Afghanistan entered a new phase in its tragedy today, with the Taliban on the outskirts of Kabul. Over forty years of war have led us back to "year zero" once more. Events have moved quickly. Only two months ago, Dr Abdullah Abdullah, members of the Afghan Civic Democrats and the UNAMA talked to Lib Dems Overseas and LIBG members about their hopes to reach an inclusive political settlement acceptable to the Afghan people. The blame game can be shared out amongst all those on the losing side: The Afghan government for its gross corruption that siphoned off hundreds of millions ...
Third paragraph of The life and adventures of Mrs. Christian Davies, commonly call'd Mother Ross; who, in several campaigns under King William and the late Duke of Marlborough, in the quality of a foot-soldier and dragoon, gave many signal proofs of an unparallell'd courage and personal bravery, taken from her own mouth when a pensioner of Chelsea-Hospital, and known to be true by many who were engaged in those great scenes of action:Nothing remarkable occurs to my Memory from the Time of this Monarch's being proclaimed, to that in which he was forced to throw himself into the Arms of ...
Every year at Conference we acknowledge those people who have made an outstanding contribution to the Liberal Democrats whether they have achieved elected office or not. Nominations are open for this Autumn's awards and close tomorrow. So what are the awards and who is eligible? The President's Award Eligibility: open to any Party Member elected to public office and who has demonstrated excellence and commitment. Criteria: the winner will be recognised for outstanding commitment and service to the Party. Local, regional and state parties should be seeking to nominate people who deserve recognition for their hard work, long service, and ...
Appropriately, this is quite surreal. Back in 1957, Salvador Dali appeared on the US game show "What's My Line?", where a panel have to guess the occupation of a mystery guest. You couldn't make it up. It makes for a charming and inciteful portrait of the great man.
Do you remember how the town of Wooton Basset, now Royal Wooton Basset, would turn out to honour our glorious dead as they were carried home from the nearby RAF airfield to be returned to the love and final care ... Continue reading →
Sat, 15:29: The Truman Show https://t.co/DYGAXtLv5b
Time for some more Housemartins, simply because I like them more and more as time goes by. We're Not Deep is a track from their debut LP London 0 Hull 4, which was released (checks notes incredulously) 35 years ago. Paul Heaton's lyrical genius, as ever, is on display: Now it may be a sad reflection On the way young people feel, But early Monday morning Is losing its appeal. I open my curtains at 7am Just so you think I'm up with the rest of the men.
Ed Davey called for Parliament to be brought back from its Summer holidays to discuss the growing crisis in Afghanistan. His comments two days ago seem even more urgent now as the Taliban advance on Kabul in an entirely predictable consequence of the withdrawal of US and UK troops from the country. I am not a fan of military action. There have been very few deployments of our troops I have been in favour of because we often seem to ultimately make things a lot worse. There have been a few exceptions to this, for humanitarian purposes, such as intervention ...
Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey has written to the Prime Minister calling on him to host a "Westminster Leaders Crisis Meeting" on the Afghanistan crisis. In the letter, leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey MP said: "It is without doubt that we face a crucial point in history and, as a nation, we must act together before it is too late. "Given the tragedy unfolding before our eyes and the grave threat to national security this raises, I urge you to invite all Westminster party leaders from across the UK to meet with you to discuss our nation's response ...
Sun 15th
09:19
Covid Watch 156: Infection rollercoaster continues as cases rise locally and nationally
Covid-19 infection rates are on the up in Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin and have stopped falling across England. This was perhaps inevitable after relaxation of social distancing regulations. Social mixing is increasing and there is growing trend for people not to wear masks in public and enclosed spaces. While infections rates are rising, there has only been a small increase in hospitalisations due to the effectiveness of the success programme. In Shropshire, 78.4% of adults have received both vaccinations, with a further 7.1% having had their first dose. In Telford & Wrekin, the equivalent figures are 81.1% and 12%. ...
Our party is a bit like a family, including the fights, factions, and fallouts. But like a family, there are lots of different interests that bind us together alongside our belief in liberal democracy. In the past, interest groups who wanted to formalise and become recognised by the party had to go through a process to become an "Associated Organisation" or a "Specified Associated Organisation". Back in 2020, however, the Federal Board asked for a review of the way this worked, and how these groups interact and work together with the wider party. Since then we (Flo Clucas, Tim Pickstone, ...
University of Dundee Botanic Garden Saturday 21st August at 6.30pm Set on board the warship HMS Pinafore, the opera cheerfully mocks such Great British institutions as Class, Patriotism and the Royal Navy. A great event at the Botanic Garden! Full details here.
