Another day very much like other days before and yet to come. So please feel free to insert your own witty comment here: [ ] # Had good business dev day looking into pricing etc in prep for marketing consultation (note, will block all Twitter marketers, don't try it) # is deeply amused to find the Lib Dems' new acting chief exec replacing Chris Rennard is Chris Fox. Who's next – Basil Brush? # New La Roux album reviewed in Guardian http://bit.ly/148ks3: "Sounds like an album produced by Jet Set Willy and engineered by Juliet Bravo" #
According to BBC News and various other sources Michael Jackson died earlier today of a heart attack. It seems like a very sad end to the life of an amazingly talented man. He was only 50 years old. I will always have fond memories of his earlier music; I grew up during the Thriller and Bad eras and they were both fantastic albums. RIP.
It is hard to believe that today marked the twelfth anniversary of the death of Jacques-Yves Cousteau. The grizzled Frenchman brought the magic of the sea to homes across the country, and gallic sophistication with his accent. We take for granted the wonders of modern technology with its ability to capture every movement and every nuance, yet I would suggest that Jacques-Yves, like David Attenborough on land, was a far greater television naturalist. Without the massive advantages that miniaturisation of equipment and various tracking aids now brings, he was able to capture a view of the world that we had ...
HAZEL BLEARS DOESN'T MEET NIGEL PIVARO Nigel Pivaro's Take On The Day The Media Pack Arrived In Salford ...The scribes of Canary Wharf calculate that their readers don't want to know about the nuts and bolts of deprivation and enforced poverty of some unlucky Salford lass...What is sexy is the dethroning of an ex cabinet ice queen [...]
I know what I forgot! Answers to yesterday's quiz: The trufax was, of course, that the first album I bought with my own money was Sheer Heart Attack. For reference, the first vinyl I bought was Trash by Alice Cooper and the first CD Countdown to Extinction by Megadeth. My favourite song of all time is the Ballad of Dwight Frye by Alice Cooper, I have owned five dogs (Shadow, a female black and white short-haired collie; Sheba, a female black labrador-cross; Gollum, a male black labrador cross; Byron and Roxy (still extant). I have eaten sheep's brain, but I ...
Diane Park was the Liberal Democrat PPC for Halifax. She resigned yesterday and at the same time quit the party to sit as an Independent councillor on Calderdale Council. This is what I want to say to her. Dear Diane I was really disappointed when I found out today that you have resigned as the Liberal Democrat [...]
I'm not watching Question Time or This Week this week. The one has Kelvin McKenzie on, and the other Quentin Twat, and I don't have the mental energy to put up with their arsehole-ish-ness. So radio 4 is on and I am checking my email and trying not to get to impatient about some things and miserable about others and... Is Michael Jackson dead, or not? They said on the news unconfirmed reports... Oh yes, and here are two blogs you should be reading: {[info - personal]} nanila is consistently entertaining, a female scientist, and an American Anglophile living in ...
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Odd rumours circulating that Michael Jackson might be dead ? No opinions to offer personally on this.
I haven't been updating lately as, like many of us, I have had a post-election campaign break. And, shock, I have had other things than politics on my mind. We went to York for a few days. I work for the Local Government Ombudsman (on the administration side - so there's no conflict of interest as I don't investigate complaints) and previously all I have seen of York is the taxi ride from the station to our regional office and vice versa - and I have always thought it would be nice to have a few days off to see ...
Thu 25th
22:29
Hope they have a big ballot paper when hazels up,and guess what richard the ADVERTISER have put you ...
Union boss vows to fight next election June 25, 2009 A UNION boss has vowed to take on Hazel Blears by standing as an independent candidate at the next election. People's champion Alec McFadden, who runs a Salford unemployment centre, is considering standing to be the city's next MP. Alec has put himself forward as a possible contender for [...]
Thu 25th
22:28Hope they have a big ballot paper when hazels up,and guess what richard the ADVERTISER have put you ...
Union boss vows to fight next election June 25, 2009 A UNION boss has vowed to take on Hazel Blears by standing as an independent candidate at the next election. People's champion Alec McFadden, who runs a Salford unemployment centre, is considering standing to be the city's next MP. Alec has put himself forward as a possible contender for [...]
Thu 25th
22:28Hope they have a big ballot paper when hazels up,and guess what richard the ADVERTISER have put you ...
Union boss vows to fight next election June 25, 2009 A UNION boss has vowed to take on Hazel Blears by standing as an independent candidate at the next election. People's champion Alec McFadden, who runs a Salford unemployment centre, is considering standing to be the city's next MP. Alec has put himself forward as a possible contender for [...]
Thu 25th
22:28Hope they have a big ballot paper when hazels up,and guess what richard the ADVERTISER have put you ...
Union boss vows to fight next election June 25, 2009 A UNION boss has vowed to take on Hazel Blears by standing as an independent candidate at the next election. People's champion Alec McFadden, who runs a Salford unemployment centre, is considering standing to be the city's next MP. Alec has put himself forward as a possible contender for [...]
Thu 25th
22:28Hope they have a big ballot paper when hazels up,and guess what richard the ADVERTISER have put you ...
Union boss vows to fight next election June 25, 2009 A UNION boss has vowed to take on Hazel Blears by standing as an independent candidate at the next election. People's champion Alec McFadden, who runs a Salford unemployment centre, is considering standing to be the city's next MP. Alec has put himself forward as a possible contender for [...]
Thu 25th
22:27Hope they have a big ballot paper when hazels up,and guess what richard the ADVERTISER have put you ...
Union boss vows to fight next election June 25, 2009 A UNION boss has vowed to take on Hazel Blears by standing as an independent candidate at the next election. People's champion Alec McFadden, who runs a Salford unemployment centre, is considering standing to be the city's next MP. Alec has put himself forward as a possible contender for [...]
Thu 25th
22:27Hope they have a big ballot paper when hazels up,and guess what richard the ADVERTISER have put you ...
Union boss vows to fight next election June 25, 2009 A UNION boss has vowed to take on Hazel Blears by standing as an independent candidate at the next election. People's champion Alec McFadden, who runs a Salford unemployment centre, is considering standing to be the city's next MP. Alec has put himself forward as a possible contender for [...]
I thought I'd publish the list of expenses that I have claimed in the last two years as a councillor. Here is the full list:
Yesterday first meeting of the day was with Transport for London (and Cllrs Martin Newton and Gail Engert) with regard to the bus stop (W7 and 144) sited about 100-150 metres down Muswell Hill from the roundabout. The problem is that older people, mothers with buggies and those with mobility problems have real difficulty getting to this crucial bus stop because of the gradient of the hill. It is a very busy bus stop - and it becomes even more crucial with the imminent opening of Hornsey Central Health Centre, as it is only this bus that goes directly from ...
Yes, it's that time of the week again – so pour yourself a stiff drink, plump the cushions and settle back in your sofa to enjoy/endure another hour of love it/hate it political debate courtesy of BBC1 Question Time. Holding up the Lib Dems' end tonight will be Julia Goldsworthy, MP for Falmouth and Camborne MP, and the party's shadow communities and local government secretary. And, incidentally, the Lib Dems' youngest shadow cabinet member (though not, despite her BBC QT profile, "the youngest MP in the House of Commons" – that honour belongs to Jo Swinson). Joining Julia on the ...
A brilliant piece of BBC spin in this morning's newspapers. They briefed the media that in the interest of transparency they would be publishing the salaries and expenses of their key figures, although it wouldn't be anything like the MPs scandal, because there would be nothing like second homes. In fact, they were also facing Freedom of Information requests. Well there may not be second home allowances, but I have to say the published information is even worse: - Fifty of the highest paid executives on £160,000 plus, with most on more than £200,000 - all paid more than the ...
The resignation of Cllr Diane Park from the Lib Dem Party in Halifax has left a vacancy for a 'prospective parliamentary candidate' or, 'wannabe MP.' For one brief moment I considered going for it... then the sledgehammer of reality smashed me back down to earth. Amongst the many reasons why I would make a terrible PPC my personal favourite is this blog. Oh, it'll take a day or so, but any campaign run by me could be derailed very quickly by finding a few choice quotes. Charlotte Gore wants to axe the welfare state! Charlotte Gore wants to cut spending! ...
For those who don't live in London, you may have missed the photograph that the Evening Standard published tonight of the main home of Labour MP's Mr and Mrs Keen. Neighbours say that the house, which is in Mrs Keen's Brentford constituency and well within commuting distance of Westminster, has not been lived in for a year - it looks like a squat. But by declaring it as their main residence has enabled them to claim £140,000 over four years towards their £750,000 riverside flat in London's South Bank.
This makes the score Tory 2 - Labour 1 - Lib Dem 2. For me, it fails one test. It looks too similar to the previous leaflet. I know the previous one was colour, but not all people will not remember this detail.
It's the Lee Manor School Summer Fair this Sunday from 2pm until 4.30pm at the school. Last year's was great fun, so hopefully see you there!
Give me a "Q"! Give me a "U"! Give me a "Estion Time"! Yes, it's that day again and the Live Chat on this blog will start at 10:30pm. The panel will include Employment Minister Jim Knight (of @jimknightmp fame), Conservative shadow security minister Dame Pauline Neville-Jones, Liberal Democrat local government spokesman Julia Goldsworthy, Plaid Cymru Welsh Assembly Member Leanne Wood, and columnist and commentator Kelvin McKenzie (why do we have to endure this idiot?). You can also follow people's comments on Twitter via the #bbcqt hashtag (you can also follow me here on Twitter by the way). I wonder ...
The Guardian's Andrew Sparrow has been a busy boy – he's been trying to keep pace with the Government's U-turns since Gordon Brown made his statement announcing the Iraq inquiry last week. He reckons there have been a possible nine, and a definite five: Holding the inquiry in public Allowing the inquiry to attribute blame Forcing witnesses to give evidence on oath Publishing an interim report Membership of the inquiry committee Indeed, it's interesting to compare this list with Nick Clegg's consistent pressure on the Government over the past few days, and the clarification he's sought from inquiry chair Sir ...
Today the campaign for free visas for Chernobyl children from Ukraine received a big boost today with coverage on the BBC. The Prime Minister has promised me a meeting with the Home Secretary to discuss why these children are being disadvantaged. The Chernobyl childrens' charities will be joining me to make the case. It's peanuts to the Government but a fortune for the charities.
The Greens in Norwich have reacted badly to certain facts about their candidate being publicised by the Lib Dems, according to the EDP. Isn't funny how the Greens like to bandy about quoting things the Lib Dems have said and done, but when the Lib Dems point out things the Green Party candidate said 5 years ago, they seem to think that it is irrelevent to the ongoing campaign and nothing to do with the Green Party itself. A candidate is elected under a party banner, but represents their own views and these are totally relevent to their wish to ...
...your early teenage crushes are dying off. Farrah Fawcett 1947-2009 RIP
It's nice to see Lenny Henry back with a couple of well made Premier Inn adverts. It's a shame Nicholas Ball isn't in these ones, though.
Editorial Intelligence have just released the video for the "Commentariat vs Bloggertariat" event that I attended on Monday and that I blogged about here. The video is just snippets from the opening speeches by the panel interspersed with interviews with them. No yours truly asking his question unfortunately. Video below:
Lib Dem Voice readers are familiar with our weekly BBC1 Question Time open threads – your chance to sound off about the programme while it's on-air, or to indulge in some post-match analysis of the panellists' performances, all from the comfort of your sofa. Well, tonight, we're ringing the changes – not too much you'll be pleased/disappointed to hear. But we're going to be trialling a Facebook Live Stream. If, like me until a few hours ago, you've absolutely no idea what that is, this article may explain: With the Live Stream Box on your website, users log in using ...
Paul Waugh has pointed out that my local MP Andrew MacKay is not paying back anything following the release of the "payback" list of Conservative MPs today. I find this very surprising. I attended Mr MacKay's public meeting a few weeks ago that he called here in Bracknell and it seemed from what he said that he had submitted himself to David Caemron's process and they would decide how much he had to pay back. There were figures mentioned by people during that meeting well in excess of £100K. Further information from Paul including the Tory line: The explanation that ...
I've just had a Labour leaflet through my letterbox. This doesn't happen very often, so it's a bit of an occasion. However, today's leaflet was particularly amusing. According to Lambeth Labour Party, "The last time local people voted was May 2008 - and the Lib Dems came THIRD!" So when I went down to the polling station on June 4th, that was all a dream, was it? That meter-long piece of paper with lots of candidates' names on it - that was at an origami stall? Lambeth Town Hall played host to a convention of people who just really like ...
From today's FT (well worth reading today for other reasons): The government will "definitely not" proceed with a national road-user charging scheme if it wins the next election, the new transport secretary has said, in the most comprehensive renunciation so far of a policy adopted in 2004. ... In July 2004, Alistair Darling, then transport secretary, committed the government to a national system of pay-per-mile charging . The scheme was intended to replace charging for road use via taxes on fuel. As cars become more fuel-efficient, taxes produce less revenue per mile driven and any deterrent effect of tax on ...
The blog has been like this for months and as many know I have a craving for Recess Monkey and Sadie's Tavern so I ask the question, is the Monkey dead? If it isn't then get it sorted Alex if not name your price and I might just make the Monkey a Liberal! P.S. I will give you no more than a £1 so no ideas about how much you could make. At the end of the day how much do you expect a student to pay you?
Proving that there's no depth to which the Daily Mail won't stoop, it today attacks an MP for small food purchases. What's the big deal, you might ask. MPs were permitted to claim back money spent on food - and some spent rather more than others. Why attack this particular MP. Was it, perhaps, an especially high claim? Were taxpayer footing the bill for caviar and champagne, or luxury truffles? No. The crime in this case was that the snacks weren't healthy and the MP in question is female and, according to the Daily Mail in a revalation sure to ...
The good people of Liberal Democrat Voice have very kindly posted my synopsis of last night's Guildford Lib Dems Summer Supper where the guest of honour was Vince Cable here.
Even Labour friends of mine are pulling their hair out at Gordon Brown's dishonest line of "Labour investment vs Tory cuts." A more honest approach would be "Labour cuts vs Tory cuts". One Labour colleague is so fed up, she has just forwarded me an email Liam Byrne has sent to Labour Party members. I love the PS at the bottom. Dear XXXX, You may have seen in the news today that David Cameron's Conservatives would make cuts to public services from day one of a Tory government. Whatever he says about public services, it's now clear that David Cameron ...
If you can read what the screen print above says than the answer to the question clearly is NO. This comes from Don't Panic who videos a bunch of Tory Toddlers from London and to watch the video follow the link. If you can't read the text than it says: The Young Conservatives used to be famous for wearing T-shirts calling for Nelson Mandela to be hung. But, following Cameron's lead, they have rebranded themselves and are now called Conservative Future. But has anything changed beyond the name? Don't Panic meets the New Young Conservatives. Hat Tip Labour Home!
I attended the Guildford Lib Dems Summer Supper last night organised by Sue Doughty the former Guildford MP and PPC and her team. The guest of honour was Vince Cable who has been a frequent visitor to Guildford and supporter of Guildford Lib Dems over the years. Despite living about 20 miles away, in Sandhurst, I have helped out with canvassing etc. numerous times in Guildford. The incumbent Tory MP only has a majority of a few hundred and it is nice to help out in a constituency where we have a very good chance of taking the seat back ...
After watching this little waspish encounter with Tom Bradby, that would be my advice.
Let me tell you about two telephone companies. One, let us call them Bastard Telecom, are bastards. If you can get connected at all, rather than getting delays and crossed lines, as we did, then just pray you never have any problems with your internet. For example if you simultaneously have a line problem *and* [...]
Southport and District Allotment Society (SADWAG) have written to me. The have secured a meeting with Cllr Ronnie Fearn the Cabinet Member for- amongst other things- allotments. I wish them well. The growth in demand for allotments is enormous and far outstrips supply. Of course some of this enthusiasm will not be maintained, but I fancy that if the council took some steps then supply could be expanded and the drop out rate lowered. I was at my allotment this evening picking blackcurrants and gooseberries. As I looked around I compared the site with how I first saw it more ...
Freedom Central understands that tomorrow the Labour party will select their candidate to replace Lorraine Barrett in Cardiff South and Penarth This follows on from the recent selection of their new Assembly candidate in Pontypridd, as well as Brian Gibbons' recent announcement that he will be standing down, and movement in selecting for the – very long shot for Labour - seat of Blaenau Gwent. All this raises the question of why there has been no talk of when a selection process will take place in Cardiff West, or if there has, why it has been kept very quiet? That ...
The Open University is 40! And if are near Milton Keynes you can help celebrate on campus this Saturday at the Open Unlimited day. Just turn up and take part... including tasting the famous Open University Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream. Description of the events is here... Sample events: On the criminal justice system: Stop and Search On a dark evening Jonny Richards was stopped by police and asked to empty out his pockets. Now he is charged with going equipped for burglary. But is he guilty? You decide. Our 20 minute reconstruction of a magistrates' court case gives an insight ...
I've just had a reply from officers about Kensey Valley Meadow. They tell me: "Just to give you an update on the maintenance issues, we have been in touch with Elan Homes and they have replied that they will attend to the maintenance issues raised. I have asked officers to chase this particular issue so that they do what they have promised as quickly as possible. It looks like there will be ongoing maintenance issues so we will monitor the situation. I will keep in touch with colleagues regarding Kensey Valley"Many thanks to the officers for a speedy and helpful ...
Derek Draper was meant to speak on Blogging and how to fit into the blogosphere and many like Guido were going to use him as an example for how not to enter the blogosphere but it seems that Derek Draper has pulled out on the last minute. This is bad news for Guido as he wont be able to go and make a pissed rant about Draper and say he is making a speech instead he will have to write on and make it professionally so he can stand out in the crowd of Journalists and bloggers. On another note ...
The newly appointed Director of Policy and Communications, Chris Fox, has stepped into the role of Liberal Democrat Chief executive for the next General Election. Party president Ros Scott's statement is on the offical party website.
Saturday 27th June 2009 10am - 3pm The Friends of Wallington Library and Gardens are holding their second Wallington Day Fair on Saturday in the library gardens. There will be a variety of stalls and entertainment and the Wallington South Ward Councillors - Richard, Colin and myself are having a Councillors' Cake Stall. You can choose [...]
Ha ha. I've just listened to the weather on Radio 4 (at 12:57pm), and the weatherman was talking about Glastonbury. He said showers there might lead to a "rainy sh*te" instead of "rainy site". He then proceeded to stumble to the end of the broadcast whilst periodically breaking into laughter. If it's put on listen again (not there yet) it'll be here.
I think it is important that all politicians - whether they are councillors like myself, MPs, MEPs or members of the House of Lords - are open and honest about their pay and expenses. It was the Liberal Democrats whose constant campaigning has eventually led to the publication and cleaning up (we hope) of the system of MPs expenses. Each year, Cornwall Council publishes a list of the expenses claimed by all of its members. I'm going to publish my expenses claims and any declarations of interest on a monthly basis. To set things in context: All councillors receive a ...
Here's Liberal Vision's take on the rise and fall of New Labour - set to the unmistakeable beat of 99 Red Balloons by Nena. Contains graphic violence.
Policy Exchange, alongside Reform, are probably closer than any other think-tank to the Conservatives, who may well make up our next government. What they think matters. This is why their unrealistic call for an immediate freeze in public spending is so worrying. For when Policy Exchange write, influential columnists follow - see this by Martin Wolf, for example. With the government utterly failing to set the terms of the debate (partly because their approach is based on obfuscation and wistful nostaligia for 1999), there is a risk that a knee-jerk Right reaction can set the the terms for the debate.Their ...
A survey of the Fortune Top 100 CEO's by the uberCEO.com blog reveals that US captains of industry are unlikely to have their own Facebook page, have out of date Wikipedia entries, are unlikely to use professional networking sites and do not blog. Interestingly, the list includes such techno-luminaries as Michael Dell and John Chambers, CEO of Cisco Systems, and whilst both are, as one might expect, more connected up than most, neither of them blogs. There are those who believe that blogging is the future, a place where any individual can communicate directly, and there is an element of ...
Ros Scott, the Lib Dem party president, has just issued the following announcement that Chris Fox will take over as interim chief executive of the party during July: Following this month's announcement that we will be appointing an Interim Chief Executive I am pleased to say that following a selection process Chris Fox has been appointed to this important role. Chris Fox joined us as Director of Policy and Communications earlier this year and he will continue to fulfil the tasks associated with this job . This is possible thanks to the strength of the individuals and teams working in ...
{PD*28175603} Strange goings in on the world of politicians and their wives, prompted by two of Westminster's more outspoken members. First up there's woman-of-the-moment Nadine Dorries, who is a tad unhappy about the new Speaker. Fair enough, some might say, but the reasons for discontent (outlined on her re-born blog) are rather notable: "the Speaker's wife, should he have one, plays a very important role" she explains. Yes, of course it does. Very important role. "We have all seen how often Speaker Martin's wife has been named in the press over the years." Have we? But now for the hammer-blow: ...
If there is one thing that can be said for Nick Clegg and the Liberal Democrats it is that they are both setting the agenda and attracting a lot of publicity in recent weeks. That has led to an editorial in yesterday's Financial Times discussing the party's prospects for gaining power and influence after the next General Election. I am not that keen to get into a discussion about election tactics to do with hung Parliaments as I believe our primary aim should be to get our basic message across to voters about what we will do with power and ...
Vince Cable spoke in the House of Commons this week during the debate on 'Preparing Britain's Economy for the future'. His speech can be found here. Southport MP John Pugh is part of the Lib Dem Treasury team and is picture her with Vince.
Surprise, surprise, the Guardian politics blog reports that ministers and senior civil servants are now saying that the Freedom of Information Act was a bad idea. The evidence comes from a report from the Constitution Unit at University College London. The authors interviewed civil servants, special advisers and former ministers (on condition of anonymity) to ask them what they thought of FoI: What's interesting is that, although the respondents were generally in favour of FoI in principle, they were strongly opposed to the way it was operating in practice. Here are some of the key quotes. From a former minister: ...
Last night I went to see Blur at the Civic Hall in Wolverhampton. They were utterly brilliant.
Loads of stuff in the last two days' paper. Best article: John Kay's extended analogy, using a hypothetical monopolised book trade to discuss the malign effect of the BBC on programme quality. I keep asking the office why the US has the Wire, and we have Robin Hood. This may be why.Protectionism. More on how this perfidious aspect of the US stimulus is proving a real disaster. the US Chamber of Commerce has launched a lobbying blitz to persuade the administration to soften the provisions. Canada wants to be exempted. But unions and many manufacturers want to see Buy America ...
This spectacular event only takes place every three years. St Peter's Church at Wapley (the one on the hill that looks out over Wapley Common) is filled with creative and unusual flower decorations - it's well worth a visit. The Flower Festival, which is staged by Chipping Sodbury Floral Society, is on from 26 to 28 June. The church is open from 9 am for viewing. Morning coffee, lunches and cream teas are available daily. On Saturday there is an evening of wine and music with `Footloose' at 8 pm. Tickets available. On Sunday there will be Festival Evensong at ...
A new study of nearly 12,000 Canadian adults over a twelve year period was published in the Obesity journal a few days ago. As media reports are saying, the study has found that being overweight leads to a longer life than being in the "normal" weight range. The riskiest weights are to be underweight (BMI less than 18.5) or morbidly obese (BMI over 35). The healthiest weight turns out to be what doctors currently class as being overweight - BMI 25-30. If your weight falls into the "normal" range of 18.5-25 or obese (30-35), you're likely to live longer than ...
This is the fourth and final instalment of podcasts recorded at the Sheffield Local Solutions 2009 conference organised by ALDC. You can hear the earlier instalments here: Clegg and Scott; Scriven on Sheffield; Carbon Reduction Commitment. In the final session of the day, the Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Julia Goldsworthy MP joined Cllr Paul Scriven, the leader of Sheffield Council, to reflect on the day and discuss current state of play for local government. Both talk about the Sustainable Communities Act, its potential and their disappointment in Labour's implementation of it so far; of Labour's ...
Every now and then this subject comes up. David Bartlett on his Dale Street Blues blog raised this the other day (albeit focusing more on what Councillors are paid). Admittedly when I am doing the 5 30 am casework e mails so I stand a fighting chance of getting to work on time the thought of being a full time Councillor appeals. But if no elected members were in other employment we would lose a lot. I'll give you an example. Last night I was at a Select Committee where among other things we discussed HR, health and safety, debt ...
After a UNESCO visit in the Autumn of 2008 to look around the city after complaints about it viability as a world heritage site. I am pleased to see that UNESCO have given Bath a clean bill of health and described Bath as a well looked after City. The reprts from UNESCO are below. Seville_Cmttee_Paper_Jun_09_- _Bath.docHeritage_Visit_Question_Bank_V2.doc...
{menzies-campbell-mp} Commenting on three separate reports released this week which paint a dire picture of Britain's pensions crisis, Sir Menzies Campbell MP said: "More and more people working in the private sector are going to find themselves disappointed by the pension provision being made by their employer, with some companies closing certain schemes to new members of staff. The recession is inevitably going to affect pensions but employers should be dissuaded from taking short-term measures which could alter their employees' pensions in the long-term. "When the private sector tighten its belt it inevitably puts more pressure on state pensions. The ...
Government plans to top up the taxpayer's contribution to MPs' index linked final salary pensions by £750,000 have been abandoned following the tabling of an amendment by Liberal Democrat MPs' Vince Cable and Steve Webb. Liberal Democrat Voice has the full story, whilst Steve Webb gives his own version of events on his own blog. Steve points out that this victory is still is only a relatively modest change, but hopes that the review body which is looking into the situation will come up with the sort of root-and-branch reform of the MPs' pension scheme that is needed. No related ...
The Welsh Local Government Association is meeting in Swansea today and as per usual a procession of the great and the good will be gracing Councillors and Officers with their presence. Star turn this year is Assembly Finance Minister, Andrew Davies who plans to urge Council leaders to protect the most vulnerable in society from the effects of the downturn. The vast majority if not all of those assembled will of course have this objective as their number one priority. However, it would help everybody if the Finance Minister himself treated such vital frontline councils services with the same importance ...
{Menzies Campbell} Commenting on the high profile Commons debate on the Government's proposed Iraq Inquiry, North East Fife MP Sir Menzies Campbell said: "The House of Commons has a chance to add its voice to those demanding the Government reverse its decision to hold the Inquiry into Iraq in private. "By indicating his wish to hold as much as possible of the Inquiry in public, Sir John Chilcot, the Chairman, has made it impossible for the Government to press ahead with an inquiry conducted behind closed doors. Only the most sensitive information should be heard in private. The abiding principle ...
'Tories to publish expenses review' puffs the BBC and today the Tories will open up their nest of vipers to scrutiny. Or will they? And will they actually de-select any Tory MPs or will they simply have a 'quiet word'. This is one area where Labour has trumped the Tories, by making a few of their lesser MPs scapegoats they have appeared to be doing something and they have managed to cling on to more senior transgressors. This may be the best mirror to hold up to the Tories - how they deal with themselves. If their 'review' turns out ...
Thu 25th
10:30
FT editorial: Lib Dems' "ultimate selling point is they are not like the other parties"
Following on from yesterday's feature interview with Nick Clegg, today's Financial Times carries a generous editorial on the Lib Dems and the party's contribution to British politics: Nick Clegg, the leader of the Liberal Democrats, has said that it is "not beyond the realms of possibility" that his party could move into second place at the next election, ahead of Labour. His party might well receive more votes than Labour; they nearly managed that feat in 1983. ... Of the big national parties, only they opposed the war in Iraq and only they have consistently opposed Labour's illiberalism. Thanks to ...
The sun is high in the sky and unusually for Tallinn it is actually hot. The Baltic sea turns white, to match the sky of the long twilight. The sun barely dips below the horizon at sunset, leaving the sky pink until the dawn. The white nights are when Estonians celebrate the northern summer. The past few days have shown the medieval city of Tallinn it its finest colours, and though the tourists conspire to block the main streets of the old city, there remain quiet corners where the shadows cool the heat. The cats of the old town doze ...
As the BBC reports: Plans to raise taxpayers' contributions to MPs' pensions have been dropped, ahead of a Commons debate. A planned increase had been accepted by all parties in March but the government now says it will accept a Lib Dem plan to freeze the amount from public funds. The proposal would have seen MPs' own contributions rise by £60 a month, but the Lib Dems said taxpayers would have paid £750,000 more than last year. All party leaders have indicated that MPs' final salary schemes must end. The cost to the Treasury of MPs' pensions has risen from ...
Last night's vote allowing the government to proceed with the into the inquiry the Iraq in it's own-branded half-hearted way was disappointing but sadly not unexpected. Labour MP's, cowed by the rebellion that never was, have reverted to type and their overriding modus oprendi has reverted to seeing this government as their only hope against joining [...]
I've often said that what Steve Webb, Lib Dem MP for Northavon, doesn't know about pensions isn't worth knoowing. It was Steve who spotted that some women may have lost out because the Government didn't inform those who hadn't paid NI contributions for several years at the end of the 90s/beginning of this decade and was able to ensure that they wouldn't be penalised. Anyway, this isn't my story to tell, so I'll link to his account of how he ensured that taxpayers' contribution to MPs' pensions has been frozen. He recognises that this is an interim measure as the ...
I've had confirmation that various Cornwall Council officers will meet me to tour the Launceston Central ward on Monday morning to look at problems with traffic, parking and other roads issues. The officers coming along will include Steve Allen, the regional highways manager and Mark O'Brien the Community Network Manager (sorry if the job titles are not exactly correct, I'm still learning them). Among the problems that I want to take them to see are: - the disused advertising hoardings on Western Road; - traffic problems on Moorland Road including outside St Catherines School and the Police Station. This road ...
Monday's Guardian had an article* about campaigners for openness in policing, Fit Watch (they watch police Forward Intelligence Teams), being arrested for asking police for identification during a demonstration last August. Police officers are supposed to diplay their ID numbers at all times whilst on public duties. The officer throttling Ms Apple was not displaying his number, thus breaking the law. It was four days before Emily Apple and Val Swain were released. At the foot of the article there is a photo of campaigner Emily Apple being throttled by a police officer whilst being arrested in August last year ...
{schooliii} As a matter of principle, Liberal Democrats should support home educators in their opposition to Graham Badman's recommendations in the Review of Elective Home Education in England. However, I fear the Party leadership will not do so. Instead, it looks at though it will be seeking to find a 'balance' between the rights of parents to decide for themselves how best to educate their children, and the collective welfare of children as a whole. Why am I so concerned that the Party may side with collectivism as opposed to defending individual rights? Upon seeking clarification on the Party's policy ...
Chris Davies, MEP for the North West representing the Liberal Democrats, has claimed according to fellow blogger Irfan Ahmed, and the Citizen that 'Burkhas' should go. I think this is very ill-liberal thing to say, he stated to the Citizen the burka "does not belong in 21st century Britain' and is calling on Muslim women in Lancashire to take them off. He in the past had a rant at the Jews, now its the Muslims, who next we ask?? Chris in my opinion is a very self-centered politician and very selfish, all he cares about is his own selfish agenda. ...
There is a fantastic set of photos of North Korea here. Not only are the individual photographs very high quality, but strung together they paint a powerful and evocative picture of North Korean society. The one of the car, the bike and the huge empty expanse of concrete in particular sums up so much of the country in just the one scene. Related posts:Four confirmed candidates for Speaker so far News from
Carl Minns is the Liberal Democrat leader of Hull City Council. Lib Dem Voice has quizzed him about why he's in politics, what he's achieved and how being a Liberal Democrat means he does things differently from other parties. 1. What made you get involved in politics originally? I was recruited into the party by Lembit Opik at a student rally against tuition fees in 1998. A few weeks later a Lib Dem activist, John Robinson, (now executive member on the council for inward investment) turned up at my house with a bundle of leaflets and a mars bar. The ...
Earlier this year Gordon Brown announced a series of changes to MPs terms and conditions that he wanted to see implemented at once. One that attracted little attention at the time was his suggestion that MPs pay just over £60 per month extra into their pensions. I looked at the figure and realised that this was not enough to prevent the taxpayer from also being asked to pay more in 2009/10. I took the view that this was not acceptable and tabled a motion to this effect along with Frank Field and Vince Cable. As I write it has 23 ...
New figures from the Office of National Statistics report that London's children are the most deprived in the UK. One in four London children is growing up in poverty, and we already know that for Islington it's nearer half all children. The growing gap between rich and poor is not only a terrible failure by the [...]
How fitting that while Ricky Gervais and Phil Jupitus share a birthday with Michel Tremblay, a Canadian writer I studied as part of my degree, the US should be celebrating National Catfish Day. Two big stories Another climbdown for Brown as the Government backs off plans to bolster MPs' pensions. Just hours after Clegg took Brown to task at PMQs for being wrong about Gurkhas, wrong about expenses and the Iraq enquiry. Now he's admitted to being wrong about MPs' pensions too. A planned increase had been accepted by all parties in March but the government now says it will ...
Liberal Democrats have halted plans to raise taxpayers' contributions to MPs' pensions, ahead of a Commons debate. A planned increase had been accepted by all parties in March but the Government...
Yesterday was one of those days that could have done with a few extra hours! Up early to deal with some case work by e mail then off to the station to work. I was teaching on the FastTrack programme, which is a scheme for people who don't have the usual qualifications to get into University. Its an intensive series of sessions to get them ready for potential entry onto a degree in September. Focused on how news is created and then on crisis communications (sadly a growing area of PR!). Then a spell sorting things out for the External ...
The meetings with Digital UK that I chaired at some of the sheltered housing complexes in the West End yesterday, to allow constituents to raise complaints and concerns about TV reception - and on the issue of the digital switchover - proved extremely successful with over 120 residents attending. Actually 123 residents and a lovely, well-behaved dog! See pictures below. I am indebted to Alan Cowie, the former Grampian TV presenter - who spoke at the meetings. Alan is assisting Digital UK's effort to liaise with people to ensure that their TV and digital questions are addressed and answered. He ...
Fresh Squeezings from the veins of t'intertubes.Evolutionary Psychology is bad science. Yeah, yeah, I know, preaching to the converted here. But the article is a good one, and deserves to be disseminated as widely as possible. Speaking of science, Phil Willis MP tweets some welcome news. I fully agree with him that we need to make sure science is where it belongs at the heart of gov. Rebecca Dalzell tells a heartwarming tale of Radio 4 addiction. Radio 4 is one of those things that you either get or you don't. I count myself among the utterly addicted. I was ...
