James Baillie government threats to ban outdoor exercise are dangerous and show the Liberal Democrats their mission. Hungary's Viktor Orbán now rules by decree in a troubling example of how coronavirus fear enables authoritarians to tighten their grip, says Umut Korkut. "Visitors had to collect a wooden ladder and climb up it and talk through the glass of a closed window. All gifts had to be handed to the nurses, who then went through them to decide whether they were suitable." Recalling his mother's childhood experiences in a fever hospital, Stephen Colegrave reminds us that social distancing used to be ...
Tue 7th
20:24
Lord Bonkers' Diary: The Professor of Hard Sums from the University of Rutland at Belvoir
Something tells me that the old boy was not the greatest supporter of the Liberal Party's alliance with the SDP. Saturday So David Steel has left the party. Not before time, if you ask me. Did you know that in the early Eighties (the 1980s, that is) he persuaded the Liberal candidate to stand down in half the seats in the country in the belief that this would see us win a majority. I tried to convince him that this was mathematical nonsense and even got the Professor of Hard Sums from the University of Rutland at Belvoir to Have ...
Who is harder to avoid when you are out for a walk and more likely to pant out the deepest recesses of their lungs: a jogger or a sunbather. The answer is obvious, but no one gets upset that people are still going jogging. But we do read stories like this about sunbathing:People who sunbathe are breaking the coronavirus lockdown rules, according to Health Secretary Matt Hancock. Thousands of people have already chosen to ignore the Government's guidance this weekend, with many enjoying the sunny weather in parks and other public places. And with temperatures expected to hit 20 degrees ...
By accident rather than design I was in the United States in October/November1980 during the Carter/Reagan election campaign. Reagan was routinely ridiculed as inadequate and totally unsuited to the job, but to my astonishment beat Jimmy Carter, whom I had expected to win hands down. Reagan even won the popular vote, which is more than Donald Trump did. However, what I found equally surprising was that, once Reagan was inaugurated president in the following January, maybe even earlier, the tone of the media changed and Mr Reagan was treated with great respect, even deference. He was now Mr President, Commander ...
Having been a Councillor for under a year, the Covid-19 crisis has shown me the very best of what Liberal Democrat Councillors do. When it was announced the UK was going into a three week 'lockdown', we knew in Hull we had to do what we could to help as community campaigners – and so we set about calling residents across the city. I am proud to say that we have made well over 2300 phone calls across our wards, speaking to over 1500 people, many of whom are elderly and don't necessarily have someone nearby who can help them. ...
Other things being equal, I wold have been looking forward to Eastercon at the end of this week - a welcome return to the Birmingham Hilton where I have had various good times over the years. The last few times I attended Eastercon I got (not very reluctantly) roped into counting the votes for the BSFA Awards; the voting deadline this year has now been extended to the 24th, with an online ceremony promised in early May. But I had been expecting to make my mind up this week, and I have decided my votes in all four categories, as ...
The Great British Home Chorus Eight members of our (not so extended) family work in the music industry, as performers, teachers, publishers and music producers. So it's not surprising that I have spotted many online musical performances given in kitchens and sheds over the last few weeks. My daughter-in-law's brother multi-tracking himself playing jigs on his violin; a friend playing Happy Birthday to his grand-daughter on his euphonium; choirs apparently singing together on Zoom. The latter is a bit misleading because it just isn't possible to sing together over the Internet – the time delay is significant. Instead singers have ...
Passenger numbers on Metrolink have reduced by as much as 95%, and between about 80 and 85% on trains and buses. To ensure services can continue to run and to further protect frontline staff, from Monday 6 April Metrolink will reduce the frequency of its services from 12 to every 20 minutes. (IE every 10 minutes on the Bury line, as there are two routes.) Bus and rail services have also been reduced and more changes are expected in the coming weeks. To further limit the need to travel, TfGM will automatically renew disability concessionary passes that are due to ...
Over the next fortnight the Council IS going to try to empty brown bins, subject to having enough staff available. Thank you for everyone who has raised this concern with us. Starting yesterday the Council will try to do as many brown bin rounds as possible over the next two weeks, but it may be that this doesn't keep up with the normal 'schedule'. This may meant that the bins are not emptied on your normal day. The Council has an email alert system for bins and will email people the night before if they can empty them. To sign ...
Tue 7th
13:40
Merseyside Labour – They didn't learn Kinnock's lesson so Starmer's sent more learning pills
I've seen a number of social media postings from journalists, political commentators and politicians in the last couple of days regarding there being no Merseyside MP's in Starmer's new Shadow Cabinet. Here's my take on it. Merseyside Labour Party decided to indulge itself in another round of Militantism, only this time it was called Momentum/Corbynism. And just like the previous time (1980's) they got slapped down; last time by Kinnock now by Starmer. It really is as simple as that. Yes of course there will have been MP's and indeed councillors who pretended to be Corbynistas to either avoid deselection ...
It's time for us to defining what we are for, rather than simply what we are against. A new Labour leader who is far more electable than the previous, and a Conservative Government that is currently polling really well, puts the Lib Dems in a tricky electoral position. Part of the problem is that people seemingly know what we are against, such as Brexit, but people don't really know what we are for. It's what we are for that we can then create a positive message for the UK, a vision that people can get behind. I think we should ...
A good moment to check. Safety isn't just about coronavirus. Have you tested your smoke alarms recently?
This report in this morning's Guardian is astonishing, if only because in the midst of a major national crisis it is alleged that senior politicians in the government are briefing against civil servants in an attempt to pass the buck for failures on testing and PPE: From the BBC to bin collectors, shop workers to care home staff: all have suddenly been recognised as vital and appreciated by public and politicians alike. However, as pressure mounts over the capacity for coronavirus testing and the supply of personal protective equipment and ventilators, finding someone to blame rather than fixing the problem ...
Our public service broadcaster is the focus of Christine Jardine MP's Scotsman column this week. She highlights the corporation's role in keeping the nation informed in a way that other broadcasters simply can't: In this crisis more than ever in my lifetime I am aware of those two words which set the BBC and to a less extent Channel 4, apart from the purely money-making platforms of the technological explosion: public service. How many over 75s, or low-income households would have been able to afford pay per view services to keep up to date with health advice or social services? ...
No time for sanctimony; never mind hypocrisy. My heart rose because yours slowed: You were a complete eejit who harmed our country greatly in the cause of your career. But you've bluffed against the devil's dice. Maybe hell will mend you now.
Tue 7th
11:08
What Keir Starmer becoming Labour leader tells us about party politics in the current era
A well-known and liked journalist posted something along the lines of "Keir Starmer becoming leader of Labour proves I'm right in 1,000 words – off you go" on Twitter this week. The reason I bring this up is because I am about to do the exact opposite; Starmer becoming leader proves most of the things I felt politically convinced of over the last few years incorrect. His victory has helped me understand this. One thing I was wrong about was the idea that Labour had been lost to the far left. Now, Starmer may fail to properly re-professionalise the Labour ...
Mon, 12:56: Similar story here in Belgium. https://t.co/L1Yj0FqpTk Mon, 13:14: Again, guardedly optimistic news in Belgium; the number of COVID-19 patients in intensive care has fallen for the f... https://t.co/4Rqyyz4NHw Mon, 14:54: RT @OrangeOrder: Statement from Grand Master Wor. Bro. Edward Stevenson regarding the Twelfth of July parades https://t.co/o7sRXbyL8x Mon, 16:05: RT @GDRPempress: This morning's mental health must: what a penguin weigh-in looks—and sounds—like: https://t.co/p7Ogz9HZLP Mon, 17:11: The worst president. Ever. https://t.co/fhTRrGeiUh Balanced and fair, by Max Boot. Mon, 18:56: Eight living ex-Doctors who I have met, and one that I haven't! 4) Tom Baker 5) Peter Davison 6) Colin ...
Not the most important thing happening at the moment, but there have been a few planning applications in the last month. Please just let us know if you have any queries. Lawful development certificate for existing use – The Renewable Design Company are completing the...Broadfield Court, Park View Road, Prestwich, Manchester, M25 1QFRef. No: 65366 | Received: Thu 26 Mar 2020 | Validated: Thu 26 Mar 2020 | Status: RegisteredSingle storey extension at side 7 Brooklawn Drive, Prestwich, Manchester, M25 2GSRef. No: 65365 | Received: Thu 26 Mar 2020 | Validated: Wed 01 Apr 2020 | Status: Registered
Under lockdown and at a loose end? This is a reminder that I welcome guest posts on Liberal England. As you can see from this list of the 10 most recent guests posts, I am happy to consider a wide range of subjects beyond the Lib Dems If you would like to write a guest post yourself, please drop me an email so we can discuss your idea. Forgotten Victorian folklore collectors: An undiscovered treasure trove - Francis YoungJoseph Merrick in the cigar factory - Joanne Vigor-MungovinWhy we need a GCSE in Natural History - Mary ColwellThree unlikely heroes from ...
Tue 7th
08:15
Shropshire Council's new guide on wellbeing & mental health for adults, teenagers & children...
As the coronavirus spreads, more and more people are becoming anxious about what it might mean for themselves and their loved ones. It's completely understandable and normal to feel anxious about during emerging health crisis. In a timely and very welcome move, Shropshire Council has published a guide to maintaining wellbeing and reducing anxiety during the Covid-19 emergency. The 22-page guide links to dozens of online resources to help, your friends and your family cope with anxiety, relax and have fun during unprecedented times. Phone helpline numbers are also provided. Download Looking after your Mental Health during COVID-19 (PDF). The ...
2 big stories The Prime Minister is in intensive care, and yesterday I found myself wondering who is running the country. Simon Jenkins isn't really convinced that anybody is... Britain's present predicament is yielding lessons aplenty. One is that the formal machinery of government matters. Johnson's response to coronavirus has been to nationalise, standardise, command and control everything. In his lockdown, one rule must fit all. Such is Britain's centralist constitution. But if so, it must depend on one thing: efficient and accountable leadership. At present the prime minister is clearly unfit. A public and functioning alternative must surely be ...
Following the cancellation of the Dundee Daffodil Group's Spring Flower Show and to maintain contact amongst members and provide a little competition and fun, the group has decided to try and run a virtual flower show. The show is open to all, free of charge and there will be no prize money or trophies awarded. The competition will have limited classes and will be judged by Hazel Elder with first, second and third places being awarded. Rules and Guidance 1. The competition is free of charge and open to all.2. The exhibitor must have grown all entries.3. Exhibitors can only ...
