LibDem Blogs - Archived! - Saturday 17th November 2007

Taking Liberties DVD quiz: Answers and winners

Thank you to everyone who entered my Taking Liberties DVD quiz. The draw took place at Bonkers Hall this afternoon. Lord B drew the winners from his second-best top hat, superintended by Meadowcroft and the Revd Hughes. The lucky winners were: H. E. ElsomPaul EvansWill HowellsBill MillerBernard SalmonCongratulations to all five. And thanks to Revolver Entertainment for donating the prizes. And the answers?Chris AtkinsHenry PorterClarence Henry WillcockLord Chief Justice GoddardBrian HawMaya Anne EvansJohn Reid"We Don't Need Another Hero" by Tina TurnerLord AveburyKeith ChegwinIf there had been a bonus prize it would have gone to Mr Elsom for pointing out that ...

Brian Paddick video

When I went to the launch of Brian Paddick's campaign to be Mayor of London to take the photos on Tuesday 13th November, I also shot this video.

Oh heck, why didn't Chris Huhne listen to James Graham?

I have just borrowed my son's laptop in eager anticipation of Chris Huhne's statement on defence (can't get sound on my PC if you are wondering). Well, inexplicably I had thought he would be talking about defence. Actually he was talking about, you've guessed it, Trident! Heavens Chris, we do, I think know your position on Trident now. It goes something like - don't fudge - get rid of it - er, but not yet. Sounds strikingly like party policy? Wait and see - the only difference being that once we've waited and seen - we may need Baby Son ...

Standards continue to slide on the today programme

Radio 4's idiotic flagship 'news' programme this morning demonstrated its profound failings with two outstandingly bad pieces. Firstly, the programme reported from Pakistan and some editorial error gave loads of airtime to a ranting, bearded madman who refused to listen to reason but instead railed on about the issues which concerned him, continually interrupting the person he was speaking to. I wonder what General Musharraf made of Naughtie. Later in the broadcast, I found myself sympathising with the Scottish pundit who was interviewed about the game against Italy today. He wasn't asked about team selection or tactics or about his ...

Lochee Latest!

If I ever had to appear on Mastermind, I think I’d choose “the geography of Dundee’s West End” as my specialist subject. Having organised the delivery of over 60 newsletters to update residents in the West End over the past six and a half years, I honestly think I know every nook and cranny of the West End, every controlled entry service button, every cul-de-sac, every dog behind the letterbox. Over the past eight weeks or so, I feel I could expand the specialist subject to include Lochee. My colleagues and I have canvassed and delivered newsletters extensively for Chris ...

Ten Trot Factions..........

Anyone who can remember how funny it is watching leftie factions fight with each other can take some amusement from the fortunes of this alleged political party Clearly not a lot of Respect around.

A great communicator?

Gavin - I couldn't work out how to post a comment on your site - and am suffiently riled to tap a blog entry! ;@) I don't think great communication, particularly in written form, is anything to do wit...

Huhne - A Great Communicator?

Continuing my run of pissing on the tent from the outside... Remember when I discussed the leadership candidates' websites so very long ago (ok, last month) and I criticised just how green the site is. Well, he's continued it with his leaflets - hey, at least he is being consistent. But that's not the reason I'm blogging, this is: I've been staring at this for the past day, and I can't quite

Leadership Platform 3: Nick Clegg - Richard Allan writes…

We all know from experience that election campaigns are 90% perspiration and 10% Riso ink, and this one is no exception. Bu there are always things that keep you going during these marathon efforts. In Nick’s campaign this has been the endorsements that people have been pouring in on the website. So for today’s campaign update, [...]

A fireside chat with David Howarth MP

David Howarth MP recently had a Q&A with a student society in his Cambridge constituency. You can watch the full session, which covers the Lib Dem leadership context and the future of our party, here.

Leadership platform 3: Chris Huhne on Defence

I thought I’d use my slot on Lib Dem Voice today to set out clearly my views on defence. I hope you enjoy the video below. http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4590752718151288935 Thanks again to Stephen and the LDV team for this chance to reach more Lib Dem members. I’m delighted at the momentum building in this leadership campaign and I’ll be [...]

Why do some Scots talk more about hating the English than loving Scotland ?

I was fascinated to hear some Scots fans in the radio this morning being asked questions about the big Euro 2008 Qualification match against Italy. Most spoke of their pride, some mentioned that Scotland had done the whole country proud, but then some fans just spoke about how they hope Israel will lose to Russia so England don't qualify. I thought I was hearing things. A chance for Scotsmen to talk of their pride in their nation, and some just chose to slag off England. A colleague of mine who is Scottish recalled to me recently how a bloke in ...

I await howls of derision from Global Warming deniers

It appears that a meeting of governments, the worlds leading advisers and experts on climate change all agree. Climate change is with us and large parts of it are irreversible. The most worrying part of their report was also that the changes we may have may be quite sudden. We are not talking about sudden in the way it happened in the film "The day after tomorrow", which had climate change happen in one day, but global temperatures could rise by 3 or 4 degrees Celsius in just a few decades. It might make Britain a nice place to live, ...

Time to be bold

So now we know. We have two leadership candidates who are articulate, passionate and credible. Both, in their differing styles are able to make the LibDem case effectively and persuasively. For me that has never been it doubt, though I must admit I find Nick´s ´human friendly´ style more engaging, however, this election isn´t just about presentation it´s about direction - inwards or outwards. Chris has certainly had a good campaign so far, despite running on a remarkably conservative programme he has managed to paint himself as radical champion. Chris has been very effective so far in playing to the ...

It's Judge Judy - Basra style

A Sharia Court (left) and Judge Judy (right) There's a brilliant report from Basra in the Guardian today by Ghaith Abdul-Ahad. He describes the split in power in Basra between the British, the Iraqi authorities and the Mahdi army. He relates a case brought before the sharia-based court: The judge called on the case in front of him. A woman named Sedeeka accused her brother and uncle of

Hadley Highstone

This is Hadley Highstone on the A1000 at the northern edge of High Barnet ward. In the past few weeks there have been two serious accidents on this stretch of road one of which resulted in the death of a Hadley resident. The High Barnet Focus team have called for a pedestrian crossing on this stretch of road. A survey was conducted and we were told that a crossing was not warranted. Surely now that we have had these accidents this has to be seriously reviewed. I am told that there will be an investigation and recommendations will be made. ...

Town beaten as two goal Beckford wins it for Leeds

A slow start by Leeds with only one chance (a header by Tresor Kandol) in the first 17 minutes before Johnathon Howson hit a right footed volley from 20 yards, which was tipped over the bar by Peter Brezovan in goal for Town. This seemed to spark a lacklustre Leeds into action and chances to be generated from crosses but they soon died out. Though Leeds had most of the possession they were not at not at their best. Then on 31 minutes David Prutton sent in a cross which was handled by Swindon Captain Hasney Algofree and Jermaine Beckford ...

EXCLUSIVE: New film in new cinema in Newbury

(That's enough "news" - Ed) It might sound hum-drum but it's fairly earth-shattering if you live in Newbury. I have just come back from the first public screening of a new film in Newbury for nine years. The last mainstream cinema showing new films closed in 1998. We've had to travel to Basingstoke or elsewhere to see new films since then. There is meant to be a cinema on its way (the history

Breaking news! "Chris is a smoothie" spin attack!

More information has emerged about the food attack in Cowley Street on wednesday afternoon... "It was really odd the way it happened," another HQ insider tells us anonymously, "Apparently Ch...

In Praise of Facebook

There is no doubt at all that Facebook represents a way to waste a great deal of time as I have discovered to my cost. However, there are some great benefits too. I now keep in touch with my cousins in Ireland and Canada on a much more regular basis than I would without it. It's good to be able to see that "David is not an insect but a human being" or that Honor has just sent me some little e-gift to cheer me up. A few months back I wasted (is it truly a waste if it makes ...

The aetiology and treatment of childhood

The other day I posted an old OpenMind article of mine about ADHD. I began it by mentioning a satirical article on the aetiology and treatment of childhood: a worrying condition, with symptoms like short stature, emotional immaturity and a reluctance to eat vegetables – or ‘legume anorexia’. The good news is that when sufferers are investigated 10 years later they have almost all got better.I have now found article on the Net. As it is American, the actual title is "The etiology and treatment of childhood".

Boris not good enough?

An interesting snippet from Iain Dale's Diary about Boris Johnson's London Mayoral campaign: Much has been written about Boris's alleged inactivity in recent weeks. The news section of his website has had one entry since the end of September. There hasn't been a press release posted since his campaign launch in early September. It is not suprising that eyebrows are being raised.

The things they say

The Editor of the South Wales Evening Post has an interesting piece in his column today that is worth quoting in full: It's not easy running a country. You have to make tough decisions. It's not a bit like being part of the opposition. The Assembly Government has been accused of short-changing councils by announcing a below-inflation increase in their annual funding. Criticism of the settlement seems to have enraged Plaid Cymru AM Dai Lloyd, who has launched a stinging attack on those who complain in "negative tones without any alternatives being put forward....The Lib Dems and the Tories are ...

Dan Rogerson MP Backs Clegg

The number of parliamentarians coming out in support of Nick Clegg continues to swell. I am particularly delighted to hear that Dan Rogerson, MP for North Cornwall, has come out in support of Nick. Dan is a rising star in the party and someone for whom I have an enormous amount of respect. Oh, and he also used to be a Bedford Borough Councillor!

The Next President of the USA?

Mike Huckabee is a former Governor of Arkansas and like another former Governor of that State who went on to become President, he hails from the town of Little Rock. He is currently campaig...

Another People's party

I am not going to reveal the name of the senior Plaid Cymru member who was jumping with joy in the members' tea room on Wednesday at the news that Seimon Glyn has left the party and hooked up instead with a grouping calling themselves Llais y Bobl. Needless to say Mr. Glyn's departure will certainly lead bring joy to some Plaid members. Quite how long their celebrations will go on for has to be seen. Plaid Cymru certainly seem to have created a difficult situation for themselves in Gwynedd. I suspect that Seimon Glyn's view that “I joined Plaid ...

Whoops.......Apologies to Team Huhne

I am feeling very ashamed of myself..........I missed the joke, something I am always bemoaning when people don't get my sense of humour. So, given the comment Richard has left me on my post about this, I have promised to apologise. However............I would like to make it clear..............I AM STILL BACKING NICK!!!!

Fascists for freedom

Okay. This is weird. I was just checking out the Stormfront website (as you do!) and at the bottom I saw a banner advertising Ron Paul for President. Now, as I understand it, Ron Paul is a Libertarian. As a libertarian, Mr. Paul would undoubtedly uphold the right of bigots, fascists and neo-nazis to shout whatever they want as loudly as they want, to preach hate to their shrivelled hearts' content. He would also strip away border controls and allow millions of hard working hispanics into America, along with anybody else who could afford the airfare, didn't expect any welfare ...

Day 2511: World's Biggest Liar Appears on the The Today Programme

Friday: A survey for the National Consumer Council reveals that most restaurants "push costly bottled water just to make a quick profit." Isn't that DREADFUL. Meanwhile, homeopathy is in the news again. They claiming that, just because there is NO EVIDENCE WHATSOEVER that their potions have any beneficial effect, scientists are organising a CONSPIRACY to stop homeopaths from defrauding the NHS of dirty great wodges of cash on the entirely SPURIOUS grounds that spending the money on some medicine that actually does some good might be better value for money. At the risk of confusing you, the BOTTLED WATER INDUSTRY ...

Crazy Eight

I have been tagged by Dylan Jones-Evans to do this test, so I will give it a go: 8 things I am passionate about: Liberalism Helping others Fighting injustice Rights and liberties Good music Cats Science Fiction Pizza 8 things I want to do before I die: Watch Wales play in a football World Cup finals Be a Minister in a Welsh Liberal Democrat Government Explore more of Europe Travel in North America See the Swans play in the Premiership Visit Iceland Read all the books I haven't had time to look at for years Live a long and fruitful ...

Cat of the Day

Well done Pc Tizer: Police at a north London railway station have got mice running scared - after recruiting a 13-year-old cat.Tizer was adopted by British Transport Police (BTP) from the Cats Protection charity in September and inducted into the force as an honorary constable.In his role as the Chief Mouser Pc Tizer walks around King's Cross rail station to keep it rodent-free.An "essential member" of the team, he has unfettered access to all areas and shares an office with a senior officer.

Bimbling and skithering

Two new words I heard this week from different OU colleagues. Same sort of meaning, a combination of bumbling and slithering. Is this a reflection of current perceptions of social trends I wonder? The world bimbling and skithering towards complete social entropy?

Paddick attacks Labour for politicising the police

Got an email through this morning from the Brian Paddick campaign team drawing my eyes to an interview he has given to The Telegraph. The very fact that he's got such a large piece there is a good sign about how credible Brian's candidacy will be with the media - and he also gives an excellent account of why he's the best choice for London Mayor. His comments about Ian Blair's records at the Met is one of the most interesting parts of the piece: The problem, according to Mr Paddick, is that Sir Ian has politicised the Met. "When ...

Talk of the Town gets better

I've had a sneak peak at this piece of literature mentioned in today's Guardian. In fact if there are any typos in it, they are probably my fault as it was being produced the week after I declared my support for Nick and I was asked to proof-read it. Somebody in the Clegg Campaign clearly remembers my fixation with spelling and punctuation:-) Many Liberal Democrats will be familiar with the magazines we have produced at various elections in the last few years. This is taking that idea to a new level. It lays out his key principles in a series ...

Tie the pollock line to the rowlock!

Pollock Rowlocks (pronounced "rollocks") Sales of the humble pollock are up 44% this year, the Times reports. It's being bought as an alternative to cod. It tastes like cod and, hopefully, these increased sales of pollock will ease the problems with overfishing of cod. Dave Audley, president of the National Federation of Fish Friers said to the Times: The name of the fish raises a laugh and

Question Time - Desperation and Depression

Posted by Chris: There seems to be signs of a little bit of desperation creeping into the postings of some of the Lib Dem Bloggers for Chris Huhne following the appearance of both candidates on Question Time. They are all rushing in to claim that Chris was the winner. How they can justify that is beyond me. What was obvious to me was that we have two outstanding candidates who came across extremely well in spite of the interruptions from David Dimbleby, which both handled satisfactorily. The programme was a rare opportunity to showcase the Liberal Democrats and viewers had ...

Fear and control freakery in the Gordon Brown bunker

Following up the account in the FT earlier this week about how Gordon Brown has already cut himself off from most people and is only listening to a tiny circle of advisters, today it is Martin Kettle in the Guardian: Relations between the key players at the top are worse than in the summer. Brown's long hours and short temper - he lost his cool with Bob Shrum, his American adviser, the other day - shape a bad mood inside No 10. Some staff are leaving already. Others are having second thoughts about staying. Good people feel excluded. The animus ...

Team Huhne make spin a new artform............

There are some folk who will swear blind black is white. There are others who will try to imply that someone saying someone is OK means they think they are the best thing since sliced bread.........hmmmm........I've known some guys like that! Actually, as I hope, dear reader, you have discovered by now, I myself, am not much taken by spin. I tend to say it how I see it, however unpalatable for me or others. So if I say OK I mean OK - get it?! So for Lib Dem Friends of Chris, to interpret my honest appraisal of Chris's ...

Brian Paddick interviewed in The Telegraph

As pointed out by TimberWolf in the comments, today’s Telegraph carries a detailed interview with Lib Dem London Mayor candidate Brian Paddick: Unusually for a former policeman, he is against ID cards and opposes the Government’s plan to extend detention without trial for terrorist suspects. “It’s ostracising Muslims.” When it comes to “London issues” he is against [...]

The real leadership issue

I’m not sure I’ve got the hang of this blogging business yet. There is so much to respond to – people even ask me what I think and I never get round to replying (yes, James Graham, you’re absolutely right!). The problem, I suppose, is that I ought really to have instant reactions. I do, but they’re often complete rubbish. Which is my excuse for writing something about the leadership debate on Question Time a full 36 hours after it happened (mea culpa) I thought it was an impressive, civilised debate. I thought Nick Clegg won, but only by a ...

Fascinating psychology behind Eurostar's urinating skinhead

The image of a skinhead urinating into a tea cup, advertising Eurostar to Belgians, is causing a bit of a stir (not in the tea cup). It's part of a campaign which includes John Cleese and other quirky British things which the Belgians, apparently, like. Those crazy Belgians! But one thing seems to have been forgotten in the coverage of this. The Belgians have a history of liking images of....

Guardian Backs Clegg!

Well, despite their acknowledgement that Chris Huhne is a fine candidate, their speculation about what would have happened had Vince Cable stood, given his excellent performance as acting leader, the Guardian has come out clearly in support of Nick Clegg - to quote: .......Mr Clegg is the more likely of the pair to bring this potential to fruition. He is no Conservative in disguise but a convinced Liberal, a political shade that may trouble some social democrats but which sits at the heart of the party's identity. He is articulate, energetic and capable of presenting the Liberal Democrat case in ...

John Howard: Search for a scapegoat

It's all kicking off in Australia as the election campaign enters its final week. Kevin Rudd, the challenger, has surfaced on You Tube (below - bottom) eating his own.........I can hardly say it...if you're eating look away now......ear wax. There's a bit of a financial scandal brewing which could further hurt the government, who are already behind in the polls. But John Howard is the great

Still wavering

Like most Lib Dem bloggers I think there was a slight win for Chris Huhne on Question time this week, but I am still undecided who to vote for. To be honest, I was unimpressed by both contenders. Clegg let me know because I thought he was generally inarticulate when answering and felt him to be getting frustrated rather than staying cool. Chris on the other hand kept relying on his experience

LI Prize for Freedom

The Belarusian opposition politician Aleksander Milinkevich was last night awarded the Liberal International´s annual Prize for Freedom at a reception in the sumptuous surroundings of Hamburg´s City Hall. Last year, he fought a brave campaign against the totalitarian incumbent president in Minsk and became the focal point for Belarus´s civic forces, many of whom I met [...]

Tall finds that Cleggies judge Huhne the debate winner

Impartial arbiter and Lib Dem Voice editor Stephen Tall has crunched the blogosphere’s reaction to the Question Time debate… and finds that partisans of both sides and undecideds were bowled over by Chris.

Have you asked a YouTube question yet?

Tens of thousands of folk have already watched Lib Dem chief executive Chris Rennard invite questions to Nick Clegg and Chris Huhne for the party’s YouTube hustings. And, at the time of writing, there have been 17 - how shall I say it? - eclectic responses. James Graham has posted his question over at his Quaequam [...]

Why I am not a member of the Labour Party: Lesson 212

As a unison rep and member of the Lib Dem party I am asked this question by labour party members so many times I should write the answer on a sheet of A4 and shove it in their hands. I made the hellis...

10 words (or why Chris lost the QT debate)

The balance of opinion amongst the Lib Dem blogs appears to be that Chris Huhne shaded the Question Time debate on Thursday evening. I think they are wrong. Not because of anything Chris said really, in fact on the few substantive policy debates I think he had the edge (even if I do tend to lean more towards Nick's views on them). But, TV debates and more importantly being a modern political

Dr. Evan Harris MP: Why I’m backing Chris

Evan Harris, for Oxford West and Abingdon, endorsed Chris Huhne after his successful Question Time performance. He says: I have known Chris Huhne for over 20 years as a political campaigner, journalist, businessman, MEP and leading party spokesman. He was SDP candidate in Oxford West and Abingdon in 1987 when his energetic campaign paved the way for my gaining the seat 10 years later. He has lost none of his energy, as he showed last night on Question Time. Both candidates are very effective communicators but I have been particularly struck by Chris Huhne’s commitment to ensuring that the Liberal ...

Day 2510: How DO you answer the HUNG PARLIAMENT question?

Thursday: It's actually REALLY easy! The BBC's Questionable Time show brought us the BIG DEBATE, Mr Nick Clogg in a pink tie against the blue background versus Mr Chris Huhney-Monster in a blue-check tie against the red background. Your host was Mr David Dimbledonkey with ANOTHER pink tie, though his had gold highlights…the ONLY Liberal Democrat gold on show! Already, the debate has sparked a LOT of chatter, and not a little HEATED banter, in the Liberal Blogosphere, but the BIGGEST and MOST IMPORTANT question remains to be answered: Why wasn't I on telly facing the other two leadership candidates?* ...

Saturday 17th November 2007

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