LibDem Blogs - Archived! - Friday 26th October 2007

2007’s Doctor Who DVDs To Buy (or: Get The Key To Time!)

On Richard and my thirteenth anniversary, I feel like writing something fun – nothing serious, nothing political (though Lib Dems may need cheering up anyway), so I’m looking at 2007’s surge of Doctor Who DVDs. Released last month, the highpoint is The Key To Time box set, an extra-packed complete season of Tom Baker that’s the largest and probably the most thoroughly enjoyable Doctor Who package so far. The box doesn’t even boast ‘written by Douglas Adams’ or ‘starring K9,’ but it’s still already sold out in most places, so order it online or grab it if you see it! ...

David Steel: Huhne offers ability and experience

David Steel, former leader of the Liberal party, today endorsed Chris Huhne as the next Liberal Democrat leader. He said: “I had not intended to declare support for either of the excellent candidates since I have always taken the view that former leaders do not get involved. However, Paddy Ashdown’s support for Nick Clegg has blown my cover, but Paddy told me he had known his choice for years. Similarly I have known Chris Huhne for 25 years, and worked last year with him on the Steel Commission. I therefore enthusiastically endorse him. He is a man of great ability ...

First Leadership Poll: Chris and Nick neck-and-neck with LD voters

The Telegraph have the first poll on the Liberal Democrat leadership election. It is hardly a strong basis of evidence, since they asked participants which contestant they thought would improve our party’s fortunes the most. The clear winner was “don’t know”. But amongst Lib Dem voters, Chris was leading Nick by 2%. I suspect as any indication of the contest, this is rather imperfect. But it does confirm that nobody knows yet how the membership are feeling, and that it’s all to play for.

A superior intellect?

In response to my last posting the following excellent comment was made which deserves wider exposure. The author is Andy Mayer: Q: How many disgruntled Lib Dem activists does it take to change a light bulb? A1: This is ridiculous, why must we only have one lightbulb, why not two or three? We will never break the mould of British politics by adopting the same tired unibulbism of our opponents. We must be distinctive. I'm setting up a Facebook group demanding more lightbulbs in the race. A2: The Federal Lightbulb Committee stipulates that a lightbulb can only be changed after ...

Last couple of days ...

I attended the Blackness Area Residents' Association meeting on Tuesday night, and amongst matters discussed was parking difficulties in Corso Street. I have raised this (and a number of other local issues) with the City Council. Wednesday night saw the launch meeting of the community group for Ancrum/Cleghorn/Pentland and surrounding areas at Balgay Church. I am really pleased that the group is getting off the ground and will be planning a series of community meetings in the future. We had a good discussion about local issues including anti-social behaviour, road repairs, parking and a number of other matters. A few ...

Meritocracy, Opportunity or Equality?

James Graham has today condemned Nick Clegg for saying, Under my leadership, the Liberal Democrats will work ceaselessly for a more meritocratic, mobile and classless society in which everyone has the opportunity to progress just as far as their talents and hard work can take them. I quote James now: …it’s a red rag to a bull, I’m afraid, to call for the Lib Dems to work ceaselessly for a meritocratic society… Saying you believe in a society where everyone gets their just deserts is another way of saying that some people ‘deserve’ to be poor. You can comfort yourself ...

Weekly food waste campaign success

Liberal Democrats across South Gloucestershire are today celebrating that their long campaign for FREE weekly kerbside collection of food waste in the green bins has been successful. The scheme is set to go ahead for all residents by the end of 2008. “This is great news” said Cllr. Dave Hockey (Lib Dem – Frampton Cotterell). “We have been campaigning on this since 2005 and our success means: good news for local residents because weekly collection will cut problems with smelly food waste and free up space in their black bins; good news for the environment since methane gas, a bi-product ...

In the pink… and the ginger

Like many people, including my colleagues at SirsiDynix, I’m wearing pink today as part of Wear It Pink and breast cancer awareness month. My mother-in-law died from breast cancer, developed in her forties, and diagnosed too late to save her. A generation on, women’s chances after detection are much better, but early detection remains vital. Women [...]

Another Wolverhampton Community Radio interview

This evening I was interviewed by Wolverhampton Community Radio again, to be broadcast next week. One of the things there were particularly keen to hear about was Wolverhampton Liberal Democrats winning the Party's Albert Ingham Award.

House Points: Europe and boundaries

My House Points column from today's Liberal Democrat News - perhaps not my most inspired effort. I heard Michael Meadowcroft tell the Berehovo story at a Liberator fringe meeting at Lib Dem Conference a couple of years ago. On his own website Michael credits it to the late Rabbi Hugo Gryn. No boundaries Gordon Brown was back from Lisbon on Monday, waving his red lines. Cheered on by the Tory benches, David Cameron demanded a referendum on the reform treaty. His party is feeling happier, but that's largely because it has reverted to the agenda that lost it the last ...

How to make £22 Billion from 3Gs

It has been a while now since the Conservative policy reviews, and in particular, John Redwood’s arch-free market pamphlet, the economic competitiveness review. If you read my book page you will see I readily admitted my lack of knowledge in economic matters so I will not be critiquing Mr Redwood’s work on any huge scale (perhaps apart from to say that to blame the Labour Government totally for the state of the British rail system is to suggest the entire country has undergone some massive amnesic episode since the Major years). However, you will also see from my book page ...

The haunted lavatory at Gravesend Library

The Bexley Times reports: Gravesend library is home to an unsociable ghoul who flushes the toilet when he thinks everyone's gone home. Gordon Jenns, 61, who has worked at the library for 14 years, has experienced the phantom flusher several times.Not only that: Dartford library's spectral resident, Kathleen, is less shy and frequently makes herself known to staff. She was a spinster and the daughter of the first librarian, though why she insists on pestering the staff remains a mystery.Whoo! Whoo! Sshhhssh!! If you want to spook, please go outside.

The wisdom of Emily Thornberry

Jonathan Calder asks a pertinent question about this story: Why doesn’t the BBC name Emily Thornberry? As he says, the matter is published on the Parliament website. It’s a bit odd when the BBC are being even more secretive than Parliament. I’m not clear whether this is intended to protect her or mischievously give the story legs. Share This

Plug 3

Its Cider month ( yes, really) so can I briefly plug both www.camra.org.uk/cider and the real Cider event tommorrow (27th) at the Grove Inn in Holbeck, Leeds. I won't attempt any link other than its another plug. Can I also draw your attention to www.headingleytoday.co.uk Its a little content light at the moment but the YEP neighbourhood site is well produced and has potential.

How Nick Clegg meets his own standards

Okay, I admit it. If I hadn’t been hungover yesterday morning I probably would have resisted the temptation to use the word “meltdown” in my blog about Team Clegg yesterday. A wobble it certainly was however, and while I of course accept Richard Allan’s apology, he still has not explained where the email addresses they were using had come from. One suggestion has been that it was Ming Campbell’s supporter list (something which I was signed up to as I was certainly an ABH voter). The fact that I claim to be undecided in this election despite the fact that ...

Stop Press - Loo's Muze Exclusive

I have just learnt, from a source close to Nick, that his nomination paper has been signed by the following MPs Danny Alexander heading up Nick's campaignJulia Goldsworthy - Nick's agentStephen Williams - (Chris Huhne's agent last time)Steve WebbSarah TeatherTim Farron - (Ming's PPS)Norman Baker - our own Eco champion I have to say that if Steve Webb had stood it would have made my decision about who to back very difficult. The fact that Steve and for that matter Tim Farron, are behind Nick is a huge encouragement. GO TEAM CLEGG!

You lucky lucky undecideds

Congratulations to everyone genuinely undecided in the leadership poll! This is a rare opportunity to find out how the rest of the world (or at least the persuadable parts of the population) experience an election. As activists we are greatly experienced at dishing out the leaflets and so on. Not so experienced at seeing how effective (or not) a particular approach is. For example what is it actually like to get a FOCUS aimed at you in earnest out of the blue? Those of us with an active favourite to campaign for are missing out on this. I hope the ...

It has to be Clegg!

A couple of weeks ago I had the great honour of addressing a group of 6th form politics students at one of our local upper schools. Their teacher was at pains to reassure me that despite the pasting they had given our local Tory PPC the previous week, she didn't think I would have the same trouble given that they were much more sympathetic to the Lib Dems. So, as anticipated I had a great time. Nice easy questions, lots of opportunity to explain our policies and priorities. Only one thing they couldn't understand was our choice of leader. What ...

Lib Dem Leadership

You know your old when...... party leaders are younger than you. Cameron is a week younger than me; if elected Nick Clegg would be three months younger. But is that a reason to back Clegg or, indeed, a reason not to!? Does Huhne have the wider range of experience? Who do my Chelmsford readers think would be the best Lib Dem leader? Our two excellent candidates Nick Clegg and Chris Huhne who are

Steel backs Huhne over Trident

I’m in the middle of writing a long post about Nick Clegg’s big speech this week, but this announcement is worth breaking off to mention: “Having enjoyed a talk with both candidates there is also one policy matter which motivates my choice. The current party policy on Trident replacement is that we don’t need to make a decision yet. While that is technically correct, it is hardly a convincing stance to put before the electorate. “With the end of the cold war, with our armed forces requiring better equipment in the fight against terrorism, and with service families seeking improved ...

Shameless

An article that I wrote for The Liberal magazine is now available online.

Iraq Not the Last Front in the War on Terror

In the Washington Mayflower last night the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm. Mike Mullen, gave an insight into the future strategic outlook of the United States. “We have to realize that the the Middle East is larger than Afghanistan and Iraq, and the World is larger than the Middle East.” It would seem that that the US is far from ready to recede to the sidelines in international affairs. The Admiral went on to remind us that we are in a generational war, and that he foresees a series of continuing engagements in the future. As belligerent ...

There's nothing so ex- as an ex-MP

That's the conclusion of a report published by the University of Leeds this week titled "Life after Losing or Leaving: The experience of former members of Parliament". Apparently it will puncture the myth of a gravy train for ex-MPs detailing the difficulty some have in finding new work and adapting to life in the outside world: Many former MPs miss not being at the centre of British politics.

MeWe and Equiano's Cup

MeWe is a local youth theatre group that I have written glowingly about before. Their latest production - developed by the group themselves - is based on the autobiography of Olaudah Equiano, a slave who bought his freedom and then played a key role in London in the movement to abolish slavery. Back in March I was invited to a workshop performance of this play, and since then the cast...

Leader hustings in Rugby tomorrow

As a floating voter in the leadership election, tomorrow could well be the crunch time for me. The hustings is scheduled for about 2 hours, so with only 2 candidates, and only 10mins of speeches, I hope there are plenty of questions. Without the press there for the question session, I also hope we're able to have some fairly seat of the pants questions that challenge the candidates about the state of the party, and its organisation, and policy setting. In particular, I'll want to know Nick means about "breaking out of the comfort zone", while from Chris I wont ...

Rachel Pullen's Story in Nottingham

The link is to the Nottingham Evening Post which today carries the story of how Rachel Pullen was prevented from objecting to the adoption of her daughter.

…and a Kid goes to Jail for Possession of a Book

According to the judge, 6 months in a Young Offenders Insitutute was the correct sentence for someone who, and I quote, “no reasonable excuse” for possessing a book that is “obviously likely to be useful to a terrorist.” Possessing something likely to be useful to a terrorist is a crime now? This, I’m afraid to say, is a travesty of justice. This kid is no more a terrorist than I am. I’ve owned the same book. The information is readily available on the internet and, frankly, I don’t need an excuse to look at it because I am a free individual. Or, at least, that’s what I ...

Election results: Thursday 25th October 2007.

Cumbria CC, Penrith East LD Patricia Bell 800 (59.8; +14.7), Con 380 (28.4; -2.20), Ind 123 (9.2; +3.6), Green 34 (2.5; +2.5), [Lab (0.0; -18.7)]. Majority 420. Turnout 29.7%. Ld hold. Last fought 2005. Great Yarmouth DC, Nelson Lab 329 (42.5; +0.1), Ind 257 (33.2; +33.2), LD Nick Dyer 96 (12.4; +12.4), Ind 49 (6.3; +6.3), Green 43 (5.6; -1.8), [National Front ( 0.0; -22.9)], [Con (0.0; -27.3)].

The Political Class

I don't usually connect to Iain Dale, but I did find his interview with Peter Oborne extremely interesting. The emergence of a political class is something that has left me profoundly uneasy. Thomas Sowell's book, The Vision of the Anointed also, albeit from an explicitly right wing American point of view, evaluates the political effect of the clannishness of "liberal" politics- with the subsequent advent of American neo-conservatism, it seems appropriate to apply his strictures across the political spectrum. I will write further on this, but watching Peter Oborne was a breath of fresh air. Constitutional reform is an urgent ...

Blogging list

A quick list I hope to blog about in the coming weeks, months, years or millennia: Immigrant amnesty Nuclear power The Lords Political correctness and do-gooding Political blogging Piracy The free market BBC prime A Bill of rights Trickery Open source Speechifying Some of these relate to quite old issues now but I want my say, and goddamnit, I’m gonna have it!

Nick for PM

I am supporting Nicky Willy Petey Clegg in the leadership elections. Why? It could be the tasty wife. It could be the tousled locks. It could even be because he went to Cambridge. But its actually just because he sounds like such a f***ing decent guy and is definitely who we need to lead the party TO VICTORY!!!!!!! Update: Matthew’s comment below is of course completely valid. I meant this as a bit tongue in cheek but I will make it more serious and elaborate as to why I think Nick Clegg will make the better leader for the ...

Funders Fair in Garston

A quick plug for an event that's taking place next week (Tuesday). The Garston Community Council does a lot of things..but one of them is work to help other voluntary groups build capacity and become more sustainable... and this Funders Fair is part of that. ****************************** Garston and District Community Council is pleased to invite you to a Funders Fair on: Tuesday 30th October 2007 between 10.00am and 3.00pm in the Booth Hall the Bridge Chapel Centre Heath Road (off Mather Avenue) Allerton This is an informal event so community and voluntary groups can drop in any time during the ...

Lib Dem vote up dramatically in Manor Ward

The Liberal Democrat share of the vote went up dramatically in the Manor Ward by-election yesterday. Lib Dem candidate John Gibson increased his share of the vote from 20% in May to almost 34% in the by-election, pushing Labour into a poor third place. The election for a seat on Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council was caused by the resignation of a Labour councillor.

Today’s Telegraph Poll results: Deja Vu

Two days ago, I wrote a blog article citing the last opinion poll taken by YouGov, just after the Tory conference. I reported the figures as 38% for Labour, 41% for the Tories and 11% for the Lib Dems. Today, the Torygraph are announcing these figures as a brand new story implying that it’s a brand new poll that “conclusively” proves that the Tory lead has still held. So what’s really going on here? This isn’t a new poll, and these figures have been around for weeks now. How else could a simple Lib Dem blog scoop a National Daily two ...

Nasty blogging

So that was a post about bad decisions made by two Labour politicians. I mentioned the two cases because I thought they should be mentioned. This will be a blog focusing on the Liberal Democrat party, however, I going to try not to fall into the trap of proving Godwin’s Law in all posts and comments about Tory behaviour and detailing every Labour mishap as some kind of vast sleaze conspiracy orchestrated by GB whilst pretending the sun shines out of Clegg’s arse.

It’s one ex-leader apiece for Chris and Nick

Last week, Paddy Ashdown endorsed Nick Clegg as leader, both in The Guardian and on YouTube. Today, it’s the turn of David Steel to endorse a candidate - and he’s plumping for Chris Huhne. The full story is on Chris’s campaign website. Here’s Lord Steel’s quote, which also seeks to re-open the Trident debate: “I have known [...]

Support for Chris Huhne

I have now decided to support Chris Huhne for the leadership of the Liberal Democrats. I'd be very happy with both candidates as leader, but I am much more comfortable with Chris Huhne. My reasons are several: 1. Experience. I believe Chris Huhne has more experience of politics and the world outside politics. It follows that he is a safer bet for leading the party. 2. Media handling. I believe

Jock elsewhere, green-blogging for Chris

Yesterday the two sides in the "leadership blogosphere" received a request from the Daily (Maybe), a green blog by a chap called Jim Jay in Cambridge, for a 400 word blog piece promoting our respective candidates to the "Green market". There's one from Matt Davies for Nick Clegg and one from me for Chris Huhne. Read them both at The Daily (Maybe) today, perhaps.

Nobody wants higher taxes

I met a Dane once who introduced me to a new salutation. Every time somebody called for a toast he would raise his glass and say “To world peace and lower taxes”. Recently this had me thinking. There are people in the world who claim to want higher taxes, but nobody really does. That might seem an odd statement at first (especially if you are Dr. Evan Harris). People constantly call for increases in taxation. The Liberal Democrats themselves called for an extra penny in the pound to pay for education! But this confuses means and ends. Nobody wants higher ...

Bad politics

Yesterday, I made a comment on a post about Miranda Grell, which is the first link to this blog from the outside world so I suppose I had better start writing something. So a quick note. Miranda Grell made a false statement about another election candidate in order to enhance her own chances of winning. Emily Thornberry MP added a comment into an official press release from a public body. She put her own quote in the middle of the official dialogue and did not mark or distinguish it in any way from the original text. She then sent it ...

Enthusing Young People about Democracy

Camden Council recently held a fantastic event to get young people more involved in democracy, decision-making and their local area. Secondary school students were given a chance to put their councillors on the spot and tell us what they think needs to change in their neighbourhoods. Unfortunately most Camden residents wouldn't about know this because our local newspapers virtually ignored the event. One of their few criticisms of the day was that there were very few Labour and Conservative councillors who took part. Obviously I can’t speak for the other parties, but the Lib Dems take young people and their ...

California vs. Louisiana: Where would you rather be if theres a disaster?

During the reports of the terrible fires ravaging California, I was struck by the speed with which evacuations, the biggest since the Civil War, and aid have been organised to people who have been affected. Governor Schwarzeneggar arrived on the scene immediately to take charge, with President Bush flying in yesterday to , well 'see for himself'. California, the richest state in the US, is undoubtedly suffering a disaster, but contrast the response to this compared with Hurricane Katrina New Orleans in 2005. California death toll: 3 , New Orleans 1,873 Average income in California: £22, 000, New Orleans: £8,000 ...

It's all well and good for the 'Huhney Monster' but why doesn't clegg have a half decent Nick name?

Its only been a week or two since the leadership race started and already Huhne has got himself a nice nick-name for him and his supporters, but what about Clegg? Isn't there some nice flash catchy nick name out there for him? This is where Huhne gets an advantage I suppose for having run a leadership election before. Unlike Clegg he has had the time and experience to come up with 'huhney monster' and has obviously surreptitiously circumvented this name round the internet to give the man who once wore tweed on television a sense of 'shazam'. But what about ...

Jailing in Nottingham

I am trying to get details, but it appears that someone was jailed for 20 months for talking to his grandson in Nottingham this morning.

Preparing for Princes End

Last night, I was back over in Sandwell. This time I was a planning meeting - a large chunk of the meeting was taken up with the plans for the Princes End by-election.

Friends of the Earth Poster Competition

I wrote about this competition on a previous BLOG. I've been project coordinating this joint venture between Bury Friends of the Earth and Bury Council's Environmental Services to develop a Climate change Poster Competition. We had 100s of entries - not the 1000s we'd hoped for BUT it took us all day to sort out and judge what we did have - we'd still have been there if there had been more! We

A most perplexing matter

Richard Benyon MP (Conservative) made a statement in the House of Commons on 9th October regarding the leader of Newbury Town Council, Councillor Ian Grose (Liberal Democrat) and an invitation to a “welcome home” reception for returning troops. The speech is covered in Hansard here and on Newbury Today here, here and here. In response to a question, Ian Grose made this statement at Newbury Town

Why doesn't the BBC name Emily Thornberry?

From the BBC website: Parliament's standards watchdog has said an MP who inserted a quote from herself into an Electoral Commission press release had been "unwise". Sir Philip Mawer revealed in his annual report the unnamed MP then e-mailed the doctored press release on to the media as if it were an official release. He said her action had not breached the code of conduct as there had been "no intention... to deceive the public". However, he said, the MP's actions had been "unwise and unfortunate".The MP may be unnamed in Sir Philip's report, but a Google search soon reveals ...

Nick v Chris: who and why?

Jim, a green blogger, asked me last week to write 400 words on why I am supporting Nick Clegg in the leadership conference - for him to run on his blog along with 400 words from a Lib Dem blogger supporting Chris Huhne. Jim has now published the two pieces, so if you want to have a read you can visit his blog.

Alison Halford to lift the lid on Labour

The Daily Post reports that the ex-assistant chief constable, ex-MP for Delyn, ex-Labour party member, Alison Halford, is about to publish an account of the early days of the Assembly. The book, entitled "Leeks from the Back Benches", will remind us, among other things, that Miss Halford voted against spending plans for the £109m Wales Millennium Centre and was suspended for a week from the Labour Party group for her stand.

Government 'smash and grab' plan on local schools is slammed by Lib Dems

Liberal Democrats have warned that a proposal by the government to take away cash reserves that local schools have built up will damage children’s education. The government have put out for consultation a proposal to take 5% of the cash held in reserve in school budgets. Many schools build up reserves to invest in new equipment and facilities or as cover for a rainy day. Liberal Democrat Councillor and local school governor, Mary Ovens (pictured) said: “Frankly, I am amazed the government can even think of doing this. We have a scheme in Redcar & Cleveland for planned expenses but ...

Ice rink returns to Redcar

An ice rink is returning to Redcar High Street to keep both the young and old entertained during half term, Monday October 29 until Friday November 2. More than 2,000 skaters took to the ice last year when Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council first put on the attraction. Measuring 15 metres by 14 metres, the all-weather synthetic polished rink by the Town Clock will be big enough to hold 70 skaters at a time. The rink will be open from 10am until 8pm daily with sessions priced at £3 include skate hire. There will be a store of 144 pairs ...

Talent 2007 winners

Dozens of youngsters from across the Borough of Redcar & Cleveland took part in the Council's Talent 2007 competition. The event was organised in partnership with CPN Music Teacher Chris Nixon and was held at Christ Church, Coatham in Redcar. The competition was in 3 stages, for Key Stage 2, Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4/College and University Students. The judging panel consisted of Pat Denney (Chair of Redcar Business Association), Councillor Sheelagh Clarke (Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Tourism), Councillor Josie Crawford and Councillor Irene Curr. The winners are: Key Stage ...

More stupid on a Friday?

I have become a fan of Sudoko. On the train in the morning I settle down to do the puzzle in the newspaper. Normally I can get it finished before the last station but not on a Friday. Today I am particularly peeved to be stuck half way through. Now either my brain gets less efficient on a Friday.... or the puzzle is harder at the end of the week. Let's hope its the latter.

Great moments in advertising placement, number 94

Via Graham Linehan, an illustration of just why it’s a good idea to think about what can’t be moved when you advertise on something.

Modernisation

I have the honour, nay pleasure, of representing my Party on the House of Commons Modernisation Committee. It's not an oxymoron, in its ten year existence this esteemed committee of MPs has come...

Well done Patricia!

Having done my Bette Midler routine `From a distance` as part of a merry band of people I am glad to say well done Patricia Bell in Penrith East last night. Another win in the North West.

At Long Last

As someone who has been inspired by the Liberal legacy of Lloyd George I am delighted that at long last he has been recognised with a statue in Parliament Square. The contribution that Lloyd George made to laying the foundations of the welfare state far outweight his demerits in other areas and deserve to be recognised.

A Pitched Joke

Rejected by 18 Doughty Street last night for the Top Ten: Top Ten alternatives to smacking your children 2. Send them on holiday with the McCanns ... to California. Too soon?

Things that shouldn't be privatised #231 of 652 : Search & Rescue

The MOD is planning to use PFI to privatise some areas of Search & Rescue, apparently because our current Sea Kings are getting a bit old. Hmm... isn't this the same MOD that's blown 4 Billion on two new Giant Aircraft Carriers, but failed to buy ... Read and post comments | Send to a friend

Take the National Express

In the words of 'The Divine Comedy' song 'National Express', 'if you're tired and feeling stressed, take a trip on the National Express'. (This picture is from today's Eastern Daily Press and shows holiday makers from the Heathrow bus pushing it when it got stuck in a Suffolk town.)

Nice little Aherner

As Guido Fawkes is fond of reminding us, British MPs have their snouts in the trough. Well perhaps they do. But today’s Irish Times paints a rather grimmer picture of things in his beloved emerald isle. The greedy bunch in Fianna Fáil (now propped up by the Greens and PDs) have voted whopping payrises to the Government. And they really are huge – the Taoiseach’s is leaping by over €38,000. His salary is now around £216,593, nearly £30,000 more than the British Prime Minister brings in. Of course, as the Moriarty Tribunal noted a decade ago, signing blank cheques is ...

New YouGov poll shows… well, not a lot, really

There’s a new YouGov poll published in today’s Telegraph, and the big news after all the tumult of the past 10 days - there’s been no change in the parties’ standings since last time the company polled: Labour 38% (nc), Tories 41% (nc), Lib Dems 11% (nc). YouGov has tended to be the most Lib [...]

In a parallel universe, yesterday was polling day

Yesterday was general election day. Well, not in this time line at least! 25th October started off as the favourite date for the general election that never happened, though the date soon slipped to 1st November. It was a possibility because there were a number of problems Brown could have avoided, all of which I have touched on in this blog. I expected him to prevent the Tories getting the

Anticipated pleasures

I am disappearing off for a week during half term to regroup, recuperate and regenerate, so blogging will be non-existent for a short while. I am sure that you will all find something else to do for a few days but please don't forget to come back. Some of the delights that await us in the second half of the term include a debate on equal opportunities, the annual report of the Voluntary Sector Scheme, the Assembly budget and of course Alison Halford's account of life in the Assembly, warts and all. I can't imagine which we are all looking ...

How did Shahid Malik spend £21k on postage ?

Without wanting to suggest anything is wrong with MP's replying to letters from constituents, it seems incredible that Labour MP Shahid Malik should receive so many letters from his constituents that he should spend £21,000 on postage alone. Working on the basis that it is roughly 25p for postage per letter, that means he sent out 84,000 letters last year. This means he could have sent a letter to each of the households in his constituency nearly three times. This also works out at 1,700 letters a week or 350 a day. However many staff must he employ in order ...

What did happen in that tent?

With his usual breathlessness, Iain Dale tells us today in the Telegraph: Over the past year, the Conservatives have been discreetly "love-bombing" a group of about a dozen free-market-oriented Lib Dem MPs. It's been so discreet that, in some cases, the Lib Dems didn't even realise it was happening. Ed Vaizey, the clubbable Tory MP for Wantage and close Cameron acolyte, has been deputed to be in

Unauthorised absence does not lead to truancy

I know I have been away from blogging for a couple of days, but I will get a letter from my mum and send it to you on my return (Promise). Whilst I have been away I have noticed that controversy has been stirred up by the Tories on the latest figures showing truancy figures in English schools. And as good Lib Dem there are model press releases floating around cyber space waiting for a local PPC

Tories trying to have it both ways on the NHS

It was good to see Oliver Letwin in very rude health on BBC TV News last night. It would be going too far to describe his appearance as "florid" but it seemed to getting that way. He was captioned as the Conservative "head of policy" (I would be worried about that title if I were a Tory - it means he can prognosticate on anything and everything). He was talking about the supposed "deep clean" of

Checking the expenses

In general I am not one who gets excited about the fact that MPs, AMs and MSPs need appropriate support to do the job they are elected for. Often this will require the provision of allowances to employ staff, run offices, to travel to and from the relevant Parliament and to stay away from home when necessary. However, there are grey areas and there are also differences between Parliaments that are difficult to justify. The £10,000 allowance available to MPs to promote themselves in their constituency for example, is indefensible in my view. It is a state-subsidised boost for incumbents ...

Lib Dem MPs’ allowances published: who spends most, who spends least?

I can’t find it in myself to get overly excited by the annual publication of MPs’ allowances, detailing who spent what on rail fares and stationery. It is, of course, right both that the information should be collected, and right it should be published. But there are two opposing ways of looking at the figures. [...]

Go Nuclear and the Lights Go Out

Apologists for the cosseted, public-subsidy-pampered nuclear industry usually just have to explain why a form of power that’s the top terrorist target, where accidents have the worst effect, where waste is more dangerous and longer-lasting than for any other supply, which relies entirely on foreign supply and which is ludicrously expensive to the taxpayer is the best. The usual answer is that it’s ‘more reliable than renewables’. How unfortunate, then, that on Tuesday – as the Government squirmed down its renewable ‘commitments’ from 20% to 10% – half of Britain’s nuclear power stations had to be, er, out of service. ...

Wine, questions and Europe

Two highlights of Thursday, as the European selection campaign continues (please give me your first preference vote if you have not already done so!). One was Kensington & Chelsea's very enjoyable Quiz, at which my team was narrowly beaten (alright, we came third...), but at which I won a decent-looking bottle of red wine in the raffle! The other highlight was a very friendly email from one London councillor asking me to summarise what I think the EU can mean for young people. Here is my answer: the EU has prevented the outbreak of a European war of the sort ...

Return of the Mack

Paul Evans is back from Iran and has written a rather lucid account of why he is backing Nick Clegg. Far from indescribably ghastly, I would say. We should also welcome Paul back from Iran. A post on his time there would make interesting reading, I am sure...

I Call Uncle!

You know, I think I crossed a line today and it’s making me feel pretty uncomfortable, so I have decided to slow down blogging on the leadership election - because I have proven myself too partisan on this issue and reluctant to give the ‘other’ candidate a fair crack of the whip. My decision is made and, just as that decision was personal for me so this decision is personal for everyone else too. I call truce! See, I’m noticing that on various forums Nick and Chris supporters are becoming quite acrimonious and hostile towards each other. Sure the contenders ...

Guardian: Labour peer "admits cash for access"

Iain Dale has an advance copy of this morning's Guardian front page. It was also mentioned on Newsnight a little while ago. The Guardian's story runs: A Labour peer has admitted taking money to introduce an arms company lobbyist to the government minister in charge of weapons purchases. The case of 'cash for access' in the House of Lords is likely to ignite fresh concern about ethical standards in parliament. The lobbyist paid cash for an introduction to Lord Drayson, the defence minister in charge of billions of pounds of military procurement, according to evidence obtained by the Guardian. Money ...

‘Lloyd George Knew Me’, Says Tony Benn

A

Day 2488: Mr Frown on the Naughty Step

Wednesday: Mr Frown is like one of those large, slightly shy kids who get teased and taunted by the pie-faced smart boy for weeks and months, and try to put up with it manfully until they cannot take any more and then punch their accuser in his mealy mouth, landing themselves in detention. You have to have SOME sympathy. It is not like Mr Balloon doesn't deserve punching being called on his misleading statements. But really it IS Mr Frown's own fault because he will keep on trying to be just as smart as his snake-oil salesman of an opponent. ...

Friday 26th October 2007

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