This is just a taster - you can hear the whole programme on the BBC iPlayer. You may also enjoy the one about Karl Popper.
A small step into the modern world as Prime Ministers of the sixteen countries where the British monarch is Head of State have agreed in principle that a first born girl can succeed to the throne, even if a brother arrives later. This is good news for future princesses and now they can even marry ...
The first time I heard Smile I was seventeen. Just after Christmas, 1995. I'd got myself the Smiley Smile/Wild Honey twofer. I knew Smiley Smile had a bad reputation, but it was the album that came after Pet Sounds – how bad could it be? Anyway, I knew Good Vibrations, Heroes & Villains, Wild Honey ...
Before taking a political stand, I usually know the facts. I read a lot, I listen, I think about it. I'm wary of politicians who appeal to 'common sense' or 'gut instinct' and don't let the facts get in the way. But I have to admit that, while I followed some news stories about the Dale Farm Travellers, I don't know a lot about Gypsy and Roma people, so I'm writing more from gut instinct than informed research. And my Liberal gut instinct's that when the law singles out a particular group of people to bully, it's just plain wrong. ...
I've just listened to Question Time, broadcast from the kleptocracy they call Great Britain, discussing the question of executive pay, in the light of the 50% rise enjoyed by the leaders of Britain's failing companies this year. Much hand-wringing from the panel, but of course "it is difficult to see what can be done" (I ...
Returning to Scotland this week and another Edinburgh band - Finitribe. I'm not a huge fan of this style of music - but I was at school with Philip Pinsky - the one in this video who does most of the running. I think they were most famous for writing the theme tune for the ITV chart show in the early 90s. This video is graced on YouTube by the classic comment 'I always thought these guys were from Belgium but it turns out they were Scottish. Oh well, same difference.'
Great news today as the Ballot for an Acocks Green Business Improvement District (BID) resulted in a clear YES vote. This is fantastic news, not only for all the businesses, but also for the other people who have worked tirelessly over the last few months for a positive result. Most notably this is a fitting tribute to Melinda Brown, our Town Centre Manager, who sadly will be leaving Acocks Green at the end of next month. As she moves to pastures new, Acocks Green will start its 5 year BID period (renewable by another ballot at the end of this ...
Monday amendment to the Education Bill on collective worship in schools http://bit.ly/ufXPqv.I pressed it to a division but omitted to leave a colleague in the chamber to shout when it was called for the second time. Up to that point 50 had gone through the Content lobby to 115 in the Not Contents, so we would have lost handsomely if the division had been completed. Wednesday morning, Subcommittee F heard evidence from Home Office officials on European Union DrugStrategy see http://bit.ly/tO2wbT In the afternoon, Education Bill again, this time on the rule that when considering the closure of a school. ...
Eric AVEBURY, DOB: 29-09-1928, Hospital No: D442931, NHS No: 4644474150 26 Flodden Road, LONDON, SE5 9LH 17/10/11 Renal/liver/bone/urea Sodium 144 mmol/L [136-145 mmol/L] Potassium 4.5 mmol/L [3.5-5.0 mmol/L] Urea 6.5 mmol/L [3.3-6.7 mmol/L] Creatinine 117umol/L [45-120 mmol/L] Estimated GFR 52 mL/min Calcium 2.19 mmol/L Corrected calcium 2.13 mmol/L [2.16-2.6 mmol/L] Phosphate 1.17 mmol/L [0.80-1.40 mmol/L] Total protein 73 g/L [60-80 g/L] Albumin 43 g/L [35-50 g/L] Globulin 30 g/L [25-35 g/L] Bilirubin (total)5 umol/L [3-20 umol/L] Alkaline phosphatase 87 IU/L [30-130 IU/L] Aspartate transiminase 24 IU/L [10-50 IU/L] Gamma-glutamyl transferase 19 IU/L [1-55 IU/L] 17/10/11 FBC WBC 4.50 10^9/L [4.0-11.00 ...
Also yesterday, in our Intro Politics lecture, we heard how trust and democracy are closely intertwined. How for a democracy to flourish there must be trust in the system, trust in the regime, and trust in particular institutions and individuals. But here's the thing. Democracy is felt necessary, surely, when we don't trust each other. When we do not trust that other people will contribute voluntarily to whatever pet projects we feel they ought to. When we do not trust that others will not free-ride on our contributions. So we invent a system and expect everyone to buy into it, ...
This week I was asked by the Bracknell Standard what I think about the Occupy London Stock Exchange protest at St Paul's Cathedral in London. My Response A democracy should expect protest, and protests should not be comfortable. So I am happy for the protest to camp at St Paul's. I don't see why St Paul's had to close because these protestors are not violent. Of course a better location would be the near a bank but then they would not be as safe from being moved on by the police at one of those locations. So I support the ...
This article is published in today's Lib Dem News. It was a pleasant change to be writing for the paper because I had something to say, not because I had a deadline to meet. The "Europe" issue The Liberal Democrats voted for a referendum on Maastricht. We called for one on the Lisbon treaty until we had the chance to vote for it in the Commons in February 2008. Then we walked out, demanding an in-or-out referendum instead. That has been our policy ever since, until we had a chance to vote for an in-or-out referendum on Monday, whereupon we ...
This article by George W. Potter certainly provides some food for thought. I've copied it to this site so you can judge for yourself. I've been holding up the example of Lib Dem run Sheffield council vs Labour run Manchester council recently as an example of how councils aren't forced to cut public services - they choose to. I've been challenged on this comparison so this is an article where I'm going to compare as much as possible between the two councils to try and settle the issue once and for all. I'm going to try and create a fair ...
The news is just in and it is good news: the Icelandic Supreme has today ruled that British councils' deposits in Landsbanki HF have priority status over other creditors. This means that most of Cambridge City Council's outstanding deposits should be returned. Cambridge had £9 million invested with Landbanki Islands HF and Heritable Bank, one of 145 councils to have investments in Icelandic banks, all dating from the time when these banks had good credit ratings. We have been waiting three years to hear what is happening to our money since the collapse of the Icelandic banking system, but we ...
My Liberal Democrat Councillor of the Week is Alex Dingwall of Glasgow City Council. Yesterday, Alex introduced this motion which committed the Council to respond to the Scottish Government's equal marriage consultation supporting same sex marriage, extending civil partnerships to mixed sex couples and very firmly stating that allowing equal marriage does not undermine the freedom of any religious group which does not want to offer it. The motion received unanimous backing, which is a good sign. Credit is due to Alex and his Lib Dem colleagues for doing the work to make it happen. And, by way of nagging, ...
As in previous years, the Council is funding free parking across Stockport Borough in the run up to Christmas: The Council is giving motorists a festive boost with free Town Centre parking in all Council owned pay and display car parks and on-street pay and display bays on the following dates: Wednesdays from 9th November until 14th December, from 4.00pm onwards Every day from Monday 19th December until Friday 23rd December, from 4.00pm onwards All day on Sundays on 27th November, 4th, 11th and 18th December This applies to car parks at Merseyway Shopping Centre, Knightsbridge, Great Egerton Street, Newbridge ...
From Stockport Council: Stockport Council has organised a funding event for community and voluntary organisations seeking extra money. Groups needing extra funding are being encouraged to come along to the funding event on Wednesday 2nd November, from 10.00am to 1.30pm at Stockport Baptist Church, Thomson Street, Stockport, SK3 9DR. There will be a wide range of funders and funding experts on hand at the event to offer groups advice on how best to obtain money and chat about funding for project ideas. People will also be able to take part in workshops on funding and fundraising. The event will also ...
From Stockport Council: Temporary closure of the on line admissions system and extension of application deadline Along with a number of other local authorities we have experienced problems with the school's on line admissions system software. This has resulted in a temporary closure to the system. We are hoping that the system faults will be resolved by next week and the system will be back in operation. However in order to be fair to parents, we have now extended the closing date for secondary admissions, from the 31st October, to midnight 6th November 2011. All parents who have not yet ...
So the Commonwealth heads of state have agreed to end the system of male primogeniture. It will not be retrospective therefore the Princess Royal will sadly not shoot up the Royal succession charts from number 10 back to number 4, the position she last held the moment before Prince William was born. However, as the historian it does make me look at what would have happened if the rule change had come in earlier, here are three important turning points in history if things had been different. Margaret It is 1509 and Henry VII lies dying from tuberculous, his eldest ...
The Electoral Refrm Society is holding a special session on 3 December to dicuss the lesson from the Referendum. Here's what they say: "Join us on Saturday 3rd December for an opportunity to discuss the lessons from the 'Yes to Fairer Votes' campaign and to inform the Society's future work. As well as finding out ...
The Electoral Commission's report into May's Scottish elections is now out and broadly paints a positive picture of how the elections were administered. As is often the case in such reports, it is the apparently obvious recommendations that highlight how something, somewhere took a rather unfortunate turn. In the case of this report, one such recommendation is tucked way unobtrusively in the middle of p.8: Following any boundary reviews ROs and EROs must make thorough checks with the relevant Boundary Commission to ensure they are able to precisely identify the exact boundaries that are set out in legislation. Indeed. (700 ...
Fri 28th
15:43
Planning Committee 25th October 2011 APP/11/00911, APP/11/00932, APP/11/0133, Quarterly Performance ...
Cllr Dave Mitchell and Cllr Eddie Boult proposed and seconded Application APP/11/00911. All councillors voted in favour so the application was approved. The committee considered Application APP/11/00932. The officer said this was for a change of use as a hyperbaric training centre was being relocated from Murrayfield. The site near the water was a key ...
[IMG: Whitley Park Lane 28 October] I'm grateful to constituent @Myriad_Comm for tweeting me recently about a return of environmental problems on Whitley Park Lane. Over the past year we have been supporting local residents who want to see the shopkeepers on Christchurch Road keep the lane behind the shops on Whitley Park Lane tidier. We held a meeting with the Council and shopkeepers earlier this year to reinforce the concerns of residents about the state of areas. As the picture I took earlier today shows this area is once again being used as a place to dump rubbish. Further down ...
Cllr Mitchell asked why numbers 3, 4 and 5 were only 10.5 metres apart? The officer said they recommended a flexible approach between new properties. Cllr Realey asked if there was any possibility that the speed limit could be reduced to below 20mph as this was "really fast". The officer from technical services said there ...
There were six principal local council by-elections held on Thursday 27th October. There was one Labour hold, two Tory holds and one Lib Dem hold. There were two Labour gains from Tory. There were no parish or town council by-election results reported to ALDC. [IMG: David Parsons celebrates the success ofthe Lib Dem campaign to restore free parking for library users with Bude Lib Dem councillors Nigel Pearce and Paula Dolphin] In the Bude North and Stratton ward of Cornwall County Council we held our seat convincingly, but - because we were starting from such a high mark - we ...
In the House Magazine, Lord (Chris) Rennard – campaigns guru and former chief executive of the party – has set out the 'three- pronged' approach that he believes the Liberal Democrats should take over the coming years. Here's a sample: The first of them follows on from Nick Clegg's first-year priority, which was to show that the coalition government was stable and capable of taking tough decisions. So an early task for Nick Clegg was to show that 'coalition works'. This test required huge self-discipline in agreeing a four-year Comprehensive Spending Review, and some compromises that were unpalatable to many ...
Cllr Mitchell asked about separation distance and whether the windows were obscurely glazed. The officer said they haven't asked for obscure glazing. Separation distance weren't considered as the two dwellings face at an oblique angle. Cllr John Salter and Cllr Eddie Boult proposed and seconded the application. Ten councillors voted for the application and Cllr ...
[IMG: Eco House Addington Road] Today I went to visit a new Eco Home in Redlands. The property (pictured) on Addington Road is owned and managed by Catalyst Housing association which have a number of social homes to rent in Reading and across the South East. This is the first major scheme in the development of Catalyst Housing's sustainability strategy for existing housing stock - we are very chuffed that they chose a property in Redlands to pilot this work! The project comprises the eco-refurbishment of two, three-bedroom, semi-detached Victorian properties in Reading (12 Palmer Park Avenue and 47 Addington Road). Both homes were ...
The decision by the Liberal Democrats' Federal Executive - the top decision making body in the party - to actively discourage Lib Dem candidates for police commissioner next year is insane. The apparent reason is that the party doesn't wish policing to become a political football. The same of course could be argued about schools, hospitals, the army, navy and airforce or most of local government. So why aren't they arguing that local Lib Dem parties back 'appropriate independents' to run these services? The decision has rightly met with opposition from the more sensible parts of the party - including ...
Cllr Dave Mitchell asked to see what the front elevation would look like. Cllr Elderton stated that there was a nineteen person petition against the application. He asked if there was a ward councillor present? There wasn't. Cllr Dave Mitchell asked about the raised elevation to the rear, which Cllr Elderton described as "quite dramatic". ...
UK royal succession laws changed: externalities: Sons and daughters of any future British monarch will have equal right to the throne, after Commonwealth leaders changed succession laws. The ban on the monarch being married to a Roman Catholic was also lifted. I'm a staunch republican (small 'r', definitely!) but this is great news nonetheless, and I'm flabbergasted - given how painful international diplomacy usually is to watch - that 16 countries managed to come to an agreement so quickly, no matter how simple the issue. I have no real problem with the monarchy as it exists now and I know ...
Cllr Keeley asked a question about appearance and amenity. He referred to a recent appeal decision, where the committee's decision had been overturned. The A4 use was upheld at appeal, but it was not mentioned in the report which he felt was subjective. Matthew Davies said the planning regulations were clear, planning appeals are material ...
So, the Beach Boys' SMiLE Sessions (as it's now officially called, capitalisation and all) is now out. It's not officially released until Monday (UK) and Tuesday (US), but people have seen it in shops, and some people have got their copy. Unfortunately for me, I'm not one of them – I pre-ordered from Amazon, and ...
I've been interested to read all the comments made by members of Cornwall Council's Conservative group regarding the vote in the House of Commons last Monday on an EU referendum. Two of the commenters were Cabinet Member Steve Double and Deputy Conservative Group Leader Scott Mann. Of course local councillors have no power to force such a referendum. What Cornwall Council does have, of course, is the power to argue a case in the organisations it is a member of. One such is the Conference of Peripheral and Maritime Regions. The annual conference of this body was attended in Denmark ...
Dave Jones was seen at Fratton Park 13 days ago. Sean O'Driscoll has interviewed for the job. Lee Clark was linked by The News but he had no interest. Brian Laws, Mark McGhee have both thrown their names into the ring. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer saw his name come up last weekend and the current duo of Stuart Gray and Guy Whittingham have said they have no interest in the top job at Portsmouth Football Club but we are inching our way to a new manager and that man is going to be (if the rumour mill is to be believed) ...
I was on my way to work this morning on the community bus (£2.10 return, very reasonable), heading up Creeting Lane, when suddenly, a deer leapt in the road in front of us, disappearing equally quickly into the trees on the other side. It wasn't the only one either, as there was another right behind it. I looked across to the right, through the trees, where there were another four deer, the remainder of the herd, heading across the field beyond them. It was a misty, murky morning in the Gipping Valley, and the lack of visibility obviously provides our ...
Cllr Elderton referred to the two premises within forty metres and the "demonisation of chip shops". Cllr Salter picked up on the secondary school within four hundred metres. Matthew Rushton responded by stating that the four hundred metres separation distance to secondary schools was a reference to a policy in place in Barking & Dagenham. ...
US Senators to Baseball - Ban payers using tobacco Baseball to US Senators - When you ban legislators having extra marital affairs. You can read the story from the American Spectator here H/T freedom to choose
John Hale (petitioner) said that the flue would be within 11 metres of 3 Moseley Avenue. He said residents do not agree that the character and nature of the Liscard area had changed sufficiently to accept a sixth chip shop. Mr. Hale said there were many hot food takeaways, four kebab shops and a myriad ...
Today it was announced in western Australia by PM David Cameron and Australian PM Julia Gillard that a couple of big changes will happen in the rules of succession for the British Royal Family. All the realms have agreed that first of all the head of state can be married to someone of the Catholic faith and secondly that the sole determination will be age and not gender. The head of state will still have to be Church of England due to the fact that they are the head of that church but freedom to marry a catholic is an ...
The decision of the Federal Executive that the party should not contest next year's police commissioner elections is misguided and wrong. To be clear, FE hasn't actually said that Lib Dem candidates must not stand, but there will be no federal funding for these elections and its suggestion that 'Individual Liberal Democrats may support non party candidates' is hardly a rallying cry for local parties to fight energetic campaigns. Perhaps I will be in a tiny minority in feeling so strongly about this, but it seems to me that the whole issue has been bungled by the party from start ...
Mark Reckless and Tracey Crouch Tucked away in the "Letters to the Editor" section of today's Medway Messenger is a letter from Nigel Farage of UKIP with an interesting offer. It is the same offer that he made to any Conservative MP in last night's Evening Standard. The letter in the Messenger congratulates Tracey Crouch and Mark Reckless for their stance on Monday and that they put the interests of the country and their constituents first before career and party line. This is indeed backed up by some to the "Webchat" in the next column which I will come too ...
There are always one or two people in public life who are a kind of touchstone. They only have to open their mouths and you find you disagree with them. Michael Howard, for example, and don't let's forget Polly Toynbee. Former archbishop George Carey was another. But, would you believe it, he has said something which I emphatically agree with, in his article about the St Paul's protest, and the moment when the cathedral gave sanctuary to the protesters. He wrote: "For countless others, though, not least in the churches, this was a hopeful sign that peaceful protests could indeed ...
Two pieces of economic data have emerged on the British economy over the past week, and while they paint a somewhat contrasting picture of the economic climate, the main picture which emerges is that the Coalition's strategy is broadly correct. The latest inflation statistics show that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) is now about 5%, significantly higher than the Bank of England's target of 2%. It seems to me that the Coalition's single greatest error on the economy since coming to power has been to underestimate the rate of inflation. But in this they have not been alone. The received ...
After four centuries, the authoritarian and overtly sectarian Act of Succession will be altered. Those who are unfortunate enough to become a Catholic or an eldest child born with a vagina, currently cannot descend to the throne. Descendants of King George II need the monarch's consent to marry – which, also, is about to be ...
In the last few weeks the 'Occupy' protests have developed from one protest in New York to a global movement, with similar protests appearing globally. The protesters in New York and elsewhere seem to be broadly in favour of less corporate influence over government and oppose the special treatment government shows financial services. Across the world these occupy protesters have adopted an anti market rhetoric which emphasises the disparity of income and the lack of regulation which caused the current financial crisis as primary motivations. Ironically the occupy protests have a lot in common with another recent American protest movement: ...
...at least the (St Paul's Cathedral) chapter has proved to a doubting nation that the Church of England can make a fool of itself about a subject which has nothing to do with sex. Those words end a Guardian editorial today entitled "In praise of...Giles Fraser". They provide about the only clarity I can find on the whole "Occupy" scenario. Indeed, I would like to also praise Rev. Giles Fraser who has being saying things that seem to chime in nicely with the "good book". Saint Paul was a tentmaker, he reminds us. Excellent point. He said that he can ...
Obviously no-one would wish to be here. It would have been possible for Christine to have had a prison sentence following the assault in April 2010 (for which she received a caution). Hence a suspended sentence is not surprising.Had she pleaded Guilty she would have most likely had a conditional discharge. Hence we have to look at the issues that encouraged her to plead not guilty. One aspect
Cheadle's three community toilets (at the Star Inn, Jackson's Supper Bar and Cheadle Library) have been operating successfully for a while. They replace the old toilet block in Massie Street car park which was frequently vandalised, often closed or cold and uninviting. Whilst not perfect, the community toilets are a step forwards, but we've been concerned that people don't always know where they are. That's why we've had "Community Toilet" signs put up in the village – so whether you're a regular or an occasional visitor you can easily spot where the toilets are. Remember – community toilets are free ...
At last. At long, long, last. The UK's Royal Succession laws have been altered to give equal gender and religious equalities where they did not exist previously. As this BBC News Website article states, the leaders of the 16 Commonwealth countries where the Queen is head of state have unanimously approved the changes at a summit in Perth, Australia. Sons and daughters of any future British monarch will therefore have equal right to the throne. The ban on the monarch being married to a Roman Catholic has also been lifted. It therefore brings to an end the archaic situation where ...
I knew when I read the Official Report of yesterday's proceedings in the Scottish Parliament that I'd enjoy it probably more than I should. I will admit to a bit of schadenfreude at the uber-smug Alex Salmond coming a fairly major cropper but, actually, the appropriate emotion is pure fury and indignation. Fury because the leader of our Country, the person who represents us, whose larger than life figure has become almost synonymous with Scotland in some people's eyes, has been shown to be so brazen in his manipulation of the facts. That a special adviser should attempt to put ...
There is a much used internet acronymn that sums up my reaction when I first saw this story about former Prime Ministers being paid huge sums of money for continuing their political activities after retirement. However, as this is a family orientated blog I will not repeat it. I am sure that many people will have a similar reaction to the news that Margaret Thatcher has claimed £535,000 of taxpayers' money over the last five years in return for making rare public appearances, all from the public duties cost allowance available to ex-PMs. John Major has received £490,000 in the ...
The British taxpayer has paid Baroness Thatcher an average of £98,000 a year for the last five years to answer letters and attend the odd public event (but not make any long speeches, because she can't). So, Baroness Thatcher gets paid more than a minister of state sitting in the House of Lords. That's one heck of an expense for answering letters and wheeling up at a few shindigs! And let's not start on John Major (paid £490,000 over the past five years) and Tony Blair (£273,000). To be fair, there is probably the expense of police guards and other ...
The government's plan to improve social mobility has been dealt a series of blows over the past week. New education data show that trends towards a more 'socially mobile' Britain are pointing in the wrong direction. Nick Clegg launched the government's social mobility strategy last April, promising to 'open the doors of opportunity' to children from disadvantaged homes as they move into adulthood. Children from poor homes are half as likely to achieve five good GCSEs as their better off peers, and they account for less than one in a hundred Oxbridge students. Clegg rightly pointed out that this is ...
After sending several requests to the City Council, local Liberal Democrat councillor for the North Gunthorpe area, Darren Fower, has said he is glad that a new sign has finally been erected! Admittedly the previous sign indicating the presence of a sports pavilion at Campbell Drive, located at the entrance on Coniston Road, was larger, the new one is perhaps representative of the local authority's present final position! Commenting, Cllr Fower told us: "It took us long enough to get the Council to erect it in the first place several years ago, so the fact that it disappeared meant I ...
@markpack Actually I think it might be about me, y'know... in reply to markpack # @SamanthaRedJane lol, Sunsay with good behaviour. in reply to SamanthaRedJane # Phew, finished leading fun but exhausting 7-hour seminar on fundraising for universities in Russia. V impressed by quality of questions. # And I now have a jar of caviar to add to my bottle of vodka. The Russians know how to say Thank You in the right style. # @DanielMRussell Just off to hotel gym then early night. That's how I rock my Fridayski nights. in reply to DanielMRussell # Well y'know what they ...
Today's South Wales Evening Post casts some light on the toxic atmosphere generated by some Councillors and external individuals around Swansea Council and their habit of abusing the code of conduct and the Public Services Ombudsman as a means of trying to settle scores against each other and the Administration. Importantly, they also correct an earlier story by making it clear that the latest complaint against a Tory Councillor and the Leader and the Deputy Leader of the Authority was not made by the Chief Executive, as reported, but by the Leader of the Conservative Group after a falling out ...
Following a recent meeting of City Councillors, ahead of the next Neighbourhood Committee for the North of Peterborough, local Lib Dem ward councillor for South Werrington and North Gunthorpe, Darren Fower, has called for the local head teachers to be invited to attend future meetings. The suggestion, described by one independent councillor as "excellent", was made by Darren to officers at a meeting at the Town Hall. Commenting, Darren explained: "We recently held a meeting that amalgamated the police panel meeting, with the Neighbourhood Committee meeting, and given the theory is to include everyone who is involved in the direct ...
Fri 28th
08:58
@chris_stark @scott_mills Metaphor? Allegory? Giraffe? Gazelle? Get some advice from the real BBC ma...
Helas, helas, mes amis, toujours l'egalite, oh quelle horreur. I know a bank whereon the wild thyme blows, where oxlips and the nodding cowslip grow. My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings, gaze on my work, ye mighty, and despair. Nothing besides remains. Round the decay of this colossal wreck, boundless and bare, the lone and level sands stretch far away. -BBC match summarising legend Stuart Hall, summarising a goalless draw between Everton and Spurs. [IMG: Attribution] Stuart Hall photo credit: Some rights reserved by Terry Wha [IMG: Post to Twitter] Tweet This Post
I recently was forwarded this email by a long term ill person who recently went through yet another assessment for Employment Support Allowance. This is what he wrote to his MP. It is well worth reading and I ask you to share this with as many people as possible. People need to know what is happening. Dear [redacted], DWP has today surpassed itself and I am not sure which of the two emotions above will prevail. I have never felt so impotent, persecuted and depressed in all my life. I will write to you more fully when I feel a ...
... came from Lord Ashcroft, taking to task fellow Conservatives for their obesssion with Europe: f there is one thing that unites Conservatives it is the desire to win the next general election outright. Certain things follow from this. The first is that we need more votes at the next election than we received at the last. This means attracting people who voted for a different party last year. This in turn imposes two requirements: to address the things they care about most, and to show that we are changing the things that put them off voting Conservative in the ...
Xan Brooks had a good piece in the Guardian recently discussing the Powell and Pressburger film A Canterbury Tale. He brings out perfectly the fragile magic of the film and the way that those of us who love it feel faintly embarrassed by that love. Brooks was introduced to the film by his father: He warned me that while he liked it, most people did not. It was too flawed, too rum, it didn't hang together.And he goes on to say: A Canterbury Tale may be the most loving and tender film about England ever made. It's a picture that's ...
Its that time of year again - HALLOWE'EN! We wanted to remind you of a few tips you can take to ensure you have an enjoyable Hallowe'en - · Ideally children trick or treating should be accompanied by an adult. · Children should stay in groups, make sure at least one person has a mobile phone on them and not go out too late. · Children should tell someone where they are going, what route they will be taking and what time to expect them back. · Not everyone wants to get involved in Hallowe'en and we ask children and ...
Cambridge City Council is carrying out a survey asking residents for their views about bin collections. The survey is part of a major project to review the routes that bin lorries take around the city. Using specialist software to re-map the routes taking traffic and other factors into account, the council aims to reduce the costs and carbon footprint of bin collections in the city. Re-mapping the bin lorry routes means that some residents might see a change to their bin day in 2012. Executive Councillor for Environment and Waste Services, Cllr Jean Swanson said, "The software will tell us ...
Back in June, the West End Sports and Heritage Association (WESHA) was formed, to progress sports and environment improvements at Riverside and at Magdalen Green. Its a great, dynamic group that will make a real difference towards improved sporting provision at Riverside and facilities at Magdalen Green. Last night, I took part in a "visioning exercise" led by the West End Communities Officer, at which we looked at the group's priorities and challenges. It was a very useful evening and we welcome the involvement of all interested local residents and community and sports groups.
From the City Council : TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING (SCOTLAND) ACT 1997 DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL (DOUGLAS STREET, DUNDEE)(STOPPING-UP) ORDER 2011 Dundee City Council hereby give Notice that they have confirmed an Order under Section 208 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997, authorising the stopping-up of lengths of roads, footpaths and footways situated at Douglas Street, Dundee. A copy of the Order and relevant plan specifying the lengths of footpath to be stopped up may be inspected at the office of the Depute Chief Executive (Support Services), Dundee City Council, 21 City Square, Dundee, by any person free ...
What a fantastic result for the Lib Dems in the Bude North and Stratton by-election. David Parsons has been elected with just over 61% of the vote to replace Nathan Bale who was a great councillor for the area. David stood on a platform of opposing the service cuts that the Tory administration is imposing across Cornwall - from buses to public toilets, important local services are being cut by the Conservatives and it is clear that the voters of Bude and Stratton oppose this policy. At the 2009 election, Nathan stood against just one opponent. Today, David faced a ...
Huge congratulations to David Parsons, who has scored a resounding victory in the hotly contested Bude North & Stratton by-election. The Result was: David Parsons (LD) 958 (61.17%), Con 395 (25.22%), Lab 120 (7.66%), Ind 93 (5.94%). David is a talented campaigner who will be an excellent representative for an area which seems to have ...
