Yesterday, south east of Edinburgh, workers started construction on the reopening of the Waverley rail line - or Borders Rail as it is now called. The closure of the Waverley route mainline was probably the biggest mistake of the Beeching years - cutting off the Scottish borders from the rail network causing long term damage to its industry and agriculture sectors and even making a radical of its then MP - David Steel - who spent a night in the nick for his involvement in the protests against closure. But this is a victory for a long term campaign by ...
Spare a thought for the young Richard: according to this podcast from the University of Leicester, it was no picnic having scoliosis in the late Middle Ages: Dr Mary Ann Lund ... who has a special interest in medicine in history, says some of the treatments for scoliosis practised in the late medieval period would have themselves caused people with the condition a lot of anguish. The remains of Richard III discovered by University of Leicester archaeologists revealed that the King suffered from severe scoliosis, which he probably developed in early adolescence. Scoliosis - a lateral or side-to-side curvature of ...
The government has published proposals which will exempt small blogs from the effects and dangers of exemplary damages if we don't join the new watchdog. Full details can be found here but in a nutshell.. The amendments clarify the government's position on small blogs by further defining the exemption for blogs that are classed as 'micro-businesses' - business with fewer than 10 employees and an annual turnover below £2 million. This is the definition used by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.Despite not falling under the definition of relevant publisher, any publication that is exempt as a micro-business as ...
I seem to be developing a specialism as the "go to" website to identify random snippets of piano music used on the telly! My daughter noticed some particularly beautiful piano music being used for a trailer for the new series of Chicago Fire on Sky Living. Normally, one can google these things in seconds. On this occasion I did have to do quite a deep dive and eventually found a Sky Living forum which identified the tune. D'oh! As usual, the place where you find the answer was obvious all along, if only you had thought of it! The tune ...
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 Rebecca Taylor MEP writes...Electronic Cigarettes: No smoke, but lots of fiery debate (24 comments) by Rebecca Taylor MEP Julian Huppert writes...Update on the Defamation Bill (15 comments) by Julian Huppert MP Ding Dong & Mrs T. It's simple: don't buy it and don't ban it (47 comments) by Stephen Tall Paddy Ashdown pays tribute to Margaret Thatcher (and shows Nick how it's done) (87 comments) by Stephen Tall Lib Dems' libel reform retreat points to a wider ...
So my nomination papers are in and my manifesto is done. I'm doing something I swore I'd never do – running for a Liberal Youth position. Why? The way I see Liberal Youth hasn't always been positive and I've always ... Continue reading →
I'm standing for NPO – above is my manifesto. This is intended as a whistle stop tour of what I want to do and why. My priorities are making Liberal Youth financially self sufficient – I won't achieve this in one term ... Continue reading →
Oldham's Inspiral Carpets with 'This is how it feels' from the dying days of the Thatcher government.
Since the coalition government came to power in 2010 the British economy has been stagnant. Unlike other advanced economies, the United States in particular, national income has failed to recover back up to the level it reached before the crisis struck in 2007 (a more correct turning point, in my view, than the more commonly used 2008). In particular the government has failed to meet its own projections, with plans to reduce the government deficit behind target. A common view in the media, backed by a number of distinguished economists, is that the government's austerity policies are "not working", and ...
The latest Acocks Green Ward Committee took place this week. Attendance by the public was low, though those who were there had much to contribute! The key issues discussed were: 1) Access to Fox Hollies Leisure Centre from Fox Hollies Road. This has finally been resolved and the new pathway is scheduled to open on 1st May. Very welcome news for those residents who will soon have a much shorter walk to the Leisure Centre. This work was funded by the Ward's Community Chest allocation and shows the value in a local pot of money, that can be directed to ...
Liberal Democrat Leader and Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg has launched the Liberal Democrat 2013 local election campaign. In his speech, he set out how Liberal Democrats have the right priorities in tough times. For example, Liberal Democrat-controlled local authorities protect the services people value most and last year, no Liberal Democrat-led council closed any libraries. This is in contrast to Labour and the Conservatives' record in local government. It shows that, even when millions of families are feeling the pinch, they'll both squander taxpayers' money on waste, inefficiency and their own vanity projects. For example, here in Bucks, the ...
From 6 April 2016 all dog owners will be required to have their pets' microchipped. The new law aims to reduce a rise in stray dogs nationally. Owners who fail to comply with the new legislation could face a fine of up to £500. The Dogs Trust has provided Stockport Council's Dog Warden Service with a supply of free microchips for all dogs in the borough. Microchipping permanently identifies a dog. A microchip – about the size of a grain of rice – is implanted under the skin of a dog by injection, usually within the scruff of the neck. ...
Stockport Council is warning internet users to be wary of 'free trial' offers for health and cosmetic products. There has been an rise in complaints from people who have signed up for 'free trials' for products such as vitamins, face creams and diet pills, only to discover that their bank accounts have later been debited for large amounts of money. In most cases the customer receives some goods but then notices that additional charges are being made every month. The charges typically range from £49 to £89 per month. If the consumer manages to contact the firm they are told ...
I first stood as an election candidate in the eighties and I have been helped by many people over the years, and I distinctly remember knocking on doors with one man the first time I stood. I was asked why I was standing.I knew that the Liberal Democrats (then the Liberal Party) were the closest party to my views. I wanted a better democracy with a fairer electoral system. I wanted greater participation by the public in our local councils. I felt that candidates from other parties could get elected without working hard and they could carry on as an ...
I gather that the project team who will be overseeing the work on Acocks Green Library's roof repairs have now been appointed. There is a pre-contract meeting next week and a firm date for the start of the work should be agreed then. Fingers crossed this is really it!
The Defamation Bill is nearly law. Several key reforms needed to protect free debate are already included in the Bill, thanks to the tireless work of the Libel Reform Campaign (declaration: I have acted as an adviser to the campaign), the heroic defence of free speech by individuals in the face of financial ruin, and Parliamentarians from both Houses, with Lib Dems leading the charge. At the very last, however, a Tory attempt to scupper one of the most important provisions that was included in the bill needs to be defeated if the ensuing Act is to achieve its aim ...
The publication this week of the latest UK university fundraising figures gives me a timely excuse to dust down this #QTWTAIN. There's a common assumption that pretty much all alumni at US universities (and certainly the elite Ivy League) give back to their almae matres. British university fundraisers get used to being brow-beaten with statements along the lines, "Of course at Harvard nearly all their alumni make a donation." It's a good line. But it's not true. Here are 3 facts: In 2010, the proportion of alumni from Harvard making a donation was under 20% (19.4% to be precise); The ...
Following on from my previous post, I want to discuss MacIntyre's claim that stories and the roles that people play in them contribute something fundamental to personal identity. This is crucially important to modern politics, because storytelling – in the form of political narratives – is at the core of how parties present themselves and ...
I am a huge fan of the TV show The Voice. However like most shows I do prefer the American version so I thought I'd put together my favourite ten auditions from The Voice over the four seasons so far (although none of the top ten are from season one). Looking down this list I think it is pretty clear that there is a certain type of vocal I enjoy and that is quirky female voices. I also much prefer the US judges and the way they hardly communicate with each other during the audition itself. They are busy listening ...
[IMG: House of Lords chamber] Yes, I know, I've been rubbish at keeping up with this in recent weeks, but it's a busy week ahead in the Lords, as they return from their early Spring recess for a hectic week of tying up loose ends before the end of the Parliamentary session when they... go off for the recess before the Queen's Speech... So, without further ado... Monday sees the introduction of the Bishop of Truro, just in time for consideration of Commons amendments on the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform and Growth and Infrastructure Bills. Yes, the 'right to build ...
Here's today's hand-picked selection that caught my interest... The London schools mystery | FT data .@XtopherCook on "The London schools mystery" via @FTdata > http://on.ft.com/11nvCi8 Extended school time | Toolkit | The Education Endowment Foundation Extended school time – just in case anyone's interested in y'know the evidence here's my colleagues @EducEndowFoundn: http://bit.ly/11kcfrA Should the Public Affairs Act 1975 be repealed? » Spectator Blogs Why party tribalism is COMPLETELY STUPID > Should the Public Affairs Act 1975 be repealed? http://bit.ly/Zve2Ke by @JJ_159 Liberal Hero / Villain | CentreForum Blog Who should be my @CentreForum #LiberalHero or #LiberalVillain this week? http://bit.ly/11hVYTO ...
(I'm writing this on my lunch-break so keeping it brief). I sent off the first draft of my new novel to beta-readers and the publisher for feedback a week ago. My own view on it at the moment is that the first half (or so) is extremely good, while the second half needs a lot ...
On Wednesday evening Andover based Conservative councillors forced through the immediate disposal of the Test Valley Borough Council Offices site in Duttons Road, Romsey. A proposal to delay the disposal proposed by Conservative Councillor Collier of Romsey Abbey ward was defeated after a long and sometimes acrimonious debate. Councillor Hurst, the Test Valley Liberal Democrat Group Leader, commented that there were just too many uncertainties about the future of Romsey to be certain that Duttons Road would not eventually be required for a community use, such as car parking, or as office space. "Unfortunately the Tory cabinet was blinded by ...
The Reinhart and Rogoff theory, that a Debt/GDP ratio greater that 90% causes economies to shrink by 0.1% per year rather than grow, has now been blown out of the water. Apparently they got something wrong in their spreadsheet and, had they used the tool correctly, they should have come up with a growth figure of +2.2%. So bang goes the philosophy underpinning George Osborne's economic policy of putting deficit reduction above all else. It is amazing that the Reinhart-Rogoff theory ever had any credence. After all the Debt/GDP ratios of most of the countries involved in the Second World ...
[IMG: Europe Day - European Union - Some rights reserved by Niccolò Caranti] Lib Dem MEP calls on EU Parliament to scrap planned budget hikes On Tuesday, senior UK Liberal Democrat MEP George Lyon called on the European Parliament to scrap planned budget increases ahead of the next series of votes on EU spending. Mr Lyon, a vice chair of the EU Budget Committee, has tabled amendments that, if implemented, would see the one off costs of funding the European election absorbed within a real-terms budget freeze. Commenting, he said: At a time when finances are tight it is only ...
Media Discovery (New Web Ltd) is encouraging blogs to run paid for advertorials, without disclosing to their readership that the content is an advert. This appears to be in breach of the advertising industry's code of practice. Anyone who has ever run a blog is probably familiar with these sorts of email - I get one or two a week. Hi Terence, I recently sent you an email about hosting an advertisement on your site. I hope you received it, if not it may have ended up in your junk folder. I believe we offer a very attractive system of ...
How does social media help anti-government protesters? How does it help the governments resisting them? I was part of a discussion on this topic on the BBC's Daily Politics earlier this week: For more on this question, see my magazine article from last year The Arab Spring, social media and lessons for future revolutionaries: "The longer you can look back, the further you can look forward". So said Winston Churchill, explaining the practical application of history to forecasting. That is why those seeking to understand the causes as well as possible implications of the Arab Spring and Egyptian revolution of ...
This is the latest in my series of Random Thoughts posts with links, things found on the web and other stuff that has occurred to me between 11th April 2013 and 19th April 2013: Whipsnade Zoo: Lemur Island welcomes new residents I know I should be more mature about this — but lemurs are just the coolest things ever! Naval strategy lessons for the NHS David Boyle on why Nelson's "Band of Brothers" leadership style should be applied to the management of public services. Great stuff. How Liberal Democrat MPs voted against making it far harder for companies to misuse ...
With your support we've increased the East Dulwich Free School demand figures: 243 families supporting two new local free primary schools (previous update was 225) with the following potential pupil numbers: 2014: 78 children (70 at previous update) 2015: 67 children (63 at previous update) All this extra support is being forwarded to the Department of Education to make the case for two new local Primary schools even more compelling.
Fri 19th
10:48
ALDE Council preview: separating the Central European goat from the Eastern European sheep?
[IMG: istria logo] It must be said that, when I was elected to be one of the Party's delegates to the Council of what was then ELDR and is now ALDE (Alliance of Liberals and Democrats in Europe), I had a vague idea that the travel would be interesting. And yes, Dresden and Palermo were interesting, despite there not being very many direct flights. Yerevan, on the other hand, was not exactly an obvious destination, although the warmth of the welcome, and the sheer enthusiasm for 'Europe' was invigorating for someone who has to deal with the UKIP approach to ...
I'm delighted to have been sent the provisional dates for the re-surfacing works around Launceston. A huge number of local residents have complained about the state of our streets. The potholes cause damage to cars and increase the risk of accidents. Over the past three years, millions of pounds has been stripped out of the council's fund for road repairs and safety as the Conservatives and Independents have taken the money to plug other holes in their budget - mainly their disastrous car parking policy. But the new budget, proposed by the Liberal Democrats and accepted by the majority of ...
I'm not one of those people that believe that local government should be the primary driver of economic growth. However, local government can remove barriers and make strategic decisions about using the contracting process to support and encourage local provision. Create a thriving local economy More and more local businesses are feeling the crunch - even closing The Tories have failed to drive economic development and oppose much of the green economy Liberal Democrats will:give local businesses equal opportunity to supply the County Council and ensure contracts do not penalise local companieshelp local shops and businesses find loans and investmenteducate ...
I should make it clear I'm from Police families. Both grandfathers were serving Police officers. One a Chief Super who in retirement chaired NARPO, the other an armed MoD Police officer who guarded the first UK atomic weapons. My father was born in a Police station, uncle chaired magistrate benches and I'm proud to still have all their policing medals and badges. So I attended Southwark Police commander John Sutherland meeting to talk about his plans feeling supportive. We were told 24 June is the go live date for the Met Police "Local Policing model" with 4 clusters of local ...
Doctor Who's 50th anniversary to be celebrated with BBC Prom - News - TV & Radio - The Independent (tags: ) Facebook's big misogyny problem | Soraya Chemaly | Comment is free | guardian.co.uk Really, REALLY glad I deleted my facebook (tags: ) 'Secret courts' jeopardize justice -- New Internationalist (tags: ) BBC News - New Zealand legalises same-sex marriage (tags: ) Things that Americans find incomprehensible about the UK | The Reinvigorated Programmer "On the other hand, apparently broadband for a month costs less than an order of fries at McDonalds." (tags: ) And Now, A Small Example of ...
New figures from the ONS today confirm that private renting is on the increase: Over the last century, the structure of home ownership in England and Wales has changed. Policies and economic developments have transformed the tenure structure over the century from a largely renting to an owner occupier population. The last decade however has seen the first rise in the percentage of households renting, since 1918... The percentage of households renting increased in all English regions and in Wales in the decade to 2011. London had the highest percentage of renters, accounting for 50.4% of households in the region. ...
As some of our readers may already be aware, the Government has set up the Access to Elected Office Fund, as part of its Access to Elected Office Strategy, to help pay the disability-related costs that disabled people standing for elected office might face. The fund is open to all disabled people who wish to be selected as a candidate in an election, or who have already been selected and are standing in an election. Candidates may apply for money from the fund to meet the costs of disability-related support needed to stand for elected office, e.g. costs related to ...
This may be my advancing age, but I sat through Tuesday's rather patronising phone in programme on measles and MMR with mounting irritation, and the news that the inoculation programme in Swansea is not going very well has confirmed me in my discomfort. I have thought hard before writing this particular blog. But I can't be the only person to feel uneasy about the way this story is being communicated. Before I upset everybody, let me say that I did, after some thought, have both my children inoculated using the combined vaccine some years ago. I left it later than ...
You've heard the arguments: Having a 'competitive' tax system is a good thing for the UK. Trying to tax the wealthy and corporations just stifles economic performance and puts off investors. If business and wealthy people are taxed too much, they will desert Britain for countries with a more 'competitive' tax system. Does this belief in a 'competitive' tax system have any evidential basis? nef (the new economics foundation) has produced another of its useful mythbusters. The evidence shows what happens when you pursue a competitive' tax policy: Only big, multinational companies can afford to shift operations to take advantage ...
At yesterday's meeting of the Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, Lib Dem Councillor Mary Ovens highlighted a serious flaw in the Council's tourist plan for Redcar. Questioning the Labour Cabinet Member Olwyn Peters, Cllr Ovens criticised the shortage of public toilets available or planned in Redcar.The great need is at the west end of the beach in the area of Majuba Car Park.Cllr Ovens' comments come after a sustained campaign by Coatham ward Lib Dem councillors Irene Curr and Josie Crawford.Councillor Mary Ovens said:"The oversight of Labour in Redcar is appalling. There is a clear need for additional facilities.Redcar Lib ...
[IMG: mainheader] There's no use pretending that the euro crisis is over. Cyprus has got even bigger problems with its banks than was thought. Slovenia also faces a banking crisis. Portugal doesn't know how to balance its books after already making deep cuts. And France is being warned that the size of its public sector debts represents a major threat. (I used to wonder how France could afford to pay for so many sports stadiums even in tiny towns; maybe now I know the answer). Then there are the problems of Spain, Italy and Greece. The sole Greek MEP in ...
[IMG: Sea otter] Two years ago, I remember campaigning for election to Mid Suffolk District Council and the sun shone for the last six weeks of the campaign. This year, the weather has been pretty unfriendly for the most part, and I'm struck down by shingles. It really was better in the old days... Only one principal authority by-election last night, in the Angmering ward of Arun District Council in West Sussex, which turned out to be a bit of a disappointment. The result; Andy Cooper (Conservative) – 878 votes (64%, +25% on 2011) Carly Goodwin (Labour) – 268 votes ...
I'm perplexed to see that new fire resitant front doors have been installed with very low letterboxes e.g. Friern Road blocks 100 flats. GReat that theyre getting more fire safe front doors but if they're messed up on part them have they messed up anything else. I know from the Communication Workers Union (CWU) campaigns (I'm an ex.member) that they recommend letterboxes adhere to the British Standard and European Standard (EN13724) based on it. This is due to over 3,000 postal workers suffering injuries a year from low letterboxes. Indeed NHBC also recommend this. As a CWU official and the ...
The Welsh Government's reasons for abandoning its mortgage guarantee scheme started to unravel yesterday, with key building companies expressing their disappointment that the 3rd June launch date has been abandoned and questioning who exactly has pulled out so as to scupper the proposal. Those contacted by the BBC told reporters that they were ready and willing to take part in the mortgage guarantee scheme from 3rd June and had not been consulted on the decision to drop it. Stuart Rowlands, managing director of Redrow South Wales, said: "I was shocked and dismayed to hear the news. "It certainly was a ...
Fri 19th
07:04
Greater mental health and chronic pain management service needed for farmers in rural Wales
Yesterday I called on Wales' new Health Minister, Mark Drakeford to do more to ensure that greater support is given to mental health and chronic pain management services across Wales in light of the recent misfortunes suffered by the farming community. The devastation resulting from the recent snow storms has caused a significant degree of stress and mental anguish to Welsh farmers. As such it is essential that the Welsh Government moves to ensure that sufficient additional funding is given to our farming support organisations so that they are able to meet this surge in demand. While I welcome the ...
This short post has been inspired by a conversation at work regarding overpopulation and a shortage of food. Do you think we are doomed because we are going to run out of land and food? Are you a modern day Malthus? Then read this website here If you look on this website you will find six short videos all backed by publicly available data from the United Nations that clearly shows the doom mongers are...well....doom mongering. Enjoy!
Last night, I attended the latest Harris Academy Parent Council meeting at which we had a useful discussion about a number of issues including the new timetable that is nearing completion, course choices for pupils, the prelim examinations and latest updates on the impending school decant and transport arrangements. Thew new school website has lots of information about the school and can be accessed here.
Further to my update yesterday about the West End parking consultation outcome, I spoke on both Radio Tay News and Wave 102 News about the situation. You can hear me on Wave 102 News by clicking 'play' below:
From Sheena Wellington: On Saturday 20th April, the Friends of Wighton's monthly Cappuccino Concert will feature Simon Chadwick in a special launch performance of his new harp CD, Tarbh. The concert takes place in the Wighton Heritage Centre, upstairs in Dundee Central Library - admission is £5. Doors open, and coffee and newspapers are available, from 10.30am with the music from 11am until12 noon. Simon Chadwick is a specialist in the historic harp traditions of Scotland and Ireland. He lives in St Andrews on the east coast of Scotland, and has been studying and teaching the early clarsach for fourteen ...
In 1887, Sherlock Holmes didn't care at all about breadth of knowledge, and wasn't interested in amassing esoteric information. He was ignorant of many things, focused purely on his rather narrow interests. He didn't even know, for example, that the Earth orbits around the Sun: "It is of the highest importance not to have useless ...
