proud of my country. ...
9:53 am
On the 15th July I scoffed a bit at the fact that the post-London bombings vigil had had branded signs created for it, and a branded podium. But then and now I think that the mayor delivered a speech that was perfect for the moment - irrespective of who wrote it. I kept the BBC London [...]
9:12 am
Oh dear Bromley and Chislehurst may not have elected a new MP last week. It appears that both John Hemming-Clark the independent candidate from the by-election and UKIP has contacted Scotland Yard regarding the election of Bob Neill the Conservative candidate last week. In a press release from Mr Hemming-Clark he says he has recieved a leter which has confirmed that an investigation is now
8:27 am
This was too good an opportunity to miss. A chance to blog about two of my favourite things...Thailand and Football. It seems that the problem of absenteeism has spread even to the Buddhist monks in Thailand even though they are not taking part in the world cup. According to this piece from the BBC the monks "have to be awake at 5am every morning to collect alms from the local community. Because of the six-hour time difference between Germany and Thailand, many matches do not start until the early hours of the morning, and since the World ...
7:33 am
On Comment is Free, Olly Kendall is in upbeat mood, and drawing on the fables: Although Ming Campbell is best known for his sprinting prowess, the story of the Lib Dems over this parliament could well be one of the tortoise and the hare. He looks at three factors (people, policies and prniciples) and sees us moving into the ascencdent on each. Ming is performing well; our new tax proposals look bold and attractive; and issues like Guantanamo remind why we are here. I agree with most of this - and especially on tax Policies: Our party is ...
7:01 am
Well, I'm still seething about the World Cup, and I place the blame firmly on the shoulders of Mr Eriksson. We paid this man 25 million pounds and he can't even take enough strikers with him. Let this be a lesson to all those who believe that you need to pay vast sums to get the right top people for a company or other organisation - Eriksson got about ten times the salary of the French coach.
Monday 3rd July 2006,
Sunday 2nd July 2006,
Saturday 1st July 2006,
Friday 30th June 2006,
Thursday 29th June 2006,
Wednesday 28th June 2006
