A Guardian report that three American states plan to legalise cannabis revives an old debate which has historically been polarised between left and right, the religious and the libertarian. What is clear is that prohibition doesn't [...]
The Beach Boys didn't really capitalise on their initial success. Surfin' was released in November, and they did two shows in December (one of them a two-song set in the intermission of a Dick Dale show which apparently went badly) before going into a studio in January to record a few more songs about surfing, [...]
I had assumed that the new Shorelink bus service around Rutland Water - opened by Norman Baker and patronised by me - would only run through the summer. But it turns out that it will run throughout the year. Good for Rutland! You can find the timetable online.
When the Labour MP Tristram Hunt described free schools as a "vanity project for yummy mummies in West London" I cringed. Here he was, a genuine intellectual newly elected to Westminster, and he obviously thought he had to talk in this ridiculous way to ingratiate himself with his party in case he appeared too 'posh' - as they would childishly put it. Then there was the hypocrisy. Labour does approve of parental choice in education, as Jonathan Wallace reminded us the other day: Gateshead Council's all-Labour cabinet met yesterday and at one point it wandered off into a discussion about ...
[IMG: NYX] We're hearing from the press barons that the government is enforcing a state regulator on the press. Indeed, Marker-of-the-press'-own-homework-in-chief, Paul Dacre, wrote yesterday that politicians "cannot be allowed to sit in judgement on the press", with the unmistakeable implication that that is what the Royal Charter proposes. For the third time, I have just read the proposed Royal Charter on self-regulation of the press (latest version). I would encourage anyone with a genuine interest in this subject to do so. It's a rewarding read. It doesn't propose a state regulator. Far from it. It sets up an independently ...
This case is the one the fuss has been about over the weekend. It is where a court had decided that an 11 and 15 year old should get the MMR vaccination when they and their mother oppose this and the father wants it. Personally I am supportive of the MMR vaccination and think it is appropriate for my own children. However, I do have some difficulties with the approach of the court particularly
The Sunday Times is claiming to have knowledge of the results of Jeremy Browne's drug policy "grand tour". In an article today, Put that in your pipe, Mrs May, the paper describes many conclusions expected to feature in the final report which will bring great cheer to the ordinary Liberal Democrat member: "A review ordered by Nick Clegg, the deputy prime minister, and due to be published before Christmas, is expected to suggest Britain could benefit from emulating two American states where the use of recreational cannabis is legal. The Home Office report is also expected to call for the ...
I'm trying to get better about updating this more often, so here are some links in case I don't get anything posted tonight. TED talks are lying to you Round up the usual suspects, it's time for more sex-negative policing Why Microsoft Word must die Andrew Rilstone is Kickstarting an expanded version of his Doctor [...]
We have reported street lights not working in: Althorp Road Woodstock Road South Chris
The US drone strikes against the militants in northern Pakistan are one of those rare policy questions on which I don't really have an opinion. I'm just not sure I understand it well enough to come down on one side or another. So I was fascinated by this morning's edition of Broadcasting House. First, it [...]
Sun 13th
15:00
Nick Clegg's Letter from the Leader: "Only the Liberal Democrats are, unambiguously, the party of 'I...
This week the Lib Dems got #WhyIamIn trending on Twitter to launch the party's campaign to show the positive benefits of British membership of the European Union. Nick Clegg takes up the cause in his weekly letter, making the point you'll hear a lot between now and next May's Euro elections: "Only the Liberal Democrats are, unambiguously, the party of 'In'." As I pointed out this week, it's not just a cause the vast majority of the party passionately believes in — it's also smart electoral politics. Here's Nick's letter in full... [IMG: libdem letter from nick clegg] Dear Stephen, ...
[IMG: nick harvey weapon] Sir Nick Harvey, summarily sacked as defence minister by Nick Clegg a year ago, was offered a job in government at last week's reshuffle — at least according to James Forsyth in the Mail on Sunday: The Lib Dem leader had hoped Nick Harvey would be his Chief Whip. But, to Clegg's surprise, Harvey turned down the job. 'Clegg was gobsmacked,' one Lib Dem tells me. The Deputy Prime Minister didn't expect him to reject an invitation to join his inner circle. Harvey had been sounded out about taking on the job a few weeks ago ...
Here's today's hand-picked selection that caught my interest... Ed Miliband's preparing to serve two terms. In opposition – Comment – Voices – The Independent Not sure I buy this, but interesting from @JohnRentoul > Ed Miliband's preparing to serve two terms. In opposition http://ind.pn/1aiV2R2 Lib Dem councillor Sarah Brown 27th most influential on Indy's 2013 Pink List Congrats to LD cllr Sarah Brown (@auntysarah) – 27th most influential on Indy's 2013 Pink List, above Eddie Mair http://bit.ly/1aiUCKn Labour Uncut editor Atul Hatwal writes... The two paths to a Labour deal with the Lib Dems Many thx to @LabourUncut editor @atulh ...
The Western Morning News wins our Headline of the Day Award. Thanks to @sxybio on Twitter.
"We are now fully into the swing of things and [REDACTED] is a busy learning hub. We have a number of clubs operating before and after school and some of our enrichment visits have already taken place..." So begins the latest newsletter from my children's primary school, and there is a problem here. I don't know what a 'learning hub' is, and - even having googled it - I'm none the wiser. 'Clubs' I understand, but for 'enrichment visits' I think this is little more than what we used to know as good old 'school trips'. Does this slavish devotion ...
Advance notice, that the Odd Down PACT meeting will be the 29th October. This will be the last meeting. After this the police will be attending the Councillor's surgery at St. Philips Church on Frome Road on Saturday's
[IMG: 7929568108_32b18088e1_n] Labour seem to be getting themselves in a bit of a tangle. Again. Ed Miliband - he of the energy price freeze and the 'use it or lose it' approach to development land - claims to be bringing socialism back. The removal of Stephen Twigg and Liam Byrne from the shadow cabinet and the shuffling of Jim Murphy to International Development was interpreted by some a cull of the Blairites. Some on the left hoped that this was a further indication that Labour aimed to produce a policy platform that was less Tory-lite and more identifiably social democratic. ...
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Many thanks to the 18,000 visitors who dropped by Lib Dem Voice this week. Here's our 7 most-read posts... ++ Jeremy Browne sacked from Home Office, replaced by Norman Baker (34 comments) by Stephen Tall Today's Lib Dem reshuffle: 4 thoughts from me on what it means (19) by Stephen Tall The poll findings which should encourage (some) Lib Dems and worry Labour (22) by Stephen Tall Marxism: a respectable philosophy, or dangerous, or evil? (70) by Joe Otten Danny Alexander writes... A good home should not be a luxury for the few, but an achievable aspiration for the many ...
Nothing to do with Mr Hudson or The Great Escape, this is another slice of Brummie psychedelia from the 1960s. It comes from Thinking Back, a 1969 album by Gordon Jackson, which is sometimes viewed as a lost Traffic LP. A review on the Sunbeam Records site explains why: Gordon Jackson's only album sounds a little like a Traffic LP with a singer who isn't in the band. The similarity is really no surprise, since Traffic men Steve Winwood, Dave Mason, Jim Capaldi, and Chris Wood all played on the record, and Mason produced. Other notables with connections to the ...
Fuller details about proposals to expand Gilmour Infants and Gilmour Junior schools are now available at this link This web section will also tell you what consultation is taking place and how to comment.
[IMG: 30 Degrees Gagging Law] It was heartening to see an increased number of Liberal Democrat MPs vote against the Lobbying Bill, or 'gagging law', this Wednesday. But the majority of Lib Dem MPs voted loyally in support of the government. Overall, this week parliament did nothing to dispel the perception that the gagging law is being actively driven by Lib Dems. Why is this? Most Lib Dems tend to assume it's a Conservative bill driven by Andrew Lansley. Amongst those closer to the party leadership, the tone is more bullish and the attitude towards the bill's critics is actively ...
If you a cyclist, or potential cyclist, in Liverpool there's a chance this month to give your views. The City Council is drawing up a new "cycling strategy" and it's looking for views on the draft by 28 October. The link to the document (its nearly 50 pages but it really is a quick read) is at this web address The draft was written in the summer so there are no mentions of the suspension of bus lanes but that doesn't mean you can't comment on the implications of that decision for cyclists if you want to.
[IMG: Sarah_Brown_(politician)] Many congratulations to Sarah Brown, Cambridge Lib Dem councillor, who has been ranked in today's Independent on Sunday Pink List 2013 as the 27th most influential campaigner making a difference for a more equal society. That, incidentally, puts her one place higher than Eddie Mair... 27. (34) Sarah Brown Councillor The Cambridge Councillor is the only out transgender politician in Britain. Representing the Liberal Democrats for the Petersfield Ward, Brown has been made the Executive Councillor for Community Well-Being this year. A member of the LGBT and Liberal Democrats Executive, she is also an advocate for equal marriage. ...
This sorry picture just about sums it for me. Kilburn has a big problem with fly-tipping and litter while Camden Council's commitment to taking action disappears into the rubbish. The picture was taken on my street - Kingsgate Place. Every weekend without fail this corner attracts TVs, white goods, furniture and so on. This adds to [...]
Sun 13th
10:15Labour Uncut editor Atul Hatwal writes... The two paths to a Labour deal with the Lib Dems
There's a lot of nonsense talked about the Lib Dems. Intermittent stories about a UKIP surge into third and a Lib Dem collapse to below 10% at the election are symptomatic of an excitable Westminster bubble rather than the reality on the ground. I write this not as a committed Lib Dem supporter, hoping for the best. Far from it, I'm lifelong Labour (boo, hiss) and even edit a Labour blog - Labour Uncut. But if Labour want to maximise their chances of becoming the government after the next election, it's important that they take a realistic view of what ...
posted The Blood is The Life 12-10-2013 http://t.co/R8X4QrK1oJ on #dreamwidth (tags: (from twitter) dreamwidth ) Strip-searched in Derbyshire | openDemocracy (tags: ) Stumbling and Mumbling: Ignore the newspapers "I fear that lefties who fret about the Mail's antics are actually playing into its hands. Like a has-been popstar craving attention, the papers are resorting to ever-more desperate efforts to attract eyeballs. Linkbait is now a business model, and your outrage is their profits. " - been saying this for years. (tags: ) http://miss-s-b.dreamwidth.org/1397886.html @hangbitch I posted something similar (but more sweary) earlier in the year: http://t.co/YiR7D0ZfVm (tags: (from twitter) ...
I post this not out of anger or sorrow but merely to note for future reference the approach of the new shadow Work and Pensions Secretary to welfare benefits. This is because many Labour politicians attack the stance of the coalition government on these issues without fully understanding that if they were in power they would be doing exactly the same thing. In fact when they were in power they were cutting welfare benefits. The Guardian reports that Rachel Reeves has vowed that Labour will be tougher than the Tories when it comes to slashing the benefits bill: The 34-year-old ...
Lib Dem Voice has polled our members-only forum to discover what Lib Dem members think of various political issues, the Coalition, and the performance of key party figures. Almost 700 party members responded – thank you – and we're publishing the full results. Apologies: I failed to publish our regular Coalition tracker survey results owing to the general hecticness of conference season. However, here they are now... Please bear in mind, though, the figures below are a month old. All comparisons are with our most recent survey conducted in July 2013.) 56% of Lib Dems say party on "right course" ...
On Wednesday 16th October, there is a lecture at the D'Arcy Thompson Lecture Theatre in the Tower Building at the University of Dundee. Starting at 2.15pm, entrance fee is £2.00 and Dr Tony Miller of Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh will give a lecture on the reclamation and regeneration of the Marshes of Iraq.
"Because three million jobs depend on it." "Because many problems like climate change can only be tackled if we work together." "Because crime crosses borders: justice should too." "Because I can buy real champagne for my wedding next month at €12 a bottle in Calais." Just four of the reasons given this week as part of a social media blitz to launch our European election campaign. Under the hashtag #whyIamIN over 5,000 people gave their own reasons why Britain is better off as part of the European Union. Richard Branson even joined in, with an article setting out his own ...
On Blink, temporal paradoxes, free will, Lawrence Miles and Steven Moffat
The Liberal Democrats are helping people with the cost of living by cutting income tax by £700 for working people. We've already taken action to help with energy bills this winter. Two million households will get as much as £135 off their bills under the Warm Home Discount. 230,000 homes will be warmer this year by getting energy efficiency measures installed. We're also changing energy bills by cutting the number of tariffs, making bills simpler and clearer, and getting people off poor-value tariffs and on to the best deal for them. The SSE price rise This is clearly unwelcome news ...
