Lib Dems should target becoming largest party in local government (LDN#212)Liberal Democrat Newswire #212 came out on Monday and you can now also read it in full below. But if you'd like to get future editions emailed direct to you as soon as they are published, sign up now: Welcome to Lib Dem Newswire #212, which expands on why the Liberal Democrats should set – and then work seriously to hit! – a target of being the largest party in local government. First, though, congratulations to the new Lib Dem councillors since last time – Pat Hackett, Gary Taylor, Colin Millichap, Andrea Pellegram, Naomi Bloomer, Terry Weldon, Oli Leach, Alex ... (more) |
The Joy of Six 1552Alice McCool investigates the web of culture-war connections - from the US Christian right to Viktor Orbán's influence network - that lay behind the first British CPAC (Conservative Political Action Conference) conference. It's all well and good saying we should regulate social media. But social media is already regulated. So why is it failing? And what could we do in response? Chaminda Jayanetti has some ideas. Keyana Sapp explains why American cookware is getting worse: "Once you understand the brand licensing structure, you see it everywhere, and the pattern is always the same: one company owns the name, a different ... (more) |
Trump offended by key Burnham appointmentThe Independent reports that the White House is "deeply concerned" about Ed Miliband's appointment as foreign secretary, with a warning that Donald Trump has not forgotten scathing remarks the former Labour leader has made about him in the past. The paper says that Andy Burnham has been cautioned that Ed Miliband has some "serious diplomatic repair to undertake" in the US, after his promotion to the role on Monday sparked anger from the Trump administration: The former energy secretary has previously clashed with Mr Trumpover net zero and his attitudes to democracy and in 2016 he described the president as ... (more) |
Alexander Mackendrick and Sweet Smell of SuccessAt Ealing Studios, Alexander Mackendrick directed one masterpiece, The Ladykillers, and four more of the best films made there: Whisky Galore!, The Man in the White Suit, Mandy and The 'Maggie'. When Ealing folded he went to Hollywood, where his first film was the noir Sweet Smell of Success. Though it failed in America on its release in 1957, it is now recognised as another masterpiece and is the subject of this superior video masterclass. Mackendrick then suffered the indignity of being taken off two consecutive films and so did not complete another until 1963, when he made Sammy Going ... (more) |
Clear the gallery!Full council last week experienced some disruption. A bunch of Reform supporters were in the public gallery and, rather oddly, also in the well of the council chamber. This area is reserved for councillors, officers and press. The only members of the public allowed to sit in the well (on the edge of it) are those with disabilities which make it difficult to access the public gallery. (more) |
RMT calls three one-day strikes over Midland Main Line safetyThe latest news on East Midlands Rail's unsatisfactory new trains is that the largest railway trade union has called three one-day strikes over its concern that they are unsafe. As BBC News puts it: A union that represents railway staff has announced plans for its members at East Midlands Railway (EMR) to take strike action over "growing safety concerns the company has failed to address". The RMT union said it had been in dispute with EMR since April following the rollout of the 810 fleet (Aurora), which it said had been operating with a "significant number" of faults. It said ... (more) |
The first serving PM to receive the Legion of Honour?The BBC and The Guardian have both recently reported that Sir Keir Starmer was the first serving British PM to receive the French Legion of Honour. Both are wrong. The Times 15 January 1920 David Lloyd George was invested as Grand Cordon of the Legion of Honour in 1920. Grand Cordon was the secularist Third republic's name for the Legion's highest grade, today's Grand Cross. The investiture was carried out by Richard-William Martin, the French Chef du Protocol and Olympic silver medallist. Richard-William Martin The post The first serving PM to receive the Legion of Honour? appeared first on Cymdeithas ... (more) |
Harry Chapin: W.O.L.D.Being a DJ? Turns out it's a less than poptastic business. Aided by heavy rotation on Radio 1, with whose DJs it must have struck a chord, this reached no. 34 in the UK singles chart in 1973. Harry Chapin, a talented singer-songwriter, died in a car crash at the age of 38. (more) |
Will there be a general election?Speculation about a general election was one of the most expected outcomes of the change of Prime Minister. I can't however see an early election happening. Burnham inherits a Parliamentary party of over 400 MPs. The current Parliament has run for only 2 years and has 3 years left to go. Burnham has committed to following the key points of the Labour general election manifesto. Labour's poll (more) |
Michelin-starred restaurateur faces jail for using ants as dessert garnishBBC News wins our Headline of the Day Award for this story from Korea. The judges decided to have the trifle. (more) |