Former Tory MP Jerry Hayes is always entertaining on the subject of his former parliamentary colleagues, and his latest two blog posts show an amusing turn of phrase. On Tim Yeo: It's not often that I am shocked to the core, but the Tim Yeo affair has left my gob truly smacked. Did I hear him correctly on tape boasting that he told a business colleague what questions his select committee was going to ask? Forgive me but if that's not coaching then my cock's a kipper.On Patrick Mercer: One moment you are cock of the walk, the next; just ...
[IMG: Prime Minister Julia Gillard (25)] From ABC news, here's the transcript of the controversial section of a cent interview between Australian PM Julia Gillard and Howard Sattler, now ex-presenter on Perth's 6PR radio station: HOWARD SATTLER: Myths, rumours, snide jokes and innuendoes, you've been the butt of them many times. JULIA GILLARD: Well I think that's probably right. We've certainly seen that this week. HOWARD SATTLER: May I test a few out? JULIA GILLARD: In what way? HOWARD SATTLER: Tim's gay. JULIA GILLARD: Well... HOWARD SATTLER: That's not me saying it, that's a myth. JULIA GILLARD: Well, that's absurd. ...
There are many adverts on television for companies that specialise in achieving the best compensation for you if you have an accident. Sometimes accidents just happen. Sometimes they are preventable. The problem is that on most occasions there is an element of both which means that the person who had the accident will have to fight for the best compensation. Hence the number of lawyers that are ready to help you. I have previously written about the problems of a compensation culture and about claims that appear to be inappropriate. On Friday I wrote about a claim of abuse by ...
Liberator's blog looks at who is likely to get the next batch of Liberal Democrat peerages. "The pub wasn't turning over anything like the previous tenants figures suggested and almost from the off we knew we were going to struggle. As I waived my husband off for what was supposed to be his last tour of Afghanistan, both he and I knew it wouldn't be the last time I would be doing this. It turned out that way too ... Even now, over four years later, he is still in Afghanistan and we can't see a way for our family ...
It's been a while since I wrote anything. An uncharacteristically long time, I should add. Such is life when the combined challenges of a full-time job, running a business, trying to be the best possible parent to Xanthe and dealing with what at times can be debilitating depression. There are at times other things to concern myself with than attempting to make sense of political developments. However, I want to respond to the Morrissey Inquiry's report, published earlier this week. This is not least because I provided evidence to the inquiry, but also because it touches on issues of such ...
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. This month it's the sixth Doctors turn. The Doctor is attempting to repair the TARDIS (again!) and through a series of mishaps he (ad Peri) end up materialising on the planet Varos right before a public execution is due to take place. They quickly learn that they have landed in a dystopia in a society where reality TV pervades popular culture and where one wrong ...
[IMG: bridge] My flabber continues to be gasted on a daily basis by the thoroughness of the work on Newbury's A339 Railway bridge. At this rate it'll be on the front page of Construction Week magazine. The meticulous brickwork continues as my lower photo shows. In the last few days, the site have taken delivery of a large number of concrete cast items (top) which are being formed to bolster the underneath of the bridge – presumably the "parapets" mentioned in the literature. (Or are these the "copings" mentioned? Answers on a postcard please....). They have been inserting the metal ...
Welcome to the Golden Dozen, and our 330th 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 (9-15 June, 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. The South Shields ...
So it turns out that Mrs Gauge has breast cancer. Not only does she have to put up with the huge inconvenience and embarrassment of being married to me, but she will, it seems, now have to endure months of being poked, prodded and pumped full of toxic chemicals before being surgically re-organised, nuked and then settled on to a ten year programme of hormonal augmentation. Naturally, she is taking all this in her stride and the medical profession are, so far, making very positive and re-assuring noises. A few things become apparent very quickly when you get this sort ...
The Villagers are an Irish indie folk bands whose first album was nominated for the Mercury Prize. This track is taken from their second. Pitchfork says: "Nothing Arrived" situates a pat lyrical resolution ... amidst easygoing pianos and acoustics like a wordy rendering of Travis ca. 12 Memories. But I like it.
[IMG: Broke] The publicity about my book Broke: Who Killed the Middle Classes seems to be continuing. Fingers crossed that people are actually reading it. But it is an important debate about the future of our society, and whether we are hurtling towards a new semi-feudalism - and talking about the middle class is always fun. So do come and join in the conversation. I'm speaking about the book at the following events: The Centre for Local Economic Strategies summit in Manchester (27 June) - actually that is mainly about local economics, but I'm happy to talk about the middle ...
[IMG: image] With thanks to our wonderful daughter, Rhea, for a fantastic Dad day's treat at Hotel du Vin, Henley Brewery, Henley-on-Thames. [IMG: Post to Twitter] Tweet This Post
The European Union has been leading the way in the global fight against climate change, not least thanks to the efforts of Liberal Democrat Ministers in the UK's Coalition government, Chris Huhne and now Ed Davey. The latter was guest speaker at Merton Liberal Democrats' summer garden party in Wimbledon this afternoon and restated his [...]
By Paul Hindley It has been a month since the successes made by the UK Independence Party (UKIP) in the local elections. In the weeks since then, we have seen a raft of senior Conservatives calling for Britain to exit the EU and we have seen a Queen's Speech that focused on tougher immigration policies. This shift to the right has been attributed to the rise of UKIP. What is needed is for us to step back from all the right wing reaction and media hype. We must put UKIP in context; we must see UKIP for what it is ...
Paddy Ashdown went on Murnaghan to say in no uncertain terms that now was not the time to be even talking about arming Syrian rebels and cautioned against any actions which could sound like a "Desist or we send our arms" message to Assad. The problem with that approach, he said, is that if you make a threat, you have to carry it out or nobody will ever believe what you say again. I've been busy on Storify this morning. My tweets summarising his comments are here. Here's a selection: .@paddyashdown: At this point, arming rebels would be an act ...
The welfare budget is around a third of goivernment spending. Despite promising to cut welfare in their 2010 manifesto and then spending 3 year opposing every reform. Labour have admitted they will keep the changes made by the coalition and are planning more. So to clear up all the confusion here is a simple guide to where parties stand on welfare. The Labour party would go after pensioners (
If I'd been at the press briefing for Helena Morrissey's report into the Liberal Democrats (which, as I've said, is well worth a read for its accurate and thoughtful insight into the culture of political parties), this is what I'd have asked: [IMG: Helena Morrissey] You've talked a lot in your report about the importance of our political culture and that within political parties. You've also generously noted the constraints our electoral system place on efforts to change the male-domination of politics. However, appointments to the House of Lords are within the gift of political party leaders. Do you think ...
Absent fathers are often attacked and stigmatized but fathers who are living in the house do not always participate in family life. Absent fathers are used by the right wing as evidence of so called delinquent behavior among the working class. From my observation absent fathers in the home is a middle class and rich class problem. Many children are growing up without the influence of a paternal role model who is interested and beneficial to their lives. I have some answers about the middle class absent father syndrome. Fathers in this bracket do participate in family life because they ...
The Guardian reports on some progress at the G8 summit on tax evasion but judging by the details there is still much more to be done. They say that the Prime Minister has secured agreement from Britain's overseas territories and Crown dependencies that they will sign up to a new clampdown on the practice. The deal involves a series of actions aimed at promoting transparency and exchange of information between tax jurisdictions so that developing countries will now be able to request information about companies registered in British tax havens, such as the British Virgin Islands and Bermuda. However, this ...
A new batch of Liberal Democrat life peerages is imminent once again. A front-page report in today's Sunday Times headlined 'Cash for peerages row hits Clegg' names some of them. (The report is hidden behind a paywall but is quoted by Liberal Democrat Voice and Liberal Burblings). The wealthy donors accused by the Sunday Times of 'cash for peerages' are Rumi Verjee and Sudhir Choudhrie, although the paper reports that Choudhrie has been dropped from the list. Verjee was the subject of another Sunday Times report on 20 January. Rumours of the new life peerages have been around for at ...
Sun 16th
14:15
Nick Clegg's Letter from the Leader: "Jobs are right at the heart of the Lib Dems' agenda"
[IMG: lib dems million jobs] This week saw the Lib Dems launch a major new campaign: A Million Jobs for a Stronger Economy. As a party we have a habit of launching major campaigns and then letting them peter out. Remember the 'John Lewis economy' for instance? Or that we were the 'one nation party' before Ed Miliband? If not, you won't be alone. So it's encouraging that the party's Million Jobs campaign is scheduled to run for a year — the minimum necessary for it to get any traction — and is tied into the party's 'Stronger Economy' slogan. ...
I'm going to out myself right now. I'm a shameless Hillary Clinton fanboy. During the 2008 Democratic Presidential Primary I campaigned online for Hillary and I'm quite sure that there are some pictures floating around somewhere with me wearing a 'Hillary is my homegirl' t-shirt. That's why I'm so excited that Hill-dogg looks to be eyeing up the White House again. Here's my view on what the self confessed 'Pant-suit aficionado' and 'glass-ceiling cracker' is up to right now, and why I think it all points to 2016. 1. She's writing a book. Anybody who read 2003's 'Living History' will ...
The Liberal Democrat Press Office Twitter account rather optimistically thought that Nick Clegg was going to be talking about the party's new Million Jobs campaign. As it happens, the G8 summit, snoopers' charter and Syria took up all the time available. On Syria, he said that any intervention should be thought through carefully and worked out on an international basis. He described the idea that Britain could solve things by unilateral military intervention as "fanciful." On the Snoopers' Charter, he repeated his stance that the idea of keeping every website we visit is both disproportionate and unworkable and that knee ...
I do not often repost links, but this piece summarises why so many publicans are arguing in favour of reform: That is all. socialise this: [IMG: add 'A Publican's Story of Pubco Life' a Del.icio.us] [IMG: add 'A Publican's Story of Pubco Life' a digg] [IMG: add 'A Publican's Story of Pubco Life' a Stumble Upon] [IMG: add 'A Publican's Story of Pubco Life' a FaceBook] [IMG: add 'A Publican's Story of Pubco Life' a Twitter]
Today I read an exceptionally good article by British comedian David Mitchell in the Guardian concerning Simpson's and Homer in particular, are bad examples of father's and is descriminatory to hard working fathers...a report by Netmums that has said that the Read it, it is really good. I should throw my hat into the ring and say that I admire Homer Simpson and in a very real way - he is a role model of mine. Think about it. Homer is a loving father of three kids, a child genius in Lisa, a homicidal baby Maggie and who could forget ...
An impressive response by the Chief of Australian Army, Lieutenant General David Morrison, to a sexual harassment scandal. Direct, personal and addressing the issue at hand – avoiding all the sorts of evasion, excuses and jargon that so often makes an organisation's response to a crisis one that exacerbates it further.
Sun 16th
12:35LDVideo: Danny Alexander on UK's commitment to tax transparency and the unproven case for arming the...
Lib Dem chief secretary to the treasury Danny Alexander did the rounds of the TV studios yesterday to promote the Coalition's actions to increase tax transparency. You can see his BBC News interview here. On Channel 4 meanwhile, he was also quizzed about whether he thought the UK should help arm Syrian rebels: he said the case was unproven that would help the country at this time: (Available on YouTube here.)
This is a handy portal: It provides an interactive map of current and planned roadworks.
[IMG: rumi verjee] Today's Sunday Times front page (£) splashes with a 'Cash for peerages row hits Clegg' headline. The reality is slightly less exciting: Rumi Verjee, a prominent donor to the Lib Dems, is apparently top of the list of seven names put forward for peerages: Rumi Verjee, a multimillionaire who brought the Domino's pizza chain to Britain, is top of a list of seven names compiled by the Lib Dems who are expected to be awarded honours within weeks. He has given £770,000 to the party since May 2010. ... Verjee used a firm called Brompton Capital to ...
We felt it would be useful to put up a FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) regarding our position on building on the greenfields around Bath. This will be updated as questions arise. Of course this is NIMBYism No, the council is proposing to build 12,700 houses, this is something we support. There is evidence to show that over 3,000 social houses are required. To build these we need to build the
Sun 16th
10:37The Swinson Twinterview: pubs, post offices, payday lenders, and the brilliance of Christine Jardine...
Following on from the stunning success of the Carmichael Twinterview , I recently caught up with Jo Swinson for a bit of 140 character Q and A. Here is our chat, pretty much in full. CL: First up: Have you recovered from your anaphylaxis incident? What should people know about how to help if someone has an attack? JS: Yes thanks, all better! Talk to family/friends with allergies so you know their triggers to avoid, and if you have an EpiPen, carry it! CL: Good. How are you enjoying being a minister? JS: Loving it! To be able to deliver ...
Classical sculptures dressed in modem clothes a bit too much denim for my tastes, like.... (tags: ) http://pinterest.com/pin/214906213441766263/ How each regeneration shaped each doctor http://t.co/zaleTd5LtK (tags: (from twitter) ) http://pinterest.com/pin/164803667586782625/ I need feminism because... http://t.co/U3MkUp27Cc (tags: (from twitter) ) "@FirthSarah: OMG if my kids needed a car seat now . . . http://t.co/AbCgbxUXqE" @BradfordBatman (tags: (from twitter) ) http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/vfoodmanual/vfood6260.htm http://t.co/ET9oHjBiUl it makes a legal difference to VAT @petiteliberal @TheWeeYin96 (tags: (from twitter) ) http://twitpic.com/cxcn0u G made a paper mustache and said "I'm @Cmdr_Hadfield!!" http://t.co/9fI45BkJXW (tags: (from twitter) ) http://open.spotify.com/track/06aCtrrExI18NgNwodjnql Pumping iron. This helps: http://t.co/pTU5GRhV1Y (tags: (from twitter) ) ...
Labour have swept virtually all before them in elections in the Sefton Central Constituency since 2010 yet they seem vulnerable, unhappy with each other and riven with internal disputes. At an MP Council Leader level, despite the odd smiling photo in the press, it is seemingly common knowledge that MP Bill Esterson and Sefton Borough Council Leader Peter Dowd simply don't get on. And a question on many lips is who actually controls Labour Parish, Town and Borough Councillors? Some Labour sources say the MP's office pulls all (too many) of the strings whilst others say that Bootle Labour Party ...
[IMG: Nick Clegg on BBC] Your 10 minute warning: go and get yourself a nice cup of tea and settle down to watch the Andrew Marr Show. There's no long lie and being pampered for Nick Clegg this morning as he's being interviewed. We'll be back with full coverage later.
Work is the answer to so many things – outside of the most important ability to pay the bills – it gives all of us a place to be, a purpose, self respect and fulfillment. So jobs are at the top of the list of priorities and that is what LibDems in government are creating. Locally, we've helped treble the number of apprenticeships – vital extra help to give people in Haringey the skills that will help them, will help the community – and will help the economy. [IMG: A-million-jobs]
Next week the Lords will be discussing marriage equality in the (full house) committee stage of the bills progression through the House of Lords. A few of the proposed amendments have now been published and I find them quite revealing in their prejudices. Here are a couple just to give you a flavour (full listings here and here) After Clause 1 LORD DEAR Insert the following new Clause— "Protecting belief in traditional marriage: public authorities (1) A public authority, or any person exercising a public function, shall have regard to the following— (a) that prior to the coming into force ...
The purpose of this post is NOT to defend the culling of badgers in any way, just to look at problem from a different angle. As a Libdem I am viewing the badger cull trial from both sides. Would you ... Continue reading →
As I'm partial to an infographic or two (or infact, three or four), here's the latest from the Liberal Democrats: [IMG: A-million-jobs]
Britain is creating jobs. I know it doesn't always feel like it - and a lot of families are still feeling the pinch. But since the Liberal Democrats came into government in 2010, we've helped British businesses create more than a million jobs. Now we want to help them create a million more. That's the ambition behind the campaign our party launched this week: A Million Jobs for a Stronger Economy. I want everyone in Britain to know that jobs are right at the heart of the Liberal Democrats' agenda over the next two years in government. You can find ...
Covering a wide range of time, mainly because I went on holiday in the middle of collecting them. We Are All Princes, Paupers and Part of the Human Family – "anyone who was alive 2,000-3,000 years ago is either the ancestor of everyone who's now alive, or no one at all." Mindscapes: First interview with a dead man – New Scientist interviews someone suffering from Cotard's Syndrome, in which people believe themselves or parts of their body to be dead. Why the world faces climate chaos – "In brief, humanity is conducting a huge, uncontrolled and almost certainly irreversible climate ...
As WestFest 2013 drew to its end after a great week of events, I had the pleasure yesterday of visiting Magdalen Artists' Crafts and Paintings Day at the Vine in Roseangle. In addition to the art exhibition that has taken place throughout WestFest, there were excellent crafts on sale yesterday - see below. Remaining artworks will be on display at the Vine for some time yet, so there is still the opportunity to view and buy some of the art works.
Further to my article yesterday about parking issues in the West End, I spoke on Wave 102 News about the matter yesterday. You can hear the interview by clicking 'play' below:
[IMG: IMG_0214_tonemapped] Taken around 5am. Suggests a nice day, but it is now clouding over a tad. The forecast says we'll get five minutes of sunshine with our elevenses. [IMG: Post to Twitter] Tweet This Post
[IMG: cropped-Houses-of-Parliament_tonemapped2.jpg] From the Sunday Times (£): TWO of the Liberal Democrats' biggest donors are being lined up for peerages, plunging Nick Clegg into a "cash for honours" controversy. Rumi Verjee, a multimillionaire who brought the Domino's pizza chain to Britain, is top of a list of seven names compiled by the Lib Dems who are expected to be awarded honours within weeks. He has given £770,000 to the party since May 2010. Sudhir Choudhrie, whose family has donated £650,000 to the party since 2004, has been placed on an internal party list of future peers. Until three years ago ...
