The Ainsdale Sports & Social Club, 772a, Liverpool Road, Ainsdale near Southport has seceured Olympic legacy funding from Sport England's Inspired Facilities Fund. The Inspired Facilities fund is part of the £135 million Places People Play legacy programme that is bringing the magic of a home Olympic and Paralympic Games into communities across the country. Every sports facility that receives funding will carry the London 2012 Inspire mark - celebrating the link to the Games. The Ainsdale Sports & Social Club will receive £50,000 of National Lottery funding to assist in upgrading the facilities to its changing rooms, which have ...
Well, it can't be said that it was a dull one, with David Ward (and me, to a rather lesser, but no less traumatic extent) trapped in a world of pain over his comments about Holocaust Memorial Day. And, if truth be told, his correction doesn't address the primary objection, to my mind. It looks like I was wrong, for which I apologise. Meanwhile, the proposed legislation on same sex marriage has been launched – whilst welcome, it isn't perfect, as Sarah Brown notes; There is NO PROVISION to reinstate the confiscated marriages. None whatsoever. It's as if those of ...
People in Garston are worried about the future of the Co op building on St Marys Road. The store closed on 12th January. It wasn't everyone's favourite shop, but that location at the bottom of St Mary's road made it an important feature in Garston village. I've been in touch with the Co op and they say they are negotiating re another business taking over the building. They also say that there is a company being paid to keep an eye on the building and car park in the meanwhile. I've got contact details for this company so please let ...
"What I have found talking to a large number of service users around the country, and polling them more widely, is that a large majority of people are positive about choice in theory ... but are sometimes confused about it in practice ... They certainly want to choose - there was really no desire to go back to a deferential system where you got the service you were given - but they want to choose in a whole range of other areas where, at the moment, they can't." David Boyle writes on Liberal Democrat Voice about his experiences heading a ...
Cambridge MP Julian Huppert is taking his fight for a fairer deal for the city's sixth form and further education colleges to the Treasury on Tuesday (January 29). He will put pressure on the government to end the unfair rule which means the colleges have to pay VAT on goods and services which sixth forms attached to schools are exempt from paying. The regulations leave Cambridge's Hills Road and Long Road Sixth Form Colleges and Cambridge Regional College paying hundreds of thousands of pounds in VAT even though they are funded in the same way as school sixth forms for ...
There was a vote in the Commons earlier this week in favour of extending the right to vote to 16 and 17 year olds. It wasn't the sort of vote that means legislation so nothing will change straight away. But it's interesting that MPs are debating this and giving a view in favour. I've been in favour of votes at 16 for ages now. We assume16 year olds are mature enough to do quite a few things, including being liable to pay tax, but we don't give them a say in the laws about those things. This seems not only ...
There is no doubt here, even for a tiny little second. The Sarah Jane Adventures. A cool car, good writing, a super mix of characters even down to the bitching between Mr Smith and K9. Good villains like Androvax and the Trickster, and appearances by the 10th and 11th Doctors. When we were at Starfury: Midnight in December, Gary Russell, the script editor for SJA said that when Matt Smith and David Tennant were on the SJA set, they gave total respect to Lis, as it was her show and they followed her leads. My second choice would have been ...
It's Burns' Night so to get you in the mood...
David Ward MP, a Liberal Democrat, has issued a press release about Israel - and now "troublemakers" are kicking up a fuss. David is in hot water with the party, which some people think is desperately unfair. So what is all the bother about? David's press release was ostensibly about Holocaust Memorial Day, which ...
This afternoon I took part in a very lively and civilised debate at South Hampstead High School against the Chairman of London UKIP, David Coburn (who was standing in for London's UKIP MEP, Gerald Batten). The audience were girls from the sixth form (as I tend to still think of those senior years) and David ...
Written this week 150 years ago by Abraham Lincoln to the Lancashire mill workers who, at considerable cost to themselves, supported the Union against the secessionist South (and source of cotton - the lifeblood of their industry). "... I know and deeply deplore the sufferings which the working people of Manchester and in all Europe are called to endure in this crisis. It has been often and studiously represented that the attempt to overthrow this Government which was built on the foundation of human rights, and to substitute for it one which should rest exclusively on the basis of slavery, ...
Top of the Lib Dem Voice Friday 5 as the most read piece this week. Comments now 138 plus.
Join Belle Vue's Gym by Monday evening and there's nothing to pay till March 1st. There's a little bit of confusion as to whether other Belle Vue & Louisa Centre facilities are free this week-end in line with offers at Durham County Council run facilities across the county – you should ring and ask if you're interested – the free month's Lifestyle Fitness Gym offer is definitely correct and can be found on the Leisureworks website.
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 Opinion: it's no good counting on those rose-tinted spectacles (138 comments) by Richard Morris Sheffield Labour councillor opposes own decision (12 comments) by Joe Otten Northern council cuts are Labour's choice - it's that straightforward! (28 comments) by David Hennigan 5 initial thoughts on David Cameron's Europe speech (36 comments) by Stephen Tall Where is the British Borgen? (17 comments) by Nick Thornsby 5 sample LDV Members' Forum threads Increase the charges on the highest VED road ...
Another day, another problem for accident-prone Cornwall Tory leader Fiona Ferguson. Cllr George Trubody, councillor for Rame and the cabinet support member for localism, has quit. Not just his job as a portfolio holder, but from the Council completely. George has got another job which means he will be unable to continue with his councillor role and I wish him the very best for the future. But it is another blow for the Conservative group and their leader. Tweet
Hardly a day goes by without a report in the media claiming that some activity or other harms your health. Being smug liberal types, we assume these scare stories are the province of the Daily Mail (the subject of well-deserved satire here, here and here). Actually, you are just as likely to find such health scares in the Guardian or the BBC. On the Spiked website, Dr Michael Fitzpatrick tackles the pseudo-scientific links lobby that produces these stories. The 'science' is usually an epidemiological study whose tentative findings or dubious claims enter straight into conventional wisdom without being subject to ...
The selection of Layla Moran for the Liberal Democrats in the target seat of Oxford and Abingdon is welcome. As welcome, in fact, as the selection of any Liberal Democrat candidate anywhere. But last night, ...
Fri 25th
16:21
This week in Europe: 21-24 January... no to milk lakes, yes to skilled migrants and bees
Proposals for a revised Common Agricultural Policy met with mixed emotions On Wednesday, the European Parliament's Agricultural Committee (AGRI) voted on reform proposals to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). ALDE MEPs welcomed the votes in general as a major step towards a more sustainable European agricultural model. However, ALDE condemns the possible double payment for greening and agri-environmental measures and rejects a possible return to failed past policies of heavy market interventions. Commenting after the votes, George Lyon MEP (UK, Liberal Democrat), ALDE team leader on the AGRI committee and shadow rapporteur on the direct payments report, said: Today's vote ...
This month has seen further encouraging employment data with continued big rises in employment levels to record levels, combined with falling unemployment. Meanwhile economic growth figures remain poor, with the economy shrinking by 0.3% in the final quarter of 2012. First the employment figures. Nationally the jobless figures fell by 37,000 between September and November to 2.49m, with the number of people in work rising to 29.7m. The unemployment rate fell from 7.8% to 7.7% in the three months. The growth in employment was even better than it looked at first glance with the net rise of 90,000 made up ...
The message seems to be – if your bin has been missed put your rubbish bin out because they'll be collecting them before any catch up on recycling bins. Full details below. Today Durham County Council is issuing the following advice and information to residents in the Consett, Blackhill, Shotley Bridge and Castleside areas, where conditions have prevented collection. "In light of the current forecasts we are planning the following approach for refuse. Starting over the weekend tractor ploughs and gritters will pave the way for smaller collection vehicles on Monday. These will be supported by crews on foot who ...
New rules giving councils greater powers to tackle disruptive road works have been welcomed by Cambridgeshire Liberal Democrats who have been campaigning for change. County Councillor, Sarah Whitebread, who represents Cambridge's Market Ward has been calling for new laws to allow local authorities to charge companies by the day for road closures as an incentive to speed up work. Now Liberal Democrat Transport Minister, Norman Baker has announced a new road permits scheme for companies wishing to carry out work. It will give councils the power to set conditions on the length of time it will take utility companies to ...
To the best of my knowledge, there is only one meeting at Blyth Town Council next week Planning & Development Committee, Tuesday 31st January, 6:30 pm at Ebor House, Blyth Any changes to this and I'll amend the post
I've spent much of the day (OK it's only 3.20!) with local volunteers, police and staff and residents of Hassockfield digging out a few of the many elderly, infirm and disabled people living with the problems snow has brought to us. With efforts like this, though, we only scratch the surface of a problem which recurs every time we get heavy snowfall – and which in truth will continue to recur every time into the future. The problem is that there will never be enough resource for the authorities to get to all the people who need an eye keeping ...
Julian supports the campaign during the Westminster launch MP Julian Huppert has given his support to a major campaign designed to end world hunger which saw its Cambridge launch today (Friday, January 25). Julian joined MPs and Peers at the Palace of Westminster for the national launch of Enough Food for Everyone IF which brings together 100 of Britain's leading development charities and faith groups. The Cambridge launch took place at Great St Mary's at lunchtime and was attended by the city's Mayor Sheila Stuart. The campaign warns that in a world where there is enough food for everyone, there ...
There has been a lot of discussion about schools closing in the snow. Across at Liberal England they have been reminiscing about their school days in the snow. I remember 1963-but that is another story. After several enquiries I decided to ask about which Sefton School have shut. This is the response: As you are aware schools make their own decisions, according to local circumstances, and are not required to seek the views of the Local Authority prior to their decision making. Friday 18 January Crossens Nursery 12.30 pm Greenacre Nursery Closed Hillside High (did not inform us directly) Holy ...
Fri 25th
15:11
Concerned about the effect of cold weather on the homeless? Response from district council
This note has been sent to councillors In St Albans we operate Severe Weather Emergency Provision-this has been running since November. The Nightshelter here runs with an increased capacity and if they become full, people are referred to other Nightshelters and if necessary, assisted with travel costs. We fund an Outreach worker who works with rough sleepers to encourage them to take up the accommodation available. This winter the Nightshelter is being funded to provide Extended Cold Weather Provision which means that the extra capacity is available throughout the winter months, not just when the temperature drops below 0 degrees ...
Dear BBC Question Time This BBC Extra Guest business. I like it. I think its a great way of engaging with the programme. But what have you got against the Lib Dems and when are you going to let a Lib Dem blogger or tweeter engage with the audience? Your last 10 guests have featured (most recent first); a Labour supporter, a libertarian, a green-and-if-not-them-Labour supporter, a neutral, a columnist writing for the Times and The Spectator who happens to be the son of a Tory MP, another neutral, a Tory verging on the edge of libertarian, a Labour supporting ...
I find Holocaust Memorial Day personally incredibly difficult. It reminds us of an astonishing period in human history, when a developed European country exterminated millions of fellow humans - six million Jews, and many Roma, Slavs, Communists, Socialists, homosexuals and the disabled. But for me it always reminds me of my own family tree, and the many relatives who appear there with a small asterisk - 'died as a result of Nazism'. I find it hard to speak about, to think through the horrors of what happened. But I do find myself absolutely adamant that we must stop anything like ...
A while back we reported on a scheme whereby residents could donate trees to Gatley Carrs. The trees existed, and donors will be listed on the noticeboard at the car park entrance to the Carrs. All you had to do was supply the money. There are now just 3 trees left, and the cost for you to donate one (including stake and tie) is £17.50. If you're interested, contact the Gatley Carrs Conservation Group directly or let us know and we'll put you in touch. The plan is to meet at the Carrs at 9am on 10th February to plant ...
When various commentators and critics of the coalition's economic policy cast around for alternative solutions, not many look to Ireland for a model to follow, but perhaps they should. My native country's economy is in the sort of doldrums which make the current UK growth and employment rate look utopian, but the economy formerly known as the 'Celtic Tiger' is healing itself and there are many lessons for UK policy makers to learn. This year growth is forecast to be 1.8%, double what the UK can expect to achieve, while the country was recently able to return to the bond ...
With less than a week to go until the first auction, residents across Greater Manchester are being urged to save hundreds of pounds from their fuel bills as part of an energy switching scheme. Residents are being encouraged to use 'people power' and join a ground breaking collective energy switching scheme that could mean massive reductions to the cost of heating their homes by visiting www.gmfairenergy.com or calling 0800 009 3363 before it closes on Monday 28th January. A similar scheme run by Oldham Council in the autumn attracted thousands of residents, with many households saving hundreds from their annual ...
Do you know of a community/voluntary group or a not for profit organisations with an interest in increasing re-use or recycling and reducing waste? Recycle for Greater Manchester (R4GM) are keen to help them turn that idea into a reality and increase the number of community groups' actively helping residents reduce, re-use and recycle more waste in Greater Manchester. Through the Community Waste Fund (CWF), we have already supported a wide variety of groups. From a tenant association in Monton, Salford, who encouraged local residents and businesses to recycle right, to a social housing landlord in Trafford who have set ...
If you've had a postal vote for more than five years, Stockport Council will be sending you a letter, asking you to sign your name again. I had mine this morning. It just takes a minute to do it, but if you don't then you'll lose your postal vote (that's the law!). More and more people are voting by post – despite having to wrestle with A and B envelopes and slightly confusing instructions, it can be a lot quicker and more convenient than going down to the polling station. That's doubly true if the weather's bad. So don't lose ...
A Complex Problem Fandom: The Scarlet Pimpernel (Baroness Orczy) Rating: General Audiences No Archive Warnings Apply Category: F/F (genderswap. With secondary M/F) Characters: Peggy Blakeney, Marguerite St. Just, Armand St. Just, Andrew Ffoulkes, Suzanne de Tournay A Yuletide gift for [IMG: [livejournal.com profile] ] croik Being the part of the story in which I discover I really like trolling my villains. It was the middle of the afternoon by the time she finally reached Sir Andrew's London home, and was shown into his presence. Then, they barely had time to greet each other before Marguerite, still the model of composure ...
Fri 25th
14:03
Open letter for Clegg in protest of secret courts, snoopers charter and welfare reform.
As leader of the Liberal Democrats Nick Clegg needs to start listening to the concerns of party members, and stop making decisions that attack the principles upon which the party is founded. The Liberal Democrats exist to build and safeguard a fair, free and open society, in which we seek to balance the fundamental values of liberty, equality and community, and in which no one shall be enslaved by poverty, ignorance or conformity. It is these values that inspired us to join a party that was prepared to stand up and fight for them. Yet over key issues such as ...
The debate around legalising assisted dying seems increasingly to centre on the case of suicide tourism; whether people should 'have to' travel to clinics in Switzerland where they can legally end their lives. Whilst this is undoubtedly an important trend, it is merely a side show to the real issue and masks three important facts about assisted dying. 1 - Very few people travel to Switzerland to end their lives. In the last 10 years less than 200 people have travelled to Switzerland to end their lives. That's quite a lot. However, it's far fewer than the estimated 500 people ...
Cornwall Council officers have confirmed that a decision by Tory group leader Fiona Ferguson when she was a cabinet member will cost the authority £300,000 next year. Cornwall Council inherited a real mess of six different policies regarding discretionary rate relief. This is the discount that the council can give to voluntary and community organisations on the business rates that they pay. For fourteen months, a group of councillors and officers worked to put together a new, uniform policy that would apply across Cornwall. This new policy would iron out some of the anomalies and get rid of a few ...
Here's today's hand-picked selection that caught my interest... Schools work best when they work together | Education | The Guardian Estelle Morris making a v important popint abt schools/academies > "interdependence is as important as independence" http://buff.ly/WBuh4A Productivity: The job-rich depression | The Economist .@economist on rising employment & falling productivity: "people are working for firms that should not exist" http://econ.st/YrIG8V Will the Lib Dems back an EU referendum? | Westminster blog Optimism/realism? A LD spokesman: "Cameron currently has us in check, but in two moves we can get him in check-mate." http://buff.ly/WRNLSF Choice is an embattled word in public ...
Appalled to read Lib Dem MP David Ward's comments about the things that he considers "the Jews" to have done to the Palestinians: Pleased to see a statement from my party saying: "This is a matter we take extremely seriously. The Liberal Democrats deeply regret and condemn the statement issued by David Ward and his use of language which is unacceptable." Does Mr Ward equally condemn "the Muslims" for atrocities committed by Pakistan in Bangladesh in 1971 (http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/1971_Bangladesh_atrocities - atrocities that actually appear to have killed far more people than have died in the entirety of the Israel/Palestine conflict)? ...
From the Daily Mail: Protestors demand Oprah pull her endorsement of 'fountain of youth' face cream because it is made from baby foreskins
Rachel writes: Every time I hear the phrase "a life on benefits", it's like a slap in the face to my brother, who lives in my spare room while looking for a job. He's not lazy or a scrounger, he just can't find a job. As Sarah Teather said two weeks ago the term "scroungers" has become so pervasive in social consciousness that even those on benefits do not attempt to debunk the entire category, only to excuse themselves from the label. I asked my brother if he was willing to share what his life on benefits was like: Jonny ...
As I write it is snowing. It has been bitterly cold for days. I was therefore not surprised to receive a number of letters from concerned local people about the plight of Rough Sleepers. They all follow a similar template: Dear Councillor I am unsure how big a problem this is in Southport, however I do regularly see beggars along Lord Street and my presumption is they are homeless. is the council actively getting the message out to rough sleepers that shelter will be provided in the worst weather? Is there a local policy for coordination with police, faith and ...
I was struck by Shirley Williams 's comments on Andrew Neil's late night show about the case for Europe seldom being put in the UK.( A programme also noteable for Portillo declaring that Trident was a waste of money-I paraphrase) Our foreign owned UK press don't like Europe. You cannot see Murdoch backing a multi-national body that would be able to to properly regulate his multi national operations-taxes and all. Crime and businesses like the lawless space that exists between nations I can recall a number of occasions on Question Time when Shirley, Charles Kennedy, Ming Campbell and Paddy have ...
Gladstone's Library tweeted this morning that it was St Dwynwen's Day. Who is she? Dwynwen lived during the 5th century and legend has it that she was one of the prettiest of Brychan Brycheiniog's 24 daughters. Dwynwen fell in love with a prince called Maelon Dafodrill, but unfortunately her father had already arranged that she should marry someone else. Dwynwen was so upset that she could not marry Maelon that she begged God to make her forget him. After falling asleep, Dwynwen was visited by an angel, who appeared carrying a sweet potion designed to erase all memory of Maelon ...
Growing up, toy guns were verboten in our household. My brother and I - like most young boys - grew up on a diet on Star Wars, The A-Team, and Transformers. Gun were cool! Our mother would brook no truck with this. Guns were banned. When my brother was given a water pistol as a birthday present from a friend, the offending squirter mysteriously disappeared. (In fairness, we were messy children, so it could have been lost in the detritus of our bedroom. However, my parents had form at making our beloved toys vanish...) And so it went. My brother ...
As the EU referendum row continues to rumble, one man seems left behind. Is it Cameron being dragged by extreme elements of his party? Is it Clegg, lost in a world of euro sceptics as a lone voice of Europe? Nope - it's Ed Miliband. While there are fundamental differences of opinion between Nick and Dave about this - and some Labourites are siding with Nick on this, at least they are both in touch with the general feeling of the population that there should be a referendum on Europe. I know some of my readers will disagree with my ...
On Wednesday afternoon I arranged for members of the Southport Area Committee to have a site visit to the Atkinson Centre, formerly know as The Arts Centre. The local press have carried stories on the refurbishment of the centre with numerous photographs. I took a few of my own photos which follow. All who attended were impressed by the transformation of this once dilapidated building. When it opens in May it will act as a regional hub for the arts and it will be something that Southport residents will be proud of. I may post further details when I can ...
Gentle reader, I appear to have received some flak for writing this – quite possibly merited. So, I've tried to edit it for clarity... [IMG: David Ward] A press release from the office of David Ward MP reached Liberal Democrat Voice yesterday; "Bradford East MP, David Ward, has criticised Israel on the day he has signed a Book of Commitment in the House of Commons, in doing so pledging his commitment to Holocaust Memorial Day and honouring those who died during the Holocaust and in subsequent genocides. Sunday January 27th will mark the 68th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, ...
There are two aspects of fossil fuel production that affect GDP. The first is that higher oil prices tend to reduce economic activity. The second is that if the UK produces less oil or gas then that takes down the GDP. Because this is a geological issue it needs to be excluded from consideration. The GDP index at the end of Q4 2011 excluding oil and gas was 103.5 and the provisional Q4 2012
Today first estimates of the UK's final quarter GDP show that the economy shrank by 0.3%. There will be a lot of posturing around this but it doesn't mean that much. GDP is not a direct measure of wellbeing (unlike unemployment, for example), and it isn't that clear how one quarter's statistics have a bearing on people's day to day lives. Besides these early estimates are not very reliable. Still these GDP figures do prompt some wider questions. The first is about short-term economic strategy. A large number of government critics, loosely referred to as "Keynesians" though no professional economist ...
The prime objective of David Cameron's Europe speech was always to placate anti-European critics on his right flank rather than to set out a bold vision in the national interest. And in that sense, his 'red meat' pledge of an in/out referendum after 2015 may succeed in sating his own party's Eurosceptic appetite, at least in the short term. But there are at least three reasons why his strategy is not only mistaken, but risks deeply damaging the national interest. First, while the 'repatriationist' wing of Cameron's own party may be satisfied with the promise of a renegotiation of as ...
Last night the Birkdale Library Action Group (BLAG) handed in their 4000 signature petition at the full Council meeting in Southport Town Hall. Birkdale has been identified by the Labour Council -along with all the other branch Libraries in Southport -for closure. Terry Durrance put the case well for the campaign in his presentation to the Council drawing particular attention to the facilities for people who are elderly and disabled. He draw attention to the 8 schools in the catchment area and to the exceptionally high figures for books issued at our Library I was very pleased to speak in ...
The Council's currently upgrading around one in twelve streetlights across Stockport – mostly on the main roads. The new lamps are just as bright, use less electricity, come on faster and will report back to the Council when they're about to fail so the bulb can be replaced. In most cases, this just involves replacing the head of the streetlamp, but in some cases whole new streetlight columns are being installed. You'll see some on Gatley Road, Gatley near Springfield Road. As it goes round, the Council's checking the condition of the old lighting columns. In most cases they're fine, ...
They aren't a cheery group at the World Economic Forum. Their Global Risks 2013 report takes a look, amongst other things, at what risks digital can bring, and it's all doom and gloom. Of course, a report about risks should quite naturally talk about risks, but a canny analyst always remembers to balance up risks against rewards, and the rewards get mostly neglected. As a result their report warns that, While the benefits of our hyperconnected communication systems are undisputed, they could potentially enable the viral spread of information that is either intentionally or unintentionally misleading or provocative. Imagine a ...
[IMG: Businessmen on the tightrope] Organisations providing services to lower income households and those receiving social security no doubt started 2013 with some unease, if not a distinct sense of foreboding. For some the money may imminently be running out, as government grants come to an end. The concern there is, for example, whether poorer people are going to be able to secure access to justice or be shut out of the legal system for want of resources. And, of course, many staff will have far more personal concerns about finding themselves out of the labour market as a consequence ...
The equal marriage bill (PDF Link, HTML links are inline below) has finally been published. From a trans perspective, schedule 5 is the interesting bit and it's pretty much as expected from the consultation response. There will be no equal civil partnerships, but for those seeking a Gender Recognition Certificate it's possible to convert to marriage first. (Section 9) This is an extra set of hoops to jump through which isn't ideal, and seems to be at odds with the initial claims that conversion and issuing a GRC could be done as a single process. That it's possible at all ...
David Laws is so much associated in the political class's minds with economic issues that there were eyebrows raised in some quarters when his governmental comeback from the wilderness proved to be in Sarah Teather's old job at Education. But any doubts about his passion for his new brief were dispelled last night when he addressed ...
I feel sorry for the Academic Council on the Misuse of Drugs. It's this panel of drug experts' task to try and inject some sense into our country's failing drug policy. Sadly, in the latter years of New Labour's reign, it became the default option to ignore their advice on drug classification. On magic mushrooms, then on cannabis and then again on ecstasy, Labour couldn't resist ignoring the ACMD, opting instead for populist posturing in an attempt to appear 'tough'. The Labour government's unscientific urges on drug classification were deeply frustrating to Liberal Democrats, and this led us to a ...
[IMG: European flags] I do wonder. Consider the following. Eurosceptics have secured a Conservative promise for a referendum on the question that is the most extreme – and also therefore the question that they are least likely to win on. (And remember that the experience of referendums around the democratic world over the years is that the status quo option usually gains in support as polling day nears.) They've also done so in a way that will result in the leader of their own party campaigning against them, along with all of the Cabinet (if the Tories are in power, ...
We see it time and time again with Nick Clegg. He is asked whether he slept with "no more than 30 women" and agrees with the statement (that could mean anything from 1 to 30) and is pilloried for not being serious about politics. He just answered the question! He apologises for a mistake in pledging before the election to prevent tuition fees going up which in retrospect was an impossible thing to make happen given how many other MPs were elected on a platform where they made no such pledge. He is vilified across the political spectrum and in ...
This year followed the pattern set by 2009, with long periods of sparse blogging interrupted by frenzies of regular posting, in this case sparked off by the General Election. It was the year I joined Colchester Council's Cabinet, and also the year I accidentally created a Twitter hashtag that spread around the world. It was not however, despite Hollywood's promises, the year we made contact. After noticing another case of fiction straying a bit too close to reality, my first main post of the year was the announcement that I was joining the Cabinet. February's post were all about a ...
A Somewhat pugillist piece on Anna Soubry (tags: ) Who will speak up for Europeans living in Britain? | Alex Andreou | Comment is free | guardian.co.uk (tags: ) Why is the Working Time Directive a Problem for Cameron? It's not as if most employers even stick to it (tags: ) Cameron busted on debt claims | The FactCheck Blog (tags: ) In case you were wondering where the various English* parties stand on Europe (tags: ) [IMG: comment count unavailable] comments
From the Huff Post "Around 138m fewer pints of beer were drunk in the final quarter of 2012. Sales of beer in supermarkets and shops fell by 7.5% in the final three months of 2012 compared to the previous year, while sales in pubs, bars and restaurants were down by 4.8%. Beer sales have fallen every year since 2005" Charge more for beer. That'll help!
[IMG: Winston Churchill by Cecil Beaton] The Freakonomics podcast is always worth a listen, but one of this month's episodes – about copyright law – is particularly good. And particularly relevant to British ears as it looks mostly at British copyright law and the way in which, for example, people writing books about Winston Churchill have to pay copyright fees to use his words. More about this Freakonomics episode and a link to listen to it are here.
A couple of days ago I blogged that the University of Leicester will be announcing the results of the scientific tests on the skeleton found at Greyfriars at a press conference on Monday 4 February. Now comes news that Channel 4 will be broadcasting Richard III: The King in the Car Park, their documentary on this dig and investigation at 9 p.m. that evening. Which may be significant.
[IMG: Nick Clegg in Dublin] Nick Clegg has sparked a flurry of excitement with his admission in an interview for The House magazine that the Coalition cut capital spending 'too far, too fast' to coin a phrase. Here's what he said to Paul Waugh and Sam Macrory: "If I'm going to be sort of self-critical, there was this reduction in capital spending when we came into the Coalition Government. I think we comforted ourselves at the time that it was actually no more than what [former Chancellor] Alistair Darling spelt out anyway, so in a sense everybody was predicting a ...
It would appear that these gentle introductions to Fridays have drawn some comment, and that not all of it is friendly. Ah well, c'est la vie... Due to other commitments, and a very enjoyable dinner yesterday evening, of which more later, today is a little 'seat of the pants'. So, what can you expect today (in no particular order)? [IMG: Sea otter] We intend to have a look at a possible gateway to drug policy reform, as Duncan Stott examines the position of khat. Naturally, with debate on our future in Europe is still bubbling away, Giles Goodall suggests that ...
Fog in Channel, Cameron Cut Off (by @timjudah1) Quote from me at the end! (tags: eu ukpolitics )
The headline in today's Independent says "Lib Dems turn on Osborne over cuts". The story beneath informs us: Liberal Democrat cabinet ministers are worried that the Government is not doing enough to boost growth, and are privately pressing the Chancellor to speed up job-creating building projects in his March Budget.Indeed, Nick Clegg is quoted being openly critical of cuts to capital spending: In an interview with Parliament's The House magazine published tomorrow, the Deputy Prime Minister admitted the Coalition made a mistake when it cut capital spending soon after it was formed in 2010. He said: "I think we've all ...
Oh dear: [IMG: IE market share versus murder rate] Hat-tip: altonncf.
The BBC yesterday effectively undermined their own case for an exemption to the smoking ban for theatre and film productions, when they withdrew a claim that a story line in medical TV drama Casualty had to be pulled because of the measure. It now says the story did run after the production team found an alternative way of filming a lit cigarette, precisely the argument being put forward by those who want to retain the ban intact. BBC Cymru Wales has apologised for the error and asked to amend its evidence: In their original evidence arguing for a Welsh exemption ...
Fri 25th
06:07
Misleading or misinformed 'source'? - Welsh Labour Government must clarify comment on local school
A Welsh Labour Government 'source' should retract incorrect comments made to South Wales Echo regarding the establishment of the interim executive board for St Alban's RC Primary School in Tremorfa. The Interim Executive Board (IEB) was put in place by the previous Welsh Liberal Democrats -Plaid Cymru administration in January 2012 following serious concerns about the running of the school. The comments by the Welsh Labour Government say they established the IEB with the new Labour council who began their administration in May 2012. The Tremorfa school is the first in Wales to require an "interim executive board" - established ...
From Sheena Wellington at Friends of Wighton: Saturday 26th January, 2.30pm, Crèche, Central Library: As an introduction to his new weekly class, John Bagnall invites those interested in learning to play the English concertina, who want to brush up their skills, or who just want to learn more about this tuneful instrument, to come along and give it a try! There was a strong Scottish tradition of concertina playing and the English Concertina was a popular instrument in Scotland up until the 1920s, regularly played both in the home and in public in social and religious settings. John Bagnall has ...
IT'S A DIGGLE-CENTRIC EPISODE. [IMG: 111c] Diggle remains close enough to being awesome that it excites me, but still doesn't quite manage to make past "whatever Ollie tells me too." But there is some insight into his character that might explain this, maybe, if I let go of what Diggle might be and start looking at the character as written? Maybe? The good news is, I don't have much to say in the "Ollie's Got Issues" section, because he's actually playing secondary character to all the more interesting plots. Which is good and how it should be, and actually makes ...
