Wednesday 16th July 2008

11:43 pm

Water on the Brain

Gravatar Oil has dominated the geopolitical agenda for the past three decades, not least since George W Bush and Dick Cheney have been in charge in Washington. But water could be the new oil, according to Ed Davey, Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs spokesman and MP for Kingston and Surbiton. He was the keynote speaker at the [...]
11:42 pm

Wordpress 2.6: a Bloggers dream...

Gravatar So, after procrastinating for ages, I decided yesterday to get around to installing the most recent versions of Wordpress and play around. But life got in the way, good job I waited really, as they released version 2.6 today so I've been playing with that. It's good, it's so very very good. If you're currently using Google's Blogger service, now is very much the time to think about switching and getting set up on your own domain and server[1]. Specifically, I've updated Warlord TaKtiX[2]. Those of you that've visited the site before will remember that I was using a multiple ...
11:36 pm

Northumberland Avenue: speeding still a problem

Gravatar A constituent has written to me to highlight the issue of speeding on Northumberland Avenue. He reports that cars are racing up and down the road doing speeds of up to 60mph and he fears for the safety of his young daughter and other families. This is of grave concern as this is a highly residential area with a park, a nursery and several schools along its length. I have been concerned about road safety at this location for quite a while and raised the scandal of the speed camera with no film in it , and road safety in ...
11:34 pm

C-words

Gravatar No, I'm not swearing about the driving examiner who went on strike today without calling the people (including me) who had booked a test before doing so, though I must admit the urge is with me! These are clean c-words which have been bouncing around in my head for the last few days.. First of all, I must say, my conscience is bothering me. This blog doesn't have a huge readership, but I know there are some people who like to read it to keep tabs on Pembroke Liberal Democrat activity, or even on me. I suppose I ought to ...
11:24 pm

Parking on Hexham Road estate

Gravatar You may have seen the article in the Post last week about our successful campaign to get  RBC to reduce parking problems for residents living around Hexham Road. The Council's initiative will focus on parking problems that occur around the Community Centre at weekends. For several months Labour councillors and officers denied there was a shortage of parking for residents. This isn't what my constituents have been telling me - I've had a number of emails and phone calls about the issue. Parking on grass verges and pavements is a symptom of a wider problem with lack of road space ...
11:24 pm

NELC - Caring about your views

Gravatar If you receive care in North East Lincolnshire, please help us in a review of services People who receive care in North East Lincolnshire are being invited to give their views in a review of the care service. The review will examine whether people receiving care in the home, day care facilities or hospitals are treated with dignity in line with the National Dignity Challenge. The National Dignity Challenge sets out the standard of high quality services people should expect in care such as zero tolerance of all forms of abuse and that carers should treat each person as an ...
11:21 pm

Response from James Freeman on bus proposals

Gravatar Following my post last week about the proposed changes to the buses that serve Redlands, James Freeman, Chief Executive Officer of Reading Buses has responded to my questions as follows:"As far as the present service 18 is concerned, there is no plan to delete the service to Erleigh Road/Addington Road currently provided by service 18 - quite the contrary, in fact! The present 18/19 services are suffering at present from very low use. They are part of the residual network (i.e. not part of the Premier Routes network) and with hourly frequencies and differing termini are at best confusing for ...
11:06 pm

I'd Just Like to say NYAAAAAAAAAAARGH!!!

Gravatar Between feeling shitty all day and work being very frustrating and three of my f-list suffering bereavement and this news (to which my reaction is best summed up somewhere between this post full of swearing and a comment on {[info]} britgeekgrrl's (sadly f-locked) post which said:Are these the exact same people who are always complaining about the money we spend on welfare for single mothers? Magic 8 Ball says yes. I think they could all benefit from a few rounds of the 'Actions and Consequences' game. and {[info]} liz_marcs here)... I've been feeling a bit frazzled tonight. So I have ...
10:50 pm

QOTD: Mark Steel on the Brown/Obama meeting

Gravatar I always like reading Mr Steel--I don't always agree with him (y'know, trot and all) but he is damn funny. In an article about Obama's triangulation exercise: when Obama meets Gordon Brown next week it's going to make Brown feel even worse. Maybe Obama will advise him 'Gordon, you need to come up with a snappy three-word slogan that sums up your demeanour, the way I did with 'Yes we can'.' And as a result the Labour Party's slogan for the next election will be 'Where am I?' Sounds about right for the moment. Or in the aftermath, regarding their ...
10:47 pm

Can David Davis actually read?

Gravatar Well of course he can, but I was moved to ask because he clearly can't follow a simple instruction from his party leader (and I'm not talking about 'Do not resign your seat and fight an ego-centric by-election'). Today, the Conservatives have published a list of the expenses claimed by their frontbenchers for the three month period just before Davis resigned. His expenses are therefore listed. One of the categories included was a tick box on whether any staff are family members. If so, the MP is asked to give their salary to within a 10k band (from this we ...
YouGov
10:44 pm

Oh my god, my mother's on Facebook

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10:37 pm

Redlands roads overlooked for resurfacing...again!

Gravatar {Img_0441_2} A few days ago the Council published it's carriageway resurfacing programme 2008/9 and we were shocked to find that NO streets in Redlands would be resurfaced over the next 12 months. This is the second year running that the Council has overlooked streets in desperate need of repair in the ward. As part of our regular surveys and walkabouts of the ward we have identified and reported a large number of roads needing urgent repairs to the Council including Donnington Gardens, Blenheim Road, De Beauvoir Road, Hexham Road, Malvern Court and Hatherley Road. The road surface on these roads ...
10:01 pm

Programme for the Yorkshire Flag Ceremony at Hull on 29th July

Gravatar This is the actual design of the Yorkshire Flag agreed with the Flag Institute and Ceremonial unfurling of a Yorkshire Flag, This is the programme for the ceremony to commemorate the registration of the flag with the Flag Registry. A Ceremonial unfurling of a Yorkshire Flag, To commemorate the registration of the flag with the Flag Registry. To be held at Queen's Gardens, Hull. On the 29th July 2008 at 12.30. 12.20. Music by Brass Ensemble. Arrival of YRS party and Guests. 12.30 Raising of Union Flag and National Anthem. Welcome Roger Sewell Vice Chairman YRS Reading A Yorkshire Anthem ...
10:00 pm

How to overtake labour in opinion polls

Gravatar According to ICM/Guardian polls there is just 5points between LibDems and Labour, and to be honest at the moment we are failing to gather momentum. Surely then we should be able to potentially overtake Labour, some disillusioned previous labour supporters could be won over by us. There is lots of talk of the need for a narrative, what does it need to be? What do we need to do in order to overtake Labour in opinion polls?
9:48 pm

Wow! factor

Gravatar There's a building with a real Wow! factor taking shape in the Neighbourhood. It's the first phase of the new school for Chessington Community College. This afternoon I got a chance to look round. The pupils have been sent off on their holidays early this year so that the staff can move everything in place ready for the start of next term. And it is stunning. In fact, it...
9:38 pm

Catching up

Gravatar A day with only one meeting was the un-looked for bonus of the strike by some council staff. Several meetings were cancelled and so there was a chance to catch up on some phone calls and emails as well as doing a little of the filing and reading which has piled up over recent weeks. The one meeting which did take place was of a small group of school governors who meet about once a term to
9:32 pm

Step Closer To A Big Brother State

Gravatar A Government-run database containing records of the telephone and internet communications of the entire population would be 'a step too far for the British way of life', the UK's data protection watc...
9:23 pm

The plans for food skyscrapers that are not pie in the sky

Gravatar I was on Sky News again today, talking about the stories creating a buzz on the internet:
9:01 pm

Saudi King supports religious tolerance!

Gravatar Opening a conference in Spain, which brings together Muslims, Christians, Jews and Buddhists around the World, King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia has spoken of religious tolerance. He spoke of the need to turn away from the extremism in Religion that has caused such suffering in the past and of course even today. He said, ''My brothers, we must tell the world that differences don't need to lead to disputes'. King Abdullah has even met the pope, the first Saudi King to do so. Well what a nice man, working for tolerance and peace between religions. Meanwhile back in Saudi Arabia, ...
8:52 pm

Sarkozy should be careful not to bully to Irish

Gravatar Sarkozy is probably doing a good thing in making sure quick action is taken towards the EU treaty but he ought to be careful. He's trying to push the Irish into retaking the referendum and the Irish Foreign minister has responded with saying that Ireland won't be bullied. If Sarkozy does bully Ireland that would make people turn further against the treaty. Sarkozy is also being bery insistant on making sure the treaty isn't abandoned. He should probably be carefuly not to drag a dead treaty around.
8:46 pm

I'd be worried about Belgium

Gravatar If I was in Belgium I'd be very worried about the future. Some talk of an eventual split unless drastic action is taken. Some see a desperate need for Decentralisation. Some are fearful of Decentralisation. And others are just totally unsure of the future. The BBC shows some of the opinions and paints a picture of uncertainty. (If you don't know what's happened in Belgium, you need to keep more up to date with international news)
8:34 pm

Chinese family refuse to leave olympic site

Gravatar 14 members of family live in a small shack in the city center of Beijing. They used to sell snacks from their roadside home there, and they claim that the family has owned the land since even before the communists came to power. There home is now covered with slogans as Chinese Authorities plan to force them out, the campaign has been drawing crowds in. They have been offered a compensation worth £24,800, but this is not the value of the land as it's city center. Obviously the Chinese want to clean up the city, I myself would quite like ...
8:21 pm

We did our best for Somerset Avenue

Gravatar Over 70 people from the Somerset Avenue area packed into the Community Hall at the Hook Centre this morning for the planning appeal hearing. A developer had put in two planning applications, both of which proposed demolishing 30 and 32 Somerset Avenue, then building either eight or seven houses on the site plus part of the back garden of no 28. Both applications had been refused by...
7:51 pm

Nick Clegg writes for LDV: making the Lib Dems "fit for the battle ahead"

Gravatar The next general election may be only a matter of months away. In the seven months since becoming Leader I've been concentrating on making sure that the Party is ready for the election whenever it is called. This means working hard to develop strong new policies and clear messages. It also means strengthening our [...]
7:17 pm

Ross Finnie for Scottish Lib Dem Leader

Gravatar We are very lucky to have 3 such strong candidates for the leadership in Scotland. All of them have their qualities, however I think Ross is best placed to take us forward up here. He is very wise, excellent with people whether it's chatting on a one to one basis in the street or talking to a hall full, he's capable of listening and knows and respects the Party. He knows how to listen when he needs to as well. He has a proven track record as a Minister - he mastered the rural affairs brief easily and was commended ...
7:13 pm

BBC: Vince on inflation rise

Gravatar Question: when was the last time the BBC felt able feature a headline, Lib Dems on inflation rise, and know it would be taken seriously? Thanks to the party's shadow chancellor, Vince Cable, the BBC News Politics site has been prominently featuring a talking head from Vince for the last day. And well worth watching [...]
7:04 pm

PMQs: Nick tackles Gordon on impending Winter of Discontent

Gravatar Nick Clegg used his two questions to the Prime Minister today to challenge Gordon Brown on what used to be his strong suit: the economy. What Nick has done repeatedly at PMQs , and to increasingly good effect, is to link Big Issues back to everyday concerns, today focusing on energy and food prices, [...]
6:55 pm

Park Safety Improvements Planned

Gravatar Good news today, with a promise from the Council that we'll get some much-needed additional safety barriers outside St Mary's Park in the next couple of weeks, just in time for the peak summer holiday season. Since the re-modelling of the junction at St Ann's Road outside the park, the gate is now much more aligned to the crossing, and the only thing preventing a hyperactive child flinging himself into the path of an oncoming Range Rover is a single small barrier. Given the ever-rising obesity numbers, several of the youngsters may soon be wider than the barrier itself, and ...
6:50 pm

Nu Conservalites Prepare for Government - The Big Picture

Gravatar A tip of one's hat to Ms Lindylooz for alerting me to the news (rhyme unintentional) that Dave Cameron has called for there to be more Responsible Black Fathers as part of a "Responsibility Revolution". Orange By Name would like to commend Dave for this guidance. If more politicians say that society needs Responsible Black Fathers, I have no doubt whatsoever that Irresponsible Black Fathers will change into Responsible Black Fathers. With more advice and commentary from politicians, a responsible and family-based society can surely be formed, dutifully peering up to Westminster and The Church to await further guidance. Far ...
5:48 pm

Down on the Allotment

Gravatar Well, here is the long threatened video of the allotment, filmed on Sunday. It was derelict last year, but we are gradually bringing it back into use.
5:36 pm

Brown hasn't got the message

Gravatar Whilst reading my favourite Blog of all http://www.libdemblogs.co.uk/ I come across something that I found actually a little bit funny. A few weeks ago the Prime Minister was in Jeddah talking to the Saudi's about oil prices and when he was asked by Nick Clegg in PMQ what he had done to try and sort the shortage of Petrol out he said he was meeting a Prince today. Well the Prime Minister isn't really taking this matter seriously or otherwise he would have done something about it. With Oil prices soaring the Prime Minister really isn't that bothered about ...
5:30 pm

Zimbabwe Inflation latest: 2,200,000%

Gravatar I showed this picture on one of my very early entries, and it dates 27/02/08, it was my first entry on Zimbabwe. I know have done 26 entries on Zimbabwe and that's not a good thing. On this first entry inflation was at 100,000%, which is a crazy rate, I actually said, 'international observers were amazed when it hit 1,000% over a year ago'. The street beggar in the picture has Z$200,000 notes, these were worth 1USCent at the time on the Black Market. (by the way, my entries weren't so brilliant in those days). No Inflation is at 2,200,000% ...
5:06 pm

'South Carolina is so Gay'

Gravatar Conservative anti-gay people in South Carolina aren't going to be happy. Posters in London have advertised the place as, 'so gay' to appeal to people looking for gay friendly places to holiday. It was funded by the State tourism board. Senator David Thomas said, 'South Carolinians will be irate when they learn their hard earned tax dollars are being spent to advertise our state as 'so gay'' the Senator is unsurprisingly a Republican. But why should people be bothered? Does it matter too much how you are being advertised, when surely the success of how much it brings in is ...
4:22 pm

Somerfield, Co-op and the High Street

Gravatar In the last month Somerfield opened a new store on the High Street in Lincoln. Today we hear that the company has been sold to the Co-operative Group. The question I have is, "what will happen to the store on the High Street?". Lincolnshire is awash with Lincolnshire Co-op's (different to the Co-operative Group, who are owned by the old Manchester Co-op), so I don't think they will want to compete. The BBC talk of stores being sold off, however the names being mentioned are: - Waitrose (already one uphill) - Morrisons (already one on Triton Road) - Iceland (litterally ...
3:39 pm

Fuel poverty - the PM still hasn't got the message

Gravatar Nick Clegg unapologetically returned to the question of fuel poverty at Prime Minister's Questions today. The only thing that seems to have changed since he quizzed the PM in June, is that Gordon Brown announced he was meeting a Saudi prince this afternoon. [Links when we get them ...]
DataFlame
3:08 pm

The rising cost of food and energy

Gravatar None of us can ignore the rising cost of energy and food. But most of us, especially our politicians, seem to prefer to ignore the reasons why. Oil is running out - we are at or near the peak of global production. Yet demand continues to rise. That's why oil hit an all-time high of $147 per barrel last week and why most analysts expect it to rise much further. Everything - really everything - you see around you is based on cheap oil. Our food depends on cheap oil. Fertilisers, pesticides, tractors, combine harvesters, transport, packaging, refrigeration - they ...
2:58 pm

Government is letting gay people down

Gravatar Lord Lester had an interesting exchange with a minister in debate last week. Lord Lester, you may remember is the Lib Dem peer who embarrased the Labour government into finally bringing forward legislation for civil partnerships in the UK by writing his own bill on the subject. When Labour finally acted to introduce the unions [...]
2:11 pm

Cameron on Black Fathers

Gravatar Cameron has jumped feet first into the debate about black fathers. I have to say it makes me a little uneasy, an Old Etonian presuming to comment on an issue about which he has little experience and even less understanding. In an age when the political imperative seems to be to score points by finding simple solutions to complex problems, my view is that the last thing politicians should be doing is moralising. Actually Dave, what we want are political solutions not moral ones. Now don't get me wrong, of course there are moral issues - and solutions have to ...
2:09 pm

Nick puts his money where his mouth is on pay

Gravatar Nick Perry, Lib Dem parliamentary campaigner for Hastings & Rye, and a local social worker, has joined fellow UNISON members striking for a fairer pay deal from local government employers. UNISON has organised a 48-hour strike following employers' refusal to come back to the negotiating table and improve a 2.45% offer. Nick says, "Along with other members, [...]
1:53 pm

PMQs, FURTHER REFLECTIONS FROM SOMEWHERE NEAR LARK RISE

Gravatar The question from Nickers quoted the PM as promising to abolish boom and bust, but said we now have both, with energy and food prices up. He asked when the PM would act? Gordon said employment at its highest level ever - 60,000 more in last 3 months, with lower inflation that Europe and the USA. He said his government was addressing the problems which exist. Nickers then said the PM doesn't understand the scale of this, with 5.5m people in fuel poverty, and more families with housing problems. The PM needs to step back and see the big picture ...
1:46 pm

PMQs, THE VIEW FROM OXFORDSHIRE

Gravatar Well, the last PMQs of the season offered a chance for Dave and Gordon (that always sounds like a sixties singing duo to me) to have one last pop at each other and they duly obliged First off, a Labour MP asked a lengthy question and the Speaker eventually cut him off. Dave started his act with a comment about how it was good to see that you didn't have to finish a planted question to get a planted answer Dave's assault was based on the idea of no one taking responsibility in government. He asked who thought up the ...
1:34 pm

Some good posts

Gravatar Catching up from my holiday I've read several very good posts recently. I'm sharing them in Google Reader and they can be found on my sidebar. In particular I've come across some fascinating articles detailing the history which has led to some current situations. First up is a potted history of Persian/Arab animosity at The Art Of The [...]
1:03 pm

Labour is minding the pennies

Gravatar The Article where i got this information from is Labour Matter's Yes the Credit Crunch is hitting every ones pockets but now it has hit the Labour Party. The Government is trying to save money by canceling the 2009 Spring Conference. In a earlier post i showed that the Labour Party are in debt and are auctioning Tennis Matches with Tony Blair to try and raise money to pay of the debt. But now the Party has cancelled its Spring Conference is it because they want to save money or is it the fact that Brown doesn't want Party members ...
12:59 pm

Constitutionals

Gravatar Liberal Democrat Voice carries a report from The Times that Nick Clegg is planning a radical overhaul of our constitution. The first thing that struck me about the report is that it was a little light on specific details and contained many 'motherhood and apple pie' buzzwords like 'streamlining' and 'effectiveness' mostly coming from Clegg's 'allies' in the report. Expect plenty more of those when these proposals are being pitched to the membership. On that level it is a bit hard to comment specifically. It seems to me that The Times is indulging in a little bit of mischief making ...
12:49 pm

Now that leaflet again!

Gravatar Sorry I can't take my mind off that image in Glasgow East. Now let me get this right - it was all a mistake in a busy by-election and they somehow `forgot`that it was the wrong picture. Why then did it have `who looks not a day past 70` - obviously he doesn't he's 67. The real [...]
12:47 pm

PM and Cameron Clash...again!

Gravatar Cameron is at it again trying to put Brown down. But the problem is that both are just as bad as each other. Their is no point the conservatives pointing the finger at a Government that is collapsing because it is because of the conservatives the Government got to the position and state they are in. If the Conservatives didn't help the government pass silly legislation through Parliament then the country would not be in such a bad mess. For Example the illegal Iraq War the Conservatives and Government Started. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7508737.stm Please visit the Link above and you decide are ...
12:32 pm

NELC's WalkWell scheme helps man change his life

Gravatar A Man has changed his health and lifestyle by getting involved in the local walking group WalkWell. Neil Doore, 43, from the East Marsh in Grimsby says the scheme has changed his outlook on his health and life. In 2005 Neil suffered from a heart attack and was written off from work on medical grounds. Now thanks to WalkWell he has gained a new lease of life walking three times a week with the Health Walk Scheme. North East Linconshire Council health promotion specialist, Steven Markham, said: "Neil is a shining example of what our scheme is all about. We ...
12:12 pm

Tuesday 8th July 11.30am

Gravatar Carers Partnership Board Chair's Briefing I met with Simon Latham the executive head with responsibility for carers services and Julie Wilson who heads up the LBS Carers Development Unit to discuss the agenda for the forthcoming meeting on 14th July. Ken Fish the Vice Chair was unable to attend as he had a prior commitment. Simon [...]
12:12 pm

Privacy for emergency/call centre workers

Gravatar Just noticed a thread on OUTeverywhere talking about Russell Brand phoning a crime hotline with a hoax call for `entertainment` and thus wasting police time. Should he be prosecuted for this? Also, is it right for this to be broadcast when it's basically a private, albeit internally recorded, conversation. It seems like it was at a [...]
12:07 pm

180 jobs affected as SABIC Europe closes plants at North Tees and Wilton

Gravatar SABIC Europe today announced plans to re-structure its aromatics operations based on Teesside, UK following a wide-ranging review of the long-term viability of the business. The plans involve closure of the Aromatics 2 unit at the SABIC UK Petrochemicals North Tees Site near Seal Sands and the Paraxylene plant at the Wilton Site near Redcar. The plans also include an upgrade of the remaining Aromatics 1 plant at North Tees. The economics of the units planned for closure have become untenable and have forced SABIC Europe to face up to this difficult decision. The aim of the proposed way forward ...
11:33 am

Academies and the future of state education

Gravatar CentreForum is launching its latest work today - Academies and the future of state education. Schools minister, Lord Adonis will be joined by both Children Schools and Families shadow ministers - David Laws and Michael Gove to discuss its implications at an event this lunchtime. (A recording of the event will be made available on our website as soon as possible) The launch is trailed today in The Guardian, The Times and The Telegraph - each picking up on different aspects of the collection:The Guardian concentrates on the recommendation to expand the academies model into the primary sector - 'Expand ...
11:23 am

Morning Stuffs

Gravatar {[info]} mle292 posted this from boingboing: Which inspired me to Google for 'vegan Zombie'... and lookee lookee! Tofu the Vegan Zombie is a genuine film! And toys! And has his own YouTube channel! How cool is that? I wanna vegan zombie! They've found a cure for snoring and sleep apnoea! Sadly, it only works on men... Everyone else is blogging about knife crime, so why shouldn't I? Here's the pick of the posts I've seen, from the sublime to the ridiculous...
11:21 am

Speed cameras - tories take a stand

Gravatar Clever Swindon Council says it wants to scrap speed cameras. Brilliant headline and great publicity for the Tory ruling Group. Apparently speed cameras are 'a tax on motorists'. Well, no. Speed cameras are a tax on motorists who drive too fast. If you speed you might get flashed. If you don't, you won't. Now I know Tories are thick - they must be to vote Tory - but how difficult is that principle to understand. Its not speed cameras that are the problem, its people breaking the law. NB: to avoid the charge of seeming too self-righteous I will admit ...
11:06 am

Being posh and being educated are two different things

Gravatar Simon Hoggart reports an exchange between Boris Johnson and Martin Salter: He [Boris] was at the home affairs committee, and was asked by Martin Salter, a Labour MP, whether the problem was that young persons carried knives these days because they had become fashion accessories. Boris agreed that we needed to de-glamorise knife crime. 'It is moronic, wasteful, and you know, it's not the death of Mercutio.' Mr Salter looked startled. But not for long. 'Who was that?' he inquired. 'Your education cost more than mine.'This is ridiculous. Martin Salter is not some barefoot boy from the gutters of Reading ...
10:38 am

Those Fuel Price Assumptions

Gravatar I now have the figures for each year. On 'High High' 2008 is $90 and 2009 is $99. They do say they are thinking of reviewing these figures later.
10:38 am

BritBlog Roundup 178

Gravatar I missed this earlier in the week, what with packing a rucksack and everything. The latest selection of the best in blogging is put together by A Very British Dude.
10:21 am

Times: Clegg to overhaul Lib Dem structure

Gravatar It looks like 'well-placed sources' have given The Times a sneak preview of reforms Nick Clegg wants to adopt streamline/centralise* decision-making within the Lib Dems: He is determined to overhaul an internal structure that allies say severely curtails the powers of the leader and splits internal controls between a series of committees. Mr Clegg, who became leader [...]
10:04 am

Labour Can't Help Lying Over War

Gravatar Yeah Guido has exposed Margaret Curran's war veteran for what she is. Far from being 93 and a veteran of the 7th Armoured Division, the Desert Rats, (of whom my late great uncle was padre) he appears to be 67 and a Labour party activist. Now every party is liable to pack party activists into crowd scenes behind the candidate, as these people are most likely to agree to appear in that way.
8:22 am

The green agenda

Gravatar Just how green is the One Wales Government? It is a question worth asking in the light of their intention to run an extension of the M4 through five SSSIs and proposals to dual the A40 amongst many others. Today's Western Mail throws further doubts on the green credentials of the Labour-Plaid Administration by reporting that at the same time as these very expensive road schemes are being mooted bus services are to be cut back as a result of the lack of Government support. They tell us that the recent grant of £10.8m for local transport services, and the ...
8:17 am

A threat to our way of life

Gravatar The information commissioner today has joined those of us who are objecting to the creation of a 'super-database' tracking every phone call, text, email and internet usage in Britain in real time: Richard Thomas said there needed to be the 'fullest public debate' over the justification for - and implications of - a database which held details of everyone's telephone and internet communications and was potentially accessible by a wide range of law enforcement agencies. 'Do we really want the police, security services and other organs of the state to have access to more and more aspects of our private ...
7:36 am

Inflation: Thank God for Plasma TV's

Gravatar Inflation is at it's highest for 11 years at 3.9%. If only. Here in the real world (St Neots), bus fares just went up by 10%, Bread is up by 12%, Milk by 19% and for anyone who has two teenagers to feed the price of meat has risen astronomically. But never mind. Inflation is only 3.9% because all those Plasma and LCD TVs are dropping in price and keeping the index down. Now I don't know about where you live, but here in St Neots, I don't see pensioners queueing up for new TVs at the moment. A pensioner ...
7:26 am

Macrohyperation

Gravatar So, before I was so rudely interrupted by Tom Brake's legislatory indiscretion, I was writing about some energy news the blogosphere has missed. A more cynical mind would suggest that that omission was a tad convenient... Microgeneration is one of those policies that ticks all the liberal boxes. The mere idea of millions of individual households all selling electricity they generated themselves
7:09 am

No Means No: Nats V Democracy

Gravatar As regular readers will know I have no qualms about giving the people of Scotland a say over their future. But possibly John Mason, the SNP's candidate for Glasgow East, has let the real cat out of the bag. Could Scotland be the next Quebec? If in 2010 Alex and his cohorts manage to hold their referendum and the computer churns out the result and says no, according to Mason that will not be the
5:37 am

Local Government Strike Wednesday 16 - Thursday 17 Julu

Gravatar There is a national strike of many local government staff today and tomorrow which will have a significant effect on local services in Bury. Services The Council offices based at Whittaker Street in Radcliffe dealing with Council Tax, Business Rates, Sundry Accounts and Housing and Council Tax Benefits will be closed to personal callers. It is anticipated that normal service will be resumed on Friday 18 July The council is advising residents who should have had refuse collected on 16 and 17 July are still advised to put their bins and bags out as normal as collection rounds will continue ...
12:21 am

Booklist 2008, part 30

Gravatar 43) William J. Abraham, Crossing the Threshold of Divine Revelation (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans, 2006, ISBN 9780802629680). This is about religious epistemology, and specifically the epistemology of revelation. I picked it up for 50p in our church book sale, which means it doesn't matter that I didn't like it too much. I didn't find Abraham's explanations terribly clear, and he doesn't really focus on the questions that interest me most in this area, such as 'why do some people have a sense of the divine and others not, and does it matter?'
12:01 am

Day 2782: Government Knife Policy has an Accident and Emergency

Gravatar Monday: We're in the middle of this year's MORAL PANIC and it's about knives. So OBVIOUSLY the person you want in charge is our half-human half-potato half-baked Hopeless Secretary, Ms Jacqui Spliff, the one-woman Corporal Jones tribute act, with her catchphrase: 'Don't Moral Panic! Don't Moral Panic!' On Sunday she's all ready to reveal that her BIG PLAN is to start wheeling horrible hoodies (no offence, Mr Jonny) through casualty on a Saturday evening... whether the patients getting stitched back together want her to or not. Then Mr Huhney-Monster shows this is bonkers, so on Monday it's 'deny everything' time. ...
12:00 am

Day 2781: One Lone Heckler

Gravatar Sunday: Bishop Gene Roddenberry (not to be confused with Star Trek's Tom Robinson!) is the ONLY gay bishop in the WORLD. Because there has never, ever, EVER been a gay bishop before, oooh no, and certainly none of the eight or nine hundred OTHER Anglican bishops could possible sing with the other choir, no, not a single one. He is also the ONLY bishop to be excluded from the Beardy-Weirdy of Canterbury's big religious meeting. IRONIC then, that he came along uninvited to speak anyway... only for a mental-fundieist to come along to HIS religious meeting uninvited and try to ...

Previous days:

Tuesday 15th July 2008, Monday 14th July 2008, Sunday 13th July 2008, Saturday 12th July 2008, Friday 11th July 2008, Thursday 10th July 2008