From an article on Polish cinema the great man wrote in last Saturday's Guardian: This charismatic young actor styled his hair in a luxuriant black quiff, wore a leather biker jacket and tinted sunglasses. Later I read that he had to wear them because he'd fought in the Warsaw Uprising - the three month long insurrection against the Nazis - where the guerillas moved about in the sewers, so he couldn't take bright light. Which, even if it wasn't true, was a brilliant excuse to wear shades after dark. In Ashes and Diamonds Zbigniew Cybulski not only got to wear ...

Posted by Jonathan on Liberal England

Thank you all for being indulgently understanding of last week's whine about how hard my long runs have gotten. I particularly appreciated DG's comment (DG, I assume I know who you are! DG is currently training for her first ultra, so she knows what she's talking about when it comes to running long!) where she told me: "Remember to trust your training come race day! So the 19 miler was hard. That's ok. You finished. Your body internalized what it needed from that distance. Even though you weren't skipping in delight for the last few miles, your training is sound." ...

Posted by Joyce on Joyce Goes for a Run

Workers renovating a 14th century former chapel in Barnstaple, North Devon, have uncovered a squadron of paper aeroplanes that are likely to predate the Wright brothers first powered flight. The Daily Mail carries the story...

Posted by Dan Falchikov on Living on words alone

So pretty! And, yes, I've tidied my room since then! I'll admit it, I'm a Skirt Sports girl, but when Schwaggle had a deal for free shipping on discounted Running Skirts, I had a poke of the website. And I found that a skirt I'd already fallen in love with on several other blogs was on sale! Bingo! I ordered the size that corresponded to the measurements for my usual size over on Skirt Sports. First of all, I think this is a beautiful, beautiful, beautiful skirt. I LOVE all of the colors and am a fan of how I ...

Posted by Joyce on Joyce Goes for a Run

As I told the Huffington Post: I think the thing to bear in mind, Lib Dem parliamentarians quite like being pushed by the grassroots. If you go into negotiation with a Tory opposite number to try and push them on an issue, if you can publicly demonstrate to them that you're under pressure - that makes your negotiating position stronger. The party's experience after the last spring conference was hugely helpful in terms of strengthening the party.

Posted by Mark Pack on Mark Pack

Blackpool Prom has been revamped. I was there around a year ago and the changes I saw looked really good but there was still plenty to do. A few months ago I heard that there were no kerbs near the Tower and there was a danger that pedestrians and vehicles would mix when they shouldn't. No distinction between pavement and road is bad enough if you have all your senses but I would hazard a guess that some people who walk along Blackpool Prom may have had a drink, and what happens if they are blind? I had a conversation ...

Posted by Michael Gradwell on Politics for Novices

As some of you may know I have an interest in advertising. I often watch adverts and wonder just how anyone could ever think that the adverts they created would ever help someone buy or use their product that they are trying to advertise. However every so often an advertiser gets it bang on and whilst watching New Girl earlier I saw the new advert for Cartier watches. It is three minutes and thirty-one seconds long. Yes just one advert and it just blows the mind. Yes it helps that it features what I consider to be the most beautiful ...

Posted by neilmonnery on The Rambles of Neil Monnery

In the Evening Standard tonight, page 1 leads with an article on British Transport Police being deployed as emergency response medics in order to cut delays. Seemingly an interesting concept, with 20 officers who, with two cars, they will respond to medical emergencies on the tube network, in order to help cut delays to train ...

Posted by Chris Hall on Chris and Eddie in London NW1

On the 21st March at 3pm there is a public meeting at the Meadows Community Centre just off King's Hedges road regarding the proposed development to replace the existing Roman Courts site in King's Hedges. A letter has been sent to residents; Residents Consultation Letter I'd urge those interested in this new development to attend. The meeting runs until 7pm, so it will be a long meeting, and I will be there and report back what I hear. Roman Courts: Residents Consultation Letter

Posted by Andy Pellew on Focus on King's Hedges
Fri 9th
20:55

Six of the Best 232

"When I was young and broke at Liberal Assemblies Viv often took me out for a meal. We kept up our conference meals almost without a break up to and including the Conference at Birmingham in 2011. I know I was not the only one who benefited from his support and encouragement and it is sad that no more young folk will profit from Viv buying them a good meal and listening to their ideas." Birkdale Focus remembers Viv Bingham, who died this week. Mark Pack is right to say that Chris Rennard is right to say that we should ...

Posted by Jonathan on Liberal England
YouGov

A "chilling threat to liberty and justice" an "excessive and dangerous"[£] move which would "shake our constitution to its common law roots" tilting it "towards the closed courts...so favoured by despots" and miring individuals in "Kafkaesque cases." As the Liberal Democrat Spring conference approaches, the disturbing potential of the Government's plans to extend secret justice across the country's civil courts has hit the headlines, with the Mail, Times, Guardian, Independent and FT all united in condemnation. That sense of alarm is also becoming apparent within the party. Tom Brake, chair of the backbench Home Affairs committee, has described the Justice ...

Posted by Clare Algar on Liberal Democrat Voice

Yesterday the Queen began her Diamond Jubilee tour by visiting Leicester. Eschewing the Royal Train, she caught a scheduled service: the 10:15 from St Pancras. This showed good judgement. The Nottingham trains that leave St Pancras at 15 minutes past the hour run non-stop until they reach Market Harborough. And there is usually plenty of room, though the Queen made sure of this by travelling first class. Her majesty's good judgement did not extend as getting off at the first stop, but you can't have everything. So it was to Leicester that she went. My view on the monarchy is ...

Posted by Jonathan on Liberal England
Fri 9th
20:15

The Royal Welsh Way

This is one of the eight signs that are now hot off the production line. On the top left hand side you have Conwy County Borough Council's coat of arms and the top right hand side is the Royal Welsh regiments Cap Badge. There will be an official unveiling on the 16th April (to be confirmed). This has been a very rewarding project and I would like to thank the following for making this happen: Cllr Merfyn Thomas Cllr Philip Evans Cllr Graham Rees Glan Conwy Community Council Conwy Town Council Officers Conwy CBC Royal Welsh Regiment For their support: ...

Posted by Mike Priestley on Mike Priestley

I recently - on behalf of residents - raised complaints about the state of the roadway in Bellefield Avenue and Seafield Road. The City Council has now updated me as follows : "An order has been raised by the Road Maintenance Partnership inspector to fill various holes on Seafield Road carriageway and footway with a timescale for completion of twenty eight days. An order has also been raised for the filling of a pothole on Bellefield Avenue with a timecale for completion of three days." I am pleased at the fast timeframe in getting the pothole at the south end ...

I have never been a great fan of the Lib Dem Spring conference - it is always a long journey and by the time you have got into the swing of things it's time to go home again. So I am down here in Watford not up in Gateshead. This spares me the dilemma of how to vote in any debate on the health bill. Although I should perhaps be reassured by the recent articles by Shirley Williams and David Boyle, for me their arguments for the bill highlight a problem. This is that the points made by Lib Dems ...

Posted by Iain Sharpe on Eaten by missionaries

Federal Conference Committee has just met, and the following emergency motions met the Standing Order criteria and will go into the ballot: 1) Violence in Syria 2) Withdrawal of the Health and Social Care Bill 3) Protecting our NHS – the Shirley Williams motion 4) Behind closed doors – Justice and Security Green Paper These motions will all be on a ballot paper at the back of Saturday's Daily Announcements. To vote (by STV), please take your completed ballot paper and your Voting Rep badge to the Steward with the ballot box by the Stewards Table in the Hall, between ...

Posted by Andrew Wiseman on Liberal Democrat Voice

Australia is planning sterilize children without parental consent if a proposed law is adopted. Critics fear that Aborigines would be targeted. You can read about the state's Draft Mental Health Bill here. According to this report the draft Bill also allows 12 ... Continue reading →

Posted by Lester Holloway on cllrlesterholloway
Fri 9th
19:44

Fairly busy week

I have spoken on each day this week, though only brief interventions: 8 March 2012 Health and Social Care Bill 7 March 2012 Death Penalty (2 contributions) Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill (2 contributions) 6 March 2012 Gypsies and Travellers (2 contributions) 5 March 2012 Legal Aid: Social Welfare Law Monday, a very useful meeting with Paul Boateng, who has kindly agreed to attend the launch of the programme to vaccinate children against Pneumonia and rotavirus in Ghana on behalf of the All-Party Group against Childhood Pneumonia at the end of April. This is a world first! ...

Posted by Eric Avebury on Eric Avebury

CHORLTON RESIDENTS are celebrating after Manchester Council yesterday changed its mind about spending £50,000 to reopen the 65-year-old Footpath 181. The footpath used to run from Claude Road, behind Chorltonville alongside Chorlton Brook and came out on Barlow Moor Road, but has been ... Continue reading →

Posted by John Leech MP on John Leech MP
Fri 9th
19:32

Friday favourite 49

This is one of my favourite songs - and while Cathy Dennis's cover isn't a patch on the original I think it is significant. Dennis transformed herself from attractive singer of tacky dance songs into one of the biggest influences on global pop music. She is responsible for Kylie's relaunch hit 'I can't get you out of my head' and Katy Perry's breakthrough 'I kissed a girl'. And her live appearance on an early Channel 5 daytime show shows her mid this transformation. She also comes across very well in the second clip which features some young but now very ...

Posted by Dan Falchikov on Living on words alone
eUKhost

Today has seen the launch of a new liberal think tank: Liberal Insight. Introducing it on Liberal Democrat Voice, Tom Smith writes: We face a fractured society with greater inequality, both of wealth and opportunity. We face existential threats to the welfare state and public services. Perhaps worst of all, we face a worrying disengagement not only from politics, but also from civil society, by a growing number of people. The Coalition provides liberals with an excellent opportunity to reverse this trend and some progress has already been made. The pupil premium, for example, is a perfect example of a ...

Posted by Jonathan on Liberal England

Answer: An extremely famous record. Any idea what it was? [IMG: Post to Twitter] Tweet This Post

Posted by Paul on Liberal Burblings

The footpath over the railway from Shire Way to Wapley Common will be closed overnight 28-29 April for a railway bridge inspection.

Posted by Paul Hulbert on Focus on Sodbury, Yate and Dodington

Cambridgeshire Liberal Democrats have renewed their call for a freeze in Councillor allowances as a vote on the issue is imminent. They maintain that as Cambridgeshire County Council makes cutbacks Councillors should not be voting to increase their pay. Lib Dem group leader Kilian Bourke said: "We believe that at a time of redundancies, wage freezes and cuts to frontline services it would be wrong for Councillors to use the proceeds of an increase in council tax to give themselves a pay rise. "A freeze would be the right outcome, and would go some way toward repairing the loss of ...

Posted by Andy Pellew on Focus on King's Hedges

Cambridgeshire Liberal Democrats have renewed their call for a freeze in Councillor allowances as a vote on the issue is imminent. They maintain that as Cambridgeshire County Council makes cutbacks Councillors should not be voting to increase their pay. Lib Dem group leader Kilian Bourke said: "We believe that at a time of redundancies, wage freezes and cuts to frontline services it would be wrong for Councillors to use the proceeds of an increase in council tax to give themselves a pay rise. "A freeze would be the right outcome, and would go some way toward repairing the loss of ...

Posted by Andy Pellew on Focus on Bar Hill

Following on from yesterday's blog post, in which I revealed that constitutional expert Professor Vernon Bogdanor supports an option for further devolution finding its way onto the independence ballot form, I have today discovered that the Electoral Reform Society backs a second question in the independence referendum. Scottish TV reported on its website that the ERS actually backs a question on "Devo Max" but this is not precisely true. The ERS have refused to back "a particular choice" - simply the principle of a second question. A spokesperson for the society argued that "avoiding a 'second question' represents a false ...

Posted by Andrew on A Scottish Liberal

If, as Andy Burnham claims in Liberal Democrat Voice, this weekend sees the last opportunity to 'save' the National Health Service, then I find myself in the eye of the proverbial storm. Which, all things considered, is an intriguing place to be. If, as is suggested, most people have taken sides, then my support will be somewhat in demand, as I genuinely haven't made up my mind. As a fiscal conservative, I look at comparative rates of inflation within the health sector and the economy as a whole, and I shudder. We will, as a society, have to decide what ...

Posted by Mark Valladares on The view from Creeting St Peter

[IMG: Katherine and I at the W3 stop by Weston Park] Local residents will not have been surprised by the recent news that the W3 is the most complained about bus in the whole of Greater London. It's been terrible recently with huge gaps in service – even during peak hours when it can become impossible to get on overcrowded buses. Katherine and I went to speak to bus users last week and found a 14 minute gap in service when buses were supposed to running every 5 minutes (see photo). Our local MP Lynne Featherstone has raised her concerns ...

Posted by Richard on Richard Wilson

The first meeting of a Lib Dem taskforce to suggest policies for tackling racial inequality got underway on Wednesday, and met with the race equality minister Andrew Stunell (pictured). The Race Equality Taskforce was set up by Nick Clegg following ... Continue reading →

Posted by Lester Holloway on cllrlesterholloway

It's Friday. It's five o'clock. Here's a fistful of lists that sum up the LDV week: 5 most-read stories on LDV this week James Graham leaves the Liberal Democrats (34 comments) by The Voice The Independent View: If I were in your shoes...views from the other side of the Coalition (44 comments) by Tim Montgomerie Opinion: Lib Dems should support the NHS reforms to secure its long-term future (126 comments) by Andrew Tennant Opinion: Liberal Left have short memories (67 comments) by Michael Taylor Local council by-elections: the recovery continues, again (25 comments) by Mark Pack 5 sample LDV Members' ...

Posted by Helen Duffett on Liberal Democrat Voice

Ask people what matters most in Cornwall at the moment and it is likely that jobs will be at the top of the list. Indeed, the Lib Dems won the recent by-election in Bodmin on the basis of concerns over youth unemployment. That is why a commitment to apprenticeships matters. Since the Lib Dems joined the government the number of apprenticeships has grown dramatically. Locally, Lib Dems believe that jobs and skills are vital too. At the lest council meeting I asked about the number of apprenticeships created by the council. The answer - 12. Cornwall Council is saying the ...

Posted by Alex Folkes on A Lanson Boy

Nations 46 (+2) Competitors 2883 (-206) Sports 15 (-2) Events 109 (-15) 28 July to 12 August 1928 hosted by Amsterdam, Netherlands The Official poster for the Games (right) was designed by Jos Rivers, only 10,000 were made. However, the IOC failed to gain the copyright of this image and therefore ever since in their publications used a different poster (see below) that was first used in a German book about the games. Since then the IOC have been more careful about the images and copyrights of their Games. As now the financial outcome of the Games were becoming important. ...

Posted by Stephen Glenn on Stephen's Liberal Journal

I learnt last night my friend Viv Bingham had died (1932 - 2012). I've known Viv since around 1974 when he fought his first parliamentary election-although before that he had be active in the party in his student days. He went on to be the candidate in Hazel Grove in 1979. His next electoral outing was in the same year at first Euro election when he was the candidate for East Cheshire and I was his agent. He served as Liberal Party President in 1981/2 and offered himself as a candidate to Warrington Liberals at the by election in 1981 ...

Posted on birkdale focus

A report launched this week caught the headlines by describing the replacement of Trident as "nonsensical". "Replacing Trident makes no sense" said the BBC, while the Guardian led with "Trident nuclear deterrent upgrade 'nonsensical'". But they were not quoting the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament or any other campaigning organisation. Rather, they were quoting the liberal thinktank CentreForum, which David Cameron has previously commended "for their excellent work". Nick Clegg has also indicated the policy significance of CentreForum: "Many of the policy areas my party is implementing in government were developed, tested and refined through dialogue with the CentreForum team." The ...

Posted by Kate Hudson on Liberal Democrat Voice

I recently read an article on the BBC about people's views on smoking in the 1950's. At the time, the first report on health concerns over smoking had just been published. 8 out of 10 men smoked when the ... Continue reading →

Posted by John Leech MP on John Leech MP

The voices of the lobbyists threatening every kind of mass exodus & mayhem if the financial services industry is brought to heel are as shrill & persistent as ever. We must not fall for it. If one can find the time read 'The Hedge Fund Mirage - The Illusion of Big Money and Why it's too good to be true' by Simon Lack, published by Wiley. Just a couple of gems: "If all the money that's ever been invested in hedge funds had been put in Treasury bills instead the results would have been twice as good". For this spectacular ...

Posted by coldcomfort on grumpyoldliberal

Today we are announcing the launch of Liberal Insight, the new liberal think tank. Liberal Insight will contribute radical, progressive and innovative ideas to a vision of liberal society. Our advisory board is being chaired by Party President Tim Farron MP. Liberalism has seen a resurgence in Britain in recent years, culminating in almost 7 million voters at the last election for the Liberal Democrats, a place in the Coalition Government and a long-awaited opportunity to implement distinctly liberal policies. This rise in electoral success has come against a trend of the liberal gains of the last century being eroded ...

Posted by Tom Smith on Liberal Democrat Voice

This afternoon saw the formal opening of the new Household Waste Recycling Centre on the Pennygillam Estate. Together with other local councillors I was the guest of Sita at the formal opening at which Cabinet Member Julian German attempted* to cut the ribbon. The new site is a great facility. It is in two parts - one is a massive shed which enables the transfer of household rubbish from bin lorries into much larger trucks which take it off to landfill (at the moment). Transferring it in this way means the bin lorries can spend more time on collections and ...

Posted by Alex Folkes on A Lanson Boy

The damage to the gates on the new Ridgegrove play area will be fixed early next week I have been assured. But it looks like the promised litter bin might take a while longer. Vandals recently took one of the main gates on the play area off its hinges. The contractors have had to order new parts and these will be arriving early next week to enable to gate to be repaired. There is also a lot of litter in the play area - I suspect because the litter bin promised when the play area was revamped last summer has ...

Posted by Alex Folkes on A Lanson Boy

There are times in sport when every now and then a truly great player comes along, with regards Indian cricket they were lucky, at the same time they had four. Sourav Ganguly, VVS Laxman, Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid. Together they formed a scary middle order that even the best bowling attack would struggle to break through. This line-up lasted around 12 years together - from 1996 when Ganguly and Dravid joined Tendulkar (already a main figure) in the team during their tour of England, with VVS Laxman joining later that year until 2008 when Ganguly became the first of ...

Posted by Radar on iRadar

The Liberal Democrats are demanding that our Coalition Government gives you a much needed tax cut. We want to give hard-working people over £700 extra a year; that's about £60 extra in your wages every month. Instead of helping millionaires, the Lib Dems want to give millions of deserving people a break. You can help us to get this tax cut announced in the Budget on 21st March. Please tell me today what you'd do with an extra £60 a month. By telling me how you'd use the £60 tax cut you'll not only be spreading the word, you'll also ...

Posted by Stephen Williams MP on Liberal Democrat Voice

Recently, several of my readers have been kind enough to donate to my blog; it is a big help and goes towards the cost of running the site, and potential upgrades. I'm hoping to upgrade to WordPress Pro, which gives me far greater controls over design, greater file share and a media player. This helps ...

Posted by danielfurr on Too lib·er·al [adj.]

From Stockport Council: New International Trade Forum established Businesses looking to expand or learn more about overseas trade are encouraged to attend the newly-established South Manchester International Trade Forum. The Council and UKTI, in conjunction with RBS Corporate Banking, set up the Forum to help businesses find out more about how they can develop and expand their international business, and meet other companies who have successfully traded overseas. The next South Manchester International Trade Forum event will focus on America and will be held at Cheadle House De Vere, Royal Crescent, Cheadle Royal Business Park, SK8 3FS, on Thursday 29th ...

Posted by Iain Roberts on Keith Holloway, Iain Roberts & Pam King

We originally published this last July, but we thought it was worth sending it out again. It shows the accidents on our roads from 2002 up to early 2011 (so recent accidents such as the two on Schools Hill or the one on Broadway aren't yet included in the data). We build up a lot of folk wisdom about which roads and junctions are dangerous, often based on one or two accidents we know about. This allows us to get an idea of how accurate those ideas are, and where the real accident hotspots are on our roads. Are they ...

Posted by Iain Roberts on Keith Holloway, Iain Roberts & Pam King

This country has three types of landlord, good, bad and accidental. Yes there are a lot of good landlords out there. People who want to make a profit but not a killing; people who care for their tenants. There are ... Continue reading →

Posted by richardkemp on But what does Richard Kemp think?

The traditional pre-conference rally at Liberal Democrat conferences seems more lively and informal than the main set piece speeches during conference, so expect even more football references than usual from Party President Tim Farron this evening when he speaks in Gateshead. Nick Clegg's speech rally speech will feature an attempt to set a different message for the party, looking much more positively to the future: We're in Government, and it is a better Government for it. Fairer, freer and greener. Lower taxes for working people. Fairer chances for our children. And the beginnings of a new, green economy that benefits ...

Posted by Mark Pack on Liberal Democrat Voice

Nice site: 60pounds.org. Needs good follow-through and a developing campaign rather than to be a one-off, quickly forgotten initiative, but so far the signs are good. UPDATE: In haste – and a very good email from Tim Farron going with it. Short, to the point, built around promoting the website and telling a story. It even avoids the curse of thinking that a good political case is made out of bullet points and decimal points. Good stuff.

Posted by Mark Pack on Mark Pack

Next up in the list of Lib Dem achievements is a policy centred on our demand for more investment in education. As a party, we campaigned over two elections saying that we felt education was so important that we would be prepared to increase taxes in order to pay for improvements. Time may have moved on, but our commitment to education hasn't. In government we have introduced the pupil premium which has given millions of pounds of new money to schools for the benefit of less well off pupils. Tweet

Posted by Alex Folkes on A Lanson Boy

Sorry everyone :) If you want, follow me on twitter: twitter.com/rich_head In the mean time, here's a kitten:

These are things I've had to repeat over and over, in a variety of different forums, over the last few weeks. At this point I don't expect anyone at all to believe me, but the following are all true: The NHS Bill, as it currently stands, does not privatise the NHS, and will probably impact ...

Posted by Andrew Hickey on Sci-Ence! Justice Leak!

Federal Conference Committee meets this afternoon to select amendments and separate line votes on the policy motions already published, and also to look at the emergency motions submitted. Over the last 24 hours, there seems to have been some confusion on Twitter and other Social Networking sites about this process, which is still firmly in the hands of Liberal Democrat voting representatives. I thought it might be helpful just to set out what will happen when. FCC (made up mainly of elected representatives of the party) considers whether each of the emergency motions submitted meets the criteria for an emergency ...

Posted by Andrew Wiseman on Liberal Democrat Voice

Shirley Williams gave an interesting comment, on the opposition to the NHS bill. Worth noting, many Liberal Democrats peers were sympathetic to Labour, at the start, and willing to co-operate; now, that potential unity against the bill seems dead. This is a quote, from Shirley Williams, about the Labour opposition to the bill; "I am thoroughly ...

Posted by danielfurr on Too lib·er·al [adj.]

A question, as I have been struggling to find good, convincing answers to what seems to me a key factor facing Liberal Democrat conference representatives. What will actually happen if the Health and Social Care Bill is dropped? Sure, there'll be a nice simple political message if the Bill is dropped as a result of Lib Dem pressure. But what will actually happen to the NHS? It's been much commented that many of the changes are already happening and don't need legislation. That leads to an obvious question about how much of a difference to the NHS (rather than the ...

Posted by Mark Pack on Mark Pack

One of my more popular pieces appeared in the New Statesman yesterday. Lots of comment - unusually, for once generally supportive. And worth popping over to the original for the photo alone. But if you can't be bothered, here's the piece... Have a listen to the opening few seconds of Ed Miliband's 5 Live interviewfrom earlier this week and you learn everything you need to know about his communication problems. And he doesn't even have to open his mouth.Firstly, Ed, or those around him, likes to look clever. Academic. Statesmanlike. How fabulous the phrase "Patriotic Industrial Activism" must have looked ...

Posted by Richard Morris on A VIEW FROM HAM COMMON

Last March, I spoke at the Sheffield Conference in support of the motion that led to radical changes in the Health and Social Care Bill. By the Summer, much of the Bill had been changed and I was able to write that the Bill was much improved. I felt that we should be proud as Liberal Democrats for thwarting the initial plans. My colleagues in the House of Lords have made more very important changes to the original plans. On Tuesday I told the House that, "I believe that that culmination of changes will enable us to bring about an ...

Posted by Shirley Williams on Liberal Democrat Voice

(Unlike most "open letters" this one was sent to my MP using the fantastic WriteToThem. I've added hyperlinks for context.) Dear Jonathan Lord, I want to thank you for highlighting the inadequacy of South West Trains service from Woking. As commuters for four years, my wife and I are sick and tired of trains which are overcrowded, frequently late, and often filthy. As the answer you received in Parliament shows, the private companies which provide train service in Woking are not looking after passengers' interests. They are expensive, inefficient and have a reckless disregard for safety. I am therefore confused ...

Posted by Terence Eden on Terence Eden has a Blog

One of the things that has caused me to oppose the NHS Bill is from talking to local people in Reading. A local resident has sent me details of what commissioning in our area might look like. Frankly, it doesn't make for pretty reading. Given the number of arguments about the arguments coming from politicians or from professional bodies, it's important to look at this from a different perspective. I quote:- "I was dismayed to hear that the LDs had dropped their opposition to the Health & Care Bill in the Lords because Shirley Williams thinks she has secured sufficient ...

Posted by Gareth Epps on Gareth Epps

Both the major colleges in Cornwall have announced that they will be offering free transport to 16-18 students from low and middle income families from September. This is partly as a result of the new Cornwall EMA. Congratulations to both Cornwall College and Truro & Penwith College for taking this action. The Cornwall EMA (otherwise known as the Cornish Bursary scheme) is there to help less well off students who don't fall into the narrow remit of the government scheme. The aim is to ensure they can stay in education. The free travel for Cornwall College applies to students from ...

Posted by Alex Folkes on A Lanson Boy

As a County Councillor, I'm often asked about potential sources of funding for local community projects. As a County Councillor I give local residents the decision in where County Council grants go in Folkestone West & Sandgate through "You Decide" - more details of the 2012/13 You Decide process for Folkestone West & Sandgate will be on this website soon. However, there are other sources of funding worth applying for depending on the type of organisation, project or event being worked on.Some of those (both national and Shepway based) I've listed below - hopefully helpfully! FUNDING SOURCES AND INFORMATION National ...

Posted on Tim Prater
Fri 9th
11:27

Looking for moles

For some reason the media have a bit of an obsession with Wikipedia, to which they return from time to time. This could be because journalists rely on it so much and have a vague romantic notioin that it should be accurate and reliable. This morning's Independent is no exception. They appear outraged that an anaylsis by the Bureau of Investigative Journalism has found that MPs and staff working in the House of Commons have been responsible for making nearly 10,000 changes to the website's pages. This is a story that has run before. But what do they expect? Public ...

Posted by Peter Black on Peter Black
Fri 9th
11:24

PMQs: Lest we forget

A different Prime Minister's Questions review this week. Often, the Prime Minister prefaces his first answer with a tribute to fallen service personnel. I have mentioned these tributes a few times in the course of these write-ups over the last (nearly) two years. It seems appropriate to devote the whole of this week's review solely to those who have died fighting for us, as we pass the milestone of 400 troops killed in Afghanistan with a particularly bloody incident. Whatever our views of the right or the wrongs of our involvements overseas, I think most people agree that our service ...

Posted by Paul Walter on Liberal Democrat Voice

FROM: Edelbertha Spengler, Chief Executive and Directional Excellence Champion TO: Simeon Lascelles, Director of Spatial Exploration and Direction Management Kenneth Spotlessnob, Assistant Chief Executive and Director of Transformational Excellence and Strategic Vision cc: Conor O'Connor, Director of Human Resources Development Hi, both! I thought I should let you know that I've concluded the outward-facing and inward-facing functions of our Green Odanglesex journey should benefit from unified management. This means that both functions will be housed in the same directorate and as we previously agreed that the outward-facing officer should be in SEDM, it follows that the inward-facing function will be ...

Posted by SibatheHat on Siba The Hat

A week ago secondary school admission results were released. Many happy and unhappy families across Southwark. First preference – Southwark increased the proportion of families obtaining their first preference school. Up at 56% from 53% last year but with 85 less applicants. But the average for London was 66% of families. So Southwark is some distance behind. Any of 6 stated preferences – Southwark parents and carers had 91% success obtaining one of their up to 6 stated preferences whereas the average for London was 95% with 88% offered one of their top 3 choices. It's clear that Southwark will ...

Posted by James Barber on James Barber
Fri 9th
11:00

MisAdventure

This week the Adventure Bar on Lordship Lane licensing application to remain open on Thursday nights until 2am and bank holiday Sundays until 2am was decided. They wanted to add to the current Friday and Saturday 2am closing. The Licensing Sub Committee did not allow Thursday night opening until 2am but has allowed bank holiday Sundays until 2am which this year will happen four times. Big thank you to everyone who objected and to Fred and Joe who attended the hearing with me. I'm really sorry for all the anti social behaviour this bar and Boho bar are causing you. ...

Posted by James Barber on James Barber

Letters of Note: I have no ancestors of that gifted people "if impertinent and irrelevant inquiries of this sort are to become the rule in matters of literature, then the time is not far distant when a German name will no longer be a source of pride." (25 July, 1938) (tags: race tolkien )

Fri 9th
10:56

Mid term blues?

TheLiberal Democrats are carrying out a mid term review of thecoalition. Here's my version. The first thing is that when caught upin the moment - particularly this moment with bruising encountersgoing on around the NHS, welfare cuts and particularly brutaltreatment of disabled people by Iain Duncan Smith and his department- we don't always remember why we are here. Sofirst of all a reminder - we got here because in May 2010 the UKeconomy was in desperate need of stable government and theConservatives had won the most votes and the most seats. So wenegotiated seriously with them. There were two alternatives ...

Posted by Rob on A comfortable place

Following complaints from residents, the Lib Dem team have been speaking to Police and the Council about the problem of football match-day parking around Grange Park Road, Cheadle – several junior teams play on the fields. As a result, the Council has written to the three football clubs who use the fields (Cheadle Heath Nomads JFC, South Manchester Sports FC & Juno United JFC) reminding them that they should not be parking on Grange Park Road, Grange Park Avenue or Danesbury Rise, but instead should be using the marked bays at the top of Ashfield Road and on the Massie ...

Posted by Iain Roberts on Keith Holloway, Iain Roberts & Pam King

We've spotted bollards knocked down on Cheadle High Street (by the crossing) and Pendlebury Road, Gatley (by Carrs Passage). Both have been reported to the Council and Highways Officers will attend within 24 hours to arrange repairs. If you spot any other problems in the area, please do report them directly to the Council or let me know - whether it's potholes, dangerous pavements, graffiti, fly-tipping, littering or anything else. You can report problems to the Council by calling 0161 217 6111, by emailing streetscene@stockport.gov.uk or by visiting the Council website (www. stockport.gov.uk) and clicking in "Report it".

Posted by Iain Roberts on Keith Holloway, Iain Roberts & Pam King

Mrs Thatcher was reputed to declare in more than one context that There Is No Alternative – earning herself the sobriquet of TINA . In life that is rarely the case and as an avowed existentialist I am disinclined to believe that is ever the case. The party will be told that there is no practical alternative to the Lansley Bill. That could be true. I have no doubt that the Bill has been substantially changed and improved as a result of the listening exercise and amendment in the Lords. It is, however, still a massive set of changes to ...

Posted by John Pugh MP on Liberal Democrat Voice
Fri 9th
10:02

Marine Lake Clean Up

Wearing my Cabinet Member for Leisure, Culture and Tourism hat; I'd like to thank Pat Keith and her Lib Dem Task Force for organising a litter pick around the perimeter of the Marine Lake. Volunteers cleared a whopping 1.3 tonnes of rubbish from around the Marine Lake Over 30 people came along to the event organised by Councillor Sue McGuire and Pat Keith clearing between them over 1 tonne of litter and general debris from the path around the north end of the Marine Lake. The volunteers also cleared the litter form the sand dunes by the Marine Drive car ...

Posted by Councillor Mike Booth on kew focus

Unfortunately, it would seem for workers at Manston, Local Labour's anti Manston policy, is likely to result in redundancy payments in the not too distant future, so far we've yet to hear from Cllr Hart's Labour group. Those of us with memories, will recall that just a few years ago, with the exception of Councillors Elizabeth and David Green, Labour members of the council were in favour of allowing flexibility in operations to provide jobs . In the run up to last years district election, Labour under the leadership of Cllr Clive Hart, adopted a nimby approach, suddenly becoming anti ...

Posted by tony flaig bignews on BIGNEWS MARGATE

The BBC are looking for communities that have an outdoor space they would love transforming. This could be anything from a community garden, an empty space, a vandalised area, roof garden, anywhere that is in desperate need of a revamp or somewhere that has been a victim of a natural disaster. Anything that would really benefit the community. If this sparks any thoughts of an area or organisation you feel could really benefit from being involved in this programme please email cassie.simpson@renegadepictures.co.uk In your email it would be helpful if you could include a few details about location, the people ...

Posted on Tim Prater

Another in my series of "you can make any points about management you like with pretty much any moview you like". Spoilers for both RoTJ and Avatar follow... So I saw Avatar at the BFI's IMAX yesterday, somewhat belatedly. I've been thinking about the Ewoks' successes lately and it made me consider just how ineffective the Na'vi are in comparison. 1. The Na'vi suffer from poor leadership Jakesully is taken into the tribe near the beginning of the film with almost zero justification. Neither of the two tribal bosses appear to make any sort of cost/benefit analysis to bringing Sully ...

Posted by sanbikinoraion on FORTRESS FREEDOM

So the Camb Uni SU is actually arguing Strauss-Kahn shld not be heard in public http://t.co/xeSBD6hQ. Astonishing disregard for free speech. # Genuine quote from Camb Uni SU: "Strauss-Kahn has not been acquitted of any of the multiple accusations of rape". #innocentuntilprovenetc # RT @juvelad: Excellent set of by-elections gains for #libdems last night, I see three gains so far on my Twitter timeline! Well done to all! # Camb Uni SU claims it's "rightfully committed to free speech" yet wants to ban speakers on basis of *suspicion* of guilt. #theyjustdontgetit # @AAEmmerson Camb Uni's SU petition is really quite ...

Posted by Stephen Tall on stephentall.org

The second Liberal Democrat achievement is closely linked to the first. We've stopped the Conservative plans to give a tax cut to the richest. The room for manoeuvre on tax cuts has been very limited and the Liberal Democrats have insisted that any benefit be targeted at those on the lowest incomes. So we've stopped the Tory plans to give tax cuts to dead millionaires and we've said that we will only countenance the abolition of the 50p top tax rate if it is replaced with a mansion tax or similar. Tweet

Posted by Alex Folkes on A Lanson Boy
Fri 9th
09:24

Pre-conference post

I'm not going to have time to to do much posting during the Lib Dem Party's Spring Conference this weekend in Gateshead, for which many of you will probably breathe a huge sigh of relief. If I weren't busy enough, I'm now potentially going to have to do some reading up on both the Communications Capability Directorate and the Welfare Reform Bill (yes, I've downloaded the Spartacus Report), because I may have to talk intelligently on both of them later this weekend. Eep. So, any posting is going to have a strict half-hour curfew. Apologies in advance for any terseness ...

Posted on David Matthewman

"I like to pay taxes. It is purchasing civilization." Oliver Wendell Holmes's comment graces the start of the first policy paper published by the new Liberal Democrat leaning think tank, Liberal Insight. A very large number of ampersands are used to punctuate the paper, which looks at the tax system and in particular how wealth is taxed. Land value taxation and integrating income tax and capital gains tax feature. The paper is below and you can find Liberal Insight around the internet: Liberal Insight website Liberal Insight on Twitter Liberal Insight on Facebook Its advisory board includes Tim Farron MP, ...

Posted by Mark Pack on Mark Pack
Fri 9th
09:16

On my way to #ldconf

I am currently sat on a train merrily rattling it's way through Kent on the way to Liberal Democrat Spring Conference in Newcastle Gateshead. For me, conferences are the highlights of the year - I get to geek-out on politics, meet lots of old friends and make new ones, go to lots of interesting fringe events, and, of course, drink copious amounts of alcohol and indulge in raucous singing at the Glee Club (nothing to do with the TV show). In many ways the party is like a second family. And there's definitely something uplifting about being in a place ...

Posted by George W. Potter on The Potter Blogger

I never expected to see the day when I could say, hand on heart, that I was more interested in events at a Lib Dem Spring Conference than the weekend's football. But life's full of surprises and that moment has arrived. It is no over-statement to say that this weekend's gathering in Gateshead could determine the future of our country's best-loved institution. As you prepare for the weekend, I wanted to make a direct appeal to the grassroots members of your party: please stand out against the current direction of reform and stand up for the NHS model we all ...

Posted by Andy Burnham on Liberal Democrat Voice

Jim C. Hines » The Wolves, the Pig, and the Retarded Bunny This made me cry (tags: awesome ) nanila | Inspiring love of robots and space and, apparently, me. This made me cry too. I am soppy. (tags: awesome ) Women of the Future French ones :) (tags: feminism ) [IMG: comment count unavailable] comments

[IMG: Nick Clegg speaking at Lib Dem conference. Photo courtesy of Alex Folkes/Fishnik.com (07984 644 138 or alexfolkes@gmail.com)] It looks like Nick Clegg's speech to tonight's Liberal Democrat conference rally is going to take a very promising turn, messaging wise. I've commented before about the risk of speeches from himself and other senior party figures looking too much to the past. That has often been the case: The political messaging cliché is that you talk about how bad the past was and then offer hope for how good the future will be. The party, however, has slipped into doing the ...

Posted by Mark Pack on Mark Pack

So I'm more excited than an excited thing about going to my first Spring Conference since 1999. Sadly, I haven't lost the 7 months pregnant look I had then, but I'm still looking forward to seeing my friends. I'm hoping to get to the rally tonight - although I have a meeting at half five in a real ale pub. But I'm on antibiotics so I can't drink much, sadly. Here are some judiciously leaked extracts from the delights that Nick Clegg and Tm Farron are going to offer us. I think Nick is right that we should be shouting ...

Posted by Caron on Caron's Musings
Fri 9th
08:07

Injustice

I awoke this morning hoping to feel better. Wishful thinking on my part. I feel a deep sense of loss this morning. You all know why. There is nothing in this world that can ever prepare you for watching another person die. I don't mean watch on TV in some documentary. I mean a foot ...

Posted by Spidey on Spiderplantland

The ONS general lifestyle survey came out yesterday with some interesting results regarding alcohol consumption Right there on the front page summery it tells us that Between 2005 and 2010 average weekly alcohol consumption decreased from 14.3 units to 11.5 units per adult. Among men average alcohol consumption decreased from 19.9 units to 15.9 units a week and for women from 9.4 units to 7.6 units a week. A 20% drop in consumption. That's not bad really. Ahhh, I hear you exhale, but what about those eeeevil binge drinking young males. Among men, the percentage drinking more than 21 units ...

Posted by Carl Minns on Carl Minns - Thoughts from Hull

Cllr John Reynolds (CON, Bar Hill) The following briefing note has been provide to the Parish Council by County Councillor John Reynolds in relation to the Northstow Development. Northstow Briefing Document Cllr Reynolds sits on the Northstow Joint Development Control Committee. I've reproduced the briefing note below; "Northstowe Planning Application An outline planning application for Phase 1 of Northstowe has now been submitted and copies of the application delivered to the County Council. The application is for: Up to 1,500 dwellings, a primary school, a mixed-use local centre (including a community building and shops), leisure, community, residential institutions, cultural, health ...

Posted by Andy Pellew on Focus on Bar Hill

Waking up to the encouraging string of headlines as I did on Monday, I'm suddenly wondering if this is the point where we as a party have started getting it right? If there are three uncontroversial elements to Lib Dem identity then equal marriage rights, campaigning against Trident and defending the individual (Nick Clegg launching the #thisisabuse campaign) are surely good starting points? Conference is this weekend, so you could be forgiven for thinking these brilliant policies appear pre-emptively in our packs - but no, it's almost as if we are a party of government: the Deputy Prime Minister appearing ...

Posted by Sean Davey on Liberal Democrat Voice

Streetlights across many of our main roads in Stockport are set to become brighter, cheaper to run and cleverer thanks to a Lib Dem initiative being proposed by Cllr Iain Roberts. The nearly-£2 million investment will see new light put on 8% of the streetlights. The lamps burn brighter and whiter, so are better for road users. They use 30% less electricity, so save money. And they'll even email the Council when they're about to fail, so we should see fewer lights not working. With streetlight technology moving fast, the hope is that we'll be able to make further investments ...

Posted by Iain Roberts on Keith Holloway, Iain Roberts & Pam King

Liberal Democrats policy briefing: women

Posted by Mark Pack on Mark Pack

Last week I went to a talk by Czech Prime Minister Petr Nečas at LSE in which he made the usual grim diagnosis about the debt crisis in Greece. The country was in dire need of structural reforms, he said, both ... Continue reading →

Posted by paulhaydon on Eurology
Fri 9th
00:12

No Woman's Land

To celebrate International Women's Day and highlight the dangers faced by female journalists, Thomson Reuters hosted a panel discussion at its Canary Wharf headquarters this (Thursday) evening, chaired by my former BBC colleague Lyse Doucet, on behalf of the International News Safety Institute (INSI).The event also served as a book launch for No Woman's Land, ...

Posted by jonathanfryer on Jonathan Fryer

The following information was given at the local PACT meeting. Number of calls for area:- 235 Number of community related calls:-68 Alcohol seizures:-08 Common areas/Locations:-Officers have been targeting the area of Mcdonalds, Genesis way, Consett Park and as a result have seized large amount of alcohol from youths. Patrols will continue and officers will work with McDonalds with regards to ASB. One male has already been barred from the store. Dwelling Burglaries:- 00 Burglary (other):-01 Theft from an allotment Anti- social Behaviour ASB Personal There have been a total of 9 ASB personal incidents. There are no persons identified as ...

Posted by Owen Temple on Owen Temple

Later today, the Liberal Democrat Spring Conference in NewcastleGateshead will open with the customary Conference Rally, including speeches from Nick Clegg, Tim Farron, Simon Hughes & Kirsty Williams. If you're at Conference this evening, get there and get there early! Last year at Sheffield, it was so worth being in the second row. And squeeing ...

Posted by Harry Matthews on Yellow Tinted Spectacles

The Deputy Prime Minister and Lib Dem leader will tell the party's Spring Conference today (Friday): "We've made some difficult decisions, not all of them popular. But we made all of them with only one test in mind: What was the right thing to do for the country? "And now it is time to move on. To stop justifying being in Government and start advertising being in Government. To stop lamenting what might have been and start celebrating what is. To stop defending our decisions and start shouting our achievements from the rooftops. "We're in Government, and it is a ...

Posted by Jonathan on Liberal England