Dear Wokingham, do give this Tory a warm welcome... I see that the former Campaigns Officer for Suffolk Coastal Conservatives has migrated to Wokingham in search of a challenge, one presumes. I have to admit that swapping one of the most conservative constituencies for another is hardly stretching, but as I have friends in Wokingham (who aren't Tories, I should note), I do feel that I should flag up his arrival, especially as he has already announced that he has a Liberal Democrat councillor 'in his sights'. I don't know how effective Fraser McFarland is a campaign organiser, but you ...
The following is the latest email I sent to all my MLAs ahead of the Equal Marriage debate in Stormont on 2 November: Dear Steven Agnew, Leslie Cree, Stephen Farry, Alex Easton, Peter Weirand Gordon Dunne,I understand that yet again on the 2 November this year the Assembly will be debating the issue of equal marriage.I also know that from previous votes some of my MLAs have signed a petition of concern about this issue.Therefore I would like to volunteer my expertise in this issue as one of the drafters of the Liberal Democrat policy on the issue first for ...
Current A Star Chamber Court in Ireland: The Court of Castle Chamber, 1571-1641, by Jon G. Crawford Family Britain, 1951-1957, by David Kynaston Walking to Babylon by Kate Orman Last books finished The Arabian Nights, ed. Muhsin Mahdi, tr. Hussein Haddawy The Deadstone Memorial, by Trevor Baxendale Last week's audios [Torchwood] The Conspiracy, by David Llewellyn [Sixth Doctor] The End of the Line, by Simon Barnard and Paul Morris The Red House, by Alan Barnes Stage Fright, by Matt Fitton Next books The Dark Tower and Other Stories, by C.S. Lewis Axis, by Robert Charles Wilson
Episode 2 visits Lancaster's first railway station, traces part of the old Green Ayre Line which connected Lancaster Castle Station with Lancaster Green Ayre Station and looks at Scale Hall Station. Part 1 traces part of the old Green Ayre Line which connected Yorkshire to the city of Lancaster and the seaside town of Morecambe via Lancaster Green Ayre Station.
Just links today, as I'm feeling very ill (had to leave work at lunchtime, which never normally happens) Myths Retold on courtly love and Nice Guys. A Nice Guy shows up in the comments, too... Ten downsides kids with autism get from bullying A fun story on Slate Star Codex, based around the blue-eyed islander [...]
The hugely well funded out campaign by rich people seem to ignore every aspect of the EU that does not fit in with there small world approach. If we leave the EU – our science leadership will fall back – as shared projects across EU universities will of course not include UK universities if we leave Our many EU trade treaties will need to be renegotiated as bi-lateral treaties and we will not get such a good deal and it will take years of renegotiating Over 1M Brit pensioners have retired to other EU Countries – what about their health ...
From the Independent: A Conservative MP who was famously tricked into condemning a made up drug called "Cake" has been put in charge of scrutinising the Government's new drugs policy. David Amess appeared on the satirical television programme Brass Eye in 1997 where he was filmed referring to Cake as "a big yellow death bullet". As a result of the encounter he asked ministers a real life question in Parliament about the made up drug.
Danny Alexander has kept a low profile since the general election, but today comes news that he may be off to China. BloombergBusiness has the story: Danny Alexander, the former U.K. Chief Secretary to the Treasury who lost his job and his parliamentary seat in May's general election, is in the running to join China's Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, according to two people familiar with the appointment process. The British government is considering putting forward Alexander, 43, for one of a small number of non-Asian seats on the development bank's board, according to the people, who asked not to be ...
Our Headline of the Day again comes from the Shropshire Star. I expect they are talking of little else in the county.
Thu 22nd
18:13
Membership to Peterborough Lib Dems has doubled since the General Election! Here's why .......
One of my personal ambitions in life, is to see more "normal" people taking an active role in the running of our City Council and ideally have them involved as a Liberal Democrats. Being a Liberal Democrat means you believe in building and safeguarding a fair, free and open society, in which we seek to [...]
We have received this appeal from the local Police Team: Police have increased their patrols following a report of a 13-year-old girl on her way to school being approached by a man on a skateboard in Brambledown Road on Wednesday, 21 October at 07:45hrs. As the girl walked towards Park Hill Road, the suspect touched [...]
One of the regular features in Liberal Democrat Newswire these days is a series highlighting essential online tools for campaigners. Here's what I had to say about Dropbox in LDN #71: Dropbox is a simple, reliable and (until you get to using it on a large scale) free way of saving files securely online whilst being able to access them easily from all your different computer, tablet or smartphone devices. This provides a double benefit. First, it's a simple and safe way to make sure your key files are always backed up and won't be lost if a device is ...
[IMG: Everything Everything @ Latitude] Remember that awkward moment with Ming and the Arctic Monkeys? This is not a problem we're going to have with Tim Farron. In fact, he's more likely to introduce us to bands we've never heard of. When he took his dog Jasper fell running the other night, he was listening to Everything Everything. Mad dog and Englishman out fell running in the evening sun... pic.twitter.com/Yk8NGsyLSy — Tim Farron (@timfarron) October 10, 2015 NME have picked up on an interview he did with The Big Issue North in which he talked about his musical tastes: "We ...
[IMG: Roadworks sign] A resident from Sunnyside Road has been in touch about a serious problem with a hole in Sunnyside Road off Sandgate Esplanade. The hole appeared some weeks ago, and Kent Highways had investigated but said it is a Southern Water responsibility and it had effectively coned off and left. However, the size of the hole is increasing, to the extent that the bin lorries have this week refused to go up the road to the bin collections due to it cracking further and the hazard of it collapsing. Although they are apparently going to make alternative arrangements ...
We recently reported that the Lib Dem councillors had voted to make the High Grove pub on Silverdale Road, Gatley an Asset of Community Value (ACV). The vote gave the local community a window to raise the money for a bid to take over the pub. However, we also warned that Hydes had a right of appeal, and we've now heard that they plan to use it. Because the legislation is fairly new, we've not had an appeal in Stockport before, so it's not clear quite how it will work. We do know that, by law, the appeal goes to ...
Unusually the Supreme Court in refusing permission to appeal of the above case has given reasons. I am assuming that is because the Latvian government supported the mother in the appeal and it is really high profile in Latvia (including being the subject of a debate today in the Latvian Parliament). There have been a number of public judgments and the refusal of permission by the Supreme Court
Congratulations to Pink News on their 10th anniversary. Last night they presented their annual awards. It was fantastic to see Liz Barker's achievements being recognised as she won Peer of the Year. Here she is being presented with her award by Tim Farron: [IMG: Liz Barker gets award from Tim Farron] Let's just remind you of some of her recent best bits campaigning for LGBT+ equality. There was that amazing speech during the passing of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill: Many years ago I had the great good fortune to meet someone. She and I have loved one another ...
I posted about the collapse of part of the bank between Lollies Bridge and Lydiate Hill Bridge (otherwise known as Billy's Bridge) back in June:- This is how the scene looks now:- [IMG: IMG_6356r] Seems that the Canal & River Trust still can't afford to do the repair work so have erected a substantial wooden fence around the collapsed banking. Lydiate residents will recall that a similar situation occurred back a while ago when significant repairs were required around the Pilling Lane stone bridge. There it was many months before they could find the money to do the work. ...
My posting of a few days ago (see link below) made reference to how the banks have all but got away with their appalling reckless behaviour and are ruling the roost again. This Independent article (see link at top of story) sadly shows that the Tories will do anything not to control the bankers who all but destroyed our economy. With thanks to Roy Connell for the lead to this story.
[IMG: ALN-GA-300x161] Dear Liberal Friends, It is a great privilege to introduce myself to you all as the new Coordinator for the Africa Liberal Network (ALN). The ALN is the largest network of political parties in Africa and has been strongly supported by the Liberal Democrats, through the work of the International Office, since its inception in 2001. I have recently taken up the position and the Secretariat remains based here at the Federal Head Office of the Democratic Alliance in Cape Town, South Africa. I am originally from Nelspruit (Mpumalanga), South Africa, but grew up and lived majority of ...
The current political storm over the British government's proposed scaling back of tax credits is not showing politics at its best. On one side a cynical Conservative government is pushing through changes will make the poor poorer and reduce social mobility. On the other we have opposition grandstanding that has no interest in suggesting alternatives. I despair. First of all, what is the fuss about? Tax credits were introduced by the Labour government in 2003. They are a way of providing means tested benefits to those already in work, but on low incomes, and especially those with children. They are ...
We know that Willie Rennie is determined to improve the appalling gender balance record of the Scottish Liberal Democrats. He has to persuade a party which has historically rejected any proposals for positive action in candidate selection to adopt proposals to be drawn up by a working group made up of himself, Jo Swinson, Sophie Bridger, Sheila Ritchie and Fred Mackintosh. The ultimate aim is for half of Scotland's Liberal Democrat parliamentarians to be women within 6 years. The proposals will be debated at the Scottish Party's Spring Conference just a few weeks before next year's Holyrood elections. You can't ...
Needs is the key word in the title. The first by-election of the 2015-2020 will be called following the sad passing of Michael Meacher MP, who died this week following a short illness. He had been a representative in the House of Commons since 1970 and had always been an MP of them seat (and the seat under its previous boundaries and guise of Oldham West). The result of the by-election itself should be a straightforward Labour hold, although no doubts UKIP will have their eyes on the prize but in reality Labour should triumph here with relative ease, therefore ...
In my past two articles I argued for a more muscular liberalism that was more strident in championing liberal causes and for occupying the liberal ground whilst still appealing to a broader audience than ourselves. In the interests of achieving this aim we need to pick our fights and causes carefully. We need a new flagship policy, one which wipes away the memory of tuition fees and sets us apart from our opponents. We must lead the charge on an issue and make it our own in a way we never quite managed in the public perception of equal marriage ...
[IMG: When to rob a bank - book cover] With their original Freakonomics book, Americans Stephen Dubner and Steven Levitt were pioneers in popularising the use of an economics mindset – both behavioural and more traditional – to explain all sorts of parts of modern (usually American) life. When to Rob a Bank is a lengthy collection of the best posts from the blog they launched at the same time. If you read too much of this book in one sitting, you quickly see the limitations of the blog format turned into a book: a hugely eclectic mix of topics, ...
There is a lot of fuss today about the UK Government's plans for English Votes for English Laws or EVEL for short. As the BBC explain, the plans being brought forward mean that MPs from English seats will get an effective veto on bills that are classed as England-only under the plans. Though in fact the same veto will apply for English and Welsh MPs where the law concerned affects Wales as well. Opposition to the proposals from some Welsh MPs concentrate on two issues. Firstly, that changes in the law on some matters may have an impact on Wales ...
UPDATED DETAILS. Labour seat. Cause: Resignation. No LD candidate.
Conservative seat. Cause: Resignation. LD Candidate- James Duguid. To help please contact Patrick Fancett (01962 622210, patrickfancett@hotmail.com)
Labour seat. Cause:Resignation. LD Candidate- David Foss.
Conservative seat. Cause: Resignation. LD Candidate- Andy Halliday. Please contact Andy on 01179 865735 to help.
UPDATED DETAILS. Conservative seat. Cause: Death. LD Candidate- Martin Thompson.
Conservative seat. Cause: Disqualification. LD Candidate- George Penny.
Conservative seat. Cause: Resignation. LD Candidate- Sue Cooper. Contact details to help: 01491 835631, CooperFamy@AOL.com.
I gather that expectations were so low for Liberal leader Justin Trudeau in Canada ahead of the first election debate in August - this has been a long campaign - that the Conservative leader's spokesman said: "If he comes on stage with his pants on, he will probably exceed expectations." Given that 'pants' has a slightly different meaning on that side of the Atlantic, that isn't quite as bad as it sounds. But it does emphasise one of the lessons from the Liberal landslide in Canada - one way of building momentum for a Liberal campaign is to do better ...
Yesterday I had the real privilege of representing the Lib Dems at a Parliamentary reception for Shared Lives. This is a marvellous organisation which helps 12,000 families in the UK open up their homes and bring into their families people ... Continue reading →
Walesonline reports the worst performance in the NHS in five months - nearly 2,000 patients spent more than 12 hours in Welsh A&E departments during September, though figures also showed there was an improvement in the proportion of patients spending less than four hours in emergency units. Kirsty Williams, leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, said the latest figures were not good enough .She said: "The Welsh Labour Government's own target is that only 5% of patients should spend more than four hours in all emergency care facilities from arrival until admission, transfer or discharge, yet in Abertawe Bro Morgannwg ...
[IMG: BOCA RATON, FL - SEPTEMBER 28: U.S. Vice President Joe Biden speaks during a campaign event at the Century Village Clubhouse on September 28, 2012 in Boca Raton, Florida. Biden continues to campaign across the country before the general election. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)] BOCA RATON, FL – SEPTEMBER 28: U.S. Vice President Joe Biden speaks during a campaign event at the Century Village Clubhouse on September 28, 2012 in Boca Raton, Florida. Biden continues to campaign across the country before the general election. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) Joe Biden won't be making a third bid for ...
[IMG: Lib Dem candidate for the Scottish Parliament elections, Jamie Stone] Tain councillor Jamie Stone has been chosen by Caithness, Sutherland and Ross Lib Dems to contest the seat in next May's Scottish Parliament election. He said yesterday: "I am delighted, and also touched, that my party is keen for me to make a reappearance on the national stage. "My campaign next year will be a positive one. The message will be that I offer voters experience, knowledge, and a proven track record... "In addition I trust that my 13 years as a Ross-shire councillor and twelve years as the ...
I worked for an organisation that was trying to support a change to the House of Lords to transform it into a mostly elected chamber back in 2012. Needless to say the enterprise was not a success. The foremost reason for this is because to say that neither the Tories nor Labour want any significant changes to the way the House of Lords operates is the understatement of the century. Their combined antipathy towards transforming the Upper House shows just how much Lords reform is not a left-right issue, in fact. The Right mostly likes the House of Lords because ...
Event at Riverside Nature Park this coming Sunday :
[IMG: The Obelisk on Alderman's Hill] By-elections caused by the death of the incumbent are always an occasion for sadness, so our first reaction to the passing of Michael Meacher, Labour MP for Oldham West and Royton, must be a sincere expression of sympathy to his family and friends. However, politics is politics, as Michael would have said himself, and therefore we have to face the fact that there will be a by-election before too long. Even if we should not campaign until after the funeral, that does not mean we should avoid thinking about the challenge ahead. During the ...
