Huffington Post has a report on Sarah Teather's criticism of Nick Clegg on Newsnight on Friday. The Liberal Democrat MP for Brent Central appeared as part of a debate on welfare and the church in politics more generally. You can watch the whole segment on the BBC iPlayer - that link should take you to the start of it. One of the reasons for this item was the criticism by Vincent Nicholls, the Archbishop of Liverpool, of the government's welfare policies last week. He said the welfare system had gone "seriously wrong" when thousands were relying on food handouts. In ...
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. May I also apologise that many people are still waiting for replies to emails. I'm afraid that I have been so busy that quite a backlog has built up. I will try and address all of these over the next few days. 1. Men in Heels I mentioned in the newsletter a couple of weeks ago of the "men in ...
In the run up to the referendum on Scottish independence this year BBC Radio 4 commissioned Linda Colley, Professor of History at the University of Princeton, to deliver this series of talks on the history of the United Kingdom. It examines the forces that have pulled the people and nations of the UK together and pushed them apart. I cannot recommend this series highly enough to anyone who is interested in understanding the historical background to modern debates about devolution, independence, constitutional reform and how we govern ourselves. While you may not agree with some of Professor Colley's conclusions — ...
This is an album that's been out a few years, but I only got it the other week, so I'm reviewing it now... Frank Zappa never really considered his music finished — one reason why he returned so often to the same songs and melodic ideas, both his own and other people's, is that he [...]
While some progress has been made, a significant missed opportunity under the coalition government has been the failure to carry out a more radical reform of the banking system. This remains a key area for action if we are to see the much needed rebalancing of Britain's economy. This report from the New Weather Institute written by David Boyle (with help from Susan Kramer prior to her becoming a minister) sets out in clear terms some measures that can be taken to achieve that action. What I find striking in this report is how it sees the creation of local ...
That was a conclusion arrived at in today's New York Times ($), in a short analytical article by David Herszenhorn. I find the argument thoroughly unconvincing. In fact, I think that his whole 'primer' does a pretty lousy job at explaining what is going on in Ukraine, missing as it does the key structural, demographic and cultural drivers that divide the nation. But I'll begin with 'core factor' number two, as this was the one that initially caught my eye. Second is a lingering Cold War-era fight between Russia and the West for influence over countries in Eastern Europe still ...
Welcome to the Golden Dozen, and our 366th 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 (16-22 February, 2014), 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 Lorely Burt ...
Sun 23rd
17:45
LibLink: Danny Alexander: Scotland can't go it alone and keep the pound. That's not bullying, it's r...
Danny Alexander has taken to the pages of this week's Mail on Sunday to write about the Scottish independence referendum. He tackled the hostile reaction from some nationalists to David Bowie's entreaty at the Brits. "Scotland, stay with us." said the rock legend. David Bowie's call sparked strong reactions on both sides of an ever more passionate debate. He was attacked for being a 'celebrity', being English and not living in the UK. And why shouldn't a 'celebrity' have a view and express it? Why shouldn't an Englishwoman have a view on an issue that will change the country she ...
Just by way of a change, today I wrote a post at Medium.com. It's a crisp, clean properly WYSIWYG writing experience. There is just enough formatting to allow you to make your point. But not a lot of bells and whistles to distract you from the writing. That is, I believe, the point. I may well use it again. Here's how I got going: Moralizing destitution Now the clergy are involved. That adds a whole new dimension to the debate. A bench of bishops and a whole bunch of other church leaders have called on David Cameron's government to act ...
I used to write a column for Liberal Democrat Voice looking forward to the week's events in the House of Lords. As far as I could tell, hardly anyone ever read it, and I was, admittedly, a bit erratic in terms of writing it every week. And so, with a somewhat smaller, but perhaps more perfectly formed and courteous audience here, I'm going to give it another go. This time, it might be a bit more personal, however... I'm sure that Ros is in there somewhere... Monday sees an oral question dear to my heart, as Baroness Deech continues her ...
Sun 23rd
16:13Two Liberal Democrats on holiday together. They MUST be plotting to overthrow Nick Clegg
Today's Mail on Sunday has a story which reaches all sorts of wild conclusions from a few raw facts. Of course you could argue that that's the rule for virtually all stories in that publication. And you'd be right. The headline screams: Cable holds "secret ski summit" in French Alps with peer plotting to oust Nick Clegg. It doesn't take you very long to realise that this wasn't some great plotting session, but, in fact, a holiday during the Parliamentary recess. The piece also contains the revelation that their hotel boasted a gym, jacuzzi and swimming pool. How very unusual ...
I suspect I read about the upcoming first episode of Queer as Folk in the Guardian's "Guide" supplement. At 15 I took its recommendations deeply seriously. So that was how I found myself that evening 15 years ago today watching Channel 4 with the sound turned right down and one eye on the door. Queer as Folk was just as spectacularly naughty as I'd hoped. 15 year old Nathan Maloney was living my dream, being an arrogant, insufferable idiot (not that I thought of him that way back then). Though Queer as Folk was an over the top gay soap ...
At my baptism a few years back, I gave a short testimony. It explained my path to becoming a Christian and how a reaction against new atheism was a catalyst. I've reproduced it below: My being here today taking part in this ancient Christian ceremony would be a surprise to many people who've known me [...]
News from Australia of the latest twist in the controversy over an election recount: THE boss of the Australian Electoral Commission has resigned in the wake of the fall-out over the bungled West Australian Senate recount that has prompted a new election costing taxpayers millions of dollars... The move to resign comes amid controversy and speculation about Mr Killesteyn's future in the position after the AEC lost almost 1400 votes in the knife-edge senate recount in WA [Western Australia] in September. Hat-tip: Toby James
Once you get away from the River Gipping, the villages of Mid Suffolk become increasingly remote and far flung. Don't get me wrong, that remoteness is entirely relative - it isn't like the Scottish Highlands, for example - but until the advent of radio, news could take a little longer to reach them, and they were somewhat behind the curve. Indeed, it is said that it took a few days for news of the end of World War I to reach some of the more distant villages in these parts, although I suspect that is entirely apocryphal. The rural communities ...
[IMG: Saltire - St Andrews Flag - Scotland - Some rights reserved by byronv2] The last month has seen the 'Yes Scotland' independence campaign take a battering. First, Mark Carney raised doubts about Alex Salmond's plans for a post-independence currency union between Scotland and the remainder of the UK. This warning was echoed when, with more naked partisanship, George Osborne, Danny Alexander and Ed Balls teamed up to state they would each refuse to form such a currency union. And then last Sunday, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso hammered in another nail when he said it would be "extremely ...
This article is reprinted from Liberal Democrat Voice. The comments on that article have not delivered any counterexamples to the hypothesis that the government is not demonising public sector workers. A fellow councillor recently retweeted in a spirit of irony, something about 'evil' public sector workers. After a short exchange it became clear that the issue was the 'demonisation' of public sector workers by the government. Now it almost has the status of received wisdom that Michael Gove hates teachers, Jeremy Hunt hates nurses, Eric Pickles hates local government workers, all Tories hate welfare recipients, that this hatred leads to ...
At the public meeting to talk about the proposed reduction of opening hours at St Just Library, passions ran high. You will find a number of items on this site about that but here I want to concentrate on the possibility of setting up a Friends of St Just Library. I suppose a bit like groups that are 'Friends' of hospitals or Parent/ Teacher Associations. If it takes off, it could be a way of staff being supported in planning additional events at the Library, it could be a way of fundraising for extra's that enhance what the Library offers ...
The Friends of Garston Library have another series of literary evenings coming up this Spring and Summer. They start again in March with an evening devoted to Literature of the First World War. The date is 20th March and the venue is the Enterprise South Liverpool Academy. The talk starts at 7 but we'll be there with drinks from 6 30. Our speaker is Dr Guy Cuthbertson who is the author of a very recently (Feb 2014) published new biography of Wilfred Owen. Dr Cuthbertson is a lecturer at Liverpool Hope University and Literature of the First World War is ...
[IMG: hs2] Today I've sent off my response to the HS2 Phase1 Environmental Statement. The final deadline for this is 11:59pm on 27 February 2014. The full text of my response is here: JW response to the HS2 Phase 1 Environmental Statement FINAL As the county councillor representing the community of Burton Green, much of my response addresses the total inadequacy of the current HS2 proposals to mitigate the devastating impact which the current HS2 plan will have on this small, vibrant semi-rural community. The only mitigation option which would fully protect the village is a deep bore tunnel, something ...
Andrew Rawnsley has made some interesting comments in today's Observer on Nick Clegg's debate challenge to Nigel Farage. He makes the obligatory point that the party's poor position in the polls and concern over the consequences of a bad result for Clegg's leadership but makes the point that it only takes a relatively small shift to protect the position of Liberal Democrat MEPs. Senior Lib Dems privately confide that their goal is quite modest: to lift their vote share by three to four points above their current poll ratings. When you are bumping along at low levels of support, just ...
This was Pink Floyd's second single and in 1967 it reached number six in the UK singles chart. The band has visited the top 20 of that chart only once since - that was with the remarkable success of Another Brick in the Wall (part II) in 1979. Backwatersman once pointed out that: Although this song was written and sung by Roger "Syd" Barrett, he is sadly absent from this clip, filmed in Belgium while he was incapacitated.A sage observer of the game, he also had some stern things to say about the cricketing skills on show: Some of Leicestershire's ...
An investigation by Birkdale Lib Dem Councillor Simon Shaw has revealed that one charity has cost Sefton Council £350,000 in lost rate income over the last four years on the two shops it operates in Southport - money that could have helped keep our lost library open. Healthy Planet is a national charity operating around 30 "Books for Free" stores around the country. In Southport they have one shop in Cambridge Walks and another in one of the large units next to Homebase at the Meols Cop Retail Park. Back in January Simon wrote to senior Council officers calling for ...
There was really only one thing I could choose for my 1,000 post: I'm Gonna be (500 miles) by The Proclaimers. Enjoy! Andrew
Many thanks to the 13,600 visitors who dropped by Lib Dem Voice this week. Here's our 7 most-read posts... Apres Nick: Which Lib Dem MPs are best placed to become the next leader? (53 comments) by Stephen Tall Yes, food poverty is real, but the situation is complex and solutions are not straightforward (97 comments) by Nick Thornsby. Clegg v Farage: Why Nick needs Nigel (33 comments) by Stephen Tall Coalition with Labour on "if they don't break the bank" (44 comments) by Joe Otten Nobody else will speak up for liberalism so our manifesto has to be brimming with ...
The Western Mail reports that six of the most popular historic monuments in Wales face inflation-busting hikes in admission prices due to heritage funding cuts. Figures from Cadw, the Welsh Government's historic environment service, show that prices will increase by between 12.5% and 22% in April. The increase is expected to raise an additional £400,000 for Cadw's annual income at a time when the body faces a £150,000 cut in its funding from the Welsh Labour Government over 2014-15. A spokesperson for Cadw said: "The proposed price of admission to Cadw sites remains modest in comparison with similar iconic attractions ...
Sun 23rd
10:10
"Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political ...
[IMG: The Fried Chicken Shop] Travelling recently and looking for something to fill the time, I watched the whole first season of the Channel 4 documentary, The Fried Chicken Shop. That sounds more impressive than it was as the first season contained all of one episode. But the show too was far more fun and interesting that I expected. If you've not seen it, go watch The Fried Chicken Shop. It's a fly-on-the-wall documentary about a south London (you guessed it) fried chicken shop. There's plenty to laugh at amongst some of the customers, especially the drunk person trying get ...
Something has gone very wrong on the road to LGBT freedom. This month is not only LGBT History Month but it is also marks my 16th "gayaversary" since I embraced my sexuality, which probably means it is as good a point as any to look back on my personal views on where LGBT rights are going. When I came out to myself (10.25am, 26th February 1998 outside room 12 at the Harvey Grammar School, I've always been a stickler for being precise about such things...) LGBT rights were in a bit of a funny place. On the one hand the ...
Here's some of the articles that have caught my attention in the past couple of days... BBC Radio 4 – Nick Clegg: The Liberal Who Came to Power, Episode 2 Just finished @SteveRichards14′s "Nick Clegg: The Liberal Who Came to Power" http://bbc.in/1f9w4oT « v interesting & fair-minded. How it works | iLoveScience Crowdfunding medical research in Alzheimer's, sepsis, cancer > iLoveScience http://bit.ly/Omp436 (via @erreuvedos) Would ending unpopular benefits test contract really solve the problem? » Spectator Blogs #QTWTAIN via @isbabelhardman > Would ending unpopular benefits test contract really solve the problem? http://bit.ly/1l80fFj Why Is Academic Writing So Academic? : The ...
The events of the past few days in Kiev are a reminder both of the attraction of Europe as a concept, as a means of bringing nations together and as an aspiration for those countries still groping for a freedom of the sort we take for granted. It is a dream that, whilst many here are cynical about it, is real to the young people of the former Soviet republics, something I witnessed myself in Armenia two years ago. And with the newly-released Yulia Tymoschenko announcing her intention to lead Ukraine into the European Union, that yearning is about to ...
I love this advert
Sun 23rd
08:49
Shirley Williams: "A separate Scotland would be a diminished Scotland leaving behind a diminished Un...
Last night, Shirley Williams spoke at the East Dunbartonshire Liberal Democrats' Annual Dinner. Someone has slipped us a copy of her speech. She joins David Bowie in calling for Scotland to stay within the UK but had a little more ... Continue reading →
Sun 23rd
08:49Shirley Williams: "A separate Scotland would be a diminished Scotland, leaving behind a diminished U...
[IMG: Shirley Williams] Last night, Shirley Williams spoke at the East Dunbartonshire Liberal Democrats' Annual Dinner. Someone has slipped us a copy of her speech. She joins David Bowie in calling for Scotland to stay within the UK but had a little more substance to her argument. She made the point that both Scotland and the rest of the UK lose out if we leave. She talked of the opportunities Scotland's had and the contributions its politicians have made internationally. Here is her speech in full: It is a privilege for me to be asked to speak at your annual ...
Local councils such as Southwark Council sometimes require decisions to be taken about which an element of secrecy has to be kept. Home address for governors, specific contract details, etc. Unlike central government that keeps such things secret for 30, 50, 100 years and the like councils keep their secrets for ever. They never release them. Not even a central log of secrets is kept. When asked about this officers helpfully suggested that if a councillor were to ask to see the secret papers (usually pink paper) they could under supervision. But not knowing what has beene kept secret makes ...
Dear Everyone, If someone tells you I have barred them from a place, or banned them from doing something, or that they aren't allowed to say something in front of me, that person is almost certainly lying. In fact, that is a big flashing red neon sign that a person is SUCH a liar that you ought to take everything else they say with a pinch of salt too. love, Jennie Dear Liar, if you're going to lie, a few protips:Don't lie about me to my friends. I WILL hear about itIf you're going to make stuff up, at least ...
Leading Richmond Park Tory (oh and Oscar winning musician) Sir Tim Rice has left the Conservatives and is backing UKIP - according to this report from the Daily Mail. Given Zac Goldsmith's apparently genetically driven anti Europeanism, the fact even he can't keep his local Tory Europhobes on board doesn't bode well for the Tory party's ability to win the Euro elections later this year - even in a Conservative association as financially well endowed as Richmond Park...
