[IMG: 5078082286_61e24d05dd_n] The international news is pretty grim at the moment. This doesn't really fit well with the traditional idea that we're in silly season, when Prime Ministers travel to holiday destinations to point at fish. Yet something that fits entirely comfortably with silly season is another self-justificatory speech by Iain Duncan-Smith. And today we were treated to a corker. It would be silly, if it weren't so alarming. I blogged about IDS's last big speech back in January. Then I noted: We have a fine smattering of slogans and soundbites. There are some extraordinarily sweeping claims about the attitudes, ...
For years I have resisted calls to boycott Israel — not least in the field of academic exchanges — on the grounds that constructive engagement had a better chance of delivering an equitable solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict, as well as fitting in better with my Quaker beliefs against violence and confrontation. However, the time [...]
Earlier today, University of Dundee Rector Brian Cox officially opened a new advice centre for students on campus - see right. Situated at DUSA, adjacent to Campus Green and the Union shop at the foot of Balfour Street, the new Enquiry Centre will henceforth be home to the university's Student Services team and relocated to the new premises at DUSA from today. The University has updated me as follows : "The prominent facility at the heart of campus will act as a first-stop drop-in centre for students requiring assistance but unsure where, what or who to ask for help. The ...
[IMG: Norman Baker] Today's London Evening Standard front page splashes on the news that the Lib Dems intend to tighten the laws on stop and search, and require some police officers to wear body cameras when they stop someone: Armed police, riot squads and officers carrying out some stop-and-search in London would have to wear body cameras under Liberal Democrat proposals unveiled today. The law and order reform, which will be in the party's 2015 general election manifesto, will also require police to get a judge's approval to carry out controversial Section 60 stop-and-searches. The existing law lets a senior ...
[IMG: Paul Tyler] Over at Lords of the Blogs, Lib Dem peer Paul Tyler gives short shrift to the complaints of his parliamentary colleagues complaining that the red benches cannot accommodate the 22 new peers appointed last week: What a nerve! If on 10th July 2012, having given the Government's Bill a huge second reading majority, those very same MPs had allowed it to make progress, this alleged problem would have been solved. Egged on by Peers and journalists, they broke their manifesto promises to bring democracy to the Lords by playing party games. Had the Reform Bill passed, political ...
A few years ago Stockport Council moved from old-style public toilets to Community Toilets across much of the town. Public toilets have some benefits but they're expensive to run, frequently left in poor condition or out of order and were often a magnet for crime and anti-social behaviour. The community toilet scheme pays pubs, restaurants and cafes to open their toilets to the public. In Cheadle, where the old toilet block was closed, we have three community toilets (the Star Inn, Jackson's Supper Bar and Cheadle Library). In Gatley we had more of a problem. The old toilet block in ...
The media's been full of stories about how Nick Clegg's due to lose his Sheffield Hallam seat to Labour in the next General Election. Here's the latest. I've been a student at Sheffield Hallam University since 2011 and have been closely involved in the Sheffield Liberal Democrats campaigns the whole time, particularly the student side. I'm also a human being and have noticed several things. Sheffield Hallam is not a student constituency. Confusingly, the eponymous university is on the other side of the city and Sheffield Hallam students mostly live in the City Centre, Broomhill, Walkley and Nether Edge. These ...
Cataract and macular degeneration in both eyes diagnosed by optician today. Cataract in right eye can be dealt with surgically, she thinks, and is writing to the GP to refer me to King's accordingly. Macular degeneration is incurable and gets worse with time, but maybe I will be able to see until July 2016 GP telephoned this evening to inform me about the scan of my right knee. The cartilage between the bones is nearly worn out, and physiotherapy is needed to strengthen local muscles. Waiting list for physiotherapy at King's is 18 weeks Oh well, can't be helped, as ...
The Times newspaper carried this article today:- Less than half of the houses made available in Liverpool City Council's "Homes for a Pound" scheme have been sold. The scheme set up in April last year as part of plans to help regenerate the Granby and Picton areas, released 20 neglected terraced houses, each in need of between £30,000 and £40,000 of work. The council said that initially more than 4,000 people signed up for the scheme, but 16 months later contracts had been signed for only five homes, with a further three expected to go through in the next few ...
Over the weekend, a number of Conservative and Labour parliamentarians, from both ends of the building, were moaning and groaning about the arrival of 22 new Peers. Some were complaining that Conservative Party donors were included; some were querying whether Liberal Democrat activists were sufficiently august; some were griping that there were insufficient numbers of Labour stalwarts in the list, and the media were pontificating that the days of political patronage should be over. And almost all of them were saying that we shouldn't have any new Peers now anyway, because the House is clearly over-populated. What a nerve! If ...
From Sue Carpendale and Kathy Pollard, District Councillors There are constant reports in the press of delays due to accidents on the A12. Apart from the human misery this causes, there is a knock on effect to the economy. The A12 is, of course, part of the strategic route to the East Coast ports. We have been involved with campaigns to improve safety on the A12 for more than 30 years. Three years ago we compiled a report with the help of Bill Davies, Chair of Stratford St. Mary parish council, and Lorraine Clark, a local resident. This highlighted the ...
First-born child is directing her first ever Edinburgh Fringe show, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. As proud parents, Mrs Gauge and I spent last week in Scotland's capital city playing host to as many friends and relations as we could squeeze into a small student apartment. Edinburgh Fringe audiences are notoriously tiny so we thought we ought to do our bit to boost the ticket sales. Obviously I'm ever so slightly biased but it was a completely cracking show, brilliantly directed by the expertly-parented Ellie Gauge enabling a small ensemble cast to really get to grips with ...
There was a time when you could naïvely look out the window and watch a thunderstorm or rainstorm, then think yourself lucky, that you were safe indoors, however in recent times and I suspect that I am not alone in this, each time we have a heavy downpour worrying that Southern water are going to discharge untreated sewage once again onto our lovely coast line. (it's already happened twice recently May 21st and 28th July. Given that we have all ready seen to occurrences of our shores being polluted recently I thought that I would check with Southern water and ...
[IMG: Police in Whitehall. Photo courtesy of http://www.freeimages.com/photo/6485 - some rights reserved] Via The Evening Standard: Armed police, riot squads and officers carrying out some stop-and-search in London would have to wear body cameras under Liberal Democrat proposals unveiled today. The law and order reform, which will be in the party's 2015 general election manifesto, will also require police to get a judge's approval to carry out controversial Section 60 stop-and-searches... Civil liberty campaigners say Section 60, part of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, has been used in a discriminatory manner, with black and Asian individuals significantly ...
[IMG: Print] Via ALDC: The Access to Elected Office Fund seeks to provide assistance to candidates with disabilities seeking election to public office... The programme comprises identifying potential candidates with disabilities in target seats for next May's council elections. We're probably looking for about five or six. Each of these candidates will be given advice and support through a (paid for) mentor and for applying for a grant direct from DCMS. The grant will cover all sorts of assistance to overcome physical and other barriers to getting elected. It will not pay for election campaigning but does cover transport and ...
The rampages of the ISIS terrorist group (also known as The Islamic State) have taken the lead in our news, pushing Gaza and Ukraine down the agenda. They present a truly chilling spectre as they murder or push out anybody that does not adhere to their religious doctrines from the territory they control. Many thousands of Yazidis and Christians are at risk. And, faced with the horror, people want somebody to blame. The Left want to trace this back to 2003 war in Iraq, started by President George Bush, with our own Tony Blair as his principal cheerleader. That is ...
Look sharks hardly ever kill people. However, if you are unfortunate enough to get attacked by one it must be a terrifying. This video gives a good sense of their speed or power: Hat Tip: I Fucking Love Science Filed under: Uncategorized
For the last seven years, Israel – despite no legal mandate – has been imposing a naval blockade on Gaza's sea port, leading to widespread poverty and starvation in that small coastal enclave. The British government claims that it is doing all it can to end the blockade but, so far, its actions have proved fruitless. This is partly because the government has never pushed this matter as forcibly as they should, partly for fear of upsetting the powerful pro-Israeli lobby, both here and in the US Congress, and partly because it knows Israel will refuse to lift the blockade, ...
After many years, Welsh Liberal Democrats have now convinced the federal party (currently in coalition with the Conservatives in Westminster) that the unfairness of the Barnett formula (named after a Labour Treasury minister), under which funding for Wales and Scotland is calculated, should be addressed. Party leader Kirsty Williams writes: I am pleased to announce today that we have secured our party's commitment to overhaul the unfair funding system for Wales. Going into the General Election, we will pledge that Wales will have fairer funding for the next parliament, which could mean hundreds of millions of pounds extra coming into ...
[IMG: image alde] The Alliance of Liberals and Democrats in Europe (ALDE) have confirmed that they will be holding their next Annual Congress in Lisbon, Portugal, a country not known for its liberal politics in recent years. However, as part of ALDE's efforts to encourage the growth of liberal forces across the continent, links with a new group in Portuguese politics, Nos Ciadados (We Citizens) have been established, and it is hoped that, by meeting in Lisbon, that those links might be strengthened and nurtured. In the light of the recent European Parliamentary election results, which despite some good performances ...
Mon 11th
09:55
I don't want to rush things but it may just be safe for Islington Council to remove this sign now
Tempting though it is to wait for the sign's 10th birthday, excuse me whilst I reach for my email program and ping a message to Islington Council... [IMG: Warning sign about traffic changes made in 2005: Moray Road - Fonthill Road junction]
[IMG: image] I became aware of the existence of summer camps for Israeli and Palestinian children when I was looking for photos to illustrate articles on Gaza. Using pictures of death and destruction can be rather unsavoury. So I found this photo (above) which shows Israeli and Palestinian children playing at a summer camp at Tuwani. It gives a message of peace and hope. This morning at my church we had a talk from one of the organisers of such summer camps. We were addressed by Dr Salim Munayer of the organisation Musalaha. Dr Munayer made some interesting and clear ...
This just in...
Many thanks to Paul Walter for bringing our attention to this piece, written by Baroness Shirley Williams for the Guardian last week. In it, she calls for a more activist stance by the European Union, given her view that America is not, and cannot be, an effective mediator between the two sides in the Gaza crisis. The EU, as the main financier of the Palestinian Authority, is in a position to influence the PLO and to work with the Arab League on a settlement. The US remains Israel's essential ally, but as a mediator is hobbled by the dependence of ...
#90734138 / gettyimages.com I had planned to go off to Canterbury on holiday today, but my mother has gone into hospital here in Leicestershire so I shall have to be around for a while. Still, here are the lines from Emeric Pressburger's screenplay for A Canterbury Tale that I had planned to post this morning: Well, there are more ways than one of getting close to your ancestors. Follow the old road, and as you walk, think of them and of the old England. They climbed Chillingbourne Hill, just as you. They sweated and paused for breath just as you ...
Readers will know I am a fan of the Pride of Sefton Trust that runs a canal barge of that name which benefits those less fortunate but, to help pay its way, is also available to hire out. Recently whilst walking along the Leeds Liverpool Canal in Lydiate it came chugging down the cut. prideofsefton.info/booking.html [IMG: rsz_canal_barge] [IMG: rsz_img_0787] [IMG: rsz_img_0788] The last of these photos is amongst my Flickr shots at:- www.flickr.com/photos/86659476@N07/
Last Friday, I had the pleasure of chairing the second West End Christmas Fortnight 2014 meeting of the year at Blackness Library. This year's Christmas Fortnight will run from Saturday 22nd November to Saturday 6th December and there's a number of new initiatives that will be taking place this year, including "Shoppers' Saturday" on launch day, 22nd November, which will also feature a number of other launch events, including children's activities. The Dundee West Church Guild Christmas Fayre will also take place on launch Saturday. The West End Christmas Concert, lights switch on and fireworks display will take place on ...
In June, I chaired a meeting of Logie residents at which, amongst other matters, we discussed the deteriorated state of the lock-ups in Glenagnes Street. At the meeting, Housing Department representatives committed to producing a residents' survey about the lock ups to gauge possible new demand for them and get residents' views on the best way forward with the lock-ups' future. I delivered the survey to Logie residents (and nearby residents of Scott Street and the part of Blackness Road adjacent to Logie) at the weekend. It is hoped that residents will take part in the survey - you can ...
[IMG: Panda] Yesterday, I was with my family at the Longlade Animal Safari in Wiltshire. Yes, for those of you unaware, there is a brown sign attraction on the Wiltshire-Somerset border where you can drive around amongst lions, tigers, giraffes, elephants. There is a monkey sanctuary in which little primates jump on your car and tear it to pieces. We got off only having our windshield sprayers dismantled. While this took place, I could only think of people in India shaking their heads as they watched a video about the silly things people do in England, like allowing creatures they ...
[IMG: Just another day at Liberal Democrat Voice, as the day editor re-enacts a scene from Beau Geste...] Just another day at Liberal Democrat Voice, as the day editor re-enacts a scene from Beau Geste... Yes, it's me again, I'm afraid. And after last week's controversy over an article that never did get resubmitted by its author, we have more comment on Gaza. This time, I've published it, as I think each has something new to say. Do remember though, we pre-moderate all such stories given the propensity of some to make comments which bypass courtesy and place their towel ...
As the General Election approaches the Liberal Democrats today have stepped up to the mark with a practical solution to the underfuinding of the Welsh Government. We have secured agreement that in our manifesto we will pledge that Wales will have fairer funding for the next parliament, which could mean hundreds of millions of pounds of extra funding for the Welsh Government to put into services. This follows the findings of the Holtham Commission that the current Barnett formula underfunds Wales. Therefore in government the Liberal Democrats will commission work to update the Holtham Commission's analysis. The party will then ...
Late 1965 was a time when everyone was jumping on the folk bandwagon, no matter how inappropriately. Brian Wilson had started writing songs for a new album, inspired by the Beatles' Rubber Soul, that would be the Beach Boys' big album as artistic statement. This would be complex, intricate — and time-consuming, and the Beach [...]
[IMG: BarryAndEttaBBW] Friday morning saw the marriage of Tring Town councillor, Barry Batchelor, to his bride, Henrietta Barnes at New Mill Baptist Church in New Road, Tring. Barry, who was born, brought up and educated in Tring met his new wife – who likes to be called Etta – in Camden, North London some eight years ago. Etta, whose family originally come from Sierra Leone, has long been established in Mill Hill where she works as primary school teacher. Barry, who has twice been Mayor of Tring, is a member of the New Mill Baptist community and the wedding ceremony ...
