As a sub-agent for the North West Liberal Democrat European Election candidates, I suppose my thoughts should be focused on polling day on Thursday and the subsequent count on Sunday night but my head has been turned back in the direction of expenses once again. Will this subject ever cease to reveal more shocks and surprises? I think not. Swinton South Lib Dem Councillor (and European Lib Dem candidate) Steve Cooke recently declared a detailed breakdown of his own expenses claimed over the last 5 years. The observant amongst you will notice his expenses total a big fat ZERO. Many ...
There's grim news for Labour in tomorrow's Sunday Telegraph, which publishes an ICM poll that predicts that the LibDems would push Labour well into third place if there were a general election tomorrow — and, more significantly, will do so in the real-time European elections on Thursday. This certainly confirms the message I've been getting on [...]
I was very saddened to learn today that Mr Tom Waters an Officer with London Borough of Camden, who had tirelessly worked as a Project Manager "trouble shooter" for the Housing Department had died of Cancer last week. Tom was a stalwart of the Housing Development team, he was well known for his sense of wry humour and getting involved in the sharp end of dealing with the very "real" problems that residents on the Chalcots Estate and many other estates across Camden faced. He provided his mobile number to all without question or hesitation and would personally try to ...
I buy the Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood DVD and then go out into the Leicestershire countryside. While I am out, Chelsea win the FA Cup.
As my campaign in Upper Gipping rises to its crescendo, I thought that it might be nice to contribute to someone else's effort. So there I was, on the North Norfolk coast, to help our candidate. Yes, I was on the far side of the Waveney, in Mundesley, one of those typically English seaside resorts, small, without obvious attractions but with a gently sloping beach, tea rooms and a crazy golf course. And, joining me were, amongst others, the hyperactive local MP, Norman Lamb, no.2 on the European list, Linda Jack, and county candidate Graham Jones. Initially, we weren't finding ...
I wasn't going to blog on this but ruthlessly changed my mind because there are a couple of interesting things to say. Let's start from the top *this is not the first time Labour have been 3rd in 22 years*. On the 29th September 2004 Populus did a poll which had the following headline figures; [...]
Friday's House Points, in which I quoted some Commons speeches by the Liberal MP J. W. Logan, sent me off to the village where he lived. The Langtons - Church Langton, Thorpe Langton, Tur Langton, East Langton and (though it is only a few houses) West Langton - are a group of villages in Leicestershire, a few miles north of Market Harborough. Like so much of the eastern side of this county, they are beautiful but hardly known. I went first to East Langton because Mr Logan used to live at the Grange there. More than that, Logan was a ...
Aren't I lucky - a lovely sunny day and the chance to be outside all day! I wasn't so sure it was lucky to be on the streets knocking on doors. However it was very worthwhile, and I am glad that a group of us, including Jacquie Bell our Parliamentary Candidate, were able to call on people. Lots of interesting issues were raised so homework when we got home to deal with them, but glad to do so....
. <!–Last Updated – 30th May 2009 at 12:33 PM –> Shortly after 11pm on Friday 29 May 2009, police were called to a house on Bancroft Road, following a report of men trying to break in. Officers attended the scene and found that the front door of the house had been shot at. Shotgun cartridges were [...]
Just read Geoff Ainsworths letter in the Advertiser attacking Norman Owen, plus other LD members comparing him to Brian Potter. Et Tu, Brute. Made me smile after reading this. On a more serious note John I fully endorse you comments on MP's expenses.
The Supported Shopping Service is a wonderful and vital project which helps older people get to the supermarket once a week. It also gives them to chance to get out the house and socialise with others. When I met with the group this week, one woman told me it was her "lifeline." I was shocked to learn then that Lewisham Council have cut the small amount of funding it needs to continue. That's why I'm working with the project to ensure it finds the money to carry on. It's exactly the type of project that makes a real difference to ...
I am delighted that David Cameron is getting some real stick about his decision to leave the EPP and side with a load of nutters. The inclusion of three former Conservative EU/EC/EEC commissioners, Lords Patten, Tugendhat and Brittan, is particularly significant. A group of Tory grandees and former senior diplomats will tomorrow launch a devastating attack on David Cameron's flagship Eurosceptic policies, warning that they pose a threat to British influence in the European Union. On the eve of the European elections, the Tory leader stands accused of adopting a "rigid commitment to impotence" after he pledged to withdraw from ...
A fascinating admission from Lord Clarke of Hampstead: A LABOUR peer and former chairman of the party has admitted that he "fiddled" his expenses to make up for not being paid a salary. He had even claimed for overnight stays in London when, in fact, he drove home. Lord Clarke of Hampstead, who has apologised for his "terrible error", is the first member of the House of Lords to concede that peers knowingly abuse their allowances to boost their income. He said that he had claimed up to £18,000 a year for overnight subsistence when he had often stayed with ...
Interesting numbers from the Populus poll, bearing in mind Nick Clegg's 100 day plan: As well as the voting intention Populus also asked about various Parliamentary reforms. 74% said they supported fixed-term Parliaments, 73% more free votes, 66% that the number of MPs should be reduced, 56% that MPs should not have second jobs and 51% supported a fully elected House of Lords. 56% said they supported proportional representation.
I don't normally do polls because they are usually depressing for the LibDems but....whooooo-hoooooooooooooo! I think I can make an exception here. This particular ICM poll is obviously extremely reliable. Those numbers are for Westminster. The Europe poll numbers are interesting with the LibDems on 20 and UKIP on 10 - quite different from yesterday's Populus poll.
ICM Poll CON 40(+1) LAB 22(-6) LD 25 (+5) Whoa!!! The first time this has happened since 1987. Are we entering a new political epoch? Only time will tell. {Share/Save/Bookmark}
The Torygraph's revealed that the Labour MP Frank Cook tried to claim £5 expenses for a donation he made at a church memorial service to remember the Battle of Britain. I know they say that God helps those who help themselves, but what a unbelievably tight git he must be to do something like that. With MPs [...]
The winner was: Diversity, which is very pleasing. They really are a great dance act. Their set tonight was fantastic. Second was: Susan Boyle (she was very gracious, and thank goodness she wasn't beaten by another singer) Third was: Julian Smith We voted for Stavros Flatley, Diversity and Julian Smith. Susan Boyle really socked it to them again. I think it was right to do the same song as she did for her debut in the heats. It really is a stonker. Julian Smith, in a way, deserves it more than the others in that he seems to have a ...
In the latest ICM poll for tomorrow's Sunday Telegraph, the Lib Dems have moved into second place pushing Labour into third with the Tories ahead on 40% Only 22% of respondents said they would vote Labour in a general election, with the Liberal Democrats receiving 25% in the same poll. Surely this spells the end of Gordon Brown just days before the country goes to the polls in European Parliament elections? With Parliament back from recess tomorrow, the daggers are tonight being sharpened. According to the Telegraph the last time Labour was in third place in any poll was in ...
[Shamelessly pinched from richardbaum by Frank Little] Nick Clegg has taken a strong stand on cleaning up Parliament and leading the call for a complete overhaul of our political system. Last week at Prime Minister's Question Time he challenged Gordon Brown to reform our electoral systems. Now even Brown's own ministers are echoing Nick's call. Nick is making the case to: - Give people the right to sack MPs - Stop all big party political donations - Elect the House of Lords - Make the voting system fair - so that governments can't just get all that power and all ...
Just to show how amazingly febrile the present political atmosphere is, compare tomorrow's Sunday Telegraph ICM poll with the post from Julian, below. The poll puts the LibDems ahead of Labour - for both the Westiminster and European elections. These are staggering figures - and point to Labour teetering on the brink of oblivion. Is this finally the just reward for Nick's high media profile over the past ten days? Westminster: Con 40%, Lab 22%, LibDem 25% European: Con 29%, Lab 17%, LibDem 20%, UKIP 10%, Green 11%, BNP 5%
I was startled from my sleep this morning to hear the BBC reporting on Epping Forest Conservative MP Eleanor Laing's second home. Mrs Laing is the latest target of the Daily Telegraph, whose main interest seems to be the profit she made when selling a flat in London which was part funded by her MP's allowances, and how the income was treated for capital gains tax purpose. It turns out that the same London flat can be a "primary residence" for tax purposes but a "second home" for the purposes of the Parliamentary Fees Office - which is confusing to ...
It may be the time of the new version of Star Trek at cinemas and IMAX theatres near you. But the cry of this Scot is not aimed at James Tiberius Kirk but James Gordon Brown. Earlier today I was saying that the Prime Minister was attempting a last ditch throw of the dice in bring Lib Dems into a new cabinet. However, the news is getting worse when he looks at the latest ICM poll. Not since 1987 have Labour been in third place in a nation opinion poll. But with the Tories on 40%, the Lib Dems are ...
According to the latest ICM General Election voting intention survey for the Sunday Telegraph that I have just seen on Con Home shows the Conservatives on 40%, Lib Dems on 25% and Labour on 22%. Now I should be careful here. We are in the midst of a major crisis of confidence in politics with all parties and many politicians affected. This poll could be a rogue or an outlier. As Mike Smithson would I am sure say we need to wait to see if the poll is corroborated by others. However, if it is proven to be roughly right ...
The Sunday Telegraph reports a new ICM poll: Asked who they would support in a general election, only 22 per cent of voters back Labour, with the party slumping behind both the Conservatives on 40 per cent and, crucially for Mr Brown's future, the Liberal Democrats who are on 25 per cent.
A devastating ICM poll for tomorrow's Sunday Telegraph puts Labour in THIRD place behind the Liberal Democrats: Conservatives 40% up 1 Liberal Democrats 25% up 5 Labour 22% down 6 ICM also measured opinion for the European Elections. Compared to yesterday's Populus survey it found a much weaker standing for UKIP: Conservatives 29% down 1 Liberal Democrats 20% up 2 Labour 17% down 7 Greens 11% up 2 UKIP 10% no change Fantastic news for the Party. Although all Parties are embroiled in the expenses scandal it really is showing up the old Tory Party of sleaze and Labour too. ...
The Liberal Democrats in the latest ICM have beat Labour into third place and the poll has been reported by Political betting and the results of the poll are: CON 40(+1) LAB 22(-6) LD 25 (+5) Interesting result for the Lib Dems and personally I like it. Nick Clegg will sleep a happy man tonight after seeing this poll as it really points towards a nice position for the Lib Dems. Imagine if the above result was to portraits in the general election the outcome would be: CONSERVATIVES: 369 seats LABOUR: 178 seats LIBERAL DEMOCRATS: 74 seats Good results for ...
Thank you City west for sorting this, out the roofs being fixed, banisters in place and the back rooms being plastered.
Come on i have had to fight to get a disabled mans ticket rescinded from the company who owns this site, what's good for the goose? and no don't come back telling me you where on the job.
This was the week that... · Allegations into the misuse of MPs' expenses continued - one MP claimed for his 'servants' quarters' [more] · Labour and Tory MPs decided to stand down over their expenses claims [more] · Former Labour Deputy Leader Roy Hattersley called for ministers who avoided paying tax to be sacked [more] · Nick Clegg, writing for the Guardian, set out his proposals for electoral and constitutional reform [more] · A number of Cabinet ministers and former ministers called for electoral reform [more]; [more] · The Treasury's economic forecasts were doubted by a survey that it commissioned ...
Reading Vince's book The Storm a few weeks ago was illuminating. Vince's talk just added a little more icing to the cake - with useful updates on recent events. The points I took away from it were: -The reasons for the crisis we are now in. Sub prime warts and all. -Inflation / deflation concerns which could stymie the resurrection of the economy. -The need for robust and realistic regulation of the banking industry. Should high street and investment banking be de-coupled? -The spending deficit that is gnawing away since tumbling City performances -The impact of a potential shaky future ...
Prompted by this post on Lib Dem Voice the time has come for me to unburden myself of my own Shaggy Canvassing Stories. I really enjoy canvassing and think it's vital. There's only one way you can find out what people think, which is to ask them. And since 95% of people never go anywhere near a Residents Association, a tenants meeting or their Safer Neighbourhoods Panel there is only one way to actaully talk to them. But it does involve some classic tales. Let's start with the stories which actually, erm, involve shagging. Like the occasion when I was ...
I have to force myself to type the word "meme". I can't stand the things. I have resisted many of them but the latest one from Stephen Tall enticed me. Most joyous canvassing memory: Canvassing in the 1993 Newbury by-election in Kintbury, I sent a colleague off to canvass a house where he had to walk past their front room to get to the front door. Anyway, he came back rather more quickly than expected. I asked him "What were they?". Shaking his head a little, he said respectfully and wistfully: "They were making love in the front room, so ...
Bird feeders in garden are now working nicely. (Cunning plan: more birds = more cats = good news for dogs.) But I don't know much about British birds, so can anyone name these? Click on thumbnails for full size versions. Related posts:Lessons from Canada: poster design Whilst I was in Canada, there was a Provincial election...Dogs + chocolate = bad news Sometimes, I just wish I were human as this story...The BBC nearly gave me a heart attack today There I was, minding my own business (and my neighbour's...
Norman Owen, prophet of doom David Cameron has just said Bill Cash has some 'very serious questions' to answer over claiming more than £15,000 to pay the rent on his daughter's Notting Hill flat. I'll say. At the time Mr Cash was apparently living in the flat – even though he owned another property, closer to Westminster – [...]
Speaking to many of the residents and the key topic was Hazel Blears.Do i think Bell will stand? who knows but who ever stands i think Hazel is dead in the water.
Great day had by all, it was fantastic to see the youth of the area working with our local police officers and having a bit of fun. Well done to the police and other services for your time and effort.
Earlier this week, went walkabout with Metropolitcan Housing - who handle a lot of property in Haringey. They were basically showing me the community events they put in their estates and their upgrades to their housing stock. I have to say the standard of the refurb /decoration was very high - and no wonder the tenant I met was very, very, happy. I just wish they had more housing - as the need in this borough is mega and the supply minimal. Of course - in current climate - development is slowing to a trickle. Then on to HARTS for ...
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Sat 30th
17:30
Opinion: Forget 'flipping,' moats and duck houses - this constitutional crisis is a glorious opportu...
Duck houses, £2,000 televisions, moat cleaning - the additional cost allowance (ACA) has cost the taxpayer hundreds of thousands of pounds and several MPs their jobs, but it just may prove to be the trigger for widespread governmental reform that progressives have long argued for. Let's not focus on the minutiae of who claimed what, and think instead of the wider consequences of this crisis. We must recognise that this ugly episode is but a symptom of a more fundamental failure of governance in the UK, and at the same time represents a glorious opportunity to reform an electoral system ...
I've gone through the Telegraph's summary of the MPs from the three main parties mentioned in their various dispatches on expenses over the last few weeks. In terms of the £ amount of the allegations, mentioned in the summaries, Labour are way out in front with the Conservatives just behind and the Liberal Democrats trailing way behind. The average amount of the allegations for Labour MPs is £21,824. The average amount of the allegations for Conservative MPs is £15,784. The average amount of the allegations for Liberal Democrats MPs is £4,632. I have listed all the figures by the MPs ...
After arriving at Ahmed Towers I have been greeted with emails from sources, its not a taboo this happening but its not always you get emails from a certain person who sent me one today to give me a tip off about a story that the person had found on the Internet. According to reports from the Times Chris Davies is the most expensive Liberal Democrats MEP and this has set me thinking. First of all Chris shouldn't claim a lot of expenses and when claiming my opinion is that MEP's need to consider the families that have voted them ...
Nick Clegg has taken a strong stand on cleaning up Parliament and leading the call for a complete overhaul of our political system. Last week at Prime Minister's Question Time he challenged Gordon Brown to reform our electoral systems. Now even Brown's own ministers are echoing Nick's call. Nick is making the case to: - Give people the right to sack MPs - Stop all big party political donations - Elect the House of Lords - Make the voting system fair - so that governments can't just get all that power and all that money with only a minority of ...
Oasis are performing in Heaton Park on Thursday 4th, Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th 2009. The event management team are distributing this leaflet to nearby residents this weekend, but no doubt the concerts will affect everyone in Prestwich. Prestwich is going to be VERY BUSY on the days of the concert - so please be prepared! Don't hesitate to get in touch if you need any information or help. The text of the factsheets is reproduced here, or you can download printable versions of page one here and page two here.
After last weeks list of top ten searchers here is a list of them top 10 searchers for this week: fired up movie Irfan Ahmedirfanahmedeuro pollsbecoming an mepkate walsh apprenticeup movie criticbaroness warsisara scarlettspymaster game
This week's New Statesman has an in-depth interview with Nick Clegg by James Macintyre - courtesy the Staggers, there's a full transcript below, in which the Lib Dem leader confesses/proclaims he'd like to be Prime Minister, relates how Michael Howard and the Tories "kicked [the Ghurkas] in the face", and admits that his GQ interview with Piers Morgan was perhaps the lowest point of his "bumpy first year". Nick Clegg: ... Certainly our membership figures have picked up for the first time in ages - we've had parliamentary Labour candidates defecting... It's not necessarily people who say 'oh Labour are ...
So my local Conservative MP is the latest of a long line of politicians to have her claims examined and thrust out into the public lime light and what a naughty girl she appears to have been. I am surprised that the BBC has yet to pick up the story, especially as The Telegraph claims it is the biggest "case of non-payment of capital gains tax so far uncovered in The Daily Telegraph's 23-day
My comments on the new Who companion are as follows:Young, female, pretty... Not necessarily a disaster, but hardly going for variety.I wish there was more than one. Team Tardis always works better than Tardis Couple as a dynamic. Damn you Peter Davison for ruining that.Hopefully she'll be from the future or the past or another planet. None of this is yet ruled out.Maybe this is misdirection? Maybe she's a doyle, and will get swapped out or killed off or leave of her own volition within a few eps? That could be interestingThat's it. I'm not going to make any further ...
With my parents and sister Livy, in Zermatt 1938. So I was just over 10 at the time. {Posted by Picasa}
Nick Clegg has taken a strong stand on cleaning up Parliament and leading the call for a complete overhaul of our political system. Last week at Prime Minister's Question Time he challenged Gordon Brown to reform our electoral systems. Now even Brown's own ministers are echoing Nick's call. Nick is making the case to: - Give people the right to sack MPs - Stop all big party political donations - Elect the House of Lords - Make the voting system fair - so that governments can't just get all that power and all that money with only a minority of ...
It's the weekend, so why not sit back in your sofa/deckchair and enjoy the following three poltical videos from the past week... First up, is Andreew Mackay the soon-to-be-former Tory MP for Bracknell and close aide of David Cameron, who was this week forced to quit after the extent of the anger of his constituents became clear. Initially Mr Mackay attempted to claim the mood of the meeting was very much in his favour - unfortunately for him, the video evidence suggested otherwise: Next up, we have that mellow yellow man for our times, Vince Cable, in this rather endearing ...
MAKING CONNECTIONS: FIRE & RESCUE SERVICE CHAPLAINCY AND WIDER MINISTRY by the Rev'd Simon Wilson, Chaplain to Norfolk Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Service Social and Community Concerns Co-ordinator, Diocese of Norwich One of the advantages of having a dual role (in my case it is as Diocesan Social and Community Concerns Co-ordinator as well as chaplain to police and fire and rescue services) is that it forces us to make connections between our chaplaincy work and the Church's wider mission and ministry. In recent months, I have had the privilege of being involved in three conferences which have encouraged ...
We're in to the last week of campaigning and although we're all still knocking on doors (and asking people to come out and vote on Thursday) I shall be glad when this particular election is over. I was lucky enough to win at a by-election in November. Then, it was all hands on deck and, having never been involved in a County Council election, a very exciting time. We were all full of enthusiasm and it paid off as we won what had previously been a Conservative held seat. This time I, and my County Council colleagues of all party ...
This weekend the Sodbury and District Twinning Association is very pleased to welcome a large party from our twin town Cesson, near Paris. We hope they have an enjoyable stay. Well done to the members of the Twinning Association for all their hard work. French visitors and hosts meeting up on arrival in Chipping Sodbury The Chairman of Dodington Parish Council, Cllr Mandy Sainsbury; the Mayor of Cesson, M. Jean-Marc Brûlé; and the Mayor of Sodbury, Cllr Paul Whittle.
Well according to this Mirror headline! Sigh... UPDATE: Here's a screenshot in case they change it:
Well, he can go and boil his head unless he cancels the Summer recess and implements Nick Clegg's full 100 day plan.
Much of the backlash to do with my comments on the Lib Dem Euro Election website has been well I don't like the colour scheme of YOUR blog, and therefore you don't know what you are talking about, nyah nyah!. This makes me feel slightly aggrieved. There threfore follows a somewhat intemperate rant. People, if you are logged in to Dreamwidth, either with a regular account or an openID, there is a little link at the top right on the navbar which reads "reload in my style". You are perfectly at liberty to change my colourscheme to whatever the fuck ...
It has been reported here that Andrew Mackay MP will be paid a golden good-bye of £64,766 and his wife Julie Kirkbride a payment of £32,383. I am concerned that this news is likely to cause more anger directed at the couple. After Mr Mackay's statement that he will not stand at the next general election, he has received more support from his constituents as reflected in a poll on Bracknell Standard website. The question is asked: "How do you feel about Andrew MacKay's announcement to stand down as Bracknell MP at the next general election?". A total of 51 ...
There's quite a lot going on in Gorton this weekend. Today the Donkey Sanctuary is holding a medieval day from 10 - 2. On Sunday, there will be a Community Day at Vine Street Park (12 - 3). And of course the Monastery will be open on Sunday afternoon, 12-4. Plenty to do and see.
I have often said on this blog that one of the major barriers to co-operation between the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives will be the latters attitude to electoral reform and Graham Archer, writing for Conservative Home, gives us a good example of why this is the case. In short, his article regurgitates all the [...]
Twas the week before polling day, when all through the land Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse Well, we can scarcely complain that this election campaign has been dull. Far from. Trouble is, the single issue which has dominated the campaign for the forthcoming local and European elections has very little to do with either. There's no doubting that the row over MPs' expenses is a live issue on the doorstep. On the basis of my doorstep canvassing experiences this year (more limited than in previous years), I've found it hard to discern how far it's made ...
WAH THE SKY IS FALLING!!! I have lots to do and no time to do it in and deadlines are hitting and WAH! In other news, they said on the Today programme this morning that Gordon Brown is considering offering leading Lib Dems positions in the cabinet, especially Vince Cable. Which, on the one hand shows that there is grudging acceptance in the Labour party that, actually, not everyone laughs at the Lib Dems, but on the other hand, is the most poisoned of poison chalices. The correct response to such an offer from the Prime Minister, oh Lib Dem ...
If Labour are indeed sending out an individual letter (post paid not FREEPOST) to every elector in the UK they are really burning up on the money. Anyway G Brown says sorry for the unacceptable expenses mess 'on behalf of all parties'. He also says Labour HAVE suspended MPs who are suspected of wrongdoing. The news this last week has come thick and fast and I have to say what I heard is that some Labour MPs have decided to stand down and that the Labour disciplinary panel is reviewing some nominations for others. But no whip removals for example. ...
{Take the power back} Last week allegations into the misuse of MPs' expenses continued - Sir John Butterfill, a Conservative, claimed £17K for his 'servants' quarters'; Labour and Tory MPs decided to stand down over their expenses claims; the Former Labour Deputy Leader Roy Hattersley called for ministers who avoided paying tax to be sack! Last week in reaction to the all this sleaze and corruption (mostly from the other two parties I might add!) Nick Clegg, Leader of the Liberal Democrats, really showed his worth by taking a strong stand on cleaning up Parliament and leading the call for ...
Here's a surprise. Not only are Kajagoogoo (the best thing to come out of Leighton Buzzard?) still alive, they are touring again! And at the end of September, they are coming to the Islington Academy. Which gives me plenty of time to stock up on hair gel and eyeliner. [...]
"No2EU Yes to Democracy is an electoral platform. It is a trade union-backed alliance of political parties and campaigning groups. We believe the time is right to offer the peoples of Britain an alternative view of Europe."So says the very neat and highly professional website. The "alternative view of Europe" isn't as alternative as you might think - like UKIP, the BNP and large chunks of the main parties, they want out. In the exceptionally unlikely event that they get a single MEP, he won't take his seat. (Men hold the top slots on all their lists, so it would ...
A few random thoughts which have hit me over the past 24 hours: I am having a hard time coping with the idea that someone who was born in the year I got married (1988) is old enough to be Doctor Who's Companion. Good luck to Karen Gillan, though as it seems that, like Irn Bru, she has the potential to be fizzy, ginger and phenomenal. I'm glad to see that Scotland is still represented in the TARDIS and just hope she gets to keep her accent. Britain's Got Talent last night was very hard to watch. If you didn't ...
Sat 30th
11:01
We Live in a Country in which Academics, not Police and Government, protect our Civil Liberties
Our civil liberties, and those of tens and hundreds of thousands of foreign students are being protected by our academics rather than our Government. Not that anyone's suprised. You'll be calling me "Citizen ID#46T8HH02" soon if Jacqui Smith has her way. It's hard to write things like this without sounding like a tinfoil-hat wearing nutjob, and that's what scares me. The truth is far worse than anything you could make up.
Turns out I'm not actually registered to vote. Oh well. Can't say I'm not more than just a little relieved at being excused from having to go do a duty vote for the Lib Dems or, actually, gasp, consider who else I might vote for. Truth is no matter how the elections turn out, it'll be politicians that win. Some lucky people are about to get a very well paying job on the public purse for which there's no scrutiny, no expectations and no accountability. I decided to do some digging around to remind myself what MEPs are for. I'd ...
Yesterday evening, I had the pleasure of opening Dundee Art Society's summer exhibition and presenting the Roseangle Cup and other awards in its schools' competition and its McCartney Awards. The photographs below are the presentations to Rachel Cameron of Craigie High School, winner of the Roseangle Cup and to Harry McGregor, well-known West End-based artist, one of the McCartney Award winners. Harry is very kindly undertaking the official opening of the West End Fun Day on Magdalen Green on 13th June - more on that during the forthcoming week!
Two months have passed since the G20 and the brutal police operation against protesters in the City of London. Yesterday the Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) met for the second time since the operation to question Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson. At the first meeting the Met showed no signs of having taken on board the serious and widespread criticism of their actions and at times actively mis-represented what had taken place in an attempt to spin themselves out of trouble. So it was with a fair deal of scepticism that myself and Anna Bragga of Defend Peaceful Protest went down to ...
All the talk about changing British politics recently has got me thinking about primary elections, especially as they've been mentioned by many people as a way to open up the political process. Of course, as a supporter of the Single Transferable Vote, I'm not necessarily convinced they are the best way, but I have seen the primary process in action during my time in the US and that's prompted a few thoughts about the ways in which they could be used in the UK. The first thought that springs to mind is that primaries would fit in very well with ...
A twitter based game called Spy Master has launched and personally I like it. I never used to like games like Spy Master and Mafia Wars as I used to think they are boring but since starting to mess around with Spy Master I have actually liked it. So if you are a player of the game and want to add someone to your spy ring as a spymaster then add me if not get ready to play a phenominal game! Tech Crunch has written about the game on their site and to read their review follow the link! My ...
Six convicted child rapists were not imprisoned in 2007, according to statistics from the Ministry of Justice. [29 May 2009] Two paedophiles were given suspended sentences for sex attacks on children aged under 13. A further four offenders were given community sentences. There are concerns that judges are being pressurised into not jailing offenders because [...]
That's the headline from The Register: In an unprecedented effort to crack down on self-serving edits, the Wikipedia supreme court has banned contributions from all IP addresses owned or operated by the Church of Scientology and its associates. Closing out the longest-running court case in Wikiland history, the site's Arbitration Committee voted 10 to 0 (with one abstention) in favor of the move, which takes effect immediately... Some have argued that those editing from Scientology IPs may be doing so without instruction from the Church hierarchy. But a former member of Scientology's Office of Special Affairs - a department officially ...
In yesterday's 'Courier', having been challenged about the failure of the SNP to deliver an alternative to PPP capital funding that would allow for further schools improvements in Dundee, the SNP Education Convener, Cllr Liz Fordyce, made the extraordinary claim that the new primary schools building brought forward by the previous Labour/Liberal Democrat council administration after 2007 was possible because of "flexibility" in council capital budgets permitted by the SNP government. Unfortunately for the SNP administration, this claim has absolutely no basis in fact. Because of the failure of Alex Salmond's government to bring forward a viable alternative to PPP ...
After an exchange of emails with the Borough Commander I can reveal that it looks very unlikely that the hours of opening for Barnet Police station will change. A review is taking place but only into the use of the police station as a patrol base which would not mean that it would be open any longer than it is now. Further confusion was sown when the minutes of the meeting I attended where published as they seem to indicate that there was a review into opening hours. The police have confirmed that this is not what was meant. Apart ...
The Cabinet papers for June's cabinet meeting have just arrived and they contain a report on the outcome of the consultation into the review of warden provision in sheltered housing schemes. Earlier this year the Conservative administration proposed saving £950,000 by withdrawing site based wardens and removing alarm systems from residents who did not meet certain criteria. The 'consultation' carried out by the Council showed that a massive 88% of those consulted disagreed with the proposals to some extent with 81% strongly disagreeing with the proposals. The paper to cabinet outlines 4 options, option 1 being to proceed with the ...
I'm increasingly being asked, 'So, what are you going to do after the election, then?', to which the obvious response is: 'that depends on the result!' But because the UK votes on Thursday, whereas most of the Continent only goes to the polls at the weekend, the results of the European elections won't be known [...]
About 140 children in the Hook and Chessington area attend Hinchley Wood School, which is over the borough boundary in Surrey. Edward Davey and I are campaigning for a bus to get them to and from school safely. They have every right to this, just as their parents have every right to send their children to a school in a neighbouring authority. Up until the end of...
This morning's Daily Telegraph carries a suggestion that Gordon Brown is considering a 'game changing' reshuffle that could 'bring the Liberal Democrat's 'closer to the centre of power'. Firstly, it is worth noting that these kind of stories regularly appear in the Conservative press in an obvious bid to make mischief and discourage Conservative voters [...]
Paul Parker of the Red Squirrel Protection Partnership (RSPP) is leaving his native Newcastle. Parker set up the RSPP with the Lib Dem peer Lord Redesdale. They aim to protect and restore the population of red squirrels in the North East by eradicating greys. According to the BBC: Now he says demand for greys from top chefs means he needs to expand.He is working with landowners in the south of England to maintain supplies of squirrels for restaurants.As ever, Lord Bonkers had the essential of the story right:Redesdale explains that he hopes to win the contract from Walker's Crisps to ...
This topic was top of the list at the AAP meeting, and it's no surprise when you look at the sub-headings. If the AAP gets all these things right the area will certainly feel the difference. I record them simply as they came to me on the report sheet: Continued improvement to enhance sustainability Town Centre environment Environmental protection Flower beds Improvements to the built environment Better car parking/management/enforcement Road Maintenance Street lighting Better signage Bus Stops Better retail offer Speeding traffic Glass on cycle tracks More accessible play areas.
From the Hamilton Advertiser: Tweeddale councillor Catriona Bhatia has been selected by Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale Liberal Democrats to fight Scotland's only Tory MP, David Mundell, at the next General Election.The constituency, of over 2000 sq miles, is one of the largest in Britain and includes most of Clydesdale.The paper says she gained over 70 per cent of the vote.
Sadly, the planners on Darlington Borough Council are recommending that the proposal to build 250 houses and flats on Whessoe Road, on the site of the old Corus works, be rejected by the Planning Development Committee when it meets this week. They say there isn't enough affordable housing in the scheme. The Echo has the story, and a chance for you to comment, here.This development was welcomed by
Gordon Brown despite having on paper a Parliamentary majority is considering a deal to bring prominent Liberal Democrats into Cabinet in a 'game-changing move. However, his game must be well a truly up if he is again reconsidering this step. When he first took over from Tony Blair the Prime Minister approached various senior Lib Dems in the Commons and Lords to take some role in his new administration. He was rebuffed from all sides. Now in his desperation of what he may be facing on Thursday in the European elections he is considering it again. However, following Nick Clegg's ...
We don't do a Daily View 2 x 2 round-up on Saturdays, so instead here's an open thread. What stories have caught your eye? What issues are on your mind? What do you think of our new Daily View 2 x 2 series? Discuss away in the comments below...
Nick Clegg has been rightly very quick to condemn the "Golden Goodbyes" as he has coined them available to MPs who stand down from the House of Commons. Apparently MPs are entitled to pay-off worth up to a year's salary (over £64K) on retirement from the House and resettlement grants worth tens of thousands of pounds which are only available to MPs who stand down at a General Election. It's no wonder all the 13 MPs who have announced they are standing down are hanging on in there to the General Election. I think once the public understands that the ...
There's an awful lot of righteous and entirely justified anger at the way politicians, particulalry from Labour and the Conservatives, have abused their expenses and taken the tax-payers for an extravagant ride. Politicans at local, national an European level are being tarred with the same brush. So, in the interests of transparency I thought I'd [...]
Fantastic start to my Hay Festival visit and plenty to look forward to. We are starting today by attending a conversation between Peter Florence and Henning Mankell, the creator of Wallender and then going on to see Marcus Brigstocke, Andre Vincent and Carrie Quinlan. I have high expectations of both. And then it is politics with Chris Patten telling us how to survive the twenty first century followed by Alan Bennett and then David Simon, the creator of The Wire. Finally, Alex Valentine in concert. His four line, four line word poems accompanying the single Hurricane have had 264,846 views ...
Oasis are performing in Heaton Park on Thursday 4th, Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th 2009. The event management team are distributing this leaflet to nearby residents this weekend, but no doubt the concerts will affect everyone in Prestwich. Prestwich is going to be VERY BUSY on the days of the concert - so please be prepared! Don't hesitate to get in touch if you need any information or help. The text of the factsheets is reproduced here, or you can download printable versions of page one here and page two here.
Last day of sprint & suddenly none of the network clients can access the #scrumworks server. Firewalls check out OK. Odd, maddening. #scrum # is suffering uncontrollable twitching in the dead nerve deep inside his leg and feels sick because of it. Meralgia Paresthetica is a bitch. # thinks life seems a lot better with a fried egg, mushroom and veggie bacon sandwich on fresh bread with ketchup! # Solved my #scrumworks problem - my machine was assigned a different last digit in its network address so bookmarks to it were wrong. #scrum # RT @HelenDuffett Just recruited 3 new ...
Last weekend I went to Finchcocks musical museum with my parents. It was dead good. They have all kinds of weird (and not so weird) keyboard instruments, which visitors are encouraged to play with. I perpetrated photography.
Your report on the fractiousness within the ruling Tory group on Torbay Council and the alleged Masonic influence at the Town Hall it is deeply worrying. Whilst freemasons within Tory ranks may declare their Masonic allegiance an 'irrelevance', surely that is for bay electors to decide if such influence is malign ? That those critics of Carroll, such as Cllrs Oliver and Carter have been removed from committees they are well qualified to serve on makes one concerned that the needs of the party leadership are being put before the interests of the bay. There is a solution available to ...
