LibDem Blogs - Archived! - Wednesday 23rd January 2008

Geraldine McEwan is no longer Miss Marple

But then, as far as I am concerned, she never was. Joan Hickson will always be Miss Marple. The Guardian reports the story thus: The hunt is on for a new Miss Marple after actress Geraldine McEwan announced her retirement from the role today.McEwan has played Agatha Christie's heroine sleuth Jane Marple since ITV1 brought her back in 2003 and starred in the role in 12 TV films.ITV and Marple rights owner Chorion will begin the process of finding a new Miss Marple next week.Candidates for McEwan's replacement are thought to include Victoria Wood, Julie Walters, Prunella Scales, Anna Massey ...

Here, Mr. Dale!

Iain Dale's obsession with the Lib Dems continues today with an attempt to make Clegg look out of step with the party on the EU reform treaty (as long as for "party" you read "four bloggers"). He asks: "are there any LibDem bloggers at all who support their new leader's calamitous stand" Well, on the condition that I don't accept the stance as calamitous at all (awkward, maybe), I would like to

Good news in Highgate bus stand saga

Transport for London's Peter Hendy has agreed to a TfL making a site visit to discuss the vexed question of the location of Highgate Village's main bus stand. The solution I'm after is an extension of the vital 271 to East Finchley - so it connects better with other local services and East Finchley tube station. This would not only create more joined-up bus services, but would also allow the removal of the bus stand - greatly improving Pond Square. Better bus services and a better space for the community - it'd be a matter of win, win. You can ...

Story Writes Itself

Whose figures should we believe for the march this time The police's figure of 22500 protesters or, er...

Scottish Tories ride to rescue of Nats

The Scottish Tories have broken the Trades Descriptions Act. Their full name is the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party - but that doesn't stop them from propping up a Scottish government whose sole purpose is to break the union between England and Scotland. In today's Scottish Parliament debate on the SNP's budget proposals, the Tories voted in favour of the Nats' spending plans, which passed by 64 votes to 62. The Lib Dems and Labour both voted against, while the 2 Greens again showed what a waste of space they are by abstaining. I could understand the Tories voting for ...

Island life

My friend Paul Davies, when he can be shut up about Brazil, bangs on about Easter Island. He mentioned the other day that he had written a piece for Chiles Santiago Times about the island. I am forced to concede that it is quite entertaining. He mentions the lonely British outpost of Tristan da Cunha, which is a fascination of mine. I would like one day to enjoy a lobster and beer at the Albatross Inn the only pub in its primary settlement, Edinburgh of the Seven Seas. It is the most isolated pub in the world.

Fire Service Cuts

At tonight's council meeting the Liberal Democrats had put down a motion supporting the Fire Authority's need for proper funding. The government has changed the rules about how their funding is calculated and as a result there'll be cuts in services unless more money can be found from somewhere. Before the motion was debated there was a presentation from the Fire Service about the issues,

Ken Livingstone keeps the red flag flying

I am watching "The Court of Ken" on 4oD... Ken Livingstone, 2006: "It is not that socialism failed, it is that socialism hasn't yet come. And we salute one of those people, and I invite him to address you, who is leading the struggle to build that socialism here in our 21st Century please the President of Venezuela - Hugo Chávez!"

Saturday morning fun for youngsters

Play Rangers are running sessions at the Games Area on Kelston Close playing field every Saturday morning from 10.00 am to 1.00 pm. Children of primary school age and also up to 14 years old are welcome - sessions depend who comes along. The sessions will run until April, rain or shine (kids don't seem to mind getting wet!) and may be extended if there's a good attendance.

Cars vandalised in Bredon, Blaisdon

Cars were vandalised in Bredon and Blaisdon last weekend. 24 cars in Bredon were "keyed" and their paintwork damaged, and another 6 cars in Blaisdon had wing mirrors damaged and torn off. Avon and Somerset Police are asking anyone with information to ring Chipping Sodbury Police Station on 0845 456 7000, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Is madness ever an excuse for murder

The sad case of the death of Liam Hogan at the hands of his father John Hogan, and John Hogan's acquittal on murder charges today in Greece raises some serious concerns about how "mental illness" is a suitable excuse for terrible crimes, and how it means that the victims miss out on justice in some cases. If we start with the basic principle that most people who commit heinous crimes are not mentally "normal", in the sense of the word that most people would see it, then we have to ask to what extent most people who commit serious pre-mediated ...

Why First Capital Connect can't announce station names

I'm gobsmacked. First capital Connect (FCC) have written to a visually impaired local resident to explain why they cannot announce the station name when the train stops at that station. The reason, apparently the stations are "too close together". I've used a number of public transport systems in my time and a good number seem to be able to manage this feat. The S-Bahn in Stuttgart for example announces every station. Their stations are similar distances apart. I have written to FCC asking for an explanation. I will let you know the result.

Opening Sentence of the Day

Won by a report in the Lancashire Evening Telegraph: Tories in Pendle look set to drop plans to appoint a man - accused of explosives charges - as their nomination for a school governorship.

Last chance to sign Back Gardens petition

I'm going to submit the 'Save our Back Gardens' petition to Council next week. So if you haven't signed it yet you can do so here. The wording is: Suburban back gardens are currently treated as industrial brownfield sites for planning purposes. As a result developers are purchasing houses and back gardens in the Royal Borough and then submitting plans for housing at much...

A surge in the polls

Despite any impression you may have formed from watching theThe Vicar of Dibley TV series, parish councils are now becoming very good at their job. They are now closely regulated. The amount of administrational bureaucracy and red tape has increased exponentially and an accompanying rise in costs of audit and insurance. So, given all this and the added financial pressures facing parish councils, why on earth would they want to spend a sizeable chunk of their precept on a meaningless European Union poll Quite simply, they wouldn't. That's not the way the papers are reporting it, Given the surge in ...

Lord Bonkers' Diary: Coaching Nick Clegg

First it was Tuesday. Now it's: Wednesday I am called to Cowley Street to give our new leader the benefit of my long expression of dealing with the media. I begin by asking Clegg what he will do if he is challenged in the House on a ticklish policy point perhaps involving schools. Thats easy, he replies brightly. I shall throw up my hands and then issue a formal complaint. And when he is confronted by one of the nations leading political interviewers Ive got a soundbite I am rather fond of; it went down very well with Nick Robinson. ...

The great success of the newspaper for kids

When "First News" was launched, Philip Hensher in the Independent described it as a "sickening...smug-sounding publication". You'll recall that "First News" is the newspaper for children launched by Piers Morgan in May 2006. Well, I can confirm that, in its 88th edition, it is going down really well with one 10 year old who I know well. I have now given up trying to read the Guardian over our

Once again, it's the cover-up that gets you...

It's one of the greatest cliches of politics that, when it comes to scandal, it's the cover-up which gets people rather than the original offence. It's become a cliche because it is so often true - as we've seen again this week with Rosemary Emodi. The scandal about one of Ken Livingstone's advisers taking a free trip to a luxury resort in Nigeria has cost her (Rosemary Emodi) her job - but the trigger for going wasn't the original story, it was her denying she had ever made the trip - and then the BBC presenting evidence that she had. ...

Dave thinks it's OK to lie then

The Times reports this, David Cameron's fudge on faith school 'fakes', so it must be true. As far as I can see, there's not much fudge there. It's straight out justification: it's right to lie if it gets you what you want. This is a very good example of what I talked about in my last but one post, the corrosive morality that Thatcherism promoted - anything you do is not just possible but actually justifiable, regardless of its actual moral quality, if it helps you attain your ends. What exactly is Tory morality nowadays then

The Ghost Goes Gear

Following yesterday's video of the Spencer Davis Group, I have made a discovery. It wasn't only the Beatles who appeared in pop caper movies in the sixties: the Spencer Davis Group made one too. It was made in 1966, called The Ghost Goes Gear and you can buy it on DVD.

Between the Rock and a hard place

Yes its back to our old friend the Northern Rock and the complete dogs breakfast our government have made of the whole sordid business. I've said before that the government has many unanswered questions. But the latest steps in this affair have left me decidedly underwhelmed. While I have never favoured nationalisation which puts me at odds with the party as a whole I do find myself agreeing

Mines Mayhem

On the face of it there is little to be seen of the Combe Down Stone Mines infilling operation above ground, but if you live on the fringes of the mines area in places like Combe Road and North Road, no one is able to say with any certainty what the ground at the edge of the mine under your house is like. Stabilisation here is very much a 'voyage of discovery'. During the last few days we have felt some of the real impact that has been visited on many people on the fringes of the mines in Combe ...

Pigs 1, Goths 0 (UPDATE)

The two most read articles on BBCi today give us a fascinating insight into where Britain’s collective head is at. First of all we have the goth couple who have been banned from the bus because he insists on leading her on a lead. There are two issues here. First of all the bus company are surely only being responsible to ban them on health and safety grounds - the inherent dangers are quite obvious. Secondly, while what people do behind closed doors is fine by me, it is fascinating to compare this issue with the ongoing controversy over Muslim ...

I Predict a Riot

Just to show that I hang with da Kids can I publicise " I Predict a Riot" a club night at the Mine at Leeds University Union 2100 to 0200 on Wednesday 27th of February. Its a joint effort between LUU LGBT assembly and LUU LDYS. Its £3 in and aims to raise money for and promote the now legendary "Homophobia is Gay" Campaign. I understand a number of oldies from Leeds Liberal Democrats will be attending but the Union building is conveniently situated for all Leeds 6 residents. It may well be fun and its s tand agaisnt all ...

Trees vandalism west of Magdalen Green

Many residents have been in touch over the past couple of days expressing concern about the unauthorised removal of six mature sycamore trees south of Richmond Terrace. Below is the news release I have issued on the matter: News Release : Councillor slams "wanton vandalism" of trees in conservation area West End City Councillor Fraser Macpherson has today hit out at vandalism that has occurred on land near to Richmond Terrace, west of Magdalen Green, which saw the destruction of six mature sycamore trees. The trees, situated in part of the local conservation area, were felled over last weekend and ...

The Facebook Revelations UPDATED

You have to read to the end of this report in the Bexley Times to find my quote... Oddly in the Bromley Times the same story seems to appear under the headline It's Sex and the Committee Maybe it is this bit: In my murky search through cyber-space, one Conservative councillor Gordon Jenkins has proven to be the most entertaining. Just to give you an idea last Thursday (17) he added an

Manifesto Conference and public services

I am again late in writing about this but I did want to present my thoughts on the Liberal Democrats special manifesto conference held at the LSE in London on Saturday 12th January before diving into the wider debate about public services. I do enjoy this kind of thing. Listening to the discussion, formal and informal, and picking out what themes, concepts and ideas are doing the rounds within

Speaking Out for Arcadia

The writer and columnist Joan Smith today delivered a letter from 600 of us writers and what the publishers described as ‘luminaries in the Arts’ asking the Arts Council to reconsider its decision to slash future funding to the independent publishing house Arcadia by a quarter. When the rosta includes such diverse characters as Tariq [...]

Britain's increasing liberality

Most of today's papers cover the results of the latest British Social Attitudes Survey. The FT does the best job at summarising the findings:"Britain is a country with more liberal views on marriage and family life, but less sympathy for the poor than it used to have marked by a growing concern about the environment and a male population that thinks it does more of the housework despite the disbelief of its womenfolk." UK survey shows rise in liberal views - FT There are virtually identical summaries in the Guardian and Times - whilst The Daily Mail focuses on what ...

Guilty until proven Innocent! Dont travel to Israel!

That’s my experience of my short break to Israel the last few days. Having two friends (one Jewish one non) who were travelling together to Israel I decided to tag along as it’s a country that i have never been to. I also have some sort of personal interest as it’s obvious from my surname and simply [...]

Cycle to the station and keep your bike safe

Redcar and Cleveland Council is making it easier to leave the car at home and let the train take the strain...by installing new cycle lockers at Redcar Central station. The six new improved lockers, replacing the originals which were the victim of vandalism, have been funded with £6,000 from the Council's Local Transport Plan budget. They are available for hire at £1 a week, along with six lockers at Saltburn station, six at Marske station and four at Longbeck station. To rent a locker, contact the Council on 08456 126 126.

Blue Bin Success

Some weeks ago local Lib Dem Councillors were contacted by a resident of The Coppice unhappy that she and her neighbours on Church Lane had still not received their blue recycling bins. This was despite the Council promising several months ago that no house in Bury would be without one by the end of Summer 2007. I raised the issue with the Council, and am pleased to report that the resident now has her blue bin, and that the new bins have now been emptied as well! So another success for recycling provision in Prestwich. I am glad to ...

If in doubt form a committee

Should I be jumping for joy at todays announcement that Taunton Deane Council is re-examining how its housing service tackles antisocial behaviour Probably not! Do we need to hold 4 service review group meetings to look into this Probably not! Is Taunton Deane council over reacting. Probably! Let's look at the problem shall we Taunton Deane council received 110 complaints about antisocial behaviour in one 8 month period (April December). Sixty of those complaints were about noise or abuse, twelve were about drink or drugs, eight involved pets, and nine involved children. Break that down and its an average of ...

Kens lying aide quits (updated)

First scalp for the Evening Standard’s harrying of Ken Livingstone and associates over sleaze allegations: Ken Livingstone’s fightback against sleaze allegations has been damaged after one of his key advisers resigned after admitting she had lied. Rosemary Emodi, deputy to Mr Livingstone’s race adviser Lee Jasper, quit her £100,000-a-year post after taking a free trip to a [...]

BREAKING NEWS: LibDems want a referendum on the EU constitution!

Yes it's true! We have not broken any promises - we promised a referendum on the EU constitution. We still want a referendum on the full constitution of the EU as constituted from the various treaties since the Treaty of Rome - ie. an in or out referendum - which is a much, much wider matter for referendum than the very narrow amending treaty - the EU Reform treaty. There is a principled

Remembering the Holocaust

{Holocaust survivor Rudi Openheimer with Lynne Featherstone MP} Holocaust Memorial event at Muswell Hill Synagogue with children from Gladesmore School meeting Rudi Openheimer - a Holocaust survivor. I've been to many events to listen to a survivor tell their tale over the years. And it never fails to bring home the awful, unbearable truths of man's inhumanity. This is a phenomenal tradition - the giving of living histories to our children. And the children listened and I have no doubt they understood in a way that they probably never understood before. For some of them, most, they had never been ...

Ken Livingstone and Dispatches

I guess a lot of people watched the Dispatches program on Monday night - Martin Bright's the Court of Ken! I watched it myself at about midnight on Monday. Hadn't realised when they interviewed me (for an hour) that I would have such a starring role! Usually when you do these things (or my experience anyway) is that you end up on the cutting room floor. What is quite interesting is the atmosphere that surrounds all of this as well. I gather that many people won't speak on the record of what they know - for fear of reprisals. (If ...

RNLI SOS day 25th January...

Last year 7,715 people were rescued by the RNLI including 200 people from inland flooding. Those lives were saved due to the generosity of people on days like this nationwide SOS day on Friday. This w...

Is the Government half-right for once Labels and food

A huge problem with our current Government is micro-managing targets. So is the current push for an unified food labelling system yet another example Well possibly not, if we all take a deep breath and settle for achievable aims. HMG wants one system of food labelling for nutrients instead of a multitude of competing commercial submissions. Now, there are two ways of evolving standards in any field de facto and de jure. We are seeing the evolution of a de facto standard with videodiscs right now as one commercial solution becomes dominant. This is a pretty effective way if there ...

Will the shoe fit

As a Liberal Democrat I have some difficulties with school uniforms. Instinctively, I am drawn to the argument that they suppress individuality by imposing uniformity. However, I also recognise their role in levelling the playing field for many kids whose family could not hope to compete with better off children in the oneupmanship that dominates young people's fashion nowadays. It is widely acknowledged for example that a child who is not wearing the latest designer labels may well be bullied by his or her peers. It may be best therefore to remove such conflicts from the school playground by requiring ...

Food problems and packing

I have just fallen off the post-Christmas diet wagon in spectacular fashion. Using the excuse that “I need some change for a parking meter,” I went to a cash point and then to a cake shop, sandwich bar and sweet stall. And now the bag of fruit which was to be my lunch is sitting on my desk, leering at me. And I feel all salty and horrible after my needless bag of crisps. I will try to make up for it with a run tonight, but not until I have done some leafleting in the Hilton Lane / Rainsough area. ...

We all live in a Yellow Norfolk bus

Ive been in Wymondham, Norfolk, looking at school transport with my colleagues from the Yellow School Bus Commission, a group chaired by David Blunkett and set up to look at the vexed question of how best to get children to school. Rural counties like Norfolk face a whole range of challenges caused by sparse populations 25% of their schools have fewer than 90 pupils, indeed 40 Norfolk schools have fewer than 50 pupils. Outside the main market towns where most of the post 11 schools are located, a considerable proportion of the population live scattered around the rural hinterland. In ...

Fixing elections is childishly simple.

The Council of Europe has said British elections are "childishly simple" to rig.

Police and pay

The first thing Prime Minister Blair achieved was to get more bobbies on the beat here in Islington - for a few hours. They left for Downing Street when the Blairs did. Now Prime Minister Brown is achieving record numbers of police on Londons streets; some 17,000 22,500 of them at the last count, [...]

The best that can be said about Coventry University

Spotted on the London Underground, an advert for Coventry University: So the best that can be said about Coventry University is that it’s only an hour away from London

The picture tells the story

Don't need to say much about last night's match really - this photo of the Spurs lads celebrating the 5-1 win says it all. It's the team running across after the match, just before they dived onto the pitch. Just an unbelievable atmosphere and Jenas, Lennon, King, Dawson - well, just about everyone - simply brilliant. It was the second 5-1 win in a League Cup semi-final I've been to, after beating our other London rivals Chelsea by the same scoreline a few years back. That time we went on to play (and lose to) Blackburn in the final. Hopefully ...

Dave does it again

In an interview with the Times today, Dave said of Gordon Brown: "That is my problem with our prime minister: he looks at every single issue from the point of view of what is the right dividing line that divides me from my opponent, not what is right for the country, and I think that is what he is doing here." Apparently with no hint of irony intended.

Bags of sheep

I mentioned yesterday that Monday's Full Council saw Labour failing to support a move to reduce the number of plastic bags across Haringey. My colleagues Cllr Bob Hare (Highgate councillor and Lib Dem sustainability spokesperson) and Cllr Lyn Weber (Crouch End) proposed a motion which built on the success of work done by residents and independent traders in Crouch End. We were proposing that the Council lead the way in promoting schemes like Crouch End's 'Bag for Life', with the aim of making Haringey plastic bag free by 2010. Haringey Labour claimed that the the idea was "unnecessary and unworkable" ...

What's consultation for then

The list of post office closures just out after the supposed "consultation" phase makes me wonder exactly what that consultation consisted of. Last year there was a list of proposed closures. In a huge number of cases there were active local campaigns, huge petitions and so on, to argue the case for specific post offices. Of the ones I know about directly, I know people were working to save the ones in Aigburth Road and Thurne Way in Liverpool and the Bailey's Lane one in Halewood. And I have read press coverage about campaigns to save others. Yet by the ...

another funding opportunity

a quick plug for a source of funding for local groups involved in sport. This is from a Liverpool Charity and Voluntary Services e mail From LCVS Funding Advisers Sport Relief fund has just re-opened in Merseyside and Halton, the deadline for applications is 28 March 2008. Grants available from £1000 to £5000 To be eligible for a grant, your proposed activity must aim to meet one or more of these objectives: * Increasing access to sport and exercise for people who face social exclusion and isolation. * Help people who are experiencing difficulties in their lives to regain confidence ...

Ex post facto -its economic deja vu again.

One way of spotting pseudo-economics flannel in these uproarious days is to watch for Bloomberg-TV style market announcements. Bloomberg (and other Market Report TV services) have cross-screen banner reports of this kind: Megacorps down 3 following oil price jitters. BigBang soars by 6 after boardroom revamp In other words commentators claim to know exactly why thousands of shares have moved or stuck over a short timescale. The possibility that it may all be noise or random dances or due to sheer cussedness just isnt acceptable. So ex post facto reasons have solemnly to be attached to price reports. If the ...

Gordon Brown agrees with me - but will he do anything about it

Gordon Brown has admitted that he thinks his weekly question and answer joust in Parliament isn't really achieving much. Good I say - that's my view too: we very rarely have exchanges that really hold the PM to account, and the whole "whose MPs can shout the loudest" display of rowdy behaviour does damage to the reputation of Parliament and politics. So kudos to Gordon for this in The Independent today: Gordon Brown has expressed his growing disillusionment at what he considers the poor quality of the weekly battle of wills across the despatch box.Mr Brown fears the 30-minute sessions ...

A New Library for East Dulwich

My colleague James Barber has been working with extraordinary dedication on a project that is set to deliver a brand new Grove Vale library - at no cost to the tax payer. Like many East Dulwich residents I like the current garden centre - my family use it regularly (although not for compost because they don”t sell peat-free!) [...]

Luton, home of the stars

Here is Luton's celebrity gossip from this morning's Luton News: Front page news as troubled singing star Amy Winehouse is spotted buying a CD of the greatest hits of the famous Luton Girls Choir. Amy's publicist Shane O'Neill says "I presume she bought it because she liked it". There is shock as it is revealed that British paparazzo boyfriend of Britney Spears, Adnan Ghalib, was a former student

What Nick Clegg said about the euro a few years ago

Nich Starling draws my attention to a Tory Radio post quoting Ian Davidson, Labour MP for Glasgow South West, during the European Union (Amendment) Bill debate: Mr. Davidson: I am sorry, Mr. Deputy Speaker, but I was not sure whether he was the same person. I should refer to him as the hon. Member for Sheffield, [...]

Doctor Who Season 4 - Spoiler

This post is safe to read, however follow the links at your own risk! It seems that Russell T Davies has got a bit excited ordering his Christmas 2008 toys, and that Character Options have issues a press release saying what they are going to make. Whilst I can’t find the original, DoctorWhoToys.com have it in their News Roundup for the 21st January. Hat-tip David.

Practical politics in palestine

The Guardian has posted a fascinating story on its website this morning (http://www.guardian.co.uk/israel/Story/0,,2245407,00.html) about how Palestinians in Gaza have blown up the wall between them and Egypt, allowing tens of thousands of people to flood into Egypt and to stock up on staples in nearby towns. Apparently the Egyptian border guards stood by to allow these people through while the Hamas regime in Gaza has set up a 'customs' service for those returning and has managed to confiscate some weapons. This story throws up two fascinating points. First it is a paean to the good old human spirit. This is ...

Grave concerns over increase in Home Care charges

The Liberal Democrat members of the Healthier Communities and older people Overview & Scrutiny panel have raised concerns about the conservatives increasing home care charges by a whopping 74%. I am concerned that the Conservative, administration on Bath & North East Somerset Council seem not to have a clue as to the devastating effect that they are having on many people's lives by their reckless...

Queen's Park squirrels with demon eyes

I loves this pic of what was an incredibly tame squirrel - I just clicked my teeth and it came hopping over to me... So some definition of what we are looking at from wikipaedia: Squirrels are generally clever and persistent animals. In residential neighborhoods, they are notorious for eating out of bird feeders, digging in potted plants either to bury or recover seeds, and for inhabiting sheltered areas. While many companies sell bird feeders which are supposedly "squirrel-proof", very few of them really are. Although expert climbers, squirrels also thrive in urban environments that are largely free of trees. ...

David Cameron says lying is okay

The Conservative Party’s Leader today encouraged parents to lie to get their child into a school. In an interview with The Times, he defended parents who “pretend that they have Christian beliefs” to help with school admissions- according to Cameron, don’t just lie, lie about something really important and get one over on people who don’t lie. Conservatives talk about fixing [...]

Does Britain need a population policy

At Open Democracy's OurKingdom blog, (link here) Jon Bright has reviewed the latest CentreForum publication: Does Britain need a population policy. His review is posted below.As the UN reports that 190 million people now live outside of their country of origin, and net immigration into Britain rises to record levels as the Maastricht treaty finally starts to bite, it seems odd to reflect that as little as 20 years ago serious discussions were held in Britain about how to increase our population. But, in a public sphere that seems happy to condemn immigrants both for taking jobs and for taking benefits, serious ...

Bye Now While Stocks Last!

The elected Mayor of Torbay, Nick Bye, has fianally come clean and gone public on his real vision for Torbay. Everything is up for sale. Back on 21st December 2006 I wrote the following: ...

More on the clash between the Speaker and Ahmadinejad

For all those dedicated Iran watchers, IranCoverage has a interesting analysis of the spat which is being widely seen in the West as a sign of the blogging President severely losing power.

The politics of generations: baby boomers and after

I have just come across an article in Newsweek (21 January 2008) called Leaders for a New Age that contends we are now seeing the rise to political power of the post-baby boomers: "men and women too young to have been shaped by either of the two major ideological contests of the 20th centurythe battle against fascism and the long twilight struggle against communism."The examples discussed include British foreign secretary David Miliband, Conservative Party leader David Cameron, Sweden's Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, France's Justice Minister Rachida Dati, Helle Thorning-Schmidt, leader of Denmark's Social Democrats and, of course, U.S. Senator Barack ...

ID cards delayed by two years

The Beeb is reporting that the ID card scheme is on the rocks and is to be delayed by two years. Now either this is because Labour don't really want to bring in the authoritarian little things but think that the populace are in favour so its a good stick to hit the Tories with. Or the system is being incompetently run, data is all over the place, and the costs are rocketing. Could be both. I have a better suggestion for the Government taking my lead from Senator John McCain. I do not believe the British people mind if ...

State of the Blogosphere Address

A week in advance of President Bushs final state of the union address, I thought I would bring together a few thoughts on the state of the political blogosphere. Today, we are regularly advised that the blogs are the new fifth estate of British politics. That Members of Parliament log on daily to take the pulse of the nation. That the anaemic and craven editors of our national newspapers are trembling at the takeover of bolder and unbeholden online commentators. But whilst it is having an increasingly appreciable impact (Guido Fawkes' campaign on loans for Peerages being perhaps the most ...

A good example of contradictory expert opinion

Risdon, who works at Great Ormond Street hospital and is Britain's foremost paediatric pathologist, had examined Mia's body two years ago and concluded that the rib fractures were "extremely unlikely" to be the result of resuscitation. At the time, he had never come across broken ribs in infants caused by

Cautious good news

The Fed's rate cuts yesterday have appeared to calm the market. Perhaps the fundamentals show that shares were over priced by around 15-20%. They've come down by that amount, the rate's been cut, and now they start to look a bit appealing again. Having said that, don't take my word for it. I don't have my money where my mouth is because I don't have any money at all.

What Nick Clegg said about Euro Referenda

It appears Nick Clegg eluded to why people avoid having a referendum on a important EU matters a few months ago. He seems to make clear that they can be avoided by altering a few words and are avoided by politicians who know they will lose. This seems uncannily like the rewording of the EU constitution in to a EU Reform Treaty and the backtracking by Labour and sadly the Lib Dems on whether to have a referendum. Oh dear.

Opinion: A liberal view from Holland

As someone who has listened to the BBC World Service since 1977, I am very aware of the evolution of the Liberals and their merger with the majority of the SDP, to form the Liberal Democrats. Since the ’80s, Dutch cable TV systems (which started in every city, but are now divided in three regional [...]

The World turned upside down (Part Two)

There was a certain irony involved this morning as I listened to a Conservative MP argue on the radio that the Police should be given the right to strike. They should not need it of course especially if the Government honoured its agreements and paid them their full recommended pay increase.

Brian in Bermondsey

Liberal Democrat candidate for Mayor of London, Briain Paddick was in Bermondsey tonight, at a rally in the Hop cellars. Euro-candidate Jonathan Fryer covers the event here. A good turnout, with some big-hitter support from the senior echelons of the party and upbeat buzz about the forthcoming campaign. With the number of questions about the Mayor's relationship with the LDA increasing, and the Tory candidate being largely invisible, it does look increasingly likely that this is turning into a 3-way race between sleaze, floppy hair, and determined competence. If Brian can push Boris into third in the first round, he ...

Hit count tonight

Number of hits tonight on a blog posting pointing at a website dealing with the horrors of the Iraq War and some superb associated art - 1 Number of hits excited that I may be less than happy about proposed Lib Dem health policy and how it is being presented - n zillion Get a grip blog readers, and read the important posting!

The Thameslink Mystery

As you go through Wimbledon Station the announcement tells you to "Alight here for connections to Kings Cross". This refers to the Thameslink service, managed by First Capital Connect, that runs on a north/south route through London. Today (well, it was today when I started writing this) I needed to get to Kings Cross for a meeting, so I went to First Capital Connect to check the times...

BLOG spotted

Good fluke spot at Pizza Express on Millbank. Blogger extraordinare Iain Dale. Sat with friends near the door, he still didn't seem to catch a hello from ex-employer David Davies. All well at the good ship Tory Also, the MP was with a very prominent BBC tv journo, Tory Conspiracy theorists take note.

Day 2571: TOYCHWUD: Kiss Kiss Bang Bang

Wednesday: Sitting and watching the new series of Torchwood with my daddies, we are thrilled by the opening car-chase. "Did you see a blowfish in a sports car" asks heroic Gwen of a passing little old lady. "That's a great opening line," says Daddy Alex. The Torchwoodmobile drives off and the little old lady looks after them and says: "Bloody Torchwood!" "No," says Daddy Richard. "THAT'S a great opening line!" We are now eagerly (and nervously) anticipating episode two to see if this was an opening FLUKE or a genuine sign of having GOT IT RIGHT at the second attempt! ...

Forum on British Citizens and the European Union

Unlock Democracy is organising a forum to discuss 'British citizens, participation and the European Union' on 28th January 2008, between 6.30pm and 8.00pm, at Boothroyd Room, Portcullis House, Westminster.

Wednesday 23rd January 2008

Previous days:

Archives

Search for...

Adverts

Buttons

LibDem Blog Box

Contributors

Campaigns

From the BBC...

Backlinks...

From the LibDems...

From the Independent...

From Politics.co.uk...

From the Guardian...

Adverts