Recent videos in this series have covered Aberdeenshire and Lancashire. You can find the earlier ones listed in the Lancashire post. One day soon I will give them their own label.
Embed from Getty Images Here's a bit of controversy to liven up a Wednesday evening. Floella Benjamin has written for Politics Home's Central Lobby arguing in favour of mandatory sugar reduction targets. It's another of these issues that you can use liberal principles to argue both for and against: Many overweight children grow up to be obese adults and there are often serious health consequences for those affected, leading to tremendous pressures on the NHS, through the dramatic rise in type 2 diabetes, heart problems, some cancers and a wide variety of other conditions that require treatment. High sugar consumption ...
The BBC have reported today that Conservative MP and Secretary of State for Scotland, David Mundell, has come out as gay. Well done Mr Mundell. It's always good to see people in positions of authority setting an example and being a role model, even if he is a role model for a political party whose policies are not necessarily shared by me. The question has to be asked however: why is this news?
There's few moments in one's life as important as a gay man's "coming out". Maybe it is just to a friend, maybe to the whole world. But it will come with fear, relief and often celebration (especially where it happens voluntarily). So I have a great deal of sympathy for David Mundell. In his fifties and now in the public eye, he has come out as gay. But where I think I differ from a lot of people is that I have a variety of emotions about it which never seem to be reflected in the press coverage and social ...
On Saturday Liberal Democrats from across the County are gathering to approve and formally select their candidate for the forthcoming PCC elections. The prospective candidate, Chris White, is well known across the County, as Leader of the Liberal Democrat group on St Albans Council and as a Hertfordshire county councillor. He has built a reputation [...]
I know, this week of all weeks, I should be writing about Bowie. But frankly, other people have managed that far better than I ever could, and so I thought I'd write about another glam rock genius, one who's still ... Continue reading →
Embed from Getty Images This dramatic tale in Operation Amsterdam – made all the better by the knowledge that it is based on real events – follows two Dutchmen and a British spy as they try to stop Holland's store of industrial diamonds from falling into the hands of the Nazis in 1940. [IMG: Operation Amsterdam DVD cover] Dispatched from Britain shortly after the German invasion of Holland, they get to the Amsterdam diamond market just ahead of the enemy. They then face a tense day trying to persuade diamond traders to hand over their stock whilst also staying out ...
Another comic which is the 2015 volume of a series which was nominated for last ear's Hugos, this one about Jon and Suzy who have discovered that time stands still for them when they orgasm. Actually I really enjoyed this (though I cringed at the title); in the world of the story, there are sinister police, rival activists and personal ghosts to deal with. My biggest complaint is that it ends on a cliff-hanger, and so isn't a complete story. But I am keeping it on my list of potential Best Graphic Story nominations.
Previously... We were partying with the aristocracy of the Nineteen Twenties, and there was something unpleasant in the attic being kept hidden from the guests. How times change. In the future, it's being hidden in the basement! Introducing... The Year Five Billion. Strictly speaking, we were introduced to this distant future setting in "The End of the World", but that was a select gathering of the plus plus super-rich. Not that we aren't still moving in exclusive circles; clearly the patients who can afford the services of the Sisters of Plenitude are extortionately well-heeled, but New Earth broadens out the ...
Wed 13th
15:59
Tim's pick a ward and win it - how that's part of the Isle of Wight's #libdemfightback
[IMG: Nicholas Belfitt winning here] In June last year I attended a small event in Guildford in the run-up to the leadership election where I was lucky to meet Tim Farron. He made a great speech which, as always was both thorough and entertaining. But it was in the end what he said that began to push me to believe in the Lib Dems. Pick a ward and win it. No words have been so strong for me. After the event it was all I could think about for weeks and weeks during which time I returned home to the ...
[IMG: Doorknocking] Cold snap notwithstanding, it is time for campaign teams to get on the doorsteps! Regular door-knocking sessions should be part of every held and target ward's campaign diary. As we get closer to election day, we need to narrow down the list of people we are talking to, and we can only do that if [...]
Merseyside Police: Meols Ward January - March Newsletter covering Crossens, Churchtown & Marshside.
Wed 13th
14:40Lib Dem Lords' maiden speeches: Lynne Featherstone on the commonwealth, LGBT rights and internationa...
This week, we're catching up on Lib Dem Lords' maiden speeches. Today, it's Lynne Featherstone who spoke following the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting. "From wild child to the heart of the British establishment", she says: My Lords, I am so very honoured to be here and to have a continuing platform from which to pursue the political passions of my life. But first I thank noble Lords across the House for the warmest of welcomes. I have been utterly charmed and beguiled by the doorkeepers, Black Rod's Office and the police, all of whom I thank for their kindness ...
Liberal Democrat Voice records yet another incident in which Labour has effectively given up its role as an effective opposition. Unfortunately, there has been very little publicity of the decision by Labour peers yesterday to walk away from their manifesto commitment and allow the Government to gets its way in denying the vote to 16 and 17 year olds. Labour failed to turn out in support of John Shipley's votes at 16 motion despite supporting the issue just weeks ago in the European Referendum Bill. The defeat means that the Cities and Local Government Bill has now completed its passage ...
Wed 13th
14:16
In search of Robin Hood in a society that now seems to take from the poor to give to the rich
Maybe as a Nottinghamshire lad and a Liberal it's no surprise that I see redistribution of wealth from the richest to the poorest in our society as being fundamental to a caring socially progressive society. [IMG: Basket weaved statue of Robin Hood in the grounds of Nottingham Castle] Basket weaved statue of Robin Hood in the grounds of Nottingham Castle Maybe it's because we seem to be going in exactly the opposite direction that I and other progressives are saying we can't keep running our society based on the principle of the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer. ...
Maybe you're wondering how to fulfill that vague New Year resolution about getting more active? Or you want to find local sources of health information? Or do some volunteering that helps others become more healthy, or cope with their health issues? There's a very useful new website called Well Aware that lets you search for information, resouces and activities local to you. Please visit the Well Aware website and browse around to find something that suits you.
Tim Farron has been doing all he can to get into a variety of media, from Have I got news for you, to Wetherspoons' newsletter and, this week, to Stylist magazine. This issue is featuring many politicians as guest editors. Tim was one of three politicians asked to write a letter to their idol and also to say what he wanted to achieve for women this year. This was his response to the latter: [IMG: Stylist: Farron pledge to women] And who was Tim's idol? He chose one of his political inspirations, a man elected president of the US in ...
Embed from Getty Images Paddy Ashdown has teamed up with Labour MP and former Oxfam staffer Jo Cox to make the case for urgent action to help not just those people suffering in Madaya but the 1 million Syrians suffering the effects of sieges. They wrote in the Telegraph: The UN estimates that 400,000 people have been systematically denied food, medicine and water in medieval siege conditions in Syria: the real figure is probably nearer to one million. Meanwhile the Syrian Government plays grandmothers footsteps with the international community: besiege a city, wait for the political pressure to build, make ...
As it has not been announced yet despite prompting, and people are booking travel and accommodation.... As part of a range of cuts imposed on the party's conference, the Federal Conference Committee has had to decide to close Autumn Conference a day early, on the Tuesday afternoon rather than the Wednesday. The precise timing has yet to be decided. Assurances have been given that the conference will not lose debating time – important at a conference that will be dominated by grinding constitutional amendment debates to wrap up the party's long-overdue governance review. The Conference Committee was given a reduced ...
A couple of months ago I spoke with a local businessman, who told me he was intending to stand for the local Labour Party in Peterborough, in the area known as Dogsthorpe. I obviously pointed out he'd be better off standing for the Peterborough Liberal Democrats and then asked a few other questions, the answers [...]
This is an issue that has been bouncing around for some time, and it is now set to be debated in parliament. Should England have it's own national anthem to use at sporting fixtures and so on, instead of using the anthem of the United Kingdom, 'God Save The Queen'? It seems a fairly reasonable and obvious question, on the face of it - other parts of the UK use their own anthems at such occasions, so why shouldn't England? Seems fair enough to me, apart from issue that is perhaps more obvious to the rest of the UK than ...
Liberal Democrat Councillors in East Dunbartonshire have withdrawn from the Council's administration. The three councillors had been in coalition with Labour and Conservatives since 2012. The move leaves Labour and Conservatives with 11 councillors facing an opposition of 13. The two parties will continue as a minority administration. From the BBC: It said it would withdraw from the arrangement amid an ongoing row related to a sports complex in Bishopbriggs. If the move goes ahead, Labour and the Conservatives will continue as a minority administration. Leader of the Liberal Democrat group, Councillor Ashay Ghai, said: "When we entered coalition in ...
[IMG: 2016 Election Wall Planner and timetable] The linked Timetable and A3 Campaign Wall Planner were included in the December and January editions of Election Briefing. These are sent to our candidates in the May elections, together with any key team members such as agents, campaign managers and key activists that we have been told about. We have now produced two posted Election Briefing [...]
[IMG: Annual Reports are a good way to report back each year.] As ALDC members know, keeping in touch with local residents all year round runs hand in hand with effective representation of our communities as well as being a cornerstone of our electoral success when we achieve it. One way to report back is to produce an Annual Report each year as part of our literature [...]
The Lib Dem team on Council have asked the Council if it will consider using the 'Camera Car' currently used to enforce bus lanes, to tackle some of the worst illegal parking outside some of our schools. Lib Dem councillor Mary D'Albert asked the Council to consider the use of the camera car outside of schools, a practice that happens in many other local authorities, including next door in Manchester. The Council stated that "The CCTV car is currently utilised during peak and off peak periods to enforce bus lanes" It went not to say that: "At some point in ...
[IMG: ALDC and LGA Lib Dems] Bookings are now open for the 2016 Lib Dem Local Government Conference, which takes place on 17-18th June at Birmingham Council House. The full programme will be released closer to the time, but attendees can expect the traditional mix of training sessions, plenary/Q&A sessions, speeches, exhibition, and refreshments. Bookings can be made via the ALDC [...]
Greater Manchester Police are holding two free 'bike marking' events on 16th and 17th January in Whitefield. This is to securely mark bikes to avoid bike theft. The events are on Saturday 16th January 9.30 – 11.30 Ribble Drive Shops Sunday 17th January, 9.30 – 11.30 The Pole, Parr Lane [IMG: Screenshot 2016-01-13 10.36.13]
Nick Tyrone, formerly of the Electoral Reform Society and the Yes to AV campaign, has revealed his support for the First Past the Post voting system today. This is a pretty courageous move (in the Yes Minister sense) for someone with those associations and who is still a Liberal Democrat, as far as I'm aware. [...]
As the weather is turning colder, it seems useful to circulate the Council's formal information on its winter service, together with sources of advice for cold and winter weather: This website contains details of the Council's Winter Service, which includes information on: · Treated roads, streets and footways · Salt Bin locations · Your questions answered about gritting You can get updates about when the winter service is happening (e.g. when gritting lorries are out) either on Twitter here, or at the Council's press release page here. [IMG: Screenshot 2016-01-13 10.27.15] Further information, help and advice: – Find out how ...
Bury Council's Adult Care Department is undertaking a recruitment fare on 20th January 2016. There are job opportunities in admin, leisure, adult social care, social work and occupational therapy. The event is a Recruitment and service open day. It is 10am to 3pm, on Wednesday 20 January 2016 – Castle Leisure Centre, Bolton Street, Bury. All welcome. [IMG: Screenshot 2016-01-13 10.26.00]
Welcome to the latest in my occasional series highlighting interesting findings from academic research. Today the findings from Liberal Democrat campaigns officer turned academic John Ault. His book Liberal Democrats in Cornwall - Culture, Character or Campaigns? includes the results of surveys in nine seats around the UK ahead of the 2010 general election where voting intention was compared with number of leaflets received from the Lib Dems outside of election time in the preceding year: Average Lib Dem support across all voters: 23% Average Lib Dem support across voters who recalled receiving 6+ Lib Dem leaflets: 37% That 14% ...
Yesterday in the House of Lords, during Parliamentary ping pong on the Cities and Local Government Bill, the Liberal Democrats tried to secure votes at 16. Labour peers, though, didn't bother to turn up. This is yet another example of them being much more craven than you would expect of an opposition, especially one that thinks itself to be of a more radical hue than Labour has been for a while. This is a policy which was in their manifesto and they should have turned out to support it. Ever since the tax credits vote in October, Labour peers seem ...
As someone who worked on the AV referendum campaign and for the Electoral Reform Society, I don't write this article lightly. I have been on the coalface of attempts to change the voting system in this country on more than one occasion. But for some time now I've known something and been looking for the right way to say it: I actually think First Past the Post, the supposed "archaic" voting system we use for Westminster elections and local elections in England and Wales, is pretty good and is in some ways even the best system to use in many ...
Entries to the 50th city's annual photographic competition are invited and there's no time to lose with the closing date of Monday 25th January 2016 fast approaching. The entry form can be downloaded by clicking here, obtained directly from the Dundee Photographic Society or by contacting Dundee City Council's Environment Events team on 433104. The winning selection will be made on Monday 15th February at the Marryat Hall and an exhibition of the entries will take place between Wednesday 24th February and Wednesday 9th March at the Central Library. Prizes being offered include : Dundee Corporation Trophy : This trophy, ...
The twenty-five years since the end of the cold war have been a good time for liberals, both at home and abroad. In Britain the moves towards a more open and tolerant society that had begun in the 1960s continued. Legal and social prejudices have been pushed further back; same-sex relationships, equal opportunities for women, ethnic diversity, have all been accepted as basic values, even - reluctantly and partially - by the right-wing press. There have of course been negative developments in parallel – widening economic inequality, the contraction of social services, the marginalization of the long-term unemployed - but ...
Feminism To Stay On Politics A-Level Syllabus After Government U-Turn An antidote to Islamophobia LEGO official classic 'Batman' TV series Batcave set - this is a thing that I want. I want it. WAAAAANT. I'm going to be having happy arguments with this infographic for DAYS Women In Tech Report High Levels Of Harassment. Men Say They Had No Idea. :/ [IMG: comment count unavailable] comments
A unified performance list of GPs for England and Wales would help ease the shortage of GPs. The Conservative UK Government has been unwilling to work with Wales. Conservative Assembly Members should to lobby their colleagues in Westminster on this issue. All GPs who perform primary medical services must appear on a Performers List. The list provides an extra layer of reassurance for the public that GPs are suitably qualified. Currently each part of the United Kingdom has different Performers Lists. Having separate Performers Lists in England and Wales has had a detrimental impact on recruitment to GP practices as ...
