"Press the horn, then, and fetch your father so that he can move and let our friends through. You've no right to park your car right there. Why don't you leave it on the road where it belongs?" "Friends! Percy sneered. "They can't be your friends. They're gipsies." Malcolm Saville Lone Pine Five (1949)It is not just that the Gypsies Reuben and Miranda are good characters in the early Lone Pine stories: it is that you can tell other characters worth by their attitudes towards them. Good characters like the Gypsies, but the baddies hate them. For more on Malcolm ...
Welcome to Broxtowe Enews, brought to you by the Liberal Democrats and edited by David Watts, the leader of the Lib-Dems on Broxtowe Borough Council. May I give a special welcome to the new readers that we have this week. 1. Coventry LaneIn the early hours of Wednesday morning a large water main burst under Coventry Lane in Bramcote. This is the A6002, which goes past the crematorium and is the main route heading towards junction 26 of the M1. The road is still closed as we speak but Severn Trent hope to have the road reopened at some point ...
Nick Clegg is promising more tax cuts. Gareth Epps, writing on Liberal Democrat Voice is not sure this is a good idea: "If the Liberal Democrat leader wants to spend money like this, he needs to say where the money would come from. It would certainly have been his refrain in opposition." Common Dreams says NSA surveillance has had a chilling effect on American writers. "I am sympathetic to the sorts of visions that are discussed under the rubric of 're-wilding', most recently in George Monbiot's Feral. Enchantment is a great starting point for thinking about a more intimate involvement ...
Labour on Gateshead Council decided at the last Council meeting to move a motion calling for a financial transaction tax. It wasn't directly relevant to Gateshead and I suspect that some of the motivation for bringing it forward was more to do with profile raising in the Labour group (as it was with the other motions debated at the same meeting) rather than actually achieving any change in tax
Lord Bonkers completes his discussion of his postbag, so our week at Bonkers Hall is at an end. A distinct aroma of singed spaniel The fire has burned low, my glass is empty and there is a distinct aroma of singed spaniel. It is time, gentle reader, for me to turn in. Goodnight. Lord Bonkers was Liberal MP for Rutland South-West 1906-10 Earlier this week... Sharing my postbagAdvice to ambitious young Liberal DemocratsAn embarrassment at the Home OfficeThe yeti of northern Rutland"What about the twerkers?"A note from the King of the Badgers
[IMG: newbury town hall] On Friday, I posted my concerns about the proposal to bring the West Berkshire Council wards of Reading West into an expanded Newbury West Berkshire local Liberal Democrat party. As a good Liberal Democrat, I am now going to lay out the counter-arguments, in favour of the change. Many thanks to those who have posted explanations for the change (which can be read here on LDV and here on the LDV members' forum) , which I summarise below. The first thing to note is that the English Liberal Democrat party recently changed its rules concerning the ...
Welcome to the Golden Dozen, and our 353rd weekly round-up from the Lib Dem blogosphere ... Featuring the seven most popular stories beyond Lib Dem Voice according to click-throughs from the Aggregator (10-16 November, 2013), together with a hand-picked quintet, normally courtesy of LibDig, you might otherwise have missed. Don't forget: you can sign up to receive the Golden Dozen direct to your email inbox — just click here — ensuring you never miss out on the best of Lib Dem blogging. As ever, let's start with the most popular post, and work our way down: 1. Why I am ...
This is another track from the BBC compilation that brought us the sublime Shouting in a Bucket Blues. Babe Ruth were bigger in North American than they ever were in Britain. In an interview Janita Haan, the vocalist, remembers hanging out there with Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd. So we sent them a genuine female rocket, while they sent us Suzi Quatro, who was surely an actress playing a female rocker.
A new left wing splinter group has formed. It's called Left Unity... ..I don't make this stuff up. 10pm R4 @BBCWestminHour has @MirrorJames preview, MP panel, report on launch of new group,Left Unity & #whatthepaperssay with @iainmartin1 — carolyn quinn (@carolynquinncq) November 17, 2013
For most of my twenties almost the only literary fiction I read was feminist fiction. I read Simone de Beauvoir, Sylvia Plath, Erica Jong, Marilyn French, etc. etc. and, of course, Doris Lessing. Lessing was of particular interest to me, because like the young Lessing had been, I was at the time a member of [...]
From Liberal Democrat Chief Executive's Tim Gordon's Weekly briefing email: Following the conclusion of the Metropolitan Police that there will be no criminal charges against Lord Rennard, an internal Party investigation is being held, in which his expulsion from the Party is one of the possible outcomes. This will be an independent investigation carried out by Alistair Webster Q.C. Anyone who may have relevant evidence, against or in support of Lord Rennard or who wishes to make a statement should contact Alistair Webster at english.party@libdems.org.uk. All statements should be made in writing and sent to Alistair Webster by 22nd November ...
Here's the proof of me inna dress: [IMG: Me in a dress (and some politician)] I hope you all think that was money well spent. I've got makeup on and everything! Who would have thought that people would pay £75 to see that? But they did (£65 in paypal donations and a tenner down my cleavage LOL). There was much gin. And cheese and posh bread. And port. And more gin. And a bottle of Jura... Things which will stick in my memory:Alisdair's face when he saw me in the dress for the first time.John BM brought Stella Artois. LAGER. ...
This morning Nick Clegg has embarked on a major new campaign to press the Coalition Government to increase the income tax threshold by a further £500, taking the first £10,500 of income out of tax. With half an eye to next month's Autumn Statement, he wants to go beyond the Coalition Agreement. However, there are problems with this. The first is the obvious one: it has to be paid for. How will that happen? Well, with the Conservatives having rejected any further tax on the wealthy and other changes to taxation, it would have to come from additional spending cuts. ...
I was pondering the other day a good simile for the mess that Tony Blair, Gordon Brown et al. left for us to clean up in 2010. There is a conceit to the current Labour efforts to distance themselves from the whole panoply of buzz and spin that emanated from the collection of sleazeballs that surrounded Number 10 in that period. The one that particularly grates for me is Cool Britannia (or should I spell "Cool" with a "K"?). The whole concept reminded me of the type of night out one encountered in one's twenties when one of a gang ...
This is the letter we have sent to the Bath Chronicle - for further information this will give you information on how to write in either in support or against For further information about objections www.soba.org.uk It is disappointing the council is carrying out a yet
Sun 17th
14:29
Nick Clegg on Andrew Marr: Tories want tax cuts for wealthy. I want to put £100 back in people...
Nick Clegg was on Andrew Marr today talking about his wish to see the Government raise the tax threshold by a further £500, putting £100 back in people's comments. If you agree, by the way, sign the petition here. Without any hint of rancour or peevishness, he put a lot of effort into demonstrating that the Tories favoured tax cuts for the rich while the Liberal Democrats favour tax cuts for ordinary people. He listed the Tory plans – cutting inheritance tax, cutting the top rate of tax, marriage tax breaks, that the Liberal Democrats opposed. Again he looked relaxed ...
Sun 17th
14:19
Nick Clegg on Andrew Marr: Tories want tax cuts for the wealthy, I want to put £100 back in wo...
Nick Clegg was on Andrew Marr today talking about his wish to see the Government raise the tax threshold by a further £500, putting £100 back in people's comments. If you agree, by the way, sign the petition here. Without any hint of rancour or peevishness, he put a lot of effort into demonstrating that the Tories favoured tax cuts for the rich while the Liberal Democrats favour tax cuts for ordinary people. He listed the Tory plans - cutting inheritance tax, cutting the top rate of tax, marriage tax breaks, that the Liberal Democrats opposed. Again he looked relaxed ...
The party's leadership were all too keen to start flinging the bombs in line with Cameron's Atlanticist program but have they exercised their minds over a more comprehensive solution to the Syrian debacle since? The answer is "no" because no sooner were they thwarted on the bomb run (a frustration which ironically produced Syria's chemical disarmament), than the leadership returned back to stony silence on the Syrian conflict. The fact that the US doesn't have a strategy and the Tories don't have a strategy doesn't mean that we do not need to be similarly clueless. With Ming Campbell exiting the ...
Here's today's hand-picked selection that caught my interest... Lib Dems lack credibility on tax cuts | Conservative Home Not what the polls say » Lib Dems lack credibility on tax cuts | Conservative Home http://bit.ly/1dHn3oZ If tech is the answer, what's the question? – comment – TES My boss queries how money is spent on IT in schools: "If tablet computers are the answer, what is the question?" http://bit.ly/1hOgWFc Work for the Behavioural Insights Team Some fascinating jobs up for grabs > "The Behavioural Insights Team is recruiting individuals at all levels" http://bit.ly/1hOgPJz View From Online – News from West ...
Many thanks to the 14,000 visitors who dropped by Lib Dem Voice this week. Here's our 7 most-read posts... Tim Farron "set to vote against the Bedroom Tax" while Swales, Mulholland, R Williams and Sanders table motion against it. (66 comments) by Caron Lindsay Nightmare scenarios – what are the election results the Lib Dems, Tories and Labour most dread (51 comments) by Stephen Tall Opinion: Lib Dem Voice compromised its independent voice with Heathrow sponsored post (65 comments) by Andy Boddington Opinion: Auditors refuse to sign off EU accounts – the latest untruth from anti Europeans (19 comments) by ...
Sunday: Age: A New Body... At Last! Stories: 7 (in this incarnation) Awesomeness: Keeper of Traken (a win on points) Cuddles: A bit Skull Beneath The Skin. Without the Skin. AKA: Mrs Liz Shaw; Mr Tolliver (Poirot's Problem at Sea, with Carrie); the nicest man in the World, Geoffrey Beevers.
The Welsh Liberal Democrats took a significant step yesterday in becoming the first party in Wales to formally reject using the Assembly's new borrowing powers to construct an M4 relief road to the south of Llanwern Steelworks from Junction 23A 'Magor' of the existing M4 to junction 29 'Castleton'. Faced with two options the party instead chose to recommend that the Government develop the A48 Southern Distributor Road and A4810 Steelworks Access Road near Newport's Llanwern Steelworks, as part of an integrated transport strategy for South-East Wales incorporating investment in public transport, rail freight infrastructure and the improvement of strategic ...
Good bit of having a seen exam: I get to see questions in advance. Bad bit of having a seen exam: the questions. (Well, not the questions, because I know what I want my answers to be - it's just remembering those answers...) The questions were released at 10am on Friday, I got to see them at 11am. By 11:35, I was on a train to the library to acquire books. At 12:10, as I walked up to the library, I realised that my wallet, containing my student card that gains me access to the library, and permission to remove ...
In April we'll hit our target: a £700 income tax cut for millions of people. But I want to go further. Before the end of the parliament, I want to cut income tax bills by another £100. Will you help us deliver this? Think of it as a workers' bonus. The British people have lived with austerity for three years. Your sacrifices are making it possible for us to fix the economy. This is your recovery and you deserve to feel the benefits - without delay. The Liberal Democrats want to cut your taxes further because you've earned it. When ...
In 2012 I think I saw the comedian Richard Herring 6 times. I saw him in a mixture of his own shows, gigging with other comedians, and on game shows. He's great - a brilliant wordsmith, and frighteningly clever - but after watching him half a dozen times, the cracks began to show. What seemed like an amazing off-the-cuff remark was suddenly transformed into a cliché. An observation which looked like it had just zinged into his brain was now revealed as a well rehearsed skit. Comedy - especially stand up comedy - sells us the lie that the comedian ...
Yet again, the NI Liberal Democrats, as must all those engaged in civilised political manifestation and activity in this Province, raise their voices in utter abhorrence at the attack last night on the offices of our sister party in East ... Continue reading →
Sun 17th
11:30Vince Cable orders review of industrial law to investigate union and employer behaviour
One of the things that made me wince recently was the experience of a Grangemouth manager whose family were traumatised by the appearance of a union mob on their doorstep. There is no way that sort of action can be described as anything other than intimidatory and it is right and proper that it should be investigated. People's homes are off limits. I was livid last year when UK Uncut demonstrated outside Nick Clegg's house, although to be fair, it was a good natured demo and Nick himself was quite relaxed about it. You can always rely on the Tories ...
It has been said that America is the land of second opportunities, but the LibDems have also been inclined in the past to err on the side of patience rather than wield the long knives when the leadership has been perceived to be sub-optimal. The membership and parliamentary group have tended to want to help out with the problem be it excessive tippling or lacklustre speechifying and hope against hope that things would turn of their volition and salvation would be achieved. That having been said the party has also seen quite a vigorous turnover of leaders in recent decades ...
I love shopping. I'm not afraid to admit it and frankly if I had to say I were addicted to one thing, it would be buying dresses; daytime dresses, smart dresses, dresses I know I'll never wear because they're just plain weird but I justified them as 'individual' at the time. I reckon there are many women in Britain who could admit to the same sort of love for clothes shopping. What draws me in though isn't the colour or the number of sequins (well sometimes it's because of the sequins), but the whole shopping experience in general. A good ...
In a busy time for planning the application for the 3G all weather pitch has been received by the council. Reference:13/04739/REG03 Write to Lewis House Manvers St Bath BA1 1JG Type of Application:Regulation 3 Application Status:Pending Consideration Address of Proposal:Odd Down Playing Field, Bloomfield Road, Bloomfield, Bath, Ward:Lyncombe
The application has now been received Reference:13/04390/FUL Please let us know what you think Type of Application:Full Application Status:Pending Consideration Address of Proposal:Crescent Office Park, Clarks Way, Odd Down, Bath, Ward:Odd Down Proposal:Erection of Class C2 residential care home facility with associated car parking and servicing. Planning Portal Reference
We have Cultural Christians, Cultural Jews and Cultural Muslisms. Am I a Cultural Atheist? In Britain and America at least, we're witnessing a steady decline in faith. This is not, however. an even process. For many a belief in a deity ebbs faster than does the desire to participate in its rituals, uphold the morality [...]
After finishing a full day's work and a 3 hour stint manning the phones for Children in Need I got in the car for the journey home tired but satisfied with a good day's hard labour. Unfortunately, for reasons beyond the understanding of us mere mortals, LBC was on the radio. As there were 5 of us in the car we were all, at first, too polite to ask to have it turned over. And so we were forced to listen to some very miserable men discuss why so many people were not interested in politics and especially not interested ...
http://ldv.org.uk/37205 Ironic that the treacherous little shit who called @timfarron a treacherous little shit choose to remain anonymous http://t.co/BLTiq2cnSH (tags: (from twitter) ) posted The Blood is The Life 16-11-2013 http://t.co/QVtrETIvY7 on #dreamwidth (tags: dreamwidth (from twitter) ) http://miss-s-b.dreamwidth.org/1454880.html LMAO now recieving votes for this http://t.co/mTWsid6xy6 by text message. I can't alter the poll, folks, sorry. (tags: (from twitter) ) http://twitpic.com/dlhbgt See, even tho he likes Nadine Dorries, this is still lovely: RT @lunadoxy: @miss_s_b Oh, his photo is GORG. http://t.co/HgXfgHTp3m (tags: (from twitter) ) posted Vote for which formal dress I should wear tonight - it's in ...
My latest in the New Statesman. To say it all kicked off in the comments section is to put it mildly. You might want to wander over there and take a look. anyway, here's the piece... I was spending a pleasant evening last week in front of the box, shouting via the medium of Twitter at the Tories in general (and Anna Soubry in particular), when a Labour supporting follower engaged in a spot of good natured leg pulling by telling me Ms Soubry was "my Minister". When I demurred, he added . . ."Do you agree with the present ...
[IMG: Clegg Speech] There have been rumours for a while about Nick Clegg being very keen to find a way to help those struggling with rising living costs. Today he announces that he's pushing for the Coalition to raise the tax threshold to £10,500 in April 2015, exceeding the manifesto promise that Liberal Democrats made in 2010. From Scotland on Sunday: Sources close to Clegg said last night that the increase in the personal allowance - which has gone up from £6,475 in 2010 to £10,000 by 2014-15 - was the Lib Dems' "signature tune" in the coalition pact. "It ...
[IMG: Lib Dems winning here] Here's the full list of selection contests in the coming month available for Lib Dems on the approved parliamentary candidates' list, together with the closing date for applications. The following seats have selections in progress and are currently advertising for candidates: Hemsworth (17th November) Morley and Outwood (17th November) Normanton (17th November) Wakefield (17th November) Arundel and South Downs (18th November) Worthing West (18th November) Salisbury (22nd November) South East Cambridgeshire (22nd November) Lincoln (23rd November) Sleaford & North Hykeham (23rd November) Edinburgh Western (Scottish Parliament) (25th November) Chelmsford (26th November) Brighton Kemptown (29th November) ...
From the Curator of Museum Services at the University of Dundee: Europe In StitchesRoom 400, Crawford BuildingDuncan of Jordanstone College of Art & DesignUniversity of DundeeMonday 18 November 20132pm-4pm Come and see an amazing selection of European textiles from the Needlework Development Scheme Collection in a special drop-in event as part of European Academic Heritage Day. Founded in 1934 and run by the four Scottish Art Colleges, the NDS aimed to collect examples of contemporary and historic embroidery from throughout the world for use as a national teaching resource. These fabulous fabrics will be on display specially for this event, ...
With World AIDS Day approaching, Michael asks if there is money in the health department's kitty for an HIV public information and prevention campaign. "Would that not be a better use than on legal costs?"
