In his evidence to Lord Leveson's Inquiry, the Guardian reminds us, Kenneth Clarke recalled his days as a student Conservative, when Harold Macmillan was prime minister: "Everybody in politics, even a minor parliamentary candidate, knew that the then PM's wife had been having a torrid affair with a backbencher for at least 30 previous years. Not a word of this ever appeared in public print."Funnily enough, Lord Bonkers said much the same thing back in 1992: In my young day ... it was common knowledge in political circles that Bonar Law maintained a second household with a large white rabbit ...
Sorry for the relative lack of posts — not only have I been tired but WordPress is playing up *badly*, so even these linkblogs have been a bit too much of a pain to do. There'll be a MindlessWho post on Saturday, about Talons Of Weng-Chiang, and I *hope* to have a Kinks post up ...
The next West Hampstead/Fortune Green Area Forum (Area Action Group) is scheduled for Tuesday, 19 June, at the Synagogue Community Hall on Dennington Park Road. Regular attenders have been notified by e-mail or letter. Here's the agenda for the meeting, which Cllr Keith Moffitt will be chairing: 7 - 7.30 pm: an opportunity to meet ward councillors informally over tea/coffee 7.30 meeting starts: Parking Policy review For more details of the review, see below. The consultation formally ends on 18 June, but Camden will take into account comments made at the area forum. Community Safety Representatives from the Fortune Green ...
I attended the Thames Tunnel meeting earlier this evening. It was organised by the local Southfield Park Triangle Residents'Association and had three representatives from Thames Water. Myself and fellow ward Councillors Harvey Rose and Andrew Steed attended to listen to their views from residents. The Thames Tunnel project is to build a new and large sewer, to hopefully stop the Thames from the pollution of sewage we currently have to endure in London. Thames Water say: "The project will tackle the problem of overflows from the capital's Victorian sewers for at least the next 100 years, and enable the UK ...
I spent this afternoon live tweeting a House of Commons debate on my work Twitter account (follow #mentalhealthdebate to see what everyone was saying about it). The debate was called by the House's backbench business committee and was remarkable because two MPs had the courage to speak about their own mental health problems. (I shall add a link to in when the full version of Hansard is posted tomorrow.) First, a little hesitantly, it was Kevan Jones: Now I am going to throw my notes away—I thought long and hard last night about whether to do this—and talk about my ...
Today's Press release from Camden Council Camden's exciting Olympic Torch Relay celebrations revealed With one of London's most happening high streets, spectacular performances from the best of Camden's home-grown talent and iconic backdrops like Camden Lock and St Pancras International there is nowhere but Camden to see the Olympic Torch Relay. The Olympic Flame's route through Camden on 26 July takes in the best of the borough. It all kicks off with a mass choir corridor singing out the torch at our launch event at the Roundhouse in Chalk Farm Road at 6.45am. The flame will then be carried by ...
I decided not to take part in the telephone conference with Julian Huppert this evening. Thanks are due to Helen Duffett for organising it, but I decided that having a curry and going to my writing club would be a better use of my time. In her account of the conference, Caron Lindsay tells us we have "169 days to help Julian Huppert protect the internet from the prying eyes of the state". Well, I am sure we will all try to help him, but wouldn't it be easier if Nick Clegg had stuck to Liberal Democrat policy (not to ...
Some of the large audience at the interval Earlier this evening, after my weekly ward surgery at Blackness Primary School, I had the great pleasure of attending the Harris Academy Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Concert, that took place at Dundee West Church. It was a superb evening, highlighting the musical talent of the pupils of Harris Academy and its associated Primary Schools, and the commitment and professionalism of the school's staff. The large audience thoroughly enjoyed what was a musical extravaganza - an evening to remember - and, as I said to Jim Thewliss, Harris Academy Head Teacher, at the ...
Looking round the blogs this evening, these are the responses I've found so far to today's publication of the Draft Communications Data Bill, all of which are well worth reading in full: CCDP First impressions: A bill with too few safeguards – Zoe O'Connell Clause 1 which places the obligations on ISPs to collect data is still far too broad. "Interception" is not allowed, but that would seem to only rule out real-time monitoring as it uses the previous RIPA definition. ISPs could still be mandated to look at the content of all traffic to try to drag out "communications ...
Thu 14th
21:49
169 days to help Julian Huppert protect the internet from the prying eyes of the state
I have a list of measures passed by this Coalition Government that I can't stand. I call it the FFS list. A measure has to be monumentally awful to get on to that list. The changes to the Immigration Rules that Theresa May is planning are on it, as is the removal of ESA from people after a year. It's a very short list, but it affects a lot of lives in an absolutely heart rending way. Slightly different, but still in the same league, is the Draft Communications Bill published today. You can read all its 123 pages of ...
[IMG: Bins in Scarborough Road] All the residents I've met over the last week are complaining about one thing – how our area has been turned into 'bin city' by our Labour Council. Thousands of wheelie bins have descended on Stroud Green as part of the Council's plans to implement fortnightly collections. After years of battling to improve our area, it is so depressing to see that work undone by Haringey's unwillingness to listen to residents. I took this photo in Scarborough Road. In the garden of 3 adjacent terrace houses there are 17 wheelie bins. Why do Labour councillors ...
So the draft snooping bill has been published and now the fight really starts. Many thanks to Julian Huppert who took part in a conference call with Lib Dem bloggers tonight. In the few minutes I was on it (before I realised that the mute button on my phone didn't work and everyone else was being treated to the sound effects of the 18:20 from Waterloo) I learnt that: 1. The cross party committee who will report on the draft will consist of 6 members each of the House of Lords & Commons. One representative from each house will be ...
Our capacity to do violence to one another is the worst tragedy of the human condition, but it makes our still greater capacity to forgive one another all the more powerful.
I don't always agree with Lib Dem peer, Pendle councillor, campaigning guru and icon of northern Liberalism the noble Lord Greaves. But in this month's edition of Liberator, Tony Greaves writes an excellent article - Leaders on a different planet - on the challenges facing the party in government. The key passages echo a posting on this blog analysing the disasterous elections in May. Greaves writes: "Attempts to improve the dire communications within the Liberal Democrats have all been about people at the top telling worried members and activists why the top people are right and the worried ranks are ...
The advice from Nick Clegg to colleagues, to stay away, from yesterday's parliamentary vote on an inquiry, in to whether Jeremy Hunt, has been dishonest in his accounts to Parliament, seems like a sensible and pragmatic idea to me, particularly since the speaker allowed Hunt to be called a liar. Still I noticed that the BBC took the line, that this would cause great ructions in the coalition, and complimented there objectivity by using the graphic as above, showing (in my opinion) Cameron and Hunt expressing that natural smarmy, superior expression of tory toffs, meanwhile it looks to me as ...
To prove a point. Scottish and Southern Electric say they can't install a street light because of the dangers of getting a power cable across a river that generally has no water in it. Even after all the rain in the past week, the Glebe Garden's stretch of the River Loddon was little more than a steady flow of nothing deeper than a few inches. They won't even use the 'bridge over the river
Their only redeeming feature is that the clay model of Roy Hodgson reminds me nostalgically of Trumpton and Camberwick Green... [IMG: Post to Twitter] Tweet This Post
The Government's consultation on its proposals to enable same-sex couples to have a civil marriage closes at midnight tonight (Thursday 14 June 2012). I just remembered and did it - it was a survey that took only a few minutes, although the facility is there for more substantial responses to be submitted. The more people who take part, the more accurate a view the Government will have on how people wish it to implement its equal marriage proposals, so please click here if you wish to take part. It's not a web poll; it's a Government consultation and they really ...
... is a dress I made for Miss Holly to wear to her birthday party on Sunday. I knocked it up in three hours, from sketching it on paper to letting her try it on, and... I'm pretty bloody pleased with it if I'm honest. It's not perfect, and if I was doing it again there's a couple of things I'd change, but I'm happy with the overall design and shape, and most important of all, Holly LOVES it. She's described it as "epic", which is the best compliment you can get from a nearly-9-year-old.... ( hastily snapped on phone ...
It would appear that my guilty past has caught up with me, in that I am a fellow traveller with the Communists.Yes, you read correctly. For years now, I have been part of a secret team responsible for the management and direction of the resources of the former Communist Party of Great Britain, in the hope that one day, a Stalinist regime will come to power, and this country will become a beacon for wistful Communists everywhere. Naturally, as a bureaucrat, I'm not responsible for the delivery of the political element of our programme for power, but I'm sure that ...
A bus stop in Sandgate High Street, with graffiti on it. It's been there a while. Before [IMG: Graffiti on bus stop display board] One quick dose from a can of anti-graffiti spray (Wurth Besto Graffiti-Ex), 10 minutes of work - graffiti gone. After [IMG: Graffiti removed from bus stop display board] Tim says: "I bought this can of spray a little while ago and was keen to see how well it works - I'm impressed! "A few minutes work, and the graffiti was gone. I know of some more grot-spots where this will be useful - and if you ...
The London Wildlife Trust are promoting their 'stag beetle survey' – so thought I would lend a hand. They want people to let them know if they see a stag beetle: "this June we will be launching the survey's second year, supported by BBC Wildlife Fund. The stag beetle is a globally threatened species with incredible significance for biodiversity. Submit your sightings via our website
Hereditary monarchy has no place in a "fair, free and open society" but royalists and republicans seem to be talking different languages. To bridge the divide we need to choose our head of state by lottery.I agree with William Summers who recently wrote herethat he "cannot support a system of monarchy whereby power is inherited and all but one family is excluded from being head of state." This is on top of questions of transparency, corruption and political influence, or of historical connotation.But republicans have failed to make the case for any alternative. Arguments from principle land on deaf ears. ...
Yesterday afternoon, the City Council's Scrutiny Committee met and, at this, I: * Welcomed a number of very positive inspection reports on city schools and on Turriff House. * Queried the increase in complaints about the City Council (an increase from 216 in 2010/11 to 354 in 2011/12) and also the speed with which they are responded to (61% within 5 days in 2010/11 - the target is 95%) and sought assurances as to how improvement will be made. * In discussion an Audit Scotland report on using cost information to improve performance, I repeated a request I had previously ...
Last night I saw someone tweet that Lord Maginnis has received a number of emails about his comments yesterday on the Nolan Show. He said that the majority had been in favour, but that most of those against has been rants. I'm off the opinion that shouting and ranting at people with such opinions, especially when they called the gay rights lobby aggressors is certainly not the way to go. That is why I emailed this to him this morning. Dear Lord Maginnis, I listened to your comments on equal marriage this morning on the Nolan Show. I do not ...
The below excellent directory of social help offered by Churches Together in Folkestone (CTF) member churches has been put together and I was recently forward a copy. It's great to see so much support - and in so many different and very pratical ways - being offered by the Folkestone Community. If you could either help any of the projects below - or could use their support - please get in touch with the listed contact - I know they would be happy to hear from you. Phone numbers are 01303 dially codes unless otherwise stated. Directory of social help ...
Andrew George, Lib Dem MP for St Ives, joined forces with Stephen Fry earlier this week to debate the return of the Parthenon Marbles. The Marbles – which were stolen acquired from Athens by Lord Elgin in the early 19th century – comprise a large portion of the Parthenon Frieze, the metopes and some of the statues that formed the east and west pediments of the building and are currently displayed in the British Museum. Most of the remaining marbles are displayed in the New Acropolis Museum in Athens. Here's how Andrew's website reports the event: Mr George, who chairs ...
The consultation about Winchester's primary school places is still ongoing at http://www.hants.gov.uk/winchesterprimaryplaces and it's vital that as many local people as possible respond before the closure date of June 15. Under both the main scenarios being consulted upon, Fuflood is by far the most affected area in the whole city with either a 100% or 50% increase in local primary places. I was at the public meeting in Westgate School with our local County Councillor, Phryn Dickens, and fellow City Councillor, Robert Hutchison, and Phryn attended the public meeting at County Hall (unfortunately, it was the same night as a ...
There's been an online service called Fix My Street around for some time. It is a website which allowed members of the public to report potholes and other problems with their local roads and pavements to the council. Now two local authorities have taken it a step further and worked with the web site owners to develop a bespoke version for their areas. So well done to Barnet and Bromley councils. I have made the suggestion to Cornwall Council that they should do likewise. Tweet
I find myself in a position were I'm neither full pro-yes or indeed for that matter pro-no at present. My political instincts have always believed that a federal path would be the best option for Scotland, however it is not actually going to be an option that this referendum will serve. I don't intend on blogging about the pros and cons of independence at present, but merely the way the arguments and facts should be presented to allow the public to make a genuinely informed decision... and to learn the lessons of the AV referendum - both the positives and ...
Last night's meeting was held in the Acton Green Church Hall, Cunnington Street and we discussed the following issues: 1. Southfield Recreational Ground - update It was announced that that up to five fitness-related items of equipment will be installed in the coming months. The park ranger said these items are sturdy and are commonly used even in Winter!The works to install new lights for two paths across Southfield Recreational Ground are scheduled to start at the end of June and are expected to be finished in August. The lights will have timer devices so that residents can get between ...
Thu 14th
14:14
Equal Marriage Consultation - Supporting Equality Before the Law and Personal and Religious Freedom
The Coalition Government's consultation on making marriage more equal closes today. If you've not supplied your own response, don't leave it to the massive vested interests of the bigots, their money and their lawyers to enforce discrimination on everyone else. Back equality before the law and personal and religious freedom instead. You can respond to the consultation here until later today (either 5pm or midnight according to different sources, so better make it 5); here are the consultation paper and the impact assessment; if the Home Office website crashes, email your answers to equalcivilmarriage@geo.gsi.gov.uk before the deadline. Here are mine. ...
So, my comics dealer sent me the Night of the Owls Batverse crossover stuff this week. Mostly I decided to get them because I have really been enjoying the storyline in Nightwing, and this would give me an opportunity to dip my toe into the titles I had decided against getting. Mostly, reading them has confirmed that I was right in which books I had selected. Batwing remains full of well-intentioned benevolent racism, Catwoman's art is just embarrassingly awful - by turns sexist and jaw-droppingly anatomically inaccurate, Red Hood and the Outlaws is cringemaking in it's constant references to Roy ...
The draft Communications Data Bill has, at last, been published. We can finally debate what has been written down, rather than what the Home Office have been telling people in off-the-record briefings. Julian Huppert MP has an excellent post on safeguards which might be worth a look first, as those are the principles I would like to see in the Bill. Sadly, the draft bill falls down on several counts. Firstly, we did point out quite forcefully in early debate that the police and security services were asking for powers that they did not have over the postal service. They've ...
Cornish Liberal Democrats have condemned the Tory-led authority for the incompetent way it has adopted a new payment system which has led to many local suppliers being owed thousands of pounds. And it has been revealed that foster carers in Cornwall are also owed hundreds of pounds by the authority. Cornwall Council has moved to an ERP - Enterprise Resource Planning - system for managing its relationships with suppliers. However, insufficient preparation for the switch has resulted in many payments being delayed and local firms being left out of pocket. Among the problems reported to local Liberal Democrats: contractors working ...
Last night at the Southfield ward forum there was a lot of interesting debate about a range of issues. The most important item that was discussed was the results of the re-consultation that myself and two fellow Liberal Democrat Councillors persuaded Ealing Council to conduct. Over the past couple of years a couple of parking and CPZ issues have arrisen and we looked to see what could be done to improve things. The things we agreed were: Zone R (Southfield CPZ) - based in the North-eastern side of the ward Retain the CPZ for the same days of operationChange the ...
The latest issue of the Economic Affairs journal contains a number of articles discussing the effect The Orange Book has had on the Liberal Democrats since its publication eight years ago. There are articles by CentreForum's Tim Leunig and by one of the editors of the book, Paul Marshall, among others. Perhaps most noteworthy, though, is a piece by David Laws – the other of the book's editors – which "examines the origins and impact of the book, and sketches out future directions for policy development". Here are some highlights. First, Laws discusses why he and Paul Marshall thought the ...
Kent County Council are in the process of setting up working arrangements called "Locality Boards" across the County. They are intended to be meetings where the area's District and County Councillors can consider issues that relate to both councils and make localised recommendations and decisions to meet a particular areas needs, and where a top down County approach would not have the local information needed. Kent County Council, for example, provides edication, library, social care, highways and childrens services across the area. When decisions relating to these are required, the Locality Boards are intended to be a place to discuss ...
You will see from my last blog entry that I have had recent experience of unemployment. Nothing beats first-hand experience to learn how systems may improve. I used to run a wedding photography business and I received a deposit just after I was made redundant from my main employment. Now business accounts are fairly difficult to grasp and I do employ an accountant, but I knew that this deposit belonged to the following tax year. This was not the view of the Job Centre. They suspended the small amount of money that I was receiving. I don't mind being called ...
By Callum Morton & Ben Richards – Liberal Youth campaigns team A while back, I posted an article on The Libertine about why I was proud Liberal Youth is joining in the #FEparty. On 21st June, we'll be starting that party. Our first lobby in a long time, perhaps if ever, will be on Further ...
I was listening to Radio 5 this morning and there was a caller in discussion with the presenter and another person who held the opposite views. She sad that there were jobs "out there" and words to the effect that there was no excuse for people to be unemployed. This sounds reasonable if the vacancies exceed the number of unemployed. Even if it doesn't surely all it takes is for a bit of effort and a member of the band of unemployed will soon have that job. This person didn't just tell us how easy it was to find work ...
As an unexpected Take II from yesterday's post. According to the I report (Lib Dems 'traitors' for not backing Hunt 14-6 p.7) there has been a bit of a furious outburst from the Conservative benches regarding the Liberal Democrat abstention yesterday. Although the Government "won" by 290 votes to 252 last night there was a slash of majority from 80 to 38 and with some MPs being called back from honeymoon, from a funeral and even Conor Burns MP being pulled in from hospital (he stated that so our Coalition partners can polish their consciences)to make sure the Government would ...
Shepway District Council have notified Sandgate Parish Council of the following updates: Tree Presevation Order No 21 of 2011 - Land adjoining Sir John Moore Barracks, Military Road Tree Preservation Order which was made by Shepway District Council on 7/12/11 The Council has decided to confirm the Order with modification. Y11/1116/SH 91 Sandgate High Street, Sandgate Change of use from retail (Class A1) to fast food takeaway (Class A5) This will be considered by Shepway Development Control Committee on 19th June. Published and promoted by Tim Prater, 98a Sandgate High Street, Folkestone, CT20 3BYPrinted (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 ...
The government's proposals for extending online monitoring, published today, are not a happy read. There have been some welcome, but relatively small, changes from what Theresa May was pushing for earlier in the year, such as the concession that any expanded monitoring powers will not be available to local councils, who were at the forefront of many of the previous problems of snooping powers being misused and overused. But the most important – and most welcome – aspect is not the content of the proposals but that they are simply that. What was published today is not a Bill that ...
Well. Prometheus seems to be something akin to a well-known yeast-based product. You either love it or you hate it. Me? I love it. I only saw the 2D version, but will likely make an effort to see the 3D version soon. I saw Prometheus with some friends who hated it, and who have now taken to sending me scathing attacks on the movie, apparently based on the fact that the science doesn't add up. So far I've read comments from an archeological perspective, a medical / astronomical perspective, and a few other articles having a good crack at debunking ...
[IMG: Fishing boats in Folkestone Harbour.] The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has announced earmarked support totalling £15.9m for the regeneration of 12 city and town centres stretching from Falkirk to Folkestone. HLF's investment will come through its Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) programme which fosters effective partnerships between local organisations, enabling repairs and other essential works in historic but often run-down areas. This latest funding, integral to wider conservation and regeneration strategies, will also help provide employment and training opportunities. Carole Souter, Chief Executive of HLF, said: "The next time you walk down your local high street, remember to look up ...
Yesterday's conference saw the culmination of an enormous amount of work to raise Sutton's profile as a borough for business. We are very grateful to Vince Cable, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills for agreeing to be our keynote speaker and proving a big attraction judging by the number of businesses in attendance. ...
Many years ago my father gave me some advice: 'don't get it right, get it written'. If you want to do something properly you need to have a draft. That way you can go back and improve it. Today sees the publication of the Draft Communications Data Bill. It is a first version, not a final text, and one which will be given the time and proper processes to change. It's hard to overemphasise how different that is to the usual Parliamentary process. A special Select Committee will go through the issues raised in the Bill, and make suggestions on ...
Thu 14th
12:20
Go for gold with a good read! Summer reading challenge starting soon at Rock Road Library
Story Lab One of my favourite jobs has been to give out medals and certificates to children as part of the Summer Reading Challenge. Our local library, Rock Road Library, has run the Challenge for many years, but the great thing is that it's being done by children all over the country, indeed in 23 different countries across the world, so you are not reading alone but are part of an international event. Children between 4 and 11 read six books over the summer holiday, collecting stickers and other treats along the way, culminating in a gold medal and a ...
David Cameron rather wiped the floor with Ed Miliband yesterday. He did so with the very simple device of producing a letter from Sir Alex Allan, regarding the Hunt BSkyB imbroglio, which stated: The fact that there is an on-going judicial inquiry probing and taking evidence under oath means that I do not believe I could usefully add to the facts in this case. This rather demolished the Miliband edifice in one fell swoop, though he did produce an entertaining quote from the Prime Minister's aide, about PMQs, to Tory MPs: Comrades – We need a protective wall of sound. ...
I've been passionately against nuclear energy for many many years. Nuclear energy uses Uranium and results in nuclear waste that will be left with our descendants for millennia upon millennia. It also has nuclear weapon proliferation risks and masses of hidden subsidies. Nuclear energy from uranium is part of the environmental problem not the solution. But it transpires this is only part of the nuclear landscape of options. Significant work took place from the 50′s to 70′s on producing energy from Thorium. Thorium was never popular with governments as its doesn't result in nuclear weapons grade by-products. It also doesn't ...
Sandgate Parish Council has recently taken a lease on the Military Road Recreation Area, with responsilbility to maintaining and improving the park passing to the Parish Council from shepway District Council. A number of improvements to the existing facilities are being planned and grant applications are being submitted, but the first new facility is already in place - a free to use Petanque Terrain at the top of the recreation area. The currently derelict pavilion is a clear priority, but issues with asbestos in the roof are slowing efforts to get this back into action (or at least decorated to ...
Thu 14th
11:41
NHS in Hertfordshire gets boost as Treasury approves new Emergency Department at Lister Hopital, Ste...
The redevelopment of the Lister Hospital, Stevenage, one of Hertfordshire's two acute hospitals, has been underway for several years. The final Phase Four redevelopment costing £75 million was given the go-ahead in March of this year, and within that phase the Treasury has now approved the start of construction of a new £19.3 million Emergency Department. This new facility is to have specialist emergency care services for children as well as for adults, improved radiology services and a new orthopaedic and fracture clinic.
First Disk Of Rosetta Stone Hungarian Just Urges Listeners To Rethink This Whole Thing | The Onion - America's Finest News Source "Think really hard for one second: Do you really want to be doing this? Hungarian? Really?" asks the instructional software, which subsequently reminds users that the Hungarian language contains a 44-letter alphabet, with each noun having 17 different forms. (tags: funny )
For many years Adrian Slade has interviewed prominent Liberal Democrats. To mark his recent decision to make his archive of the interview recordings available to researchers and other interested parties, Lib Dem Voice is running a selection of his write-ups of interviews from over the years. The latest is from 2002 and is with Lord Avebury, formerly Eric Lubbock – victor of the 1962 Orpington by-election, MP for eight years and chair of the parliamentary human right s group from 1976 to 1997. For a few astonishing days in March 1962, the Liberal Party led the Conservative and Labour parties ...
Kent Trading Standards is advising consumers of a product recall by R&R Ice Cream Ltd. The recall is a precautionary measure as three varieties of its multipack Chokablok ice cream sticks, purchased from Tesco and One Stop stores may contain fragments of broken lolly stick. Affected products: Chokablok The Chocolate Extremist, 240ml (3 x 80ml) Chokablok Peanut Butter Nutter, 240ml (3 x 80ml) Chokablok Billionaires Dynamite, 240ml (3 x 80ml) The recall applies to all 'best before' date codes up until and including October 2012 for the multipack products only. If you have purchased the above product(s), do not consume ...
When Durex stopped making sex sexy: the rise of violent advertisements (tags: ) Armored Knight Hoodie I want one of these. Sadly it appears so does everyone else, and they're only in boy sizes anyway. (tags: ) The Escapist : Let's Stop Pretending E3 Is A Professional Event (tags: ) Are we really three stone heavier than we were 50 years ago? | Full Fact Full fact are having trouble finding actual data either way on this claim; can you help? (tags: ) Sexy Lara Croft Replaced With Victim Lara Croft | The Mary Sue This makes me sad beyond ...
At a public hearing on 29 June a government appointed inspector will hear the last evidence about the proposed development at Brimsham. If the inspector gives the green light that will mean 3000 more houses on the fields near Brimsham, and put yet more strain on our already stretched roads and community facilities. Make no mistake, there would be no new main roads, nothing to deal with town centre congestion, and only 9 hectares of employment - not enough for the new residents. South Glos says vaguely that the shortfall will be made up by things like "encouraging home working". ...
My Ham & High Column this week In the Summertime, when the weather is hot... is how the song goes – but as I put on heavy stockings and boots to go to a community picnic on the day I am writing this column, with the wind howling and rain predicted for the next several days yet again, summer and hot do not seem to go together! So I am crossing everything I have that this coming Saturday the sun will shine. But even if it doesn't we all still have to go to The Fair in the Square (Pond ...
Inevitably, Iain Duncan Smith's call today, for families to embrace work as the best way out of poverty will be portrayed as yet another insensitive 'on-your-bike' type comment. However, a closer look at what the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions will say, indicates a more sophisticated analysis. Mr. Duncan Smith believes that Labour's strategy to spend more than £150 billion in extra benefit payments for poor families failed to stop child poverty. This is underlined by figures which are to be published today and are expected to show that the Government failed to meet its statutory target to ...
I noticed something interesting yesterday in the various discussions of what I want to call 'sitting-on-the-fence-gate' but until that becomes commonly understood parlance, I'll just have to call it the Commons vote on Jeremy Hunt. I noticed two different responses to the idea that the Lib Dem MPs would abstain on the vote. Various 'political' types were happily falling over each other in the rush to proclaim what a good idea abstaining was (see here for an example) while more ordinary people I know were completely baffled by the decision, not quite able to understand why such bizarre contortions were ...
Writing in The Times today, the comissioner for the Metropolitan Police defends forthcoming legislation to allow the police to intercept emails by saying that for him, "policing... is about a Total War on crime". (£) According to Wikipedia, Total War involves "less differentiation between combatants and civilians than in other conflicts, and sometimes no such differentiation at all". So it seems, in comissioner Hogan-Howe's view, a bit of collateral damage with civilians getting caught up in the conflict is OK. To me, if that's the case then the police have failed: they are supposed to be protecting the general population, ...
After a very good response to the recent public consultation, my fellow councillor Adam Paynter and I met with officers yesterday to decide the next steps on the proposed traffic and highways changes in Launceston. There were more than a dozen individual changes proposed - from the installation of a disabled bay in Cross Lanes to new residents parking schemes in Race Hill, Kensey Hill and Western Road. Yesterday we reviewed the responses and the individual comments that had been made. As a result, we made some significant changes to some of the proposals, but, on the advice of officers, ...
Michael Gove has been sticking his oar in in recent days. He's decided that he wants children to start learning foreign languages from the age of 7. Also he's announced that he wants 5 year olds to recite poetry to each other in class. I'm not going to dwell on the merits or demerits of these specific proposals. Except to say that if there was strong evidence that these things would increase the wellbeing of British children I suspect it would have been done a long time ago. What I'm more interested in today is what this says about how ...
Yesterday I blogged a review of Tim Burton's Dark Shadows. One of the things I omitted to mention (mainly because it was getting quite long enough without it) was the great soundtrack. The film was set in 1972 and the soundtrack drew on a number of the acts from that era: Elton John, The New Seekers, The Carpenters, Barry White and T Rex. The title sequence features The Moody Blues with Nights in White Satin. This came as a bit of a surprise to me as I have spent, at a guess, 30 years thinking this was Knights in White ...
In a time of austerity and cutbacks, it is only right that Liberal Democrat Voice leads the way, so the traditional 'three things to remember' has been ruthlessly cut to a mere two. Today's the day the official consultation on equal marriage closes. Step one then: if you have not yet responded, do so now. Step two: why not mark the end of this consultation by saying thank you to the Liberal Democrat minister who made it happen? You can make a donation to support the campaigning of Lynne Featherstone and her constituency party here. P.S. Oh all right, here ...
