Well sort of. We tried it for the first time tonight and it was a sort of success if a little fly by the seat of your pants. Myself and @Markinreading descended on the Sovereigns pub in Woking for a spot of live ...
I'll have a proper post up tomorrow for Bigger On The Outside – probably about Philip Purser-Hallard's Peculiar Lives. I've spent the last couple of days going through comments from two of my three proof-readers for the Monkees book, and that should be out by the end of the week. The plan for the next ...
The Sun's front page tomorrow will be a picture of Gaddaffi just after he was shot in the head. I won't link to it but I will say that the picture is rather distasteful. At the end of the day, we're looking at a murdered human being. In death he looks just like an old, exhausted, dead man. Looking at it I genuinely feel sorry for him. There's no doubt in my mind that he was a monster and a murderer. The pain, death and suffering he inflicted on his own people, the blood on his hands, means that he ...
Thu 20th
22:21
Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee 20th October 2011 PACSPE Call-in
Tonight's meeting was as the Cabinet decision of the 22nd September 2011 on the PACSPE contract had been called-in by Cllr Jeff Green, Cllr Tom Harney, Cllr Dave Mitchell, Cllr Lesley Rennie and Cllr David Elderton. At the end of a 3 1/2 hour meeting the voting went as follows. Labour Amendment to Conservative motion ...
Tonight hundreds of people are dancing in the streets of Edgware Road and Tripoli. People are dancing in unison over a shared celebration, the death of Colonel Gaddafi. For many years the people of Libya have lived in fear of a brutal ...
Why have we seen photos of the body of Colonel Gaddafi? Surely there was no reason for them to be released? Graphic photos of someone who has shot should not be floating around the internet or shown on television news. This could be an incitement to additional violence by those who support Gaddafi or be used by them as propaganda. It may even be the case that given the graphic nature of the photos they could pose a national security risk. All we needed was the transitional authorities in Libya to tell us that Gaddafi was dead. They are the ...
Thu 20th
21:37
A local Liberal hero who knew why Liberals still banded together to continue-extended and amended th...
'The truth is that Liberalism is the only hope of a world in which dictators still rule; in which preparation for war is the only insurance against chaos; in which men can be victimised because of their colour or creed; in which there is one law for weak and another for the strong. It is because we know this that we Liberals are still banded together to continue the struggle.' David Bentliff January 1952 In those difficult days for Liberalism Southport Liberals still commanded significant support in the town. Local newspapers described 'the old world part of the town (Churchtown ...
The three motions mentioned in Full Council 2, were defeated, despite support from the Liberal Democrats, Independents and the Labour group. The only way of avoiding mass development in Chineham, Basing and Bramley is to consider Manydown - and everyone knows it. If you live in these parishes you would have hoped your Councillors would have stood up for you - you'll be disappointed. Only one
I regret that there is more truth in this statement than we should be comfortable with:Coalition does not have a credible plan to promote mutual business Leaders of the mutuals sector have today said that the government must do more to promote mutual forms of business.Speaking ahead of the 2011 Mutuals Forum, Peter Hunt, Mutuo Chief Executive said: "The Coalition Agreement promised to 'foster diversity and promote mutuals.' So far, there is little evidence of a coherent Government plan to do this. At the same time, the Mutual sector is the strongest it has been in many years. It employs ...
Ah, those far off, innocent days of 1961... Thanks to a tweet from British Pathe.
Back in August, I highlighted concerns that I and representatives of St Joseph's Church had about the badly overgrown trees in Wilkie's Lane : Before Following my request, the trees were trimmed back earlier today - the work programmed during the school holidays when there's less traffic in the lane. The lane looks much better without several tree limbs overhanging, that were are weak and liable to fail : After
Parents of children due to start secondary school in September 2012 are being reminded that the relevant forms must be completed and submitted by the end of this month. The Secondary Application Form - and Supplementary Information Form if required - must be submitted to Cambridgeshire County Council by 31 October 2011. Information and guidance about how to apply for a place is available in the Next Steps - Admission to Secondary School: a guide for parents 2012 - 2013 leaflet. This publication is available from Cambridgeshire County Council's website at: www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/admissions, where parents will also be able to access ...
We have seen that Rupert Matthews, the new Conservative MEP for the East Midlands, teaches a course for the International Metaphysical University. But what do we know about this institution? A look at the Tuition and Fees page on its website tells you a lot: Although we are on a track towards accreditation, we are unable to offer government-sponsored loans and tuition assistance until that track is completed. As a result, we have deliberately set our pricing lower than mainstream schools, making it possible for many to finance their education independently. In so doing, we hope to reach every student ...
via Twitter
Dundee Remploy factory Yesterday afternoon, I had the pleasure of visiting the Dundee Remploy factory, to meet the Operations Manager and the GMB Shop Steward. Dundee's Remploy factory provides employment for 43 local people, most with disabilities. They produce high quality materials, mainly for the Ministry of Defence and also for police, fire services, the Home Office, and others. There is much concern over the future of Remploy, following the Sayce Report, on which a consultation exercise has recently ended. I had a tour of the Dundee Remploy factory yesterday. Most of the staff have given many years of loyal ...
So it's getting a little messy isn't it?Looks like when Cllr Nick Clarke decided to convene the Independent Remuneration Panel it wasn't run according to how the County Councils constitution requires it to run. Basically the Council's existing Standards Committee should have approved the make-up of the Remuneration Panel - it never had the chance to do so.There is now a "rush" on to persuade the Council's Standards Committee that it should "rubber stamp" (sorry - "retrospectively agree") the way the Panel has been constituted.The Standards Committee typically investigates complains against sitting Councillors and so has 3 non-Councillor (i.e. Independent) ...
There is much justified concern about the outsourcing of interpreter services by the police here in the North West. Manchester Withington MP John Leech has raised the issue in Parliament. I am concerned that, at some future date, convicted offenders will be able to successfully appeal that they did not receive a fair trial because their words were misinterpreted. If large numbers were to successfully appeal their convictions the compensation payouts could be enormous. Will the MOJ give public assurances that this wont happen? I would be very surprised if they did. Below is an excerpt from John Leechs' blog ...
Back in December 2009 I wrote a post saying the the party should drop its commitment to holding an "in or out" referendum on Britain's membership of the European Union. I gave four reasons and as far as I can see they still hold good today: Europe should be one of the great issues in British politics. By quarantining it through promising referendums and then not holding them, the parties have done much to being politics into disrepute. Let's debate Europe at general elections.By advocating an "in or out" referendum the Liberal Democrats are retreating to their comfort zone. The ...
Sometimes it appears that the government, of what ever complexion is influenced too much by interest groups. This is one case in point. Maybe a small voice maybe heard, below is my attempt to be heard via Bath and North east Somerset coouncilThe council expresses concern that the Department for Transport is pressing ahead with a ten-year trial of longer lorries, despite acknowledging the potential danger to vulnerable road users and the impact on road infrastructure, in heritage cities such as Bath. During its first year, the trial could see 1,800 of the larger vehicles on the roads of the ...
The Leicester Mercury - quite possibly correctly - claims a "World Exclusive" for its story about a unique willow tree being found on Aylestone Meadows in Leicester: The plant is a cross between goat willow, grey willow, purple willow and osier, and goes by the official name of Salix caprea x cinerea subspecies oleifolia x purpurea x viminalis.Readers will recall that a long and ultimately successful campaign was fought by residents and environmentalists to prevent Leicester City Council developing Aylestone Meadows to provide football pitches and associated floodlights, clubhouse and car parking.
Thoughts on the day Muammar Gaddafi was killed This will be a crucial day in Libya's history – so much is certain. The day a tyrant dies cannot be anything else. But what will we, what will the Libyans remember? We can be certain that this history will be contested, and that it will be shaped by those who take charge of the country next – and that history will be what they need it to be. On a day like this, it's sometimes worthwhile going back to Thucydides. As an Athenian, he, like all his fellow-citizens, grew up with ...
Let me start with a quote from Mr Clegg: Nobody in this country under the age of 51 has ever been asked that simple question. That includes half of all MPs. We've been signed up to Europe by default: two generations who have never had their say. Source It is Liberal Democrat policy to hold ...
So, there we have it - he's dead. In all fairness, those photos were of nobody else other than the former tyrannical leader of the Libyan nation. In the end, it came so suddenly. But then, that's how these situations usually climax. It certainly makes sense the long final battle for Sirte. Many had considered that Gaddafi's presence may have slipped away to foreign soil as his grip on power collapsed after the fall of Tripoli on 22nd/23rd August. But clearly whilst many of the old regime did escape with their lives, Gaddafi went back to his birthplace for a ...
In the last Parliament I secured a Westminster Hall Debate on plans by police forces in the North West to "outsource" their interpreting service to an agency. (By outsourcing I mean paying an agency to provide interpreters, rather than booking ... Continue reading →
South Glos has just said that Westerleigh road ,Westerleigh will be closed overnight to ALL vehicles from its junction with Besom Lane to a point 50m north of the Railway Arches for emergency repair works Network Rail need to carry out on the rail bridges crossing the road. In other words, the stretch of Westerleigh Rd affected is from the lane that leads to Wapley, under the two railway arches, and finishing a short distance from the arches on the chapel (Yate) side. However it is anticipated that the works will occupy 21st October only, from 8pm to 8 am. ...
Sic semper tyrannis Meaning literally, 'thus always to tyrants'. Perhaps it is better translated as 'this is what always happens to tyrants in the end'. It was supposedly said by Marcus Brutus at the assassination of Caesar in 44 BC, although he probably never actually said these words. This seems to me to be a general truth through history - in the end. Just as the Velvet Revolutions of 1989 saw Communist Europe fall relatively peacefully, so it was that the ending was not so quiet for Ceausescu in Rumania - probably the worst of the dictators. And so it ...
Thu 20th
17:32
Peter Black encourages Neath and Port Talbot residents to take back control of their energy bills
South Wales West Liberal Democrat Assembly Member, Peter Black has teamed up with the Energy Saving Trust on behalf of his constituents in Swansea, Neath, Port Talbot and Bridgend that the average home in Wales can save up to £280 a year by being energy efficient. He says that with the cost of energy bills on the rise there's no better time than now for householders to take back control of their bills. He urged householders to take advantage of Energy Saving Week between 24th and 28th October 2011 to learn more about the options available to them. As people ...
The capture and fatal shooting of Libya's long-time dictator Muammar Gaddafi brings to an end over four decades of the country's Green Revolution. It is hard to remember now that when he first came to power there was widespread jubilation in Libya. But like many rulers who stay in office too long, he got more ...
Insert your own joke here - I won't be the first to think this, but doesn't the neocon news network's name suddenly have a self-parodying flavour courtesy of Dr Fox's resignation?
My very good friend TGE John Cole, MLE, has pointed out via an Observer article by Bill Keegan on the 16th October (sorry,can't get the link ting to work)a pamphlet (hurray, it is now) by Oxford Professor Simon Wren-Lewis entitled "The Case Against Austerity Today." This pamphlet is only nine pages long, is highly readable and highly recommended for anyone who needs authoritative academic assurance (rather than taking Keynesian Liberal's word for it) that the government's present policies are misguided and dangerous, and that the alternative of a Keynesian fiscal stimulus in the UK is urgently needed, perfectly possible and, ...
We previously told you about FREE bags for recycling cardboard. South Glos's stock has run out and they're not ordering any more, but some of the local collection points MAY still have them: Yate Leisure CentreYate Library Chipping Sodbury LibraryYate Town Council (Poole Court)Dodington Parish Council (Dodington Parish Hall, Finch Rd)Frampton Cotterell Parish Council (Brockeridge Centre)As at 20th October there are 50 or so still left at at Dodington Parish Council (Dodington Parish Hall, Finch Rd). You can ring 01454 866546 to check availability and working hours before you call. We don't know whether any of the other places still ...
There is an excellent article in today's FT by Chris Giles. Unfortunately this is behind the FT paywall so I don't think clicking through will help most of my readers. Mr Giles considers what has gone wrong with the British economy over the last year – since growth forecasts are being consistently revised downwards. Two explanations are often offered – "it's the Euro crisis" or the government is cutting "too far, too fast". In fact both are wide of the mark. The simple fact is that while rates of pay have stuck broadly on forecast (2% increase), consumer prices have ...
These are the questions posed to the Minister for Business, Enterprise, Technology and Science regarding the Prince of Wales Innovation Scheme. This scheme is run by the University of Wales and utilises European money to pump prime research by first class students that can grow business and generate wealth. The European money was stopped by the Minister last week for technical reasons. Simon Thomas: An entrepreneurial culture comes with its elements of risk and failure. Would the Minister like to say more about the decision of the Welsh European Funding Office to withdraw funding from the Prince of Wales Innovation ...
This is my speech to the Welsh Liberal Democrat Conference in Wrexham last Sunday.
I'm visiting London today - I've got a dinner party to attend - so I thought that I should make a day of it. I had a bit of time to spare, so rather than take the Tube, I caught a number 23 bus at Liverpool Street, a route which takes you through the City, past St Paul's, and down the Strand. Passing St Paul's in slow-moving traffic, I had an opportunity to cast my eyes over the 'tent city' formed by anti-capitalism demonstators. And an interesting sight it is too. The tents appear to be laid out in an ...
The Joan Miró exhibition in has just gone live with QRpedia codes! [IMG: Scanning a QRpedia Code] This project has been the brain-child of Àlex Hinojo – the Wikipedian-in-Residence at the Museu Picasso. He first mentioned it to us in May and we've worked hard to deal with the challenges of the Catalan language. Congrats to Àlex and the whole team for a successful launch. Press release in Catalan.
Out and about in Chorlton today with MP John Leech and Chorlton Councillor Victor Chamberlain I had the opportunity to speak to residents on a number of issues that concern us all. Almost everyone we spoke to, that has lived in Chorlton for 20-30 years, all agreed that the area was facing serious challenges that the Council was failing to tackle. Thirty seven years of unbroken Labour rule, nineteen of them under a Labour government, has prompted many residents to question whether the area is improving. They say they have seen its roads crumbling, its drains blocked, services cut or ...
To many, social media seems the ideal way for government - especially local government – to engage in more dialogue with communities in a way that is low cost, time-efficient and allows a two way (or indeed a multidirectional) relationship. But how many normal people follow their council on Twitter? Research done by the LGiU found that in the vast majority of cases it is about 1% of the constituency. Social media has the potential to play a huge role In engaging people with political system whilst saving cash. Examples like the BwD Winter page - which Blackburn with Darwent ...
'What is a complex attack?' was the question I asked the Scouse ex-squadie running the Hostile Environment Training that I was sent on before my recent trip to Afghanistan for the Westminster Foundation for Democracy. A complex attack, it turns out, is when the bad guys combine two or more modes of attack on one target at the same time. Say a suicide bomber, followed by some snipers and maybe a rocket attack thrown in for good measure. Suitably terrified, I set off for a week of training Afghan political party organisers in the dark arts of election campaigning armed ...
TweetSo Gaddafi has been captured and/or killed/died of his wounds. Tens of thousands of people will be rejoicing in Libya, they have suffered a great deal at the hands of the dictator. However, it is clear that NATO is still very involved in the poor-excuse-for-a-no-fly-zone, despite the Libyan Tranistional National Council being "in control" now. ...
There was a great range of topics discussed at the meeting. The main points were: The chair of the Priory Community Association handed in a petition for over 1500 signatures. The Liberal Democrats helped to spread the petition and I made a speech supporting the many user groups who look likely to be cast aside, and forced from the Priory Centre, when the works begin to converting it into a Primary School. In the meantime the user groups want to stay in Acton but the Council appear not to have made much efforts in helping them find alternative accommodation. Shame ...
Last night, after 7pm, I was travelling home from Embankment on the West End branch of the Northern Line. As I boarded I heard a routine announcement that "there is a good service on the Northern Line". I thought no more about it: the wait for the train had not been too long, and there was space on the train when it arrived, though not spare seats. The problem arose once the train reached Kennington, where it terminates, and I changed onto the City branch for the rest of the journey. There was quite a crowd already on the platform ...
I've written a piece that has just appeared over on the Huffington Post UK about what the most successful of the e-petitions to the Government say about Britain... take a look HERE, and let me know what you think.
Only back in August, Welsh football hit the doldrums. Placed at No.117 in the FIFA World Rankings, we had fallen below those footballing giants from Azerbaijan, Guatemala, Haiti and Guyana. Oh, and the Faroe Islands. It resulted in the embarassing sight of Wales being drawn in the same bottom pot of European seeds for the 2014 Brazilian World Cup qualifying campaign as the likes of San Marino and Andorra. But, back-to-back wins in the Euro qualifiers against Switzerland and Bulgaria have suddenly propelled Gary Speed's young team up to a 17 year high of 45th place in the world. This ...
News from the troubled Labour campaign for Mayor of London: The official in charge of the London Labour Party has been removed after saying that Ken Livingstone, Labour's candidate for the mayoralty, "cannot win" next year's election if he continues as now. Hilary Perrin, Labour's London regional director, has been moved back to her previous role overseeing all the regional directors after Ken and his chief of staff, Simon Fletcher, appealed to Ed Miliband's office. Another London Labour official, Paul Harrington, has also left his job. An awayday to plan the campaign, supposed to take place last Friday, was cancelled. ...
Thu 20th
13:20
Tories argue over europe. bears still use woodland for relief. religious leader still has first floo...
The debate on Europe palls a bit when contrasted with the momentous news that the Libyan dictator has been captured and may even have spluttered his last on this earth but it is still important for this country. It's difficult as a Lib Dem to hide one's glee at the abject stupidity of Tories for reviving this particular corpse, not a failed dictator but a pointless, childish argument which never fails to put the Tories at each others' throats. Keep fighting, chaps and let's hope the political casualty rate in this spat is high. While they bicker between themselves, it ...
Lib Dem Leader and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, will kick start a major programme tomorrow to encourage people to take full advantage of localism opportunities being opened up by the current government. Speaking at a conference tomorrow Nick Clegg ... Continue reading →
Dear protesters, To borrow the phrase from the feature film, V for Vendetta, there is something terribly wrong with this country. Parliament, which Paine describes as the "only republican element of our constitution", has succumb to vested interests. The accountability of the Executive has rapidly deteriorated over the last thirty years and a benevolent dictatorship ...
Greater Manchester Integrated Transport Authority are currently undertaking improvement works on the Metrolink stops on the Bury line. Over the course of the next few weeks they will need to carry out essential work at Heaton Park Metrolink stop outside our normal hours of construction. For safety reasons, this work can only be done while the tram line is closed. Work will take place between 11pm and 6am from Saturday 22nd October until Friday 28th October 2011. Some of our overnight work will require low level lighting and involve use of construction tools and vehicles. These works will inevitably cause ...
Stockport Council and Gatley Carrs Conservation Group are putting together a funding bid for money to repair the boardwalk by the pond in Gatley Carrs. To support the bid we need letters from people who use Gatley Carrs and can say that having the boardwalk is a good thing! For example, I've written a letter in support: I'm writing in support of the bid to secure funding for the Gatley Carrs boardwalk. I know from constituents what a valuable resource Gatley Carrs is, and as a local resident I'm a frequent visitor with my children. I've also been to Gatley ...
Here's the Ignite Talk I gave at #OTA11 last month. Presentation on SlideShare View more presentations from Terence Eden
Schrödinger's Fox n. 1. A curious beast whose guilt does not exist until it is observed by a vindictive media. The Contrary Dictionary Thanks to @the_twiterati's #liamfoxapology for the idea. I also like this one from Sarah Chalmers: "I regret that certain aspects of my not getting up in time allow the media to portray me as running late."
Thu 20th
12:30
Should Cornwall Council step into the breach to help our top athlete achieve an Olympic medal?
Cornwall Council is busy spending up to £150,000 of public money on co-ordinating the Olympic torch procession through Cornwall. At the same time, one of the top Cornish prospects for a medal at the games has lost her lottery funding. I'm delighted that the torch will begin its progress at Lands End and have no doubt that it will bring a lot of good media coverage to Cornwall. But I question what good the Cornwall Council money will do. Nobody has yet managed to say what precisely this money will be spent on or how it will add value to ...
Tuesday: This wasn't how we'd have wanted it to end; we didn't want it to end. But if it had to end here, it was a good story to go out on: funny, moral, encapsulating the series' entire philosophy that the universe is wonderful, and by good fortune all Sarah Jane's family together at the end. (Except the dog!) I read one person praising Sarah Jane because she "fought aliens and saved the world" and thought that was actually so wrong, so literally backwards. Because, as this episode proved, Sarah Jane was someone who fought the world and saved aliens. ...
Best of a Poor Harvest? Good for tomatoes (as per picture), apples and potatoes – but the courgettes, cucumbers, rhubarb and beans were rather poor. The courgettes and cucumbers both had a tendency to rot, but perhaps the runner bean disappointment was because I put them in late. Just the same, it was a poor summer – too wet early on, then cool and dry when the growing plants needed moisture and warmth. On the other hand between us Rosemarie and I managed a few prizes at the Wigginton and Aldbury Gardening Club Shows – for carrots, white potatoes and ...
Posted by Chris: Labour councillors embarrassed themselves again last Thursday after attacking NHS efficiency savings that were actually introduced by their own Labour Government in 2009 . At the meeting of Redcar and Cleveland Council Labour members attacked the Coalition Government on the NHS, including accusations of cuts in local provision.However, Lib Dem Group Leader Glyn Nightingale pointed out that the previous Labour Government had announced a £20 billion spending cuts programme in 2009!Department of Health figures show that Redcar and Cleveland NHS Trust is getting nearly £7 million more from the Government this year. Glyn Nightingale, Leader of the ...
Over the last few years, there have been more and more liberal groups taking to the political stage. There has been the UK Libertarian party have been made possible because of the Internet: the founders met via the Web. Liberal Vision was set up by Mark Littlewood. Liberty League was established by young classical liberals, or libertarians if you prefer that description. Then there is the Cobden Centre dedicated to promoting Richard Cobden's arguments for sound money. As well as these groups there are numerous bloggers discussing and arguing about liberalism. Of course, some would not regard these groups as ...
Gordon Birtwistle, MP for Burnley and PPS to Danny Alexander, is the latest Liberal Democrat MP to join Twitter. He is @GBirtwistle. You can follow all of the Liberal Democrat MPs on Twitter via the list I curate at twitter.com/markpack/libdem-mps and, if you have more of a London interest, you can follow the Liberal Democrat GLA members and candidates, including Mayor candidate Brian Paddick, via the list twitter.com/markpack/london-assembly.
Here's a postcard being distributed by the police. Dark Houses Postcard
This week I played the role of David, and whilst I didn't exactly slay Goliath, I did at least perhaps poke Big Brother in the eye. Not wishing to confuse you further with my mangled metaphors, let me explain what I am on about (or you can read the report about it in Westminster Chronicle newspaper) On Monday of last week (10 October) I was wondering down New Cavendish Street, in London's Marylebone, when I spotted one of those spy vehicles - you know what I mean... those vans and cars with cameras coming out of them. This one was ...
For much of my life I have had frequent cause to feel proud to be part of a nation with a liberal tradition, famed for its ability to compromise and with a long history of standing against tyranny and oppression. The 2006 Health Act has helped to shatter my illusions. Not because I feel that it is wrong to protect people from breathing unwanted smoke but because the legislation goes far beyond what might reasonably be considered necessary and in effect turns millions of people into second class citizens. If we temporarily ignore the debate over the health impact of ...
Many thanks to everyone who took part in our competition, in conjunction with MOO, to come up with what Nick Clegg should have on his business card. Here are the winners... Our winner (100 Business Cards and ShowCase Business Card Holder): Clare Mills Mr Miriam Gonzales Durantez Our two runners up (100 Business Cards each): Andrew Lord President of the Council. Also available for weddings and bar mitzvahs Gareth Jones I'm neither Churchill nor a Nazi but somewhere in between Congratulations Clare, Andrew and Gareth. MOO is getting in touch with you via the email addresses you gave about getting ...
There have been serious concerns about the state of the pavements, especially in front of the tennis club. Chris was out and about last night talking to residents (and also highways officials). It is clear that, at the very least: - the tree which is aggressively digging up the pavement outside the tennis club needs replacing, possibly with a plane tree to fit in with the rest of the avenue - the pavements outside number 53 need relaying There may well be other problems – please let us know of other stretches which you think are particularly bad and if ...
I have broadly supported this coalition through all its vicissitudes so far. As a Liberal Democrat I have had to swallow hard over some issues - student fees, the NHS, the enthusiasm for cuts, particularly to services for the vulnerable, the continued velvet glove treatment of those responsible for the economic crash. But I have regarded all of these as a necessary price for providing the stability of government that the country desperately needed to get out of the hole that the bankers and Labour between them put us in. Particularly on cuts to benefits, I do not like them, ...
So far this week we've seen plenty of activity around housing policy. Yesterday we had the launch of the Intergenerational Foundation report on private sector underoccupation. This was revealingly juxtaposed with the debate in the House of Lords on the restrictions to housing benefit for underoccupying tenants in the social rented sector. That is a ...
Over on the Total Politics blog, Lib Dem Voice's Mark Pack has been summarising the state of play with plans to move to individual electoral registration: So far, the planned move from household to individual electoral registration in Great Britain (catching up with the changes made in Northern Ireland several years ago) has generated rather more political heat than light. But after the announcement from Nick Clegg at the last Deputy Prime Minister's Questions that he is minded to part of the government's plans, what is the outlook for the proposal? Mark goes on to outline the three main issues, ...
Lib Dem Cheadle Constituency newspaper Sept 2011
... with its rather nifty interactive online tool for examining the details of its draft proposals and commenting on them: https://consultation.scottishboundaries.gov.uk/. The Scottish Boundary Commission has an advantage over the one for England in having a much better IT (GIS) system, courtesy of proper geo-coding of the electoral register to deal with previous reviews at other levels of election and the more unified handling of the electoral register across Scotland compared to England. That is why they are able to provide tools like this and also why the Commission has the level of accurate data which means they can split ...
"Accountants PwC said that with faltering economic growth, there was a risk of a double-dip recession. The report marks a year since the UK government set out how much it plans to spend over four years." This BBC article shows just how incompetent Labour are when it comes to the economy. Private sector investment can
A fair few Liberal Democrats, myself included, have raised our eyebrows over the story that Mike Hancock, our MP for Portsmouth South, who has stepped down from the Defence Select Committee because of his relationship with a woman, now facing deportation, accused of being a Russian spy. This could be another of those "you couldn't make it up" type stories, like the tale of John Hemming's wife stealing his girlfriend's cat. I just hope, though, that we aren't seeing a huge injustice done to a young woman at an immigration court. I don't know and I'm not in a position ...
I'm aware that this may be seen as going against Lib Dem green credentials but I am firmly of the belief that the Lib Dems should be pushing hard for a cut in fuel duty to bring the price of fuel down by at least 10p, and preferably, 20p a litre. Now, I don't think for a minute that we should be encouraging to produce more CO2, but at the moment the recovery is stalling due to high inflation and a switch to a greener economy will be even harder if we go back into recession. Right now people are ...
The Beatles song will be no anthem for Consett in 2011 as Civil Parking enforcement arrives on November 7th. From that date the council's enforcement contractor will assume responsibility from the police and will have the power to issue penalty charge notices to anyone breaching the rules. It's a long time since there has been any sustained enforcement of parking regulations in Consett, so any of us who have grown a little slack in our parking habits are liable to get an unpleasant (and expensive shock). Which potentially makes this the blogsite that saves your hard earned cash. Members of ...
The Guardian today has a report about a 'no frills university college' which will start recruiting this week. Coventry University College offers degrees for £4800, with teaching going on for 42 weeks a year, 7 days a week, 7am to 10pm on weekdays. Courses are vocational, such as accounting or marketing, and are designed to fit around working lives. I agree that an offer like this should be available: people will increasingly want to 'top up' their education during their lives, and that should be considered a thoroughly good thing. It's what FE colleges used to do very well.... But ...
Information from the team at Whitefield Halloween Festival: Whitefield Halloween Festival, the North West Premier Halloween destination, kicks off in true spooktacular style on Sunday 30 October, 11am at Hamilton Road Park. Our 12ft fully animatronic dragon will parade around the park led by the Goblin Queen while our minstrels and Medieval Story teller keep you entertained. There is plenty for all the family to get into the spirit of the holiday with traditional Halloween games, pumpkin carving, lantern making, creepy animals, falconry display, competitions, new age products, hog roast, Slattery's heavenly delights, White Room's warm cider, Scoops ice (s)cream, ...
For those of us listening to the BBC Radio Newcastle commentary on the game between Gateshead and Southport on Tuesday night it seemed that the fairy tale of Southport's extended run of away victories was over by half time when they were two nil down. But no! The second half brought victory. Watch especially Shaun Whalley's second goal. Gateshead v SFC highlights from leaguenetwork on Vimeo.
October 2011 Dear Friend, The Liberal Democrats in Liverpool believe that now is the right time for us and the city as a whole to embark on a major discussion on the future direction that the city needs to take. ... Continue reading →
South West MEP Sir Graham Watson is due at Windsor Castle today for the investiture ceremony when his knighthood, one of the highest awards given to an individual in the UK, will be conferred upon him.Earlier this year, Sir Graham was awarded the honour for public and political service, in Her Majesty the Queen's Birthday Honours List.He was the first Liberal Democrat MEP to be elected, taking
Nick Clegg is today visiting Egypt, to announce a package of British grants and aid to support the democratic process and economic reform. In a speech to young Egyptian political activists, the Deputy Prime Minister is expected to say:I know many of you are worried that the momentum for change in Egypt is being lost. So I want to make it crystal clear that the UK will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with you as we work together to help Egypt complete this journey. The hopes and dreams that drove the revolution must be turned into a fair and plural politics...like you, we ...
Traditional Doctor Who often includes fascistic guards, killer robots and ancient evil struggling to awaken, but the brilliance of this 1987 tale was to combine these elements not on a shiny spaceship or in a stylised English village but within an insane sit-com run by Richard Briers, clashing youth gangs against Mary Whitehouse types and bureaucracy gone mad in a run-down tower block. Result! Witty and inventive, the script is an ideal mix of comedy and horror in a still-fresh urban setting. Paradise Towers won a lot of awards back in the 21st Century. But not from Doctor Who fans... ...
