A year ago today, on a similarly sunny day, I paid my respects to the remains of a King of England. That was Richard III, whose coffin lay in Leicester Cathedral for three days before its burial. To mark the anniversary the city council is staging a series of events under the title Richard Reburied Revisited.
Andrew Grice reminds us that David Cameron and George Osborne should not forget the Lib Dems know where the bodies are buried. Jeremy Corbyn is "acting as though he is the leader of a 3rd or 4th party, rather than leader of the opposition," says William Barter. "As Milne walked down a corridor, the six-foot colleague approached from the other direction. They smashed into each other, sending Milne flying, along with the papers he was carrying. 'Seumas was in shock,' recalls an onlooker. 'No one had ever done that to him before. He expected people to show deference to him.'" ...
By and large, austerity has left the nation's pensioners untouched. Whilst working age benefits have been ravaged, those available to pensioners have been protected and enhanced. The triple lock on pensions is a prime example. While there are many pensioners struggling to get by - just as there are many working age people - there are many more who are not. I do not begrudge anyone support who finds themselves in hardship through no fault of their own, whether they are young or old. It cannot, however, be right that well off pensioners enjoy the benefits of free television licences, ...
The sad death of Eric Avebury means there has to be a by-election to choose a new Liberal Democrat hereditary peer. A BBC News report suggests there will be two candidates: John Russell (the current Earl Russell and the son of the much-missed Conrad Russell) and John Thurso (former member of the Lords and former MP for Caithness and Sutherland). But then the electorate is barely larger than the number of candidates: Three current Lib Dem hereditaries are entitled to vote: Lord Addington, the descendent of a Conservative MP from the 1880s; the Earl of Glasgow, the descendent of one ...
Dawud Islam, the editor of the libdemhame.org website, has today been selected as the Scottish Liberal Democrats candidate for the Holyrood constituency of Carrick, Cumnock & Doon Valley for the forthcoming election in May 2016 as well as a list candidate for the South of Scotland where Jim Hume MSP is the lead candidate. Reacting [...]
Last night, the day that Scotland could have been declaring independence and have been facing a very uncertain future, the leaders of 6 political parties debated the issues of the Scottish election. You can see Willie Rennie's contributions here. Watch him outline his vision for a transformative investment in education to give kids the best chance in life and boost the economy by ensuring that we have the skills we need for the future. The First Leader's debateLast night,was the first #LeadersDebate of the Scottish Parliament election. Just incase you missed it, here are some of the highlights from last ...
Each week we look at five great things happening within the party over the past 7 days as well as a couple of things that perhaps haven't gone as well as we'd like. So here goes:- GOOD DIVERSITY IN ACTION: Having 'talked the talk' on diversity at the recent York Conference, the party has now [...]
We've been concerned for a while about a nasty spike in anti-social behaviour in Gatley, with large groups of young people throwing eggs at housing and similar. Along with many residents and Gatley Village Partnership we've been speaking to the Police about the issue and we're very pleased to see that they've been able to find the resources to take action. As the MEN reports: Police will step up patrols over the Easter weekend at an anti-social behaviour hotspot with powers to eject misbehaving youngsters from the area and take them home to parents. Officers have secured a dispersal order ...
The Scottish Liberal Democrats have said they won't gamble with the future of Scottish education. Intervening following Nicola Sturgeon's tax wobble, party leader Willie Rennie said: "Earlier this week Nicola Sturgeon was strongly opposed to a 50p tax rate, now she's not so sure. She is all over the place on taxation. Her gambling could [...]
It's four months since the City Council's planning committee refused to budge on their original permission given on the development of a 3G football pitch on the play field, owned by Voyager School, located in Brookside, just off Fulbridge Road, Werrington. I've now spoken with a couple of local residents who live in and around [...]
The SNP have admitted the plan to reject the Tory tax cut for higher rate payers does not raise any extra money for Scotland. SNP minister Marco Biagi on the BBC's Big Debate was put under pressure by Lib Dem candidate Alex Cole-Hamilton on whether the SNP higher rate policy raises any extra money. [...]
It was a rather worrying moment when I found this floating about the pavements of central London last week: [IMG: London Store Attack map] Not quite sure what to do – is this something to take seriously or not? – I had a look around to see what else was nearby, and found this: [IMG: National city attack map] Followed shortly by this, and a sigh of relief: [IMG: Marketing strategy slide] Phew.
[IMG: ALDC Master Logo (for screen)] Another fairly quiet week on the by-election front saw just three principal by-elections - two in Allerdale in Cumbria and one in Kettering in Northamptonshire. Allerdale on the west Cumbrian coast sadly saw no Liberal Democrat candidates in either of the two vacancies, all the more disappointing given we achieved 21% of the vote in the Dalton ward when it was fought last year. Dalton saw an Independent candidate take the ward from the Conservatives, who dropped to third and continue their poor run of council by-election results this year (they are now on ...
One hundred and sixty years ago, the National Portrait Gallery in London was founded, to house pictures of celebrated Britons. By a quirky coincidence that very same year, a similar but private institution was established in Moscow by the millionaire philanthropist, Pavel Tretyakov, who personally bought or commissioned portraits of notable Russians. His collection survived [...]
Those wishing to stay in the EU will point to the economic benefits of membership of what is still the world's largest single market in an increasingly dangerous world and the unnecessary risks of our coming out, while those opposed to continued membership will cite the need to take back sovereignty ceded gradually to Brussels over the past forty years and to regain control of our borders. Their view is that then we could strike deals with the rest of the world and have a much more money to spend as we would not be paying into the EU coffers. ...
Now call me a cynic but should I have been surprised to see an article featuring a Labour council candidate in a Maghull community newspaper only weeks before an election? You see the article, all about active birth classes for mums to be, featured Labour's Sudell Ward candidate for the Sefton Council elections on May 5th. Of course the article made no mention of the person's candidature but a little bit of extra exposure can't have done the candidate any harm now can it? If they had not been a candidate in the forthcoming elections would the article have appeared? ...
MP Tom Brake asked for input on whether we should support a war to defeat Da'esh in Libya. I would support such a war but with these provisos. First, we must have an unequivocal resolution from the UN Security Council supporting any such action. The paltry effort which usually emanates from the council is not enough. Then the UN in general must put its money where its mouth is, both in gold and in its personnel. Here I do not mean just the usual suspects – the US, Canada, the UK, other european countries and a few from further afield ...
Another fairly quiet week on the by-election front saw just three principal by-elections – two in Allerdale in Cumbria and one in Kettering in Northamptonshire. Allerdale on the west Cumbrian coast sadly saw no Liberal Democrat candidates in either of the two vacancies, all the more disappointing given we achieved 21% of the vote in [...]
Ron Perlman & Christopher Plummer are voicing a H.P. Lovecraft animated film Bathrooms and locker rooms: the transgender witch hunt If you've ever wondered what the trans bathroom panic is in the US, watch this video. And then, like me, campaign for gender neutral bogs and changing rooms with cubicles for any gendered person to use. Instagram Om nom nom #cheeseonpost #cheeseposties #cheese Forget Labour's List - There's a Tally of Government Incompetence to Keep Track Of 'They've gone bonkers': Tory councillors angry with academy plans Danger! High Voltage (Soulchild Radio Mix), a song by Electric Six on Spotify Oh ...
100% turnout expected, alternative vote being used and a Liberal Democrat set to win... Yes, it's the House of Lords election to elect a new Liberal Democrat hereditary peer to have voting rights following the sad death of Lord Avebury: I suppose that, pretty much by definition, a by-election to replace an elected hereditary peer in the House of Lords is a dynastic affair.... But as what may be the world's smallest electorate gathers to replace the late Lord Avebury as an elected hereditary Liberal Democrat peer, a clash of Liberal dynasties looms. Three current Lib Dem hereditaries are entitled ...
Eastercon, I will be in you later today! A bit later than I originally planned, because I realised that this is my last chance to see the Pepys exhibition in Greenwich, so I will do that this morning and get a later train. Meanwhile, to go with my Best Art, Best Non-Fiction and Best Short Fiction votes, this is how my thoughts are running for Best Novel. It is a tough choice - very little to separate my top three, and I may yet change my mind; also I haven't yet finished Glorious Angels, so that ranking may change too. ...
During the Easter holidays there are a range of fun activities planned in our local libraries. These include for primary aged children: Tuesday 29 March Boats, trains & planes Emersons Green Library, 2pm to 4pm Transport themed crafts and activities. Sunday 3 April Get creative Emersons Green Library, 11am to 2pm Craft activities. Monday 4 April Pirate pranks Thornbury Library, 11am to 12pm Pirate themed crafts and stories. Tuesday 5 April Monsters and bunny rabbits Yate Library, 10.30am to 12pm Craft fun. Wednesday 6 April The great eggscape Winterbourne Library, 10am to 11.30am It's not just chicks that come from ...
[IMG: Easter bunny reading] One of the things I do in the party that I very much enjoy is giving training, usually at the party conference, to people who are interested in being a parliamentary candidate. Having been a candidate for Westminster and the European Parliament, my view is you cannot get enough training and I attend many sessions as a participant too. My colleague on the Federal Executive, Ramesh Dewan, who is also a highly successful businessman, is fond of saying "a champion trains everyday." A lot of good training sessions end with suggestions for further reading. Here are ...
You can read all the articles that have caught my attention this week here: https://delicious.com/stephentall Below are a selection... Sponsored: 64% off Code Black Drone with HD Camera Our #1 Best-Selling Drone–Meet the Dark Night of the Sky! As IDS quits over disability cuts, the Labour Party might as well not exist | Comment | Voices | The Independent Late to this, by John Rentol on IDS, & absence of real opposition by Labour. So true. http://ind.pn/1pzcUpr Andrew Adonis on the evolution of Blairism | Comment | Voices | The Independent Genuinely interesting insights from Andrew Adonis on the evolution ...
A longer watch for the extended weekend – Vernon Bogdanor on the February 1974 general election. Aside from its historic interest, this is also one of the few general elections at which the third party (Liberal Democrats, Alliance or Liberals) has secured the sort of increase in its share of the popular vote which the Liberal Democrats currently need to get back to where it was pre-coalition. In February 1974 the Liberal Party's vote went up from 7.5% to 19.3%. Here's the story of that general election: To find out more about the February 1974 general election, see There's something ...
Just when you think that UKIP cannot be any more publicly split, their lead candidate in South Wales Central jumps back into the fray. The Western Mail reports that UKIP's controversial South Wales Central lead candidate Gareth Bennett has called for the deselection of his running mate Alex Phillips, the party's press officer. They say that a letter sent by Mr Bennett to Ukip Wales leader Nathan Gill accuses Ms Phillips, currently the party's number two candidate in South Wales Central, of conspiring to get him deselected by advising him to agree to an interview with WalesOnline: The letter - ...
The Social Democrat Group has been formed to work with social democrats outside the party, to build links with them, and encourage some to join the Liberal Democrats. As I handed out leaflets to promote our fringe meeting in York (see here for a recording) , I was asked why we needed another group when we already had the Social Liberal Forum (SLF). A year ago, I'd have agreed a new group wasn't needed but the situation has changed. When the party merged in 1988, there was a lot of controversy about the party's name. It was vital the party ...
This video is great. A man feeds the birds at Roath Park in Cardiff every day at the same time. When he is late they go and look for him.
During a recent walkabout round the Logie area with City Council housing staff, I noted a missing street sign in Glenagnes Street at the junction with Ashbank Road. I reported this and the City Council has now advised : "A replacement sign will be included in the street name plate order currently being prepared. Timescale for erection is approximately six to eight weeks."
They have no need of our help So do not tell me These haggard faces could belong to you or me Should life have dealt a different hand We need to see them for who they really are Chancers and scroungers Layabouts and loungers With bombs up their sleeves Cut-throats and thieves They are not Welcome here We should make them Go back to where they came from They cannot Share our food Share our homes Share our countries Instead let us Build a wall to keep them out It is not okay to say These are people just like ...
Fri 25th
08:06
Does David Cameron have to quit as prime minister after June 23rd - regardless of the result?
Alexander Temerko, a reasonably large Tory donor, has announced to the world – via that well known, right-leaning outlet, The Guardian – that whatever happens in the EU referendum, David Cameron should step down as quickly as possible after June 23rd. "The Conservative party is fracturing following the resignation of Iain Duncan Smith and the infighting that's likely to follow the referendum could be disastrous without any uniting influence. With a majority of just 12, seven to 20 rebel MPs are all it would take to cause a hung parliament and trigger another general election. My recommendation would be a ...
[IMG: Ronnie Fearn - Liberal MP for Southport] Amazing years of public service: Veteran Southport Liberal Democrat councillors Lord Ronnie Fearn and his sister-in-law Maureen are to step down as councillors at the May elections. Lord Fearn, Sefton's longest serving councillor and a two time Southport MP, celebrated half a century of public service in 2014. Cllr Maureen Fearn is a veteran councillor, three time Mayor of Sefton and long serving school governor at Meols Cop... Lord Fearn was first elected to Southport county borough, and was leader of the of the Liberal Democrat group when Sefton Council was formed ...
[Mar. 24, 1961] The Second Sex In SF First of a series. (tags: sf sexandgenderandsexuality ) Moon's axis wandered billions of years ago Wow. (tags: astronomy ) Disaster for Theresa May as legal ruling brings student deportations to a halt "How did the Home Office get to the point where it started deporting innocent people on the basis of unreliable hearsay evidence and without any proper judicial remedy? Why did the home secretary breach her duty of candour with those being accused of fraud? How is a private firm contracted to do public service work for the UK government issuing ...
You have just a few days to complete Peter Black's health survey, if you have not already done so.
St Peter's (Kettering) result: CON: 51.0% (+10.8) LAB: 19.6% (-5.5) UKIP: 16.2% (-2.2) GRN: 10.1% (-6.2) LDEM: 3.1% (+3.1) — Britain Elects (@britainelects) March 24, 2016 As I wrote before: A loyal core vote comes in part from people getting the habit of repeatedly voting for the Liberal Democrats - and that requires repeatedly giving them the chance to do so. Not having a candidate means we're refusing to let voters be loyal repeat supporters of us and instead forcing them to turn elsewhere – to another party or to apathy. That's not the way to build up in weak, ...
