LibDem Blogs - Archived! - Tuesday 1st April 2008

The EU treaty saga rumbles on ...

Lord McNally, Lib Dem leader in the Lords, is opposed to a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty. Lib Dem peers are going to vote against holding a public vote. This could be crucial: no party has a majority in the Upper House, which makes it quite possible for the government to be defeated. However, if the Lib Dem peers vote with the government, instead of abstaining as our MPs did in the Commons, Labour should comfortably avoid a referendum. The fiasco over the Commons vote has cast a shadow over Nick Clegg's leadership, after an otherwise very promising start, and ...

Nick Clegg superstud

Women began queueing early in the morning when they heard that the new Lib Dem leader was in town. Note the brilliance of our party's press operation: they arrange for news of Nick's embarrassing GQ interview to leak out on 1 April so that everyone will assume it is a spoof.

Reflections from Redbridge

Mark and I have just got in from the launch of Farrukh Islam's campaign for the GLA seat of Havering and Redbridge. Farrukh asked me a few weeks ago if I'd come along to support him, and speak at the dinner so of course I was delighted to do so. Farrukh is an absolute dynamo with a long track record of community and charity activism, and his range was reflected in the audience which covered the whole spectrum of the constituency. We had short speeches from Mike Tuffrey, our leader on the GLA, and Denys Robinson who is Chair of ...

For anybody just reading the start of my post about the vile words of the BNP candidate about rape on Lib Dem Blogs

Putting his words first was deliberate. I wanted it to grab attention. I want people to read it. I don't want some wimpy opening by me that means these foul words from this man who wants to be elected get missed!

I must have been brainwashed by the feminazis

Because I find this man despicable. There’s more at the Evening Standard and Duncan Borrowman also has the story (as I’m sure many others will). Perhaps I can be saved however, because being a good liberal, I do support his right to say such idiotic things. Where would we be if he couldn’t say them We might [...]

Off the beaten path: lifting our game in East London

And so, inevitably, I'm at a dinner launching Farrukh Islam's campaign for the GLA constituency of Havering & Redbridge, here in Barkingside. There is a theory that investment of campaigning resources in those areas of traditional weakness that exist will achieve significant returns in terms of additional votes. After all, we all adhere to a belief that, if given a genuine choice, the public

BNP candidate shows his true colours

The Evening Standard reports that a senior BNP leader with a strong chance of winning a seat in the London Assembly next month has written that rape is a "myth" and that "some women are like gongs - they need to be struck regularly." The paper explains: Nick Eriksen, the BNP's London organiser and the second-highest candidate on its list for the Assembly, is the author of "Sir John Bull," a notorious far-Right blog which has regularly advocated hatred and abuse against women. The disclosure will be a serious blow to the BNP's hopes of London electoral success. On 24 ...

Same old excuse

A short diversion from watching what could be either a gentle pas de deux as Mugabe exits Zimbabwe, or something rather bloodier, I was pleased to read that Northern Rock intend to repay me (as a taxpayer). I was less pleased to learn that they plan to reward Adam Applegarth for having led them into this fix by paying him £785,000. And they trot out the same hoary old excuse - they're legally obliged to, because it's in his contract. Why is it in his contract Because they put it there in the first place. I'd dearly love to be ...

Feel the fear...

"Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway" is one of those lifestyle/motivational books that several colleagues about fifteen years ago swore by but to which I gave a wide berth. But maybe I should have read it...I've been out canvassing tonight, something about which I have an irrational phobia. I don't think Lib Dem colleagues actually understand what I mean when I say that - they think I'm joking, making light of it. But I really am not. The thought of ringing strangers' doorbells and asking them what even I consider to be a pretty personal question about who they ...

42: Now what was the question

I simply do not understand the government's position on the forty-two day proposal for the time a suspect can be held without charge. I saw a blog post recently, but for the life of me can't remember where, that listed the equivalent period in other western democracies. I seem to remember seeing that the next highest limit in any country is fourteen days, and that most don't have any extension beyond their normal two day period for all suspects. Correct me if all that is crap, but assuming it's not, what is it about the UK that means that we ...

Rape is like eating chocolate cake

I've never understood why so many men have allowed themselves to be brainwashed by the feminazi myth machine into believing that rape is such a serious crime ... Rape is simply sex. Women enjoy sex, so rape cannot be such a terrible physical ordeal. To suggest that rape, when conducted without violence, is a serious crime is like suggesting that forcefeeding a woman chocolate cake is a heinous

More on the Stoughton "eco town"

Two months ago I wrote about Co-operative Wholesale Society's plans to develop the Stoughton Estate here in Leicestershire as an "eco town". Now Unmitigated England writes: The idea pretends to cash-in on the environmental bandwagon, claiming the desire to build 'green' houses on already richly-green pastureland. We all know that this is a lie, greed dressed-up in eco clothes.and also has two beautiful photographs of the area.

Unexploded World War II bomb found at Ratlinghope

This is what people buy the Shropshire Star for: Workmen digging at a Shropshire farm uncovered a World War Two bomb believed to have been dropped by German airmen more than 60 years ago.Bomb experts exploded the device in a field near the farm in Ratlinghope last night after it was dug up during conversion work. The site of the bomb is where the popular Farmer Phils Music Festival is held each year.A couple of thoughts. This makes the achievement of Pussywillow in living to the age of 26 all the more remarkable. Mystery at Witchend, the first of Malcolm ...

Robert Mugabe and Zimbabwe

Keep up with the latest news at This is Zimbabwe.

Banned from the Conservative Club

I have to say I am a little bit miffed with my local paper for the way they reported my previous blog. See the lead story here: http://www.thisissouthdevon.co.uk/ I didn’t ask the...

King of the Herbs

Ive just come back from the vet. I was going to blog earlier about how my cat’d peed on a picture of Cllr. Warmisham on the way (sorry John). Sadly though, that post is confined to the bin as poor Parsley turned out to have had kidney failure and Ive just been with him while [...]

Zimbabwe eases towards release from Mugabe

It seemed highly likely that intense negotiations were going on behind the scenes in Zimbabwe, aimed at a smooth transition of power. For me this has been confirmed by the increasingly open reports from BBC correspondents from within the country, where they are still officially banned. The voting figures had all been posted at each polling station on Saturday, so the accumulated...

Ten most popular blog postings (1st quarter, 2008)

End of another quarter - so it's time for another top ten list. Here are the blog postings which have proved most popular with readers of my blog in the last three months: 10. The interesting case of Seb Green - the admirable way someone has reacted when things go wrong. 9. I'm the bride - at last! - blogging prize, not wedding bells. But nearly as exciting. 8. One of my favourite topics for blog postings - about winning an election! This time Rachel Allison was the much deserving winner in the Highgate by-election. 7. I've blogged quite extensively ...

Labour kicks out Rochdale councillor

An update on the story of Labour Councillor David Murphy. Last week, Alex reported on this site about the growing controversy over Cllr Murphy’s long-term residence in South West Europe, despite remaining a councillor in Rochdale. Now we hear that the Labour Party has taken action - withdrawing the whip from David Murphy. According to Labour’s statement: The [...]

Communication - Or lack of it !!

Ok you all know how sad I am when it comes to gadgets, I have got to have the latest Gizmo be it an ipod classic or xbox. How annoyed was I when listening on the way into work this morning to the Ipod and the very interesting podcast TWIP (this week in photography) well I find it interesting! The discussion was about taking photos in Africa, a listener had asked what was the biggest flash card

Seeing my garden for the first time in 6 months

It was a strange feeling, leaving Cowley St last night when it was still daylight. A combination of the clocks going forward an hour and leaving before 7pm for the first time in ages (I was feeling knackered so left early to have an early night.) So I got to see my London back garden for the first time in about 6 months last night. I am at home in Gateshead over the weekends and on my days off

Leeds get their revenge on Donny with a superb Sheehan free-kick

Leeds United made three changes for tonight's re-arranged game against Doncaster Rovers at the Keepmoat Stadium, watched by a record crowd. Paul Huntington, Jonathan Douglas and Frazer Richardson started in place of Rui Marques, David Prutton and Darren Kenton. Donny started strongly and United worked hard to fend off two or three good chances. But on 20 minutes Douglas won a free-kick just outside the penalty box and Alan Sheehan sent in a superb curler to score his first goal for the Whites, 1-0. Neil Kilkenny headed off the line from Rovers midfielder Jason Price in the 36th minute, as ...

50 best TV shows "of all time"

Me like meme. From Mat Bowles, who got the story from here. These are, according to Empire Mag, or rather there obviously straightjacketed readers, the 50 greatest small screen treats ever. in history. wow. The Wire makes it in at No 8. Told you it was great. Although how in the hell it was beaten by something as shit as Buffy I do not know. Rules are: Bold for ones you’ve got (originally DVD form but I am expanding to include my, erm, totally legit downloads). Italics for the ones you’d happily watch, rent or buy, for the ones you ...

UPDATE: Liberal Democrats to drop "Democrats"

April Fools (I think I’m surprising no-one with this, right) Other pranks being played around the web: Gmail’s new “Custom Time” feature. The BBC flies some penguins. Lib Dem Voice reveals Labour’s new family and immigration policies. Andy Mayer on the Electoral Commission’s new requirements. Boris to do PMQs tomorrow: Guido Fawkes. Is it wrong that I really want this to [...]

Paddy Pantsdown

It seems Nick is not just a smooth-talker when mingling with the members apparently, according to GQ magazine, possessing the gift of the gab makes his journey to the bedroom in the evenings with female company much easier and frequent as well. Perhaps Nick misinterpreted the question, How many women would actually know for a fact if youre good in bed, and thought it could include a womans close friend, in which case the figure would be 10-15. After all we know how girls gossip about such issues Nick must either have had a great time whilst single, had very ...

Confusion and contradiction over the EU constitution

News that Lib Dem peers will vote against plans for a referendum on the EU Constitution should come as no surprise to anyone since the whole messed up Lib Dem policy to the referendum seems to have come as a result of some pressure from Lib Dem lords in the first place. What I do find odd though is Shirley Williams response that " never in Britain has there been an objective attempt to explain the European Union to our people and they have been subjected to the most astonishing propaganda, not least from major influences in the printed press." ...

Another Twitter first

On the basis that Lynne Featherstone was really the first MP to start Twittering (Alan Johnson’s temporary use of Twitter for his Labour Deputy Leadership bid being the half-exception), that likely means that this update from Lynne is the first Twitter update that’s been done from the benches of the House of Commons. Conservative MP Douglas [...]

THAT Clegg interview

You can always rely on Piers Morgan to lower the tone of anything he takes part in, so it's no surprise that he subjected Nick Clegg to what I can imagine was for Nick a quite uncomfortable personal grilling. In an interview for GQ magazine, reported by the BBC, he answered some pretty intimate personal questions in his usual straightforward and honest manner. I see that I was not alone in wondering if the reports of this interview were not an April fool. Christine suggests that some things are better left unsaid, but I think he did the best he ...

Stupid BNP member is outed as writer of Stupid blog

With thanks to {[info]} innerbrat for flagging this up; the Evening Standard and the Daily Hate are both running an article by Andrew Gilligan (yes, that Andrew Gilligan) about a reprehensible, hate-filled scumbag who has been posting the most vile opinions on a blog entitled "Sir John Bull". His name is Nick Erikson. He's a former Tory and now a "senior member of the BNP". His charming views include the idea that To suggest that rape, when conducted without violence, is a serious crime is like suggesting that force feeding a woman chocolate cake is a heinous offence. A woman ...

Mugabe-en and gone

So Mugabe might finally be going. Three roistering cheers for that news but what is perhaps far more heartening is that the deal for his departure is said to have been arranged by the South African president. This is much more encouraging than the usual announcement that a clutch of European, American or Russian diplomats are flying in to get involved - with the best of intentions, I freely accept. Fingers, toes, and everything else crossed...

Ten Reasons To Keep the Post Office Open

More than 4,000 people have now signed the petition to keep the post office in Englands Lane open. I can only think of two policies in my adult life that have been as unpopular as the decision to downsize the Post Office the Iraq War and the Poll Tax. Here are ten reasons why I believe the Post Office and the government should reconsider: 1) We had three sub post offices in Belsize until recently all of which were much loved and much used. England's Lane is the last one.2) The Post Office was negotiating with the newsagent on Haverstock ...

Riverside updates

As reported in today's Courier, I have been back in touch with the City Council's Waste Management Department for an update on the proposed Riverside Nature Park around the civic amenity site. I have been told that the City Council has recently had a meeting with Scottish Government and SEPA which was productive. There are, as a result, two meetings arranged in the near future between the City Council and SEPA in order to plan the way forward. The Head of Waste Management has agreed to meet me after these meetings have taken place to discuss what progress has been ...

It's not only the guilty who get arrested

Did a piece for BBC London News on Kevin Reynolds - a constituent who was arrested as a suspect in the Sally Anne Bowman case. Kevin had a dreadful 36 + hours before the police eliminated him from their enquiries. But they took his DNA and somewhere in cyber-record, despite his innocence, his name is linked with a murder enquiry as a suspect. One really dreadful aspect of his ordeal, however, is that the police - had they been doing their job properly - could have eliminated him in five minutes. They already had his DNA on the much vaunted ...

50 best TV shows "of all time"

Heh, another amusing "best ever" list that, for the most part, concentrates on the last few years only at Empire Magazine. Aint it Cool smugly observes: Britains Empire magazine has chosen the 50 best TV shows ever made. Turns out they think only 39 of them are American shows! which partially reflects the nature of Empire's readership and the point that until recently British TV didn't normally even try to make the sort of shows listed, let alone get given a decent budget. As Film Fodder points out, and as you'd expect from Empire, about 40% of the best TV ...

In defence of Harriett Harman

I am not the sort of person who is likely to join the Harriett Harman fan club, indeed you might argue that she is, to me, about as loathsome as a Green Party activist. But I have to offer some defence for her position today in the face of some really silly criticism. It appears that some are making political mischief because she decided to wear a police stab vest when she went on a walk about with police in her South London constituency. Some are claiming that she should not have worn the vest and that it is an ...

Moving on from Comrade Bob

Well, we still don't know the results of the elections in Zimbabwe. Admittedly there are rather a lot of them on the same day: Presidential, Parliamentary and Local. However the incredibly slow release of the figures can only reinforce the fear that -as so often in the past- Comrade Bob and his stooges in Zanu-PF are busy stealing the election. However, there is also the growing possibility that the scale of the victory of the MDC is so crushing that despite all of the efforts of the ruling party it is going to be impossible to hide. The fact that ...

In God We Doubt

As someone who spends longer than can ever be considered healthy obsessing about theological issues, I have come to remarkably few conclusions. So few, that I have been forced to subscribe to Olin Miller's assertion that "to be absolutely certain about something, one must know everything or nothing about it". I guess that's my cynical pragmatism at work. However that doesn't stop me wishing I could believe in something - really believe in a way that gives my life a purpose I can dedicate myself to, rather than forcing myself to swallow a grain of truth surrounded by a load ...

No Metaphors To Declare

It takes a peculiarly British sense of humour to make April Fools Day the day on which most major changes to government services come into effect. This year's main event is of course the "National" Travel Pass for elderly and disabled passengers in England, something that has kicked up something of a storm on this side of... Well, what exactly Offa's Dyke is the traditional metaphor, but

Casanova Clegg

I couldn't decide if this was an April Fool or if Nick Clegg is simply putting the 'L' back into Liberal. According to today's Guardian "Nick Clegg cannot be accused of forgetting his promise to make British political life as "open and accessible" as possible". "In an unusually candid interview [with the men's mag GQ], the Liberal Democrat leader reveals that he has slept with as many as 30 women and considers himself a competent lover, but admits he has received the odd complaint." I'll be asking for Freedom of Information disclosures on Brown and Cameron next.... Are some things ...

Wednesday 26th March Annual Reception

I hosted the Reception and then the Annual Dinner of the Mayor's Corps of Honorary Guides which was an absolutely lovely dinner prepared by the councils caterers. Then the Speeches and Presentation of Badges to new Guides then chatter to the guests. I think everyone enjoyed their dinner without a doubt.

Spot the difference

Today Rafa Benitez, the Liverpool manager made a statement protesting at the verbal abuse shouted by Everton fans at Steven Gerrard and used this to have a go at Everton. Everton responded by reporting that a number of Everton players were similarly verbally abused and that Phil Neville was spat at and punched by some Liverpool fans (which could be seen on TV at the time whilst the Liverpool stewards did nothing). So both sides have complaints, but only Liverpool chose to go "public" and start the war of words. So what is the response from the clubs themselves. Everton ...

Easter Weekend Saturday

Easter Weekend lovely to watch the Rugby at the Rec and also enjoy their hospitality as well. After Lunch and some refreshments as well we sat down to watch the Rugby. The match was Bath and London Irish which Bath won 19-16 it was a rather chilly day I thanked Jack Rowell very nicely for the coat he let me borrow because I under estimated on how cold it was that day because I don't normally feel...

The evening of 20th March

Bath Futures Event at the Great Western Wine, Wells Road. A chance to catch up to speed with Festivals and keep in touch we also had a very good Poet Lemn Sissay. He certainly didn't make the poetry boring that's for sure everyone, enjoyed it as far as I could see.

Visit by students Thursday 20th March

Students from Sainte Catherine de Sienne, Aix en Provence visited the Parlour they were doing an exchange with King Edwards School they understood the Parlour talk. And had refreshments then they left and went to the Roman Baths.

On selling up

Mixed feelings today as it's the 19th anniversary of Mum's death and Billy (my Brother) & I have instructed an estate agent to put the house on the market. I'm really looking forward to moving in with Catherine over in Kinross-shire but am naturally saddened at the end of an era in Irvine and in Herbertson Crescent especially. Our family are the only people who have ever occupied the house since it's construction in 1957; I sleep in the room in which I was born (lived in the house 1961-1980 & 1999-date); Mum died at home; many, happy memories and ...

Nick Clegg supports the Free Our bills campaign

Free Our Bills is campaigning to get information about legislation passing through Parliament available in a sensible electronic format, so that it can more easily be made use of and publicised on the internet. Nick Clegg has now given the campaign his full support: Parliament belongs to the people. Its time to open it up so people [...]

Forces Forum: A Broken Covenant

The impact of the Iraq war and our intervention in Afghanistan is taking its toll on the troops and on morale, retention and recruitment. More than ever in recent history our forces are at a point of critical overstretch. This week we want to ask what you think about the military covenant, the mutual obligation that binds the nation, the Army and each individual soldier and is meant to guarantee that in exchange for personal sacrifices and the forgoing of some personal rights and freedoms the Army are treated with fairness, respect and an adequate ‘duty of care’ : What ...

Visit by the Duke of Gloucester

The Duke of Gloucester visited the Victoria Art Gallery on Thursday 20th March It was the Blue and White Exhibition and had a very good look around the whole Gallery and enjoyed his stay and met the artists and us the Mayor, the Chairman, The Chief Executive of Council and Staff of the Gallery. A lovely man to meet.

Housing Debate Yesterday

I raised a few points in the Housing Debate yesterday (see link). The key point is that bad and insecure housing results in all sorts of problems relating to Education and Health. The government have sown a housing crisis.

Whats the question to which Nick answered No more than 30.

The question, as asked by ex-Mirror editor Piers Morgan for GQ magazine, was, “How many women would actually know for a fact if youre good in bed” You can read about that, and many other interview extracts, on Sam Coates’ Red Box [no pun intended] blog. Perhaps it’s time for LDV to start a new poll, hem-hem, [...]

On the Campaign Trail

With the local elections on 1 May 2008 only a month away, an increasing amount of my time is being spent “on the campaign trail” helping Liberal Democrats standing for election for the Council. Council meetings are now almost over until the next municipal year, which gives even more time for campaigning! In Holyrood Ward, Vic D’Albert, who’s been our councillor for an increadable 17 years is standing for re-election, and there will be a full-slate of Liberal Democrat candidates across Bury. As the Lib Dem’s Group Leader in Bury I’ll be helping wherever I can and last night was ...

Luella, get the popcorn in...

Harriet Harperson is going to deputise for Gordon Brown at PMQs tomorrow. And this just days after she wore body armour to, er, visit her constituency. This is one of those situations where you don't know whether to look or cover your eyes.

Bath Choral Society on Wednesday 19 March

Bath's Choral Society is celebrating their 125th year of it's exisistance this year. Their performance was of Bach's St John's Passion in the Bath Abbey to raise money for the homeless and water aid. Bath choral Society are performing at the Mayor-making this year.

Walcot Children's Centre

Opening of the Walcot Children's Centre opened by the Chairman of the Council a well worth community use by all people weather they need help or they would like to help them for people all over Bath area.

Flying penguins ...

... can be seen here.

Tuesday 18th March, Mayor Holds Citizen Awards 2008

We thank everyone that pushed forward people that they think deserve an award for the service to the local community we had lots of applicants we got it down to eight people finally and then we decided we just could not have chose one out of these eight they are all very outstanding people and it is a hard decision so we decided to make all eight Mayor's Citizen's who all received an aqua glass...

The Macular Disease Society

On Monday 17th March The Macular Disease Society had it's Easter Coffee Morning at the Vision Centre at Green Park Station and they all had to wear Easter Bonnets and I had to judge the best one, they all did a very good job at decorating there hats as it was Easter I had to judge the best Eastery decorated Bonnet who one a Easter Egg. I didn't have anything else that day. ...

Thanks Norman

Another friend, Norman Fraser has been in touch with details of this interestingly titled book and reviews thereof. Enjoy.

Councillor friend cleared by watchdog

My friend, Aberdeenshire Councillor Debra Storr has been cleared by Standards Commission of showing bias in her consideration of the proposed Trump "resort" for the Menie Estate in Aberdeenshire. Debra said: "I am glad this has been cleared up. I try to provide my constituents with as much information as possible on what is happening and use every channel available to me." Debra suggested that the Trump organisation was "closing down other businesses" after they attempted to stop access rights used by local fisherman Michael Forbes. The Council's legal chief had cleared Debra of any wrongdoing back in October last ...

A sticky question

In many ways the publication of a report by a Committee of the House of Lords on the economic impact of immigration could not have come at a worse time. There is already speculation that the BNP may make a breakthrough onto the GLA, and whatever its merits or demerits, the general thrust of this report can only offer succour to that party. Why that should be is complex but essentially boils down to the fact that none of the mainstream parties are really addressing the issues involved. Despite the fact that they are separate, the subjects of immigration and ...

Access Sports 16th March

In the Premier Lounge at Bath Rugby following the Bath Half Marathon small party to say thank you to the group that set it up

£90m school challenge

Redcar and Cleveland Council has a £90million challenge to shape the future of the Borough's young people - and is urging pupils, teachers, governors and parents to help the Authority make the right decisions. The investment, to be spread across the Borough's 11 secondary schools and special schools, comes from the Government's Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme, with £10million earmarked for investment in ICT to underpin the development of 'personalised learning' for all students. The Council's Cabinet Member for Education Councillor Ian Jeffrey said: "BSF is different from other school building initiatives - in terms of its ambition, ...

Tommy the Trot "sacked"

Former MSP and co-Leader of Solidarity (sic) has been binned by Scotland's only commercial talk radio station Talk 107 after 18 months of presenting his show "Saturday & Sunday Morning with Citizen Tommy". He admitted to being "gutted". A talk 107 spokesperson said: ""Tommy's contract was up and we decided not to renew it. We have been making changes at the station and Tommy did not fit the new brief." Regular readers will remember that Sheridan was arrested outside the radio station in December last year as part of a Lothian & borders Police investigation into accusations of perjury during ...

Day 2648: Harriet's Fool

Tuesday: Surely, surely THIS has got to be an April wind-up! Ms Harriet Harpic quizzed for ten minutes by Mr Humpy on the The Today Programme is a waste of everyone's life most days, but today it was almost beyond satire. She is wearing a policeperson's anti-stab jacket. So WHAT: it is a PHOTO OPPORTUNITY, you monkeys, not some kind of surrender to ANARCHY in the UK! On a day when there are MUCH MORE IMPORTANT things to be discussing it just seems a bit BONKERS. In other news: Committee of OAP's from the House of Lords Club says: "We ...

Weekend away...

I was in good Lib Dem territory at the weekend- North Norfolk. It was a sudden and most unexpected trip. Sadly a teacher at school father was ill so I 'volunteered' to go instead. So with less than 12 hours before we were leaving from school, I was rather hastily rearranging my life (unsurprisingly this was completed in a matter of minutes). The weekend was based at Aylmerton Field Study Centre

Only Brian can beat Boris

Looking in as an outsider, but one with some strong London connections, I have often been frustrated by the performance of the Liberal Democrats in London. While there are areas of considerable strength, there are other areas that appear to be Lib Dem deserts, and it seems to me that we have failed to project a high profile and consistent London-wide presence. I'm not close enough to the action

Coming Knocking

Last night I joined fellow Lib Dems, including St Marys Liberal Democrat election candidate Mary DAlbert, canvassing in the ward. It was great to be back out on the doorstep again, and the reception we received was overwhelmingly positive and warm. I miss canvassing. When I first did it, I didnt like it. I thought people would be annoyed at being disturbed, or would shout me off their property with frying pan in hand. But the reality is always so different. We are kindly welcomed by almost everybody, regardless of who they tell us theyre going to be voting ...

Lib Dem plans for Council House investment blocked by Labour, despite rebellion

The Lib Dems in parliament voted last night to massively boost investment in Council housing for the neediest in our society. Despite being backed by thirty Labour MPs rebelling against their own government, Lib Dem proposals were defeated. In one of the biggest revolts since Gordon Brown became prime minister the rebels joined the Lib Dems in calling for more money to “acquire, rehabilitate, and build” more homes. The rebels included five former ministers, Frank Dobson, Peter Kilfoyle, Michael Meacher, Frank Field, and Kate Hoey. The amendment to the Housing and Regeneration Bill called for more resources ...

Mushrooming Scottish Government ...

If I recall correctly, Alex Salmond claimed last May that he was slimming down government, with the creation of Cabinet Secretaries and a slimmed down Cabinet. But, in fact, the SNP government just gets bigger and bigger... It appears virtually all their MSPs are now part of the government. Commenting on the revelation that Alex Salmond has dramatically increased the size of government with the appointment of 14 Nationalist MSPs as "Parliamentary Liaison Officers", Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Chair, Iain Smith MSP, said, ""There are now only 8 Nationalist MSPs who have not been appointed as ministers or committee conveners by ...

Left wing, moi

Another LD blog (the charmingly named and always entertaining Gavins Gaily Gigest) discusses the Economists finding that we are apparently a left wing party. Ive commented there that this is tosh but it brought to mind an idea from way back when I was at college. A rather useless lecturer in politics nevertheless came up with what he called his syndicated blickoscope, named after him, natch, which basically had two axes. The left to right axis, representing the approach to the market of political parties, was there along with a freedom-oppression axis from top to bottom. This allowed you to ...

EXCLUSIVE: Liberal Democrats to drop "Democrats"

Renamed simply “Liberal Party” It seems Nick Clegg’s claims to be “a liberal” (and not “a liberal democrat”) were deliberate. I’ve just come back from a drink with a friend in the Electoral Commission. She works in the section that deals with party registration and they were contacted by the Lib Dems last week to see [...]

Pinch Punch

Guido has given the blogosphere a helpful illustration of the intelligence of his more vocal commenters with an April Fools Day post. Meanwhile, Mugabe weighs up which prank will be funnier: rigging the polls or sending in the heavy squad.

Proud to Be British

I had to laugh during my visit to the British Embassy today. A big poster advertises its mission to provide the 'highest standard of service', even though they summarily closed the passport office last week and relocated it to Paris to cut costs. Of the 'service' that remains in the consular section, this is what the highest standard looks like: As I had predicted, security was tight outside the embassy with lots of menacing looking anti-tank bollards blocking the pavement. I had to hurdle over one of them to get to the consular section. Once there, the punters are left ...

Dear Labour MP: will you be listening to what the Director of Public Prosecutions has to say

Today’s Times reports: Powers to allow terrorist suspects to be detained without charge for 42 days are not needed and are unlikely to find favour with the judges who would have to approve them, the Director of Public Prosecutions said yesterday. Sir Ken Macdonald, QC, who heads the Crown Prosecution Service, said: In our experience, the 28-day [...]

Opinion: Ditch PR in favour of weighted votes

One Liberal Democrat policy area I can never get out of bed for is proportional representation. Dont get me wrong; there is so much at fault with our present constitution starting with the simple observation that we dont really have one as such, through the farcical arrangements pertaining in the Commons and the Lords, [...]

EXCLUSIVE: Labours new family and immigration policies revealed

Courtesy of a forgetful researcher or MP who, whilst using a Parliament photocopier, left behind a document they really shouldnt have left behind, we in Liberal Democrat Voice Towers can bring you an exclusive preview of the new family policies Gordon Brown & co are working on. Susan Kramer, the Liberal Democrats spokesperson on family issues, [...]

Liberal Democrats: The most left-wing party

Whilst out campaigning this weekend someone claimed that the Liberal Democrats were now the most left-wing party in Britain. Being of perhaps the more “liberal” than “social democrat” persuasion I did my usual polite “well, I wouldn’t say that, but then you’d expect me not to” thing and moved on. I then read The Economist’s latest [...]

That day again

Suddenly, I am wary about believing anything I read in the papers. Did Nick Clegg really tell GQ magazine that he has slept with as many as 30 women and considers himself a competent lover or are the media pulling our leg Is Carrie Bradshaw really leaving the realm of fiction to attend the Guardian Hay Festival alongside Aleksandr Isaevich Solzenitsyn Does Iain Dale really expect us to believe that the Centre For Um is very influential in LibDem circles And did somebody really complain that a recent Barclaycard advert on TV was anti-Welsh because of a throwaway quip about ...

Cost of Ill Health to Fall: Well In Scotland Anyway

Well on the way into work this morning. Sarah Kennedy on Radio 2 told us that the cost of perscriptions were rising 25p. Not here in Scotland though. Here the cost of a perscription has been reduced from £6.85 to £5 in the first step to manking all perscriptions free by 2011. Of course we're only catching up with Wales, where perscriptions became free last year while England continues to go the

West Midlands Safari Park: Pictures

Surveying the Elephant Reserve Severn Valley Railway passes by in full steam White Tiger Cubs

WARNING: Election photos to require imprints

Example of the new proposals by the Electoral Commission The Electoral Commission has announced a new consultation today, asking for reactions from political parties to the proposed addition of imprints to all photography included in campaign literature and websites. The Commission has been concerned for some time that the greatly increased use of imagery in modern campaigning has led to some members of the public being misled that the story they are reading is a genuine news item, rather than an item of party political promotion. They consider that current provisions, where a single small imprint is added to the ...

LGBT Rights in Cuba

The Brazilian press is agog at the prospect that Cuba might one day have the most progressive legislation in Latin America regarding human rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. President Raul Castro’s daughter, Mariela Castro Espin, who is Director of Cuba’s National Centre for Sex Education (CENESEX), has proposed that the island’s laws [...]

Gavins Twitter Updates for 2008-03-31

How to disguise the point you are making through the expert application of sociologese: http://tinyurl.com/2o684j # @eclat Oooo… Do you have a Nokia N95 Is it worth me getting one when I upgrade next month # Defence Secretary Des Browne at launch of Stephen Walker’s book ‘Forgotten Soldiers’ - ‘I just want Kevin Spacey to play me [...]

I agree with Harriet Harman (and Bob Neill)!

Browsing the internet tonight I stumbled across a quote from a few weeks ago from the Leader of the House, Harriet Harman: "And when it comes to allegations of criminal offences, it's the police who investigate not this House, and it's the courts who judge, not this House." Spot on Ms Harman! I also felt a certain irony in reading the quote from Bob Neill in the same article. Bob Neill (Bromley

Reasons to like Boris Johnson

Having had one reason alone to like Boris (he's entertaining if nothing else), I thought of another earlier on today. He's the only Tory MP i've yet seen admit that he made a mistake in voting for the Iraq war. Could it be that this blubbering buffoon, who struggles to get his words out around the silver spoon stuck in his mouth, could be the only Tory with any political backbone at all Other examples appreciated if you have them.

Overheard conversation of the day

On the train back from London, a guy in his late 50's who'd had a few too many was arguing with the conductor. As well as trying to travel on an under 26 ticket, he offered this verbal gem. Conductor: There's no need to shout sir Passenger: I need to shout, I'm deaf Conductor: Well Sir, I'm not. Wonderful.

Liberal Democrat Agents and Organisers Association

On Sunday I was in London for a meeting of the Liberal Democrat Agents and Organisers Association. It was the first time I could take part in a meeting this year since when the previous meeting took place I was out of the county.

Day 2644: TOYCHWUD: Fragments

Friday: There is less than a week to go until PROPER Doctor Who and I have the latest trailer here to watch courtesy of the BBC WhoTube so you might think that we've forgotten all about Torchwood. And you'd be right! [R: er, or not] Oh no, apparently, you'd be wrong Daddy has another review for you: Having not done a "how the team was recruited" story for the first series, Gwen's story in "Everything Changes" excepted, the second season seems rather early to be going back to do the "what came before" story. Perhaps it's "Babylon 5"'s "In the ...

Tuesday 1st April 2008

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