LibDem Blogs - Archived! - Tuesday 31st October 2006

Non à Halloween

The BBC reports encouraging news from France: Halloween is said to be dying in France after a short-lived bonanza, according to media reports. It seems the festival, which came to prominence in the late 1990s, is in decline because it is perceived as "too American". An association called No to Halloween - which was set up to combat the trend - has now wound down as a result of the festival's waning appeal. It said Halloween was artificially inflated to serve commercial interests. Norfolk Blogger does not like the new festival either. And I had my say ...

Curiosity of the Day

The result is in and (rustle, rustle) the winner is The Kinema in the Woods at Woodhall Spa in Lincolnshire.

Baghdad Burning Is Back

I've just realised that after a gap of a couple of months, Riverbend has posted again. It actually took me a fortnight to notice - but I'm truly relieved that she is still alive. She's in a sombre mood. Understandably.

US: It's all kicking off with Bush and Kerry

I sense the hand of Karl Rove in the latest pathetic attempt by George Bush to deflect attention from his disastrous Iraq policy. It's the usual Rove strategy: "When in a hole: BLAME JOHN KERRY". I have just watched John Kerry's remarkable response to this puerile rubbish from Bush. It has to be seen. Go this page and click on "Watch Kerry say he won't apologize for criticizing the president and

Trick or Treat ? yes, lets teach our children to d...

I hate Halloween. Not because it is halloween, but becaus what was all hallows eve, a terribly British tradition from ancient times has become the American "Trick or Treat" festival of greed. In the same was as card manufacturers push "Fathers day", "Mothers day" and in America, "Grandparents day", in order to sell more cards and gifts, so we are being pushed, and worse, our kids are being pushed by marketing and parents in to thinking that Halloween is something we should all be spending money on. I heard a shopkeeper on the radio earlier today who said ...

Your choice to take on Ken Livingstone

Early next year London Liberal Democrats will choose their candidate to take on Ken Livingstone for the post of London Mayor. Naturally, Lib Dem Voice will be analysing the field of candidates as they emerge, but let’s first of all hear from you. Tell us in the comments box who YOU would like to see running as [...]

From Kingston to Kingston

There's quite a story about this photo, if you've got time for it. From the left you can see the British High Commissioner to Jamaica, His Excellency Jeremy Cresswell. In the middle is the Acting Jamaican High Commissioner to the UK, Mrs Sharon Saunders. Then on the right are two key people at Kingston Council - Brigitte Pfender, the International Partnerships...

Would Unions call the shots if Labour ran Housing?...

It's Halloween today, the day of mischief and trickery, when the ghosts of the past stalk the land and children hide in their beds in case the boogie-man gets them. It is on that note that it's relevant to raise questions about the links between Labour's Executive Member for Housing, Andrew Pakes and the Trade Unions that pay 75% of the Labour party's bills. Andrew Pakes was formerly President of the National Union of Students, Communications Director of the AUT and is a member of the Transport and General Workers Union (TGWU). The TGWU is one of the four ...

Jim'll Fix It

Sir Jimmy Savile is 8o today and the Yorkshire Evening Post has launched a front page campaign to have him made a Freeman of the City of Leeds. Assuming that its already not stitched up then the YEP gets what it wants. And why not? Jimmy is a "colourful" character I grant you but he has done so much for Charity and Leeds In particular then it would be churlish not to. The Lib Dem/Conservative/Green Coalition has already handed out "Freemans" to Jane Tomlinson, Fanny Waterman and Alan Bennett after years of Municipal parsimony from Labour ( Ok I ...

Western Cemetery, Very useful meeting, Good feedba...

Met with a number of West End Community Council folk and Leisure and Communities staff at the Western Cemetery this morning (you can read more about the cemetery by clicking on headline above).This follows on from our initial meeting on 24th October - the aim is to progress ideas to allow the community to help preserve the Western Cemetery and hopefully set up a "Friends of Western Cemetery" group to undertake some sympathetic works within the cemetery area. As you can see from the photo I took this morning, the cemetery is in a beautiful setting but as ...

"the wrong signal"

According to Margaret Beckett having an inquiry into the Government's decision to invade Iraq will send 'the wrong signal'. What a pathetic argument from a pathetic Government. The signal it would send is that our Parliament realises that mistakes were made and that they want to find out how and why. To me this is a pretty good message to send to our troops who know full well that they were sent for the worng reasons and are probably quite keen to see their political masters held to account. And given our Government's stated aim of helping to establish a ...

Misty eyed moment on M4 - passing the Sharps van

I had a misty-eyed moment on the M4 this afternoon near Yattendon (I'm a local, I know where these places are and I can lead you to both Vodafone's artifical trees. There must be something missing in my life that I have to point this out....I know.) I passed a Sharps van! How is an exiled Cornishman meant to keep his optical water-works under control with this sort of temptation being wafted under his nose! It is bad enough not being able to find Doom Bar on draught up in Berkshire, without seeing the vans. ...

Benn Junior's cobblers on Iraq inquiry

I have just heard Hilary Benn on XFM News (blimey, I surprised even myself that I could slip that in so easily, me a TOG too) saying that an inquiry into the Iraq war would be bad for our troops' morale and give succour to the enemy. Tony Blair's spokesman said the government might agree to an inquiry once troops have left Iraq. He said: "Of course we continue to learn the lessons all the time and there is no doubt that at the end of our period there people will want to look back." The problem with that ...

LDYS: Winning Soon?

As with anything else at all, when discussing the present state of LDYS, context is everything. Since what can only be described (in order to protect the guilty) as the Royal Festival Hall incident, the attitude of those charged with running LDYS and in particular of its Chairs has been that the only solution to LDYS' problems is the political equivalent of carpet-bombing; complete overhaul of

I cannot believe this government and its spin

I cannot believe this government is trying to portray a cross-party motion to call for investigation into the government's conduct on Iraq as political opportunism. The reasons for this debate is because the conduct of the war is not open to scrutiny by our democratic institutions, not because the Tory party wishes to attack the government. Margaret Beckett is simply repeating the spin which we

Nigel Kneale

Nigel Kneale, the “godfather of television science fiction”, died on Sunday at the age of 84. Best known for his Quatermass serials (the film version of Quatermass 2 featured actor William Franklyn, who has also died), Kneale also wrote the anthology series Beasts, spooky Jane Asher drama The Stone Tape, a classic Peter Cushing television [...]

RIP

Nigel Kneale - creator of Quatermass as well as the first (and best) adapter of Nineteen Eighty-Four - has died. I think to call him the ‘godfather of television science fiction’ is an understatement - while Quatermass was undoubtedly influential in the development of later SF, including Doctor Who, Kneale’s work on that series was [...]

Monbiot on Stern

Hat tip Ballots Balls and Bikes George Monbiot has published a 10 point plan for being much much greener than the stern review. He is scrambling for clear green water here between himself and the mainstream. Points 1 and 2 1. Set a target for reducing greenhouse-gas emissions based on the latest science. The government is using outdated figures, aiming for a 60% reduction by 2050. Even the

Written Parliamentary Questions: 31st October 2006

Operational Tour Bonus Q:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made with the implementation of the operational tour bonus. (John Hemming) A:Further to my statement to the House on 10 October, I can confirm that all service personnel have now been given full details of the scheme. Our aim is to pay the allowance as soon as possible to all those who have already returned

Government takes money from Merseyside police

Some time ago the government said the police forces in England were going to have to merge with neighbouring forces - Merseyside with Cheshire for example. This was despite a load of campaigning against as well as opposition from the police authorities themselves. Anyway. the police forces then had to spend money on preparation.. only to find it was all off. So you'd think the government would pay them back the money they spent........but no. It seems that instead of actually meeting the bill from forces like Merseyside the government is going to only pay ...

Police Investigations into Iraq

There's a vote tonight in the House of Commons on whether an inquiry should be held into the Iraq War and its aftermath. The government is (rather obviously) using the whips to ensure the party doesn't vote against it and thus avoid an embarrassing lengthy investigation into its incompetence. Not from my personal collection, I assure you Imagine normal police inquiries were conducted this

Blair hides behind his pawns

"Downing Street has warned of 'very real consequences' for British troops in Iraq if MPs defeat the government over calls for an inquiry into the war" (BBC). I really wish Tony Blair would stop using the fact that he got British troops into the Iraq war as a shield to protect himself. The same happens in America: any suggestion that the war was not entirely justified brings accusations of lacking patriotism and undermining the efforts of the gallant troops. In my view, most in the anti-war camp are sympathetic to the troops. They were second only to ...

Monbiots Action Plan for Global Warming

Interesting piece from George Monbiot here in todays Guardian in response to the Stern report on climate change. in the article he proposes his ten point plan as follows: 1. Set a target for reducing greenhouse-gas emissions based on the latest science. The government is using outdated figures, aiming for a 60% reduction by 2050. Even the annual 3% cut proposed in the early day motion calling for a new climate change bill does not go far enough. Timescale: immediately. 2. Use that target to set an annual carbon cap, which falls on the ski-jump trajectory. Then use the ...

Shopmobility returns to Redcar

Redcar and Cleveland Council has entered into a new partnership with a voluntary organisation run by local disabled people to ensure Redcar Shopmobility is back in business for users in time for Christmas shopping. The Redcar and Cleveland Real Opportunity Centre (ROC) has secured Council funding for the next 18 months to revive the service, formerly run by the Redcar and Cleveland Disability Access Group (DAG), which was forced to close its doors on the Esplanade in September due to lack of funds. The current Shopmobility members have all been notified about the good news and recruitment for staff is ...

NHS Dentrstry in Charges Crisis

It looks like the expected increase in charges from NHS Dentistry isn't going to happen. I received a leaked document from the Department of Health that shows potentially a short fall in excess of £100 Million.

More Means Less For Carers

Our benefits system is a complicated mess that forces some people into dependency and penalises them when they take a job. Take carers in receipt of carer's allowance. They can earn u...

Random Calling

One thing that has come up as a result of the progress being made with respect to silent calls is the tendency for companies to call randomly all numbers in a particular range of numbers. This includes all ex-directory numbers. It is probably the case that people need a facility to stop any unrequested calls.

Youth Communications launch tomorrow

Tomorrow - at last - we have the launch of Youth Communications. Its an organisation set up to produce magazines written and edited by young people - giving some journalism training plus a great chance to have a say about various things. It follows on from a publication called Press Gang, which used to be used by schools in Liverpool. Anyway - I was interviewed for press gang and said that, as a former journalist, I was really interested in what it was all about.. so when Richard (who was in charge then) was looking for people ...

No Tory Support for 2012 Poll Change

Some of the emailers we’ve heard from since reporting Mayor Ken’s support for moving the 2012 election seem to have got the impression that the Conservatives on the Assembly are in favour of such a move. In fact we’re advised “no Conservative member supports the moving of the 2012 elections or anyother elections for that matter” and that: “There [...]

West Midlands Conference Report

Saturday saw the West Midlands Liberal Democrats Autumn Conference take place in Shrewsbury. The keynote speaker was Paul Holmes - MP for Chesterfield, we were also addressed by our three West Midlands MPs - Paul Keetch, Lorely Burt and John Hemming and our MEP Liz Lynne.

Oaten on your computer screen

Joy of joys: Mark Oaten has found a new medium via which to expose himself to the world. Advance notice, then, that he will be appearing on the show I was on last night, Vox Politix, next Monday on internet “Talk TV” station 18 Doughty Street. Iain Dale will, as always, be inviting questions from [...]

Iraq returns to Westminster

Few would disagree that the Iraq war is amongst the most pressing political issues facing Britain and its political leaders today. It therefore seems remarkable that the government has succeeded in avoiding debate and even more significantly any form of vote on the issue since before hostilities began. Today, a SNP-Plaid Cymru motion calls for a full review into the way the government's responsibilities were discharged in relation to Iraq before military action and afterwards. The Independent reports: Alex Salmond leader of SNP said "This is an opportunity for the House of Commons to bring to account a government which ...

NTL Hell

Maintaining this blog is proving difficult enough without the ongoing problems I am having with my NTL broadband connection. Just got off the phone to my third call to their technical support line in about a week. All very apologetic and they've booked me an engineer for Saturday. But as the last engineer I had booked didn't turn up, we shall see if that helps.

Golden Eagles

The move to declare the Golden Eagle as Scotland's national bird continues. The Eagles are majestic creatures, although I have always had a soft spot for Puffins, which always strike me as rather attractive, with their clown like beaks. I have only twice seen Golden Eagles in the wild. Once was on the Isle of Mull. I was under a tree, taking shelter from the Atlantic showers. A rabbit appeared on a patch of grass about four metres from the tree. Suddenly the rabbit seemed almost to disappear, and in its place the Eagle. The rabbit had been killed instantly ...

Playing Catch Up !

Well it's nearly a month since my last missive. So what's new ? Not much really ! Last month I was selected to contest the Ellacombe ward on Torbay Council for the Lib Dems. And, maybe as a reaction to a prospective 'full on' level of political activity I have been bedevilled by illness since. I have a rare condition that periodically involves muscular weakness and muscular spasms. Luckily most of the past year has been trouble free, but the last three weeks have been absolute hell. Happily I'm coming out of this spell now, but activities other than ...

“I can't stand this indecision, Married with a lack of vision"

The Metro reports that David Cameron visited the Fairbridge Youth Centre in South London yesterday. He was talking about the age of majority in legislation, and pointed out that you can marry at 16, drive and buy a gun at 17, yet have to wait until you’re 18 until you can … buy fireworks. Good one. No mention of whether the spotty delinquents might like to, you know, 'rock the vote'? An especially perceptive youth was escorted from the building after shouting at Mr Cameron “you don’t know your arse from your elbow,” adding “you bastard”.

Fireworks

Now I'm not normally one for the line that for every nuisance we need a new law, but with fireworks I'm perilously close to calling for a complete ban. I cannot imagine any circumstances in which letting off an explosive charge, however much fun it might be for those doing it or watching the spectacle, does not harm another. I suppose if, like the Barclay brothers, you own a private island out o sight and sound from any other inhabitants then maybe. But for the rest of us, pets and children get scared - I know several ...

MPC - a monetary alternative?

For balance, and because I am personally quite ambivalent about which direction monetary policy takes, there is an alternative to having a state run money supply. One that I believe Hayek speculated, and which in any case is steadily coming to pass. Completely privatize money supply. If just 3% of our money is actually created as base money, what's the point? After all, national currencies are irrelevant in the modern world aren't they? A defining attribute of a national currency is that it circulates in one territory mainly. It therefore acts as a restriction on globalization ...

Disaster waiting to happen

This piece in this weeks New Scientist indicates that it is not just in the UK that there are concerns about what is to be done with all the surplus nuclear material lying about. Concerns centre around the amount of material stored at the National Security Complex at Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Apparently this site has one building known as Y12 that holds 400 tonnes of highly enriched uranium and was rated as a fire hazard as long ago as 1996 by the US Department of Energy. There have been 22 fires ands explosions in this facility since 1997. ...

Monetary Policy Committee finds its true purpose?

The "other side" of my interest in Land Value Tax is the role of land values in the money supply. Remember the money supply? We kept a close eye on it through most of the eighties, thanks to the notion that the inflationary pressures of the seventies were caused by government creating too much "base money" - the cash created, at virtually nil cost, by the Bank of England. It became the prime target of the monetarists - control the money supply and you control inflation - that song again comes to mind from the 1979 General election ...

Lib Dems take pivotal role in Iraq debate today

Today is an opposition day debate in Parliament, on Iraq. Speaking ahead of the debate, Michael Moore (Lib Dem shadow foreign sec) said: “This is an important debate which ought to be the starting point for Government accountability on Iraq. It is unacceptable that the Government has not allotted time to debate this important issue for [...]

A stern warning

I have blogged at Liberal Review on the Stern Review on global warming. A summary of the review can be found linked from this page, just above where it should say Most computers will open PDF documents automatically, but this pdf may crash Firefox making you retype that whole blog post from memory.

A Stern Warning

Halting global warming would be cheap at twice the price...

Blair's homage to The West Wing

(Not a spoiler, but if you want to avoid anything to do with season seven, don't read on.) Let's play spot the difference: "Leo and I are the past. You’re the future. It’s up to you now. We’re counting on you." (President Bartlet in The West Wing, broadcast 16th April, 2006.) "So: it's up to you. You take my advice. You don't take it. Your choice. … You're the future now. Make the most of it."

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Tuesday 31st October 2006

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