LibDem Blogs - Archived! - Tuesday 17th June 2008

Why are we in Afghanistan?

This week, the media reported the death of the 100th UK soldier killed in action in Afghanistan and Gordon Brown's plans to increase troop numbers in the country to 8,000 by next spring. The numbers of UK troops killed in Iraq is 176, even though there was almost four times as many involved at the height of the Iraq war than are now deployed in Afghanistan. Despite all the problems since its invasion or liberation (depending on your point of view), there are now signs that Iraq has turned a corner. The number of deaths of both Iraqi's and foreign ...

Climate Change - an Oxfam Film

A simple yet compelling short film from Oxfam about climate change and what we can all do about it. Thanks to Robert Wright's blog for drawing it to our attention.

On Liberty, Online: If he were British he'd be a Liberal Democrat

If he were British he'd be a Liberal Democrat

Great minds think alike... about rubbish!

A parliamentary posting from Steve Webb today 'Stop the Drop' goes well with our post yesterday 'We're planning to cause more fly-tipping, says council'.

Home and dry in Henley???

Interesting post by Norfolk Blogger whose Conservative friend thinks that they are home and dry in Henley. NB also reports the betting markets heavily favouring the Tories. Mike Smithson on Political Betting disagrees; he thinks turnout could be the key. In that regard the Tories saying they are home and dry could be very counterproductive. If their supporters think it is a sealed deal then they may not turn out if it is rainy day. Smithson argues that turnout is key; if it is high expect a comfortable Conservative win, if it is low a shock could be on the ...

Justice, wet and dry

Meeting a number of people from our judiciary today made me realise how fortunate we are in having the judicial system that we have in this Country. Archaic it may seem with dress, wigs and quaint titles and protocols, but it is so important that we have a judicial process making decisions that are not influenced by Government or anyone else. We must keep it. I do reflect though...

Helen Duffett for Cranbrook

I've been blogging (much) less of late, much to the consternation of both of my readers. Primarily this is due to a change of job late last year, which makes commenting on a host of issues remarkably difficult. It does however leave me time to engage in my other political hobby, photography. Lately I've been in Redbridge with Council by-election candidate Helen Duffett, a highly talented campaigner, who I strongly recommend you go and help if you have a spare evening or weekend between now and July 10th. Eco-friendly Crime campaigner Working hard for local residents all year round

Sodbury Specials

A few events from the next few days at the Chipping Sodbury Festival: Wednesday - Festival Team QuizThursday - An Evening with the Sodbury Youth Drama Group and Sodbury Vale Musical Comedy ClubFriday - Poetry Please with Richard CarterThere are lots of other events - you can pick up your copy of the Festival Programme from the Tourist Information Centre. For more event details and booking arrangements click here.

A fantastic illusion

Never seen anything anywhere as good as this before. Cor blimey!

3000 enjoy Music Festival in Kingsgate Park - well done everyone!

3000 people attended the third Kingsgate Park Music Festival on Saturday - twice as many as last year. Congratulations to Yate Town Council and all their helpers. You can read more about the Music Festival in the Gazette here.

Sea Stores - demolition starting

Demolition contractors have moved onto the Sea Stores (former Highways Agency) site, which was sold to house developer Taylor Wimpey a few weeks ago. A letter has gone out to some nearby households, though not to all the people who would be concerned. In case you didn't get one, the text is below. Responding to concerns from local people, Yate Town Council has asked how the contractors are going to deal with asbestos and any other hazardous substances. So why is demolition starting now, as there's no planning permission yet? Simple - the longer they leave the buildings up, the ...

Are the Conservatives 'Home and Dry' in Henley By-Election ?

Having spoken to a Tory friend of mine this evening his view is that despite a vigorous Lib Dem campaign, the Tories are home and dry with a safe win. Certainly the betting on Betfair supports this, but what is the feeling on the ground ? Bookies and Betfair have been known to get in wrong before (notably in Dunfermline), but given the current political landscape, anything but a safe Tory win would be unthinkable, wouldn't it ?

Freedom! Liberty! CCTV...oh...erm...

Settling down to the usual cacophony of police sirens and BBC Parliament whilst reading about Gordon Brown's speech on civil liberties to the IPPR thinktank, has, not surprisingly, made my thoughts turn to crime....No, don't worry, I haven't decided to leave the straight and narrow path of being a shining example of good citizenship, but am pondering the tough nature of the crime/liberty debate. Anyone who has had the misfortune of reading 'The Handmaid's Tale' by Margaret Atwood will know that (oh, alright it's an ok read) if you take Gordon's argument to its logical conclusion those considered vulnerable and ...

FFW 2008 - a Long and Rambling Review (part 4 of 4 - A Wishlist For Next Year)

Things I would like to see next year: General Stuff:- more merchandising Surely Forbidden Planet would pay to have a stall in the foyer? And I bet there's other retailers who would too. I'd love a T-shirt (as opposed to a polo shirt that makes you look like staff). So, yes, a dealer room of some kind. - Cooler Passes. Previous years' passes have featured the artwork for the festival and I was disappointed that this year's didn't. - the bar to stay open after the last film has finished. Even if it's just till 11. Would have liked to ...

So, Download Day is go? Or should that be stopped?

Did I call it or what? Mozilla has decided to try to set a world record for most software downloads in 24 hours when they release Fx3. Can their download network handle it? Anyone got any odds?Well done guys, your servers can't handle the load. Nice well planned marketing stunt annoying your most committed users. Have some screenshots: {firefox downloadday} {firefox worldrecord} firefox downloadday Screenshot from the download site—note it's Fx2 and the link to 'sneak preview' allows me to DL RC3 firefox worldrecord The spreadfirefox worldrecord news page. Completely dead. Isn't that nice? I can't get to the site. ...

The blogger who invaded Rockall

Well, not quite, but The Skipper does record his part in strengthening Britain's hold over the rock by setting up a navigation beacon on top of it: I'm pleased to say the expedition went swimmingly and the beacon was erected courtesy of heroic Royal Marines lowered from a Sea-King helicopter. The next morning, still swelled with pride having watched the event as first item on the BBC six o'clock news, the DTI lighthouse department rang to ask me the date of the expedition to be run the following year. Knowing how the navy chiefs had grumbled like mad, even to ...

FFW 2008 - a Long and Rambling Review (part 3 of 4 - Sunday)

Sunday dawned bright and hungover, and we set out for another day of films. Dracula (1958) dir. Terence Fisher The Hammer Dracula is a radical rewrite of the story, conflating various characters, altering others, and leaving out entire story strands - no Refield, for example. None the less, despite the annoyances to Stoker purists, it's a beautiful and pacey romp through the vampire genre. Michael Gough and Christopher Lee always work well together, and Cushing is legendary. The print was absolutely gorgeous. Restored by the BFI, I am dead set certain it looked better than it did on original release. ...

I'm Still Very Much Alive!

Several months after my last blogpost I'm delighted to say that I'm still very much alive and kicking and still working away in Croatia for another couple of weeks. Perhaps some people near Folkestone might not be so happy to hear that..... I have to ask myself the question when I get the news from home 'what the hell is going on?'. No, I'm not talking about the Triennial in the town, which is very welcome and hats off to all involved for such an inspired effort. I have to ask myself 'what the hell is happening to the Shepway ...

Nick Clegg backs badger cull

Relying on the Shropshire Star for the bulk of my news has its compensations. One of them is coming across fascinating stories like this. When he was in the county the other day, Nick Clegg met the Star's rural affairs editor. His contributions are not among my favourite on the paper's website. They are a milder version of the absurd Muckspreader column in Private Eye, where anyone who questions the right of the farming interest to be given huge amounts of public money is ridiculed. Anyway, this piece is reasonably supportive of Nick and the Liberal Democrats. What struck me ...

E-Mail Nightmare

I've had a bit of a catastrophic e-mail failure. For some reason the e-mail server I have been using is allowing me to send, but not receive, messages. Therefore I've had to spend hours on end configuring all my settings on all the websites that are important to me, including this one, to a new e-mail address. There should be one single product that allows you to do all this at the touch of a button - maybe there is and I'm too stupid to have discovered it. I am quite proud of myself for seemingly managing to configure Outlook ...

Gore endorses Obama

Al Gore has broken cover and offered his support to Barack Obama. In a letter reported on Real Clear Politics he said; 'From now through Election Day, I intend to do whatever I can to make sure he is elected president of the United States.' His website, Algore.com, even calls for donations to the Obama campaign; 'With the help of millions of supporters like you, Barack Obama will bring the change we so desperately need in order to solve our country's most pressing problems.' This is the first time he has asked for funding for a political campaign on the ...

Only 40% of Labour grassroots are sure they want Gordon Brown to fight the next general election

With all the usual caveats about online polls of party supporters, the results of the latest Labour Home poll shows some interesting results when it comes to Gordon Brown: How much time would you be prepared to give Gordon Brown to begin reversing Labour's fortunes, before you would want him to step aside? 18%: He should resign [...]

Grant Shapps in exciting opinion poll shocker!

Woofety woof woof. Waggle tail waggle. It's the opinion poll finding of the year. It turns out that loveable IT security and password expert Grant Shapps is named by more people as being a Euro-MP than most of our actual MEPs. Woof woof.

Stop the Drop

Attended a worthwhile reception at Parliament this evening in support of the CPRE 'stop the drop' campaign against litter and flytipping. As the Lib Dem environment spokesperson I spend a lot of my time debating the big global environmental issues like climate change and energy policy, yet when we undertake surveys locally probably the biggest environmental issue that gets raised is litter. Locally the perception is that the Council seems to have cut back on litter picking and this has not gone un-noticed. The campaign is calling for tougher enforcement action when people are caught fly-tipping or littering, as well ...

Tory MP’s Expenses Probe

The BBC reports that Conservative Party chair Caroline Spelman will, after all, be investigated over her use of parliamentary expenses to pay the woman who was acting as her family's nanny.   I'...

Revealed: Lib Dem voters' views on the EU

A new YouGov poll for the Open Europe think-tank has, pretty unsurprisingly, shown the public's current scepticism towards the Lisbon treaty and the EU. As the poll's findings are broken down by voting intention, it also gives us a glimpse into what Lib Dem voters' attitudes are towards Europe right now. (Compulsory caveat: the sample [...]

Hazel Blears: available for weddings, funerals and bar-mitzvahs

I mustn't laugh, I mustn't laugh, I mustn't... HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Sorry, I just had to get that out of my system. The news today that Hazel Blears has had a laptop stolen which contains sensitive government information which she shouldn't have had stored on it is priceless. This is a woman who has been lecturing us for years about the need for increased security. Indeed, as a former minister for counter-terrorism, Blears would have been well aware of the need to ensure that sensitive government information is stored securely. Also, in that role she wrote a preface to an executive summary ...

Another Rant About Biological Determinism.

Men and women are different but equal. Men are good at some stuff and women are good at other stuff, and we should just accept that and you can therefore get back in the kitchen and make me some pie Oh fuck off. INDIVIDUAL PEOPLE are different from other individual people. I would posit that there is more variation between, for example, Bruce Dickinson and Frank Bruno than there is between the average man and the average woman. All those tests that come out and say that the average man is slightly worse at X, and the average women is ...

After the Referendum

As an ardent supporter of the ideal of the EU, I am delighted that the Irish have trashed the Lisbon Constitution (aka Treaty). In doing so, they have spoken for the many, including us Brits, who have not been allowed a vote. For around 20 years I have been arguing that while I support the ideal of the EU, I could not in conscience, support this particular direction of constitutional evolution because it is, quite simply, fundamentally illiberal and undemocratic, centralizing and elitist. Emerging reaction to the Irish vote only serves to underline this. As the BBC's Mark Mardell notes ...

on David Davis and his failed attempt at freedom

The David Davis campaign is proving to be very dodgy. His PR is being done by Fleishman Hillard the public affairs firm, who count amongst their clients: Egypt and Pepsico, those bastions of liberty (to name just a few). Aside from this, the CEO of the UK division Kevin Bell spoke at a conference in 2005 on ID Cards: Towards Procurement and Implementation, the title of his speech? "Achieving public acceptance". Has Tory funding for David Davis been whipped away so quickly that someone couldn't even vet the PR company? Does David Davis know that his PR company is in ...

Cycle with a smile

This is a great website. Warrington Cycle Campaign have collected cyclist-unfriendly features from around the country. Now I may only be a holiday cyclist these days, but I vividly remember the curse of the random kerb, surprise pothole or sudden end of cycle lane from my student days. There are many more dedicated cycle facilities now, [...]

Hazel Blears is shit and should resign (for real this time)

Everyone's favourite insubstantial careerist appears to have made a bit of a cock up: A personal computer holding sensitive documents relating to defence and extremism has been stolen from Hazel Blears' constituency office in Salford. The theft may mean the communities secretary has broken rules on the handling of restricted government information, the BBC has learned. On the one hand, crime, break in, naughty theives, get 'em. On the other, what was she doing leaving a laptop full of confidential data in her constituency office? Oh, wait, smug, complacent, convinced of her own rightness Blears. It didn't occur to her ...

Now Hazel Blears loses a laptop with sensative government data on it

Oh dear. The headline speaks for itself. Given that civil servants have been suspended in recent days for breaking rules on data like this, surely Hazel Blears has go to go ?

Sensitive files stolen from Hazel Blears's office

A computer stolen from Hazel Blears's constituency office has turned out to contain sensitive government information on defence and extremism. As the BBC reports, it isn't yet clear if this means Hazel Blears broke any rules on the handling of government information, but given the rules against holding such information on personal computers, for example, [...]

Parliamentary watchdog to investigate Spelman

The BBC reports that Conservative Party chairman Caroline Spelman will, after all, be investigated over her use of parliamentary expenses to pay the woman who was acting as her family's nanny. It states that Parliamentary Standards Commissioner John Lyon: ...recommended that 'exceptionally' he should begin an inquiry into whether Mrs Spelman had broken Commons rules 'in force at the time' - the

Prestwich Carnival is Great Success

I haven't yet reflected on the marvellous Prestwich Carnival that took place over the weekend, centred on St Mary's Park in the ward. We are lucky in Prestwich to have a couple of great annual events including Carnival and the Clough Day, and this year's Carnival was a stunning celebration of all that's good in the local area. As ever the floats and processions were a sight to behold, and whilst it's not quite Rio or Notting Hill, we more than pull our weight in terms of local entertainment! The turnout was brilliant as ever, and thankfully the weather held ...

Shouldn't Osborne and Redwood be at each other's throats?

I was woken by the whinging accent of George Osborne on GMTV this morning. Today's populist campaign from the Tories was to demand a cap on interest rates charged by store cards so that they are brought into line with other credit cards. Quite how this unworkable policy would work in practice, given the large differences in other credit card interest rates, was never explained. This does of

Absolute craziness from the Monetary Policy Committee

Inflation has today risen to 3.3% from 3% last months. This is 1.3% above the government's target.and is 1.2% up on last year. However, in the Monetary Policy Committee's own report they state that 1.1% of the 1.2% inflation rise in the last 12 months is down to rises in electricity, gas, petrol, oil and food. In effect, the MPC admits that the rise is because of a rise in the prices of the basic necessities of life and not because of extravagant spending. So why are the MPC talking up the prospects of having to raise interest rates again ...

The wrong button

In the chamber today First Minister, Rhodri Morgan confessed that he pressed the wrong button, when he voted for my proposal to give the Assembly more powers to determine voting arrangements for local councils in Wales. He also said that Education Minister, Jane Hutt had done the same thing. Mr Morgan told AMs: "I didn't intend to vote for the measure (sic). I had a computer malfunction. I apologise, I voted the wrong way." The only malfunction the First Minister had last week was in the use of his fingers. To blame his error on a computer is pretty lame ...

Vote NO to Bury's Elected Mayor

{Vote No} On July 3rd, the people of Bury will be asked to vote in a referendum. You should have already received your polling cards. People who have a postal vote will be receiving the ballot papers in the next few days. Everyone will have their chance to say whether or not you want the way the Council is run to change, so that it is led by an elected Mayor. Lots of people have questions about this important issue, the local Lib Dems have produced this factsheet to answer some of your questions.

Sam Nunn shoots up the VP nominee odds

I see that since I placed a bet on him at 25-1 yesterday, Sam Nunn's odds (to be Democratic VP nominee) on Paddy Power have shortened to 14-1. Ahead of him with shorter odds are eight people, two of whom have said formally that they will not accept such a nomination (Mark Warner and Ted Strickland). John Edwards also said he wouldn't accept but then appeared luke warm on the idea - but in any

Iain Dale's sister is a Lib Dem

Just thought I'd mention it. Iain has kindly shared photos and a post of his wedding. I see that even Home Office Minister Tony McNulty has wished them well in the comments.

The Grimond-Obama link

An interesting link made by Martin "son of Richard" Wainwright between the current Obama bandwagon and the Red Guard of the 60s: Jo Grimond in particular enjoyed intellectual experiments and didn't mind the excesses of youth. He sent Young Libs out all over the world to report back to him on Yugoslavian workers' cooperatives, black power in the US and the first stirrings of free thinking behind the iron curtain. There was also a much more significant model: John Kennedy. And that brings this period of history up to date and gives its experiences and lessons a relevance. Barack Obama ...

An Extra Constable

Bury's Police division has just announced that it has been successful in securing eight extra police officers for what it calls "priority areas". One of those extra constables will be for our area and will focus on the areas around Polefield and Prestwich Arts College. Apparently it will take sometime for the extra officers to arrive, but still good news for our area. Tim

Charges for Bulky Waste collections

As from Monday 23 June Bury council will be introducing charges for the collection of bulky household items. The charges will be as follows. . £10 for up to three items; . £20 for four to six items; . £30 for 7 to nine items. However, an exemption can be requested by residents in receipt of Council Tax benefit for one free collection per year. Payments will need to be made in full in advance of the arranged collection. Residents that want to arrange a bulky items collection can do so by telephoning the Council's Customer Contact Team on 0161 ...

Karim accepts Pendle Lib Dems made him what he is

http://www.101pakistanis.com/Details.asp?SNo=21 Sajjad Karim MEP a ex Liberal Democrat MEP who deflected to the Conservatives because he did not get the first spot in the nomination for the 2009 election has accepted that us the Pendle Lib Dems where the people who kick started his career in Politics. Many People like his disciples have said in the past that Saj Karim made Pendle Lib Dems but let me tell them that is not true according to your leader Mr Sajjad Karim. 'It is wonderful to have my achievements recognised in this way and it is also good news for the whole ...

Tuesday 10th June 7pm

Police Safer Neighbourhood Ward Panel Meeting. A panel made up of Wallington South residents, ward councillors and the Safer Neighbourhood Team meets up every three months to discuss local policing issues and set priorities for the next three months. The panel is chaired by David Duncan, a local resident. It was agreed that two of the [...]

One for the diary: 28th June St Mary's Kilburn

All pretty self explainatory really - St Mary's School summer fair here in Kilburn. Saturday 28th June, 12noon - 3pm.

Irish Say Maybe

The no vote recorded in the Irish referendum on the Lisbon Treaty leaves the Irish Government in the position of determining the future of the Treaty and is thus a massive maybe on the future developm...

Caroline Spelman has puzzled me

You see, Caroline Spelman said: I accepted the opportunity to have part-time administrative and secretarial help from Tina Hayne because I had advertised my home as constituency office. But then her home was neither in Westminster, nor in her constituency but in another part of the country completely - Kent. Did she really advertise this as her office? [...]

Polling day: Haltemprice and Howden

Heard on the grapevine that polling day might end up being 10 July (if anyone actually cares).

Will the NHS ever be privacy conscious?

Shocking news from Ross Anderson here: auditors called 45 GP surgeries asking for personal information about 51 patients. In only one case were they asked to verify their identity He also recounts that in 1996 whilst advising the BMA 30 false-pretext phone calls were detected within one week at one health authority. Reporting this to the Department [...]

Party funding on OK

I've written a piece on Our Kingdom about the government's meaningless new party funding proposals: Hencke asserts that "The Conservatives have been blocked from targeting Labour marginals with spending that can run to tens of thousands of pounds a year by legislation which will limit all parties' candidates to spending a maximum of £12,000 from October until the general election." Straw's proposals do nothing of the sort. What they do is return us to the pre-2000 situation whereby party spending limits are only "triggered" when a candidate is formally adopted by their party or declares themselves (inadvertently or otherwise). Full ...

From the ground up

This is a Birmingham-based short film produced by Oxfam on climate change. I think that it is quite effective in getting us to think about what we can do to reduce our own carbon footprint and help fight against climate change. The film was made by Birmingham based film maker Steve Rainbow.

Toilet headaches

Last night was a meeting of the Bury Lib Dem Council Group, which I endured with a banging headache and throughout which I was nuzzled by Cllr D'Albert's dog. It was deeply unpleasant. I am still a bit ill, and last night had a fitful sleep interspersed with coughing fits and groaning. There was a time this morning when I was going to take the day off work, but I thought that if I was well enough to stagger to the bathroom without collapsing in a heap, I was well enough to go into the office and infect my colleagues ...

Is George Bush the world's most despised person?

I only ask because of this interesting letter to the Guardian's Weekend magazine last Saturday: In view of the repetitive response to the Q&A's 'Which living person do you most despise and why?', should this be rephrased to: 'Other than George Bush, which living person...'? Anthony Pozniak Uxbridge, Middlesex

Those new clauses

Family proceedings: evidence John Hemming Nicholas Winterton Dai Davies Martin Horwood To move the following clause: (1) The Children Act 1989 (c. 41) is amended as follows.(2) After section 9 insert-'9A Proceedings on orders with respect to children (1) No order may be made in any family proceedings that shall prevent the provision of evidence to— (a) the police, (b) any regulatory body

Steve Richards on Davis and Lisbon

An interesting article in today's Independent from Steve Richards, linking David Davis's decision to fight the by-election on 42 days detention with the Irish No vote on the Lisbon Treaty and arguing that both endanger democracy.

A Day For Celebration

In a brief break from reviews, there are two important things going on today: Firstly, today is Firefox Download Day. Get to it. Today is also, according to {[info]} tyrell, SNAP! Day, on which we are all supposed to snap, and post a stream of conciousness rant about whatever it is that's filling us with rage at the moment. Like Steve, this would cover most of the contents of my journal at any given time. However, ironically enough, a comment made by Steve himself has inspired me to ire. NB: This rant does not mean I do not love and ...

Literally Iris

hat tip to Darren Og via the Facebook group Northern Ireland does not need homophobic politicians for this. Dear Iris... THANK you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I have learned a great deal from you, and I try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that Leviticus 18:

Kessler

Secret Army - one of British TV's most compelling dramas - told the story of "Lifeline", a Belgian underground operation to smuggle Allied airmen out of occupied Europe during the Second World War (yes, it did 'inspire' 'Allo 'Allo). Though I wasn't allowed to watch it in the late '70s, the unforgettable titles montage to sombrely dramatic music still gripped me, and in 1981 9-year-old me was thrilled by the sequel following former Gestapo officer Kessler. At this moment, UKTV History is repeating the final episode of Secret Army, while at 3pm today (and 10am tomorrow) they start showing Kessler. ...

Another Davis opponent bites the dust

Well, so much for the suggestion that Glasgow Airport hero John Smeaton could be drafted in to oppose David Davis on 42 days.

Children and Young People Bill Speech

The 2nd reading debate on the CYP Bill was yesterday. I wrote a speech that time prevented me from giving which follows. There was only 6 minutes when I was called so I spoke for 3 minutes because there was one other person who needed to be called. This is, however, what I would have said had I had the time: Honorable Members will be aware that I have concerns about the processes involved in

TV Debate

Well the TV debate over allegedly racist comments has happened. I think that everyone agrees that we came out very much on top and showed the Tory position up for the complete falicy that it is. According to their spokesperson they are concerned that the publicity will reflect badly on the council, but it is of course them who have generated and sustained all the publicity. Rarely has an argument rung so hollow as theirs. Incidentally, we are thinking of organising a whip round to but the Tory spokesperson a tie as he clearly couldn't afford one!

Interesting omissions on David Davis' new 'Freedom' web site

Is it just me or, judging by the masthead of his new web site, is David Davis' 'Freedom' campaign targeted at a relatively narrow section of the population ? Where are the old biddies (or anyone older than 30?) and, shall I say, certain sections of the population which appear to be unrepresented?Also, there appears to be very little mention of the Conservative party on the site. Is this website

Planning applications logged this week

We have only one planning application registered for the Twerton area this week and that is for Replacement of internal fire escape stairs with external fire escape stairs at Land between 1 And River Avon Weirside Court Lower Bristol Road close to Somer Headquarters. The application was first registered on 11th June 2008 and has a decision date of 6th August 2008 the application number...

The key question about Caroline Spelman

Michael Crick presented another piece about Caroline Spelman on Newsnight last night. The key question is: Was the nanny paid the full market rate for the hours she did as the family's nanny ? If the answer to that question is 'yes' then there is not a matter of impropriety here. There may be a matter of incompetent management in that the nanny was not fully tasked for the 30 hours she did of

The Kindness of Liberal Democrat strangers

Among the unsung heroes of any by-election are the members in and around the contested constituency. As well as helping with local knowledge, delivering, knocking on doors and all the usual stuff, they also provide accommodation to the countless hordes of by-election helpers who descend on the campaign. As our opponents have noted, the Liberal Democrats are very lucky to have a large number of members who are willing to give up their time for free to help our campaign. Many of these people are with us for more than just a single day and we try to help them ...

Building Liberal Communities 3

Continuing our series of podcasts from the ALDC / LGA Lib Dem Group conference last Saturday (part 1 / part 2) we bring you a recording of the final session of the day. Cllr Sue Anderson, Birmingham City Council cabinet member for health and adult services talks of her work; and Julia Goldsworthy MP lets us [...]

Let them eat cake

There was some discussion on the radio this morning that Amsterdam's famed cannabis cafés could be on the way out as the Netherlands moves to introduce a smoking ban next month. This news report confirms that the coffee shops will be affected: "Coffee shops will be treated in the same manner as other catering businesses. They will be smoke-free," Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende told NOS television. "It would have been wrong to move towards a smoke-free catering industry and then make an exception for coffee shops. People would not have understood that." "Employees should not have to work in ...

Anyone for tennis? Well, not just anyone

Worrying developments with a development in my ward. There used to be a tennis club on Twyford Avenue, which sadly closed some years ago and has been turned into housing. One of the original conditions of the planning permission was that one tennis court at least would be retained - open for other local residents to use. A couple of weeks ago a resident alerted me to the sign outside the development, which is advertising a *private* tennis court. Now, hopefully the developers have made a mistake with this advertising sign, in good faith. Asking the Council what's going on, ...

Pegs. Check. Magna Carta. Check

After much reflection I think Nick did the pragmatic thing over the David Davis election. You can't defeat a knight in shining armour, it would have looked churlish to fight it and it would have cost an enormous amount of money and energy that we can ill afford as we are currently fighting another and have [...]

Gender equality in universities - EducationGuardian.co.uk

Just a quick post to highlight what the Guardian is saying about what I mentioned last week to celebrate Chami Chakrabarti's appointment as our Chancellor here at Oxford Brookes University: Tackling gender equality in universities | higher news | EducationGuardian.co.uk Jessica Shepherd reports Tuesday June 17, 2008 - As of this summer, the chancellor of Oxford Brookes University will be a woman. So will the chair of governors. So will the student union president. The vice-chancellor, one of her deputies and one of her pro- vice-chancellors already are....But while higher education may still be thought of as trailing behind other ...

Zimbabwe. Time to boycott South Africa?

As a Young Liberal in the 1970's, it was almost impossible to get my five a day. Take Oranges for example. South Africa was a big No; Morocco too. Spain was executing prisoners and Chile... Isreal, of course was out as well. Indeed, if you had asked me how I was getting my five a day, I would have assumed you we talking about the produce of Hull Brewery, not that of semi-tropical dictatorships. Even now it seems a trifle strange to have an account with Barclays. I'd love to find some way of communicating my frustration and anger to ...

Prestwich Carnival 2008

Well done to everyone who contributed to yet another sucsessful Prestwich Carnival on Sunday. Another brilliant day! {Prestwich Carnival Parade 15 June 2008} Prestwich Carnival Parade 15 June 2008 (Rectory Lane) {The start of the Parade (with the Mayor of Bury)} The start of the Parade with the Mayor of Bury. {Prestwich Arts College's Float in the Parade} Prestwich Art's College's Float in the Parade More photos here

Liberty leading the people

No, not another David Davis post. Coldplay are in trouble - the far better-named Creaky Boards reckon they've stolen one of the songs on their new album after Chris Martin attended a Creaky Boards gig. We in the People's Republic are harbouring related suspicions.

David Davis: Why I think Clegg called it right (just about)

Who'd be leader of a political party? For the last few days, debate has been raging in Lib Dem circles about the decision of Nick Clegg not to stand a Liberal Democrat candidate against David Davis in the forthcoming Haltemprice and Howden by-election. For some party members, Nick's decision is utterly mystifying, and they have a number [...]

The role of a church in our community

I've already blogged briefly about attending a 100th anniversary event - to celebrate the 'birthday' of the Moravian Church in Hornsey. I want to return to that topic - to say a little about why I think that church, and others like it, bring something special to our community - even to those of us who don't go to worship there. The church's history itself shows how our capital and society have been changing over the years. The church was founded in 1908 as the 'daughter-congregation' of the Moravian Church in Fetter Lane (today in Chelsea). Many members of Fetter ...

Tay Rope Works : Development Quality Committee

Last night, at the City Council's Development Quality Committee, I successfully moved refusal of the latest application to develop the former Tay Rope Works site. I was pleased that the majority against the proposal (the main application was defeated 14-8) was greater than last time, showing committee's understanding of the community's concern about the proposal - there were no fewer than 50 letters of objection to it. Here's the motions I moved at committee : DQ Committee 16 June 2008 : Reasons for Refusal 08/00292/FUL Land at former Tay Rope Works, Magdalen Yard Road, Dundee 1. The proposed development is ...

Nats Stumble into Another Tax Raising Dilemma

Bernard Salmon, and others, have raised some interesting questions about the SNP plans to set a minimum price for alcohol. The first is under EU legislation is it not impossible to set a minimum price for any good, the freedom to price a product in our competitive market is up to the retailer. One of the last bastians of minimum pricing the book market in recent years has seen competitive

Nats Robin Hooding the Young and the Old

The latest effect of the SNP tightening of the bugetary purse strings may well the free bus travel for the over 60s. It is another incentive that is currently facing a Governemnt review and like other policies under such review the spending will be cut while the review gets under way. The result is that the reimbursement to the bus companies will not cover their increased costs with the rising

FFW 2008 - a Long and Rambling Review (part 2 of 4 - Saturday)

Got up early and Jacob Marley pointed out to me over breakfast that my name was in the programme as one of the many people listed under This festival would not have been possible without... I was completely stunned. I later discovered from festival director Tony Earnshaw that this was for setting up the Facebook Event. I am on the same credits list as John Carpenter, FTW! This totally set the appropriate tone of geeky squee for the day. ...And Now the Screaming Starts! (1973) dir. Roy Ward Baker I was really looking forward to seeing this Amicus classic on ...

To be David Davis' Sancho Panza?

I still haven't made up my mind as to whether David Davis' resignation is some sort of mad genius or just plain mad and I suspect this debate will rage for years to come. Over the weekend, my respect for him has increased as it became clear that part of the reason he did it was out of a fear that the Tory opposition to internment without charge was lukewarm at best and that Cameron was powerless to stop his backbenchers from rebelling as the general election loomed closer (as I've said so many times before, Cameron does not lead ...

Throwing their bibles out of their prams

A very honest and perspicacious article by Giles Fraser in the Guardian on Monday about how organised religion has unedifyingly thrown itself out of the temple, or rather registry office. It puts new light on things like Islington's Registra-Martyr. It all feels too much like the parable of the prodigal son. You sometimes get the impression that the "great" religions are sorely in need of a big hug. Sadly though, any such attempts normally result in a rather sharp jab in the ribs. But it also raises the question of why the government was so willing to go along with ...

Day 2722: DOCTOR WHO: Midnight

Saturday: I'm SORRY, Mr Grand Moff, but Mr Russell has written the BEST EPISODE this year. (No, I DON'T need to wait until the end; Mr Russell has written all the remaining-to-be-seen episodes too!) Remember, Daddy Alex and I got to see 'Midnight' in ADVANCE! Millennium Dome at Midnight {Posted by Picasa} We were just BURSTING to tell Daddy Richard how good it was. Particularly since Daddy Alex could say it was good and then I could say it was good and then Daddy Alex could say it was good and then I could say it was good and then... ...

Tuesday 17th June 2008

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