[IMG: Pizza Express Charlotte Street] The Pizza Express in Charlotte Street certainly has an edge over Langham Place when it comes to ambience. Inside, Charlotte Street is rather crowded, with the tables very close together. However, the huge windows and clear glass means there is plenty of natural light inside - making the place feel larger and more inviting, rather than giving the at times gloomy atmosphere of Langham Place Pizza Express. The staff here seem cheerier too, though unusually much keener to serve food than to get paid. And I apologise for clearly causing our waiter a personal slight, ...
Wednesday, August 19, 2009 Lord Eric lauds role of Ahmadiyyas Metro Desk Lord Eric Avebury in his speech at a reception on Monday praised Ahmadiyya Muslim chapters worldwide for their efforts and contributions to establishing inter-religious harmony, peace and various humanitarian activities at different countries of the world, says a press release. Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama'at, Bangladesh organised the reception in honour of Lord Eric, a senior member of the House of Lords in the UK and a world-famous human rights defender, at its national headquarters at Bakshibazar in the city on Monday. Lord Eric thanked Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama'at, Bangladesh for ...
Some of the material in this post may feel a little familiar to some of you. If it does, it's because I actually made an abortive start on this series of posts last year (or what a series of posts on these ideas would have been by me last year), inspired by Bot'swana Beast's magnificent ...
We got graffiti on the wall of Davidson Gardens cleaned up and we continue to work with local people on long term regeneration plans for Wilcox Road. The dome rubbish shed opposite the library will go, but the cobbles on Wilcox Road will stay. Maybe there will even be a street market again! We are to meet with local residents to discuss concerns about making sure there is enough disabled parking in the area. And nearby on the Mawbey Brough Estate, we continue to work with residents to regenerate derelict play areas.
Some days it is non stop e-mails. they have poured in as well, but lots of letters around. A long letter from a constituent with views on proposals for the Darlington Back Lane / Yarm Back Lane junction, now scanned, added to others and sent in. A letter of complaint from someone else about not being warned before being fined for forgetting to display his Blue Badge, so that has gone in with a...
Handed in the LapOff petition this morning with local campaigners and Dave Winskill (Lib Dem Crouch End councillor). Over 2,000 signatures against the siting of this lap dancing club plonk in the middle of local shopping high street. Considering these were only collected in a two week period - amazing groundswell of local people. No - not nimbies - just a reasonable view that sex-encounter establishments need to be sited more sensitively than an ordinary pub or club. The law is changing to recognise this as we speak. The problem is the current application is under the old law where ...
Proper post in an hour or so (one of the hyperpost series – I think this one's the weak link in terms of my writing, but it's an 'I have to say this, so I can say this' post) but I couldn't let the death of Ellie Greenwich go without comment, so here's a quick ...
Britain needs more new houses with gardens. That's the finding of a new YouGov poll conducted for the New Homes Marketing Board. The survey found that from a list of over 20 attributes offered by new homes, a massive 53 per cent of respondents chose a garden as their main priority. It is rather sad and indicative of how government social policy has lost its way. Ninety years ago, the Lloyd George government launched its homes fit for heroes. All these government built, social rent homes had generous gardens (as well as generously sized homes). Today, even so-called executive homes ...
Channel 4 have announced that next year's series of Big Brother will be the last. "It has reached its natural conclusion" in the words of the Director of Programming. Back when the programme first started, I was working for the Electoral Reform Society and I got a call from Endemol (the producers of the programme) who wanted a respected body to oversee the voting so that viewers had confidence that the evictions and winners were actually those who the public voted for rather than those who producers wanted for programming reasons. (The subsequent BBC dodgy competition scandal perhaps showed how ...
As reported in tonight's "Evening Telegraph", Dr Vince Cable MP, Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats and Shadow Chancellor, was in Dundee today to attend the adoption of John Barnett as Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Dundee West for the forthcoming Westminster parliamentary election. Here's Vince and John (right) - and me and Vince (below) - at what I can honestly say is the wettest and windiest photocall I have attended in a very long time! At his adoption John said, "I am delighted to have been chosen by the Liberal Democrats to contest the Dundee West and to Dr ...
Today's attempt at nowtrage from the Daily Mail is the revelation that the BBC are employing someone who may have taken cocaine. Nothing really worth looking at for too long as it's the standard 'let's create a row by taking a non-story and calling Mediawatch for a quote' space-filler. However, it did get me wondering if other rent-a-quote organisations get jealous of of Mediawatch and John Beyer. While the Taxpayers' Alliance has done well for itself over the last few years, it still tends to have to do some actual work to get itself featured in the papers, spending money ...
From the GetReading website comes news that Patrick Murray, the party's Parliamentary candidate in Reading West – and occasional contributor to Lib Dem Voice – has decided not to contest the seat at the forthcoming general election: Mr Murray, 27, has announced his decision not to stand at the General Election. He said the decision of the sitting MP Martin Salter to stand down had made him realise he would not have the time to fight the seat. When asked whether he was ever a serious candidate, he said: "I was a serious candidate and while I was carrying out ...
Lewisham Liberal Democrat councillors have issued the following eminently reasonable statement on the Climate Camp at Blackheath: "There has been a bit of a misunderstanding about the camp and the Liberal Democrat attitude to it. There are real concerns about the damage that may be caused to Blackheath which we feel sure all would agree is a precious open space. However we remain confident that the Climate Change camp organisers will protect the local environment, and we are sure the police will have learnt from the G20 demonstrations back in May. Lets make sure that over a Bank holiday weekend ...
This photograph, taken near the River Welland just outside Crowland yesterday, shows a signpost still bearing the name Holland County Council. You may have to click on it and enlarge it to see this clearly. As Wikipedia explains, the Parts of Holland was one of the three medieval subdivisions of Lincolnshire (the other two were Lindsey and Kesteven). Under the Local Government Act 1888 it obtained a county council, which it retained until 1974. At that point the three county councils were abolished and Lincolnshire (minus the northern part of Lindsey which became part of Humberside) had a single county ...
Exciting news from Network Rail - the idea of a new high speed rail line has taken a small step forwards. Network Rail are favouring the west of Britain, proposing a line to connect London, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Preston, Glasgow and Edinburgh. Presumably Leeds, Sheffield, Newcastle and the other east-of-England cities are suitably pissed off. This whole business is forecast to cost £34 billion with the line opening in stages between 2020 and 2030. Which all sounds fantastic in a white-heat-of-technology let's-catch-up-with-the-French sort of way, and the public-transport-loving Lib Dem in me gets a warm glow. But is it really ...
Matt blogged about why he joined the Lib Dems and became politicised. Its well worth a read over at, yes, you guessed it, Freedom Central. Because I'm highly unoriginal, I thought I'd steal his idea and do my own! So, why did I join the Lib Dems? Some people who know of me, but don't know me, would dismiss my activism by saying I only joined the party because my parents were members. Okay, that's a line of inquiry that would be interesting to alternative history writers. Would I have ever listened to Lib Dem policies had it not been ...
I thought it was about time to do a quick round up of where you can find my personal favourite Scottish bloggers on Twitter. This doesn't pretend to be an exhaustive list of the Scottish Blogosphere, so if I've left you out, please don't think I'm being ignorant - but leave your name in the comments, or e-mail me, and I'll add you to the list. I think that us all being on Twitter does mean that we can indulge in friendly debate and banter, so please come along and find us and join in. Most of us also let ...
[IMG: The Big Peg] Spaghetti Gazetti, the foyer space of the Big Peg in the Jewellery Quarter is to be used to promote local social enterprises – for free. "Just by way of context, 'exhibitors' so far have included a premium chocolatier and a paint-balling company, both of which were actually selling on the days they were here. The space will accommodate a good sized (6ft-plus) table and exhibition stands. There is a fair amount of through traffic (tenants and visitors)." For those unaware, the Big Peg is an office block for mainly creative businesses towering over much of the ...
The Electoral Commission has published the latest donation and borrowing figures for the political parties today, and its website allow us to gain a picture of the Lib Dems' fundraising efforts over the years. Below is the full breakdown of cash and non-cash donations received by quarter since 2005, and annually between 2001 and 2004. Lots of familiar names on the 2009 Q1 list, with five/six-figure gifts coming from: Lord Alliance (£250k), Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust (£205k), Anthony Wilkinson (£105k), C& C Business Solutions (£50k), George Lyon (£15.5k), Christopher Nicholson (£15k), and Andrew Haisley (£10k). Incidentally, as I understand it, ...
Early in July I posted this about Leominster MP Bill Wiggin and his supposedly open meeting for constituents to question him about his expense claims. The meeting was clearly not open as many constituents who tried to gain access were barred. As a result of that post, one of Mr Wiggin's constituents, Ray Borge got in touch with me by e-mail. He was prevented from attending the meeting and has provided the following synopsis of what happened from his perspective and some detail about what he and fellow constituents hope to do about it: Held in the local Conservative Club. ...
Lib Dem Voice doesn't note the resignations of all councillors, but Gordon Seekings – for 22 years Lib Dem councillor for Northgate in Crawley – will be well known to many from the party's membership services. Here's how Crawley News reports it: Cllr Gordon Seekings, who represented Northgate for 22 years, cited "personal reasons" for his departure. He left his Crawley Borough Council post immediately after the announcement, meaning Northgate will be missing one councillor until the by-election. ... Cllr David Shreeves, deputy leader of the council's Labour group, added: "Gordon's efforts as a councillor have been very valuable to ...
Delighted to read that Tory MP David Willetts has written a stern letter to the rail passenger watchdog, complaining about incessant announcements on train journeys. It's not very often I wholeheartedly back calls from a Tory MP, but this is an annoying problem. South West Trains – the particular company he's complaining about – say ...
The Kennedy family has faced many trials and tribulations over the years, none more prolific than the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963. Shortly after, Robert Kennedy was killed whilst making a bid for the 1968 Democratic nomination for President. These two outspoken liberals were joined by their brother on August 25th, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Congress's "liberal lion", after
It seems as though deflation is yet to catch up with that time honoured activity of spending a penny. The last time I used the toilets in Victoria Station was years ago and cost me 20p. Having just needed to spend a penny in Victoria it now cost me 30p. Whilst Gordon Brown may have let the economy go down the pan, spending a penny seems to be a bit of a money earner for Victoria Station. I
As regular readers of my Twitter feed will know I'm quite often Tweeting about how the bus driver may think he's Jenson Button but forget he has two decks of metal to navigate around the bends. It does make me wonder if on the bus of a newbie driver (who doesn't even know where Windyknowe is) is really the time to blog this. I wasn't on a bus home yesterday evening, not that I would have been at Edinburgh Road in Bathgate by that sort of time either. However, I would have been wondering what was going on, why the ...
The Beeb are asking viewers to let them know who should be on Question Time as a panelist. Some of the suggestions are err a little naked in the authors viewpoints, possibly a few proud mum's and dad's in there. A couple of Welsh names are in, to date Bryn Tyrfel is probably the most interesting. I'd want to know more about his views before nominating him though – I'm not a fan of celebrities appearing because they are celebrities. Anyone remember Heather Mills? I'll be suggesting a few names from the business community. Being as tax payers we own ...
Readers may recall former permanent secretary Lord Turnbull comparing Gordon Brown, then Chancellor of the Exchequer, to T.S. Eliot's Macavity back in 2007. After a couple of years at the helm, Brown has certainly proved that he's the Prime Minister who isn't there. Here's Liberal Vision's "tribute".
Today Bob and I celebrate our 21st wedding anniversary, so I'd like to take the opportunity to thank my poor long suffering husband for putting up with not just me, but the Liberal Democrats in their various guises for all this time. When we got married, Mrs Thatcher was still in power, Paddy Ashdown had just been elected the first leader of the Liberal Democrats and Labour was led by Neil Kinnock. look what was number 1 at the time: but this was kicking at its heels: We were watching these films back then. We were apparently all wearing these. ...
Matthew Smith is a second year student at the University of Glamorgan, who ahead of the new university year lays out why he joined and campaigns with the Welsh Lib Dems. So, why out of all the parties did I choose the Liberal Democrats? Since I learnt that the Conservatives were a core middle class party, and that New Labour had shifted into this area to capture the popular vote. I had become disillusioned with both these parties, and took the apathetic "It doesn't matter who I vote for, as they are both the same" attitude. I have always been ...
A maximum speed limit of 20mph is proposed in two residential areas of Bristol, one of them includes Eastville - from the junction up to Muller Road. The proposed 20mph speed limit will apply to all residential streets within the pilot areas, but not to major traffic routes. In Eastville the roads in the scheme are all residential, and mostly narrow streets with cars parked on both sides for most of the day. The primary aim of these pilot zones is to make walking and cycling safer and more attractive to more people. It should also help to reduce the ...
I see that STV, who remain outside of the ownership of the rest of the mainland ITV network , have dropped certain ITV shows from their schedule and are producing more local programming in their place. I have for some time stated that I think ITV turn out generic crap that either apes poorly what the BBC are doing or produces safe and uninspired drama that allows you to turn your brain off. It really should be no surprise to anyone that ITV are in so much financial trouble. The problems at ITV started when their regional identity started to ...
As you can see, Jane Hutt visited Newport on 24th August to be photographed at the topping out ceremony on the building site (ha!) of the new University campus near the city centre. Isn't it amazing that the Butcher of Students' Lives has time to visit a building site, but didn't have time to greet protesters outside the Assembly on the day the Lib Dems voted against top-up fees? I wonder whether she's doing the hard work of a building site (ha!) to atone for her sins, because she feels torn up with guilt. (Ha!)
Charles Bean of the Bank of England has delivered an in-depth speech on the subject of the Great Contraction. Many of its observations will be familiar to you students of the Crunch, but they are exceedingly well-put and, coming from an influential BOE character, worth reading. Above all, he asserts that the credit crunch was a key determinant of the deep economic recession that followed the turmoil of September/October 2008. He provides several mechanisms: the loss of wealth, the withdrawal of credit, feedback loops between the banking sector, households, demand, house prices, back to banking, and sharply lowered expectations of ...
The chair of Plymouth Liberal Democrats has resigned after a dispute with their parliamentary candidate. From the Plymouth Herald: In a heated exchange of emails on Monday Steve Barton, the party chairman in Plymouth, issued an ultimatum to Sutton and Devonport prospective parliamentary candidate (PPC) Dr Judy Evans. He accused Dr Evans of making "negative and destructive comments", and said he saw "two possible outcomes: "1. You are de-selected as a PPC. "2. That I stand down as chair, as after 18 months of turmoil and rebuilding, I feel that I have not got the enthusiasm or strength to tackle ...
[IMG: What Would Google Do? by Jeff Jarvis: book cover] The title of Jeff Jarvis's What Would Google Do? book is a deliberate echo of the American phrase, "What would Jesus do?" Whilst for Christians asking what Jesus would do in particular situations makes sense, does Google have a similar role of authority over everyone's business lives for Jeff Jarvis's question to make sense? At first, it may appear that the answer is obvious. Google is hugely successful. Google is very different from many companies that have gone before. Lots of firms talk about wanting to be the next Google. ...
It may be the height of Summer but our campaign to reduce the number of empty homes in Redlands continues. The bad news is that the impact of the recession on housing in Reading has resulted in an increase of 10% in the overall number of private properties empty for 6 months or longer across Reading. At the same time, as officers revealed at the July meeting of the HHCC Scrutiny Panel the number of people seeking affordable housing and claiming housing benefit in Reading has also risen. To my mind this means the need for Labour-controlled Reading Borough Council to take active steps to reduce the number of empty homes in ...
How worried should we be by the Guardian report that a quarter of seven-year-old boys in England have failed to master basic writing skills, while just over a fifth cannot read simple words? Clearly, children must be taught to read and write, but I have always been sceptical of these national standards. Where did they come from? What is the connection between performance at seven and performance later in a child's school career? And is it remotely reasonable to expect standards to improve year on year indefinitely? And when I read something like: The gap between boys and girls in ...
I was in a minority when Big Brother was launched earlier this decade. Whilst many avidly watched this programme and its bewildering array of idiotic attention seekers who played up their absurb personal characteristics, I simply fumed about the braindead quality of this broadcasting initiative. Quite what people saw in this voyeuristic claptrap was beyond me.So the news that Channel 4 is to drop
As anyone who reads this blog knows, I am no fan of the Conservative Party or its policies, I do however have respect for their efforts to engage the electorate. In one area, the Conservatives on Wirral surpass all others, and that is their willingness to use the technology available via the internet. Their use ...
Wed 26th
13:31
Pollwatch: Lib Dems ranked third on the environment, gaining little traction in economic debate -- I...
Yesterday's Guardian summarised the main findings of the ICM political poll for August. ICM have now published the full results on their website, so we can see in a bit more detail what they mean for the Liberal Democrats.The question that I always find most interesting is: "Irrespective of how you yourself will vote at the next election, which political party do you think is putting forward the best policies on . . .". As usual, the Liberal Democrats' best rating - 16 per cent - was on the environment. But we came third, behind the Conservatives and Labour. Allowing ...
You will have to excuse the raging cynicism of this headline but as is said elsewhere promises of peace in the Middle East are a bit like the Will O' the Wisp. It might also reasonably be said that this story is being pushed for the benefit of an American domestic audience and to distract ...
[IMG: driller-killer] The legislative screw-up surrounding the Video Recordings Act (they forgot to send the European Commission a copy), opens a narrow window (about three months before the government "sorts everything out") of cinematic freedom. We should be able to measure whether there is an enormous upswing in violence, rape and murder in that time. Or whether there isn't. As Julian Petley points out in the Guardian, the overwhelming bulk of the censorship work in Britain is to prevent adults seeing things. In 2007, the BBFC made cuts to 25% of the films in the 18 and R18 categories. Fans ...
Massachusetts Senator Edward Kennedy died yesterday, Kennedy was considered by most to be one of the most Liberal Senators, brother of John and Robert and of course Chappaquiddick (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7433171.stm).
Even though I was only a child when Labour got into power, I have read enough to know that they were given a mandate for promising House of Lords reform, amongst other things. However, in the halfhearted approach that has been endemic throughout this government's tenure, Labour compromised with the Tories who disapproved with the reforms, showing their disdain for needed reform, and kept 92 hereditary peers. Once again, the Tories will disapprove of any move for an elected House of Lords, so with their election victory looking eminent it is clear that these proposals won't even get completed in ...
After Google shared the name of an anonymous blogger with the court after a case, I ask is it time to leave Blogger and move to Wordpress. Now I am someone who thinks Blogger is great, it's cost effective, and gives you a blogging service that you couldn't ask more from but now I am starting to reconsider. The problem is that I can not afford to go onto Wordpress.org so what's the other option that I could take? Go to Wordpress.com or just stick with Blogger? I personally am really pi**ed off with Google and how they just gave ...
It seems that "Information sharing orders" are back baby. They seem to be like a zombie at the end of a cheap B-movie. You think it's dead but then just as you relax your guard, it's up and shuffling towards you murmuring "uuh-uhh-uhh" or similar and then trying to eat your brains. Matt Wardman has the full low-down on this via Ian Cuddy. It is coming back in the form of an "Integrated citizen's record" which will "track every interaction of every citizen with government and trigger automatic alerts to other databases on any change." Sound familiar? Looks like we ...
Not as many as we sometimes get, but it was a lovely afternoon [IMG: Posted by Picasa]
Adding to Lyulph's family tree [IMG: Posted by Picasa]
As one reality show comes to a finale another is about to start. Big Brother is only 8 or 9 days away from finishing, I have to admit there have been some points in it I have really enjoyed and then others where I did think why on earth am I watching this drivel. And today Channel 4 has announced that it will not be renewing the rights deal after 2010, so next year is the last one on Channel 4, whether it emerges elsewhere we will have to see. Now we are eagerly awaiting the start of Strictly come ...
A couple of people have told me recently that they've had trouble commenting here, so I've been tinkering around in the back of the blog and got rid of the word verification part of commenting, which should hopefully make it easier. If you still can't comment, then let me know (email or Twitter should work if comments don't).
I was interested to hear about plans for a new high-speed line from London to Edinburgh. Apparently there'll be a journey time of only 2hrs or so. Although this `continental style` railway system is very welcome is it stopping Labour and indeed ourselves from facing difficult truths? We have a direct link of 2hr 20 mins ...
In the olden days, like last year, I used to find out what had happened overnight by firing up the BBC website while I had my morning cup of Earl Grey. It something major had happened, my husband would usually wake me up to tell me before he left for work. Now I have my Blackberry, which I am still insanely in love with, and it was from it on my friend Andrew Jolly's Facebook page that I saw "Ted Kennedy RIP" at just after 6.30 am today. We all knew that this day would inevitably come - and in ...
Oh, dear. I'm really sorry. This blog has become less of a Cardiff thing and more of an "I talk about my family" thing. I promise when all us students head back to university, you'll get more CSLD-specific stuff. In the meantime, please join the Facebook group to help Ed Townsend get elected to Newport East. Newport East is getting closer and closer to a victory. It is a long-shot, but many people are starting to suggest we can win it. A Welsh academic (apologies, his name has escaped me) has predicted we will win. Apart from Swansea West, Newport ...
Wednesday: The The Today Programme Studio: 6.45am This morning's headline: Senator Edward Kennedy has died 6.46am And now the news that the Giant Vampire Foxbat has taken a step closer to extinction... Sometimes I think that the The Today Programme editors do these juxtapositions just to see if Mr Evan can cope...
In the absence of much real political news, Tory shadow home secretary Chris Grayling's rather bumbling attempt to drink the kool-ade – by referencing cult US crime TV show 'The Wire' in a speech echoing his party's tired 'Broken Britain' theme – has backfired. As The Indpendent caustically notes today, not only has Mr Grayling shown himself to be guilty of ludicrous hyperbole, but he's also been forced to admit his Wire knowledge is a little on the scant side: ... his comments are not backed up by facts. With 234 murders in 2008 Baltimore had nearly twice the number ...
Given the huge controversy, it seems very odd to say that I don't really have an opinion on the decision to release Libyan terrorist Megrahi from prison. If we choose to release people from prison on compassionate grounds, (and I am not entirely convinced we should), then we should at least treat everyone objectively and ...
[IMG: Birmingham Council House] Birmingham city council has ruled out an elected mayor for its people. The Labour government is forcing cities to choose between three methods of leadership and the Conservative-Liberal Democrat ruling coalition is adamant the existing system of leader and cabinet should remain. Good call! An elected mayor will take power further away from the people of the city, into the hands of one man or woman. The danger is an election for mayor could boil down to a popularity contest where personality triumphs over policy. It's a further blow for the Birmingham Mail's tiresome campaign for ...
Many of my regular readers may have heard of Martin Lewis of MoneySavingExpert.com, wheeled out as a consumer champion mainly on GMTV but on other TV shows as well. Martin Lewis is the man behind challenging unfair bank charges and he had written an open letter to David Cameron in July. Nick Clegg knew about this as he is on the Money Saving Expert's regular email list and was quick off the mark with Vince Cable in sending a reply. So, before Cameron had replied Nick and Vince sent an open letter of support for the campaign, read it here, ...
Having had the door to free universal access to all data everywhere slammed in their faces, the Government have gone round the back and are now shimmying up the drain pipe. Matt Wardman has more.
Last night I attended a reception and the opening of a video installation at the 12 Star gallery at the London offices of the European Commission, to mark the 20th anniversary of the Baltic Way. That was the human chain made up of well over a million people on 23 August, 1989, stretching from the ...
This is a white-clawed crayfish (shoulders back, lovely boy). It is native to this sceptred isle (cue strains of Elgar) and can be found in rivers and streams everywhere. It is the very essence of Englishness, no? And now it is under threat from an invader from across the Atlantic, the signal crayfish, which has come over here, aggressively out-competed our white-clawed friends and, worst of all, spread the deadly crayfish plague amongst them. Fortunately, all is not lost for the home team. White-clawed crayfish are being rescued from across East Anglia and brought to a secret location in Suffolk, ...
I was very sad to hear of the death of Senator Ted Kennedy. He achieved more as a Senator than some US Presidents achieved in office. A towering figure in the US. He was a benchmark "liberal". In the USA that term is often used an insult but Ted Kennedy gave it a proud respectability by doggedly but eloquently holding his views, while, most importantly, working "across the aisle" to achieve progress. His was a great example to us all of a life of distinguished public service based on rock-solidly held principles. Daily Kos gives this excellent tribute: Kennedy was ...
On yesterday's Farming Today: Farmer claims to be losing 50 lambs/year to re-introduced sea eagles. RSPB tags his lambs. Farmer loses 0 lambs in the first year of tagging. Farmer admits sea eagles have not been taking his lambs, has no explanation for "sudden change". Admits "nature doesn't change this quickly". Will he now drop his objections to the re-introduction programme? No, because "we'll have no sheep left". *headdesk*
In Spalding a couple of days ago I was keen to see how the River Welland was getting on. Spalding is the third substantial town it flows through, after Market Harborough and Stamford. I was pleased to find that it is possible to take a boat trip on the Welland there. There is a regular water taxi from the centre of Spalding out to the new Springfields shopping centre on the outskirts of the town. The boat starts off going upstream on the Welland, with roads and fine houses lining both banks. If I had known how low my camera ...
Pleasance 10 Dome 19:00 When you turn up to stand up with someone who knows the talent the safest place to be is cowering in the corner. So last night when Callum and I turned up to seen the teenage comic we obviously chose the sensible option and sat front and centre under the mike stand, after all what is the point of stand up if the comic doesn't engage you directly. Don't be put off by Daniel's age. Obviously has he says his reminiscences are confined and he can't boast of his sexual conquests of women half his age ...
Yesterday I suggested that £80,000 might be a good figure for an MPs' salary, while abolishing all of the expense allowances except for travel to/from the constituency and staff. Today I'd like to put my cynicism to one side for a day, and explore a little into why I believe they are actually worth such a ...
I have read a blog post over at Labour Home which I would like to recommend to anyone who doesn't read the site. Top Cat who is a blogger at the site, has a post about how half of cabinet members have been "parachuted" into safe seats to get them elected and I think this shows that democracy is dying. The problem is the Tories and Labour are parachuting people into seats they know they can win, its not the first time this has happened, its not the first time its been brought to light and it will continue unless ...
Is it just me or do the below two look awfully alike?
We have a new contender for the list of Greatest Things Ever: Via Graham Linehan, who states entirely reasonably: 'This is my favourite news ever. Why isn't this ON the news?'
It may have been a headline grabbing attempt to seem tough on crime but Conservative Shadow Home Secretary Chris Gayling's claim that parts of the UK are like HBO's series 'The Wire', are hardly helpful. The critically acclaimed crime drama (currently showing on BBC2) depicts the problems that many cities across the world have faced, such as gun and drug related problems. Set in Baltimore, USA, it paints a bleak picture of communities where drug dealing and drug addiction are rife and revenge murders are commonplace. Speaking of a visit he made to South Manchester on June 26, the MP ...
51) Beverly & David Lewis, Sanctuary (Minneapolis: Bethany House, 2001, ISBN 0764225103). 50) Beverly Lewis, The Postcard (Minneapolis: Bethany House, 1999, ISBN 0764222112). 49) Beverly Lewis, The Shunning (Minneapolis: Bethany House, 1997, ISBN 1556618662). Three more of Lewis's novels set amongst the Amish and Mennonites of Pennsylvania. The third, co-written with her husband, has more of a mystery element to it than the others, but the writing style is largely unchanged. Unlike the ones I read previously, these are set in or close to the present day, and I liked that they showed a less static and therefore more realistic ...
Apparently nothing, according to their website. Note the blank space where they list their achievements.
Gordon Brown does seem reluctant to comment on world events. He said that the release of the Lockerbie bomber was nothing to do with him. Well the British public do look to him for an opinion especially when many other world leaders including President Obama express an opinion. However he has given his opinion about the reception of bomber in Tripoli. This opinion is obviously secondary to an opinion about the release because if there was no release there would be no welcome. When I hear of calls for capital punishment my first thoughts are that errors may be made ...
