LibDem Blogs - Archived! - Sunday 27th August 2006

London E-edition digital newspapers

A very useful tool for political strategists and the muckrakers looking for juicy tit bits - at a glance one can have an insight into what's on the ground locally in and around London. London24 the publishers of 39 local newspapers across London now have gone high tech with an alternative to the normal website news. There is now an eletronic version of most of their papers. It's like having a real paper in front of you - but instead reading it on your computer. Had great ...

Trouble at Townsend

I was in Harpenden yesterday evening watching a forgotten film by the name of Trouble at Townsend . It was based on a story by Malcom Saville (which is why the viewing was organised by the Malcolm Saville Society) and starred a very young Petula Clark. The film is best regarded as an historical curiosity, but Harpenden is a pleasant little town and well worth a visit.

The best of British

Tim Worstall's latest BritBlog Roundup was posted earlier today.

Diversity and equality - haven't I seen this somewhere before?

And so we now have the motion for debate at Brighton, somewhat later than originally promised but at least available for challenge. After a fairly shambolic process whereby a working group hand-picked by the Party President failed to meet until early July and the initial paper to the Federal Executive came from who knows where (I know of at least one member of the working group who claims not to

Derby details

Anders Hanson has a post giving the background on the defections from Labour to Lib Dem in Derby South: The boundary changes at the next general election will be quite substantial in Derby and the majority of the Lib Dems’ best areas move from Derby South to Derby North constituency. But despite this I will not be surprised to see a Liberal Democrat MP in Derby at the next general election.See too his comment on my posting on the subject.

Best blogger

Gosh how exciting. Lib Dem bloggers are going to have their own equivalent of the the Oscars. I struggle to find the time to post as often as I would like and usually find that someone else has said what I was going to say before I get round to it. I admire those that do blog regularly and enjoy reading other people's thoughts. It's also nice to keep up with people I know like Iain Sharpe and Alex Wilcock and reassuring to know that I am not the only Doctor Who fanboy in the party;-) I have ...

Can you feel the love in the room?

A shiver of nervous anticipation has tingled its way through the Lib Dem blogosphere in the last few days with the news that the inaugural Blog of the Year prize will be awarded at this year’s party conference. (Nominations can be made here.) I’ve prevaricated mentioning it until now. Not because I don’t think it’s a good idea - anything which helps champion the importance of new media within the

Fatuous about flab

Some while ago I signed up to receive something called the Daily Bulletin from the Liberal Democrat campaigns department. It is a sort of briefing sheet for campaigners, giving the party line on the issues of the day. In practice I rarely manage to read it, partly from lack of time and partly because I am so often annoyed and exasperated by the pronouncements of our parliamentarians, that it’s

Comment is liberated

My technological ineptitute has got the better of me. Some while ago, some SPAM posts appeared on the blog – you know the kind of thing – 'Very nice, make some easy money by selling your soul to the Devil' etc. I decided to try and work out how to get rid of them, couldn't, gave it up as a bad job and left them there. Since the blog has been largely inactive for a few months I thought no more

Universities? We Love 'Em!

I've just had a look at Sean Fear's blog on Political Betting here . It seems that the more educated the population (or go to University) the less likely they are to vote Tory. Thinking about how well we have done in University cities since the dying days of Thatcher's premiership I think the implications for future policy and political development are obvious.....

Leeds beat Wednesday

At least one reader of this blog will be delighted that the mighty Leeds took all three points from this game despite their normal hatred of us. Leeds may have felt a bit lucky in the early stages as Lewis was pulled down on the edge of the box when through. Leeds got a free kick but amazingly the Wednesday player wasn't even booked. I thought Leeds had a penalty later on the first half when Healy

Storm Warning Warning

Tonight at six o’clock and again at midnight, BBC7 will broadcast the first part of Storm Warning, an exciting Doctor Who adventure starring Paul McGann, the Doctor from the ill-fated 1996 TV Movie. With a lively lead performance from Mr McGann and introducing an equally lively companion, it’s fun, pure and simple – set on the doomed airship R101, this is a slice of 1930s pulp adventure, with few

Ennersdale House Open Evening: 14 September

Local residents might be interested in attending an open evening at Ennersdale House to give their views on St Mungo's plans for developing the site. This will be from 5-7pm on Thursday 14 September. The plans include demolishing the exisiting 117 bed hostel and replacing it with a 40 bed facility, developing 20 studion flats in a single storey building, developing training and job search facilities on site, and landscaping the grounds. For more information contact alan@mungo's.org

Bridge Repairs welcomed

Recently received a complaint about the poor condition of the bridge over the railway on Riverside Drive south of the Botanic Gardens (see right). Having brought this to the attention of the Planning & Transportation Department, I am now advised as follows: "The bridge over the railway is owned by Dundee City Council. I have had the bridge inspected and the damage you noted is localised damage and is of longstanding. I have asked for repairs to be effected."

Famous at last!

Cameron on South Africa: His party doesn't seem to agree with him

David Cameron's apology for the South African policy of Mrs Thatcher has stirred up a bit of a firestorm within the Tory party rank and file. Norman Tebbit has disagreed with Cameron and declared: "The policy of the Thatcher government was a success." Sir Bernard Ingham reacted by saying: 'I wonder whether David Cameron is a Conservative.' Over on Conservative Home, despite a couple of

delivering newspaper Focus

Just started delivering a newspaper version of a Liberal Democrat Focus in the Hither Green area. If any kind soul would like to help me, perhaps they could get in touch.

Planning Application: 297 Brownhill Road

Residents in the area might be interested in a planning application (application no. DC/06/63252) for the demolition of existing garages at 297 Brownhill Road and the construction of a two storey, three bedroom house. Further details from Geoff Whittington, tel 02083149530, e-mail planning@lewisham.gov.uk.

First non-Lib Dem Wordpress widget…

Here’s the first of two new Wordpress Widgets, and, for the first time, it’s not Lib Dem specific. It lets you show a subsection of the pages of your Wordpress blog. The options page for the widget shows a drop-down box of all the pages in your blog. Select one of them and only pages [...]

Family Court Stories

There is some interest in the media (link to Observer story) about the Family Courts. I am particularly interested in the aspects relating to Public Law (which is where Social Services come in). The argument is put forward that the secrecy is there to protect the children. Why, then, when it has been proven that everything claimed to justify a child being taken into care is false and the case

Back to the Future

After months of policy vacuum, the Tories have had two ideas at once – steady, they’ll burst something! With an Observer-friendly policy for The Observer and a Telegraph-friendly policy in the Sunday Telegraph, you might think they’re facing two ways at once. Take both stories together, though, and they may be onto something: with an apology for supporting apartheid and a possible tax cut on

Green Tax Switch - a straight line from Dorking to Hazel Grove

Bizarrely, the map of all the Green Tax Switch meetings on Flock Together suggests that all the meetings to date are in a straight line between Dorking and Hazel Grove. You can see for yourself here. Update: The link in the earlier edit of this post has now been corrected. Mike Bell in Weston-super-Mare has opened [...]

Guardian Front Page: “C4 ‘too downmarket’ ITV chief says”

My moderate and meaningful reaction to that headline* from the boss of It’s TackyVision yesterday: ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha no, really. ...

Day 2061: Okay, it’s way more than Seven Blogs in Seven Days: “Lib Dem Blogs Aggregated”

Friday Oh I give up! I cannot keep my fluffy list down to JUST SEVEN! I was going to tell you about Mr Rob Fenwick on "The posh sounding Northumbrian", who has interesting things to say about Sir Mr the Merciless' latest video. But there is also Mr Joe Otten who writes "Joe’s Extra Bold Political Blog", and wants to tell us more about Pluto. (Daddy Richard agrees with him, even if they are both WRONG! Pluto IS a planet or where does all the PLUTONIUM come from???) And there is INVALUABLE internationalism from Mr Tony Ferguson on his ...

Day 2060: Seven-ish Blogs in Seven Days: “Love and Liberty”

Thursday As I am telling you all about the blogs that I like to read, you REALLY cannot expect me not to mention MY DADDY ALEX and his "Love and Liberty". Daddy has impressed lots of people with his political writings (I gave him LOTS of help!) but he DOES have a life outside of politics too, and to prove it here are some of his typically enthusiastic thoughts on the Avengers. (Yes, I KNOW it is dated a week earlier – but I sat on the back of my chair and watched him type it in, so I ...

Day 2059: Seven Blogs in Seven Days: “Liberal England”

Wednesday No one should miss out on one of Liberal Democracy’s hottest writers, Mr Jonathan Calder on "Liberal England". There was – as always – plenty to choose from this week, so I have gone for a PARTICULARLY choice piece, a poignant review of the lessons to be learned from BBC docu-drama "Accused". This isn’t typical of Mr Jonathan’s writings, but only because he is so ECLECTIC, covering a wide range of issues and in a wide range of styles from throwaway one-liners to an in-depth thoughtful piece like this. He is also a close friend of LORD BONKERS ...

Day 2058: Seven Blogs in Seven Days: “No Geek is an Island”

Tuesday Continuing my telling you about blogs that I like, never far from my fluffy foot is the button for Mr Will Howells and his "No Geek is an Island". Mr Will is much more PITHY than I am – or, as some people might say, he gets to the point while I am still winding up to my first GAG! His pieces are generally short and to the point, and he keeps his eyes open and covers a very broad range of subjects. Here, he is one of several Liberals to offer some SUB EDITING to the Grauniad ...

Day 2057: Seven Blogs in Seven Days: “Forceful and Moderate”

Monday Femme de Resistance provides EXCELLENT and PASSIONATE commentary on "Forceful and Moderate" Here she has, like ME, decided to write about the fairness of inheritance tax. Unlike me, she makes her case with charismatic directness. She continues EVEN MORE excellently with this! I wish that I could write things so well! If inheritance tax leaves you cold, you might prefer the much-deserved whacking she gives to the Daily Mail over the purposelessness of articles therein.

Day 2056: Seven Blogs in Seven Days: “A Liberal Goes a Long Way”

Sunday I always enjoy seeing a new posting from Mr Stephen Tall on "A Liberal Goes a Long Way", even though he seems to have an UNCANNY knack of getting in first with things that I want to write in MY diary! On the other fluffy foot, he says them VERY WELL and I usually agree! He also uses VIDEOS that are VERY COOL. You should watch them! I could recommend ANY of his diaries, really, but here are his thoughts on topping the Google charts! Do not worry, Mr Stephen – WE read you! While I am about ...

Day 2055: Seven Blogs in Seven Days: “Lynne’s Parliamentary and Haringey Diary”

Saturday Soon it will be time for the LIBERAL DEMOCRAT conference and this year there is to be a SPECIAL PRIZE for the Best Liberal Blog of the Year. It will be very, very difficult for people to decide who DOES deserve this prize because there are so many very, very good diaries to read. I should like to tell you about some of the ones that I like to stick my big fluffy nose into for a good browse. First to come to my attention is Ms Lynne Featherstone on "Lynne’s Parliamentary and Haringey Diary" This week ...

The Sinner Repenteth Too Late on Apartheid

Deary me. Cameron goes to see Mandela and says that the Tories got it wrong on Apartheid. So, that's all right then eh? Wrong. How much money did the Tories get in donations from the likes of Barclays Bank and other big businesses with links to the National Party Apartheid regime? Wasn't it the Young Conservatives and Federation of Conservative Students who regularly called for Nelson Mandela to be hanged as a terrorist? Sorry David Cameron but there are people out there with a longer memory. You really are a cameleon if you think that a simple apology ...

Another bike at Bisley

Another bike from the SOFER Rally at Bisley

Belated Congratulations to Harrow Lib Dems

I also wanted to add my congratulations to Councillor Paul Scott and the Harrow Weald Lib Dems on their successful campaign. The victory was all the more rewarding given the sarcasm and abuse that the intrepid souls Duncan Borrowman, Grace Goodlad, Jo Christie-Smith and myself experienced at the hands of the arrogant Harrow Tories on our day trip there just over a week ago. Here's to many more successes and recovery for our friends up in Harrow. But, just before we all get carried away, I also would like to join the voices urging caution about the mass defections ...

Sunday 27th August 2006

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