An interesting event is being hosted by the Electoral Reform Society Scotland on Wednesday April 20th at 7pm in Renfield St Stephens Centre, Bath Street, Glasgow, G2 4JP from 7-8.30 pm. The meeting will discuss the society's new report: 'One Party To Rule Them All: Does Scotland Have a Predominant Party Problem'?? You can find [...]
Anyone who drove past County Hall today could not have missed the protests from Teaching Assistants still facing a massive pay cut via Durham County Council. And note, these are not cuts made as part of "austerity" – they are cuts being made by the county council in the name of "fairness and equality" and there will be no savings to the county council. Any savings will be to school budgets. I was really pleased to see the teaching assistantsthere, and the support they were getting. Too many people are still not aware that workers in this county are facing ...
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said this evening that this election is a huge opportunity for the Lib Dems in a state of the campaign speech to party activists in Fife. Mr Rennie will told local campaigners that the first two weeks of the election have left the other parties on the back foot as [...]
We've all heard the hot air of puppet politicians... but who will get the basics right and create a Wales that works for you?
Time for another one in my very occasional series on the mud walls of Leicestershire (also called cob walls). This one is in Billesdon, where ironstone and bricks made in the village can both be found.
"We are watching as social conservatives push against economic conservatives who are increasingly more socially liberal. No longer, it seems, can these two groups share the same Republican Party." Darin Self analyses the significance of Donald Trump. There is no such thing as a humane execution, says Maya Foa. Nat Jester believes we need to talk about men. "If we're not careful, we will soon find ourselves operating trials in Kafka-esque fashion ... where a Defendant will be arrested on charges of which he is unaware, and plunged into a court system where everything is secret, from the charges to ...
What you've read: 24 - 1934: Robert Graves, I, Claudius 22 - 1934: Robert Graves, Claudius the God 19 - 1924: E. M. Forster, A Passage to India 1995: Christopher Priest, The Prestige 15 - 1984: Angela Carter, Nights at the Circus 2000: Zadie Smith, White Teeth 14 - 1984: J. G. Ballard, Empire of the Sun 12 = 2006: Cormac McCarthy, The Road 2009: A. S. Byatt, The Children's Book 11 = 1938: C. S. Forester, A Ship of the Line 1938: C. S. Forester, Flying Colours 1977: John le Carré, The Honourable Schoolboy 2005: Ian McEwan, Saturday 10 ...
An awful lot of planning goes into those photo-ops you see every night on the telly during an election campaign. The party leaders have a specific message they want to get out. Today, Willie Rennie was at Gorgie City Farm in Edinburgh to talk about the importance of vocational training. He's done a lot with animals this campaign. Remember those ultra cute therapets? He also got the "seal" of approval at Deep Sea World. What could possibly go wrong? Today's visit started so well: One down: Willie Rennie with a Guinea pig. "Would you like to groom her?" Yes. Yes ...
Embed from Getty Images A treasure turned up on BBC Radio 4 Extra the other day: Ziggy Stardust came from Isleworth. It tells the story of Vince Taylor, a British rocker from that lost period before the Beatles. As the iPlayer blurb says: Ziggy Stardust was a rock and roll fantasy. But David Bowie's fictional rockstar, around whom his 1972 album, stage show, and film were built, was inspired by a real performer, Vince Taylor, born in Isleworth, Middlesex. This programme uncovers the truth about a singer whose wild lifestyle ultimately destroyed him, but in so doing he gave rise ...
Second para of third chapter: It had begun soon after Spain, when training regimens across the board went to live-fire exercises twice per week. And the training periods with nonlethal combatants doubled in length. "For endurance," said the doctor. I got this when offered it as part of a freebie pack a few years ago, when it was getting some buzz; there wasn't enough buzz for me to read it any sooner. It's a story where the outcome of the Second World War is altered by people with psychic powers on each side, the British and German secret services trying ...
It was still pretty miserable in Thurso, but I had seen as much as I was ever likely to, and so I was out on the lunchtime train. The Flow Country was still pretty majestic, even if it wasn't the sort of place you'd fancy being caught out in. And so, as I headed south, I passed the time glancing out of the window, as you do, drinking tea as supplied by the actually not bad trolley service. I had just passed through Dingwall though, when I checked my Twitter feed to discover that one Caron Lindsay was leafleting in ...
The Elda Cafe on Church Road, Gatley, has been through a couple of incarnations and looks set for another – if the licence they've applied for is granted. Application for a Premises Licence Applicant: Naim Maleci Premises Address: 1a Church Road, Gatley, SK8 4NG Application date: 05/04/2016 Activities applied for: The supply of alcohol on the premises, Monday to Sunday 12:00-23:00. Closing date for representations: 03/05/16 You can see all the current license applications, plus details on how to have your say here.
[IMG: lisa] If you are anything like me, the list of things still left to arrange before polling day can seem a little daunting. We are often told that the only way to get other people to help with these tasks is to ask and I am happy to say in recent days I have had success [...]
If you haven't got central heating, you could be entitled to a grant of up to £4000. There will be a free advice session at Shire Way Community Centre this coming Monday from 10 am to 4 pm. Or you can call the Warm and Well advice line on 0800 500 3076.
Here is last night's Welsh Liberal Democrats' election broadcast: The world of puppet politicians We've all heard the hot air of puppet politicians... but who will get the basics right and create a Wales that works for you? Posted by Welsh Liberal Democrats on Thursday, 7 April 2016 Impressed? Why not join the Welsh Lib Dems here?
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie today said that SNP cuts have hammered morale in Scotland's further education sector as he set out Liberal Democrat plans to boost vocational training opportunities. Speaking as he met volunteers at Gorgie City Farm, which runs projects to help adults with additional support needs, Mr Rennie outlined Lib Dem [...]
Yesterday saw three principal council by-elections being held, one each in England, Scotland and Wales. In Perth & Kinross (UA), the Conservatives made a gain in Almond & Earn ward from an Independent. The Tories received 48.1% of the first preference votes as they eventually won the seat after the third round of voting. Liberal Democrat [...]
The Scottish National Party were dealt another blow last night as they failed to make an expected gain in the Almond & Earn by-election in Perth & Kinross. Instead the Conservatives took the seat in a vacancy caused by the death of an independent councillor. Kathleen Baird took 1,651 first preferences, 324 votes ahead of [...]
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said yesterday that rural communities have lost out badly from the SNP's mishandling of Common Agricultural Payment (CAP) support. Mr Rennie set out plans for immediate restitution payments for farmers who have lost out as a result of repeated delays. Earlier this week, it was reported that farmers could end up [...]
The Independent has the story on its web site – see link above I think even the most extreme Coalition hater (I await the rants to start) will concede that the answer to the question is yes especially as those worst Tory excesses are being played out now as there is no brake on the Tory right wing what so ever. You see you have to try to see past the Clegg hating which for some, after his Tuition Fees U-turn, is all but impossible. To many voters if Nick Clegg said today was Monday they would automatically assume ...
Fri 8th
11:55
Man on fraud charges get trial delayed - because he's running to be Police and Crime Commissioner
All hail the wonderful bureaucratic logic of this: English Democrats regional leader Steven Uncles has succeeded in delaying his trial alleging election fraud – because he will be running for Kent Police and Crime Commissioner around the same time. The 50-year-old candidate, of Shears Close, Wilmington, was due to stand trial at Maidstone Crown Court on April 4. But despite admitting his chances of success in the Police Commissioner election on May 5 were slim, a judge agreed to adjourn the trial date – possibly until early next year. He denies seven charges of using a false instrument with intent ...
Fri 8th
11:51
Tom Brake MP writes....On International Romani Day we should all remember the need for human rights ...
Today is International Romani Day, a day to celebrate the culture and raise awareness of one of the most misunderstood groups within Europe. Romani people have faced severe persecution over the last century but are tragically often forgotten and that is why this day is important. Tragically, Romani people are still facing persecution and are being denied equal human rights within Europe. Our continent is buckling under the strain of the greatest humanitarian crisis it has faced since the last World War, tensions are running high in areas struggling to cope with an influx of men, women and children who ...
There are plenty of reasons to be upbeat about the prospects for science and research across Africa. The next challenge is to bring more of that evidence and expertise into decision making. Last month, some of the brightest talents and most exciting advances in African science were on display at the Next Einstein Forum. This landmark meeting, initiated by the African Institute of Mathematical Sciences, and held in Senegal, brought together almost 1000 researchers, entrepreneurs, businesses and policymakers from across Africa to celebrate and support the continent's most promising early-career researchers. A new cadre of fifteen Next Einstein Fellows and ...
Disability benefit cuts, the Met Police - and the terror threat - Sentinel News Police being trained that people with a genuine grievance against the state might turn to terrorism... :/ Radio 4 have some tips on how to sleep better (text not just audio) I could do with learning all of these things Goulet Pens Blog: Retiring Ink Drop I have a sad about this Instagram Accompanying me in the bath this evening: - book about Scandinavian witches - pukka 3 cinnamon tea... George Osborne benefited personally from a £6m tax dodging scheme | The Canary RT @Scriptonite: Criminal. ...
There will be a Big Spring Clean event at Brimsham Fields, Yate tomorrow (Sat 9th April). Meet at 2pm in the car park at the Coopers Drive end of the site. Come and keep your local park looking tidy! Please check our previous post for other local Spring Clean events.
A dramatised and extremely shortened history of emoji by Tom Scott:
A few years ago, the leader of the Scottish Conservatives had to resign effectively because he'd taken a few taxi journeys that he shouldn't on parliamentary expenses. This was the result of the much stronger freedom of information rules in Scotland and was part of our own expenses scandal in 2005. If those are the standards which merit resignation, David Cameron should perhaps have been a little more careful over the statements he made earlier in the week over his personal financial dealings. He might have told us that he didn't have any shares now, but holding back the information ...
Work on the repairs of the bridge has been going well. Good weather has helped but there have been a few problems. This briefing is based on notes provided by Shropshire Council's engineers Mouchel. The stonework is being laid in lime mortar. Fortunately, the weather has been warm enough to allow this to set. The... Continue reading Repairs to Ludford Bridge are going well - update 8 April 2016 →
It was raining when I reached Inverness, a cold, heavy rain falling from a sullen sky. Not so much "Welcome to the Highlands!" as "The Highlands, you're welcome to them...", but I was heading further north, much further north. I like trains, as regular readers will be aware. It's not about locomotives or rolling stock - that has little attraction unless it offers something I might personally enjoy - but about the journey. And the four hours and eighteen minutes that it takes to get to Wick, at the furthest extent of the Far North Line, takes you through some ...
I thought by this time, with mid-April almost upon us, I'd be sick to death of Nigel Farage. Yet I haven't actually seen or heard much from him of late. Perhaps he's finally got the message that his brand of pub wisdom popping up everywhere isn't that great for the Leave side's chances, but I severely doubt it. Perhaps the EU Out campaign wasn't the chance to massage his ego he thought it was going to be, so he's thinking about other things. Given he's obsessed with the European Union and there's the referendum he's been going on and on ...
With just under three months to go the EU referendum, the low turnout and overwhelming majority against the Ukraine-EU Association Treaty in a Dutch referendum is not a good omen. It is a good moment to take stock. The campaign is about to start, with the official designation of the Remain and Leave campaigns due soon. What lessons can the UK learn from the Dutch referendum experience? The good news first: the UK referendum really matters, whereas the Dutch one did not. The Ukraine-EU Association Treaty is important geopolitically but for the average Dutch voter, ratification will not change their ...
Panama is not the world's largest off shore financial centre. Mossack Fonseca is not the worlds largest offshore lawyer. The scale of the leak of confidential information is huge, but in fact it represents the tip of the iceberg for the flow of offshore money it represents. The British Overseas territories, especially Bermuda (for insurance), the Cayman Islands and the British Virgin Islands (for trading funds) and the Channel Isles (for private equity and other fund structures) handle a much larger flow of funds. Panama is not the world's most trusted jurisdiction and as a result the level of criminal ...
Wise judgement: The Elections Department has decided it will not offer overseas Singaporeans the option to cast their ballots online, after studying the feasibility of Internet voting... "While Internet voting may appeal to some, it has various challenges like difficulties in authenticating voters, preventing impersonation and ensuring voting secrecy," he said. An online voting system is also vulnerable to hacking, and will make an audit of election results more difficult, he added. [The Straits Times] One of the reasons that online voting is not to be trusted whilst online banking, for example, works is that with banking people know what ...
Bafflin' Islands: How Many Big Ones Can You Name? A matter of size. (tags: maps ) Royal Mint starts new £1 coin production It's gonna be a dodecagon! (tags: uk money ) Solve the Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict Before It Explodes @Tom_deWaal calls for action. (tags: armenia azerbaijan nagornokarabakh ) Pentagon Report: The F-35 Is Still a Mess More on the US military's mega-boondoggle. (tags: uspolitics war )
At the kind invitation of the Chairman of the Tenents and Residents of Muirhouse and Friends of West Pilton, candidates are invited to write an open letter to voters of the neighbourhoods. Here is my letter. Hello! My name is Martin Veart and I am standing on behalf of the Scottish Liberal Democrats in our constituency of Edinburgh Northern and Leith. The Liberal Democrats have been taking a bit of a battering of late. I have stuck with the party because out of all the political parties, it is the only one that believes that government should serve people. That ...
Meols Ward Lib Dem Councillors John Dodd, Nigel Ashton and Jo Barton are holding their next advice centre on Saturday 9th April from 11 am to 12 noon at St John's Primary School, Rufford Road, Crossens. We will be there to meet you and discuss any Council problems you may have. No appointment necessary. Just pop in. We also hold a monthly advice centre in Churchtown, at Cafe Moo Moo on Cambridge Road (by the junction with Preston New Road, next to Boots) on the fourth Thursday of every month (except December) from 10:30 - 11:30 am.
The Welsh Liberal Democrats have outlined a key election pledge to double the number of apprenticeship starts in Wales. Over the next Assembly term, the party will deliver an extra 140,000 apprenticeship starts. The Welsh Government currently creates 28,000 new starts a year. The Welsh Liberal Democrats will double this number to create 56,000 apprenticeship starts a year. This ambitious commitment is more than what any other party has offered to deliver. We have also reiterated calls they have made over a number of years that they would focus funding away from short term work experience placements, via Jobs Growth ...
