I am ashamed of my American relatives
What are they doing, prostituting themselves like this Tuesday 29th January 2008
11:31 pm
What are they doing, prostituting themselves like this 
11:20 pm
Signor Paddick win over taxi thugs
I increasingly impressed with Signor Paddick's plans to assassinate and replace the Magisterium. Turn out today he win over support of Licensed Taxi Drivers mob, one of London's most vicious and privileged cartels. The LTD first established their control over London's drive and hire racket when their predecessor the Coachmob received licence to beat up their rivals in the hired sedan chair trade in 1639. They doing the same today with their assault on the rickshaw trade, and unlicensed private-hire cars who LTD claim are all rapists or foreigners or both. They just about tolerate the licenced private-hire car gangs ... 11:13 pm
Reflections on a free vote - the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill
Weve reached the 3rd day in the Lords of the Report Stage of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill. The Lib Dem team is led very ably by Liz Barker and Jenny Tonge, who are finding their way through the scientific, ethical and legal issues involved in this controversial legislation in a humane and liberal way. Most of the issues are left to a free vote - our convention is that this is always the case on issues of morality and ethics are left to personal conscience, although the Front Bench offers helpful briefings on each particular amendment as they ... 11:09 pm
Around the Lib Dem blogs
Duncan Borrowman suggests a way of making life easier for a couple of Tory MPs, in the light of Nigel Waterson's widely publicised difficulties today: I am surprised to see that he lives in Beckenham - a long way from the Sussex coast. Meanwhile Jacqui Lait, the Tory MP for Beckenham is married to the leader of East Sussex Council, Peter Jones. Their home is in Rye, near to the Sussex coast.Maybe they could arrange a house swapMeanwhile, Norfolk Blogger points out that at least one Conservative MP still believes in student grants: Student grants, which started their decline before ... 11:01 pm
Lord Bonkers slams Iain Dale
Iain Dale has defended his silence on Derek Conway's travails in the following terms: Derek Conway is a friend of mine. Anything I have to say about his conduct, I will say to his face.Lord Bonkers remarks: It happens that Haigh the Acid Bath Murderer was an old friend of mine, but that didn't preclude my writing a pretty stiff editorial on the case in the High Leicestershire Radical. 10:23 pm
Why should BT pay for phone boxes that are never used
I am a strong supporter of maintaining rural services, even if this means that some things like buses, schools and other things vital to rural areas receive more subsidy that those in towns. However, I have sympathy with BT's wish to remove phone boxes that are not used for more then 12 months. BT have found a number of phone boxes that have not been used for 12 months and as a plc, a company listed on the stock exchange and not a charity, they want to remove them to save their costs. I really cannot see what is wrong ... 10:18 pm
Are we getting meaner
That was one of the issues which came up when I appeared on The Westminster Hour with Conservative MP Ed Vaizey on Sunday night. The trigger for the discussion was last week's publication of the annual British Social Attitudes survey. Many of its finding were - to a liberal like myself - welcome: for example, far fewer people now think that homosexuality is wrong (down to around a third from a majority back in 1987), whilst the public service ethos amongst those working to provide the rest of us with public services seems to have strengthened. But several reports singled ... 10:17 pm
A night of Civil Liberties with Timothy Garton Ash, Liora Lazarus, and Martin Howe
I've just come back from a couple of hours debate on the attack on our Civil liberties with a panel of Timothy Garton Ash, Liora Lazarus, and Martin Howe. Whilst thoroughly entertaining the debate often fell into the trap of arguing on a simple liberty vs terror debate, and, in my opinion, did not spend enough time on debating how to win the debate and create a mass political movement of all stripes. Timothy Garton Ash suggested, and I hope and optimistically expect, that the ID cards will be Labour's Poll Tax. As I've been saying, we should all just ... 10:02 pm
A brief digression from black cabs into the place of market forces
{London black cab} Glad to see Brian Paddick launch his ten-point plan for London's black cabs today (and to see the good BBC coverage!). Black cabs are important in themselves - and some of the measures in the plan, such as rephasing of traffic lights - would directly benefit many other people too. But there is also a wider point here, which is one about a general approach to changing the world (if that isn't too grand a phrase!). Influencing how the black cab trade performs isn't just important in its own right, but - given their key role in ... 8:40 pm
Conservatori Family Values
Although I life-long Liberali I do try keep up good relations with other Families where possible. Only this weekend for example I down in Eastbourne visiting old friend Signor Waterstone the Conservatori buttonman for retiring the elderly. Signor Waterstone is traditional Conservatori who believe in Family values. He bewailing to me state of cugine. "It's ghastly Liberali, I don't know what to make of young people today." "What you mean Nigel" I say "Well look at the teenagers running around at the moment, no discipline at all. Sure they steal, they rob, they mug, didn't we all, but there's no ... 
8:37 pm
A potpourri
Garth Crooks - a gem / / The Royal Today / / Stinger beer / / Nigel Slater recipe success at last 8:31 pm
Caffe Nero Planning Appeal update
Today, Councillor James Barber and I gave evidence at the Caffe Nero Planning Appeal. Caffe Nero opened its premises without planning permission two years ago. Faced with the enforcement action by Southwark Council against this breach, Caffe Nero then applied for planning permission. But they were refused because allowing another cafe would have broken rules designed to protect the delicate [...] 7:50 pm
Blues win sees Leeds slip to sixth
Leeds United started well with two chances on target, in the first two minutes, by Neil Kilkenny and David Prutton. But stand in goalkeeper David Lucas was called into action in the 4th minute to block a shot from Southend's Mark Gower. A shot by Andy Hughes on 23 minutes was the only other real chance United had in the first half. Play was end to end but Southend created more chances and Leeds, at times, appeared unsure and unsafe at the back. Then on 40 minutes a foul by Jermaine Beckford earned a free kick for the Blues. It ... 7:28 pm
The Tories on crime - some confusion....
One could be forgiven for wondering where the Tories stand on crime these days. The BBC reports: Shadow minister Nigel Waterson has been questioned by police after allegations he assaulted two teenage children. The MP for Eastbourne, was arrested after an incident at an address in Bromley, London, on Sunday. The Tory MP is understood to have called the police himself to report an assault. He was 7:08 pm
'With some guts behind it'
On Sunday 10th February 2008 there will be a service at Hatch Beauchamp Church in Somerset to dedicate medals, stamps and picture, presented to the church last year, to honour Colonel John Rouse Merriott Chard, Royal Engineers. John Rouse Merriott Chard served at Rorkes Drift in 1879 when some 150 soldiers defended a British supply station against some 4000 Zulus, aided by the Martini-Henry rifle 'with some guts behind it'. It just so happens Zulu is my all time favourite film. Why For the stunning cinematography (Stephen Dade), directing (Cy Endfield), screenplay (John Prebble, Cy Endfield) and awesome soundtrack (John ... 
7:03 pm
Narrativewatch: The Clintons as Greek tragedy
Political narratives work when they trigger familiar cultural stories, myths or archetypes in listeners minds. During World War II for instance, Winston Churchill used the narrative of Britain: the strong island people to rally the country against Nazi Germany. In so doing, he invoked an archetype that went back at least to the Spanish Armada. There is much comment at the moment on Bill and Hillary Clintons dance with political death. Their attacks on Barack Obama have caused deep resentment in the Democratic Party. An old story is there that people know well but cant quite identify. Now, Gloria Feldt ... 6:45 pm
Where are all the traffic wardens when you need one
A photo of a very under-stated campaigning event via : UK Daily Pundit 6:35 pm
Duncan Borrowman, MP
The BBC has just had an interview with "Duncan Borrowman, MP" to discuss the Derek Conway scandal. Now I know that things are bad for the fiddling Conservative, but I didn't realise he'd already lost a by-election!A site for political analysis and opinion of an avowedly liberal view. It's all about freedom. 6:29 pm
On yer bike!
Bristol City Council may well have a battle on their hands if they decide to go ahead with a proposal to turn part of The Bristol & Bath Railway Path into a rapid transport bus route. It seems the path, a 13-mile off road route, frequently used by walkers and cyclists is so popular that about 3,500 have already added their names to a petition calling for the abandonment of council plans to turn half the path, into a bus route. If the scheme is given the go-ahead the Bus Rapid Transit route would run from Emersons Green in South ... 6:27 pm
OneHourAhead
Yet another I find to my shame that links to me but not me to him. Anyone who is reading Fred Harrison's "Ricardo's Law" , however, certainly deserves a link! 5:52 pm
Some Tory MP's do support the idea of student grants
Student grants, which started their decline before being abolished by Labour, were constantly criticised by the Tories when in power because they saw students being subsidised to earn a higher income at tax payers expense. So it is perhaps a real throwback that Derek Conway also appears to me to see his parliamentary allowance as a means of subsiding students, even if they are his sons. His statement today when he says he has "let down his family" is actually a massive misjudgement as to me he has let down the tax payers of the UK and his constituents by ... 5:11 pm
McAllister confirmed as new Leeds Manager
Gary McAllister is the new manager of Leeds United reports the club website. 5:08 pm
Bingo (or not Bingo really)
The link is to the government's response on Bingo taxation where they basically refuse to say anything either to justify their position or that they will change it or even explain why they got there. 5:04 pm
Lone Parent Information Day - 6 February 2008
Are you or do you know someone who would benefit from attending Birmingham City Council's Lone Parent Information Day The Lone Parent Information Day, organised by Birmingham City Councils childcare chat and taster team takes place between 10.00am and 3.00pm on Wednesday 6 February at the Burlington Hotel, on New Street in Birmingham city centre. Up to 30 organisations will be offering free 5:01 pm
Is a 41% increase realistic
Government inspectors have said that 18,000 new homes should be built in and around Taunton between 2006 and 2026. Have they taken leave of their senses, or is there really need for that many houses in Taunton Deane Here are the facts as I see them, you tell me! Taunton Deane is a mixed urban and rural district within Somerset, covering 178 square miles. There are currently 82,330 registered voters living within the constituency, in 44,210 homes (hat tip; Mick Humphreys, Taunton Deane Lib Dem Membership Secretary). Now, Im no mathematician, but Im told that if you extrapolate those figures ... 4:45 pm
The prize for the most hideous Formula 1 car of all time goes to ...
... Honda. Heaven knows how it was possible to make something worse-looking than last season's offering, but somehow they've managed it. 4:44 pm
Barrage - a fight for Weston
The Government has given the go-ahead to a two-year study into the possibility of a Severn Barrage. This is good news for Weston up to a point. If built in the right location and in the right way, a barrage has the potential to be a huge force for good for our economy, tourism and for our sea defences. But we must not make the mistake of believing that all this will all necessarily work out to our local advantage. No one in this London-based study group will be looking to do Weston any favours. Already campaigners in Burnham-on-Sea want ... 4:27 pm
Boris Pledges: I Will Have More Money Than Sense!
With Derek Conway suspended from even the Tories for fraudulently funnelling taxpayers cash to his family and Peter Hain brought down by repeatedly breaking the funding laws for which he had collective ministerial responsibility, surely no MP could be senseless enough to boast about their illegal election funding plans Step forward Boris Johnson, hapless Tory London Mayoral candidate, in a new scandal spotted by Mayorwatch (though not by the Guardian in their own article on his funding). At least the police are forewarned when a candidate is so arrogant and stupid that he promises in advance to break the law. ... 4:25 pm
Conway - no room for the Tories to crow
I see Tories such as James Cleverley trying to say how tough the Tories are on sleaze, based on the Conway episode: Once the Standards & Privileges Committee made their report Derek made an immediate apology. He didn't squirm, he didn't hide and he didn't blame a great left-wing conspiracy. Hang on a minute - didn't he say something about "administrative shortcomings" (pull the other one). 4:20 pm
EU Challenges: The Giggle My Tits Off Edition
Two laughable challenges to the EU Reform Treaty are currently going through this country’s esteemed legal process. The first, by Tory donor Stuart Wheeler, is a judicial review of the Government’s failure to grant a referendum on the treaty. He is arguing that this is in breach of a "legitimate expectation" held by the people. [...] 3:59 pm
Day 2584: Dither and Flip-Flops
Tuesday: General APOPLEXY grips the Conservatory Party once more on the news that they have comprehensively NEUTERED their attack over the Mr Peter Vain affair and lost themselves the chance to take pot shots at Postman Pat. I'm referring, of course, to Mr Derek Con(servatory)way who has had to APOLOGISE to the House of Commons for finding a neat way around the Student Loan problems for his son (or indeed sons or indeed sons and wife). "It is a WITCH-HUNT!" says another of the witches! Which must make Mr Balloon the WITCH-FINDER GENERAL! "You're FIRED," he said, "LET'S BURN HIM!" ... 3:46 pm
Is this humerous
Look, apologies up front if anyone is offended by this post, but sometimes my humour is deeply dark and, yes, I couldn't help smiling at this story from the BBC Scotland news website. 3:39 pm
Derek Conway: shades of Gray
Pity those poor Conservatives who seem to be suffering from family breakdown at the moment. I can’t help but think that James Gray, Andrew Pelling and now Nigel Waterson would not be facing the problems they’ve been having if only the government offered all married couples a £20 a week tax bribe. But I digress. Now that Ditherer Dave has done the decent thing and had Conway put out of his misery, the question must hangs in the air: why not James Gray Gray, you may recall, dumped his wife while she was recovering from cancer and subsequently found himself ... 3:32 pm
First Minister denies capping policy, ignores 101 problems
In reply to a question from Jenny Randerson (LibDem, Cardiff Central) today, Rhodri Morgan denied that minister Dr Brian Gibbons had done more than request that councils keep their tax increases below 5%. The Welsh Local Government Association had warned of massive cuts to services as a result of a below-inflation local government settlement for 2008/9. Jenny Randerson also suggested at First Minister's Questions that by allowing the police precept to rise by about 1%, the 101 general enquiry number, which had proved so successful in pilot programmes, could be rescued. Mr Morgan ignored this point. 3:20 pm
LVT and You and Me
Currently reading Fred Harrison’s book on land and taxation. LVT seems like a particularly good idea, and liberal to boot. Yet, a quick perusal of the policy papers on tax reform shows minimal interest and essentially just says “we’ll think about it”. Would this not be a good policy to pull ourselves away from the crowd Why isn’t the party taking it more seriously 3:11 pm
Bassett and Gannon follow Wise out of Elland Road
The Yorkshire Evening Post reports that Leeds United's Assistant Manager Dave (Bertie) Bassett and Coach John Gannon left the club. They just had time to say goodbye as the team made their way onto the coach from Tottenham Hotspur's training ground to Roots Hall for their game against Southend tonight. Obviously the decks are being cleared for the new manager to bring in a fresh new team. Technical director, Gwyn Williams will take change of the team for tonight's match. 3:02 pm
Should the Tories do a house swap
I see that the Eastbourne Tory MP has found himself in trouble with the law. I am not going to rake over this issue. But I am surprised to see that he lives in Beckenham - a long way from the Sussex coast. Meanwhile Jacqui Lait, the Tory MP for Beckenham is married to the leader of East Sussex Council, Peter Jones. Their home is in Rye, near to the Sussex coast. Maybe they could arrange a house 2:58 pm
Are we all big-government leftists
Fraser Nelson has added the end comment from his piece on Nick Clegg and spending from the Spectator’s Coffee House blog to Liberal Burblings discussion: “A few CoffeeHousers have teased me for having a love-in with Clegg. So in my defence my suspicion is that he, personally, is committed to small government, classic liberalism and it would be churlish not to applaud him when he says the right things. But I reckon his party are still big-government leftists, and hell buckle under their weight.” Fraser Nelson (Spectator) My connection with the party has been nearly entirely electronic and therefore maybe ... 2:56 pm
Nick Clegg interview with Guardian Online
When Nick Clegg took on the leadership of the Liberal Democrat party just six weeks ago, he promised to “at least” double the number of Liberal Democrat MPs within two general elections. It was an ambitious pledge, particularly in this age of two-party politics. But, sitting in an armchair in the corner of his new office after [...] 2:37 pm
Gary McAllister will do
Posted by Chris: The news that Gary McAllister is in talks with Ken Bates about becoming the new Leeds United manager is not unexpected and will prove very popular with supporters. A Motherwell lad who was awarded the OBE in 2001, for services to football, was a great asset to United as a player but his experience as a manager at Coventry was short, due to his wife's illness, and not very successful. He started well but not long after winning Manager of the Month his short spell ended having lost more games than he won. Gary's wife sadly died ... 2:15 pm
Mike German on postcode lotteries
Today’s Western Mail reports: POLITICIANS need to feel comfortable with the much-maligned idea of postcode lotteries in public services, Welsh Lib-Dem leader Mike German says today. The idea is the inevitable consequence of more localised education and health provision, he says ideas that are gaining ground within the party and enthusiastically talked up by new UK [...] 2:06 pm
Good heavens!
My response was not really adequate - someone had phoned me to tell me that I had been shortlisted for the Women in Public Life Awards 2008. In fact, I was totally astonished. I'm up there with two others for the Local Government Personality of the Year. Voting on the shortlist is now open, but I can't canvass you, dear reader, unless you are an MP. The awards... 2:04 pm
Derek Conway: Whip withdrawn, but do I care
So former whip Derek Conway has had the Conservative Whip withdrawn. But I actually don't care that much. I am sure that David Cameron will be pleased to distance himself from this unfolding tale. But my issue is that it is public money we are talking about. It is not just an issue of party politics, it as an issue of whether taxpayers money has been missused. That is an issue for the police and 2:03 pm
Listening on the telephone
Interesting piece in The Times today regarding proposals to allow material gained from phone taps to be used as evidence in the courts. They tell us that in his annual report, Sir Paul Kennedy, the Interception of Communications Commissioner, highlights how the fight against terrorism has been aided by the interception of communications: But he said he believed that any change in the law allowing evidence from phone taps to be produced in court would be heavily outweighed by the disadvantages. I have been impressed during my first nine months in office by how interception has contributed to a number ... 2:02 pm
Another Tory MP in the S**t
Nigel Waterson, Tory MP for Eastbourne, was arrested and held for 13 hours by Police on Sunday night on charges of assault. The arrest was made, at a house in Bromley, after Police were called to deal with an incident in which two teenage children were allegedly assaulted. More to follow on due course. 1:54 pm
Tory whip withdrawn from Conway
Giving credit where credit is due, I welcome David Cameron's decision to withdraw the Tory whip from Derek Conway. The BBC reported prominently that Duncan Borrowman had reported Conway to the police, and the Mail report this morning about Conway's eldest son must have also added to the pressure. Conway's explanation of an "administrative shortcoming" simply won't wash. 1:52 pm
Local campaigner selected by Highgate & Archway Lib Dems
Rachel Allison last night won the selection contest to be the Lib Dem candidate for the Highgate by-election. I met Rachel at our campaign HQ at the weekend and I'm looking forward to having her as a colleague on the council group. Rachel has excellent credentials as the local Lib Dem candidate to represent Highgate & Archway. She has lived in Haringey for over 20 years and in Highgate itself for the last twelve years. Her children attend St Michael's primary and she has recently become a governor at Blanche Neville School. One of her big passions is the environment ... 1:41 pm
More troubles for Tory MP Conway
Tory MP Derek Conway, who was yesterday reprimanded by the Commons Standards & Priviledges Committee, faces further troubles today. - The latest news is that he has had the whip withdrawn by the Conservative Party. - A complaint has been lodged regarding his behaviour with the Metropolitan Police by Duncan Borrowman who is the Lib Dem PPC for Old Bexley & Sidcup. http://duncanborrowman.blogspot.com/ - A further complaint has been lodged with the Parliamentary Commissioner over Conway's previous employment of his older son. - He was defended by his chum Roger Gale, Tory MP for Thanet North, who said "The fact ... 1:28 pm
Yesterday, Cameron - Conway staying put. Today, Cameron - Conway is dumped
The Derek Conway affair has just taken a sudden and interesting turn. Yesterday, according to the Daily Mail, a spokesman for Tory Leader David Cameron said, "Derek Conway has apologised fully on the floor of the House. The Whip will not be withdrawn. The proper punishment has been administered." Today, a Tory press release crosses my desk with Cameron saying, The usual procedure in these 1:25 pm
Liverpool Lib Dems hit back at worst financially managed Council tag
The Guardian carries the fairly stark headline today, Liverpool council bottom of league, reporting the verdict of the Audit Commission that the unitary City Council is the worst financially managed local authority in England. Lib Dem Voice got in touch with Paul Clein, Lib Dem executive member for childrens services in Liverpool, to ask for [...] 12:58 pm
Secret plot by Tory donor to rewrite UK constitution by the backdoor
The UK, famously, does not have a codified constitution. We have the beginnings of what is vaguely termed a “supreme court” but it explicitly does not have a constitutional role. How, therefore, does Stuart Wheeler intend to argue the case for his proposal to judicially review the government’s decision not to progress with a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty To do so would not merely overturn a government decision but effectively a Parliament decision (which has not, lest we forget, actually been made yet). That would mean junking, out of a very high window from St Stephen’s tower, the long ... 12:53 pm
With friends like these...
Just when Tory MP Derek Conway might have been hoping for all the fuss to die down, up pops fellow Tory MP Roger Gale - describing Conway's trouble as "a witch hunt" and wading in with the gem: "The fact of the matter is Derek did not keep time sheets, as I don't for my staff. When there's work to do, they do it, when there isn't, they don't." Nice to know that Roger Gale sees no problem with paying staff to do no work, can see why he's supporting Derek Conway. Having worked in an MP's office (no, ... 12:35 pm
Derek Conway and the passions of Iain Dale
A few points… Roger Gale describes the Conway incident as a “witch hunt“. One has to wonder why the Standards and Privileges Committee would do such a thing if that were the case, since if Gale is to believed surely all MPs would be liable for the same treatment. Surely mutual interest would prevent such a witch hunt from ever happening MPs don’t look like they are in the mood to make something out of nothing at the moment, particularly given the daily grind of “sleaze” churning out of the tabloid press on a daily basis. Plus, if Conway is ... 12:15 pm
Sunday Heroes
I am saddened to witness the recent violent schism between relentless pragmatist James Graham and prickly anti-theist Laurence Boyce. I invite both parties to Consider the Lilly. 11:53 am
Top of the Blogs: The Golden Dozen #49
Welcome to the 49th of our weekly round-ups from the Lib Dem blogosphere, featuring the seven most popular stories according to click-throughs from the Aggregator (20th-26th January), together with a hand-picked quintet you might otherwise have missed. As next week marks The Golden Dozen’s half-century, it’s time to freshen things up - which means opening up [...] 11:35 am
Blair to advise on climate change; King Herod to set up day nursery
I almost choked on my breakfast this morning when I read that Tony Blair is being a paid a six-figure-salary to advise Zurich Insurance, the Swiss financial firm, on climate change. I had to check that it wasn't 1st April. Presumably his advice will be mainly how to spend ten years pretending you are doing something about it while actually doing little or nothing. Perhaps Zurich are going to be 10:58 am
Europes Growing Liberal Family
In the run-up to next year’s European elections, British Liberal Democrats can take heart from the fact that across Europe, Liberal politicians are increasingly making their presence felt. Currently, six EU member states have Liberal Prime Ministers: Belgium (Guy Verhofstadt), Denmark (Anders Fogh Rasmussen), Estonia (Andrus Ansip), Finland (Matti Vanhanen), Latvia (Ivars Godmanis) and Romania (Calin Popescu-Tariceanu) — [...] 10:23 am
Event in Brent - Freedom or Security, can we have both
Liberal Democrat Voice is currently running a poll, asking you how many days the Government should be allowed to detain people without charge [eyes right if you haven’t voted yet - Ed]. For anyone who cares about civil liberties this is a hot topic at the moment and its one of the issues to be [...] 10:16 am
MP faces child assault investigation
Eastbourne's Conservative MP, Nigel Waterson, faces investigation after an alleged assault on his children. The Mirror has more details. I won't go into more details, for fear of prompting Nigel to waste more of his solicitor's time on me than he did when I was the agent for his constituency. The people of Eastbourne, where he has a majority of about 700-odd on the new boundaries, will doubtless be interested to hear this story. They will also doubtless be interested to learn that The Mirror and The Telegraph say that Waterson's home is in Beckenham, Kent. This is odd, since ... 10:00 am
Laurence Boyce: jaccuse (UPDATE)
I had intended to respond to Laurence Boyce’s handbagging in response to me calling him a bigot a while ago. Not wanting to get dragged into the comments thread (which appears to still be getting longer and longer…), I meant to post a riposte here last week but I got knocked out by the lurgy for a few days. Not sure how of interest it is to people now and I’ll try to keep it brief, but here goes… First, it should be pointed out that when I originally called him a bigot, I was half-joking. Indeed, for me, I ... 9:58 am
Conservative Home: Cameron is wrong on Conway (while Iain Dale is silent)
Here: The next time David Cameron rises at PMQs to attack sleaze within the Government Labour MPs will only have to shout 'Derek Conway' back at him to blunt his attack. Unlike Brown Mr Cameron did not dither. He needed just a few hours to decide what to do about Mr Conway. He was decisive but decisively wrong. Iain Dale is meanwhile keeping schtum on this one because Derek Conway is a friend 9:51 am
Samak is new Prime Minister
Thailand’s new parliament yesterday elected Samak Sundaravej, the leader of the PPP, as the countrys new Prime Minister. Cabinet appointments are expected to follow once the appointment of the new Prime Minister has been ratified by King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Aside from the problems of running a six party coalition government and handling the tricky issue of [...] 9:49 am
The NHS and Labour's failure on single sex wards
I could not believe Lord Darzi's comments yesterday in the House of Lords, when asked when the government was going to deliver on its 1997, and 2001 pledges to ensure patients experienced, what was then called the 'privacy and dignity' of single sex wards. I was working in the NHS as chief officer of Haringey Community Health Council during this time. I visited and inspected many hospital wards, and we were pleased that the Conservative governments failure to improve conditions for patients, would at last be addressed by an incoming Labour government. Over the years, I dealt with frequent complaints ... 9:39 am
Tory MPs Derek Conway and Nigel Waterson in trouble
One of Derek Conway’s constituents is not happy. Duncan Borrowman, that is. Nigel Waterson has been arrested for allegedly assaulting his children. 9:24 am
Micheldever Station Eco-Town - still a bad idea - and still not eco
I went to the annual general meeting of the Dever Society last night. Steve Tilbury, the Head of Operations at Winchester City Council was there and made an excellent and informative presentation. As part of it, he referenced an article by David Blackman and Joey Gardiner in Building magazine - which accurately captures the general mood locally about the Micheldever Station Eco-Town: The list of sites put forward by developers reads like a greatest hits of planning applications gone by. The communities department refuses to publish the list, but an investigation by Building has uncovered nine, all of which bring ... 9:23 am
Opinion: Choosing our Judges
Yesterday’s Guardian front page was plastered with images of white, male, privately educated, High Court judges selected for the bench, even after the introduction of new diversity measures. The paper bemoans the lack of diversity, where are the women, the ethnic minorities Let’s consider something radical here; could it be that those men are actually the [...] 8:30 am
Young people are a credit to our Borough at Holocaust Memorial evening
Last night I attended the Bury Holocaust Memorial ceremony at Radcliffe Civice Suite, along with Councillors from all parties, leaders from the faith and voluntary sector, and other members of the public. And it was especially gratifying to see so many of our young people take an active role in remembering The Holocaust. It was a very moving and excellently put together evening, with contributions from Jewish, Christian and Muslim religious leaders, and school pupils from across the religious spectrum. The Mayor and the leaders of the three political groups signed the Holocaust declaration, recognising and deploring the Holocaust and ... 8:19 am
Derek Conway - I lodge second complaint to the Parliamentary Commissioner
This morning's Daily Mail has the story that Derek Conway's older son "Henry, 25, received more than £32,000 in parliamentary allowances and bonuses between July 2001 and October 2004... ...But MPs looking at Mr Conway's financial affairs could start a fresh inquiry if a member of the public complains. I agreed with the Daily Mail's sister paper the Evening Standard that I would keep this quiet 8:15 am
Labour flip-flops on single-sex NHS wards
Labour manifesto, 1997: “work towards the elimination of mixed-sex wards” Labour health minister Lord Darzi (a practising surgeon), yesterday: “The only way we’re going to have single-sex wards within the NHS is to build the whole of the NHS into single rooms. That is an aspiration that cannot be met.” Norman Lamb, Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary of [...] 8:09 am
Derek Conway's son on Bebo and Facebook
It's great to know that Freddie Conway has had such a good time at Newcastle University - "loving every minute"...he says on his Bebo page. 8:05 am
Two down one to go
Poyet gone Wise gone Just Bates to go and we will have got the Chelsea out of Leeds. Of course you can’t blame Wise for going to a job with a reported salary of £1.5m a year albeit a job whose role does not appear to be entirely clear and where the new manager does not seem ecstatic [...] 2:10 am
The malevolent domination of Simon Hoggart
Reading this sketch (ho, and indeed, hum) on the BBC website by Susan Hulme, I was struck by this thought: “why do so many bad sketch writers think that the way to do it is to impersonate Simon Hoggart’s personal writing style” It’s all there: the short sentences, the lame gags about individual’s physical characteristics, the “dear reader” asides. Is this what passes for a genre If I’m honest, I don’t even know if it stems from Hoggart himself originally - it’s just that I read his sketches more than anyone else’s. Certainly Simon Carrs are different. But then, Simon ... 12:02 am
ersTV
While I was away the Electoral Reform Society launched ersTV, a collection videos on the internet promoting and raising awareness of the Electoral Reform Society's campaigns. 
