Dear Boris, Yesterday on buses from Shepherds Bush tube station (the 207 / 607 route) towards Acton it went a different route. A diversion. There was no notices at the bus stop where people got on, nor did the bus driver inform people as they were getting on and also there was no announcement over the bus tannoy. So as the bus went via its diversion, one lady with 3 children had to make a much longer walk than she was both expecting or should have had to make, given what looked like a walking difficulty that she had. Today ...
Bungalows on the perimeter of the Closes Estate at Redcar have been boarded up but Ward Councillor Chris Abbott has called on Coast and Country Housing to reconsider the decision to demolish them, which was taken before the removal of the spare bedroom subsidy. Chris Abbott raised the issue at a meeting on Redcar and Cleveland Council on 30th May and has since written to Iain Sim, Chief Executive of Coast and Country Housing Cllr Abbott said: "If Coast and Country Housing is finding it so difficult to assist people to downsize as a result of the removal of the ...
Tue 25th
23:00
Could the Lib Dems stay in the Coalition in the event the Tories dumped David Cameron?
As my Voice colleague Mary Reid notes, today's Telegraph was keen to alert readers to the contingency plans drawn up by the Tories to carry on governing in the event that Nick Clegg were defenestrated as party leader. I assume one of those contingency plans was the laughably blatant attempt by Michael Gove to try and undermine Nick Clegg last month and so distract the media from the Tories' own ongoing internecine warfare over Europe. Still, it should be a very exciting next couple of months for we Lib Dems if the Telegraph is to be believed (seven words that ...
Re: that thing about Cameron, Mandela and so on that's going round. As far as I can tell, the Federation of Conservative Students never actually put out "Hang Nelson Mandela" posters — rather some members of the FCS wore T-shirts and badges saying that. The posters are a recent invention. And David Cameron was never [...]
This video makes an impressive case for shared-space schemes, which reverse decades of transport engineering by forcing cars and pedestrians to mix. Taking back the streets from dominance by the motor car would be a good idea on all sorts of grounds, from health to community building.
Wales Online reports: Education Minister Leighton Andrews resigned dramatically tonight after First Minister Carwyn Jones told him he had broken the Ministerial Code by campaigning against the closure of a primary school in his Rhondda constituency. The resignation of one of the biggest hitters in his Cabinet is a major blow to Mr Jones, who won the Welsh Labour leadership three and a half years ago with Mr Andrews as his campaign manager.This is a change to inform my younger readers that Andrews was the Liberal-SDP Alliance candidate for Gillingham in the 1987 General Election. And the Welsh blogger CymruMark ...
I tried to post the following data into a comment on this Lib Dem Voice piece earlier but it was all but unreadable. It's quite useful (and interesting) so here it is in a picture format:
And the great news is, there are quite a few of them. Kids for Kids UK will be hosting it's 5th Film Festival Competition for children and young people with support from the BFI Education, London who will be hosting the event. They are seeking submissions of short films made by children (6-12 years) and young people (13-19 years) of up to 7 minutes in any of the following 3 categories: * Live Action * Animation * One Minute Films Selected films for the competition section will be screened at the BFI Southbank, London on Saturday 26th October 2013. Full ...
South West Conservative MEP Julie Girling has missed out on an MEP Award after being shortlisted for the second year running. This year she was recognised for her work on EU Environmental policy, but in 2012 she was nominated by EU policy stakeholders for making an excellent contribution in the domain of animal welfare, but missed out on the award then to Danish MEP Dan Jørgenson, who is
[IMG: Theresa May. Licensed under Open Government Licence v1.0] Views recently expressed by Theresa May: (a) Allegations of police misdeeds are really concerning; and (b) It's really important to give the police more powers to snoop on us all. Can you spot the problem...?
[IMG: David-Cameron-and-Nick-Clegg] The Telegraph has the news that the Tories have drawn up plans for a minority Government, should Nick Clegg be ousted and replaced by someone who is less sympathetic to the Coalition. Apparently, Cameron's advisers have told him that he could stagger along to 2015 without Nick Clegg, because the Liberal Democrats would still support the key reforms to state pensions and long-term care. What they haven't revealed is how much of the programme would have to be ditched. I cannot imagine a full timetable of legislation in those circumstances. The article once again airs the usual gossip ...
As people may already be aware, the government refused to meet the trans community half way on the spousal veto issue. This means the partners of trans people who feel they have an axe to grind would be able engage in delay tactics and stop legal gender recognition for a protracted period. The ball is basically in the government's court, but only Lords can vote on individual issues now. Lords are UK wide, so there is no local Lord for you to lobby and MPs will now only get a yes/no vote on any amendments suggested by the Lords. However, ...
[IMG: Danny Alexander] Yesterday Danny Alexander announced a major increase in funding for the Troubled Families programme, with an extra £200 million to be invested into the service. He says: Reforming how services are delivered is going to be a central part of this week's Spending Round. The Troubled Families programme is a radical example of how, by spending a bit more in certain areas, we can save much more in others and by doing so create a stronger economy and a fairer society. Extending this intensive help to 400,000 more families will enable us to tackle problems such as ...
Speaking at a major economic development Conference in Manchester run by CLES, tomorrow the Cllr Richard Kemp CBE, Leader of the Liberal Democrats in Liverpool will reveal details of a motion he will be moving the next meeting of Liverpool ... Continue reading →
[IMG: Sandgate Hign Street] Sandgate High Street Sandgate Parish Council has received advance warning that the A259 Sandgate High Street and Sandgate Esplanade from its junction with Military Road to the junction with Hospital Hill is scheduled for resurfacing by Kent Highways in late September. The resurfacing is intended to be undertaken mainly at night to reduce traffic problems, and is likely to take 7-10 days. Published and promoted by Tim Prater, 98a Sandgate High Street, Folkestone, CT20 3BYPrinted (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
George Orwell's birthday today, so he's trending on Twitter. More specifically, the following has been retweeted many thousands of times (and slight variants of it):If you hate what Snowden has done..."The further a society drifts from truth the more it will hate those who speak it." ― George OrwellOf course, any familiarity with Orwell's work, [...]
Sandgate's newest art installation! In fluffy news, Sandgate has met yarn bombing (or "guerrilla knitting") in the last few days, when a knitted cosy appeared on a Sandgate High Street bollard! The work of Purl Queens, the bollard is the latest in a series of creations placed across Folkestone and Sandgate. There was disappointment in the last few weeks when a number of Folkestone's yarn bombings were stolen, but it's good to see new ones in place! Published and promoted by Tim Prater, 98a Sandgate High Street, Folkestone, CT20 3BYPrinted (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone ...
If you want to join, sign up here. Looking at a map of where government money has gone I was pleased to see North West Durham, and Consett in particular, coming in for a share: [IMG: A Million Jobs]
Episode 64 of the House of Comments podcast "The Alternative Queen's Speech" is out. This week myself and Emma Burnell discuss "The Alternative Queen's Speech", domestic violence, the behaviour of MPs in the chamber of the House of Commons and whether benefit claimants should have their addresses published. You can subscribe to the podcast on iTunes here. Other podcasting software e.g. for Android can be pointed here to subscribe. You can download the mp3 for the latest episode directly from here. Or you can listen to the embedded episode below here: listen to 'Episode 64 - The Alternative Queen's Speech' ...
Tue 25th
14:16
Plaid Cymru and Welsh Liberal Democrats announce joint approach to Welsh Government budget
Plaid Cymru and the Welsh Liberal Democrats have today announced that they will join forces to negotiate with the Welsh Government on next year's budget settlement. Party leaders Leanne Wood and Kirsty Williams will come together to negotiate a deal based on their joint priorities. Both leaders stressed that the economy, education and health will be priorities as they work to secure a deal that delivers results for the people of Wales. Following the publication of next year's draft budget, party representatives will refuse to negotiate with the Welsh Government unless it's on a joint basis. The Party of Wales ...
The Coalition has hurt us. We can surely agree that now. It has left us no clear public image, other than supporting the EU and electoral change, in our own favour. Breaking up Coalition will be so very hard to do, whether now or later. If we leave it until 2014-15, we will have no time to establish a credible separate identity. Clegg, if still leading, will defend the Coalition's record. It is only a small step on from there to promoting Tory-led Coalition out to 2020. "Centrist" (i.e. pro-Tory) Lib Dem loyalists usually dismiss strategic arguments for ending Coalition ...
A great deal has already been said and written concerning the undercover police operation against the Lawrence family. I tend to agree with this report on the BBC that a judge-led inquiry is needed, if only because these revelations appear to be just the thin end of the wedge. It has also been alleged that the Metropolitan Police's Special Demonstration Squad, which was set up in 1968 and employed about 100 officers during its lifetime before being disbanded in 2008, examined anti-war and anti-nuclear movements, groups linked to paramilitaries in Northern Ireland, animal rights campaigns and the environmental protest movement. ...
I am a very proud Chair of Governors of Linaker Primary School this morning. Yesterday I attended an awards ceremony in London along with five children and two members of staff. The event took place in The Houses Of Parliament. Linaker already knew that they were regional winners of the competition to promote the safe use of Information Technology. Twelve other schools joined them as they waited to hear who the overall winners were. For Linaker there was extra tension as they came second overall in last year's competition. The climax of the day arrived and Linaker were announced as ...
Here's today's hand-picked selection that caught my interest... UK spending review success cements Danny Alexander's status – FT.com Fair assmnt, George Paker notes how he divides opinion "Spending review success cements Danny Alexander's status" http://on.ft.com/1chh0oI With Clegg safe, the new danger for the Tories is complacency - Telegraph Blogs "Of course, put the coup scenario to those close to Mr Clegg, and they laugh uproariously." Understandably http://bit.ly/1a9WNo5 The day the People Assembled - Telegraph Blogs Dan Hodges in "not swept away with enthusiasm for #PplsAssembly" shock http://bit.ly/11U1tp3
I've just been listening to an item on the Today programme about how to deal with the problems of sexting. This involves a teenager, almost always a girl, taking a nude photograph of herself and sending it, often under considerable pressure, to another teenager, almost always a boy. That boy then distributes it amongst all its mates who then send it to all their mates. They spoke to some boys who had done it and their motivation was, basically, nothing to do with the girl. She or her image, was simply a commodity to give them status amongst their peers. ...
If you are planning to drive up or down Manor Road orWoodcote Road in the town centre this lunchtime my advice is DON'T! The police have closed off Manor Road between Belmont Road an Clifton Road and cars are being diverted. As you can imagine there are very long tail backs north on Woodcote Road and south on Manor Road.
[IMG: House of Lords. House of Lords. Parliamentary copyright images are reproduced with the permission of Parliament] My money is one there being at least one name missing from the speculation about who will be in the next raft of Liberal Democrats appointed to the Lords. It's 99.4% certain there will be at least one person who hasn't been named and they'll be a female, former council (group) leader from outside London. I describe them thus because all three criteria are ones those advising Nick Clegg are keen on – a good gender balance amongst the appointees (if not going ...
Tue 25th
12:38The Independent View: In tough times, parents need the government to help them, not to judge them
[IMG: fifties-family] Backbench Conservative MPs are causing trouble and the marriage tax allowance is rearing its ugly head again. First, the so-called Alternative Queen's speech would introduce tax breaks for married couples, alongside other excruciatingly right wing measures such as a Margaret Thatcher Day and the reintroduction of the Death Penalty. Also this week Tim Loughton has tabled an amendment to the Finance Bill which would introduce a tax break for married couples with children under five, where one parent is a breadwinner and the other is a homemaker. Don't Judge My Family, the campaign against the marriage tax allowance, ...
The cost of cleaning up Britain's nuclear power stations is rising and likely to exceed £100bn, reports the Guardian. The high cost of decommissioning has always struck me as the strongest argument against nuclear power. As costs continue to soar, this argument becomes even stronger. It stands in stark contrast to the claims made in the 1950s when Britain's nuclear power programme began, when it was said that the electricity would be so cheap to produce that it wouldn't be worth charging customers for it. But the main argument you hear against nuclear power is that it is dangerous. This ...
[IMG: British Electoral Facts 1832-2012] I've got a copy of the essential political reference book British Electoral Facts 1832-2012 to give away to one lucky winner. It's simple enough: sign up to get the monthly email newsletter Liberal Democrat Newswire before the end of Friday and I'll put your name in the hat, with the winner getting the book posted to them. Liberal Democrat Newswire brings exclusive news and analysis about the party to your email inbox every month – and for free! To sign up just use this simple form. Remember to sign up by the end of Friday ...
[IMG: no money left] ITV has revealed the contents of the infamous note left by Liam Byrne for David Laws. Unfortunately it is not possible to embed the video in this post, but you can watch it here. Three years ago David Laws reported that his predecessor had written 'There's no money left', but it seems that wasn't quite what the note said. * Newshound: bringing you the best Lib Dem commentary published in print or online.
A stark reminder that Labour can't be trusted with the economy. The infamous letter. pic.twitter.com/E3Q2RlaUeX — Lib Dem Press Office (@LibDemPress) June 24, 2013 It's not the only note that has landed Labour's former chief secretary to the treasury in trouble. When he was a home office minister he issued an 11-page Working With Liam Byrne memo to officials: Mr Byrne's list of do's and don'ts declares: "Coffee/Lunch. I'm addicted to coffee. I like a cappuccino when I come in, an espresso at 3pm and soup at 12.30-1pm. The room should be cleared before I arrive in the morning. I ...
Meols Ward Lib Dem Councillors John Dodd, Nigel Ashton and David Rimmer, together with FOCUS Editor Jo Barton, are holding their next advice centre in Churchtown. We will be at Cafe Moo Moo on Cambridge Road (by the junction with Preston New Road, next to Boots) from 10:30 to 11:30 am on Thursday 27th of June. We will be there to meet you and discuss any Council problems you may have. No appointment necessary. Just pop in. We also hold a monthly advice centre in Crossens, at St John's School, Rufford Road, Crossens every month (except August) on the second ...
Earlier this month I wrote about the Jake and Luciana Show. Jake Morrison was a Labour councillor in Liverpool who had a public argument with his Labour MP Luciana Berger and yesterday I learned that he is an independent councillor. Jake told us that Luciana made his "life unbearable" but she thought that Jake displayed a "complete lack of teamwork". The trouble for Jake was that he didn't really explain why he wasn't offering his support to his MP. He complained about being 'smeared' and 'forced out', but said little about why he felt he was being treated that way. ...
posted The Blood is The Life 24-06-2013 http://t.co/va9dWfO6uU on #dreamwidth (tags: (from twitter) dreamwidth ) Only The Lonely « The New Adventures of Stephen Fry "There's something a little flustering and embarrassing when a taxi-driver shakes you by the hand, looks deep into your eyes and says "You look after yourself, mate, yes? Promise me?"" (tags: ) Nick Clegg: 'I look forward to one day seeing the rainbow flag fly over every government building' - PinkNews.co.uk *sigh* Every time I get myself worked up into righteous anger about something stupid Clegg's done he goes and punctures it with something ...
I have a confession to make. I'm not quite as vitriolic in my opposition to austerity as I am supposed to be, though it is hard to be in favour of anything with a name like that. In the Lib Dem policy committee, I spoke up for 'thrift' in the run-up to the 2010 election whenever I could (probably why I've been voted off). So let's remember, now that the new comprehensive spending package is about to be announced, that there remain reasons for tackling the deficit, even for a radical type like myself. For me, back in 2010, these ...
[IMG: swinson and hames] Lovely news, via the Kirkintilloch Herald that Jo Swinson and Duncan Hames are expecting their first baby and he or she is due to put in an appearance on Christmas Day. The Lib Dem MP made the announcement exclusively to the Herald, two years after marrying fellow MP Duncan Hames. Jo (33) became the youngest MP in the House of Commons when she won the East Dunbartonshire seat in 2005 at the age of just 25 – continuing to be the so-called 'Baby of the House' until July 2009. Now the MP, who was recently rushed ...
Yesterday's edition of the BBC Radio 4 programme Analysis examined the evidence for whether pornography is harmful. The presenter Jo Fidgen began by describing her liberal dilemma: I have a dilemma I'd like to resolve... I'm a feminist and a liberal. I'm troubled by degrading images of women but I'm unwilling to condemn private behaviour if it's not causing serious and direct harm. So I'm looking for hard evidence about the effects of pornography that will persuade me to come down on one side or the other.I don't wish to get into that argument here. The programme was a calm, ...
[IMG: IMG_1372] A few months ago local residents raised the issue of the steps at Heaton Park Metrolink. You might recall that the roof of the steps were taken off last year to create a more 'open' feel, however the surfaces of the steps remain unchanged. This meant a very large amount of surface water gathering, particularly treacherous in icy weather. I asked Metrolink to fix this and they took the opportunity of the line closure last weekend to rectify the steps which seem to have new anti-slip surfaces at all the 'mid point levels' as you go down to ...
Ramsbottom will be hosting an inaugural Pie Festival on 7 July at St Paul's Church, Bridge Street from 10.30am. There will be stalls selling locally produced quality sweet and savoury pies, a 'how many can you eat' competition, a 'best pie', fete games, live bands, barbecue, entertainment and more. Organisers of the event are calling on all budding pastry chefs to submit their 'best pie' into the Pie Festival competition. The competition has four categories: * Children's (12 years and under) * Sweet * Savoury * and Restaurant-class (open to restaurants, pubs, cafes and local businesses). Winners of the categories ...
[IMG: Screen Shot 2013-06-25 at 09.01.28] On Saturday I had the opportunity to welcome the Deputy Prime Minister to Greater Manchester to speak at the Lib Dem Local Government Conference. As well as being your councillor my 'day job' is working for the (national) Association of Lib Dem Councillors who organise this annual event – in Manchester for the first time. Nick Clegg was here to speak to delegates about the need for the Liberal Democrats to be clear about its role as a Party which is in Government. He said: "I am proud of the things we achieved in ...
[IMG: Osborne - Some rights reserved by altogetherfool] George Osborne will stand up in the House of Commons on Thursday to announce the government's intentions for public spending for the 2015-16 financial year in circumstances he neither anticipated nor wished for. As a result of weaker economic growth and a revision to the estimates of the capacity of the British economy, the structural deficit that the coalition had hoped to eliminate by the time of the next election will exist well beyond it, meaning further spending cuts and tax rises. Liberal Democrats must spell out distinctive ideas on how to ...
The Liberal Democrats have announced that our number one priority for campaigning over the next year will be jobs. Jobs and employment are a top priority for ordinary people. Britain is creating jobs, but it doesn't always feel like it. 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 jobs. Since 2010 we have helped create: - Jobs for young people - 1.2 million apprentices and 110,000 work placements for young people out of work - Jobs in manufacturing ...
Just to update people on the (particularly) large pothole on Cuckoo Nest (Sandgate Road/Cuckoo Lane). This has been reported to the Council and is due for repairs within 28 days of 16 June 2013. Please let me know if problems remain at this site (or any other potholes that need sorting). Tim
As a follow up to my recent posting about troubles within the Labour Party in the Sefton Central Constituency of MP Bill Esterson I am now hearing that internal Labour sources are opening talking about internal warfare within the Party. I suspected there was more to come and it really does look like a massive Labour meltdown is ongoing in Sefton Central.
Deputy Mayor of Bury Cllr Joan Grimshaw meets with young people (c) Bury Council Young people in Bury are organising a Walking Rainbow to celebrate diversity in the borough and to say 'no' to homophobia. Bury's Proud of Gayness (POG) youth group and Bury Youth Cabinet are hoping hundreds of people from all ages and backgrounds will join them on Sunday 7 July. The walk starts at 1pm from Bury Town Hall, travelling up The Haymarket, Moss Street, Silver Street and along the old Rock before heading to Kay Gardens where there will be information stands, music, speakers and celebrations. ...
History, rugby and Welsh identity in the 21st century: will be discussed in a free public lecture in Cardiff. Dr Victoria Galbraith will be speaking on "The pride and identity of the Red Dragon (Y Ddraig Goch): Suit of armour or double-edged sword?" at the Angel Hotel, Castle Street, Cardiff on Saturday 13 July 2013 at 12 noon. This hour-long public lecture forms part of the Annual Conference of the British Psychological Society's Division of Counselling Psychology. You can just turn up on the day, but it would be a great help if you could register your intention to attend ...
An interesting contrast in Nick Clegg's views on Labour and the Conservatives in his weekend interview with Nick Thornsby (my emphasis): [IMG: Nick Clegg, Deputy Prime Minister] I've always thought that there are three basic strands of philosophy, if that's not a too pompous way of putting it. One is a Labour one, which actually had a very admirable pedigree when we were as a country going through a phase of emancipating millions of working men and women who weren't economically, politically or socially emancipated, and they used the state — the Labour party did in the 20th century — ...
St Augustine is said to have prayed for the gift of chastity - but not yet, and there seems a similar lack in immediacy in the revelation that the coalition is to announce a "multi-billion, six year programme of infrastructure investment," but it is not to start until 2015. Details are to be announced by Danny Alexander on Thursday, 27th June, in what appears to be a "perception management" attempt to mitigate the effects of the unfavourable press which George Osborne's spending review, published tomorrow, is likely to generate. Saintly comparisons and news management apart, whilst welcoming this conversion, we ...
I gave an update last month about the initial 2013 meeting of the West End Christmas Fortnight committee at which I highlighted the 'little local difficulty' that the team organising the events this year have in relation to the fireworks display - the firing site at Seabraes used in previous years now has the new District 10 built on it! (See right). Along with our pyrotechnician Rob Carstairs, I recently met with a representative of Scottish Enterprise (who own the Seabraes site) and the City Council's Risk Manager on-site to look at options for the Christmas Fortnight fireworks display and ...
Sometimes words are not enough, a picture tells the story so much better. Originally posted by Mark Pack on http://www.markpack.org.uk/libdem-infographic/
