Fraser Nelson has an interesting column in today's Telegraph claiming that: The integration of Muslims can now be seen as one of the great success stories of modern Britain. While the Dutch and the French have huge troubles with integration, and are caught in agonised struggles about their national identities, Britain is marked out by [...]
[IMG: Featured on Liberal Democrat Voice] With equal marriage about to be a reality there have been quiet few reminiscences in the media about the journey from pre Wolfenden days to the success of Lynne Featherstone's Bill. Rev Richard Coles can still be heard on iplayer fronting a Radio 4 program Gay Rights: Tying the Knot and Mathew Parris writing in The Times about his plotting 25 years ago along with Ian Mc Kellan and Peter Mandelson to advance the cause. I want to go back before that -not as far as the Wolfenden Report or Roy Jenkins 1967 legislation- ...
Passenger workings west of Exeter resumed today. This engineers' train, filmed on 29 March, was one of the first to use the rebuilt line through Dawlish.
With the sad news of the death of Margo MacDonald earlier today many tributes have been made about her many achievements on the Scottish political scene. But what is probably less well known is that Margo was a season ticket holder at Easter Road, leading to this tribute from the club this afternoon. One interesting consequences of her death is that she has no replacement on the list as she stood by herself. And unless the Parliament makes provision for a list by-election (which I don't think it does) then her replacement will come from another list - which may ...
Unlock Democracy! Yes, you! Over here! And now that I have your attention, might I be so bold as to ask that, in return for my annual subscription, you desist from sending me e-mails seemingly designed to annoy me. What's that, you say? You don't mean to annoy me? Perhaps you might explain the use of the phrase "the out of touch and unelected Lords" then. Yes, I acknowledge that they are unelected, but out of touch? It is a modern truism that, when arguing a case, it is as well to find ways of discrediting your opponents. However, the ...
Thanks to Wendy Pearson. The boundary changes of 2005 ignored the boundaries of 699. (Hwicca/Mercia). These maps, however, are more recent (than 699).
"Clegg was quite right when he said that, as a nation, we are better when we are open-minded and work with other countries and peoples. That had resonance but it isn't enough to win." David Boyle on the Nick vs Nigel debates. Alex's Archives looks at the politics of the bedroom tax: "If the party leadership has never been persuaded of the wisdom of the bedroom tax then it gives us yet another indication of the price it was willing for others to pay to hold the Coalition together. Or it indicates the limited amount of leverage the party was ...
Stapleton Hall Road, Stroud Green, has taken an interesting turn since I lived there, thanks to this innovative piece of traffic flow introduced by Labour-run Haringey Council: [IMG: Roundabout on Stapleton Hall Road, Haringey] (If you're looking at the photo and scratching your head what this is about, here's a clue: look at the arrows.) Another triumph from #WorstCouncil. Hat-tip: Clive Carter.
Catherine Bearder on the Streets of Gillingham Last Saturday the Medway Liberal Democrats hit the streets of Gillingham - but this was not an average street canvassing or leafleting it was a special occasion. The upcoming elections for the European Parliament are exceptionally important and as we are the only party of In and in full support of Europe we had to hit the streets and talk about the excellent work the party have achieved but we weren't doing it alone. Standing with local party stalwarts like Councillor Diana Smith and Councillor Geoff Juby as well as regular activists and ...
In addition to my comments the other day.... 1. Politics.co.uk suggest that Miller many get reshuffled shortly, saying.. "Miller therefore survives to fight another day. But the row has fatally undermined any authority she had left with the press, who are insisting she is not fit to preside over the delicate talks concerning press regulation. The rumour is that she will be quietly reshuffled into the Wales Office at the nearest opportunity." But is strikes me that if she is now in a position where she can't do the job she has been asked to do - doesn't that make ...
[IMG: Some rights reserved by Keith Edkins] It's been announced tonight that Baroness Sal Brinton is stepping down as Chair of the Diversity Engagement Group. Nick Clegg paid tribute to her work in the role: Her hard work and dedication have clearly demonstrated the commitment of the party to becoming more representative of British society, and ensuring that the targets set for increased diversity are met. The Leadership Programme is a significant and important part of that dynamic, giving outstanding candidates from under-represented groups the skills that they will need to win seats in the upcoming elections. I'm delighted that ...
[IMG: Italian flag. Photo courtesy of http://www.freeimages.com/photo/734116 - some rights reserved] Although Britain votes in the European Parliament elections on Thursday 22nd May, the election result can't be declared until after the polling has finished in all the rest of the European Union. With weekend voting the norm in many countries, that means waiting until Sunday night. However, news just in from Italy (via the Electoral Commission) is that voting there on the Sunday will now finish one hour later than planned, at 10pm UK time rather than 9pm. This will be the latest close of polls across Europe and ...
I fully intended to write my own, somewhat lengthy tribute to the great Margo Macdonald, considering her political life with particular reference to the independence cause, her passionate campaigning for rights for sex workers and her political courage and tirelessness in leading on the matter of assisted suicide. However, I feel that not only are there already so many fitting tributes from people of all parties, but that my own words would be ill-qualified to do justice to her enormous achievements and immense humanity. I think it is sufficient to say that Margo taught us so much; particularly in showing ...
Friday night is my favourite night of the week. Friday night is full of promise. The whole weekend stretches ahead of me; full of promise, and excitement. Or sleep. It's been a pretty busy week. I have been working, and completing a training course. I now know more about the partnership between students, and Universities than I could have ever have imagined! Higher Education institutions are required to engage with the student voice more than ever following the introduction of tuition fees of £9000. We learnt that some institutions, and also some lecturers, are a lot better at engaging than ...
[IMG: Contains Scottish Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Scottish Parliament Licence v1.0.] There won't be a dry eye anywhere in Scottish politics this afternoon. Margo MacDonald, the spirited, warm-hearted, funny, plain-speaking, independent minded MSP for Lothians died this lunchtime. Margo shot to prominence after winning the Govan by-election in 1973. Although she lost her seat in the General Election 2 months later, she made an impact on Scottish politics. She never returned to Westminster, but has been one of the real stars of the Scottish Parliament over the last 15 years. She was never scared to speak her mind ...
Forty years ago this week the Heath government inflicted a reform of local government upon us. To commemorate this anniversary BBC Sunday Politics NW did a piece including contributions from our MP John Pugh and me. Jim Hancock, the NW's premiere political commentator, has written arguing that there is still unfinished business for the NW following on from a previous posting calling for a more co-ordinated Regional approach which I covered in an earlier posting. Southport got a rotten deal out of local government reorganisation in the 1970's. In truth none of the options on offer back then were 'Southport ...
Following the recent Portsmouth 'Flying Start' leaflets, neighbouring Gosport didn't want to be left out of the action! So they sent us their full colour A3 folded to A4 leaflet that was delivered a week ago. It includes an inside spread showing lots of photos of our councillors and candidates in action. The outside (separate [...]
As a Liberal Democrat one is appalled by the heavy handed way that Russia has moved into Crimea with an apology for a referendum. It may be the wish of the majority but this invasion is totally against international law and indeed tears up the post-Soviet treaty between Russia and Ukraine. The criticism of Russia is led by the USA and strongly supported by the rest of Europe. Many in Europe and the Middle East are wondering why the same critics have been so mute in the face of not dissimilar aggression and occupation of Palestine by Israel. The Israeli ...
In Welwyn Hatfield, in Hertfordshire one of our candidates has produced short video clip which promotes and encourages Polish community to vote. If you do this sort of thing remember to actually campaign to get their vote for the Lib Dems as well!! Michal Siewniak says "I hope that this video emphasises that is important [...]
Fri 4th
13:55
Chart of the day: how spending on day-to-day public services will have been cut by 37% by 2018-19
It is simply not true - as our critics on the left pretend - that we are slashing and burning the state. By the end of this Parliament, public spending will still be 42% of GDP. That's higher than at any time between 1995 and when the banks crashed, in 2008. Nick Clegg, 10th March 2013 It's a soothing line from Nick Clegg, designed to reassure Lib Dems that the Coalition's austerity programme is simply curbing the spending excess of the Blair/Brown years. However, as Steven Toft (AKA Comment Award-winning blogger, Flip Chart Rick) highlights here, the reality isn't quite ...
[IMG: Piles of money. Photo credit: czbalazs - http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1236662] Where is the development of Lib Dem welfare policy? It's hard to see any. Even the recent living standards policy paper (pdf) said "we do not believe that this paper is the appropriate place to determine a Liberal Democrat approach to welfare reform. ... this is an area that needs further debate within the Party." We all want a society in which technology, employment, education, high pay, low inequality, progressive taxation and cheap homes reduce the need for means-tested benefits, but this long-term goal must not prevent the party battling for ...
Courtesy of Retronaut comes this photo from the peak of Communism: [IMG: Leonid Brezhnev on the phone in his underwear]
I wrote yesterday about the great paradox of emotion in politics. It makes the English uncomfortable, as emotion tends to wherever they encounter it. I'm beginning to feel nervous even writing this, but then I am - above all - English. Here is the conundrum, as it was played out in the second Clegg-Farage debate. Nick Clegg's team let it be known that their man was going to be "more emotional" during the second clash, and he was - and it was effective. Farage was less emotional, but more able to connect his message to the gut emotions of the ...
Fri 4th
10:42Opinion: Our future lies on the back of moderate Conservatives whether we like it or not
[IMG: True blue supporter] For many of our voters the Lib Dems have always been a party to the left of British politics. A party who has more in common with Labour than the Tories, and who sees their chief enemy as the Conservatives. However, our survival now rests on winning over the very people who many of us once wrote off as true blue Tories. The fracture on the right of British politics gives a significant opportunity to unite around a fiscally conservative but socially liberal banner: the same banner which is being flown by our presence in coalition. ...
HMRC reveal the flimsy excuses employers give for not paying minimum wage (tags: ) Rebranding Ed Miliband (useful stuff in here for ALL politicos IMHO) "There's nothing so wrong with being a bit weird. Politicians are weird. They'd have to be to do the job. Being awkward is something else. And that comes from giving the impression that you can't, or won't, say what you think." (tags: ) Plain Packaging is gift to counterfeiters, nanny statists and prohibitionists via @asi (tags: ) Clegg has shown that he's still as asset to his party. His party's supporters would be wise to ...
I fully agree with Alison Garnham, the Chief Executive of the Child Poverty Action Group, that "the bedroom tax is a hasty shambles". Today I am pleased to read in the Guardian that Tim Farron, LibDem President, is speaking out against the tax. He says "It has caused huge social problems" and that it "demonises the poor". You can read the article here. Some of you who follow my postings will know that I brought a motion to Council to lobby Government to remove from this unfair tax those who cannot move to a smaller home as no suitable home ...
Two weeks ago, Ros and I spent the day visiting two Norfolk schools, a state school in Dereham (Neatherd High), and a private school (Norwich High School for Girls), as part of the House of Lords outreach programme. My job is to navigate Ros from place to place and chip in the odd fact if Ros needs it, and make conversation with students and teachers alike. Ros has a presentation to give, which explains how the House of Lords works, and then takes questions in a no-holds barred sort of way, her way of encouraging students to seek answers to ...
Here's some of the articles that have caught my attention in the past couple of days... Iain Dale: Vince Cable - the worst Business Secretary since Stephen Byers | Conservative Home "Clegg and his party are f***ed" says @IainDale http://bit.ly/1lFekL8 Who 8 weeks ago predicted the Lib Dems would win up to 35 seats. Hmm. The chosen one? Manchester United fans still behind David Moyes. 60% of Man Utd fans back Moyes. That's direct democracy for you. http://bit.ly/1mFfYcX The case of UKIP and Vladimir Putin Ukip voters are more likely to admire Putin. But really they prefer Maggie and gardening. ...
Today's Times reports that George Osborne is facing demands to cut the top rate of tax again to 40p after figures suggested the wealthy had paid more tax since he cut the 50p rate. This is not something that I can personally support but the significance of the article lies not in the demands of those who believe that the wealthy should contribute proportionately less than the low paid, but in the way it debunks Labour's narrative. The paper says that the amount raised from top-rate taxpayers is expected to increase by £9 billion in 2013-14, the year for which ...
So back when Gay marriage was still being debated we were told there'd be loads of unintended consequences, total tosh of course - because no one has married a horse yet, and there haven't been any biblical floods. Although I ... Continue reading →
There was a fascinating article on HackerNews this morning about Japanese toilets. As someone who does his best thinking on the can, I've often wondered about "investing" in super Japanese-style loo seat. The problem is, once you factor in plumbing and electrical work, they cost around £800! That's a lot of cash to pay without first road testing something you're going to be using every day. So, I looked at cheaper options. When I was in India, I got used to using a Shataff - AKA "Bum Gun". [IMG: Bum Gun Installation] A hose, next to the toilet, which one ...
St Peters Liberal Democrat councillor Michael Green has condemned the increasing number of planning applications to convert prime office space to residential accommodation. The conversion of Ridgmont Plaza in Ridgmont Road has already been approved while a decision is pending for conversion of the West Wing of the Ziggurat in Grosvenor Road. Both buildings are in St Peters ward. "Inadequate office accommodation will clearly hit local employment opportunities," said Michael, "and will risk St Albans turning into a dormitory town. High density housing also impacts nearby residents by increasing pressure on parking and worsening traffic congestion on roads that are ...
[IMG: Smartphone bar.] Liberal Democrats have long championed ease of communication and information exchange, and been alert to threats to online freedoms. Both at Westminster and in the European Parliament, we have fought aspects of measures to combat child sexual exploitation or copyright infringement which could infringe on internet access rights. At our recent party conference in York we adopted a call for a Digital Bill of Rights, noting that 'the internet has the power to liberate, to educate, to bring people closer together, and to boost our economy'. The threat in our sights then was government surveillance. But MEPs, ...
[This post was written before the Budget when my blog was inoperable. It is still relevant now especially after a rather nauseating backslapping do in Westminster this week organised by pubco lobbyists the British Beer & Pub Association or BBPA to congratulate themselves on the beer duty cut: bizarrely I was invited but declined.] As we enter what appears to be a protracted period of decision-making on pubco reform, what should come into my inbox but the latest missive from CAMRA.... on a totally unrelated subject? Yes, beer duty. I have seen no evidence that last year's ending of Alastair ...
Dundee Museum of Transport is counting down the days until it opens its doors to the public at its premises in Market Mews on the weekend of 26th and 27th April. The museum will display and preserve the transport heritage of our local area and will have an impressive collection of vintage vehicles, memorabilia and transport-related items on display. The weekend celebrations will include National Drive It Day, organised by the Scottish Vintage Vehicle Federation, on Sunday 27th between 11am and 4pm. There will be more than 160 vehicles present for this event throughout the day. You can read more ...
[This post was written before the Budget when my blog was inoperable. It is still relevant now especially after a rather nauseating backslapping do in Westminster this week organised by pubco lobbyists the British Beer & Pub Association or BBPA to congratulate themselves on the beer duty cut: bizarrely I was invited but declined.] As we enter what appears to be a protracted period of decision-making on pubco reform, what should come into my inbox but the latest missive from CAMRA.... on a totally unrelated subject? Yes, beer duty. I have seen no evidence that last year's ending of Alastair ...
Back in 2010 at the general election, the Liberal Democrats gave a commitment that, if part of government after the election, we would deliver income tax cuts of £700 for working people. It was on the front page of the Liberal Democrat manifesto, it was on all those leaflets that came through your door and it was a top priority in the negotiations that lead to the formation of the coalition government. This week, this commitment is delivered into people's pockets. From this week the personal allowance, the amount you can earn before you pay income tax, will be £10 ...
The Liberal Democrats are continuing to grow as a party, with membership expected to reach 44,000 today - an increase of more than 500 members this year. This compares with 42,501 at the start of 2013 and 43,451 at the start of this year. 2013 was the first time in recent history a governing party has increased its membership over a year while in power and the first time the Liberal Democrats have increased membership outside of an election period in more than a decade. Today's figures show that momentum is continuing. Recent years have seen a steady decline in ...
An interesting dismissal by the Bank of England of the monetary theory still widely taught (and a dismissal that has garnered much support from other economists, though my reading of the debate is that it's not a dead one yet): Download Hat-tip: Simon Wren-Lewis
Roger Williams, Lib Dem MP for Brecon and Radnorshire, has added his name to in support of a Presentation Bill which calls for democratic national park authorities. The Bill was introduced to the House of Commons Tuesday morning. The Bill, brought forward by Lake District MP, Tim Farron, calls for powers to be given to the Secretary of State, "to provide for elections to be held to the governing boards of National Parks on a pilot basis; and for connected purposes". Roger Williams wants representatives to be elected to help ensure they are accountable for the decisions they make, and ...
MEPs yesterday voted for an EU cap on card payment fees, which are estimated to cost retailers in the EU over £8 billion each year. The European Parliament negotiating position, in line with the proposal from the European Commission, favours a cap of 0.3% of the transaction on credit card purchases. But Parliament goes even further than the Commission proposal on debit card fees with a cap of either 7cents (6p) or 0.2% of the transaction value on debit card purchases, whichever is lower. These caps would also be applied to both cross-border and domestic payments. Research by the EU ...
