Municipal goodness from the British Film Institute's Britain on Film site. Click on the still above to view it there. The BFI's blurb explains: Sheffield shows off its many parks and open green spaces in this delightful film, evocative of the John Betjamin Shell films. The spare voiceover, reminiscent of the late John Arlott, is in perfect accord with the arcadian images beautifully shot in black and white, enhancing the period feel of early 1960s Britain. Sheffielders enjoy the endless pleasures of the parks: swimming, bowls, boats, swings and daffodils, while meteorological readings are taken in Weston Park.
The House magazine reprints an extract from Sebastian Whale's new biography of the former Commons speaker John Bercow. This section will be of particular interest to Liberal Democrat readers: During the coalition years, some Lib Dems did feel that Bercow should have allowed them more opportunity to express their own independent voice when it diverged with that of the Conservatives."I felt there could have been more accommodation to allow that to help us increase the profile of the Lib Dems as opposed to the coalition," says Tom Brake. After the 2015 election, when the Lib Dems were left with just ...
Second frame of third page of Wiske: (onomatopœic noises) Second frame of third page of Barabas: "Please stow your tray tables, and move your seats to the upright position" (See previously vols 1, 2, 3, 4) This is the close of Marc Legendre's reimagining of the classic Flemish kids' comic, Suske en Wiske, with the two central characters finally reunited but only for a rather downbeat ending. Volume 5 actually won the Willy Vandersteen Prize, the award for a Dutch-language comic named after the original creator of Suske en Wiske. (The only other Vandersteen Prize winner that I have read ...
Liberal Democrats are at the forefront of cross party calls for a long-term, cross-departmental mental health plan in response to the COVID-19 crisis. Citing the "acute" impact of the pandemic on mental health, a cross party group of Parliamentarians warn that over half of adults admit the coronavirus crisis has impacted their wellbeing. The group, led by Liberal Democrat Health, Wellbeing and Social Care spokesperson Munira Wilson, are calling for the Government to set up: An expert-led mental health taskforce to advise on the best methods to deal with the mental health impact of coronavirus. A cross-departmental mental health plan ...
For a while now there's been a lot of talk in the party about how we need to adopt more radical policies, although this does often seem to lead back to Universal Basic Income. Another idea I think we should look more closely at is the 'Preston Model'. I think that we Lib Dems are, for better or worse, often at our best when pulling apart big ideas so I'm interested to see what others think of this approach. If it's something we already do at local government level then we should be talking about it much more. The Preston ...
This photo has nothing whatever to do with this post. Anyone know what it is? I left the house yesterday for the first time in nearly six weeks because my husband had to attend a hospital appointment. It was a whole new world out there. Far less traffic than usual, although the speed cops were in evidence to deter those who were tempted to use the clear roads as race tracks. A new shop had popped up in the parade just 5 minutes walk from my home - how could I have not known that? When we arrived at the ...
Sat 25th
16:00
Dominic Cummings should remember that Rasputin was murdered by a member of the Bullingdon Club
Rasputin: There was a cat that really was gone Rasputin was trending on Twitter this morning, apparently because everyone has been comparing Dominic Cummings to him. Cummings should be careful. Prime ministerial advisers are eminently sackable when the going gets tough. He should remember that Rasputin was murdered by a member of the Bullingdon Club. Poisoned, shot and drowned, if I recall correctly.
Sat 25th
15:07
"However beautiful the strategy, you should occasionally look at the results"— Winston Churchi...
Two months ago I wrote an article for this site. I spoke about how for the Liberal Democrats, tactics have become our strategy. In the time since, an election review has kicked off and internally there have been many conversations about what our strategy should be in the coming years. Most of what has been suggested, however, has not been about strategy. It has still been about conflating strategy with electoral operations and tactics. That's why I've responded to Mark Pack's request for feedback on our strategy and what it should look like in the future, with this letter. I ...
I wrote yesterday to the Mayor and other Party Leaders in Liverpool, on behalf of the Liberal Democrat Group, about how the Council needed to look at preparations for a very different future in Liverpool. Today we had some salutary ... Continue reading →
Coronavirus has blown open many of the issues contemporary society faces as a whole. The UK Government has acted radically in the last few weeks. The furlough scheme has guaranteed many workers pay, and a huge effort has provided support for charities and businesses. Yet many have been left behind. Those laid off have joined record applicants for unemployment benefit, as we look on from the precipice of the worst economic crash since the 1930s. Key workers have emerged as national heroes, but their low-pay has highlighted imbalances in our societal values. High earners continue to work from the safety ...
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Sat 25th
11:05Parliamentary scrutiny of a Unitary Cabinet government during the coronavirus crisis - Part 2
Read Part 1 After Prime Minister Rutte's March 12 press conference, the Second Chamber ordered (!) all parliamentary parties to make researchers start working from home; only a skeleton staff of co-ordinating people remained and MPs not having meetings retreated. The First Chamber (Senate) only meets on Tuesdays and can only veto or pass laws; their meetings were temporarily suspended (many members are above 60 years old). This was unprecedented. After Rutte's 15 March press conference, the Second Chamber Presidium took a double drastic step: only plenary sessions and debates about the progress of the national Corona crisis (one a ...
Fri, 12:56: RT @apcoworldwide: While the #climate debate may be taking a backseat to the public discourse around the #COVID19 pandemic, it's still an i... Fri, 13:42: First in series of important tweets. https://t.co/KMGJxBtOhe Fri, 16:05: The chairs of Blake's 7 https://t.co/09KtwiY8i0 This is exactly what we need - a definitive list of every type of chair seen in Blake's 7. Fri, 17:11: 'That's not art it's Victorian porn!' - how one small Barbie doll took on the art world https://t.co/PFHzZugtUJ I h... https://t.co/9Mh5nY4USR Fri, 17:55: 750,000 tonnes of potatoes at risk of being destroyed https://t.co/fMBqwFqxUZ "Belgapom [the Belgian potato ...
With Parliament now meeting virtually now is surely the time to proceed with the much-needed restoration of these historic and iconic buildings. However, as ever MPs cannot agree amongst themselves and nobody in government seems keen to push the project forward, apparently content to see the buildings fall down around them, while projected costs continue to soar out of control. The Guardian reports that National Audit Office (NAO) has called on the group tasked with the Palace of Westminster's multi-billion-pound overhaul to take a firm grip on the process after the budget for Big Ben's construction works alone rose by ...
I've covered previously some of the different initiatives Liberal Democrats are taking to call members, supporters or residents to help them through the coronavirus crisis. But even as normal campaigning is rightly on hold, there's much more that can be done – and needs to be done. Enter stage left, Haringey Liberal Democrats who are taking up with online campaigning a gap in government support for local businesses: Numerous local businesses are in danger because they are unable to access government funding and rates relief during the COVID-19 crisis warn Liberal Democrat councillors in Haringey. Haringey Lib Dem Leader Cllr ...
Sat 25th
09:27
Brexit – Let's face it other then the Brexiteers we all knew there'd be few to pick the crops
Jonathan Calder hits the nail squarely on the head in this blog piece about the lack of crop pikers in Brexit Britain Sorry to have to say this to those farmers who voted for Brexit but you voted to have (or in this case not have) what you now seem to be upset about. Would it not be an idea to think about what you are voting for in future, just saying.
A party press release brings the news, continuing the welcome long-running party focus on mental health: Liberal Democrats are at the forefront of cross-party calls for a long-term, cross-departmental mental health plan in response to the COVID-19 crisis. Citing the "acute" impact of the pandemic on mental health, a cross-party group of Parliamentarians warn that over half of adults admit the coronavirus crisis has impacted their wellbeing. The group, led by Liberal Democrat Health, Wellbeing and Social Care spokesperson Munira Wilson, are calling for the Government to set up: An expert-led mental health taskforce to advise on the best methods ...
Ready, set, snap!Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust's annual wildlife photography competition is now open for entries, with new categories and bigger and better prizes. GWT would love to see your images showcasing the stunning scenery and spectacular wildlife here in Gloucestershire.We appreciate that movement is currently restricted due to lockdown but we think the 'on your doorstep' category provides the perfect opportunity for capturing snaps of wildlife and wild places close to your home - either in your garden or whilst out enjoying your daily exercise.In addition to the adult categories, there is also a juniors category for those aged 17 or ...
The House of Lords debated how Covid-19 affected social care this week and Lib Dem peers made several contributions on such issues as DNRs being inappropriately proposed to local authority financing and the needs of charities helping seriously ill children and PPE in care homes. Sal Brinton as Health and Social Care spokesperson summed up the Lib Dem stance on these important issues. Here is her speech in full: On behalf of the Liberal Democrat Benches, I also thank all the staff and volunteers working across the wider social care and community sector. Frequently low paid but definitely not low ...
I thought it would be useful to give a reminder of the Dundee helpline to provide lifeline support and supplies for vulnerable people who have been advised to shield themselves against coronavirus, but have no way to access services. The Freephone number for Dundee - 0300 123 1403 - allows those who have been identified by Scotland's chief medical officer because of specific health conditions to speak to council advisers, who will then be able to target emergency aid directly. People in Dundee who are vulnerable but not on the shielded list should use a different number - 0800 111 ...
Responding to reports that Dominic Cummings and a data scientist he worked with on the Vote Leave campaign are on the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage), Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said:"The coronavirus crisis is leaving the most vulnerable at risk. The public needs to have confidence that it is expert advice that is guiding government decisions, not dubious political advisers. The lack of transparency is an absolute outrage. "To get to the truth and to give Boris Johnson the opportunity to answer some serious questions, it is clear that there will need to be an ...
