UKIP made the headlines again for spouting discriminatory comments. This time a UKIP election candidate, William Henwood, has called on Lenny Henry the comedian to emigrate to a 'black country' because 'he does not have to live with Whites'. Lenny Henry is a British comedian who has given us many laughs over the years. UKIP are a bunch of 'Clowns' of the Stephen King variety from the novel/film called 'It', they certainly do not qualify as clowns of the circus variety who always make both kids and adults laugh. Every time a UKIP candidate makes a derogatory comment their supporters ...
This afternoon, at the Liberal International Congress in Rotterdam, I successfully moved an amendment on behalf of the UK Liberal Democrats to the Middle East section of the traditional World Today resolution, reviewing topical issues of global concern. Since the text had first been drafted, news came through that Israel was pulling out of talks [...]
Introducing its vintage picture of the day on 23 April, the Leicester Mercury said: So. This was the plan. We'd dig out a spiffy old photo of St George's Day in Leicester, bash out a few bruised lines wondering why it isn't a bank holiday in England, then slink off early to the pub. Job's a good 'un. Well, a passable one, at least. But here's the thing. We couldn't find many old pics of St George's Day. And none that we muster much enthusiasm for showing you.So instead they printed a picture of St George's Street in the days ...
A small section of my Star Wars Library It is as if millions of voices cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced... Yesterday it was announced that the entire Star Wars Galaxy had been destroyed... Not by a Death Star, nor the Sun Crusher or the Galaxy Gun but by Disney. I was born in 1980 and grew up watching the original Star Wars trilogy at Christmas every year, I was a teenager when the Special Editions came out and I was beside myself with excitement when I saw my favourite movies in the cinema, an experience I never ...
This is the line that the DUP are using in their party election broadcast and posters for the European Elections: Now while it may be simple for the DUP to brand the brand, it is so simple for them to stand the stand. There is talk in their Party Election Broadcast of how effective Diane Dodds has been in securing EU funding for Northern Ireland. It lists certain areas. I wonder how active Mrs Dodds has been in helping secure Northern Ireland's share of the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) funding for NGOs working against all types ...
As part of my selection campaign I visit and talk to a lot of people in Bath. Bathonians love their city and are very proud of Bath's beautiful architectural heritage and the thousands of tourists this brings to the city. However many people mention congestion and pollution as problems for residents and visitors. I usually [...]
Sat 26th
20:00
Farron on Cyril Smith allegations: there is a "need to answer serious questions as to who knew what ...
[IMG: Tim Farron] Lib Dem party president Tim Farron has said a police inquiry is the best way to deal with allegations – previously covered here and here by LDV – that former MP Cyril Smith committed a series of sexual assaults and that this was covered up by the authorities. Here's how the BBC reports his comments: Police are investigating allegations that the former MP for Rochdale, who died in 2010 aged 82, sexually abused boys at homes and hostels in the town. Mr Farron said the police inquiry was the best way to deal with the claims. The ...
Sat 26th
19:21
Lord Bonkers' Diary: The disappearance of the 11:15 from Nottingham London Road Lower Level
Tuesday The mysterious disappearance of that Malaysian jet has put me in my mind of a sad story from the 1920s. One bright April morning the 11:15 for Northampton Castle left Nottingham London Road Lower Level as usual, but it never reached its destination. It was seen to call at Melton Mowbray North, and there were unconfirmed reports of it reaching Clipston and Oxendon, but one thing is sure: it never arrived in Northampton. Extensive searches were undertaken and reports of sightings from as far afield as Bodmin Road and Leeming Bar were followed up, but not a trace of ...
Roy's Roundabout is at the junction of Westway and Green Lane in Maghull and in recent days it has been looking wonderful with all the trees in blossom. [IMG: rsz_roys_roundabout] Click to enlarge the photo which is amongst my Flickr shots at:- www.flickr.com/photos/86659476@N07/ I have mentioned this roundabout once before on this blog site – on 27th November 2010 – and the Roy it was 'nick named' after responded to that posting. This is what he said:- Yes I campaigned for the trees and the daffodils. When they come up in Spring they are a great display, but the money ...
Across the three Whickham wards, the 7 Lib Dem councillors hold a joint monthly surgery and today we decided to hold it outdoors in St Mary's Green, complete with table, yellow umbrella and some Lib Dem diamond corex posters. Those attending were me, Cllr John McClurey, Cllr Peter Craig, Kevin McClurey and Cocoa, John's labrador. The first person to speak to us was Peter de Vere, Labour
With colder hearts you followThose well worn wordsFrom those who saw the worldThrough eyes undimmedBy the modern malaiseWhere still the pearl lustre shineOf splendour paved the streetsNow trodden with the well-heeled ringOf your new holiday shoes With older eyes you seeSuch sights that once were feastsNow the back of postcardsAnd place mats for fast mealsAnd seeing all in its fading gloryDo you yearn for a timeWhen your eyes were youngAnd your heart warmer Than the wine With modern sentiment in placeTickets booked and heartfelt graceYou travel lightUnlike those who onceTook allSaw allFelt allAnd never left
I am not aware of any meetings at Blyth Town Council next week However, it is best to check on the council's website at www.blythtowncouncil.org.uk ... oh, the calendar has not been updated to include any meetings after last Thursday's P&D committee ... if anything is scheduled I'll let you know as soon as I find out
At lunchtime today, I had the pleasure of attending the Spring meeting of Friends of Balgay at the Mills Observatory. This took the form of "Sandwiches and a Blether" and it is always a good opportunity to catch up with West End folk. The Friends already have a Summer meeting planned, a litter pick (possibly in August) and the AGM in October will feature Jim Crumley as guest speaker. More details of these events will be on the Friends' website in due course. Here's a couple of photographs from today's event : "Sandwiches and a Blether" Poster highlighting the early ...
I am delighted to report that CAMRA members have voted to intensify the Fair Deal For Your Local campaign against the Great British Pubco Scam today at its Members' Weekend in Scarborough. The motion calls for a 'radical approach as a matter of urgency against those pubcos that indulge in unacceptable and unfair business practices', including an activist campaign with dedicated resource and a bar on the worst pubcos utilising CAMRA resources for corporate PR. The debate centred on whether the campaign against the scam required intensification: which I have privately argued for some time it does. It will now ...
Later this morning, I had the pleasure of attending the opening of Dundee Museum of Transport at Market Mews in Market Street. Having first met with the Museum of Transport team some three years ago, it was great to see al the plans for a transport museum in the city come to fruition today - and what an impressive museum it is! The opening weekend continues tomorrow (11am to 4pm) and is well worth a visit. There are more details on the museum's website and their Facebook page. And there's also a free vintage bus service from the bus station ...
This morning, a large group of us, including the many dog walkers of Magdalen Green and their dogs, gathered on the green for a short ceremony to mark the planting of a new tree on the green in memory of Sandy Emslie and his dog Kim, who both passed away in April of last year. Sandy lived in Union Place for many years and spent his entire career with the Post Office, beginning as a telegram boy at the age of 15. Awarded the Imperial Medal for his dedication, he retired in the mid-1980s and remained an active member of ...
Anyone else think the workmen redecorating Eliot Bank blocks for the council just used whichever tiles they had to hand? It's not even as though they've done the same pattern (if you can call it that) in each block. Poor show. Still they could be in a worse position. The block on Shirburn Close is [...]
[IMG: members forum wordle] 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: The Nick is Not for Turning; The latest opinion polls; Should the Gov't be Stopping UK Citizens ...
'The spectrum of response to this week's Post-Crash Economics Society report on economics education - or their more specific proposal on a module panics and bubbles – has been intriguing, if not entirely unexpected. Some economists have welcomed the students aspirations for greater critical engagement with the material they are presented with. Others have been rather dismissive of the students' desire to be offered a more pluralist curriculum - non-mainstream approaches to economics are seen as offering little or nothing of value. In some respects, a chunk of this commentary simply replays the criticisms of the PCES case that are ...
Lib Dems with good memories and an eye for miniature drama will remember when Diana Wallis, Lib Dem MEP for Yorkshire & Humber, resigned a couple of years ago. Her husband, Sterwart Arnold, was next on the list and so was expected to replace her. But there was a big media frenzy where some commentators tried to make out that he was replacing her just by virtue of being her husband and eventually the decision was made that the place would go to third-on-the-list Rebecca Taylor, who never expected to become an MEP. Incidentally Ms Taylor is standing down from ...
[IMG: image] Mark Pack brilliantly quipped that "UKIP's media rebuttal style appears to be 'act like someone who comments on the Telegraph website and has a broken Caps Lock key'". There is more evidence of this today. Man without substance blog spotted that the actor used in the UKIP poster railing against people from other EU countries coming over here and taking all our jobs is Dave O'Rourke, who is an Irish migrant. A very fine actor by the look of it, as well. So, of course, UKIP get out their keyboard fixed in upper case mode and fire off ...
They're from Guatemala City apparentlyFiled under: Uncategorized
Sat 26th
12:55LibLink: Tim Farron: European Parliament makes it easier for you to know what's in the medicines you...
[IMG: European Parliament chamber, Strasbourg] Roughly a third of people take part in the European elections. That turnout reflects that people don't necessarily feel engaged with the European Parliament. Yet this body, whether it be on e-cigarettes, abolishing (with Liberal Democrat support) mobile phone roaming charges or even the medicines your doctor prescribes, makes laws that affect our daily lives. Tim Farron has been highlighting its important work in this medical field in an article over at the Huffington Post. First of all, he outlines the problem: Doctors regularly get accused of treating their patients like children by not revealing ...
[IMG: Screen Shot 2014-03-09 at 08.06.37 IN Europe EU European Union] If you believe the messages sent out from 'The Party Of In' during this Euro-election campaign, then you might think that my current political position is logically confused and that I simply misunderstand the options before me on May 22nd. However, I intend to vote Lib Dem in the Euro-elections in spite, not because, of our on-going commitment to remaining in the European Union. I do not pretend to be an expert on European matters - and I do not claim to be of a completely settled mind on ...
What it must be to have the mind of Labour Leader Clive Hart, where everything is beautiful, a marvellous meander through Thanet is documented in Friday's Gazette where we discover that everything is just tickey-boo. Not only do we live in a wonderland but according to Clive Hart's recent report to Council, things are pretty much fine and dandy, as far as council matters are concerned. Presumably when Clive takes a stroll around his manor he does not visit or even enquire how people feel about the decline around the much of Northdown Rd. and particularly the Margate end. Several ...
4 Freedoms Party – the latest attempt at a pro-European Conservative Party, including sometime Liberal Democrat Dirk Hazell An independence from Europe – not UKIP, but courtesy of the old phone book SEO naming trick, it appears ahead of UKIP on the ballot paper. Led by Mike Nattrass, formerly of UKIP but then deselected by them. Animal Welfare Party British National Party Christian People's Alliance Communities United Party – this is the party that managed to mistakenly call itself Communist and has been the subject of a legal restraining order. Conservative Party English Democrats Europeans Party – a party that ...
We need to find ways of making Lordship Lane an even better place to shop, socialise and serve the local community. As Lib Dem East Dulwich councillors we've ensured much improved pedestrian facilities – making it 20mph, two signalled crossings, an extra zebra crossing at Goose Green, raising side roads to make Lordship Lane level, hanging baskets. We've talked to five cinema providers and we're delighted the Picturehouse Cinema are working to make a cinema happen by Christmas. We've improved North Cross Road and the market. What next? The junction of Lordship lane and North Cross Road will be revamped ...
How to help someone living with depression (sometimes) Of course sometimes this won't help at all. That's the joy of depression. There IS no reliable way to help that works every time. Sorry. (tags: ) Lying with stats - alcohol and violence edition (tags: ) 88% of young people think there should be more education about politics in schools (tags: ) .@election-data: Shrinking the electoral map (tags: ) FirstGroup: Change: HALIFAX - stand changes at Halifax Bus Station (tags: ) UKIP sink further into mire but voters do not notice (tags: ) [IMG: comment count unavailable] comments
[IMG: Conservative Party logo] A sign of just how much the Conservatives are still struggling in many urban areas comes with the list of candidates for Islington Council. The borough has 16 3-member wards, but the Conservatives have not put up a full slate of candidates and have no candidates at all in five wards. Their gaps are: Clerkenwell – 2 Conservatives Finsbury – no Conservatives Highbury East – 2 Conservatives Hillrise – no Conservatives Holloway – no Conservatives St Georges- no Conservatives Tollington – no Conservatives
More comedy genius from Australia's Clarke and Dawe: You can also watch this on YouTube.
It's fair to say that Jeremy Browne's book Race Plan has caused a fair bit of controversy in amongst Liberal Democrats in recent weeks. Liberal Democrat Voice has covered it extensively with reviews by both Nick Thornsby and Stephen Tall ... Continue reading →
[IMG: image] 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 830 party members responded – thank you – and we're publishing the full results. Two-thirds of Lib Dem members opposed to Scottish independence Do you support or oppose Scotland becoming a country independent from the rest of the United Kingdom? 11% – Support independence 23% – Neither support nor oppose 64% – Oppose independence 1% – Don't know A convincing majority of Lib Dem members (64%) oppose Scotland becoming ...
At the Victoria Park Tennis Courts Last year, I welcomed proposals to improve facilities at the Victoria Park Tennis Courts, including a new porous macadam surface. I recently requested an update on timescale from the City Council's Head of Environmental Management, who advises: "The current plan is to look at upgrading Victoria after Dawson Park is complete; hence the timescale planned is 2015- 16. We have remitted the Engineers to provide indicative cost for removal of the existing surface, it's replacement and new fencing. We will make sure that the existing courts are to standard with the summer coming up." ...
Last night's Scottish Liberal Democrat European Election broadcast:
Two reports in the Guardian indicate that they seem to have really got the bit between their teeth at the moment with regards to the various question marks and controversies surrounding UKIP. In the first one they report that Nigel Farage has performed a major u-turn on an offer he made to allow an independent audit of his spending of European parliamentary allowances by denying that he ever accepted the suggestion. They say that in an interview with the Guardian, the Ukip leader claimed that it would be wrong for him to be singled out for a spending audit as ...
Friends of former Maghull Town Clerk Barry Smith met yesterday afternoon to dedicate a tree to the memory of him in the grounds of Maghull Town Hall/Meadows Leisure Centre. My previous posting about Barry may be worth reflecting on of 6th April 2013 Here are a couple of shots that I took of the short but happy event, which fortunately just missed the worst of the heavy rain falling over Maghull. It was organised by the Chair of Maghull & District Youth Council Liam Cunningham. [IMG: Barry's daughter Nickie is on the left of this shot with his Brother ...
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The leaked report from 2007 that echoed many criticisms and recommendations that featured in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's (OECD) report published earlier this month has shown that the Welsh Labour Government has failed to learn important lessons. The OECD's report published earlier this month was a damning indictment of Welsh Labour's fifteen-year failure to get to grips with education in Wales. To now discover that many of its findings and recommendations had already been raised with the Welsh Labour Government over six years ago is astonishing. It would seem that this now leaked report was considered an ...
Blog Categories: Economics Education My Degree Vote: 2 votes + Vote up! - Vote down! So this is it then, my undergraduate dissertation, now submitted. Debt-free student finance! Introduction "The counterpart for (risk investment in) education would be to "buy" a share in an individual's earning prospects; to advance him the funds needed to finance his training on condition that he agree to pay the lender a specified fraction of his future earnings." (Friedman, 2002: 102) Recent decades have seen a revolution in the role, perception and importance of higher education in contemporary society and the economy. This has most ...
I'm hoping to have a Cerebus post up tomorrow, some more California Dreaming the day after that, and a few other interesting things over the next few days. But for now, after a fairly stressful week of work, have links: Jennie on class and politics Vote for Sarah Brown in the National Diversity Awards A [...]
