"I was a passionate European, I still am and so was Paddy. In fact when he died he didn't have a British passport. He had an Irish passport - like John Le Carré, who was a friend. I can't tell you how much that saddens me." In 2021 Jane Ashdown, the widow of the former Liberal Democrat leader, gave an interview to Seth Dellow for the Marshwood Vale Magazine. She talked candidly and emotionally about her life in and around the world of politics. Listen to the interview.
Where else to end out latest week at Bonkers Hall but beneath the slender spire of St Asquith's? There was time for a stiffener at the Bonkers' Arms before lunch at the Hall too. Sunday To St Asquith's, where the Revd Hughes takes as his text Matthew 8:9: "For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it." All I can say is that whoever wrote that never employed Meadowcroft. Lord Bonkers ...
Thu 7th
18:29
Keir Starmer was right: How Margaret Thatcher bankrolled a generation of left-wing entrepreneurs and...
I don't subscribe to the Telegraph, so I may not have read everything Keir Starmer had to say about Margaret Thatcher earlier this week. But what I did see was wholly unobjectionable. Starmer was quoted as saying Thatcher had "set loose our natural entrepreneurialism". Well, that was what she dreamed of doing. Most Conservative measures to help small businesses turn out to help large businesses rather more, but in one area at least Thatcher's policies did have a positive effect. And it often involved young entrepreneurs with very unThatcherite views. A Guardian article from this summer remembered the summer of ...
News that the former immigration minister, Robert Jenrick quit on Wednesday because Sunak's emergency Rwanda legislation did not go far enough, is firmly in the how many angels can dance on the head of a pin territory. His reasoning is nonsense simply because the bill itself is unworkable, breaches human rights conventions and international law, and has zero chance of making any difference to irregular migration. To think that going further would work better is sheer fantasy. What is interesting of course is where this leaves the Tory party. The Independent says that Tory MPs are 'deeply worried' by Robert ...
Shropshire planning officers have approved the application for 213 houses wedged between the A49, Bromfield Road and the railway line. This comes after the Environment Agency and Shropshire Highways withdrew their objections to a footpath from Bromfield Road under the railway bridge over the Corve. This will be the only pedestrian access to the site. A further six homes are to be added to the site in plans to be submitted next year. The housing will be accessed by vehicle from a new roundabout on the A49. This obviously must be installed before construction on the site itself begins. Construction ...
The latest evidence of dissension within the Parliamentary Tories has led to widespread speculation that there will be an early election. Some are even suggesting it will take place in March or April next year. Here is Ed Davey calling for an election on BBC Breakfast today: 'The Conservatives can't seem to pull themselves out of their cycle of chaos and failure' Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey spoke to #BBCBreakfast after Robert Jenrick's resigned as Immigration Minister saying the Rwanda bill 'did not go far enough'https://t.co/Ltry226TB9 pic.twitter.com/XlWSFr3QBg — BBC Breakfast (@BBCBreakfast) December 7, 2023 Now, like all activists, Ed ...
Here's a selection of some of my handmade gifts available in my Etsy shop now, perfect for Secret Santa's, stocking fillers, small gifts and presents via the post. Just click here on on the photos below to go to my Etsy Shop now. handstitched paper bookmarks Organic cotton crochet coaster set Avebury Sheep and Stones original watercolour Gardener's pocket postal gift Freestanding desk hand-stitched beaded mandala
Improving mental health has been a priority for the Liberal Democrats long before it was fashionable. Our elected representatives at every level raise it whenever they can. Norman Lamb as health minister did so much to improve access to services but it's been a long 8 years since he was in office. Recently, our Earl Russell secured a debate in the House of Lords to highlight how appalling provision is for children and young people. Waiting times are horrendous. Imagine the impact on your education if you have to wait a year to even be seen. It's then a long ...
Michael's surgeries take place today and every Thursday during school term time. They are as follows : Thursdays at 5.45pm prompt - West End Campus (come to reception area of St Joseph's RC and Victoria Park Primary Schools) Thursdays at 6.30pm prompt - Harris Academy reception area All welcome - no appointment necessary!
