I suppose I could admire the Labour group in Oxford for its sheer effrontery. But sometimes political hypocrisy can be a little too blatant to be effective. But a double helping of hypocrisy was on the table at this week’s meeting of Oxford city’s Full Council, when Labour proposed keeping open the Peers Sports Centre and swimming pool in Littlemore. Fair enough, you might say. But there are 
News just in. We have comfortably held the Crystal Palace by-election. I have a slight element of interest in the result as it is where my London home is. Well done to the local team. Result is: Lab 537 Con 398 green 139 LD 1051.---Sent via BlackBerry
I could’ve thrown my glass of wine at Central News earlier tonight. Why? Hearing the story of this woman, who’s taken her twin boys out of school because they were going to be seperated for 20 minutes a day. Her defence on the TV was that the boys didn’t want to be separated and they would know when the time was right to go their separate ways. The headteacher is quoted in the Worcester News, “I spoke to the boys and asked them to give us a one day chance. But she insisted on taking them away. They seemed like ...
Tomorrow evening, all being well, I shall settle in front of the television to support Argentina against France in the opening game of the Rugby World Cup. It’s not that I have any Argentine blood or personal connections, nor even a sense of liberal guilt over the Falklands. It’s not that Los Pumas play a particularly attractive brand of rugby – the sight of their famous rolling maul has been likened to watching a tractor in low gear. No, I shall be cheering Argentina purely because they are the underdogs. I am not sure whether it is nature or nurture ...
Reading Conservative policy documents seems to be getting a bit of a hobby of mine. It certainly has its highlights (such as the bit calling for a policy that, er…, is already happening, the spectacularly ill-timed mortgage policy, the lopsided priorities for tax cuts, the policy that ends up requiring MPs to be opted out of the [...]
Over the years, I have from time to time attempted to defend my old Watford colleague Mark Oaten against those who tried to make him a sort of hate figure within the party. So I think I can reasonably take issue with his comments about the Lib Dems and coalitions without feeling I am just hunting with the pack. One of the reasons he became such a target for the ‘radical’ wing of the party was, I suspect, because he never quite seemed in touch with the soul of the party. So that utterances from him provoked great hostility when ...
Liberal Democrats in Redcar have called on the Government to act now to save historic buildings before they are lost forever. Prospective Parliamentary Candidate Ian Swales (pictured above with local conservationist Alexandra Stamp) made the call following the publication of the 2007 English Heritage “Buildings at Risk Register”. Of the 119 buildings and structures listed in the North East of England no less than 6 lie in Kirkleatham village near Redcar. Ian Swales said "These buildings are important to our local heritage. Kirkleatham is a beautiful mixture of glorious nature and distinguished early 18th century buildings and monuments unique in ...
Thanks to the wonder that is Setanta Sports I’ve just been treated to Stafford Rangers vs Halifax Town live from the *cough* Blue Square Premier (that’s the Conference to you, me and everyone else) Stafford have a couple of ex-Cobblers on their books (Neil Grayson and Fred Murray) and one of my best mates is a Halifax nut, so I thought I’d tune in. Halifax dominated the first half and deservedly led 1-0 at the break. Stafford stormed into a 2-1 lead after just 5 minutes of the second half, before Halifax hit back with two quick-fire goals of their ...
Just back from my jaunt across the Irish Sea to an amusing comment from Paul. As you can see, being able to spout forth to my heart's content given the internet has finally wriggled its way into my glorious old people's home, is proving irrisistable! (Don't worry I'll go to bed eventually). But as for the lipgloss, actually I have real issues..........I didn't actually have any with me (I was trying to be poetic/ironic). To be honest, in some ways it is a metaphor for our current sorry political/social state. Not even here today gone tomorrow, here now, gone in ...
A couple of weeks ago, whilst at the Ross BBQ a fellow Lib Dem, a certain Mr Plater (actually Tim you remind me of Dave Aaronavitch on your pic for some strange reason?!), lambasted me about the pic on my blog. About time I changed it says he - subtext, why put a pic you took 20 years ago up and pretend it is you? Actually says I, it was taken in the last election. I don't actually get pix of myself taken on my own that often, and those I do would certainly not be suitable...... So the only ...
I am really confused about David Cameron's call for a new "Citizen's Service, or as he would have it described "A National Service for the 21st Century". His idea is something akin to a voluntary community service project, with the emphasis on "voluntary". You have to ask, what ever sort of binge drinking hoodie is going to want to voluntarily join up for this scheme ? Yes, I am sure there are 16 year olds who would love to do it. The problem is for Cameron, that these are the same responsible, caring, literate 16 year olds who are not ...
I have received an email from a constituent saying that she is looking forward to "JW" being on the door on No. 10! And then she offered to help deliver our Focus leaflets! Now that's the sort of email I love to get! Tonight I have been working on the drafts of the North East Democrat (which is emailed to about a third of the members in the North East) and Parliamentary Campaigner (which goes to
You can’t have missed the fevered speculation as to whether Gordon Brown will call an early General Election, just two and a half years into a theoretical five-year term. Though such a gamble sounds absurd, if Mr Brown is considering such a thing it will be for the same reason that the rest of us [...]
Many thanks to Justin Hinchcliffe, a Tory blogger I only occasionally agree with, but a blogger always worth reading because he has the almost unique position of being a Tory who is prepared to be critical of his own party, who has written an interesting piece in support of this blog, for which I thank him. It seems that I am more popular with non Liberal Democrats than I am with Lib Dems, if nominations to the Lib Dem blogging awards are to be believed. According to the piece on Vox Politics on 18 Doughty Street last night, this blog ...
Now, there should be a choir of angels (or I guess for my detractors devils) singing at this point, I don't understand it, probably never will, but how come no one can call me but I can now get online at home? Technology was never my strong point, thank heavens I have a teenager! So, after a 5 month absence I finally have internet access at home. This is scary, it means in moments of boredom, inspiration, anger, pique, or plain devilment; whether that be in the morning before work, in the evening after work, or the middle of the ...
David Heath, the Lib Dems’ Shadow Secretary of State for Justice and Shadow Lord Chancellor, has become the second party MP to urge a public vote on the EU reform treaty. David today joined a cross-party group of MPs in launching a nationwide campaign, labelled simply “I want a referendum”, which aims to force Gordon [...]
I tend to take a keen interest in policy pronouncements related to public services, and was particularly interested to see that the Conservative review group had reported back. Sadly, disappointment reared its ugly head all too soon. It seems that there are only three public services, health, education and social housing. I presume this is to ensure that their supporters can be protected against
Of course, there’s lots to disagree with in today’s article by Mark Oaten in The Times arguing in favour of a Lib Dem / Tory coalition - for example: Many people may be surprised by how much shared agenda there is between the two parties. On the environment, civil liberties and localism the two parties share some common ground.“Surprised” doesn’t come anywhere near it, Mark. The Tory commitment
It appears that my humble blog has been nominated in the best newcomer category in the "prestigious" Lib Dem blog of the year awards. Thanks to whoever nominated me. Its nice to know that at least some of you aren't here just to find out whether David Strettle is gay (not as far as I know). It is slightly strange, and not just because as Chris K has pointed out there are plenty of other more
Appropriately, Marketing Week reports: Michael Portillo, the former Conservative minister-turned-TV-personality, has accused Tory leader David Cameron of "losing his nerve" over the rebranding of the party after it faltered in opinion polls. 
Arrived at Lewisham Town Hall this evening, to be told by the lady on Reception that the Strategic Planning Committee meeting to consider the Lewisham Gateway planning application had been postponed. Something to do with the Environment Agency, she said. The meeting might be reconvened for 4 October. But that wasn't certain.
The BBC deserves a pat on the back for "Outnumbered", a ground-breaking comedy involving children and lots of ad libs/improvisation. As usual, all good telly has great writers and the credits for this one were "Guy Jenkin and Andy Hamilton". As those names appeared on the screen, I was raising my finger and starting to form the word "Drop" in my mouth, but my wife beat me to it and said "I know
The advertising button appears to be offering readers to make a ready-made comment on the statement above it.
Thank you for the comments on my posting about BBC Weatherman Dan Corbett, and his possible filial relationship with Bob Monkhouse. As an aside, it is worth noting that, two years ago, Recess Monkey named Mr Corbett as the "person in public life most likely to have been bodysnatched by aliens".
Former Tory MP and Times columnist has this to say about the new Prime Minister in today’s Times: I keep saying this – but the man hasn’t got the ghost of a plan. Not an idea in his head. Anyone with ears to hear could guess as much from his speech and media interviews on [...]
I will be on the panel for Voxpolitics on 18 Doughty Street tonight at 10p.m, along with Conservative Warwick Lightfoot, one of their mayoral candidates, and another Conservative, Tom Richmond of Tory Radio. Issues tonight include: David Cameron call for a type of national service for 16 year oldsA new cross-party group calling for an EU referendum &Sir Menzies Campbell call for a written constitution and a citizen's convention to draw it up
Was there any truth to the news reports earlier this week? The Daily Telegraph, for instance, told us: Up to 10 Whitehall departments are being regularly targeted by computer hackers from countries such as China and Russia who want to find out state secrets, it has emerged. The news came amid claims that hackers from China's People's Liberation Army had attacked the IT systems of the Foreign Office and other government departments ... Targeted departments are thought to include the Foreign Office and Home Office.Spy Blog thinks there was no truth in them for the following reasons: The Chinese Ambassador ...
Why do Labour ministers, especially at the Home Office, talk utter nonsense? They make pronouncements based on completely false premises, especially with the most vital issues (I use ’vital’ here literally, as pertaining to life or its destruction) such as gun crime. Junior minister Vernon Coaker has called for the mandatory minimum sentence for possession of a firearm (currently 5 years for an adult and 3 years for a youth) to be imposed in all but “exceptional circumstances.” But that is already the law. If ministers paid attention to recent Acts of Parliament (or at least checked them before making public demands) he would have in mind that the relevant enactment (which ...
Getting more members involved in policy-making means making it easier - but also needs members actually to engage There’s been some discussion on Lib Dem Voice about how the party can engage members more in making policy decisions if they are not able to come to Conference (and also in the LDV members private forum). We are all proud of the fact that it is party members at Conference who take the decisions about the party’s policy – the only party which does so. This already puts us ahead of other parties in member decision-making over policy. But there are ...
It is fascinating when things, which are the everyday currency of the political anorak bubble, break out into the wider world. Us polanoraks are familiar with many of the hilarious quotes of Boris Johnson. But I was interested today to see one of his quotes aired in the normal world - yes, there is one out there, blink, blink. I was wondering past one of those glass-sided conference rooms in 
According to Popbitch, former Liberal MP and all-round legend Sir Clement Freud was recently spotted at a Sonic Youth gig. I do hope that’s true. His autobiography, Freud Ego is a great read; I think he’s led something approaching the perfect life.
So, David Cameron wants to give all 16-year-olds the chance to spend their post-GCSE summer doing something useful, like community service or military training. He thinks about 650,000 people would take this up, but doesn't know how much it would cost. He is, however, fairly sure "It would save money in the long run by reducing crime and antisocial behaviou". Exactly hwo he knows this, I don't know. In some ways, it's not a bad idea. Giving bored teenagers the chance to experience something out of the ordinary might be a good opportunity for personal development; and the promise of ...
Now there's an exciting Guardian headline. The accompanying news story concerns the launch of the book Reinventing the State: Social Liberalism for the 21st Century. I am not sure the newspaper's attempt to talk up a clash between its contributors and those who wrote chapters in The Orange Book in 2004 really holds water. Some people (Chris Huhne, Steve Webb and quite possibly others if you bother to check) have written for both publications. The great thing about Reinventing the State is its size and weight. If you find yourself involved in a tricky argument with a Tory or Socialist, ...
Liberal Democrat Councillors on Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council have condemned Labour’s decision to axe the word “Yorkshire” from the council’s official address. The 27 votes to 23 decision came today at a meeting of the Council. The Labour-dominated authority decided instead to use the term “Redcar & Cleveland” on the Town Hall address. Labour also refused to allow the public to have their say in a referendum on the issue. Councillor Chris Abbott, Lib Dem Group Leader said: “This is an act of cultural vandalism. The North Riding of Yorkshire has never been abolished for cultural, ceremonial, sporting and ...
Liberal Democrat Councillors on Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council today struck a blow for political openness by calling for meetings to be recorded and broadcast on the Council website. This follows the highly successful introduction of a similar scheme at neighbouring North Yorkshire County Council earlier this year. However, the ruling Labour group stopped short of agreeing to the proposal, and instead argued for the matter to be referred to the Council’s “Democracy Commission”. Marske Councillor Margaret Wilson proposed the motion, saying: “The Council already has the technology to do this and it will give the public the opportunity to ...
I was right :) Ok I was wrong by one day – but let’s get past that problem and move onto the fact that I was right. Former senator, and actor Fred Thompson will be running for the republican nomination fro presidency of the United States. His announcement made last night on the tonight show with Jay Leno (just like Arnold Schwarzenegger did when he ran for Governor of California), cam on the same night that his rivals for the nomination were debating somewhere, (and basically being asked the same questions as last time and saying the same answers as ...
That is a crucial question we should be putting to our prospective candidates for MEP in the current hustings and candidate selection process. As the article on the EU in the Scots version of Wikipedia says: The European Union (EU) is a group o 27 member kintras in Europe. The Union was pitten thegither for cultural an economic ettles. Monie kintras in the Union uises the same siller, the Euro. The'r grand debate in monie airts o the Union the nou anent whit pouers the Union shuid hae ower an abuin the member kintras. Some fowk argies that the Union ...
I've just read through the new national Lib Dem policy “Zero Carbon Britain – Taking a Global Lead”. The headline is it’s very good and I’m really, really happy with it. In brief, it says the Lib Dems would: Seek to establish the UK as a leader on action against Climate Change by setting a target of producing 30% of our electricity from renewable sources by 2020 and 100% by 2050, and by pushing for much tougher targets in Phase 2 of the Kyoto Agreement. Work towards a post-Kyoto international framework based on “Contraction and Convergence” (This means all countries ...
One of my pet policies, which i've always thought would be brilliant to see implemented, is the idea of a charity or volunteer work-oriented form of national service for 16-year olds. The name of "Citzen's Service" which Mr Cameron has attached to it is substantially better than any i could come up with. National Service had some merits, i think even its opponents might give it that, of which i am one. It instilled discipline, teamwork and a wealth of practical, physical and mental skills in the generation that went through it. It wasn't perfect, and its combined compulsory and ...
An interesting book out in the USA doing a hatched job on such supply-side concepts as the ‘Laffer Curve’ (which purports to show that cutting taxes can lead to an increase in tax revenue). The argument of the book by Jonathan Chait is that an economic cult has driven out sensible economic discourse and tries to show the nature of that cult. If it is a cult, what are its traces in the UK? Supporters of the Laffer Curve in particular might like to review the arguments of this book. Excerpts for Chait’s book ‘The Big Con’ are in ‘The ...
Over at Our Kingdom I’ve given my view of the new Lib Dem policy paper on British governance. Broadly I think its great; but then I did have a hand in writing much of it! That isn’t the whole story though - predictably I have an amendment to propose. Watch this space for more details. Share This
We've now got a group of young people working on the next edition (autumn 07) of Youth Live which is a Liverpool mag for and by young people. The really good news is that they are starting to take the reins and take control, so we can be sure the mag will be a voice for young people as well as some journalism training. The last discussions were around making the editorial a bit more "edgy" and including more in terms of opinions, whether as opinion pieces or worked into longer articles. Youth Live is produced by the Youth Communications ...
There are lots of things that beggar belief.........but this takes the biscuit! I have just arrived at Belfast International Airport to discover that, not only are we still subjected to the indignity of tipping out our perfectly packed handbaggage to find our potentially explosive lipgloss, toothpaste, shampoo et al, but now we are being charged for the privilege. Little dispensers have been set up emblazened with signs saying "resealable bags - 4 for a pound" ......now you don't get that sort of bargain in the pound shop! As is my want I started my moaning with the nearest couple who ...
Recently I've been looking through the results of some testing that has been carried out into my personality. The results have been interesting! I know that there a quite a few people who are sceptical about the validity of psychometric testing, particularly of such an emotive concept such as 'personality'. I also know that there are those that strongly question the validity of its application
Gordon Brown it seems is trying to take away the right of his members to disagree with him! If he has his way, Labour conference won't be having any debates on those tricky policy issues. Instead there'll be a much smaller group having a quiet chat. So if this happens Labour members will have gone from being individuals who could get involved in policy and actually help decide it.... to a glorified sales force. So what, apart from career ambitions, would be the point of joining?
My record of being pretty erratic in posting to this blog has continued. So I am taking a few moments during my lunch break to sort through all the half-written posts sitting on Blogger. Sometime ago I noticed a debate had broken out on one or two Lib Dem blogs about the nature of classical liberalism. I can't remember which and I have got time to look for them now. But I had started on writing
The top line in the Lib Dem constitutional proposals, according to Menzies Campbell's article today, is a written constitution. Essential I would have thought to stop any more liberties being grabbed. But given that the process of producing such a think would be long and drawn out, there is another proposal which could have a much quicker effect. And that's to introduce fixed term Parliaments. If you think about it is patently unfair that the Prime Minister gets to decide when the General Election will be. Imagine saying to the current World Cup holders that they can have the tournament ...
The one that didn't make the cut when Dave's creatives were brainstorming.
In March 2007 the Liberal Democrat team on Bury Council successfully proposed a budgetary amendment which extended the “Blue Bin” recycling scheme to every house in the Borough. {Cllr Wilf Davison and Chris Davies MEP with the Blue Bin roll-out in Bury.} The success of the scheme was confirmed in a response to a question Lib Dem Council Group Leader Cllr Tim Pickstone raised at the Full Council meeting last night. 1,020 Tonnes of recyclables were collected in July 2007 - the first month after the Blue-Bin roll-out up from 767 Tonnes in July 2006 - a massive 33% increase! ...
Mark Oaten won't have made himself very popular today. In a very disjointed article in the Times, he argues that a hung parliament now looks likely; that if it happens, the Liberal Democrats should agree to enter a coalition with whichever party is the larger; that we should therefore be prepared to ally with the Conservative Party if necessary; and that the Tories aren't really so different from us anyway. Nothing derails the Lib Dems more effectively than speculation about a hung parliament. We need a well thought-out, reasonable, and above all, consistent answer. The fact that the question keeps ...
Last night I went over to West Bromwich at attend the Liberal Democrat planning meeting. It was quite well attended and lots of ideas were flowing about where to target and what activity needs to be taken in the next few weeks and months to prepare for next May.
Colin Ross has welcomed plans that will make Britain a zero carbon country by the middle of the century. The plans will be debated by Liberal Democrats at the party's conference in Brighton on 17th September.
The serial Self-parody continues. It's got "EXCLUSIVE" on it but I am still trying to work out what is new about it, apart from refreshing an 11 month-old press release from the Electoral Commission. That release is worth re-stating: The Electoral Commission has previously made clear its view that it was reasonable for the Liberal Democrats - based on the information available to them at the
The news that the Chief Constable of North Wales has volunteered to have a taser gun fired at him has even made the Irish media. There is no mention though as to whom will be responsible for running 50,000 volts through the body of Richard Brunstrom, nor how they will be chosen. Do you think they will ask for volunteers?
I have just received an invitation to the 2007 Approved Candidate’s Reception on the Tuesday of Brighton Conference. Normally I would be happy to go except that, as the letter says, the event is ’sponsored by Tesco’. I am not happy about this unsubtle attempt at lobbying by a major corporation. You can see their rationale: get a room full of party hopefuls, throw some own label cheese and wine at them and then discuss planning applications, packaging legislation and so on. It would have been far more honest if Tesco had fronted up a fringe meeting, as most of ...
They've done this again! So this time I have written a letter to them... In your page 9 article on Liberal Democrat constitution plans the party logo you used was the old thin bird, which went out of use when Paddy stopped being leader in 1999. This is not a one off error. Your front cover used the same wrong logo on 27 August. In fact you you consistently use the wrong logo for the Lib Dems. I
I am completely baffled by one of the arguments against my position. Apparently by saying that schools should not be allowed to force school dinners on children I am denying choice… I am seeking to offer choice. Parents are responsible for their children, they must be allowed choice in what they feed their children. Schools are free [...]
The Guardian today gives details of Ming’s plan to get a written constitution for Britain. Britain’s first written constitution should be drafted by a convention whose membership has been partly chosen by random lot, the Liberal Democrats propose today. Half of those involved should be members of the public, with the others drawn from parliament, and the [...]
Thank you very much indeed to whoever it was who nominated me for the LibDem Blog of the year. I am most grateful. The judging panel is remarkably knowledgeable and authoritative, and I am honoured to have been chosen for the shortlist. I see that I am in extremely august company, two of whom I nominated for "Blog of the year" (presumably with others). I nominated the other two for other award
Writing in The Guardian newspaper today, Liberal Democrat Leader Ming Campbell argues the case for a written constitution for the United Kingdom. Ming is calling for a constitutional convention at least 50% of which would be made up of members of the public drawn by lot, part of new proposals for British politics to be debated at the Liberal Democrats’ conference this month. Ming writes: If British democracy is not to slip into terminal decline, the public must be alerted to the dangers and motivated to participate in its radical reform. Revival of our representative democracy is too serious to ...
Dodington Parish Council has now joined Westerleigh and Yate in opposing the tipping application. At their meeting last night Dodington decided to recommend that South Glos should refuse the application on the grounds of traffic problems and disturbance to nearby properties (the site is just across the railway line from Chargrove and Rodborough - see our previous article and map). Even if the application is approved, Dodington PC has recommended very restricted hours for traffic entering and leaving the site, so that lorry movements and road sweeping avoid the peak traffic periods, to avoid making the dangerous junctions at Nibley ...
I attended a public meeting at Coten End school in Warwick last night, to discuss some of the residents parking issues in the Guy Street, Cherry Street area. Now the problem is that with the introduction of the new parking scheme there are simply not enough parking spaces for all the people living in these streets. People living in the area disagree and last night put forward some imaginative ideas that would help address the problem, real community politics stuff, people reaching agreement amongst themselves as to how they want their streets to work. Unfortunately the council showed less imagination ...
So a high profile judge has come out and said that the whole country should be on the DNA database (and visitors to our country). Well - it's more logical than the serendipity we have at the moment where if the police arrest you, regardless of innocence or guilt - your DNA is taken and kept on record. However, it's nuts. Outside of the rights and wrongs of civil liberties and the onset of a police state - the practicalities should see that idea murdered at birth. Only last week I blogged about the answer to my parliamentary question on ...
On ‘Today’ today, a reverential James Naughtie introduced the late great Luciano Pavarotti singing his signature tune, ‘Nessun Dorma’, which made for a nice tribute. At least it would have been a great tribute had the dunderhead not then exclaimed into his open microphone that the tune would be over shortly, thus ruining the end. Oh, and the Today team also crudely faded it out. I’d stick to berating politicians, guys.
Vanessa Brooks is about to give birth. The first thing the family courts will do when she has the baby is to gag her.
Cameron does seem to be making a consistent mistake in attacking his internal critics with remarkable venom. First, he shredded Kalms, Brady and Miraj on Today. Now he says a former deputy leader and Tory Chairman, Michael Ancram, is a 'blast from the past who signifies nothing'. The actual quote was: "When you make changes you’ll get blasts from the past who signify nothing." While this "
"They ought to bring back national service" ...The clarion call of white van men, cab drivers and retired colonels everywhere. Well that's what David Cameron wants to. All 16/17 year-olds should go on a "boot camp" and wrap themselves in the Union Jack, he reckons. In fact, he initially proposed this in 2005 but he has pulled it out of his "in case of emergency lurch right" box to fit in with
I don't want to cause a kerfuffle. Mark Oaten is entitled to write an article in the Times. I just don't think he is right about 'common cause' between the LibDems and the Tories. Yes, if, a few months ago, you looked at some of the vague mood music that Cameron was emitting, he did seem like a bona fide Observer reader. But now he is showing his true colours (Hit a hoodie etc), so it is
How would we get along without the health pages in the national press? Hot on the heels of the recent news that people who have longer ambulance journeys are more likely to die, today we have the shocking news that food additives make kids go nuts. I don’t understand how this is news. Did we literally not know this before? I certainly did; because a pal of mine used to buy bags of cheap barley sugars to feed to the hyperactive younger sibling of a mutual friend. The kid used to go apeshit, he’d be hurling himself against walls. The ...
It seems extraordinary now that in the past processed foods were not labelled with their ingredients. This caused me some problems because my second son was cow's milk intolerant. The EU milk mountain was being routinely offloaded and milk was making an appearance, so we were told, in all kinds of products including, bizarrely, one food that he loved - baked beans. Compulsory food...
This month when the policy paper ‘Freedom from Poverty; Opportunity for All’ goes before the Liberal Democrat federal conference we have the chance as a party to put forward a radical and unique set of proposals to tackle poverty and inequality in the UK. If we are honest with ourselves this is a challenge which [...]
You wonder what is happening in Wakefield Childrens Social Services some times. They have "shot the messenger" and lost at employment tribunal and put a string of children with foster carers who were abusing them - when they had evidence. Sadly this is far from unique.
A big Thank You to everyone who nominated me for the Lib Dem Blogger of the Year Awards. Although it probably shouldn’t, I have to admit it means a lot to me. Share This
Given the success of the Bring Back Wispa campaign, I am perplexed as to why my Save Dairy Milk Bubbly campaign has thus far failed to elicit much support. Surely the time is ripe for a nostalgia campaign, now that it is on its way out? Given how excitable people get, I’m surprised no-one (apart from me, obviously) has started bemoaning how our 21st century traditions are under threat. Dairy Milk Bubbly has one thing over the Wispa - ridges. It’s a sure sign of progress. Frankly, I’m amazed that Richard Dawkins hasn’t already started charging from the barricades. Plus, ...
Is it me, or does this story look like its come through a timewarp? Tories push online ads campaign The Conservatives say they are adopting a “fresh approach” to politics with a pre-conference advertising campaign that will run exclusively online. If this had been a story published at any point during the last century, then it might have been newsworthy. But in 2007? On a not-particularly slow news day? Who has Andy Coulson been sleeping with to get this kind of coverage? Share This
Hit tip to Jonathan Calder for his heads up about Mark Oaten's article in The Times publicizing his new book, Coalition, which suggests that we must not be afraid to contemplate a coalition with whoever gets the most seats in a hung parliament, even if that means doing a deal with the Tories. I'm afraid I don't share Mark's own suggestion that because the Tories have joined us in the lobbies against many of Tony Blair's civil liberties erosions it necessarily gives us common ground to work on. What with some of Cameron and Davis's pronouncements since the Rhys Jones ...
In the comments to my post on being nominated for best new Lib Dem blog Nich Starling says that I have to post about Dr Who and local Bexley blogger Mr Hornsby says I should keep on blogging about music. So I should point out that Doctor Who composer and cataloguer of the BBC Radiophonic Workshop material Mark Ayres and I worked together for 5 years. Below is a picture of us at a TVam reunion a
Tristan Mills and Tim Kent have been battling it out over the issue of school meals. Where Tristan goes wrong is in thinking that kids have a choice. If they don't get what the school decides to feed them (healthy or Turkey Twizzlers), they get what their parents decide to feed them. They can't go out and spend their own money in the free market. What kids eat later in life is much decided by
Tonight Grace and I went to visit Noah Maxfield, the latest recruit to Liberal Democrat activism (oh and Mum and Dad Dani and Ed Maxfield, sister Hannah and Dani's parents). It is true, he is as damn cute as the photos. He did sleep all the time we were there too - though the tired faces and withered people around suggested this may not always be the case! Being a 2007 baby he does have his own
The BBC has axed plans to save the world, or at least halted spending millions of pounds of license fee payers money on a special day of programming that was to be called Planet Relief. Now I am not a climate change sceptic. I firmly believe that man is accelerating the rate of change in the planet's temperature and I also believe that we need to do more to lead the way in this country to reduce our carbon emissions. the excuse "it does not matter because of China and India" does not wash. Bit for the BBC to patronise ...
Wednesday: YOU ARE NOT GETTING A SAMPLE OF MY STUFFING FOR YOUR DATABASE! Oh dear, one of our very senior appeal court judges has GONE OFF HIS CHUMP and suggested that the entire nation should be DNA fingerprinted. Apparently Lord Justice Sedley's idea is that there are LOTS of INNOCENT people who have nevertheless been arrested and their DNA taken… and it is STILL BEING KEPT. Treating innocent people like criminals is NOT FAIR. So, the solution is obvious: ALL OTHER innocent people should be treated like criminals too! Er, hang on… This, however, is not even an ORIGINAL form ... | < | September 2007 | > | ||||
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