Well, I'd hardly call it true defiance, more proving a point. The Conservatives want a return of good old fashioned family values, nothing wrong with that, and especially after the Riots they want to see parenting coming back into play and family units actually working rather than parents allowing their children to do whatever and not taking part in society proper. To encourage this David Cameron has said, when the state can afford it, that he would like to look into giving married couples a tax break. Today in the House of Lords, Bishop of Wakefield asked Lord McNally (the ...
You can see this statue on a roundabout close to the old Great Central wagon works in Leicester. From 1920 until 2003 it stood on top of the Liberty shoe factory, a Grade II listed building. This being Leicester, the factory was demolished to make way for accommodation for students at De Montfort University. Note the Kirby & West milk trundling into the picture to prove that the statue is still in Leicester.
The BNP has chosen Carlos Cortiglia as its candidate in next year's London Mayoral election.Cortiglia is a veteran of the war in the Falklands. The only trouble is... he was fighting for the Argentinians. Which rather reminds me of the late Bernard Manning: While Manning's routine made little attempt to be topical, he could occasionally hint at subversion. As when, soon after the Falklands war, he told his audience that two soldiers from the conflict were present. As the jingoistic cheers rang out, Manning embarrassed the audience by adding: "They're Argentinians."
According to the Migraine Trust, it is Migraine Awareness Week; although the other major migraine charity in the UK — Migraine Action – doesn't seem to have noticed. Maybe they should talk to each other. Anyway, I've decided to do my bit to raise your awareness, by advising the passive-aggressives among you on two sure-fire ...
One of the consequences of an SNP majority at Holyrood was they would persist with plans to create a single police force north of the border. And indeed it (and the parallel creation of single fire brigade) is one of 16 bills outlined by Alex Salmond in an otherwise pretty uninspiring Scots legislative programme. This blog's view is that it will prove to be an expensive, bureaucratic and ultimately damaging change. But now they have a majority, the SNP will have no excuses when Scots voters find out just how foolish this idea is.
Amid the clashing of sabres and the heated arguments that resounded through the House of Commons today one name was thrown around a lot, a spectre of the past that, according to Nadine Dorries, controls the party politics and the direction of the Liberal Democrat party. A spectre so powerful that even after losing his seat in last year's general election continues to hold sway over Nick Clegg and even David Cameron using bully tactics and blackmail to enforce his beliefs and whims. His name is Dr Evan Harris. Evan Harris, the former MP for Abingdon and Oxford West has ...
The beeb reports that Edinburgh's (if not the UK's) finest tearoom has closed suddenly in somewhat mysterious circumstances. Loopy Lorna's was always a highight of our visits to Edinburgh.
It is about sixty-five miles from Dale Farm to Creeting St Peter, but distance does not in itself provide relief. My village, like so many in mid-Suffolk, is about an hour away by fast road, surrounded by fields full of... well, not much at this time of year. And, if a large number of travellers are to be evicted from the Dale Farm site, they're going to go somewhere. That might sound like paranoia to some, and with my liberal head on, I might agree. However, I've grown to accept that, when push comes to shove, I'm in a minority, ...
Kenneth Clarke's intervention in the debate about the riots was a breath of fresh air. If 83 per cent of those arrested had already been through the criminal justice system at least once - then the system is not doing its job properly. What interests me is how much this same argument could be applied to other public services. It may be ridiculous to expect that people who have been through the NHS once should not remain ill, or that so many interventions are required with problem families. Yet that is what Beveridge expected when he set out the terms ...
Tweet That is all.
On the NHS Bill four Liberal Democrat MPs rebelled: Andrew George, Julian Huppert, Greg Mulholland and Adrian Sanders. On the Nadine Dorries abortion vote, three backed her proposals: Alan Beith, Gordon Birtwistle and Greg Mulholland.
So normally when I write, I come to you with an opinion, an informed and researched piece of work. This time is slightly different. Having perused twitter and seen the bile and hatred being poured out onto "lib dem traitors" tonight, I come to ask a single question. "Can someone explain to me why voting for the NHS health bill is so bad without the rhetoric and anger please?" I will publish the best, angry ranty comments will not be published. Thankyou dear readers.
Virgin Media have finally managed to get my landline (and those of several other poeple in Birmingham) up and running again. Many apologies for the length of time its taken but you can now contact me by my 0121 451 3292 number again.
This was a great show. We used to be glued to it on Sunday evenings. According to TV Ark, 191 episodes of it were aired by BBC 1 in the 60s. One slight problem: It was several years before I finally worked out that the person I thought was Dr Finlay was, in fact, Dr Cameron. The clip below is of the opening credits and theme. There is a longer clip here.
There's nothing like an OUPS revision weekend to reignite my enthusiasm for psychology and focus my mind on the task in hand – the exam on the afternoon of 13th October. When I got home on Sunday evening, I decided that this week needed to be 'mopping up week'. My list of tasks was/is as follows: 1. Decide which three of the four blocks from the course I'm going to revise. That task was easy and I'd already come to the conclusion that the block on Self (2) was going to have to go, as it has four chapters and ...
Alex Salmond today launched the Scottish Government's legislative programme, with 16 bills dealing with issu es as diverse as sectarianism in football to Joseph Stiglitz inspired plans for the economy. With Scottish Labour and the Tories yet to find new leaders, the unofficial title of leader of the opposition should have probably been conferred upon Willie Rennie. And in the debate on the programme, oppose he did on plans to create a single Scottish police force and on the SNP's timidity in not pushing for an immediate referendum on independence and their silence on the costs of secession. Most interestingly ...
Damian Hinds, the MP for East Hampshire voted for the Nadine Dorries amendment. For this, I will do everything in my power to ensure you lose your seat in the next General Election. I will knock on every single door ... Continue reading →
The shambolic preparations for the 2011 Liberal Democrat conference in Birmingham continues. With just 10 days to go, scores of members are still awaiting to be given their accreditation to attend. Many have already paid for their travel and accommodation but are currently in limbo. Others meanwhile have delayed the booking of such until they've got confirmation that they can attend which means they'll have to pay more for last minute accommodation and transport once the clearance has finally been given (if it is in fact given). 10 days to go and still not knowing what is happening? Taking away ...
The MPs below voted for Nadine Dorries' Amendment to the Health Bill (taken from Hansard) Adams, Nigel Aldous, Peter Amess, Mr David Bacon, Mr Richard Baker, Steve Baldry, Tony Beith, rh Sir Alan Bellingham, Mr Henry Benton, Mr Joe Berry, ... Continue reading →
Want to know how your MP voted on Nadine Dorries' bill to challenge how women are counselled on abortion? Find out below. Needless to say I am livid yet unsurprised that my local MP Jonathan Lord (a new intake MP) ...
I've said it over and over again that I am always amazed by the fact that anyone would ever actually come and read my blog, but time and time again you guys prove me wrong and keep reading in droves. As ...
My colleague Tony Robertson has a posting about new revelation on the continuing farce that is Merseytravel. He confirm leading NW political journalist/Daily Post columnist's concerns that big decisions were taken at short notice and against/without(?) proper officer advice : Last night at Sefton 's Full Council meeting we may have started to unravel what on earth went on within Merseyside's Integrated Transport Authority when it dropped, out of the blue I would add, any involvement in bringing Merseyrail's infrastructure under its own control. The full posting is well worth a read:
I woke one day last week to a phone call from a very 'p**** off' resident. It was followed by an email from one of her neighbours. Similar complaint were received from other near by residents. My colleague Richard Hands hot footed it to Guildford Rd to investigate. All the folk were saying pretty much the same thing-namely that the night time road repairs had gone on well in excess of the times agreed and that the contractors had been excessively inconsiderate. This is unacceptable. A letter of apology has been sent from the council (see below) and I shall ...
Whenever Conservatives talk about enhanced flexibility, there is a tendency to check your pockets to make sure your safety net hasn't been stolen. It isn't that they're inherently dishonest, it's just that they aren't always aware of the importance of State provision in maintaining the dignity of the individual. And because they believe in personal responsibility, they sometimes oblige those least capable of protecting themselves to attempt to do so. And so it was particularly satisfying to see a Conservative Minister state on the record that flexible tenancies will not wilfully destabilise communities by creating a sense of uncertainty amongst ...
Ok everyone will be carrying this clip from PMQ's today but it is always good to hear how frustrated the right of the Tory Party is...
Dear Nick Clegg How dare you betray everyone and actually do what we wanted you to do. We simply don't understand. The downright nerve you and your colleagues are showing in keeping the Tories in check is simply stunning. You are ...
I blogged the other day about why I couldn't quite work out we hadn't called the new arrangements on HE Student funding a graduate tax. It's been suggested that this was prevented by the Treasury - and I've submitted a Freedom Of Information request to the Department of Business et al to see if this is true. They have acknowledged the request and said I will have a reply by 3rd October - watch this space! Meantime it's also been suggested that the new scheme can't be called a graduate tax because... It isn't a graduate tax because a) it ...
TweetSlowly but surely over the summer I have noticed the Lib Dems creeping into the headlines. To any long time activists, this must seem very strange. Unless it was Autumn conference season, the presence of the party was virtually unseen in the press. Not even in the tenth paragraph and certainly not in the headlines. However, there is a fantastic mission creep media strategy underway. Since Clegg's emergence as flavour of the month and then descimation as devil of the decade, the media have been more focused on stressing the less favourable aspects of the party. However, slowly but surely ...
TweetIt is understood telephones were hacked. People have been arrested and charged. It is considered to have sparked telling resignations from Mount Murdoch. Tom Harper writes extremely carefully on the front page of the Evening Standard today. So carefully it reads like a pretrial submission. The phrase "it is understood" is used to start two paragraphs. The word "alleged" is used in different forms seven times. The words or near enough "has been told" or "it is claimed" are peppered through out the article. The majority of the article is in past tense, but fully annotated for SEO should you ...
Quote from Vince Cable's autobiography (p.140):- "This particular experience developed in me a strong hostility to big national prestige projects – like the new Wembley and the Olympics – which, via the Lottery, suck money out of local community projects ...." SO WHAT DOES HE MAKE OF HS2? It would be very interesting to find out!
Had a real treat last night, going to see (hear)* two episodes of John Finnemore's new radio sketch show being recorded. Extremely funny (especially after the kindly person sat next to us explained the punch line in one sketch that we** didn't get at all***). If you ever wonder in future why I start sniggering when someone warns not to shoot the messenger, don't blame me - blame Mr Finnemore and his messenger sketch. Radio 4, 7:15pm, Sunday 18th September. * I can never work out which verb is correct. But either or both are better than sea or here. ...
Don't you just love it when that happens? Conservative Home: Why should a failed LibDem candidate hold sway over the Department of Health?
Cambridge City Foodbank is a local charity that's been around since last November, when it was set up by people from city churches. It aims to help people in crisis by providing emergency food and other essentials while they are waiting for other care agencies to look after their longer term needs. The charity collects from churches and schools and it's all kept near here too - at Pickfords. It then gets boxed up to provide food boxes to last for three days. Those who need the help apply via the Citizens Advice Bureau, health visitor or other care agency. ...
Like many I have been trying to follow the announcements flowing from today's Scottish Governments Legislative program launch. A parsons egg is my conclusion so far. Most such events are with most governments implementing some unexciting but necessary improvements to peoples live mixed in with the show stoppers and some stuff which they will regret in the future. Today the show stopper was minimum pricing of alcohol which I have long supported and which the Lib Dems did not support last term. Willie Rennie has changed our position on that issue and I have to say that the party is ...
Of all the damaging things the last Labour Government did, bringing in the Local Housing Allowance was one of the worst. This means that Housing Benefit claimants are entitled only to benefit based on the local market rent for the size of house they are deemed to need. It's the latter part that causes the damage. Just imagine, you, your partner and your child rent a 3 bedroomed flat to give yourselves extra space. You lose your job. You have to claim benefits. You will only get Housing Benefit for a 2 bedroomed flat. What are you supposed to do? ...
A group of twenty economists earning, I suspect, a rate significantly higher than the minimum wage have clubbed together to write a letter, no doubt claiming the cost of the stamp as expenses when they fill out their tax returns, to suggest ending the 50p rate of tax paid by the 300,000 wealthiest individuals on their earnings over £150,000. Economists are the ones who didn't see the economic
The Health and Social Care Bill looks like it will have a bumpy ride through the Commons when Parliament returns this week. There are furious complaints from 38 degrees and others that the reforms will introduce privatisation by the back door, open up the NHS to being subject to competition law and allow the Secretary of State to wash his hands of the NHS altogether. Whatever the merits of these arguments, they somewhat miss the point. The argument over the inclusion or otherwise of the Secretary of State's responsibility to provide a comprehensive service in the Bill is valid, something ...
One of our readers has suggested that we increase the pressure on South Glos to get moving by submitting complaints via the FixMyTransport website. If enough of us do that, maybe they might take notice? Please go to the site and put your view in.
After the council's inquiry day last month I was very hopeful that the awful prospect of bus operators being forced to withdraw lots of services had been averted. Unfortunately, I reckoned without Cornwall Council. At that meeting we seemed to come to a sort of consensus about the need for the council to talk to bus companies about the thorny issue of concessionary fare reimbursements (ie how much money we give them to carry bus pass holders). All sides seemed to accept that there needed to be long and complex talks and the impact of any decision needed to be ...
Or as Andrew Sparrow put it earlier...' It is certainly a terrible defeat, perhaps even a textbook example of how not to approach a free-vote, conscience issue. Dorries tabled what appeared at face value a relatively technical change, and yet she ended up losing the support of her government, a large section of her party and even the co-sponsor of her amendment (Frank Field). But this wasn't really a decisive encounter in the culture war; it was more a case of Westminster ganging up on one of parliament's easiest targets. (Which is why the PMQ's exchange earlier was significant. When ...
It's again the time for the Heritage Open Days Here in Blyth events start tomorrow (Thursday ) with a coffee morning at Blyth School ( BCC ) and continue with events over the weekend There is a full list of open days at http://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/ , including all the Blyth days. I'll be visiting several over the weekend, especially places that aren't open to the public ordinarily. I'll particularly be visiting Blyth Battery, and the Masonic Lodge (not because I'm a Freemason, but because I'm not, but curious as to the goings-on there )
Michael Gove, the Education Secretary for England (his remit not extending elsewhere in the UK, so far as I know), is one of the more controversial figures in the government. I haven't met anybody that works in or with the education sector that approves of him. But amongst politicos and journalists, especially right-wing ones, he is considered one of the government's best performers. He is widely reviled by Liberal Democrats. But not everything he says is nonsense. And indeed the controversy he stirs up reveals some uncomfortable things about our educational establishment. Today I am looking at one of his ...
Somebody recently told us that our new collie will never get tired of chasing balls, she will always come back for more. I now suffer from tennis elbow and Claire operates a rotation of tennis balls going through the washing machine. The advice we received was to give Mona something to think about as Collies can soon get bored. Claire now goes into the garage for a one-to-one with Mona. At the moment she is concentrating on simple tasks with a tennis ball used as a reward. She can now do spins, walk backwards and touch with her paw(Mona not ...
From the Guardian: The former Labour MP Margaret Moran is to face 21 criminal charges for allegedly making illegal parliamentary expense claims, the Crown Prosecution Service said on Tuesday. The ex-MP for Luton South will be prosecuted on 15 charges of false accounting and six charges of forgery related to claims worth more than £60,000. Investigations have centred on allegations that Moran repeatedly "flipped" her designated second home, making claims for properties in London, Luton and Southampton over a four-year period. Moran claimed more than £20,000 to have dry rot treated at her Southampton home, which is almost 100 miles ...
Need I say any more? The Nadine Dorries amendment to the bill to put in 'independent' counselling for those considering an abortion got crushed. It was nowhere near as close as I expected. This pleases me. Tweet
Uniform-ity
I've just received the following very useful news round-up from the Stop HS2 Action Group. Last week's Economist article calling for the abandonment of HS2 could mark the start of the national tide turning! The forthcoming party conference season will be crucial. No to HS2 News Round-up Economist magazine calls for plans to be scrapped Northern MPs revolt against HS2 Liverpool economic competitiveness could suffer, Mersey transport body warns London Assembly members concerned at potential upheaval Conservative transport group dismisses 'flawed' high-speed proposals MAIN NEWS Shelve high speed plans urges Economist: The Economist magazine has called on the Government to ...
[IMG: 20110907-143521.jpg] A letter appeared in the FT today from a deficit* of economists which suggested that the 50p tax rate be dropped. Their reasoning, as was stated on this morning's Radio4 Today programme is that hedge funds are relocating to Switzerland in favour of the cheaper tax. While I assume if the tax was dropped the 0.5% of the population in the UK who actually pay that level wouldn't contemplate leaving? Having worked with hedge funds I recognised a few of the names, such as Sushil Wadhwani, listed in the BBC article as former Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) member. ...
Dr Andrew Blick, a Senior Research Fellow at Democratic Audit, and Lord (Peter) Hennessy have co-authored a new report called The Hidden Wiring Emerges. (It provides the best and most comprehensive analysis yet of the Coalition's draft Cabinet Manual, published in December 2010. The whole document - and the whole report on it - should attract anyone concerned with the health of our democracy. However, one point of dispute may interest Liberal Democrats in particular. The authors highlight an idea described in the Manual that, following the resignation of a Prime Minister after a General Election, the person 'seemingly most ...
Leaders from 1st Gatley Scout Group will be taking the Yorkshire three peaks challenge on Saturday the 24th September, to raise money for the Scouts, Cubs and Beavers in Gatley. The challenge is to complete the 24.5 mile route, including 5,200 feet of ascent, in 12 hours. The route is a circular walk taking in the peaks of Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough, and passes through some of the most rugged and spectacular countryside in the Yorkshire Dales. Money raised will fund activities for the Scout Group – donations can be made at http://www.charitygiving.co.uk/1stgatleyscouts
Wednesday: The Conservatories want to abolish the 50% higher rate tax band. Master Gideon and Mayor Bojo want it, because tax cuts make Tories feel all MANLY and POWERFUL, and tax cuts for RICH PEOPLE will make them POPULAR with all their RICH FRIENDS. Now twenty "high-profile economists" (or "rich people") have written in to say they think it should go too because it makes Britain LOOK like a high tax country (that's LOOK like, not actually BE a high tax country, 'cos we're not). But 50% ISN'T the highest rate at which people can pay tax on their income. ...
The first Saturday in September sees thousands head for the tiny Deeside village of Braemar for the annual Gathering, a Highland Games in the Princess Louise and Duke of Fife Memorial Park. The event is always attended by the Queen and other members of the Royal Family and quite often the Prime Minister as well. My Summer job when I was at uni used to be in the Youth Hostel in Braemar. People would book months in advance for accommodation during Games weekend. In fact, one year, people turned up really late at night and I couldn't bring myself to ...
In principle, I have no objection to people digging holes in the ground. Even very expensive holes. Potholes? Bad. But lift shafts, underground tunnels and other such excavations? Good. A big hole that loops back on itself and could* end the universe? That'll do nicely. The combination of a hole, Bernard Cribbins and Lego? Excellent. If I had to postulate a general theory of holes, I'd say that a hole that is not used is a bad hole. And two holes that are not used are doubly bad. Which brings me to the question of the £39 million spent on ...
As a cautiously optimistic British observer of the Arab Spring, I wish Tunisia and its people well as they travel towards what ought to be democracy, good governance and the rule of law. As a liberal, however, I cannot countenance a situation in which freedom for the majority means smashed windows for minorities. This attack on a synagogue is disgusting. The UK Government has made clear that British aid for the nascent democracies of the Middle East and North Africa is contingent upon those countries' governments continuing to move (with our guidance) in the right direction. That includes respect for ...
Cross-posted from Liberal Democrat Voice There was a plethora of possible topics for Ed Miliband to raise at Prime Minister's Questions today - Libya, the economy, phone hacking etc. In the event he chose two very strong issues. First, he raised the subject of the postponement of the elections for police commissioners. This will cost £25 million, said Cameron. Ed Miliband said this is the "wrong priority for the country", saying that £100 million plus is being "wasted" on elected politicians, which could pay for 2,000 extra police officers. This was a very strong point, but sadly, as so often ...
This image is the latest from and courtesy of K2 Architects who have been appointed to design and deliver Colwyn Bays new watersport hotspot on the new improved Sea Defence on Colwyn Bays Promenade. http: www.k2architects.co.uk This is work in progress and some things will change such as the beach, there will be more beach exposed at high tide than shown here by the steps (right hand side) and the Rock Groyne will connect to the improved Sea defences in order to hold the beach and act as a breakwater. This work is scheduled to be complete around this time ...
I don't agree with the Conservative MP Nadine Dorries about many things. However, she is absolutely right about the great influence being exerted by Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg on the policy direction of this Conservative/Liberal Democrat Coalition Government. Long may such influence continue! I found this bit, incidentally, while going online to check on a reported sighting of Matthew Offord. Can it be true that Hendon's Conservative MP asked a question of the Prime Minister? What was it about? Dogs? The Human Rights Act? Belize? The parking of motor cars? I shall now go and read it with the ...
There was a plethora of possible topics for Ed Miliband to raise at Prime Minister's Questions today - Libya, the economy, phone hacking etc. In the event he chose two very strong issues. First, he raised the subject of the postponement of the elections for police commissioners. This will cost £25 million, said Cameron. Ed Miliband said this is the "wrong priority for the country", saying that £100 million plus is being "wasted" on elected politicians, which could pay for 2,000 extra police officers. This was a very strong point, but sadly, as so often is the case, this was ...
Wed 7th
13:17
Conservative Home, The Right Wing press and now Nadine Dorries are all up in arms. We're definitely ...
Back In February, the Daily Telegraph was complaining that the Lib Dem tail was wagging the Conservative Dog Then we got on the wrong side of seemingly every political story and this theme went away. Post May, we've rather got on the right end of every political story. And now, that theme is really taking hold....its becoming a Tory obsession. To begin, Tim Montgomerie went off on one - first in The Evening Standard, then on Conservative Home. Then the Daily Mail got in on the act - 'Time to remind the Lib Dem's who's boss' - using eerily similar ...
Transcript: Dorries: "Mr Speaker, the Liberal Democrats make up 8.7% of this parliament, and yet they seem to be influencing our free school policy, health – many issues – immigration and abortion. Does the prime minister think it's about time ... Continue reading →
Nothing to add. Nothing at all....
Also on YouTube here.
It's brilliant. With her views on abortion, sex education and approach to factual content on blogs, nobody could possibly expect Nadine Dorries of being a sleeper agent for the LibDems. But apparently she is, judging by her performance today at Prime Ministers' questions. The video is below, but here's the transcript: Nadine Dorries: "Mr. Speaker, the Liberal Democrats make up seven percent of this Parliament, yet they seem to be influencing our free school policy, health, many issues, immigration and abortion. Does the Prime Minister..." (Much background noise from MPs) Speaker: "Order! Order, order!... Order! The question from the honourable ...
Neil Stockley, one of the best Liberal Deomcrat commentators when it comes to messaging and presenting a coherent narrative, has taken a look at the message which propelled Brian Paddick to victory in the London Mayor selection contest: Liberal Democrat selection campaigns for London mayor are strange beasts, as the party seeks out a mega-campaigner who can rally the troops and pull in more assembly members by his/her coat-tails. This time, the dynamics were mixed up even more by the entry into the race of the former Montgomeryshire MP, Lembit Opik. (Lembit had a defeat narrative in which he compared ...
Thanks to the sterling work of Mary Reid, the amendment to the community politics motion at LibDem conference that I and others have been working on with Mary has been pulled together and submitted. The debate is on the Tuesday afternoon of party conference. Fingers crossed the amendment gets taken for debate, but in the meantime here is what it says: From: Kingston, Glasgow North and Richmond & Twickenham local parties plus 18 voting conference reps Proposer: Mary Reid Summator: Mark Pack Amendment to F41: Community Politics Line 33, replace 'organise' with 'empower, enable and encourage' After line 37 insert, ...
I've done something that rarely happens. I have left PMQs halfway through to sit and write, and write cross. (arguably I've written some of my best work cross!) Prime Minister's Questions is an open forum for the Prime minister to be questioned about policy and direct issues to do with constituencies and since is televisation, and I agree with Charles Kennedy on this one, that it has become more of an open circus with people making media statements and trying to get noticed. Any way today, and I should I have since this coming considering my previous post; ( ...
Wed 7th
12:39
Nadine Dorries confronts Cameron about too much Liberal Democrat influence in Government #PMQs
They say a broken clock is right twice a day. I doubt, to be honest, that Nadine Dorries manages twice a day, but she made Prime Minister's Questions worth watching today. I'll get the Hansard quote later, but the basic thrust of her question was that the Liberal Democrats had only 8% of MPs, so why were they able to stop the Tories doing so much. Was it not, she asked, time for Cameron to tell Nick Clegg who was boss? This is just the latest in a series of complaints by Tories about the extent to which the Liberal ...
Nadine Dorries just asked a question in Prime Ministers Questions. Everyone inched forward on their benches. What would everyone's favourite punching bag ask? Well she lamented the fact that the Lib Dems have too much influence on government policy and that the Prime Minister needs to tell the Deputy Prime Minister who is boss. The house erupted with laughter. The Prime Minister tried to answer but was too busy laughing before stumbling with a short reply of 'I think I'll give up on that one' and the house erupted again. If the Lib Dems are pissing off the likes of ...
Was going with my dad to vote in the 1997 general election. I was four at the time but I know it must have been 1997 because I can recall my dad asking me whether he should vote for John or Tony. At the time, my understanding of elections was that you voted for who you thought would win, not who you wanted to win. I thought he wanted to vote for John because he had the same first name as him. I told my dad I'd decided Tony would win. A lifelong Conservative voter, he wasn't too impressed. I, ...
Cornwall Council yesterday made a huge decision which will clamp down on second home voting in future elections - although it went through without a debate and with little notice. The decision was based on my suggestion to the Electoral Review Panel and means that all applications to join the electoral register from properties registered as second homes will be subject to additional checks known as a 'Type B Review'. This will involve ensuring that second homes are not used for purely recreational purposes. This is an issue about which I, and North Cornwall MP Dan Rogerson, have been campaigning ...
Firstly I should say that the Green bounded by Hartley Rd and Blundell Drive here in Birkdale has another name that has fallen out of use. Somewhere in the back of my mind I think it was called Harrison's Green after the man who donated the land. I await correction. My colleague Richard Hand attended a meeting of the local Crime Watch group along with the police to discuss the local residents concerns about th euse of the Green. I regret that late night gatherings and damage are a genuine issue. I know the police and local resident have resolved ...
It is never a surprise to me that the wealthy are not short of advocates arguing to keep their taxes down. Their pleaders are out in force this morning telling us why the 50p tax band is holding us back. But it was another item of news that caught my attention. It appears that there is surge of demand in the luxury products market. The financial commentator remarked that with the return of stability in the upper reaches of the property market confidence has returned to this sector. It is, he said, another world out there. All of which leads ...
The sun shone for the Crossens Community Summer Fair last weekend and a good time was had by all. The toy stall was a magnet for the kids Cllr David Rimmer (above, left) enjoys an ice cream while Cllr John Dodd collects entrance money for the bouncy castle The police camera van was a favourite attraction
Originally posted for Huffington Post UK From mid July to the end of October, in 1940, Britain experienced the brutal display of the Luftwaffe. Political and economic areas were targeted; and the destructive 'terror bombing campaign', in order to break the will of the people. Throughout the Battle of Britain, and the subsequent Second World ...
Did you know that around 23% of cancers are discovered only following a medical emergency? Often, it's then too late for effective treatment. Did you also know that some medical experts estimate that as many as 85% of cancers are either avoidable or preventable? Yes, I know some cancers can arise from viral or other infections or from genetic causes that we can't do much about, but many others are lifestyle related – smoking and too much alcohol are the obvious and expected examples. We can reduce our risks if we want to and ensuring we get exercise once a ...
Excellent article on accreditation by Jonathan Calder in the Guardian's Comment is Free. Most of the comments that follow the article are by people with very short memories who think the Liberal Democrats are finished. Have a little perspective guys. Read some history. People have been saying we finished since the 1920s. They were wrong and it's still wrong now. However, I was amused by
My regular column in the Advertiser newspaper: It's Bin Crazy It's not often I hear about Bury Council on "Talk Sport" or read about them in the national papers, but I did just that last week when it was announced that the Town Hall were buying dozens of new Apple iPads to fit to bin lorries across the Borough. So as Bury's new Labour Council spends thousands of pounds on iPads for bin lorries, the Labour-run Waste Authority is closing Prestwich Tip (it closes on 21 September). What a stupid, crazy world we live in. I'm all in favour of ...
As today is Brazilian Independence Day it's a fitting moment to promote the new Liberal Democrat Friends of Brazil, whose steering group met at my house last night. There are several Brazilian nationals who are members of the party as well as people like me who either have Brazilian partners or else longstanding relations with ...
I am pretty liberal in most things in life, but I think that I'm developing a tendency to turn into an apostrophe fascist. You know the sort of thing, incorrectly placed, missing or superfluous apostrophes. I can forgive the mistakes when written or typed in the "heat of the moment" , but on signs with an apostrophe error I get fairly angry. It is correct to see Sainsbury's (the supermarket ) or Kellogg's (the cereal company) but recent sightings have been :- Bag's of crisps The 1960's (should it not be the 1960s ?) Pair's of socks Tomato's ..... and ...
Wed 7th
09:49
The abortion debate: Abortion lowers crime and the development of the Lib Dem family policy
The Lib Dems have been criticised in recent days for failing to have an effective family policy in wake of the riots. However, our policy should be plain an simple and it is easy to spell out and it begins with the abortion debate. Abortion is a very hot topic and discussing it brings up ...
I thought I was going to largely disagree with Nick Thornsby's excellent blog post on how coalition parties in government should conduct themselves - then ended up agreeing with almost all of it. My only quibble would be that I think he puts something of a post rationalised gloss on how our approach to government evolved over time - I'm not convinced it was a deliberate strategy to be 'all for one and one for all' for a year, and then start evolving distinct policies, as he implies. I think we got our strategy wrong, ended up on the wrong ...
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I've been trying out the excellent new FixMyTransport site. It has triggered me finally to get round to raising one simple but long-standing irritation at Finsbury Park station that causes needless delays. Details over on the site (where you can also sign up to back the campaign)...
With the Boundary Commission for England set to publish its provisional proposals for England's Parliamentary constituencies next week, expect plenty of talk about how the process will then work with the initial consultation period, the public hearings and then the post-Christmas period for further written submissions. However, on past form there is likely to be quite a lot of mistakes or misinformation about how the review process works. The Guardian, for example, has been particularly poor when it has not been Julian Glover writing pieces. So in an attempt to guide you through the information, here are some of the ...
One of the key debates to be held at Liberal Democrat Conference in a fortnight is on a policy paper on Quality of Life. This may seem, on the face of it, a slightly strange subject for a political party to discuss; the paper is certainly more philosophical than most. I do believe it's a valid topic to discuss; however, I'm not so sure I agree with the balance of the paper as it is written. I've made the points as part of the policy-making process; I'm also planning to make the point through two amendments I've been involved in ...
The digital TV switchover has arrived in Birmingham. By the end of the month the analogue TV signal to your aerial will be switched off and only the digital TV signals will remain. Cable and satellite TV services will not be affected.From today BBC2 will stop being broadcast in analogue from the Sutton Coldfield transmitter. We will all need to retune our TVs and set top boxes to ensure that we
I have an article on the Guardian's Comment is Free site about the saga over the accreditation of representatives at the Liberal Democrat Conference in Birmingham. It was written over the weekend, but has fortunately not been overtaken by events. The only article that has appeared since then that I might have linked to is this one by Gareth Epps on Lib Dem Voice.
In principle, I have no objection to people digging holes in the ground. Even very expensive holes. Potholes? Bad. But lift shafts, underground tunnels and other such excavations? Good. A big hole that loops back on itself and could* end the universe? That'll do nicely. The combination of a hole, Bernard Cribbins and Lego? Excellent. If I had to postulate a general theory of holes, I'd say that a hole that is not used is a bad hole. And two holes that are not used are doubly bad. Which brings me to the question of the £39 million spent on ...
I am not going to attempt to answer that question myself but according to this report in today's Telegraph, at least one internal party report Nick Clegg's decision to call a referendum on the voting system on the same day as local elections backfired disastrously. They say that a report to the party's annual conference in Birmingham later this month concludes that the council elections turned into a "perfect storm" because the referendum on the alternative vote (AV) also took place on 5 May: Although David Cameron wanted to delay the AV vote until this autumn, Mr Clegg insisted it ...
TweetThe enforced silence of so-called Liberal Tories Ian Duncan Smith and Ken Clarke did not go unnoticed during the hyperbole of the riots. It was clear Cameron was pushing a 'tough on crime' line in the immediate aftermath of looted and vandalised premises in London and beyond, and Clarke's views on shortening sentences nor IDS's focus on rehabilitation would have been welcome. However, in the quiet of parliamentary recess, a superb media strategy has been launched and the Liberal Democrats should be 100% behind it. Any proposal that is inherently leftwing, as a 'second chance nation' can be considered, especially ...
The City Council has advised me of the following forthcoming event for deaf people locally : "Dundee City Council Social Work Department would like to invite you to attend a consultation event on Tuesday 27th September 2011 at the Central Baptist Church, 9a Ward Road, Dundee, DD1 1LP. You can give us your views about social work services for deaf people in Dundee and tell us what services are important to you. There will be two different consultation events, each event will be for two hours. One event is for people who are hard of hearing and who do not ...
Not long ago my fellow passengers on a bus journey were school children, boys and girls from 11 to 16 or so. They sat still, talked to each other quietly and most thanked the driver when they got off. I was so impressed that I toyed with the idea of writing to their head to congratulate him on their impeccable behaviour, with a request that he should not identify them publicly or it would destroy their "street credibility." Unfortunately, as with many generous impulses, I never got round to this. Some weeks later I travelled on the same bus and ...
