Over at the New Statesman on Friday Ryan Shorthouse argued that liberals should look to the Conservatives to find the party delivering on a liberal agenda. In the post he reprises some themes that he set out in his contribution to the Liberal Reform fringe meeting at Liberal Democrat spring conference. [IMG: Conservative vs. Liberal Beliefs] In order to arrive at this conclusion Shorthouse adopts the strategy of giving credit for the 'liberal' policies pursued by the current Government to the Conservatives, while glossing over the fact that it is a coalition government and, indeed, that some of the policies ...
One of the things that keeps appearing on my Twitter feed is the suggestion that Medway Council and the Political parties could form an interactive forum to discuss policies and answer questions in the Pentagon centre, Chatham. On paper this would provide anyone in Medway the chance to meet their councillors or learn what each party's policies are so that informed decisions can be made and spark debate. Much of politics requires door knocking and handing out leaflets that, lets face it, probably don't get read by half of the residents or hoping that your story gets picked up by ...
I don't have any particular beef with Maria Miller. And I'm not one for shouts of 'resign' at the drop of a hat. But I am genuinely bemused by the latest report in The Telegraph about Ms Millers expenses and the possible consequences To avoid the paywall, I'll quote from the Guardian on the report., who say... She is expected to repay thousands of pounds and also apologise for her use of the expenses system, the Telegraph said.Now, as I understand it. Ms. Miller has not yet been found guilty of anything by The Commons 'Standards Committee', who have yet ...
East of Melton Mowbray station the railway runs beside the colossal Pedigree Petfoods plant. The factory was originally housed in an old sewing thread mill, but it has greatly expanded since then and parts of it are strikingly modern. I found today that you can follow a footpath beside a tributary of the Wreake (or perhaps the Eye, as the river changes its name above Melton) and pass through the heart of the Pedigree Petfoods site to the river banks of the river itself. As well as the factory you get to see wildlife, a mural and a fine selection ...
A couple of weeks ago I blogged about Shirley William's impending visit to Southport Well she came and once again conquered the hearts and minds of all those who turned out. In her talk, to which I shall return, Shirley spoke of the big changes she had seen in her political life time especially around the role of women and the digital revolution. She recalled the only feminist remark she had heard Thatcher make and tried to persuade us that she was as ignorant about digital matter as Ronnie Fearn-whose fifty years as an elected councillor we had come to ...
Here is the latest FOCUS newsletter from Meols Ward Liberal Democrats, which was recently delivered to residents of Churchtown, Crossens and Marshside.
As part of our commitment to keeping in touch with residents all year round, local councillors John Dodd, Nigel Ashton and David Rimmer, together with FOCUS Editor Jo Barton, hold regular advice centres in Crossens and Churchtown. Councillors John Dodd and Nigel Ashton The picure was taken at our recent session at Cafe Moo Moo in Churchtown. Our next advice centre is at St John's School, Rufford Road, Crossens on Saturday 12th of April from 11:00 am to 12:00 noon.
I popped into The Atkinson today after being alerted that they had new stock. The information/ticket office doubles as Tourist Information and they have always had old railway posters and other Southport memorabilia. It was good to see they had lots of postcards, mugs etc of some of the art works in the gallery -pride of place was clearly given to Lilith by John Collier. What caught my eye was a black and white notelet of a Prime Ministerial visit to Southport allegedly in 1910. I am just re-reading Roy Jenkin's biography of Asquith( the Prime Minister he 'truly loved' ...
[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. They include Bristol North West, on paper the 26th most winnable seat for the Lib Dems, needing a swing of 3% from the Tories. The following seats have selections in progress and are currently advertising for candidates: Skipton & Ripon, 31st March East Lothian, 4th April Leeds East, 4th April Penrith and the Border, 11th April Croydon East, 17th April Croydon North, 17th April Croydon South, 17th ...
LibDemVoice has two parallel sites. The first is our public blog, the thing you're reading now. The second is our private members' forum, which only current Lib Dem members can access. If you're a member and want to chat with fellow party members about any issue that's on your mind, then why not sign up? In addition, you'll be included in our regular surveys' of party members' views. Here's some of the most active discussions this past 7 days: Mansion tax – how to implement; Democracy in Ukraine; Osborne kills annuities; YouGov: Farage 57% – 36% Clegg; What counts as ...
Sat 29th
12:52
A longer read for the weekend: How important will incumbency be to the Lib Dems in 2015?
Last year I wrote a piece, So, about that Lib Dem wipeout in 2015 then..., highlighting that – though the polls are grim for the Lib Dems – the assumption of many pundits that this will automatically translate into Lib Dem annihilation at the next election is flawed. That brief analysis was based on looking at the lists of Lib Dem-held seats that Labour and the Tories are targeting. Now Craig Johnson from Newcastle University has taken a more rigorous approach and looked at the election prospects for the Lib Dems in seats the party holds. His article, 'The Importance ...
Wisely, unlike an earlier music video made to encourage people to vote, this one for the forthcoming European elections does not feature me dancing. See how many of the politicians taking part you can recognise: Courtesy of www.happyvoting.eu
Sometimes, good fortune allows you to raise a matter just when it might be most effective, and the decision of the Earl of Dundee to ask for a debate on city to city diplomacy allowed Ros to put some of her experiences to good effect... Baroness Scott of Needham Market (LD): Exactly two weeks ago, I was in Denmark chairing a conference of local and regional authorities from around the North Sea. During my two days in Aalborg, I had an opportunity to reflect on the nature of international co-operation at a local level. I was considering how best to ...
At one minute past midnight last night the first same-sex marriages took place in England and Wales and today the sun is shining on many such ceremonies. What a long way this country has come since 1967, when Home Secretary Roy Jenkins oversaw the decriminalisation of consensual homosexual relations between adult men, helping end nearly [...]
[IMG: issan-and-bnd-at-euro-dinner] This article was first published on Lib Dem Voice If we needed reminding how vital Europe is to British jobs in regions like the East Midlands, the bosses of car giants Hyundai and Toyota spelt it out. As a European candidate in May's elections I was alarmed to read that Hyundai, who have a base in Corby, warned against leaving the EU saying that if the UK were no longer in the single market it would throw up 'barriers' to doing business. There was a similar message from the boss of Toyota, who run a plant just outside ...
Here's a video of my recent appearance on the Ummah Channel, talking about the importance of Europe.
Sat 29th
10:45Annette Brooke MP writes... This Mothering Sunday let's commit to making preventable newborn deaths ...
Like many mothers and grandmothers in my constituency and around the UK, I'm looking forward to Mother's Day on Sunday. Not just because it's welcome time spent with the family, but also because it reminds me of the years of joy I've had watching my children and now my grand-daughter grow up. It is however, a sad time for many in this country who have suffered bereavements. And we also think of the millions of mothers around the world who have not had the chance to watch their children grow up. In the last decade, across the world, incredible progress ...
This: [IMG: Shocked kitten. Photo courtesy of http://imgur.com/gallery/mp5RmrI - some rights reserved] Let that be a lesson to literature artworkers everywhere.
This is a very short rant about Welsh Labour's tactics of seeking to deflect perfectly legitimate attacks on their record by alleging that their opponents are waging a war on Wales. It is certainly the case that some of the more unsavoury UK media have crossed a line in their portrayal of our country and I am one of the first to condemn them for it. However, that does not insulate Carwyn Jones' government from answering for its policy and delivery failures. Welsh Labour Ministers have been very vocal in knocking the record of the UK Coalition. Did they really ...
Sat 29th
09:04In full: Nick Clegg's contribution to the "sunshine strategy" at Scottish Lib Dem Conference
I've been saying for a long time that the pro UK side of the independence referendum campaign in Scotland needs to make sure that there's a positive melody to go a long with the necessary deconstruction of the SNP's arguments. Nick Clegg stepped up to that plate with aplomb yesterday in his keynote speech, saying that the case for staying in the UK must be as "thrilling" as that for independence. There was one hilarious moment when he slipped up and talked about he and Danny Alexander had "hammered out the badger" when he meant to say the budget. Other ...
How Cosmos moved us all to tears | Rationalist Association (tags: ) How to not bugger up your eyes when looking at a computer all day. (tags: ) Devon man used home-made guillotine to chop off his own hand before setting it on fire JESUS WEPT. (tags: ) The Westminster elite should have the courage of their convictions - Telegraph Blogs (tags: ) 18 Things That Will Happen When Gay Marriage Is Made Legal (tags: ) Same-sex marriage set to turn UK into throbbing orgy of same-sex depravity, warn traditionalists (tags: ) [IMG: comment count unavailable] comments
Further to my recent update about "Cabinet of Curiosity" - an exhibition of highlights from the Tayside Medical History Museum's collections - here's a further update from the Curator of Museum Services at the University of Dundee : "Our new exhibition in the Lamb Gallery, "Cabinet of Curiosity, provides a rare chance to see some of the fascinating instruments, equipment and curiosities from the Tayside Medical History Museum on display outwith Ninewells Hospital. From gruesome surgical tools to early plant medicines and from Victorian x-rays to 1960s nurses, the exhibition reveals the story of Dundee's ground-breaking role in medical history. ...
Many thanks go to Dr Ann Prescott for the photo below of the daffodils the Bonnie Dundee group has planted at Sinderins - and they have also planted white primroses in front of Blackness Library!
The first wedding of the day is Subodh and Niranjan – who have been together forever – at the registry office in Wood Green. The second is at Alexandra Palace – Benjamin and Nathan. I am even wearing a frock! And I wish both couples and everyone else who is getting married today all the happiness in the world. This really is an historic day!
I've woken up today in a country better than the one I fell asleep in last night: one where any two consenting adults can marry each other, regardless of gender. This makes me immensely proud. I do despair though at the 20% of people who were surveyed and said they would turn down an invitation [...]
[IMG: West Buckland School, Exmoor run. 1976. Our famous "Band on the run" pose as we leave WB on The Long March. I am trying to play the James Coburn role (tallest in the middle). If any photo sums up my joyous memories of West Buckland it is this one. Brilliant! I really did thoroughly enjoy the Sixth Form and it really helped form me as a social person.] West Buckland School, Exmoor run. 1976. Our famous "Band on the run" pose as we leave WB on The Long March. I am trying to play the James Coburn role in ...
later today Parish Councillors who are looking at building a new Skate Park her in Bar Hill are looking to meet with local residents and skate park users to try an determine what people are expecting from the new park. We'd love to see as many people as possible at the this event. It's being held between 10:30am and 12:30pm in the Octagon (next to the parish Council Offices). Alternatively if you have any views you'd like us to consider you can drop me an email at; andy.pellew@gmail.com I look forward to seeing as many people as possible there!
