The BBC's World War One At Home site suggests there is a mystery about the Somme Tunnel which, as the name suggests, was driven into the side of the Stiperstones in 1915. Was it a spurious, make-work scheme devised to keep the miners in Shropshire and away from the Western Front? I think this is unlikely for two reasons. First, because I have a book with a photograph, taken outside the mine buildings, of the Bog Mines Platoon of the King's Shropshire Light Infantry. Second, because just about every attempt to find new lodes of lead ore in the Shropshire ...
[IMG: Featured on Liberal Democrat Voice] King George V 6th Form College has just had a truly shocking OFSTED report. They have fallen from Outstanding in 2010 to Inadequate this year. Sadly too few parents and students were that surprised. The evidence has been mounting for some time. It is no secret that John Pugh MP received some detailed complaints which he put to the Governors. They rejected the concerns and made it clear that they thought that they were doing well in the present climate. They were wrong. It appears that their staggering level of complacency has continued since ...
Somewhere in Liverpool – Can't help but laugh at this photo. [IMG: 10698704_10152545423447991_4490240049071320528_n]
Back in 2008 I blogged about a bizarre policy of Telford and Wrekin Council. As so often, I quoted the Shropshire Star: Council staff on the lookout for paedophiles have been ordered to stop and quiz any adults found walking in Telford Town Park without a child, it was revealed today. Anyone who wants to go to the park but is not accompanied by at least one youngster will have to explain why they are there.Today, courtesy of the Western Gazette, comes news that Puxton Park, "a family-orientated leisure attraction near Weston-super-Mare," has banned single people from visiting "on child ...
I am not the greatest admirer of Alan Johnson - his appearances of This Week, where his highlight of the week is invariably an event that proves he was right about everything when he was home secretary, can be irritating - but if Labour has any sense the party will find a way of deposing Ed Miliband and crowning him as leader. Why? In part it is because Miliband fails the greatest test for a leader of the opposition: you cannot imagine him as prime minister. And in part it is because of his flawed campaigning since 2010. Even if ...
Thursday's Commons Business Statement set it out: the Report Stage of the Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Bill is on 18 November. That is the day when MPs vote whether to accept the watered-down Coalition compromise or opt for meaningful reform that will end the scandal in Britain's tied pub sector once and for all: the Market Rent Only [MRO] option.. A cross-party amendment to deliver this has been revealed this weekend. With a lavishly-funded lobbying operation masterminded by discredited pubco lobbyists the British Beer & Pub Association [BBPA] and delivered by its representative on earth Andrew Griffiths MP (Con, ...
Inspired by the fourth Post40Bloggers writing prompt to discuss the topic: "In a world full of uncertainty, write about what you know for sure", here's why when anyone says to you that "the figures speak for themselves" your spider senses should start tingling and a red danger light start flashing in your brain. Metaphorically speaking of course. I do know for sure that we don't have spider senses nor do we have a red danger light in our brain. But that's a different article. How many times have you heard someone say that "the figures speak for themselves" as a ...
In a packed Methodist Church on Thursday night, Churches Together Around Ludlow launched their latest report on troubles facing Ludlow. The report gives great credit to the community volunteers who are working hard to mitigate the impact of cuts, but offered no support for Shropshire Council's approach in hard times. Ludlow under continuing pressure: hope [...]
Welcome to the Golden Dozen, and our 397th weekly round-up from the Lib Dem blogosphere ... Featuring the seven most popular stories beyond Lib Dem Voice according to click-throughs from the Aggregator (-, 2014), together with a hand-picked quintet, you might otherwise have missed. Don't forget: you can sign up to receive the Golden Dozen direct to your email inbox — just click here — ensuring you never miss out on the best of Lib Dem blogging. As ever, let's start with the most popular post, and work our way down: 1. Resignation as a Cabinet member by Alex Folkes ...
I didn't wear one in Canada because I objected to the partisanship of the Royal Canadian Legion, but I intended to start wearing one again once I returned to the UK. But, I've found the mawkishness of the WW1 centennial celebrations — I think celebration rather than commemoration is the right word — very distasteful. [...]
The Lib Dems posted a remembrance picture online, but with party political branding on it too. It's not the first time the party have played politics with Remembrance Sunday either. Poppy image on Lib Dem social media includes party logo Representatives previously laid wreath with party logo on it The Lib Dems rather crassly used [...]
It seems not to be the fashion to indicate a degree of sympathy for one's political opponents these days. Often, such an expression is seen as either weakness or as a thinly-veiled attack. I disagree - my political opponents are people too, with all the same weaknesses, personal foibles and contradictions as the rest of us, politically active or otherwise. It is the reason why I have always been loathe to attack someone for making a mistake in their personal lives (within reason, I draw the line at acts of illegality). Today, I had one of those experiences which leads ...
Here are the latest national voting intention figures from each of the main pollsters. To put the numbers into longer context, take a look at my database of polling figures going back to 1945, which is updated quarterly. Con Lab LibDem UKIP Green Con lead Fieldwork Method ComRes 31% 34% 7% 19% 4% -3% 15-16/10 Online ComRes 30% 30% 9% 19% 4% 0% 24-26/10 Phone ICM 31% 35% 11% 14% 4% -4% 10-12/10 Phone Ashcroft 30% 29% 10% 16% 6% 1% 31-2/11 Phone MORI 30% 33% 8% 16% 5% -3% 11-14/10 Phone Opinium 29% 32% 9% 19% 4% -3% tbc ...
[IMG: Hazel] After the Federal Executive meeting this week where we discussed preparations for the election campaign (heartening to see so many people coming forward to be approved as candidates), arrangements to implement the One Member One Vote decision at Conference (and good to see that Mark Pack and Duncan Brack who proposed the amendment passed are to be invited in to work on that), the implementation of the Morrissey Report (amazing progress made, driven forward by our fabulous Pastoral Care Officer), we headed to the pub. I was talking about my excitement/slight apprehension about picking up our new puppy ...
[IMG: image] What a crazy headline! – I hear my non-reader cry. Bear with me. The Remembrance service today at St Nicolas Church, Newbury was very moving and a great tribute to the fallen. Curate Rev John Aldis delivered an excellent sermon which included reference to Michael Williams in Henry V. As John enumereated the millions killed in wars over the last two centuries, my thoughts wondered on to what we can do to stop the horrors of war. One of the key crises which threatens world (in)stability at the moment is that in Ukraine. One of the key ways ...
The usual autumnal storms have brought what seeks like a larger than normal spate of localised surface water flooding. This may be due to blocked road gullies, with the normal leaf fall augmented by uncleared green waste this year. It may be something more fundamental with the storm water drainage unable to cope with the flow of water which has increased as more and more of our urban landscape is covered in tarmac and concrete. Here are a couple of examples where clearing gullies has failed to resolve the problem and I am asking for further investigation to take place. ...
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Oman is probably the most low-key of the Gulf states, certainly when compared with the UAE's Dubai or Qatar. But it is the one with the greatest sense if history; for centuries, Omani merchants were key players across the Indian Ocean and down the East coast of Africa and its navy was a force to [...]
[IMG: 7 ver 4 full] Many thanks to the 14,100 visitors who dropped by Lib Dem Voice this week. Here's our 7 most-read posts... Norman Baker quits as Home Office Minister (29 comments) by Stephen Tall "Lib Dems have made majority Conservative rule in Britain less likely for perhaps a generation" (40 comments) by Stephen Tall Six months from 7th May 2015: how the polls are looking and what to look out for (67 comments) by Stephen Tall ++BREAKING: Lynne Featherstone to replace Norman Baker at Home Office, Lindsay Northover to go to DFID (!5 comments) by Caron Lindsay Champagne ...
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What are the differences between our two left of centre political parties? The Telegraph has a stab ...
Well it is a stab but it is far from the whole story. What really differentiates the Lib Dems from Labour is where power should be exercised in our political system. Labour is by its very nature a party that pulls power and control towards the centre whereas the Lib Dems are by their very nature a party that wants to give power to individuals and communities to decide their own destiny. This is the fundamental issue of socialism V liberalism and whilst Labour can hardly claim to be a socialist party these days (although many of their members ...
This year the on-line Resident Survey has proved more popular than ever! Hundreds of people in Peterborough have filled it in and the securely kept responses are helping the Peterborough Liberal Democrat Executive, our councillors on Peterborough City Council and myself, get a better understanding of what people think is important by each area in [...]
[IMG: sundaypaps] A little later today, but here is what I've found interesting from today's newspapers: First of all, infighting in the Labour Party surely can't count as news as it's its default state in that organisation. It strikes me that Norman Baker's resignation, while highlighting the massive difference between the two governing parties in the Coalition, was at least couched in dignified and respectful language. The previous government operated in an environment of toxic dysfunctionality. This one has its moments but never comes close to that pure poison. Anyway, the Observer reports on poor Ed Miliband's latest woes. For ...
New from the Deputy Prime Minister's office, weighing in at just under seven hours but with Nick Clegg's speech near the start:
A.E. Housman published his cycle of poems A Shropshire Lad in 1896 at his own expense after it was turned down by several publishers. As Wikipedia says: At first the book sold slowly, but during the Second Boer War (1899-1902), Housman's nostalgic depiction of rural life and young men's early deaths struck a chord with English readers and the book became a best-seller.Reading them today, you get an eerie feeling that Housman foresaw the First World War. And the modern reader, you suspect, is more likely to detect the homoerotic undertones than were Housman's contemporaries. The poems were set by ...
In her capacity as Chair of the House of Lords European Union Sub-Committee D, Ros has been dealing with the aftermath of the publication of her Committee's report on Food Waste. There have been meetings and conferences, invitations to accept, speeches to make and even a little media coverage. However, the wheels of the House of Lords do turn rather slowly, and despite the fact that the report was published on 6 April, an opportunity to debate it before the House only arose on Thursday evening. Naturally, Ros opened the debate... Baroness Scott of Needham Market (LD): My Lords, the ...
[IMG: Poppies through Bridge] Last Monday I was down in London for a meeting and had an hour spare to nip down to the Tower of London to see the poppy installation where 888,246 ceramic poppies have been laid out in an act of remembrance for all those who died in the First World War. I found it incredibly moving. The atmosphere was one of humble quiet reflection. You know when you normally go to things, people can be pushing and shoving and trying to get the best view. Actually, here, everyone was respectful, giving each other space, despite the ...
I am indebted to today's Observer which has run an in-depth interview with Korwin-Mikke, whose far-right Polish party UKIP are now allied with in the European Parliament. It is a party that France's far-right Front National, led by Marine Le Pen, has decided is too extreme for an alliance. The interview does us all a service by highlighting the sort of policies and views UKIP are prepared to harness themselves to, and in doing so reveals the true nature of Nigel Farage's party. Here are some extracts: Korwin-Mikke has the potential to be an embarrassing ally. For instance, he thinks ...
The Independent of Sunday has released it's annual list celebrating LGBT achievement, rebranded this year as the Rainbow List. Labour Lord Michael Cashman leads list of LGBT achievement Partnerships, national treasures, straight allies and ones to watch also celebrated The Independent on Sunday has released the 2014 Rainbow List, it's annual celebration of LGBT achievement. [...]
[IMG: 1280px-Child_scribble_age_1y10m] PREFACE: Although I'm slightly loathe to do this, I feel for many reasons the need to disclose that what you are about to read is complete fiction. Have fun. After I walked out of my job at the meat packing plant following the Snowback incident, I spent most of my unemployed afternoons huddled in my apartmet with Todd. One particular Saturday, we were just hanging around doing nothing whatsoever, as had become the norm, and I decided I'd had enough stewing. "Man, let's go out and do something for a change." "There's nothing to do." Todd had a ...
As part of this year's centenary to mark the outbreak of World War One, hundreds of thousands of ceramic poppies now surround the Tower of London. It is an incredible sight, with each poppy planted to represent a British soldier who lost their life during this conflict. These poppies, alongside those we wear every November, are there to remind us of the sacrifices our Armed Forces - both past and present - make to serve their country. The job they do is dangerous and demanding, with months spent away from their family and friends. But the courage, loyalty and enduring ...
I get grumpy about Russell Brand (again) You can generally spot when someone has written something in a hurry and in a bad mood. I first noticed this while doing political campaign. If you put out an attack leaflet then quite often you'd see the other party start delivering a response with great haste. Almost [...]
Devo Manc is being presented as Devolution by its apologists but it's actually massively centralising (tags: ) Tax Research UK » The personal tax statement George Osborne doesn't want you to see (tags: ) Some doctors seem to think the answer is "More ignorance" (tags: ) Fight like a girl (tags: ) I'm Terrified of My New TV: Why I'm Scared to Turn This Thing On — And You'd Be, Too (tags: ) Ten Easy Ways to help stop climate change (tags: ) City Of London Police Fail And Censor Their Way To A Lot More UK Taxpayer Money (tags: ...
#480877963 / gettyimages.com The Guardian reports: Vince Cable is announcing £67m of funding to support British inventors who want to turn their ideas into commercial products. The business secretary is pledging £50m to seven new areas of technology where the government thinks Britain could take a leading role, such as the 3D printing of human organs. The government will also unveil £17m of funding for up to 210 industrial PhDs, that it hopes will forge closer ties between business and academia. Excellent.
[IMG: Labour annual conference 2014] Four thoughts come to mind: Can you trust any 'new leader' polling? So, we now have polling that shows that having Johnson, Umunna or Burnham would give Labour a bigger lead in the polls right now. Anthony Wells often counsels against putting too much faith in any 'how would you vote if..' polls, and I think that is the case here. Voters may well take a 'grass is always greener' approach to any suggestion of change, but no one has any idea just how people will react should the Labour leadership change. When people have ...
This week Nick Clegg talked to Cosmopolitan magazine, answering questions put to him by students. He tackled the tuition fees issue head on: I definitely felt that it was right to apologise for making a promise I couldn't keep. At the end of the day, I lead the smaller party in a coalition with the Conservatives - who wanted to raise fees - at a time when there's no money around and everyone has had to make sacrifices. What I made sure of, however, is that the new system wouldn't price anyone out of university - and it hasn't. There ...
Friends of Riverside Nature Park is organising a tree planting event on Sunday 30th November from 1pm to 3pm. The Friends would like as many volunteers as possible to help with this. If you are interested please contact Janice Coates at jcdundee@virginmedia.com.
Another posting on my 2014 theme of war memorials as it's 100 years since the start of WW1. This one comes courtesy of ace Lydiate photographer Keith Page. This quite modern and striking memorial actually covers both world wars:- [IMG: rsz_war_memorial_townley_hall_burnley]
Consultations and plans for health services (Future Fit) are at the top of the agenda for the next meeting of the Ludlow and Clee Area Local Joint Committee (LJC) on Thursday 13 November. There will also be an opportunity for residents to engage with councillors and the police. Everyone is welcome. LJC chairman Richard Huffer [...]
Members of Cardiff Central Liberal Democrats have selected Eluned Parrott AM as their candidate for the 2016 Welsh Assembly elections. Eluned was elected as the Welsh Liberal Democrat AM for South Wales Central in 2011, and since her election she has served as her party's Shadow Minister for the Economy, Business, Transport and Europe. In her first year as an Assembly Member she won the ITV Wales Politician of the Year 'One to Watch' award. She is recognised for her work on a number of issues as an Assembly Member, and was widely praised for speaking candidly about her own ...
I've decided to take a look at Batman in films and TV over the decades. I've no idea how successful I'll be at keeping up with this, as not all my projects tend to hold my attention, but while this one does I'll be posting the essays to my Patreon every week (or as close [...]
With track laying now reaching the actual Scottish Borders I stumbled across this progress video. Hopefully the promised David Steel interview will be available soon.
