There has been much made of the fact that teenagers and young people who were not born till after Thatcher left office don't know about Thatcher and Thatcherism. This raises the question: Should they know who she was? In the Times newspaper April 9 George Osborne said that, "children will study the former Prime minister in the same way that they study Elizabeth 1, Cromwell and Churchill." Do I want to study about Thatcher? I partly agree with George Osborne. I read up on Thatcher during last summer's school holidays. I came to the conclusion that her legacy still lives ...
I have been ordered by Ludlow Conservatives Rosanna and Martin Taylor-Smith to remove a picture of them on my blog. The photo was published here: Rosanna and Martin represent Ludlow North and South on Shropshire Council. The photo is taken from flyers being pushed through 4,000 or so doors. But the Taylor-Smiths say I ...
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Saturday This secret courts business is getting very worrying as Clegg seems quite set on the idea. Many politicians get like this when they first meet the top brass of the secret service: they go native and start spouting whatever the spies want them to. I have never been so impressed by these types because, in my young day, every spy I knew later turned out to have been working for the Soviet Union, and I don't suppose much has changed since then. Still at Brig o'Dread, my Caledonian home, after the launch of the Ming Campbell, I learn that ...
At the time of the August 2011 riots I was on holiday in Cyprus. By the time I came home, they were over. As I had far better things to think about at the time (or rather, not think about), I didn't really pay very much attention to them. I do remember hearing Tottenham MP David Lammy condemning the rioters as "mindless people", David Cameron stating that it was "criminality pure and simple" and Ed Miliband asking him if he was being tough enough on those involved. However, as I was a thoughtful student of social psychology at the time, ...
I was delighted earlier today to be elected as Secretary of North East Scotland Liberal Democrats at its EGM in Aberdeen. I am pleased to work alongside the new Chair Kris Chapman (from Aberdeen South and North Kincardine Liberal Democrats), Vice Chair Cllr Iris Walker (Liberal Democrat Councillor for Westhill and District) and Treasurer Sanjay Samani (from Angus and Mearns Liberal Democrats) - all pictured (in order as mentioned above!) below:North East Scotland Liberal Democrats are holding our regional conference in early May and we are delighted that Willie Rennie MSP, George Lyon MEP, Sir Malcolm Bruce MP, Sir Robert ...
I have been relatively quiet on here for a couple of weeks. In reality I have been relatively quiet across all Social Media in the past couple of weeks. I have been in a sort of malaise regarding a lot of things. I've had a lack of energy and drive. This isn't to say I've been down as you'll find out later if you read long enough that isn't the case but it has just been a general malaise. Last week was weird. Like seriously weird. I'm not going to write all of the weirdness on here but there was ...
Welcome to the Golden Dozen, and our 321st weekly round-up from the Lib Dem blogosphere ... Featuring the seven most popular stories beyond Lib Dem Voice according to click-throughs from the Aggregator (7-13 April, 2013), together with a hand-picked quintet, normally courtesy of LibDig, you might otherwise have missed. Don't forget: you can sign up to receive the Golden Dozen direct to your email inbox — just click here — ensuring you never miss out on the best of Lib Dem blogging. As ever, let's start with the most popular post, and work our way down: 1. Chuka Umunna: Wikipedia ...
The refurbished Atkinson Library is now open to general acclaim-although some have commented on the number of books missing which may be a temporary situation. But one area that does concern me is that our local history section is missing. Apparently it is lodged elsewhere. Surely the right place for the archive of local Southport newspapers is in Southport Library According to wikipedia the ...'Old Southport newspapers now out of print are as follows: Independent 1861-1920s; Liverpool & Southport News 1861-1872; Southport News (West Lancs) 1881-1885; Southport Standard 1885-1899 Southport Guardian 1882-1953; Southport Journal 1904-1932 Southport Star; Southport Advertiser Now ...
Telstar is known to be Margaret Thatcher's favourite pop record, though I cannot find where she said this. It was not during her appearance on Desert Island Discs. When choosing The Shadows' Wonderful Land I suggested that tune shared a quality of "innocent optimism" with Telstar. That is not a quality one easily associates with Margaret Thatcher. If you have seen Telstar: The Joe Meek Story you will know Telstar reached number one in the UK and America, but that the money from these sales was held up by a law suit brought by a French composer. claimed that Telstar ...
I can't speak for all the other candidates, especially the independent, but I think there is consensus that a move to 20mph is good. I have spoken to the police and they are happy with it too. They told me that studies have shown that average speeds have come down. These speeds are still over 20mph but some drivers will be sticking to the limit. Unfortunately other drivers will still want a race. Many residents have told me that the new speed limits are a waste of time and money because they have seen the costs and they still see ...
I am, I must admit, in some discomfort today, although that has rather been the case for the past week or so. At least I now know why, having been diagnosed yesterday as having contracted shingles. Fortunately, it is a relatively case thus far, concentrated around my abdomen, and manifesting itself as a rather nasty rash and some decidedly uncomfortable muscular and nerve-related pain. I can get out and about, in moderation, and have spent parts of the weekend delivering leaflets in two of our local target divisions. Indeed, given the rather improved weather, it would be a pity not ...
Robert Sharp, the head of campaigns and communications for English PEN, has a good post on Liberal Democrat Voice about a new threat to the prospects for reform of the law of libel. He says: No sooner had the proposed law been liberated, after being taken hostage by Leveson negotiations, than Conservative MPs have begun messing with crucial free speech provisions.One has tabled an amendment seeking to remove a crucial clause from the Defamation Bill that places limits on corporations' use of the libel laws. Robert explains: Such a law would have discouraged the crippling libel cases brought by Big ...
OMG, this has been a weekend of eating. I'm a little ashamed. Also, very full. And craving vegetables. I went out with friends Friday night. Getting seated was an ordeal (despite the signs that said "please wait to be seated, people would seat themselves and the hostess told us that she wasn't allowed to ask them to wait once they'd sat down/let her friends take tables over people who'd been waiting TWICE the time originally quoted) and, as a result, we ended up with appetizers and desserts that we didn't order. I'm not complaining, just sayin' that I ended up ...
My first reaction to Thatcher's death was that of someone with a mother the same age. My mum does not suffer from dementia, and although she lives on her own, she has a very active and enjoyable social life. Even so, I was touched by Russell Brand's account of how he came across Thatcher with ...
As promised, here's an opportunity for anyone who wants to know what I, and my fellow Liberal Democrat candidates, are promising if elected. Today, I start with education... Bring back Quality Education Eight years ago, Suffolk had an enviable education system. After eight years of Tory mismanagement the County is almost bottom of the English league table. Liberal Democrats will:get Suffolk back again into the top fifty Local Education Authorities, by increasing support to struggling schools and helping teachers to succeedensure any free schools are fit for purpose and appropriately sitedstop the use of Bed and Breakfast Accommodation for children ...
International Development minister Lynne Featherstone writes a monthly column for one of her local newspapers. Here is the latest one... Week after week, I meet local residents at my constituency advice surgeries. Many are working hard in full or part time jobs, but still struggling to make ends meet due to the current economic climate. The unemployed and part timers often tell me they want to work more but also keep more of the money they earn. The Lib Dems have known this for a long time. And from now, the amount you can earn before being taxed has risen ...
As readers may recall, the St Albans Green Party ran a scare-mongering campaign claiming that this facility would be closed. They even persuaded people to sign a petition – and some people to this day are still worried. As we made clear at the time, there was never a suggestion that this site would be closed – the campaign was just a cynical political ploy. The email to councillors received this week confirms this. Note to county councillors As you are aware, we have been seeking to redevelop the St Albans Household Waste Recycling Centre for the last year and ...
So, this is what Holly can do given about five minutes in Microsoft paint: [IMG: Holly moonlit dog] (click through to embiggen) In PAINT she did that, and you all know how frustrating it is to achieve ANYTHING in paint. [IMG: comment count unavailable] comments
Confessions of a Supply-Side Liberal: Luigi Zingales: Pro-Market vs. Pro-Business: supplysideliberal: From Chrystia Freeland's book Plutocrats, pp. 261-262: Luigi Zingales, a professor at the University of Chicago's Booth School of Business, frames [a central issue for government policy] as the choice between being promarket and being pro business. Super-elites are often the product of a...
Here's today's hand-picked selection that caught my interest... Alan Watkins: 'Margaret Thatcher could be cautious and open to outside influence' – UK Politics – UK – The Independent I miss Alan Watkins. This article's an example of why > 'Thatcher could be cautious and open to outside influence' http://ind.pn/178ermr "The silencing of the Munchkins" - what the BBC should have done. | Jack of Kent "The record should have been treated just as another number one" < @JackofKent on the ridiculous Ding Dong debate http://bit.ly/17yQNCu Ding Dong over Thatcher song makes the BBC no better than China | Nick Cohen ...
[IMG: chris davies] Chris Davies reveals one of the unexpected problems of the European Parliament shuttling between Brussels and Strasbourg at great expense: bed bugs. Here's an excerpt from his latest notes: I went to the medical centre in the European Parliament in Brussels. "I've had these itchy spots on my arms and legs for 6 weeks or so," I told the doctor. "They started off like insect bites but they won't go away." She looked at them and asked if any new spots had appeared since the Parliament was last in Strasbourg. I told her no. "The good news ...
I see Alamein's Tory councillors have dsitributed another of their In Touch leaflets. In this they proudly announce that Hampshire County Council has frozen council tax. But, in smaller print, they admit the Tory controlled borough council has raised its council tax by a massive 4.1% and seek to distance themselves from it by saying none of them supported it. From what I remember of the council meeting they didn't vote against the increase either, just made disapproving noises and then left the meeting before it ended. However you interpret their views its obvious the local conservative group are hopelessly ...
[IMG: No Second Night Out] As reported in the Peterborough Telegraph the Government's Homelessness Transition Fund have provided £137,797 for a range of agencies aimed with ensuring ensure no one spends two nights on the streets. No Second Night Out, is the name of the project which aims to identify those sleeping rough and support them into more stable environments. Read the full article by CLICKING HERE! Commenting on the news, Cllr Darren Fower said: "It's good news that some money has come from the Coalition Government, but whether it proves to be enough is another matter. What I would ...
The Liberal Party Constitution commits us to' ... create the positive conditions which will make a full and free life possible for all' . The last two words establish an unbridgeable gulf between us and the Thatcher approach. David Steel 1985 A journalist reporting the death of Thatcher tonight said that he learned the news whilst following Clegg on a campaign tour of Cornwall and reflected that Thatcher had a profound impact on our party.Writing in 1985 David Steel set himself the task of '...........presenting a constructive alternative to Thatcherism and ....'winning the intellectual argument against the new Conservatism.' . ...
My colleague, Cllr Tina Gould, Lib Dem Councillor for Mossley Hill has been looking into Labour's plans to sell off the Meadowlands (a piece of land by Sefton Park). She's discovered that, among all the other reasons not to sell is the fact the trees there are meant to be protected. There's a special Council meeting about this, and other potential open space raids, on Thursday this week (18th). I've pasted below the info from Tina: Liberal Democrat Mossley Hill Councillor Tina Gould has discovered that the Meadowlands site which the Council is pushing ahead to flog to developers is ...
"Where there is discord, may we bring harmony. Where there is error, may we bring truth. Where there is doubt, may we bring faith. And where there is despair, may we bring hope". So said Thatcher as she stood on the steps of No10 Downing St for the first time. If she really meant that as her political goal then she was either uttering a monumental lie or her reign was a monumental failure. That most particularly applies to the 'bring harmony' bit. The enormous disharmony that she created we can still see all around us this very day. To ...
I've always loved taking things apart. I remember, as a child, trying to sneak a set of screwdrivers onto a transatlantic flight. I wanted to see how the aeroplane worked and figured that unscrewing vital components while in flight would be just fine. I've (mostly) grown out of the habit of tearing down things which are currently useful, and tend to wait until they reach their natural end before poking them with sharpened metal. In late 2009, I purchased the Elonex E511EB from Waterstones. My review of it on this blog was incredibly popular - with over 250 comments! As ...
And here it is in more user friendly. As ever, there are many roads which should have been included. But feedback welcome. IWP Report Mar13 Div_45
[IMG: margaret revolutionary ch4] Margaret – Death of a Revolutionary (7pm, 13 April, Channel 4: watch it online here). 'Martin Durkin presents his controversial thesis that Margaret Thatcher was a working class revolutionary'. I just checked the meaning of thesis. One definition is: A hypothetical proposition, especially one put forth without proof. On that basis, I think it's fair to say Martin Durkin's appraisal was a thesis. I think I can more or less paraphrase its 90 minutes in a sentence: Some working class people made good so Margaret Thatcher was good for the working class. To prove that thesis ...
Saturday reprise Before we get on to reviewing last night's terrific episode, another thought: "An ancient clade of wizards whose eternal, endless chanting keeps the dreaded devourer from awakening and ending us all... until a Time Lord interferes, and silence falls." "The Rings of Akhaten" or "Logopolis"? The difference being, "Logopolis" doesn't pull its punches and people die. Sure, the eponymous planet is destroyed in both stories, [oops, spoilers] but the difference could not be more stark between the hideous visceral dissolution of Logopolis, visibly aging to dust along with its population, and the planet-god disappearing up its own swansong. ...
Sun 14th
10:20
The Independent View: A chance for Liberal Democrat activists to speak up for free speech
There is a new threat to the Defamation Bill. No sooner had the proposed law been liberated, after being taken hostage by Leveson negotiations, than Conservative MPs have begun messing with crucial free speech provisions. Former libel lawyer Sir Edward Garnier MP has tabled an amendment seeking to remove a crucial clause from the Defamation Bill. The clause places some limits on corporations' use of the libel laws. It does not bar them from suing entirely – just asks that they show financial loss before they do so. It's an objective and measurable test for companies, who after all do ...
Dr Who Dalek found in pond - Telegraph This old news story popped up on the Gallifrey Times reading list and now all I can think is a filked version of Sorted for Es and Wizz: "And this hollow feeling grows and grows and grows and grows And you want to phone your mother and say "Mother, I can never come home again 'cause I seem to have left an important part of my dalek somewhere Somewhere in a pond in Hampshire". " (tags: ) Why don't cell phones have a dialtone? Interesting! (tags: ) Gender Bias Found in How ...
Between 1880 and 1910, a third of all the Jewish people on the world were moving continents, squeezed into dirty, lice-infested, black-funnelled steamships, arriving in London Docks or Ellis Island in New York Harbour, hoping for a new world, often owning nothing more than they were wearing. One of them was Michael Marks, who seems to have decided on England because his older brother Barnet had gone there first. But as Michael arrived in London in 1882, with enough money for the train to Stockton-on-Tees, he found that his brother had gone - or was going - to the Yukon ...
Another day and yet another Blairite emerges from the woodwork to offer unsolicited and no doubt unwanted advice to the Labour leader. This time it is the former Home Secretary, David Blunkett who, according to the Guardian has backed Tony Blair in calling for a "one nation" Labour party based on more than just backing the "grievance of a resentful and selfish" public sector against budget cuts. Given that Miliband has embraced such protest, as opposed to constructive opposition, as his main raison d'etre this is quite a fundamental criticism. Blunkett says 'that Miliband needs "to speak to all parts ...
Every year there are several pollution incidents in South Gloucestershire caused by faulty or badly maintained domestic heating oil pipes and tanks. Leaked oil can be very difficult and expensive to clean up. In some circumstances residents have had to move out of their houses for months because of the fumes from leaked oil. The Environmental Protection team at South Glos has a leaflet online that gives advice on how to prevent an oil leak, what to do if you find a leak and the law relating to tanks and spillages.
I visited Margaret Thatcher's hometown of Grantham yesterday, not to sign the book of condolences but to do the weekly shopping at Morrisons. There was no outward sign of any mourning. There was no makeshift shrine of flowers and teddy bears outside the corner shop where Thatcher grew up (the shop is now occupied by a chiropractic business called Living Health). Why the local stoicism? Following the Lincolnshire earthquake of 2008, the Guardian noted: Stoicism is in keeping with the character of a county which, despite being England's second-biggest, does not like to make a fuss. In the 1983 general ...
[IMG: Papers - Some rights reserved by NS Mewsflash] It's Sunday morning, so here are a dozen of thought-provoking articles to stimulate your thinking juices, culled from all those I've linked to this past fortnight. You can follow me on Delicious here. Immigration and the knowledge economy – Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg makes the business case for immigration reform in the US, but the lesson is universal: "In a knowledge economy, the most important resources are the talented people we educate and attract to our country." Mum did to Maggie what she'd done to Kermit – Dan Hodges is utterly brilliant ...
In recent months, with the decant of Harris Academy to the Rockwell site fast approaching in August, the issue of school transport for pupils has been extensively discussed at the Harris Academy Project Board and at the school's Parent Council. I have been anxious that bus arrangements are satisfactory for pupils and ensuring that those pupils who live a distance from the decant site at Rockwell (obviously the majority of pupils given the Harris Academy catchment area) are given a bus pass and that satisfactory bus routes and options are available. Following recent enquiries to me from constituents about progress, ...
