The Northern Ireland Attorney General has come forth yet again with what seems a ridiculous position for any law officer that is meant to be upholding the law of the land, not the law of Judea. Speaking at a Presbyterian Church in Ireland conference on Thursday he said: Christians - and I think particularly in the period after Christmas - are, or should be, sensitive to the plight of persons who cannot find accommodation. It is one thing, I suppose, to find that there is no room at the inn. But disappointing as that may be, it is another to ...
Time for another of the Rank Organisation's "Look at Life" films. This one - made in the year I was born - looks at long distance lorry drivers who travel through the night to get the goods delivered.
Sarah Yong has received a very special 30th birthday present – selection as Liberal Democrat candidate for Somerton and Frome. She hopes to replace David Heath MP who is standing down. So, who is Sarah? Well, her Leadership Programme profile tells us: Sarah was born in Edinburgh to a Scottish mother and a Chinese Malaysian father, and her family moved to Somerset when she was three years old. Sarah attended local state schools before graduating with a BA in Politics and History. Upon leaving university, Sarah embarked on a military career and attended The Royal Military Leadership Academy for Officer ...
Sat 1st
20:04
With Sarah Yong's selection, Lib Dems 4 for 4 at selecting women to succeed retiring male MPs
[IMG: Sarah Yong] Congratulations to Sarah Yong, just selected as the Liberal Democrat prospective candidate in Somerton and Frome, where she will be hoping to succeed fellow Lib Dem David Heath when he retires in 2015. That now makes it four completed selections in seats where male Lib Dem MPs are retiring, and all four have selected a woman. The full list of selections for seats held by the party is: Alan Beith, Berwick-upon-Tweed - Julie Pörksen selected Annette Brooke, Mid Dorset and North Poole - Vikki Slade selected Malcolm Bruce, Gordon – Christine Jardine selected David Heath, Somerton and ...
"The crucial thing for the Liberal Democrats is whether differentiating themselves from the Conservatives, the visceral anti-Toryism of progressive voters, and Ukip, can save the suburban and south-western seats they hold against the Tories." Lewis Baston discusses how the Liberal Democrats will do at the next election over at Progress Online. Lynne Featherstone wants us to join her campaign to end female genital mutilation in a generation. "The Hudson was so polluted that wooden boats from the Caribbean would sail up the river so that the water's poisons would kill the bore worms that were damaging their hulls." Joseph Berger ...
One of the best things about Kilburn is the number of local people who are passionate about doing their bit to improve the look and feel of our streets. But instead of encouraging community driven initiatives, Camden Council seems to be actively undermining them. Just before Christmas, the Council managed to anger local residents in the [...]
[IMG: ALDE Party's Presidential candidates] Further to my earlier post on the selection of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) candidate for President of the European Commission, ALDE has just announced that our candidate will be... GUY VERHOFSTADT However, in accordance with an arrangement agreed between the two candidates and rubber stamped by the electoral college today. his fellow nominee Olli Rehn, whilst not officially being ALDE's candidate for President, will be a joint co-leader of the European Liberal Democrats' campaign on an equal footing to Guy. I am extremely pleased that two individuals with such immense ...
Oh look it's a new year, so I must be trying to blog more and not leave this site fallow. Here's some interesting things I've read recently: Where will we live? – A long but fascinating and informative article on Britain's housing issues from James Meek in the London Review of Books. Seeming Female: Gender In Digital Spaces – Some interesting data on how men react to female characters in online gaming, regardless of whether or not their players are women. Reds Under The Archive Table – "Charitably, the article can be put down to youthful hubris. But it is ...
The Advertising Standards Authority is a funny old body sometimes. There are occasions when it overlooks quite outrageous flouting of infant feeding regulations in formula advertisements (although one such ad was banned this week for making misleading claims). Then last week it tried to ban a Cycling Scotland advert on public safety grounds because it showed a cyclist not wearing a helmet and cycling too far into the road. The positioning was later proven to be entirely consistent with the Highway Code and it is not a legal requirement to wear a helmet. There is, in fact, some controversy in ...
I had to collect a parcel from the sorting office this morning. It turned out to be a novel I had ordered to help me understand recent events in the Liberal Democrats. In his introduction to Pompey Simon Heffer writes: This is an epic of the South Country, stretching over thirty years (and this is just in its English locations) from Wiltshire to Southampton and finally to the eponymous city itself, Portsmouth, a place brim-full of freaks and monsters and restless social mobility for whom 'dystopian' is an inadequate adjective.You will see what I mean. There is a claim about ...
I was recently contacted by a nursery in Norfolk (http://www.chrisbowers.co.uk/) offering me some fruit trees in exchange for a link on my food blog (www.self-sufficientinsuburbia.blogspot.com). I persuaded the company to donate the trees instead to a community orchard project we have on Kingsway in Sunniside, my home village. For the past week or so, the trees have been sitting in my garage but
Alright, I've asked all of the questions, gained an understanding of the issues, listened to the speeches, even the ones in French. The dynamic duo of Rehn and Verhofstadt have outlined their vision for Europe - one that works towards peace and liberty, one that creates opportunity for its citizens, one that is democratically accountable. They believe in a reformed Europe, run in a spirit of transparency. I have been impressed by the grace and good humour displayed by Olli Rehn, and the passion and enthusiasm of Guy Verhofstadt, and believe that the team approach offers the best available alternative ...
From London Euro-MP Sarah Ludford's latest newsletter: [IMG: Sarah Ludford and Lynne Featherstone at fish and chips shop in Muswell Hill] Last Friday I visited Toff's fish-and-chip shop in Muswell Hill with local MP Lynne Featherstone. Toff's has been able to cut its energy consumption and cost dramatically thanks to free advice from EU-funded Global Action Plan. I'm delighted that European funding has helped deliver real results for local businesses across London, and allowed Toff's to save money as well as save the planet. Liberal Democrats as the party of 'In' want British businesses to continue to benefit from EU ...
[IMG: Boston-euros] Doomsday predictions in the media that Liberal Democrats are set to lose all our MEPs to UKIP are wide of the mark. The closer we get to the Euro elections in May the greater the opportunity for us to win support from the substantial minority of voters who are pro-Europe. Yet there is no doubt the threat of UKIP is a substantial one. And just as Nigel Farage is boxing clever we Lib Dems need to get smarter about our strategy. Our Euro-slogan 'In Europe, In Work' is a powerful statement about where we stand but that needs ...
A politician is a great dirty ear attached to a muscular and responsive tongue and controlling a big pointing finger. You say this so I say this and so then this goes there, okay?
Sat 1st
13:00
Another Conservative defection to the Lib Dems - this time in John Major's old backyard of Huntingdo...
We reported last week the news that two Conservative Councillors have joined the Liberal Democrats in Winchester. This week a former Conservative cabinet member at Huntingdonshire District Council, Colin Hyams, has announced he's walked out on his party to join the Liberal Democrats: Cllr Hyams said he decided to join the Liberal Democrats because he was impressed by the way they worked for Godmanchester. He said he did not plan to leave the Conservative group on the town council formally, but this would depend on the response from the party. Liberal Democrat group leader Cllr Mike Baker said: "I respect ...
Today a special electoral college will decide who will be the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) candidate for President of the European Commission. [IMG: European Commission] Following the Lisbon Treaty, the 2014 European Election (wherein the European Parliament will be directly elected by the voting populations of all 28 Member States of the European Union and in which I'm a candidate myself) will take on a special significance. This is because the Treaty requires the European Council (made up of all 28 Heads of State or Government) to consider the results of that Parliamentary vote in nominating ...
This week's headline in the Isle of Thanet Gazette, "Cost-cutters wield axe on council's top jobs" gives the impression of tough hard nosed cost control within in the bloated organisation of Thanet council (700 strong what are they all doing?). But surely is this not, just the usual juggling of council officers that happens every few years. Call me a cynic but I cannot help form the view, that this is just the cyclical process, in which senior officers decide to cash in thier chips, and walk away from the drudgery, cushioned by a pension that money can't buy subsidised ...
[IMG: fgm] No woman or girl should ever have to suffer the horrific practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM.) But, in countries like Egypt and Somalia, more than 90% of girls and women over the age of 15 have been cut. Truly shocking statistics. This has been a taboo for too long - FGM is child abuse and we must help bring the practice to an end. As a minister for International Development, I have announced a £35million UK Government programme towards this aim, and am doing all I can to raise awareness. The Department for International Development have launched ...
I wrote last October about election expert Lewis Baston's forecast for the next election, based on his analysis not only of the polls, but also of the trends in the 'swing seats', the battlegrounds which, in a first-past-the-post voting system, actually matter. His forecast for May 2015 was that Labour would edge the Tories by 36% to 34%, with the Lib Dems on 16%, and relatively few seats changing hands. Over at Progress Online, Lewis has returned to the fray, and asked the question, 'How will the Lib Dems actually do?'. Here's his conclusion: It is always troublesome to translate ...
Alright, so I'm in Brussels, and the big vote is about five hours away. Do I; a) vote for the deal as agreed by Messrs Verhofstadt and Rehn; b) vote against it c) abstain Let's recap the various arguments. Firstly, for the deal. It is an inevitability that Verhofstadt will be the candidate, given that the two men have shaken hands on a deal, so giving him a proper, sizeable mandate demonstrates loyalty and commitment to him. Also, if the deal is rejected, what happens regarding a candidate? Would, under such circumstances, another candidate emerge, and would they be any ...
Great news that a permanent site for the East Dulwich Harirs free primary Scohol has been found. East Dulwich councillors initiated this cmapaign in late 2012 when we realised Southwark ocuncil's plans were inadequate to solve the looming primary school reception place crisis. The new permanent site will be the former East Dulwich Police station. The school will open there September 2015. But it will open on a temporary site tihs September 2014. Very exciting. Thanks you to all the parents who have lent us their support to make this possible and happen. For the Harris Federation who have acted ...
Sat 1st
08:45Education: 47% of Lib Dems want grammar schools opened up, while clear majorities oppose academies, ...
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. Some 750 party members responded – thank you – and we've been publishing the full results. (There were a couple of results I ran out of time to publish during the Christmas holiday period - I'm publishing them this week.) Almost half (47%) Lib Dems call for opening up of grammar schools to all children Thinking about grammar schools and schools that select pupils by ability, which of the following best reflects ...
Please see note from the county council below and respond directly to them. Any feedback welcome. Garden Fields consultation letter final 10jan PDF
It is a fact that all of the three main parties accomodate differences of opinion on how Welsh devolution should develop. Whilst there is unanimity in Cardiff Bay that the recommendations of the Silk Commission should be adopted in full, that is certainly not the case in Westminster. Labour MPs, including Shadow Cabinet Members appear to be biting their lips, reassured by the fact that the draft Wales Bill does not take them too far out of their comfort zone, whilst those Liberal Democrats who have Ministerial responsibilities are tied into collective responsibility, having done everything they can to negotiate ...
Welsh Liberal Democrats Leader, Kirsty Williams has criticised the Welsh Labour government's handling of the ambulance service, after figures show that the 8 minute emergency target was significantly missed. Only 57.6% of emergency responses to Category A 'immediately life-threatening calls' arrived within 8 minutes. This is despite the Welsh Government's target for 65% of these calls to be responded to within this time. It is also a decrease in performance compared to the previous month when 63.2% of calls were responded to within 8 minutes. Kirsty said: "These shocking figures seriously undermine the Labour Health Minister's assurances that response times ...
