Forcing people to show photographic identity before they could vote in May's local elections led to racial and disability discrimination. That's the conclusion of a report published today by the all-party parliamentary group on democracy and the constitution. I can't find the report online, but the Guardian says: The report, which has been seen by the Guardian, says: "The current voter-ID system is, as it stands, a 'poisoned cure' in that it disenfranchises more electors than it protects." The authors found that "polling clerks are more likely to fail to compare a photo ID to the person presenting that document ...
Back in June, we reported on some of the heartfelt tributes paid to Elspeth, Lady Campbell of Pittenweem, after her death. Anyone lucky enough to have been invited for lunch at their house were in for a treat. Great food and brilliant chat. Elspeth had an office in Scottish Lib Dem HQ for many years where she was a unique and sparkling presence. She was unfailingly kind and would have us in stitches with funny stories. We all loved her. She did love to smoke and when the smoking ban came in in 2006, it's fair to say she was ...
Recently, there has been a sudden surge in the popularity of sushi and sashimi in Hong Kong. Long queues can be seen outside sushi restaurants, and the sashimi and sushi in supermarkets are quickly sold out every day. This is happening after the Hong Kong government announced a ban on imports of Japanese seafood. The Japanese Consulate in Hong Kong has expressed its gratitude on social media to the Hong Kong people for their "rational consumption." In present-day Hong Kong, under the implementation of the national security law, citizens have found a way to express their lack of trust in ...
The television scriptwriter John Stevenson died last week. He was the leading scriptwriter for Coronation Street in the days when, because it was driven by character rather than issues, it was funnier than most situation comedies. Stevenson also co-wrote the comedy series Brass from the 1980s, which made fun of the A.J. Cronin and Catherine Cookson school of fiction. An old Guardian article recommending the box set, tells you all you need to know: Self-made man and owner of the village mine, mill and munitions factory, Bradley is the head of the Hardacre clan, which comprises his three sons, Bentley ...
I have mixed feelings about the "Last Night of the Proms." I enjoy the fun and games, love the music and greatly admire the skill of the musicians, even when they are playing the fool. However, although most people participating and listening probably recognise that the excessive patriotism of some of the words belongs to another age, the fact that they continue to feature in this semi-official "national" celebration legitimises right wing fantasies that the outdated sentiments are still relevant. Thus the former Tory MP Harvey Procter "tweets" that the flaunting of an alleged preponderance or EU flags is "disgraceful ...
The scene at Huntingdon Hospital where entire ceilings are being kept in place by these struts. Most of the people who read this blog are homeowners or at least on the way through the treadmill of mortgages to become home ... Continue reading →
The Guardian highlights a report by the all-party parliamentary group on democracy and the constitution, which has concluded that controversial rules governing voter identification led to racial and disability discrimination at this year's local elections in England. They say that MPs and peers on the all-party parliamentary group will publish a report today saying that the rules caused more harm than they prevented when they came into force in May, and will call for changes, including the acceptance of a greater range of ID documents: The report was co-authored by Sir Robert Buckland, who was justice minister in 2021 when ...
Regular readers might have wondered where I've been for the past month or so (and for those of you who didn't, I'm afraid that you going to get the answer anyway). It is perhaps a marker that I'm growing older that I've been away on grandparent duty. Given that I have no children of my own, it's an interesting reflection of how family life has changed with the advent of the right to divorce, or the emergence of non-traditional family structures, that allows someone like me (childless by choice) to step into the role of "Grandpa" to a small child. ...
DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - WEEKLY ROAD REPORT REPORT FOR THE WEST END WARD - WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 11 SEPTEMBER 2023 Brown Street (south of Douglas Street) - closed for 13 months until May 2024 for construction works. Seafield Road, Dundee - closed from its westmost end (in cul-de-sac) extending for a distance of no more than 20 metres in an easterly direction to facilitate a site access for a new housing development. Commencing Tuesday 22 August 2023 for 15 months. Rockfield Crescent - closed between Hyndford Street and Marchfield Road for carriageway resurfacing until Tuesday 12 September Riverside Drive (at ...
