[IMG: rss-96] You now have a number of options for following my newly structured and relocated website and blog. If you want to keep receiving all content which, as well as considered blog posts on a range of topics, will also include status updates, links I find interesting, video, music playlist, more personal blog posts, and pictures of my cat* then you can use the full fat all content feed: All content: andystrange.org.uk/feed/ Of course if you are already receiving this via your feed reader and you want to carry on getting all content you need do nothing. If however ...
From tomorrows Times.
Travelling to a conference in Winchester and back today gave me the chance to read a good chunk of the Jonathan Meades collection Museum Without Walls. I was struck by this passage: In the southernmost corner of Crystal Palace Park are thirty life-size models of prehistoric monsters, installed in 1854: the first dinosaur theme park, a pedagogic entertainment. I have been a loyal visitor to them ever since I was in my teens. I have marvelled at them, filmed them, persuaded visitors to this city that the trip to its deepest recesses is worthwhile.It had an impact on me because ...
Network Rail has recently been undertaking work to the north of the rail line at Vernonholme and Newhall Gardens to reduce the possibility of debris landing on the rail line and part of this work has involved the removal and thinning of foliage. This necessary work has resulted, however, in the wire boundary fence being exposed (see below) and highlights the need for its replacement. I visited residents about their concerns at the weekend and am pleased to say that, after discussing the matter with Network Rail, it has been agreed to remove the existing fence and replace it with ...
Pleasance Court Earlier tonight, I had the pleasure of chairing a meeting with the residents of Pleasance Court. I am very grateful to the council's Environment Department representative at the meeting who updated us on the Seagulls problem in the area. I am also grateful to the representatives from Ross & Liddell and Home Scotland who attended and to the residents for their participation.
Well, after nearly 18 months, I have finally decided to make my triumphant return to the world of blogging. Many friends have questioned me over the last few months as to why I had not posted a blog in such a long time, and to be honest I didn't have an answer for them. I suppose as ... Continue reading »
A mobile workforce is good for many reasons. It means that workers can work. It means that skilled professionals are doing their job. It means that those without skills can move to find work. Immigrants to this country make a net contribution to the country. They provide an essential service and boost our economy. So how did a mobile workforce within the EU become a dirty word? Well it doesn't help when UKIP call for a five-year freeze on immigration. It doesn't help when 'Jack Straw regrets opening door to Eastern Europe migrants'. Immigration is seen by some as an ...
Wed 13th
19:00
Sir Menzies Campbell: "I may be retiring from the House of Commons, but I have no intention of retir...
[IMG: Menzies Campbell] We try not to link to the Daily Mail if we can possibly avoid it, but on this occasion we reckon it's worth it on this occasion. They have a video interview with former Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell MP from the courtyard at Buckingham Palace. He was there to be admitted to the Order of the Companions of Honour at an investiture yesterday. He speaks about how good it was to receive the honour from Prince William who had studied at St Andrew's University where he's the Chancellor. He said that the Prince had talked ...
Or not, as the case may be, because my life span is elastic, rather than fixed. After all, if I live healthily, eat properly and get enough exercise, I could live for another, well, who know, number of years beyond what might otherwise be the case. But I digress. Yes, it's my birthday, which makes me... well, actually, it doesn't matter that much, as I increasingly feel disconnected from my chronological age and am puzzled by my emotional age - still somewhat less than the actual figure. Ah, I've digressed again... Anyway, what to do on a birthday in mid-November? ...
The local Liberal Democrats are holding a coffee morning on Saturday 16th November from 10:00 - 11:30 am at Crossens Community Centre, Rufford Road, Southport. Entrance £1 (includes coffee and biscuits). All welcome.
There has been some good economic news today, the Bank of England announced it had upgraded Britain's growth rating from 1.4% to 1.6% in 2013, and from 2.4% to 2.8% in 2014. The Conservatives should really have been out, discussing the economic progress and making it clear that the coalition's policies are helping turn the [...]
Jeremy Paxman may be well known for his aggressive interviews with politicians and he is perhaps most famous for his interview with Michael Howard in which he asked the same question 13 times. I would guess that most were on Jeremy's side against a politician who wasn't answering the question. However Jeremy more than met his match recently when he spoke with Russell Brand. The tables should not have been turned. Jeremy should have been able to apply just as much pressure on his interviewee, after all, Russell doesn't vote but wants political change. In fact Russell doesn't feel anyone ...
Wed 13th
16:59
Carmichael: 3 questions the SNP must answer on currency, pensions and costs after independence
Pleasure to be here in Inverness today - as an MP of 12 and half years I'm used to making speeches, but this is my first keynote speech as Secretary of State. In terms of where and when to make it I gave my office only one instruction - it was not going to be in the central belt! It is an enormous pleasure for me to be here in the city of Inverness, capital of the Highlands. This is a city that has seen enormous growth and change over the decades and is now home to many businesses in ...
It's a bit of a cliché to say that mental health is the Cinderella service of the NHS but it's essentially true. There is a real institutional bias against mental health. It loses out financially when budgets are tight for local commissioners and significant advances on choice and access for patients introduced by the Labour Government left out mental health. In the time I have available to me as Care Minister, I am determined to do everything I can to combat this and the update of the Government's Mandate – which sets out the Government's priorities from the NHS – ...
Wed 13th
15:35Carmichael: 3 questions the SNP must answer on currency, pensions and costs after independence
[IMG: Carmichael Inverness speech] In the beautiful surroundings of Bishop's House in Inverness, Liberal Democrat Secretary of State for Scotland Alistair Carmichael gave his first keynote speech. The whole thing is published below the cut, but here are the highlights: The Highlands and Islands have never been better represented in Government – a boy from Colonsay and a boy from Orkney in the Cabinet. How you vote in the referendum does not determine how Scottish you are – once you start mixing patriotism and politics, you quickly get into dangerous territory. The UK's greatest hits. He said it wasn't a ...
This is an email we have just received. Dear Councillor, You have likely seen the images of the devastation across the Philippines in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan. If, along with so many others, the images in the news have left you feeling powerless, this is your opportunity to help. Tesco have allowed the British Red Cross to collect THIS WEEKEND (16-17 November) at their stores across London. Would you be able to give some time this weekend to help us raise vital funds? Would you be able to help us spread the word about our collections? Could you share ...
Two of my friends who are railway buffs are enthusiastic supporters of HS2 (the plan to build a high speed railway form London to Birmingham, and, eventually, to Manchester, Sheffield and Leeds). One ruefully admits that the project is unlikely ever to be achieved because "Britain is no longer capable of implementing long term ventures such as this." The other challenges my argument that the money could be better spent on other transport projects, by pointing out that the sort of money required is only available for grandiose projects, and not for titsy-bitsy improvements to the existing infrastructure. He could ...
[IMG: LDV Heathrow advert] Lib Dem Voice got it wrong yesterday publishing a propaganda article on behalf of Heathrow Hub. It compromised its integrity. It undermined its independent voice. In my view, it is wrong in principle and wrong in practice to take the corporate shilling for editorial content. The post on Lib Dem Voice yesterday came just three days into Heathrow's big money PR offensive on "the plan for a quieter Heathrow expansion that isn't being heard", which began with a full page advertisement in the Sunday Times. Advertising is fine. But advertorials in a political context are not. ...
Wed 13th
14:31
Re: B - Why do the English Courts think there is a problem when the Swedish courts do not
This case is an interesting one just reported by the Court of Appeal. The first question that should be asked is why it took the English judicial system over a year to decide it did not have jurisdiction. The second question is why the English Courts have decided there is an issue when the Swedish Courts have not. They cannot both be right. It is my view that the evidence in the family
The Times reports that Ed Miliband's hard line on the Falkirk selection controversy has been undermined once more, this time by a senior Labour official. They say that leaked e-mails show that Ian McNicol, Labour's general secretary, struck a special agreement with Len McCluskey, the general secretary of Unite, about how to handle the mass recruitment of new party members in Falkirk: Senior Unite figures undertook a recruitment drive weeks before local Labour members were due to select a new candidate, at the same time as they were pushing Karie Murphy, a friend of Mr McCluskey, to become the prospective ...
It is, I suppose, an inevitability that, from time to time, an article published on a political website such as Liberal Democrat Voice will be controversial. Sometimes, the controversy is expected, occasionally it comes as a surprise. For example, anything to do with the Israel/Palestine situation is almost certain to degenerate into an increasingly polarised slanting match, with pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian commenters quoting atrocity and counter-atrocity until the neutrals run for cover. And, if in doubt, the moderators make a good target if your comment breaches the comment policy – it's obviously because they're biased, right? However, Leon Duveen's recent ...
With Halloween and Bonfire night out of the way, Christmas is coming. Even the Coke ad is now on the TV. We've already talked about Christmas and Hanukah cards and calendars and communication with voters over the Christmas period. But it's time to plan your Christmas and new year activity before the bedlam kicks in. [...]
This weekend Gregynog Hall, Montgomeryshire will host the Welsh Liberal Democrat Autumn Conference for the first time in many years. This iconic setting is the perfect place to debate the policies that matter to Wales. Our Leader Kirsty Williams, Montgomeryshire Parliamentary Candidate Jane Dodds and I will be speaking, and Lord Alex Carlile will be addressing our Conference Dinner. In a real sense, it promises to be a case of Welsh Liberalism coming home. The event will also mark the launch of the Welsh Liberal Democrat's consultation on Energy Policy in Wales: Powering Wales' Future. It is no understatement to ...
[IMG: Survation Eastleigh poll] Just under a third of MPs want to see opinion polls banned in the run up to a general election polling day according to a new survey by ComRes. As both Stephen Tall and Mike Smithson have pointed out, it's hard to see how such a ban could be effective thanks to the ease of online polling and the ability of the internet to spread news. In such a context, introducing a ban to a country that is used to there being lots of polls before polling day is asking for trouble. (It's a little different ...
Here's today's hand-picked selection that caught my interest... 12 Facts: Why Energy Bills Are Sky High, And What We Can Do About It To be fair to Grant Shapps, 7 of these are valid > 12 Facts: Why Energy Bills Are Sky High & What We Can Do About It http://bit.ly/1j2MJNW Daniel Radcliffe: I have no political affiliations – Telegraph A more intelligent take than Russell Brand, at any rate: "Daniel Radcliffe: I have no political affiliations" http://bit.ly/17Seg58 That time Harvard and Yale took Naked Photos of all their Freshmen Students | Messy Nessy Chic Messy Nessy Chic Startling: "That ...
One of the easiest ways any Local Party or ward team can raise funds is by running a '100 Club' (sometimes known as 'Totes'). Many Local Parties already raise money in this way. It works well because it is a way of raising funds from a wide group of people - local members, helpers, deliverers [...]
The Conservative's have released a comment after the extent of Labour's debt and reliance on the trade Unions was revealed in the latest round of party funding figures: Conservative Party Chairman Grant Shapps said: "Independent figures from the Electoral Commission show that the trade unions have given 75 per cent of Labour's donations since the [...]
I have some real problems with the notion of the Bedroom tax. I, like Charles Kennedy and others, feel that it needs to be really heavily scrutinised if it is to be brought in and that there need to be some very clear exemptions to this. I also have a bit of a problem with moving people out of their homes to make space. After all, your council or social house is your home and you are basically being evicted to a smaller unit against your will because the state is telling you too. However there is a problem with ...
I once read an excellent article which asked the seemingly simple question "Is Kosher food Halal?" It's worth a read to understand the politics, religion, cultural assumptions, ecclesiastical law, and bigotry behind the two systems of approved food. To me, the argument is a bit like saying "Who would win in a fight - Chewbacca the Wookie, or Worf the Klingon?" Fascinating, but ultimately the product of two imaginary systems with no real world relevance. Sadly, we live in a world where we have elevated personal delusions to a position of unassailable rights. If you claim to be a follower ...
Ministry of Sound, the nightclub run by new Lib Dem peer Lord (James) Palumbo, was a significant donor to the party last quarter. Party funding figures for the last quarter reveal that the nightclub donated £50,000 to the party centrally. A further £10,000 was donated to Party President Tim Farron's Westmoreland and Lonsdale local party, [...]
Wed 13th
12:24The Independent View: Anti-Social Behaviour Bill - A new legal threat to public protest
The Coalition Government is introducing a law which could seriously hit the right to protest. The Home Office wants to replace Labour's ASBOs with something called an IPNA - Injunction Preventing Nuisance or Annoyance. But the threshold is so low and the safeguards are so weak that it could catch ordinary legitimate protest, charity collectors, or even street performers. An IPNA could apply inside a private dwelling (ie your own house) as well as in a public place. It could apply to any activity which has merely the 'potential' to be annoying or a nuisance. Courts can grant an IPNA ...
The newly published biography of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos reveals that: [IMG: Jeff Bezos] Amazon had some truly terrible names at first... At one time he liked Aard.com, which would push the company to the front of the website listings, and he and Mackenzie also registered Awake.com, Browse.com, Bookmall.com, and the rather creepy Relentless.com (which still takes you to Amazon). In the end, Bezos found "Amazon" by looking through the As in a dictionary. In the pre-search engine world, alphabetic optimisation was the equivalent of search engine optimisation, giving us the great Mr Aaaron Aaardvark from the London phone book. ...
The Friends of the Parkland Walk (FPW) are launching the biggest ever clearance operation, and they need you! FPW is looking for between 200-300 volunteers to help remove the rubble, waste, and litter that has accumulated in the Parkland Walk over a number of years. Equipment will be provided and any level of help would be appreciated. I am very pleased to support FPW's work, and I am sure that this will be a productive and enjoyable event. If you have some free time, please do go along and help tidy up this fantastic community asset. There will be four ...
Party funding figures release today show the extent of Labour's ongoing debt problem. Figures from the electoral commission show that as of 30th September 2013 Labour had outstanding loans of £12,317,275. The Conservatives owe £1,7832,933 in outstanding loans, and the Lib Dems £366,347. Labour can't get their own finances in order, let alone the country's. [...]
Lib Dem HQ have prepared some suggested tweets and a great graphic to accompany the news that unemployment has fallen again. Unemployment is now at its lowest level since 2009. Summary: Today the latest unemployment figures were released by the ONS, which show that unemployment is at its lowest since 2009. The figures show that [...]
I had a fascinating day yesterday with the energetic management team at Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, and it was an impressive experience. It is a big, integrated trust and integration is the big challenge for the NHS right now. I was there to talk about barriers to choice, the title of my independent review for the Cabinet Office which was published in January, but I found myself talking again about the peculiarities of the word. I became intensely aware of these while I was doing the review. One room full of hospital doctors (I won't say where), sat there with ...
In 200x Richard Hickox died he was a champion of English Choral music. I wrote the following posting then which recorded my involvement with commissioning a choral work from John Tavener for the Chester Festival. Yesterday Sir John died. I heard him on Monday on Radio 4 with Andrew Marr discussing the poetry of George Herbert. After a prolonged period of illness he had started composing again and new works including settings of some Shakespeare sonnets and poems by Herbert are scheduled for performance. Last night Patricia Rosario was on Newsnight recalling Sir John. She was also involved in the ...
[IMG: Mike Moore rocket look of wonderment cropped] Liberal Democrat MP Michael Moore writes a regular column for newspapers in his Borders Constituency. Here is the latest edition. Apprenticeships Campaign Over the last few months, I have been campaigning to encourage local businesses to take on apprentices. I have visited many businesses across the constituency to see how they have managed to create very successful apprenticeship schemes. As part of this ongoing campaign to increase apprenticeships in the Borders, last week I visited Hawick Cashmere to meet the apprentices there. The company has invested heavily in the very latest technologies, ...
One of the perils of a poly lifestyle is that if one of you catches something there's a LOT more people to notify. One of my partners has picked up scabies from somewhere. This means that my whole household needs to be treated, and I need to tell "everyone I have had close physical contact with in the last 6 weeks" about it, even though I haven't actually developed any symptoms. After all, better safe than sorry, right? I went to regional conference a couple of weeks ago. I hugged a LOT of people. So, you know, if I have ...
Across the European Union- indeed world-wide- there are huge projects to develop high-speed rail systems. The pioneering days of the Japanese Shinkansen and the later French TGV network are now being followed by investments across the EU, and -especially- in China. Yet there is a problem. Railways may be more energy efficient once built, but they are hugely capital intensive- all of the components- track bed, signalling and rolling stock, must be built together and the project must be complete before it can operate. The power of rail is in the network, and without such a network, it does not ...
I have just done a very positive blog about politics so let me follow up with a negative one. Readers of my blog who know my diary know that my blogs often originate whilst I have an evening to myself ... Continue reading →
Wed 13th
09:01Authors for Philippines - one-off lterary prizes on auction to raise funds for Red Cross Typhoon Hai...
In March 2011, author Keris Stainton set up Authors for Japan which raised money for the victims of the earthquake in Japan. It raised a spectacular £10,962.25. She's now done the same to raise money for the Red Cross's Typhoon Haiyan appeal. It went live at 8am this morning and there are already 50 lots from many authors. What's special about these is it's items of real value up for grabs - for example, the chance to have an author or editor critique your work. There's a character called Anna in Kate Maryon's A Sea of Stars which I bought ...
posted The Blood is The Life 12-11-2013 http://t.co/wbAzO2ybWd on #dreamwidth (tags: (from twitter) dreamwidth ) How to re-engage young people with electoral politics says much that we already know. Sadly the crucial contact issue is the hardest one; people spend a lot more time with their (disillusioned, disinterested) friends and in front of the cynicism of the media than any politician can usefully counteract with a bit of door knocking... (tags: ) Children discriminate, unless you teach them not to. This is about race but I'd lay down money it applies to other social divisions too. (tags: ) Modern ...
This weekend Gregynog Hall, Montgomeryshire will host the Welsh Liberal Democrat Autumn Conference for the first time in many years. This iconic setting is the perfect place to debate the policies that matter to Wales. Our Leader Kirsty Williams, Montgomeryshire Parliamentary Candidate Jane Dodds and I will be speaking, and Lord Alex Carlile will be addressing our Conference Dinner. In a real sense, it promises to be a case of Welsh Liberalism coming home. The event will also mark the launch of the Welsh Liberal Democrat's consultation on Energy Policy in Wales: Powering Wales' Future. It is no understatement to ...
Conservative Week continues with YouGov president Peter Kellner's analysis of why the Conservative Party struggles in the North of England. The Tories' problems did not start with Cameron, but neither have they lessened under his leadership. Rather, he reminds many northerners just why they dislike the Tory Party. It's not because they are poorer, or [...]
An embarrassment at the Home Office I recognise this letterhead: it belongs to the Deputy Prime Minister. I have to confess that I wrote to him the other day in somewhat intemperate terms. You see, it had recently been drawn to my attention that someone who holds the most ridiculous views had been appointed to the Home Office and I let Clegg have both barrels for allowing it to happen. How can we possibly be taken seriously as a party when we allow such things to happen? I demanded. Clegg, I see, has replied in emollient terms, saying that he ...
Almost universally our teenagers have an online social media presence. But online youthful development never fades. Youthful exuberence, indiscretions, gossip lives on forever. How can teenagers be teenagers online without potentially ruining their future chances of work and success? California has enacted a bill SB-568 which starts to give redress and balance for teenagers. It's their version of "the right to be forgotten" concept. In California they've given some limited rights for people under 18 to delete presonal information that they as registered users posted online or via mobile apps. The Europena Union is considering applying this "right to be ...
One-third of MPs (including a third of Lib Dem MPs) say yes – but more are opposed. At least that's the finding of a ComRes survey of 159 MPs in the wake of the Indian Election Commission banning exit polls in the five states holding elections this month, plus a ban on any opinion polls in the final 48 hours of campaigning. Would you support or oppose a ban on the publication of opinion polls for a defined period prior to General Elections? Support All 30% Con 25% Lab 35% LibD 32% Oppose All 45% Con 49% Lab 39% LibD ...
