Paddy Ashdown (now Baron Ashdown of Norton-sub-Hamdon), former leader of the LibDems and High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina, was the guest lecturer at Gresham College in Barnard’s Inn Hall this evening, at an event organised by the Liberty Network Political Forum, on the subject ‘Swords and Ploughshares’ — the title of a book he [...]
Tonight we had what is probably the last meeting of the Bath South Area committee. For the last four years of the three-party working of the Council we have had a pilot area committee serving a large part of south Bath. It has proved very popular and has often had large public attendance. However in this authority the Conservative, Labour and Independent groups are opposed to area working and...
Firstly, well done to Derby County Football Club on reaching the playoff final. Now to my main point. What a sad and pathetic sight those few thousand Derby fans who invaded the pitch after the penalty shoot-out victory over Southampton tonight were. The really sorry sight of players having to run for cover to avoid fans, depriving those good loyal fans who stayed in their seats the opportunity to congratulate their team must really sicken "real" Derby fans everywhere. However, the worst scenes were from those several hundred who ran over to the Southampton fans and attempted to goad ...
In the wake of the recent tragedy at Virginia Tech there was some muted rumblings that perhaps it was the wrong time for the Young Vic to be staging an adaptation of DBC Pierre's Vernon God Little. Set as it is in the wake of a Columbine type school shooting. In fact there is no better time. There is no better time for this biting satire of how the media exploits such tragedies (or as James
Last week, Guardian columnist Simon Jenkins wrote “This lamentable party” (that’s us he’s talking about there) “cannot even master the electoral system to which it has hitched its wagon. Surely it’s time to disband.” Today Steve Webb MP penned a reply, which you can find here. “Decision-making needs to come out of Westminster and closer to [...]
"Have you enjoyed your year?" I've been asked that so many times in the last month or so. To which I reply "Of course I have - I get to meet all the good people in the borough." And it's true. I spent most of my time as Mayor meeting voluntary organisations, public servants, faith leaders, community activists, sportspeople, creative artists and performers who make our community such a...
HMS Illustrious will come alongside at the Port of Tallinn next week. When will a permanent NATO presence be established in Estonia? Will the Sea Harriers pay a small visit along the NATO- Russian border? I do hope so, after all, breaking the windows in Pskov will just match the damage that the Nashi regime did to the Estonian consulate there.
Paul Flynn, one of the more entertaining Labour MPs, now has a blog. Thanks to Iain Dale.
Guardian Media (registration required) reports that last night's Panorama about Scientology gave the programme an average of 4.4million viewers, its highest audience in the new Monday slot.
Over on Spiked, Frank Furedi writes about the decision to remove the word "accident" from the Highway Code: Critics of the Highway Code’s cleansing of the A-word have rightly raised concerns about the encouragement of a ‘blame agenda’. Nigel Humphries of the Association of British Drivers says the change will ‘encourage a blame culture instead of a prevention culture’. It is no doubt true that the removal of the word accident will give rise to more litigiousness – but there are also profound cultural issues at stake here.I also like his observation that: In Stalinist Russia the phrase ‘it ... 
I've received a phone call to follow up yesterday's email, updating me on the lobby/protest against what will be a disastrous development with serious impact on this little, precious Manchester Park. 1,546 residents have now signed their Petition (including online one) since its launch three weeks ago. If they collect three or four thousand or more signatures, they shall be in a stronger position
The City Council is asking parents and carers of children with special educational needs to give their input to the Council’s ‘Strategy for Special Provision’, which will shape the future of special needs education in the city over the next decade and beyond. This includes provision in special schools (stand alone and co-located) and resource bases in mainstream schools. A strategic working
I'm usually on my way back to Devon but I'm stuck in the smoke this Thursday evening so if anyone fancies an early evening drink in central London let me know.Adrian
I was watching Gordon Brown’s CBI speech live on the telly, when I suddenly realised I’d been staring out of the window and completely switched off for a few minutes without noticing. A friend of mine who works in hypnosis / NLP tells me that when that happens to people, they’ve experienced what it’s [...]
A card popped through the letterbox today from the Morning Star Church Of God. I wondered if this was evidence of some new alliance between the Communist Party and evangelical Christians. Maybe the sermons would consist of harangues from the editorial pages of the Morning Star about the necessity of building the class struggle by [...]
Spoke on Wave 102 and Radio Tay today about the partnership agreement between the LibDems and Labour. Along with the other group leaders, spoke on the stv news ('North Tonight') this evening on same matter - click on the headline above to view.
As a supplement to two recent postings on British earthquakes, this page lists the 11 deaths they are known to have caused. The earthquakes, that is, not the postings.
It was welcoming today to read some serious academics who have been researching climate change since the 1970's and not simply taking other academics work out of context (as "The Great Global Warming Swindle" did) produce some evidence that people are being turned off doing things that can benefit the fight against climate change because of the "Hollywoodisation" of the arguments and the tone used by doom merchants. Hardly a week goes by without us hearing about the earth reaching "the tipping point" of "it's already too late" or "the end of modern civilisation" in arguments about global ...
Tuesday 15th May 2007 - An extremely busy morning as we had our ALDE Seminar on Muslim Women in the Media today. Poor Rachel was here until nine o'clock last night setting up and in again at half seven this morning to begin registering the one hundred or so participants we had coming from across Europe. As she is recovering from a nasty chest infection I did feel a bit guilty watching her
Yesterday's announcement that Michael Meacher was to withdraw from the Labour leadership race in favour of John McDonnell was supposed to herald a left wing challenge to Gordon Brown. The logic behind Meacher's withdrawal was that McDonnell stood the better chance of getting the required number of signatures between them, Meacher and McDonnell were supposed to have 45 signatures, however, news that McDonnell is 18 signatures short indicates that few of Meacher's supporters have been willing to switch. So it looks increasingly likely that a coronation will occur. Does the lack of 45 signatures herald a death of ...
Just in case you hadn’t noticed, tomorrow is the monthly Westminster Drinks. Usual place, usual time. Only unusual thing is that its my last (liberal) drinks as a bachelor…
Last night on the BBC's Panorama programme, journalist John Sweeney lost his temper at senior Scientologist Tommy Davis and launched into a violent verbal battering which would make John Reid proud. A clip of this encounter can be found here and Sweeney writes about the experience on the BBC News website (where he also . The BBC has also helpfully posted the Panorama editor's interview on BBC
So, the government have admitted that MTAS was a mess. This shows how their approach of ignoring all criticism really is not the best thing to do in the long term. (see link). If, however, you look at the Department of Health website in an attempt to find out what they are saying should happen, it is not there.
The Islington Tribune haven’t yet blamed the Liberal Democrat council for the weather, but I’m sure it’s only a matter on time. This week, the paper is laying into them because they have ‘snubbed‘ Arsenal’s women’s football team after winning an historic quadruple of the FA cup, the UEFA cup, League title and league cup. [...]
Sometimes you read a newspaper article that makes your blood boil! Last week the Guardian published an article by Simon Jenkins which was his periodic 'what's the point of the Lib Dems' article. Yet what is odd is that a number of the things Simon Jenkins appears to be lieve in - such as real decentralisation of power and decision-making are things that the Lib Dems champion. The idea that British politics doesn't need a genuinely liberal voice becomes more extraordinary with every new law that this government passes. The Guardian nobly gave me ...
The BBC were predicting big gains for the BNP in Sandwell, fortunately they were wrong - the BNP made no gains! However both the Liberal Democrats and Labour made a gain each from the Conservatives.
A little story we dug up - you can read it here - keeping prisoners in court cells while the prisons are too overcrowded to take them has cost more than a deluxe suite at the Ritz. Of course, the Ritz doesn’t have quite the same level of security, though you are in for a wrestle [...]
It is fascinating to see that the company (or its successor) which once owned both The Times and The Sunday Times has now bought Reuters. It is remarkable how Thomson have evolved from print media to electronic media - not many companies have managed such a definite change. Of course, Reuters has developed along very similar lines.
I have now worked out that I actually started this blog on 18th May 2006, so I am a few days short of my first anniversary and 660 posts down. I am delighted to say I survived the year without disabling comments or censoring them except on one occasion when I “starred up” two swear words from an “anonymous” commenter. One thing I have considered, but not bothered with, is a warning to “anonymous
Of all those out there on Lib Dem Blogs please read this and make of it what you will!! http://www.neoconservativelincs.blogspot.com/ 
Last friday was the funeral of baby Jamie. It was a very moving and emotional service. Funerals are not the best of things at any time - however one of a baby is worse than everything. My thoughts are still with Michael, Michelle and the rest of Jamie's family at this time. Back to the election, and I came 6th out of 13 with 592 votes - not bad for my first time. Unfortunately in Moorland where I live - Oliver Peeke retained his seat - next time Oliver!!! In other news - I am now 21!! Had ...
I met Gordon Brown at GMTV yesterday. Not exactly a water cooler moment. More of a QE2 style handshake line-up. He was there to be interviewed, after Daisy and her mother Nadine Angus, and before the fourteen year old girl who wants a boob job. Now, that has to be a comment on the state of politics in modern Britain. We had been at GMTV since 6.30am and were sitting in the Green Room chatting to the nice lady from Coronation Street (pictured here with Daisy and Nadine), when suddenly the place was invaded by blokes with ...
Children need to be protected from themselves. Adults do not. That pretty succinctly sums up where I draw the line with regards the power of the state. Adults sometimes need protecting from one another, but never from themselves. A few caveats can be inserted for particular groups (e.g. the mentally ill) but the basic point stands. But should we allow our efforts to protect children from themselves to impact on the freedom of adults? Rumours have reached Liberal Polemic that the Department of Health is planning to consult on whether to ban packets of 10 ...
Commentors from other parties who want to participate in a meaningful / vaguely intelligent discussion are welcome. Commentors from other parties who couldn’t find their arse with a map will have their comments removed at the first available opportunity. Sorry folks, I gave you a really really long leash, but some of you got to [...]
The police federation is complaining about targets and saying that this is not what they all joined the police force for. OK but all organisations that are spending someone else’s money, whether shareholders or tax payers, should be accountable and transparent in showing what they’ve done with the money. BUT, lets face it, the government has a real blind spot when it comes to setting targets.
What happens if Gordon Brown makes a radical move on electoral reform? It now looks quite possible that Gordon Brown as Prime Minister will start office in the same way that he began his term as Chancellor- with an unexpected and far reaching radical reform. As Chancellor his first act was to give independence to the Bank of England. Arguably this was the single most important reform that he has made. Now, there are many hints that he will pass a package of constitutional reforms, including reform of the government of England and electoral reform. Certainly the hint ...
The Op-Ed piece in the Daily Telegraph by Boris Berezhovsky today goes straight to the heart of the problem of Putin's Russia: the failure by Putin to acknowledge that the USSR was a criminal state. The disgusting behaviour of Putin's Nashi thugs towards the British Ambassador in Moscow reflects the fact that Putin not only feels no shame about the crimes of the Soviet era, he is actually proud of them. The fact that Moscow can continue to launch cyber attacks against Estonia, together with closure of the border and all the other acts of harrassment, simply reflects ...
I spotted this on the BBC Website this morning. Police Condemn Target Culture. This is Blair's Legacy, too many public services driven purely by targets. This is not just an issue for the police, people I have spoken to in Education and Healthcare have also told me of a target driven culture that distracts them from doing what we, the public actually want them to do, educating our children each acording to their ability, treating us when we get ill or keeping our streets safe. Now I am not totally against performance measures, from my experience in commerce ...
Having had to spend a little time looking at the Norwegian press earlier in the year, I have become a regular visitor to the website of Aftenposten, a paper which frequently runs ludicrous and amusing stories. Today’s paper carries a (less than funny) account of an Iranian-Norwegian man who was brutally whipped for drinking beer. Whilst this does serve as a graphic reminder of the country’s despicable clerical authoritarianism, it’s more of a reminder that even Kurdish Iran isn’t yet the ideal spot for an 18-30 style holiday.
All of the media are reporting that the next 48 hours will be crucial in finding a way forward in terms of establishing the next Welsh Assembly Government. The BBC tell us that a series of party meetings is taking place to try to reach a deal. Meanwhile the joint Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Group and National Executive Meeting, scheduled to take place at 7pm tonight in Llandrindod Wells, has been postponed until Thursday. It seems that there was nothing to discuss. Update: Rhodri Morgan has emerged from the Labour group meeting this afternoon to say it is ...
Dafydd Wigley has written to the Western Mail to disassociate himself from the scurrilous campaign to try and force Janet Ryder out of the Assembly. As he points out in his letter: Janet Ryder was properly selected under Plaid’s rules and was properly elected by voters. She has my full confidence – and that of Plaid Cymru in the North – in representing the region in the Assembly. I think the point is that those in Plaid Cymru who endorsed the rules need to accept them even when it does not work out as they wish.
Darling of the left, Hugo Chavez is now cosying up to holocaust denying anti-jewish President Ahmadi-Nejad of Iran. There is an amount of ‘the enemy of my enemy is my friend’ and since both view the US as the ‘great satan’ it is perhaps understandable. However, this also comes hand in hand with increased fear of [...]
Last night was the second part of our Group AGM, where we gave thought to which of the other Council and outside bodies various Councillors will sit on in the coming Municipal year. After that it was a meeting of the local party Exec, where we updated the membership on the ups and downs of the campaign, and the latest goings-on in the party in terms of fundraising, membership and associated
From the Electoral Commission: The Electoral announced today that one of the worlds leading electoral administration experts, Ron Gould, has agreed to head its review of the Scottish elections. Mr Gould is an international authority on the organisation and management of elections. From 1981 until his retirement in 2001, he has led and participated in more than 100 election observation missions
Oh, good night! The examples of inanities enforced on the police by New Labour targetting (as listed in Liberal England) bear an uncanny resemblance to the Uncommon Law cases of A.P. Herbert's immortal 1930's Punch column. Time for some brave soul to bring up an updated version of the adventures of Albert Haddock. One of the 'Misleading Cases' (Rex versus Engheim et al, if my memory serves) appeared to establish that the only liberty a Briton has in public is to pass at an even pace from one end of a street to another, arms held to the sides, ...
{How Blair are you?} Thanks to Ben Davies from the New Statesman. Take the quiz and see how you measure up to our soon to be ex-Prime Minister.
In The House Magazine, via epolitix.com, Vernon Bogdanor writes a fascinating summary of the constitutional changes of the Blair years: Our constitution has now been almost completely refashioned by the Blair government, and is coming to be based on consciously formulated rules rather than tacit understandings. We have been living, therefore, through an unnoticed constitutional revolution, a
You wonder what planet these people are from sometimes. Iain Macwhirter writes: The whole point of proportional representation is that it is supposed to prevent one-party rule. No, the whole ‘point’ of proportional representation is that seats in the chamber should reflect votes. As it turns out, in Scotland, it has prevented one-party rule. [...]
I think it's about time I started blogging more again. I recently found a quote from Lord Acton that was very apposite - "Learn more by writing than by reading". So since he was a bit of a hero of mine I think I should put his exhortation to the test. Later this week we will be treated to the denouement of the worst kept secret in Oxford politics, likely to break this coming Thursday we are told. Two of last year's defectors from the Lib Dem group on the City Council are apparently about ...
Laurance Boyce, who for some time has been flitting on the verges of Lib Demhood, has joined the Party. He may have baited Ming, and earned himself the righteous wrath of one of the high priests of Lib Dem blogging, but he is clearly keen and engaged. Welcome to the party.A site for political analysis and opinion of an avowedly liberal view. It's all about freedom.
It’s my 40th birthday at the weekend so I am allowed one Victor Meldrew moment. BBC - get a grip on your TV journalists! AGAIN this morning I heard a reporter on BBC Breakfast refer to something being a “heart rendering” story. Hello! Rendering is something you do to the outside of your house with [...]
Sean Coughlan, BBC News education reporter, has produced a thorough and interesting analysis of the actions of the Blair government on Education. It is worth a read. In particular, he highlights the resources which have been poured into education: Between 1997 and the current academic year, the core "per pupil" funding has risen by 48% in real terms - or £1,450 more per year per child. By the
If you would like to watch me on internet telly station 18 Doughty Street’s BloggerTV discussing, inter alia: why journalists bloghow independent political blogs can bethe Blair legacythe Labour leadership race, andbreast-feeding in public(oh, and me becoming Oxford’s deputy Lord Mayor),then please click here. My fellow guests were: Charlie Beckett of POLIS, Helen Szamuely from the EU Referendum
I have been a fan of John Sweeney since he turned up in a dinghy and tried to land on the island of Brecquo in the Channel Islands, which is owned by the Barclay brothers. I have to say that I was utterly bemused by his Panorama report on Scientology last night. Sweeney has written a piece on it here. I had no idea anyone could shout as loud as he did in his "exploding tomato" incident. But the
Rugby was touted as one of the Councils to watch with a Tory gain predicted. The Tory gain happened after they picked up three seats. Despite the enormous squeeze we will have be under we held all of our seats - exceptionally well done to the team in Rugby.
Two bits of good news :The handrail I requested for the south end of Pennycook Lane (next to the Pennycook sheltered housing) has now been provided by the City Council - see right. The blocked drain on the west side of Windsor Street I had recently mentioned in FOCUS has now been cleaned out.
The ever-astute Hooting Yard reader OutaSpaceman was much stirred by yesterday’s item on the Silos Of Concern. When he had finished reproaching me for reading the Guardian – claiming it makes me “huffy” – he very helpfully wrote to tell me that it is possible to fry an egg in a silage pit. Naturally, I [...]
“In a lecture delivered at the Royal Institution, Dr Conolly, of the Hanwell Lunatic Asylum, speaking of the moral treatment of the insane, stated as the result of the experience of his whole life, that distorted views on religious subjects are the cause of at least two-thirds of the cases of mania in ladies, especially [...]
Monday evening began with a library talk by the octogenarian Sir Peregrine (’Perry’) Worsthorne, former Deputy Editor of the Sunday Telegraph, and still a contributor to the online daily magazine, TheFirstPost. Perry’s subject was A Tale of Two Cities — not the Dickens novel, as one might imagine, but a highly personal view of the City [...]
The Conservatives are today using their opposition day debate to propose a motion on "Parliamentary approval for participation in armed conflict". This not the first time this is being debated in Parliament, last year a group of MPs came together to call for Prime Ministers' power to declare war or agree treaties without the approval of Parliament to be restricted. | < | May 2007 | > | ||||
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