For no obvious reason I am getting barraged with hits from China tonight
Friday 23rd February 2007
11:10 pm
9:59 pm
Croke Park - history will be made
Tomorrow sees the England v Ireland 6 Nations match at Croke Park. For anybody that has missed the relevance of this.. Croke Park is the HQ of the Gaelic Athletic Association. As stated on Wikipedia: Up until the early 1970s, rule 27 of the GAA constitution stated that a member of the GAA could be banned from playing its games if found to be also playing soccer, rugby or cricket. That rule was 9:50 pm
Tesla Roadster - the green sports car
Having totally destroyed by green credentials, what I really want is a Tesla Roadster. 0-60 in 4 seconds, 130mph top speed. Based on a Lotus chassis - and electric. 9:10 pm
Excellent Trident discussion site
I was very pleased to receive an email from Nick Harvey highlighting the discussion web site about the conference Trident motion. I have already made some comments on the discussion board. This debate web site is an excellent initiative. 8:59 pm
How Many Hospital Managers Does it Take to Remove a Light-bulb?
England 2007. ..:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> After nearly ten years of Labour government investment in the National Health Service has risen from aroun... 8:58 pm
Telephelone crisis
My Nokia mobile phone has decided it doesn’t want to switch on any more. Bit of a problem really. If you’ve texted me today and I haven’t replied, that’s why. I can pick up voicemails but that’s it. It also means I can’t read email/blog on the move. Deciding whether to get a new phone tomorrow [...] 8:50 pm
Mr Micawber writes part of Nuclear Deterrent motion
I have no doubt I shall, please Heaven, begin to be more beforehand with the world, and to live in a perfectly new manner, if -if, in short, anything turns up. Wilkins Micawber in "David Copperfield" by Charles Dickens It seems Mr Micawber helped to write this part of the conference motion on the Nuclear Deterrent: Conference therefore calls on the Government to follow this course in order that 7:41 pm
Fighting climate change
Found courtesy of Tim Worstall, how to save the planet whilst making a profit. According to this item on Bloomberg.com you can now mitigate your cat's flatulent contribution to global warming for £3.22 or make your granny 'carbon-neutral'' for £4 a year. So that is what Rhodri Morgan meant when he said that global warming is an opportunity. 7:33 pm
Stockton on TVs
On this day, in 1959, so the BBC informs me, prime minister Harold Macmillan and Soviet premier Nikita Kruschev ‘spoke of "cultural matters of interest between the two countries" and ways to encourage the exchange of literature, film and study.’ Which was, I’m sure, all terribly useful. It does at least segue me into this week’s too-lazy-to-write-anything-proper YouTube clip: Peter Cook being 7:27 pm
A poor sap like Jade
My House Points column from today's Liberal Democrat News. Over-lawed Despite your pleas, I seldom quote old House Points columns. But this observation from last May seems pertinent this week: Governments increasingly resemble spoilt teenagers. Look at the state of this bedroom. New laws piled on top of each other. Some have not even been taken out of their boxes, but you will still demand the latest model next year.Think of the government's reaction to the recent shootings in South London. Tony Blair went on television to announce that he wanted to lower the age at which ... 7:04 pm
Day 2245: Look Out Behind You!
Friday: A WARNING: If you do CANNABIS and COCAINE you will end up like HIM! {Posted by Picasa} Hug a Hoodie? For once, Mr Jonny doesn't think so! Speaking of people whose threat to Mr Balloon may be a touch EXAGGERATED, I notice that Mr Farrago and his UKPnuts are back in the news. This week they are in danger of joining the Labour and Conservatories in BANKRUPTCY! Clearly this is behind their decision to become the PNuts Party – they are having to SELL OFF the ... 6:22 pm
Charles Kennedy in Belfast backing Alliance campaign
Charles Kennedy has been in Belfast today on walkabout supporting the Alliance Party campaign. I am pleased to see CK helping my good friend David Ford. David Ford said: "Its great to have Charles Kennedy with us today. "I am very pleased that he is with us on the campaign trail promoting Alliance as the only alternative to tribal politics. "The only way that stable and genuine power-sharing can 6:17 pm
Judgement Day
He's done it again, the Judge who released a self-confessed repeat offender paedophile before sentencing. See blog. 6 February 2007. Judge Cottle claimed he was acting on the Home Secretary's ad... 6:14 pm
Guernsey Donkeys
As a rule people in Jersey call people in Guernsey Donkeys and they call Jersey people Crapauds but it seems one Guernseyman has a preference for horses over Donkeys. I was sitting at my desk listening to BBC Radio Jersey having a drink when I heard the words ‘Sex with a Horse’ and ended up spraying [...] 5:58 pm
Happy Birthday Tam - Have A Blog-free Weekend!
It's Tam's birthday this weekend. She is 26 and I become the Toy-boy to her Older Woman for a few weeks before it's my turn. Since we're having friends up, I shan't be blogging over the weekend. We see them infrequently enough without me spoiling procedings by sneaking off to type several times. Rest assured I will update the waiting world as to the weekend's shenaningans on Monday. And there'll 5:56 pm
Tulle Court - Last Chance To Have Your Say
There is a residents' meeting tomorrow at 11.30 about Tulle Court. The Planning Committee meeting where this is being discussed will take place on Tuesday. I can’t make the meeting, but there will be a Prestwich Lib Dem presence there, and I will be briefed afterwards. Issues for the Committee to discuss at the meeting have to be received by the Council 48 hours before the meeting, so now is 5:53 pm
"The Producers" WON'T change your life shocker
Last night we went to see “The Producers” at The Palace Theatre in Manchester. It was fairly amusing, but I don’t think it was the “greatest musical in the world,” as proclaimed by lots of reviewers. It was also slightly worrying that a number of audience members left at the end of the “Springtime for Hitler” sequence, clearly failing to grasp that this wasn’t the end of the entire show. They 5:31 pm
Onwards and Upwards - becoming an active Lib Dem?
Thanks for the emails and good wishes folks, I hope you enjoy my blog. I contacted two people today, firstly the chair of LDYS (Liberal Democrat Youth and Students) in relation to NUS organising (I sit on the NEC of NUS as the Disabled Students’ Officer) and secondly my local party organiser. I got good [...] 5:27 pm
Das Boot Cast
One of my favourite podcasts, in fact one of my favourite pieces of audio satire is the Whack My Bush podcast. It’s basically an over the top, 2DTV style caricature of the relationship between George Bush and Tony Blair. WMB is written by Rikard Bell and Nick Hildred. They have been writing for BBC radio for [...] 5:04 pm
The Stars’ Tennis Balls
Spending a night in A&E gives you a good chance to read so when Heather went home to get my stuff, I got her to pick up the only book I could remember that was on my book shelf that I hadn’t read. First starting the book it felt quite a bit like The Liar, which [...] 
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Assembly must make a step change to make a real difference in North Wales
{Eleanor with her fellow Welsh Liberal Democrat AMs at the Senedd, Cardiff Bay} Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly leader Mike German has said the next Assembly must make a real difference to people's lives in North Wales, following a series of visits in the area. Mr German, and local AM Eleanor Burnham visited the Sharp factory and an ambulance station in Wrexham before addressing a dinner in Arfon. They were also joined by Wrexham candidate Bruce Roberts, and Clwyd South candidate Frank Biggs. Mr German said: "People in North Wales do not believe they have ... 4:53 pm
Williams welcomes return of Welsh week at Westminster
Ceredigion’s Welsh Liberal Democrat MP Mark Williams is looking forward to the return of last year’s highly successful Welsh Week in the Palace of Westminster. From next Monday onwards, House of Commons Dining Rooms will be serving a selection of Welsh cheeses to members and their guests. The week culminates with St David’s Day on Thursday, where Commons restaurants will be celebrating in style, offering traditional Welsh dishes to customers. In addition, this year the Commons Stranger’s Bar will be hosting the Breconshire Brewery’s Golden Valley Ale all week. Mark Williams wrote to Commons authorities ... 4:51 pm
Catch Ming Campbell on BBC1 this Sunday
Ming will be on Sunday AM this weekend - BBC1, 9:00am. Note: If you want to be automatically notified about future media appearances by Liberal Democrat MPs use this feed: http://feeds.feedburner.com/LiberalDemocratsMediaAppearances 4:50 pm
Willott-Government must stop playing for time on pension compensation
Commenting on today’s Government statement on the High Court ruling that the Government acted unlawfully in ignoring the Ombudsman’s findings on lost occupational pensions, Jenny Willott, Welsh Liberal Democrat MP for Cardiff Central, said: “John Hutton’s response to the court ruling is frustrating and will cause more anger amongst pensioners. The Government are saying that they are still thinking of appealing against the court judgement even though the judge was clear that on the main issue the Government doesn’t have a leg to stand on. “Failure to accept the umpire’s decision is not an appealing ... 4:37 pm
Allegations of vote rigging by the Tories in South Staffordshire
The BBC reports that the vote to deselect Sir Patrick Cormack in South Staffordshire has been declared null and void due to irregularities in the vote. It appears that within the Conservative Party in South Staffordshire, some sort of vote rigging has been afoot as more votes were cast in the ballot than there were actually people at the meeting. I don't know if the Tories have adopted the old Sinn Fein mantra of vote early, vote often, but it is a shocking state of affairs that some might actually rig an internal election in order to get ... 
4:24 pm
Norwich Union continues to Norwich treat Norwich with disdain
Norwich Union have always made a point of not sponsoring Norwich City Football Club. Their reason ? Because the sponsor events only and because aligning yourself with one club can cause supporters of other clubs to turn away from doing business. So a couple of year ago when Norwich Union took over the debts of Ipswich Town, in a complete contradiction of their stated policies, it came as something of a shock. So Norwich City supporters, as well as the 850 people in Norwich who recently lost their jobs with Norwich Union will be shocked to read in the ... 4:19 pm
Written Parliamentary Questions: 23rd February 2007
Children in Care Q:To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) how many children under the age of five were taken into care in each year ended 31 March since1990, broken down by (a) ethnic origin and (b) age; (2) how many children under five years of age were adopted from care in each year ending 31 March since 1990, broken down by (a) ethnic origin and (b) the age at which 4:09 pm
Hot Fuzz
I went with Heather to see Hot Fuzz on Wednesday. I could attempt a 300 word review, but I’ll just go for BRILLIANT. 10/10. 3:45 pm
SFO and BAE: contrasting fates.
BAE are celebrating record profits. New Labour are thinking about closing down the SFO. Funny that... 3:13 pm
The Secret Diary of Hilary Armstrong
Feb 22nd 2007 Another uneventful day in Parliament, but then at about 10pm the phone rang: 'I draw your attention to todays blog post' said the voice. 'I have spoken. Let the people tremble. My car is at the door and I will take up residence in Number 10 later in the day. The Eagles are flying high.' 'Is that you Mr Lindsay?' I queried, recognising the speakers' Chadian tones and fleshy chuckle. 'Cut out the Mister,' replied the Working Man's Representative. 'My destiny is accomplished. A new Prime Minister is needed to lead the Nation on the ... 3:09 pm
Hug this hoodie?
I wouldn't. Not my type ... But he's causing Dave a bit of trouble. 2:35 pm
Message from Nick Harvey
I am sure like many of you I just got an email from Nick Harvey about a web forum on Monday, I will be otherwise engaged but sounds like a great opportunity for all of us, which ever side of the fence we come from, even if we are sitting on that fence! 2:06 pm
Snowflakes
Once again I return to Tallinn- clear and cold. I am here to receive the Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana- the senior order of the Estonian Republic. I attended the ceremony this afternoon, with around two hundred other recipients of various decorations: from the Metropolitan of the Estonian Orthodox church to a little girl who had made a real contribution to her community. As we await the President of the Estonian Republic there is for several moments a total silence. It is a typically Estonian moment and I reflect how rarely a crowd ever falls completely ... 2:01 pm
Do local councils fund street gangs?
Interesting question from my sister. She was refering to local authority pension funds investing in the arms trade. I was involved in a lively discussion among Hampshire Lib Dems last year about the position the County Group should take over the issue. The argument against stipulating that pension funds should invest in ethical funds is that [...] 1:58 pm
SNP arrogance
The SNP have certainly earned my attention over the last couple of days. Now, explain this to me, I think that to be First Minister you have to be an MSP. If I am correct Alex Salmond is a Westminster MP, not an MSP. Now, I know he is standing as a candidate in the May elections, but isn't it just a wee bit arrogant and presumptive to register "Alex Salmond For First Minister" with the 1:12 pm
Best of Brit Blog Awards: nominations open
The Metro newspaper is running these and nominations are now open on their website. Only one small problem with the politics category. The impartial judge is, er…, a Tory MP. 1:00 pm
Harvey calls cluster bombs "totally immoral"
Liberal Democrat Defence spokesperson, Nick Harvey MP, says: “Cluster bombs leave a devastating impact in their trail … I believe the use of these devices is militarily unnecessary and totally immoral.” Watch more here: 12:51 pm
People of Reading to boycott Daily Mirror
This follows an outrageous piece of journalism (not sure if this is a fair description) in Wednesdays edition of the Daily Mirror by a gentleman called Oliver Holt who describes himself as a Sports Journalist. The piece he wrote was entitled Reading have put the Berks into Berkshire He started off like this "SO READING'S season is a fairy tale is it? Excuse me for a second while I decide whether to giggle or gag. Okay, that wasn't too hard. I'll gag. Because I don't see any fairy story at Reading. I don't see romance, either. I'll ... 12:37 pm
The Balladeer Of Bognor
In a very helpful initiative to wean the denizens of Hooting Yard from Mrs Gubbins’ hideous prog-wop noodlings, OutaSpaceman, the legendary balladeer of Bognor, has composed and recorded a splendid song in honour of a certain out of print pamphleteer. Here it is : Ballad Of Dobson 12:32 pm
The SNP's Pot of Gold
In the world of Alec Salmond there is a rainbow... at the end of this rainbow is an independent Scotland. Also at the end of the rainbow is a Pot of Gold. But the Pot of Gold isn't at the same end of the rainbow as independence, it is at the end you climb on to the rainbow. Because to make the journey across the rainbow you need a Pot of Gold to pay for all of the spending promises that the SNP 12:31 pm
Over reaction is an attack on democracy
I realise that the item below may seem just procedural nonsense but I am also aware of the extensive coverage that has previously been given on this subject in local papers and the Council Chamb... 12:16 pm
Hoody Bang Bang
I don’t really understand this new panic caused by a youth pointing his fingers at David Cameron. Who hasn’t been tempted to make finger gestures at the man? The lad is clearly not bright, “The only drugs I do are weed and a bit of cocaine, but I don’t tell my mum about that,” perhaps [...] 12:10 pm
Lift to Harrogate.
Lift available from anywhere between Warwick and Harrogate. I shall be travelling along the following route. A46/M69 Warwick to Leicester around Coventry. M1 Leicester to the M18. M18 to Doncaster. A1 to Harrogate. I can acomodate anyone who needs a lift within a reasonable distance from this route. 12:09 pm
Mortgage rip-off?
I got cross the other day! I saw an advert for a new mortgage product which was boasting about it being the "lowest ever" fixed rate that the Bank had ever offered - just 1.99%. What could be wrong with that? As ever, there was a catch. First of all, the rate only lasted just over a year and then you switched on to a much higher and, in my view, not very competitive rate. But second, and more important, to qualify for the mortgage you had to pay a fee of £1,999!! Something tells me that the Bank ... 11:51 am
A Grand Left Wing Conspiracy
Nigel Farage is going around telling anyone who’ll listen that there is an (presumably euro-philic) establishment conspiracy to shut down the Electoral CommissionUK Independence Party, based on the ‘trivial’ fact that they have been in receipt of hundreds of thousands of pounds of illegal donations. Far be it for me to gloat. Well, okay, I [...] 11:41 am
Smear campaigners out to stop Hillary
The shadowy Swift Boat Veterans for Truth are out to nail Hillary Clinton's campaign - working with STOPHillaryPac. SBVT is the same organisation that worked in a coordinated campaign with leading Republicans against John Kerry - especially Karl Rove - even though they were registered as a non-partisan section 527 group. They ran four TV spots and published a controversial book. Republican 11:14 am
These Aren't the Droids You're Looking For
Apparently, scientists have developed robots which will learn to interact emotionally in the same way as humans do. "4E500FB, 89AA67, FFEE32, 67AB59" doesn't have quite the same ring to it as "Leave im! Ee's not wurf it!" but I'm sure we'll all be having intimate, emotional conversations in Hexadecimal sooner or later. The political implications are huge. At last, there will be political droids to match New Labour's clones. Exactly who fills the role of Jar-Jar Binks I don't know (and no, suggestions are NOT appreciated). The social implications are also worrying. What's going to happen ... 10:42 am
Trouble in the Message Centre
As a young teenager, Blur’s effete posturing appealed considerably more than the simian swagger of Oasis. Girls and Boys remains an incredibly sharp and exciting song, a ludicrous fourteen years on. Whilst Noel Gallagher has been shooting his gob off about the PM in the past week, Damon was a little quicker off the mark. He turned down his invite to the Downing Street victory reception in 1997, sending a note which read “Dear Tony, I have become a communist. Enjoy the smooze, comrade”. Can’t say fairer than that. I also think that Ghosts are going to be really ... 10:37 am
Massive increase in appeals
The earlier written answer demonstrates an increase by about 800% of Civil Appeals in the Family Division filed. That does not mean that the appeals were given permission to be heard. This shows the trends. 9:32 am
Being on the up side or the down side of a controversial debate
It’s probably inevitable that at some point an elected councillor is going to end up on what some residents will feel is the wrong side of a particular debate. In our case it’s the thorny question of traffic flows on College Crescent. The Belsize Residents Association and the Heath & Hampstead Society maintain that the Phoenix School in College Crescent demanded the traffic flow be made one way down to suit out-of-borough parents who drive their children to school. But nothing could be further from the truth. Before the 2006 local election a deal was struck between ... 9:21 am
Disenfranchised
There are NI Assembly elections on 7th March. I suddenly realised that I might not be registered for a postal vote, so I phoned up to check. Apparently I was registered for a permanent postal vote, which expired on 30th June. The woman assured me that I would have been written to, and the deadline for re-registration has passed. I honestly don't remember getting the letter. This is probably mostly my fault, but it's still very frustrating! 8:52 am
Labour MP misled over hospital closure
You might remember the Hartlepool by-election of 2004 and how Labour accused the Lib Dems of lying over the threat of closure to the local hospital. Both the Prime Minister and the then Health Secretary John Reid said that the hospital would not close and we were accused of scaremongering - see this Labour leaflet (thanks to Peter Black AM whose post on this I borrowed that leaflet link from). Well, in January you may have heard that Hartlepool's hospital *is* to close. Tony Blair and John Reid's promises proved worthless and the efforts of the Labour MP ... 8:46 am
The foot in mouth election
Tony Blair is scheduled to appear at the Wales Labour Conference today but, like the prodigal son, he cannot be certain of the welcome that will await him. Rhodri Morgan has just been on Good Morning Wales and must have left their studio covered in splinters after an extended session sitting on the fence. He refused to be drawn on whether he believes that the Prime Minister is an asset to Wales Labour or not and once more refused to express an opinion on whether Britain was right to join with George Bush in invading Iraq. The First ... 8:42 am
Audit Commission says Camden is a four star, strongly improving council
Camden's Chief Executive, Moira Gibb, writes: "I'm delighted to tell you that Camden has been rated as a four-star authority, which is improving strongly in the latest national annual Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA) ratings. This is the highest possible rating, so this is fantastic news. It's also external recognition that the organisation has coped with a huge amount of change and not missed a step - we're a high performing organisation that has taken on important new political priorities but continued to attend to the basics.It is particularly encouraging that our prospects for improving our services have gone up ... 8:27 am
Road Pricing
The last couple of weeks we have seen a petition on the Prime Minister's website against road pricing get a lot of attention. As a non-driver I am biased in the whole debate, I think road pricing has a role in reducing road usage which will hopefully be beneficial for the environment, I am also a big advocate of public transport. I am aware road pricing has drawbacks, especially in rural areas or for business that relies on road travel but I am sure there are ways around this. So I was delighted to see my friend and Liberal Democrat ... 8:14 am
Why Educated Chinese Stay Away
The BBC have published four very interesting profiles of Chinese overseas graduates, some of whom have stayed out of China and some of whom have returned. The views of one of two of them is very close to my own view. Can you guess which ones? 8:08 am
Science In Action
Luigi Galvani, De viribus electricitatis in motu musculari commentarius (1792), Tabula I. 7:46 am
Day 2244: Iraq – Time to Go, Lord Blairimort
Thursday: "In my view, we will beat them when we realise that it is not our fault that they are doing it." That was Lord Blairimort sharing his WISDOM on the Iraq insurgency with the House of Commons. This is one of those times when SATIRE cannot compete with REALITY, isn't it. The GOOD NEWS is that our troops are coming home. Well, some of them anyway. The BAD NEWS is that Lord Blairimort still won't say sorry for the war he started. Or as Lord B would put it: "No, ... 3:09 am
Opik-Labour and Tories would short change Wales forever
Today, at Prime Minister’s Questions, Tony Blair confirmed that any Labour Government or Executive would commit itself to the Barnett Formula. This formula distributes a woefully inadequate sum of money to Wales from Central Government relative to the needs of Wales. Commenting after Prime Minister’s Questions, Lembit Öpik, Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats said: “Wales has long suffered from inadequate funding from Central Government. Unfortunately, after today, it seems that both the Tories and Labour are permanently committed to a formula that ensures that Wales does not get the funding it needs and ... 3:07 am
Last lap on road to pensions justice for ASW workers
Today the Judge in the High Court battle over the Occupational Pensions Saga ruled that the Government must go back and look again at whether it should offer compensation to almost 1,000 former ASW workers and over 100,000 others who were left with little or no pension after their companies went bust. Commenting, Jenny Willott, Welsh Liberal Democrat MP for Cardiff Central and member of the Public Administration Select Committee, said: “This is fantastic news. The ASW workers' fight for justice has been a long slog taking them to Westminster, Brussels and now to the High Court ... 1:37 am
My name's Friday, I carry a badge
At home in front of my computer, following an evening at our Regional Conference, back in lovely, Liberal Democrat-led Camden. I used to hate Conferences, Regional or otherwise, due to the basic fact that I couldn't network to save my life. And now, having been around an awfully long time (or at least it seems like it), most people know me so that I don't have to (go figure!). People come up to 12:20 am
Trident.......Loos Rule and what really happened at FPC
I've decided to come up with my own rule in response to Chatham, whoever he is (and it must have been a he, lets face it!) My rule says, that we are all adults, despite, in my case I have to admit, the odd bit of evidence to the contrary. Also, those of us who are in the party, are, I trust, all Liberal Democrats. Now, how we interpret our Liberal Democraticness, may, it has to be said, on occasions, differ. But, in the midst of any differing, my rule says, lets not lose sight of what unites us, even ... 
