The last Autumn Conference before a General Election always looks a little different, perforce. Eager Parliamentary candidates queueing up to make a campaigning point to win a few votes, perhaps to save a local post office? Check. Debates more about...Read more ›
Before I go any further with this post, I'd just like to say that I am not a financial advisor, an accountant, a lawyer, or anyone else qualified to be handing out any kind of advice. I wouldn't even trust me with my money, and I am me, so if you do anything I talk [...]
My online friend Martin Brookes alerts us to the fact that Dr James Moore, who stood in Bosworth for the Liberal Democrats in 2005, is to stand in Rutland & Melton for Labour at the next general election.
It turns out that Leicester's New Walk Centre - speculative office buildings that have long house Leicester City Council - are in such a poor state that they will have to be demolished rather than dismantled. Over to Sir Peter Soulsby, the city's mayor, as quoted by the Leicester Mercury: "The buildings are in a very poor condition and bringing them down slowly would be risky for the contractors and would lead to disruption and the closure of streets for a long period of time. "With this approach it means the buildings can be demolished and the surrounding roads and ...
The Resolution Foundation organised a fantastic event this morning, the UK launch of House of Debt, with both authors (Mian and Sufi) on stage alongside Martin Wolf and Stephanie Flanders. Standing room only, and an astonishingly eminent audience, a Who's Who of the economic world. Plus me. But from their presentation (and implicit in the [...]
There are now only two weeks to the all-important independence referendum. Two weeks. Two weeks left for Scottish voters to determine our country's future. Two weeks for the respective campaigns to make their cases. In two weeks, two and a half years of campaigning will come to a conclusion and we'll have a result. I know how I will vote, and anyone who reads my blog will too. I did change my mind at one point - considering not voting at all on account of the divisive campaigning - but it wouldn't be in my nature not to exercise my ...
Sir Peter Soulsby ("He went to London to argue for money for Leicester and came back with a knighthood") is keen on the city's heritage, and I salute him for that. However, his enthusiasm for the city's heritage seems to be confined to the city centre. We have heard nothing from him on Lidl's plans to demolish the old Empire Hotel and the bosky ruins of St Augustine's. These days I think I enjoy walking around cities more than I do walking in the country, because a city is a palimpsest. But the nature of a palimpsest is that, one ...
Cambridge City Councillor, Nick Avery fears that plans for a new five-storey office building could lead to further traffic congestion and has called on planners to consider installing a guided bus stop outside. Cllr Avery, who represents Trumpington is worried about the impact of the project which will provide a new headquarters in Shaftesbury Road for Cambridge Assessment - Cambridge University's international exams group. He wants to see an investigation into the possibility of a new stop on the Guided Busway before planning permission is granted. Cllr Avery raised his concerns with members of the City Council's Planning Committee today ...
Liberal Democrat Ian Manning has blasted councillors from other political parties for delivering a "slap in the face" to the lowest paid Cambridgeshire County Council workers. Cllr Manning said fellow councillors missed a "golden opportunity" to make sure the pay gap between the high earners and those on the lowest pay didn't get any bigger. But instead they ignored the Liberal Democrats' call to close the gap agreeing a one per cent pay deal across the board. Cllr Manning, who represents Cambridge's East Chesterton on the County Council said: "This is a real slap in the face to all those ...
MP Julian Huppert, who has been proactive in pushing for a ban on the use of wild animals in circuses, is today (Wednesday, September 3) calling on the government to change the law. Julian is co-sponsoring a 10 Minute Rule Bill which could pave the way for the practice of using wild animals for entertainment being consigned to the history books. Cambridge has already banned animals performing in travelling shows in the city and now Julian wants a countrywide ban to be enshrined in law. He has already written to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs ...
The Ludlow Hydro Co-operative will be holding a consultation exhibition on the proposed community hydro scheme on the Horseshoe Weir in Ludford, prior to seeking planning permission for the scheme. 4-7pm, Friday 5th September in the Gallery, Ludlow Assembly Rooms. The scheme, three years in the planning, will operate as a co-operative with the capital [...]
Liberal Democrats will provide 15 hours free childcare every week for all two year olds, under plans announced today. This pre-manifesto commitment builds on the expansion of childcare as delivered by Liberal Democrats in government. Currently all three and four year olds and two year olds from the most hard pressed homes are eligible for 15 hours free childcare each week. Liberal Democrats want to go further so that all children have the opportunity to get the best start in life. In the long term, Liberal Democrats plan to extend free childcare to all working parents from the end of ...
Cambridge MP Julian Huppert is promoting a new awards scheme aimed at marking the achievements of people who have forged stronger links between the UK and India. The Dadabhai Naoroji Awards, dedicated to the first Asian MP in the UK, were launched by Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg during his visit to Mumbai. Julian is urging Cambridge residents to nominate anyone who has worked hard to promote UK-India relations whether it be through business, culture or education. He said: "We have such a vibrant community in Cambridge and I'm sure there must be people living in the city who have ...
The Roman Temple at Bath is included in a new learning resource developed by the British Museum to support the revised National Curriculum for History. The web-based resource has been developed with support from 35 museums, of which the Bath & North East Somerset Council-run Roman Baths is one. Around 100,000 school children of all ages visit the Roman Baths each year with around 12,000 having dedicated teaching sessions delivered on site by staff. It's excellent that the Roman Baths, and specifically the Roman Temple, are going to be part of this important new learning resource. Research has shown that ...
In the summer we released the first of ALDC's "Campaign Essentials" artwork templates. This week, we are happy to add basic A3 and A4 Focus designs. The A3 and A4 versions are available in both full colour and two colour (for printing on a RISO). The basic design is for multiple candidates which can be [...]
As we near 18th September and the Independence referendum vote the language of some commentators and politicians on both sides has become less respectful and in some cases quite febrile. Unfortunately that has included our own party where in the last few weeks we have seen speeches reported on Liberal Democrat Voice using the language of: Standing on street corners, dripping poison about the NHS into the ears of passers-by and nationalist thugs It's a language that has been compounded by our agreement to adverts that suggest the only way to demonstrate your love for your children is to vote ...
There have been some decent moves towards devolving more power from Whitehall to local councils since 2010. One thing, however, hasn't happened – a significant shift in finances. As the graph below shows, only a tiny proportion of total public sector current expenditure happens via local government, and it's not even moving in the right direction. [IMG: Local government expenditure graph] That Labour's record was pretty poor is not much consolation, as it means that whatever the result of the general election, the continuing financial enfeeblement of local government is likely to continue – unless the Liberal Democrats make it ...
Wed 3rd
15:15
Tories announce new education policy: schools free to do exactly what the Government tells them to
The Guardian reports that new Tory education secretary Nicky Morgan is about to make her first major policy announcement – and it's, erm, interesting: Compulsory setting according to ability in England's secondary schools is to be proposed by the education secretary, Nicky Morgan, in her first big initiative since she took over as education secretary. She is due to make the announcement as early as today. Here's why it's a bad idea: In principle – for years the Conservatives have been banging the drum for setting schools free. The whole purpose of Michael Gove's academies programme and new free schools ...
Three weeks ago I wrote about how to run petition campaigns more effectively. This article is about the importance of effective follow up. The 'rolling petition' Once you have launched your petition and started to gather signatures there is a lot you can do to get even more people to sign. In some cases you [...]
Wed 3rd
14:33
Sex and Power 2014 - Six recommendations to improve representation of women in public life
Last week, the annual Sex and Power report was published. This is produced and researched by a coalition of organisations, Centre For Women and Democracy, the Electoral Reform Society, the Fawcett Society, the Hansard Society and Unlock Democracy which asks the question Who runs Britain? It made no less grim reading than usual. This handy infographic shows exactly what we are dealing with in terms of the under-representation of women at all levels of public life. [IMG: Who Runs Britain info graphic] The figures for the proportion of women amongst elected representatives are bad enough but there are precious few ...
I met a woman once with an exhausting history of mental difficulties who was married to a headteacher. Her husband had charge of her medication and she told me she couldn't help noticing that, when they had any kind of argument, he increased her dose. I mention this now because it is one of the unwritten rules of public services that people in a pseudo-parental role can often get carried away - muddled about the boundaries between their opinion about the good of the person in their care and an over-riding moral imperative. That is, anyway, my explanation about why ...
ALDC is currently looking to recruit a new set of 'Regional Reps' for ALDC in England. (There are separate procedures in place for Scotland and Wales). This is a voluntary role, open to any member of ALDC, for two years in the first instance. The role of Regional Reps is to give ALDC a stronger [...]
ALDC, the Association of Liberal Democrat councillors, are looking to recruit people for our 2014-2015 Campaigns and Communications Internship Programme. Campaigns and Communications Intern(s) (Paid) October 2014 to June 2015 This is a full-time role, paid at the UK National Minimum Wage (£6.50 per hour for over 21 years olds), based at our Manchester city [...]
ALDC, together with the North West Region Liberal Democrats (we share the same office) are looking for people who are willing to help with our campaigns and communications from our HQ office in central Manchester. What we're looking for: - members of the Liberal Democrats who are able to offer a regular commitment to volunteering [...]
Wed 3rd
14:03Former Clacton UKIP candidate ousted by Douglas Carswell resigns and backs local Liberal Democrat Co...
This time last week, Roger Lord was looking forward to facing Conservative MP Douglas Carswell in the General Election next May. He might not have expected to trouble his majority too much but he was secure in his position. That didn't turn out so well for him when he heard that he was being ousted as candidate in the same way that we all did. He's not very happy about it and has quit his Council seat. He has given his rather unexpected backing for the ensuing by-election to Liberal Democrat District Councillor Gary Scott whom he described as a ...
It is an interesting and perhaps not the most sensible move to postpone democracy in response to a terrorist threat: but that is what the Liberal Democrat leadership bunker has unilaterally decided to do by postponing publication of the Conference agenda and the Pre-Manifesto. The diktat was handed down to Conference Committee members this morning without any debate. This reduces the time local parties have to digest the agenda and propose amendments to a farcical level of barely a fortnight. Anyone wanting drafting advice has even less chance. It shows how seriously the bunker treats party volunteers and processes. The ...
Wed 3rd
13:18
Yet another reason not to bring back the death penalty - Henry McCollum & Leon Brown edition
I'm sure many people have read the story about mentally disabled half brothers Henry McCollum, 50, and Leon Brown, 46, who were convicted in 1984 of raping and killing an 11-year-old girl in North Carolina. That girl, 11 year-old Sabrina Buie, had been raped and suffocated with her underwear crammed down her throat, her body left in a soybean field. One of them was on death row for the crime and the other was sentenced to life imprisonment. The crime is certainly one that many people would feel passionately should deserve the ultimate punishment but there is one big issue...these ...
Wed 3rd
13:17
Shropshire Council wraps up Ludlow's tourist information cuts as "exciting times ahead"
The master of spin was Alastair Campbell, Tony Blair's media supremo who issued the dodgy dossier on Iraq. But Campbell is now being challenged. This morning Shropshire Council made a bid for Campbell's title as spin master supreme. It issued a press release on changes to the Tourist Information service at the Ludlow Assembly Rooms [...]
Comment: Israel will one day pay for its war crimes. One holocaust was enough. Have the Jews of Israel forgotten? Photo Title: Gaza, homeless people in AlataraSubtitle: Persons rendered homeless due to Israeli crimes in GazaCopyright and Picture licencing details: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/Attribution: Physicians for Human Rights - Israel (https://www.flickr.com/photos/phrisrael/)
I was dismayed to read in Mohsin Khan's recent piece calling for an NHS contribution that the leadership is, again, considering an NHS tax. How history repeats itself. Ten or so years ago, when working for the Welsh Party, I opposed plans for what the Federal Policy Committee was then also referring to as an NHS contribution. My contention was, and remains, that a commitment to a Federal UK is not compatible with hypothecated taxation. Whilst taxes are collected at a UK level, spending priorities are determined by devolved institutions. In our devolved context, any claim that a tax is ...
A few days ago Mark Hunter MP and the local Lib Dem team were knocking on doors around the South Park Road Estate – we didn't quite get to everyone, but we made it to most. This is to update you on some issues that were raised by residents. Queues southbound from Parrs Wood and the M60 J3 We've all sat in the queues, with the Kingsway/Gatley Road junction being the major problem (built half a century ago and now trying to cope with massively more traffic than it was ever designed for). The recent improvements on the slip road ...
Chris White has this morning issued a fresh appeal for the county council to repaint the missing yellow and white lines near Maple primary school and the High School for Girls. Chris said: 'There is no reason at all why these lines should not have been redone by now – the resurfacing was some weeks ago. At first, I received only bureaucratic responses. Now I have been assured of action within a few days. 'But the problem is now. There was traffic chaos this morning. And tomorrow there will be coaches going to the High School. 'Cars are parked on ...
Wed 3rd
11:15The Independent View: Free school meals is universalism at its best - all children benefit, but low-...
[IMG: school meals] So the summer is over and it's back to school time. But there is a silver lining to the autumnal clouds: free school meals. On their first day back at school, all infants school pupils (4 to 7 year olds) should be able to sit down to enjoy a free, nutritious meal. This is one of the rare occasions when politics visibly touches normal family life, saving harassed parents the need to make a packed lunch and saving them money at the same time. Families will save almost £10 a week on average for every child benefiting ...
Hat tip: IO9Filed under: Uncategorized
[IMG: Liberal Democrat manifesto front cover] The news of a further murder of a US hostage by 'Islamic State' broke last night. The Lib Dems have, therefore, decided to postpone today's scheduled launch of the party's pre-manifesto. The pre-manifesto is the document agreed by the Lib Dems' elected federal policy committee (FPC) to be submitted to this autumn's conference for approval. Its contents have been heavily trailed throughout the summer. By my count, 19 policies (mostly policies already agreed by conference, and listed at the foot of this post) have been unveiled, as the party gears up the publicity machine ...
the Belgian Author who wants the British to have proper sex ed (tags: ) On Finding School Shoes clearly the author of this didn't get the memo that girls must be bludgeoned as early and as repeatedly and as forcefully as possible that their comfort and health doesn't matter a fig compared to looking stylish. (tags: ) XKCD's What If: "Dear Abby for Mad Scientists" in book form - I WANT (tags: ) Hello Kitty Avengers - OMG Samuel L Jackson (tags: ) General Election 2015: Housing and childcare to be Lib Dems' manifesto keystones (tags: ) Better Identification of ...
Wed 3rd
09:23
Hertfordshire Countryside At Risk as Tory County Council Plans Management Service Outsourcing
[IMG: country] At a recent meeting on 8 July 2014, Councillors were informed of plans to outsource the work of the County's Countryside Management Services (CMS). During the last financial year, CMS delivered £1.6m of work for Hertfordshire, supported by £400,000 of County-Council funding and £200,000 of District and Borough Council funding. They have trained and supported 201 Health Walk Leaders delivering 50 walks per week from more than 50 different locations and 2013-14 over 32,000 people took part in Health Walks. They support 33 Friends groups who are volunteering to look after parts of their local environment. In addition, ...
[IMG: September 14th "Welcome to Scotland"] On Monday I received an e-mail from Charles Kennedy and the Scottish Liberal Democrats. It asked Lib Dems across the UK to help the No campaign by completing a brief survey entitled,"What do you think we should be telling voters in Scotland?" The survey was indeed brief (3 questions), and the answers were pre-loaded, so I thought that I would compose my own response to my fellow Scots. The preamble to the Liberal Democrat Federal Constitution states that 'we look forward to a world in which all people share the same basic rights, in ...
Bury Council will tonight (Wednesday 3 September 2014) consider a proposal to close EIGHT of the borough's Children's Centres. This would include closing the Children's Centre in the heart of Holyrood Ward – Toodle Hill Children's Centre on Cuckoo Lane. Butterstile Children's Centre would also close, and the only provision remaining open in Prestwich would be the Sedgley Children's Centre on Bishops Road. [IMG: 10592649_746860838712742_844688231654839727_n] Currently the service is a 'universal' service (i.e. anyone can make use of the services), but if the proposals happen the the only service that would be offered would be a 'targeted' service – i.e. ...
Here is a list of Bootle's MP's Election We are told that Bootle Labour Party are meeting to select a new candidate to fight the 2015 GeneralElection have dispensed with Joe Benton. Member[4] Party 1885 Thomas Myles Sandys Conservative 1911 by-election Andrew Bonar Law Conservative 1918 Sir Thomas Royden, Bt. Coalition Conservative 1922 James Burnie Liberal 1924 Vivian Leonard Henderson Conservative 1929 John Kinley Labour 1931 Chichester de Windt Crookshank Conservative 1935 Eric Errington Conservative 1945 John Kinley Labour 1955 Simon Mahon Labour 1979 Allan Roberts Labour 1990 by-election Michael Carr Labour 1990 by-election Joe Benton Labour Here is another ...
[IMG: Syria Putin] Another US journalist, Steven Sotloff, has been killed in the Middle East. His murderer appears to be another Brit, possibly "Jihadi John" again. By attacking members of the press, ISIS, ISIL, IS, whatever they are calling themselves today, know what they are doing. They are demonstrating that the sword is mightier than the pen and in doing so, trying to show us that their brand of extremism will crush liberal democracy eventually. I am under no illusions about whether jihadism is a huge threat to the West or not. It palpably is. I just also happen to ...
St Gabriel's Church on Bishops Road will be holding two 'English Heritage' open days on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 September 2014. St Gabriels is a Grade II listed building in the art deco style, and the exhibition includes a look at the First World War through the eyes of the parish church. [IMG: Screenshot 2014-09-03 08.46.37] The Parish Church of All Saints Stand will also be holding a World War One commemoration day on Saturday 13 September 2014 10.00am-4.00pm. There will be something for all the family, and the event includes guided tours of the WWI graves at the ...
10 September, 7.30pm Prestwich Life Book Club :The Church Inn 11 September, 7.30pm Prestwich Comedy : The Church Inn 17 September, 6.30pm Prestwich Township Forum : The Longfield Suite 18 September, 7.30pm-10.30pm Comedy Night : Longfield Suite, Prestwich Top acts from the UK and beyond. Tickets £6 in advance or £8 on the door. Shows may contain adult material. 0161 253 7227 21 September, 9.30am-2.30pm Farmers Market : Longfield Shopping Centre. www.buryartisanmarkets.com @ArtisanBury Please just let me know if there are other things that should be included.
Residents have complained to me about an overgrown area in Pennycook Lane, opposite Blackness Primary School. I have asked the City Council to undertake a search to ascertain ownership to see if agreement can be reached to have it tidied. But elsewhere in Pennycook Lane, Home Scotland and the sheltered tenants deserve congratulations for the lovely flower displays at Pennycook Court :
A quite remarkable bunch of volunteers who have taken a down at heal Maghull railway station and made it one that now regularly wins awards. I have posted about the volunteers many times before but lets just have a look at their wonderful flower display at the Station this summer:- [IMG: rsz_maghull_station_in_bloom_1] [IMG: rsz_maghull_station_in_bloom_2] [IMG: rsz_maghull_station_in_bloom_3] [IMG: rsz_maghull_station_in_bloom_4] If this does not impress visitors to Maghull by train then nothing will.
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. Pubs must help themselves if they are to survive - Matt WrightOne woman's view of being a senior citizen - Eileen Ward-BirchThe perfect Christmas gift for a carer - Jon PollardPolitic360: Mending online political discussion - Jason BrownA ...
Just in case you missed it, here's a quick list of the policy announcements that have been made over the summary; Protecting education spending: Extend the protection to all education funding from early years through school to collegeParental Guarantee: A core curriculum taught by qualified teachersCurriculum for Life: Children in state-funded schools, including academies and free schools, will be guaranteed age appropriate sex and relationship education, as well as financial literacy and citizenship lessonsEarly Years Pupil Premium: We will more than triple investment in the early years pupil premium from £300 to £1000 per child under manifesto plans'Daddy Month': We ...
Here's the new film from the Electoral Commission: You can also watch this on YouTube.
If we cannot yet have an elected second chamber then the least that should happen is that there should be some transparency as to why people are nominated to serve in the House of Lords. That is not quite the conclusion of the Lords Appointments Commission but it amounts to much the same thing. According to the Independent the chairman of the House of Lords appointments Commission, Lord Kakkar called on political parties to start publishing detailed information about why they have chosen somebody to become a peer: The intervention comes in the wake of the row which followed the ...
1. Book Your Open Eco Homes Visits + extra energy saving events!Sun 14th & Sat 20th Sept, various locations around Cambridge Choose between 17 homes to visit on Sun 14th and Sat 20th September, where householders will show you how they save energy and keep their bills and carbon emissions low. Learn from their experience and decide what would suit your home or plans. There's a wide variety of Open Eco Homes: • retro-fitted & new-build • low cost & really stylish • simple & high tech • rented & owner-occupied Most older Cambridge homes have solid walls that are ...
Just a few links today — what little writing I've done has been for a project I'll be announcing in a few days. Dave ex Machina on the way plane passengers are pitted against each other by reclining seats (for the record, I do recline my seats, because I can barely fit into them otherwise, [...]
Wed 3rd
01:00
I am just as much British and European as I am Scottish. And I don't mind England either
It is a very odd feeling, the possibility that a majority of my fellow Scots could vote to take away my British citizenship on 18 September .
Academic economists are smart people. In my experience, a few are rather too self-consciously smart. And one or two adopt the characteristic economist persona - perpetual patronisation of, and impatience with, those unfortunate souls working in the lesser social sciences – without obviously having the track record to justify the hauteur. If, that is, it can ever be justified.* The unwary might be forgiven for thinking that the Global Financial Crisis of 2007-2008, which it is generally agreed most macroeconomists did not anticipate, would take the wind out of economists' sails somewhat. Some might argue that a degree more modesty ...
