Now this blog is a bit personal so skip it if you wish. You see just two years ago tomorrow my Mum passed away. On my Dad's birthday actually (he died some years ago when I was just 11 years old). So unsurprisingly I have been thinking about her a lot of late. If you knew her you would have known about her intense sense of fairness, always a people person she started as a nurse and ended as a social worker, she always a fought for the underdog, she was an instinctive Liberal . So I wonder what she ...
I'd be interested to know how many people have heard of "Little, Big" by John Crowley. I describe it as 'a favourite' and I normally re-read my favourites, yet I have only read it the one time, about 20 years ago. (I still have the book, protected in a plastic cover). It's just too dense a book to pick up for a casual re-reading. It's a fantasy that's hard to accurately describe (especially
There have been millions of robocalls by the Republican demi-junta in the past 48 hours: based on racism, fear and inverted snobbery it seems like In other developments a loony congresswoman has decided to call anyone without her extremist far-right outlook as `anti-American` and that they should be investigated (including congressional colleagues!). Democrats I speak to in the [...]
Kirsty Williams is one of two candidates in the contest to become the next leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats. This is her interview she gave exclusively to me and exclusively to the Blogosphere. WHAT IS YOUR PERSONAL MOTIVATION FOR STANDING FOR THE LEADERSHIP? KIRSTY; Anyone who knows me knows that I am driven by my passion for people and for politics. Of course it is the Liberal Democrat brand of politics that I believe can affect real change for people, their families and their communities. Any leader must be able to hold their own with their opponents and I ...
Sat 18th
20:15
ComRes financial crisis poll: public not so impressed by Gordon's (think Dave would have handled it ...
Tomorrow's Independent will carry a poll from Communication Research, the first poll conducted since last week's financial bail-out of the banks (and therefore of more interest than LDV would normally give to any individual poll). John Rentoul reports the headlines over at the paper's Open House blog here: We asked whether people agreed or disagreed with [...]
Jenny Randerson A.M. is one of two candidates in the contest to become the next leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats. This is her interview she gave exclusively to me and exclusively to the Blogosphere. WHAT IS YOUR PERSONAL MOTIVATION FOR STANDING FOR THE LEADERSHIP? JENNY ;I am tired of the way that politics is failing Wales. I want to make Wales a place where people are empowered and communities are given the tools to make their own decisions. But to be able to do this, our party needs to change. I want to change our ambition and lead us ...
That is what some people said when I was canvassing for Lembit Opik yesterday!
Cameron has started to criticize the economy plan of Gordon Brown. At the Conservative conference he stopped all other action on the agenda to say they would work with the government but now he has pissed on the plans that were made by Brown. Why did he agree at conference with Brown, to criticize him later? I think this is because Cameron at the time wanted media coverage as being someone who would work with the opposition at a time of need. He got that coverage and this give him the sexual pleasure that he gets from the media. He ...
I spent today at South Central Conference in the excellent Town Council run Oakwood Centre in the middle of Woodley. The Conference was buzzing and was the usual mix of debates, speeches, training, fringe and exhibition. As ever it was full of familiar faces as well as some new ones. The turnout was high - presumably because Nick Clegg was going to speak at the end of the afternoon. When he spoke many of us had to watch his speech on the screen in the cafe as the auditorium was full. I was there to do two briefing sessions on ...
I want to have a more detailed look at the proposals for the UK banking rescue. Firstly this is based upon the system used in Sweden. It was, in fact, the Liberal Democrats that proposed this first. The idea for the equity is that the government underwrites a rights issue. A rights issue is where people who already hold shares are allowed to buy more at a cheaper price than they originally
Long suffering and long standing readers will remember my move last year to my old people's home. It resulted in months of problems with internet access (shout out to Duncan Borrowman for all his support in those dark days!), many worries, many months without water in the kitchen..........and the latest........two weeks without heat or hot water. If anything it has given me a real insight into the problems that tenants can have, so I am jumping for joy that I hope to be out of here within the month! The great news is that I will be moving in with ...
I shall be posting my interviews I conducted with Jenny Randerson and Kirsty Williams in the next couple of hours. This is the big story in Welsh Politics at the moment. Who will be the first female leader of a Welsh political party? Will it be Kirsty or Jenny? The Welsh Liberal Democrat members will decide this. There is some very interesting and well thought answers by both Ladies. The interviews echo real political decisions. Both candidates are revealed much more than by pressured T.V. interviews or newspapers skimming over the top In my opinion. Both ladies were asked the ...
New research by the Liberal Democrats has revealed the enormous number of staff currently being employed across Government to administer the Olympic project. Answers to Parliamentary Questions by Liberal Democrat Shadow Culture, Media and Sport Secretary, Don Foster show that 11 Whitehall departments and 14 Government agencies employ staff dedicated to the Games, resulting in almost 1,000 people overseeing the Olympic project. The research revealed: · 800 dedicated 2012 workers paid for out of public funds, including 126 from Whitehall departments, 237 from government agencies and a further 212 employed by the Olympic Delivery Authority · The Government Olympic Executive ...
I wanted to title this post: KKK endorses Obama but decided that was not only in bad taste but actually a misrepresentation of the article I am about to refer to. Although, for one moment imagine the spot ad. It would be a remarkable piece of television to behold. But the heading came to mind when I read Racists for Obama on Politico's website. When Obama won the Presidential nominee quite a few people I know told me that they doubted he could win the election. America wasn't ready, they said. One should never assume. My response was to recount ...
Of all the stories coming out of the 2008 US Presidential Elections, the one about Joe the Plumber is potentially the most fascinating one. This guy (who is called Samuel Wurzelbacher) went up to Obama last Sunday. "Wurzelbacher told Obama that, after 15 years of working as a plumber, he's now preparing to purchase a company that makes more than $250,000 a year. "Your new tax plan is going to
... It's the Scum of an MP Pendle has. I did a post about the fact that when I went to see Prentice today morning his office was shut and they was no body in sight, despite normally on a Saturday his office is open for surgery and his car is always parked on the street. After a couple of hours I was passing his office which was still shut but his car was parked round the back and the back rooms light was turned on. Maybe he thought he would dodge the morning confrontation and come into work late, ...
It's that stage of the Presidential campaign where you tend to rush around without necessarily achieving anything tangible. Ballot papers having gone out, many of the people we've spoken to today have assured us that they've already voted. However, you don't know that for certain, and it always pays to show your face in the hope of convincing a few undecideds. Besides, given the importance of
Never mind the messages from the Obama campaign...what's more important is this message from Zippy who has broken his right tibula. Facebook updates are never that exciting so I thought I'd become a fan of Zippy and liven it up a bit: "An update for all zippy fans. Zippy has broken his right Tibula and will be bed stricken for the following 11 months. This means next springs massive Butlins tour of Bognor and Minehead will be called off. Zippy has said he would appreciate any messages of support during this hard time and would love to hear from fans ...
I had what I'm naively and excitedly calling my first ever 'campaign meeting' this morning. It felt a bit strange at first, although I was in full swing after a while. It was nice to meet 21 year old Sedgemoor Council Lib Dem group leader Cllr Joe Leach on carnival day in Taunton, although I'm sure he wasn't interested in the arrival of Miss Taunton in the back of a motorbike. I'm not an approved council candidate yet and have yet to fill the form in, but nothing that was said has put me off so far. I'm not placing ...
How is this for the worst kind of opportunist politics?? Immigration Minister Paul Woolas talking to The Times said that in reaction to rising unemployment migrant numbers may have to be cut. Woolas said; "If people are being made unemployed, the question of immigration becomes extremely thorny . . . It's been too easy to get into this country in the past and it's going to get harder." The notion that this is 'inspired by the fight against racism' is complete hokum because it clearly says that by implication immigration is somehow to blame (why else reduce it?). I would ...
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I sent away the wife (very non-political) with the three A4s that came with the presidential ballot paper and asked her to look through them and tell me how I should vote. After a while, I went and asked for her conclusions. (yes, it's that fun in our house!) She pulled out Ros's and said "Well, she's clearly the best one". About Lembit she said "He should stop appearing on TV". On Chandila's, I'm afraid she was quite negative and used a lot of bad words, which I will paraphrase as "bloody student!". She also said "He'll probably be leading ...
Regular readers of our weekly Golden Dozen feature will know that five of its 12 slots (Nos 8-12) are open to reader (self-)nominations. So, if there's a particular Lib Dem blog-posting you've enjoyed in the past seven days - or something you've written which you feel deserves to be shared with LDV's readers - then [...]
It is always gratifying when one has taken an unpopular line and subsequently has it endorsed by 'someone in the know'. Without in any way wanting to crow 'I told you so!', that is exactly how I felt this morning when I read Decca Aitkenhead's interview with former MI5 chief Stella Rimington in the Guardian. After [...]
What an extraordinary week it has been. The world wide financial crisis has dominated the news so some other fairly important developments have been overshadowed. First, the Lords gave its overwhelming verdict on 42 days detention without trial. No, never, not in my lifetime. I did enjoy Shami Chakrabati's delighted analysis of this - "politics actually...
I am still at the regional conference and I am pleased to say I have just won an award for innovative use of the internet in campaigning (it includes email and video). Inevitably I was on hand with the camera to take photos of the awards, which left me in a slight problem for my own photos. Fortunately, Lucy Towers, regional media coordinator, came to the rescue. Photos will be posted soon!---
Both Gordon Brown and David Cameron have talked tough on bonuses for City bankers. However, two stories in this mornings paper show that taxpayers bail-out money is still being spent on bonuses. The Guardian reports that; "Financial workers at Wall Street's top banks are to receive pay deals worth more than $70bn (£40bn), a substantial proportion of which is expected to be paid in discretionary bonuses, for their work so far this year." Meanwhile, The Independent reports; "City bankers have not lost a penny of their multimillion-pound bonus packages so far". We have criticised David Cameron for attacking the government ...
I am at the North East Liberal Democrat conference in Gateshead and a few people have said to me that they rather like the letter in the Independent yesterday in the name of Jonathan Wallace from Newcastle.Alas, I don't know who Jonathan Wallace from Newcastle is and though people rather like the letter, I did not write it (nor have I even read it). I have a namesake in Newcastle. It's not the
{Quarry Road footbridge} The Quarry Road footbridge was opened again last week, this time by the University deputy Vice-Chancellor. Having been to the first bridge opening with local residents and walkers, I could hardly refuse this invite with a buffet lunch included. While on the bridge (with fewer guests that the first photo - above) the deputy Vice-Chancellor Prof Kevin Edge spoke about the University's commitment to access around the campus, with the bridge and recent path improvements to the North, completing a circular walking route around the Claverton campus. Prof Edge will also be chairing the new University-Residents Forum ...
Why should values voters get all the love?
I'm back, the blog lives, resurrected one might say. Apologies for my month long absence. I have lacked internet, had too much work, and generally been over occupied. Now the blog is back in earnest. Well... actually I've been sitting looking at my screen for the past half an hour desperately trying to remember how it was I did this thing. So I'm going to ease back into the swing of things with a post I meant to write a month ago. When Sarah Palin went into hiding from the press after joining McCain's ticket, Foreign Policy's blog published 20 ...
I have less than no money. Several of my friends are having crises (special hugs for theoldcatlady and missdiane). And lets not forget that we're all doomed and the world is going to hell in a handcart. And yet... This morning I feel incredibly peaceful, happy, and contented. I had a really good time last night; I had a good night's sleep; I have a wonderful fiancé; and I am lounging naked in bed with my laptop and a bowl of cereal, listening to the awesome Sandi Toksvig on the news quiz. Life really doesn't get much better than moments ...
Sorry for the exaggerated sympathy that I have expressed in the title, really I don't feel even an inch of sympathy for David Cameron. He is such a media hungry dog, that when the media asked to speak to the Conservative Party about the Economy Cameron said you will have to talk to me and not our would be Chancellor. Why did Cameron want the media to talk to him, instead of George Osborne? I think I know the answer to that which is Cameron was feeling lonely without the media up his ass, as Brown had stolen the media ...
Spending a quiet Satrday at home browsing the Internet and catching up on the Lib Dem blogs over the past week, I came across this blog entry by Duncan Borrowman. It sums up what I have been thinking lately how Cowley Street is ignoring local parties. Now don't get me wring there are some strands of the party that are working extremely well. ALDC continues to support campaigners and I am looking
Fan as I am of The Times's Sam Coates' Red Box blog, an article today by Sam for the newspaper contains one of those Westminster Village myths which quickly establishes itself as fact unless challenged: Some Conservatives may fret [that David Cameron has found himself sidelines during the financial crisis], but they do not have it [...]
Last night I went to a lecture on german history / the holocaust. richard evenas is an academic from cambridge. he was an expert witness in the previous holocaust denial case. i am not a historian myself so do not have the evidence based data at the finger tips. what i did find illuminating is that the holocaust was not unique. we all know of the horrors of genocide in africa in later years. what i didn't realise is the impact during the war in poland. the western half under the advances of the germans. to the east from stalin. ...
I apologise for the Low Quality of the image as it was after sun set and it was taken on a mobile phone, but try and Guess who that is?
He's become a parody of his former self - and now he's weighed down by that awfully old-fashioned new labour estuary accent. It's so awful that people just think `it's some jerk going on about old-fashioned new labour ideas`.
Just been round to Gordon Prentice's office (the coward of an MP) to ask him why he isn't replying to my emails and the lights are turned off and the door is locked. Everyone in Pendle knows that Prentice has his office open on a Saturday and holds a surgery, so why is it closed today! I will tell you why, because Prentice has read the blog and realised that I am a student, and will only find time to come on a Saturday so he has kept the office closed today. Prentice aren't you clever, let me inform you ...
A busy day yesterday, including : * Attending the 2008 Poppy Appeal launch at the City Chambers. * A meeting with the City Council Leader - the Council autumn recess has just finished and its back to council committee meetings on Monday. * A meeting with two representatives of the City Centre and Harbour Community Council (DCCHCC) - the West End Christmas Week team and DCCHCC are working together on one joint activity around Christmas Week - with the West End joining in the "Best Christmas-dressed local shop window display" competition DCCHCC runs. There will be a separate category for ...
I'm not going mad. Yet, it seems. I have been getting increasingly annoyed by the BBC. In fact, at times watching their news, I am what the Americans would call "fit to be tied" over all their hysterical panic over the stock market crisis. For example, the other day, we had Hugh Edwards saying that the New York stock market was in "melt down". I then checked what that day's position was.
Conservative Home has an interesting article written by a Conservative councillor, Paul Scully. He says that the Liberal Democrats have been successful in Sutton, the longest-held Liberal Democrat council in the country, by; "marbling themselves throughout the borough, joining residents associations and other community groups, delivering leaflets that were not overtly party political and being seen as working hard for their neighbours rather than for a party." So, I suppose we should take that as a compliment. My anecdotal experiences of walking around a ward confirm this to be true that we are a hard-working local party which fight's for ...
Colin Powell is appearing on the telly box tomorrow. It is potentially conceivable that he just might possibly endorse Barack Obama. The Washington Post's Chris Cillizza on The Fix explains why this would be so important: 1. Turnabout is Fair Play. Powell is best known for his most recent job in government -- as the secretary of State for President George W. Bush. The idea that a high-ranking
I was blessed, while rooting through old LDV posts yesterday in search of material with which to placate a disgruntled Voter ("Why didn't the Liberal Democrats tell ME there was going to be a recession? You could have put ads in the newspapers!"), to come across this post from October 2006. Its lesser charms consist of [...]
In the immediate wake of Boris Johnson forcing the resignation of Sir Ian Blair as head of London's Metropolitan police force, Lib Dem Voice asked readers how you think police chiefs should be chosen: directly elected by the public; or appointed by democratically accountable local police authorities. Here's what you told us: They should be directly elected [...]
That is what Pendle Conservatives are offering. If you want to have dinner with a Coronation Street star and a Tory MP at the same time, then the Conservatives have got a evening for you. I wouldn't personally go as Conservative MP's can bore you to death and back, and you might fall asleep in the dinner. I also wouldn't go as they is bound to be a riot with a Tory MP and a Coronation St star in the same room! I have other plans for the 31st of October anyway!
"The truth is.... I need you, I need you now more than ever" Hat-tip: Andrew Sullivan
I shouldn't think that as an argument will get me there any more than Lembit's assertion that he's always thought the Presidency was the ideal job for him will work in his campaign. It's not much of a killer argument, really. Anyway, I have been amused by the increasingly sensationalist headlines used by Jennie and James to try to dominate the Lib Dem Voice Golden Dozen. What next? "Ros Scott eats Pan Fried Baby with shallots and tarragon for Dinner!" Stephen Glenn has got in on the act too, although I suspect he left his sense of proportion on a ...
The old Central Library on Arkwright Road has all the atmosphere of a grand old library in the philanthropic tradition and so it is not surprising to find that the cost was covered by a gift from Sir Henry Harben. This further enforced when you learn that the reference library comprised 8,000 volumes of Professor Henry Morley's Library and a local archive collection including a survey of 1680 of the heath. After severe damage in 1940 and 1945 the adjoining bombed sites were bought for future enlargement, but in 1964 the library closed. It is now a grade II listed ...
Oh, what an illiberal bunch the SNP are. Holyrood, where they are in the minority, very clearly consigned their unfair, discriminatory and completely unnecessary plans to ban under 21s from buying alcohol in off sales to the dustbin. The Nats showed their disrespect for the will of Parliament by deciding to carry on with their plans anyway. They persuaded their conference to back their plans, albeit not overwhelmingly. There is a glimmer of hope, though - their youth wing put up a spirited opposition to the proposals. If I were them, I'd be wondering if independence would be all it ...
So after an eight hour shift at work and something to eat we had a visit from a friend tonight. Have had a really good time, but not answered several things I really should have answered. I have tabs open and will be doing them in the morning. Right now, tis sleepy times. G'night.
One of my activities every day is to scout the internet for references to the Presidential campaign. After all, it's hardly as though I have a particular interest in it, do I? Occasionally, I come across a gem, as in this instance, where Andy Darley writes about his decision as to who he should support... Alright, I admit that I wish he'd voted for Ros, but he made me laugh, and that's got to be
A recommendation by the Welsh Affairs Select Committee that the proposed Affordable Housing Legislative Competence Order be revised so that the Assembly cannot scrap the right to buy has attracted the attention of the Assembly's Presiding Officer. Dafydd Elis Thomas has written to the Secretary of State for Wales to emphasise his constitutional concerns about the Committee's approach to the legislative order. The full text of his letter is as follows: I feel that I must write to you about the contents of the report from the Welsh Affairs Select Committee (WASC) on the Proposed Housing Order since you referred ...
