So, today was the 2nd annual visit of the parents. They do a lot of weekends away, spent last weekend in Cheshire at an event and have an event next weekend in North Yorkshire, so they come to visit us today and tomorrow. So we have an attack of planned vs actual. Planned: Parents turn up mid to late afternoon, as discussed as per last year. If they arrive early enough, we might go over the hills to Holmfirth where they film Last of the Summer Wine, which I grew up watching with them, and it's local. Actual: Text message ...
Just watched, "As Good As It Gets" - bit of an old film but still good in its own way. It follows Romance Plot #1 (Two people hate each other, slowly fall in love, crisis drives them apart then, wham, they're brought back together for the final scene. Of course, it's a tragically depressing film. Jack Nicholson's character is an intolerable bastard, but he manages to improve his personality and become vaguely normal towards the end. It's depressing because I'm stuck being the Ice Queen Hell Bitch of Death. No super dose of Prozac for me. Anyway, with that in ...
Remember this rant about truncated feeds? Since I posted it, the award-winning Alix Mortimer has STARTED truncating! FFS! Still, it's better than Paul Walter and Five Chinese Crackers. You just get a bare url from THEM in the feed. Well, this is your warning, you three. Either institute proper feeds, or next Monday, when I do my Monday inbox clearout and checking of feeds, I'll remove you from my reading lists. Don't think I don't mean it.
The BNP's European leaflets have attracted some attention for their fake photos and the law suit arising from their use of another photo, but they've also got a made-up statistic. Here's the BNP claim: {BNP European election leaflet} However, Turkey's population is only 75 million. So even if you think that everyone in Turkey is low-waged, this wouldn't be true. But as certainly not everyone is low-waged, it's even less true.
The defection of Denis Knowles, the Labour Councillor for Seacombe to the Conservatives will no doubt see the Tories beside themselves with self righteous smugness. However after a week in which the Conservative PPC for Wallasey has been quick to condemn the dishonorable and unprincipled behaviour of Westminster MP's, will she now urge Councillor Knowles [...]
Well he should he is a BNP supporter. Well not really how many Doctors do you now who support the BNP. They have got him of the Internet.. Take a Good Luck On STEVE MIDDLETON BLOG FOR HIS STORY, Not only racist they lie on their leaflets. And they want you to vote for them? [...]
{Pure Malt White Label} This evening I went to a Nikka tasting at The Whisky Exchange in Vinopolis. Nikka being a Japanese whisky distillery company. I realise that some people will be horrified at the idea of me drinking whisky from anywhere but Scotland, but, I'll have you know, the Japanese make some crackers. As do the Irish, Welsh and Indians. I've heard good things about a Swedish whisky too, and am very much looking forward to trying something from the St. George's Distillery in a few years time.[update: I've been asked to mention that the Uppity Colonials also make ...
When blogging earlier today about how Labour MP Dawn Butler was one of those who blocked reforms to MPs' expenses last year it crosseed my mind to make a satirical comment. Good thing I didn't try really, as it would have been topped straight away by the latest Daily Telegraph revelation - that she claimed for a Jacuzi-style bath on expenses.
UK 'more liberal than Holland' in approach to drugs Published by Jon Land for 24dash.com in Communities , Health UK 'more liberal than Holland' in approach to drugs The UK is even more liberal than Holland in its approach to drugs, according to a report out today. Despite allowing cannabis cafes and having a reputation as a haven [...]
It is getting stranger, this expenses business, and even rather frightening - and, heavens, I'm only self-employed. I have to charge myself expenses. But I have been thinking about one aspect in the past few days, and it's this. There is no doubt that the public is very engaged in the expenses story. I keep on overhearing conversations about it on public transport. But the mood seems to be dovetailing with a powerful shift which I've been detecting increasingly over the last few months of defiance and revolt against New Labour. Only today there was the threat by one Steiner ...
I've never been much impressed by Cameron but even I admit that in media terms he has got the right tone in the last week and given the rotten hand Tory MPs gave him he has minimised the damage to his party. Now I think he has blown it. The BBC are reporting that he has a petition going calling for an immediate General Election. That sound far too much to me like putting narrow party interest in front of what is good for the nation
Yes it's goodbye to the Conference for this Lib Dem. As of yesterday, our yellow shirted heroes said goodbye to Conference football. A great day out at Wembley and the Gulls made Torbay and South Devon proud with the promotion play-off victory over Cambridge United. Having beaten Champions Burton Albion home and away, having not lost to any of the play-off contenders all season, Torquay United deserve the acclaim they are getting today. Thanks too must go to the local consortium that took over the club at it's darkest hour. They have, with manager Paul Buckle, turned the mess they ...
I am advised by the City Council that with effect from tomorrow (Tuesday 19th May), Westfield Place will be closed to through traffic at its junction with Perth Road because of emergency demolition works. This will last for a maximum of 5 working days and the one-way system here will be revoked during the works. Any resident with a query regarding this should contact the City Council on 433168.
With Chris Davis in town I thought this bit of European analysis should get an airing: Writing in the Observer, columnist Nick Cohen argued that Conservative MEPs will be "isolated" in the European Parliament, and "will make the journey from influence to irrelevance overnight." He also argued that "Britain has three coherent European policies: to leave (Ukip); to go further in (the Liberal Democrats); and to co-operate but remain aloof from full integration (the Major, Blair and Brown administrations). Cameron lacks the courage to choose any of the above and his indecision will produce a crisis"
I am sure that we were all sorry to hear of Ralph Gregson's illness. Ralph has been a fixture in the community life of Birkdale for decades. He has given his time generously to the Civic Society and Farnborough Rd Infants School and the Conservative party. It follows that we may not always have agreed with Ralph but nobody doubted that he was genuine in his efforts. Ralph went into hospital on Monday 12th May to remove a tumour behind his ear. The operation went ahead on Tuesday but took a lot longer than anticipated. On Thursday Ralph had a ...
Working with other Liberal Democrats in the area campaigning across the Borough to get Fiona Hall re-elected has been a really positive experience this weekend. Despite the dreadful goings on in Westminster many people are prepared to think about the issues that really matter to them, and who is best placed to help resolve them. The Liberal Democrat message that we can do our bit to help the
Hosted by A Very British Dude.
After this afternoon's statement followed by stumblings over just what sort of motion was being raised against him surely the clock is ticking on Michael Martin speaker of the house of commons. But just when will it stop ticking. I see there being 6 options. He will go himself before tonight. He'll realise just how much feeling there is against him. Maybe the party leaders will even take up the offer to see him early and they may all already be gathering to advise him to go. Before the House rises in tomorrow. Having had a night to think about ...
Next week's Diary will be written by Richard Graham, PPC for Gloucestersays Conservative Home.It should make interesting reading, because Richard Graham has run into a spot of bother.The BBC says:A local Conservative Party association has apologised after its candidate for the next general election was accused of insulting the sitting Labour MP.Writing on his blog, Richard Graham, Tory candidate for Gloucester, appeared to use a four-letter expletive about his opponent over the expenses row.Local MP Parmjit Dhanda has written to David Cameron asking for an apology for such "disreputable behaviour". The Tories said it had been a "genuine" but "unacceptable" ...
CONSERVATIVES: 39 LABOUR: 28 LIBERAL DEMOCRATS: 20 This poll which is for the Guardian can be read more about on the Guardians website by following the link. This Poll backs the poll by YouGov that I posted about earlier today which had the following result: CON 39 (-2) LAB 23(+1) LD 19 (nc) Personally its just the Labour vote that has increased but the Tory is the same and the Lib Dem is +1. So two polls putting the Tories on 39 and this must really be itching the Conservatives at CCHQ and I hope it carries on itching them ...
With The Speaker today not making a speech about the EDM and not allowing Parliament to Vote on the motion the Speaker is trying to throw the ball into the opposition day court and personally I think he is devaluing the EDM by doing that. The Speaker should do the right thing and resign but will he do that is the question? Probably not he is a man who really has the nerve to carry on as the Speaker despite MP's being against him and wanting him to go. Nick Clegg should support the EDM and add that to his ...
But I've got a migraine that means I've been unable properly to focus on the screen for several days. Posting resumes shortly.
Michael Martin, the Speaker of the House of Commons, made his big statement today - you can read the Hansard trranscript here. If he was hoping that publicly declaring from the chair he was "profoundly sorry" for his part in the furore over MPs' expenses would earn him sympathy from his fellow MPs he will have been disappointed. Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg, who dominated the Sunday headlines with his call for the Speaker to quit, was among those who warned that a no-confidence motion was still on the cards. Speaking to Sky News tonight, Nick said he feared, "If ...
There is a meeting of the Keep Chorlton Interesting Group on Tuesday night at Chorlton Library. They are concerned about a second supermarket, but also want a redevelopment to promote local and independent trade. Well worth coming along.
Liberal England: Reading the Daily Mail so you don't have to.
I don't actually think any LibDem MP has done anything on expenses bad enough to be kicked out of the party. However, I think the only way to ensure that each LibDem MP is seen to go through a process of submitting herself or himself to the local party on the subject of expenses, is to simply open ALL LibDem-held Westminster seats for reselection.This means that any MPs who have already been
The story of Britain's 300,000 travellers will unfold in a new month-long touring exhibition at Redcar's Kirkleatham Museum. The National Education Officer for the Showman's Guild, Valerie Moody MBE, will spend the day at the Museum on Saturday, May 30, from 10am-4pm. She plans to talk at drop-in sessions about the gypsies, Roma and travellers who have lived, worked and travelled throughout Britain for over 500 years. Her stories will reveal how the travellers have been almost entirely written out of British history, creating a widespread ignorance about who they are, which has sometimes turned to hatred, fear and misunderstanding. ...
From the Shropshire Mines Trust website: 50 years after the Snailbeach District Railway closed, a SDR hopper waggon has returned to the Locomotive Shed. When the line closed in 1959, all of the rolling stock was sold off and two of the hopper wagons ended up at the Talyllyn Railway. A few years ago, the railway contacted our member Peter Sheldrake and asked if we wanted the remains of these waggons. Arrangements were made to collect them and bring them back home but all that remained were the bases and axles. During last winter, member Barry Ellis lovingly restored one ...
It's not often that I praise Tory MPs on this blog, but I think Harwich and Clacton MP Douglas Carswell has played a blinder over the past few days on the whole issue of the Speaker. It took significant courage to be the first MP to raise his head above the parapet and demand that Michael Martin should go. And what's important is that he hasn't called on the Speaker to go because of a personal vendetta against him - far from it. Contrary to what some of the Speaker's supporters have been saying, the issue is not about Michael ...
As a nation, we owe a great deal to the Polish spitfire pilots who fought (and many died) during the Battle of Britain during the War. Had they not been part of the few, the outcome may have been different. We should never forget out debt to those brave Poles who risked their lives to save us. I received a BNP freepost leaflet today. There are pictures of American models dressed up as a Doctor, another done up as a soldier and a mother with child, plus an Italian pensioner couple, all beneath a picture of a Polish spitfire. Most ...
On Saturday Lib Dems stood in showers to collect signatures for their petition against proposals by Tories to put 3 gypsy and traveller sites in Houghton Regis. It is very unfair how it has been decided where the sites should be. Neither travellers, gypsies, or the locally settled population has been consulted.
With the impending vote of no-confidence in Speaker Michael Martin, it seems appropriate to discuss who should be his successor. Various names have been bandied about, including Sir Ming Campbell, former Lib Dem leader, but who has also unfortunately been caught up in the row over MP's expenses. My view, for what it's worth, is that the office of Speaker should be occupied by long standing a parliamentarian of cross-party stature, and someone who can command the confidence of the House through his decency and integrity, but who is also "a reformer to his finger-tips" My preferred candidate for Speaker, ...
Crater - Science fiction story following the crew on board the 'The Gybe' is being serialised over at Oola's Intergalactic Tuneship Eerie.
Local Conservative MP, Andrew Selous needs to give very serious thought to explaining how he tops the league table in 2002/3 and 2004/5 for Additional Costs Allowances, with his constituency being only some 35 miles from London. For over a week the Daily Telegraph has published the outrageous, the ridiculous, the extravagant, the weird, and the downright dishonest, expense claims of our MPs. To the punter in the street they all seem to have been "at it", regardless of party, at some point. Only a handful appear to come squeaky clean. But doesn't it just show that our MPs are ...
Just done a quick TV interview for GM-TV tomorrow morning about the billions of pounds that go unclaimed each year in tax credits. We've unearthed new Treasury figures (which were not suprisingly released with no fanfare) which show that up to 1.5 million families with children are entitled to children's tax credit but don't get it, and up to 1.5 million working people are entitled to working tax credit but are missing out. In each case the average amount unclaimed is in excess of £2,000 per year. You would assume that if it was 'free money' then people would claim ...
Commenting on today's Court of Appeal ruling that soldiers serving abroad are protected by Human Rights laws, Liberal Democrat Shadow Defence Secretary, Nick Harvey said: "This is a damning verdict on the Government's failure to support our troops." "It should not need the courts to tell ministers that they have a duty of care to equip troops properly for the...
The Government prevented the creation of around 10,000 jobs when it refused to extend the deadline for regions to apply for £630m of EU funding, according to figures released by the Liberal Democrats. The EU offered to extend the deadline for regional bodies to apply for money from the European Regional Development Fund, but the Government failed to take up the offer....
The second stage of the Playbuilder application for the Delph at Thwaites Brow, which I submitted via Keighley Town Council, has now gone in. A lot of interest from local parents. { The Delph }
The Telegraph has canonised three Liberal Democrat MPs (for what that's worth) because they have not made claims for second homes: Sarah Teather's balance sheet has a column of zeroes, as does fellow London MP Lynne Featherstone's, here. David Howarth, whose Cambridge constituency is a significant commuting distance from London, is also listed. It's worth noting that none of the Liberal Democrat MPs from London constituencies claim an allowance for a second home, but it's still good to see the Telegraph including Lib Dems in their praise.
Cllrs Caroline Roberts and David Dixon check out the traffic which is said to be congested to see if there really is any merit in building a third road through Bath to get buses in from the Newbridge Park and Ride to the west of the city. Follow this link to view http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4xOTwXz7WE
At long last I have got round to doing something I have been meaning to do for ages, but was petrified of causing widespread discombobulation. I have changed the URL address of this blog to the, hopefully more simple, http://www.liberalburblings.com/ .Hurrah!The blog will co-hosted on the old home at paulwalter.blogspot.com for three days and then there will be redirection from there to here.If
Unfortunately the police officer wasn't able to attend last week's Neighbourhood Forum to tell us about Neighbourhood Watch so I've asked for another ...
That was the uncomfortable question I asked myself on a couple of occasions during my viewing of "In the loop" yesterday. The film was a blast - I laughed uproariously at regular junctions all the way through. James Graham has already provided a superb review, so I won't attempt such a thing.Suffice it to say that it is a fantastic film but I do think it is a film for moderate to heavy political
Never know what to expect, but i am bloody kackered don't fancy a row. It's funny when ever i go i always feel like someone in a phoenix nights script sat round a table listening to Brian Potter,trouble his i like the bugger really can't let it show though. [...]
Are you feeling angry? According to a new poll, Britons are the angriest people in Europe. Possibly about the issue of MPs' expenses alone... The report goes on to say that the relatively-relaxed Scandanavians get upset when people mock their countries. I hope Norwegians have time to chill before the inevitable mockery from British commentators [...]
Cllrs Caroline Roberts and David Dixon check out the traffic which is said to be congested to see if there really is any merit in building a third road through Bath to get buses in from the Newbridge Park and Ride to the west of the city. Follow this link to...
Is anyone in the BS37 area having problems with certain channels becoming very weak or disappearing altogether? This is Freeview, rather than satellite or cable. For some time our picture on BBC4, and sometimes other channels, has started to break up with flashing bars, or the TV has shown a message "weak signal" or "channel not tuned". Sometimes one make of equipment can view a channel, but another make can't. If you've been having problems like this please leave a comment with a note of the channels involved and your postcode.
The following is the text of an email I have just sent to Michael Martin, urging him to stand down as Speaker of the House of Commons. If anyone wishes to do likewise, his email address is martinm@parliament.uk Dear Mr Martin, I have never before written to a public official urging them to step down from their post and it is with great reluctance that I do so now. I believe you have proven that you're simply not up to the job of being the Speaker of the House of Commons. You have sought to block the publication of MPs' ...
Brent South Labour MP Dawn Butler has been under fire over her expense claims, as previously covered on this site (including a link to the fun BBC report timing the travel distance from her two homes). Her local newspaper recently reported: MPs in Brent are facing heavy criticism over alleged expense claims. and went on to cover Dawn Butler's claims. It included this, er..., interesting defence from Dawn Butler: At the first opportunity I voted for reform. One problem with that defence. For she was an MP at the time of the 3rd July 2008 votes on reforming the expenses ...
Sad part we got in to deep discussion over the council, they had problems in the past and think most of us are a load of crooks, It really hurts when i think how hard today as been and due to a group of money grabbing sods in parliament we all get tarred with the [...]
Mon 18th
17:37
Busy day today and no i was not spending my expenses but i did get time for a Cheeseburger
Quick thank you to Cllr Merry for offering the time out for a quick chat, it was constructive, Well nine cases today the first at nine o'clock with environmental services, at 930 no one there to my dismay so i walked back home and phoned them up, and to their credit i had got the day wrong [...]
Wolfram Alpha is the new intelligent search engine, billed as a potential Google killer. Not quite. The idea is that Wolfram Alpha will answer questions with factual answers. So, I thought I'd take it for a little political test run. How does Wolfram Alpha stack up against Google and Wikipedia? Test 1: Member of Parliament for Sheffield Hallam Wolfram|Alpha isn't sure what to do with your input. Google comes up with a string of relevant links: the Wikipedia page for the constituency, Nick Clegg's website, TheyWorkforYou.com and so on. Wikipedia brings up Nick Clegg's page as the first option. One-Nil ...
<!–Last Updated – 18th May 2009 at 01:47 PM –> A woman was violently raped by a man who had offered to help her after she got lost in Salford. The victim, 50, finished work later than usual on Saturday evening, the 16 May 2009, and so took a different bus home. The woman then got off [...]
Mon 18th
17:22
Federal Executive Committee told to "resolve" Rennard issue or "it will come back to haunt us"
Alix Mortimer, of LibDem Voice, has written to LibDem Federal Exec members, outlining LibDem activsits' fury at the expenses outrage. Referring to the Chris Rennard allegations in the News of the World, she says "This is not going to go away and if Chris [Rennard] doesn't adequately explain this or say he will repay the money in the next few days, I will be coming up to stand outside Cowley Street with a placard." She finishes her letter saying: "...it's vital we address the News of the World's allegations about Lord Rennard's arrangements properly. It is simply not sufficient to ...
Ever since Barack Obama was elected it's been very easy for people in this country to look across the Atlantic with envy. The events of the last week has made that even stronger, although in forming his cabinet Obama has had his own fair share of dodgy politicians to deal with. But this photo that [...]
I have been tagged in the Liberal Democrat Voice meme; so, here goes nothing... First Political Memory Many people who read this blog know I have had spells in the Labour Party but they did not give me my first political memory; that comes all the way back in 1992 and that General Election. The primary school [...]
From today's Daily Mail, also available to view on the Daily Mail website: The British National Party was accused of staging 'a cynical con' yesterday, after it was revealed that men featured on its keynote poster campaign are foreigners. One of the posters, which is being advertised up and down the country on a BNP truck, shows three men in hard-hats under the slogan 'British jobs for British workers'. But it has emerged they are in fact American models who posed for a photoshoot in the U.S. Party bosses, led by Nick Griffin, have also printed millions of leaflets making ...
Andrew MacKay has just announced that the public meeting he has called for constituents to be able to cross-examine him about this will be this Friday 22nd May at 7:00pm at the Kerith Centre in Bracknell. It is a ticket only event and you need to call 01344 868286 or e-mail bracknellca@tory.org. The full details and map link are here. I have managed to order a ticket today so I will be there but what I want to know is why have they gone for a ticket only event? Presumably they were concerned about numbers as Peter Henley indicated to ...
WASTE DAY CHANGE: Find out your new day online Find out your day by clicking on this LINK and entering your post code or street address for your collection day. In addition to your new waste collection service you can also get a lot of other information including planning applications. Most of Walcot will have it's collecion day changed to Thursday, with Friday for the Bathwick Estate. Further information about the changes is available now through various leaflets and households will also be issued with a letter in the week commencing 25th May 2009 confirming which their new day will ...
The Liberal Democrat national party has launched it European Election campaign under the slogan 'Stronger Together Poorer Apart'. The Liberal Democrats will give people the help they need: We will cut income tax bills by £700 for the vast majority of people, and close Loopholes exploited by the wealthy No one earning less than £10,000 will pay income tax at all 20 Hours of free, quality childcare a week from 18 months to five years old Nick Clegg said, Only the Liberal Democrats know how to provide security, jobs, and a clean environment by leading in the European Union. Also ...
I have not read or seen any media or blog comment on what has just happened in the chamber. This is just my immediate view. The Speaker's statement was completely inadequate. He seemed to just be saying he would get the great and the good together and sort it all out. He apologised and said the whole house bears responsibility for what has happened which needed to be said but was an absolute bare minimum. He also seemed to be trying to say that he had been trying to sort the problem out since last year (3rd July motion that ...
Well, that was certainly a damp squib! So, a meeting of all Party Leaders and a report by the Autumn. For goodness sake Mr. Martin, Speaker, Sir get a bloody grip. The whole country has lost confidence, not just in the Parliament but in you, I was even defending you in the office today, but your performance just now means I am with everyone else. It's time to go, pack up your bags, leave the Grace and Favour Apartment and head to the back benches, and turn off the lights on your way out. You had an opportunity today to ...
There weren't many council meetings last week but the regular planning sub-committee took place on Wednesday . The most high profile agenda item [PDF] was about Caffè Nero in Epping High Street: the latest installment of a long saga which dates back to July 2006. The coffee shop has been trading in defiance of planning law for the last few years but, judging from the emails and comments I have received, it has built up a loyal group of customers in that time. Councillors were asked whether Caffè Nero's owners should have the opportunity to submit a new planning application ...
Well, the Speaker surely has his nails dug into the green leather chair despite the seeming intention of the House to drag him out of it. It's all extremely undignified. He may have given a profound apology - but clearly it's just words. While acknowledging that he might have a part to play in what was going on, he was determined to take everyone who voted against the proposed reforms on 3 July last year with him. This isn't just about the John Lewis list - it's about years of obfuscation and concealment and he's been at the heart of ...
You've probably all heard about the £12m Bath Rapid Transit Route and know that many people do not think it is needed. Well this afternoon Cllr Caroline Roberts and I went for a drive and filmed it.... Do you think it's really needed? We don't!
Despite efforts by the economically untutored to see Labour's 1970's mess all over again, it is not 1976 and Dennis Healey that we will be reliving come 2010. The debt is far higher than in 1976, for starters. But then it often has been - look above. What marked 1976 was the sheer difficulty of selling the debt, when the government was running such an inflationary policy. Why buy it? No, the combination of high debt and no inflation is really quite unfamiliar to the 20th century, apart from a brief moment in the 1930s (and then we used a ...
Michael Martin has just finished his statement - which merely announced a meeting of the Party Leaders - and the points of order which followed - which were mainly attacks on him. The predicted announcement about his retirement never came. When pushed, he simply said that it was not a matter for today. Maybe it's not something for the Commons to discuss, but a briefing to the media at about the same time could have been expected. Many would not have liked it, but an announcement that Mr Martin is to retire at the next election would probably have had ...
A ludicrous statement from the Speaker today. An ackowledgement that the House has let the country down. A declaration that ALL are to blame. A sincere apology for his part in that. A call to meet with the leaders of all parties (including "minority parties" ) to agree expenses reform. A request that no further claims are submitted until blah blah blah.... The House was hostile. The MPs angry. There were questions about when the House will be allowed to debate the vote of no confidence. There were questions about if and when he will indicate his retirement. All "batted ...
Michael Martin has apologised for his role in reducing the reputation of the House of Commons.Er, that's it.He's setting up a meeting. All very bureaucratic. That's just what will calm the public: Meetings and talk from him of "substantive motions".And several MPs expressed their unhappiness with him.One shaft of light: The Early Day motion declaring no confidence in Michael Martin obviously does
A poll from May 2004 one year before the general election painted the following image of what the outcome of the general election would be: CON 40 LAB 36 LIB 18 (YouGov Poll May 2004) But the actual outcome of the general election one year after the poll was: CON 32 LAB 35 LIB 22 So if you look at the results from a year before the general election the Lib Dems were in the position they are in today, one year before the must take place general election so personally I don't believe the Lib Dems have anything to ...
Two Liberal Democrat MPs have twittered their views on Michael Martin's statement: @joswinson resisting even debating the no confidence motion is the wrong path to take, this problem won't just go away #MPexpenses @lfeatherstone Speaker does not get it Another mtg is not the answer #MPexpenses What's your view? The comments thread awaits... (and by all means all post up links to any other responses you spot).
North East Fife's MP Sir Menzies Campbell and MSP Iain Smith have praised Bell Baxter High School's "very good" report from HMIe. The report highlights the particular strengths of the school, which include: young people's wider achievements; strong partnerships within and beyond the school to enrich young people's learning and achievement and meet their needs; the school's positive climate and the ways young people interact with one another and with staff; the headteacher's commitment to maintain and improve the quality of learning across the school. The school also received "Very Good" outcomes for the quality indicators - Improvements in performance, ...
At the Conservative launch of the European Election Campaign still ongoing, David Cameron called for a General Election ... NOW. He said this was the only way to solve the current crisis. He went on to say that some Conservative MPs will be punished for their actions. But Cameron says having thought long and hard about it he concluded that Conservative politicians are answerable to their local voters and that each must deal with their own circumstances locally. He even reminded local Constituency parties the means by which they can trigger a re-selection process. He went a step further, declaring ...
Esther Rantzen says she is prepared to stand as an Independent candidate at the next election. Indeed, she says she'll stand against Margaret Moran in Luton South.Hurrah say I. I think she (Rantzen) would make an extremely refreshing MP.I suspect Labour will be rapidly dropping Ms Moran like a hot potato if they have any sense.Meanwhile, Frank Carson has joined UKIP. Suddenly he is less funny.
Chris Davis brought his petition on open and honest expences to Southport this morning. Chris the MEP who had the courage to 'out' Den Dover the man elected as a TORY MEP who claimed £700,000+ .Chris is seen here with David Sumner, Sue Maquire and me
{Ming Campbell} Jobseekers in North East Fife outnumbered job vacancies by ten to one in January 2009, up from five to one in December 2008. Commenting on the figures, Sir Menzies Campbell said: "There are now more unemployed people in North East Fife chasing fewer jobs. The task facing those desperately trying to get into work has never been more challenging. "The Government needs a reality check. It must end its obsession with gimmicky measures like the VAT cut and focus on job creation as a matter of urgency.
On his visit to Southport our MEP met the 'mastermind' of the 'I love southport because...' campaign. Jim presented him with one of the campaign's badges.
David Sumner met with Chris Davis -who had just got of the train from Bolton- to sign him up to the campaign to restore the Burscough curves. This will restore the rail link to Ormskirk and Preston and onwards to the main west coast route north.
Most Liberal Democrats will find this message tells them what they already knew but it is clear that there are millions in Britain who have no idea how the EU works & readily believe all the lies. There is so much misinformation about the EU put about by those who delude themselves that if we were to leave it some fantasy life of happiness & prosperity would suddenly occur, that it is hard to know where to begin. Let's start with 'undemocratic' & 'unelected'. EU Commissioners are appointed by the ELECTED Governments of the Member States. Their actions are supervised ...
All Conference Reps (including all Local Party Chairs, Secretaries, Membership Secretaries, Councillors and all those nominated by local parties, as well as anyone sitting on a party committee) should now have recieved ballot papers for the by election for three places on the Finance and Management Committee. This is a relatively new committee, which was set up as a key reccomendation of the Constitutional Review last year. This Committee is responsible for budget monitoring, staffing issues and other really important areas of the running of the party. Four people are chasing three spaces. They are, in alphabetical order: Jon Burree ...
CON 26%(-2) LAB 21(+2) LD 14(-5) UKIP 16(-3) BNP 7%(+4) Personally I think the BNP result in this poll is what is going to be the outcome. The BNP are going to elect about 10% of the UK MEP's in my prediction and its all going to be down to the sleaze MP's are showing in Westminster and the scandals by MEP's in the last five years. Examples of Tory sleazes from the past 5 years in the North West has been summed up by myself in a highlight I did a couple of weeks ago which you can read ...
It's really good news that the government is to continue funding the STAR space centre at Keighley (based at the college) where young people can learn about space. A Russian friend of mine has accompanied groups from Keighley to the "Space ...
The developers of the Battersea Power Station are holding a second set of public consultation meetings and are keen to hear the views of Lambeth residents as well as Wandsworth ones. The intention is to submit a planning application to Wandsworth Council in the summer and if permission is granted then the first stage of development would be finished by 2014 and the final stage by 2020. There is a lot happening in Vauxhall and Nine Elms, and we do think it is important that local people get involved and have their say. The public exhibition is taking place on: ...
Iain Dale suggests that, at this time of scandal, the House of Commons needs someone with integrity to act as its figurehead and suggests that it might be time to cast party preference aside and choose Vince Cable to be the new Speaker (as and when Michael Martin quits). I'm sure Iain proposes this with the best of intentions, but it does seem to me that, if it happened, it would suit the Conservatives very well indeed. At a stroke the Lib Dem's top points scorer would be taken off the field of play. No longer would the 'man who ...
Prize for the most awkward, difficult-to-attack excuse in the expenses saga must go to Chris Bryant, Rhondda MP. Firstly, I should express my sympathy that he ever had to endure bullying and intimidation for his sexuality. Nobody in Britain should have to go through that, ever. But then I do have to say, why is this only coming out now? Are we meant to be held ransom for his sexual preference? There are thousands upon thousands of gay teenagers bullied every day in the UK, and Wales. Especially in Bryant's constituency. Yet I haven't heard a Labour Government talking with ...
CON 39 (-2) LAB 23(+1) LD 19 (nc) This is the first poll since 2007 in which the Tories have come under 40% according to Mike Smithson and personally I think this will bring worries for the Conservatives. The Lib Dem 19% is something that is strong and will continue with YouGov probably until closer to the general election. Hat Tip Political Betting.
On Thursday night, there was a fire at the old Methodist chapel on Beech Rd. The chapel got planning permission for a restaurant about a year ago, but the development has stalled, I think due to money. I feared the worst when I heard and I have been speaking to Moss Side station commander Gareth Lewis about the implications. The building doesn't appear to have any major structural problems, but it does raise the issue of empty buildings that get vandalised or suffer arson. The chapel has never been very secure and there are a few buildings in Chorlton that ...
We're mid-way through the campaign for the European Parliament elections - though, as yet, discussion of Britain's role in the EU has not been the, erm, dominant story. But, still, there have been five polls to date in May specifically asking for the public's Euro voting intentions, so let's check out what they've been saying: Here they are in chronological order: Con 36%, Lab 25%, Lib Dem 20%, Ukip 7%, Green 4%, BNP 4%, Nats 4% (YouGov all naming party, 10th May) Con 37%, Lab 22%, Lib Dem 19%, Ukip 7%, Green 4%, BNP 4%, Nats 5% (YouGov certain to ...
I don't think this needs any further comment...
If there's one further thing Speaker Martin's case throws up is the unadaptability of the `old dinosaurs` to change whether Scots and NE Labour MPs or old political theorists and commentators. I speak of Anthony Howerd's contribution to the `Daily Politics` who described the 15 signatures on the motion of no confidence in the Speaker as [...]
Not a lot extra to say. Jack Allen did put their plans in to the planning offices. The application was invalid (I understand there was a key piece of paper missing). Nothing will happen now until they make sure the application is at least valid. I cant help thinking that an organisation that can't provide the right paperwork is probably not the best to run something as technical as a waste plant.
This article has been previously published by E-politix... The misery of home repossessions has become all too real in recent months as the recession bites deeper. You might think that the 14 per cent of households living in the private rented sector are without risk, but with many thousands of mortgages held by landlords in arrears, their tenants face eviction with little or no protection under the law. A joint study by Shelter, Crisis, CAB and the Chartered Institute of Housing has highlighted the problems tenants face when the property owned by their landlord is repossessed by the lender. Due ...
Just found this on YouTube.
It's the last meeting of the Liverpool Commission this Friday. It'll be a different sort of meeting as, instead of hearing evidence and asking questions, we will be looking at some of the evidence that's come in and discussing the writing of the report. We hope the report, with its recommendations, will be out around late June and certainly in time for the Full Council meeting in July. Friday's meeting is in private unlike the others - but I can still raise any issues then that relate to the topics we've been covering. The comments function is still off on ...
I've been out delivering every day for the last four days. And each time I have got to the destination and started - only for the heavens to open. Clearly I am jinxed.
<rant> The biggest and most annoying fallout of the MPs expenses saga is the continuous assault by the media on all politicians at all levels. In the last ten days, not a day has gone by when I haven't heard somebody, either in passing or in the media, saying: "politicians are just in it for themselves" or similar comments. Being a town councillor on Hebden Royd Town Council, this attitude annoys me. HR Town Councillors do not get any allowances or expenses and all travel/childcare etc. has to come out of our own pockets. The only exception is the mayor ...
Nick Clegg had an impressive day yesterday, breaking a 314-year Parliamentary convention to call for the worst Commons Speaker in living memory to go. He was very effective on re-establishing our anti-establishment credentials, but there are still big questions that need asking, and answering, and quickly - not just the Liberal Democrats in general, not just the House of Commons, but specifically the Leader, our Parliamentary Parties, and the Federal Executive this afternoon. Replacing the dodgy rules so far, what should better rules look like? And what's to be done about people who've already taken the loot (and the piss)? ...
The present overwhelming media and public pre-occupation with the expense claims of our MP's though understandable and necessary to a degree, is also in danger of turning into a persecution of politicians that will only serve to damage democracy, undermine the governing of the country (remember we are supposed to be fighting a recession!) and could lead to the rise of extremism and social disorder. I would urge the Daily Telegraph who have led the media expose' of expense cheating MP's to now publish the remainder of their news on this issue rather than dragging it out seemingly forever. We ...
{ferguson_niall} Writing in the Nuu-yaaaaarrrk Times today, Niall Fergusson takes on the common "blame deregulation" reaction to the lastest economic crisis - and warns that a new layer of regulation today could stifle our economies for years to come. The Harvard professor argues: Deregulation began in 1980 - how has it only just caused a downturn, and is it also responsible for the subsequent growth period? Heavy regulation in the 1970s coincided with two large recessions. Certain European countries like Germany have had much stronger regulation - yet now experience even worse financial sector problems than less regulated countries like ...
The MP's expenses scandal shows no sign of abating. The reaction on the doorstep over the weekend has been 'interesting'. The most common reaction from those that bring up the subject is to say that they are not going to vote at all and that all the parties are a bad as each other. I often wonder if people who take that view ever stop to think about the person who has just canvassed them. Activists from all parties are getting the same reaction but why do so many of us carry on knocking on doors? The answer is probably ...
I try and avoid partisan politics on here but the demise of the good reputation of MPs seemed so inexorable that I helped co-ordinate this letter which went yesterday to Mr Speaker. Dear Mr Speaker, As Parliament continues to be dragged down by the allowance system, and its rules, the role of those in public service across the country is being undermined. We are Liberal Democrat candidates seeking to be elected to Parliament and yet we find ourselves disappointed, and frustrated, at the way in which this matter is being handled. Every day our residents are telling us loudly that ...
Goodness gracious cripes almighty! What a blast of a week we had at Liberal Vision. Forsooth it's left me gasping for oxygen, auricles a-fluttering—and that was just the pictorial revelation of Andrew George MP's daughter. But yes - more than three thousand of you little wonders have clicked on this here new blog, with comment sections buzzing like our over-worked server. We send the most profuse thanks for that, and are forever indebted to your good selves. Here's a summary of what we've all been nattering about: "Clegg must demand 'Speaker Martin Out!'" insisted Mark Littlewood, for at least 48 ...
Iain Dale has written a blog post in which he thinks Vince Cable would make a great Speaker and personally I agree with him but I don't think Vince is Speaker material. Vince enjoys standing up in Parliament and speaking on the economy and wouldn't be any good at saying "Order Order" when Tory or Labour MP's kicked up a fuss at Prime Ministers Questions. I have always said Ming Campbell would make a better Speaker then any candidate that the Tories might put forward e.g. Ken Clarke and I think Ming should put his name forward for the job. ...
Whilst reading this blog post I was amused so I thought I would share it with readers. The blog post has been written by Pat Regan the man behind the book Dirty Politics which you can win in a competition for this blog. For more info about the competition follow the link.
In today's Scotsman Linlithgow and Falkirk East MP says the calls for the Speaker Michael Martin to step down are 'complete and utter rubbish'. He goes on to accuse Nick Clegg of bullying, but what about the speakers actions in the House last week towards Kate Hoey and Norman Baker. Michael's words in support of the Speaker over the expenses row would have more impact if in January he hadn't said that supplying receipts to back all his expense claims deems the process to meet it for FOI 'ridiculous and tiresome'. Michael was out of touch in January and remains ...
Mon 18th
11:50
Day 3059: So Now We've GOT the Political High Ground... what are we going to do with it?
Sunday: Mr Clogg's direct call for the Speaker of the House of Commons to go has significantly changed the political landscape. Hooray! Last week, I was saying that people will only be satisfied with a SACRIFICIAL DEFENESTRATION. Sacking Mr Speaker of the Housemartin actually MIGHT DO THE JOB. Or at least it will, so long as it happens quickly (no staying-on 'till the next election in a kind of Fred-the-Shred-esque pension arrangement) and so long as his replacement is someone VIGOROUSLY interested in REFORM. I think there's only one obvious candidate, and that is our own Mr Stormin' Norman Baker. ...
One of the slightly more unusual issues I am currently dealing with as part of my Council duties concerns pigeons on Hexham Road estate. A constituent wrote to me a couple of weeks ago as follows: 'There is a large and increasing flock of pigeons on the estate who make a lot of mess over the block and surrounding area and also a lot of high volume noise around the flats from early morning throughout the day.' This problem has been raised with me by residents before and seems to be getting worse. I contacted officers who have said that one option ...
The link is to a pair of articles in The Times about whether or not more children should be taken into care.
It is not just sitting MPs that are being affected by the fallout over MPs' expenses and the Speaker's poor handling of the whole scenario, it is also those that are seeking to stand as an alternative. Therefore the letter that follows from 56 Lib Dem PPCs in an election year is unprecedented, but shows that we need to clear this whole shambles up now, or as soon as possible, so that those who will be standing in the next General Election are not being tarnished by the sins of their forebears. Dear Mr Speaker, As Parliament continues to be ...
My latest local newspaper column was about the Equality Bill: Fanfare please! At last - the much trailed, much vaunted, long-time in gestation Equality Bill is here and going through Parliament. So what's in it? Well - there's not space to cover the great tome in just one column - but here's a taster. Much of the Bill is a bringing together of all the bits and pieces of equality legislation over recent decades - and that's one of those small sounding administrative changes (putting all the rules together in one place) that will actually have a big impact (clearer ...
In the eighth in a series of looking at each of the regions (and nations) for the European Elections I today examine the South East.
Events are moving very rapidly in terms of the Speaker of the House of Commons. I have written previously in this blog of my dismay at his abject performances. Both opinion polls and comment on the doorstep are showing the huge damage being done to the institutions of democracy by the whole ghastly story of misuse (and sometimes worse) of expenses by MPs. Over the weekend I joined Lib Dem parliamentary candidates from around the UK in an open letter to the Speaker calling on him to address the issues without delay. He has to claim the moral high ground ...
Knocking on doors in Crouch End yesterday was generally friendly - but it is quite clear that people are upset and angry with politicians who cheat and/or milk the system. There is also deep concern about the future of our democracy as people feel that they have been betrayed and don't know where to turn and who to trust. And quite frankly - I feel the same - and don't even know how to reassure them. Only using this 'opportunity' for radical change and reform stands even a chance of restoring any trust or respect - in a decade's time ...
{morrismen.jpg} Congratulations to the Clough Centenary Committee and all those involved in Prestwich Clough Day 2009 at St.Mary's Flower park, Prestwich. As is often the case a war of nerves was played out with the weather, which on more than one occasion threatened to ruin the event, but as always everyone battled through and with typical British stiff upper lip stubbornness, people stuck it out. Once again this event was well attended and hopefully aided by the extra publicity across Prestwich as the opening event in the Prestwich Festival. Once again I failed miserably to get my hands on a ...
As reported on Political Betting, and in the Telegraph, second YouGov poll, hot on the heels of the last one shows little change for General Election intentions, but goes haywire for the Euros. General election: CON 39 (-2): LAB 22(+1): LD 19 (nc) Euro elections: CON 26%(-2): LAB 21(+2): LD 14(-5): UKIP 16(-3): BNP 7%(+4) The General Election poll is fair enough: all changes are within the margins of error so, on its own, could mean nothing more than a different bunch of people were asked. The Tories might be slightly concerned to slip below 40%, but it's symbolic more ...
Michael Martin would have to be a political Houdini to get out of the trouble he is in. First it was just rumblings against him. Then it was rumblings plus a newbie trouble making Tory. Then it was rumblings plus a newbie trouble making Tory plus some Lib Dem front benchers. Now, it's all of those things plus the leader of a major political party and virtually all the newspapers who are saying that he should go. Some have suggested that Mr Speaker is the victim of snobbery, that the Tory elite can't cope with being told what to do ...
Merton, Sutton & Surrey Joint Health Scrutiny Committee The main items on tonight's agenda were updates on the Women & Children's review; the Better Healthcare Closer to Home programme and the Epsom & St Helier Management Review. The Women & Children's review was looking at the provision of maternity and paediatric services between Epsom & St Helier [...]
In many ways Alix Mortimer has already made the case brilliantly about what the Liberal Democrats need to do to adequately respond to the crisis of confidence in politics generated by the widescale misuse of the expenses system in Westminster. I have argued consistently on this blog and to anybody else who will listen to me that there are two elements to this issue. On the one hand there is the excessive secrecy and a not-fit-for-purpose expenses system that has allowed systemic abuse, on the other there is the willingness of many politicians of all parties to take advantage of ...
Duncan Brack and Ed Randall, authors of the Dictionary of Liberal Thought, have kindly agreed to let us publish extracts on Lib Dem Voice. This month we continue our trilogy of postings on liberalism - classical, economic and social. Last month it was classical; this month, it's economic. You can read other previous extracts on LDV here. The entire book is available on Amazon here and can also be bought at the Westminster Bookshop. Economic Liberalism In political terms, economic liberals proclaim their belief in individual freedom and free markets; they support a reduction in the role of the state, ...
Do you need advice on e-campaigning? Or do you have experiences that you'd like to share on e-campaigning? If so look no further. The hearts & minds group of the Technology Advisory Board are setting up a mentoring scheme to match people who want to give advice on e-campaigning to people who need advice on how to campaign better. We already have a number of experienced local campaigners ready - just click here to see more on the forum, follow the instructions there and they'll get back to you. Rob Blackie is a former Lib Dem Director of Research who ...
For those of you who don't regularly read Lib Dem Voice (and why not, cos it's really good), you might like to have a look at an article they let me write for them about the continuing debate in the Church of Scotland over the appointment of Scott Rennie as Minister of Queen's Cross, Aberdeen. LibDig This!
Winston Churchill spent many years frozen out of the political establishment because he refused to go along with what Hitler was doing. He spoke out against Hitler's aggressive nationalism and against his racist policies. Others in the political establishment at the time were quite happy to curry favour with Hitler, on one occasion demoting a Jewish Cabinet Minister in order to "not offend" him. During the 1930s, Churchill paid a heavy political price for his principles. Churchill devoted over a decade of his life fighting everything that Hitler stood for. After the War, he founded the European Movement, promoting closer ...
This is a bit of welcome post to the people that come from Liberal Democrat Blogs; since it is the first post that will feed through. Moments is over a year old (and I am nearly a year older, knocking on the door of 30 now!). So, I decided it was time to ring-in some [...]
Imagine going away on a much needed holiday - and spending your time taking photos of election posters. How completely sad is that? Surely nobody would do that.... Unless of course, they are Mark Pack, who has decided that the delights of British Columbia include the election posters and he has posted some very useful observations for us all to read. You may scoff, but I can't. Some of my Scottish colleagues will remember my return from Mallorca in May 2003 just after their elections to the Balearic Parliament. I had a whole wallet of photographs taken of the posters ...
Many Conservative and Labour canvassers were reportedly given a hard time over the weekend, as voters turned on them their anger against MPs and Ministers who have been abusing Parliament's allowances system. The latest opinion polls confirm what Tory activists have been hearing on the doorstep: that many of their traditional supporters are considering voting for UKIP on [...]
{article19} I first stumbled across Article 19 when relatively new to this strange politico-blog world. Can't remember where, but it caught my attention and the good souls have been sending me e-mail updates ever since. Article 19 is "a human rights organisation with a specific mandate and focus on the defence and promotion of freedom of expression and freedom of information worldwide." You can sign up to their e-mail bulletins here, and forever be well informed about the obscene, demoralising impingements on freedom happening throughout the world daily. Happy Monday.
Councillors met the Regeneration team on Thursday to discuss progress. There had been two surveys in the pipeline at one point and this has led to much confusion amongst traders. The first survey was conducted by the Council and related to shopping needs. The second is the full blown consultation on Chorlton centre and that will start in early June. I expect a small delay and that it will slip to late June, but will then run for three months. The Council have applied for a co-location fund from the Department of Children, Families & Schools, which would be designed ...
Anarchist communists believe in an egalitarian society, where people are no longer judged on differences in ability and are no more or less entitled to the benefits from our collective society. As long as it is not used to discriminate, we just don't see difference as a problem. Okay... This is just so wrong headed. People are [...]
Whilst I was in Canada, there was a Provincial election under way in British Columbia. I snapped a few photos of the election posters as some things struck me in particular about them: 1. Both the two main parties in the Provincial elections (Liberals and NDP) predominantly used blue on their posters, and it also featured heavily on the Conservative posters (also rans in BC elections, even though in power federally). Although the NDP have an orange stripe across them, overall it's easy to miss which party is doing best in the poster campaign in an area given this similarity ...
In my adjournment debate this evening at 10pm I will be begging (yes begging) the Government to step in, reach an agreement and resolve the current uncertainty over the new Forth Crossing.The SNP Government in Scotland has been in power for two years now but despite the bridge being a priority they haven't settled the funding issue. The Scottish Futures Trust hasn't raised a single penny. They seem more interested in another bust up with Westminster that securing Scotland's premier transport artery.If the SNP are so determined to use this as a political football I have no option but to ...
I was late to bed on Saturday evening, and just before I decided to call it a day, I caught the news on Sky that Fraser Kemp and David Clelland were the next features of the Telegraph's rolling campaign to out the more interesting details of MP expenses.Having suggested to colleagues for a few weeks that the expenses of one MP in particular would make interesting reading, I ended up receiving a
Here's my late contribution to the Friday meme from Liberal Democrat Voice. I think it makes me look just a little rebellious and not quite as if I am completely under the control of Dr Pack and Mr Tall and Ms Mortimer et al if I steadfastly refuse to do it on a Friday.... First political memory: I guess I was kind of aware of Richard Nixon resigning as US President in 1974 - I seem to remember that there was tv on at breakfast time, which was downright revolutionary then. I have to say, though, for British politics, it ...
It of course is not just sitting MPs that are being effected by the fallout over MPs expenses and the speakers poor handling of the whole scenario it is those that are seeking to stand as an alternative. Therefore the letter that follows from 56 Lib Dem PPCs in an election year in unprecedented but shows that we need to clear this whole shebang up now or as soon as possible so that those who will be standing in the next General Election (an I hope myself to be included in that number) are not being tarnished by the sins ...
While there are plenty of call for the speaker to go and some suggesting successors one question that has to be considered is timing.Now, in a month or at the general election.Our current speaker would prefer to hang on, resign honourably and stand down as MP at the same time or so it would seem. In that time he would without favour reform the expenses system at both entitlement and back office
Have some sympathy for Sir Victor Blank, Chairman of the Lloyds TSB Banking Group. He looks set for defenestration as the full implications of Lloyds TSB's disasterous decision to buy HBOS, with its mountain of toxic debt, has become clear. For several years, Lloyds TSB had been the boring kid on the edge of the banking crowd. Whilst everyone else was getting stuck into dodgy investments for all they were worth (more than they were worth, in many cases), Lloyds TSB was being relatively sensible. Prior to the crash, its results were fair but unexciting year after year, its purchases ...
From the statements in the news today the Speaker of the House of Commons, Michael Martin MP, is going to come out fighting amidst the calls for his resignation. Apparently he's going to 'lead the race to clean up the House of Commons'. His bullishness, if this position turns out to be true later today, [...]
I've often wondered.Is it because of the hours I work? Is it because I don't exercise enough? Is it because of my bad diet or sweet tooth?Apparently not!Its all because I'm what's known as a short sleeper.Because I sleep less than average then I eat more so I put more weight on despite using on average 1,000 more calories per day than a long sleeper.And its true because a scientist says so, so now I know why I'm fat! ------------------
They're smart, these Canadian sign writers: {Vancouver cyclists sign} Related posts:Natural History Museum: some merchandising advice If you are going to sell some Charles Darwin cuddly...Classic post-war Austrian road signs, number 1 ...Some people have no gratitude! Well, there's one blog that's not mentioned http://www.totalpolitics.com/politico.php?id=26. I'll give...
A Commons early day motion expressing concern at the arrest of Senator Stuart Syvret has been put down. It reads: That this House deplores the arrest and detention of Senator Stuart Syvret by the Jersey Police Force for alleged infractions of data protection laws; notes that the Senator was in receipt of information disclosed in the public interest, with which he is attempting to hold the Jersey government to account for a variety of profoundly serious child protection and clinical governance failures; condemns the manner of the Senator's arrest and the subsequent searching of his home by the police without ...
Saturday's Daily Telegraph brought us something new to worry about. Why won't the Ministry of Fish act?
Dear Mr Speaker,As Parliament continues to be dragged down by the allowance system, and its rules, the role of those in public service across the country is being undermined.We are Liberal Democrat candidates seeking to be elected to Parliament and yet we find ourselves disappointed, and frustrated, at the way in which this matter is being handled. Every day our residents are telling us loudly
At no cost to the taxpayer, Lib Dem Voice brings you this morning's picks from the news and blogs (still dominated by the revelations about MPs' expenses): 2 Big Stories From FT.com: Commons Speaker battles to keep job Michael Martin, the Commons Speaker, will today make a desperate appeal to stay in his job, as MPs plot to make him the most prominent casualty of the Westminster expenses furore. Nick Clegg, the Liberal Democrat leader, broke with convention yesterday in calling for Mr Martin to resign. David Cameron, Tory leader, refused to say how he would vote in a confidence ...
In case proof were needed that American politics is a foreign country, news from Delaware, where legislators have voted to legalise sports gambling.To explain; while horse and greyhound racing are fairly commonplace across the United States, other forms of sports betting were generally frowned on by the states until a federal ban was introduced in 1992. Four states had specific exemptions from
I awake to the news that from today if your old banger has been around for more than 10 years, you can scrap them for a new one. An excellent way to remove my MP from the class of 1997 and get a shiny clean new one. I'll even forgo my £2000 bonus to help pay for some of [...]
{Morten Morland from The Times 18 May 2009} Morten Morland from The Times 18 May 2009 Michael Martin the Speaker of the House of Commons has announced he will address MPs later on today. With growing support across all parties for a vote of no confidence in him how he handles this and what he says will be of absolute importance. Yesterday Nick Clegg broke with the convention of the Leaders of the main parties not criticising the Speaker when on the Andrew Marr show he called for him to go saying: "I do not think the Speaker should be ...
The current crisis following the revelations in the Daily Telegraph regarding MP's expenses is one that effects our Party most because we pride ourselves on being a party of radical reform.
..to reflect the fact that Moments is moving to here..
Ice Queen Hell Bitch of Death wants me to do a meme. I therefore present 8 random things about me:Geoff Capes once mistook me for someone of the male persuasionI once had a game of monopoly with my friend Claire which lasted over nine hours on three separate visits to her house because neither of us would give in. I can't remember who eventually won.My first memory of anything is of Tom Baker turning into Peter Davison at the end of Logopolis.I was given a black and white rabbit called Minstrel when I was about 5. I did not know ...
Nick Clegg's bold decision (advocated by Liberal Vision in the middle of last week) to break three centuries of protocol and call for the Speaker to go is reaping huge dividends in the debate about the clean up of Parliament. The LibDem leader has been all over an entire news-cycle. This is nearly unheard of (other than, perhaps, in times of internal party crises) He is still being clipped on the top item on every major broadcast news channel - a full fifteen hours after his interview on the Andrew Marr show. Tory high command headed for the hills. Cameron ...
I've joined 56 other Liberal Democrat candidates in writing an open letter calling on the House of Commons speaker Michael Martin to take radical action or resign. But I'm not expecting Chelmsford MP Simon Burns to take action, since he votes against a transparent Parliament, according to They Work For You.Dear Mr Speaker,As Parliament continues to be dragged down by the allowance system, and its
