Anne Sofer — who represented St Pancras North on the old GLC, first for Labour, and then for the SDP — hosted a feedback and feed-the-troops event at her home in Primrose Hill this evening, to celebrate one year of LibDem-led control of Camden Council — perhaps the greatest shock of the 2006 London local [...]
As it turns out there will be a Labour executive propped up by the Tories in Bristol - one of the suggestions I made previously. Labour and the Tories previously combined to oppose a minority Lib Dem administration continuing in office after we lost two seats. It's interesting that this new coalition is entirely Labour (the article tallies up the number of councillors wrongly, I blame the Labour executive edit: it's correct now), so I imagine the Labour group will have given some concessions to the Tories. I think this is good for both the Lib Dems and the ...
Great! News comes through that the Attorney General is going to ask for Mr Litvinenko's alleged murderer to be charged and that extradition requests (to Russia) will now be made. I should bloody well hope so. Without fear or favour - that is the promise I extracted from John Reid in Parliament as to how the investigation would go. Let's see if they mean it - or whether it was just words.
At midnight this Thursday, the deadline by which the various Campaign for Gender Balance pledges have to have reached their targets expires. Thus far, we’ve reached 60% of our target and more than £3,000, but need 19 more people to sign up in order to hit our target. Will you be one of [...]
That prince amongst newspapers, the South Shropshire Journal, has more on Matthew Green's decision not to fight Ludlow again for the Lib Dems. I remember meeting Matthew in the Strangers' Bar at Westminster one evening and swapping Shropshire village names. Here was a man who know all about The Bog and White Grit. 
Tuesday 22nd May 2007 - A very busy day again. Madelson held court in the hemicycle as the European Parliament debated three important trade reports. I was the Shadow Rapporteur for two of the reports: Economic Partnership Agreements and the EU's Aid for Trade, so made two fairly detailed speeches. EPAs and Aid for Trade go hand in hand. There was a broad consensus in the EP on the crucial
I have just come back from a pleasant walk in the countryside, and thought I would comment on Ryan Sidebottom's England selection, trotting out the family tradition of one-test wonderhood (father Arnie also having played one test for England). But Jonathan Calder has scooped me on this peice of trivia. He doesn't mention that "Ryan" is a phonetic anagram of "Arnie" though. (#Yes I know this is not really the meaning of synchronicity).
Saturday 19th May 2007 - I was invited to attend and speak to the North West Twinning Federation's Annual General Meeting held at Whalley Abbey Nr Blackburn at the weekend which was a very enjoyable experience. The North West Twinning Federation coordinates the work of over 30 Twinning Associations in Cumbria, Lancashire, Cheshire, Shropshire and Staffordshire, promoting understanding and
“Hip, Hip, Delay” is how Eddie Mair introduced the news story about the delay in the home information pack on PM this afternoon when I was stuck in traffic. I was home by the time the next groan-out-loud pun floated over the airwaves when Peter Hitchens referred to the Conservatives under Cameron as “Blue Labour” I should [...]
Last week I praised Cameron for opposing grammar schools. This week I am praising Norman Tebbit for his strident criticism of the Tory party. Tebbit has claimed that the Conservatives under David Cameron are the party who are "able to implement new Labour policies most effectively", and he meant that not as a compliment. I'm not sure all this criticism from the old right wing of the Tory party will do "Dave" any harm, but I always find it a little uncomfortable agreeing with Tories !
Watching comedienne Jo Brand presenting the ITV programme "Driving Me Crazy", I couldn't help but agree with her view that over 80's should be compulsorily re-tested in order to get their driving license. It is a view I have held personally for some time, but one statistic that Jo Brand reported is the single most important reason of the lot. "Over 70's have more accidents per mile driven than any other age group, including teenagers" It's a fact that the man from Age Concern chose to ignore and indeed, he lied by claiming that over 70's were ...
Congratulations to Ryan Sidebottom on being named in the England squad for the next test. But if he plays it will ruin one of the great cricket trivia questions. That question is which father and son each played just one test for England. Up till now the answer has been the Sidebottoms. Ryan has played once, against Pakistan in 2001, when he failed to take a wicket. And his father Arnie (who was also on the books of Manchester United for a while) won one cap against Australia in 1985. Oh well, you will still be able ...
Today I read with dismay but also a certain level of comfort about the almighty cock up in the development of a ministry of justice. Why comfort? Because as long as the government doesn't follow even the most basic principles of good change management there will always be work for someone like me! And that means I get to fund the new extension to my flat that I've just today commissioned an
I came across the following thought-provoking statement on the ever intelligent Stumbling and Mumbling today: It used to be thought - following crude readings of Popper - that the enemies of the open society were mainly on the “left.” They are not. I must confess that when pondering the enemies of the open society, I generally conceive [...]
The 2007 Government Planning White Paper was published yesterday. Of particular concern to me was the impact that tinkering with the planning system may have on our environment, town centre economies and not to mention the architecture of our country. I found the paper lacking in any real content, it includes a lot of nice words about sustainable communities and involving communities, yet fails to outline exactly how this will work. Of major concern to me is the replacement of the 'Supermarket Needs Test' with an impact test, yet I can find no detail of exactly what this is. ...
I have just realised that Ieuan Wyn Jones and Sir Menzies Campbell share a birthday. Ming is 66 years young today, whilst Ieuan celebrates his 58th. Could this be auspicious? Let us hope not.
Today at work I was trying to work out what I could start watching over the summer period. 24, Smallville, My Name is Earl, Battlestar Galactica and Heroes are now over and it won’t be long before Lost stops too. This is now leaving me with around 5-6 hours of TV time free. But then on [...]
It’s so unfair. There are some people in politics that I find comfort in not taking seriously – and then John Humphrys goes and gives me some reason to feel sorry for them. He had Mr Cameron on his programme this morning to tackle him about his announcement about grammar schools (which the Today programme [...]
Over the past week I have been to a two courses about running successful schools councils. These have both been run by School Councils UK. Our school have had a school council for a number of years and to be perfectly honest it hasn't been running as successfully as it could. Today's course was on climate change and using pupil voice through the school council to bring around change in school.
I think the response from from the Department for Education to the NASUWT showing a file of evidence showing the level of intimidation some teachers have to put up with highlights how utterly useless the government's policies are towards taking the issue seriously. When shown evidence of abuse, websites set up harassing teachers, threats of death, rape and violence, and a whole host of other horrible things, the DFES responded with the quote "We are clear that respect for teachers is a must in all schools. Our tough new behaviour powers give teachers a clear legal right ...
Destination Creation has produced a frankly disturbing series of films showing what the Simpsons family would look like if they were real people. Worth watching with a sick bucket handy. Also, Homer Simpson gives his top ten reasons he should be US President:
The European Union has decided to scrap regulations for timber quality and packaging sizes in a drive to reduce red tape. This is good news. I struggle to see why Europe needs a uniform standard for packaging sizes - I'm a bright chap; I can figure out the difference between an 800g loaf and a 1000g loaf. And if my wood is too knotty, I'll not use that supplier again. I hope that this drive to reduce red tape keeps going. I can think of a few more regulations that need not be taken at a level so ...
The Oxford English Dictionary defines ‘reform’ as “The amendment, or altering for the better, of some faulty state of things, esp. of a corrupt or oppressive political institution or practice; the removal of some abuse or wrong.” The Urban Dictionary defines it as “Give it a few years, and it will lead to chaos” and Google [...]
this weekend ive spent at home in Barnsley with my family. It was my niece's christening on sunday so we all came together for the weekend. cant really remeber what i did during the day on thursday, i was probably lying around the house, watching tv. randmonly went to debenhams in the evening with natasha and emily, before going to the pub with natasha. i woke up early on friday, before 9, got washed and dressed and packed before heading into the city centre to do a few jobs, get my train tickets and buy some lunch. headed home, ...
In a couple of months I would have hit seven years of marriage, I won’t say it’s been easy and I won’t even claim that I’ve been married that long (my parents have reached 26 years) but I have learnt a few things along the way - mostly the hard way. So, with the help of [...] 
Councillor Mike Heap was re-elected in Springvale and Robin Lawrence was elected in Park Ward at his second attempt. Labour lost four seats in total one to us and three to the Conservatives. Despite the BNP standing a number of candidates they, fortunately, failed to make any break-through and indeed fell back in the one ward they contested in 2006.
Bit of stream of consciousness listy catchup. Enjoyed Eurovision. Went to a fun bash in Lewisham. Not too keen on the winning song but the outcomes were mostly fair despite the predictability (due to shared cultural backgrounds of different countries, natch) of some of the voting. Busy busy busy last week. Helped Andrew set up running blog [...]
Oliver's Battery Parish Council has decided to re-surface the section of Compton Way between Oliver's Battery Gardens and and Priors Way. This is the very rough stretch leading down to the Recreation Ground and is technically not a road at all but a bridleway. Work is expected to start in June and take a couple of weeks. Here is the road closure notice from Hampshire County Council: -----------
In November 2006 the Director of Public Prosecutions for England and Wales and the Deputy Prosecutor General of the Russian Federation signed a Memorandum of Understanding on co-operation between their respective Offices. Article 3 states: “The Participants will co-operate in the sphere of extradition and in other issues of mutual legal assistance.” This makes a nonsense of a report today that a spokesman for the Kremlin claimed Russia's constitution did not allow its nationals to be extradited. The reported Kremlin response was to today’s announcement that the Crown Prosecution Service is to seek the ...
More human rights abuses from Saudi Arabia, well, what a surprise!! Fatima A has been forced to divorce her husband because her half-brother, her legal guardian, has claimed and won in court that her husband failed to disclose that he was from a tribe with a lower status than his wife to be. This is effectively, under Saudi Law, a breach of contract. Both Fatima and her husband wish to remain
There are two big policy debates raging at the moment in the newspapers: Grammar Schools and Housing. By rights the former shouldn't be commanding the headlines it has as it is a re-statement of existing policy. Margaret Hodge brings a genuinely new angle to the second with her remarks about "indigenous" people in her constituency who can't get a house.The commentators are queuing up to guide you through the arguments. You can read the main protagonists. David Cameron in today's Times sets out his argument ("This sterile fixation with grammar schools is a dead end") Janet Daley is so angry ...
Are you like the tourism minister and don’t know the difference between saving the environment and conservation? Last week the minister, Shaun Woodward MP, found time from his busy schedule of Westminster meetings to actually visit some of the organisations he is supposed to be representing. After pretending he knew what sustainable tourism was, slapping the government on the back for winning the Olympics and telling us all how wonderful it will be for tourism businesses in Norfolk, he did allow a few questions. I was one of the lucky few, and took my opportunity to point out that ...
Last year my family and I trawled around Norfolk looking for our perfect house। We’d seen the places the estate agents describe as ‘projects’ and ‘having character’, and many far worse. We even thought about joining the race against professional developers for suitable plots to build our own home, but we soon realised that was a hopeless cause. Despite the odds, we found a house that we fell in love with. It’s now time to green up our new home। Despite only being seven years old, the house wasn’t built with any green technologies installed, insulation was minimal and ...
Cllr Nick Stanton, Liberal Democrat Leader of Southwark Council and councillor for Riverside ward, has slammed the decision by Jobcentre Plus (the Government organisation running job centres) to close the job centre in Bermondsey. Many local people will now have to pay to travel to the nearest office. "I am very disappointed that Jobcentre Plus have decided to press ahead with the decision to close Bermondsey job centre from Thursday,” said Cllr Nick Stanton. “It is yet another example of a Government cut to a local service that will hit some of the most needy in society.” “Jobcentre Plus claim ...
Liberal Democrats on Southwark Council have warned that local communities are set to lose out on using school buildings because of delays by Chancellor Gordon Brown. Southwark Lib Dems have been campaigning for some time to make new school buildings VAT exempt. In his budget in March, Gordon Brown made reference to accepting such a change but the delay in announcing details could hit Southwark hard. “Southwark is about to embark on a massive school building programme,” said Cllr Caroline Pidgeon, Liberal Democrat Executive Member for Education and Children’s Services on Southwark Council. “Our plan is for school buildings to ...
It’s a sunny day, and I’m nicely rested after a few days’ holiday - so let’s celebrate some positive stories. First up - Ming Campbell’s challenge to Prime Minister-select Gordon Brown to a televised debate was a cute way of (i) giving the Lib Dems a fresh angle on a stale story at a time when our bipolar media traditionally eschews giving the party any air-time; and (ii) highlighting just how
The seating area at the corner of Ryehill Lane and Perth Road has been the subject of previous discussions between myself and its owners (J C Decaux, the advertising hoardings people, who own the billboards behind it). In 2005, following my request, J C Decaux had the area tidied, which was welcome. However, a number of the elderly residents in the Perth Road area have pointed out to me that the seating here is in very poor shape (as the lower photo, right, shows). Therefore, earlier today, I was in touch with the company again, and they have ...
Unfortunately, Madame Boubou did not enclose a snapshot of her engulfment by ectoplasm with her Message From Beyond. As luck would have it, a trawl through the Hooting Yard Archives turned up this picture which enables lucky readers to see with their own eyes the amazing phenomenon of ectoplasmic hoo-ha: According to The Minnie Harrison [...]
The Liberal Democrats today launched a national petition against proposals to exempt MPs from Freedom of Information rules. The petition calls on all political parties to back the campaign. Edward Davey MP, Chief of Staff to Liberal Democrat Leader Ming Campbell, today called on Gordon Brown and David Cameron to sign up to oppose the Bill. “There [...]
An occasional series of blog entries in which my dad takes me to task for what I’ve written. Here, verbatim, is his latest missive to me, subject heading 'Timetable priorities': Mon 21 May Stephen Tall returns to Britain from Spain. 9.27pm Stephen Tall posts his latest blog saying he's returned to Britain. 10.55pm Stephen Tall phones his parents to let them know he's returned. 12 midnight one of
Justice: Prisoners Release: Acquittals Q:To ask the Minister of State, Ministry of Justice pursuant to the answer of 30 April 2007, Official Report, column 1420W, on prisoners release: acquittals, in what cases remand prisoners are entitled to (a) travel warrants and (b) housing benefit and council tax benefit and mortgage interest for a limited time. A:All prisoners who are released from
The roll of dishonour: Thos MPs who voted to exempt themselves from the freedom of Information Act: Of 96 MPs who voted in favour, 21 were Conservative MPs - Peter Atkinson (Hexham), Simon Burns (Chelmsford West), Sir John Butterfill (Bournemouth West), James Duddridge (Rochford & Southend East),Tobias Ellwood (Bournemouth East),Julie Kirkbride (Bromsgrove),Greg Knight (Yorkshire East),Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East),David Maclean (Penrith & The Border),Bob Neill (Bromley & Chislehurst),Andrew Pelling (Croydon Central),Mark Pritchard (Wrekin),John Randall (Uxbridge),David Ruffley (Bury St Edmunds),David Tredinnick (Bosworth),Ann Widdecombe (Maidstone & The Weald),Lady Ann Winterton (Congleton) and Sir Nicholas Winterton (Macclesfield). The Conservative tellers for ...
Geoffrey Payne and Agent Mancuso began a debate yesterday on whether the Liberal Democrats should make the reduction of inequality (referred to by some as the issue of “relative poverty”) a matter of party policy. Coincidentally, I have been reading some old party papers today, and have come across clear statements of support for the concept of “relative poverty” and the idea that government should counter it. “A fair Britain is one… [that] redistributes wealth from the richest to the poorest. “Inequalities in wealth… are widening… We are determined to reverse this trend and to remove the inequalities ...
Education and Skills: Adoption Q:To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment he has made of the impact of progress towards adoption targets for local authorities on children and families. A: The Government have set a number of targets on adoption. The following target was included in the Department of Health publication 'Improvement, Expansion and Reform: The Next
The new Planning White Paper will fast-track new developments and reduce the right of local people to object to schemes that threaten their communities. It is aimed at helping the developer and not the people. It is about profit and not community. This Government want to force controversial developments such as airport-expansions and road-widening schemes...
My heart sinks as the distressing predictability of the Putin regime shows up yet again. On November 23rd 2006 Alexander Litvinenko- a Russian defector, but a British Citizen- died in a London hospital. It transpired that he had been poisoned with Polonium 210, with a radioactive signature of Russian origin. Over the course of the past five months the Police investigation has discovered evidence that directly links a Russian intelligence operative, Andrei Lugovoi, to the administration of the poison in a cup of tea served at the Millennium hotel, Grosvenor Square. Today, the Director of Public Prosecutions has decided ...
I am indebted to Michael White in the Guardian for providing some perspective on Margaret Hodge's article on immigration and housing: In her (Hodge's) case only the coded word "indigenous" was deemed offensive, just as David Blunkett was chided for repeating Mrs Thatcher's 1978 use of "swamped" in regard to schools and doctors' surgeries. The British Sociological Association has a list of
Conservative Party Leader David Cameron went on the offensive yesterday in the row over the Tory schools policy, labeling rebels who still want more selective grammars as "delusional". The Conservativ...
The second of a series of public meetings to discuss community safety was held last Friday. This meeting was led by Decima Francis of the From Boyhood to Manhood Foundation, who spoke as usual with great passion and conviction. She made a presentation on the work done with young people in collaboration with the GLA. Work around music and performing to demonstrate confidence building, engagement, and positive participation in the community. Community group activists and members of the public attended the meeting and heard from Superintendent David Chinchen and Jonathan Toy – Head of Community Safety for Southwark Council. Jeff ...
I have received in the post what can only be described as a screed from Madame Boubou, who describes herself as a “mystic channeler”. Dear Mr Key, she writes, I was in my kitchen boiling an enormous pan of rhubarb when I was of a sudden engulfed by wisps of ectoplasm and a voice spoke to [...]
Dulwich Green Fair The East Dulwich councillors were out in force at the Dulwich Green Fair on Sunday. It was a great event largely organised by the Friends of Dulwich Park. We have been talking to various locals and traders and the East Dulwich Forum members about the idea of a plastic bag free Lordship Lane – as [...]
The East Dulwich councillors were out in force at the Dulwich Green Fair on Sunday, writes Cllr Richard Thomas. Lordship Lane is the major shopping area in our patch and has a great mix of small independent traders, a few multiples and pubs and restaurants. We have been talking to various locals and traders and the East Dulwich Forum members about the idea of a plastic bag free Lordship Lane – as has been introduced to great effect in Modbury in Devon. The idea certainly caught the imagination of the Green Fair punters – perhaps as you would expect. ...
I am going through a "Groundhog Day" phase. I turn on the radio in the morning and hear the same refrain each time. It's the Tories trying to explain their Grammar School policy. First of all, David Two Brains tried to explain it last week at 7.50am. Now today David Cameron had a second bite of the cherry at 8.05am. Clever use of the media you might say. Although John Humphries did brilliantly
During the election campaign, we promised to work for residents all year round. We intend to keep that promise, so as well as continuing to produce and deliver our regular “Focus” newsletter, we are now introducing street surgeries, which will take place regularly across the ward. Street surgeries give you the chance to come and meet us, and give us the chance to meet local people and talk
It was Haringey's Mayor making last night. As ever - a travesty of democracy with Labour refusing to have a Lib Dem Deputy Mayor or even letting Lib Dem councillor Ed Butcher be the council rep on one of the council bodies dealing with Finsbury Park. Yet five of the six Haringey councillors for the areas right next to the park are Lib Dem; but in Labour Haringey that means the rep has to be
Another Council that the Conservatives gained from No-Overall Control and quite possibly the worst result for the Liberal Democrats in the West Midlands. The Liberal Democrats were wiped out losing all four of their Councillors, again we lost some good Councillors here, Labour lost two seats to the Conservatives too.
Although I am fundamentally opposed to the Welsh Liberal Democrats becoming embroiled in a coalition at this time, there has been a democratic vote of the National Executive Committee that says that we should explore this route. I have agreed therefore that for the time being I will serve on the negotiating team. My rationale is that if I lose the final vote and this coalition comes about then I want to make sure that we get the best possible deal for the party. After all I may end up defending it for the next four years. The main ...
Off to the US today to get married. So there’ll be a lack of blogging for a few weeks. I’m sure I’ll come back to thousands of unread blog posts too.
Well forget it under plans from DORK (Department of Ruth Kelly). Plans to allow the steamrollering, sorry streamlining, of plans for buildings such as nuclear power stations are being pushed through.
Dear Lib Dems, Ming is calling for a live television debate with Cameron and Brown, as a concelation prize for there not being a hustings within the Labour party. Whilst I'm not convinced its a good idea for him to put himself up against 2 superior debaters/leaders in that way; 1) Brown's not likely to do it anyway as he has nothing to gain, but 2) If there is one, I will pledge this; if Ming debates with Cameron and Brown and holds his own I will back off on my criticism of him atleast for the time being ...
The Liberal Democrat spokesman for London, Tom Brake, MP, was the guest speaker last night at Westminster LibDems’ Paella and Politics (they do things differently in Bayswater). His theme was standing up to Ken Livingstone in the GLA and London Mayoral elections next year. Tom cut his political teeth as a councillor in Hackney, where squatters [...]
It has really all been said, and shown on the TV. But as a kid maritime Greenwich was the nearest big national set of landmarks to me (and still is) - and the Cutty Sark was the bit I visited over and over again. Very sad. But it looks like that with help it can be saved. You can contribute to restoring this great ship here. Please do help.
It’s good to see Alex Salmond reminding us quite so quickly about why the Lib Dems would have made a terrible, terrible mistake to go into coalition with him. He knows he can’t get this plan through Parliament, so why bother? The answer to that question is too obvious for me to bother [...]
The Liberal Democrats Campaign for Gender Balance is looking to raise an extra £5,000 a year by asking ten people to donate £20 per month, ten people to donate £10 per month and twenty people to donate £5 per month towards the campaign. | < | May 2007 | > | ||||
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