Local Liberal Democrats have chosen Charlotte Cross to contest the 6th December by-election in Neath South. Deputy chairman of Aberavon and Neath Liberal Democrats, Mathew McCarthy, said: 'I'm extremely pleased Charlotte is standing for the Liberal Democrats in Neath South. She is local, young, and determined to make a difference in her community. Charlotte finally offers a real alternative to Labour who for too long have taken the people of Neath South for granted'
I don't know what I'd be doing with myself if I wasn't preoccupied by Yuletide right now. Making Tim Drake and Conner Kent be BFF on the Sims, most probably. Certainly I don't think I'd be any more likely to be actually training for Gotham tryouts tomorrow. But I am preoccupied by Yuletide and I find my brain wanting to do nothing more than falling into the canon source, flailing at characters who won't do what I want, and just listening to the playlist I am putting together and crying. It's like I've always been a writer, but I'm only ...
Paper Sun by Traffic is one of the great psychedelic hits of the 1960s. But where was its distinctive video (as we would call it now) filmed? At first I though it might have been the Horniman Museum in Forest Hill, South London. A couple of years ago I asked them via Twitter if they had been the venue, but they said no. They suggested it might have been filmed at the Powell-Cotton Museum at Quex Park in Kent. So I asked the Powell-Cotton Museum, but they said they had not been the venue for filming either. Then, a couple ...
With Hearts facing liquidation next Thursday and clear evidence that they have been systematically cheating by failing to pay tax (like Rangers) their end cannot be far away. So here's the Doors with 'This is the end' - the Apocalypse Now version.
Some dishonest folk (our local Labour party) have been suggesting that a new 'bedroom tax' is being introduced. They mean housing benefit changes I have explained here. If in doubt I have produced this clever 'ready reckoner' that means you can calculate how much 'bedroom tax' you'll pay. Simply find how many people live in your home, how many bedrooms you have follow the lines and where they
Have you booked your tickets yet? Only one week to go ... !!! The South Cambridgeshire Liberal Democrats South Rural Campaign Group would like to invite you to the following Supper Club: AMERICAN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION SPECIAL 'The US Election in Historical Perspective' Speaker: Dr John Thompson, Fellow, St Catharine's College, CambridgeWith super-sized home-made supper, bar and raffle Friday 16th November at 7PM Foxton Village Hall Pavilion, Hardman Road, Foxton (Foxton Rail Station - seven minute walk) Tickets £15 Contact: Susan van de Ven susanvandeven@yahoo.co.ukTim Stone timothy.stone1@virgin.netJose Hales jose@josehales.me.ukWould you like to receive invitations to these sorts of events direct to ...
As we edge closer to Remembrance Sunday I very much feel that it would be remiss of me as a would-be candidate for high public office not to say something about the big questions of war and peace. It is certainly easy for politicians to get caught up in the daily grind of immediate decision making and hubbub of news headlines etc., consequently failing to spend enough time on the larger picture. In fact it is the remedying of precisely this tendency that I have sought to put front and centre of my European selection campaign. So now, in honour ...
Writing in the Guardian, Clare Allan draws an important moral from the Savile affair: "The various inquiries into how he was able to continue his behaviour unchecked are likely to take some time. We don't need to wait for an inquiry, however, to tell us the most immediate and obvious truth: it is crucial to listen to people whose word it is easy to dismiss." On the Wired Danger room site Andrei Soldatov and Irina Borogan examine the Kremlin's increasing surveillance of the internet. The writer of Feeding My Intolerant Child feels the NHS has let her down. So she ...
November is a month of remembrance, from the Christian celebrations of All Saints and All Souls on the first and second days of the month respectively, through the almost continual prayers for the Holy Souls at Mass during the month, to the very public commemoration of the dead of the two world wars and ...
Consett's biggest public event each year, and a growing one, is the Remembrance Day Parade. It takes place on Sunday, starting from Christchurch at around 10.40 for the Act of Remembrance at the War Memorial at 11.00. It's always a moving occasion, involving both young members of the armed forces, and veterans from previous conflicts as well as many, many local people remembering loved ones and friends who have served their country. It will be particularly poignant this year with the recent death of Lieutenant Edward Drummond-Baxter, the Consett soldier killed whilst serving in Afghanistan. This morning I was reminded ...
I had some great feedback from my last post here on Persuasion and Influence Someone asked me what happens next : "If one is good at persuading and getting ordinary people on board, the elite will put obstacles in the way, because they don't want to change the status quo." This is a reasonable point. And the person went on to say "It's almost impossible to reach out to the establishment at the same time, successfully.... without some conflict? And conflict is always risky..." The way I've seen it having worked in in the corporate world a while is to ...
Continuing with my plan to slowly publish old articles of mine long since disappeared from the internet, here's another one! Published on 1st November 2005 on the now-defunct Black Information Link (Blink) website: RASTAFARIANS AND other ...
Ealing Conservatives faced fierce criticism after five of their Councillors walked out of a crucial Planning Committee meeting earlier this week. The walkout meant that the Planning committee with five Labour Councillors were able to vote through a controversial planning application without being scrutinised fully. The Planning Committee members, made up of cross party representatives, were due to discuss a controversial planning application sited in North Acton. The application was refused by a previous committee in August but brought back to the committee by officers for reconsideration. Liberal Democrat Councillor Nigel Bakhai voted against the development - but with no ...
So last week Any Questions had an... unusual panellist. In among the usual bunch of journos and politicians was fencer, pilot, historian, novelist, poet, 6 Music DJ and occasional lead singer of Iron Maiden Bruce Dickinson. I thought he performed reasonably well for someone who isn't a professional politico or politics commentator, although he's quite a long way to the right of me politically. More amusing were the other panellists reactions to him. I definitely think there was a closet Lib Dem Friend Of Metal on that panel... But anyway, Bruce appearing on AQ reminded me that I hadn't listened ...
I know, I am always the first to judge. When it comes to people like Nigel Evans or Chris Bryant, I often find it hard to forgive as well. If you found someone describing me as an unhinged radical marriage equality ranter, I think there would be plenty of evidence to back that up. Given that it affects me personally, it is hardly surprising I can get a little overly emotional on this issue. However, I feel like so much progress has been on this issue, I can afford to try and be better. More constructive and more ready to ...
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 85% of Lib Dem members back votes for prisoners (9 comments) by Stephen Tall Why there isn't a British Nate Silver (12 comments) by Stephen Tall How many votes will the Labour candidate who isn't a candidate get? (4 comments) by Mark Pack Judging Jimmy Savile (31 comments) by Mark Pack At Coalition half-time, 77% of Lib Dem members continue to back deal with Tories (26 comments) by Stephen Tall 5 sample LDV Members' Forum threads My ...
I am still musing on what a wonderful night it was on Tuesday into Wednesday. I stayed up all night until I finally threw in the towel at 6.45am. It was a bit tedious at first, but it got really exciting at around 3am. Over the last few weeks, I have been a very regular visitor to FiveThirtyEight, the home of Nate Silver. So, perhaps I shouldn't be surprised that the man's forecasts have turned out to be right. But I still can't get over the scale of Obama's and the Democrats' victory. Politico have a nice round-up. The popular ...
I am still musing on what a wonderful night it was on Tuesday into Wednesday. I stayed up all night until I finally threw in the towel at 6.45am. It was a bit tedious at first, but it got really exciting at around 3am. Over the last few weeks, I have been a very regular visitor to FiveThirtyEight, the home of Nate Silver. So, perhaps I shouldn't be surprised that the man's forecasts have turned out to be right. But I still can't get over the scale of Obama's and the Democrats' victory. Politico have a nice round-up. The popular ...
My column in Ham & High as published yesterday I'm often asked why I got in to politics. There were a number of causes- but prominent amongst them was (and still is) complete and utter frustration with the Labour-run Haringey Council! I live in a small cul-de-sac and whilst most dwellings here have one off street parking space (including me) many don't. Some years ago now – Haringey decided to paint double yellow lines on both sides of the road - completely unnecessarily - which would have meant no parking at all. For those without off street parking this would ...
[IMG: Volunteering on the Parkland Walk] The Friends of the Parkland Walk have set up three volunteering days on the Parkland Walk this month to help maintain the nature area. The first one is tomorrow 11am to 1pm on the section between Stapleton Hall Road and Upper Tollington Park. The aim is to maintain the grassy meadow behind Florence Road and make sure it does not become overgrown. There will be a second volunteering day at this site on Thursday 22nd November. A third action day will be at the Highgate end. Volunteering on the Parkland Walk is great fun ...
There will be a meeting of the Liberal Democrat's English Council this coming Saturday (17th November) at University College London. The English Council is the governing body of the Liberal Democrats in England, meets twice a year to consider matters of importance to the English Party. Alongside the usual reports from officers and representatives of the English Party on other party bodies, and a keynote speech from Stephen Lloyd the MP for Eastbourne, I think there are four items of note on the agenda. Finances of the English Party This meeting sees the annual decisions on the finances of the ...
Fri 9th
15:05
#ELDR Congress - Flo Clucas runs for the Presidency of the European Liberal Women's Network
In late breaking news, Flo Clucas, from Merseyside, for many years a key player at the EU Committee of the Regions, has announced her candidacy for the position of President of the European Liberal Women's Network (ELWN). This is the message that she has sent to delegates here in Dublin... This weekend at the ELDR Congress in Dublin, you will have an opportunity to vote for the President of the European Liberal Women's Network. All delegates, men and women, will be able to vote, and I am writing to you because as a candidate for this important position, I wish ...
I'm deeply grateful to the Manchester Evening News and its reporter Deborah Linton for exposing Manchester MP John Leech's shameless attempts to exploit the taxpayer by... (brace yourselves for the shock)... ... offering coffee to staff working at his constituency office and members of the public visiting him. With unbelievable extravagance, Mr Leech has splashed out on two £34.99 coffee makers from Aldi for his Didsbury office. As if that weren't shameless enough, he also bought coffee beans to actually put into the actual coffee makers! Then to top it all, he allows his staff and constituents to consume the ...
Growing up in Northern Ireland I was rather blessed by my name. My surname is neither Protestant nor Catholic. Indeed look at historic records for the middle of the 19th Century and in Londonderry/Derry there are an even split of both with the surname. My given names especially my, controversial to some members on the staunch loyalist side of the family, middle name meant that I could be known by either to fit in with side depending who I was with and where I was. As some of you know I also have both a British and Irish passport. Therefore ...
Fri 9th
14:58
Southend Council meetings to be streamed live on the interweb - councillors line up to voice disappr...
It has been coming. Sometimes you can sense the way the wind is blowing and these meetings being broadcast live over the internet seemed to be the way things were going and in yesterday's local rag it was confirmed that the Tory-led council were going ahead with plans to upgrade audio equipment and install video equipment to the cost to the taxpayer of £82,000. Councillors seem to be in general against the plan – not because they don't like being filmed or are fearful that people might actually hear what they say – but more because at a time where ...
In the past month the Conservatives who are running Wokingham Borough have u-turned so many times they must be getting dizzy. First on 22nd October they mothballed Wokingham Enterprises Ltd, the council-owned company that was supposed to be overseeing the regeneration of Wokingham town centre. The Lib Dems had opposed the set-up of WEL from the start. Time taken for the Tories to realise we were right and execute a u-turn: approximately 2 years. Then on 25th October they decided to abandon the idea of outsourcing the running of the libraries to a commercial company. The Lib Dems had campaigned ...
The European Union is missing an opportunity in not facilitating Turkey's membership of the EU, according to Rizanur Meral, President of TUSKON, the Confederation of Turkish Businessmen and Industrialists. He was speaking at a fringe meeting of the Congress of the European Liberal Democrats (ELDR) in Dublin this lunchtime and stressed the demographic benefit of ...
Many properties in the area are suffering low water pressure or even have no water at all following a burst major water main near the B&Q roundabout in Yate. Bristol Water have been switching supplies around to be people's water back on. They worked through the night to get the main repaired, but low pressure and interuptions of water supply may continue for a while until they get the system back to normal.
One of the curiosities of an ELDR Congress is that the debate on policy that really matters takes place in working groups which, at breakneck speed, consider resolutions and amendments to them. So, in an hour this morning, delegates recommended for adoption policies on LGBTI rights – the 'I' stands for intersex – global digital freedom, a more effective European Union and freedom of movement for same-sex couples across the EU. In addition, working parties were set up to agree competing policies on fundamental European rights and on fighting the 2014 European elections. But the most lively debate was reserved ...
On a more serious note the announcement by Nick Clegg that he will be lobbying in Whitehall for more money to be spent on reducing the cost of nursery places is very welcome. Childcare costs can be a major barrier to women returning to work. The Telegraph says that one policy likely to be considered is increasing the state-funded free child care allowance for three and four-year-olds from 15 hours a week to 25. Currently, an estimated one million women who could work are not doing so, partly because child care costs in Britain are among the highest in Europe. ...
We need to set some basic targets and goals to push things forward. Therefore my pledges for IR Cymru are; Resources: A complete and comprehensive collection of materials for Branches and members. Through consultation with members I would ensure that appropriate materials are produced for members, branches and candidates. I would ensure that every document ...
I promise that I will try and avoid blogging about Nadine Dorries again if I can but I could not resist highlighting this nonsense in today's Telegraph, where she claims that she deserves up to a month off as an MP to go on I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here, because a Foreign Office minister is away for 20 weeks a year: Ms Dorries, who has been suspended by the Tory Party, said she should not be criticised for "neglecting" her constituents as she mostly works "seven days a week". As pictures emerged of her sunbathing in a ...
International Development minister Lynne Featherstone writes a monthly column for one of her local newspapers. Here is the latest one... I'm often asked why I got in to politics. There were a number of causes- but prominent amongst them was (and still is) complete and utter frustration with the Labour-run Haringey Council! I live in a small cul-de-sac and whilst most dwellings here have one off street parking space (including me) many don't. Some years ago now – Haringey decided to paint double yellow lines on both sides of the road - completely unnecessarily - which would have meant no ...
On the last day of campaigning I am going to post one last message to try and get as many people to vote in these elections. Not for Chair, but for every last Office- please vote in these elections. IR Cymru is here to represent you, so use your vote! However, I want to be ...
I've just made the draw for the winner of the first Launceston Loyalty Card prize draw. More than 120 people entered by posting the cut out coupon from the October loyalty card leaflet in one of the participating businesses. The competition was organised by Paul and Jeremy Loft from Gillard's Sweet Shop where the draw took place. The winner will receive their prize - a surround sound stereo system kindly donated by Hockridge and Stacy Appliance Centre - on Monday. We'll announce the name (and post a picture) then. The next prize draw will be in December as part of ...
Sign up to the Despatch Box, the new weekly political e-magzine from digitalpolitico.net This week Channel 4 showed a new Dispatches called "Nuclear War Games". It showed Israelis simulating an attack on Iran, and trying to work out the variety of consequences. After previewing the show I spoke to the director, Kevin Sim about what ...
Seems that a certain Governor Romney had one or two problems on Tuesday. Not least in his get-out-the-vote operation.Read this story and never complain again about all those e-mails urging key activist to get thorough CONNECT training.Mitt Romney's 'Project ORCA' Was A Total Disaster, And It May Have Cost Him The ElectionJohn Ekdahl, Business Insider webpages 8 November. ORCA seems to be the equivalent of CONNECT. The Republicans tried to implement an entirely new system without trial runs and with most of the actual volunteer operators only getting crucial information the day before polling. Ekdahl says: From the very start ...
Today's events kicked off with the twice-annual meeting of ELDR Council. The first item of business was the endorsement of the new Secretary General of ELDR, Jacob Moroza-Rasmussen, who took up his duties in September, coming to the organisation from a background of private enterprise and politics. Next came new applications for membership from the Free Democrats of Georgia, the Civic List from Slovenia and, from the Czech Republic, LIDEM. The Georgians and the Czechs were approved enthusiastically, following some fairly gentle questioning. However, liberal forces are somewhat dispersed in Slovenia, and Civic List were given a rather more robust ...
Congratulations on Southwark Council being formally accredited with paying the London Living Wage. Southwark council has been paying a London Living Wage for many years and I'm proud that a Lib Dem led council started doing this all those year ago. This was despite the then Labour national government telling us it was neither "appropriate or necessary" and could lead to "inflationary pressures". But what does this accreditation mean? It means the London Living Wage Unit calculates a figure every year to ensure people live don't live in poverty. This isnt just a nice thing to do. Paying people a ...
So, what will we be discussing today, here in Dublin? There will be two working groups, one focused on the theme resolution, the other looking at a gamut of short(ish) resolutions on everything from tax policy to the preservation of birds. For now though, I'll stick to the theme resolution. The resolution, "Energy Transition: a liberal perspective", opens with a tour de horizon of the current energy scenario, taking in existing targets (reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by 20%, increasing the share of renewables in the EU's energy mix to 20%, and achieving the 20% energy efficiency target, all by ...
Ar ddiwrnod olaf yr ymgyrchu ar gyfer etholiadau IR Cymru rydw i am flogio un nodyn olaf i geisio annog cymaint o bobl ac sy'n bosib pleidleisio yn yr etholiadau yma. Nid ond ar gyfer Cadeirydd, ond i bob un Swyddog – plîs defnyddiwch eich pleidlais – mae IR Cymru yma i gynrychioli chi, felly ...
One thing that will be new to almost everyone who turns out to vote in the Police Commissioner elections next Thursday is the voting system. The Supplementary Vote (SV) system gives you a chance to make two choices. The ballot paper has two columns - for a first choice and a second choice. In each case you mark your preference with an X. So long as you mark a first choice, your vote will count. But you also have the chance to say who your second preference is with another X. Obviously if you cast it for the same candidate ...
A new planning application has been received which is within Holyrood Ward as detailed below:- Application number: 55771 Type of application: Full Date Registered: 05/11/2012 Location: 2 Mount Road, Prestwich, Manchester, M25 2QQ Proposal: 2 Storey side and rear extension Plans will be available to view on the Council's website (use the above number to search). Please do not hesitate to get in touch if I can be of help. Tim
From the Leicester Mercury: Former Lord Mayor of Leicester Robert Wann faces being kicked off the city council for not attending a meeting in nearly six months. The veteran Labour politician has not been present at any meetings since May 17, when he handed over the mayoral chains to Adbul Osman.Under council rules, any elected member who does not attend a meeting for six months is disqualified from being a councillor. Yesterday's cancelled audit and risk committee meeting was the last he could have attended before the six-month deadline, November 17, passes. Coun Wann could yet attend the rescheduled meeting ...
Welcome to Dublin! Today, for the first time, Liberal Democrat Voice comes to you live(ish) from the Annual Congress of the European Liberal Democrats (ELDR) and, although we haven't got a full team here to cover the event – the budget doesn't stretch that far, I fear – I am hoping to provide updates throughout the day. Highlights will include a speech from Nick Clegg, reports from the ELDR Council, the English Council equivalent of our European umbrella group, and a major policy debate on energy and the European dimension. So, drop in throughout the day, and feel free to ...
Sarah Teather: Asylum through a child's eyes: ePolitix.com (tags: ) Filipino VS Cumbrian women - how sexism is still a socially acceptable prejudice - Comment - Voices - The Independent (tags: ) Authors cannot review authors on Amazon - Salon.com What about if you are a critic? (tags: ) Colleen Lachowicz, Maine's World of Warcraft-Playing State Senate Candidate, Wins Office | Side Mission | GameTrailers YAY! (tags: ) Why there isn't a British Nate Silver | Stephen Tall (tags: ) Research (tags: ) Would aliens want to talk to Brian Cox anyway? | Roz Kaveney | Comment is free | ...
Last night, after my weekly ward surgery at Blackness Primary School, I attended the public exhibition about the Park and Ride proposals for a facility on land to the west of Wright Avenue, adjacent to Riverside Avenue. The exhibition took place at Dundee Contemporary Arts in Nethergate. Apart from plans and TACTRAN/City Council representatives there to answer residents' questions, there was a 'fly through' visual demonstration - see right. This proposal is at the planning pre-application stage and any comments received will be considered in advance of any full planning application being submitted. Comments at the pre-application stage should be ...
The Mirror reports: Former Tory Minister Michael Mates is being probed for alleged electoral fraud over his attempt to become one of David Cameron's new police commissioners. The crony of crooked tycoon and Tory donor Asil Nadir, will be grilled by police over claims he broke election laws by giving a false address to win the lucrative post... It was sparked by a complaint from rival Don Jerrard, an independent "justice and anti-corruption" candidate fighting Mr Mates for the £85,000-a-year role running the Hampshire force. The former lawyer wrote to the county's Chief Constable claiming Mr Mates breached the 2006 ...
Police Newsletter, Cheadle Nov 2012
Lib Dem Voice polled our members-only forum recently to discover what Lib Dem members think of various political issues, the Coalition, and the performance of key party figures. Some 550 party members have responded, and we're publishing the full results. Miliband overtakes Cameron among Lib Dems for first time We've been asking this question for a little over a year now — a year which has marked quite a reversal in fortunes for the two party leaders, as this graph illustrates: Here's the detail from this month's survey... LDV asked: Do you think Ed Miliband is doing well or badly ...
The Python Pals Divine A DatePenny was in a right grouch. Her voice wobbled as she unloaded her woes on to her best friend, Poppy. "It's all so unfair!" She started to sob. "Oh sweetie," said Poppy, "I hate to say this, but you're sounding like a right stereotypical teenager!" Penny cracked half a smile and blew her nose. "I know," she said "But it's true. What can't I date him?" Poppy sighed. Penny's mum had banned her from seeing this boy - and it was causing no end of bother. "Well, she explained, "they think he's too old for ...
Just a quick update about the steps at Heaton Park metrolink. A number of people have been in touch about the poor surface, and the large amount of water that is retained there since the roof was taken off the steps a few months ago. I know people are worried that this will become treacherous in icy weather. I have been in touch with Metrolink, who have agreed to look at this (and the unsatisfactory way the paintwork has been left at the station) as part of a review of the upgrade works that is happening shortly. Please get in ...
Election Day always makes me think of my grandfather. Had he lived to see this one, he would have been 104 years old; however, I doubt advanced age would have deterred him from going to the polls. I can see him in my imagination: his sparse white hair and twinkling eyes, him wearing a neatly ...
