Free Our Bills
The Nice Polite Campaign to Gently Encourage Parliament to Publish Bills in a 21st Century Way, Please. Now. {TheyWorkForYou.com "Free Our Bills" campaign} Tuesday 25th March 2008
11:53 pm
The Nice Polite Campaign to Gently Encourage Parliament to Publish Bills in a 21st Century Way, Please. Now. {TheyWorkForYou.com "Free Our Bills" campaign} 
11:47 pm
Joss Whedon a rapist and Firefly irredeemably sexist
Um, favour, having read this screed, can one of the lesbian feminist sisters reading this, or indeed anyone with an interest[1], especially those of you that said you liked Firefly please confirm my suspicion that A Rapist's View of the World: Joss Whedon and Firefly is in fact an ill-informed biased rant of the sort that can give decent feminists a bad name Because, y'know, while I'm happy to accept that it contains some inadvertent sexisms, that the idea of the Companions Guild is going to split opinion and that nobody is perfect, I was sorta of the opinion that, ... 11:36 pm
Mr Speaker doesn't speak for me
{Parliament} So - the Speaker is going to court to try to keep secret the details of MPs' second homes expense claims. Well, he doesn't speak for me when doing that! I've got an open mind on the security benefits of keeping the addresses of the homes secret - especially as if you know an MP is at Parliament, that might be a good time to burgle ... and for most MPs they're not - for example - the addresses which get published anyway on nomination papers at election time. But - goodness me - that's no excuse to keep ... 11:16 pm
Obama girl - go go go
This lady is so cool and fresh - she even mentions democrat blogs and election watching in her love for Obama. http://www.youtube.com/watchv=YwVBpsO51QY 10:53 pm
Podcasts I love: Karmabanque
Karmabanque is a show about finance - it’s presented by former trader and stockbroker Max Keiser and his journalist and film-maker wife Stacy Herbert. Max and Stacy made their fortune playing the markets back in the day, and freed from having to actually earn a living they now take delight exposing the finance industry’s dirty laundry - this makes for very compelling listening. Karmabanque is not like the other finance shows which purport to offer stock-tips and money saving ideas. You will find none of this in Karmabanque - Max only has one tip, and he’s given the same one ... 10:40 pm
Greens cash in on global profits
The founder of the Lush cosmetics empire, Mark Constantine, has backed Green Mayoral candidate Sian Berry and donated £10,000 to her campaign. In the accompanying press release issued by the Green Party, Constantine states small businesses are essential to our high streets. Constantine is held up by the Green Party as an example of a good green businessman. Sian Berry states To build a tough, sustainable economy we need to be bringing through thousands more companies like Lush, in all sectors. You can only imagine how the Green Party would react if Gordon Brown or David Cameron gave such a ... 10:14 pm
Liberal Youth is launched - I must be getting old
The average age of the members of the House of Lords is 68. When I arrived in 2000, there were more over 90s than under 50s in the House. I am, in comparative terms at least, a mere youngster, so provided I stay in Westminster, I'm alright. This evening however I ventured east to Brick Lane to attend the launch of Liberal Youth and reality has kicked in - dear reader, the music was too loud for me. Too loud for conversation, too loud to concentrate and, besides, too dark to easily recognise people. On the other hand, there were ... 10:06 pm
Whickham School update
Latest news: whilst the school is open for teaching, problems have been found with the power supplies to the smaller blocks. As a result, years 7 and 8 are not required to attend school for the rest of this week.---Sent via BlackBerry 10:02 pm
Here comes liberalism...
...with apologises to Clay Shirky. Tristan Mills recently asked What is Liberalism on his blog Liberty Alone. His question came at around the time that the UK got its very own Libertarian party. Mills makes some very interesting points, as do the people who have commented on his site. What is liberalism Well one way of judging is to go off and read David Hume, John Milton, John Locke, John Stuart Mill and Adam Smith. I don't include Jeremy Bentham but some might. Bentham for me is part of the social democratic tradition but that is probably for another post. ... 9:40 pm
What will convince Hillary to drop out
After a turbulent couple of weeks for Senator Barack Obamas campaign, things are starting to look up he has been tested and emerged relatively unscathed from the inflammatory comments of his turbulent Pastor, Jeremiah Wright. At least as importantly, the US media is beginning to focus on how unlikely it is that Senator Hillary [...] 9:35 pm
Norman Baker on the buses
Well done to Norman for getting lots of press coverage on the lunatic effect of new EU legislation on buses. He is quoted in the Daily Telegraph, the Sun and the Daily Mail. As the Sun explains it: A Brussels ruling has banned local services longer than 30 miles to ensure drivers dont spend too long at the wheel.As a result, drivers have to pull in as they hit that limit and order everyone OFF their bus.They then change the route number on the front and invite passengers to jump back ON before resuming the trip. An example of a ... 9:32 pm
And woe again!
Within minutes of writing my last posting I drove down Radford Street and felt like Frankie Howard! Woe, verily woe, and yet another woe! Having outlined the difficulties facing businesses in Radford Street, I was alarmed to see the windows of the Royal Exchange pub all boarded up. I know Andy, the licensee, has been studying law at Stafford University and is seeking a new career but I didn’t realise he was leaving quite so soon. I do hope the pub company can quickly find a new tenant. The last thing Radford Street needs is another empty building. 9:06 pm
Launch of the Community Art Exhibition
I was invited to the Community Art Exhibition at the St Johns Church in Lower Weston very welcoming and talented exhibition for local people and also the children that took part. 9:06 pm
Lost images
The latest Labour leaflet for the Uplands ward of Swansea crosses my desk. It is an A2 leaflet folded once, thick with text and bizarre claims. At the bottom of the front page there is the standard attack on the Liberal Democrats on law and order issues including the assertion that the Welsh Liberal Democrat-led Swansea Council has failed to take effective action to reduce anti-social behaviour. Sadly for Labour this suggestion appears to be at odds with the views of Home Office Minister, Vernon Coaker, who on a recent visit identified the City's community safety partnership as a model ... 9:05 pm
These days the past is more liberal than the present
Blood & Treasure remarks on the Guardian headline: Teachers call for return to the liberal 1980sThe liberal 1980s under Mrs Thatcher It sounds odd, but as B&T goes on to say: Yet the eighties were more liberal in at least one important respect: there may have been violent disagreements about the governments role in the economy but there was little urge to make the whole of private life the territory of endless management, incentive and punishment initiatives. Now I feel like Im on the wrong end of a political Doppler shift. The general assumption I grew up with was that ... 
9:01 pm
AV surely could only mean gains for LibDems
Many labour and conservative voters seem to naturally see the Liberal Democrats as their second most favourite party, as if we're sort of in between, which of course is rubbish. Basically we can easily win a high second preference vote. In the London mayoral elections 2004 Simon Hughes had 24.3% of the second preference vote but just 14.8% of first preference vote. London is SV rather than AV but the system is similar. In constituencies currently held by Liberal Democrat MPs, considering liberal democrats do well with second preference, most of those seats would be secure. There would be hope ... 8:41 pm
On Tuesday 11th March Tea with the Mayor
When we go to all these different places I try and look to see if they have a raffle and if they have I cross my fingers I have remembered to bring an envelope to give to the person in charge of the raffle a prize Tea with the Mayor with 4 people and most People do enjoy it! Well Miss Pauline Clark and her friends did we had sandwiches and cake, a talk about the Parlour, and a look... 8:34 pm
Commons wants to hide expenses
The Commons has appealed against the realise of a detailed breakdown of the expenses of 14 MPs including the Prime Minister's and David Cameron's. Under the current system it's perfectly ok for money (£22,000 a year under the Addition-Cost Allowance) to be used in second homes and extensions. MP's can claim £10,000 for a kitchen, £6,000 for a bathroom and £750 for a TV, the press call it the "John Lewis List". The system is a complete mess. There should be no need for these types of allowances, it should be fixed under the standard wages. Yes some types of ... 8:26 pm
Monday 10th March Civic reception
On the Bus to the Guildhall to welcome students who are on an exchange programme with Southside Youth Centre who are staying in Bath. The Youths from Southside Centre Bath went to Braunschweig in October last year. They also had a talk about the parlour then after they were going to see the Roman Baths, the night before they came to the Parlour the teachers had been to the Bath Spa and... 8:21 pm
Nude photo of Carla Bruni up for auction at Christie's New York
The Daily Telegraph reports: The portrait, by photographer Michel Comte, shows a younger Miss Bruni gazing thoughtfully into the camera with nothing but her crossed hands to cover her modesty. ...Miss Bruni and her husband, French president Nicolas Sarkozy, are to arrive in the UK on Wednesday for the start of their two-day state visit, and will be meeting the Queen and the Prime Minister, Gordon BrownWe never had this trouble with Denis Thatcher, did we 
8:00 pm
Clinton in Bosnian War
Hillary Clinton has faced criticism for over exaggerating her trip to Bosnia in 1996. She described in a speech, "I remember landing under sniper fire. There was supposed to be some kind of a greeting ceremony at the airport, but instead we just ran with our heads down to get into the vehicles to get to our base." That simply wasn't the case at all. Hillary Clinton likes to make herself look like someone of great experience and Obama as not. Also that Barack Obama's talk of hope is just naive. Barack Obama has great experience in the Senate and ... 7:57 pm
The Changing of the High Sheriff
Early One Sunday Morning we and lots of other Mayors and Legal Service arrive at Wells Cathedral for the installation of the new High Sheriff so we also had to say Goodbye to the previous one who was a lovely man called David Medlock and was already known in around Bath as he is a business man in Bath and good luck to the new High Sheriff Mrs Annie Maw And the Deputy was at the... 7:45 pm
Opinion: Pulpit politics
Several issues have placed religion and it’s role in politics in the spotlight this week. Labour has found itself in hot water over allowing a free vote on the bill that will allow the creation hybrid human-animal embryos. Meanwhile, across the pond, Barack Obama is assessing the damage done to his campaign by the comments [...] 7:38 pm
Masked Mayoral Charity Ball in Chippenham
A Lovely occasion was the Ball at Chippenham to raise money in aid of Snap' by the Mayor Cllr Sandra Oakes. The music by the two young teenagers was brilliant one played rock and roll and the other was more Bob Dylan type of music they were both very good and defiantly worth seeing again. Then we had a comedian and he said he was from the South Shields area so of course he was a geordie and... 7:38 pm
Embryo Bill-Gordon Brown:no,no,no,ok-LibDemBloggers step to far
We used to think Brown was a Stalinist, someone who had strong views, took hold of no one else's opinion and didn't back down. When he became Prime Minister suddenly this wasn't the case. He saw those opinion polls after the conservative autumn conference and he cancelled ideas for an election. Many political analysts say he could of still won a good majority, but David Cameron basically tricked him into thinking the Tories were a threat. I'm sure he regrets not having the election now. Now he only has a maximum of two years left (many say he will do ... 7:19 pm
Centenary of International Womens Day
On Saturday 8th March I attended the Centenary of International Women's Day and had to start the speeches the subject was Women who have inspired us' I talked about the first Lady Mayor Kathleen Harper although she insisted being called Mr Mayor probably because she didn't want to make a fuss although these days we do prefer the term Madam' as we are women although I carried it on and said that... 7:15 pm
Did your MP support the Iraq War
Lots of Tory MPs, including "Call me Dave" Cameron are running around frantically pointing at Gordon Brown and blaming him alone for the war in Iraq. Of course what the Tories are trying to do is divert attention from the vast swathe of the Tory Party (including Dave) who supported the Iraq War even more than the Labour Party did. Do you remember the Tory MPs shamefully shouting "Charlie Chamberlain" at Charles Kennedy when he spoke during the Iraq war debate Do you remember that there were more Labour MPs who voted against the war than there were Conservative MPs ... 6:59 pm
More on Facebook ...
Further to my recent blog entry about the LibDems on Facebook, you can see Greenpeace on Facebook by clicking on the headline above. 6:45 pm
Is Cornwall a region
Julia Goldsworthy, Lib Dem MP for Falmouth and Cambourne, says yes. Facebook says no. But Julia isn’t taking no for an answer. 6:26 pm
I won the frenetic postings crown
Thank you to Liberal Burblings for noticing my 23 blog entries in 36hours. I think that may have been a few too many. I won't be keeping it up for too long, go back to school next thursday. To which I have German piece of controlled coursework, RE GCSE exam in may, other mocks in many subjects in May, Maths Modular and Science Modular in June. Argh! As well as campaigning for local elections and other commitments. I'll try to post on adverage at least once a day. 6:14 pm
Dragging Parliament into the C.21st - how you can help
mySociety, the folk behind TheyWorkForYou.com, today launched its first ever campaign - to make Parliament publish bills better - in the nicest, politest possible way: Free our Bills! The Nice Polite Campaign to Gently Encourage Parliament to Publish Bills in a 21st Century Way, Please. Now. You can find the website here - www.theyworkforyou.com/freeourbills - and Lib [...] 6:03 pm
Wendover Train Station is not Accessible to All
The Wendover News editor was kind enough to place the folowing in the April edition: If you ask for assistance to cross over to or from the far platform at our train station you will be told to travel to the next station up or down the line. Thus many are discouraged from using the train. This affects many potential commuters: wheel chair users, people with pushchairs or luggage, and cyclists. Many say they can walk (slowly) to the station but cannot negotiate the stairs. And for the fitter amongst us, a cycle friendly station will not only benefit Wendoverians ... 5:56 pm
Free Our Bills
Frustrated with the lack of progress from gentle dialogue with the parliamentary authorities, those marvellous chaps at mySociety have launched their Free Our Bills campaign, which I’ve just signed up to support. They want to see Parliament publishing bills in an improved electronic form that will allow more automated processing by services like TheyWorkForYou (which helps power the LibDems’ new Iraq site, Hold Them to Account), making the issues being debated by MPs and peers more accessible to normal people like you and me. mySociety estimate the programming work required would cost around £10,000, so it only needs one MP ... 5:54 pm
Bath taps into Science
Then on Friday lunch time I also went to Sports Hall at the University where I was witness to lots and lots of children having a brilliant time at the Bath Science Fair. It was lovely to see so many children enjoying themselves doing all different projects with and without computers and dissecting owl balls ( Hayesfield school) and how much mess they can make when experimenting with... 5:51 pm
Sadr urges civil revolt-will the Mehdi Army end the ceasefire
The Iraqi Army are cracking down on militias in Basra, which is brilliant news and is supported by the vast majority of the population. But security in Iraq is under strain as Shia Cleric Moqtada al-Sadr has said, "We call upon all Iraqis to stage sit-ins all over Iraq as a first step, And if the people's demands are not respected by the Iraqi government, the second step will be to declare civil revolt in Baghdad and all other provinces." He did not specify what the third step would be but many assume it would be to end the ceasefire. ... 5:36 pm
Open Day for the RNHND
I visited the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases on their Open Day although it was quiet when I was there I was taken for a tour which I enjoyed it is a lovely Hospital. The Open Day was for any body which wanted a career in medicence Who would want to specialise in all different kinds of arthritis and apparently there is many or head trauma. They are also looking, like... 5:12 pm
Mayors Day out with the chain gang
New Sarum's civic Day Hosted by Cllr Kevin Cardy Although a chilly day, a tour round Salisbury was very interesting and lovely we had a tour of the cathedral as well, tea and scones while we had a rest and heard the lovely children singing which they did delightfully, although they must have been very nervous as they were stood in front of about 20 different Mayors from all over, but I... 5:01 pm
How proud their parents must be
I often read about acts of depravity and needless violence from other parts of the country and am very pleased to live in what is a relatively safe County. But then you read about a truly sickening attack by a group of teenagers in a small coastal village (they like to call themselves a town but it is really only a village), and you realise there are truly twisted people all around the country and Norfolk is far from exempt. How proud the teenager's parents must be. 5:00 pm
What constitutional reform
The Justice Secretary, Jack Straw, today made a statement to MPs about constitutional reform. Normally a relatively dry topic, the statement had been spiced up a bit by rumours of changes to the voting system, of possibly making it compulsory to vote (something I oppose) and finally getting round to reform of the House of Lords. But what did we get instead A draft Bill which had nothing to say about any of those issues, but found time to cover the appointment of Bishops and the rules about which flags can be flown where and when! This risks being a ... 4:56 pm
The Orange Book-2. Liberalism and Localism-Edward Davey
I'm going to start reading the Orange Book, which is thought as controversial in being part of the Market Liberal wing. So I'm going to review it, to show what I think of it. Please feel free to disagree with my opinions in the comment box, it will help me to understand it. Today, Chapter 2:Liberalism and Localism by Edward Davey. Ed Davey starts off by talking about how labour and conservatives centralised government over the 20th Century making us one of the most centralised states in the World. I like the way Davey explains we must make the case ... 4:41 pm
Oh Canada: That's My Plans to Visit Blown
Just was checking on up my referrals for today and found out that someone at the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade managed to visit this humble blog by searching for the words 'hold them to account lib dems'. Oh course they found my earlier post on the new hold them to account website. Scarily Google (other search engines are available I believe) places my post on 4:34 pm
Annual Civic reception in the Parlour
We always hold a civic reception to a say thank you to our own Honorary Aldermen Ex Mayors, Ex Mayoresses & Ex Mayors Consorts for their continued support and one Mayoress is 102 and she is amazing and came. She said she wouldn't like to miss it. There's support for you! Well done Mrs Berry! 4:34 pm
Something for everyone!
Whether you are from Torbay or elsewhere there should be something of interest here. 1. A petition has been started at www.torbaypetition.blogspot.com If you care about the ar... 4:24 pm
Lib Dems call-in parking hike decision
The Liberal Democrat Group on Bath and North East Somerset Council has submitted a call-in on the decision to raise and extend parking charges, including the cost of residents' permits. The call-in has been verified and the hearing will be held early in April. Among the changes to be introduced is an increase in the cost of residents' permit charges in Zones 1-12 of Bath (all except... 4:22 pm
Are the Liberal Democrats breaking the law
I doubt the Liberal Democrats are breaking the law, mainly because I would have thought someone would have checked but... 4:14 pm
Ben Smythe is 5ft tall
While we’re having a go at online news stories… The Telegraph demonstrates the problems that can come from updating an existing news story. Last night, they posted the welcome news that missing boy Ben Smythe had been found ’safe and well’. In a story about the search for him and his recovery, a photo caption that previously provided useful information suddenly goes a bit Private Eye: {Ben Smythe} 3:36 pm
Scotland's smoking ban two years on
I've possibly mentioned before that I am a cigarette smoker and was interested to read in Holyrood.com that 80% of Scots are now in favour of the ban on smoking in enclosed public spaces, with 84% agreeing that pubs, restaurants and clubs are now more pleasant places. I'll freely admit to having had severe misgivings when the legislation was introduced and the ban came into force 2 years back but I've come round to agreeing that it was very much the right thing to do, albeit not a very Liberal proposition. There are numerous reasons for my change of heart ... 3:00 pm
Getting around the drugs laws
A conversation got me thinking; what is it we seek to control through drugs laws Is it the substance in question itself, as the system for enforcement would have it - since it prohibits specific substances. Is it the effects of taking certain substances And if so, is it the health effects, the social effects or the immediate short term effects of taking those substances It seems to me that the latter, the short term usually neurological effects that people seek, are mostly benign. People don't do drugs in order to hurt themselves, to bring on short term pain, usually, ... 2:35 pm
Record amount of mince!
Nothing like a good scare story to get a newspaper some more readers and the Daily Record yesterday ran a front page story suggesting that Scottish mince is under threat from the EU and, of course, Gnat MEP Alyn Smith waded in too. The Daily Record today followed up with this story: Butchers warn EU Scots mince ban would be 'unworkable' Mar 25 2008 By Craig McDonald BUTCHERS yesterday branded a ban on traditional Scottish mince as "unworkable" - and impossible to enforce. They hit out at new health rules which state meat used to make mince should be cut ... 2:05 pm
Violent Easter weekend in Hackney
Now that the London GLA campaign is in full swing, I spent a very busy Easter weekend in the sleet and snow out campaigning. On Saturday Lib Dem Mayoral candidate Brian Paddick, came to Hackney. We visited the Shacklewell Lane Mosque, where my father went to worship for many years. Then on to the famous Ridley Road market which has served the borough's communities, providing fresh affordable produce, for decades. This market was at the heart of Dalston, but has been in a steady decline in recent years. My mother has shopped weekly at Ridley, for over 50 years, and ... 2:04 pm
Two ways to drag Parliament into the modern world
Two apparently small - but actually both important and symbolic - campaigns have just been launched to modernise Parliament's attitude towards the internet. First - my colleague Jo Swinson who is calling for Parliament to axe its ban on YouTube. The current situation is - MPs can take footage of them in Parliament and put them on their own website, but they can't put the footage on anything like YouTube. Well - I think that's wrong because not only is using YouTube or similar the easiest and best way of putting footage on your own site, but also - we ... 1:43 pm
Winchester Passion
{Winchester Passion} Winchester had a wonderfully gentle atmosphere on Friday evening. Around 10,000 people (according to the Echo) were in the centre for the Winchester Passion. The evening started at Oram’s Arbour and then moved to the Great Hall, followed by the Law Courts, then the High Street and Butter Cross, and finally the west end of the Cathedral. David Spender has some great photographs of the event - and has set up a Flickr group for the Passion to pull together everyone else’s as well. The following video (shot on a digital camera at quite some distance) is not ... 1:42 pm
Most vacuous leaflet ever
Is this Conservative In Touch from Watford the most vacuous leaflet ever 1:37 pm
Labour's local election confusion
I just listened to a BBC report on the launch of the Labour party's local elections campaign. It majored heavily on the police's Neighbourhood Action Groups where every neighbourhood is supposed to have police on the beat and everyone has instant access to them by email, mobile phone, even perhaps telepathy. Sounds nice Yeah, but, dare we point out the minor flaw - nobody voting on May 1st will be voting for anyone who can do remotely anything about this policy since it is controlled by the unelected Police Authorities. Their budgets are unaccountable to local people, uncappable by the ... 1:32 pm
Tourism and Public Holidays
I always thought that Tourist Information Centres are likely to do a good trade on bank holidays as people look about for things that are going on and Tourist Information Centres are a good place to start for a daytripper. Conservative led Forest Heath has been pushing the district in general as a tourist destination and Newmarket in particular through its ‘Home of Horseracing’ Project. Unfortunate then that the Tourist Information Centre was closed for the entire Easter weekend. That’s the way to go, have a Tourist Information centre closed just when the Tourists turn up! In Conservative controlled Forest Heath, you ... 1:23 pm
Alasdair wins the frenetic postings crown !
Consider me gob-smacked. Alasdair W on Alasdair's LibDem Blog has published 23 posts in the last 36 hours ! That's even broken my record I think! 1:15 pm
Nick Clegg launches Liberal Youth
Later today, party leader Nick Clegg will be launching the new Liberal Youth organisation - the new name for LDYS. Here’s what the press release says: 12:35 pm
Forces Forum: Have Your Say on Iraq
As we mark the Fifth Anniversary of our invasion of Iraq, we are provided with another opportunity to look over what many may call one of the most controversial foreign policy actions of our Government in recent time. The war has proved more costly than anyone could have imagined, in more than just monetary terms. Although over £6.5billion has been spent on the conflict, over the five years since the invasion, 175 British service personnel have been killed and the number of Iraqi civilian fatalities ranges from between 90,000 to 1.2million. Sectarian violence remains a problem and rifts between communities still need to be ... 12:17 pm
The NUT's attitude towards Armed Forces recruitment is childish
As a member of the NUT, I find myself in the embarrassing position of being completely at odds with one of the Unions conference decisions. The NUT is calling for an end to schools co-operating with armed forces recruitment centres, because they claim that the MoD are using "sophisticated" methods to lure youngsters, often in deprived areas, into the armed forces. From what the NUT are saying, they are likening the Armed Forces to some sort of paedophile grooming a child for abuse or like some sort of wacky religious cult luring an impressionable child away from their parents. Anyone ... 12:16 pm
Brown's latest flirtation with PR
Sir Michael White has looked at the current flirtation by the Government with electoral reform. He at least has the title of his piece right (so it was probably written by a sub). Actually that's a little unfair. For the first time in a while, we have a columnist who accepts that the Alternative Vote (AV) system is not a proportional one. It should be fairly obvious that any system by which only one person is elected per area cannot be proportional unless there is soem kind of jobshare. So what is AV and what would it mean Well. First ... 12:00 pm
Cheney-making peace by upsetting enemies
Dick Cheney in his tour of the Middle East said, "There is evidence that Hamas is supported by Iran and Syria and they are doing everything they can to torpedo the peace process." I'm not convinced talking about your enemies like this helps anything. The Bush administration has isolated itself from it's enemies, when actually it should be talking with them. You can't make peace in the middle east without getting everyone on it together, including your enemies. The US government in past has had to face the embarrassment of realising it needs to cooperate with Iran for peace in ... 12:00 pm
Link of the Day Progressive Vision
In the public houses, coffee houses of London punctuating these dirt-ridden, darkened, perilous, labyrinthine streets of our palpitating urban heart amid plotting journalists, government spies and pickpocketing street urchins people often approach me, causing me to flinch and jolt away in fear! Agh! This is it! My time! My time! I will die for my beliefs! But wait, they are whispering reassurances, it is merely some harmless Jacobin. Yes, yes, good Sir, I would like an ale, thank thee. Then they say, these people who approach me, they say: Julian H, your blog is a wonderment and I shall kiss ... 11:57 am
Arrogance, councils and the way things are run
The row over the proposed move of St. Luke’s Hospice’s to Graves Park is of course a huge issue in Sheffield at the moment. There has been a lot written about it, but this comment piece by Paul License, editor of the Sheffield Star, is one of the best. It’s succinct and sums [...] 11:56 am
MOD Spends Millions Renting Empty Homes
Commenting, Liberal Democrat Shadow Defence Secretary, Nick Harvey said: These figures are another kick in the teeth to armed forces families living in shoddy and substandard housing. Something has clearly gone very wrong when a family has to live with a broken boiler because rent on the condemned house up the road is soaking up their maintenance budget. (more…) 11:51 am
Our failure to aid Afghanistan
The $10billion (£5bn) of aid promised to Afghanistan is yet to have been given. Two Thirds of aid bypasses the Afghan Government, 40% goes back to donor countries through consultant fees and expatriate pay. Its a disgrace. We must be backing up democracy in Afghanistan with aid. We are failing the high expectances people had when the Taliban fell. We are about to spend £25bn on renewing Trident. It is clear that if you dont help lift a country up they are more likely to fall to extremists. Thats a fact we know from history, Germany fell to the Nazis ... 11:33 am
Does the case for mega bridges always stack up
The following letter was published in the New Civil Engineer magazine dated 20-03-08 and is from Catherine's Dad, Ross Carruthers. In it he highlights the enormous costs of the Scottish Governments proposals. "I write with regard to the proposed replacement Forth crossing. The Chinese intend building a crossing from Macao to Hong Kong: 36.3km of bridge and tunnel for £2 Billion (£57.9 Million per km) The English are considering a road and rail link in the Thames estuary: 7.6km of tunnel for £1 Billion (£131.6 Million per km) The Scottish Government is pushing ahead with a replacement bridge over the ... 11:29 am
Medvedev on Nato
Incoming President Dmitry Medvedev has spoken his opposition to the idea of Ukraine and Georgia joining NATO. But to be fair if I was Russia I wouldn't be happy. How would we feel if Ireland and France joined a union against us. Ok France is as powerful as Britain and the Ukraine isn't as powerful as Russia. But Russia still feels Nato is a union against them and they are right. 11:18 am
BBC unblocked in China
Internet users in China have for the first time for years been able to get online to the BBC. Pressure was mounting on China. I've described the great firewall of China in previous posts. It is great news for freedom in China. The BBC has a report on a book about how governments are censoring the Internet. 11:12 am
Kenyan Cabinet deal in slow progress
"Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister designate Raila Odinga are meeting to finalise the process of naming a new grand coalition cabinet. "BBC. The cabinet will be split 50-50. The solutions seem so simple. Why can't men agree sooner before the violence gets out of control Of course it's more complicated than that. There are so many issues behind it. It's so sad how such violence could of come out of the elections. Lessons must be learnt. 11:11 am
Olympic parabolic miror focuses it's uncomfortable glare on Beijing...
As the torch was lit for the relay around the world to unite atheletes to compete in the Olympics, the parabolic mirror managed to focus most on China's poor record on human rights and particularly the recent violence in Tibet. It will be interesting to see how China reacts over the next few months to the olive branch torch heading it's way, a symbol of peace, hope and a world sporting movement dedicated to competition without descrimination, retribution or fear. 11:09 am
Did your MP vote for the Iraq war
You can find out the answer on the party’s new site, www.holdthemtoaccount.com. Having been cheerleaders for the war in 2003, the Conservatives are now trying to pass themselves off as sceptics with their call for an inquiry (something the Liberal Democrats have already demanded). Ed Davey’s quote is worth mentioning: “For the Tories to demand an inquiry into [...] 11:02 am
Remember Basra
Do you remember a few months ago we supposedly handed over Basra to the Iraqi authorities because it was now safe to do so Isn't it odd therefore that the Iraqi's have now had to laucnh a military offensive to effectively retake the city 11:00 am
Mining pushes South Africans out
90% of the worlds platinum is in South Africa, so the company Anglo Americans mining has become hugely profitable and successful. They are a major part of the South African economy paying $1billion to the government. However deep pit mines have been abandoned for the cheaper open cast mines. Huge amounts of land are destroyed in this mining. Thousands of residents have been forced out of their ancestral land and water has been polluted. Anglo American say they are giving compensation and platinum is used in catalytic converters, the market has been boasted by the need for clean air. We ... 10:57 am
A Ponte Metálica
One of the most unusual distinctive features of Fortaleza is the pier that juts out from the old port just a short stroll from where I’m staying — commonly known as ‘a ponte metálica’. From the air, it looks like something that belongs in Bournemouth, which is not surprising as it was built by the [...] 10:50 am
Why we should support an Iraq Inquiry WITH the Tories
The Liberal Democrats have launched a new website today, calling for the MPs still in Parliament who voted for the Iraq military action to be held to account (i.e. voted out, preferably in favour of a Liberal Democrat). Snappily titled Iraq: Hold Them to Account, it’s partially a reaction to Tory calls for an inquiry [...] 10:34 am
The German invasion of Liechtenstein
I’ve seen little about this. The German government is annoyed that some of its citizens avoid the high taxes it imposes by putting money in banks in Liechtenstein. So annoyed is the German government that they illegally paid for account details stolen by a Liechtenstein bank employee. As Crown Prince Alois declared: Germany will not solve its problems [...] 10:16 am
Hows your campaign going
LDV is hoping to bring a series of podcasts from the campaign trail this April in the run up to a big set of local elections across the country. (If you don’t know who’s having elections, Keith Edkins has a handy trailer. “Cheshire West and Chester” sounds like a clumsy name for a local authority!) You [...] 10:06 am
Are you sitting comfortably
It seems 400 guests on the London Eye got a longer journey than expected when taking an Easter flight on the attraction yesterday evening. A technical problem with one of the tyres meant the wheel was stopped suspending the passengers 450 feet above the River Thames for 90 minutes instead of the usual 30. Apparently comfort packs were opened by the guests although the word comfort didnt immediately appear in my mind when reading of the contents. Water, glucose sweets and a commode when youre in a glass capsule above the Thames doesnt sound at all comfortable! Where were the ... 9:44 am
Whoops: Hold Them to Account Ignores Boundary Changes
Updated: To take into account action taken since this posting. I just followed a link to Hold Them to Account knowing full well the result I should have got for Michael Connarty my MP. Obviously the reason I knew was that his vote on Iraq was one thing we actually had in common at the 2005 election. However, on entering my postcode I got the following message. Your Labour MP, Michael Connarty, 9:38 am
Brian Paddicks autobiography is out
Following serialisation of the highlights in the Sunday papers, you can now buy Brian Paddick’s autobiography, Line of Fire. The blurb says: Now freed of the constraints imposed by his professional responsibilities Brian Paddick reveals the full extraordinary story of his life and career. From early days on the beat, including searing experiences such as the Brixton [...] 9:38 am
Who knows where the time goes
Once again any notion that Newton, Einstein and Hawking had it right about the nature of time and space is blown right out of the water with the simple observation that time at weekends travels faster than time during the week. This phenomenon, casually overlooked by generations of so-called physicists, is particularly acute at long weekends, and I am suffering from its effects today. The Easter weekend was spent largely around the letterboxes of the district, distributing the new St Marys Focus, sliding about in the snow and remembering why it is that repeatedly walking up and down sloping driveways ... 9:33 am
Basra on the Edge
When British troops left Basra they handed it to rival militias who have been fighting for control over the city and oil smuggling routes. The Iraqi Army are in heavy fighting with rival Shia militia. This includes the Mehdi Army a powerful group loyal to radical Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr, who is responsible for renewing a ceasefire which has helped bring more security in Iraq. However there are still many assassinations, kidnappings in the Mehdi Armys Basra stronghold, as armed groups try to control oil smuggling routes. The Mehdi Army has said it will retaliate if its members are killed. ... 9:28 am
My policy on comments
Following yesterday's minor controversy, I thought it might be helpful to outline my own policy on blog comments. As this is my blog, I reserve the right to control what appears on here, which is why I have comment moderation enabled. However, as far as I am concerned, almost anything goes. The only reason I would refuse to allow a comment on this blog is if it is inciting hatred against a particular person or group of people, or if it is extremely offensive. Thus far, I have not had to stop anything from going on the blog on that ... 9:27 am
Tory pig-headedness on Iraq invasion
It was rather unpleasant seeing William Hague on GMTV and BBC Breakfast today. His appearance is enough to curdle porridge. He was bleating on about there needing to be an inquiry into the Iraq War. But his argument doesn't stack up. He still says it was right to invade Iraq! Unbelievable! How on earth can we move forward while there exists such pig-headed reluctance to acknowledge the mistake 9:18 am
Who is Margaret Hemmings
Quick answer, she's a Tory who comments on Conservative Home, and has just posted this little gem about electoral reform. I wanted this to reside in Google forever as I'm sure that along with everyone else who comments on ToryHome, she wants to me an MP some day. We should campaign to lower the number of MPs by 50. (most of the 1st 50 to go are Labour MPS so will boost our chances of winning). Redraw electoral boundaries so that all constituencies have the same number of electors. Would deliver another 20 seats. Remove more Welsh/Scottish MPs from the ... 9:13 am
M is for .
Mark. A 43 year old faceless bureaucrat from London, England. Like Bernard, a Lib Dem activist, former local councillor, journalist, culture vulture and real ale fan' from Inverness, Scotland, Mark has taken it upon himself to pass comment on an earlier post of mine, 'On this day in 1933', I would like to thank Mark for his kind words. However, if I may quote Mrs T (once again), If you just set out to be liked, you would be prepared to compromise on anything at any time, and you would achieve nothing. 8:54 am
Vantage Point
To cap off the Easter weekend I went to see Vantage Point at the cinema last night. The film is told from the vantage point of eight different people, it was okay but could have worked much better than it did - it was almost trying to be too clever. 8:45 am
Hold them to Account
Today seems the launch of holdthemtoaccount a new campaigning site from the Lib Dems to hold those MPs who voted for the Iraq war to account. This come at the same time as a vote in the Commons on a Conservative motion calling for an inquiry into the war. Hang on, are those the same Tories who trotted meekly into the Aye lobby behind the Government when the Commons were debating going to war Everybody knows that the Liberal Democrats have consistently opposed the illegal invasion of Iraq, a war which has cost $6.5 billion and rising, 170 British soldiers' ... 8:19 am
A Matter of Conscience
The forthcoming vote on the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill is generating much more heat than light at the moment. There are some very complex issues up for discussion and at the moment the debate seems to be polarising between the Labour Party and the Catholic Church, with Labour MPs being forced to choose between the two. Gordon Brown is taking control freakery to a whole new level by not allowing his MPs a free vote on this. Whatever happens now he will be damaged - either by being forced to back down or by losing what is projected to ... 7:48 am
Hammersmith Meets Adoption Target
The London Borough of Hammersmith announced on 10th March 2008 that they are pleased to get £500,000 from the government for hitting the government adoption target of 101 adoptions. (see link) More than 100 children have been adopted in the borough during the last three years, after the Council met a target from central Government target that many experts thought would be unachievable. The 7:31 am
Who is watching
This article on Comment is Free by Zoe Margolis highlights the latest developments that threaten our internet privacy. In particular the fact that the UK's three biggest internet service providers - BT, Virgin Media and TalkTalk, who between them have more than 10 million customers - have recently signed a deal with Phorm to categorise all of our web-surfing habits in order to target online ads at us: The essence of the Phorm scheme is straightforward. It will have equipment at ISPs that will track your activities on port 80 (used for the web) - though not to secure websites. ... 7:30 am
Holding MPs to account
The Liberal Democrats have launched a new website designed to focus attention on those MPs who voted to take us to war in Iraq. Called Hold your MP to account, the site points out that Britain only invaded Iraq because MPs voted for it. Asked on 18th March 2003 to support Tony Blairs motion for military action against Iraq, Labour and Conservative MPs lined up to vote aye. Both the Conservative and Labour frontbenches in the House of Commons supported the war. The Conservatives even argued that the Government wasnt being tough enough. Five years on, over 170 British servicemen ... 7:29 am
My weekly gripe about National Express
I got to Newcastle Central at 7am to catch the 7.20am train to London and for the second week running, my train has been cancelled. Last week's excuse was that the train had broken down. This week's is they "don't have a set". I know what they don't have - an ability to run a bloody train service. It seems barking mad to let a company run train services when they can't even lay their hands on 7:07 am
Devine Intervention on Embryo Row
Here's a question for Cardinal Keith O'Brien, how much of the food he ate on this Easter table came from a hybrid source And does he not also have any qualms about eating that When he got elected to replace Robin Cook you could almost sence that at some point Jum Devine would take on the church over some issue or other. Well yesterday the Roman Catholic, Celtic supporting member for 6:05 am
Texts and twitters
13:27 arriving into Leeds station hoping at least one shop is open... # 17:12 impressed by the Scarbrough, happy with CEX and very scared by the amount Jennie spent in Lush. #Microblogging by SMS, it's all the rage donchaknow. Using LoudTwitter and Twitter. 2:18 am
Protection or Free Trade - Tories debate
There's this extraordinary debate going on (well actually the comments are closed) on ConservativeHome about a piece by a chappie called Tony Makara who is advocating a protectionist trade policy the likes of which has not been seen in the UK for a generation: Anthony Makara: Britain imports too much Over the last weeks I've read much about the subject of welfare reform. The arguments about incapacity benefit and workfare. However all these strategies for welfare reform fail to answer one fundamental question. How are we going to get people into work I believe all the proposed plans for welfare ... 2:00 am
Why Catholic moralism makes me sick
I seem to be incapable of blogging at the moment - the problem with failing to do it for a couple of weeks is getting back into the habit is often really difficult when there are so many distractions out there. This is a shame because there is plenty to blog about. The main thing that has been getting my goat over the past weekend has been the escalating row over the upcoming vote on the Embryo Bill, actively being stoked up by people such as Cardinal Keith O’Brien who has been come up with all sorts of colourful phrases ... 
