Our priorities for the elections: A green and growing Forest Hill Campaigning to get more trees planted locally – putting the Forest back into Forest Hill – any to protect and improve our public services. A prosperous Forest Hill Working with traders to regenerate our high streets and bring jobs to our area, and working [...]
Last night, I attended the latest Friends of Blackness meeting at Blackness Primary School. Friends of Blackness covers the roles of both Parent Council and Parent Teacher Association. Mr Ferrier, Head Teacher, reported that the recent school inspection by Education Scotland has now taken place. The report on the inspection will be published immediately after the school summer holidays - on 26th August. It was announced that the school's new website has been recently launched and you can access it here. The Friends of Blackness also have a very active Facebook page that you can access here. The school's summer ...
The Leicester Mercury reports that the High Court will reveal its judgment on Richard III on Friday at 10am. The court will decide whether the original exhumation licence, which states that the remains of Richard III will be reburied in Leicester, should be upheld or dismissed. As the Mercury says: If the Ministry of Justice document is revoked, it means the former monarch's final resting place is no longer determined, and a public consultation will be carried out to decide where his remains will be reinterred. However, if the three judges choose to support the exhumation licence, which is held ...
The government seems to have it in for British citizens who get on the Tebbit bike (or in their case a plane) and go and seek their fortunes abroad. Woe betide them if they decide to come home, because they won't get a welcome and a pat on the back for their initiative. Bad luck [...]
The local council election on Thursday May 22nd is about choosing the best person to fight for our local area. Jo Barton is a hard-working campaigner who gets things done. Jo Barton, Liberal Democrat candidate for Meols Ward, Southport Our local Liberal Democrat team has a long record of action. They are a team that works together, a team that listens to residents, and a team that keeps in touch. Many local residents say that they appreciate getting the Lib Dem FOCUS newsletters, which are delivered regularly throughout the area. In fact, the Meols Focus has been going for 30 ...
Dear Resident, As your Liberal Democrat candidate in the local council election, I want to let you know a bit about myself and the issues I care about. I was brought up in Hesketh Bank, and lived and worked in Southport until I moved to Devon with my young family. While there I served a full term as a councillor, including Chair of the Environment Committee and Chair of the County Neighbourhood Watch Association. Jo Barton, Liberal Democrat candidate I moved back home to Southport several years ago to be near to my parents. My children go to Larkfield, Stanley ...
[IMG: European Union flag] Danny Alexander has written for British Influence about the importance of electing MEPs who actually give a damn about making Europe work and making it work better tomorrow. He compares and contrasts the respective value of UKIP and Liberal Democrat MEPs: UKIP MEPs have already shown that they are incapable of standing up for Britain in Brussels. Time and again, they have missed crucial votes or opposed key reforms that improve the lives of British citizens. UKIP themselves admit in their manifesto that "we don't go there to make the EU better". In fact, they have ...
[IMG: IMG_0001] Click to enlarge the letter. This is a real letter delivered in Sefton Borough! About the only things it that I can agree with are the bits about Labour's illegal Iraq War, which the Tories supported, (but the writer does not seem to realise that we Lib Dems opposed that war every inch of the way) and Labour's disastrous deregulation (light touch) of the banks. The rest of this UKIP letter is quite, well, off the wall in my view. How come we Lib Dems are the only ones willing to take on UKIP? What spooks Labour and ...
Local campaigner Jo Barton is passionate about cleaning up our town. Jo recently helped to organise the big clean up at Kew Roundabout. Jo Barton (left) with some of the clean up volunteers
We've been raising concerns about the state of the footpath from Gatley Hill car park to the Scout Hut for some time and I'm glad to say that the footpath is to be resurfaced next week, during half term. As the path is used by lots of children attending the pre-school, Beavers, Cubs and Scouts it's important to get it sorted. The aim is to complete the work before the children come back after the holidays. If for any reason (e.g. poor weather) than isn't possible, the path will be left in a usable state and the work completed over ...
[IMG: 35 Strangers] I heard an old person saying recently that they were voting for UKIP because they are 'standing up for Christianity'. I am not sure which bit of the Bible says you should be unwelcoming to strangers or foreigners. Indeed, Leviticus says: When a stranger resides with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. The stranger who resides with you shall be to you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself... Jesus said "Love your neighbour as yourself". When he was asked who our "neighbour" is, he told the parable ...
On 11 December 2013, I emailed someone the points below, adding on 2 April 2014: "Still stand by the predictions below. I think that the Tories might do quite well and that the Lib Dems will do less badly than in other post-2010 local elections. Pundits will say that Labour have not done well enough, that Conservatives are gaining from economic recovery and that 'the worst is over' for Lib Dems. UKIP will do better in the European elections than they do in the local elections on the same day, and they will find it very hard to win many ...
[IMG: Illuminated Polish flag] Over at the Huffington Post, Giles Goodall, Liberal Democrat South East Euro candidate has written an open letter to Polish people in this country to let them know how welcome they are here and how it's important to protect that freedom of movement around Europe. For ten years, Britain has welcomed you as workers, entrepreneurs, friends and neighbours. The Poles I know are open, flexible and ambitious. They work hard, often with too little recognition. Some have been elected as local councillors, and I know another who works for the British government. But the economic downturn ...
Wed 21st
16:22
Editorial: why the European elections matter for the South West, and who should you vote for on 22 M...
Tomorrow, Thursday 22 May 2014, voters in the South West of England and Gibraltar will be given the chance to elect their members of the European Parliament for the next five years until 2019. This is an important election, not least because the European Parliament has grown in stature and its powers to modify and amend European Commission law proposals have increased. I have worked in and in
Wed 21st
16:04
Strong backing for Steve Webb's pension reforms: 78% of Lib Dems support abolishing annuity requirem...
[IMG: Webb] 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. Over 830 party members responded – thank you – and we're publishing the full results. Do you support or oppose abolishing the requirement for people to buy an annuity with their pension fund, and making it easier for pensioners to take part of their pension pot as a lump sum? Support – 78% Oppose – 9% Don't know – 13% Steve Webb is a Lib Dem hero if the findings ...
After a prolonged hiatus, I have decided to resurrect this blog. The same battles are still being fought. We still do not know how the challenge of Russian neo-fascism will be met. We still do not know how the European Union can maintain liberty and democracy in the face of the economic complexities that it has created. We still do not know if the UK can meet the challenge of Scottish separatism. We still do not know how Liberty can be protected in the face of the multiple challenges of technology, fear and greed. In Britain, tonight is the eve ...
After four years of the Liberal Democrats in Coalition Government, there are many positive things to see in Bristol. The economy is stronger, schools have extra resources for children from poorer backgrounds and various initiatives are underway to build a more sustainable future. In this blog I'll consider the economy. The Bristol city region (the [...]
Ed Miliband's launch of his party's housing policy got a lot of publicity and not a little scepticism from those who thought that it might impact on the availability of homes in the private sector. The most controversial was this: "And we need to deal with the terrible insecurity of Britain's private rental market as well. Many tenancies last just six months with families at risk of being thrown out after that with just two months' notice with no reason. Some are told to accept huge rent rises or face eviction. It breeds instability and that is bad for tenants, ...
Ed Miliband had a Gerald Ford moment yesterday when he went on the media as part of his Europeam campaign and made two gaffes in quick succession. He started off on ITV's Good Morning Britain, where he claimed that the 'cost-of-living crisis is the biggest issue that our country faces and I am determined we tackle it'. The Daily Mail takes up the story: But he was put on the spot about how much it really costs to feed a family of four. Asked about the average weekly household grocery bill, Mr Miliband responded: 'It depends on how much you ...
[IMG: Yorkshire Dales] Liberal Democrat MEP for Yorkshire and the Humber Edward McMillan-Scott has been talking to the Yorkshire Post about the benefits staying in the EU brings to the region and asked those who believe in the EU to vote Liberal Democrat tomorrow: There is no doubt whatsoever that as much as any region this one is benefiting from access to the single European market. The other side of that is inward investment. Siemens would not have committed themselves to Hull (to build a major wind turbine plant) unless they thought we were staying in the EU. They have ...
More comedy genius from Australia's Clarke and Dawe: You can also watch this on YouTube.
When it comes to dealing with global challenges, we should be holding our government to account, not seduced by hopes that science will solve our problems The UK governments Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has proudly announced the new Longitude prize and minister David Willetts states that this prize will challenge scientists to tackle one of todays greatest scientific problems. Longitude 2014 is a challenge with a £10m prize fund to help solve one of the greatest issues of our time, and follows from David Camerons 2013 announcement of a grand innovation challenge. Longitudes six challenges are certainly important ...
[IMG: UKIP logo] In Monday's Evening Standard, Nick Clegg had this to say about how the diverse, modern capital would be affected if Nigel Farage and UKIP got their way. While Farage's party offers change, it's not the sort of change that we want: But don't be fooled: it's change of the worst kind. Behind the crowd-pleasing, pint-swilling banter is a party that wants to turn the clock back. Ukip's only answer to the complexities of the modern world is pulling up the drawbridge, shunning the outside world and hankering for some bygone past. These are people who resent the ...
Wed 21st
11:26
A word to Nigel Farage: Libertarianism and Nationalism are mutually exclusive and here's why
[IMG: nigel-farage-2-copy] I'm no libertarian. I believe fundamentally in the freedom of the individual, but I do not think the state need always be the bad guy in this equation. For instance, I quite like having an NHS. Furthermore, I feel that having a health service makes me more, not less free as an individual. The fact that I don't have to worry about going bankrupt in my old age if I happen to get ill at the wrong time is important to me. As is the fact that should I wish to pack in my job and start my ...
I've written several times recently about how policing has changed in Scotland since Scotland's eight police forces were merged into one. Concerns have been expressed on a number of issues: The former Stratchclyde's policies being rolled out nationwide with local ... Continue reading →
UKIP's declinist narrative is an easy sell, but we should challenge it at the root, and expose its many weaknesses. Britain's place in the world has changed significantly over the last hundred years. Gone are the days when we were the most powerful country on the planet, with a huge Empire, vast battle fleet and colossal industrial base. Today we are clearly no longer in such a powerful relative position, and this change has absorbed modern historians of Britain for quite sometime. In an effort to explain this, a school of thought has emerged, which together holds the label "declinist". ...
[IMG: Police motorbike - Some rights reserved by Metropolitan Police] I've written several times recently about how policing has changed in Scotland since Scotland's eight police forces were merged into one. Concerns have been expressed on a number of issues: The former Stratchclyde's policies being rolled out nationwide with local decision making minimised The heavy handed approach demolishing 30 years of successful policy on sex work in Edinburgh Indiscriminate use of stop and search powers Disproportionate use of mounted and armed police While Danny Alexander complained last week about the use of armed and mounted police in the highlands, it ...
Wed 21st
10:10MP recall: 73% of Lib Dem members approve of voters' right to sack their representatives
[IMG: Liberal Democrat badge - Some rights reserved by Paul Walter, Newbury, UK] 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. Over 830 party members responded – thank you – and we're publishing the full results. 73% of Lib Dem members approve of MP recall; 19% disapprove The government has said that voters should have a means to 'sack' MPs who are guilty of 'serious wrongdoing'. It proposes to allow voters in individual constituencies to vote on whether to recall ...
Officially, councillors stay in office for a few days after the election. But I wanted to say a few thank you's on the last 'real' day of my term of office. Hopefully I will still be a local councillor after tomorrow, but that is up to the voters. I could go on longer than an Oscar ceremony speech, but I will keep it short and sweet. Thank you to my ward colleagues Cllr Jonathan Mitchell and Cllr Rosie Shimell who make great team members – we each play to our strengths and without them I would not get so much ...
Labour MP demands 'fictional' leaflet from her own party is withdrawn - Politics - News - London Evening Standard And this is why we have a press officer, and all communications with non-party people should go through that press officer, so shit like this doesn't happen. (tags: ) El Presidente thanks all the Local Election candidates for the LDs - no probs @timfarron ;) (tags: ) Nigel Farage fails to attend Croydon rally as Ukip carnival erupts (tags: ) In the Real World, the So-Called 'Boy Crisis' Disappears (tags: ) Stewart Lee Absolutely Nails Ukip On Immigration (VIDEO) (tags: ) ...
Last week I asked the ALDC Facebook group for tips on how to survive polling day (if you aren't yet a member of the group it is a good way to exchange ideas and stories with hundreds of other campaigners). I had plenty of replies and so, with a few of my own, here are [...]
The BBC reports: [IMG: Alex Folkes and cardboard] Voters in Cornwall will be able to use the new design, alongside the more traditional wooden type. Cornwall county council has bought 700 of the recyclable booths, similar to those used in Australia and the US, costing £15 each. The council's deputy elections manager Dave Cunningham said they looked "funky"... Wooden booths cost about six times the price of cardboard ones, at £92. Cornwall Council was unable to find a suitable cardboard booth supplier in the UK and it was deemed too expensive to import them from the US. So it hired ...
[IMG: Gay Pride New York 2008 / 20080629.10D.49816 / SML] South east Euro Candidate Giles Goodall has compared and contrasted the voting records of the Liberal Democrats and UKIP on LGBT rights in an article for Pink News. It will come as no surprise to anybody that the Liberal Democrats have supported LGBT at every single stage: In contrast, Liberal Democrat MEPs have systematically supported LGBT rights, with the European liberal group coming out with the best record in the European Parliament, alongside socialists and greens. Let's look at some of the things UKIP has opposed: In a 2012 vote ...
I was stopped yesterday my a resident who showed me a Molyneux Ward (Aintree Village, Melling and South Maghull) Labour Party election leaflet and who asked me to read a particular part of it and tell them what I thought it said. An odd request in some ways but have a look yourself. the convoluted English does not help but the message folks are in danger of picking up is that Labour is in favour of this list of things! And yes, I did the same double take as the resident who had stopped me had done because I also ...
My Grandfathers were two very different people. Peter had been an only child of a Police Sargent who had studied Pre-war but post war joined the Police and coasted, enjoying life. His political outlook was soft Tory-liberal, though not a fan of the EU he was open to debate and discussion before making his decision. Jim was different. He had been forced to join the army at a young age and grafted as an Engineer through his service into the late 40s before becoming a civil engineer and doing the same. He worked hard for every penny he earnt. He ...
Of course you do! Hat tip: Den of GeekFiled under: Uncategorized
In the UK we are privileged to live in a democratic society, where power genuinely lies in the hands of the people and we are regularly given the opportunity to determine who runs our government, national assemblies, local councils, represents us in Europe and (since 2012) manages our police forces. Of course the democratic processes [...]
Further to last week's Blackness walkabout that I undertook with council officers, I raised the poor condition of a tree bed in Blackness Avenue (see right) where the tree has been removed and a muddy trip hazard is left. I asked the council's Forestry Section if they could plant a replacement tree and tidy up the bed area. I have now received the following response :This years annual street tree survey will be carried out mid / late summer. All empty tree pits will be identified for potential replacement planting during this survey. My intention will be to replant in ...
Please don't forget to use your vote, tomorrow, to elect a Councillor who will put Castle first. Click here to view in your browser.
The Liberal Democrats believe in a Britain that is open, modern, tolerant and diverse. UKIP, frankly, do not. We are the only party standing up to UKIP in and their brand of divisive, backwards-looking politics. Some polls have suggested that UKIP could come first in the European elections next week. If you want to know what sort of party they are, listen to what they say. Watch this video and ask yourself a question: Are you going to let these people win the next election?
Cllr Andy Pellew with Lib Dem President Tim Farron Tomorrow is polling day and Local Parish Councillor Andy Pellew will be seeking your vote for the District Council elections. Andy Pellew said; "The decisions that are going to be made in the next four years need a strong voice for our villages. "The A14 improvements and the creation of Northstowe will change the landscape in our region for decades to come. Implemented correctly they will lead to vast improvements not just for drivers, but also for cyclists. "It's vital that the voices of Bar Hill residents are heard during these ...
I have just be made aware of this issue via the NUT who tell me:- Sefton Council officials are considering closing the Supply Teaching Service in July, with only a few weeks of term left, Understandably many teachers are devastated, we have not been informed or consulted. The Supply Service is Good for Children, Good for Schools and Good for Teachers. If it is replaced by private supply agencies teachers would lose up to £60 per day and would receive nothing in pension contributions.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-27494912 The BBC has the story. A great idea, not before time, let's hope it's a success. And by the way please send me my goods via the Royal Mail not one of those delivery companies where you have to travel miles to reach their regional depot. Royal Mail Sorting Offices are far more accessible.
In 1995 the Leeds Liverpool canal through Maghull/Lydiate breached, houses in Hickson Avenue were flooded and fish were left flapping in the fields on the opposite (western) side of the canal. I recently found and scanned some photos of the disaster which occurred between Green Lane (Methodist Turn Bridge), Maghull and the Bells Lane swing bridge, Lydiate. The cause was the canal collapsing into a culvert that went under it which carried and indeed still carries Maghull Brook under the canal. Maghull Brook is in fact the boundary between the Civil Parishes of Maghull and Lydiate. [IMG: This is looking ...
Details here. [IMG: 4.2 million UK jobs depend on Europe ] 4.2 million UK jobs depend on Europe Published by Paul Walter, 12 Stanley road, Newbury RG14 7PB [IMG: Post to Twitter] Tweet This Post
Details are to be announced today of the £50m care fund that was established due to the Welsh Liberal Democrats negotiations with the Welsh Government. The Intermediate Care Fund, set-up through the Welsh Government's negotiations with the Welsh Liberal Democrats and Plaid Cymru in October 2013, will invest in services that support older people, particularly the frail elderly, to maintain their independence and remain in their own home. Projects that have been funded include: • In Cardiff and the Vale, a 'Smart House' will be created to provide an opportunity for older people and their family to see and try out ...
Do you have 3 minutes to spare to give your views on our local environment? I've prepared a short residents survey which is going out across the division. If you'd like to complete it online then the form is available here; http://goo.gl/IkD2Q7 You can also printout the two pages individually available here; http://www.electionleaflets.org/leaflets/7981/ This is your opportunity to express your views both in our local area, key national policy areas, as well as international issues. If you'd like to help deliver (or collect) these surveys please drop me an email; andy.pellew@gmail.com I'll respond individually to every completed survey (although it ...
