Lib Dems Believe Wordle 42 Freedom - Opportunity for Everyone A special one that's almost as animated as Nick was tonight!
I am a proud member of Liberal Democrats for Seekers of Sanctuary because it is a group that brings together a moral dimension that understands that asylum seekers are humans, unlike the Tory and Labour party, and combines this morality with the best of Liberalism. We understand the plight of boat people and asylum seekers and the Committee Members work very hard to get the message out. Please see below for the latest LDOSS news and information and please do whatever you can to help either through your campaigning or by asking the candidates of other parties what they are ...
I have just received this message today from Anna Graham of Highways England (formerly Highways Agency) "I am writing to provide an update on the resurfacing works between Junctions 33 (Copdock) and 31 (East Bergholt). We have so far laid 11,227 tonnes of surfacing material. The areas of safety barrier and drainage identified for renewal are 78% and 90% complete respectively. We continue to be on course to complete the works by the end of May, subject to weather conditions. We are due to switch the contraflow which will involve a full northbound overnight closure on 5 May and an ...
The second general election of 1974 took place on 10 October. That day a special episode of The Clangers, which saw them trying an election of their own and not much liking it, was broadcast that evening. I do not know if it was shown after the polls closed, but in an interview Oliver Postgate said it was not shown at the usual time for children's programmes. Vote for Froglet has long been thought lost, but the good news is you can watch the whole thing on the British Film Institute website.
Open day at Baxter Park & Brookside Tennis Club, Saturday 9th May 2015, 2-5pm on Highcrest Avenue, SK8 4HD.
As concisely put by the SNP's Deputy Chief Executive: So Labour would rather let the Tories in to No. 10 than speak to the @theSNP. Wow! — S-A Somerville (@S_A_Somerville) April 30, 2015
Thu 30th
20:52
@jennirsl is unhappy about the lack of women in politics. She's not necessarily right about the caus...
In this morning's Times, Jenni Russell writes interestingly about the lack of women in modern politics. And, naturally, she is critical of political parties for their lack of progress in this aspect of candidate selection. Apparently, women are less likely to be approved and less likely to be selected when they do compete. I can't speak for the other political parties but, unlike Jenni, I do know how my own party's processes work and, I have to tell her, as far as the Liberal Democrats are concerned, it isn't about approval or selection, it's in some ways worse (or at ...
There is something of an oddity in the debate over the nature of the problems facing the UK housing system, and therefore by implication where the focus of policy attention is best directed. I've remarked on it before but it struck me forcefully this week when reading Christian Hilber's new briefing, prepared with the aim of informing the election debate, UK housing and planning policies: the evidence from economic research. This was reinforced by Andrew Lilico's contrarian post at CapX yesterday, which argues that there is no housing crisis and never was one. I don't agree with Lilico's overarching argument, ...
You may remember actor and presenter Ross Kemp as one of the Mitchell bruvvers in East Enders and latterly what I take to be infotainment programme's on satellite TV about "gangs" "war" and other such testosterone fueled malarkey, anyway luckily for the Scobie fighting for Saff Fannit, it turns out that the TV celebrity happens to be a life long labour bod, who despite having little association with Thanet now wants to get involved. So what's burning up Labour luvvie Ross, seems UKIP have (shock horror), targeted Thanet South as a likely seat for Nigel Farage, I doubt that Ross ...
Muhammad Saeed al-Sahhaf was the Iraqi Minister of Information during the 2003 Gulf War. In Britain He earned the moniker 'Comical Ali' for his wildly optimistic assessment of Saddam Hussein's chances against the invading Western Forces. Recent posts would suggest that Comical Ali has now joined the editorial team of the much loved, although Clegg-leaning, Liberal Democrat Voice. Yesterday I blogged about Nick Clegg's chances in Sheffield Hallam after the latest Ashcroft poll put him behind, the fifth poll to do so. Lib Dem Voice's Caron Lindsay did so this morning, but struck a much more optimistic tone than I: ...
From the Sense About Science website: Making Sense of Crime brings together experts in the causes of crime and measures to reduce it, who share insights from reliable research evidence. This evidence reveals how misleading the political debate on crime is. The guide reviews how the media influences what politicians and the public think about crime, discusses the most reliable ways to judge how much crime is happening, and looks at how some of the common claims about crime and ways to reduces it stack up against research evidence. Making Sense of Crime also analyses some measures to tackle crime ...
Thu 30th
19:10
Manifesto snippets in BSL Part 3: The economy, Disabilty and Deafness and Work and Welfare
The Liberal Democrats have produced a series of 20 videos giving snippets of our manifesto in BSL. We are the first major party to do so. The full list is here. We'll also put them up on here in batches over the next wee while. If you want to see all our posts, just click on the bsl tag at the bottom of this post. In this post, you will find the economy, disability and deafness and work and welfare. Economy – might it be stronger by any chance? Disability and Deafness Work and Welfare
It was good news again at last week's hospital appointment in the haematology clinic. There's no significant difference in my blood tests from two months ago and the consultant wasn't able to find any noticeable change in the size or the extent of my enlarged lymph nodes. In simple terms, that means I have at ... Continue reading »
The Horror Channel goes back to the very beginning of Doctor Who today as it starts showing forty-seven stories across the following months, beginning with the very first. So here are my idiosyncratic picks for the thirteen best stories showing (or just watch the lot, obviously). Horror's now on both Freesat and Freeview, so everyone can watch it. Liberal Democrats: activate your TV recording devices of choice and bookmark this article as number 337 of things to catch up with post-election. Active members of other parties: sit down, put your feet up, watch Doctor Who and argue with my tendentious ...
Thu 30th
18:18
Labour Parliamentary candidate convicted of fraud: "I was completely irresponsible by choosing to ru...
Richard Garvie, Labour Parliamentary candidate for Wellingborough has been convicted of fraud: The Labour Party's Wellingborough and Rushden Parliamentary candidate has been found guilty of fraud after buying train tickets worth almost £900 using a card for a closed bank account. Richard Garvie, 30, of Rowlett Road, Corby, who denied the charges, said he "intentionally" ran up the debt because, although he knew he did not have sufficient money in the account to pay for the 17 different transactions, he believed his bank would honour the payments... "I used the account and intentionally ran up the debt with the bank ...
65% of public are satisfied with the NHS, new British Social Attitudes survey finds pic.twitter.com/Q3jo6W3OcI — NatCen (@NatCen) January 29, 2015
According to the Betfair odds quoted by the Telegraph, here are the odds on the next Government's combination of parties: They, surprisingly, have given a 61% chance of a single party Government, perhaps since it is possible the Lib Dems won't win enough seats to give either party a majority and while the SNP have ruled out working with the Conservatives, Labour have ruled out working with the SNP. UKIP meanwhile look to win fewer than 10 MPs and the Green party has already ruled out joining any coalition Government. 'Any other combination' includes UKIP, the Northern Irish parties, the ...
The Liberal Democrats exist to build and safeguard a fair, free and open society, in which we seek to balance the fundamental values of liberty, equality and community, and in which no one shall be enslaved by poverty, ignorance or conformity. We champion the freedom, dignity and well-being of individuals, we acknowledge and respect their right to freedom of conscience and their right to develop their talents to the full. We aim to disperse power, to foster diversity and to nurture creativity. We believe that the role of the state is to enable all citizens to attain these ideals, to ...
In my first piece about what happens after May 7th I worked on the basis that the result would be around Con 275, Lab 275, LD 35, SNP 40, UKIP 5, Green 2, Speaker 1, all the Northern Irish 17 (of which the present numbers are DUP 8, SF 5, SDLP 3, All 1). Since then the numbers predicted by the polls have wobbled a bit around these numbers but the only consistent change has been to push up the SNP to perhaps 50 seats. And given the lack of a "late swing" of any size the LD number may ...
You know how families sit round the dinner table discussing the election and who they might vote for. Well, this is the 21st century equivalent. Today Hugh Grant sent this tweet: Dear People of Inverness (incl my friends and relations), I know Danny Alexander and think you're very lucky to have him. Just an opinion. X — Hugh Grant (@HackedOffHugh) April 30, 2015 It's a great pity he hasn't been living in Inverness, because he certainly wouldn't have this problem: Election day looms and I've not had a single leaflet. No idea who any of the candidates are. Democracy in ...
Thu 30th
16:25Extra help for the children who need it most: just one of the Lib Dem achievements in the last five ...
[IMG: Lib Dem achievements in government - 5. Pupil premium] For more, see the full infographic: What have the Liberal Democrats achieved in government? [IMG: Share on Facebook] [IMG: Share on Twitter] Show support for Lib Dems on social media The Liberal Democrats have achieved so much in the last five years. Now help the party achieve even more in the next five years: Sign up to this Thunderclap to share a message on the eve of poll about voting Liberal Democrat Sign up to this Facebook event to show that you're voting Liberal Democrat
www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2015-32526461 Danny Alexander, effectively Mr Osborne's deputy in coalition, said he was "lifting the lid" on Tory plans which included limiting child benefit and tax credits to two children. He claimed his party blocked the move, which he said was worth £8bn. But Mr Osborne said the claims were three years old, and never policy. So it did happen, it was 3 years ago but if never actually became policy because the Lib Dems effectively blocked it. Note no denial of the pertinent facts here. Sadly the BBC headline is rather misleading or potentially biased in Osborne's favour.
It's starting to feel like this election campaign began before the Duchess of Cambridge was pregnant. Indeed, I'm not quite sure there was a Duchess of Cambridge, a House of Windsor or even a single monarchy back when it began. But no, it wasn't in the days of the Heptarchy it began, just at the end of March and now we're over a month later and still things feel as though nothing has changed in all that time, and we're in stuck in an endless election loop. This time next week, though, the polling stations will be open and votes ...
Thu 30th
14:06Manifesto snippets in BSL Part 2: Health, tax and Greg Judge's message on what the Lib Dems stand fo...
The Liberal Democrats have produced a series of 20 videos giving snippets of our manifesto in BSL. We are the first major party to do so. The full list is here. We'll also put them up on here in batches over the next wee while. If you want to see all our posts, just click on the bsl tag at the bottom of this post. In this post, you will find health, tax and a very special message. Health Tax So that's what Greg was up to A couple of weeks ago, my friend and Coventry Lib Dem candidate Greg ...
The Queen Mother used Buckingham Palace rats for target practice during World War II so that she could protect her family in the event of Nazis storming the palace. Source: Queen Mother used rats for target practice in case of Nazi kidnap
The newly refurbished Witches Hat playground will be officially opened at 4 pm tomorrow. All young people welcome! The new mini skate will open the following week on Friday 8th May, and there will be a free onsite workshop event on Sunday 10th May from 10.00am to 4.00pm.
It is fair to say that things are heating up between the Liberal Democrats and the Tories if today's news is anything to go by. The Welsh Liberal Democrats have just issued a press release lifting the lid on a secret plan by George Osborne in 2014 to revive his proposal for regional pay, even after we had already ruled it out. They say that in late 2014 the Chancellor tried to revive the policy by asking officials to prepare a report on a "public sector pay premium", which is a back door way to justify regional pay. The Chief ...
Thu 30th
12:25MINI-VIDEO: Nick Clegg visits Jane Dodds in Wales, campaigning for better care for older people
[IMG: Toys debate politics] Pity, poor Tristram Hunt. On the campaign trail the other day he made the classic mistake of asking a young child how he was going to vote. Child: "UKIP" Hunt: "Oh why is that then? Child: "Because they'll get all the foreigners out of the country" To adapt the old adage: Never do politics with children and animals! For a candidate kids are a minefield but as a parent I've been struck by how interested my kids (one pre- teen and one mid primary) have been in this their "first" General Election. They even staged their ...
Yesterday, six monthly scan to check EVAR (endovascular aneurysm repair), see Friday July 16, 2010. Its an artificial plastic aorta, and its working OK. We had a discussion with the consultant about the blockages in both femoral arteries and he agreed to have them scanned with a view to possible angioplasties. I don't think Professor M will approve.
Thu 30th
10:25UPDATE: Police investigate after a Conservative unwisely tweets about giving free drinks to voters
A Conservative agent tweets about his candidate handing out free drinks to voters in Feltham and Heston. Cough, treating, cough. Good to see @SimonNayyar handing out the smoothies in #Feltham this morning @Conservatives #Simon2Win pic.twitter.com/t1hC1xk5dw — Darren MacKie (@darrenwmackie) April 28, 2015 UPDATE: The tweet has now been deleted, so here's a screenshot of it. I understand the police are now looking into the matter. [IMG: Tories treating tweet from https://twitter.com/darrenwmackie/status/592943598863286272]
It isn't an uncommon experience during the election to stare open-mouthed, night after night, at the television - staggered that nobody else seems to see things the way you do. That is partly a sign of mild instability, of course. But it may also be a ubiquitous experience for sane people as well. It is an odd election, after all. And I'll tell you what the oddest element is for me. It is the apparently universal opinion, in the commentariat, that Ed Miliband is having a good campaign. I'm aware, of course, that expectations were low. I'm aware that most ...
14 Photos Of British Politicians Immeasurably Improved By "Game Of Thrones" Quotes (tags: ) UKIP wants to create 'conscience' law for Christians who oppose gay equality (tags: ) Meanwhile, the one thing I DO agree with UKIP on - well said @rastrickcrusade (tags: ) Historic pub bulldozed by developers must be rebuilt brick by brick - bet that pleases @DannyJohnJules (tags: ) Buy the G&T Garnish Wheel on Gin Foundry's Ginporium - this is an excellent idea (tags: ) If Politicians Were Honest On The Internet - genuine LOLs at a couple of these. (tags: ) Wipe Out Transphobia are ...
Come and meet your local Neighbourhood Policing Team at their convenient Local Beat Surgeries. You can talk to them about any issues or concerns and get crime prevention advice. Ridgewood Community Centre, Station Road, Yate Tues 5th May 2015 10-11am Tues 2nd June 2015 10-11am Weds 24th June 2015 10-11am Tues 14th July 2015 10-11am Thurs 13th August 2015 10-11am Weds 9th Sept 2015 10-11am Corinne's café, Abbotswood, Yate Weds 6th May 2015 10-11am Weds 3rd June 2015 2-3pm Tues 23rd June 2015 10-11am Weds 15th July 2015 10-11am Tues 4th August 2015 2-3pm Weds 2nd Sept 2015 2-3pm Tues ...
Cool new apps aside, good old email remains, as any digital strategist will attest, the primary way of soliciting donations and "activating" a candidate's supporters. Source: Rand Paul's Internet Army – Tom Bartlett – POLITICO Magazine
The 1992 scenario, which many of you will already have heard of, goes like this: Labour are ahead in the polls, slightly. The right-wing press have thrown everything at them, but still the Tories cannot get a lead. A Labour government looms. Until polling day comes and, low and behold, the Tories have somehow ended up with a narrow majority. A bunch of "silent Tories" backed them at the last minute. Several things to say about this: part of the reason that the polls in 1992 had Labour ahead up until the very day was because of a methodological flaw ...
Decisions, decisions. Should I vote on my ballot paper using a normal cross? Or should I break out my election law books and work out hardest adjudication test possible over whether something is a spoilt vote to set the Returning Officer? Tempting, very tempting... but my lips are sealed on what I decided. [IMG: Posting my ballot paper, 2015 general election]
Thu 30th
08:54IDS was talking openly about restricting Child Benefit to two children, so how can the Conservatives...
Danny Alexander has claimed that the Tories would meet their target of cutting £12 billion to the welfare budget by making massive cuts to Child Benefit, means testing, limiting it to two children, abolishing the increased payment for the first child and removing it for 16-19 year olds. He told the Guardian that they had suggested these things back in 2012 and the Liberal Democrats had put a stop to them: The Conservatives have been under sustained pressure to detail how they will cut £12bn from the welfare budget by 2017-2018, and the Institute for Fiscal Studies thinktank confirmed this ...
Network Rail's Community Relations Manager, Scotland has recently advised me : "As part of the major refurbishment of the Tay (Rail) Bridge, our contractors are working over the estuary at present. They did not anticipate the noise being heard by residents at that side of the bridge (but) we arranged for letters to be dropped. When we carry out work, notification letters are delivered to residents living within 100m of the worksite and a copy is sent to the relevant Environmental Health Officer in the council." The letter referred to, delivered in the Roseangle area, reads as follows : "IMPROVEMENT ...
Scientists have found that breathing in polluted air in cities could raise the risk of dementia and stroke in middle age. The study, published in the journal Stroke, found that levels of fine particles commonly found in urban areas were associated with smaller brain structures and of covert brain infarcts — a type of "silent" stroke caused by a blockage in the blood vessels that supply the brain. The Times newspaper covered this story Pollution is a subject often comment upon via this blog site and here is another connection between airborne pollution in our cities and associated health risks. ...
The Tories have famously promised to cut £12 billion from the benefits bill but won't give any clues as to where the money's coming from. Now the Lib Dems have revealed plans to slash child benefit and child tax credit the Tories proposed in 2012. They were blocked by the Lib Dems. [IMG: Mark Hunter and the Lib Dems blocked Tory plans to slash child benefit and child tax credit.] Mark Hunter and the Lib Dems blocked Tory plans to slash child benefit and child tax credit. As the Guardian reports, the proposed cuts included: Limiting support to 2 children ...
