According to tonight's BBC news, the big thing on our minds at the Lib Dem Spring Conference was the Income Tax threshold. In fact almost nobody here in York was talking about it. Uppermost in our minds were the European Parliament and local elections due in May this year, and broader manifesto issues for the general election in 2015. The BBC headline came from a speech by Danny Alexander, the Treasury Secretary. It got a dutiful standing ovation, but was pretty uninspiring stuff. Much more interesting was the party's stance on the European Parliament elections, which was showcased the night ...
Apparently the Liberal Democrats aren't too popular in parts of Nottingham. Just 2 days ago, Liberal Democrat candidate Tony Marshall received just 56 votes in the Clifton North by-election, compared to the 67 votes achieved by David Bishop of the Bus Pass Elvis Party. SOURCE: Buzzfeed I often wonder what motivates people to stand for these crazy political parties. The Liberal Democrats were beaten by a penguin in an Edinburgh by-election in 2012, and the Conservative Party was beaten into seventh place by a polar bear in Liverpool at around the same time. SOURCE: BBC News SOURCE: Buzzfeed Despite the ...
Thursday At a reception this evening I find myself talking to a charming lady by the name of Miriam-Gonzalez-Durantez. She turns out to have trenchant views on the public schools. "Some people from some of these top schools are fantastic but there are lots of people from these top schools who are unimpressive," she tells me. "Quite right, my dear," I reply. She goes on: "I know far too many that come out of there without speaking a single foreign language." As I am observing that speaking a lot of languages isn't everything and pointing to that fellow Clegg as ...
In an insighful piece in last Sunday's Observer, Dmitri Trenin drew attention to the importance, from Moscow's perspective, of the aborted 21st February agreement between ousted Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovich and the Ukrainian opposition: The agreement, signed on 21 February, was a delayed capitulation by Yanukovych - who had been seen triumphant only a couple of days earlier. An even bigger surprise was the rejection of these capitulation terms by the radicals, and the opposition supporting Yanukovych's immediate resignation. Finally, the German, Polish and French governments, who had just witnessed the Kiev accord, raised no objection to the just-signed agreement ...
Photographed last summer. I think he also won this award in 2011.
Here are six points that struck me listening to Nick Clegg's Q&A at the Lib Dem conference today (actually, a few more did, but I haven't time to cover them all...) Nick Clegg is more comfortable than his party with positioning the Lib Dems in the centre of British politics The party's slogan, 'Stronger economy, fairer society', captures Nick Clegg's message: the Lib Dems can civilise the Tories' ruthlessness, and we can rein-in Labour's spending excesses. I've written many times before that I think this is the only strategy available to the party given we won't form the next government ...
It's not always easy to blog from Conference. Wifi can be temperamental and distractions are plentiful. However, your team will have lots to tell you over the next few days. Here's a quick snapshot of what's been going on so far: The Rally: Vince Cable got really personal. He said that he'd had a fair bit of pressure put on him to slash adult education. He refused to do it, because of his own family experience. His mother had a long spell in hospital following a nervous breakdown. He talked about how adult education had given her a second opportunity ...
A good story from today's Times (£) for International Women's Day: David Cameron will play host to Britain's first Girls' Summit this summer to galvanise efforts to end female genital mutilation and forced marriage. The Prime Minister will convene the meeting in July, which will focus on tackling the abuse and oppression of women that is embedded in certain cultures, at home and abroad. At the top of the agenda will be FGM, which threatens tens of thousands of girls and women in the UK, and forced marriage, whereby many British teenagers disappear from the school roll and, in extreme ...
I have become quite a difficult person to buy presents for - I don't need very much, my life is fairly busy and, if I really want something, I'm lucky enough to have sufficient funds to go out and buy it (within reason of course, I'm not rich). And so, when my parents asked me what I would like for Christmas, I did have to think for a bit. And then it came to me, having been to the Needham Market vs Cambridge United match a few weeks earlier, that I could sponsor one of my local Ryman League Division ...
[IMG: farron huppert] Lib Dem MPs Tim Farron and Julian Huppert explain why Britain needs a Digital Bill of Rights... Momentum is a big force in politics; sometimes an unstoppable force. And this week we've seen momentum gathering pace for a change to our surveillance state. On Tuesday, Nick Clegg set out his plans for change, backed up by a full Obama-style review of our outdated and woefully inadequate surveillance legislation and oversight bodies. On Wednesday we hosted a lively surveillance discussion in Westminster with Alan Rusbridger, Editor-in-chief of the Guardian, MPs, peers, civil society groups and activists. Last night, ...
In amongst a media scrum Nick Clegg just took a selfie with some young activists. Ellen eat your heart out! Here is the final result: Just took a selfie with
[IMG: Income Tax square on Monopoly board. Photo courtesy of Images of Money on Flickr. Some rights reserved] During a Q+A session at the Liberal Democrat conference in York, Nick Clegg repeated his usual support for increasing the income tax allowance to £12,500, which is what someone on the minimum wage earns in a full time job. This time, however, he slipped in an intriguing caveat. That he thought the party's target should be £12,500 and leave it at that because, he said, it would be expensive to get there and that if the figure was pegged to the national ...
The 'Friends of Portheras Cove' are the community in action. If like me you are not into Facebook, here are 2 recent postings to keep you up to speed. "St Pirans Day brings a sunny outlook for all – Gool Peran Lowen ! Our Cornish coast is looking uniquely beautiful thanks to the many volunteers across the county who have been caring not only for the beaches but also the wildlife. Let's get out there and enjoy it!" (St Pirans Day posting) "Ta dah! After 12 months of planning, fund-finding, & discussions we finally have our new Oak Bridge across ...
How many times do you moan about dog poo or fly tipping? Are you fed up with that graffiti, Japanese Knotweed or pot holes? You can play a part in getting things cleaned up by reporting it in through the Cornwall Council website http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=17585 . If your evidence is good enough (a photo on your phone?) a fixed penalty notice might be possible if an offence has been committed. The post Clean Up St Just & Pendeen appeared first on Cllr Sue James | St Just in Penwith | St Just and Pendeen.
I've got my papers and my voting delegate badge, I've downloaded the conference app onto my iPad Air, so everything is set for this weekend's Liberal Democrat Spring Conference in York. There is but one catch, in that I'm not there.I was going to attend, but I have to admit to being a bit jaded by politics at the moment. Actually, let's be a bit more precise, I'm a bit jaded by domestic politics, the lack of meaningful dialogue, the emptiness of the debate, the inability of the media to hold our leaders to account, the narrow-mindedness of so much ...
Posted this yesterday in the New Statesman. I guess the question for everyone at Lib Dem conference is - am I right? Is the question everyone's talking about in the bars and hotels 'after the May elections - what happens next?' The daffodils are blooming, the sun is shining and the floods are receding - which can only mean one thing. It's Lib Dem Spring Conference. This may come to a surprise to many, as unlike in previous years, where the rows have been heavily trailed and keenly anticipated, this time all seems sweetness and light. Sure, there'll be debates ...
There are two meetings at BTC next week Tuesday 11th March ,6:30 , Planning & Development Committee Thursday 13th March , 6:30 , Finance Committee Both meetings are are Arms Evertyne House
Has Page Three had its day? There certainly was a different culture in the 70s. My perception is that today's younger generations are a lot less tolerant than we were. They are far more sensitive to all sorts of issues. My attitude to this latest campaign, to get the Sun to remove half naked Page Three girls, is to let the readers decide. If you don't want it, don't buy it. If The Sun took away its Page Three girls, would it still be The Sun? I suppose I must have picked it up now and then while waiting my ...
The old play equipment for 8 to 13 year olds at Lilliput Park is falling apart due to the wood rotting. It's been there for many years, and now Dodington Parish Council is planning to replace it with modern equipment. The Parish Council has just been awarded £20,000 for this project by the Frome Vale Area Forum, financed by the New Homes Bonus. A big thank you is due to all our local councillors who supported this! The Parish Council is consulting local children and residents near the Park about the exact equipment to put there. There are two designs, ...
I was very disappointed to read David Jones' review of Citizen Journalists in yesterday's Medway Messenger. He begins by asking a straight forward question; Are citizen journalists little better than the tiresome individuals who write rambling, often near incomprehensible, letters, to the editors of local newspapers? Discuss. He then goes on to question the validity of the term and whether or not it is good for greater transparency or for democracy in Medway. Having been to a Full Council meeting in the past I can say that there are is a small selection of people in the Public gallery, usually ...
I was personally heartbroken when Nick Clegg was left with no option but to publicly apologise for the party's inability to uphold free tuition fees. As my career path requires further university study, I was going to be hit financially and immediately. Initially I deferred and saved manically but I recognise I am disadvantaged and that my humble beginnings continues to snap at my heels. Every day requires personal strength and good friends to overcome the obstacles of privilege but every so often, I feel compelled to 'spell out' what and how 'disadvantages' continue. My PhD begins on the weekend ...
I keep thinking - "you know what would make a really brilliant blog post - a seat by seat analysis of what will happen for every Lib Dem MP in the 2015 General Election" I've never done it - partly because when I've started, i end up writing 'so-and-so are a dead cert to lose their seat', and it's no fun writing that sort of thing. But mostly, because its a huge amount of work. Fortunately, Iain Dale had done it for me. So do pop over and see his blog. Its very good. However, I don't 100% agree with ...
Having recently moved house, I have become very aware of which companies have modern back end systems. The most top-notch ones let me log on to their website, fill in a form, and all the address changes are made. A few required me to ring up and speak to a human being, which was a little annoying, but not the end of the world. Only one company insisted that I write them a letter. Co-Op Business Banking. Despite having a moderately competent website, they couldn't process a change of address online. Their phone staff were equally insistent that I buy ...
ITV reports Lib Dems open conference with 'attack' over Europe, where you can also watch a video round-up. The International Business Times has a more sombre assessment: Cable and Clegg Attack Tories and Ukip: The rally comes against a bleak background for the party as polls and by-elections show they are running fourth and there is the real possibility they will be humiliated in May's European elections, thus the focus on the issue in York. Yet delegates are still in an upbeat mood. The majority have come to terms with the realities of coalition and the fact that they have ...
A couple of days ago a council by-election took place in the Nottingham ward of Clifton North. We came fifth and we were beaten by the Bus Pass Elvis Party. There were just 11 votes between Lib Dem, Tony Marshall and David Bishop of BPEP. Unbelievably this story has been picked up by many of [...]
So said Matthew Goodwin and Robert Ford in an important piece of analysis printed in The Guardian: [IMG: Nigel Farage. Photo shared under Creative Commons, some rights reserved Forget David Cameron's unpopularity among grassroots Tories; forget the furore over EU migrants; forget single-issue concerns over the EU or the charisma of Farage. To truly understand Ukip's appeal you need to go much deeper... That Ukip's core voters are middle-class Tories animated by the single-issue of Europe is the biggest myth in Westminster. In fact, Ukip is the most working-class-dominated party since Michael Foot's Labour in 1983. They struggle financially, ...
Party president Tim Farron's second (and non-renewable) term of office finishes at the end of this year, after four years in the role. He doubtless expected most of the challenges that come from the Lib Dems being in coalition with the Conservatives. He wouldn't have expected to have to manage the fall-out from the allegations of sexual impropriety made against Lord Rennard a year ago. The post of party president is the only Lib Dem role other than that of leader elected through an all-member ballot, and it will take place this autumn. This mandate (along with the requirement to ...
Cllr Paul Hulbert and wellies, clearing a stream at Wapley Wapley Bushes Conservation Group and the Wildlife Trust organise regular work days. There's something for everyone, from digging and pruning to litter picking. Here are a couple of events to get you started - all you need is stout footwear or wellies, and gloves if you have some! Saturday 15 March - Wapley Work Morning General management tasks with the Conservation Group, including a spring clean to enhance the biodiversity of this precious nature reserve. Meet at the Shire Way gate at 10.00am. Saturday 12 April 2014 - Goose Green ...
Ages ago - around Christmas 2012 - a vehicle badly damaged the bus shelter on the north side of Blackness Road, just east of the Glenagnes Road junction and near to the West End Schools' Campus. On numerous occasions over a prolonged period, on behalf of residents, I have been in touch with the City Council seeking its replacement. There has been much correspondence about this as there were a number of design and location issues given the congested site close to the schools' campus. In January this year, I was advised by the City Development Department : "The reinstatement ...
If you are not in York for the Lib Dem Spring Conference, you can follow what is going on in various ways. For as-it-happens coverage follow the tweets on #LDconf. Sadly, although the BBC broadcasts the main Autumn conference each year, it does not cover the Spring one – largely because the other parties do not hold similar events. Instead you can follow the live blog on the party website. For an independent view, the York Press is making the most of having the conference on its doorstep and is also live blogging. You will probably find it useful to ...
The Tower Building Until 29th March, an exhibition of paintings by Jean Duncan, artist in residence at cechr (the University of Dundee's Centre for Environmental Change & Human Resilience), is taking place at the Tower Foyer Gallery, Tower Building (Monday to Friday 9.30am to 8.30pm; Saturday 9.30am to 4.30pm). Jean recently spent time at the British Geological Survey observatory at Virkisjokull, Iceland, and was funded by a Dundee Visual Arts Awards and BGS to make drawings linked to fieldwork. The observatory site in south-east Iceland is a base for studying the evolution of the glacier and the surrounding landscape and ...
Currently Liberal Democrat President Tim Farron is term-limited and not able to restand when his second successive term in the post finishes. First out of the blocks in the contest – which will be decided by an all-member postal ballot later this year – with a campaign machine in operation at the party's York spring conference is Sal Brinton. Her campaign badges were already being passed around yesterday: [IMG: Sal Brinton President campaign badges] Also in the race will be Pauline Pearce, known as the Hackney Heroine after confronting rioters during the London riots.
Tim Farron has carved out a strong voice as President of the Lib Dems, but now the contest to see who will succeed him has begun. Tim Farron has come
I know it's been said before but satire is dead. Or maybe it's one of those irregular verbs Sir Humphery used to talk about. I keep in touch. You leaflet, he's guilty of excessive distribution of literature :-) Either way I'll let the Lib Dem Spring conference agenda speak for itself.
[IMG: Sarah Teather, MP for Brent Central] Lib Dem MP for Brent Central Sarah Teather will be part of a hunger-fast relay today in protest at what she describes as the coalition government's "wilful indifference to the hunger of its citizens". Here's an excerpt of what she's written for the Huffington Post: I shall be fasting as part of the End Hunger Fast Relay. I pick up the baton from the Bishop of Salisbury tonight and pass it on to a Quaker leader on Sunday as we take part in an act of community solidarity with the thousands of British ...
Just when I thought UKIP could not get any more extreme, this report in one of our valuable local newspapers crosses my path. The Argus reports the views of Donna Edmunds, a Lewes district councillor and MEP candidate for the South East, that business owners should be allowed to refuse to serve women and gay people: Responding to a post on an internet forum Coun Edmunds said they should be allowed to refuse service, including because a customer is gay or a woman. She had been asked to state whether she supported remarks by Henley-on-Thames UKIP councillor David Silvester who ...
I support Ofgem's recent call for energy companies to do more to return the £400 million in customers' closed accounts that they are hanging on to at present. Ofgem has found that the 'Big Six' energy companies weren't doing enough to return money left in an account after people move or switch suppliers. While the £400 million figure is UK-wide, there will be ex-customers throughout our region who will be in the position of having a closed account that is still in credit. It isn't just households that are affected. Ofgem reckon that 300,000 businesses across the UK are in ...
