Ashley Mote, elected as a UKIP MEP just three years ago has been found guilty of fraud. In this case UKIP took decisive action to ensure he was no part of their party, but after other UKIP MEP's problems involving fraud, it would make anyone wonder why electing a UKIP MEP serves any purpose at all.
The County Borough Council has invited proposals for the redevelopment of an area including Port Talbot railway station and the Plaza cinema. The extent of the area involved seems somewhat fluid at this stage, but it may well extend to commercial properties with past local Liberal Democrat involvement ;-) One hopes that the level crossing, a nuisance to both commercial traffic and pedestrians alike, will disappear under the preferred plans. However, a place should be found for at least the façade of the Plaza. It is sad that neither Neath nor Port Talbot town centres can support a first-run cinema, ...
I have done the Normal Mouth quiz and am profiled here, and as he asked so nicely I have even added his Face of Boe comment to the sidebar.
A rare restaurant review. Last night Grace and I went for a curry in the Baltizer Bexley. Bexley village has a large number of places to go for a night out. There are two indian restaurants (as well as a takeaway) the Maharajah of Bexley, which I used to go to 30 years ago. But very nearby is the Baltizer - in the railway arches just across the car park entrance. I started with spicy poppadoms,
... is illegal, of course. The Trading Standards people and Police at Kingston have for many years worked with a small group of under 18s who make test purchases. The young mystery shoppers try to buy alcohol in off licences and supermarkets and in the past several traders have been prosecuted for underage sales. But some young people try to get round this by hanging around outside off...
This week's leg of the marathon takes us into costume drama. So a few random notes follow. I liked Billy Connolly in Mrs Brown, but I have never understood why Judi Dench is rated so highly. I have seen a television programme about Prunella Scales's one-woman show on Queen Victoria and found her take on the old girl far more convincing. And remember: my family knows a thing or two about Queen Victoria and Balmoral. I have not seen a Ken Russell film from the last 25 years that is not a howling mess. Even so The Rainbow is the ...
Last week saw the untimely deaths from cancer of two men who contributed significantly to British life, albeit in completely different ways. Tim Garden - Air Marshal Lord Garden - was the Liberal Democrats’ defence spokesperson in the House of Lords, and his distinguished service in the RAF and at the Ministry of Defence gave real credibility to the party on defence issues. In 2004, the same year he became a life peer, Tim contributed his knowledge to the BBC series Crisis Command, acting as one of the contestants’ expert advisers. I met him once, briefly, in a packed lift ...
Shadly no mishtake. The grand old man of British journalism, former cabinet minister and inspiration for the character of William Boot in Evelyn Waugh's novel Scoop has died. It would be fitting to link to the Daily Telegraph's coverage, but the paper's website seems to be disabled by grief. So here is the BBC tribute instead.
Last year, for the first time, a Lib Dem Blog of the Year was made. It was won by Stephen Tall, with me and the Elephant among the runners up. Lib Dem Voice tells us that it's back. And this time there are six (count 'em) categories: Liberal Democrat blog of the yearBest blog from a Liberal Democrat elected to public office Best new Liberal Democrat blog (started since 1st October 2006) Best posting on a Liberal Democrat blog (since 1st October 2006) Most humorous Liberal Democrat blog Best designed Liberal Democrat blogFurther details, including information on how to vote, ...
The more I think about the Redwood plan for rail, the more I think the Tories must be mad for ever letting this man anywhere near policy making. There used to be a time, admittedly probably well over 15 years ago, when the Conservatives at least had some media sense. Other parties were the victims of what used to be a well oiled Tory machine that would jump on any small gaffe such as rubber 
Thanks to Paul Walter for pointing out that todays Guardian carries an "Other Lives" obituary of my Liberator editorial collective colleague Sally Hannon: She was, as a colleague said, a remarkably unstuffy mayor, cycling to some engagements - one of those being unannounced calls at police stations to check on how people under arrest were being treated. In 2004 she was elected chair of Thames Valley Police Authority. She often joined officers on patrol late at night on Christmas or New Year's Eve.It is written by her father Philip Arnold. This is also a chance to quote the obituary that ...
“Still, if the Doctor can be young and strong then so can I.” Hello. I had a lovely holiday, and now I’m back. I decided the blog was overdue for a makeover, so I’ve given it one. I apologise for the feet but they tickle me (though please don’t tickle them). I still have some tweaking to do (the recent comments list will return), but nothing major. Let me know if you find any bugs.
Out knocking on doors canvassing again tonight. Was a good night as a lot of people were in so I was able to get to speak with many of them. Many issues came up on the doorstep from the neglect of the local area by the Conservative Council, to the BNP not challenging this Tory neglect to immigration. One of the things I did before starting campaigning in this by-election was to look up the
Along with Jonathan Calder and many others, I am a great fan of the Guardian's Corrections and Clarifications column. It's a thing you need time to read and appreciate, as the hilarity of some of the items is not apparent without a few seconds reflection. Take this correction from today's Guardian: "We printed the wrong Lotto numbers in yesterday's paper (Page 9). The winning numbers in
A few days after her death, The Times ran an online obituary for Sally Hannon. It is very good to see that there is a "Other Lives" obituary for Sally in the Guardian today. It is written by her father, Philip Arnold. I apologise that I am having problems with inserting links at the moment. The link for the obituary is: www.guardian.co.uk/otherlives/story/0,,2150567,00.html 
Saw this story yesterday - the juror who allegedly listened to an MP3 player while trying a case, appeared to be doodling and frequently arrived late to court. http://news.bbc.co.uk/nolpda/ ukfs_news/hi/newsid_6949000/6949532.stm? The CPS felt there wasn't enough evidence to take any action. I think even the repeated lateness shouldn't be allowed to go unpunished, whether the other misdemeanors could be proven or not. If I'd managed to get onto a trial in my two weeks of waiting at Wood Green Crown Court, I would have been more than happy to switch my ipod off!
Okay, I know there is a massive difference, one is a railway company and one is an airport operator. But they also treat employees very differently too. A few weeks ago an employee at Glasgow airport famously punched a suspected terrorist in the face and was quite rightly heralded for his heroism and public spirited nature. His bosses at the Airport were no doubt delighted. A one railway employee faced with a drunkard yob who was threatened passengers and was violent was lunged at by the drunkard, the was a clash of head, and the drunkard fell to the floor. ...
Bigger and better than ever - that’s the Liberal Democrat blog of the year awards, being run this year by the party in conjunction with Liberal Democrat Voice. This time there are several categories up for grabs: Liberal Democrat blog of the year Best blog from a Liberal Democrat elected to public office Best new Liberal Democrat blog (started [...]
Well, it seems that my blog post of two days ago generated a fair bit of interest. Perhaps some people were sweating. Some of you seem to have been champing at the bit for the second instalment, so much so that I had a phone call this afternoon demanding to know where it was! A couple of days ago was the 20th Anniversary of my joining the Shepway Liberal Association. I charted part of the early part of my political career. I skirted over a few minor details including delivering leaflets out in the Elmsted and Stone Street area with ...
The linked story I mention because superficially it does not seems to be a case where Childrens Social Services could have any effect. However, it is also not certain whether it is murder or another Shaken Baby Syndrome case. What worries me about these cases where young babies die from head injuries is that the science is really not clear. If we simply blame the parents each time the
Margaret Pitts has sent us the following pictures of the Yorkshire Day celebrations in Scarborough on 1st August: Michael Pitts reads the Latin Version of the Yorkshire Declaration of Integrity Chatting in the garden Love the t shirt worn by Rob Chambers Keith Bennett raises the Yorkshire flag The Yorkshire Pud supper is highly recommended
South Glos Council has announced the results of the questionnaire from the exhibition at Chipping Sodbury School. There were 69 replies. South Glos will now work up a detailed scheme for the full legal consultation. They say: "From the above results and comments made at the exhibition, the Formal Consultation plans will include proposals to maintain the current speed limit for the interim and carry out traffic calming measures on the southern side of Cotswold Road/Kennedy Way" (That's the side nearest to the school - Editor). "The proposals will include reducing the existing dual carriageway from the Smarts Green Roundabout ...
Aberdeen, Midstocket/Rose Mount Awaiting results Blaenau Gwent WCC, Blaina Ind 381 (36.;1 -11.4); Lab 315 (29.8; -22.7) Ind 310 (29.4; -18.1) No description 49 (4.6; -42.9) Majority 66. Turnout 29% Ind hold. Last fought 2004 Gloucestershire CC, Lansdown Park and Warden Hill Tory 2208 (52.3; -6.6), LD 1605 (38; +7.3), Lab 226 (5.4; +6.6), Green 184 (4.3; 7.3) Majority 603. Turnout 30% Con hold.
On Wednesday, I attended the August meeting of Blackness Area Residents' Association and the issue of the proposed mini recycling units in Corso Street, Abbotsford Street and Abbotsford Place was again raised. Back at the start of July, I attended a public meeting BARA held on the matter (click on headline above to view the details) and since the latest BARA meeting I have received an update from the Waste Management Department as follows: "I have received confirmation from the P&T department that they agree to the new proposed locations for the recycling facilities. However I have been informed that ...
This time last week I pleaded Lib Dem bloggers to be pleased for A level students rather than miserable “it was easier in my time.” And I can honestly say they did me proud so as promised celebration get you into my top ten, in no particular order are the submissions that I will place in order on Monday on how good they are. A radical writes was the first submission although unfortunately as like me he is a student he can’t be judged but will gain a honorary place for being a fellow young liberal blogger. I would like ...
A row has broken out following Scotland’s first council by-election since the introduction of STV after the Returning Officer decided four votes was not a small enough margin to warrant a recount. The Aberdeen City Council seat was won by the SNP, but at one stage there were only four votes separating the Liberal Democrats and [...]
When you visit the Scottish labour Party website, the ‘Labour in your area’ map defaults to London, which bizarrely doesn’t seem to be a hotbed of Scottish Labour Party action: {Map 1} However, perhaps even more interesting is the surprise location of Edinburgh East when you zoom out to find the Scottish pins. {Map 2}
After much heavy trailing, the Conservative policy group on Economic Competitiveness, today finally published its report. The headline that the Conservatives are pushing is a call for Inheritance Tax to be abolished, on the grounds that too many middle-income earners are now paying it. As house prices have continued to rise very fast in recent years, it is true that the number of estates qualifying to pay inheritance tax has risen. So have they got a point? Well, according to the BBC, “no inheritance tax is currently payable on 94% of estates, according to official figures”. (more…)
A Territorial Army medic came to my last surgery asking me to put pressure on the Government to grant asylum to Iraqis whose work for the British has put their lives in danger.He had served in Iraq an...
Due to a demand from energy conscious users, Google have created a new black screen version of their site called Blackle on www.blackle.com. If everybody used it instead of the white version, it is estimated that 750 mega watts/hour per year would be saved.
Posted by Chris: I was looking at the match reports on the Yorkshire County Cricket Club website and I came across this link to the appeal for a statue to the world's greatest ever fast bowler. The 'Memories of Fred Trueman ' section reminded me of the day I met up with Fiery Fred: In about 1964 or 65 we won the Championship at Harrogate, where I was born. I was about 14 or 15 at the time. My dad and I arrived early at the ground and were walking around the perimeter when a red open topped sports car ...
Just seen Alistair Darling on BBC News 24, talking about the stock market and that. I'd love to be able to tell you what he said, but it was so dull, it washed right over me. I will therefore restrict myself to wondering when was the last time Gordon Brown went on a rolling news channel as Chancellor of the Exchequer (or indeed, as PM). I suspect the answer is "a long time ago". There could
As time passes there are many who would wish us to forget a lot of what went on in the Thatcher years. Sales of weapons parts and support for Iraq, deals with the dictator General Pinochet in Chile and perhaps the most obviously shameful act of the Thatcher government, the refusal to impose sanctions on South Africa. Should anyone be under ant illusions as to what the South African government government were up to in this period, they should read this story. Always judge people by their actions and the friends they keep.
When the ban on smoking in public was announced, many said it wouldn't reduce smoking at all whilst some idiots used the most unpleasant of threats that "Okay , I'll smoke in front of my kids at home more then". The main argument constantly was that it would have no effect on smoking levels overall. The facts, however, to not bare that out. The Independent today has news of research which shows that among the smokers questioned, 1.8% have quit smoking since the ban, 15.8% smoke less overall, while 34.1% smoke less when out drinking in bars or pubs. Perhaps ...
I, for one, welcome our new black feathered overlords. Share This
I couldn't resist the temptation to make a reference to rubber wheels on trains. This is the great plan by John Redwood to get the trains running on time and to slot more trains onto the network. Described as "technically illiterate" by the "Railway Gazette" (free anorak with this week's edition!), I can just imagine a GNER train on the now to be reprivatised Network Rail slamming on the brakes
I’m feeling a bit sub-prime this Friday, and when I sneeze, this blog catches a cold. I’ll limit myself to suggesting you watch the video for Hypocrite, from Akira the Don.
I am going on my summer holidays tomorrow, to the Isle of Mull, in the Hebrides. I am disappointed to learn from the BBC weather service that the defining feature of the island for the next five days is going to be threatening clouds. However, I suppose it could be argued that if I’d wanted tropical sunshine, heading north from Manchester probably wasn’t the brightest idea. I have never been to Mull before. In fact, my Scottish adventures have been limited to a couple of weekends in Glasgow during a foolish teenage romance, and a break in Edinburgh when a ...
On Tuesday I spent the day at The Valley, home of Charlton Athletic FC, training to become a volunteer FA liaison officer for a Football League Club. The day was fascinating for a multitude of reasons, not least to see the dedication from the FA to wipe out all forms of discrimination in the game. The FA is criticised heavily in some circles these days, but the work going on under the “Football For All” banner is nothing short of incredible and should be applauded. Another highlight was chatting to Brendon Batson, who was one of the first black players ...
The mobile phone firm Hutchison 3G has brought good news to the residents of Mount View Road. Although they finally won planning permission for their controversial plans for a new phone mast - the firm has now said it isn't (currently) intending to actually build phone mast.
Paul Walter draws our attention to the very last page of the internet. He also provides a link to enable us to find the first page except there are lots of them. Great minds think alike, I suppose.
I am on the weekly politics show on Wolverhampton Community Radio FM (101.8 FM in Wolverhampton) tonight between 7pm - 8pm. The Politics show is a relatively new venture in just its fourth week, I believe my co-panelist is a UKIP candidate.
When is a government minister not a minister? Answer: When it is Carwyn Jones. Another row that has rumbled on throughout the summer re-emerges in the Western Mail this morning. Bridgend Labour AM, Carwyn Jones, has taken on the dual role of Counsel General and Leader of the House as part of the red-green coalition reshuffle. However, the Government of Wales Act forbids the Counsel General from being appointed to any other ministerial office. Welsh Liberal Democrat Group Leader, Mike German is very clear on this matter: “We have ministers in order to provide accountability. If Carwyn is in charge ...
Dropped again! This has happened to me the last three times I've been lined up to go on the programme. OK so I know that I am not the Queen Bee and the nation is not hanging on my every word (they don't get a chance!!) and I will concede that when the researcher rang up to ask me on the programme I was surprised that the alcohol stories still had legs - but it is August and news is obviously a
Receive the details of the funeral and commemorative services for Lord Tim Garden who died last week. I am really upset over his tragically early death. I am sure members of all parties understand how deeply it affects all of us in a Party when such a loved and respected member dies. Tim came to my 'adoption meeting' at the start of the 2005 General Election campaign. He spoke, as always, with such intelligence and force of reason, informed by his successful military career. He was always such a great support to me personally - and I am sure his ...
This morning's Western Mail continues that paper's reports on the abuse of free prescriptions in Wales. They tells us that patients have visited their doctors to claim free tubes of Bonjela and pots of Vaseline on the NHS. These items cost just a couple of pounds from pharmacies and supermarkets but were issued on a free prescription within the first month of the scheme’s introduction: A snapshot of prescribing behaviour in April and May also reveals that patients claimed other popular over-the-counter medicines such as hay fever sprays, indigestion and diarrhoea tablets and athlete’s foot creams. The findings come just ...
Dominic Asquith, the British Ambassador to Iraq, has increased the pressure on the Government to grant asylum to people who have worked for the British armed forces in Iraq by stating that Britain has a “duty of care” to them. He made his comments, which are reported in The Times, as he prepares to leave his [...]
I was talking to someone the other day about obsessions with internet use. I casually mentioned "The last page of the internet". They didn't believe me that there was a "Last page of the internet", so I beckoned them to my computer and showed them it. Another person involved in the conversation hadn't heard of it, either. It was something I chanced upon, reading some sort of article a few years
Much discussion on the TV and in the press overnight about will-he won't-he George Osborne endorsing John Redwood's idea of abolishing inheritance tax. There has been a protracted discussion about this in Lib Dem circles over the last year or so as well. The irony is though that many of those that want it abolished do so because it is usually the "family home" that pushes an estate into IHT liability. Ironic because of all the possible assets one might have accumulated in one's life, the value of one's property is the most likely to have been "unearned". Many proponents ...
If I'm a bit quiet at the moment it's because a. I have half a dozen unfinished blockbuster blog posts in progress and b. I seem to be putting in 12-14 hour days at work at the moment as I'm in the middle of a big software rollout. In fact I've just finished (at half past three in the morning) shutting down remotely tonight's 25 updated machines - perhaps I would be better off in India! But I seem to have been "tagged" by James Graham for a response to George Osborne's statement that we are all living off the ...
The New Statesman this week carries an editorial by the Labour-supporting Mirror’s Rosa Prince, attacking Ming. Her analysis - tarring Ming with failure alongside David Cameron’s - is less remarkable than the gossip she offers on the higher eschelons of the party: Many had hoped last month’s Ealing Southall by-election would provide the magic bullet [to [...]
I find it fascinating that Tories appear to have leapt on this speculation that Labour might be attempting to rig the Conservative primary for London Mayor. If it is true, then Labour is full of even more morons than I thought. You would have thought they learnt from their attempts to stitch up the Today programme Christmas poll in 1996. There is simply no way they could organise a mass entryist campaign without having to show their hand. There’d have to be a paper trail, an email trail… you know the drill. And they’d have to be pretty sure they ...
I’ve been going down the list of tax cuts that John Redwood is proposing. Scrapping inheritance tax, lowering corporation tax, raising the super tax threshold, restricting capital gains… to be brutally honest, I regard all of these as good things in principle, but even leaving aside the affordability issue, how can they be said to be priorities? Inheritance tax, for example, certainly does hit a lot of middle-income families these days. But what would you prefer? A tax cut on your estate when you die, or a tax cut on your income now? I know that I for one would ...
Proms 43 and 44 were both grand, but kudos to conductor of Prom 43 Andrew Litton - “I’ve been told I can only conduct one encore, so here is Grieg’s Last Spring” and then, having conducted that one encore, he made a surprise gesture to the Cellos (I think, though it must’ve been the Bassoons surely?) who started playing In the Hall of the Mountain King. Seeing as he’d conducted his one encore, he then left the stage and left them to it! Haha :)
Jonathan Calder points us to a fascinatingly revealing quote from Gideon Osborne: “Of course we want a very dynamic and successful City of London. But Britain cannot just be the City of London and then 50-odd million people living off the back of those who work in financial services.” This line has clearly been carefully crafted to simultaneously look like a genuine concern for the poor, while making it absolutely clear to the city that the Tories not only are not having a go at it, but consider it to be the main source of wealth. According to this rubric, ...
Having reported speculation about the possibility of a Lib Dem/SNP coalition at Holyrood the other day, I had better mention this. The Herald reports an appearance by Alex Salmond at the Edinburgh Book Festival. It quotes him as saying: "Initially, I would have preferred a coalition deal. That was my expectation and I fully expected that within a few days we would be in coalition with the Liberal Democrats, but that bus has left the station. "Where we are now is working very effectively. If we co-operate now it will be on a specific proposal."Circumstances can change, but this appears ...
Tuesday: While we were away on our hols, I was given a VERY SPECIAL MISSION by Mr Lord Deputy Stephen and the LIBERAL DEMOCRAT VOICE. But since it is supposed to be EXCLUSIVE, you will have to read my SPECIAL DIARY for Liberal Democrat Voice over there!
Monday: Speaking from a podium next to a clearly NAUSEOUS Monkey-in-chief, his chief advisor Mr Karl Grover from Sesame Street said today: "Squeak, squeak, squeak! The ship is sinking! Squeak, squeak, squeak!" In reply, the Monkey said: "I love you too, Karl, and that is why I am appointing you King of Iraqistan. May the little baby Jesus have mercification on your soul."
Back in July the Joseph Rowntree Foundation launched a titled What are the 21st Century's social evils? to discover what people believe causes the most damage to society.
Sunday: My top chum, Mr Professor Richard Dawkins – his wife is Time Traveller Romana, you know – has a new series out about how people can be very stupid about SUPERSTITIONS. For example, the Conservatories STILL think that it is GOOD LUCK to "Touch Redwood", and that is why they have asked the MP for Vulcan South, Mr John Deadwood to come up with BRAND NEW new policies that will be EXACTLY like the OLD policies. Er… who is this supposed to be lucky for? But do not take MY word for it. Funnily enough, Mr Deadwood's plan does ... | < | August 2007 | > | ||||
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