I have decided to leave the Lib Dems. This is something that has probably been creeping up for a while. There have been a number of things that the party has done in government that I have not been happy with, although it is not really any one of those things that has triggered this. I should probably start by saying what this is not. It is not a flounce off where I have a massive go at the party. It has been and will continue to be extraordinarily difficult being in government for a minor party and this would ...
Nibley Lane is expected to close for cleaning from 9.30am until 2.30pm on 18th November 2013.
Earlier this week Northampton Borough Council's cabinet voted to approve the demolition of the town's Greyfriars bus station. If you watch this video, which comes from Channel 4's 2005 programme Demolition, you will see why.
Our wonderful, cultural, city:
"What about the twerkers?" What's this one? It's an invoice from my wine merchants - let us put it to one side. This one is more promising: what do I think of twerkers? I think this is from a young person having a jape; they hope I'll say something about "What about the twerkers?" being a common cry at the political meetings of my youth or declare that I support twerkes' control of industry and thus reveal myself to be a silly old buffer who is out of touch with the modern world. Well, they'll have to get up earlier ...
... except by prior written permission.How the heck does that letter go?Dear Mr. Bus Driver,I suffer from a medical condition (being Irish/Scottish/Polish/Russian) that means I can't make a long-distance journey by bus or train without getting mildly swallied. Please can I bring a six-pack of Heineken for the journey? I note there is a toilet on the bus, so I can guarantee I won't need to ask
Earlier this week I blogged about the Conservative Party's decision to do all it can to remove the last 10 years of its history from the web. Now, reports the Guardian, it has deleted numerous videos too. These include the 'WebCameron' videos, launched with a great fanfare in 2006. At the time David Cameron said of them: "I want to tell you what the Conservative party is doing, what we're up to, give you behind-the-scenes access so you can actually see what policies we're developing, the things that we are doing, and have that direct link ... watch out BBC, ...
[IMG: newbury town hall] On December 7th, Newbury local party members will have a proposed constitutional amendment before them at our AGM, which I think other local parties have also faced. If passed, this motion would expand the local party area to include the six West Berkshire Council wards (Birch Copse, Calcot, Pangbourne, Purley on Thames, Theale, Westwood) within the Reading West parliamentary constituency. So, no longer would the Newbury local party be exactly contiguous with the Newbury parliamentary constituency, as it has been over decades of boundary changes. On 7th May 2015 we would be fighting on five fronts: ...
Today the Independent published a story about the Coalition Government's plans to reform anti-social behaviour legislation. I know that many Lib Dems may well be concerned by the story. Indeed, if it were true I would be worried! But it is not. It is utter nonsense to suggest we are targeting skateboarders, ramblers, youngsters playing in their local park, or anyone else going about their daily lives perfectly reasonably. In reality the new anti-social behaviour powers are designed to protect such activities. Rather, the power is designed to stop problem drinking, aggressive begging, dog fouling - any behaviour that spoils ...
One is tempted to laugh, but then again crying might be the better response looking at the rather superior Islington-dinner-party view of housing estates in the Guardian newspaper's survey of the "10 best council housing estates": Before one dismisses out of hand this exercise in highfalutin architectural patronising of the residents of what are mainly high-rise slums one should think of the reality of these "gems". When some pensioner was mugged in the stairwell of the Park Hill estate in Sheffield did she get a frisson of relief in that she is at least getting mugged in an architecturally ...
Fri 15th
16:46
Digital communication in government should be a core skill for all, not a specialist area
[IMG: Facebook screenshot. Picture credit: Gauldo, Flickr] So says the Digital Communications Capability Review, just published by the Cabinet Office. It's advice that applies just as well if you remove "in government" from it (including in the other area that most interests me, political campaigning.) Often one thing that holds back properly integrating digital and non-digital is a fear of the risks that the digital world might bring. In part that's a natural reaction to anything new; as humans, we're usually more worried by the risks that are inherent in something new than in something familiar. We also tend to ...
As part of the Cycle City Ambition Grant won by Greater Manchester, we want to make the routes to Gatley Station more cycle-friendly and get more people cycling to the station. One part of that is a proposal for a 20mph zone around the station. In order to gather the evidence to plan that, the Council will be recording traffic flows and speeds for a seven day period on Oakwood Avenue, Belmont Road and Pendlebury Road. Lakes 20mph zone Following our campaign for an enlarged 20mph zone across the Lakes estate and up past Foxland, Springfield, Delamere and Torkington as ...
Fri 15th
16:21
Opinion: the Government's obsession with London is holding back our creative industries - and the re...
As a failed rock guitarist but still passionate consumer of music I always look forward to the Mercury Music awards at the end of October, and this year's nominees were as interesting and eclectic as they usually are. What wasn't as diverse was where these acts originated from. Over 60% were from the Greater London area and only four were from outside the south east of England, which is surprising when you consider the award covers the whole of the UK and Ireland. It seems the advice I heard fifteen years ago during my short and unsuccessful music career is ...
The Conservatives are facing more pressure, as it emerges pre-2010 YouTube videos have been removed or marked private. On the Guardian, Alex Hern has reported on the demise of the WebCameron series and other vides from the past: Now it has emerged that every video on the Conservatives' YouTube page that dates from before 2010 [...]
Following a complaint by the UK Government to the European Commission over the imposition of strict border controls by Spain at its border with Gibraltar, the Commission have, somewhat unexpectedly, concluded that the checks did not break EU laws. It has written to both the UK and Spain with recommendations to avoid future delays at the border. In response, Sir Graham Watson, Liberal Democrat MEP for South West England and Gibraltar, said; "It sounds to me as if Spanish officials have succeeded in nobbling this report. As the editor of Private Eye once said, if that's justice then I'm a ...
Just received from the busy and energetic people who are making headlines in Cricklewood! The second Cricklewood Winterfest takes place on 23rd November 2013 from 1pm to 6pm - have a look at http://www.cricklewood.net/events/ for more details on the festival. There's a Spot the Oddity competition running now with prizegiving at Winterfest, a lantern procession for children from Beacon Bingo to Yew Grove and food and gift stalls on Yew Grove , music and light outside The Crown Hotel We hope you can join us. CIP Cricklewood Improvement Programme & Cricklewood Town Team Working together for each other tel 0208 ...
I knew I wasn't going mad! As those of you who have the pleasure of toddlers will understand, I know all the CBeebies Bedtime Stories back to front and sideways.When I saw Winnie's Flying Carpet the other week, I'm sure they had done it before with that Mrs. Meldrew. Well here's the proof: Much as I love Shobna, if I were Annette Crosby I'd be a bit narked! Surely they must have a list of ones they've already done? If they are short of stories, (which they must be if we have to put up with awful story-free ones such ...
I blogged the other week about why I thought we should have a few red lines in place now ahead of 2015 and one commentator in particular made me think, writing... "red lines' by their very nature are negative... where we won't go rather than where we will... as you rightly point out the no-go zone (minefield) of tuition fees is now well trodden territory. (ka-pow!).. what about what we will do rather than what we will not...?" And I think he's right. So I've been thinking what my 4 key priorities might be - especially in the context of ...
Here's today's hand-picked selection that caught my interest... "Is the coalition government doing enough to encourage social mobility?" | Stephen Tall Is the Coalition Government doing enough to encourage social mobility? http://bit.ly/17VDcbZ < Me back in May, but topical again David Willetts: Why I want more British students to study in America – Telegraph David Willetts excellent here on what both US and UK higher ed systems can learn from each other http://bit.ly/17Vx4R5
Following changes to the English Party's rules regarding the formation of Local Parties, in a number of places, local Liberal Democrats are being asked to decide upon new boundaries in their area. Here, our former day editor, Paul Walter, raises some of the issues that members will need to consider. On December 7th, Newbury local party members will have a proposed constitutional amendment before them at our AGM, which I think other local parties have also faced. If passed, this motion would expand the local party area to include the six West Berkshire Council wards (Birch Copse, Calcot, Pangbourne, Purley ...
Lab 628 (46.8; +14.8) UKIP 483 (36.0; +10.9) Con 107 (8.0; +3.2) Ind 98 (7.3; -26.1) LD Frank Hollowell 26 (1.9; +1.9) Majority 145 Turnout unknown Lab gain from Ind Percentage change from May 2013
Fri 15th
13:01
Day 4702 BONUS: Millennium's Doctor Who 50th Anniversary Top Trunks #27: NYSSA OF TRAKEN
More Friday: Age: doesn't age like a human and that's before she gets a Big Finish rejuvenation Stories: 58 Awesomeness: Doctor's favourite Cuddles: Shares a room with Tegan. I'm just saying. The TARDIS is infinite and they're sharing a room, is all. Other close family relationships keep getting messed with by the Doctor. Leaves to spend more time with the Big Bang Dog. AKA: Ann Talbot (Black Orchid); Alice in Wonderland; Diana Purwell (The Moon Stallion); the ever sweet Sarah Sutton
Friday: Age: (spoilers) dead Stories: unlucky 13 (and two ghostly apparitions) Awesomeness: Now we'll never know if he was right Cuddles: Could have done with a few more AKA: the definitive Matthew Waterhouse
Political movements tend to be united by what they oppose, rather than any positive things they stand for. Today the political left unite against a universal enemy, which they name "neoliberalism". The word is bandied about much as "socialism" is by the political right. But what is it? And is it a useful descriptive term? I believe it is, but that the left is muddled by what it is and is not. According to Wikipedia neoliberalism started its life in the 1930s as a middle path between classical liberalism on the one hand, and the state planning ideologies of fascism ...
Lab 464 (40.0; +3.5) UKIP 426 (36.7; +36.7) Con 133 (11.5; +11.5) Green 108 (9.3; -4.9) LD Chris Snowden 30 (2.6; +2.6) Majority 38 Turnout unknown Lab gain from Ind Percentage change is from 2011
Con 503 (41.8; +14.0) Lab 215 (17.9; -3.2) UKIP 212 (17.6; +17.6) LD Matthew Gillett 191 (15.9; -1.4) Green 48 (4.0; -10.8) Ind 34 (2.8; -5.8) [Liberal (10.5; -10.5)] Majority 288 Turnout 15.4% Con hold Percentage change is from 2011
[IMG: Christmas tree] Sandgate's Christmas Tree Lights switch-on event will take place at 6pm on Friday 22nd November on Sandgate Village Green (outside the Little Fish and Chip Shop). Come along for some Christmas carol singing with children from Sandgate Primary School. Father Christmas will pop by with presents for the small children and there will be mulled wine and mince pies for the adults: there may even be some snow! 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
Lib Dem? Doing Movember? Want to cut a dash? Does this suggestions guide for the hirsute male help at all? (Hat Tip to the estimable Jennie Rigg)
[IMG: MOD consultation map on Shorncliffe Garrison site development] Taylor Wimpey is preparing to submit a planning application for a new residential development with a nature conservation area, primary school and improved public recreational facilities at the MOD Shorncliffe Garrison site in Folkestone. Taylor Wimpey wants to keep the local community fully informed of its proposals, and you are invited to find out more by visiting a public exhibition. Your views will be used to help Taylor Wimpey shapes its emerging scheme before a planning application is submitted in the near future. The exhibition is at: Army Cadet Force Hut, ...
The case of Mark and Kerry McDougall who went to Ireland because she was considered not to have the capacity to marry or look after children is an important case. They have lived with two children in Ireland, but have now returned to Fife. The authorities have suddenly decided to take an interest without any good reason. This raises serious concerns about the way in which assessments are done
I apologise for my temporary absence (let's hope it makes the heart grew fonder). I've been busy setting up a new co-operative think-tank, the New Weather Institute, and this post is adapted from the one there Being a helpful kind of guy, I have written a number of blog posts elsewhere about what frustrates good decisions by governments - and how easy it is to get sucked into making bad ones. Sometimes appalling ones that echo down the decades. You can read my top ten here. But what about the good decisions? There has been huge debate about the peculiar ...
Once a week I stay with a relative in South London. I am not talking here about Nick Clegg's South London (a Putney, Wimbledon or Clapham) but about a very different South London – the border between Camberwell and Peckham. The Guardian-reading euphemism would be that Camberwell and Peckham are "vibrant and diverse" places. The upshot of some of that diversity is that at all times of the night people hang around chatting in the street, especially in the summer. In a ground floor flat late at night it sometimes feels a bit intimidating. I have never talked about this ...
It's a little over six months since the elections to Cornwall Council and you know what hasn't happened in all that time? The new Liberal Democrat - Independent administration hasn't tried to raise councillor allowances even once. Such a change to the old days of Conservative leadership when you could hardly go five minutes without a proposal to review allowances. In fact, the only discussion about councillor allowances has been about cutting them and getting rid of some of the perks that councillors enjoy that seem out of place with the modern world. Of course, some will argue that no ...
[IMG: Margin of Victory edited by Nathaniel Pearlman - book cover] Nathaniel Pearlman, the founder of NGP Software (which now, in the merged guise of NGPVAN is the main electoral database supplier to the UK's Liberal Democrats), has assembled an impressive cast of American contributors for Margin of Victory: How Technologists Help Politicians Win Elections. The large number of short chapters from experts in many different aspects of using technology to help win elections is both the book's strength and weakness. The strength is that the range of chapters provides a very comprehensive overview of the issues anyone interested in ...
... the lovely Alisdair Calder McGregor. (You can find him on Twitter, linked in, blog, LDV articles, G+) [IMG: alisdairrailway] You'd vote for that, amirite? I totally would :) Hustings was a lot of fun last night. Questions to candidates were very broad ranging (some of them longer winded than others LOL) and the turnout was not bad, to say what horrible cold miserable Halifaxness we had to endure to get to it. On the evidence of last night, Alisdair is going to make a bloody awesome candidate. Pretty much everything he said in answers to questions was clear and ...
The Western Mail reports that Police Crime Commissioners in Wales have defended their first 12 months in office after a poll revealed that nine out of 10 people cannot name the politicians who hold their police forces to account: A year after commissioners took office, at a cost of £75m, a YouGov survey found that two thirds of people felt the commissioners had made no difference to police accountability. Around 64% said that they had noticed no difference in the effectiveness of their local force. Christopher Salmon, the commissioner for Dyfed-Powys said: "It's disappointing not more people know of us, ...
I am very concerned about the recent statements made by David Blunkett and Nick Clegg about the Roma in Sheffield. Firstly there is the context. We seem to be in the middle of an epidemic of Roma bashing in Europe. There was Manuel Valls' appalling claim that Roma would not integrate, and that they should [...]
Fri 15th
10:05Nightmare scenarios: what are the 2015 election results the Lib Dems, Tories and Labour most dread?
[IMG: clegg cameron miliband] Here's a cheerful topic for a Friday: what are the worst results you could imagine for each of the three main parties at the next general election? Well, for the Lib Dems it's obvious – we get mullered, reduced to 24 seats or fewer as predicted by Mori founder Bob Worcester. I don't think things will be that bad, or anything like. For what it's worth my current guesstimate would be in the range 35-45. I don't think that's our nightmare scenario though. Don't get me wrong, losing more than half our seats (from 57 down ...
What a sad state the Co-op is in. In recent years it has abandoned its core values. It went hell for broke for capitalist style banking and almost went broke. The stores it owns nationally, like that in Ludlow, are badly run and struggle to compete with efficient stores like Tesco and Aldi. Now the [...]
I'm backing HS2 because it is the only viable way to increase commuter and intercity capacity on our railways for the next generation. I am backing HS2 because it will [...]
I don't want Conservative Week to pass without me acknowledging that it's not a tradition devoid of merit. In particular, I want to commend its most significant philosopher: Michael Oakeshott. A thinker with as much to say to the left as the right. In his essay On Being Conservative, Oakeshott explained that he believed conservatism [...]
Stockport Council has stockpiled a lot of grit-salt and is ready when bad weather comes – I get a daily email letting me know what gritting is happening (so far, none has been needed I'm glad to say but that may not be the case for long). We also look at who has grit bins – there are a few places every year that we'd like to get bins for and it always depends on how much money is available (not just for the bins themselves, but also for the crews to go out and check and refill them regularly, ...
Isn't the free market wonderful? It allows bankers to be paid vast sums of money, yet should never be applied to the public sector. After all, heaven forfend that such people should earn a salary that reflects their market value. In the midst of the debate about MP's and their energy bill claims, the general view appeared to be that they earn too much anyway, and that their relative wealth makes them incapable of understanding what real people go through. But, where is the serious discussion about what represents a realistic salary for a Member of Parliament? The usual cry ...
(Or, 'Nick's writing complicated posts about Doctor Who again, so look away now if you're only here for the politics) First up, if you haven't already, go read Teatime Brutality's post 'Canon and sheep shit: Why we fight' which explains why there's no such thing as a Doctor Who 'canon'. Second, if you haven't seen The Night Of The Doctor yet, you probably should before you read further, as there will likely be spoilers. So, The Night Of The Doctor features Paul McGann's Doctor. In it, the Doctor mentions a list of companions from the Big Finish audio dramas. Thus, ...
Police use 'nose telescope' for cannabis odour mapping (tags: ) http://open.spotify.com/track/78dWlVCSQgF5ZyJg7uw65m This morning's earworm: Evile's cover of Cemetery Gates http://t.co/yIUJ25AcoB Not sure what that says about my mental state lol (tags: (from twitter) ) [IMG: comment count unavailable] comments
In the unexpected absence of Andy Boddington (and I do wish that it could have been otherwise), your friendly neighbourhood Readers' Editor is standing in until someone comes forward as a volunteer (you, yes you at the back!). So, what can you look forward to? Well, we've got news from last night's four local council by-elections, some suggestions on candidate selection and how you might be involved yourself, as well as an opportunity for you to express what you expect from your MP and how much that's worth in terms of a salary. And who knows, a politician might do ...
A slightly tongue-in-cheek title for quite a serious subject. The South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust have a list of emergency defibrillators available for public use. To help raise awareness, they've released an app... Our new app, which locates over 600 AEDs, could help you save the life of a person suffering sudden cardiac arrest. http://t.co/2g4r4PTTlc — SCAS (@SCAS999) November 14, 2013 Open Data + Open Source = Big Win For Society Improvements This was a quick hack, to be worked on by others with more free time. Here are some things which need changing. The KML file is ...
Cheadle features at the start of this national TV advert for Febreze – you might have seen it as it's been on TV for a while, but only made it onto YouTube a couple of weeks ago. A few weeks ago I reported on Stockport's Little Underbank and Marketplace being featured in the Lotto adverts. The borough's becoming increasingly popular for filming over the last year or two with other appearances including: Stockport market and Bramall Hall in Last Tango in Halifax with Derek Jacobi Stockport Town Hall featuring in Corrie and shortlived Ben Elton sitcom The Wright Way. The ...
The Daily Mail reports that the controversial union giant Unite handed Labour almost £800,000 after Ed Miliband dropped his inquiry into claims it had been involved in vote-rigging. They say that Official figures have revealed that Unite donated £777,740 a fortnight after the Labour leader reinstated two union members who had been suspended over allegations of trying to fix the selection of a new parliamentary candidate in the safe seat of Falkirk. The huge cheque was almost a quarter of the £3.1million donated to the party in the third quarter of this year. The Labour Party of course insist that ...
Back in July, I gave an update on planned improvements for the Victoria Park Tennis Courts (pictured right). I recently asked for progress towards the improved playing surface and a senior manager in the Environment Department has advised: "At this stage we have still to finalise the priority noting we are working with Tennis Scotland with Dawson Park which is next in line (noting that there is an external funding application in for this). I will keep Victoria in mind ... I would envisage that we would remove the current surface and lay down permeable tarmac to the same specification ...
