I note in passing that the new Lib Dem policy paper on public services has now been published. Before I go on, I should issue one warning about it. The name is nearly as long as the paper. I also need to be transparent about this. I spent many a wintry and spring evening on the committee which wrote the report, and having now re-read it some months later, it is rather better and more coherent - and more radical - than I had remembered. Lib Dem watchers will know that it wasn't all plain sailing, or all sweetness and ...
I phoned the centralised tax office today as my P2 hasn't arrived, six days after my last call (see the previous blog entry). Bearing in mind that second class post is advertised as a two to three day service including Saturdays then I had hoped that I may have received it already, especially with the rigmarole that had preceded my second request. It only took 35 minutes to get through to a real person but it did give me chance to take note of the useless information on the recorded messages. Did you know their telephone number was going to ...
A poll released by the Sun newspaper has given a 4 point lead to the No campaign, 52%-48%. The poll was conducted by YouGov, who released a poll earlier this week that dramatically gave Yes the lead, and the Times are splashing with it too. Tonight's polling might calm some Westminster nerves, after Cameron, Milliband [...]
Some of the wilder voices on the Yes side of the referendum campaign are convinced that Scotland was once conquered by England. In reality, the union of crowns was entirely voluntary. You could not see James VI's backside for dust when he was offered the throne of England, and there were soon complaints about the preference shown to Scots at the court in Whitehall. Perhaps the belief that Scotland was conquered comes from Braveheart. If that is so, allow Stewart Lee to put you right.
Labour seat
Labour seat.
Conservative seat.
Liberal Democrat seat. Resignation Margaret Crick is the Liberal Democrat candidate. If you would like to get involved in campaigning with the local Lib Dem team please contact Will Griffiths at will.griffiths@oxwablibdems.org.uk.
Labour seat
Labour seat.
Exaro News promises us fresh revelations about Peter Morrison and the operations of the Conservative whips in a new, expanded edition of Gyles Brandreth's Breaking the Code. Which gives me a chance to praise the first edition of that book. I once described it in Liberal Democrat News as: a readable account of the last Conservative administration. Elected in 1992, Brandreth began as a government backbencher. He makes it clear what an awful job that is. It's not, as young idealists fear, that you may be forced to vote against your principles. It's more that you vote in the small ...
Thu 11th
21:30
Silent lobster vigil marred with arrest 'over blowing a whistle' outside Cambridge restaurant
Headline of the Day goes to the Cambridge News.
Cool as Leicester writes: There has long been many a campaign to persuade consumers, where possible, to buy British. To protect British industry and producers. And long may that continue. But local communities are now beginning to focus their loyalty further by looking to support a "Buy Local" movement. There are few places where this is more evident than in Market Harborough, where local businesses proudly display "Buy Local" slogans, in support of local producers and businesses. In some areas, this might mean to sacrifice quality for community support, but with the quality of producers and businesses for food and ...
Have a look at this youtube link (above) which is a film of a parish council meeting where the parish councillors did not want to be filmed even though the law now says that such filming is perfectly legal. Beyton is a village and civil parish in the Mid Suffolk district of Suffolk, England according to Wikipedia.
I am, as a politician (and I use that term in its loosest possible sense), a gradualist at heart. Perhaps it is the slightly diffident bureaucrat in me that shies away from big, spontaneous gestures, or a lack of a specialism that offers the required expertise, that prevents me from proposing big ideas, but I do flatter myself that, when it comes to the mechanics of implementation, I have an eye for implications. And today, that came in useful. We were discussing membership structure proposals at today's meeting of the ALDE Financial Advisory Committee - naturally, I cannot discuss specifics ...
Thu 11th
19:22
What Labour & land owners/developers have planned for Sefton's East Parishes – Green Belt ...
Postings 1 covered north east Lydiate where Labour is promoting 2 sites and a developer 1 site for building on high grade agricultural land and Green Belt. Posting 2 covered western Maghull & Lydiate where land owners/developers are promoting a huge Green Belt site for building. This posting covers the eastern part of Maghull where Labour's vast urban extension to Maghull cuts into Melling Civil Parish as well. First lets orientate ourselves. Here's a map of the area in question. Click on it to enlarge:- [IMG: The large red area is where Labour want to build houses and industrial premises. ...
Alex Salmond on the leaking twelve hours early of the info that RBS had a contingency plan to move their HQ to London in the event of a Yes vote: It is as serious a matter as one can possibly get. Yes, forget the Holocaust, world famine and climate change. This is as serious as it gets.
I could write some words for you warning against using too many hashtags, but this sketch makes the point far better:
I don't often use the word "lies" in politics. I save it for the most egregious examples of political dishonesty. One which has made me incredibly angry recently has been the Yes campaign's utterly dishonest campaign on the NHS. They argued that a Yes vote was the only way to protect the NHS, saying that privatisation in England meant that there would be less in funding through the Barnett Formula. Preying on the fears of some of the most vulnerable people in our society is completely unacceptable. The Institute of Fiscal Studies has just, to put it mildly, proved the ...
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 ...
[IMG: Union Flag] We are now into headless chicken mode. With a week to "save the Union", we are contemplating fundamental constitutional reform at breakneck speed, driven by a timetable drafted on the back of a fag packet by Gordon Brown. Decades of unresolved debate about conflicting options will now be sorted out in months. We all know about the Dangerous Dogs Act, "emergency" legislation which turned out unworkable. This time we're not just talking about dangerous dogs. We are talking about the dangers of a botched constitutional settlement and national disintegration. For politicians who don't understand, this is not ...
There are two vacancies. Conservative seats. Resignations For more information contact: info@southnorthantslibdems.co.uk
Thu 11th
13:49
Harriet Harman's appeal to Scotland: Please don't separate me from my Scottish sisters #indyref
I've always had a lot of time for Harriet Harman. I've had many political disagreements with her and I was disappointed in her when she lowered herself by calling Danny Alexander a "ginger rodent" but she has been unfailingly good ... Continue reading →
[IMG: David Howarth] Former Liberal Democrat Shadow Justice Spokesperson David Howarth has been re-appointed as an electoral commissioner by the Queen. From the Cambridge News: The appointment was announced this morning in the House of Commons before the start of the day's business, with Mr Howarth joined by Lord Horam. The chair of the Electoral Commission and other electoral commissioners are appointed by the Queen at the request of parliament and are charged with ensuring fair and proper running of elections. Liberal Democrat Mr Howarth previously served as a commissioner from October 2010 to September 2013. The Electoral Commission website ...
Paul Hulbert at the Wapley Footbridge We reported previously that Network Rail's original plans for raising the footbridge from Shire Way to Wapley Common had been rejected by South Gloucestershire Council. Network Rail have now produced much more realistic plans, with a bridge width of 3 metres which will accomodate bikes and pushchairs safely. They presented their plans to Dodington Parish Council's Planning Committee yesterday evening, and the plans will be made more widely available shortly. The bridge needs to be modified to cope with the electrification of the main railway line. There will be a temporary footbridge for pedestrians ...
Independent seat. Resignation For more information contact info@aandb-libdems.org
[IMG: SuttonCloseSpacesToCome] Three years ago Dacorum Borough Council announced a "Verge Hardening" Scheme to convert certain stretches of grass verge and parts of utility greens to extra car parking. Hardening the verge is a means to protect, or restore, the appearance of unsightly vehicle damaged verges. Hardening part of a utility green, if it is large enough, can achieve the same effect. Both can make significant contributions to difficult parking situations. The parking situation in at the end of Sutton Close, off Wingrave Road, Tring, has been difficult for a long time. Dacorum Borough councillor for the area, Nick Hollinghurst, ...
This Saturday, 13th September, Yate Library will be giving away 50 copies of bestselling book Diary of a Wimpy Kid to local children. The giveaway is in support of Good Morning Britain's 'Just Read' campaign, to encourage parents and carers to spend ten minutes reading with their children every day. Yate Library is one of 200 libraries across the UK taking part in the 'Just Read' giveaway which is supported by national charity The Reading Agency and children's publisher Puffin. The campaign comes as leading charities, teachers, parents and businesses have come together to form 'Read On. Get On.' It ...
The Tour of Britain cycle race stage start from Bath is now only a few hours away. As Leader of the Council and a keen cyclist I am delighted that we are bringing a stage of this increasingly popular sporting event to Bath and NE Somerset. We are expecting a big crowd and so we have put out information as widely as possible to show everyone the options. Travel information around Bath for the Tour of Britain Bath & North East Somerset Council is reminding people travelling in and around Bath to be prepared for the Friends Life Tour of ...
Hannah Bettsworth has spent the Summer (and a fair bit of time before that) campaigning to keep Scotland in the UK. She's braved abuse and physical attack from Yes supporters. She's knocked on hundreds of doors. She's fought the good ... Continue reading →
[IMG: The Eildons] A week today we will take the most important political decision of our lives. Across the Borders, in the privacy of the voting booth we will each face the question: should Scotland be an independent country? It's the moment of truth as we weigh up what's best for our families, our communities and our country. I am proud to be a Borderer; I am proud to be Scottish; and I am proud to be British. For me the answer is straightforward - I want to continue to be a part of this family of nations which we ...
Others may disagree, but I like to think that I am normally calm and polite. But, when I am alone with Radio 4 Today, I am occasionally aware of a beast in the car with me, shouting at John Humphrys: SHUT THE **** UP And the Neverendum has most regularly brought that beast to the fore. Alone in the gym last week, I was aware of the beast as I watched Nicola Sturgeon being interviewed on a ferry (she was on the ferry, I was on the treadmill). I'm actually sure Nicola Sturgeon is a good person with a good ...
Cornwall Council's cabinet has urged the new bodies responsible for delivering local EU programmes to make sure they have proper representation from young people. They have also been urged to make the needs of young people are reflected in the schemes they support. As part of the new round of EU structural funding, Cornwall will be setting up a new system of Local Action Groups (LAGS) to deliver a strand known as community led local development. These four LAGs will be overseeing 5% of the EU funding - some £24 million or more over the course of the scheme. The ...
Note from the district council The 2014 St Albans & Harpenden Food & Drink Festival starts on Wednesday 24 September with a wealth of culinary events and restaurant offers. During the Festival many of the District's eateries have special offers for you to enjoy. Tasting sessions, foraging expeditions and street food are just some of the attractions to try. The festival runs from Wednesday 24 September to Monday 6 October and full details are available on the website –
Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Kirsty Williams has been writing for Click on Wales saying that she hopes that Scotland remains within the UK and how the Referendum gives an opportunity to make the union between our nations work better. First she talks of the benefits of remaining in the Union: The referendum offers us a chance to promote a new Union, rather than stubbornly defend the old. The Welsh Liberal Democrats offer people a more positive future: not one of isolation, but one in which all corners of the United Kingdom are indeed stronger and better together. I firmly believe ...
A number of local parents have expressed concern over the difficulties facing Launceston-based pupils attending Callington College. One parent has found that a season ticket they bought is for a bus that no longer exists and others have complained about the unreliability of some of the remaining services. For a variety of reasons, some parents choose to send their children to Callington College. In cases where this is a matter of parental choice (rather than because there is no place available at a more local school) then the council is not responsible for home to school transport. In the case ...
On Tuesday night I attended the Overview & Scrutiny, Performance and Corporate Services Committee meeting at Bootle Town Hall. I have posted in the past on Labour's political games regarding their instance on having Labour chairs for these committees. To jog memories, Labour(who lead the council and never tire of telling us) have chosen to have Labour Councillors chairing committees that scrutinise the decisions made by Labour Cabinet Members. On Tuesday night the Labour Cabinet Member for Older People & Health was in attendance. He was there to report on an item on the agenda titled "Welfare Reform in Sefton ...
As the political world whips itself into a fury and many journalists find their way to Glasgow and Edinburgh, I've been noticing how my own thoughts turn as it looks more likely, or less likely that Scotland will vote for independence. Personally I do believe the Scottish people will vote No, but the debate does get you thinking. I have a famous ancestor on my Dad's side - Roger de Kirkpatrick - at the side of Robert the Bruce as he took the Crown of Scotland back in 1280. Both my grandmothers were Scottish and one of my parents were ...
I was watching John Prescott getting a hard time in Rutherglen on the TV last evening. What a wholly unconvincing advocate of decentralisation he proved to be. There should be no surprise there, it was he who produced the pathetic proposals for NE devolution which were so bad they scuppered devolution within England-even now Labour's proposals on tax powers for a Scottish Parliament if there is a No vote and 'lite' compared even to the Tories let alone Ming Campbell's Commission. I have for 40 years or more been an un ashamed advocate of federalism both within the UK and ...
An interesting interview from history – Harold Wilson's comments on resigning as Prime Minister. I wonder how Wilson's judgement on his time in office will compare with David Cameron's view of his own record when his time too comes to an end. You can certainly take rather a large amount of Wilson's opening comments and with just a slight edit or two imagine Cameron saying them about himself.
Something that occurred to me while reading the Browne book, but it seems so obvious I can't believe others haven't noticed it so I wonder if I'm missing something. Anyway, by my reckoning bringing in school vouchers either requires an increase in the Government's education budget or a cut in the funding given to each pupil currently in state education. Here's my thinking: The proponents of school vouchers say that they would be a universal benefit given to the parents of every child. However, at present, not every child is within the state education sector because they're being educated independently, ...
Cornwall Council is moving to a new housing register which will give greater priority to local people. Applicants to join the housing register will need to show a three year residential qualification and the council is seeking advice on whether this can be increased to five. Delivering homes to meet the needs of local people is a key priority for the Council. We want to tighten up our allocations policy to try and meet the urgent need of our communities and the changes agreed will assist Cornwall Council and Cornwall Housing Ltd to better manage the housing waiting list and ...
I know it's the media which treats every announcement by leading politicians as actual party policy. I know it's the media which treats actual debate over policy as splits and disunity. However, let's be clear. The Lib Dem Pre-Manifesto which members were finally allowed to see on Monday is NOT agreed yet, not until [...]
Whatever the polls may say, and at the moment nothing can be certain as to how the Scottish referendum will turn out on Thursday, there is no escaping the economic reality that will follow a 'yes' vote. The BBC underline this today with their report that the Royal Bank of Scotland has confirmed that it will relocate its registered headquarters to London if Scotland votes for independence next week. A statement from the bank says that it believes it would be "necessary to re-domicile the bank's holding company".In a letter to staff, the bank's chief executive said there was no ...
I think the Ross Bush is my favourite (tags: ) Male Birth Control, Without Condoms, Will Be Here by 2017 I'll believe it when I see it. I have been seeing news stories like this about once a year since I was old enough to understand what they meant. (tags: ) Do you live in the sweariest place in Britain? (tags: ) Have Your Say on the Lib Dems Digital Bill of Rights. Please. Do feel free to give them both barrels about supporting DRIP. (tags: ) The eight weirdest flags the world has ever seen - Sorry Sicily, but ...
I was pleased to give my backing yesterday to his backing to Corwen's community hydro power scheme which is reaching a crucial stage in its development as it calls for financial backing from local people. At a recent meeting Aled Roberts met some of the directors and advisors of the Corwen Electricity Co-operative which has been set up to develop the power scheme. It will generate electricity from water flowing down from a reservoir above Corwen. The co-operative has issued a pioneer share offer to raise £25, 200 to help pay for official permissions and has already raised more than ...
[IMG: Tea Party] There are two recent events that in most respects have little in common, having arisen in different countries and been spurred on by immediate events that bear little relation to each other. I refer to the Douglas Carswell defection to UKIP and the release of a poll in France that demonstrates if a presidential election were held tomorrow, Marine Le Pen would win it. What unites them is a long-term trend, one that should be of worry to both centre-right and centre-left, towards an erosion of the centre-right altogether accompanied by a strengthening of the far right. ...
[IMG: cuttings] Conservative Education Secretary Nicky Morgan has refused to rule out the idea of allowing schools to make a profit should the Conservatives win next year's election. A policy that Liberal Democrats in Government are prepared to oppose every step of the way. If you believe that schools should not be run for profit, sign our petition today. Liberal Democrats are committed to narrowing the attainment gap between children form poorer and more affluent backgrounds, something that would be unachievable if the Conservatives allowed schools to run for profit. Former Conservative Education Secretary Michael Gove previously said he said ...
I make no apologies for the third post in a week on Scotland's referendum next week. A political story this big is rare. This time I want to consider Westminster's reaction to the episode. There is, of course, shock. The story has departed from its script. And with that shock comes recrimination. This sort of reaction is only human, of course – but the reactions miss the point. Britain, with its unwritten constitution, is uniquely vulnerable to this kind of sleepwalking disaster. The most extreme reaction comes from John Major, who was Prime Minister from 1990 to 1997, at a ...
The experience of the last country to leave the UK contradicts many of the optimistic claims the Yes Campaign is making about the prospects of an independent Scotland. When Michael Collins signed an agreement with the British government in 1921 to create the Irish Free State, a quarter of the world was ruled from London. [...]
As I mentioned on Facebook and Twitter earlier this week, there was a discussion about the roadworks on Riverside Drive at the West End Community Council meeting on Tuesday. I promised to take up two issues - directional signage and the pedestrian crossing arrangements - with the City Engineer and he has now updated as follows :- Poor Signage - the signage is maintained by CTM the specialist traffic management contractor. CTM will check the position and advise but to date there have been no concerns. - Pedestrian Crossing - when the button is pressed a light round the button ...
[IMG: image] What follows is a load of rubbish. But, as my great brother said, everyone else is talking rubbish on this subject, so why can't I join in? Such was the tweet from Mike Smithson at 18:07 yesterday: Squeaky bum time over: OFFICIAL — Mike Smithson (@MSmithsonPB) September 10, 2014 I have great respect for Mr Smithson, sage of betting and polling. His tweet received some commentary. But it was the two polls earlier this week that were the outliers, not the Survation poll yesterday, showing No six points ahead, which was with the pack. The pack, that is, ...
My previous posting refers at:- Sadly things have slipped back at this Liverpool Road North site as the regular maintenance that was suppose to take place has not happened. My understand and indeed that of the Maghull in Bloom volunteers was that Kennet Prison had obtained a license from the Royal Mail to do the original work and to conduct regular maintenance with the work to be undertaken by Kennet Prison's rehabilitating offenders. I am trying to get to the bottom of this matter and will report back when I know more.
Not being one of the privileged elite of Lib Dem bloggers, I didn't get a review copy of Jeremy Browne's Race Plan , so I waited until it turned up in the University library before reviewing it. It was worth waiting for it, as if I'd laid out money on actually buying a copy, I'd have felt extremely ripped off. It was obviously meant to be a provocative book that would force a debate within the Liberal Democrats and make people realise the correctness of Browne's 'authentic liberal' views, but instead it's just the same boilerplate 'classical liberal' pabulum one ...
Thu 11th
08:30
Dundee City Council (Riverside Drive, Dundee) (Temporary Prohibition of Driving) Order 2014
From the City Council : Dundee City Council proposes to make an Order under Section 14(1) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 for the purpose of facilitating carriageway resurfacing works. The Order is expected to be in force for two weeks from 14 September 2014. Its maximum duration in terms of the Act is eighteen months. The effect of the Order is to prohibit temporarily all vehicular traffic between 7pm and 6am in Riverside Drive, Dundee from the roundabout at Riverside Drive Retail Park to approximately 50 metres west of the point where the Tay Rail Bridge crosses Riverside ...
With MPs and the public health continually outbidding each other for the most lurid headline about the awful, urgent and present danger of alcohol, the subject is never far from the headlines. I have here, the latest dispatch from the front lines. This week the British Beer and pub association launched its latest handbook and it shows the continuing downward trend of per capita alcohol consumption, down 1.7% on the previous year and "....with per capita consumption down a substantial 18.1 per cent since 2004." The handbook also shows that "The international section shows that the UK's consumption of alcohol ...
There's a proposal to create two skateparks in South Liverpool - one at Otterspool and one at Dingle Bank in Garston. The Otterspool application is now open for comments with all the plans and other paperwork on line The deadline is 1 October and you can see the info at this link. (Please bear in mind that the bulk of the info is in a bit called Related Documents - scroll down and click) The Dingle Bank paperwork isn't on line yet. When it is, you should find it at this link.
I have been known to sing the praises of Harringon gin distillers Warner Edwards. Here they are on Countryfile.
