I have long believed that the Bromfield Meadows housing scheme by Tesni homes would be approved. It seemed obvious from the moment the planning inspector opened the public inquiry into the plans that he would push the scheme through. That has proved to be the case. In allowing the developer's appeal against refusal of planning [...]
Thanks, all of you who have written in. I'm now 100% convinced that at least one Unison meeting was told that head teachers are behind the move to slash teaching assistants' pay. I don't believe it. None of us knows the exact truth of what has happened, but I am sure of some things. I'm sure that the deal between the unions and the council to "park" the issue of classroom assistants' contracts three years ago was kept hidden from councillors and governors. I've been through the reports provided to council in 2011 and 2012. There's no mention of it. ...
Thanks to whoever it was who pointed out the resemblance on Twitter a while back.
This post originally appeared on Liberal Democrat Voice In some ways, the decision on whether to back the Government's proposals to bomb Syria is one of the hardest the party has ever had to take. I'll be honest, I don't ... Continue reading →
When considering intervention in any military conflict several questions immediately jump out: Will the intervention serve the interests of the country taking action? Will the intervention make its citizens safer? Will the intervention shorten the conflict? Will it help those in the conflict zone that are currently being oppressed? Will the intervention be considered legal... More Bombing Syria Will Achieve Nothing
I joined the Liberal Democrats in 2002, like so many people politicised by the build up to an illegal and wholly unjustified war in Iraq. That misguided military intervention has loomed large over every subsequent discourse on the Middle East and our engagement in it. It's a particularly salient point of reference for us as Liberal Democrats, as those of us involved at the time will remember, opposing Iraq was not a popular position. We were called appeasers, and worse, by people who had swallowed whole the dodgy dossiers and their phantom 45-minute claims. Almost everyone, except Blair himself, now ...
The final part of this video visits (among other places) Dover, King's Lynn and Birkenhead, before ending on an optimistic note with the reopening of a stretch of line as part of the Robin Hood service from Nottingham to Mansfield and Worksop. Watch part 1, part 2 and part 3 on this blog.
Lib Dem Voice has polled our members-only forum to discover what Lib Dem members think about whether Liberal Democrat MPs should support air strikes against Daesh in Syria. 975 party members responded – thank you – and we're publishing the full results. We wanted to test feeling in the party about whether and in what circumstances members would back airstrikes in Syria. Over two thirds said that they would oppose them in current circumstances, with less than a quarter in favour. However, when we looked at a Syria where there was a real post war plan, or a more coherent ...
The Guardian wins our Headline of the Day Award. But see the Louth Leader for all the latest updates.
This season's Doctor Who novels are a set of three linked narratives featuring the Twelfth Doctor and Clara, pursuing an alien intelligence called the Glamour through space and time (hence the series title, The Glamour Chronicles). I can't recall a linked sequence of novels with the current Doctor and companion coming out during the season before - there was a series of ten Tenth Doctor novels in 2009 for younger readers, but with no TV companion, and the New Adventures started with seven novels in two loosely linked series with the Seventh Doctor and Ace, but by then Old Who ...
[IMG: 12310633_10207976575795415_5797248248524092981_n] Click on it to enlarge the graphic above
Introducing Doctor Who In An Exciting Adventure With the Daleks... ...as it was named when first published and which, remarkably, it still is (though currently in print simply as Doctor Who and the Daleks). David Whitaker's 1964 novelisation of the Doctor's original encounter with the Daleks on their dead planet Skaro was the first ever Doctor Who novel. But on the page William Hartnell's Doctor is less the lead character than one of many threats faced by first-person hero Ian Chesterton - a stylistic choice which both adds depth and feeling and gives the book an unusually 'rugged adventure' flavour. ...
Introducing...A story set entirely within, as you might guess, the TARDIS. Ideas about conceptual space, non-human intelligence, alienation... and the dangers of running with scissors. An exploration of the dynamics that take place within the TARDIS crew. Or possibly, how to pad for two episodes when you thought your contract was going to be up after 13 weeks before anyone had seen Dalekmania... Ten Reasons To Watch "Inside the Spaceship" (warning: spoilers lower down the list) 1. The original TARDIS crew. In spite of being called "Doctor Who", the Doctor is not - solely - the central character of the ...
A newly updated biography of Charles Kennedy is one of the subjects covered in the next edition of Liberal Democrat Newswire, along with preliminary findings from new research into the role of social events in keeping political volunteers active and the start of a new series of 'seats to watch' for May 2016 and much more. Sign up for LDN here and make sure you don't miss out. In the meantime, you can browse the previous editions online.
Fairytale Christmas at Botanic Gardens, Churchtown, Southport, this SUNDAY, 6th December, 11am-3.30pm.
There are three threats arising from the conflagration in Syria and the surrounding region. Firstly there is the indirect threat of ISIS' operations in the Middle East and other parts of North Africa. Indirect because they are not about to invade Europe. The implications of its activities are the local destabilisation and destruction and the translocal movement of vast numbers of refugees. Aerial bombardments are having limited effect and, even if eventually effective, will result in a political vacuum which will be filled – as many commentators have already outlined - with ISIS mark 2 or further instability as the ...
The lessons of Afghanistan were purchased at a bitter cost: the war claimed more lives, more years, and more money than any other campaign in NATO's history. Unless the alliance takes those lessons to heart, a war in Syria and Iraq to extinguish Daesh - the self-styled Islamic State of Iraq & the Levant - will be worse. My address to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, in the National Post
Our wonderful Wallington Arms Public House is hosting a free Christmas Dinner for senior Wallington residents. It takes place on Tuesday 8th December, 3pm at the Wallington Arms. We think that this is a lovely idea from one of our local businesses so please pass on the invitation to your friends and neighbours who might be [...]
[IMG: Photo by Kafranbel Syrian Revolution] Such is the scale of our political failure concerning the Syrian conflict that the only options left open to us are terrible ones. Though I think much of the opposition to the air strikes is mistaken, it is with a heavy heart that I speak out in opposition to air strikes on ISIS in Syria too. ISIS will clearly only be defeated militarily, and I'm happy that the UK should be part of that. Air strikes were almost certainly essential in enabling the Kurds in Syria and Iraq to survive ISIS' sudden onslaught in ...
[IMG: Montgomeryshire Lib Dems presenting their campaign plan at Kickstart 2015] Our thanks to everyone who attended this weekend's Kickstart training event, which was packed to capacity. Delegates enjoyed a full schedule of campaigns training and local group mentoring from Friday to Sunday. Training Kickstart packed in a total of twenty campaigns training modules, covering beginner, intermediate, and advanced topics, on Saturday and Sunday. From "Lib [...]
I wouldn't normally bother to comment on the resignation of a junior minister in the UK, but the fall of Grant Shapps is interesting for the light it sheds on the inner workings of the Conservative Party. The casual nastiness and infantile ruthlessness of the team that Mr. Shapps largely recruited has certainly rebounded on him- indeed has forced him to quit as a minister. That the bullying seems to have driven one young man to suicide is not merely tragic: it reflects a culture as brash and excessive as much as Mr. Shapps' own brand of politics. For this ...
[IMG: Campaigning] The North and East Liberal Democrat AGM was held last Friday. We had a good turnout, enjoyed the wine and mince pies (thank you!) and had a really interesting and brilliant talk from Baron Jeremy Purvis of Tweed. Jeremy posed some real issues for us Liberal Democrats in terms of identity. After all, in a liberal society where everybody claims to be small 'l' liberal, what is the use of a liberal party? Especially in a system where everybody from both left and right have to converge upon the centre ground in order to gain power. The SNP ...
Well Morrisons must be sighing with a little bit of relief as it's a Netto store that it is likely to have as a neighbour. The nightmare Aldi alternative (as surely it would have seen Morrisons off?) seems not to be a runner if the recent planning application to Sefton Council is anything to go by for the old Maghull Library/Stafford Moreton Youth Centre site. [IMG: index] The site is at the junction of Stafford Moreton Way and Liverpool Road North and presently looks like this:- [IMG: The former Stafford Moreton Youth Centre and old Maghull Library in the heart ...
This week, it is likely that the Commons will be asked to approve RAF strike missions against ISIL/Daesh targets inside Syria. LDV readers will be familiar with Tim Farron's five tests but here I'm going to focus only on the first: would such strikes be legal? (NB. If it is, each target would be subject to the normal targeting rules of proportionality - ie, the use of force must be proportionate to the military advantage to be gained, and discrimination, – ie, that you may only attack military and not civilian targets.) A little history first. The use of force ...
Can I be the first to blame Rupert Murdoch, Tony Blair, Dan Hodges, the Returning Officer (who was once seen reading the Daily Mail) and space lizards for Labour's failure to get a big swing towards Jeremy Corbyn in the Oldham West and Royton by-election this week?
[IMG: Nick da Costa and other Lib Dems out campaigning] Nick da Costa (second from right) out campaigning in a recent council by-election in his constituency. Nick da Costa is the latest Liberal Democrat candidate to be selected for next May's London elections. He has been selected to fight the Enfield and Haringey seat: Delighted to be selected as #Haringey & #Enfield London Assembly LibDem candidate @HaringeyLibDems @EnfieldLibDems — Nick da Costa (@nick_dacosta) November 25, 2015 Enfield and Haringey are vital parts of London. They are full of talented people and epitomise the diversity that this city enjoys. I want ...
More educative entertainment from Tom Scott:
I made it clear over the summer and in my conference speech that housing and homelessness would be a top priority for me as leader. I said we would oppose the Right to Buy extension to Housing Associations and fight the Government tooth and nail in the Lords. The fight is now well underway. I have been speaking in Parliament and will continue to lead our campaign in the House of Commons. After Christmas the legislation will be debated in the Lords, where our Lib Dem team will aim to cause the Government serious problems - which they have shown ...
The allegations flying around regarding a senior Tory activist named Mark Clarke are pretty lurid, so I shan't repeat them here. What interests me with this article in mind is how he managed to get to such a senior position in the first place – apparently he came with stories about how he could lure thousands of young activists back into the Tory fold. This was enough for Clarke to have largely free reign by the sounds of things, and whatever the substance of the allegations against Mr Clarke the whole thing has already rebounded in the face of the ...
This week the Chancellor unveiled a petty attack on our democracy. There were just three good parts to the Spending Review. First, there was the long-overdue boost to mental health funding as championed by Norman Lamb. Then there was the welcome U-turn over tax credits, and finally the absence of significant police cuts. However, there were swathes of ideological, unnecessary cuts: cuts to the pupil premium in real terms, cuts to green energy which will harm our environment and our economy, cuts to universal credit orders for councils to sell off much-needed property to stay afloat financially and a whole ...
Two arguments that are really not reasons for deciding on air strikes in Syria one way or the other: "It will make us a target". The Livingstone argument would carry some weight if it was related in any way to the question of effectiveness. If the bombing was an effective option, then not doing so because it might make us a terrorist target would be short-sighted and somewhat dishonourable. If it wasn't effective, the question of whether it would make us a target is secondary."If not now, when?" The Cameron argument is also not an argument for effectiveness. If bombing ...
Anybody who thought that collateral damage from a stand-off between Jeremy Corbyn and his shadow cabinet could be minimised has been rapidly disabused of that notion this morning with the intervention of Unite's Len McCluskey in the row. According to the Times, Labour's biggest union paymaster has warned Jeremy Corbyn's opponents in the party that they are "writing their political obituaries". He added that Labour MPs are using Syria as "the thin edge to stage a coup against Corbyn, Labour's elected leader". The paper says that Mr McCluskey has declared that his union is preparing to go on the offensive ...
Nationally, the Liberal Democrats have said that they know that to defeat an enemy as evil as ISIL the use of military force is necessary. However, is the answer for the UK to start air strikes in Syria? In my opinion the answer is no! In order to capture other peoples thoughts on the issue, [...]
[IMG: Saltire and Forth Bridge] Today is St Andrew's Day. Here is Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie's message to the people of Scotland: Our Patron Saint was born in the village of Bethsaida, a short distance from the troubles in today's Syria. As we celebrate St Andrew's day this year, millions of people across Syria and the Middle East need our help. Last week I visited an Edinburgh charity which has been collecting clothes for refugees who have made the perilous journey from Syria to Europe. In many respects they embody the values that St Andrew taught. Tolerance. Generosity. ...
From the City Council (this closure is to facilitate the superb West Port Christmas Lights Switch On events on 3rd December) : THE ROADS (SCOTLAND) ACT 1984 - SECTION 62 THE DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL AS TRAFFIC AUTHORITY being satisfied that traffic on the road should be prohibited by reason of the West End Christmas Event HEREBY PROHIBIT the driving of any vehicle in Johnston's Lane (for its entire length), Dundee. This notice comes into effect on Thursday 3rd December 2015 for one day. Pedestrian access will be maintained. As this road forms a cul de sac no diversion route is ...
Keith Holloway has attacked Conservative plans to make small traders pay £1,000 more tax from next year. "For some shops on our high streets, a thousand pounds makes a real difference. The Conservatives have not touched the big boys, but are happy to take money from small village traders struggling to stay afloat." he said. George Osborne has ended the business rate relief for small retailers that allowed struggling shops to save £1,000 in the year to March 2015 and £1,500 in the current financial year. The Mail on Sunday is reporting that Mary Portas and retail veteran Bill Grimsey ...
It's been a windy couple of weeks. The weekend before last we had vicious gales overnight on Friday. The winds brought down part of an oak tree on the NHS site. It was a tree that had been partly damaged by a fire in its trunk some while ago. The gales also further damaged an [...]
I have sat on this blog for a long time. With renewed calls for British military campaigning in the Middle East, perhaps now is the time to tell the story. It was late 2012 and work must have been heavy that day for I fancied a beer straight after. Not in the hotel bar though. I would inevitably be joined by colleagues, one beer would turn into two, three and I would be lucky to get out of there by nine o'clock for something to eat. True, when compared to the UK, many restaurants in Haifa do open late. All ...
Ranking the Writing Debuts of the Capaldi Era Makes the fair point that they have all been strong. (tags: doctorwho )
Don't say sorry if you mean thank you Lib Dem Misconceptions: The Alliance Parties - in which Andrew is right. Again. [IMG: comment count unavailable] comments
This week, Sir Venki Ramakrishnan takes over one of the biggest jobs in British science, as incoming president of the Royal Society. We asked his fellow Fellows what they hope to see during Venki's five years at the helm. With a roll-call of predecessors that stretches back to the 17th century and includes Samuel Pepys, Isaac Newton, Joseph Banks and Ernest Rutherford, the presidency of the Royal Society is one of the most prestigious - and daunting - jobs in British science. This week, as the society celebrates its 355th birthday, Sir Venki Ramakrishnan takes over from Sir Paul Nurse, ...
