Welcome to Broxtowe Enews, brought to you by the Liberal Democrats and edited by David Watts, the leader of the Lib-Dems on Broxtowe Borough Council. May I give a special welcome to the new readers that we have this week. 1. Tax and benefit changes I'm starting with a national news story this week for a change, but today sees the introduction of a huge number of changes to tax, benefits and health brought in by the coalition. Some of these are things I'm not desperately happy with and some of them are things that if we were in Government ...
This time on Vengeance On Varos. I should have a post for this blog up tomorrow.
Two football teams are battling it out for charity at the Cheadle Town ground on 21st April. The match, which is taking place on 21st April 2013 (1pm kick off) at Cheadle Town Football Club (Park Road, Cheadle, SK8 2AN), is rumoured to be attracting the interest of a few local celebs and will include a raffle with some fabulous prizes. This great game of football will see teams from Manchester City Council's Customer Service Centre and Stockport Defence Business Services battle it out for victory - and all for a good cause. (Please note: neither team participating is representing ...
I have to endure constant ribbing, (by a eccentric working-class cricketing umpire called Fred Wiles), at work, due to the so-called southern nature of my Wodehousian out-bursts: "Jolly Good Show", "How Quaint", "Very Good", "How Nice", "Isn't that Lovely", "Certainly Not" and other such phrases. [Fred also sometimes suggests that these phrases such as "Very Good" are actually code for "Go away you silly northern oik," but I digress.] There is EVEN a school of thought that suggests that I would be better off selling top-hats and silver-topped-walking-canes and monocles than working away answering calls. The myth of the 'soft ...
[IMG: image] From the Mail: The BBC1 quiz Pointless gave 100 people 100 seconds to name a Cabinet minister. Clegg was top with 32 per cent compared with 22 per cent for Cameron and Vince Cable, the Lib Dem Business Secretary. No one mentioned George Osborne. [IMG: Post to Twitter] Tweet This Post
Saturday: Doctor Who returns with engaging and entertaining episode of chaotic plotting lifted by three winning performances from Matt Smith, Jenna-Louise Coleman and Celia Imrie, that looks and sounds wonderful but may not add up to a Shard of beans. Perhaps we can start with a retcon: at Christmas, we saw "memory snow" or "mirror snow" falling to Earth. It fell from space through what we might call our "astral plane" and on its way it passed through the Great Intelligence of "The Abominable Snowmen". So what we're dealing with here is snow that thinks it is the Great Intelligence... ...
Henry Porter in yesterday's Observer has his doubts: Tolerance of gender, sexual and racial differences is certainly much greater today. But can Britain be described as a more liberal society after a month that has seen all parties support legislation that will effectively license the press, and a second bill introducing secret hearings in civil cases pass through the Lords, with Liberal Democrat peers whipped to oppose amendments that were designed to support open and natural justice? I'll come to the Lib Dems later, but the short answer is no.There have been gains and losses in recent decades. Nowadays, we ...
Alex Wilcock, of Love and Liberty, has instigated and curated a range of statements on what the Liberal Democrats stand for on the 25th anniversary of their formation. I've finally got round to writing my statement which I had aimed to keep to 150 words - which is an arbitrary figure I saw mentioned in one of the comments to one of Alex's posts! Within such a stricture, of course, I was unable to include everything - including our commitment to a long list of constitutional reforms. Anyway, for what their worth, here are my 156 words: Liberal Democrats exist ...
[IMG: Inderwick Pothole March 2013] Its been a long hard winter – and that has taken its toll on our local roads. Roads which haven't been resurfaced for many years are now crumbling with potholes appearing everywhere. These potholes cause damage to cars and can be very dangerous. Tragically, one local man recently won £1m of compensation from Haringey Council after sustaining brain damage when he tripped in a pothole. This weekend I've reported dozens of these dangerous holes to Haringey Council, including this one pictured in Inderwick Road, along with many others in Granville Road and Stapleton Hall Road. ...
Mon 1st
18:46
Councillor contacted by local residents about dog dirt along footpath leading from Church Street!
[IMG: Footpath from Church Street] After being contacted by local residents, Lib Dem councillor Darren Fower has had dog dirt removed from the footpath leading from Church Street through to the recreational area. Darren said: "Often the issue along this footpath is the overgrown foliage but recently the amount of dog dirt increased. Following contact from several residents, I persuaded the council to clean it up." Darren is seeking to have more dog waste bins placed in the recreational area between Church Street and Warwick Road as at present there is only one bin. Watch one of Cllr Fower's site ...
[IMG: Schools April] Andover schools are set to get an extra £1.86 million in cash, thanks to Lib Dem action in government. The cash is an increase in "Pupil Premium" funding, which is a major Lib Dem priority to help schools. 2350 local children are expected to be eligible in 2013/14, but the funding will help all schools improve. Liberal Democrats are building a strong economy and fair society where everyone can get ahead. I am proud that the Liberal Democrats are helping every child in Andover. Action thanks to your Lib Dems!
I've not tried to hide my deep disappointment with the Government's same-sex marriage bill. Having read it, it is quite clearly not the marriage equality I, among others, had been hoping for. Don't get me wrong, this would be a great leap forward. But it'd certainly leave me unsatisfied. You'd think that once the bill was published our opponents would have breathed a sigh of relief. This bill would, if passed, see the creation of a new concept that we can call "gay marriage" (the same approach the South Africans have taken). It would not "redefine" marriage. It'll be a ...
Me at the protest against bedroom tax on the 30th March The Lib Dem principles of, "Fairness, equality and community" have all been breached with the welfare reform and I find myself wondering what our party stands for. The reform which upsets me the most is the replacement of DLA with PIP where 500,000 disabled people will be found ineligible for the payment (BBC source). The most vulnerable in society are being the most hard done by while rich politicians, such as Grant Shapps and our own Nick, sit in their Westminster bubble untouched. No matter which way you dress ...
[IMG: One in the Eye for Harold by Phil Mason] Phil Mason's book is stuffed full of Lots of bite-sized chunks of myth busting, covering the sorts of topics even people not really interested in history are likely to have heard of, such as how Harold didn't actually get shot in the eye with an arrow at Hastings and how there was a very important but forgotten subsequent battle. The book sets out to be more serious debunking than funny, with little in the way of humour and therefore resting a lot on the credibility of its myth busting attempts. ...
Free schools opening where there are already vacant places, NUT says So runs a Guardian headline that is obviously meant to shock us. But take of your Guardian Goggles and you will see this is a welcome development. Back in 2006 I blogged about the way the Blair government's policies were thwarting efforts to open new non-denominational schools in Northern Ireland. One of the points I made then is equally applicable today: The policy of not allowing new school in areas where there is surplus capacity is ludicrous. Surplus capacity will tend to exist in areas where the schools are ...
Mon 1st
14:39
Keep the faith: Liberal Democrats are doing good things in Government, not that you'd know it from t...
Liberal Democrats have taken a pounding across the Labour supporting media over the past few days. Article after soundbite condemns the welfare reforms which come into effect from now. It's been a clever, co-ordinated onslaught which seems aimed at demoralising Liberal Democrat members and activists rather than opposing the changes themselves. After all, I haven't heard Ed Miliband promise to repeal any of them. And we have to remember that it was the Labour Government who introduced Local Housing Allowance - the Bedroom Tax of the private sector. Where have the Liberal Democrat MPs and key figures been? That Labour ...
A Bank Holiday snippet from the Daily Mail today. It shows both good news and bad news for Nick Clegg: Poor, benighted Nick Clegg. According to the Lib Dem Voice website, his approval rating is minus 2 per cent. Not that David Cameron can take much comfort from the figure. The BBC1 quiz Pointless gave 100 people 100 seconds to name a Cabinet minister. Clegg was top with 32 per cent compared with 22 per cent for Cameron and Vince Cable, the Lib Dem Business Secretary. No one mentioned George Osborne. * Stephen Tall is Co-Editor of Liberal Democrat Voice, ...
When I saw the front page of the Leicester Mercury today I assumed it was connected with the University of Leicester's April Fool: Following the unprecedented success of last year's search for the mortal remains of King Richard III, archaeologists at the University of Leicester have announced plans for a new, even more ambitious project. They intend to locate and uncover the last resting place of King Richard IV.But it turns out the Mercury story is for real. It begins: Archaeologists are to excavate more of the car park where they found Richard III. This summer, academics from the University ...
The bedroom tax that comes into force today slaps an extra £14 a week on social tenants with a room that is deemed to be "spare". This tax is iniquitous. It will undermine families, communities and friendships. It will not solve the fundamental problem of a shortage of affordable housing. It will force tenants to ...
Send to KindleHere's today's hand-picked selection that caught my interest... Guardian launches 'augmented reality' specs to offer immersive liberal insight | Media | The Guardian Ah, "Guardian goggles". Or Twitter, as they're otherwise known. http://bit.ly/14H7RGX Michael Herbert Miller reviews 'The Love Song of Jonny Valentine' by Teddy Wayne · LRB 21 March 2013 "He just turned 19, the age his father was when he impregnated his mother." Could only be the LRB on Justin Bieber. http://bit.ly/YoJWbm Porn: no longer a dirty little secret | Frank Furedi| spiked Interesting from Frank Furedi. But not convinced by belief kids'll happily swap porn ...
Mon 1st
13:25
Keep the faith: Liberal Democrats are doing good things in Government, not that you'd know it from t...
Liberal Democrats have taken a pounding across the Labour supporting media over the past few days. Article after soundbite condemns the welfare reforms which come into effect from now. It's been a clever, co-ordinated onslaught which seems aimed at demoralising Liberal Democrat members and activists rather than opposing the changes themselves. After all, I haven't heard Ed Miliband promise to repeal any of them. And we have to remember that it was the Labour Government who introduced Local Housing Allowance – the Bedroom Tax of the private sector. Where have the Liberal Democrat MPs and key figures been? That Labour ...
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 650 party members have responded, and we're publishing the full results. [IMG: nick clegg eu] David Cameron has said the next Conservative election manifesto will include a pledge to hold an in/out referendum on the UK's continuing membership of the European Union. Do you think the next Liberal Democrat manifesto should include the same pledge? 34% – Yes, it should 58% – No, it should not 7% – Don't know David ...
There were some very clever April Fool jokes out there in the blogosphere yesterday. Here are some of the best. Very cleverly crafted piece from Liberator: "Clegg to abandon electoral reform?" Does this from Ian Smart mean we can now describe him as a cybernat? He may be too late. Lallands Peat Worrier reports on the demise of the Scottish Independence and For A' That podcasts because "nothing good can ever come from separation." Find out why independence is like putting cheese and bacon into a meringue. Stephen Tall has an exclusive about Nick Clegg's proposed changes to the Liberal ...
A few weeks ago, I had an online rant at the expense of Co-op Bank. I had a very polite and helpful reply from them afterwards - a series of them actually - and it is now time to set the record straight on one or two things. First, there is no way they use the insidious American-style high-to-low transaction re-ordering software, I'm glad to say. They tot up our balances at the end of every day and charge accordingly. There is no manipulation of the order in which we carry out our transactions, as some banks do. So thank ...
There's a silly meme going round Facebook by which you can work out your Easter Bunny name. The Liberal Democrat Voice team are as follows: Sparkle Snuggle Bunny Sparkle Sugar Kiss Thumper Marshmallow Loco Doodles Lily Happy Feet Lily Cotton Tail Smartie Sugar Drop Nibbles Sugar Drop Daffodil Sprinkles Smartie Bunny Hop Candy Blow Pop. Fancy hazarding a guess at who is who?
Mon 1st
11:16
Herts County Council publishes its highways plans for central St Albans - more or less!
Herts County Council has published its highways repairs plans for 2013-2015. As ever, there are clear omissions (as well as an inability to know which roads belong in which electoral wards!). Notable omissions include Church Road and Bricket Road, although Chris has allocated funds from his own highways budget for the latter to be fixed as a matter of urgency. The position of Alexandra Road is still unclear although it does still appear that the county council is planning to deal with it – especially given its current state. For the full reports go to: Pages 25-26 of 43 ...
[IMG: farage] Even before the Eastleigh result was announced it had become clear that strong Liberal Democrat and UKIP campaigning has the potential to crush Conservative support from both sides. Many Conservative seats throughout England could fall to one party or the other given the right co-ordination of UKIP and Liberal Democrat strategy. Even where the Liberal Democrats could not win, the Conservatives could be sufficiently weakened to hand a seat to UKIP, and vice versa. While of course UKIP and the Liberal Democrats have big policy differences, most notably on Europe, if there is one thing we have learned ...
But a Northumbrian Water water-saving kit is Free! [IMG: Water Saving Kit] I wrote a couple of weeks ago about a Northumbrian Water consultation and I guess I've become living evidence that consultation can work (are you listening Durham County Council?) By making me think about my attitudes on water use, the consultation led me to apply for a FREE Water Saving Kit which has given me a small DIY job to do this Easter. I don't know if will deliver the 100 litres a day or the £60 per year savings it suggests on the box, but it gave ...
The Voice is only a success because of the interest and support from our readers. For many people just lurking and reading the site is all they want to do – and that's fine, we're grateful for people taking the time to read the site. You can though help us continue to produce interesting content for a growing audience. Here are four simple ways: 1. Let us have your tips for stories. Perhaps there's something outrageous going on in your local council? Or you're an expert in a particular area and have spotted a story other people have missed? Or ...
Many people assume that Eurovision artists just turn up on the Friday do a few spot checks and go home on the Saturday having won or lost. Nothing could be further from the truth especially if you're a country wanting to prove yourself. First, there's a semi-final to get through. For that there'll need to ...
Sofabeds, Snuggling, and the Blinovitch Limitation Effect — Doctor Who — Medium One man tells of how much Doctor Who means to him. This made me cry. (tags: ) [IMG: comment count unavailable] comments
1 April – I kid you not – the tax allowance goes up yet again. This is another Lib Dem election pledge being delivered. It means since 2010 over 9,760 Southwark income tax payers no longer pay any income tax. It means 115,400 Southwark residents now pay less income tax. In total this coming year this means £69,240,000 yes £69M extra money staying with Southwark residents. Typically £600 less income tax per resident.
An unprecedented alliance of groups within the Liberal Democrats have announced an agreement to turn the Spring 2016 gathering into a special Conference. Liberal Vision, the Social Liberal Forum, Liberal Left and Liberal Reform have agreed with the Federal Conference Committee that normal arrangements will be suspended in favour of a special 'we're sorry' day. A spokesman for the four groups said: Rather than spending each Conference for years to come rejecting various policy items which the Party supported while in Coalition it seemed much easier to do it all at once . The format has been agreed as a ...
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the longest running science fiction show in the world I am taking a weekly look at some of my favourite Dr Who episodes focusing on one Doctor a month. In March I've been looking at the third Doctor That is my quick whizz through my favourite third Doctor stories done. As I mentioned yesterday the overall word for the third Doctor is 'fun' and what fun he is. Away from the episodes I reviewed, you have rampaging dinosaurs, overgrown maggots, Bessie the car and maniac computers. Oh, and the the Whomobile which was actually ...
It beggars belief that the "top down" reorganisation of our National Health Service is implemented today. It is a cause for alarm for four reasons. First it is a betrayal of our democracy. The Tories explicitly promised at the election that the NHS was "safe in their hands" and that there would be no "top down" reorganisation. If they didn't actually invent the phrase "top down" they certainly popularised it. Nevertheless it is happening. How can parliament have been so supine as as to vote the thing through? Secondly, and still on the democratic theme, the re-organisation is opposed by ...
Following Nick Clegg's affront to Liberal Democrat members with his support for secret courts and a tougher line on immigration, we speculated last week that the third offence in this sequence would be the 'Snoopers Charter'. But something else has turned up. Clegg will today slaughter another sacred cow when he announces the abandonment of the party's long-held commitment to electoral reform. Liberator has seen an advance copy of a speech that Clegg will deliver this morning at an event hosted by the right-of-centre think tank Policy Exchange. The speech starts off with some fine words about the importance of ...
Mon 1st
07:30
EXCLUSIVE: Clegg re-writes Lib Dem constitution to show that party has "learned the lessons of power...
[IMG: nick clegg lib dem membership card - 2013] Nick Clegg has told close friends that the time for apologising is over; now is the time to assert his own belief in jettisoning inconvenient liberal values for the sake of expediency. Asked by some MPs if he had been forced to support 'secret courts' as part of a secret deal with the Prime Minister, Nick replied: "It's worse than you think. I really do believe in it." Critics, within the party and beyond, will seize on today's revelation as further proof that the Lib Dem leader has drifted from his ...
Every government, and every government Minister, has a duty to conduct her or himself with the highest standard of conduct in fulfilling government roles. Members of the public, and indeed members of the opposition, should be secure in the knowledge that their government is acting with integrity, objectivity and honesty. Likewise, when there is dispute over whether Ministers have acted improperly, the public needs to have confidence that they will be held to account fairly. Sadly, the system for policing the code of conduct in Wales does not instil that confidence as it is up to the First Minister, and ...
I have again described Dundee's digital TV output as a continuing postcode lottery and have written to the Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport, Maria Miller MP, calling for the government to review the multiplex arrangements on Freeview that mean that thousands of his West End constituents continue to receive far fewer TV channels from digital terrestrial TV than other Dundonians served by a different TV transmitter. This is a long-standing anomaly caused by the previous government's decision to make several of the Freeview multiplex channels available to only the so-called "main" transmitters and it means many people ...
With the school Easter holidays now upon us, my weekly West End Ward surgeries do not take place again until the start of the new school term on Monday 15th April. Meantime, I can be contacted via my e-surgery - esurgery@frasermacpherson.org.uk - or by phone on 459378.
Today we are introducing a new feature to the Welsh Assembly's website so as to improve the transparency and accountability of AMs. At 9am we will be remotely activating a GPS application in the Assembly-provided blackberries held by all members, so that anybody checking the members area on our website will be able to bring up a map so as to locate where their representative is at the time. The innovation mirrors a similar provision available on the website of the South Korean Parliament. I first heard about it at an e-parliament conference last September and was keen to introduce ...
