"We must do more locally and nationally to support those with dyslexia"
The picture above was taken this morning in bright sunlight, 1 hour before we left for Southport. We have spent the last four nights in the above fortified house in Monreith, Galloway, Scotland. The house was built in 1600 and it is rented out as a holiday home by The Landmark Trust. If you do not know about the trust it is worth a search on Google. The Landmark Trust restore old, interesting properties and then let them as holiday lets. Ours slept 8, although only 3 of us were there this time. The houses are all interesting properties in ...
At the other end of the Ffestiniog Railway from Porthmadog stands Blaenau Ffestiniog. This little town is dominated by the relics of the slate industry and is now trying to make a living from tourism, even though it was pointedly excluded when the boundaries of the Snowdonia National Park were drawn. The slate industry must have been enormously profitable at one time. The little railways that traverse the landscape of North Wales were built to service it, and the standard guage Conway Valley line that links the town with the coast almost at once dives into a two-mile tunnel.
I'm standing in for a colleague at the City Council's Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Monday. As luck would have it there are items on both Freedom of Information and Liverpool Direct so I have an extra opportunity to follow up on the topics I've been blogging about recently. Here is the link to the paperwork for the committee. The report on FOI simply underlines that the information provided to me in July was wrong!
This afternoon, a few of us did the set-up for the West End Community Fayre tomorrow that launches Christmas Week. A few photos below when we were not exactly finished! By the time we finished at teatime, things were looking great - helped by the superb artwork from the P6 and P7 "Christmas Heroes" painting competition and the P3 and P4 recycled Christmas decorations - created by the pupils of our local schools - St Joseph's, Park Place, Blackness and Ancrum Road. Join us tomorrow at Dundee West Church - lower hall in Roseangle - from 10am!
My column from today's Liberal Democrat News. "Celebs" and Comedy The frustrating thing about Lembit Opik is that deep down - very deep down - you sense there is a serious politician trying to get out. I remember a meeting of the Federal Policy Committee where he came in halfway through a discussion on defence and illuminated it by drawing it by drawing on his family's experience of foreign occupation. But moments like that have been rarer of late. It is not often I can claim to have been prophetic, but two years ago, in the wake of his defeat ...
I see Tory councillors Phil North and David Drew are trying to justify their pay rise and score silly political points rather than expalin why they think they're entitled to a rise. You can their and everyone esle's comments on Andover Sound's website at For the record their proposal at the February 2009 council meeting was an ill thought through attempt to refer a previous decision back to the council's pay panel. It was not a vote on a pay rise and it was roundly condemned by all as immature point scoring. At the same meeting the Lib Dem ...
About Power complains of the poor standard of current political commentary - particularly in the Guardian: "Many (but not all) politicians, journalists and some people in non-mainstream media seem to be indulging in a frenzy of vitriol. Sometimes the sheer lack of perspective and the level of self-delusion is staggering. Much of it seems driven by a hatred of the Tories and a disbelief that the Lib Dems did not do their duty and form a coalition with the Labour party seems to blind people to the context of our current politics." "The Libel Reform Campaign has today made out ...
Krispy Kreme on Paddington station opens at 7am on a Saturday. It sort of doesn't make sense, but then I guess if you're on Paddington station at that sort of time on a Saturday, the only answer is actually donuts. "Fuck, why am I not sleeping? I'll make this time I could be sleeping more valuable by HAVING A DONUT." (I am totally not pulling an all-nighter and following it up with a donut-based breakfast tomorrow. Why would you think that?) omnomnom donuts
Fri 19th
19:13
Bury's Labour Leader (attempting to) cover his tracks on Anti-Royal Family comments...
Oh dear oh dear, the Leader of the Labour Party in Bury, Cllr Mike Connolly, appears to be attempting to cover the tracks of his highly inappropriate comments about the Royal Family earlier in the week. In response to comments congratulating Prince William and Kate Middleton on their engagement, Bury's Labour leader Cllr Mike Connolly asked "Will these multi-millionaire parasites be paying for their own wedding?". Read the full details on Richard Baum's blog here. Councillor Connolly is, of course, entitled to his own views, but as a civic leader in our Borough, its certainly my opinion that these sort ...
Whilst I am feeling unwell and flu-like I am reading another book about poverty and social policy. This is called Poor Cirizens - looking at the development of poverty and policy during the last century. It starts at 1900 with discussion of Rowntree's work. How he describes the conditions in York - what he calls primary and secondary poor. It appeared that in the early 20th century the author describes how wellbeing was so poor that they didnt get enough fit men for the wars they had to fight. Whilst this is a tangential point it does actuall show the ...
After the recent mid-term 'shellacking' handed out to President Obama's Democrat's his Presidential re-run is going to be a lot harder than imagined in the 2008 hay day. Or is it? If the rumours are true and Tea Party darling Sarah Palin does mount a bid for the Presidency in 2012 we're all for it. The presence of Palin on the bottom of the ticket in 2008 was enough to send anyone reasonable running to the Democrats. Let's hope she wins the Republican nomination and pulls off the same trick in 2012!
Yesterday evening I attended a meeting of the North Whitley Neighbourhood Action Group (NAG). Councillors, council officers and Police officers were all in attendance but sadly only one member of the public attended. This is despite officers leafleting the area.It did not help that the meeting was held in Whitley Park School - miles from most Redlands residents. Previous meetings have been held at Hexham Rd Community Centre (but this is also some distance from residents from other neighbourhoods). This low turnout raises a number of issues about the viability of the current NAG structure and tells me local agencies need to do more ...
Government minister and Hazel Grove MP Andrew Stunell has already been to Oldham East and Saddleworth three weeks in a row to support Elwyn Watkins' campaign and on his latest visit has recorded this message: Video also available on YouTube here. Full details and directions to Oldham East and Saddleworth campaign HQ are here.
The uneven road surface at Aughton Road level crossing has long been of concern to Birkdale residents. Massive potholes just besides the railway lines have been a danger to cyclists as well as to car shock absorbers. Following complaints from residents, Birkdale's Councillor Simon Shaw took the matter up with Sefton Council. "Because the problem is right by the railway, responsibility for repairs lies with Railtrack, not Sefton. I know that council officers have been in repeated contact trying to get Railtrack to fulfil their responsibilities," explains Simon. "In September, Railtrack finally filled in the potholes, but they might as ...
It is Children in Need tonight on BBC1 and BBC2. There was one year I recall not actually watching the programme, the reason was a valid one I was at the old BBC Scotland headquarters on Queen Margaret Road, Glasgow and my partner at the time had volunteered to help out behind the scenes. However, to get us in the mode for this years what better way that last year's official single, which in the best tradition of charity singles brought together a whole gumult of stars, in this case plasticine, or celluloid or computer animations. Well done to Peter ...
The new recycling services start on Monday (22nd November). You should receive your new containers by Sunday afternoon, but some people won't get their plastic bottle bags due to the ship carrying them being delayed. Instead you will be given two large clear plastic bags as a temporary measure or you can use any other sturdy re-usable bag you might have, such as an Ikea bag or a "bag for life". Don't use lightweight plastic carrier bags. If you haven't received your new containers by Sunday evening, please ring the Contact Centre on on 01454 868000 Monday to let them ...
[IMG: An atomic bomb blast] From an advert for the book Atomic Bombing: How to Protect Yourself, published in 1950: Here's a Mere Glimpse of the Hundreds of Vital Questions this Volume Answers... If you are within 1,000 yards of the blast, what should you do immediately to minimize your danger? What types of clothing help protect your body...? Where are the safest places to hide...? ... This may be the chance of your lifetime to SAVE your life. Advice inside the book includes, "Curl up in a ball as you hit the ground". (For other bizarre books I've come ...
Well, I said I'd be back, in five years or five months. And here I am and coincidentally it has been five months – reason being www.twitter.com/stjohnswood1 suggested I report on the St John's Wood Forum I attended last night. Cllr Lindsey Hall chaired the evening and there are not many Tories I like (yeah, ...
Don't forget to get down to BossCo, next to the old Tatton cinema, where there'll be a Christmas market on Thursday 25th November. For community Christmas cheer, pop down to the Gatley Net Christmas Market in support of the CLIC Sargent Charity for Children with Cancer, on the 25th November between 3.30pm and 8pm. See this post for more information.
Note from Herts Highways: Victoria Street (between Alma Road and Station Way) and Lattimore Road (between Victoria Street and London Road) will be closed on Monday 22nd November 2010 between 09.30 and 19.00 to complete the road markings in these sections. It is not envisaged that the roads will be closed for the full duration of this day and is weather dependant. To ensure that we can complete this road marking in one visit please do not park along these sections on the above date.
It's Friday. It's five o'clock. Here's a fistful of lists that sum up the LDV week: 5 most-read stories on LDV this week 1. Opinion: Clegg has not betrayed us! (146 comments) by Mat Smith 2. We all know the Lib Dems U-turned on tuition fees, so why's The Guardian indulging in half-truths? (127 comments) by Stephen Tall 3. What Lib Dem members think of the Coalition, the Lib Dems' direction, and Nick Clegg's leadership (123 comments) by Stephen Tall 4. Opinion: The Four Boxes - why the student occupation should be denounced (118 comments) by Zoe O'Connell 5. False ...
Happy Birthday today to Allison Jannay probably best known to all my readers as Claudia Jean "C.J." Cregg the Whitehouse Press Secretary who becomes Chief of Staff in the Bartlett administration on The West Wing. So every birthday needs a song, or at least a little lip-synch. What do you mean you haven't seen C.J. do the Jackal. She also played herself in Studio 60 On the Sunset Strip as Allison Jannay star of the West Wing. Many of the stars of the new show made comment on her being C.J. which is especially funny when it comes from Timothy ...
I had an interesting discussion this morning about the differences between siblings in family units. If one sibling is different and has interests and aspirations different to those of other siblings, strong resentments can be felt by other siblings. Often ... Continue reading →
With the consequences of the CSR rippling into local government I have had less and less time to write on this blog in the last fortnight - which is a shame because there is a lot I had to say! I will try hard to be a better blogger but work with the Council will come before this site I am afraid. Anyhoo this just dropped into my inbox so I thought it a good way to let you know i am still here!
From a party news release: Liberal Democrat Party President-Elect Tim Farron has written to the General Secretary of the Labour Party, Ray Collins, asking him to clarify the Labour Party's position on Phil Woolas following criticism of Harriet Harman's decision to suspend him by a number of backbench MPs. The full text of the letter is below: Dear General Secretary, Firstly may I offer you my heartfelt congratulations on the news of your elevation to the House of Lords. However, I am writing to you to raise the matter of the judgement of the Election Court in Oldham East and ...
I certainly don't normally like "Take That", but for some reason this one has engrained itself in my subciousness. The hook line is exquisitely well produced by Stuart Price. And you have to admire their rowing stamina on the video below. They rowed all the way from the Berkshire Thames Valley to Southend and their little white socks were completely unstained. Quite extraordinary.
From Stockport Council: The Mercian Regiment received the Freedom of the Borough of Stockport during a parade through the town centre. The Freedom of the Borough scroll was presented to Brigadier John Donnelly CBE by the Mayor of Stockport, Councillor Hazel Lees, in Stockport's historic Market Place. A total of 450 soldiers, including between 50 and 75 from Stockport, formed a 200m marching column, consisting of four companies and the Band of The Prince of Wales's Division all led by the Regimental Mascot, a ram named Pte Derby XXIX. For more information click here.
From Stockport Council: Stockport Council's new civic building, Fred Perry House was formally opened this week by His Royal Highness, the Earl of Wessex. His Royal Highness enjoyed a tour of the new BREEAM Excellent Fred Perry House and met with VIP guests, before unveiling a commemorative plaque to celebrate the opening of the new building. Fred Perry House, will further improve efficiency within the Council by reducing the number of buildings in the civic complex from 11 to just three, at no additional cost to the Council Tax payer. The building will also help the Council to reduce its ...
I always knew, when canvassing for Monroe Palmer as the Liberal candidate for Hendon South in 1987, that it would eventually, as our stickers said, be "Palmer for Parliament", and I was right - as Monroe is on the list of new life peers announced today. I congratulate Monroe, his wife Suzette and the whole family, as I could not be more pleased that Monroe is now going to the Lib Dem benches in the House of Lords. He will make an excellent Parliamentarian, as will the other Liberal Democrats named as peers today. Monroe is a seasoned Barnet councillor, ...
Lord Young is in trouble and has apologised for a gaffe stating that most people have never had it so good. Specifically, if you have a mortgage and you still have a job, then with interest rates lower than ever, you have more money to spend that you did in normal economic times. There are two big problems here. One is that "a job and a mortgage" accounts for a minority of households. So the remark, while true of the hypothetical middle-Englander Young probably had in mind, is not true of "most people". The second is more telling. There seems ...
We heard this morning from No.10 Downing St of the list of 54 new Peerages to the House of Lords. Of these, 43 are Coalition Peers (27 for the Conservatives, 15 for the Liberal Democrats and 1 Cross-bencher), 10 are Labour Peers and 1 from Plaid Cymru. I'm particularly pleased to see that out-going Welsh Assembly Member Jenny Randerson AM (a former Culture Minister in the 2000-2003 Labour/Liberal Democrat Welsh Assembly Coalition) is to be made a Baroness. Her expertise and experience will be invaulable in the Upper House. It's also good to see that Sal Brinton, Susan Kramer and ...
November 18th saw a pair of Independence Days, the good people of Latvia and Morocco both celebrating the throwing off of their respective historical yokes, and six principal council by-elections taking place across the UK. The late-autumn gloom continues with very little to report on, only two of six seats changed hands and both of those went in Labour's favour. A double election in the Croxteth ward of Liverpool City Council was never an appetising prospect given Labour's post-CSR bounce around Northern England. In the event, Labour held one and gained one leaving the council composition at fifty Labour, thirty ...
From BBC News Manchester: Six Liberal Democrat councillors in Rochdale have resigned from the party in protest over its leadership nationally and locally. Pat and Ted Flynn, Peter Davison, Doreen Brophy Lee, Barbara Todd and Naim Mahmood will sit as independents. Councillor Pat Flynn said the party was "doing too many U-turns". Councillor Dale Mulgrew, deputy leader of Rochdale Lib Dems, said the resignations were part of a dispute over the party's selection process. Two of the councillors had been deselected by the party ahead of next year's local elections. Rochdale Council is led by a coalition of Liberal Democrats ...
The Leader of the Labour party in Bury has described the Royal Family as "parasites" during an exchange of messages on Facebook. In response to comments congratulating Prince William and Kate Middleton on their engagement, Bury's Labour leader Cllr Mike Connolly asked "Will these multi-millionaire parasites be paying for their own wedding?" The comment followed another from Susan Southworth, who was the Labour candidate who challenged Conservative Council Leader Bob Bibby at the last local elections. She hinted at a rather more severe sanction on the Royals than a bill for the wedding by saying that "the French had the ...
That was my comment on Guardian cif. How long before it is moderated out?
I don't know of the details here but, in general, it's always tricky when you have to withold approval to re-stand from sitting councillors. I've been involved in such cases myself. Sometimes you have to stick to your guns and uphold minimum requirements, bearing in mind that there is a robust appeal process in the party. From Rochdale Online: Five Liberal Democrat councillors (The BBC says "six")have resigned from the Liberal Democrat party in what could be a massive blow to the coalition that controls Rochdale. Councillors Ted and Pat Flynn from Castleton, Councillor Peter Davison from Castleton, Councillor Doreen ...
I blogged yesterday about my problem getting my BT broadband sorted out. How hard can it be to switch the account holder of an otherwise unchanged broadband service on the same line? My former employer is, understandably, keen that they should no longer pay for my home broadband, and I'm equally keen to get this ...
I wrote earlier this week about how my life had been pretty much shattered by bullies as a teenager. It was a hard post to write, even thirty years on. When I was going through it, it didn't seem like anybody understood, and certainly the long term effects of bullying weren't recognised. It was unlikely that you'd be able to find any politicians talking about it. Now, though, I'm so proud that we have a Deputy Prime Minister who's prepared to make an official Government video to support Anti Bullying Week. And what he says shows that he understands, properly, ...
More on the WaterAid UK site - and it wins our Day of the Day Award.
Another new Peers list, still no West Midlands Liberal Democrat Peer...
David Cameron's enterprise adviser Lord Young is set to resign over his comments that many Brits "have never had it so good". He clearly hadn't been briefed on the governments "all in this together" mantra.
The libel reform campaign has urged radical law change to protect bloggers and web hosts The Libel Reform Campaign has today made out its case for radical reform of libel laws as they affect the internet and in particular the "citizen journalist", aka the humble - or not so humble - blogger. The Internet Service Providers' Association, which represents providers of Internet services in the UK, and which has over 200 members representing 95 per cent of the access market, has sent an open letter to the Prime Minister. The letter was signed by Yahoo and, AOL (UK), and is ...
It has been announced that Cardiff Central Assembly Member, Jenny Randerson will become a working member of the House of Lords. She will assume her full duties once she steps down as an Assembly Member at the election in May. In a statement she said: "It is a real honour to have been appointed to represent Wales in the House of Lords as a working peer. There is a strong and growing presence of Welsh Liberal Democrats in the Lords standing up for Wales and it is an exciting time to be putting Liberal Democrat policies into action in government. ...
I was really proud to day to launch the new car put into Prudhoe by the Commonwheels car club. The car is parked on Kepwell Bank Top next to the Dr Syntax Pub. Joining me was Cllr Alan Armstrong, the executive member for Transport on Northumberland Council, and Fiona Hall, the North Easts excellent MEP, who tells me she is a member already. The scheme has been funded by my members capital budget and by Northumberland County Councils transport budget.I was pleased to see that the Council has put up an information board to fill people in about what the ...
Last month I wrote about how this blog's favourite MSP bar none, Liberal Democrat Justice Spokesperson Robert Brown, had been pretty much the sole defender of civil liberties when the emergency legislation giving the right to a solicitor was passed by Holyrood, a move which, in passing quadrupled the amount of time a person can be held without charge from 6 to 24 hours. Robert isn't giving up on this issue. He's not happy at the remit given by the Scottish Government to Lord Carloway's review of law and practice in Scotland. Apparently Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill didn't consult the ...
Labour Party Challenged to Defend Bury Labour Leader's Attack on Royal Family I am absolutely appalled to learn that Mike Connolly, leader of the Labour Party on Bury Council has attacked the Royal Family as "multi millionaire parasites". Connolly's outburst came on his Facebook page, where he also described the Royal Family as having 'no relevance at all'. As a result of his comments my colleague, Councillor Tim Pickstone, leader of the Bury Lib Dem group on Bury Council, has today written to Ms Harman, copied to Ed Miliband, asking: "As the acting Leader of Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition, I ...
[IMG: Cllr Coombes and Dr Martin at St Mary's Primary school] Bathwick St. Mary's Primary School has been rated as the best state primary in Britain. The award was from the Sunday Times which recognised high achievement across a range of subject areas. Dr David Martin, who is a governor of the school added his own congratulations: "I'm proud to be associated with the school. It's academic success is clear, and is due to the hard work of the whole school community - staff, children and parents."
The Prime Minister has today announced the names of three new political members of the independent House of Lords Appointments Commission. The new members, nominated by the three main political parties, are: Lord Hart of Chilton (Labour) Rt. Hon. Lord Howard of Lympne QC (Conservative) and Baroness Scott of Needham Market (Liberal Democrat) The Chairman of the House of Lords Appointments Commission, Lord Jay said: "The balance of political and independent members is an important feature of the House of Lords Appointments Commission and I am delighted that we will have three new political members with such experience. I look ...
Congratulations to former Scottish Liberal Democrat Leader Nicol Stephen as he prepares to take up his seat in the House of Lords. He has just been announced as one of 15 new Liberal Democrat peers. His experience of being Deputy First Minister in a Coalition Government will be invaluable. He's also passionate about making sure young people have the best possible opportunities to succeed. Others I am pleased to see on that list are Liberal Democrat Friends of Israel Chair Monroe Palmer - not just because 17 years ago his kind words of encouragement helped me make my first ever ...
An update from Kent County Council: Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Eric Pickles, has confirmed the government intends to clarify how the law on bias applies to local councillors in the forthcoming Localism Bill. Mr Pickles has indicated that the Bill will:
Further to my recent update about proposed road improvements in Hillside Road, the City Council has now issued the following temporary traffic order : Dundee City Council propose to make an Order under Section 14(1) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 for the purpose of facilitating new road construction works. The Order is expected to be in force for seven days from 29 November 2010. Its maximum duration in terms of the Act is eighteen months. The effect of the Order is to prohibit temporarily all vehicular traffic in Hillside Road between Hillside Terrace and Hillside Drive. Pedestrian thoroughfare ...
Fifteen new Liberal Democrat working peers have just been announced... Dr Sarah (Sal) Brinton - Executive Director of the Association of Universities in the East of England Dee Doocey OBE - Chair of the London Assembly Qurban Hussain - Deputy Group Leader of the Liberal Democrat group on Luton Borough Council Judith Jolly - Chair of Executive Committee of Liberal Democrats in Devon and Cornwall Susan Kramer - former Liberal Democrat MP Raj Loomba - businessman and campaigner for widows' rights Jonathan Marks - commercial and family law QC with specialist interest in human rights and constitutional reform Monroe Palmer ...
[IMG: Old radio] A newly updated version of the YouTube Social Media Revolution film is doing the rounds and winning praise along with lots of "ooh, aah, look how quickly the world is changing!" messages. There's a little problem, though. In its enthusiasm to makes its case it makes some very dodgy arguments about how the rate of technological change is speeding up. The bit about "Some universities have stopped distributing email accounts" should raise sceptical instincts. Is that 1, 10, 100, 1,000 or 10,000? Sorry, according to the film that doesn't matter. Because "ooh, ahh, look how quickly the ...
Last week at the UN, 107 countries voted for a worldwide moratorium on the use of the death penalty. The UK led the international lobbying effort and provided strong encouragement to countries such as Mongolia, who voted for the moratorium for the first time. This was a very encouraging result and part of a wider international movement towards global abolition. It is clear in my mind that the death penalty is no deterrent to criminals, it can never be reversed and it is a denial of the liberal sanctity of the individual. It is the UK's unwavering aim to try ...
[IMG: buzz.jpg] Earlier this month I proposed that the county council look into organising a discount card scheme for pensioners across the county, based on the already existing bus pass. The Labour Group jumped on the idea from a height. They said it would be too expensive at a time of cuts - despite the fact that it would be the traders who paid for the discounts under the scheme! Today I got the county council staff magazine and was intrigued to read on the front cover: "New health and fitness discount scheme launched". Apparently council employees will enjoy around ...
Do these so called stars ever read the newspapers and note the dramatic downfalls of other stars, footballers and celebrities who have made major mistakes on social networking sites? From Sky News; Jason Manford has resigned from The One Show after revelations he exchanged "saucy" messages online with fans.I will be perfectly honest, I am astounded at the sheer stupidity of these tv personalities. Manford works on one of the shows that is quick to jump on other people's mistakes so he must have had his eyes open more than most. The 29-year-old comedian's departure comes just four months after ...
Thank heavens for the Oxfordshire County Council electronic road signs, which prove ever more invaluable by the day. Today I discovered that it would take me 12 minutes to get to the Park and Ride, whereas yesterday it was 11 minutes. I must say I was mightily relieved to have this information to hand as it greatly aided my journey. Who needs staff at County Hall to provide social care and education when there's up-to-the-minute hardware like this? Well done the Tories!
Another non-story doing the rounds this morning: Lord Young puts his foot in his mouth. Well, hold my coat, I'm going to faint. An oafish, Thatcherite Tory tells us how lucky we all should be to be poor, now buck up and don't slack. He was tactless in the 1980s and it seems little has changed. Where's the real news? Is there any royal news? It seems we've heard nothing from them for ages. How's that nice young lad doing with his girlfriend, for example? Wilberforce, wasn't it? Wilton? Something like that. UPDATE: Crikey, I never knew my blog was ...
I was pretty livid when I read that the SNP Government had given away the Scottish Parliament's tax raising powers for the next three years by failing to pay the £50,000 a year maintenance charge to HMRC for them to do the work that meant that the power could be used. That power was specifically voted for by the people of Scotland in the 1997 referendum, so you would think that any government would ensure that the ability to use it was retained. Otherwise you would lay yourself open to accusations of betraying the wishes of the people. As a ...
Fri 19th
09:20
An open letter to Prime Minister David Cameron: #libelreform needed to protect free speech online
Despite significant advances made by the libel reform coalition over the past twelve months, including a commitment to new legislation to reform the illiberal English and Welsh libel laws, it is still vital that all those interested in defending freedom of expression and the uninhibited movement of ideas maintain pressure on the government to deliver. The latest boost to the momentum behind the libel reform campaign is an open letter, written by Yahoo!, the discussion forum Mumsnet and the Internet Service Providers Association (ISPA), calling on the Prime Minister to urgently reform the unfair libel laws in this country. The ...
I've been having some trouble getting a clear account of how exactly Liverpool City Council is performing on Freedom of Information questions (and Subject Access questions - which are the ones you can ask about data held about yourself) I've been given in the past two sets of figures which contradict themselves. I think its important that we know how the authority is performing on this (particularly given the effort I put into improving the response rates last year) Anyway, in frustration on the lack of clarity I asked a question of Cllr Paul Brant, deputy leader of the council, ...
Much news coverage this week has focused on how the financial markets have put a high premium on Ireland's revenue-raising capacity. BBC Business Editor Robert Peston demonstrated both "Auntie's" lack of understanding of the EU and the continuing decline in the standards of her English when he wrote 'Without the financial support of the ECB, Ireland would be bust right now'. In fact, the Irish government has reserves which could keep the country going until next June without needing to raise money on the open market, though it is true that commercial banks in Ireland have leaned heavily on the ...
Back when Tony Blair was Prime Minister Labour tried to get through Parliament sweeping powers to change the law without requiring full Parliamentary scrutiny. Then Liberal Democrat MP David Howarth was one of those who led the charge against this, writing in The Times: The Government proposed an extraordinary Bill that will drastically reduce parliamentary discussion of future laws, a Bill some constitutional experts are already calling "the Abolition of Parliament Bill". A couple of journalists noticed, including Daniel Finkelstein of The Times, and a couple more pricked up their ears last week when I highlighted some biting academic criticism ...
Andrew Reeves is reporting that the police have decided not to take any further action after investigating Conservative MP David Mundell's election expenses. As we reported previously: His expense return showed him within the limit but wrongly classified one bill. A correct return would have shown him over the limit. Although the police have decided that this mistake is not worthy of further action, the publicity, embarrassment and investigation are a strong reminder of the importance of candidates and agents properly checking legal paperwork before submitting it.
Labour won big in yesterdays by-election in Wednesbury North gaining with seat from the Conservatives with a swing of about 45%
So Theresa May has announced, outside of Parliament, that the Government will not be implementing the socio-economic duty for public bodies which was originally part of Labour's Equalities Act 2010. The tone of the announcement was rather different from the signals the Government were giving back in July when it looked like they were going ...
The decision by the Welsh Government to close down six of their 10 techniums has been welcomed by Welsh Liberal Democrats. Their Economic Development Spokesperson, Jenny Randerson did much of the groundwork back in September when it was revealed that whilst £12.4m has been spent on the initiative since 2001, it generated income of just £6.9m. As Jenny said at the time, the Government "would have been better to hand the money to universities to attract top academics. This would be a self-perpetuating form of economic growth helping to create more organic clusters of expertise and innovation. "In July of ...
RT @LonelyWonderer: BTW did I miss @stephentall's 4th tuition fees post? « It's missing in action. Will appear soon, promise [IMG: :)] # @nicholaswatt V disappointingly sensationalist non-story re LDs + tuition fees. Usually a fan. This is v thin stuff. # "The leaked document showed that during preparns for a hung p'ment the LDs still intended to fulfil [fees] commitment." Key Grauniad line. # RT @rjleaman By the way, still very much liking @apture [IMG: :)] << me too, thx or suggestn! http://stephentall.org/ # @mjturner1975 But the pledge is what's caused the big problem: compromise on manifesto in hung ...
Long term readers may remember that I have a passing interest in firearms legislation. It thus quite surprise me to come across this little piece from Tuesday's Home Affairs Select Committee, following questioning on the Cumbria shooting and firearms licensing. It's worth noting this is an "uncorrected" transcript, but I have reviewed the video recording and it is accurate for general content – this exchange starts at about 11:55. Chair: What Dr Huppert is asking is ...what is the age that we should allow people to apply [for a firearms certificate]? You are the ACPO lead on firearms, [Specifically, chairman ...
Although its discussions are governed, rightly, by Chatham House rules, the Liberal Democrats' Federal Policy Committee requires some transparency as its role grows in the eyes of Liberal Democrats and the wider world. Yesterday was my first meeting for 5 years with (it has to be said) a very high-calibre Committee after recent elections. There were three important parts to the meeting. First, a set of elections which saw Evan Harris and Julian Huppert MP join Jeremy Hargreaves as Vice-Chairs. Commiserations to Chris White, Julie Smith and Danny Alexander. I declined a kind invitation to rejoin the Conference Committee as ...
This morning's Independent contains one of the regular features loved by UK newspapers, focusing on how our money is spent by Whitehall departments. They tell us that the Home Office is spending millions of pounds a month on travel agents' fees to deport failed asylum seekers. They say that the UK Border Agency hired Carson Wagonlit Travel to help in its drive to remove more failed asylum seekers from the country: It is understood the monthly bills for deportation, which range from £1.3m to £3.7m, cover the one-way cost for the failed asylum seekers and return cost of the private ...
Here is my column from yesterday's Ham & High: I got sacked from my first job. It was a small design/advertising agency and one night during my six week trial period - one of the Directors asked if I would join him and a blue chip client for the show reel and drinks. Afterwards he offered me a lift home, insisted on stopping for a drink on the way home and as he dropped my at my mother's house - made a pretty crude lunge at me. I told him where to go - and the next day I was ...
i) births and deaths 19 November 1924: birth of William Russell, who played Ian Chesterton from 1963 to 1965 and has done a number of Big Finish plays, including the just released Lost First Doctor stories by Moris Farhi. 19 November 1971: birth of Naoko Mori, who played Toshiko Sato in the first two series of Torchwood (2006, 2008) having first appeared in Aliens of London (2005). ii) broadcast anniversaries 19 November 1966: broadcast of third episode of The Power of the Daleks. The rebels capture Polly, and the Doctor and Ben erode Lesterson's trust in the Daleks. 19 November ...
You've probably had your copy of the Advertiser by now which includes Councillor Young's statement made at a recent Cabinet Meeting: The vast majority of people are interested in a new school and new sports development, and quite frankly they don't care where it goes as long as we get it. You can't help wondering when Councillor Young last took the chance to spend some time in Consett talking to ordinary people. If he did, he would know that people do care where the Academy is built. He certainly seems to! Of course we all want a new school and ...
(eBuzzing have sponsored this post. Please let me know what you think about sponsored articles on this blog.) Android phones are now big business – even Woz seems to think they'll take over the world. Into the crowded arena steps the HTC Wildfire. I'm a huge fan of the HTC hardware – but I often feel that they ignore the customer service side of things. For too long they were silent on when their firmware releases were coming out – leaving VillainROM and Cyanogen to pick up the slack. Android phones have typically come in two flavours, hyper expensive devices ...
It's always good to be able to report good news, and there's plenty of it in the county's "Safe Durham Partnership" leaflet. Best is the news of a 13% reduction in crime last year, and a Durham Constabulary detection rate of 42% which I understand to be the best ever. You can read all the setails here: good-news-week.pdf
Phil Woolas has to wait until next week to learn as to whether his appeal has been successful. He feels that the previous High Court decision which deprived him of holding public office for three years was an attack on his free speech. Well I agree with Phil. The trouble is that free speech, when used responsively should not include lying, and if it does then it should be restricted. It is no defence to claim that free speech is being eroded when those with this freedom do not use it responsibly. This is a pretty weak argument for his ...
