LibDem Blogs - Archived!

I'm reading "The Tyranny of Numbers" by David Boyle at the moment. The first of his historical interludes concerns Jeremy Bentham, the first utilitarian, who became obsessed with creating "fair" government through counting, measuring and catagorising absolutely everything. His ultimate aim was laudable - to benefit human happiness by fully tabulating all its contributory factors. Boyle does an

Leafleting again today. With help (thanks Jon and Carl) we covered the housing estates between the Churnet river and Cheadle Rd. This is a community of nearly 5,000 people, yet we have no doctor's surgery. This is a disgrace. The Primary Care Trust, which decides where NHS resources will be spent, held a 'listening day' - a laughable pseudo-consultation. They held it on a weekday and advertised it so poorly that I've still not found anyone who knew it was happening. Not surprisingly hardly anyone turned up. Those who did were mostly ...

You want to hear a strong case for devolution of power? Spare five minutes to listen to this interview with the Mayor of New Orleans (originally broadcast live last Thursday). I swear you will never before have heard an interview with a politician quite like this.

Last night Euan Blair and his bird rented a copy of Scary Movie on DVD from the Pimlico 'Blockbuster'. True story. Don't worry, this is going to get more highbrow. I swear to God.

The only time I had heard the word "Levee" was in the lyrics of the song "American Pie" for which the link gives a good explanation. As the issues unravel in Mississippi it raises a large number of issues for the USA and the world. Firstly, it is clear that Bush was more interested in 3,000 generally rich people dying in New York than over 10,000 relatively poor people drowning in Mississipi.

As previously promised - although admittedly a bit late - here is the other response I received to my posting on Gladys Hammond and the animal rights issues from Uncaged Campaigns: Thanks for your email. Where to start?! Firstly, it seems much is taken from info supplied by the RDS (Research Defence Society). The RDS is a lobby group funded by the pharmaceutical and chemical companies with the

Been a busy weekend turned up at the Livingston campaign Office at 9:00 yesterday morning and was kicked out with my first set of leaflets for the day at approximately 9:05. At various times yesterday I was in Deans, Eliburn, Bellsquarrry, Mid Calder, and Kirknewton. With occasion stops off at HQ for much required liquid and food breaks. Finished the last run of the day at 19:30, but I was ready

I remember that during the Thatcher Governments that every now and again politicians such as Norman Tebbitt would launch a sustained attack on the BBC for its left wing and anti-government bias. The impact of these bursts of activity would be to mute the broadcaster and give government politicians a much easier ride on programmes such as Radio Four's Today. Clearly the lessons of that tactic were not lost on New Labour, who very quickly adopted the same methods. The Government's response to the Andrew Gilligan affair was a classic example of ignoring the facts in favour of attacking the ...

Sunday 4th September 2005 - The Cheadle blisters have barely healed and it's back out on the campiagn trail today working in Whiston South where there is a by-election on Sept 22nd for the vacant Knowsley Council seat. We have a terrific candidate in Yvonne Southern and are confident we can pull off victory this time after Yvonne lost out last year by only 130 votes.

Saturday 3rd September 2005 - I was delighted and honoured to be asked in my capacity as Regional Chair to open the new offices of North West MEP Saj Karim in Nelson on Saturday. I was joined by Tim Farron MP, Westmoreland & Lonsdale, Lord Tony Greaves and many local Pendle Councillors, activists and campaigners to celebrate the opening of Saj's new premises which will be a beacon for Liberal

Some weird and wacky stories can be picked up on the web. After all the sad and depressing news I came across these. Couldn't help chuckling to myself.Spider fireA GERMAN woman destroyed her family home by setting fire to it as she tried to kill spiders with a can of hairspray and a cigarette lighter.Pink PigeonsA FLOCK of pink pigeons has been spotted in Scottish skies after their plumage became coloured by a chemical factory.