LibDem Blogs - Archived! - Friday 20th June 2008

Growing food in schools and on housing estates

I was delighted to read in the Ham&High recently that pupils of Parliament Hill secondary school have started growing their own food. This is exactly what the all-party Camden Sustainability Task Force recommended in its recent Food Report. We also suggested that schoolchildren should go on regular farm visits, compost food waste on school grounds, and even help in the preparation of school meals on occasion. The more we are able to connect our children with the fresh food chain the more they are likely to grow up with a taste for fresh food, rather than processed products, and the ...

Tories puff story whining about Lib Dem by-election leaflet

Why do the press bother reporting this. Yet another hypocritical Tory whine a week before polling day. YAWN!

China wants to be in on War on Terror

Tibet isn't the only province in China that might like independence. The other is Xinjiang, in the North West, where there is a Muslim Majority. Which is convenient considering the War on Terror is happening. So the Chinese have been working hard at convincing the west that all these Muslim separatist groups are the same terrorists we are worried about and that they could blow up the Olympic games. Once the US gives them the green light, the Chinese could use it as an excuse to do all sorts of things in Xinjiang. It's happened before, the US gave Ethiopia ...

Look who David Davis is stood against

Well this is an interesting by-election the candidates are: David Davis - ConservativeGemma Garrett - Independent (someone who wants to make Westminster sexy)George Georgiou - Generalist Party (which is really quite unimpressive)Neil Glass - Independent (anyone know anything?)Hamish Howitt - Independent (?)The Mad Cow Girl - Official Monster Raving Loony Party (Vote for insanity, you know it makes sence)I wonder who will win? What ever happens it will be embarrassing for David Davis, look at the people he will have to stand next to when they read out who has won!

Can we make change in Cuba?

Cuba has a new leader, Raul Castro and he has made some important reforms. Now the EU is lifting sanctions on Cuba, which were put in place in 2003 after 70 people were arrested. The US of course has long standing sanctions on Cuba which were first put in place in 1962. Which shouldn't have been put in place, it was no wonder Castro rebelled, Cuba was given an unfair deal by the americans. They just caused Castro to go Communist by putting on the sanctions and opening the door to the USSR. But now I think it's time for ...

Boris can't find what's under his nose......

I am still fairly gutted that Londoners elected Boris Johnson as Mayor a little over a month ago. I was disappointed, but not surprised, to see that already the new Mayor is having a few problems mastering his brief. Yesterday he went on the Today programme to say that he couldn't find an agreement that previous Mayor Ken Livingstone had signed with the Government on funding for the Olympics. It wouldn't have been quite so bad if a few moments' googling had not revealed that the said document is in broad daylight here Ken showed he was back to his ...

New SNP Age Limit for alcohol

My tribute blog doesn't accept abusive posts, but, boy, can it give them out Thing is, (and please don't let him hear I've said this), but he's absolutely right. In Scotland you can marry at 16, but to have to wait 33% of your life again to be able to toast your nuptials does seem a bit weird. I have to say that I was less than chuffed when Lib Dem MSPs defied party policy and voted in favour of the cigarette purchasing age to be raised to 18. I am therefore delighted to see that Health Spokesman Ross Finnie ...

Lib Dem: Bebo?

If you say to a Lib Dem what is a bebo he would question you and say what you are on about. Not many Liberal Democrats use bebo and I find that a disappointment. With a group of supporters on bebo that is vastly growing and a young and relax blogging team so it can appeal to the standard not politically lightened youth our group is probably one of the best Political Groups on the Bebo. www.bebo.com/libdemsupporter I urge Lib Dems to start using Bebo and become members of that group and once members if you would like to leave ...

Declaration of Human Rights

This year is the 60th anniversary of the declaration of human rights and a group of eminent people including Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu have launched a campaign to celebrate and strengthen the declaration by getting a billion people to sign a personal commitment to uphold the Declaration. When I signed there were over 21,000 signatories so there's a long way to go to get the billion.

Work Experience- why we're facing political oblivion

According to George Lord, leader of the county council and leader of the conservative group, the Liberal Democrats are facing political oblivion. In the county we have 8 seats out of about 50 (although got about 22% of the vote in 2005) and we're not likely to loose them. According to Lord we'd loose 4 of them to the conservatives. I got to speak to him for 55 minutes and he was quite happy to answer my questions. A nice enough man, however strongly I disagreed with him on many issues. Proportional Representation left weak governance, he told me. He ...

New schools for old

We went for a swift drink at the North Star tonight (our local - great pub, relaxed atmosphere, also does very good food) but hurried back for Rich to catch the football at home. As the French are now out of Euro 2008 I've officially lost interest, while watching Croatia-Turkey out of the corner of [...]

House Points: Press barons, by-elections and David Davis

My House Points column from today's Liberal Democrat News. Incidentally, if Bowles was the grandfather of the Mitford sisters then he must be a kinsman of our own Rupert Redesdale. The Yellow Press The prospect of Kelvin Mackenzie standing in Haltemprice and Howden on behalf of Rupert Murdoch reminds Leicestershire historians of the Harborough by-election of 1916. There, though there was a wartime truce between the main parties, the Liberal candidate Percy Harris (now best remembered as Matthew Taylor's great-grandfather) faced a formidable opponent financed by the press baron Lord Northcliffe. Thomas Gibson Bowles was the illegitimate son of a ...

Red kites above, crunchy gravel beneath - and a stalker behind me

Let's start with the stalker. I've been over with some fellow Lib Dems to help at the Henley by-election today, and we set off to one of the many pretty villages in the constituency. During the afternoon I was delivering leaflets to some large detached houses, most of which had drives protected by tall trees or hedges. I noticed a couple of girls on their way...

Tories threaten to sue - take it as a compliment

I was trying to put together my own thoughts on the ridiculous story about the Tories trying to sue Henley Liberal Democrats, when I read this post from Matt Davies who sums it up completely. It all sounds so familiar, as this story from the front page of the local paper in Sheffield from this [...]

Movie madness

A fascinating link here about Hollywood London - those inconsequential locations that make no sense to Londoners who know their neighbourhood well. If you've ever been amused by how many characters seem to go out of their way to cross Tower Bridge, you'll enjoy this. Islington locations are film characters in themselves; Chapel Market played [...]

hedges

Well it seems it's that time of year again. Gardens are full pelt and shrubs and hedges are spurting growth. I have done my fair share of gardening during the last couple of weeks. Turn your back for a few weeks and the weeds all creep back. The dump has been really busy. For example on yesterday morning midmorning I decided to take some green waste to the dump. It was two deep - I had to squeeze through to get rid of my old weeds and bramble cutings. But that's good in a way as it shows that peope ...

Latest developments in US politics

Hello, it's me. I'm prevaricating again. I'm supposed to be writing a letter about why guns and drugs and war are bad, but the Lib Dems won't be banning any of them. Thank you, Lib Dem extranet! Two links about US politics: imvotingrepublican.com - a helpful video full of the sort of people who will be voting Republican in November, and the reasons they will choose for doing so. Now's the time to register to vote, if you're in the US and you want to take part in the general election later this year. And Barack Obama helpfully twittered me ...

Should Boris Johnson's Forensic Audit Panel be auditing itself?

When Boris Johnson set up his Forensic Audit Panel to investigate financial goings on at the London Development Agency, he boasted about how all the people on the panel were working for free and made no mention of any other costs being involved. (Mayor's Question Time, 21st May, full transcript here.) Amongst its members is Andrew [...]

Please someone stand in Haltemprice... We don't care who, just anyone... pretty please

I don't think I've seen a story on the BBC News website sound so desperate before. Firstly the article itself is slightly strange, all about how the Queen may have to cancell a visit to Hull because of the Haltemprice & Howden by-election. I have read the story twice and I still don't understand how this [...]

Great Tory By-election Threats of Legal Action of the Past

On July 14 last year, under the headline 'Tories to Sue LibDems Over Ealing Leaflet', Iain Dale quoted an unnamed Tory spokesman as follows: For years we've turned the other cheek as the LibDems have wilfully broken copyright in order to gain political advantage by misrepresenting our material. Now the time has come to say enough is enough.Yesterday we provided formal notice that we required the copyright infringement to cease, but were disappointed to note that despite an acknowledgement of our request, they actually continued to distribute their copyright infringed material. We have therefore had no alternative but to ask ...

Lord Bonkers' Diary: Brian Paddick's campaign song

Tuesday One of the most important elements in any political campaign is a rousing song and I flatter myself that I have a good ear for finding the right song for any particular candidate. It was I, for instance, who chose 'See the Conquering Hero Comes' for Paddy Ashplant at Yeovil in 1983. When urged to perform a similar service for Brian Paddick in the recent London Mayoral election, I naturally asked around to find out more about the fellow and was successful in gleaning two important pieces of information. The first was that he used to be a policeman ...

'C' sense in the kitchen with the four Cs of food hygiene

Environmental Health Officers have asked people to make sure they "C" sense in the kitchen - to avoid becoming a food poisoning statistic.Food Safety Week, which runs from June 9 to June 13, is concentrating on the four Cs of food hygiene - Cooking, Cleaning, Chilling and avoiding Cross-Contamination.Steve Mercer, North East Lincolnshire Council's environmental health manager, said: "The food we eat has never been so safe - but there are still more than 5.5million reported cases of food poisoning each year."This campaign encourages people to see the potential dangers in their cooking spaces to avoid becoming a food poisoning ...

Facebook Blog Networks

Found a wonderful newish application on Facebook where I can link to all the blogs I read. Doesn't appear to be that much British political links set up yet. So I'm in the process of serarching for or adding those that I do.

The world is my Oyster(card)

Mark and I have been covering a lot of ground lately, so it was nice last night to take a short trip on the Hammersmith and City line to Goldhawk Road for an evening event with Hammersmith and Fulham Liberal Democrats. I had been invited by the newly selected PPC for Hammersmith, Merlene Emerson, founder of the Chinese Liberal Democrats, to speak to her Local Party. It was a pleasant surprise to see Jonathan Fryer, whose enthusiasm for meeting members and activists continues unabated. His knowledge of foreign affairs is astounding and he writes like a dream. Hopefully, this will ...

That old chestnut: the 'legal threat' campaign trick

On my way up to Derby for a relaxing weekend away from politics - and fresh from a storming pub quiz victory during the week, where our winning team won the 1st prize of... 12 bottles of Corona. Anyway, just before I forget about politics for the weekend, just a quick blog about the Henley by-election campaign. Obviously a quiet news day, as the BBC has Tory threat over Lib Dem claims as one of their 'top' politics stories. Yawn. It's the oldest trick in the book. First, you either find something entirely spurious (like the ridiculous claim that one ...

Mugabe's crib

I wonder if he gets on with the neighbours. (Click the photo to enlarge)

Another Lib Dem Joins the Cons

Another Liberal Democrat has joined the Conservatives. In my eyes I do not think that these people that are changing parties to the conservatives from the Liberal Democrats ever watch the News. To be a Liberal Democrat and then suddenly become a Tory is a very big thing. The Lib Dems are totally different to the Conservatives in Policies unlike Labour and Conservative that are very alike. The Lib Dems is a party that has been voted by friends of the earth as the most eco friendly party policies in the Whole of the Country. The Lib Dems is ...

First Reading of Aproved Details for the Former Princess Mary Hospital site

I just received a letter from AVDC informing me that "After taking into account planning policies and any comments we received, permission has been Details Approved." You can see the whole range of documents on the AVDC site when it works. I noticed it does not work with FierFox. I could not find on the website a document that lists the comments and the planners reaction. Nor is there an easy way to identify the changes to the original proposal. It seems a lot of effort was invested into the question of a one-way vs. two way solution and I ...

Loony to win Haltemprice & Howden by-election

The Haltemprice & Howden by-election will be going ahead, with David Davis' resignation becoming a reality earlier this week. Labour also announced they will not be putting up a candidate, which was not much of a surprise. So just who will be contesting the by-election against David Davis in this giant ego trip - err, sorry, valiant stand for civil liberties? Could the Monster Raving Loony Party finally take their first seat in Parliament? Of course, when the announcement first came that Davis was resigning, like many good Lib Dem activists my first thoughts were along the lines of 'target ...

Pot.... Kettle....

Black... Just in case here are some pics

Henley leaflet row - Tories running scared?

I've just caught up with the row about the Lib Dem leaflets which Cameron is threatening to sue the Party over, and with the leaflet in front of me as I write this - they seem to have lost the plot!! Nowhere does it say, as they are claiming, that Boris Johnson is endorsing our candidate Stephen Kearney. It merely gives a short paragraph 'By-election runners and riders', on both the Tory and Lib Dem candidates, with a 'verdict' from the editor of the newletter. I was in Henley yesterday delivering hundreds of the offending leaflets, and I would think ...

A Strange Turn of Events

There's a sort of delicious irony in this BBC story: A former British National Party activist who converted to Islam in prison is trying to radicalise young prisoners You know, if you don't care about Islamic "radicalisation" and all that, which presumbaly refers to turning Muslim Whigs into modern day Liberals*. * Copyright © 1860.

A quick political quiz for you

There are two political parties, let's call them A and B. Both of them distribute magazines in a by-election promoting their candidate. Party A's magazine says on it that it is publised by party A. Party B's magazine doesn't say anything similar. The BBC's verdict on party A's magazine is that "It's not designed to make you think [...]

on Obama - Edwards/Gore '08

The CNN Political ticker is reporting that a member of the Democratic Congressional Black Caucus offered the names of John Edwards and Sam Nunn as her preference for Obama's Vice Presidential candidate and was told that they were both already on the list. This is interesting because as I previously blogged, Edwards had ruled himself out of running again.Perhaps even more surprisingly (and here I have to apologise to a commenter on my previous entry). When the same Congresswoman - Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, mentioned Al Gore as a preference the two members of Obama's Vice Presidential screening team 'smiled'. Obama ...

Booklist 2008, part 24

36) Justin Richards, The Clockwise Man (London: BBC 2003, ISBN 0563486287). This came to me as a freebie from another Tav regular. It's a quick and entertaining read that catches both Nine and Rose quite well. Reading it now, it loses a bit of force from the fact that some of its plot elements have since shown up in the TV episodes, but that's not Justin Richards' fault. In line with the series itself, it seems pitched at a level that could be enjoyed by anyone from a keen primary-school reader to an adult in search of a relaxing, but ...

Oooh, it's me on the TV

Greedy or not?

The Executive Leader of Nelson Town Council is saying that the Town Council is a waste of Money. Why did you Mr Adams become a Candidate at the Town Council Election in May 2008 if you think it's a waste of money? Mr Adam is a Councillor for the Walverden Ward in Pendle as a Member of the Labour Party. The Labour Party was against the Town Council yet Labour Party members were Candidates and Labour Party Politician has become the Executive of the Town Council. Is it just me or is Mr Adams greedy for Seats in Councils and ...

Shami and the sexist slurs from Burnham

Liberty director, Shami Chakrabarti, is threatening legal action against Cabinet minister Andy Burnham for his comments made about herself and David Davis, in a crude and in my view, cowardly attempt to smear Shami. Burnham, who has been tipped as a future prime minister, suggested in a magazine article that Mr Davis had indulged in 'late night, hand wringing, heart-melting phone calls' with the director of Liberty, over his decision to resign over the 42 days detention. Both Shami and other female MPs have reacted furiously at these tacky and sexist comments, and his refusal to apologise- apparently he expressed ...

Secret Conservative election strategy document found

Number 72 Bus Service

Following today's news from Stagecoach Strathtay that they intend to withdraw the Number 72 bus service from 18th July, I have spoken with numerous residents who are very surprised and dismayed by the bus company's decision to remove this local bus service. I understand that Stagecoach Strathtay's proposal to remove the 72 service is part of a bus service restructuring operation which will see a number of bus service changes. I understand it is not the only service being cut back or removed, but I am deeply concerned at the proposal in relation to the 72 service as it provides ...

Inner Ring for Congestion Charging Announced

Greater Manchester transport planners have announced the likely position of the "Inner Ring" for the proposed Greater Manchester Congestion Charge. {Proposed Inner Congestion Charge zone. } The basic site of the inner charging ring runs along Queens Road to the north and Alan Turing Way to the east, while the west boundary will run along Trafford Road and Fredrick Road. The southern boundary would run along either Wilbraham Road or Hathersage Road and Moss Lane. Alternative options for the final boundaries of the inner ring will be subject to a public consultation. There are presently no suggestions to change the ...

42 days, David Davis and Nick Clegg

I am truly sick of the Westminster Village sneering attitude to David Davis. Quite frankly - I don't care if David Davis is doing this for truth, justice and liberty or because he was never going to get Home Secretary, is a loner, egomaniac or because he hates David Cameron - all doing the rounds as explanations. What I do care about is the issue - and if his actions help secure the same outcome that I want, then good for him - and I don't see why I should have to pretend that I don't really agree with him ...

Grant Shapps plays a by-election blinder

Sit back, kick off your shoes and enjoy a quality piece of political timing. Day One: Conservative by-election candidate and county councillor John Howell misses two key votes on a proposed so-called eco-town in Oxfordshire. Day Two: Conservative MP Grant Shapps speaks out against eco-towns in Parliament saying what an important issue it is. But presumably not important enough for [...]

Parenthorn Rugby Success

Well done to the Year 7 Rugby League Team from our local Parenthorn High School after their victory in the inaugural Bolton and Bury schools' league. The final took place on Thursday 12 June and Parenthorn beat off oponents from Westhoughton High School, Bolton, along with semi-finalists Peters High School from Bury. The climax to the tournament came after six weeks of group games and over 80 per cent of the schools from both boroughs participated. Pupils from Year 7 and 8 were given curriculum time coaching by Swinton, Salford, Wigan and Leigh clubs as well as amateur clubs from ...

Tory Hissyfits Becoming A Habit

I will leave to others the point that this morning's threats from the Tories over our leaflets in Henley are not likely to get very far, since they are bollocks. What I want to ask is this: is it now Tory standard practice to attempt to neutralise criticism of their candidates by threatening to sue people over it? Anyone remember this from Bromley and Chislehurst? David Cameron has accused the

Festival to Finish with a Flourish!

The final weekend of the Chipping Sodbury Festival has lots to offer:Saturday: Street Fayre 8.30 am - 5.00 pmCarnival Procession 3.00 pm Broad StreetLast Night of the Proms with the Emerald Festival Orchestra - 8.00 pm (Tickets from Chipping Sodbury Tourist Information Centre or Farrago, 5 Horse Street - if there are any left!)Sunday: Festival Cycle Rides - 11.30 am (long ride) or 12.30 pm (short rides) at Clock Tower - click here for more information and contactsWildlife Trust Duck Race - 2.00 pm, Jubilee Park - great fun for the kids!Try your hand at boules - 2.00 pm, Jubilee ...

Just Who Did Edit the Spectator Boris?

Intrigue over at conservativehome where they have a letter from the former MP for Henley, now Mayor of London complaining about the latest Lib Dem leaflet. Now let me try and think back a few years to what that mans previous job was. Oh yeah that's right he was paid to be editor of The Spectator. Now anyone who is a editor would know the difference between a by-line and a quote attribution you

Get on your bike this Sunday!

Just a reminder about the Chipping Sodbury Festival bike rides this Sunday, all starting from Chipping Sodbury Clock Tower. At 1130 we have the 25 mile ride heading out towards the east. 1230 is the start of the short rides - there will actually be two alternative routes. A 9 mile ride goes round the town and nearby lanes, including the brand new Wickwar Rd cycle path and Yate Common. A 13 mile ride goes further west, passing through seven parishes including Iron Acton and Frampton Cotterell, and returning via the fairly new off-road Broad Lane route from Coalpit Heath ...

Cameron threatens to sue over Henley leaflet (yeah, right)

The BBC is reporting: The Conservatives are threatening legal action against the Lib Dems over the Henley by-election. They have written to the Lib Dems over allegations concerning a local community hospital, which they say their candidate has always supported. Unless the Lib Dems withdraw a leaflet and remove claims from their website by noon, the Tories [...]

At least it's not T**co

Bugger! The new sponsors of my beloved Reading FC are to be Waitrose, the supermarket chain I blogged about critically earlier this week. Now I'm going to have their name emblazoned on my replica shirt. Not only that...I'm going to have to eat their food at halftime. Give me strength!

Thursday 12th June 9.30am

Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults Conference This Sutton conference brought together commissioners and providers of services across the social sector and health services to consider issues around safeguarding vulnerable adults. The results of a Kings College survey into the national prevalence of elder abuse were presented by Jill Manthorpe. The survey reported that 4% of people aged over 66 [...]

Camden - the best council in the country!

You may have read in the local press that the Audit Commission has rated Camden as the top local authority in the country which is a fantastic result for the council and our partners. The Audit Commission is the independent body responsible for ensuring that public money is spent economically, efficiently and effectively. Camden was given the maximum score in all the areas the inspectors looked at - the only local authority ever to achieve this. What's more the services we provide for Camden's children were also given the highest possible rating in their most thorough inspection ever, rated as ...

Every word we say, I tell you

Last night I was regaling {[info]} djm4 and Housemate T with the story of my unsuccessful efforts on Wednesday to help {[info]} dr_d catch the mouse that his cat Wimsey had brought in, but not actually seen fit to despatch or indeed harm in any way whatsoever. I think he may have been trying to keep it as a pet. We tried pointing Wimsey's sister Delirium in its direction, but she just turned and ran... Anyway, it seems Minardi, our own adult cat, overheard me. Clearly he decided he had to defend the honour of his species, because about half ...

Results: Thursday 19th June 2008

Braintree DC, Braintree East Con 668 (50.7; +17.4) Lab 406 (30.8; -4.6) Green 125 (9.5; +9.5) LD Paul William Lemon 119 (9.0; -6.0) [UKIP (0.0, -16.2)] Majority 262 Turnout 27.4% Con hold Percentage change is from May 2007 Braintree DC, Hatfield Peverel Con 782 (78.1; +0.1) Lab 138 (13.8; -8.2) Green 81 (8.1; +8.1) Majority 644 Turnout 30.1% Con hold Percentage change is from May 2007 North

My leaflet's not nasty? So sue me...

So David Cameron is going to sue the Lib Dems about a leaflet we're putting out in Henley? Well, I haven't seen the leaflet, and I don't know whether what it says is true or not. I certainly don't know if it's actionable, but I suspect there are lots of Tories who think it is, and lots of us who think it's not. Chances are it's neither absolutely true or absolutely false, which is why a judge somewhere might get to decide. Whatever it is, there are so many borderline lies that inhabit election leaflets from every party, and they're ...

Henley deliveries - we're 10 grams ahead of the Tories!

This reflective Henley constituency resident has carefully described all the election literature she has so far received: The 13 publications which I have received from the Liberal Democrats weighs a total of 118 grams, the Conservatives have sent 10 which weigh in at 108 grams. Wey-hey!

Question Time

It was a very interesting Question time last night, Many points were made by the panel and the audience that were great but in this point I want to focus on the EU. With the Irish saying No to the treaty I think here in Britain the people should democratically be allowed to choose what we do like the Irish we should get to vote. I believe the Europe is the way forward for us. It would be great to have all member states of the EU decide Laws about Terrorism, International Trade, International crime prevention and the Environment but ...

Earlham Primary School visits Parliament

{Earlham Primary School visit to Parliament} The past two Mondays - I have taken young people from Earlham Primary School on a tour of the House of Commons - or rather Ed (my Head of Office) has been the tour guide and I have accompanied them. It's followed by an hour of questions to me by the kids. I love it when my schools come up. Usually they join an official tour - but this time they left it too late so they got the DIY version from me!

Outvoting Democracy

The institutional inertia of the EU is strong, but there is no doubt that there are better solutions to the Irish NO vote to the Lisbon treaty than hoping it will go away or trying to ignore it. If there had been a referendum in every member state and only Ireland had rejected the treaty, then there might be some ground to suggest that some way round the situation might be sought. In fact, of course Ireland was the only state to submit the treaty to a vote. It is pretty clear that several other states, if a vote had ...

Ros Scott Woos Hammersmith

Nominations for the presidency of the Liberal Democrats aren't due until the autumn, but already two likely contenders, Lembit Opik MP and Baroness (Ros) Scott, have been criss-crossing the country on the rubber chicken circuit. Not that many local parties offer such unpalatable fare at their social and fundraising functions these days. The BBQ put [...]

Simon, Charles & Malcolm - 25 years celebration

Belatedly blogging about the event I went along to last Monday to celebrate their 25 years as MPs - Simon Hughes, Malcolm Bruce, and Charles Kennedy - gave a reception at the Proud Gallery In Buckingham Street. It was a well attended event, with a backdrop of the photographic exhibition of the Rolling Stones ' Let it Bleed' So under the watchful gaze of a youthful Keith Richards,with a cloud of smoke curling out of his mouth, we heard a few informal and lighthearted speeches. Charles recalled when he first learnt of his election as an SDP MP, the day ...

Stephen Fry and The BBC

If you only read one article on the intarwebz today, make it this one by Stephen Fry. Yes, it's long. Yes, it rambles. But he makes some very powerful points about the value of the BBC as a public good, and I think we should all pay attention to him. Why are you still reading me? GO READ STEPHEN! NOW! GO!

Obama's ad strategy

Barack Obama yesterday released his first general election advert: 'The country I love'. It is a rightward facing ad that attempts to insulate him from attacks about his values and patriotism - touting his love of country, his belief in self-reliance and hard work, his support for veterans, tax cuts, and welfare to work programmes, and prominently displaying his white mother and grandparents. It is also biographical - an acknowledgement that Obama remains something of an unknown quantity to many people and is an effort to define him before the McCain campaign is able to.More interesting than the content of ...

Please don't give me another plastic bag!

Ok so it's treated as being slightly odd - but that's precisely the issue. Just nipped down to my local Sainsbury's for some consumables for my baking-fest that I'm about to embark on for the Hampstead Summer Fayre. In a fit of greeness I did what I have wanted to do for a while and I asked to see the Manager to ask why, under the refitted store, the provision of plastic bags were so prominent, why the staff always asked me if I want bag (I DON'T!) and why the bag recycling point has gone. I'm sure Darren (his ...

Library "Online" Drop-in

Bury's Library Service are encouraging local people to get on line at the library and try out some fantastic resources for free some "drop-in sessions". These free sessions are designed to allow anyone to pop in to their local library and access some fantastic information about their family history, famous faces in history and art work at a click of a button. The two sessions local to us are: . Prestwich Library and Adult Learning Centre on 22 July, 10.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. . Whitefield Library and Adult Learning Centre on 1 September, 10.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m Resources ...

A wooden Tory and impressive Kearney - Maguire's verdict on Henley

The Daily Mirror's Kevin Maguire was in Henley yesterday to run the rule over the main candidates. He seems to have been unimpressed by Tory candidate John Howell who he describes as 'wooden' and goes on:'He must empty every fete he opens and I'd hate to be in a room where he wasn't the most boring man. Howell's as far from BoJo and Hezza as it's humanly possible to get and retain a pulse. A lifetime of backbench obscurity beckons...'After listening to Howell at the hustings, he is slightly more complimentary but says he still does not know: 'how he ...

Cameron: We will sue LibDems over Henley magazine

It promises to be a fascinating court case. The Conservative case will rest on an interpretation of the magazine's back page which any reasonable person would not agree with. The Conservative case seems to be that the magazine is implying that Boris endorses the LibDem candidate. Strange. Indeed, Boris' letter to Chris Rennard says: I ask that you immediately withdraw it since on the back page

Caligula's horse

Methinks that Iain Dale protests just a little bit too much in his Daily Telegraph column this morning. Mr. Dale believes that Jack Straw's proposals to limit the amount of money a candidate can spend in a constituency prior to an election is a blatant piece of gerrymandering and is designed to provide a built-in advantage to the sitting MP and his or hers £10,000 per annum communications allowance. Personally, I believe that the communications allowance is an abuse of public money, not because it subsidises political activity but because it does so in a partial and unfair manner. If ...

Unwanted attention?

BBC Wales reports that David T.C. Davies, the Tory MP for Monmouth not the one who has resigned so as to tie David Cameron into opposition to 42 days detention without charge, is suffering unwanted attention due to the similarity of the two MPs' name. I can quite understand that David may be getting frustrated at the mix-up, but I have never known him to class any sort of attention as 'unwanted'.

on the Henley campaign

What is happening at Lib Dem Henley HQ? Why is David Cameron threatening to sue our campaign? David Cameron on Radio Berkshire this morning said, 'We are suing the Liberal Democrats over this so I think we will be in court. We have tried to put a stop to this because it's absolutely appalling. Boris Johnson backs John Howell 100% and this campaign by the Liberals is quite appalling.' Apparently the Henley campaign is stating that Boris Johnson backs the Lib Dems? Anyone close to the campaign know anything about why this is and what the offending statement was? The ...

Plots in the Senedd

BBC's Dragon's Eye last night told of an alleged plot amongst Labour AMs to get rid of the Presiding Officer. Alwyn Ap Huw refers to a similar item on Newyddion on S4C. Both programmes reported that Labour AMs are to seek guidance on the best way to remove Dafydd Elis Thomas from the role. I was aware that the Labour Group did discuss this issue on Tuesday but understood that there was no majority to take action as yet. In fact Dragon's Eye tells us that the PO was being protected by Rhodri Morgan, who sees only problems for his ...

Tory candidate in Henley caught out in a fib?

Surely not!

Mr. Ed Balls, please visit these schools and see for yourself why for some of our kids just getting an 'ology' isn't good enough..

638 schools have been put at risk for failing to attain enough gcse passes in their students. But I would chose at least one of the schools on this list for my son because what the school actually provides is not only the chance of getting a gcse (or five!) but also of getting a very real chance of learning how to forge an independent adult life. Getting five GCSE passes isn't going to suddenly stop knife crime, reduce recreational drug use, stop violence within the home, an 'ology' or five isn't some sticky plaster with which to patch up ...

Wheels coming off economy built on cheap credit - Cable

The announcement that inflation reached 3.3% drew this comment from Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor, Vince Cable: 'The Bank of England now finds itself backed into a corner with no room for manoeuvre. 'We now have a situation worryingly reminiscent of the 1970s, with unemployment and inflation both rising, and growth falling. 'The reality is that Gordon Brown's Government has spent the last ten years pursuing economic growth built on little more than cheap credit. Now that economic times are harder and people are struggling with debt, the wheels are coming off the economy.' See also Vince Cable's comments on the ...

Polyclinics: panacea or plague?

Polyclinics are turning out to be one of those slow-burning political issues which, although getting the occasional piece of news coverage, have really been bubbling away in the public's mind and concerns for a long time before really grabbing the forefront of political attention. The possible introduction of polyclinics has been an issue in Haringey for some time now, and it's a topic I've blogged about moderately regularly - but nearly each time I've been struck when going to research further information on the topic or to see what other people have been saying, how little attention overall the issue ...

Fatal work accidents report deeply worrying - Willott

Commenting on last Tuesday's report from the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies, which suggests that at least twice as many people die from fatal injuries at work than are victims of homicide, Liberal Democrat Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, Cardiff Central MP, Jenny Willott said: 'It is deeply worrying that fatal accidents at work are being brushed under the carpet. 'This report suggests that health and safety inspections and investigations simply aren't carried out often enough, which has had devastating consequences. 'Previous reports have highlighted that Health and Safety Executive is underfunded and overworked but the Government hasn't acted ...

Are lapdancing clubs a feminist issue?

Wednesday saw the introduction of the Sex Encounter Establishments (Licensing) Bill, bought by a Labour MP, Roberta Blackman-Woods which was supported by the Fawcett Society. The Fawcett Society offer support to any political party when women's rights look set to be improved by doing so. It was as a supporter of the Fawcett Society that I recently wrote to my MP asking him to sign an EDM associated with this bill. Despite the potential to be labelled as a prude or god-forbid a feminist, I thought this bill made a lot of sense. However, despite the Fawcett Society having a ...

If i may....

....be permitted to be personal for a second. It is my birthday today and such days are ones to take stock; maybe more so when you reach my grand-old age but nonetheless....a time to be thankful for all that is good in your life and especially other people who make it what it is. With that in mind I would like to make a special mention for my girlfriend who made yesterday very special for me and makes today all the happier because she is in my life. Havent had the best past in affairs of the heart but I ...

Africa Finally Wakes Up To Mugabe

It's taken a while but finally fellow African nations have added their authoritative voices to those international observers about the lack of freedom and democracy in Zimbabwe's elections. Having been intimidated, arrested, beaten, charged with treason, banned from advertising, starved and even killed or having close family members killed the supporters and leaders of the opposition Movement

Yorkshire ducks

Taken yesterday on the camera phone, completely pointless silliness, but it has ducks. You can, sort of, make the out, they start at the bottom of the depth pole. The dog sensibly ignoring them and wallowing in is Byron, the one haring around all over the place chasing anything that moves is Roxy. And this is posted just because I can. Embed code that works at the right resolution courtesy of Ryan.

David Icke to stand in Haltemprice & Howden?

Well he's thinking about it.

Day 2623: The Gays are Getting Married - World Fails to End (again!)

Sunday: WE know a SONG about this, don't we daddy... cue HootTube... It seems like happy occasions are breaking out ALL OVER. In California, they are queuing round the block to get hitched, thanks to a (State) Supreme Court decision overturning the ban on gays getting married. First to join in happy union were heroic veteran ladygays Ms Del Martin and Ms Phyllis Lyon. Back in the DARK AGES of 1955, when Americaland was wracked with anti-pinko WITCH HUNTS, Ms Del and Ms Phyllis helped to found the Daughters of Bilitis, recognised as the first lesbian rights group in America. ...

Day 2621: There was this Englishman, Irishman and European...

Friday: The problem with Europe ISN'T Europe... it's how Europe has been DONE. We need to go back to the people and find what THEY want of Europe and bring them back on board! One thing that ISN'T going to happen, whatever Irish voters or British Conservatories say, is for the Lisbon Treaty to be scrapped. The leaders of this project - M. Sarcastic in France, Ms Meercat in Germany, Mr Manual Barrister and his Eurocrats, even Mr Frown - have invested too much time, money and politics for them to just shrug and say 'okie-dokie we'll do something else.' ...

Friday 20th June 2008

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