For excuses, this one is quite original. The windscreen wipers had broken down on my train. As a result the train was turned around at Doncaster. I am now travelling backwards. Such a pity I am travelling in a carriage that contains a child that shrieks constantly with a terrifyingly shrill ear splitting decibel level that would raise the dead. And sitting a couple of seats in front of me are two 
Hidden away - it's not that hidden, but it naturally lies along Westbere Road - is Westbere Copse. At one time the land was farmed, but in the 1860's the arrival of the Midland Railway changed the landscape for good. Over the years the site has been used for a railway signal box, public toilets and allotments - but since 1988 it has been a local nature reserve. There is a nice pathway through the site and it's great for photography of nature and especially to capture trees and leaves. It is laden with wildlife - especially bird, insects, frogs ...
As I mentioned earlier this week, I received a roasting on the BBC Radio Five Live’s Pods and Blogs programme early on Tuesday from The Chameleon. Here’s the relevant extract: I’ve been invited on next week for my right of reply. Should I bother stirring up this hornet’s nest? Share This
It’s April 1944 and something big is about to happen. Everyone on the South Coast can just feel it. Troops and Forces vehicles are on the move in vast quantities and the Allies have stepped up their bombing campaign over Germany and it would seem the end of the war is in sight. Foyle is at home, having resigned as Detective Chief Superintendent at Hastings Police. No longer needed as a police driver, Sam has had to find a new job too...Last time I got excited about the return of Foyle's War, it disappeared after one episode. But a site ...
Watford PPC Sal Brinton brings an account of the excellent Lib Dem performance in Welham Green. The first by-election of 2008, and the first under Nick Clegg’s Leadership has given us a swing to the Liberal Democrats of 22%, and a very strong second place, in Welham Green, part of Welwyn Hatfield District Council (Grant Shapps [...] 
Iain Dale takes the view that the Lib Dems support for legislation that will make hate crimes against gay people a specific criminal offence is not very liberal. I guess it depends on what view you take of the word liberal. Many Tories, Iain included, seem to think that "liberal" means you will accept anything as fair game, so long as the government keep out of things. So the word "liberal" means you will allow just about anything. Others, take a different view. I personally take the view that "liberal" means open minded, but also means that you are prepared ...
A friend of mine once attended a meeting addressed by the late David Penhaligon in the days when he Liberal transport spokesman. Someone asked what Liberal transport policy was and Penhaligon replied: "1. Keep the Truro-Falmouth branch open." These days we have wider horizons and grander job titles, but our shadow transport secretary Norman Baker also has a constituency railway project close to his heart: the reopening of the line between Uckfield and Lewes. The Argus reports that Network Rail has signed a contract with East Sussex County Council agreeing to carry out an investigation into whether the line could ...
Podcasts and blogs look set to play a part in the A-level Media Studies assessments according to the new syllabus issued by the OCR exam board. I’m sure this will come in for ridicule pretty soon, somebody will accuse OCR of dumbing down, claim the qualification will be denigrated to a mickey mouse subject, you know [...]
Alex Salmond has faced further criticism of his dual membership of the Scottish and UK parliaments, but has refused to cave in and resign. After becoming familiar with the workload of a committed and hard-working MP myself I find it puzzling how he can successfully combine the work of an MSP and MP with his role as First Minster of Scotland. He must never have a moment of free time or has taken quite an extraordinary time management course. (Run by Doctor Who?) Salmond's spokesperson is quoted: "There is much more to being an MP than trooping the lobbies at ...
The Post Office Campaign has once again hit the press with the Evening Post running a large article about our campaign to open up Royal Mail sorting offices in the evening so we can collect parce...
I have today launched my January 2008 update to West End Community Council. To read it simply follow the link by clicking on the headline above. Issues covered include Freeview "lite" concerns in the West End, footpaths in Hawkhill, "No Through Road" signage required for Lytton Street and Gowrie Street, and parking issues in Taylor's Lane. The Community Council meets next Tuesday (8th January) at 7pm in Logie St John's (Cross) Church Hall.
As I emerge from doing some actual work, I read Fluffy on Iowa. It's all you need to read as a summary. Well done Fluffy! A brilliant synopsis. I particularly like this bit: For the REST of the WORLD this is another of those sports where America is the only country to take part in the World Series. We can only watch and hope and sigh and try not to SHRIEK as they make up their minds who'll be
We at LDV are delighted to announce two new regular columns will be gracing our pages in the months to come: Lib Dem blogger, Jonathan Calder (aka Lord Bonkers) will be editing a new ‘Top of the Blogs’ feature, The Dirty Dozen, each month rounding up some of the best articles posted to non-Lib Dem political [...]
Redcar & Cleveland Council's new Waste & Recycling Calendar 2008/2009 together with a roll of clear plastic bags will be delivered to all households during January. Programme of deliveries: Zone 1 w/c 7th January Zone 2 w/c 14th January Zone 3 w/c 21st January Zone 4 w/c 28th January Each household will be provided with a roll of 30 clear plastic bags, these bags are for the purpose of recycling cardboard and plastic. Hessian sacks are to be replaced with clear plastic bags – this is due to the high number of reported lost hessian sacks and the problems experienced ...
Just before Christmas I noticed that Labour had sent out a leaflet in Benchill announcing a new Skate Park to be sited inside Hollyhedge Park, in neighbouring Sharston. Curiosity got the better of me and I went over to check out how Hollyhedge Park is doing these days. I must say, that I when I turned a path and laid eyes on Sharston Youth Centre, I was totally shocked! I just hope that the Skate Park doesn't share the same fate as the Youth Centre! (click to zoom in) I am totally disgusted by these sights, and totally frustrated at ...
US small government pressure group Downsize DC have launched a rather good campaign - I Am Not Afraid. They are calling for people to refuse to be afraid, as many have pointed out, by being afraid and acting rashly through fear we are handing victory to the terrorists. This is not a new call, security expert Bruce [...]
Hello! Well what a night, Barack Hussien Obama, has achieved something that six months ago people said was impossible. The audacity of hope is now changing to the dream of hope, the hope for something new, and now the hope that change will come. I think Barack's Iowan nomination comes from not only young people like me in the US but a whole cross section of society wanting change. The US system is something that mystifies a lot of people, and endears many more, but hope has now entered into the equation. Hope has never before been used as an ...
My Kenyan friend reports today: Right now some parts of the country are at peace and calm. It's not a pleasing moment nor experience to see people killing others and doing all sorts of filthy and dirty stuff. No one is superior nor inferior than the other... One of the few glimmers of hope from the last few days has been the visit of Archbishop Desmond Tutu to Nairobi: Archbishop Tutu met Mr
In the first Guest Slot of 2008 John Hemming Liberal Democrat MP for Birmingham Yardley writes on the assassination of Benazir Bhutto.
There was me earlier this week talking about how I watch telly with my child, then up crops this about Mark Speight (above). It was a bit of a shock to see him in the news. Normally I watch him on SMart, which is a sort of modern "Vision On". He is a brilliant artist and a fantastic entertainer. Anyway, I did wonder how CBBC's Newsround would break the news of this to their young audience, him 
I've come to the conclusion that the word 'consultation' is probably the most misused word in public life. As a Liberal Democrat I'm very much of the view that people should have control over the public services which affect their daily lives. But the reality is all too often that because those who run those services are convinced that they 'know best', any consultation that takes place only happens when the powers that be have already made up their mind. This reflection is brought to mind by (at least) three examples: a) new nuclear power stations - the Government has ...
Here’s an interesting op-ed in the New York Times - Putting A Plague In Perspective in which a veteran HIV-AIDS specialist criticises the amount of money being spent on HIV-AIDS research for the developing world. Whilst it is clearly a good thing that there is AIDS research going on, it overshadows much more pressing, but less [...]
The decision by J D Wetherspoons, the pub chain, to refuse to serve adults with children more than two alcoholic drinks has been painted by the company as an attempt to show responsibility and care for children, but reading all the statements from the company shows this is clearly a fallacy. A spokesman for the company said it was "uncomfortable" with children being on the premises for long periods because of a lack of play facilities and added that parents visiting its pubs could even be refused soft drinks or coffee to curtail their stay. So what is the message ...
Apart from the more traditional seasonal activities, I spent some time delivering the East Dulwich councillors report back on what we’ve been up to over the past year or so. We thnk its important to keep in touch all year round - not just at election time. It was nice to open my mail box [...]
Based on the amount of traffic they’ve passed on to www.libdems.org.uk during 2007, the top five blogs were: Liberal Democrat Voice Iain Dale Ming Campbell Lynne Featherstone Liberal England Although LDV and Ming’s site regularly had links through to the party’s site, none of the others did. Iain Dale’s presence at number two isn’t though simply a reflection of his traffic [...]
In the Hozzalanee District Poll for Street Refuse Director yesterday, Chief Warden Jensen ‘Bucky’ Huckenfecker polled the highest in the pre-pre-election election. The eligible voters numbered in their tens and they turned out in force to celebrate ‘Bucky’ Huckenfecker’s victory. His defeated rival Johnson Sloeberry was gracious in defeat but called on his dozen supporters to follow him to East 43rd and Main for the second part of the pre-pre-election election. The result was greeted with acclaim in Britain. Gordon Brown sent a personal message of support to ‘Bucky’ Huckenfecker, while David Cameron asked what the government was doing about ...
An independent Commission on Social Mobility, to be chaired by Martin Narey, Chief Executive of Barnardo’s and the Chair of the End Child Poverty Coalition, is being established today by Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg. The commission will investigate the reasons for Britain’s apparently low levels of social mobility and recommend policy changes to enable children from disadvantaged backgrounds to fulfil their full potential. Current evidence suggests that social mobility is currently lower in the UK than in most western democracies. Nick Clegg said “In 2007, a child born into deprivation is more likely to inherit his or her parents’ ...
Thursday: In Americaland, this year they are holding a contest to see who will be President after the Monkey-in-Chief is sent to Guantanamo Bay. This is going to be very much like the contest that they were holding LAST year (and the year BEFORE), except that someone might actually win. The first stage of this game is played in the State of Iowa. No, sorry, the FIRST stage is played in a State of Nervous HYSTERIA and DENIAL aka the national media. We now move on to the SECOND stage, where actual people and/or Iowans get to have their say. ...
{Appearing on Radio 4's The Westminster Hour with Carolyn Quinn} This Sunday I'll be appearing again on The Westminster Hour: Radio 4, 10pm. If you miss the show you'll be able to listen again on their website. If you want to get advanced notice of my media appearances like this one, you can use the media events service at Flock Together. You've got three choices: Using this feed: or By email: register at FlockTogether and pick “Media appearances” as one of the categories of events you want to be emailed about. (If you are an existing Flock Together user ...
Of the last new incumbants of the White House three, Ronald Reagan, George H W Bush and Bill Clinton, failed to win the Iowa Caucus. And before that Jimmy Carter was beaten into second by uncommitted Democrats in 1976, whe then polled more than Barak Obama did yesterday. So While Hillary may have come third on 29.5 percent she is still 26 percent better off than when her husband first contested
The great machinery of American democracy has seemed incredibly flawed in recent years. I have occasionally felt very close to Marcus Tullius Cicero: a man who wanted to defend the Roman Republic's tradition of liberty, but who was defeated by the corruption and decadence of the Republic's own institutions. Incidentally his 2101st birthday took place yesterday. I, like Patrick Henry in 1776, have felt that Western Liberalism stands upon a knife-edge: "I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!". I feared that the entrenched political elite in the United ...
In addition to Nick’s ‘national’ new year message (read or watch), he has also been garnering regional coverage for his vision for the country. In today’s Yorkshire Post he writes: I want 2008 to be the year we fix politics. There is no longer any question in my mind: politics is broken. It’s out of step with [...]
Barack Obama and Mike Huckabee both upset the established political order in the United States winning the Iowan Caucasus
The New Hampshire primary, which is coming up next week, is given huge importance in the US political process. There’s no doubt that it makes for great drama and a ready flow of enjoyable political anecdotes. But does it all matter? What’s almost never mentioned is that the majority of winners of open contests don’t go on to [...]
'BP's View on Peak Oil' Wednesday 16th January. 7.00pm Grimond Room, Portcullis House, House of Commons Peter Davies, BP's Special Economic Advisor, will explain BP's position on peak oil. The meeting will be followed by a question and answer session. 'Transport after Oil' Monday 28th January. 6.30pm Wilson Room , Portcullis House, House of Commons Richard Gilbert, co-author of '
Here’s the form book: On the Democrat side, the previous three winners all went on to be their party’s nominee. It’s five out of seven overall since 1980. On the Republican side, the previous four winners all went on to be their party’s nominee, and again it’s five out of seven since 1980. If you look at only [...]
Cambridgeshire CC, Roman Bank and Peckover Con 897 (61.1; +2.1), Lab 380 (25.9; +25.9), UKIP 192 (13.1; +13.1), [LD (0.0; -41.0)]. Majority 517. Turnout 21.9%. Con hold. Last fought 2005. Welwyn Hatfield DC, Welham Green Con 539 (40.7), LD John Elvy 484 (36.5), BNP 214 (16.2), Lab 88 (6.6). Majority 55. Turnout 46.6%. Con hold. Unopposed in 2007.
And hope for my tenner, as Barack Hussein Obama takes first place in the Iowan caucuses. Should the Republican winner from Iowa, Mike Huckabee (and Chuck Norris) go forward to become the nominee, Obama would no doubt win (by about 10% according to the most recent polling, and he also stands a good chance against [...]
Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails has become increasingly fed up with the music industry. He told his Australian fans to steal his music because the prices for his CDs are so high, he’s experimented with giving away the raw tracks for some songs for fans to remix (a venture which has now gone official [...]
Fascinating article in this morning's Western Mail by Rory Francis suggesting that the impact of Labour's Planning Reform Bill on Wales could be comparable to the flooding of Cwm Tryweryn in Meirionnydd, drowning the village of Capel Celyn so as to provide water for the City of Liverpool. That event was particularly emotive and galvanised nationalist sentiment for decades afterwards. Every Welsh MP bar one voted against the bill but it still went through. The recent apology by Liverpool City Council made national headlines in Wales for days. It was an apology that was not accepted by everybody, though it ...
In the run up to the next general election, Gordon Brown will undoubtedly use one of his favourite themes: Britishness. He will do this as a smokescreen to disguise his own concerns and insecurities that as a Scot he will not receive sufficient support from Middle England. So he will roll out a pseudo debate [...]
Well, my predictions turned out partly right and partly wrong...but lets look at who the winners and losers from the night are...WINNERSRudy Giuliani: In dealing a body blow to Mitt Romney's campaign, Iowans have done Rudy Giuliani, who did not bother to compete in Iowa, a massive favour. If Romney fails in New Hampshire, Giuliani will have got rid of one of his best funded and most credible opponents without having lifted a finger.John McCain: Despite not campaigning in Iowa and looking dead in the water a few months ago, McCain has rebounded to win a very credible 4th place and momentum taking him into New ...
With the numbers crunched from the overnight caucus in Iowa, Barack Obama and Mike Huckabee have emerged to win their respective caucuses. Can Hillary still come back to win? How will Huckabee’s win impact the Republican race? The most active discussion of the ramifications is over at Mike Smithson’s Political Betting.
The Independent has a story today on Hannah Gardiner taking over from Puja Darbari. Amongst her other skills, Puja was always very helpful to bloggers seeking interviews with Ming - thank you Puja. Hannah is the head of the party’s media operation, so this news sounds as if one integrated media operation is planned, rather than complementary party [...]
Its good to see Hillary in third place. Its no secret I cannot stand the woman. Her moralising over the gambling and computer games, her willingness to use government power to ‘help’ people whether they want it or not. This will all lead to more executive power, less oversight and more abuses of power. Obama is [...]
Mike Huckabee and Barack Obama have won the Iowa caucuses - the first nominating contest of the 2008 US presidential election. So it's my mate Mike topping the poll for the Republican nomination – se...
I recently re-organised my blog with new links on the sidebar. One addition is Steven Johnson. Johnson is the author of a vareity of thought-provoking books that include Mind Wide Open, Emergence and Everything Bad is Good for You. Before the Iowa caucus result he predicted a win for Obama and third place for Hilary Clinton. There are many people commentating on the US election but Johnson might just be the one to watch if you want to know who will become the next President of the United States of America.
I trust that many of you are now back in the grind stone of the work place, and after a relatively quite Christmas and New Year I am back at Mayoral duties on Sunday this week at St Johns Church in Bathwick where I will read a lesson at the Epiphany service. On Tuesday 8th it is the Mayor's call to Prayer and I would like to welcome all Bath residents at 7.30 pm in the Banqueting room...
Three local hospitals have announced visitor restrictions in response to the horrible “norovirus” vomiting bug which has been sweeping the country and which you may have read about in the news. The Health Protection Agency have said that around 100,000 people are contracting the condition each week, which is more than ever before. Visitor restrictions previously in place at The Royal Oldham Hospital to help protect patients from the risk of the condition have now been extended to cover Fairfield General Hospital, North Manchester General Hospital, and Rochdale Infirmary.. All hospital appointments should still be attended as normal – the ...
Today is "Independence Day" in Burma, now called Mayanmar by its brutal ruling military junta. Lest we forget what independence means to these people: {Dead monk during 2007 Burma protests}
Many congratulations to Barack Obama for a spectacular win in Iowa, made more remarkable by the extraordinary turnout - almost double last time. Hilary Clinton is going to have to work very hard to catch up from this sort of start - eight points behind Obama. I am delighted that Iowan Democrats have confirmed what I have always thought about Obama - he is a clear-thinking and impressively
National Grid plan to run cables through a disused rail tunnel that crosses the Peak District National Park. If they go ahead, the tunnel could no longer be used as a railway, despite there having been several proposals in the last 10 years to do just that (Central Railways, Arriva, and Translink–all rejected by the Government!) That would be a big mistake. MPs and local people are trying to persuade the government to intervene, to protect the route so that it could, in future, be re-opened and provide much-needed passenger and rail-freight services connecting the east and west sides of ...
It looks the democratic selection could mirror the previous selection in 2005 where a three way race went down to the wire in the democratic national convention. Looks like it will be an exciting year in US politics.
Well it is a three-horse-race out of Iowa tonight for the Democratic nomination. Obama has done well, but it is a long road. New Hampshire will be interesting, and Super Tuesday is going to be a nail biter. Just remember the 1992 Iowa caucus result: Tom Harkin (76%) "Uncommitted" (12%) Paul Tsongas (4%) Bill Clinton (3%) Bob Kerrey (2%) Jerry Brown (2%) But remember, every vote for a
I’m having a fun late night watching the Iowa caucuses via the internet. I can remember four years ago watching some of the primaries on News 24,with some additional data from my laptop and dialup connection, so it’s fun to be watching MSNBC live, while getting updates on the results from Talking Points Memo (which seems to have the best side-by-side coverage of the two races) and the Iowa Democratic Party. And if you’re reading this now, you probably don’t need those links, and if you’re reading it in the morning, you probably won’t either. Anyway, I’m just wishing we ...
The collapse of the cemetery wall on Harrow Road is causing a stir, so I popped down at the weekend to have a look around with one of the local residents. It looks very dramatic but it is clear that the cemetery authorities have the matter in hand and indeed I have subsequently learnt that the residents association are on top of the issues. They can be looked up on their pretty impressive residents association site: http://www.ktra.co.uk/ Kensal Triangle Residents Association. This bit of Brent and indeed of Hampstread and Kilburn is right on the border - but for me ...
I am just watching live CNN who is covering a democrat caucus. The room is packed with democrat members. The first item on the agenda was to choose a permanent chair of the precinct. This reminded of my selection as Chair of the Epping Forest Liberal Democrats. When the current chair (Peter Fuller last year and me this year) asked for nominations the room went quiet and then someone called
Wednesday: Conservatory controlled Medway Council in Kent have voted in favour of a new COAL POWERED electricity station. Coal is BAD because it produces the GREENHOUSE GAS Carbon Dioxide when burned. But things are a little more complicated than just "Coal: Bad". The electric company, E.On, are promising that they will be REPLACING an existing coal station with a new, more efficient, less polluting one. Which sounds good, doesn't it? And, they say, they will be using the very latest in "Carbon Capture technology" further to reduce the climate change impact. So that is nice, isn't it? Or is it? ... | < | January 2008 | > | ||||
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