Sod it! Call me a curmudgeonly old c**t if you like... I nodded off quite early tonight. Then, just after midnight was awoken by loud music somewhere. Strange, I thought, all our students have gone and it's been peaceful for several weeks, so I went outside to have a listen and found it must be a college ball. Sure enough, after a little searching, I found this: Welcome! read more
I got absolutely drenched this afternoon; soaked from the top through my shirt and from the bottom through my shoes, delivering leaflets in a thunderstorm, in the Haverstock ward by-election in Camden. Why does one do it, at times I ask myself? Because I believe passionately in the democratic process, I answer myself. And it’s [...]
Funny thing that Doctor Who Confidential. It is supposed to give you the inside gen of that particular week’s Doctor Who. This week, Derek Jacobi was the main guest star. Without wanting to give anything away, you would have thought they would have at least mentioned that this is his second appearance [...]
Jonathan Watts, the Guardian's China Correspondent has, amongst others, brought to the attention of the British public one of the most shocking episodes to emerge out of China for several years. Shocking though this episode is, it would not come as too much of a surprise to experienced China analysts. There is an ancient Chinese saying "Tian gao, huangdi yuan" which translates as "the sky is high and the emperor is far away". In modern parlance this literally means that local authorities can do as they like since the Central authorities are not keeping a close eye ...
If you live in a country where the media is controlled, where the Internet is censored, where dissent is crushed brutally, where the walls have ears and where your freedoms are so constrained that your every action can be reported on, you have to ask serious questions about how your government can allow several thousand boys be taken and held as slaves and not know anything about it. Is this how they built their Olympic village ?
I have featured on a number of Tory members' blogs recently. I believe they like me. Here are how a few describe me: Justin Hinchcliffe describes me as a 'bit of a wanker' Ben Locker describes me as semi-literate and my Pooterish rantings are a deeply effective cure for insomnia. Nice people these Tories.
Just recieved this in my email inbox........... Protest in the Park - SUNDAY 24TH JUNE - 12.00 prompt Local residents and their families who are threatened with a possible garden grab in the near future will be congregating in Alexandra Park (Alexandra Road, Epsom) to measure out the extent of garden and woodland that developers are hoping to replace with a ‘high density’ housing scheme in the Denham Road/Bridge Road area. Channel 4 Television will be there to film the protest as part of a documentary about the threat to the environment posed by the huge increase ...
Saturdays are SO boring outside of the football season. No discussion, no ifs or buts. It is a simple statement of fact.
Simon Hoggart asks why the media are always going on about Big Brother so much, given the programme's relatively meagre audience. It is a good question. As Hoggart observes, Springwatch has often got more viewers than Big Brother. For example, on Thursday night, Big Brother was watched by 2.5 million viewers. 3.4 million watched Springwatch. (Figures from Media Guardian). But you don't see
This week's Guardian Guide has a fascinating article on TV theme tunes by Daniel Pemberton, himself a composer of the genre. It contains eight tips on composing theme tunes, and narrates some good and bad examples in each category. One tip is "Do: write quickly". Apparently the "Grange Hill" theme tune was composed in a few minutes. The composer Alan Hawkshaw didn't know what he was composing
Am I the only person to notice that the Tories were facing in both directions when it came to democracy yesterday? At the same time as condemning Tony Blair for ruling out a referendum on the next European treaty, they were launching a new policy paper which, among other things, called for directly elected [...]
Firstly, thanks to everyone who helped today with West End FOCUS deliveries; many thousands delivered in a rather windy and slightly soggy environment!I have complained to the City Council's Economic Development Department about the state of the walls of their industrial units in Peddie Street (see above right) and have asked for the graffiti to be removed.I have also received complaints that there are absolutely no signs in Perth Road itself to indicate that Riverside Approach is closed as a result of repair work. They are at the south entrance to Riverside Approach but nothing to stop drivers going down, ...
I'm all in favour of promoting green energy, as you will see from my web site, and I'm willing to put my money where my mouth is and invest in programmes that look like they have the potential to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. However I felt it necessary to add an item here to express my concerns about this company, Smart Energy, who promote and sell solar hot water systems. When I saw their add I thought that it looked worth exploring and e-mailed asking for someone to contact me with further details. It took them a ...
Listening to this morning's Excess Baggage on Radio 4, I heard Edward Enfield (Harry's dad) talking about his cycle trips across France. He described a visit to Montelimar, the home of Nougat. He talked about a visit to a nougat shop and said that "like Guinness, nougat tastes the same everywhere". I see this is an idea, in relation to Guinness, encouraged by Guinness themselves. Their official
Maybe I'm a "man out of time" but nothing in politics makes me more nauseous than Tony Blair or David Cameron strutting around seemingly proclaiming their unique ability to govern. To me, even as a Catholic who you might think would be more used to authority and conscientious obedience to such a figure, the leader, whether of party or government, should be no more than "primus inter pares" and probably more administrator-in-chief pulling together the ideas and energies of those around him or her. read more
I see that the Independent has a piece today from a leaked briefing saying that Ming needs to be a pinstripe radical. I of course can't blog in detail on the strategy session in Wyboston, which I am attending, but I will say that Ming's after dinner in camera speech last night did demonstrate a real radical edge to Ming. Really exploring why he became a Liberal and how he wants to drive the party
Still no change in the world order I see. Once again the United States has simply nominated their political appointee to the position of President of the World Bank. No doubt when nominations close on Monday - he will simply then be appointed as the sole nominee. Closed processes are not acceptable. Mr Zoellick may well be the best man for the job - but we will never know -'cos he's the only name in the frame!
A quick update on the saga of the Finsbury Park sign that puts Highbury & Islington on the Northern Line - Tim O'Toole from Transport for London has got back in touch with me: Dear LynneI refer to your email dated 5 June and addressed to Peter Hendy. I have been asked to respond. The sign is certainly misleading and the local Group Station Manager has arranged to have it amended. The comment [on your blog] posted by Mr Mark Valladares, is indeed correct. The line from Finsbury Park to Moorgate was, until the 1970s, a spur ofthe ...
As already noted by Paul Walters and Linda Jack, there is a very significant piece in today’s Indie. The article is based on a ‘leaked’ document, outlining a strategy to remark Ming as a ‘pinstripe radical’ and show to the public that radical side and anti-establishment ethos that he shows in private. This sounds to me like [...]
Stephen Pollard's Spectator blog points us to bewitching Jacqueline-of-all-trades Clemency Burton-Hill’s rather novel apportionment of responsibility for murder on the streets of Gaza. Her appearance on Question Time led me to suspect that she was something of a Cameroon sort, I now anticipate that she is digging in to become an omnipotent social commentator. As a very talented actress, musician and soon-to-be-novelist, I fear she may be spreading herself too thinly. Clemency, if you disagree with this, send me an email and we can go for some drinks to discuss it. 
Here in Gateshead, for the 2nd time in less than a year, we are facing a by-election in the Dunston and Teams ward, the BNP's top target in the North East. They are not having too good a time of it however. Their candidate from the last 2 local elections and last year's by-election has thrown in the towel. He has been replaced in the ward by their candidate who stood in the neighbouring Lib Dem
That’s the call from Annette Brooke MP, Lib Dem Children and Young Persons Spokesperson, after the Labour Government announced a policy review: “There needs to be a clear signal that physical punishment is counter-productive and damaging. Children that are hit are more likely to hit others and are more likely to be bullies. If it is [...]
Lib Dem shadow home secretary Nick Clegg has hit out at Labour’s third passport price rise hike in under two years. From October, a passport will cost £72, up from £66 now, and £42 in December 2005. In 1995, the cost of renewing a passport was just £18. The reason for this rocketing stealth tax? ID [...]
My admiration for Greg has just increased a hundredfold after reading this article in the Indy. Greg suggests Ming should be more "spikey" and portray himself as the "pinstripe radical". Greg I LOVE IT!!!! As I suggested yesterday, our narrative has to be built around our leader, now a spikey radical, I could live with that! Yes, as Paul Walter comments, Ming is a liberal, I have never doubted that, so lets contrast that with the illiberal Labour Party. And yes he is passionate about poverty and inequality so lets contrast that with the Labour record and ...
Blair’s speech raised a vitally important debate – and he was more right than many of those who have attacked him. I’ve been trying to work out what I think about Blair’s speech about the media this week. Fundamentally I think a lot of what he says is right - the relationship between politicians and [...] 
Tickets are still available for Kingston Choral Society's concert tonight. We'll be singing Mozart's glorious Requiem, plus a challenging and little known piece by Handel, "Laudate pueri". It's at 7.30pm in Kingston Parish Church. As a special treat we'll all be able to enjoy listening to Michael Collins playing Mozart's Clarinet Concerto. Engaging a musician of his stature is a...
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It's certainly an interesting idea, trying to get the wider public involved in determining your party's manifesto: Tories invite public to decide on policy read more
In most papers today we can read the outcome of Michael Heseltine's review of local government. He has proposed US-style directly elected mayors to run big city councils across England. These mayors will run all top-tier authorities, serving four-year terms, with executive mayors for Birmingham, Newcastle, Manchester and Liverpool having powers over regeneration, transport, skills, fire, waste and police services. The Guardian tells us that Heseltine's proposals go further in the direction of devolving power to local communities than anything offered so far by Labour but already it is facing resistance within the Conservative Party: Lord Heseltine ...
Before I start, I declare where I sit on this whole issue of Europe and the EU. Put simply, I think we've handed too many powers to Europe and I do not want to see Europe taking any Foreign Ministry or Defence powers from member states. Simple. I do, however, like the idea of the EU, if it is reformed. The problem is that a lot of people in the UK, and increasingly across Europe, do not trust the EU and don't like its institutions or activities. So Labour's proposal to ignore the population and push through the new treaty ...
The Guardian reports that David Cameron is facing more more criticism from his own ranks, after backing calls by Michael Heseltine for directly elected mayors to run big councils in the UK. Lord Heseltine proposed elected mayors for all top-tier authorities, serving four-year terms, with executive mayors for Birmingham, Newcastle, Manchester and Liverpool with powers over regeneration, transport
I am wary about commenting once more on the talks going on in the Assembly after somebody on my previous post accused me of lacking insight. That could be because like many other members I am sitting on the outside looking in. Nevertheless I have a view, which I will continue to give. If you want insight then, for now, look elsewhere. Today's Western Mail plays up the prospect of civil war within Labour if Rhodri Morgan, with the backing of the Trade Unions, signs them up to campaign for a 'yes' vote in a referendum on more ...
The name "Fatty Arbuckle" was used in our family as a term of abuse. I was surprised when I found out that "Fatty Arbuckle" was an actual person and, indeed, a major Hollywood star. Graham Stewart in the Times writes an interesting article which draws paralells betweem Arbuckle's undoing and the situation of Michael Barrymore. Arbuckle went from being a fantastically well-paid star to dying of
The Independent reports that Ming is being urged by advisers "to take more risks, be more radical and take on the establishment in an attempt to revive the Liberal Democrats' fortunes": Greg Simpson, the Liberal Democrats' head of policy and research, says the party must become more "spikey". He told Sir Menzies: "We will need to leave our comfort zone to achieve this and in this there are risks,
Thursday: As Mr Frown's search for some idiot to be his Apprentice draws to a close, the six remaining candidates appeared on Questionable Time to try and explain why anyone should care which of them wins. Since Mr Balloon has described them as MUPPETS (and to be fair, Lord Blairimort was RIGHT when he said that's a BIT RICH coming from Mr Balloon!) I thought I would try and identify WHICH Muppet was WHICH! Mr Benny Hill: people have said that he is like Sam the All-American Eagle – austere, aloof, obsessional. This is nonsense; ...
David Cameron is saying that the public will be invited to formulate Conservative policy. He seems to be jumping over the heads of the Conservative party members, interestingly. It is difficult to remember when the Conservative party conference last made a binding decision on policy. The Grammar school debacle showed that Cameron is not even involving his own shadow cabinet in deciding policy
In February I blogged about damages awarded to a restaurant in Northern Ireland after a critical restaurant review in a newspaper. Now the High Court in New South Wales, Australia, has decided that a restaurant review in the Sydney Morning Herald was defamatory, opening the way for the owners to claim damages. The Guardian reports: The case centres on a review of Coco Roco restaurant published
Congratulations to Shami Chakrabarti for being awarded a CBE in the Queen's Birthday honours list. Shami has been and is a remarkably clear and high profile voice for human rights, and richly deserve the honour: Shami Chakrabarti, director of Liberty and one of the government's most vocal critics on human rights, was astonished to get a CBE. "No one was more surprised than me, particularly when
Tony Blair has made it clear that there will be no referendum on the new treaty that may emerge from next week’s European summit. I can almost hear the Euro-sceptic media sharpening their knives. Once more, Brussels (aided by those dastardly Germans) is shoving down our throats things that good, decent English men and women [...] | < | June 2007 | > | ||||
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