It was not a forgone conclusion that Britain and Germany would be enemies in the early Twentieth Century. Culture, history and geopolitics pointed to the two countries being allies. It took a string of spectacular German miscalculations to make them enemies. By the time the First World War broke out in 1914, there had already [...]
I've been trying to do a post a day, even if it's just a linkblog, for the last little while, as a way of having some writing discipline. However, today I'm having my worst blood pressure spike in 18 months, and even sitting up to write this is making me rather dizzy, so no post [...]
Liberal Democrat seat. Resignation due to illness Candidate Brian Newman Contact: Tony Greaves 0776 019 6752 or greavesa@parliament.uk Last time contested (2011): LD 367 Con 357 Lab 32
Conservative seat. This is a postponed election due to the death of one of the candidates for the 22 May 2014 election: Last time contested (2010): Con 42.5% (E) Lab 27.9% LD 18.1% Respect 11.5%
Labour seat. Death Last time contested (2011): Lab 419 Con 386 LD 208 Ind 198
Conservative seat. Resignation Result last time contested (2013): Con 1008 UKIP 932 Lab 884 LD 138
Deferred election following the death of a candidate. Conservative seat.
Conservative seat. Death Rosemary Smith is the Liberal Democrat candidate. Contact 01206 393031 or email rosemary@smith99.co.uk Last time contested (2011): Con 759 Con 724 LD 656 Green 407 LD 367
Labour seat. Death Shaun Boughton is the Liberal Democrat candidate.Agent Cllr Gary Scott (01206 506611; Colchesterorganiser@gmail.com)If you can help deliver leaflets, telling, canvassing etc, then please do contact Colchester Liberal Democrats office.Last time contested (2012): Lab 915 Con 559 Green 159 LD 122
Conservative seat. Resignation Last time contested (2013): Con 1683 UKIP 826 Lab 436 Green 221 LD 133
[IMG: image] My favourite book is A Handful of Dust. My political views are somewhat antipathetic to those of the author, Evelyn Waugh. But I love the dark comedy of the book and its wonderful setting: The gothic pile and its owner Tony Last living in aristocratic splendour with the world at his feet. Except it all falls apart and he ends up endlessly reading aloud Dickens to a tribe in the darkest Amazon. In a similar way to my being on the opposite end of the political spectrum to Waugh, I am in extreme antithesis to my MP, Richard ...
The Northampton Chronicle & Echo remembers: On Good Friday, April 10, 1998, thousands of homes and businesses in Far Cotton and St James were in chaos as water spread across the streets, sweeping mud and sewage into living rooms, ruining furniture, wrecking paintwork and carpets and destroying priceless letters and photographs. In just a few hours, the water caused damage which would take months to clear up and cost residents and businesses millions of pounds. Thousands of people had to move out of their homes and businesses shut down for weeks or months. Some never returned.Both Far Cotton and St ...
Our latest week at Bonkers Hall ends with a bang. Friday A bright morning on my gunnery range, which occupies a remote corner of the Estate frequented only by sheep and ramblers. My companion is my old friend and fellow peer Matthew "Knuckles" Oakeshott, who rang earlier in the week asking for personal tuition in the deployment of the Bonkers Patent Exploding Focus (for use in marginal wards). I give him my usual lecture: "The key thing after you have pulled out the pin is to get it through the letterbox, leg it down the garden path and dive behind ...
From an interview on BBC Radio Hereford and Worcester this week. More evidence of how radically out of touch the political class is?
Yesterday I blogged about the new "right to be forgotten" established by the European courts. As that post has proved so popular - and as I appear still to be the only Liberal Democrat concerned by the issues it raises - here is a round up of others' comment about it. On the Guardian website James Ball writes about that paper's experiences so far: Stark evidence of this fact, the result of a European court ruling that individuals had the right to remove material about themselves from search engine results, arrived in the Guardian's inbox this morning, in the form ...
You have only a short while left to tell Shropshire Council your opinion of its services. Shropshire Council is conducting a survey of residents' opinions and perceptions of its work in the county. This is a tracker survey, just eight questions long. You are asked how satisfied or dissatisfied are you with the way Shropshire [...]
On his Call Clegg radio phone-in show on LBC today, Nick Clegg (UK Liberal Democrat leader and Deputy Prime Minister) took a question on Israel and Gaza from 'Stephen in Croydon'; I agree with Mr Clegg's answer, and here is the Q&A: S: Oh hi, I've got a question for you, an interesting one. If the world was city, Israel finds itself in one of the toughest parts of town, surrounded by countries with little value for life. If you were the Prime Minister of England, and there was a radicalised terrorist organisation that was now running Scotland or Wales, ...
A regional campaign backed by Stockport Council to raise awareness of the need for adopters has been highly successful. Since the launch of the Adoption North West campaign in March, Stockport has seen 34 families come forward to make enquiries about adopting a child. Adoption North West is a collaboration between Stockport Council and 21 other regional local authorities. The next phase of the campaign includes a TV advert on Granada TV to encourage would-be adopters to come forward. In Stockport the Council's Adoption Team are keen to hear from people who would consider adopting Stockport children aged over the ...
Those who advocate that the culling of badgers is the only way to stop the spreading of bovine TB will hopefully have been disabused of that simplistic notion by the results of a new study which shows that such activity has 'relatively little impact' as the animals are not to blame for most cases of tuberculosis in cattle. The Telegraph reports that researchers from Cambridge and Warwick universities have found over the past 15 years it is infected cows, which have been brought to a farm that are the most likely cause of the disease: They said that 10 per ...
So my Endorsements page hasn't been updated in... probably several years. Anybody want to endorse me, or change an existing endorsement? This entry prompted by Andrew saying "*anything* is a masterclass in innuendo when read by you. You could find innuendo in the Highway Code." on twitter, which struck me as perfect endorsement material :) [IMG: comment count unavailable] comments
Thu 3rd
15:19
LibLink: Tim Farron: Does George Osborne really want to derail the future of our planet?
[IMG: Earth Day 2007 - Atlantic Reflection] Tim Farron was on punchy form when taking on George Osborne's lack of ambition on climate change in an article in the Independent this week. He did not mince his words: Osborne's destructive rationale for overspending on our planned carbon budget is this: without a new strategy agreed, the UK would be ahead of its planned share of emissions cuts within the EU. It can therefore weaken its ambitions and still meet the old targets – there is nothing holding us to the necessary action to tackle climate change. In other words, the ...
Lancs 2nd XI were in action at S&BCC Trafalgar Rd defeating Warwickshire after some adventurous batting lower down the order. The small crowd were delighted to see Freddy Flintoff at the game and stayed behind to see him go through his practice routine.
This morning (well this afternoon really...I would pretend that I was all up early and reading the blogosphere but that really isn't my style) so anyway, this afternoon I read that Labour's new young mouthpiece in Southend had composed a blog post entitled MARK FLEWITT, LAPDOG TO ATTACK DOG? (yes he used all caps) and if I'm actually being fair, it is a very pertinent question and one that has reared its head inside of my mind. Because you see, I like certain things about politics and I hate others. One thing that I truly despise is people who say ...
Today's news of massive rail investment is hugely good for Cornwall. We will see the moving of maintenance work from London to Penzance with the creation of 60 highly skilled jobs. The sleeper service is being upgraded and extended. And the signalling is being modernised which will create huge extra capacity on the line. It all adds up to more than £140 million of investment and has been made possible by the work of Cornwall Council. The money is coming from a range of sources - Network Rail, the train operator First, the Government, Local Enterprise Partnership and Cornwall Council. ...
I am mightily unimpressed by the consensus on Northern devolution that is emerging in London. We will face new challenges post the Scottish referendum whether it results in 'Independence' or Devo Max. None of the 'lite' proposals emanating from the SE-whether from Heseltine, Osborne, Clegg or the Labour Party -adequately take account of the new challenges we face. Let us compare and contrast the proposals. The Scottish Challenge The Scottish Parliament already has significant powers and now even the Tories are proposing to give them more. Win or loose the referendum the Hollywood Parliament is going to have tax raising ...
It beggars belief that once again prior to the Southport Flower Show I am writing to the Chief Exec of Sefton Council about the disgraceful state of Rotton Row. On one side is the brilliant volunteer maintained herbaceous border. It is one of the best bits of Southport. It is full of colour and variety. I venture to suggest that it rivals similar borders anywhere in Britain. And, though size isn't the most important thing, it's sheer length is impressive. It is the longest such border outside of London. Contrast this with the other side of Rotton Row. It is ...
Contains some advice from, ahem, a "former Liberal Democrat adviser", along with Rick Nye and John McTernan:
[IMG: Carer] Just as public services, communities and workplaces have seen a shift in how families are supported to balance childcare responsibilities with busy working lives, we now need a similar shift to meet the care needs of a rapidly growing older population too. Thanks to the Liberal Democrats the Care Act and Children and Families Act have both extended the rights of Carers of all ages, but there is still much more to be done to recognise the hidden treasure that are Carers. Caring responsibilities can come at any time in a person's life and can exact a heavy ...
Fox News anchors are a diverse bunch. [IMG: 10456772_945558798162_2618506972969116165_n]
Thu 3rd
12:13
The Dog, the big black one without the waggly tail, came back last night and bit me. You scrunch and...
via Facebook
[IMG: Labour's Next Majority - A Constituency Guide - cover] As with their previous Organise! booklet, the Fabian Society's new constituency campaigning guide, despite taking a very Presidential approach to the role of political candidates ("strategic decision maker, moral arbiter and political athlete"), contains much content that could be in a guide produced by any British political party. Or rather, any very up-to-date guide produced by another party, because the pamphlet – as you would expect from something with Marcus Roberts's name on the cover – is up-to-date with its references to measuring, testing and using the internet. Its talk ...
[IMG: Care in the home Some rights reserved by British Red Cross] Nick Clegg has announced that a Liberal Democrat Government would give carers an annual payment of £250. This comes on top of several measures introduced in Government to help those who care for family members, both practical and financial, including; £800m Department for Education funding to local authorities to fund short breaks for disabled children and their families. £400m Department of Health funding to the NHS to support carers to take breaks from caring responsibilities. £3m Department of Health funding to improve awareness and understanding about carers among ...
The Labour leader recently made a speech supposedly announcing his party's plans for a localism agenda. The speech was interesting because every suggestion made by Mr Milliband is already being put in place by the Lib Dems in Government! The 11th hour conversion to Lib Dem policy is an unexpected move by Ed Milliband, but it is good to hear he has seen sense. Here is a breakdown of just a few of Labour's "new" policies, compared to those the Lib Dems have already implemented: Apprenticeships Labour Opposition: Increase the number of apprenticeships (despite describing half a million apprentices as ...
This isn't a blog post about the sculptor Eric Gill, but it might as well be. Gill was one of the great sculptors of the twentieth century. His work Prospero and Ariel currently adorns the front of Broadcasting House. It is a beautiful, inspiring piece of work. I'm sure the current rumour that the BBC is going to take it down isn't true, but the sound of the BBC cleansing itself from the Savile affair is now pretty deafening - so who knows. They have certainly been told to. I told my informant that it could not possibly be so. ...
[IMG: LD bird BLOG] Nick Clegg has set out how the Liberal Democrats will build more homes and invest in infrastructure, while making sure the government borrows responsibly. Put simply, future governments will have to live within their means and the money spent on public services will grow roughly in line with the growth of the economy as whole. But the Liberal Democrats will allow for one significant exception: government will be able to borrow in order to fix our creaking national infrastructure and build more homes.
[IMG: Banksy: Detail] Last October, I wrote a piece for LDV called "Time to do away with LD Friends of Israel & Friends of Palestine" and other pieces on the subject on my own irregular blog. After the tragic events of the last three weeks, with the three kidnapped Israeli teenagers being found murdered and now a Palestinian youth having been killed in Jerusalem, seemingly in "revenge", I feel I need to speak out, even it is to "state the obvious". In addition to the murder of Mohammed Abu Khdair, the Israeli reaction to the kidnapping and killing of Naftali ...
what on earth is altering the entire pathway of money spending in an economy, in order to address potential credit issues? It tells you a little about the econblogosphere I swim around that I still haven't read a decent defence of the BIS and their "tighten early tighten often" approach to dealing with perceived credit [...]
Are you being blocked by Internet censorship software? ORG's tool will tell you (tags: ) Court of Appeal allows prison law LASPO appeal | Legalvoice This is the Howard League taking the government to court for the legal aid cuts, and is well worth watching. (tags: ) Awful news, URGENT ACTION NEEDED! « Leeds for Change (tags: Apparently bisexuality isn't real so this guy can be deported QUITE safely.... ) Ukip MEPs' EU anthem protest suggests it's time for them to grow up (tags: ) [IMG: comment count unavailable] comments
We reported recently that South Glos has agreed to investigate the junction between Rodford Way, Shire Way and Sundridge Park as a priority under the local highways schemes. Idiotic driving there continues - we recently saw one driver come out of Shire Way and do a U-turn through the junction across both carriageways to get back into Shire Way. We've also asked South Glos to investigate the Abbotswood / Rodford Way junction where vehicles do U-turns across the carriageway during peak times to get into Kelston Close, where the schools are. Cllrs Paul Hulbert and Tony Davis at the Abbotswood ...
Take a look at the posting via the link above. Iain, lays out the issues very well indeed. It makes you wonder why we in the north of England have accepted being governed so poorly and so remotely (from London) for so long. He makes the Liberal cause of devolution, campaigned for over many generations, seem even more important today than ever before.
Asked in abstract, people of course say that they think arguments should be in line with the facts and the if a fact is wrong it's reasonable to point it out. Put the points in political context and have a political opponent point out errors or missing evidence and it often becomes a very different matter, however. Then pointing out errors and omissions frequently becomes pedantry, a diversion from the real issues and irrelevant. Because of course if you're right then arguing over details of facts is just a distraction from the fact that you're right. The World Cup has ...
[IMG: big_lebowski_kobal-3262] The title sounds a little provocative, as if I'm questioning the Dude's greatness. I'm not; "The Big Lebowski" is one of my favourite films of all time. But I've heard a lot of crap over the years about why exactly it's so great, so I feel the time has come to set the record straight. What most people think they love about the Coen Brothers' crowning achievement, what they mistakenly feel brings them back over and over and over again, is the combination of the far out characters/situations married with the brilliant dialogue. Make no mistake about it, ...
[IMG: Catherine Bearder - Photo by DAVID ILIFF. License: CC-BY-SA 3.0] News reaches the Voice that Lib Dem MEP Catherine Bearder has become a Quaestor in the European Parliament: Catherine was voted in as a Quaestor, a position responsible for helping to manage the day-to-day running of the Parliament and representing MEPs on its executive body, the Bureau. She will be the UK's only representative on the Bureau, which is responsible for overseeing the budget, administration and organisation of the European Parliament. Catherine has said she will use the position to improve transparency, making more information available to MEPs and ...
Back in March, I advised that I had approached Community Payback to see if painting the historic rail bridge that crosses the rail line at Riverside Drive, just south of the Botanic Garden (see right) might be a project Community Payback could take on. The bridge is over 100 years old (built in 1903) but has not been repainted in a very long time. When I asked the City Engineer in 2010 what the cost of repainting both sides of the bridge would be, he estimated the total cost could be as much as £65 000 (this included substantial Network ...
I was interviewed on Radio Tay News yesterday about the situation at the Riverside playing fields. You can hear the interview by clicking 'play' below:
This is a reminder that I welcome guest posts on Liberal England. And as you can see from the list of the 10 most recent guest posts below, I am happy to consider a wide range of subjects. If you would like to write a guest post for Liberal England yourself, please send me an email so we can discuss your idea. Transition Town Market Harborough - Darren WoodiwissBullying on Leicester City Council - Ross GrantPubs must help themselves if they are to survive - Matt WrightOne woman's view of being a senior citizen - Eileen Ward-BirchThe perfect Christmas gift ...
During the last year lots of people have expressed outrage at energy price rises. A competition investigation has just been announced. Weirdly according to the YK;s Office for National Statistics energy costs absorb 5.4% of average UK household budget in 1982 but nu 2003 just 2.1%. More recently this has risen to 3%. That this is still 29% lower than our mainland European neighbours.
Those who take an interest in cycling will know that the most famous cycle race on the planet is this year starting in Yorkshire! A recent holiday in York brought this home to me because there were yellow painted cycles everywhere as temporary pieces of public artwork. A fine sight they made too all across historic York. Here are a couple of shots I took and there are more on my flickr page at:- www.flickr.com/photos/86659476@N07/ [IMG: rsz_img_1019] [IMG: rsz_img_1059] But it got me thinking that Southport is a 'Cycle Town' so how about a bid being put in to start ...
An application's come in for the old petrol station site on Booker Avenue/Greenhill Road . You can see the stuff on the Council website at this link. By the looks of things there is still a bit of info missing so the comments function isn't on yet. There's an application to turn a warehouse in Woodhey Road into housing. You can comment on this one with a deadline later in July. The info is .here
Robert Walker is professor of social policy at Oxford University, and is to publish this month a book called "The Shame of Poverty." In a preview Professor Walker points out that the policy of our politicians of both the largest parties is to demonise the poor. The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Iain Duncan Smith, routinely speaks of living on benefits as "a lifestyle choice" and is determined to weed out "fraudulent claims." Labour, in its latest attempt to seem as tough as the Tories, bullies the "young jobless [who] must train or be stripped of their benefits." ...
In December 2011, Shropshire Council renewed outline planning permission for 94 dwellings on the old brickworks site on the Fishmore Road. The permission also allowed continued use as a coach depot (it used to be Whittles bus depot). Even though I think that 94 houses is far too many for this site, it has been [...]
Since my last E-cops message there has been one crime report, please see below. Between 27th June at 13:15 and 30th June at 08:00, a shed burglary took place at Cambridge City Crematorium, Huntingdon Road, Dry Drayton. At stated dates and times, perpetrators have forced entry into the store shed and removed a lawnmower and a potable pump at high value. I am closely monitoring the parking in Cambridge Road, Girton opposite the Glebe School and at the Dry Drayton Primary. There have been reports of inconsiderate parking taking place at school drop off and pick up times. To avoid ...
Just links today, I'm afraid, as I have very little brain for writing... The Quietus on the Monty Python reunion (the reviews seem to bear the scepticism in this piece out) A good piece on anti-trust failures in the US, but one with an entirely backwards title — it's clear what they're actually complaining about [...]
