On Friday night I delivered 120 Focuses on the Rectory Estate in Whickham North, on Saturday I delivered 370 on the Watergate Estate in Dunston Hill and Whickham East and 200 in my own ward of Whickham South and Sunniside. Today, I delivered 300 in my own ward again. That leaves me 10 short of my target of 1000. Looks like I will have to have another go at the record.
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. I hope that everyone had a good Easter. I took a slightly longer break from the newsletter than I had originally intended, simply because I had so much work on last week that I couldn't get an edition prepared. We're back to normal now though. 1. New Cycling CentreA new cycling centre has opened in Beeston, run by Travel Rght. ...
I have a lot of respect for how BathNES Council leaders handled the bus gate issue at Dorchester Street. In January the Council introduced a six months trial to introduce a dedicated bus lane to improve safety for passengers and pedestrians and make it easier for buses to keep to the timetable. From March motorists [...]
Its bank holiday weekend, and I am ashamed of how dirty our town has become. Fly-tipping is growing after the Coder Road recycling centre was shut down despite overwhelming opposition to the move. In recent days, we've had a pile of fly-tipped debris removed from Back Lane between the Racecourse and Onibury. But anything dumped [...]
Tis the season for knocking on doors and every years brings a new crop of stories. I remember people who were 50's and 60's telling me tales of canvassing in their youth. The 1929 election was etched very clearly in their minds. I recall old Mrs Lindley explaining why it was essential that the government build reservoirs! I shall return to the Party's 1929 canvassing guild and its policy advice particularly around Industrial Policy and Peace but in this posting I shall just retell a few incidents from the last few weeks. Let us begin in a 1960's development full ...
[IMG: Pendeen Band at Pendeen Rally] Pendeen Band Playing at Pendeen Rally at Geevor on Sunday Pendeen Rally at Geevor on Sunday was blessed with sunshine. I wandered around the old cars, tractors and motorcycles with my dad. He had a good chat with a motorcycle enthusiast about motorcycles in the 60′s! I remember, as a child, travelling in the side car of the family motorbike and side car. Sadly no examples of these at the rally. [IMG: Pendeen Rally at Geevor] Sue visiting Pendeen Rally on Sunday The post Pendeen Rally at Geevor appeared first on Cllr Sue James ...
[IMG: Lafrowda Spring Fair] Sue enjoys maypole dancing at Lafrowda Spring Fair It was Lafrowda Spring Fair on Saturday. I dropped in with my husband and daughter for delicious leak and potato soup and homemade cakes. As ever, the Lafrowda crew put on a wonderful event so I hope it has boosted the funds for the festival in July. If you can volunteer to be part of the Lafrowda crew then contact Sandra on 01736 787899. The post Lafrowda Spring Fair appeared first on Cllr Sue James | St Just in Penwith | St Just and Pendeen.
The Brentwood Gazette reports: A Conservative candidate in the upcoming Brentwood Borough Council elections has resigned over anti-Islamic and homophobic Tweets. David Bishop posted "It's good to be anti-Islam" two days before he was cemented as the party's candidate for the Brentwood South ward in the Brentwood Borough Council elections later this month. So far, so standard as far as 'right wing person insults others on social media' goes. But the story does also include the usual range of instant excuses, all of which fell apart: When the Gazette approached Mr Bishop over the tweets he had originally claimed his ...
I'm in Vienna, following a successful ALDE Party Council meeting, and reflecting on the European campaign at home. In my travels around the city, I've seen a lot of posters for the Social Democrats with the key message, "Europa im Kopf. Osterreich im Herzen.". It's a message which resonates with me, as it reflects a perspective that makes sense. One of the key charges made against people like me by UKIP activists is that, by supporting United Kingdom membership of the European Union, I am somehow betraying my country. It is a simple message, easily delivered and very effective, regardless ...
[IMG: THE IRON LADY, MARGARET THATCHER] On 4 May 1979, Margaret Thatcher entered Downing Street for the first time. The sun that shone down on her on the steps cast a decade long shadow. The culture of selfishness, instilling a belief that there was something wrong with paying taxes for good public services, pervades today. In recent years, only the Liberal Democrats of the major parties have gone into an election advocating a rise in Income Tax, albeit a tiny one, to invest in education. We seem to be embroiled in this cycle of underfunding our services, complaining about them ...
When I was aged 12, my Dad put his head round my bedroom door and asked me what religion I thought I was. He was filling out the census form for our house and for the first time that year it included a question about religion. I replied that I wanted him to put down [...]
The first page of yesterday's UKIP leaflet has the headline 'Our politicians have allowed open-door immigration'. When translated this means that we are a member of Europe which allows the free movement of labour i.e. our ability to work in the rest of Europe, and our ability to find employees for the jobs that English-born people can't or won't do or more simply for the jobs where nobody is applying. This means we can staff our NHS, our care homes, our farms, in fact any industry in areas where we don't have the workforce. UK Employers want that free market ...
[IMG: 7 ver 4 full] Many thanks to the visitors who dropped by Lib Dem Voice this week. Here's our 7 most-read posts... UKIP examined, who they are, what they stand for and what does it mean for British politics? (79 comments) by Stephen Tall Latest Euro-election polls: UKIP take the lead but what about the Lib Dems (43 comments) by Stephen Tall Local elections 2014: your quick and easy guide to the Lib Dem numbers that matter (45 comments) by Stephen Tall David Steel responds to Cyril Smith allegations "Idle speculation is not the basis for an enquiry" (26 ...
It has just come to light that the main source of HRT for trans women apart from the NHS has been closed down. Estrogen has long lived in a strange spot in drugs legislation as it is illegal for a pharmacy to sell it to you without a prescription – but it is quite OK to buy it. For years, people have been buying it online to the extent that it is not considered unreasonable by doctors for someone turning up at a Gender Identity Clinic to already be on HRT. Given the length of NHS waiting lists this happens ...
This pie filling is dead easy, and can be used either as the basis for a crumble or for normal pies, or for tarts, or even sweet(ish) vol-au-vents if you've got a pouch of JusRol puff pastry in the fridge that needs using up. Like all my recipes this assumes a basic level of competency in the kichen and doesn't specify exact amounts of ingredients. When I say (for example) plenty of cinnamon, that doesn't mean a vat of the stuff, it means enough to be a big flavour without totally dominating. Today I used about three teaspoons of it, ...
I've decided that I will revise the book, since all the people saying I shouldn't are cis people who would not be personally offended by it, while the small number of trans people who've responded have said it would be a good thing to do. However, nobody has said it is an urgent thing to [...]
I heard this in in a pub in Peterborough yesterday and thought it sounded good. Californication was a hit in 2000. Here the Peppers are performing it live - complete with an extreme noodling introduction - at Slane Castle in County Meath.
[IMG: malcolm-bruce-2] Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader Malcolm Bruce went on the Sunday Politics today to highlight the work that Liberal Democrat MEPs did in terms of working with others for reform across Europe. He said that Liberal Democrat MEPs were the hardest working of all British MEPs, a fact backed up by actual evidence, as revealed on Lib Dem Voice by Giles Goodall last month. The European Parliament takes decisions that affect us and the people who are working hardest to ensure that British national interests are defended in Europe have been Liberal Democrats so (losing them) would be disappointing ...
In common with many not immersed in Thanet's benefits culture I frequently leave town early and return late from work. Thanet's economy is very much skewed to poverty pay, with recently arrived migrant workers, fodder for exploitative employers on zero hour contracts, the main exception of course being the public sector, with the council being one of the areas largest employers. Content with my lot in life, minding my own business, coming back into Thanet after a days proper graft, I was surprised to find that a road which cost 81 million was closed, why I don't know maybe an ...
Step forward..... [IMG: Screen Shot 2014-05-04 at 11.24.30] If you follow our Nick on Twitter, you'll know he loves interesting use of language, whether it be puns, silly signs or malapropisms. Some time ago, he suggested to John Rentoul that it would be a good idea to do a feature on the Top Ten Malapropisms. And so, here in today's Independent on Sunday, it came to pass. "This one is Nick Thornsby's idea." says the first sentence. The list is full of gems, such as John Prescott's "It's great to be back on Terra Cotta." Nick himself suggested this one ...
Sun 4th
10:55
LibLink: Paddy Ashdown: Alex Salmond should apologise for his poor call over Vladimir Putin
[IMG: paddy ashdown - paul walter] "Lib Dem Statesman Paddy Ashdown". That's how the headline in Paddy's Sunday Mail article describes him. Paddy is writing in response to Alex Salmond's comments on Vladimir Putin . As a reminder, this is what Salmond said: Obviously, I don't approve of a range of Russian actions, but I think Putin's more effective than the press he gets, I would have thought, and you can see why he carries support in Russia. "He's restored a substantial part of Russian pride and that must be a good thing. There are aspects of Russian constitutionality and ...
Having reviewed the papers on BBC Radio Wales' Sunday Supplement this morning I have an advantage in spotting all the strange and wonderful stories that are considered news on a bank holiday weekend, even before they reach the on-line editions. Thus, I saw in today's Sunday Express a story that both intrigues and sends shivers down ones back, namely the development of a car dashboard that could detect the early signs of dementia. Apparently, the monitor in the dashboard detects dips in the motorist's mental ability by assessing eye movements and performance. The scientist who is leading the project believes ...
This post first appeared on Liberal Democrat Voice Earlier this week we told you of Paddy Ashdown's visit to Bangladesh to raise awareness of the need for clean stoves. This is also an area where Liberal Democrat International Development Minister Lynne Featherstone ... Continue reading →
Why Doctor Who STILL Needs More Female Writers. (tags: ) How not to doorstep a voter - greet them with "eurgh, you're one of THOSE" Jesus. You'd really think this would be obvious, wouldn't you? (tags: ) We must not hide Max Clifford's crimes behind a veil of euphemisms by @mjrobbins "Our failure as a society to face up to the true extent of these horrors feeds into the same culture of denial and selective blindness that allowed people like Jimmy Savile and Clifford to operate with impunity for so long. It lets them to be regarded as 'creepy uncles' ...
Sun 4th
09:55
Labour Mayor of Haringey found guilty of attempting to use her position for personal gain
As one of the local newspapers in Haringey reports: [IMG: Guilty - again] Mayor of Haringey and veteran Labour councillor Sheila Peacock has been found guilty of trying use her powers of office to exert undue influence for personal advantage... In a decision that will be an embarassment to the Haringey Labour group, the committee ruled that Cllr Peacock had "attempted to secure an improper advantage for herself" and had "failed to use the resources of the council in accordance with its reasonable requirements", and thereby "also brought her office as Mayor into disrepute"... Cllr Peacock is the second Labour ...
So there are a bunch of Labour PPCs and assorted others today doing a coordinated clamour for renationalisation of the railways. This is a superficially attractive idea, and one that up until recently I might have agreed with myself, so I want to go into why I now believe it would be bloody stupid. The way that privatisation was done was a cock up. You'll get no argument from me on that. The current franchise system for Train Operating Companies (hereinafter TOCs) is the worst of both worlds. Also, I have no issues with the fact that after the collapse ...
The Earl of Plymouth's estate is planning a solar farm in Bromfield. It will be north of the gravel pit and food centre, squeezed between the railway and the Corve. The plans are at an early stage. I think solar farms and wind turbines make an important contribution to our energy mix. I love Bryn [...]
[IMG: Selection of British newspapers] Here are a few stories from today's press to challenge, infuriate and inform: John Rentoul's General Election Preview in the Independent describes Paddy Ashdown's role as providing "romping gravitas": The South African Ryan Coetzee, a former MP in South Africa for the opposition Democratic Alliance, is Nick Clegg's head of strategy. There was a bit of a synthetic fuss recently when journalists noticed that his £110,000 salary as a special adviser is paid by the taxpayer. It was his idea to raise Clegg's profile by challenging Nigel Farage to public debates. That went well. Jonny ...
Here's some of the articles that have caught my attention in the past couple of days... ResearchED York: It's great up north – Tom Bennett – Blog – Tom Bennett – TES Community .@tombennett71 on today's #NTENRED http://bit.ly/1rPIQ33 (PS: I'm sure I saw him try + get on the wrong train back from York too.) Liberal Hero of the Week #66: Theresa May | CentreForum Blog My 67th Liberal Hero of the Week is... Theresa May. Find out why here: http://bit.ly/1fXHnCD
[IMG: farage-yes-460] I worked on the Yes to AV campaign as the Treasurer, all round money guy and person who kept everyone out of prison. And I know, more than anyone really, that the actual name of the campaign was not Yes to AV, but I am not for the life of me about to write Votes and Fairer in a certain order anytime soon. Anyhow, I have a book coming out on my experiences during this part of my life (early plug) and in said book I detail how hard it was to control the narrative. Mostly because the ...
www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27212920 Well he did not last long, did he! [IMG: Southport's Haigh Avenue ground] Southport's Haigh Avenue ground I missed this exit earlier in the week and must admit to being surprised that he decided to up sticks from our leading Sefton football club after such a short time at the Club. It would be great to think that Southport's glory days in the Football league can return. Maybe next season under yet another manager........
Back in December, I welcomed the decision that tourist information service was to move back to the City Centre as part of the new City Square Box Office facility. I had previously complained to Dundee and Angus Tourist Board when it previously moved the facility out of Castle Street and down to Discovery Point as I feel a main City Centre location is vital, so so the move to the City Square is good news. The new centre in the City Square opened last week. Here's some information from VisitScotland about it: VisitScotland Information Centre in Dundee (has a) new ...
You can download a high quality copy of this poster here.
There is only one meeting at Blyth Town Council next week Tuesday 6th April, 6:30 at Arms Evertyne House, Finance Committee
New research has revealed that passengers in Merseyside like to sit facing each other during journeys. This research, Future Merseyrail rolling stock - what passengers want, was carried out to provide an insight into what customers would like to see in a modernised Merseyrail fleet. The current Merseyrail fleet is approaching 40 years old and is one of the oldest operating in the UK. All options, which include a new fleet or extensive re-work of the existing stock, are being considered. [IMG: A Merseyrail Electric Unit at Sandhills] A Merseyrail Electric Unit at Sandhills In picking out seats, 50 per ...
The NEOS Party in Austria is a new force on the scene, incorporating the former Liberal Forum, but it is predicted to win as much as 14 per cent in this month's European elections — a figure the UK Liberal Democrats can only envy. This is despite the fact that NEOS is an overtly Federalist [...]
Ceredigion's Welsh Liberal Democrat MP, Mark Williams, has continued to express concerns about the effects of the 'bedroom tax' in Ceredigion and across Mid-Wales. In a debate held in Parliament yesterday following a Welsh Affairs Select Committee report on this issue, Mark Williams raised a number of issues regarding the policy, particularly focused on the impact the policy is having on veterans and disabled people, and the challenges faced in rural areas when there is so little alternative housing available. Commenting following the debate, Mark Williams said: 'I do appreciate that it is up to Local Authorities to best determine ...
