There'll be more from me on the Mindless Ones' site tomorrow — part two of our three-part look at League 2009. Those posts are *hugely* time-consuming — there's an old saying that when two writers write together they both end up doing twice the work, and there are six of us on this, so you ...
The Government yesterday erected a consultation page about online porn. It's down now. A spokesperson said, 'Look... This is really embarrassing... It's never happened before*. Try again later?' I'd rather they didn't, but if they do get it up again, steel yourself, look at the horrid thing, and insert your... contribution. This bloody stupid idea, cooked up like so many others 'For the sake of the children' by bullying social conservatives - it's like the Labour Party were still in Government - is to automatically block porn through everyone's ISPs and treat every adult as if they were a child, ...
Regulation in Britain has become a latter day Potemkin village - an impressive facade behind which lurks absolutely no substance. The Libor (or Lie-bor as the wags have it) affair is a perfect illustration of everything that's wrong with it. On Question Time last night, in addition to the evasions and non-answers that are standard ...
Guide price: £80 to £150. But, don't worry, the forthcoming auction of the late deejay's effects will helpfully provide accompanying photos of the great man wearing each vest before you part with your hard-earned cash. At the other end of the scale there's a Rolls-Royce Corniche at £60,000 to £90,000. Hopefully it will find a good home with someone old enough to appreciate the numbers on the personalised numberplate – "JS 247". It will have to be someone well over forty with a nostlagic soft spot for the days when Radio One used to jostle with Radio Tirana to be ...
John Crace wrote today's box-set review for the Guardian and chose the 1970s series Shoestring. Shown in 1979 and 1980, it starred Trevor Eve as Radio West's 'private ear' Eddie Shoestring and launched his long and successful career as a television actor. Crace writes: I must be one of the few people who watch Trevor Eve in Waking the Dead and think: "What's Eddie doing here and how come he's got so large?"I feel much that way myself. And I also share much of Crace's reaction in seeing the show today: So when I heard the first series had been ...
So near but yet so far! After missing out on the award for 2010, the South West's capital has again been defeated at the final stage as favourites Copenhagen scooped the 2014 award, announced just a short while ago in a ceremony in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain.And the winner is...Copenhagen!— EU GreenCapital(@EU_GreenCapital) June 29, 2012While the award does not come with a financial prize, being
At just 1 minute 40 seconds - here's Norgaard a distinctly un-Scandinavian bit of modern punk from the Vaccinnes. Here on Jool's Hootenanny
A wot the heck moment, as I read allegations of well .. yawn Thanet politicians, web pages and flippin Facebook, Simon Moores cyber super sluth and Will Scobie the worlds youngest living Mayor of Margate. Do we really care. Labour looks after families, the Harts, Greens, etc so what if Will Scobie wants to help his girlfriend! I've been preoccupied but for what it's worth, neither of these councillors inspire any confidence, and really I have difficulty taking either seriously, first lets dispense with Moores, he himself seems accident prone in the web department having last year linked my name ...
Cornwall Community News reports that John Pardoe, Liberal MP for North Cornwall between 1966 and 1979, visited Westminster today with his wife and grandson. The online magazine says: His varied career saw him standing against Margaret Thatcher in Finchley, leading the Treasury field during the Lib-Lab pact, and finally losing out to David Steel in a nasty little political scrap in which he was accused of donning a toupe. The former Cambridge footlights comedian also stood out in political life for his unflagging support for Jeremy Thorpe, a loyalty widely believed to have cost him his seat.It goes on to ...
If we removed all speed restrictions on our roads, and all parking restrictions on our streets, would everyone realise that getting safely from A to B would mean self regulating one's speed, and that considerate parking would avoid creating gridlock? Or would some people relish the freedom of unfettered speed, whatever the danger, and enjoy ...
This is a eye-catching infographic show from the States: [IMG: Instant America] Created by: OnlineGraduatePrograms.com [IMG: Post to Twitter] Tweet This Post
One of my jobs as MP is to get involved with All Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs). I act as Vice-Chair for APPGs on Aid, Debt and Trade, Headache Disorders and Muscular Dystrophy, and I Chair the APPG for Light Rail. Last ... Continue reading →
Fri 29th
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Over 50? Actively looking for a job or considering self employment? Free workshop Tuesday 17 July
Red Door Coaching and Training is holding another @50 Careers Workshop in association with South Gloucestershire Council. It's open to anyone over 50 who lives in South Gloucestershire and has been actively looking for a job or considering self-employment. The workshop is on on Tuesday 17 July 10.00 am to 2.00 pm in the Salvation Army Hall, Staple Hill. Free Lunch will be provided, and coffee will be available from 9.30 am.There will be a guest speaker. For more information, please phone 01454 881954 (or leave a message out of office hours) To attend, please request an application form by ...
This afternoon I had a meeting with highways officers to discuss the ongoing quest for a safe way for pedestrians to cross the main road at Newport Square or St Thomas Road. As regular readers will know, money for a crossing was in last year's budget but the project was delayed by a lack of design resources. The engineers have modelled three options for how a crossing might work. The first two look at the obvious option of adding a pedestrian phase to the traffic lights. Whilst this would be feasible, the knock on effect on the length of time ...
In 2011 Bob Diamond said: "There was a period of remorse and apology for banks and I think that period needs to be over." In 2012 Bob Diamond said: "I am sorry that some people acted in a manner not consistent with our culture and values." What is the banking vulture, sorry I mean culture and values exactly?
The best part of my role at ArtistWorks is that I get to work with some of the world's greatest musicians and today we announced something big. ArtistWorks.com is already the best place to learn music online and in recent weeks we've launch online schools from rock guitar legend Paul Gilbert and Curtis Professor of Classical ...
Today marks the launch of my new end of week roundup of Liberal Democrat EU news. In particular, I'll be looking at what our Lib Dem MEPs, who sit in the influential ALDE group, are getting up to in the European Parliament. This week: Monday Edward McMillan-Scott, Lib Dem MEP for Yorkshire and the Humber, and a Vice President of the European Parliament, welcomed the adoption of a strategic framework on human rights and democracy by the EU's 27 foreign ministers, saying: "As the world's biggest aid donor, the EU has so many tools at its disposal actively to promote ...
Since last summer many people from within the Liberal Democrats and from outside party politics I have been sounded out regarding my intentions to stand for Humberside Police Commissioner. Yesterday I told the Liberal Democrat regional candidates chair that I do not wish to be considered for the post. The why is actually very simple? The issue of whether I should be a candidate has been niggling at the back of my mind for some time, not because of any personal ambition, I have never been keen the role but because the many people have approached me has kept it ...
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 David Laws: let's cut taxes and spending. For once, I'm unconvinced. Here's why... (43 comments) by Stephen Tall Nick Clegg needs to condemn Cameron's welfare plans in the strongest language imaginable (46 comments) by Caron Lindsay The 5 myths about the UK economy which it suits everyone to perpetuate (59 comments) by Stephen Tall LDVideo: Chloe Smith's car-crash fuel duty Newsnight interview (24 comments) by The Voice Three more myths about the UK economy (26 comments) by ...
By Hannah Bettsworth In light of the Jubilee weekend and the Olympic Torch beginning its journey around Scotland, it could be argued that now is a great time to be British. With #proudtobebritish trending worldwide on Twitter just after the Jubilee concert, it seems those who call for Scotland to be freed from what they ...
Mobile phones (cell phones in the U.S.) are one of the inventions that have changed our lives profoundly. They work in sync with the internet, e-mail, kindle and others to pass information (or misinformation) faster and easier. The phone itself, of course, can now be a camera or a mini-computer. The benefits, even to those who use them conservatively, are enormous. They've saved many lives, especially of climbers and hill-walkers lost, trapped or injured alone (if they had network coverage, of course). People threatened by would-be robbers or rapists have been able to phone the police. Less dramatically, how helpful ...
Monday sees the launch of Chris's new cross-party Written Declaration on the protection of dolphins in the Black Sea. A Written Declaration is used to bring Parliament's attention to a particular area of concern for a cross-party group of MEPs, ... Continue reading →
Kent Police have investigated the following incidents: Criminal damage was reported to a vehicle on Enbrook Valley. Saga reported criminal damage to fencing, plus damage to a wooden planter. Two bags were reported stolen after being left on the beach and at Enbrook Park. Two unlocked cycles were stolen overnight at a garden on Sandgate High Street. One bike was also stolen from outside the library. Contractors had equipment stolen from a site on The Esplanade. Money was stolen from a shop after the owner was distracted. There have been 10 calls to the neighbourhood team, 2 nuisance youth calls ...
[IMG: sunflowers] This Sunday (1st July) noon to 6pm, private gardens across Sandgate will be open for you and your family to explore and enjoy. This is Sandgate's second Open Garden Day: gardeners have been working hard to get their gardens into shape and counter the effects of the recent high winds! In aid of the Sandgate Community Trust (Charity number 1136479) Eight gardens Refreshments at the Chichester Hall Tickets (£4.00 per adult, Accompanied Children under 16 free) available from Sandgate Library (open 9.30-1.30 Saturday), Sandgate Society, Village Store, David Cowell on (01303) 257022 or from the Chichester Hall or ...
This link is to her weblog. The Guardian has also published an article written by Helen Pidd about the issue. In essence an American journalist has been banned from the Common Travel Area (which includes the UK and Jersey). It appears that the reason is to prevent her investigating Haut de la Garenne and the associated issues. If this was happening in another country there would be outrage,
Kent has one of the most extensive highway networks in the country and Kent County Council (KCC) as a local transport authority maintains over 5,000 miles of roads and 4,000 miles of pavements, as well as 4,200 miles of public rights of way. Under the Traffic Management Act 2004, all local transport authorities in England have a duty to: "secure the expeditious movement of traffic on the authority's road network". In January 2010 KCC introduced the Kent Permit Scheme with the objective of reducing disruption from works on the road network. Within a permit scheme any organisation intending to carry ...
It never ceases to amaze me how much members of the House of Lords get done in the ten minutes that Tim Farron suggests they put in each day, and next week is no exception. So, moving swiftly along... The Crime and Courts Bill continues through its Committee stage, and Days 5 and 6 take place on Monday and Wednesday next week. Regulation of bailiffs, consideration of financial circumstances when levying fines, and the immigration appeals regime will all be debated, with Eric Avebury having indicated his intention to oppose Clause 24, covering appeals against refusal of entry clearance to ...
Cross-posted from CentreForum's blog... Welcome to the third in a new series here on CentreForum's blog — Liberal Hero of the Week — as chosen by Stephen Tall, Co-Editor of Liberal Democrat Voice, and Research Associate at CentreForum. The aim is simple enough: to showcase public figures who help promote the four liberal tenets identified in The Orange Book: economic, personal, political and social liberalism. We will be highlighting individuals regardless of their party affiliation, and indeed from beyond Westminster. If they stick up for liberalism then they're in contention. Nominations are welcome via email or Twitter. HM The Queen ...
There were six principal council by-elections reported to ALDC, and none changed hands. It was a great day for our Focus team in Chelmsford, however, who held both the Borough and County seats that were being contested. These two Tory-facing seats have a proud Lib Dem pedigree, Chelmsford's Patching Hall ward has been held by the party since 1979 and the Chelmsford North division of Essex County Council has been held (with a brief hiatus between 1989-93) since 1981. The cause of the by-election was the death of respected councillor and campaigner Tom Smith-Hughes, whose decades of hard work in ...
Nice busy day in the office yesterday following the publication of our research into how Whitehall departments are using, or not using, social media. Both Gorkana and PR Week have given the research a nice big write-up, and here's the video clip we did with PR Week, including the all-important comparison between myself and Justin Bieber: Here's our press release: Anti-social UK Government failing to engage public online The research study, undertaken by MHP Communications, shows that Facebook is the social media channel least well used by Government departments, despite the network's enormous audience base and engagement potential. YouTube is ...
Chelmsford Liberal Democrats are celebrating two big by-election wins this morning, after double vacancies caused by the death of Tom Smith-Hughes. Paul Bentham became the new councillor for the Patching Hall ward of Chelmsford City Council, whilst Stephen Robinson was elected in the Chelmsford North division of Essex County Council. The results were as follows: PATCHING HALL Lib Dem 842 (42%) Con 488 (25%) Lab 309 (16%) UKIP 263 (13%) Green 84 (4%) CHELMSFORD NORTH Lib Dem 1614 (42%) Con 941 (25%) Lab 711 (19%) UKIP 435 (11%) Green 128 (3%) An excellent result for Stephen, Paul and the Chelmsford ...
Folkestone and Sandgate have recently switched to a digital TV signal. Those with digital equipment needed to retune on the 13th and 27th June. For those using an analogue TV, a ʻdigiboxʼ is now required to make it work - low cost boxes are available at all major electrical retailers. For those eligible for the help scheme (over 75, or on Disability Living Allowance) the help scheme number is 0800 4085 900. They will upgrade one TV per household to digital. Non-digital DVD recorders will also be affected. Those receiving SKY, FreeSat or cable are unaffected. If you need help ...
Taking part in one of the panels at the excellent Parties, People and Elections: Political Communication since 1900 conference a few weeks ago, I heard Nottingham's Phil Cowley once again push his "Cowley's Law of Campaigning" (not to be confused with Cowley's Syndrome). Phil's a charming man and he insisted he would keep on mentioning the law until his mother got the pleasure of seeing someone put it into print, so who am I to disappoint him...? Aside from the virtues of pleasing his mother, the law deserves a wider airing in its own right: "There is an inverse relationship ...
By Liam Quinn The education system in the UK is clearly not perfect. The evidence of this is abundantly clear, we have over 1m young people unemployed, many with no or little qualifications or real skills for the working world. So how do we change this? One radical idea would be to overhaul how we ...
By Howard of Lib Dem News
Discussing Sustainable Transport with Norman Baker MP at Liberal Democrat Conference Yesterday Lib Dem Minister Norman Baker MP announced Government funding worth £32,460,000 for Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) to fund the Let's Get to Work scheme from the Local Sustainable Transport Fund (LSTF). It is fantastic that the LSTF government initiative is continuing to allocate funds for projects that will stimulate economic growth whilst reducing carbon emissions throughout the country. A single Greater Manchester-wide bid was lodged and we have now received the funds, the second highest allocation in the country, which will be spent on making travel in ...
I'm chuffed to see that this week Lib Dem led Lords reform has been formally proposed. It's not the originally proposed reduction down to 300 members. Instead 450 members to ensure more retirment jobs for hackneyed MP's. It's also proposed that only 80% are elected than the obvious requirement for true democracy that 100% be elected. The 20% appointed will include 16 Church of England Bishops. Down from 25 but ridiculous that one flavour of belief is so favoured and from a church that doesn't believe yet in equality between men and women. But, despite these huge reservations it would ...
One of the perils of being a reluctant capitalist is the cognitive dissonance. Normally, on a sunny day, I look outside and smile. Blue skies, warmth, chance for an ice cream, people smiling, lovely. Yesterday, I saw the sun was shining, I rubbed my hands together and let out an Mr Burns-esque chuckle of delight. [IMG: burns excellent sunshine] Last November, we installed solar panels on our roof. The Government ensures that if you generate electricity, you get paid for it. There's also a payment for surplus energy you sell back to the grid. Of course, electricity bills are also ...
Yesterday the Prime Minister and Chancellor of the Exchequer made an attempt to appear in tune with public outrage over the behaviour of Barclays' bankers and the failure of the bank's Chief Executive to take full responsibility for the market manipulation practised by his staff. However it seems that once again Vince Cable was ahead of us all. Hat tip: Richard Morris * Newshound sets the agenda, as you would expect from a Red Setter
The internet is arguably the most depressing place in the world if you want to feel good about the human species. I could point to some of the quality of spelling and grammar on internet dating profiles but this piece isn't about that. This is about stupid American's who can't comprehend that someone can have the same name as someone else and not just that – that someone who spells his name differently to someone else isn't the same person as someone else. This is the tale of two men – one Jerry Sandusky who is in jail and will ...
Local Sustainable Transport Fund Yesterday Lib Dem Minister Norman Baker MP announced Government funding worth £32,460,000 for Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) to fund the Let's Get to Work scheme from the Local Sustainable Transport Fund (LSTF). It is fantastic ... Continue reading →
Former Newbury Mayor Gillian Durrant had this letter printed in The Times(£) on 19th June: Sir, In common with many British people I was inspired to nominate someone I believed worthy of being an Olympic torchbearer – a local teenager who has overcome her disabilities to raise money for charity. She was so excited to be shortlisted; she told me it would give her the impetus to do her "run" using her prosthetic leg, something she has been struggling to achieve for four years. We were disappointed when she wasn't chosen, but now I know that a large number of ...
My latest post on the Liberal Democrats English Council is now live on Liberal Democrat Voice; "Report on the June 2012 meeting of the English Council". To supplement that here are a few, more personal, observations: This was a much better and less grumpy meeting than the first one I attended at the beginning of last year. It gave me more hope that the English party structures are being operated effectively. I was glad that the constitutional amendment allowing greater freedom in drawing up the boundaries of local parties was passed. If the implementation is done right, which isn't an ...
A liberal success over many decades has been to protect the tax-free status of books and newspapers. A tax on books would be abhorrent as it would be a tax on free speech. A democratic, civilised society requires the free exchange of ideas, information and art in books. Books are vital for people, young and old, who wish to educate themselves and improve their prospects. E-books (for the unitiated, books in electronic form) in the UK have, however, been made subject to VAT at 20%. This is a gross injustice that fails to recognise that the e-book is simply a ...
scans_daily | Doctor Who / Star Trek crossover #2 This went on delicious rather than pinterest because of the comments, which are hilarious. (tags: ) THE CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN — Re-engineered!!! | Hammer restoration blog Words can't express how excited I am about this, even if it HAS got Melvyn Hayes in it. (tags: ) Unpaid work schemes breach human rights, claim lawyers (tags: ) HELP MAKE CHRIS GRAYLING MAD! Help spread the video he didn't want you to see | Black Triangle Campaign (tags: ) Tories shocked as David Cameron stands by Nick Clegg on Lords reform - UK ...
The southbound lane of Wilmslow Road will be closed on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th Juy for roadworks, with traffic diverted via Kingsway and Broadway to get back onto Wilmslow Road. The works were originally planned for this weekend and, unfortunately, signs went up with that incorrect information. That's being corrected today after Iain intervened to get it sorted.
We have this strange irony where the globalisation of our world moves inexorably towards further solidarity, whether that comes in political, financial or revolutionary ways, it's here, and more is coming. Strange, then, how countries and some people seem to want to withdraw into hedgehog mode. In the UK, more specifically Britain, we have this issue. Scotland is going to hold a referendum to go it alone. I fully support the referendum taking place, and ultimately have decided I'm staying "on the fence" as I can see arguments from both sides, and have to leave it to a vote. However, ...
Partick Burgh Halls in Glasgow was the venue for the Social Liberal Forum's first Scottish Conference last weekend. Members came from as far away as England to participate in what turned out to be a lively and stimulating meeting. The highlights of ... Continue reading →
I first met Nikki Thomson at the inaugural party conference of the Social and Liberal Democrats, back in September 1988. You couldn't miss Nikki: she exuded energy and determination. A liberal to the core, she had had her misgivings about the merger of the two Alliance parties, but once she had decided to join, she threw herself into the new party with the vigour and passion that was her trademark. Nikki had joined the Young Liberals at 15 in her home town of Congleton and soon became active on the national and international student politics stage, serving as National Chair ...
A new report was released on Monday which reveals how, far from saving money, the DWP's cuts to disability benefits will actually destroy thousands of jobs and actually cost the taxpayer more money. For those interested, the report, Reversing Recovery, can be read here and, reading through it, it's certainly fairly readable and all its calculations seem pretty solid. Which is particularly impressive when you consider that this is a report which was written by disabled people themselves after crowd-sourcing the funding for it (not that this weakens its credibility as the report draws all its figures from impressively independent ...
Plaid Cymru are looking just a bit shambolic today after one of their leading members indirectly criticised another member of his own group and his own leader for their attitude to the monarchy. The BBC report that Plaid Cymru AM Lord Elis-Thomas has called on members of Wales' nationalist movement to show the same political maturity as Sinn Fein politicians when it comes to dealings with the royal family. His fellow Plaid AM, Bethan Jenkins has recently taken a rest from Twitter after being criticised for describing Martin McGuinness as "naive" for agreeing to meet the Queen. Whilst, party leader ...
Further to my recent update on the welcome improvements to the footways in Seafield Road, here's details of information the City Council has given to local residents: "Seafield Road - No 52 to Roseangle : Footway Resurfacing Works I wish to notify you that work is programmed to commence at the above location on Monday 2 July, 2012 and will last approximately 14 days. The contractor for the works is Tayside Contracts. In the interest of public safety, and due to the nature of the works, a road closure will be implemented for both phases of the works. Phase 1:- ...
I don't believe in a God, or anything of the form. I do not see sufficient evidence that justifies the claim. That is not to say that there isn't evidence, but God is not the only explanation for such things, if an explanation is even required. My views can, perhaps be best summed up by
The comparison is rather noticeable and provides me with an opportunity to put my own summer plans somewhere public, so thought it may be appropriate: Summer 2011: Plans are literally non-existent Aim is to 'have fun' and play lots of games to 'achieve this' Summer 2012: Get fit Put on muscle Learn to swim Learn
Barclays Bank can trace its origins to a firm of goldsmiths founded in 1690 four years before the Bank of England in 1694. Both therefore originated in different forms of what amounts to fraud right at the start of the history of modern banking in Britain. In Barclays' case, John Freame and Thomas Gould would have likely engaged in the early form of fractional reserve banking, in which they took in depositors' gold and issued notes for many times its value so as to be able to make money in interest from people wanting to borrow with fingers crossed that ...
