New Year's Day 2009 will see the tenth anniversary of the eurozone and it might be an appropriate moment for Britain to reopen the debate on adopting the euro, according to the distinguished economist Graham Bishop, who was the guest speaker at a lunch event put on by the London Europe Society in the London [...]
A morning seminar that was much shorter than expected meant that I was in Stockton High St at 11 this morning. It seemed appropriate to mark the 2 minute silence at the cenotaph rather than in some random shop doorway, so I made my way there. A group of primary school children had been brought to join in, there were men who had survived war and others who'd had relatives involved. Quite a
Tonight was Cleveland Police's very first "Cuppa with a Copper" in Stockton at Elm Tree Community Centre. One of our PCSOs came along to our usual surgery. She made a "cuppa" for our first customer in special mugs. The new idea by Cleveland Police is to make the police more accessible and encourage people to call in and have a chat about issues. The Medina House Police Office which covers...
I as I wrote earlier, the latest Calder's Comfort Farm reports the claim of Daniel Kawczynski, the Tory MP for Shrewsbury, that Otis Ferry is being held as a political prisoner. Tonight, courtesy of the Shropshire Star, comes the news that: Rock star's son Otis Ferry was told he will remain behind bars today after his counsel withdrew a bail application.Countryside campaigner Ferry, 25, of Eaton Mascott, near Shrewsbury, son of Roxy Music singer Bryan Ferry, appeared at Gloucester Crown Court this afternoon. Ferry's barrister Guy Gozem told the court he would not proceed with a scheduled bail application, but ...
The technique outlined here comes from Lifehacker: How to use Gmail as your SMTP server. But the instructions are a little outdated as gmail has changed the layout of its settings pages, so I've updated them here. The issue is that, when you're away from base, you can't always send emails from your email client because you're on the wrong ISP. Some ISPs allow it, some don't. But, if you have a gmail account you can set it up as your SMTP server to use from anywhere. It works in three stages. First, set your client to use gmail SMTP. ...
Hat-tip to Anonymous below for this one; I thought it was worth drawing to peoples attention. Starting from the top though I want to emphasise that things are defiantly not this bad for us but as somebody who has constantly warned of the danger of a squeeze I think it's a story we should be aware of; "A special conference of the Progressive Democrats has voted for the party to go out of existence, after the leadership stated it was no longer politically viable." Now, the Progressive Democrats even had a member in government; Mary Harney is Minister for Health; ...
Look, I am sorry if this is getting tedious, but someone has to record it for posterity. Here is the sketch by Andrew Gimson from this morning's Daily Telegraph: Mr Cable is having a good war. Unlike just about everyone else, he has the ability to see what is coming next, and other commanders are left struggling to explain why they are only saying now what Mr Cable pointed out some time ago.
News from this "little town of Newbury" (see Liberator's song book). Vodafone's first-half profit before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization rose 10 percent to £7.2 billion, while sales grew 17 percent to £19.9 billion. Oh dear. We'll be having to tear up copies of Robert Maclennan's speech to the 1992 LibDem conference to warm our hearth this winter!
The BBC is about to show a remake of the cult 1970s series Survivors. Maybe it will be wonderful, but the whole enterprise feels like a mistake. Shouldn't we be inventing our own fables rather than living off the imaginative capital of an older generation? Even watching old cult series is risky: if they are not as good as you remember them, you spoil that memory. Anyway, here are the opening titles of the original series. Get that surge in the music as the spilt virus hits the floor.
There ... that's something I never dreamt I would write! As Business Secretary he has at last suggested that the Government should look on post offices as social necessities, and should use them to provide more government services not fewer. Key to this has to be the Post Office Card Account - the account used by many people who do not have bank accounts. This contract has...
The Guardian has news of Labour's further inconsistency in their plans for the Post Office network: Lord Mandelson is urging the prime minister to save the Post Office network by allowing it to provide government services and financial products, according to a leaked letter seen by the Guardian. Mandelson suggests that the current economic downturn and "recent [...]
... and therefore, I post a meme: If you saw me in a police car, what would you think I got arrested for?
Cicero does not believe in predicting the future- understanding the present seems complicated enough. Journalists, on the other hand have no such scruples- they are quite happy to extrapolate to absurd conclusions and then print such conclusions as though they were definite fact. For example, for some time the conventional wisdom is that the UK and the Western world will suffer an obesity "epidemic". Now, leaving aside the idea that obesity could somehow be infectious, the numbers quoted for the overweight were generally forecasts, and were based on then-current trends. Usually the journalist would say something like "on current trends ...
I'll be the first to admit I don't know a huge amount about taxation. After the speculation yesterday about whether there would be a cut in the rate of VAT, I was idly wondering to my colleague this morning about whether that would be the best way to help those who were struggling. After all, weren't things like food and fuel zero rated anyway? Wouldn't it be better for there to be a cut in income tax so that each household could see an increase in their take home pay for them to spend according to their needs? Anyway, this ...
I must admit to a sense of gratitude at Jessica's sensible advice. Whilst my particular talents are not perhaps up to her standards (competition-level whitewater rafting and award-winning madrigal singing), she makes much sense. The important thing is to find a role, rather than being the person standing near the President, enjoyable though that is. I've already stood down from the Regional
Bury North has selected its PPC for the general election and it comes in the shape of Cllr and blogger Richard Baum and he has written his account of the AGM in which they made the decision and you can read this over at his blog by following the link. I think he will be a great candidate as he has previous experience in politics as he is a Councillor.
Lib Dem London mayoral candidate Brian Paddick has been revealed as one of the contestants on the next series of ITV's I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here. The News of the World says of Brian: Count on former Met copper Brian to stir things up in the jungle this year. Outspoken Brian - [...]
Congratulations to my old friend and one-time boss, Phil Goff, on becoming the new leader of the NZ Labour Party. He takes over from the outgoing prime minister, Helen Clark, who stood down as leader after Labour's general election defeat on Saturday. P hil Goff (pictured here with his deputy, Annette King) is widely acknowledged as one of New Zealand's most competent and hard working politicians. He has been the heir apparent for some years now. But perhaps commiserations are more in order. The eminent New Zealand historian, Sir Keith Sinclair, once wrote that: "It is difficult in New Zealand ...
The stream of e mails, and phone calls has steadied to a trickle, which is just as well since the day has been packed with wall-to-wall meetings. It feels very much like my first days on Suffolk County Council with an ever increasing pile of background papers to read and briefings to attend. I've even got casework which I picked up during the campaign. One councillor I met told me that she had tried to get help for her council work using the Government's access to work fund for people with disabilities but had been turned down by the Jobcentre ...
Lib Dem Voice has mentioned before the distinct lack of liberal commentary in the mainstream media; but we do of course have many Lib Dems who contribute with varying degrees of regularity to national newspapers and magazines. Whenever these appear, LDV is delighted to link to them: simply drop us a line at voice - [...]
The Guardian is reporting that Sky Soccer Saturday Presenter Jeff Stelling is being lined up as the favourite to become the new host of Countdown, so i thought i jump on the bandwagon! Jeff would be a great choice, and would surely bring some of the bad jokes back that, let's face it, have been lacking since Richard Whiteley passed on. I'm a big fan of Jeff's, and for me, it's just a shame that his impending appointment comes at a time when I have a rather busy job, and thus won't be able to see Countdown, rather than during ...
My latest column for the New Statesman website considers the claim that Otis Ferry is being held as a political prisoner for his protests against the hunting ban:I rang a number of prisons and they all (those who did not put the phone down on me, that is) confirmed it is not their usual practice to release inmates because it is their birthday. Nor are they allowed out for the new hunting season - unless they are convicted millionaire fraudsters in an open prison, obviously.All this and Lembit Opik too.
The reason I ask this is this sentence from Politics Home's 'PH100' feature; "Even many right-leaning panellists sceptical about National Insurance proposal" It occurs to me that this is not exactly what the grassroots had in mind when it was clamouring for tax cuts in the weeks leading up to Cameron's announcement. A blog over at the Daily Telegraph blogsite is headlined 'Tory tax proposals bomb' and laments what was shaping up to being a 'competent' opposition coming up; "a few spoons short of a functional economic policy". Over on Conservative Home, Andrew Lilico calls the proposals a 'socialist solution' ...
Greetings from Europe's last remaining empire! All of us here in Amaranth were delighted to see that the Liberal Democrats have reverted to the old ways and elected a baroness to be their new President, and our heartiest congratulations go out to her on the occasion of her success. An invitation will be tendered by our Ambassador to visit us in due course. Now that the noble Baroness Ros has
Tue 11th
17:20
What connects Norman Baker, Eartha Kitt, the assassination of JFK and a public meeting in Islington ...
Why, the Daily Politico of course.
Ask yourself the following question: if you discovered that a sector of the economy had been colluding with one another to agree a minimum price for a good, rather than competing with one another, would you not be angry? Would you not accusing them of "price gouging" their customers? Would this not be a flagrant violation of competition law that ought to be investigated by the competition authorities? Of course. It hardly takes a degree in economics or a sharp eye for injustice to see that. Unless, apparently, the good is alcoholic. Then, apparently, the customer can go to hell, ...
On the eleventh hour, of the eleventh day, of the eleventh month we remember the fallen ones: Nasa's Phoenix Mars lander Gus, the world's ugliest dog Lest we forget.
I love the BBC. It is one of Britain's great institutions that does a superb job at arms length from the government. The Open University is another similar body that I admire. The fact I can still rememember my BBC staff number after a quarter of a century, and that I have an OU student number (and am doing a course next year) probably makes me biased. I thought the whole recent Jonathan Ross
The Liberal Democrat MP for Hornsey & Wood Green has an article today on the New Statesman website about Hazel Blears and her speech last week to the Hansard society on political engagement. Although most of the coverage of the Blears speech has been about her comments on bloggers, Lynne takes her to task over other [...]
The New Statesman have a piece on my website about that speech by Hazel Blears last week. Although it was her swipes at political bloggers that got most comment, that wasn't what I decided to pick up on. As I write over on the New Statesman: What should happen if an unpopular politician is voted out in an election? You'd have thought that the answer is "they lose power" and - thankfully - in many countries around the world, that's what happens. But the UK is rather different. It has a special little retirement scheme. Got booted out of office? ...
Nick Clegg, writing in The Independent on Sunday, made many worthy suggestions as to how British foreign policy may now proceed, especially in light of the election of Barack Obama as US President. He is right to argue that now is the time for a "regional agreement, similar to the Dayton Peace Agreement, involving all [...]
I joined in the economic debate in Parliament yesterday: Lynne Featherstone: Does the hon. Gentleman agree with me about bonuses? I opened an account at Barclays a few weeks ago. On the news that it was seeking funding to avoid Government intervention, possibly involving not paying bonuses, I contacted the bank to say that I did not want to go ahead with my account, and it was very worried by that, having asked me the reason why. I wonder whether there is anything in people power—perhaps by having to print directors salaries and bonuses on bank statements. Does he think ...
It seems to be that the government are going to have a review of Public Family Law. The question, however, is whether it will be wide ranging enough. *edit Having Lord Laming look at what has happened since Climbie is thoroughly insufficient. Firstly, his proposals were unlikely to help in solving the wrong problem and actually making things worse. Secondly, this is taking the same person
I've written another Comment is Free article on this very subject: Make no mistake: this election is no shoo-in for either candidate. They are both extremely strong contenders. At its heart, it has become quickly apparent that this election, more than any other in recent years, is going to be about what the Liberal Democrats are for. This isn't merely a question of policy; it is a question about where the party strikes the balance between gaining power to change things and standing firm in its beliefs with a view to inspiring the electorate. There is real merit in both ...
I haven't had an opportunity to blog for a while, but I couldn't give this one a miss. A colleague has just sent me some extracts from "Way to Go!" - a policy document just published by the Mayor. As some of you know, I've been a bit critical of Boris in the last few months but not on his latest musings. I only wish other Departments could produce such enjoyably readable policy documents .... On red traffic lights: "Traffic lights seem to linger for an unconscionable time in red - sometimes all four at once - and the kerbs ...
As is so often the case, Chris Dillow comes up with the goods: Cameron's Tax Con. You should read Stumbling and Mumbling. Chris Dillow is one of the best left-libertarian leaning writers in the UK.
Oh no dear, its all the fault of those nasty supermarkets for selling you booze too cheaply. At least that's the message emerging from LibDem HQ, and its the same message coming from government and the Tory party. Whatever happened to taking responsibility for your actions? A simple remedy would be to ensure that the criminal pays back [...]
The Tories have announced a plan today to give companies National Insurance breaks on employing people who have been unemployed for over 3 months. Detail on their website, but the gist is this: It costs the government £8100 per annum in benefits payments and lost income tax receipts to support an unemployed person. So their proposal is as follows: Private sector employers, who hire someone who
I was at Kirsty Williams' manifesto launch at the Wales Millennium Centre yesterday and was impressed with both the document and with Kirsty's presentation of it. The manifesto can be read here. As I have said in a previous post it is not the role of leader to impose policy onto the party however Kirsty did pull out some key issues that she wishes to lead on, including simplifying local government funding, attacking the erosion of civil liberties and building a green economy. She also re-emphasised the key message that in voting for her she is asking party members to ...
is it time to think again about suburban railways? could we be using the henbury line better. should we bring back stations at horfield (for the upper lockleaze estate) and ashley down (for the mem and muller road). it's all showcase bus routes but should we be thinking wider. especially if the government is talking about greener ways of living and getting about. perhaps a link into the cycling city idea - with a hop on hop off approach. food for thought.
Tue 11th
13:55
Day 2882: Dacre: One Man Should Not Determine Britain's Morality... unless that man is ME!
Monday: Mr Paul Decrepit, editor-in-chief* of the Daily Hate Mail, has called the judgements of a high court judge AMORAL! Quite right too! We do not want anybody's funny ideas about "morality" creeping into our courts! Let us keep our justice FAIR and IMPARTIAL! But seriously, folks, surely what this NEWSPAPER HACK is asking for is AT BEST free licence to TITILLATE, and at worst a SPECIAL LICENCE to say some people's consensual private behaviour doesn't qualify as private just on his say so. Because, let's be honest, this dribbling diatribe is NOT about upholding "morality" let alone defending "democracy". ...
Unfortunately, the Planning Committee ran out of time last night and we weren't able to discuss the planning application for Hornsey School for Girls. I presume it will now go on the agenda for the next regular planning meeting on 8th December (hopefully much nearer the start - so that we reach it this time!). I'm fairly new to the Committee, but it does seem to me that the way it handles its business could be improved. It must be infuriating for residents to have to sit through hours of debate on other applications to then be told that the ...
Last night was the Wolverhampton South West Liberal Democrat Annual General Meeting. I will give a longer account at www.wolverhamptonlibdems.org.uk tomorrow but I was re-elected as Chair of the local party.
According to The Sun, LibDem London Mayoral candidate and former Met Police Deputy Commissioner Brian Paddick will be one of the line-up for this year's 'I'm a Celebrity ... Get Me out of Here'. Now whilst Brian is a fine man and was a pretty good candidate in many ways in May, is he really a celebrity? [...]
The verdict in the Baby P trial has just been announced. My initial reaction as more and more details come to light is that my horror and sadness turning to anger. How after the Victoria Climbie tragedy can a poor child fall through safety net after safety net? The facts of the case are simply appalling. Haringey Council should have prevented this death. I refuse to stand by and watch them squirm out of responsibility again. Between Baby P's death and the trial they have tried their best to misinform, stonewall and bully anyone questioning their role and responsibility. The ...
Can I implore you all to make a complaint on the latest Nick Robinson blog post. Takes 2 minutes. He makes no reference to the Liberal Democrat tax cut proposal put forward in September, the one we debated on, voted on and got criticised for approving from both the Tories AND Labour. Yet the hand that feeds (his news stories) has perhaps asked Nick Robinson to make no reference of this. Ridiculous, biased reporting.
The link is to the story about Baby P. That is another false negative. The system we operate in England (and Wales) for child protection is systematically flawed. It generates wrong decisions and causes masses of damage. Not only that, but the changes post Laming have made things worse.
Sunday: People having a scrap over a shrine in Jerusalem; that could never happen! All hail the Prince of Peace!
So said Ronald Reagan, a man whose greatest achievement was to prove how right he was.
One tries, generally, to construct these very scarce posts with some kind of ... structure. A narrative. A flow, rhythm, cadence. Others choose, on their blogs, to rant. This lunchtime, being rushed and angry, I shall join them. Four days ago I reported how government interference with banks has resulted in those lovable souls on Radio 4 (which is a "public good", apparently), and in the Currant Bun (a private good?), and in Parliament (good for nothing), all debating what products banks (as some kind of collective entity) should be offering to us, The People (another collective entity). "Banks must ...
The Government's latest attempt to persuade us of the wonders of its ID cards scheme is Introducing the National Identity Scheme, a publication that sets out the claimed benefits of the scheme but which in fact makes clear that the scheme will open up even more personal data to the mercy of computer hackers. Sensitive and [...]
Last night I was elected as the party's general election candidate for the Bury North constituency, at a special meeting of local party members in Elton, which followed on from the AGM. Obviously I am absolutely delighted to have been elected to stand for Parliament in my home town and for a party that I believe in. It really is an honour, and to have been given the backing of my friends and colleagues is touching. This is an exciting time for the Lib Dems in Bury, as we look to build on our strongest ever showing in recent local ...
It's trivially obvious that the major Western car manufacturers are crippled by unions, overproducing and horrendously inefficient. Isn't it time they were allowed to fail, instead of propping them up like the banks? Toyota isn't asking for any government handouts, I notice...
Tue 11th
11:55Day 2880: Congratulations, Baron Ros; Commiserations, Mr Lembit; Erm, thanks for taking part, Mr The...
Saturday: And I, for one, welcome our new Baroness Overlord... This was quite an INTERESTING campaign for once, seeming to me to be a debate between people who believe that the President of the Liberal Democrats is a CONSOLATION PRIZE (not looking at anyone in particular, Mr Hugs) and those who think that it is a PROPER JOB, and one that ought to be quite different from the job of I'm-on-the-Telly-because-the-Leader-is-in-Canada-today. But, along with everyone else, I cannot help but be AMAZED at just how CRUSHING a victory it was. And I cannot help but feel sorry for Mr Lembit. ...
Every time I hear the name 'Hannah Jones' or see the photo of the shy, freckled 13 year old in her young teen clothes an fluffy boot slippers, it makes me want to cry. Hannah, just a few months older than our daughter, has chosen to opt out of possibly life-saving surgery because she has had enough [...]
Letters from a Tory on Paul Dacre's whinge about privacy: "The problem here is that you don't really grasp the concept of privacy, presumably because you have spent so much of your professional life ignoring it. Like you, I believe that a free press is essential if we are to maintain any notion of living [...]
Liberal Democrat Voice carries a report of remarks made by Sir Alan Beith. Speaking at the Liberal Democrat Christian Forum's inaugural Gladstone Lecture Sir Alan said that; "disestablishment is not a necessary feature of a diverse and multi-cultural society. I know of no evidence that significant numbers of Muslims, Jews, Hindus or Sikhs are at all interested in getting the Church of England disestablished, and it is no longer a popular view with nonconformists or Catholics as it was a century ago. Such is the confusion on these issues that in current conditions disestablishment might pander to the view that ...
A week ago, the USA was going to the polls, and Lib Dem Steven Gauge was on-the-spot in Ohio. Here's what he saw... As Churchill said, "Americans can always be counted on to do the right thing...after they have exhausted all other possibilities." On November the 4th 2008 they finally got it absolutely right. As the [...]
Apparently "nobody ever wants to have sex with Liberals". Meanwhile, on planet earth, I have to go to work. If Newmania is interested, I haven't had any form of sexual activity for a whole 12 hours now, but that's only because Mat has been Mr Sleepy this morning...
Over on Lib Dem Voice, I've been plugging this Saturday's London Region Autumn Conference. The details are all on the Flock Together website. While regional conferences are always an excellent way to catch up with members from neighbouring areas, I'm particularly keen to tell people about a certain fringe event: Campaign Surgery is a chance for members of the, shall we say, more modestly sized local parties to discuss the challenges they face. Come along and get advice, swap ideas (and even phone numbers)! It's at 11.45 in Room 2. And if you're from a big, thriving party, come and ...
Friday: So, the Glen-clothes by-election has, apparently, given Mr Frown his MOJO back, while the Liberal Democrats have fallen into fourth place and lost our deposit. There's quite a lot to be UNHAPPY about there. It appears that the Labour are actually BENEFITING from the financial disaster that they themselves are - in large part - responsible for. It looks like people are willing to OVERLOOK Mr Frown's piloting us onto the economic rocks, because he's poised so heroically unflappable stood there on the bridge. Either that or he's frozen with indecision again, still it looks good. But is it ...
Private Members' Bill: Take Action On 7 October, the Autism Bill (Draft) was launched in Parliament, in partnership with Angela Browning MP and with comprehensive support from the autism community. This Bill has been developed to challenge the exclusion from services that many people with autism face and we need your help to ensure that the Bill is taken forward as what is known as a Private Members' Bill. On 3 December the annual Private Members' Bill ballot will be held in the House of Commons. MPs'names are picked out of the ballot at random and the first few that ...
The Religious Intelligence website has the story: A DISESTABLISHED Church is not part of a truly liberal society, the British MP Sir Alan Beith has said. Speaking at the Liberal Democrat Christian Forum's inaugural Gladstone Lecture [entitled Faith, Passion and Politics], Sir Alan told members of the Liberal Democrat party that "disestablishment is not a necessary feature [...]
Jock Coats gleefully publishes a link to an essay by Roderick Long and says 'look, look markets are good for people after all'. So, let's have a look at what Long says; firstly on the charge that champions of the free market champion the corporate elite he says; "Is this a fair charge? No and yes." We could equally ask is it a fair charge that people who recognise that the state has a role to play in economic life are in favour of a state dictatorship? Long's contention that corporations fear competition because they exert an 'downward pressure on ...
Greg Mulholland, Lib Dem MP for Leeds North West, has urged House of Commons Speaker Michael Martin to introduce fines whenever an MP's phone rings in the chamber. His proposal came after Culture Secretary Andy Burnham was repeatedly interrupted by Tory MP John Whittingdale's Blackberry (he was, apparently, unaware how to switch it off). BBC.co.uk takes [...]
Another year, another Armistice Day, and still the lessons of the great war fall on deaf ears. We're still sending Our Boys out to slaughter Their Boys and we're still killing each other for stupid reasons. Imagine if all the energy we put into killing people who believe in a different sky fairy or a different economic system was put into useful things? We'd have explored half the galaxy by now. I don't wish to belittle the sacrifice of the men and women who died for me. I just wish they hadn't had to. And all the people on the ...
The Soldier - Rupert BrookeIf I should die, think only this of me: That there's some corner of a foreign field That is forever England. There shall be In that rich earth a richer dust concealed; A dust whom England bore, shaped, made aware, Gave, once, her flowers to love, her ways to roam; A body of England's, breathing English air, Washed by the rivers, blest by suns of home. And think, this
Real People, Real Power, Real Whitewash Back in July, the Government published a white paper called "Communities in Control: Real People, Real Power". It sounds like a Liberal's wet dream. The Government will make it easier for local people to get involved in decision making, get information and interact effectively with local authorities. Councils will gain powers of scrutiny over local quangos. Local democracy will be reinvigorated with community councils and petititioning powers. Citizens will be helped and encouraged to play more active roles in their communities. Councils will fix problems swiftly and offer some form of compensation when they ...
Dave was on the Today programme trying to negotiate his way through an interview with John Humphries, who seems to see it as a personal slight if his interviewee manages to complete a single phrase. Dave was trying to present Tory plans for tax cuts as logical, fundable and not in any way knee-jerk following the strong hints from the government that tax cuts are imminent. He did well against the incessant blather and sniping from Humphries but the 'elephant in the room' of course was where was the 13th Baronet Osborne? More uses for a George Osborne then: a ...
I was delighted to read that Keith Olbermann's contract with MSNBC has been renewed for another cycle. MSNBC in general, and Keith Olbermann specifically, have had a real impact during the last few years in rebalancing US news following an unhappy period when FOX dominated the airwaves. Keith's best moments have been his Special Comments - hard-hitting straight to camera statements on issues of the day. On several occaisions he has taken Bush to pieces, and this time he has nailed those who support the ban on gay marriage in California and other states. It's very emotional, very strong and ...
There's a danger that, come the end of the day, it will be the Tories who are being least adventurous in their plans for cutting taxes in order to help beat the recession. That, to me at least seems a bit against the grain. First we have the Lib Dems who have plans to cut up to £20bn and target these tax cuts at low to middle income earners and pay for it by closing tax loopholes for the rich. Now we have the Tories who are restricting their promises to cutting NI payments for employers who take on people ...
On Sunday I attended the Remembrance Day service in Alexandra Park, Hastings. [Here are the photos from the Hastings & St Leonards Observer] It was the first Remembrance Sunday since the death of my own grandfather last December, so it felt especially important for me to be there. My grandfather was in the Royal Corps of Signals and served [...]
Part of the recent Paul Dacre attack on Justice Eady (who ruled against the News of the World in the Max Mosley case) was that he was unaccountable for his actions and basically a one-man band introducing a privacy law on his own. He was supported in this attack by The Sun's managaing editor, Graham [...]
I keep an eye on the readership figures for Ros's blog from time to time, just to see what is attracting attention (and yes, I do the same for my blog), using Google Analytics. I'd read Ros's latest blog entry, and noticed that her readership figure was up somewhat sharply, and was keen to find out what was going on. Imagine my surprise to find that there have been 540 views of her blog
The Ipswich Town footballer David Norris, who made a public gesture of support for the jailed player Luke McCormick after scoring a goal on Saturday, has rightly been fined by his club. McCormick was jailed after causing the deaths of two young boys while driving back drunk from Norris's wedding. But it is the remarks by the of the chief executive of the Professional Footballers' Association and reputedly Britain's highest paid trade union official, Gordon Taylor, that stand out for their idiocy: "In fairness to the lad, he could not have realised the consequence of his actions."First, Norris is not ...
Calum Cashley in his latest post says: "Hang on, says I, was it Burt and Mathewson who got HBoS into trouble? No, indeed it was not, it was Stevenson and Hornby, these are the jokers who got the bank hopelessly lost and are now claiming to have the map which will get the bank back out of the swamp. Who do you trust?" George Mathewson may have retired as Chairman of RBS in 2006, while Peter Burt as Chairman of the BoS attempted to take over the NatWest and merged the bank with the Halifax. Seeing that as far back ...
Some months ago, I highlighted to the City Council the need for footpath repairs to the north side of Hawkhill, a bit east of the Sinderins junction. It is near to a bus stop and residents, especially elderly bus passengers, were concerned about its condition particularly when alighting when alighting from the bus. I am pleased that these repairs have now been carried out; a minor but welcome improvement.
Well Westminster is clearly attacking Scottish devolved powers both over Trident placement and new nuclear power stations. In two submissions made to the Calman commission according to reports in the Scotsman today. Over Trident's placement there is cross party opposition, north of the border, to Trident's replacement, which is currently situated on the Clyde. In June last year Holyrood passed a motion recognising that defence was reserved but opposing the government's decision to maintain the deterrent capability. The disagreement over energy provision, which is a fully devolved issue is that successive Scottish Parliaments have set far higher renewable energy targets ...
You know who you are. Those liberals (in particular) who always claim that "libertarian free markets" will result in a corporate plutocracy, or that the current turmoil in world financial markets (yes, it's still going on you know!) is a result of "libertarian free markets". Here, especially for you (but of interest to others I hope too), is a brilliant explanation of how this mutualist understands that free markets benefit people, not corporations. CORPORATIONS VERSUS THE MARKET; OR, WHIP CONFLATION NOW by RODERICK LONG - LEAD ESSAY - November 10th, 2008 Defenders of the free market are often accused of ...
I have noticed an article in Tristan Mills' shared links defending libertarianism from the objection that the free market would undersupply public goods. If that's all Greek to you, some explanation. Shared links - a bloggers tool for sharing articles read elsewhere that might be interesting. My most recent shared links are listed on the right under the imperative read this too. A bit like
I'm intrigued by all the talk from the House of Commons Home Affairs Select Committee of banning the sale of cheap alcohol. Admittedly, I have come to expect such an attitude from Labour, and it is entirely consistent with their philosophy that government knows what is best for us. However, the Conservatives should be ashamed of themselves. Why? They claim to believe in the free market. So why
This cool vid on Gizmodo (hmm... two links in two days to Gizmodo, will have to keep this under review) shows how to bundle iPod earbud headphones. Click here to view the embedded video. iPods, as you will probably know, have revolutionised many of those dull dull jobs you have to do as a Lib Dem - many of them leaflet related. I now have a small metal box full of BBC podcasts to take around with me when I'm letterboxing and the time just flies past. I've also been using them whilst printing leaflets recently - works fine whilst ...
Beddington & Wallington Local Committee Meeting We had some interesting items to get our teeth into at this meeting. First up was an update on the Better Healthcare Closer to Home (BHCH) programme and how it might impact us locally, presented by Stephen Waring the programme director. As the Shotfield Health Centre is an integral part [...]
