If there were a poll for the unluckiest MP ever, the winner would probably be Alfred Dobbs. He gained Smethwick for Labour in the party's landslide on 26 July 1945. The following day he was killed in a road accident when, attempting to avoid a child, his car was in collision with a military vehicle in Doncaster. You might think he holds the record for the shortest service as an MP. But according to Wikipedia the Irish Nationalist Thomas Higgins, who won North Galway in 1906, contrived to die between the close of the poll and the declaration of the ...
No reader will be surprised that Broomsdene tip is to be axed by Durham's cabinet despite being "heavily supported" by local people, including the only petition of over 5,000 signatures for any site across the county. The cabinet report which condemns it to closure is unconvincing to say the least, especially if you compare the commentary on Hett Hills which is "saved" and Broomsdene which is to be axed. In the review of Hett Hills specific commentary is provided about the public meeting at which there was strong opposition to closure, severe worries about fly-tipping and concerns about the increasing ...
It is worth replaying Lucy Allan's story on This Morning. What I was not aware of previously was that she was assessed twice by the same psychologist. Once when she paid privately and once without seeing the assessor. The assessments were completely different.
Here and here. [IMG: Post to Twitter] Tweet This Post
You know how Conservatives are meant to be against red tape and petty regulations? That doesn't seems to apply here in Harborough. From the Harborough Mail: New control orders set to be introduced by Harborough District Council will make it illegal for owners to have their dogs off the lead in certain areas. The regulations include footpaths and cycleways - such as the Millenium (sic) Mile through Harborough - as well as grass verges, public sports pitches and car parks, cemeteries, churchyards and children's play areas.When I was a councillor back in the 1980s we brought in special dog walks ...
Tonight saw the broadcast of Brian Paddick's official London mayor video. It's 2 mins 40 secs long. Last night I discovered Brian was my closest mayoral candidate match, scoring 74%. Which means I should watch at least 1 min 58 secs of the following: Posts Related to Why I'll be watching at least 118 seconds of Brian Paddick's London mayor videoBBC Question Time – London mayor special: open threadLiberal Democrat candidate for Mayor of London Brian Paddick is one of the three panellists on tonight's Question Time (broadcast on BBC1 and online from ... Boost for Brian as Lib Dem ...
If you remember the early days of 'That's Life' with Esther Rantzen then you may just remember a singer called Jake Thackray who supplied the musical interlude. He played guitar in a similar style to me (or should that be the other way round) and one of his great influences was a French singer, Georges Brassens. I have also been inspired by Georges and although I am not keen on singing in English, I do manage to sing in French and in a broad Yorkshire accent à la Jake. Both of these singers were raconteurs and both were politically aware ...
A poignant moment for Missy as she ponders the greater world, recovering from being neutered and if the cat had the ability to consider these things, would be dwelling on the ramifications. Similarly having heard rumours that some local activists are considering reporting local bloggers if they haven't already for "Hate Crime" I feel that my right to freedom of expression has been eroded by several threats already. Accusations that I have "allowed" various hateful comments, is nonsense, a recent decision concerning a case bought against Google by Payam Tamiz, a former candidate for Thanet District Council is worth reading, ...
When the Hugo nominations were announced on Saturday night, I was not terribly surprised that I had already seen the majority of the shortlist in the Best Dramatic Presentation (Short Form) category. I was slightly surprised that I had seen four out of the five, and that I had never heard of the fifth, Remedial Chaos Theory, an episode of the American sitcom Community in which a group of friends meeting for dinner must choose who goes downstairs to pick up the pizzas, and we then follow seven different timelines over the next twenty minutes as each of the seven ...
The article is behind the paper's paywall, so thanks to Liberal Democrat Voice for giving us a substantial quote from Paddy Ashdown's article in The Times this morning: "The danger is not diminished because there will be no centralised state database of the sort that Labour proposed. That is largely an irrelevance. These proposals bring into existence a series of statutorily required databases held by others, in a form dictated by the State, to which the State will have unfettered access." "Latin America is talking about drugs like never before. The taboo that has long prevented open debate about drug ...
This Election Broadcast by Brian Paddick and the London Liberal Democrats has just been shown on the BBC. Even from 400 miles away, it's blatantly obvious to me that Paddick is the most professional and capable candidate for mayor. What impresses me most is that he is innately liberal in his approach, hence the mention of abuse of stop and search powers. He knows how to keep people safe without trampling all over your civil liberties. Enjoy! * Caron Lindsay is Wednesday editor at Lib Dem Voice and blogs at Caron's Musings
To the surprise of absolutely no-one, Cornwall Council has formally objected to the application by local residents in the Woburn area of Launceston to register the open space off Woburn Road as 'village green'. Granting village green status would protect the land from future development. Cornwall Council is claiming that the land is merely a 'narrow strip of grassland' and not suitable for dog walking (which, according to the Council, should only take place on pavements). They also claim that the area is not suitable for children playing games. What the council fails to mention is that it is keen ...
In times of difficulty, businesses in Manchester need all the help they can get to create jobs. And they are getting plenty of government help. The £200 million Regional Growth Fund announced by Nick Clegg will certainly help. This funding ... Continue reading →
Traditional orchards are a much loved part of our British heritage and countryside providing fruit and peaceful places to enjoy, as well as food and shelter for hundreds of rare plants and animals. Since 1950 Natural England estimates that overall orchard area in England has declined by 63%, and it's probably higher in our area because of all the building developments. The People's Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) recently carried out an England orchard inventory, listing 321 potential traditional orchards in South Gloucestershire covering an area of 127.9 hectares. So far, owner questionnaires have revealed that 8% of traditional orchards ...
I often say when I don't like something like a Lib Dem election broadcast. I don't praise such things on auto-pilot. So, what do I think of Brian Paddick's London Mayoral Election Broadcast? I think it's good. It focuses very simply on Brian's main strength, which is his long experience as a senior London police officer. London's Mayor now has the same powers over policing that elected 'commissioners' will soon have in other parts of England. Brian's experience qualifies him to exercise those powers more effectively than would any other candidate. The broadcast is at (if watching on a ...
Excellent video I have to say, very strong indeed. Team London obviously doing the Lib Dems proud :) If you feel benevolent and particularly generous, this writer always appreciates things bought for him from his wishlist
Being broadcast on the TV tonight, here is Brian Paddick's election broadcast:
I haven't blogged on psychology so far – it's not a subject I know much about, academically at least. But this blog by Sophia Dembling in Psychology Today (thanks to Nic Prigg @nicola_prigg on Twitter) has really set me thinking. Ms Dembling highlights a recent suggestion by a young research, Jennifer Grimes on introversion. Instead of thinking about it as part of a spectrum with introversion at one end and extroversion at the other, might these not be entirely separate characteristics? Instead try thinking about introversion on an autistic spectrum – with autism at one end, introversion at the other, ...
A new network of grassroots activists under the leadership of the veteran peer, Roger Roberts, has been formed to develop communications with the party's senior management. and parliamentarians. Grassroutes to Government is drawn from across the membership and we launch today via a virtual launch on all the party's social media platforms. We can already point to a range of new lines of communication that will ensure the members have a clearer voice and we expect to have continuing discussions to underpin the importance of our activists. Planning for the new group began soon after Federal Conference in Birmingham last ...
Thu 12th
15:37
Polling Day is but three weeks away and my local election special Focus is all but finished
Scary stuff. As this is as they say my first rodeo it has been a bit of a leap into the unknown. As some of you will know due to personal matters my campaign has been slow to get going as I have been dealing with more important things. No matter how important this campaign is family has to come first and that as they say is that. So anyway the funeral was last week and at the weekend I got together with my agent and Cllr Paul Collins to discuss the strategy. When I agreed to run I had ...
We have played the waiting game before. It didn't work in the 1980s, and it won't work now. In the 1983 Election, the Alliance reached a high water mark with a 26% vote. But there was discord. The Liberals, who won most seats, felt they should take the lead. The SDP, with their heavyweight experience, saw things differently. Problems grew when Owen took over, refused to collaborate properly, and set out to undermine theAlliancefrom within. A stalemate developed, and a waiting game began. The Alliance announced to a stunned public that two-headed leadership was the new future. Their slogan "Not ...
The 3rd East Kents at Albuhera Nothing lasts forever, memory and interest fade. As someone who has been fascinated with history since I was a small boy (as the age of 8 I surprised the tour guide at Dover Castle by being able to tell him loading procedure for a cannon!) and have gone on to study it to post graduate level I am horrified at the gradual loss of history. Does anyone remember Lieutenant Latham's heroic actions at the battle of Albuhera in 1811? He served in the East Kent regiment during the battle. He defended the Kings colour ...
Keep going! - there's only three weeks left! [IMG: Thanks to Paulo Camera] It's a 40 horse race in this Saturday's Grand National, but second place in politics is not an each way bet. Winning is what matters not good second places. I don't know about you, but having helped deliver my old ward fully once and been on four canvass sessions since the last email, I'm feeling battle hardened already. The wind, rain, sun and dogs have done their worst and I'm tired, but in total election mode. With just a week till postal vote ballot papers start hitting ...
Brian Paddick the Liberal Democrat Mayoral Candidate has been active visiting all parts of the London over the past year or so. London suffers the second highest rate of unemployment of any region in Britain. A new deal for young Londoners is needed: London Youth Contract - he will ensure all jobless young Londoners who apply after leaving school and aged up to 25 are productively engaged, in work or in learning linked to a genuine job opportunity, working with employers to create an Apprenticeship Alliance and ensure graduates get six months real work experience leading to a job.Adult Skills ...
Writing in today's Times, former leader Paddy Ashdown, a key ally of Nick Clegg, has condemned Government's proposals to increase internet surveillance and warned that we must not "part company with our principles." He wrote: The Government claims that it will have unfettered access only to "data" (ie, sender, recipient, time and duration) rather than content, so this does not constitute "a communications interception". That is sophistry. It is one of our rights as free citizens to talk to whom we wish, when we wish and wherever we wish without the State knowing about it, unless there is good cause ...
Should EU naval forces help Kenya/Ethiopia joint operation to occupy Kismayo by blockading the port to prevent pirates and terrorists escaping to Yemen? http://bit.ly/I8V6nx
These have been badly damaged by vehicles parking on them and Herts Highways have been asked to give them attention – not least because they collect water. A number of other areas need similar attention – for instance the paving outside the clock tower, the High Street and some of the Verulam Road York paving blocks.
Got nothing much to do at lunch time? Come along to the Travel Plan Plus (TP+) Get Cycling Event on Wednesday 18 April 2012, from 11am-3pm at 196 Cambridge Science Park (NAPP). Free to attend , this year's event is bigger than ever and is guaranteed to be interesting, informative and fun! Our main attractions include: A wide range of conventional commuter bikes (mountain ,folding, hybrid, road bikes etc) to try out Fun and novelty bikes including 'car' and 'rickshaw' bikes, plus tandems, recumbents and much more!Electric bikes from the Electric Transport Shop , including the TP+ pool bikes Blendavenda ...
Yesterday Nick Clegg set out the Government's agenda on energy efficiency and the role of a green economy in delivering growth. Important announcements on energy efficiency, tackling fuel poverty and helping consumers find the best tariffs all caught the media's attention. But for me the real story is that the Liberal Democrats remain the champions of plans to build a green economy. Nick was right to attack those who say that there is a zero sum game between economic growth and protecting the environment. As the Liberal Democrats have argued for decades, it isn't about choosing - the two go ...
According to The Guardian, Mr Cameron will identify four groups in the Islamic world that are determined to defeat democracy. First are the authoritarian leaders Muammar Gaddafi, Hosni Mubarak, former Tunisian President Zine-al-Abidine Ben Ali and Assad In each case", he says, the Arab spring has shown that denying people their rights in the name of stability and security actually males countries less stable in the end. Over time the pressure builds up until the people take to the streets and demand their freedoms". What does Mr Cameron think the people of Bahrain have been doing, and why is the ...
Poor old Lance Kennedy. The Conservative Party establishment, desperate not to have him as their candidate for the Police Commissioner elections later this year, have now found their man. Graeme Demianyk of the Western Morning News has the story that former Culdrose boss Commander Tony Hogg has been asked by George Eustice MP to put his name in the frame. Tweet
[IMG: An empty classroom] News that the National Autistic Society is planning to set up a free school highlights an impending policy dilemma. Currently, the party's policy is officially one of opposition to free schools. However if, by the time of the 2015 general election, free schools started by popular and worthy organisations such as the National Autistic Society are up and running, would it be either sensible education policy or practical politics simply to say, 'we don't like free schools; they have got to go'? A different option would be to extend what the party's ministers have been doing ...
There aren't any council elections in Northumberland this year (well perhaps the odd by-election that I'm unaware of ...) so I can take a more dispassionate view of the Election Broadcasts on TV. I'll start with the Labour broadcast last night. Professor Winston saying that a vote for Labour is a vote for the NHS. These are local council elections .... and they weren't even mentioned. The Liberal Democrat broadcast was barely better .... about tax cuts under the Lib Dem policies in the Coalition government. Perhaps a very loose reference to local elections , but that's all. I don't ...
Agathon #7 - The Murder of Roger Ackroyd [1926] Apparently it does survive rereading. Must do so some time. (tags: books ) BSFA Awards Ceremony: An Apology "The committee would like to issue a broad and unreserved apology" (tags: bsfa sf ) NASA's 1966 plan for a mission to Mars Long before Stephen Baxter! (tags: space ) The Next Big Foodie City? Tbilisi Georgian cuisine is the best I've ever tasted. (tags: cooking georgia )
Some harsh words have been said over at the Devil's Kitchen about party politics. Given that the Devil is a libertarian, and therefore one assumes an adherent to the non-aggression principle, it is odd that he has such violent designs on people who belong to political parties. I should say I know Chris, the author, and he is a very nice chap. Clearly, he is angry about the world we have created. You don't have to support everything he writes to see his point and why he is prone to bouts of fury. That doesn't justify violence. I have already ...
Unfortunately there has been an increase in vehicle crime across the north of the city. DON'T LEAVE ANY VALUABLES IN YOUR CAR. This includes SAT NAVs and their holders. When you remove the holders, please wipe off any marks that may be on the windscreen from the holder - if there are marks on the windscreen it is fairly obvious that you have a Sat Nav and the offender may think you have left it in the glove box. DON'T LEAVE ANY MONEY, including coins and cash in your vehicle. Even a small amount of loose change will tempt a ...
Hot on the heels of my paper on Planning in a Free Society, the IEA has published a paper by my colleague, Kristian Niemietz, entitled Abundance of land, shortage of housing. No prizes for guessing what Kristian's conclusions are. I strongly recommend reading the report, but if you are in a hurry, here is the summary from the IEA website: Not enough is being done to reduce the extraordinarily high cost of housing in Britain. This is the finding of a new report released today by the Institute of Economic Affairs Abundance of land, shortage of housing. In the research ...
Here's my piece from Tuesdays New Statesman. Do pop over and have a gander at the comments if you have a mo - a right old mixture this time. OK.I've signed the activist's letter on the "snooping bill". I've taken advantage of the conference call with SpAds to express my disgust. I've told Nick to pull his finger out. I've cheered as Lib Dem backbenchers make their feelings plain. And I'm delighted that when asked about these plans our President, Tim Farron promised, "we are prepared to kill them - I mean to be absolutely clear about that - if ...
German Pirate Party overtakes Greens, survey by Forsa shows (tags: politics ) Carbon nanotubes: The weird world of 'remote Joule heating' Mysterious science thing is cool! (tags: ) The BBC Wants You! ... if you're good at sewing. Sadly this is slightly too early in my skill attainment cycle for me to consider, but... (tags: ) Eastercon: It was fun, but... This makes me sad, because I know that the people who run Eastercon are good people with good hearts. (tags: ) BREAKING: The range of published science fiction caters overwhelmingly to a white male audience. More on the Eastercon ...
Thu 12th
09:55
5 encouraging signs the Government may see sense on the 'Charity Tax' #giveitbackgeorge
A few encouraging signs today that the Government is prepared to have the strength of mind to think again about the 'Charity Tax'. Encouraging sign #1 is that the right-wing press is up in arms about the proposal to hit charities' bottom lines. Neither David Cameron nor George Osborne will take delight, for example, in seeing this Sun headline: Charity basher: PM faces growing backlash over tax squeeze DAVID Cameron gaffed in a fresh Budget row yesterday when his plans for a US-style tax relief cap on giving to charity backfired. Tory MPs joined more than 900 angry charities in ...
Here's today's comically skewed headline from the Torygraph: Nick Clegg wants to let MPs keep family fortunes under wraps Though you wouldn't guess it from the headline or the story, what Nick Clegg was actually saying was simple enough: he thinks MPs as public servants should have to be transparent about their financial affairs, but he doesn't think their family members, as private citizens, should have to publish details of their salaries and any other wealth. Which seems fair enough to me. But then the Telegraph has a proven track record when it comes to having a pop at the ...
Writing today in The Times [£], former Liberal Democrat leader and former Secret Intelligence Service man Paddy Ashdown writes: Liberals accept, subject to safeguards decided by Parliament, that the government has a right to intercept the private communications of its citizens where it is necessary for national security and in the pursuit of serious crime, and that these powers should keep pace with the development of communications. But, as Nick Clegg has said, there must be safeguards, too. Any extension of these powers should be strictly proportionate to the threat... Any exercise of these powers must be subject to a ...
Here is my column from this week's Ham & High: I was walking down Crescent Road in my constituency the other day when a woman came up to me and said something to the effect of, 'I think you are a fantastic MP - but I am so upset that you are banning people from wearing the cross'. So – from the mischievous misinformation from the pages of our print media to my home beat - I am fed up with this misrepresentation – hence this column. The short version is this: the government is being taken to the European ...
Sutton Liberal Democrats have one of most impressive records of success anywhere in the UK – not only at winning and keeping control of Sutton Council (25th anniversary celebrated last year), not only at winning Parliamentary elections (two MPs in the borough, both Liberal Democrat) but also at pioneering many excellent environmental policies. Oh, and darn fine organisers of raffles too. For the last decade Sean Brennan has been Leader of the Council, but this week he has announced that he will be standing down: Coun Brennan, a former teacher first elected as a Sutton ward councillor in 1986 and ...
On Wednesday the Institute of Economic Affairs discussion paper Abundance of land, shortage of housing, by Kristian Niemietz, was launched on to an unsuspecting world. The timing of this launch is intriguing. We are still trying to come to grips with the final version of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), published only three weeks ago. One would assume that further major reform of the planning system was off the agenda for a while. So it's a slightly odd time to launch a report which restates the argument that land use planning is the source of most of the housing ...
Did you know - unlike those Councils run by Labour or the Conservatives, every single Liberal Democrat council in England has frozen it's council tax? Here in King's Hedges Conservative-controlled Cambridgeshire County Council has chosen to raise their share of Council Tax for everyone so even though some Parish and District Councils (including your local Liberal Democrat Controlled Cambridge City Council) have not opted to raise Council Tax the bills for every single household in Cambridgeshire will rise. Also, according to the Local Government Chronicle, Liberal Democrat councils are twice as likely to give pay rises to low paid workers ...
Money-wasting Herts Highways, under the control of the Conservative administration at county hall, has done it again. On Hatfield Road in St Albans they repainted the white lines which had faded to almost nothing. Good news, you might think. The following day they came and laid an anti-skid surface on top of the new white lines. [IMG: IMG_0919] [IMG: IMG_0918] [IMG: IMG_0917] Local Lib Dem councillor Chris White commented: 'This would be unbelievable if we did not know Herts Highways and the county council so well. At a time when resources are tight this is an outrageous way to waste ...
Is there no end to the Americanisation of British politics? Following the controversy over the tax arrangements of Ken Livingstone and indications by David Cameron that he would be happy to publish his own tax return, the Welsh Government are now getting in on the act. Today's Western Mail reports that First Minister, Carwyn Jones and Welsh Government ministers are to discuss whether they will declare their tax returns. A spokesman is quoted as saying: "Transparency is an important facet of Government. This is the something the First Minister will be discussing with ministerial colleagues." A Welsh Labour MP has ...
I recently - on behalf of local residents - highlighted to the City Council damaged grit bins at Clovis Duveau Drive. I have now received feedback from the council's Roads Maintenance Partnership as follows: " ...the Roads Maintenance Partnership inspector has raised an order for two vandalised grit bins to be uplifted and this will be done when resources are available. Replacement bins will be set out before the start of the winter weather."
From Sheena Wellington : Friends of Wighton's Cappuccino Concert on Saturday 14th April will feature the renowned American singer Judy Cook, currently on an extensive UK tour. The Concert takes place at 11am in the Wighton Heritage Centre, Central Library, Wellgate, Dundee, tickets are £5 to include coffee, and doors open at 10.30am. Virginia-born Judy brings a powerful voice, a great unaccompanied style and a deep respect for tradition to her performances of a huge repertoire of (mostly) American songs and ballads. Judy's singing is marked by a command of narrative that pulls the audience in to really understand what ...
I remember watching the fourth and final series of Monty Python - the one made without John Cleese - religiously in 1974. Pretty soon to do so did become a matter of near-religious faith, because it was quite spectacularly unfunny. But maybe this would be the week when it was as funny as it used to be? Meanwhile, John Cleese was appearing with Les Dawson in Sez Lez, which seems to have been largely written by David Nobbs. Unlike the fourth series of Monty Python, it was funny. And this sketch, at least, is still funny today. Time for a ...
