The logic of stupid poor people /dev/null as a service Phil Sandifer's ebook about Wonder Woman is now out. For one day only you can get $1 off with the code PM73L The fingerprints of the lone maverick researcher Plok on Star Trek: Into Darkness And Shabogan Graffiti on Cybermen and the Borg Tagged: linkblogging
[IMG: image] We spent Friday and Saturday ensconced in the 2013 Venice Biennale. As before, we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. As usual, a whole host of countries had a pavilion each, showing off the best of their modern art. If I had to choose a top two, the United Kingdom would be a number two. But, then, I'm biased and they did give us a very good cup of tea free. "English Magic" was the name of the British exhibition, which was by Jeremy Deller. It featured a lot of David Bowie and a vast painting (above) of a hen harrier ...
The Department of Town and Regional Planning at the University of Sheffield has put online a large collection of slides used by JR James, one of its former lecturers. They depict urban and rural environments in the 1960s and 1970s. You can find the JR James Archive on Flickr. The corner shop above was in Sheffield. Note the advertisement for Midland Counties Ice Cream.
Wed 30th
21:49
Only a stay of execution for the A&E departments at Ealing and Charing Cross hospitals?
Earlier today the Secretary of state for Health, Jeremy Hunt, made an announcement about the changes in provision at many local hospitals including Ealing, Charing Cross, Central Middlesex and Hammersmith. Central Middlesex and Hammersmith will no longer have A&E services. Ealing and Charing Cross hospitals would remain open but the A&E wards would stay in the short term with changes to the 'size and shape' of services. There is a period of time where the current arrangements are to be reviewed but the details of this review were not mentioned. Jon Ball (right) unimpressed with Jeremy Hunt Councillor Jon Ball, ...
Given the recent stand-off between Spain and Gibraltar, in principle over an artificial reef dropped in the sea by the Gibraltarians, it was daring of the Spanish Embassy in London to host a two-day seminar on the 300th anniversary of the Treaty of Utrecht, which, among other things, ceded the Rock to the British in [...]
HS2 resembles the ID cards debate about 8 years ago. Policy remains, but various arguments in favour frequently change in search of the case — Sunder Katwala (@sundersays) October 29, 2013This tweet sums up where we are with HS2. Today the reason most often given for its construction is that more capacity is needed on our railways. Yet, at Stephen Tall points out, this argument was not mentioned when the Coalition announced it would be going ahead with the scheme back in January. I am reminded of an observation by Roger James about "solutioneering", which he defines thus: Jumping to ...
I'm just back from a meeting of the Friends of Garston Park. We're adopting some of the planters in L19 to keep them weeded and to replant. I've come away with two lots of bulbs and some winter plants.. and we'll be following up with others. The planters have been added to our area over a few years but some are sadly in need of some TLC. Local shopkeepers have kindly watered them but it's time for a refresh to help them look better. We've divided them up, taking on a couple or a few each. I've got two on ...
For years Lib Dem leaders have been plagued by the question, 'Who will you support in the event of a hung parliament?' In 2010, Nick Clegg straight-batted it pretty effectively, saying the Lib Dems would talk first to the party with the most seats and most votes. In 2015 he'll stick to that trusty formula, with the added credibility of being able to say it's exactly what he did last time – the voters remain the king-makers etc. So unsurprisingly journalists have moved on. Their new favourite question, one we'll hear more and more the close we get to May ...
Wed 30th
20:00
Pyrrhric victory for hacked off as the press shrug and move on without the Royal Charter
Well done everyone involved in the Royal Charter. Chances of us signing up for state interference: zero. Our leader article will follow... — Tony Gallagher (@gallaghereditor) October 30, 2013So, the Royal Charter to help regulate the press has been approved. So now what? Despite all the huffing and puffing that they must sign up to a voluntary scheme It is a voluntary charter and most of the press are going to exercise their right to not sign up. It will be interesting now that the charter is live how quickly the Guardian Media Group will sign up and a charter ...
Wed 30th
18:57
Opinion: Sexist Labour needs All Women Shortlists, the Liberal Democrats can change without them
The Independent reported on Sunday that Nick Clegg 2ould consider imposing all women shortlists for the 2020 general election if the party did not select enough women in winnable seats. I defected from Labour earlier this year and I want to share my experiences of a party that needs to use all women shortlists to select female candidates for parliament and councils. Earlier this year, Mark Fergusonrightly pointed out on Labourlist that no women had been selected in open shortlists since before the general election. It pointed out that when local labour parties had the choice between a man and ...
Campaigning to pardon Alan Turing with John and Cllr James Hennigan at Manchester Pride 2012 Chorlton Lib Dem MP John Leech has welcomed the bill to pardon Alan Turing passing through the Lords. John will now propose the bill be given a second reading in the House of Commons on the 29th of November. John Leech said today, "Alan Turing was a hero to me and lots of people. I am glad that the bill to pardon him is closer to becoming law. It has passed the Lords with cross party support, and I hope that we will see the ...
Photo from 192.com The Council has recieved a planning application for Chorlton News between Chorlton Bookshop and Croma to be converted into a Cafe/Bar: 103494/FO/2013/S1 502-504 Wilbraham Road Chorlton Manchester M21 9AW Change of Use of ground floor newsagents ( Class A1) and 1st and 2nd floor bedsits (Class C3) to cafe/bar at ground and first floor with ancillary storage in basement and 2nd floors (Class A4) and creation of outdoor seating area to front and rear, together with installation of 2no. air conditioning units to rear and associated elevational alterations You can find out more information about the proposals ...
It's great that St Thomas Road, St Johns Road, Kensey Hill and the Pennygillam area have all been re-surfaced this year. They were roads that I had been campaigning to get done for some time on behalf of local residents. The one road that we were still waiting for a date for was Tredydan Road. The first stage of works have now been confirmed for 9th-12th December. The good news is that this will include works to the corner of Wooda Lane up as far as the 'no through road' sign, and round the corner into Treloar Terrace. The bad ...
I have received notice of three more road closures in Launceston before the end of the year. 1. Closure of High Street from 5th-6th December. This closure is for ducting works connected to the installation of superfast broadband in the town centre. 2. Closure of Church St from 9th-13th December. I have asked that the council make a requirement that all such works be completed and the road fully re-opened by 2pm on Friday 13th at the latest. This is the date of the annual Launceston Late Night Shopping event and any closure or disruption would have a significant effect ...
[IMG: Nick Clegg on the BBC] Nick Clegg's press conference, postponed from Monday because a crane had blown on to the Cabinet Office roof, took place this afternoon and the leader was in fairly sparky form. Tweets from the BBC's Chris Mason and ITV's Carl Dinnen revealed his comments on HS2 where he absolutely savaged Labour's position, decrying it as miserable, pathetic and a betrayal of the north. On energy costs, he repeated his assertion that Ed Miliband's energy bill freeze was a con: Nick Clegg: "the only that is green about this policy con from Ed Miliband is it's ...
Southway have commissioned The Edge Theatre company from Chorlton to create a drama production called 'Balancing Acts'. The theme is borrowing, the consequences of making poor choices and debt problems that can result eg to raise awareness of borrowing from Payday/ doorstep lenders. Bogus callers and scams, particularly involving older victims are also highlighted. The performances are free and attendees will be entered into a £250 prize draw. There will also be advice stands and refreshments. The events should be useful for both tenants and workers in the community
Herts County Council has come under fire for playing down Sunday and Monday's storm warnings and claiming "Hertfordshire was going to miss the worst effects of the storm" – so they did not bother to issue any advice. Liberal Democrat Group Leader, Stephen Giles-Medhurst (Central Watford and Oxhey) hit out: "The County's well staffed press and publicity machine sends out hundreds of press releases every week, but issued not one storm warning or any advice to residents about storm St Jude. With roads blocked, power lines down, and untold damage to homes and property it seems that the Tories over-staffed ...
The unveiling of the bench for Harry Goodwin is taking place this Saturday at 10am in Chorlton precinct. This will also be the day of the first Chorlton Art Market which is also taking place in the precinct. Nathan Birks, a friend of Harry Goodwin's, will be making a short speech and a toast to Harry.
Back in August two 'Independent' councillors resigned from Lewes Town Council in quick succession. Citing 'work pressures' and 'personal reasons' these by-elections caught everyone by surprise. Back in 2011 one was elected as a Lib Dem and one as a Green after which they both defected to the Independent group. Going into the by-elections we [...]
Norman Lamb is no stranger to these pages writing about all aspects of his job as health minister. It's been great to see how he's done so much to improve mental health services and he acknowledges that there is a long way to go to get services to where they need to be. It's not just within government that Liberal Democrats are acting, though. I've become aware of two initiatives from around the country where we are trying to advance policy or campaign for better services. You may know about more so please add them in the comments. The first ...
Calling all those cross about the 139 bus! This is your opportunity! This is for a) everyone who has ever complained to us about the 139 Buses using Mill Lane to and from their Cricklewood garage and b) those who ask if the buses do have to use Mill Lane why can't they pick up and drop off passengers? Following a site meeting earlier this year where Cllr Flick Rea met representatives of Transport for London (TfL) and Metroline who run the buses, we asked them to come and explain themselves at our next Area Action Group and they have ...
We have just received this notification from the Council - and we believe that this in part due to the Lib Dem Councillors motion to the full Council last year, urging them to make some Council services available in local post offices. Since then the Council has seemed to be hell-bent on closing all its own local outlets so it's a welcome move which will help local residents and help support our local Post offices! Now we wish they'd add the ability to get Visitors Parking Permits at post offices as well. Camden Council Update: Pay for council services at ...
The Friends of Churchtown Library have changed their name to the North Meols Library Assocation. If you would like to join the North Meols Library Assocation, please email me - Cllr Nigel Ashton, Chair of NMLA, and I will pass your name on to our Secretary. Here is our latest newsletter:
Reblogged from The Dish: Allie Brosh, author of the brilliant web-comic Hyperbole and a Half, has published her first book. In an interview, Brosh discusses her approach to comedy: Stand-up was originally the thing that I wanted to do. I love stand-up, I watch a lot of it, I'm just very, very into stand-up. It's always been a [...]
With clocks changing and the weather deteriorating doorstep canvassing in the evenings becomes more challenging. However this is the perfect time to step up your phoning. December can be difficult be for activists and voters, but November is a month where we can all get a lot done! Why use the telephone? Winning campaigns need [...]
Liberal Democrat MP Michael Moore writes a regular column for newspapers in his Borders Constituency. Here is the latest edition. As local MP, I am determined to do as much as possible to boost job opportunities for young people here in the Borders. I believe that apprenticeships offer a great opportunity for businesses and young people. They are not just for the traditional trades but can be in anything from marketing to business administration and customer service. Apprenticeships help businesses reduce recruitment costs, lower staff turnover and improve productivity. Over the last few months, I have been campaigning to encourage ...
I've just spent a little bit of time in the United States, including my first visit to the great city of Boston. While looking round the Granary Burying Ground in central Boston (in which a number of famous historical figures ... Continue reading →
Here's today's hand-picked selection that caught my interest... How To Be A Candidate Looking at this page for first time in 10 yrs. "How To Be A Parliamentary Candidate" http://bit.ly/1iticZm Still no, I think. Every Tweet EVER | The Poke: True, true, true. >> Every Tweet EVER | The Poke: http://bit.ly/1iti2RK The Big Six in front of MPs: This was supposed to be a grilling, but even Russell Brand would have struggled to give one – Comment – Voices – The Independent "people's trial to vent revoltnary fervour at expense of energy bosses co-opted by creative life-force of capitalism" http://ind.pn/1ithqeH ...
I know it would be really hard to be a government minister - I've seen some fairly robust, (if we are fair minded about the current executive/legislature setup) decent and clear defences over how recently promoted ministers have had to change the way they were going to vote on an issue. And as my partner will know, in private to people I trust, I can have robust criticisms which I think are fair minded, of our own Lib Dem ministers. However, it's quite striking as Steve Webb goes on to build on the success of NEST and auto-enrolment to start ...
Wed 30th
12:55Kirsty Williams interview: "Scary" Paddy, women in the Cabinet and the reality of a Labour governmen...
Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Kirsty Williams has given a lively and often funny interview to Total Politics magazine in which she talks about everything from her success in persuading the minority Labour government in Wales to implement the Pupil Premium. What happened to the last person who said no to Paddy? Anyone who knows Kirsty will know how down to earth she is and that comes across very much in the interview. She's asked about whether she would move to Westminster and said that Paddy Ashdown has already asked that question: Paddy says I should think about going to London," ...
Notice from the county council (edited) Temporary closing and temporary waiting restrictions in Various roads in St Albans and Potters Crouch NOTICE is given that the Hertfordshire County Council intend to make an Order under Section 14[1] of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, to prohibit all traffic from using the following lengths of roads and to prohibit all vehicles from waiting at any time on both sides of these lengths of roads whilst works are in progress:- 6. that length of 6U422 Old London Road, St Albans from its junction with A1081 London Road north westwards to its junction ...
[IMG: HS2] The last few months have not been easy for supporters of HS2. Attending a meeting at the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester in September I was taken aback at the rising level of opposition to this keynote Coalition Project. The opportunity therefore to attend the National Rail Conference at the Midland Hotel in Manchester on the day that the Department for Transport published it Strategic Case for HS2 provided an opportunity to hear first-hand why this project was so important. Though generally supportive for the principle of HS2 as "good for the north" this was my first opportunity ...
You can tell he is gearing up for a general election as Cllr Scott Mann is busy trying to argue against everything that his Conservative colleagues did when they were in power at County Hall. In the case of the proposal to build new offices in Bodmin, his colleagues were at least half right. By moving the current Bodmin-based staff to new offices, the council will save running costs immediately and recoup the building costs in just a few years. In other words, it will save taxpayers money. As part of the new Liberal Democrat - Independent administration at county ...
Croydon's battered library system has not been exactly the envy of the world recently, closing six branch libraries and handing over the rest to be managed by John Laing Integrated Services, promising - you guessed it - investment in IT services. They finally took over three weeks ago, and just had time to put all the library staff in uniforms, before - hey presto! - they were bought by the service company Carillion. Nobody seems to have informed the council of this, least of all Carillion, and there are now said to be 'discussions', which is only to be expected ...
For those who are regular attendees at Federal Conference, you will know that over the last few years, the venues have changed significantly. Being in Government, we've seen a shift from open door policy to armed police. And with this added security, many of us with access needs have found problems. Walking distances have increased, check points have increased and venues seemingly expand every year in colour, size and choice of experience. When you suffer from a long term condition, it's often overlooked by those who don't that such needs can have an impact on your ability to enjoy and ...
Yorkshire is apparently the third best place in the world I demand a recount. Clearly it should be first. (tags: ) posted The Blood is The Life 29-10-2013 http://t.co/q3NH7MDUWk on #dreamwidth (tags: (from twitter) dreamwidth ) http://www.calderdale.gov.uk/sport Now the sun is shining why not double the feel good factor by working out or go for a swim? Visit http://t.co/imaSy16vGp for inspiration!! (tags: (from twitter) ) http://open.spotify.com/track/0WUsS4YuCM1i1TXEwapxwX Heh. Good old Hayseed Dixie http://t.co/0l2yhBigng (tags: (from twitter) ) And Jelly Belly joins Barilla and Chik-fil-A on the list of companies you should not give money. http://t.co/JnzuxjCpzb (tags: (from twitter) ) ...
The BBC reports on Steve Webb's planned "full frontal assault" on the charges that pensions companies levy for management of pensions funds: Pensions minister Steve Webb told BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast that the move was just the start of a much broader review into pensions charges. He said: "We do have powers to cap a much wider range of charges. The document today looks at banning something called active member discounts. That means when you leave a firm they jack your charges up – we don't think this is right so we will probably ban those." Steve has written ...
Many years ago, I worked with a chap known only as D.C. That's how he introduced himself, that's how people referred to him, that was his name. Eventually, I asked him what his real name was - and why he preferred "D.C." He replied "David Copeland". For those of you in America - imagine someone being named "Tim McVeigh", or "Ted Kaczynski" I don't think that anyone seriously thought that he was the same person who committed those atrocities and, for all I know, he changed his name long before the bombings happened. But it can't be nice to have ...
Mathematics brought rigor to economics. Unfortunately, it also brought mortis. Attributed to Kenneth Boulding [IMG: peace] From a couple of posts in the Guardian over the last week you could get the sense that the move to recast economics is gathering momentum. Last Thursday the emergence of the Post-Crash Economics Society received some publicity. Undergraduate students at the University of Manchester have formed the group to campaign for a broader-based economics curriculum which breaks away from an exclusive focus upon the formalist, orthodox paradigm. The article also notes the launch of Rethinking Economics, an organisation championing a more pluralist approach ...
The promise of Islamic finance The UK government is apparently planning to sell £200 million worth of bonds that are compatible with the rules of Islamic finance. This is symbolic of the growth of so-called sharia compatible investments. There are high hopes of Islamic finance amongst some of its promoters. For some of those who [...]
The Western Mail reports that Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Kirsty Williams has launched a scathing attack on Labour and warned those who think it would be "easier" to work with Ed Miliband's party not to have "short memories". They say that the Brecon & Radnorshire AM - whose party was in coalition with Labour in the first Assembly session - slammed its record on foreign policy and civil liberties and cautioned that the "grass isn't always greener". On working with Labour, she said: "I understand that some people would think it was easier, but come to Wales and see. People ...
The City Council's Autumn 2013 Adult Learning newsletter is now out and it gives details of learning opportunities across the city. You can download the full newsletter here. West End opportunities are listed below:
Ofgem has fined Scottish Power for breach of licence conditions. We welcome the conclusion of Ofgem's investigation. The outcome clearly demonstrates that energy companies will not be allowed to get away with bad practice. The Government is giving Ofgem powers, through the Energy Bill, to require energy companies to make direct payment to consumers harmed by such activities rather than rely on a voluntary approach. We want to help hard-pressed households with their bills. That's why we're legislating to force energy companies to put people on their lowest tariffs. We're also encouraging more competition in the energy market and shale ...
