Tactical voting took centre stage in the latest episode of Never Mind The Bar Charts as I discussed the thought-provoking pamphlet Breaching the Blue Wall: could tactical voting help England's 'progressive' parties defeat the Conservatives? with ones of its authors, Dr. Alan Wager. We focus on politics in England, but much of what we discuss is also applicable more widely too. Feedback very welcome, and do share this podcast with others who you think may enjoy it. Show notes Breaching the Blue Wall – the pamphlet discussed in the show. Tactical voting research #1 – many voters don't know the ...
Just a quick update this week. The infection rate has been falling in Telford, though provisional data show a small increase in recent days. In Shropshire, the infection rate looks to be increasing, though again the data on this is provisional. Across England, the recent fall in infection rates has halted. Locally in Ludlow, infection rates have flattened out and may be rising. There are currently 45 patients with Covid in the county's three main hospitals.
Second paragraph of third chapter ("Easy Entertainment", by Karen Cooper):To be ambitious and hopeful about your future is very commendable. The dreams and aspirations of each individual are the driving force towards the progress of each nation and towards the evolution of mankind.I'm going to pull together material from a couple of earlier posts here, to give you the full picture. On 22 January 1972, Edward Heath, the British Prime Minister, was spattered with ink on arriving at the Egmont palace in Brussels to sign the treaty admitting the UK to the European Communities. It's a striking moment and the ...
Over the past few days, information on how to vote in the Party's vice presidential election have been emailed and posted to members. The Vice President is responsible for working with ethnic minority communities. This is the first time there has been an all-member ballot for the election. The Federal Board chose the first VP – Isabelle Parasram, who has stepped down to take a politically restricted role. There are six candidates in this election, listed in alphabetical order of surname. If you click on their name it will take you to their manifesto. Amna Ahmad Roderick Lynch Tahir Maher ...
Some of today's campaigning by @LibDems in #NorthShropshire. Chesham & Amersham by-election winner Sarah Green MP & local campaigner Helen Morgan opening the campaign office at Soulton Grange, & campaigning pictures in #Oswestry, #MarketDrayton & #Ellesmere. pic.twitter.com/28mPTG5ssi — Matthew Green (@MatthewGreen02) November 13, 2021 The party's chief executive sent out one of these "confidential" briefings that is just crying out to be shared, given that most of the info is in the public domain anyway. Part of it was a photo of the first leaflet. Putting "confidential" on something is a good way of getting someone to read it. However, ...
The Tory obsession with controlling everything, locking down the state in their favour, taking donations from rich oligarchs with an agenda, and riding opinion polls on popularist measures like immigration has led me to the stage when I ask myself each morning if the UK has morphed into Viktor Orbán's Hungary, however this morning it feels more like Putin's Russia. The Guardian reports on disquiet and growing controversy over a proposed new law that will hand Michael Gove the power to set the remit of the hitherto independent watchdog that oversees elections and party finances, including donations. They say that ...
Sat, 14:50: Why ћ and ħ are different from ℏ https://t.co/HcaUqGmfjf Sat, 15:02: Phryne the basset hound has decided that I am her friend. https://t.co/5F4pq6XEOU Sat, 16:09: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring https://t.co/ZjfUpY5tWl Sat, 18:20: RT @reclamation2022: Our Guest of Honour @nwbrux with adorable hound Phryne. We are at @novacon50. Come find us and say hello. https://t.c... Sat, 18:41: RT @SirJJQC: Just remembered I once worked with a government minister who claimed for the cost of a poppy Sat, 20:48: RT @chrisgreybrexit: Welcome to Brexit 2.0. Latest post on my Brexit & Beyond Blog looking ...
At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them. pic.twitter.com/I8otf6q2QZ — Liberal Democrats (@LibDems) November 11, 2021 * Caron Lindsay is Editor of Liberal Democrat Voice and blogs at Caron's Musings
COP26 negotiators have as of this writing (Friday) entered the final stages of a draft agreement. It's not great news for Planet Earth. So far, the gathered pledges will reduce temperature rises from the current 2.5 degree level to 2.4 degrees centigrade—well short of the 1.5 degree limit which climatologists say is the maximum the planet can bear to avoid worldwide environmental disaster. There are, however, some streaks of silver in this dark cloud. One is that the negotiators have agreed to meet in Egypt next year in a bid to make further progress. Originally it was going be another ...
Glasgow was not a disaster after all. Neither was it a ringing success. Hopes had been building that the Conference of Parties would have reached an agreement that would get us near to capping global warming at 1.5°C. That target has been missed. The promises will be delivered in Egypt next year at COP27 at the earliest, if at all. But the ambition to limit the temperature rise 1.5°C is still alive and that is an achievement. There have been strides forward and the next COP has been brought forward to next year not the usual five year interval. We ...
Commenting on the conclusion of a deal at COP26 in Glasgow with only a commitment to 'phase down' the use of coal, Liberal Democrat Leader and former Secretary of State for Energy Sir Ed Davey MP said: "It sadly looks like the Prime Minister has flunked the chance for the UK to lead real progress in the fight against the climate crisis. His COP has barely been worth excess emissions caused by the flights to Glasgow. "We now need an urgent action plan to sort out the mess: we simply cannot sit and wait for COP27 and then COP28 after ...
The City Council is now consulting with all its tenants on rent levels for next financial year, including other charges such as sheltered housing charges. It is encouraging all tenants to give their views before the closing date of 23rd December and full details are available here.
