Conservative Home reports: Ms [Joanne] Cash resigned at a special meeting of the Association tonight - also attended by Eric Pickles and Lord Strathclyde - following internal tensions in the local party.
You thought the agreement last Friday to devolve police and justice to a Northern Irish Ministry would be the end of the arguments. Well hold the horses don't be so confident. There is still debate as to who will take up the post. It had long been assumed that the Alliance Party would be the most acceptable party to hold the post and give the position a degree of neutrality. But the Ulster Unionist and SDLP are upset that this goes against the d'Hondt system of allocating Ministers by proportion of representation in the Assembly. David Ford the Alliance Party ...
I wasn't expecting that. The Times has reported its latest opinion poll. It has reported the changes in party share of the vote. And then Peter Riddell has said, These shifts are within the margin of error Why's that impressive? Because nearly every opinion poll only shows changes within the margin of error (you've usually got to look over a wider pattern to see statistically significant changes), but that doesn't stop newspapers writing up their stories as if the changes in support are significant and therefore ones we can be sure actually happened. It's as if the newspapers think, "Look, ...
I'll be chairing the South of the Borough Neighbourhood Committee as usual this Wednesday. Everyone is welcome to come along and join in the discussions. The meeting will start at 7.30pm at the Hook Centre. But the Neighbourhood Manager, Barry Allen, will be available from 6.30pm if you want to drop in and chat with him about anything to do with the Neighbourhood. He is usually joined by one of the local Police Safer Neighbourhood Teams. The main planning item is the proposed development on the site of St Mary's Church Hall in Church Lane. The church have now taken ...
The BBC reported over the weekend: An influential group of MPs and peers has said the government's approach to illegal file-sharing could breach the rights of internet users. The Joint Select Committee on Human Rights said the government's Digital Economy Bill needed clarification. It said that technical measures – which include cutting off persistent pirates – were not "sufficiently specified". In addition, it said that it was concerned that the Bill could create "over-broad powers". You can read the full story here.
Sir George Young has always seemed one of the more decent Conservatives. I felt sorry for him when Michael Martin was hoisted into the Speaker's chair ahead of him because of unthinking backbench determination that a Labour House should have a Labour Speaker. But his performance on the Today programme this morning, where he twisted and turned every way to avoid giving a straight answer on Lord Ashcroft's tax status, was embarrassing. It will be hard to regard him in the same light after that. The Guardian website has a transcript of this interview, together with excerpts from several others ...
David Cameron spoke today in an attempt to blame Gordon Brown for the expenses scandal. The press seem to have allowed Cameron to be quoted, but not put any of his quotes in context. Cameron said "Last week we had the latest revelations from Parliament. The details might be new but the feelings they provoke are all too familiar. Disappointment. Despair. Even disgust. But as I argued in my speech at the Open University in May last year, anger at the expenses scandal is just the most forceful expression of a deep frustration people feel with our whole political system." ...
A few latest updates! * Blackness Court Sheltered Housing - I have been campaigning for some time to have the footpaths near to the sheltered housing improved. On Friday, along with two residents, I had a useful site visit with a City Council roads inspector who has promised to progress pavement improvements at the Rosefield Place/Blackness Road junction and at the pedestrian crossing used by the sheltered housing residents to cross Blackness Road to get to the Post Office and other local shops. Residents have also complained that the yellow lines in Rosefield Place are worn and cars park on ...
It's like having an acoholic ex-girlfriend, except if I did she would probably be more liberal than this party.. quarter to nine pm, knackered, 2 kids asleep and the phone rings.. yet another call from central office asking for more money. For f...
I have seen Tomorrow at Ten, the film at which a kidnapped small boy is locked in a room with an exploding golliwog. It is certainly not a lost gem, though there are a few things of interest about it. Because the child is menaced in this way, the kidnapper is free to talk openly to his father and even to the police. He holds all the cards until... But that would give the plot away. There are a couple of interesting points in the casting. The villain is effectively played by Robert Shaw, 11 years before he starred in ...
There's a downside to canvassing in Penrith and The Border. We keep falling in love with little villages, such as Lazonby, Brampton, Longtown, Wigton, Langwathby, Hesket Newmarket, Winton, Crosby Garrett, Kirkby Stephen - the list goes on and on! There's literally dozens and dozens of beautiful little places where one day long in the future we could see ourselves retiring to - a little cottage with roses around the door and a border collie by the fire! Choices, choices!
I've been campaigning for many months now to raise the profile of the problem of overcrowding in Reading. As far as I'm concerned this is one of the most serious issues many families in our Town face and it is causing huge damage to the lives of children, young people and families. We know that there are around 5,000 people currently waiting to move into social housing in Reading but we don't really know exactly how many families are living in overcrowded accomodation. As Chair of the Housing Scrutiny Panel in Reading I have asked officers to produce a report ...
Over the past four years I have received a number of complaints from residents in the wards about skips - skips taking up parking spaces for weeks and full-to-the-brim skips have become a nuisance or an eyesore. My (unscientific) study of the problem over the past few years based on what I've seen whilst out and about in the ward and from emails I've received from constituents has led me to conclude that the worst affected streets in Redlands are Donnington Road, Donnington Gardens, Granby Gardens and Blenheim Road. Yes, you guessed it - areas of Redlands and other parts of Town with high ...
Mon 8th
20:24
Jack Straw must resign for misleading Parliament, breaking cabinet code and trying to 'hoodwink' us ...
On Radio Four's PM tonight (which will be available here sooner or later), Ed Davey made an extremely strong condemnation of Jack Straw visa vis the Iraq Enquiry, culminating in a call for Straw to resign. The Liberal Democrat website has more: Straw's breach of ministerial code must be considered by Cabinet Secretary says Davey "He has tried to hoodwink the Cabinet, Parliament and the British people in his cover-up," said the Liberal Democrat Shadow Foreign Secretary. Commenting on today's appearance by Jack Straw at the Iraq Inquiry, Edward Davey said: "Jack Straw has failed yet again to explain or ...
Bangladesh meeting Monday Welcome to Mr Mirza Fakrul Islam, senior secretary general of Bangladesh Nationalist Party and an ex Minister, and we're also honoured by the presence of H E Professor Dr Syedur Rahaman Khan, the High Commissioner. We are pleased to learn that the BNP is rejoining the parliament tomorrow after a long absence, and we look forward to hearing about the policies they will be advocating on democracy, human rights and the rule of law, and I certainly hope they won't be deterred by the Prime Minister's gratuitous statement in Parliament about the grave of the late president ...
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I was disgusted to see the three Labour MPs (one of whom is my in-laws MP!) trying to claim Parliamentary Privilege, the age old principle that most of us thought was there to enable MPs to have full freedom of speech in the chamber, to stop them being taken to court against charges of fiddling their expenses. This Labour government (and indeed the Tory opposition) has been late in the day to realise the need to reform expenses. MPs like the Lib Dem Norman Baker and Labour MP Kate Hoey were in the minority taking the house of commons to ...
Bracknell Council Labour Leader Anne Shillcock has called for a 5% cut in allowances to help pay for the Look In Cafe. To pay for the Look In Cafe the reduction in allowances would have to be more like 10% because it costs £60,000 to run the Look In Cafe. I spoke to the former Lib Dem Councillor and current PPC Ray Earwicker and he confirmed that the Lib Dems would be willing to take a cut if they were on the council. He also informed me that he did not accept a rise in allowances while he was a ...
I know pretty much damn all, about the recent controversy concerning Euroferries, proposed ferry service from Ramsgate Port to Boulogne. I'm vaguely aware that two local bloggers Adem Djemil (The Big Blog) and ECR were sent correspondence from legal firms acting on behalf of the ferry company, I'm also aware that this country has rather draconian laws of defamation which have created a new bread of customer for Britain's specialist law firms which deal with Libel. Please note before more avaricious lawyers get briefed, I'm not referring to specifics cases, but it seems the custom in this country that if ...
And so the first Londoner has signed up to Blunkett's dog tag scheme, citing "convenience" and "proof of age" on his forthcoming trip to the Netherlands, and proving his originality of thought by giving the reason "if you've nothing to hide, you've nothing to fear". Disregarding the fact that he'll be unable to use it on the ferry, I'm sure that as Mr Fawcett has nothing to hide he'll not mind this video of him in action while on holiday in Ibiza a couple of years ago. It appears a fool and his money are soon parted; In addition, his ...
A second outing for this new feature: Harry's Place suggests that we may never hear about another aspect of the MPs' expenses scandal: the payments they made to their staff. (It seems some Lib Dems would be in the frame here)The suspension of Gita Sahgal, the head of the Gender Unit at Amnesty International, over an article in the Sunday Times is covered by Bartholomew's Notes on Religion. Personally, I have never felt as warm towards Amnesty since it watered down its emphasis on political prisoners and became a generic human rights organisation.Dare to Know discusses how home schoolers should ...
A footnote to my post about the subsequent expenses revelations regarding the 21 Conservative MPs who voted down expenses reform in 2008, before the Daily Telegraph revelations forced everyone's hand. Of the three Labour MPs now facing criminal charges, two also voted against reform (David Chaytor and Elliot Morley) whilst the third, Jim Devine, abstained on the vote. Well there you go.
Close to the Conference hotel in Swansea was a old railway embankment which, once upon a time, carried trains to Swansea Victoria station. The picture, courtesy of Swansea Heritage, was taken in 1964, not long before the station was closed, leaving the old High Street station as the only one remaining in use. Fortunately, this piece of South Walian heritage has not been lost forever, as it is now the National Waterfront Museum, in itself well worth a visit.
It has been announced that the mac (Midlands Arts Centre) in Cannon Hill Park will reopen on 1 May 2010. There will be a series of events over the Bank Holiday, including free activities for everyone who wants to explore the new building.The £15 million redevelopment programme, part funded by Birmingham City Council, that has taken two years was designed to create a more integrated building as
The Yardley Labour Party are complaining that National Express Group have simply axed the 41 regardless of criticism.That is because of the bus management or regulation system. It is no good Labour complaining about the system, but also criticising me for asking the Prime Minister about bus regulation.They have had 13 years during which the system in Birmingham could have been changed to run the
It may not have generated many headlines but the Labour administration's decision to put the rent up on Reading Borough Council properties will hit many Council tenants - namely those who are not in receipt of benefits and who account around 30% of all RBC tenants (there are around 7,300 Council tenants in total). As Chair of the Housing Scrutiny Panel in Reading I been actively monitoring the impact on the recession on residents in Reading over the past year to ensure people who needed help were getting it from the Council, and a couple of sad things this study ...
It really is incredible that Iain Duncan-Smith is not being questioned by the Iraq Enquiry. Similarly, William Hague and Michael Ancram should also be questioned. Duncan-Smith was the leader of the Tories when they supported the war. Hague and Ancram were the appropriate frontbenchers. One of the things which Blair has to back up his judgment on the invasion, is that Her Majesty's Opposition, the Tories, supported his decision. And they had access to background information on Privy Council terms. So why, oh why, oh why, isn't IDS being brought to explain what he knew, when he knew it, what ...
David Cameron is "disgusted" that Labour MPs are attempting to hide behind the Bill of Rights and Parliamentary privilege to avoid prosecution for expenses fraud. Errrr, what about feeling disgusted about the Tory peer who is doing the same?---Sent via BlackBerry
"For those of us ordained since 1992, our understanding, in good faith, was that proper legal provision would be made for those who did not agree that women should have the overall leadership of a church." Those are the words of the Revd Rod Thomas, of St Matthew's Church, Elburton, Plymouth. Revd Thomas is the chairman of the evangelical group Reform, described on their own website as a network of individuals and churches within the Church of England committed to reforming the Church of England from within according to the Holy Scriptures. I am astounded at this outrageous sexism, and ...
[IMG: Richard Kemp] I hope by now that every Lib Dem Councillor knows something about Total Place. Although it is described as a Treasury idea that is not correct, although the Treasury are providing important backing for it. This was an idea that originated with the Leadership Centre for Local Government and has been enthusiastically supported by us. So what is it? Total Place asks two basic questions: How much does the public sector spend in totality on dealing with a problem? What outputs and outcomes do we need to achieve if we are satisfactorily to deal with that problem? ...
Manchester Lib Dems have successfully campaigned to freeze Council Tax next Year, despite Labour previously opposing plans. I think this is excellent news, I believe Manchester residents should not have to worry about a rise in their Council Tax next year whilst we continue to fight the effects of the recession in the city. This move will put more money back into local people's pockets. My colleague Cllr Paul Ankers said: "This is great news, the Council needs to be much more careful about how they spend tax payers' money" Leader of the Liberal Democrats in Manchester Councillor Simon Ashley ...
Some of you may remember that last Summer I was encouraging local people to feedback through TakeBackPowerHounslow.org on the Sustainable Communities Act. Unfortunately Hounslow did not consult local people and get local ideas in before the "wave one" deadline. However a commitment was made that Hounslow will make a submission in the "second wave". It is not clear at present when this will take place and concern that it was not clear in the original legislation that there would be a second wave has caused some MPs to table a Sustainable Communities Act Amendment Bill. This would require governments to ...
[IMG: sean-payton-with-superbowl-trophy] Big occassions need big men. Men that will rise to the challenge, galvanise their team and take some big risks - when it really counts. When history is in the making you dont want Mr Timid knocking at the door. Opportunity rewards the bold and the brave. So it was with sheer delight that I watched the underdogs - the New Orleans Saints- scoop the biggest prize of all - the Superbowl. If you did not watch the game, this may mean nothing to you - go watch it. But Sean Payton (the Saints coach) proved himself to ...
Pam and I have been wrestling with the issue of parking enforcement, especially in Cheadle, where most the complaints arise. I'll write more about it when I've time, but for now I'm pleased to report a boost for this week with two parking attendents spending the week in Cheadle village centre. This is not a permanent measure - we're all looking for longer-term fixes - but we're hoping it will make a difference.
Former Green Student blogger Kristofer Keane has been on a bit of a Political journey himself. he say he started supporting the Scottish Socialist Party, then in the 2007 elections supported the Scottish Nationalist Party, when he went to University he joined the Greens but now has left them to join the Liberal Democrats. He gives 3 different break downs on a recent blog post of why he has come to his decision. On Political Position he says: "I have never really expressed great support for Green policies on other matters though, and this was exemplified recently by the debate ...
It is great to see the announcement that GKN Aerospace in Luton has landed a £100m contract to manufacture a component to keep the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner's wings free of ice This sort of high technology industry is just what Luton needs to revive the local economy. Over the 20 year life of the programme this should create 60 to 70 jobs, which could be great news for young people looking to stay and work in our town.
I'm not known for a particular interest in policy, nor do I tend to get involved too much in it. Normally, that is. However, last Thursday evening, I had the unusual experience of attending a Liberal Democrat policy launch. "The Power of Creativity", the Party's new policy publication on the Arts and Creativity, was launched at a star-studded event in the House of Lords, and attended by a surprising large number of creative artists from all fields, key players in arts and culture administration from across the country and a broad cross-section of our Parliamentary teams in both Houses. I ...
I have to admit that I'd always considered Sir George to be one of the better sort of Conservatives. Still a Conservative, but a decent cove nonetheless. This morning, under pressure from Evan Davis on the 'Today Programme', he indicated that he might be struggling with the concept of relative ethics. He had been rolled out to condemn the Labour Party for its response to the announcement that charges will be laid against Messrs Chaytor, Devine and Morley, especially given the news that the Labour Party's lawyers are providing advice to the three of them. Unfortunately, he ran into some ...
Here's the reasoned piece on class war that I originally promised HoT: The longer I am involved in politics the more I grow to dislike class war. The world in which class war exists is a world where no one holds political viewpoints beyond their own vested interests. That's a bleak view of humanity isn't it? Allowing class war to be successful is a consequence of an apologist society. If you are an administration that has been in power for 12/13 years you should not be able to absolve yourself from failure by simply saying "we're not toffs". The prospect ...
On Saturday, I blogged about the Tories Twitter Rules for Twits and the fact that the Conservatives quite obviously do not trust their candidates but given recent gaffes by Chris Grayling MP, George Osborne MP and their leader, David Cameron MP you can possibly understand why. However on Saturday a slightly more sour gaffe was uncovered by the Yorkshire Evening Post, the chairman of West Yorkshire Conservative Future (the Conservative youth group) David Bolt, son of the deputy leader of the Conservative group on Kirklees Council, Councillor Martyn Bolt. David had written in a monthly email newsletter - "In effect, ...
[IMG: schumpeter] Today is the birthday of Joseph A. Schumpeter, the Moravian philosopher largely responsible for the term "creative destruction". Here's one quotation of his on the subject: "The process of Creative Destruction is the essential fact about capitalism ... it is not [price] competition which counts but the competition from . . . new technology . . . competition which strikes not at the margins of profits . . . of existing firms but at their foundations and their very lives." Liberal Vision's Barry Stocker has previously summarised Schumpeter's Capitalism, Socialism and Democracy text: click here to read it. ...
As Lib Dem Voice reports, Vince Cable has had a go in the FT at those who claim that a hung Parliament would cause panic in the financial markets. By extension, these critics are attacking any form of proportional representation on the basis that it would be more likely to lead to no overall majority. Vince's answer is to point out that some of the most stable economies in the world have PR systems and coalition governments. Conversely, some of the biggest financial problems happen in countries with single party governments, like Greece at the moment. I would go further ...
I have to say I find todays rantings by David Cameron regarding the 3 MP's charged with theft over their expense claims more than a little distasteful. He is so determined to make political capital out of anything and everything he is in danger of ignoring natural justice. Perhaps someone should remind him that we still have trial by jury in this country and as I understand it you are also innocent until proved guilty. However, do I appreciate much of todays furore is over the MP's claim that they will seek Parliamentary privilege and claim immunity from prosecution. Clearly ...
The Conservatives never tire in their efforts to perpetuate the myth that Britain is a 'broken society'. We are all aware of the narrative; rising crime, drug abuse, teenage mothers, binge drinking and anti social behaviour, in all, a complete breakdown of society. The Tories would have us belive that Britain is on the verge ...
I just got a twitter message pointing me to a posting on Christopher Lovell's blog, titled A Celebrity Parliament? After reading this, it got me thinking (always dangerous, I know). Christopher is right, we have a few celebrity names coming forward or being discussed but for now let's take Liverpool Wavertree, where Jane Kennedy the Labour MP is standing down before the election, although I suspect her decision has been partly made because of the amazing camapign run by the Liberal Democrats candidate Colin Eldridge who is in a close second place and Labour are running scared. Now, Labour have ...
The current fuss over whether Parliamentary Privilege will prevent three Labour MPs and one Conservative peer from conviction on charges of fiddling their expenses makes this comment from Jack Straw, made as recently as December 2008, look rather complacent: The interaction between the judicial system and parliamentary privilege is well settled. Not quite.
Work is about to start on a major rebuild of Woodchester Play Area, which after twenty years or so has been looking a bit tired. After consulting with local residents and particularly with local children, Dodington Parish Council and South Glos are going to instal some very exciting new features, like this "Supernova" rotating ring. But there will be some old favourites too - this joint project will also keep and renovate the most popular existing pieces of equipment.
Just to clear this is 1910 and the nasty attack on the Liberal candidate by the Tories. It isn't even subtle. Our man is white and English -yours is foreign -well wait till Saturday and I will reveal more about the disgraceful Tory smear. Tickets for the dinner to commemorate the first of the two 1910 elections are still available from rachel on 01704533555 Michael Meadowcroft, a former Southport YL, will also be speaking.
Not even the snow and ice could stop this general election year from announcing its arrival. Within the first few days of the New Year, the campaigning began and already there's one word which looks set to dominate debate in this most exciting of elections. The word is 'cuts' and we had better get used to it. Britain can't afford to keep on spending like there's no tomorrow - Labour has built a mountain of public debt that must be cleared sooner, rather than later. The consequences of allowing that debt to rise could be devastating for the British economy, ...
Question Time panels are not at all unbalanced, says A.BBC-Spokesman, according to the Love and Liberty blog. Seriously, if you have a complaint about bias on BBC, fill in the form at www.bbc.co.uk/complaints. For ITV, the complaints webpage says: Tel. 0844 88 14150 (Calls cost 5p per minute from a BT landline. Calls from other networks may be higher, and from mobiles will be considerably more. The Viewer Services team are available Monday - Friday 8.00am to 7.00pm and Saturdays 10.00am to 7.00pm. They are closed on Sundays, Bank holidays and Bank Holiday weekends). You can also email us at: ...
I received this information about an NHS consultation on hospital parking. I know that many local residents have strong views on the cost of parking at St Helier Hospital. I would therefore urge you to follow the link to feed in your views. Have your say on hospital parking The Department of Health with the NHS has ...
My younger son bounded out of bed this morning yelling at the top of his voice that it was snowing. Us less enthusiastic folks noticed a solitary snowflake and rolled over for an extra 5 mins before braving the cold. Needless to say a new cold snap means that the new (and supposedly improved) central heating timer has decided to wave its white flag and stop working. But it did get me thinking about when it is that we lose our enthusiasm for things. In my case, I probably haven't lost it - son number one groans whenever he has ...
[IMG: mickbates] Oh dear - the Beeb is reporting that Mick Bates, Lib Dem AM for Montgomeryshire, is being accused of assaulting a paramedic who had been called to help him during a night out last month. Bates was apparently kicked out of a restaurant, before allegedly verbally and physically assaulting the paramedic. He was then "kept under observation by security" at A&E. LD head Kirsty Williams has seemingly claimed that he was knocked unconscious, a claim refuted by the paramedic. The relevance of this is that Mick Bates says he "cannot remember" what happened during the incident. It has ...
I mourn the loss of the Southport Guardian. Just imagine what fun we would all be having today ! Anyway back to 1910 and the de Forest election which is the subject of our dinner on Saturday night. Tickets still available from Rachel on 01704 533555. Keith Durham, the Agent, is writing to the Guardian complaining that Women Tories were threatening a trade boycott of Liberal businesses in the town. I must admit from what I have learned of the 1910 Election that was a mild misdemeanor by comparison to some of the dirty tricks the Tories got up to! ...
On the day that David Chaytor, the MP for Bury North, has been suspended by Labour after being charged with expenses crimes, Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg will challenge the other two party leaders to agree an emergency programme of political reform as a first step to restore public faith in politics. Nick Clegg will say: "In the light of the charges brought by the DPP against a number of MPs and peers, Gordon Brown and David Cameron are suddenly falling over themselves to talk about political reform. Nobody should be fooled. "Gordon Brown has been the obdurate obstacle to ...
It has been a while since we had a planning application in the ward to report. Today's weekly list has one in Buchan Street. Application 10/0062/FUL is for the erection of a conservatory to side of property, and is for 15 Buchan Street. As always more details are available from City Homes offices on Arbury Road, or via the development control web pages. In case of concern or difficulty please contact the team.
You may have been following some of my travails trying to get repairs made to some of those telephone, broadband, traffic light etc boxes which appear on many pavements. Although my own local council (Islington) is very good at dealing with them either directly themselves or passing on to the relevant company and ensuring the work is done, other councils, including Haringey and Westminster, are far less so. Haringey in theory also gets the job done if a member of the public reports a problem to them, but in practice I've often found problems of things going wrong or being ...
There has been much pillorying of Gordon Brown's Alternative Vote proposals on the Lib Dem blogosphere of late. On some counts the detractors are pretty much spot on. Gordon Brown is probably doing this as a desperate attempt to win over some tactical voting Lib Dems at the next election. Yes, STV would be more proportional and yes, AV could create "Anyone but X" backlashes against an incumbent government that could bring about large swings of power. The argument that AV could bring about less proportional representation than First Past the Post isn't really valid though. As soon as voters ...
Progress has been slow with my broken foot (both literally and metaphorically). At last after two months coping I've asked advice from my chiropodist niece, who lives in the North of Scotland, so is too far away for her to look at said appendage. She said that hospitals in general do not take a fractured metatarsal seriously enough. It's a small bone so they assume it will heal quickly. However a metatarsal can be just as difficult to heal as a femur (thigh bone). She asked what the hospital gave me to help me: a pot for 12 days and ...
Poor Mick Bates, eh? What rotten timing, to have a night out go completely Pete Tong for an AM right at the worst possible moment, when the Welsh Lib Dems are trying to have a nice bit of upbeat conference coverage. Oh, hang on. If you squint at this article you'll see that although it was written this morning, the incident in question happened on the 20th of January. Wonder why it wasn't considered news til over two weeks later then? I'm seething.
As the Financial Times notes of the battle to win the Lib Dem / Tory marginal of Eastleigh: The Hampshire railway town is 11th on Mr Cameron's target list; the Liberal Democrats' majority of a little more than 500 should be easily within reach. But is it really? ... the Tories are by no means certain to win Eastleigh. Lib Dem strategists believe Chris Huhne, the sitting MP, will easily hold the seat – a view privately shared by some Conservatives. ... Eastleigh is the kind of seat that defies the traditional "swingometer". Like many Lib Dem MPs, Mr Huhne ...
I have today launched my February 2010 update to West End Community Council. Subjects covered include : • Wheelie Bins • Safe parking/drop off at Primary Schools • Friendly Bus • Hillside Terrace - proposed Stopping Up Order • West End Primary Schools Project • Unadopted Footways Programme • Blackness Library Opening Hours The Community Council meets this tomorrow (Tuesday 9th February) at Logie St John's (Cross) Church Hall at 7pm. You can download a copy of the update by clicking on the headline above or by going to : http://tiny.cc/wecc0210.
In my occasional monitoring of what candidates from other parties are saying, I came across this video from Labour's Luke Pollard who is contesting what is for Labour the no hope seat of Devon South West. It is about a meeting hosted by the National Union of Students on the issue of tuition fees.Mr Pollard is joined by Linda Gilroy, a Labour MP in Plymouth. Judging by what both said, any viewer
It being one of those days where my brain is not up to a Proper Post, it is time to bring out the Political Blogger's Cheat Book and draw up a few responses to what the newspapers are banging on about today... The big story across all the media is Cameron's apparent "personal attack" on Gordon ...
Happy Monday morning, everyone. Let's plunge straight in ... 2 Must-Read Blog Posts What are other Liberal Democrat bloggers saying? Here's are two posts that have caught the eye from the Liberal Democrat Blogs aggregator: Blah blah who would you do a deal with blah blah blah.. on Steph Asley's Dib Lemming blog. Really, really, REALLY tired of every time a Lib Dem has any airtime, the only thing the interviewer keeps asking is what the party would do in the event of a hung parliament. Why don't the Conservatives trust local democracy? on Nich Starling's Norfolk Blogger. Why should ...
[IMG: gmp.jpg] The latest Homewatch newsletter from Greater Manchester Police brings good news, highlighting a 15% fall in crime. The bad news is the spate of shed and garage break-ins over the past fortnight. 4 Sheds and 2 garages in Prestwich alone. There has also been the usual spate of thefts from cars. So keep those shed/garages locked and secure and don't leave items on display in your car. Remember thieves don't know that the box on your back seat is empty until they have smashed your window to get at it! The latest newsletter can be viewed and downloaded ...
"And the 'More Front Than Blackpool' award goes to [opens envelope] David Cameron! Dave wins this award for attempting to deflect responsibility for the expenses scandal away from the party that invented modern sleaze to the late challengers, New Labour. Dave has rightly pointed to the rank stench of the Labour Party but sadly he was unable to hide the odour of the rotting pile of limbs and fading grandees covered in a dusting of earth beneath the hastily erected green-tinged patio that is the modern Conservative Party. [Presenter puts his hand to his ear] "Well, sadly David can't be ...
20 years ago – no, 10 – you couldn't eavesdrop upon learned discussions like this one, between Austrians, Keynesians (and no doubt monetarists, somewhere). You would have to have invaded some university common room. Which I intend never to do. Check out the responses to 'Ben's' point about grandchildren paying for our mistakes, and also Greg ...
Let us know your views St Albans Community Safety Partnership Plan 2010/11 Introduction: This Partnership Plan outlines the key priorities for the Community Safety Partnership for 2010/11 it is based on an assessment of crime, anti social behaviour and drug and alcohol misuse in the district. The Community Safety Plan for 2010-11 aims to build a safer St Albans through addressing these four aims; • Preventing and reducing crime, in particular dwelling burglary, theft of and from motor vehicle, theft from person, theft from shop, robbery and drug dealing. • Preventing and reducing anti social behaviour • Protecting vulnerable people • Managing offenders • Promoting ...
There's a long policy document about Quantitative easing due out soon. This is for those who don't have the time. Apologies to those who can't bear doggerell
Well Conference is over, training is complete, my team is assembled and ready for sore feet! We have been out now for some time and are at present delivering our next leaflet, over 700 delivered in Llanrwst this weekend whilst I was at conference. (Thanks Gang) This week we will be Phoning, delivering and talking to residents in Aberconwy. I feel ready for the challenge and hard work ahead after listening to Nick and Kirsty this weekend. See what happened at conference: http://www.freedomcentral.org.uk
One of the difficulties in looking at the stats for Heartlands hospital is that they include figures for Solihull, Heartlands and Good Hope.I have obtained copies of the most recent statistics about A&E and put them in the window of my office.What they demonstrate is that the primary concern relates to Good Hope. I had a number of conversations about this last week and the hospital is putting in
With new polling figures in, the general election prediction model we covered in November and December has churned out a new prediction for the next general election – and it's a striking one: New prediction: Conservative lead of 6% but Labour largest party with 299 seats (27 short of an overall majority) December prediction: Conservative lead of 9% with 315 seats (11 short of an overall majority) November prediction: Conservative lead of 10% with 322 seats (4 short of an overall majority) The academic team who have compiled the prediction say, The race remains too close to call under reasonable ...
Sad to read last week about one of the world's oldest languages dying out. I believe languages are an important part of culture and need preserving where we can, just like buildings. Because, when they're gone they're gone.
ITV has announced that on 14th Feb 2010 it plans to broadcast a one hour "interview" with Gordon Brown. Not a hard hitting political examination of the Prime Minister - his policies and actions over the last four years. Not a series of interviews where Gordon Brown, David Cameron, Nick Clegg (and possibly others) are likewise interrogated. No. This is Piers Morgan interviewing the PM. No other politician at any other point, just the PM. This is Piers Morgan - former editor of the pro-Labour party Mirror newspaper, up until 2004 (when he was sacked). This is Piers Morgan, Gordon ...
Yesterday's Sunday Times had an interesting article that outlines exactly why Liberal Democrats are lukewarm about Gordon Brown's proposed referendum on voting reform. They report that Michael Thrasher and Colin Rallings, who are professors of politics at Plymouth University, have re-run the results of the 2005 general election as if Brown's alternative vote system were in place. They say that the results show that Labour's majority in the Commons would have risen from 66 to 82, with the Tories getting 15 fewer seats. The Liberal Democrats would have gained an extra nine. Labour, with 36% of the popular vote on ...
This feature has now been around for a little while, but it's not that well known. Also it can be hard to find information about it online as people often call it deep linking - which makes sense if you know the jargon but isn't the sort of phrase you'd otherwise guess is the one to look for. So here's how to create a link to a YouTube film which will start it playing part way through: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4L0pWUNp08#t=0m39s The key parts are: o4L0pWUNp08 - which is the unique reference code for the video. If you are watching a film on ...
Mark Pack has kindly taken over working out the top Lib Dem blogs in the Wikio rankings each month. It's just a shame that so many of us fell this time.
The rugby over, I deemed it safe to venture out of the hotel room, but only as far as the promised wine reception. You never know who you're going to run into, but I was delighted to meet Chris and Janet Thomas. Janet is a councillor in Swansea (Peter May's fellow ward councillor, to be precise) but of more personal relevance, they are Richard's parents. In 2006, East Dulwich elected its first Liberal Democrat councillors, Richard being one of them, and Chris and Janet spent, I would guess, six weeks in the area, delivering leaflets, and generally being fantastic. The ...
The second boot is already falling. The first part of the economic crisis which began in early 2008 was the meltdown of the US mortgage market. This led to a breakdown in the asset backed securities market, which could no longer rely on the collateral of US mortgages. This in turn saw the breakdown of the balance sheets of the major trading banks, the forced takeover of Bear Sterns, followed by the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers and the collapse of AIG. This forced governments to initiate rescue programmes for those banks most exposed to the secondary debt markets. The last ...
David Cameron launched an attack on Gordon Brown yesterday that may well be misconceived; He said: "There is no chance Gordon Brown will do what is right and put the public interest before his own political interests. He cannot reform the institution because he is the institution: he made it. The character of his Government — secretive, power-hoarding, controlling — is his character. "For the health of our democracy it is now essential that this shameless defender of the old elite goes as soon as possible." Of course given the chance to vote on expenses reforms in 2008 twenty one ...
The NHS is facing a £63bn bill for PFI hospitals which are only worth a fraction of that. The NHS still owes £58bn on more than a hundred PFI contracts over the next three decades, and will have to pay back more than £7bn in PFI payments over the next Parliament alone (2010-2015). This is the disastrous reality of Labour's managemant of the NHS. We're in one of the most difficult financial periods in the NHS's history and this Government's legacy will be a mountain of debt. Despite the huge sums of money we owe for these hospitals, many will ...
After a bit of a hiatus, the new LDV members' survey is now live. So if you are a registered member of the Liberal Democrat Voice forum - and any paid-up party member is welcome to join - then you now have the opportunity to make your views known on a range of issues in our February members' survey. Topics we are asking your opinion on include: - whether you think the end of the recession will benefit Labour; - will the Chilcot inquiry into the Iraq war be a 'whitewash'; - John Terry's sacking as England captain; - what ...
Here are the rest of our videos from yesterday's Welsh Liberal Democrat Conference in Swansea, starting with Baroness Ros Scott, the Federal Party President: Jenny Willott was outstanding: Whilst Lembit was, well Lembit:
I am all for flags on every public building, but is spending in excess of a quarter of a million pounds on promotional flags the best use of public money? The majority of these promotional Saltires were also bought in the SNP's first year of minority government. The SNP in the first two years spent just £1657.83 on ceremonial flags including two car flags, compared to over £263,000 on promotional flags! As NHS Boards are considering drastic measures like cutting the number of nurses, or hospital beds to save money as they try to cope with a funding squeeze we ...
This is an article about constitutional, legal, and policy issues and avoids discussion of the facts of the cases that are currently sub judice. People leaving comments are advised to do the same. Whether MPs charged with fraud on the parliamentary expenses system are protected by parliamentary privilege has caused understandable agitation in the media and ...
So four politicians are going to face charges relating to their expenses claims. It may be that Liberal Democrats come out of this relatively unscathed, but just like the example in Saturday's blog, it hardly matters to the general public. Tories ignore statistical advice - that's what politicians do. Make mistakes when you move money around after advice from someone that you are not going to name - well it doesn't matter that this is what Labour MP Jim Devine has done. This is what self-regulating politicians do. It doesn't matter that I have never been elected, never mind claimed ...
