Abkhazia is, I suspect, a name most Europeans half remember half forget: a breakaway region of Georgia tat has been effectively annexed by Russia, with the consent of a significant proportion of the local populations; it has for years been a favourite holiday destination for Russians from Moscow and St Petersburg who want to enjoy [...]
Last September, the ITV Broadchurch team were filming around Bracknell, including at John Nike Leisuresport – which just happens to be where my gym is. In this week's episode of Broadchurch, the subway under John Nike Leisuresport was shown as a car wash. You can see the full episode on ITV Player here. Below are a couple of snapshots from the scene, and, at the bottom, the subway as it was today: [IMG: john nike broadchurch] [IMG: john nike broadchurch2] [IMG: john nike1]
[This post is the original version of a text that first appeared in issue 370 of Liberator magazine (February 2015), under the title "Sustained by useful idiots"] [IMG: 4604466137_65e4ae185d_n] As we approach the last few weeks of this Parliament it is almost inevitable that our thoughts turn to evaluating the Coalition Government as a whole, the role of the Liberal Democrats within it, and the implications for the party of participating in a Westminster government for the first time in many decades. But this is by no means a trivial task. Not least because the answers depend on the angle ...
"At its best liberalism means the defence of the weak and the promotion of universal human dignity. At its worst it can be camouflage for avoiding difficult choices. In the face of the lethal threat posed by Mr Putin, please let it be the former." Wise words from Matthew Green. Frankie Boyle offers unexpectedly wise words too: "We have given taking offence a social status it doesn't deserve: it's not much more than a way of avoiding difficult conversations." It doesn't take a genius to realise that Christian Grey is a domestic abuser, says Beth Penny. Musings of a Young ...
Wed 18th
21:55
Admitted: security agencies have been illegally intercepting privileged material for years
[IMG: GCHQ] Amnesty International reports: Responding to the government's unprecedented admission today that its current policies and procedures for the handling of legally privileged material are unlawful, Amnesty International said the government had been caught red-handed... The historic concession comes within weeks of a ruling, on Friday 6 February at the same court when Amnesty International and others won another historic victory when the same Tribunal rules that the USA and the UK's intelligence sharing of communications surveillance had previously violated human rights law. Today's concession means that all the actions of the security services in obtaining and using legally ...
Liberal Democrats are building a stronger economy and a fairer society. One of our priorities for the next five years is balancing the books fairly and investing in public services, creating prosperity for everyone. By finishing the job in 2017/18, Liberal Democrats are showing that there is light at the end of the tunnel. We are the only party who can commit to investing in public services in the next parliament, while also getting the public finances back under control. After 2017/18, our new fiscal rules will ensure that debt continues to fall as a share of the economy while ...
Lord Bonkers continues his seat-by-seat discussion of Liberal Democrat prospects at the next general election. Sheffield Hallam We can, I trust, also be confident that our leader will retain his seat. Some reason that he has upset the student vote because, after waving that wretched pledge of his at everybody last time round, he stung them for a small fortune when he got the first whiff of power. However, given that the polls closed as early as 10pm, one has to question how many students actually made it into the booth to vote for him last time. Besides, Clegg has ...
If you were taking on a sitting MP who is a barrister specialising in libel, you would be especially careful over what you said about him, wouldn't you? Not if you were a Ukip candidate, it seems. Over to the Leicester Mercury: A UKIP General Election candidate has agreed to pay £1,000 to charity after making false accusations against Harborough MP Sir Edward Garnier QC. Clive Langley alleged in a tweet that the former Solicitor General and prominent libel lawyer had made an improper claim for a "very expensive desk". In a second tweet he alleged that Sir Edward may ...
Today the Medway Labour twitter feed posted the following tweet and graph. Economic recovery for whom? No. of people on dole in Medway rises 153. Largest rise in Kent >> http://t.co/xZUvtRdkx7 pic.twitter.com/qW8xq5I7IJ — Medway Labour (@MedwayLabour) February 18, 2015 Now I'm not an economist, nor am I a mathematical whizz especially as it took me 3 attempts to get a C at GCSE having wracked up two Ds on the higher paper. One thing I did learn was graphs, in fact I love graphs and they can be used to show anything without resorting to dull tables. What I see ...
Controversial plans to build 670 houses on Green Belt land around Churchtown have been forced through by the Labour majority on Sefton Council. Sefton's draft Local Plan was approved by the Council despite opposition from community groups and the Lib Dem, Conservative and Independent councillors. Only the Labour councillors voted for the Plan. Public Inquiry All is not lost though. The Local Plan will now be subject to a Public Inquiry later this year, where councillors and members of the public can put forward their objections.
Labour-run Sefton Council is determined to ruin Botanic Gardens, which is known as 'The Jewel in Southport's Crown'. The Council want to cut the three remaining plant nursery staff, close the plant shop, and 'outsource' the fernery and aviary. A petition opposing the cuts, with over 4,800 names, was presented to the January meeting of the Council by pupils from Churchtown School. Councillor Nigel Ashton spoke in support of the petition, saying "Although Botanic Gardens will remain open, the question is what sort of Gardenswill we have, and will they be worth visiting?" "Botanic Gardens is a major tourist attraction", ...
[IMG: image] Some good news to report: Amazon TV's pilot of The Man In The High Castle has been commissioned for a full series. It's rather unsurprising news, as reviews for the pilot were almost universally positive, but still good to hear. I reviewed the pilot when it was broadcast and look forward to seeing the series. No announcement yet on when it will be broadcast, but I'm hoping to see it appear before the end of the year.
Last night we held a pancake cafe in Marley Hill Community Centre. It was one of a number of events we are organising to make fuller use of the building. We held a similar event there last year which was modestly successful. Last night, we were run off our feet for 3 solid hours. The main hall was full of kids using the play equipment. The bar was opened up (we have a new license) but when all
On Monday night I attended a residents meeting in Crymyln Burrows, just off Fabian Way and opposite the new university campus. It reaffirmed to me the appalling lack of consideration by Neath Port Talbot Council and Swansea University towards this small community due to their failure to consult residents before authorising four weeks of overnight resurfacing work on Fabian Way, just yards from people's homes. The work is the final stage of an 18 month programme of works on Fabian Way, the main route to Swansea, to build Swansea University's second campus and create a new entrance for it. It ...
[IMG: Albert Square, Manchester] There's a revealing snippet in The Guardian's detailed look at how the recent agreement on major devolution in Manchester came to be. Part way through the process, George Osborne made a major speech setting out his willingness to back devolution. Here's what happened next: When Labour HQ called its Manchester leader, Richard Leese, and asked him to bad-mouth Osborne's speech, he is said to have told them to get lost, with an expletive. Good for Richard Leese, but also a striking example of how little backing there is for devolution in much of Labour's Westminster operation ...
International Chittagong Hill Tracts Commission concerned about the discriminatory and unconstitutional directives towards indigenous peoples: urges for immediate cancellation 15 February, 2015, Dhaka: The International Chittagong Hill Tracts Commission (CHTC) is deeply concerned about a Home Ministry memorandum of January 22, 2015 (44. 00. 0000. 09. 11. 001.13-15 dated:22/01/2015) imposing restrictions on foreigners' visit to the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT), requiring all national-international individuals and organizations' interaction with the indigenous peoples to be supervised by members of local administration and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) or the military, ordering the CHTC to remove the "Commission" part of their name, making check-posts ...
Meols Ward Lib Dem Councillors John Dodd, Nigel Ashton and Jo Barton are holding their next advice centre in Churchtown. We will be at Cafe Moo Moo on Cambridge Road (by the junction with Preston New Road, next to Boots) from 10:30 to 11:30 am on Thursday 26th February. We will be there to meet you and discuss any Council problems you may have. No appointment necessary. Just pop in. We also hold a monthly advice centre in Crossens, at St John's School, Rufford Road, Crossens every month (except August) on the second Saturday of the month from 11:00 am ...
Awful Christian movies, how Putin sees America and AOL's answer to Nathan Barley. I read a lot of stuff in a given week that's worth sharing but for one reason or another I don't write a post about. I'd previously tried telling people about them by tweeting links to them but I'm now convinced hardly [...]
Wed 18th
15:34
Contains a new version of the 'serenity prayer' - what could possibly go wrong, when I rewrite such ...
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Week Two Radical Acceptance & Remain Non-Judgemental.Dehumanising Emotions. I struggle with the complexities of life: how to deal with relationships and the emotions that affects friendships. I struggle to contain my opinions on whether I acknowledge, accept, or even like someone: to the utter loathing and contempt, I can show to others. These issues are just a mere scratch to the skin of the festering wound of pain I suffer. I talk of the physical pain that the tinnitus produces to my head; the migraines, the physical sickness when I hear certain pitches, the exhaustion after a long bout of ...
[IMG: call clegg] Praise for Nick Clegg and his Call Clegg show is found in Gillian Reynolds' radio review column in the Telegraph today: Call Clegg, the weekly live phone-in on LBC hosted by Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg but steered by Nick Ferrari, was a novelty when it started two years ago but has achieved unexpected wonders. It's allowed a sliver of regular direct access to a politician in a position of power. (Not much power, you might say, but, admit it, more access than anyone else in this situation would allow.) It has, therefore, made Clegg seem more ...
It was good to meet the UWE students who joined volunteers from Abbotswood Action Group and Jacobs Well on Monday working on smartening up the shopping precinct and the car park. The students are taking part in the WOW project - Widening Occupation Weeks - which gives Occupational Therapy students 'hands on' experience of engaging in and with the community through the local voluntary sector. Well done to all involved!
Volunteers dedicated to supporting disabled athletes in St Albans can take part in essential training, thanks to a local county councillor. Cllr Chris White (St Albans Central) has allocated £395 from his locality budget to Special Olympics St Albans. Special Olympics St Albans is a local charity providing sporting opportunities for people with learning disabilities. [...]
[IMG: Jenny Willott, Ruth and Orla Bright, 2004] The Liberal Democrats of course have a dismal record electing women, particularly women with young children. We have, therefore, to be truly thankful to Jenny Willott (and her family) for salvaging our reputation in a single television programme. Last night on Michael Cockerell's "Inside the Commons" we saw her juggling work and motherhood in a way that has rarely been portrayed so honestly. Seeing her collect her son from the House of Commons nursery (and then having to leave him on the lap of a colleague while rushing to an unexpected vote) ...
If you live near the former Rodford School site, your local landscape has changed. Many of the trees on the site have now been cut down to clear it for the housing development. The developers were given permission for this even though some of the trees had Tree Preservation Orders - many of the trees and hedges were there since before the estate was built. All our local councillors voted to retain the trees with TPOs, but they were outvoted by the Tory and Labour councillors who don't even live around here. Edit 18/02/2015, as suggested by a knowledgeable reader: ...
Mr Fruit explained how to prune fruit trees to get the best shape in the future Mr Fruit checking up on some of the pruning carried out by the volunteers Wapley Bushes Conservation Group were very pleased by the turnout for their Fruit Tree Pruning Workshop at Wapley on 15 February. Twenty people attended, representing eight environmental groups from across South Gloucestershire and a number of private landowners, The workshop was run by "Mr Fruit" Graham White who has advised the Conservation Group and Dodington Parish Council ever since they planted the "Orchard For The Future" on Wapley Common in ...
With just eleven weeks to go until polling day it's important that we all use our limited time as effectively as possible. Here are five things we can all do during the rest of February that will make your campaign in March and April that much more effective. Sort out your candidates It's only seven weeks to the nominations deadline - not long to identify as many candidates as possible for the local elections. Running as full a slate of candidates as possible is very important to our credibility both locally and nationally. Have you got your list of candidates, ...
Wed 18th
11:45
Guardian's coverage of Liberal Democrat General Election campaign accentuates the negative
So what does the Guardian do to cheer itself up when a poll has shown Labour support is falling? Ah yes, they just write about how rubbish life is for the Liberal Democrats. Words like perilous, doom and resigned are peppered through the piece. I'm not suggesting that our prospects are the best they've ever been, but so much of what's written about us is not so much "glass half empty" but "no liquid anywhere near the glass." I'd like to think that when Patrick Wintour and Nick Watt were doing their research for this, they were shown the vibrant ...
Wed 18th
11:13Not one to agree with Peter Obourne usually, but I have to applaud his principle in resigning from t...
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As the latest 4G mobile phone systems are rolled out across our area, some Freeview viewers may experience interference. There's an easy and FREE answer to this. The mobile operators have set up an organisation called at800 (website link here) who can advise, send specialists to deal with the problem, or post you a free filter to fit yourself. Houses that may be affected should receive a postcard from at800 explaining these free services. Even if you haven't had a postcard, you can contact at800 if you've recently started getting interference. Here's a useful short video to explain this:
Wed 18th
10:15Opinion: Tory plans to curb benefits for obese people and addicts is the opposite of enabling people...
If there's one thing I've learned through charity work, in two different countries, it's that imposing your moral code on other people simply does not work. Sometimes, people are going to do things that seem wrong, or misguided, or utterly reckless, to us. When they do, it's our role not to judge them for it, but to give them the information they need to make their own informed choices. That's why I was so annoyed this week just past. In Spain, a colleague of mine told me that the media had whipped up frenzy around our organisation teaching young people ...
A very common subject which residents raise with me is around access to GPs. I know that a lot of people have experienced problems getting an appointment at their GPs. IN particular it can be a problem getting the appointment at the GP that 'works for you' – e.g. at a time that suits your life or with a particular GP (e.g. 'your own' GP). Last week there was a special meeting of Bury Council's Health Scrutiny Committee, on which I represent you, to look at this issue. The meeting saw a presentation on the work of the Bury GP ...
Minister of State for Care and Support Norman Lamb met local councillors at Yate's West Gate Minor Injuries Unit recently. Norman is a keen supporter of health integration, advocating a single service rather than separate health and care services. Local councillors told him that they were pleased with the new facility but felt it could be better used. Examples given included opening weekend afternoons to cater for sporting injuries, and providing a dressing changing service when local doctors' surgeries aren't open. Norman then went on to Yate Library to hear about the Memory Café run by the Alzheimers Society. Please ...
Having detailed what I felt were the five worst songs ever recorded, I felt it was beholden on me to weigh in on the five worst pieces of cinema ever unleashed. I've sat through a lot of bad films in my life, both intentionally and unintentionally. In other words, there are lots of movies I've watched where going in I was in full knowledge of how terrible it almost certainly was going to be and that was part of the appeal; and many where the badness sucker punched me. This is a catalogue of those feature length films I have ...
People's fantasy jobs are interesting - the 31% who want to be an MP clearly have no idea what it entails (tags: ) Most loved brands list actually more depressing than most hated IMHO (tags: ) Because sometimes supporting Robin Thicke over Marvin Gaye is the right thing to do. No, really. (tags: ) Do I really have to say why workfare is wrong? (tags: ) Most Lib Dem Article of the day award goes to... (tags: ) No Statistics On Benefit Uptake Published In Five Years, What Have The DWP Got To Hide? (tags: ) Big-brand hard drive firmware ...
I've always admired Peter Oborne, and his article yesterday about his resignation from the Daily Telegraph is powerful and heartening. It is important, and not just for the Telegraph, but it is the allegations that they have suppressed criticism of HSBC in an effort to woo them back as advertisers that are most explosive. It is also an explosive critique of HSBC - and explains, quite rightly, that there would have been more political pressure to deal with this kind of abuse if the Telegraph had not stayed silent. But I just wanted to comment on one part of the ...
A 'Bury Gets Digital' Event takes place at the Longfield on Thursday 26 February, 5pm. This event offers you the opportunity to explore how digital and creative services, including super-fast broadband, can make a profound impact on your business. Further reasons to attend: – Meet exhibitors showcasing an array of digital, technology and creative services offered by businesses across the borough. – Guest speakers will present their unique stories, focusing on the impact technology has had on their business. – An opportunity to network with organisations from across Greater Manchester. – Meet Digital Growth Advisors, from the Business Growth Hub, ...
[IMG: kmb-nickbelfitt2] This weekend, I introduced two new, keen politics students to the art of door-to-door canvassing in Guildford. I wanted to make it clear that most people are pleased to see us on the doorstep, and are polite even if when they're not supportive. In nine years, I've only had two people swear at me. The worst you'll get is generally polite 'not interested'. Showing them our Connect Sheets and the acronyms we use to record voter contact was quite easy – but it's something you have to pick up as you go, otherwise it's just a clipboard of ...
Two new planning applications have been received in Holyrood Ward as below: Application Number: 58414 Registration Date: 06/02/2015 Location: 163 Simister Lane, Prestwich, Manchester, M25 2SF Proposal: Two storey extension at side Application Number: 58399 Registration Date: 05/02/2015 Location: 145A Simister Lane, Prestwich, Manchester, M25 2SF Proposal: Lawful development certificate for proposed use as occupation of a dwelling house of not more than 6 residents living together as a single household where no care is provided Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you require further information or help with this. The details will be on the Council's website here. Tim
A new planning application has been received in Holyrood Ward as below: Application Number: 58394 Registration Date: 05/02/2015 Location: 2 Arundel Avenue, Whitefield, Manchester, M45 6TZ Proposal: First floor extension, rear extension and side extension to form granny flat Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you require further information or help with this. The details will be on the Council's website here. Tim
Just a reminder that the Prestwich Artisan ("Farmers") Martket at the Longfield is THIS Sunday, 22 February (CORRECTED!) 2015, at the Longfield. The market is 9.30am – 2.30pm. Regrettably the website isn't yet giving any more dates for 2015 – more when we have them! [IMG: image001-3]
Residents recently advised about poor state of the north pavement of Perth Road from the so-called "Invergowrie" roundabout (bottom of Ninewells Avenue) eastwards. As one resident said, "Apparently the pavements were taken up recently and they are now worse than before." I reported this to the council's Roads Maintenance Partnership and am pleased to advise that repairs have now already commenced.
The Spectator reports: Harriet Yeo, the former chairman of Labour's National Executive Committee between 2012 and 2013, has quit the party over Ed Miliband's refusal to offer a referendum. Although she hasn't joined Ukip, she will be lending her support to the party at the next election... According to LabourList, she was removed as leader of the Labour group on Ashford Council last week. Following this, Yeo was deselected as a candidate for the local elections and quit the party the next day.
Wed 18th
08:16
Sefton Libraries – With elections coming up its time for Labour-run Sefton to say why they sto...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-31208967 The article above on the BBC web site shows yet again why volunteers in Sefton should have been given the chance to run the libraries that our Labour-run council had decided to close. In the case above – accessible via the link – it is a Tory run Council but interestingly Labour's Shadow Culture Minister Chris Bryant is not condemning them for putting the libraries under the control of volunteers. So opposing volunteers running libraries is clearly not a national Labour policy. [IMG: Lib Dems fighting for Sefton's Libraries] Lib Dems fighting for Sefton's Libraries All we really know ...
We should be glad that having decided to emphasise something other than 'Stronger Economy, Fairer Society', the Liberal Democrat message of 'opportunity for everyone' is something clear and distinct that no other leader would ever use... [IMG: blairopportunity] [IMG: John-Major-GQ-17Feb15_pa_b_813x494] (Blair headline here, Major picture from here)
An extraordinary and rather interesting proposal has been put forward for a house on one of the few remaining sites on the Linney. This site overlooks the tennis courts and is so steeply sloping, at first glance it seems impractical to develop. The solution the developers have come with for this awkward site is to [...]
Stunning news hit the blogosphere today. With election day still the best part of three months away, Southend Council have decided to close nominations for one of the wards before the election has officially been called. The quite staggering occurrence has been revealed by the prospective Labour candidate for Blenheim Park in a blog posted entitled, 'BLENHEIM PARK IN 2015 IS A TWO-HORSE RACE: LABOUR OR CONSERVATIVE (seriously change your blog templates so that titles aren't all in capitals), Matthew Dent explains that it is a two-horse race 79 days away from election day. Well The Rambles of Neil Monnery ...
