Three years after its' launch, the Brixton Pound is showing every sign of becoming a genuine alternative currency. Despite the initiative being written off during its' infancy, today there are £65,000 worth of notes in circulation. Its' growing success raises the ... Continue reading →
Caron's Musings was in Edinburgh when Vince Cable answered questions from Scottish Liberal Democrat members: "I collected together tweets from the event which cover most of the questions and put them in a storify thingy which is below for your enjoyment. There are more photos and even a bit of mischief. Find out exactly what Vince said about the cult of youth." What would David Cairns make of Archbishop Tartaglia? asks A Scottish Liberal. The latest local hero from Liberal Democrat Voice is Camden's Flick Rea, a stalwart of the Liberal Revue. What is more, I have shamelessly stolen their ...
I am moving house tomorrow and changing my internet provider. The way we move house in this country needs to be changed. I only found out that I was definitely moving yesterday but my my new provider cannot give me internet access until the 7th August. More importantly my old provider will still be providing for me until the 9th August. When I asked how I would not be paying the telephone bills for the new owners the answer I was given was to ask them not to use the telephone line. I can sleep soundly in my bed tonight. ...
Sad news that Ghana has lost its' president, John Atta Mills, who died suddenly this week. He was widely recognised as a quiet but effective leader, in stark contrast to the brash military commander and former president Jerry Rawlings. Atta ... Continue reading →
After two months choosing from the vast and baffling array of cameras available, plus another month spent choosing a supplier (tip: don't get a camera from anyone with their stock outside the UK unless you want to finish the process feeling as though you have been dragged through a hedge backwards), the big day arrived today and I excitedly took possession of a Black (had to be black – I can't be dealing with silver) camera. – Thanks to my beloved for her support and guidance. [IMG: Post to Twitter] Tweet This Post
Thanet Democrat!? It will be interesting to know what next to expect from Clive Hart's time in office, in my view his dreadful administration is propped up with inducements made to anyone who will support his inept administration, tonight I was told that I could not write or report on the cabinet meeting so rather than argue the point, I left. It looks to me that Thanet Labour are taking the route of militant extremists, in the past I have been challenge, last time I understand that one of the Thanet independent crowd, Labours allies, took exception to me reporting, ...
Outflow In Bar Hill Well given the current turn around in the weather this post seems more than a little out of date but a couple of weeks back we were experiencing heavy rain and there was a very real possibility of Bar Hill Stream flooding. We (the Parish Council) have been in touch with the Environment Agency via South Cambridgeshire District Council regarding improving the draining to help increase the amount of water that can flow through the river before it floods. Unfortunately the bid submitted was not successful (I've attached the documents below with details of the part ...
My encounter with Nigel Farrage on Radio 4 earlier this week made me think pro Europeans should speak up more often, rather than leave the stage to the sceptics and phobes. I actually quite like Farrage – at least he says what he means and means what he says, in quite an engaging way. But ...
Andrew Page writes: I'm sure I'm not the only person in Scotland today angry at comments made by archbishop-elect Philip Tartaglia. I'm pretty certain he is not the only person angry at Philip Tartaglia – this Irishman is pretty annoyed too... Go read what Andrew has said on his blog. Filed under: Blogging, catholic
I've not had a chance to write up my experience of the Social Liberal Forum conference from a week and a half ago (Saturday 14 July) until now. But I think it is still worth doing - if only to say how much I enjoyed going. The event was very well run, provided lots of intellectual stimulation, had some very good speakers and interesting ideas, and it was nice to meet new people and catch up with some people I hadn't seen for a while. So I'd like to record my thanks to the organisers. I am not sure how ...
Well it's the eve of the Olympic Games' opening ceremony, the Olympic Flame has been to Buckingham Palace, arriving in the hands of Jon Sayer, a volunteer with The Scout Association, and now I get an email from Hawes & Curtis suggesting that I can wear some of their products to support Team GB. ...
Thu 26th
18:32
Retail rip-off - what the milk market should teach us about regulating the marketplace
Dairy farmers are back in the news; the processors who buy their production to sell on to supermarkets and food manufacturers want to push through a substantial price reduction that will see most farmers getting paid well below their cost of production. Clearly this is not sustainable; if the processors succeed many farmers will be forced out of ...
Recently needing to do this, I came across this very helpful table courtesy of Money Saving Expert. If you receive a spam text message, all you need do is forward it to the relevant number, making for a wonderfully simple and quick way of reporting it and so doing your bit to help tackle text messaging spam: Network What to do? O2 Forward message to 7726 Vodafone Forward message to 87726 Orange Forward message to 7726 T-Mobile Forward message to 7726 Three Forward message to 37726
There isn't likely to be many more unexpected a sight than that plastered on the front page of today's Labour-supporting Daily Mirror. It really is quite a stunning endorsement of Vince Cable that the Mirror could state in its editorial: "We believe this is the time for Plan V: Vince Cable, the only leading light in the Conservative-Liberal Democrat Coalition with the expertise and experience, the nerve and verve to pilot Britain out of this mess...We say: "Send for Vince Cable". Of course, Vince is on the left of the party and has close connections with the Labour Party leadership ...
Thu 26th
18:20
Portsmouth Football Club is a fortnight away from ceasing to exist - why don't I care?
If you have known me at any point in my 29+ years of existence on this planet then you'll probably know that football – and Portsmouth Football Club in particular – has been a large part of my life. I was born in Portsmouth. They have always been my team. They are still my team. However years of mis-management and big F U's to fans coupled to my geographical position has led to my love of the club slowly dwindling. I have had many amazing memories at Fratton Park. From my first game when I was in a wheelchair after ...
I won't linger to much on the downside of the Olympics, other than for some of us the fallout is a lot of spare time. Anyhoo the sun is still shining and I've had a chance to clear up a bit in the garden, which in reality means, I've hacked a few bushes and trees and just hope that Mrs Me does not a) notice or b) notice and offer a commentary on where and how I could improve after explaining what a mess I've made. Still irrespective of all that I intend to go to the council meeting tonight, ...
The Olympic Torch passed through Southwark this morning. It arrived via the wobbly bridge at 10.08 and proceeded via Southwark Bridge Road (see picture), Old Kent Road to Peckham Harris Academy and then exited from Camberwell along Coldharbour Road. Quite a short procession of razzmatazz from the sponsors. Very friendly Police motorbikers. And even friendlier crowds. Despite the ticketing unfair fiasco, Politburo Zil lane monstrosity, branding fascists I hope it all goes well. Let's hope all the athletes reach personal bests and the weather holds.
I was pleased to be at the launch of a new implementation strategy for mental health on Tuesday. There were two things about the approach that made its epical for me. The first was that it brought mental health activity ... Continue reading →
Edinburgh was spoiled last weekend. Not only was there a Madonna concert and a performance of the Hitch Hikers' Guide to the Galaxy radio show (which I went to), but Business Secretary Vince Cable answered questions from Liberal Democrat members on Sunday evening. Readers will be glad to see former Edinburgh West MP John Barrett, sufficiently recovered from illness and on his usual sparkling form, chairing the session. Vince answered questions for well over an hour on subjects ranging from renewable energy to high executive pay to winning back disgruntled voters and members to regulating the banks and that Financial ...
My opposition to Tuition fees is well-known. I opposed Tuition Fees when Labour went back on a Manifesto pledge and introduced them at £3000; opposed them when both the Tories and Labour promised to implement the Browne Commission in ... Continue reading →
I'm sure I'm not the only person in Scotland today angry at comments made by archbishop-elect Philip Tartaglia. Most of us wouldn't even have heard of this man until this week, but in a few short days he's managed to create quite a storm with his illiberal, irrational and highly judgmental pronouncements on equal marriage and homosexuality more generally. The appointment of someone who frankly makes Cardinal Keith O'Brien look like a bit of a pussycat has to be bad news for Scotland and the Catholic Church - something picked up on by James Kirkup in the Daily Telegraph who ...
Edinburgh was spoiled last weekend. Not only was there a Madonna concert and a performance of the Hitch Hikers' Guide to the Galaxy radio show (which I went to), but Business Secretary Vince Cable answered questions from Liberal Democrat members on Sunday evening. Readers will be glad to see former Edinburgh West MP John Barrett, sufficiently recovered from illness and on his usual sparkling form, chairing the session. Vince answered questions for well over an hour on subjects ranging from renewable energy to high executive pay to winning back disgruntled voters and members to regulating the banks and that Financial ...
The agenda for tonight's meeting was huge - not just in paper but the number of items (twenty four). Cabinet meetings are normally held on Tuesdays but with the Olympic flame coming to Ealing it made sense to delay it by a day. My blog post of the "Flame Coming to Ealing" is here. Later in the meeting I had a visit from fellow Liberal Democrat Councillor Andrew Steed who passed on some great news. The Council's Planning committee had deferred discussing a proposal to convert St Albans Church into ten expensive flats. They needed more information about a number ...
The Olympics is a time for statesman...so what on Earth were Mitt Romney and Ed Miliband doing getting involved? The two occupy fairly different positions on the political spectrum, and they engaged in a seriously awkward press conference earlier. The ... Continue reading →
Cobblestone corner is a little cul de sac off Ivy Avenue in Garston. Ivy Avenue itself is off Garston Old Road. A few years ago Cobblestone corner was basically some student accommodation buildings round a yard. Since then it's changed with family houses along one side and empty properties along the other. A developer has just sent in plan to create "supported living" homes in part of the "corner". The idea is that these would be for people with disabilities. The full details of the plan aren't published yet, but when they are you will be able to see them ...
Cross posted from Liberal Democrat Voice Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg's long running work on mental health issues took another step forward this week with the publication of a mental health implementation framework aimed at helping people suffering from mental health problems in the workplace. Employers will be asked to take 3 steps to identify and support those 1 in 6 workers affected. These are: 1) Make this year the Time to Change: Sign your company up to the Time to Change campaign to end mental health discrimination. By signing up, you make a public commitment from the top of ...
It appears Mitt Romney doesn't know Ed Miliband's name. Which may be why he refers to him as 'Mr Leader' in this video
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg's long running work on mental health issues took another step forward this week with the publication of a mental health implementation framework aimed at helping people suffering from mental health problems in the workplace. Employers will be asked to take 3 steps to identify and support those 1 in 6 workers affected. These are: 1) Make this year the Time to Change: Sign your company up to the Time to Change campaign to end mental health discrimination. By signing up, you make a public commitment from the top of the organisation to the bottom, send ...
So the original call for the removal of George Osborne has become a clamour. I'm not an economist and a lot of the information and stands washed over me, I'm also not about to score political points for my party by touting our virtues and saying that; Doctor Vince was right and he should be made Chancellor. It is not my style and I don't think that is what Politics is about. I was thinking about the drop in GDP and the failure of plan A and wondered what my heroes would do about it. Then as the thought of ...
Couple of surprising events, first this morning, I feel it necessary to thank Hanna of EDF for doing something which is generally outside the experience of most of us who use call centres, which was to deal with an account query, promptly and in a timely manner even calling back with in the ten minutes promised, well done, this made up for the 6 or 7 seven minute wait to have the call answered. As you can see (above) last night, young Master Fox, made a fresh house call l and once again the family cat Missy, seems to be ...
Hamish McRae, an economist and associate editor of The Independent, has been claiming for some while now that the official figures aren't reflecting the reality of the economy. A week ago, he made the bold statement that the UK is not in recession: The British economy is becoming more and more interesting. This week [ie, last week now] we have had two positive surprises ... the fall in inflation to 2.4 per cent, a much sharper decline than expected, with the prospect that it may be below 2 per cent by the autumn ... [and] a further fall in unemployment ...
Email from Professor JM at King's: As requested, I have spoken to Professor H today to ask her opinion regarding your prognosis. She said that you could expect a normal or near normal lifespan provided you had no complications. She also added that having the MPL gene mutation would not be expected to result in any different behaviour of your myelofibrosis, compared to other patients with a more common mutation or without a mutation. What I had actually asked was how long I could expect to be able to continue with normal activities apart from travelling outside the EU, not ...
Is it right for council-owned companies in Wokingham to pay councillors who are appointed as non-executive directors of those companies £6095 a year? Bear in mind when answering that - if the work was being done in the council and not in a hived-off company, they wouldn't get paid extra for it - the normal process for appointments is they are made by full council, but that has been bypassed for appointing directors - the normal process for determining pay rates – and indeed, the principle of pay for particular roles – is via an independent panel, but that has ...
The Comment Awards, run by Editorial Intelligence take place in October and aim to celebrate the "achievement of the UK's finest print and online commentors". A wide ranging panel of judges, including our very own Jo Swinson MP, will judge 16 categories from Independent Blogger to commentators of the year on politics, business, foreign affairs, sport, media and culture. There are also Twitter categories, for politician and public figure. Nominations are welcome from any individual or organisation, which obviously includes all of you. They close next Tuesday, 31st July. If you look at the list of winners from last year, ...
Top 20 des étonnantes sculptures sur pierre de Hirotoshi Ito Superb stone sculptures by Japanese artist. (tags: photos ) Why Moldova Has Turned Its Back on Russia How Moscow lost Chisinau - a liberal Russian perspective. (tags: russia moldova ) Mary Tamm (Romana I) has died Only 62. (tags: death doctorwho )
My Family Justice Private Members bill has now been published for public consultation on my website here The version that goes to the second reading is likely to be different. It has also been sent formally to the government for consultation. Details of who to respond to and the deadline (which is 20th September) are in the bill. It has interleaved explanatory notes.
A while back, I penned a series of posts profiling forgotten liberal heroes (to which a couple of other people also kindly contributed), looking at some of those who achieved great things for liberalism in their time but have been unjustly forgotten - such as Margaret Wintringham, the very first female Liberal MP. There is also another group of people who I think are often unjustly obscure - those local campaigners who are often at the heart of their local community and local party, delivering liberalism and helping others, but as their stage is a local one they are often ...
Couldn't help but get excited when the Torch came to Hornsey High Street where my constituency office is yesterday. The atmosphere was just brilliant. We were lucky too – as the Torch changeover happened right in front of us. As you can see my office window (above the Three Compasses Pub) gave a grandstand view. And of course – my team and I did find ourselves in the pub for a bit of a celebration as the Torch sent on its way to Alexandra Palace. Happy Olympics and Paralympics one and all.
Tory Big Bullies Stand Together | standup4lobbying (tags: ) Look what happens when people work together - equal marriage to become a reality in Scotland (tags: ) Pepsi-drinking, Nike-wearing, MasterCard-using customers to receive 30% off as part of anti-Olympics Oddbins campaign | The Drum "anyone who comes into an Oddbins branch wearing Nike trainers and has in their pocket a set of Vauxhall car keys, an RBS MasterCard, an iPhone, a bill from British Gas and a receipt for a Pepsi bought at KFC to receive 30 per cent off their purchase." LMAO Oddbins for the win (tags: ) The ...
From last night's Newsnight: * Mark Pack has written 101 Ways To Win An Election and produces a monthly newsletter about the Liberal Democrats.
The five books in Susan Cooper's The Dark is Rising sequence represent a powerful but uneven achievement. At their best they are magnificent: at their worst, reading them is a little like being hit over the head with a volume of folklore. I have strong memories of the first book - Over Sea, Under Stone - being dramatised on television, but for a long time could find no reference to it. It turned out to have been broadcast under the Jackanory banner in 1969, which is odd as the show usually consisted simply of a storyteller and a book. Over ...
Every week Liberal Democrat Secretary of State for Scotland writes a column for newspapers in his Borders constituency. Here is the latest edition. Advice surgeries Last week I began my annual summer advice surgeries during which I will visit around 40 towns and villages across the Borders. These surgeries are a fantastic opportunity for me to hear the concerns of my constituents and discuss how I can support them in my role as MP. I have already held nearly 30 of these surgeries and discussed issues as wide-ranging as wind farms, housing, local roads and jobs. Residents' survey As part ...
Today's Western Mail reports that the owner of British Gas has increased profits at its residential arm by 23%. Centrica say that profits at British Gas Residential, which has 15.8 million energy accounts in the UK, lifted to £345 million in the six months to June 30 after volumes were boosted by the cool start to the summer. The paper adds that the UK's biggest energy supplier also benefited from higher prices because, while it dropped its standard electricity prices by 5% in January, this did not cancel out a 16% rise in August, when gas bills also went up ...
An email from Simon Hughes to party members and supporters yesterday read... As the Guardian reports today, the Liberal Democrats have stopped George Osborne giving in to his backbenchers and kept the Coalition's green agenda on track. Liberal Democrats are determined to make the Coalition Government the greenest ever and prove that going green can be good for business and jobs. Today's announcement of subsidy levels for renewable energies gives investors the long term stability they need and should see £20-25bn invested by 2017. It will help create new green jobs and keep us on track to meet our ambitious ...
The front page of this morning's Mirror newspaper may bring a smile to the face even of that most sober of politicians, Vince Cable: The reality is of course that there's next-to-no chance that David Cameron will reshuffle his long-standing political friend from the Treasury — and, even if he did, the Tory party would demand he be replaced with one of their own (eg, William Hague or Phillip Hammond). A YouGov poll showed this week that Vince would be the most popular choice as Chancellor if George Osborne were to be moved, though more so among Lib Dem (39%) ...
I went to see the final rehearsal of the Opening Ceremony last night, so I'm sure you want to know what happened. Well, I can tell you this .... #savethesurprise What I can say, is that it was the most amazing spectacle I have ever seen. If you were planning to do anything other than watch it on Friday evening, then think again. Oh, and I do get fed up with all the carping about the organisers. The crowd management before and after was excellent, and carried out cheerfully by everyone. I didn't have to queue anywhere for more than ...
This is the flag of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (AKA North Korea) Note the red star, so often a symbol of communist countries upon it. This is the Republic of Korea Not to be confused for the above. Dear LOCOG make sure you don't mix them up again.
The 94 books which have won the BSFA, Clarke and Tiptree awards in more or less chronological order. View Poll: BSFA, Clarke, Tiptree
Yesterday, I attended the memorial service for David Dwyer, who passed away recently. David and his late wife Elsa were stalwarts of the Liberal cause, who were much-respected and loved members of Dundee Liberal Democrat Association. I first met David in the early 1980s, when he and Elsa came to Dundee, on his appointment at Manager of the Wellgate Centre. David will be long remembered and sadly missed.
Matt Miller of Riverside Community Sports Club and who is Chair of the West End Sports and Heritage Association (WESHA), took part in a recent interview on Tay FM about sports development in the West End - its a really good interview - click 'play' below to listen:
In my opinion, only once has Peter Andre been remotely interesting. Several years ago, he appeared on a television programme about age: with the assistance of extensive protesthetics, some acting lessons and clothing procured at a charity shop, he tried to appear much older than he actually is. He attempted to fool his then wife, ...
On C4 news tonight Shadow Chancellor, Ed Balls, called for a grand coalition to deal with the economic crisis. You can watch it here. Obviously, given it's Balls he is unlikely to be serious about the offer - he's only interested in the short term tactical embarrassment ot the government. But it carries risks for Labour - if they were brought into the key economic decisions, then they become just as culpable for this stage of the recession as the Lib Dems and Tories. And that can only be a benefit to the coalition parties. Which is why they should ...
