As I once wrote: I love Milton Jones's comedy. He doesn't just use puns and word play. If that was all he did, he's be Tim Vine. It's because every funny line of his creates an alternative world. And that world exists for a second or two on stage with him until its bubble bursts and it is no more. Here Jones talks to the always likeable Rob Brydon about his career and approach to comedy. The party's autumn conference is in Bournemouth this year. I doubt I'll have the self-control to resist stealing Jones's joke about the Japanese attack ...
Europe has missed a trick. Ukraine was primarily a European problem. Russia was threatening European security, and by extension, the NATO alliance as a whole. But to most Americans the war in Ukraine, as Neville Chamberlain said in 1938 about Czechoslovakia—"is a quarrel in a faraway country between people of whom we know nothing." But America coughed up billions. That is not to say that European countries—including the UK—have not dug deep. Since 2022 Europe has given slightly more than the US – $65.9 billion compared to $65 billion from Washington. Another $8.59 billion has come from non-European countries Canada, ...
Rushden Lakes shopping centre is welcoming the first beavers to be seen in Northamptonshire for four centuries. Boudicca, Alan and their six kits - I don't know if there is a class system among beavers, but I can't shake off the suspicion that Boudicca married beneath herself - will be living in a 42-acre fenced enclosure there. But if it's true that, following escapes from such enclosures, there are now hundreds of beavers living wild in Kent, it won't be long until Boudicca and Alan, or their friends and relations, turn up on the River Jordan here. Anyway, Katie King-Hurst, ...
Josh Graham writes on politics.co.uk: The Lib Dems, after a historic general election campaign under Ed Davey's buccaneering leadership secured 72 MPs, have found their voice in a crowded UK political scene as the prime critics of Trump's revolution. The Lib Dems have assumed this anti-MAGA mantle largely by default, that said. The Labour Party, a natural ideological opponent of Trumpism, has been silenced by its government duties and diplomatic responsibilities. The Conservative leadership has positioned itself as supportive of Trump's general initiative. Nigel Farage's Reform UK is MAGA's British spin-off. Meanwhile, the Green party - whose criticism might even ...
The combined Agenda & Directory for the Lib Dem Federal Spring Conference coming up in Harrogate is now out. It includes details of all the keynote speeches, debates and more: Keep up with news about Lib Dem conference If you'd like to be notified by email when further posts about Liberal Democrat conference appear on this blog, just sign up here. (Note: if you're already signed up for a daily email alert with all my new blog posts, then there's no need to sign up for these alerts too as the stories will also be in the full daily digest.) ...
We had one of the rare Tuesday by-elections this week, this time in Pembrokeshire and in a ward without a Liberal Democrat last time: Haverfordwest Prendergast (Pembrokeshire) Council By-Election Result: [IMG: 🙋] IND: 31.6% (New) [IMG: 🔶] LDM: 25.4% (New) [IMG: 🌳] CON: 21.6% (-37.0) [IMG: ➡] RFM: 11.3% (New) [IMG: 🌹] LAB: 9.0% (-32.3) [IMG: 🌍] GRN: 1.1% (New)Independent GAIN from Conservative.Changes w/ 2022. — Election Maps UK (@electionmaps.uk) 2025-02-11T23:33:59.247Z
The Independent reports that Rachel Reeves is under mounting pressure over allegations she used company expenses in a former job to buy handbags, perfume, earrings and wine for colleagues, and exaggerated her Bank of England experience on her CV. The paper says that the BBC has alleged that before entering parliament, the chancellor was one of three employees investigated by Halifax Bank of Scotland (HBOS) for using her expenses to "fund a lifestyle" with inappropriate spending on dinners, events, taxis and gifts. The broadcaster uncovered documents it said showed Ms Reeves was accused of spending hundreds of pounds on the ...
Friends of Wighton's Saturday morning Cappuccino Concert takes place tomorrow - Saturday 15th February - Wighton Heritage Centre, Central Library, Wellgate Centre. This week's concert features Barbara and Peter Snape. Peter and Barbara Snape are a very popular duo from the North West of England with a distinctly 'northern' repertoire. Barbara's versatile singing voice is full of character with both the sensitivity to move you with tales of hardship or love and the robustness to belt out invigorating, earthy songs with such confidence that you will feel compelled to join in. Peter's well-crafted accompaniments on the melodeon give life to ...
