LibDem Blogs - Archived! - Thursday 7th June 2007

Peter Hain Supports Replacement Nuclear Power Station on Anglesey

Peter Hain has backed the plan for a replacement nuclear power station on Anglesey. Below is the Hansard extract whilst being questioned by Liberal Democrat Shadow Welsh Secretary. Lembit Öpik (Montgomeryshire, Liberal Democrat) "While I welcome tidal energy in the Severn estuary, is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is enough tidal power off the north Wales coast to offset the need for a replacement nuclear power station in Anglesey? However, given that all bar one of the Labour deputy leadership candidates said on "Newsnight" that they support more nuclear power ...

Stephen Fry is dead to me

I'm not sure its too much to ask that if you turn up to a show you have a ticket for half an hour before the doors open that you might be let in. Not at QI it appears. The flatmate and I and several hundred others were turned away this evening after queuing for over an hour . It appears that whoever the guests were this evening had large guest lists so there was less space than normal. Not

Website again, Nursery Schools, TV Licences, Wimberley

Firstly, further to the blog entry yesterday about the Council website, attended the launch of the revamped website this morning along with Council Leader Kevin Keenan (click on headline to view story in Evening Telegraph). I have now spoken with numerous parents with children at Bellfield Nursery about the Director of Education's report to next Monday's Education Committee proposing consultation on a proposed merger with Park Place Nursery School. I have urged all parents to make their views known in writing to the Director.Had my first Thursday surgeries tonight & first ones at Harris Academy (5.30pm) and the Mitchell Street ...

Internment - Seeking consensus?

Neo-authoritarian John Reid today announced his intention to seek a parliamentary consensus to extend the 28 day detention without trial to 60 days. Yet again the Nu Lab posse seem to have forgotten that consensus requires a decision to be made after discussion not before. Hopefully this will be last gasp of Hauptsturmführer Reid before Gordo’s Whitehall [...]

I hate child tax credits

A few weeks ago it was announced that Comrade Gordo’s child tax credit system overpaid claimants by £6 billion since its birth in 2003. Today I received my first child tax credit renewal form. This evening, Jo and I sat down to fill them in: We read the form (2 pages to fill in) Read the accompanying notes (35 [...]

Life of a Foreign Correspondent

I was at the Royal Over-Seas League in St James’s this evening, to give a talk on ‘The Life of a Foreign Correspondent’. It’s 40 years since I first set foot in Asia, having taken the ferry over from Istanbul to Uskudar (my schoolpal co-hitchhiker promptly panicked, and insisted that we go straight back). And [...]

New quango sets sights on failure?

Over at The 1909 Group, I've got an essay up on the new National Housing and Planning Advisory Unit, and its rather poor prospects for success if it doesn't get to grips with land and monetary reform, rather than just pushing new additional housing on often unwilling communities.

Did the Apprentice candidate Katie Hopkins really strike a blow for "decent values" ?

This is the text of a letter I have sent to the Eastern Daily Press today in response to one of their journalists(Sharon Griffiths) claiming The Apprentice candidate, Katie Hopkins, had struck a blow for decent values. I am struggling to understand how Sharon Griffiths (7th June 2007) describes the actions of the BBC’s Apprentice contestant Katie Hopkins as a blow for “mothers, children and decent values”. My understanding of The Apprentice is that contestants enter knowing that should they win, they will have to move to London to work with for Alan Sugar’s Amstrad company. So ...

Day 2348: They're Geeeeeeeeeee 8!

Wednesday: This year, German Chancellor Ms Angular Meerkat gets to play host to the conference of the world's economic super-powers. And Russia. This has led to ten thousand protestors descending on the small German town of Heiligendamm. In response, Ms Meerkat has deployed SIXTEEN thousand police people, built a SEVEN-MILE-LONG steel-and-barbed-wire fence and concrete wall and dug a SHARK-INFESTED moat[*]. So that's all nice and safe, isn't it? [*] sharks may be replaced by a wire net for some performances Next year, Japan had better just take the whole thing off to MONSTER ISLAND! That ...

And a few more Rennard BBQ photos

5 more and you can have some more tomorrow.

Exclusive photos from the Rennard party

You've all been waiting for them so here are the first 5 photos from last night's BBQ bash at the stately home of the Lord and Lady Rennard in Stockwell. More to follow!

Clegg v Huhne, 2 future leaders' speaking style pt 2

2nd part of Nick Clegg speaking to the Liberal Democrat European Group evening fringe held at Harrogate conference on 3rd March 2007. I have already posted the first part and a similar speech by Chris Huhne. you decide whos betteratom.xml

Clegg v Huhne, 2 future leaders' speaking style

This is the 1 st part of Nick Clegg speaking at the Liberal Democrat European Group evening fringe held at Harrogate conference on 3rd March 2007, I haver also posted the second part and one of Chris Huhne giving a very similar talk. The differences between the 2 I think are obvious, one smart charming and witty, thye other clever informative and knowledgeable. Who do you think was better?atom.xml

The STEP question and Ed Balls

The link is to where Ed Balls is referred to as basically saying if you talk to the opposition you cannot talk to the government. This is quite an anti-democratic idea. I want to see the record of the Finance Bill Committee tomorrow to check it completely, but it is a worrying approach from the government.

Today's entertainment news condensed

Paris Hilton turns down job with Alan Sugar after he calls her a nigger, saying she needs to speak to her parents who are unwell in jail because their breasts are too big. PS. I very vaguely know a Big Brother contestant, having gone to school with Ziggy Lichman for about a year when I was 11. I remember him being very blond.

Religious debate: one of many influences

Over at Lib Dem Voice, debate has been forthright about whether Scotland's Catholic leader was right to threaten to exclude politicians who disagree with that church's position on abortion. Setting aside that issue itself, I don't see a problem with a church leader being outspoken (as I have explained at Lib Dem Voice). We need more public debate not less, provided all views get a hearing. One

Those BAE payments

I find it odd that when the BBC today reported that armaments company BAE with UK Ministry of Defence co-operation secretly paid Prince Bandar of Saudi Arabia more than £1bn in connection with Britain's biggest ever weapons contract, various opinion-formers commented that such payments were outlawed in 2002. A cursory glance at section 1 of the Prevention of Corruption Act 1906, which is very widely expressed and still in force, suggests that such payments were outlawed a great deal earlier than that - over a century ago, in fact. I look forward to being told the legal arguments ...

Digging for Double Devolution

In my younger, unhealthier days, the only way to keep up with the office gossip was to lurk around outside for a smoke. Nowadays of course anyone seen smoking in public is likely to be sent to the salt mines. The search is on for a healthy, green gossip facilitation mechanism. The answer of course [...]

A funny vid off youtube

SLAVES! (hope this don't offend anyone)atom.xml

Campbell challenges Blair over Panorama revelations

Liberal Democrat Leader Ming Campbell has demanded a statement from the Prime Minister following an investigation by the BBC’s Panorama. The programme found evidence that BAE has secretly paid £1bn to Prince Bandar of Saudi Arabia in connection with Britain’s biggest ever weapons contract. The payments were made with the full knowledge and authorisation of [...]

Campbell challenges Blair over BAE scandal

Ming Campbell has challenged Tony Blair to make a statement to the House of Commons after the BBC uncovered evidence that the arms company BAE secretly paid £1bn to Prince Bandar of Saudi Arabia in connection with Britain’s biggest ever weapons contract. Last year, the Serious Fraud Office ended an investigation into BAE’s arms deal with [...]

Cameron attacked

The piece in today's papers that attracted most discussion in the office this morning was Johann Hari's piece in the Independent, Now we know where Cameron really stands.In it, he says that the Cameron's handling of the grammar schools debacle demonstrates that he doesn't have the strength or will to resist the right-wingers in his party.He concludes:The Tory leader... has given in to his right-wing instincts and the foaming fringes of his party. David Cameron half-heartedly picked his symbolic Clause Four fight this fortnight, and lost. His liberal language is now exposed as the tinsel and baubles on a big ...

Questioning "Stop and Question"

Are the police going to get the power to stop and question people - on pain of a £5,000 fine - or not? First there was the leak - the government was to extend powers currently only held in Northern Ireland, for the police to stop and question anyone without the crucial safeguard of reasonable suspicion. But [...]

Councillor Profile - Richard Thomas

Richard Thomas East Dulwich How old are you? 32 When were you first elected? 1998 What position do you have on the council? I am the Executive Member for Regeneration, previously I looked after the Environment and Transport portfolio. What is your greatest political interest? Environmental issues. The biggest issue in politics is climate change. I remember writing a project about it in school in 1990. Quite why it's only now that some politicians are waking up to it is beyond me. Do you have a day job? If so, what is it? I gave up my job as ...

Roy Lichenstein and Adam West have a lot to answer for

An interesting-ish article on comic book films in today’s Times, but why is Dominic Wells’ piece headlined “Kapow! The new film superheroes.” The use of sound effects in the headline on an article in a national newspaper about comics is an inside joke. Either Wells and/or his sub-editor are unaware of this, or they are [...]

Conservative peer named and shamed over non-payment of tax

As the BBC says: A leading Tory donor has been publicly rebuked by the Lords appointments commission for taking his seat without giving up his status as a tax exile … The commission said it had informed the prime minister of Lord Laidlaw’s situation and said it would not have approved his peerage if it had [...]

Of Mice and Mice

The ever worthy Guido points us towards our friend, Donal Blaney’s criticism of Labour defector Rehman Chisti’s shortlisting for a Tory candidature in Kent. He opens with the stunning accusation: Gillingham & Rainham Conservative Association has short-listed the following individuals in its hunt for a Tory candidate to overturn Labour’s slim majority [names listed]… Rehman Chisti. Or Atta-Ur-Rehman Chishti, as his full name is. Atta-Ur-Rehman Chishti, a criminal defence barrister who was born in Pakistan and now calls himself “Ray”…A helpful bit of background there. Or could Mr Blaney possibly be trying to send readers a subtle message? You know, ...

Mixed race in the Liberal Democrats – an oppressed minority?

As I occasionally note, I fall into the approximately 1.2% of the population who define themselves as ‘mixed race’, and therefore supposedly part of the BME community. I say ‘supposedly’ because, in the past week, it has become abundantly clear that those in the Party who speak so boldly on behalf of ethnic minorities care very little for me, my needs or my interests. The ongoing debate

Scrutinising

Last night was the first meeting of the Resource and Performance scrutiny commission, of which I am a member. There was a very informative presentation and report on the state of Adult Disability Services, followed by reports on complaints handling and the cost of housing provision. It was my job as part of the commission to scrutinise the work of the officers, ask the probing questions and get

Desmond Tutu in the European Parliament to discuss Darfur

Archbishop Desmond Tutu was at the European Parliament earlier this week (Tuesday), he spoke to MEPs, along with Nobel Peace Prize winner Jody Williams, in a special debate on the situation in Darfur.

Contestant thrown off reality TV show

A badger has been thrown off Springwatch after being heard making derogatory remarks about weasels. "We are not prepared to put up with that sort of language," said an angry Bill Oddie.

Tory supporting Big Brother contestant Emily Parr removed from Big Brother house for racism

Emily Parr, the arts student who moaned about "benefit cheats" and made strong mention of the fact that she is a Conservative voter, has been ejected from the Big Brother house for racism. Endemol are to be congratulated for taking such swift action against her in this case. One wonders though if their reaction would have been quite so swift if the racism had not occurred in the Celebrity version of the show earlier this year. The other thought that occurs is that is Emily Parr being treated differently from the celebrities because she is not a celebrity ? ...

What next for goose green roundabout?

The council is consulting on what we should do with Goose Green roundabout. It’s already a landmark but the idea is to build on this to make it a real community focal point. You can have you say by clicking here

Bingo

The topic that has resulted in the most postcards from constituents (apart from campaigns that we have run) is in fact Bingo. Bingo clubs are worried about the impact that the smoking ban will have on them. They currently are doubly taxed both on the gross profit and then again with VAT. They are arguing for a level playing field in terms of taxation. Their concern is that the effect of the

He's Lost His Marbles

I lost by four votes to two today trying to amend the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee report into Caring for Collections. I agreed with all of the recommendations but one and attempte...

Fingerprinting children is back in the news

It's a topic I've written about previously - when one of the schools in my constituency was catapulted into the media for fingerprinting children and there were complaints from parents about the fingerprinting. My colleague Sarah Teather, who is Liberal Democrat Education spokesperson, has just done a survey of primary schools to see which are fingerprinting their children. What I wrote still seems to hold good: If we are now saying that fingerprinting children is the best way of ensuring that they get their library books back to the school library – then the world has clearly gone ...

Not the worst logo ever…

…since that accolade can only possibly belong to the Brazilian ‘Instituto de Estudos Orientais’: (Clue: It’s supposed to be a pagoda and a setting sun!) But the outpouring of objection to the new Olympic 2012 logo is so great that something is seriously wrong with it. The organisers are closing ranks, claiming that the new logo is [...]

Crystal Palace Park: the masterplan

I went to a very interesting meeting at the Penge Forum on the LDA masterplan for Crystal Palace Park last night. The plans for the park look really exciting – I’m particularly interested in the ‘rooms’ and tree planting at the top space (where the park is all scrubby and horrible now), the removal of the massive car park which is just a honey pot for car thieves and vandals at the moment but

Folk puns

The Independent’s arts section carries a Day in the Life piece on the guitarist Richard Thompson. I had no idea who he was until about six months ago, when a thoughtful young librarian gushed about him. Her glowing endorsement prompted me to add an album to an Amazon order. I’m quite glad I did, but being completely unable to articulate any thoughts on music, I won't attempt to say why. He strikes me as fairly modest about the actual contents of his day. Compare and contrast with Miss Clemency Burton-Hill, recently profiled in the Observer.

Headington Matters -- it really does

This short post is unashamedly, unabashedly, unrepentantly about my ward, the great community of Headington in north east Oxford. Actually, historically, Oxford is more of an add-on to Headington rather than vice versa, but we're not going to harp on about that. The attentive among you will notice that there is a new list just started on the right hand side of this blog. It's for Headington issues and, in particular, for petitions and other useful information. Much of it will come (I say ashamedly, abashedly, but not really repentantly) from my ward colleague's website, where more information can ...

Labour supports corruption! Well shock horror!

I think George Monbiot once again put it perfectly , 'There is a state within a state in the United Kingdom, a small but untouchable domain that appears to be subject to a different set of laws. We have heard quite a bit about it over the past two months, but hardly anyone knows just how far its writ runs. The state is BAE, Britain’s biggest arms company. It seems, among other advantages, to be able to run its own secret service.' Well what do you expect, you vote for a party that does dodgy loans for its campaign, ...

Those letters

Rhodri Morgan told Good Morning Wales this morning that he was seeking to form a cross-party consensus on reconfiguration in the National Health Service. This consensus does not appear to include the Tories, who, along with Plaid and the Welsh Liberal Democrats, were very critical of the process during the election. Such selectiveness on the part of Labour means that what they are actually looking for is a political fix. That is all very well but it would help if they said so. Labour's attempts to peel off Plaid and the Welsh Liberal Democrats from the ...

Cold feet?

Is Plaid Cymru backing off the idea of a rainbow coalition? Adam Price, who was the party's main negotiator in the tripartite talks last week has now told the Western Mail that he prefers the idea of working with Labour to a three way Plaid-Tory-Lib Dem coalition, but will support that second option if no deal with Labour is forthcoming. His doubts seem to be reflected in Ieuan Wyn Jones' remarks earlier this week that the chances of Labour being ousted in the next six weeks and replaced with the “rainbow” coalition – led by himself – were ...

BBC: Saudi prince ‘received arms cash’

A new BBC investigation has found evidence that the Ministry of Defence had full knowledge of secret payments running into hundreds of millions of pounds made by BAE to a Saudi Arabian prince: BAE Systems made regular payments of hundreds of millions of pounds to Prince Bandar bin Sultan for more than a decade … Up to [...]

Day 2347: Illegal Enemy Incompetents

Tuesday: The American Monkey-in-Chief has a problem. Well, actually he has a number of problems but specifically 385 of them, dressed in orange, are still to be found in Guantánamo Bay. Except for the two that he might just have to let go. Because he was so busy trying to squeeze through LEGAL LOOPHOLES to avoid giving them a fair trial that he got the PAPERWORK wrong. Obviously, he did TRY to pretend that the Guantánamo detainees weren't a problem at all, saying that since they were in Cuba they didn't count any more. This is ...

Sustainable Communities Event - Shrinking Kingston's Eco-footprint

It was great to attend the Eco footprint event and network with Enviromentally minded people from across Kingston. Still alot of work todo but a step in the right direction.. The sustainability challenge is for us to find ways to experience rewarding lives, within the limits of one planet. How well are we doing? The ecological footprint (or eco-footprint for...

Finally taking the leap - New blogger template finally used

If you've been having problem accessing this blog this evening or if you keep finding the layout has gone funny, then it is half my fault, half Blogger's. Blogger had a fault with some Google Adsense code last night which caused a problem accessing my blog (and others), Having fixed the error, old blogger today refused to let me alter my template, so to get round it, I had to go for the "New Blogger Templates", which after some hours, does seem to be working fine. Anyone having any problems with this blog, please let me know.

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Thursday 7th June 2007

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