No-one seems exactly sure who it was that first said 'writing about music is like dancing about architecture' (it's been attributed to everyone from Elvis Costello to Frank Zappa) but it's a favourite of mine, a wonderful summary of the ... Continue reading →
The DECC should have known better when it announced a halving of the subsidy for domestic solar panels, while still consulting on the change. It's a pretty basic rule of public consultation (as well as common sense), not to pre-empt its the outcome by implementing a decision while still asking for the public's views. The Judicial Review could only have one possible outcome as a result of the actions of the department. In a way this result is reflective of the way Chris Huhne operates - take the big decisions, drive through a clear media line - even if it ...
Here is the budget and debt crisis explained in plain English... [IMG: budget in plain english] The Budget Explained in Plain English... The author makes a fairly valid point... [IMG: Share on Tumblr] [IMG: Submit to StumbleUpon] [IMG: Save on Delicious] [IMG: Digg This] [IMG: Submit to reddit] [IMG: Share on Myspace] [IMG: Share via email] Tweet
Back in August I got all enthusiastic about the tile museum at Jackfield near Ironbridge in Shropshire. Now, thanks to this video, you can share the experience. Note the frieze taken from the Singer Building, High Street, Leicester, at 2:50. The museum card explains that no one knows who sculpted the frieze, but the building was designed by Arthur Wakerley and completed in 1904. I had dinner with Wakerley's great granddaughter earlier this evening. She said that the Singer Building is still standing (minus its decoration) but no one knows what to do with it.
During the summer, in the comments to my post about the legend that Stamford was a university town, I mentioned that students from Brasenose College, Oxford, had stolen an ancient door knocker (or knockers) from Stamford's Brazenose Street in 1890. They obviously believed the legend, though sadly it is not true. Anyway, a reader tells me of an incident from the early 1970s. In those days Stamford High School for Girls was a horribly repressive environment, run by narrow-minded spinsters. Some masters at the parallel boys' grammar school invited these mistresses to an elaborate ceremony at which they were formally ...
[IMG: money.jpg] This time last year, Surrey County Council decided to restrict the use of concessionary bus passes to after 9.30am. I complained that the decision was being made before the financial implications were known. Other Councils had abandoned similar proposals as they had calculated that the savings would not be significant and would create too many problems for elderly residents who rely on these early services. It seems I was right. The latest accounts show that Surrey has underspent its bus budget by £500k this year, far in excess of the £350k saved by these changes. They could have ...
The new issue of Liberator is with subscribers, so it is time to pass another week at Bonkers Hall. Monday What a splendid fellow Prince William is! Tall, upstanding and brave, he has a delightful wife and his wife's sister has a bottom like a Cox's Orange Pippin. He even rescued some Russian sailors in his helicopter the other day. The only drawback is that it has to be admitted that he does look remarkably like a horse - I am told that, when the winch failed in that rescue, he let down his silky tail and lifted the last ...
[IMG: library.jpg] In another major policy U-turn, Surrey's new leader has decided to drop plans to turn a second tranche of nine libraries into 'Community Partnership Libraries'. Although the original ten will still be handed over to volunteers as planned, they will now receive one professional member of staff for 20% of their opening hours. But if the plan to run these libraries with volunteers fails they are still threatened with closure. The Conservative administration have effectively admitted that the idea is disastrous; they should now go further and announce that the whole plan is going to be scrapped. Throwing ...
Lib Dem attempts to freeze councillors' allowances for the next 18 months have been blocked by Conservative Councillors. A proposal put to a meeting of Cambridgeshire County Council by Lib Dem Peter Downes called for there to be no rises before April 2013 at the earliest. But Conservative Councillors, who controversially voted themselves a 25 per cent pay rise last month, voted the Lib Dem proposal down "We need to reassure the public that councillors won't vote themselves a pay rise at a time when services are being cut and staff are being made redundant," said Cllr Downes. Lib Dem ...
My book The Human Element came out last month and it has been fascinating how people have responded - I got a Facebook message last week from a doctor in New Hampshire explaining how the fake efficiency being peddled by managers at her local hospital was adding to costs. Then sometimes I run slap bang against new evidence myself. Because I hadn't until last week used the new NHS Choose and Book appointment system. The first I knew that I was using it was a letter asking me why I hadn't called them up to book my appointment with a ...
"You can't shake hands with a clenched fist" mahatma Gandhi
Previous posts reveal me as a biased commentator on this issue, but now I have got the shouting out of my system I'd like to put forward some clear and concise reasons why we should (and let's face it, will) allow both gay marriage and gay couples to adopt. The former first: the (Religious) argument against gay marriage goes something like this: Gay people can't have kids, so shouldn't be able to marry. As marriage is for the procreation of children. Ipso facto. This is also consistent with you shouldn't have sex before marriage either, again because you should only ...
Not a great picture, this is an issue I have been dealing with for some time now, in my capacity as Chair of Conwy Drainage Group. This is a camera shot of the surface water drains in Winllan Ave in Llandudno. In this photo you can see a rock in the drains, which has probably assisted in the flooding of this area. The problem was not helped by cars driving at speed through the water and splashing it against some residents front doors. I hope the next down pour of rain, drains a lot quicker now this restriction has been ...
At the last Manchester City Council meeting, the Labour Administration voted to scrap the pupil premium, describing it as a "sham" - even though it brings around £11 million extra to Manchester this year (over £500k to the Chorlton area alone) with the promise of yet more to follow. It is really depressing that our Labour Council which has for over 40 years had such a poor record of Education attainment and attendance, REJECTED huge levels of funding aimed directly at disadvantaged pupils! The Labour Council's decision was critcised at Deputy Prime Minister's Questions yesterday. This is the transcript of ...
I had an interesting afternoon at Birkenhead County Court as I was there for a case. Lady Luck seemed to be smiling on me as I was the first case (application hearing) starting at 2pm in front of that particular judge. Neither of the two defendants bothered to turn up and the judge graciously granted ...
Cornwall Council has just announced that it is going through yet another management re-organisation. In an email sent out to councillors, staff and the press late this afternoon, they say that they will be combining the Corporate Support and Economy, Planning and Environment directorates and making the director of the latter redundant. The Chief Executive says in his message to councillors: "I have been reviewing our organisational structure in the light of the Council's budget discussions and decisions, and in the knowledge that the UK's continuing severe and prolonged economic downturn will mean further pressure from Government on the public ...
If you are anything like me and leave the dreaded christmas present shopping to the last minute (was up till 1.30am wrapping staff presents before the christmas party on Monday) then I've got just the present for you. Nevermind the ... Continue reading →
In the wake of Kim Jong-il's alleged eleven hole-in-ones, Yahoo lists famous politicians who excelled at sport. Menzies Campbell is in illustrious, if occasionally dubious, company: Idi Amin – boxing Dwight D Eisenhower – American Football Boyko Borisov (Bulgarian Prime Minister)- Karate Mary, Queen of Scots – billiards Gerald Ford – American football Menzies Campbell – Athletics Oswald Mosley – Fencing Colin Moynihan – Rowing Ronald Reagan – American Football and swimming Jeffrey Archer – Athletics Menzies Campbell – Athletics The former Liberal Democrat leader has been MP for North East Fife for nearly a quarter of a century, but ...
Thank heavens for people like Hackney resident and grandmother Pauline Pearce. If you didn't see her interviewed on Channel 4 News last night head over there and watch this three minute video clip of her demolishing the Inspectorate of Constabulary's mad and bad proposal that rubber bullets, water cannon and even live rounds should be used on ...
The Arab Spring; intervention in Libya; the Japanese tsunami; the death of Bin Laden; phone hacking; riots; and the Euro crisis, for news junkies like me, 2011 has been the year that kept on giving. To band around terms like tumultuous or world-changing can be a foolhardy pastime. It leaves a writer open to the charge of hyperbole, vulnerable to events. Something could emerge tomorrow, making everything else look like the librarian of the year awards. That said, it would take an extraordinary set of events to surpass this year's news - maybe a Godzilla attack on Tokyo - but ...
I chanced upon this small festive market in Margate old town tonight although I was vaguely aware I have not seen a lot of promotion for this enterprise . I understand that the market will be open till seven o'clock tonight and the same again tomorrow Thursday, 22 December 2011 , if I get chance later today I will write a few more words around with the photographs , I will say that the christmas tree and decoration add a subtle glitter and charm to the old town if that is not pushing the bounds of credulity . I suggest ...
Liberal Democrat peers used to be in a remarkably privileged position in the party. Not only because they have held office without the pesky need for elections but also because for many years the third party in the House of Lords has been the key swing vote when the government has been wanting to get legislation through. That has meant many peers were well used to having direct access to ministers, and moreover being in a strong position to extract some concessions. As a result, many peers can point to numerous changes they have achieved to legislation. By comparison, Liberal ...
In politics, as in other walks of life, labels matter. By accident or design, for good or for ill, they shape our identity — sometimes in our own eyes, but just as importantly in the eyes of others. For all of us, our identity starts with where we belong. For my part I am a Borderer; a Scot; and British. Perhaps less fashionably but a long-held principle, I am comfortable that I am a European, too. Beyond that, I am unashamedly a democrat, a liberal and an internationalist. But last week there was a stir in some parts of the ...
Most electoral reformers were looking the other way when Scotland elected its first majority government in the devolved age and many haven't taken on board the importance of this shift. We were busy trying to change the electoral system on the same day. But this change could actually be one of the main catalysts for ...
We don't need to tell you how important the elections in May 2012 are to the Party. To help ensure that as many of the hundreds of Lib Dem candidates next May WIN, we're offering HALF PRICE membership of ALDC to every Lib Dem candidate in the May 2012 local elections. For as little as 79p week, all ALDC members will be able to benefit from: exclusive access to campaign literature templates, artwork and advice exclusive weekly "Campaigner" email, packed full of campaign issues, ideas, council motions and best practice ALDC's bi-monthly members magazine "Local Campaigner" a free "MyCouncillor" website ...
It is rather alarming to read this story in today's Independent from Labour's Shadow Chancellor. He rashly calls on Liberal Democrat MPs to leave the coalition immediately and to join Labour in an alternative Government. He says: "I think it would be much better now and for the future of the country if they did. It would be in the national interest. I don't think they should wait until 2015".As the piece continues: He points out that the Coalition's law bringing in five-year fixed-term parliaments allows for a new government being formed without a general election.This is the Shadow Chancellor. ...
What is the point of having money if you can't spend it on what you want? And what's the point of being able to do what you want if you can't afford it? This is at the heart, I suppose, of my politics and most of you will recognize this as a pretty classic case of Liberalism. However in the recent years the term liberal has come to mean a social liberal, but probably a market left-winger, whereas economic liberals are now called libertarians and seems to be quite conservative on social issues (sweeping trends again I'm afraid). "All civil ...
This is my last entry of 2011 to conclude another interesting year. The coalition government is generally on the right path. We are seeing more liberal democrat policies coming in - raising the tax threshold, the pupil premium, political reform, green investment etc - as well as maintaining our interests in other areas such as the NHS where we were able to make some, but not many, modifications to the Conservative programme. No single politician has ever been so hated by the media, but Nick Clegg stands firm. They will never forgive him for winning the first debate, nor for ...
Lib Dem Voice has polled our members-only forum to discover what Lib Dem members think of various political issues, the Coalition, and the performance of key party figures. Some 564 party members responded, and we are publishing the full results here over several days. According to our latest survey of paid-up party members, Liberal Democrats want to see major changes to pension arrangements in the UK. Nearly three-quarters want to see universal benefits such as free television licenses and bus passes replaced with means-testing so that the wealthiest pensioners do not receive the same benefits as everyone else. There is ...
I've been doing an e mail bulletin of local news (mainly Cressington ward but some other stuff from South Liverpool too) for a while now. If you don't already get this but would like to you can sign up by clicking on this link
I've run a few articles on the website about the increasingly immoral cost of banking and the rise of unscrupulous pay day loan shops. The other thing that needs to be done over and above the recent changes to mortgage eligibility and the implementation of the Vickers report is to make banks and other credit companies pay for the cost of the advice that is needed to sort out peoples problems caused by them. First of all, a declaration. As a CAB manager, I manage a team of dedicated debt advisers who help hundreds of people manage their debt problems ...
Quote of the year from my good friend James Baker.Doctor on the radio today giving his expert opinion to blokes to tell their partner if she's fat and needs to exercise more and eat less. Here's my hard won expert opinion: DON'T.
It's cold, wet and dark but there's just 20 weeks till polling day on May 3rd 2012. Welcome to the first of our campaign emails. These are being sent to our target candidates and key activists in the run up to the local elections in May 2012. If you should not be receiving this email, or you know of others who should but don't contact me at ALDC and we'll update our records!!! In many wards we will need to identify 2,000 supporters between now and polling day to give us a chance of winning. That's 100 a week. Start ...
First of the month? Time to pay the fare! So a wave of Railway companies have announced the January rise for commuters with an average of 5.91% across Southeastern trains. Well... It is better than 8% but only delays the inevitable. 5.91% comes to about an extra £18's a month. Not much but about £216's a year and my pay rise of 1% (if it comes at all) = £200 P.A. Effectively I'm paying out an extra £15's this year so a manageable increase? It is certainly something that I can absorb this year IF you were to take out ...
I know that many party members across the country will be concerned to hear that popular former Edinburgh West Lib Dem MP John Barrett has recently had surgery to remove a cancerous tumour from his colon. He's decided to talk about his experience in order to persuade others not just to leave the screening kit the NHS sends to over 50s to one side gathering dust, but to make sure they use it. He spoke to the Scotsman about what he's gone through and his forthcoming chemotherapy. It's obviously been a huge shock and upheaval, but he's recovering well from ...
Tuesday: From Star Wars Lego Advent Calendar Day 20: World's Tiniest TIE fighter
New Year Resolutions
Emergency radio broadcasts could be jeopardised by BBC plans to turn off medium wave radio transmitters and lay off local reporters, council leaders warned today. In times of crisis such as flooding, severe weather or other major emergencies, town halls and their partner police and fire authorities often rely on local radio to keep residents informed and issue safety advice. As part of cost-cutting measures the BBC is proposing to cut medium wave coverage across swathes of the country, replace hours of local radio content with national programmes and lay off many regional staff. It says local radio will be ...
Early next year we will be debating the biggest question facing local democracy in our area. If Bristolians vote for a mayor in May 2012 it will surely be the most profound change in local government since the county of Avon was abolished when I was a young lad. The Centre for Public Engagement at the University of Bristol, the RSA, the Bristol Festival of Ideas, and the Bristol Branch of the Institute of Directors have come together to organise a public event to explore the issues. So why not come along and join me, Chris Searle and a number ...
Last year the Lib Dems worked with the residents on Depleach Road, Cheadle to look for a solution to parking problems. The issue was, and is, that inconsiderate drivers are parking in Depleach Road in such a way as to partially block driveways and make it very difficult for residents to get in and out of their driveways. We got white H-lines put down across driveways and hoped that would work as well as it generally does elsewhere. Residents have now asked for more to be done as it isn't working and the problems remain. The Lib Dems have now ...
Wed 21st
10:55
The Independent View: Now is not the time to debate niceties about constitutional reform
In an attempt to repair his Party's battered poll ratings and diminished credibility following the veto and its aftermath, Nick Clegg has launched the concept of the 'Open Society' into the public domain. It mixes important ideas with a sense of a motherhood and apple pie shopping list. It's hard to see how the Open Society concept, with its nods to Karl Popper and Isaiah Berlin, will resonate outside of Westminster at a time of increasing economic concern. When people's major concerns are the cost of energy bills, the cost of living and worries about unemployment and job security, it ...
12th December. 13.14 I write in the New Statesman that Labour are angling for a coalition right now with the Lib Dems. 12th December. A bit later... Douglas Alexander makes a big open offer to the Lib Dems 14th December, 13.13 I note that it s all part of a grand plan... 14th December. Later that day Blog post gets short shrift from left...for example.... 22nd December Labour invites us to form a government with them. Now. 'Puts feet up. Pats crystal ball approvingly...'
I have had an interesting exchange with Dianne Abbott on Twitter this morning. She was involved in a discussion with a Lib Dem friend of mine, @10anta, about the record of Ken Livingstone as London mayor. She then posted this tweet: 10anta You live in Yorkshire, so all you know about Ken is what you read in the (Tory) press. Subsequent exchanges have revealed that the point she was trying (but failing) to make was apparently something to do with the difficulty of judging London mayors if you live outside London. But she has singularly and repeatedly failed to apologise ...
A good justice system both dispenses justice and is seen to do so. That makes the appointment of Gambian Fatou Bensouda as the International Criminal Court's new Chief Prosecutor particularly welcome. Bensouda is the first African to hold the post of Chief Prosecutor, an important step in helping the ICC maintain the confidence of African countries given how often Africans are up before the ICC. The ICC's remit is not limited to Africa and nor are the atrocities it can investigate confined to one part of our globe, but in practice a very high proportion of the International Criminal Court's ...
An extraordinary "bulk buy" correction and clarification this morning from the Guardian: On 13 December the following clarification was published: "An article about the investigation into the abduction and death of Milly Dowler (News of the World hacked Milly Dowler's phone during police hunt, 5 July, page 1) stated that voicemail 'messages were deleted by [News of the World] journalists in the first few days after Milly's disappearance in order to free up space for more messages. As a result friends and relatives of Milly concluded wrongly that she might still be alive.' Since this story was published new evidence ...
It's December which means for those who have them, it's time to get out those chocolate advent calendars! But for those of you who, like me, don't do such things anymore (and indeed for those of you who still do!), I thought I'd give my own unique little twist on this festive time of year with my Musical Advent Calendar countdown of my Top 25 favourite Christmas songs! I'm blogging a song a day, culminating with my favourite on Christmas Eve. So let's continue on our seasonal countdown... Cole's Musical Christmas Advent Calendar - Day 21! Today we have my ...
The Times published a leader on Monday praising Nick Clegg for publicly challenging David Cameron and the Conservatives on certain matters of policy. Nick's robust statements on the subject of a tax break for married couples were welcomed by the paper as it also highlighted other Liberal Democrat successes. The principle of a State that provides for its citizens but does not coerce them in matters of conscience and judgment is a precious liberal inheritance. Mr Clegg should emphasise it. He should also reflect on the importance of the role that his party performs in government. He and his colleagues ...
Having recently had an enquiry seeking an assurance that the City Council will not, in these times of financial challenge, remove its provision of free "dog bags" to allow dog owners to clean up after their pet, I contacted the Director of Environment at the council to seek his assurances. He has responded as follows : "As a department we are looking at all opportunities for future savings and I am aware that this possible option has been discussed internally. I can confirm that we have no plans to remove this provision at present." I am pleased to have received ...
From Michael Deacon's sketch in this morning's Daily Telegraph: Mr Alexander may have surprised some people with his statement. The surprise lay not so much in its content as in its delivery. Because of his looks (startled guinea pig) and voice (small boy playing third shepherd in the school Nativity), it's easy to run away with the idea that Mr Alexander is a gentle, sweet-natured sort of creature. Not a bit of it. He is, in his own quiet way, as mischievously snide as the Chancellor. He began by praising "Lord Hutton's magisterial report" on pension reform, and added that ...
[Originally posted at the Guardian Housing Network, 18/12/11] If the government finally accepts that fiscal consolidation, even when coupled with quantitative easing, is not a policy that can deliver adequate economic growth, what might a credible plan B look like? A recent report for Shelter made the case for investment in housing as a key component of an alternative. The report focuses primarily upon using construction as part of a short-term stimulus package, but it also recognises that housing investment has a longer term impact on economic growth. Housing can make a strong claim to be an appropriate vehicle for ...
We have already posted Part 1.
Cambridgeshire Liberal Democrats are calling for the County Council to look at introducing a new bus contracting system that use some of the profits from the most successful bus services to contribute to the cost of less viable, predominantly rural bus services. In a motion to full council on December 7 (see below) they call for the Conservatives to investigate "Quality Bus Contract schemes", which would replace the current setup with a franchising arrangement under which the council would draw up contracts for bus services and then invite operators to bid for them. This would give the council greater democratic ...
A move by Cambridgeshire Liberal Democrats to attract councillors from a wide range of backgrounds is to be discussed publicly with a view to forming a county council policy. The group has been invited by the Tory-led administration to produce a report increasing the diversity of elected members by holding a quarter of council meetings out of office hours and organising training in the evenings. Cambridgeshire County Council Cabinet Member for Resources and Performance, Steve Count agreed the idea was a positive one and promised that the report and its recommendations would be presented to a public forum. Cllr Ian ...
I have been wondering for a while how much of a role geographical accident plays in politics. When I first decided to get involved with politics a few years back I chose the Liberal Democrats because they were the party that most closely matched my views. In my local area the party did not have any council seats but there are a small group of very dedicated and experienced local members and campaigners who have fought a number of local and national elections with alacrity since I joined. The situation though has got me thinking about how political careers are ...
Well the days are winding down towards the end of this advent calendar. I hope you've enjoyed it so far. I think I've missed out on a little bit of rock so far. So to make amends I've called on the Boss to sort that out.
Clare College - 2012 Alumnus of the Year announced Alice Welbourn, who has spent her career working to raise the profile of HIV positive women. Paul Cornell: Social Networking. I love the internet. I live here. You know at parties how people, if the conversation tends towards the online, will say 'oh, I prefer real human interaction to all this Twitter nonsense'? I stare at them in horror and go 'are you *insane*?! Twitter *is* real human interaction, turned up to the maximum! The hunt for Britain's ghost trains - This Britain - UK - The Independent The 11.36 from ...
The track choice for this entry was perhaps the easiest yet... I had to choose a track which was also on the first album I ever owned (a gift from unsuspecting parents...). Ladies and Gentlemen, the one, the only, Kylie Minogue: I did want to choose this video of her doing it on the Showgirl tour but, at least on my PC, the sound seemed out of synch. Andrew
Monday: 3 miles easy Tuesday: Strength training This kicked my rear AGAIN, although I didn't realize it full-force until Thursday. My legs, my legs! Had to miss the local bar association's Christmas party to go to training, which was a bit sad, but I knew marathon training was going to involve sacrifice, right? And there's always next year. Wednesday: 5 miles easy Did an outside run. w00t! Had to knock these out in order to meet up with a friend to go to the local running store's Christmas party. So, 25% discount and four pairs of shoes later.... What?!? I'm ...
I am interviewing candidates for a job all day today so no time to blog. Instead I offer this image taken as a screen shot from Google Street View. Is it really, as Mark Pack surmises,the Leader of her Majesty's Opposition in the top window, head in hand, possibly having a bad day?
The summit view from Paradise (that's where one of the big visitor's centers is and an inn, although it was closed for the season): My mentor at work has been very concerned that I don't get out enough around the region and has taken to telling me about new places to visit every time we talk. As a result, I talked my roommate into a trip to Mt. Rainier. We were so lucky to have absolutely beautiful weather - it was sunny and warm and just absolutely stunning. There was a bit of light hiking, an amazing waterfall, and I ...
In 1997 the Labour Party manifesto outlined that under a Labour government the House of Lords would be reformed so that "the right of hereditary Peers to sit and vote in the House of Lords will be ended by statute...". It was not until after the 2001 General Election that a public consulation on Lords ...
That is how Peter John, leader of Southwark Council, described the theft of public art and metal. He was referring to the theft of Barbara Hepworth's bronze Two Forms (Divided Circle) from Dulwich Park. The assumption is that it will be sold for scrap. (The cast of Two Forms (Divided Circle) in St Ives) This is only the most recent in a line of such thefts. It comes soon after a statute of Dr Alfred Salter, the social reformer, was stolen from Rotherhithe. And, of course, the theft of metal from war memorials - a crime that David Cameron rightly ...
I am posting this as a reaction to a few debates I got involved in recently, including one earlier today. My thoughts on these issues are still rather at a very early stage of development (and I daresay it shows), but it's an issue that's been bugging me for a while – that, and I promised Zadok Day that I'd turn my arguments into a blog post. I keep coming across atheists who not only argue vigorously against religion but also like to maintain that religion is responsible for most evils in this world, has had no positive consequences whatsoever ...
Plans for the relocation of the New Barnfield Performing Arts library have been pushed through by Herts County Council, despite the head of Hertfordshire Libraries recently admitting to local Lib Dem councillor Malcolm Cowan that only one third of the collection will remain on display when the new arrangements come into effect. 'I was shocked when I found out the full extent of the restrictions which will be placed on people wishing to browse this collection, which is an essential resource for the performing arts sector across the County and beyond,' said Malcolm. 'The new facility will only keep on ...
