I may be in Scotland with my NHS well out of the clutches of Jeremy Hunt and the Tories, but I have been very interested in the Twitter phenomenon that has become #IminworkJeremy as NHS staff tweet pictures of themselves ... Continue reading →
Welcome to Broxtowe Enews, brought to you by the Liberal Democrats and edited by David Watts, on behalf of the Lib-Dems in Broxtowe. May I give a special welcome to the new readers that we have this week. Many apologies that there wasn't an edition last week but I was tied up on other things. 1. HS2 Toton has now been confirmed as the station site for HS2 in the East Midlands. I have always believed that this was the correct location and indeed all three parties on the council have supported it. Now that the uncertainty is over all three ...
I had read this many many years ago, on a train from Tuscany to Calais in the days before the Channel Tunnel (either in 1989 or in 1990). Since then I've got much more into modernist literature, which I think meant that I got a lot more out of it. It's still necessary to have some notes to hand to explain just what the heck is going on, and perhaps that's a problem in taking it as a novel rather than a textbook. But I found I enjoyed it more, and I think not only because I am twice as ...
The Loughborough Echo wins Headline of the Day. And who could ask for a better epitaph than the one Pat Moulds receives? "She was lively, outgoing, warm and compassionate."
These are certainly the most spectacular fireworks I have ever seen. Quite awesome. But the sense of community in celebrating the end of the 1576 plague, the life-affirming nature of the event, the spectacular backdrop, all the boats and all the people – it was all quite mind blowing. The video below features the finale, which was utterly stunning.
There is a certain satisfaction, not necessarily smug, among Liberal Democrats that we have got our leadership election over while the Labour Party is still facing a summer of grueling conflict between their various contenders. Actually, there was very little 'conflict' or indeed major difference between Tim Farron and Norman Lamb, despite their varying experience [...]
There's nothing illiberal about being a Christian. Nonetheless, the new Lib Dem leader is still prone to making mistakes where his faith and politics intersect. So here are some hastily thrown together thoughts about the kerfuffle that has emerged following Tim Farron's interview with Channel 4 news. They involve quite a bit of conjecture. I'm [...]
Back in May, I was not alone in castigating Shropshire Council for actions "worthy of a totalitarian state" when it confiscated cameras from members of the public at the beginning of a council meeting. Now it has backed down. The new guidance was issued three days after my colleague, councillor Vivienne Parry submitted a question [...]
Welcome to the Golden Dozen, and our 423rd 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 (12-18 July, 2015), 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. Two Lib Dem gains and a Lib ...
The process by which Lords are created is central to the political system, however the understanding of how this happens is not clear. The key to understanding the creation of Lords is that there are two types of appointments. The first are the political appointments. The second are the cross benchers who are not political. [...]
[IMG: Airmail envelope] In its report on the 2015 general election comes this sensible recommendation – but it's also rather embarrassing that it hasn't already long been the case: [IMG: Postal vote postage recommendation from Electoral Commission] It's also disappointing that the review goes for rather soft pedalling over the death of constituency election expense limits: During our campaign monitoring, we also noted examples of party campaign literature that was targeted at specific constituencies. Campaign material of this type is not a new phenomenon, and reflects how party campaigners can use familiarity with the rules to plan their campaigns effectively. ...
Ed Balls' lunchtime interview on Test Match Special today revealed him as a more appealing personality than he ever appeared as a frontline politician. It also revealed that we have something in common. We were both at the first day of the 1976 Trent Bridge test against the West Indies. Those were the days when a lad could turn up at a test with a reasonable expectation of being able to pay on the gate and get in. I did just this at Edgbaston in 1974 and 1975, but was locked out at Trent Bridge in 1977. I have two ...
A few weeks ago I wrote about why I supported the Lib Dem campaign to give 16-17 year olds the right to vote. And despite only having 8 MPs - the Lib Dems and these campaigns can still make a difference. This week, Lord Tyler (Lib Dem spokesperson in the House of Lords) introduced an amendment to the Government's Cities and Local Government Devolution Bill - which would give 16-17 year olds the right to vote in local elections.
[IMG: Tim Farron on sexuality and equality - Sky News - July 2015]
As the BBC reported: A review of the Freedom of Information Act will be "open-minded", former Home Secretary Jack Straw has said. Mr Straw introduced the act in 2000 but his place on a panel examining its work has been criticised by campaigners. The ex-Labour MP has said inquiries about ministerial communications and the formulation of government policy should not be allowed any more... The Campaign for Freedom of Information ... says the panel does not include any advocates for transparency. It suggests changes will see more requests being refused, resulting in "bad decisions and policy mistakes" concealed. The five-member ...
[IMG: 7 ver 4 full] Many thanks to the 16,700 visitors who dropped by Lib Dem Voice this week. Here's our 7 most-read posts... And the new leader of the Liberal Democrats is... (180 comments) by Caron Lindsay "Soggy Syriza with sandals"? Thanks, Danny, for giving George Osborne another stick to beat us with (45 comments) by Caron Lindsay Channel 4, Cathy Newman, Tim Farron, Sex and Sin (133 comments) by Joe Otten Opinion: The UK is dead, long live the EU (54 comments) by Toby McDonnell Liberal Democrats win three by-elections in Kingston, Wrexham and Battle (26 comments) by ...
A little late in commenting on this, but I was so, so pleased to see the first FGM protection order secured this week. The effect - two girls who the police thought were at risk of being taken to Africa for FGM have had their passports blocked. Here's a quote from DCI Nick Bellingham (Bedfordshire police's public protection unit): "This legislation is a really positive step forward in the fight against this horrific, cruel crime, and we're pleased to have been able to enforce it today by issuing a protection order. "With schools breaking up for the summer holidays today, ...
Today's Independent has the extraordinary story that Labour MPs are plotting to mount a coup against Jeremy Corbyn before Christmas, if he wins the leadership in September. And they have not even issued the ballot papers yet. The paper says that the MP for Islington North has staged a stunning raid on support among constituency labour party organisations in the past week, prompting panic among supporters of the three mainstream candidates, Andy Burnham, Yvette Cooper and Liz Kendall: Two internal polls also suggested a surge in support for Mr Corbyn, with one even suggesting he could win on 12 September. ...
Until the end of March I'd been writing an almost weekly post called 'This Week' which included a round up of some of the things I'd found interesting that week – blog posts, TED talks, photographs, paintings, YouTube videos, music, all sorts of things. I'd begun it as a way of trying to get in to [...]
Presented without commentary - this speaks for itself. Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong - Summertime Enjoy! Andrew
Tim is doing the media rounds this morning with interviews on Marr, Murnaghan (at 10:20) and John Pienaar (at 10:35). Here are some tweets from his Marr appearance: .@timfarron tells @MarrShow "There are millions of people in this country who count themselves as Liberals in their heart." — Lib Dem Press Office (@LibDemPress) July 19, 2015 I should probably mention that Pienaar's team had clearly put a lot of effort into finding an appropriate introduction. Tim disarmed it though, by saying that he couldn't have wished for a better warm-up. I can't wait to see what the Glee Club does ...
There's a lovely new range of graphics in a whole new style. Well done to the creative types in the party who have put them together, mainly from quotes from his speech on Thursday night. They are very pretty. And there's not a Stronger Economy, Fairer Society in sight. The first comes from a comment he made on Twitter to a Liberal Youth member which sums up his feelings on same sex marriage: [IMG: Farron Love is love] [IMG: Farron graphic 2] [IMG: Farron immingration graphic] [IMG: Farron not opposing tribes] [IMG: Farron cooperation] [IMG: 10922852_1449911391978716_7480125478816880054_o] * Caron Lindsay is ...
I heard this track on BBC Radio 3's Late Junction the other evening. It comes from the 2006 compilation album of sea shanties and the like Rogue's Gallery: Pirate Ballads, Sea Songs, and Chanteys. Baby Gramps turns out to be a legend of the Seattle music scene. Patrick Ferris once said of him: His voice is a cross between Popeye the Sailor and a Didgeridoo and the plinkity plink of his VERY worn National steel guitar, sounds like a wind up jack in the box. If you listen closely and know anything about music, you'll realize Gramps is an absolutely ...
Sun 19th
09:11
Should and could the "centre-left" parties merge into one big one capable of winning a general elect...
Since the general election, which was very obviously a disaster in some way or another for every party bar the SNP and the Tories, there has been a fair amount spoken by some on the centre-left about a "merger" of some sort taking place between parties. In other words, here is a recognition of the fact that the continued factioning of the non-Tory elements in parliament will guarantee the Conservative Party a long spell in government, and a proposed solution to the problem. There is a certain logic to all of this – until you start thinking about it in ...
Excellent news that the man with the hardest to pronounce blog is rejoining the party: [IMG: James Graham rejoins the Lib Dems]
Last weekend, as I posted about a few days ago, Jen and I went to have a look at the work being carried out by this group of volunteers who are trying to rebuild a desperately neglected Class 502 EMU which used to run on the Merseyrail network until it and its fellow class mates started to be displaced from the late 1970's by the present Class 507/8 EMU's The restoration work required is massive as I think these two photos show:- [IMG: IMG_5155r] [IMG: IMG_5156r] And for those with memories of the interior of the 502 EMU's how about ...
Some time ago, I raised with the City Council the fact that the lighting on the steps that run down from the side of the Queen's Hotel in Nethergate is not working. The City Council has discussed the matter with the hotel who are sure that this is a local authority matter and the City Council's Head of Property has now advised me as follows : "I have instructed that an inspection of the lighting is undertaken with a view to identifying where the fault lies. If no major works are involved with repair the lighting I would intend to ...
Religion and Politics together? It is and would be impossible to separate religion and politics. Personally religion throws up so many doubts and questions that appear to have no answers, I find I cannot follow any faith whole heartedly, so ... Continue reading →
The curious truth about belly button fluff In case you were wondering. (tags: biology )
What do low-paid workers think would improve their working lives? ICYMI: On @TimFarron and that Cathy Newman Interview Have very much enjoyed the variety of lib dems listing the things THEY consider to be sinful under the hashtags #sinlist and #sinninghere on twitter as well Calderdale Lib Dems launch campaign to save court provision in n Calderdale High court rules data retention and surveillance legislation unlawful Neill's blog: InstaComics, everyone! Andrew Brown's take on Singate Kate Cross: England seamer says team will play exciting style Sir Ian McKellen and Sir Patrick Stewart are given permission to join Taylor Swift's squad ...
If I was a gay/bi teenage liberal just coming to terms with my sexuality, reading some of the stuff posted by defenders of Tim Farron would probably be enough to send me scuttling back in to the closet. So to them I want to be very, very clear: homosexuality is not a sin. It is a not a "condition", let alone one that requires other's compassion. It is not a "second-best" option. It is not inferior. The quality of love between two men (I can't speak for others but I'm sure it is also the same between two women) is ...
