A chance encounter today introduced me not only to a new neighbour, but also to a medical condition I have never come across called Lowes syndrome and to a free event taking place in Durham next week called Fulfilling Lives. Sadly I won't be able to get to it, but am looking forward to the possibility of it coming to Consett in November. Watch this space. [IMG: Fulfilling Lives]
Wednesday, 18 May 2016 The beginning of my Mayoral year Daughter Katie and grandchildren Sarah and Lily join me in the Mayor's parlour after the ceremony Last night I was installed as Mayor of Sefton at a meeting of the council held in Southport town hall. I am going to use a blog to record all my comings and goings as mayor which can be found at : http://themayoralblog.blogspot.co.uk/ and so the Birkdale FOCUS will not have any more postings from me for a while. At a reception held afterwards in The Atkinson I had the chance to thank my ...
On Friday, at our annual council meeting, Comrade Martin Gannon became Supreme Leader of Gateshead, the Hermite Council of the North East. Martin was the leading advocate of Gateshead's rejection of the devolution proposals for Gateshead. Following his successful campaign to disengage from the North East region, Leader of the Council Mick Henry resigned. Now Gateshead, in splendid isolation,
The Panama Papers starkly revealed that Britain's Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies have become the venues of choice for the anonymous corporations that facilitate tax evasion, organised crime, and terrorist financing. Indeed, more than half the companies exposed by the Papers were based in the British Virgin Islands alone.
It is 10 years since I started this web blog and to be honest something's have changed for the good and some things are just the same as ever. My original postings were often concerned with the Turner contemporary gallery and the controversy that surrounded it's creation and completion , the gallery has been a roaring success even with cynical old gits such as myself, although perhaps the best for down market proles such as me has been the resurrection of dreamland. Margate is better than it was 10 years ago although that said there have been down sides, not ...
The latest interview in this series deals with the archaeological dig that took place after the site had been cleared for the construction of the shopping centre Highcross Leicester. It found the medieval church of St Peter and a thousand skeletons in its churchyard. Today that churchyard lies under the city's John Lewis store.
Iain Brodie Brown is the new Mayor of Sefton: "For 36 years I have worked alongside people with mental health issues on their journey to living a full and independent life. I hope to use the opportunity that the mayoralty gives me to continue to challenge the stigma and ignorance that so often blights their lives inhibiting them from playing their full part in our communities." "The discovery that, if you cut a 'winner' enough slack, eventually they'll try to close down the game once and for all, should throw our obsession with competitiveness into question. And then we can ...
With the European referendum a month away, what can psychology tell us about the factors that affect how people vote? A post on the British Psychological Society's Research Digest (written for last year's general election) sets out the state of our knowledge. Some factors considered, like the weather and location of polling stations, are ones you would expect.. Others perhaps less so: Following a dramatic series of shark attacks in New Jersey in 1916, voters punished the incumbent President Woodrow Wilson.
The end is nigh for Mayor Joe I felt sorry for the journalist from Society Guardian who rang me today. She rang me to ask me my opinion about what will happen with the Metro Mayor and how the Mayoralty ... Continue reading →
Embed from Getty Images We have just caught up with an article by Alistair Carmichael in The Independent. The headline itself offers a jolt: "The Extremism Bill means that the Queen's speech might be the only one you hear from now on". Writing just before the Queen's Speech last week he claimed: This Government still seems wedded to the notion that if you ban something it will go away.They banned psychoactive substances, despite zero evidence that it would reduce harm. They tried banning encryption, making all of our data less secure. Now they are trying to ban "extremist speech" via ...
One of the things about urban campaigning that I don't miss was that finding things was pretty easy. Streets are clearly named, houses have numbers. Villages are not always like that and, as a result, canvassing can be made rather more difficult than it might be. Barking is like that, a long, fairly linear village, where there are very few numbers - Fox Meadow and Tye Green are the only two clusters that come immediately to mind. So, how do you find them? What you need is a map. Technology will help to a certain extent, but local knowledge is ...
Watch the latest video from the Britain Stronger in Europe campaign: Former Tesco CEO Sir Terry Leahy discusses Brexit: "First of all, for tariffs, as soon as we leave we come outside the single market. We would then go to WTO tariffs, so the costs of clothing, and food, and cars would go up." If you'd like to know more about the wider topic, see my other European referendum posts, and in particular Nick Clegg's demolition of the anti-EU case.
Dear Liberal Democrats, This is one a series of letters to the progressive parties. I know you didn't ask me to write but hope you will read it with the same emotion as it was written, a spirit of generosity, hope, realism and just a bit of frustration. So, it's one year on from the election and where are you? Recent results were mixed. In some councils you won back seats but in London and Wales little headway was made. Maybe bottoming out is a success - I can see that. But I can also see the potential for you ...
Conrad Russell said that Liberalism, like democracy, is a hurrah-word. "The intention to signify that the thing described is good is always clearer than the identity of the thing described. The things praised as Liberalism differ......if there is anything in common between the Liberalism of Milton Friedman and that of J.K. Galbraith, it is not apparent to me". As Conrad Russell alluded to, whilst it has some common components, it does mean that Liberalism means different things to different people. This is true within and outside of the Liberal Democrats. Liberalism comes in different flavours, a selection of which I ...
[IMG: A Newlyn trawler] A Newlyn trawler It is a sadly familiar story. The once-thriving British fishing industry now greatly reduced owing to EU fishing quotas, and, adding insult to injury, there are even regulations that require some fish to be thrown back into the sea. A news spot on Radio 4 recently showed Newlyn fishermen firmly behind Brexit. But this is the wrong conclusion: it attacks the EU at the time when the EU is seeking to help the situation. Over-fishing The fundamental problem is over-fishing. The efficiency of fishing fleets went up in the last century and precipitated ...
Embed from Getty Images It is always useful to know what you're talking about when invoking possible EU expansions in any debate about Europe and European membership. The Dutch army and society were traumatized when poor UN organization and a British/French/American No Bombing deal forced our DutchBat soldiers to witness helplessly how a Serbian massacre got underway at Srebrenica in 1994. The Dutch have been taking extra attention of Balkan goings on ever since. Inside the past year, Erdogan has first interned and then expelled (or: allowed to slip away) two critical Dutch journalists working from Turkey. The first was ...
Trust in biologists is in a precarious position. Secrecy, safety breaches and controversial experiments are risking the reputation of biomedical science. Ahead of a key meeting in the USA, Filippa Lentzos and Nicholas Evans outline steps to earn back the trust of citizens. 18-months of deliberation on how to regulate research enhancing the transmissibility and virulence of viruses will end when the National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity (NSABB) meets on 24 May 2016. The modified pathogens created through so-called 'gain-of-function' experiments could, if accidentally released from labs or deliberately misused, cause man-made pandemics. A new regulatory framework for gain-of-function ...
A Liberal Britain cannot simply consider this country alone. The picture must include Britain in Europe and the wider world. The vision should be long-term, not simply the life of the current Parliament. I suggest: A United Federal Kingdom. The existing Parliament suffices as a federal one, provided voting on matters of sole concern to England is restricted to English MPs. At present many issues relate to the 'four nations' but the more powers are devolved to Scotland etc the more likely federal concern will be limited to defence and foreign affairs, plus perhaps energy, fishing policy and overseas development. ...
[IMG: The Wool Boat with Colin the Captain] The Wool Boat with Colin the Captain The only wool boat in the world, at least that's what I was told by the boat's captain (Colin) who was moored by the Bells Lane swing bridge yesterday. The boat is usually based on the Leeds Liverpool Canal at Burscough and next week will be in Parbold but was in Lydiate for a spell – thanks to Lydiate World web site for the tip off. [IMG: Wool Boat 2 - 05 16 r] It was nice to have a chat with Colin and Carole ...
I have already responded to the Tory Government's consultation on privatising the Land Registry, essentially telling them that the idea is bonkers and will undermine the service that they provide as well as putting the integrity of the register at risk. A far more rational and significantly better argued case against selling off the agency by John Manthorpe, a former Chief Land Registrar and Chief Executive of Land Registry and an International Consultant on Land Registration systems, can be read here. This proposal of course, has two objectives, to make the government some money and to reward the private sector ...
For various reasons, a lot of my friends have issues with going to the doctor. In the comments to one of [IMG: [personal profile] ] hollymath's recent entries, the idea came up that T-shirts could be useful."Yes, I know I'm fat. Telling me something I already know does nothing for my current problem." "Of course my blood pressure just spiked, you're stressing me out!" "Being trans has no bearing on microbes attacking me." "Yes I have anxiety and depression. This did not break my bone!"Any further suggestions? [IMG: comment count unavailable] comments
Embed from Getty Images I have a confession to make. I watch BBC's antiques competition, Bargain Hunt, three times a week. Perversely, I watch it with the volume turned down, reading the sub-titles (I'm on the treadmill in the gym at the time). It's a strange programme, because, as my lifelong auctioneer father often says, in exasperation: They're going the wrong way! What he means is, that prices are lower at auctions than flea markets/boot sales. So, if you buy some things at an auction, you can earn good money on them at a boot sale. But if you go ...
[IMG: Five Million Conversations by Iain Watson - book cover] The gap for the 'instant narrative' books about general elections such as Iain Watson's Five Millions Conversations has got progressively squeezed over the years as the day-by-day coverage during elections includes increasingly lengthy and detailed analysis whilst the more analytical books pulling on research evidence (such as the still excellent Nuffield series) are coming out sooner after polling day too. Yet despite this squeeze, Iain Watson shows there is still some life in the formula of a book written in the style of a daily campaign diary, thanks in particular ...
Kudos to the team at Lib Dem HQ for their smart use of Facebook Live video for Shirley Williams' speech on the referendum this morning. Live video on Facebook is very new, but it's going to huge. It's the perfect platform for this kind of event; it's free, easy to use (you just need a mobile phone) and contrary to what so many people seem to think, you don't need to have a Facebook account to watch. The video comes with a built in chat forum for viewers to discuss what they're watching and as well as live streaming the ...
Mon 23rd
10:37
Inviting Ed Miliband to join the shadow cabinet would be another Corbyn unforced error
The Times reports today that Jeremy Corbyn may be about to invite Ed Miliband to take up a shadow cabinet role. Although no sources are directly named, this looks like an officially sanctioned leak, one that was meant to hit the papers. Some of those quoted off the record were less than pleased about this prospect. One MP said: "Ed shouldn't be in the Shadow Cabinet. He should be in jail for what he did to the Labour Party." For what it's worth, I don't really understand why Corbyn would bring Miliband the younger into the fold. The article seems ...
Baylham is in the south-eastern corner of Barking and Somersham ward, and I had already attended a coffee morning on day 3 of the campaign. However, the Parish Meeting was just four days later, and I had promised to attend. The sun was shining on one of those beautiful May evenings that you could just bottle and store for a February afternoon when you've begun to despair of ever seeing blue sky again, and I was back at Old Cattle Market bus station for another ride. This time, it was the 88A, operated by First Group, which was my ride. ...
[IMG: Watford Town Hall - geograph.org.uk - 759712] If we cast our mins back to Friday 6th May, one of the pieces of good news in our election results was in Watford. We won seven seats, wiping out the Tories on the council and gaining control. Over on "Rambles of a Liberal", Nassar Kessell has written a personal view of "How the Lib Dems won Watford". Nassar was appointed campaign organiser for Watford Lib Dems in February this year, for the duartion of the campaign. For those of you not familiar with Nassar, he is one of our live wires. ...
I must say i was disappointed with the Paxman euro show last week I know his trademark is making flippant comments but there were far to many. For example his insistance that oven gloves and blow torches were not something the eu should be interested in. Why not !! the eu has tested examples of both and provided safety guidelines and regulations to ensure that the products are safe on an eu wide basis, which means that member states do not have to test themselves saving money. Next was the banannas and cucumbers - why not give fruit and veg ...
Dundee, the UK's only UNESCO City of Design is hosting the first Dundee Design Festival from the 25th - 28th May 2016. The theme for the first Dundee Design Festival is "Place. Work. Folk. Design." through which we explore the potential of design to connect the city's communities and improve our everyday lives. A major exhibition is at the centre of the festival, open from 10am - 5pm Thursday 26th - Saturday 28th May and taking place across an entire floor of DC Thomson's former print works, West Ward. This exhibition weaves together some of the great design stories currently ...
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie MSP has accused the SNP of taking a big Scottish remain vote for granted. In a speech to party members in Fife, Mr Rennie said that there is a sloppy assumption that Scotland is radically different from England when it comes to attitudes towards European Union membership. He warned [...]
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie yesterday told new mental health minister Maureen Watt MSP that ending the delay on a new mental health strategy is an essential first test of her credibility. Mr Rennie warned that millions of pounds of funding will remain blocked by the Scottish Government unless a new mental health strategy [...]
New powers could enable a London-style transport network in Greater Manchester Transport leaders in Greater Manchester have welcomed the publication of the Bus Services Bill, a new piece of legislation which will enable an elected Mayor to franchise bus services. The Bill, which proposes powers to allow Combined Authorities with an elected Mayor to franchise bus services, would enable Greater Manchester to create an integrated, London-style transport network with a simple fares and ticketing system and consistent quality standards. Bus franchising, a model used in other global cities, including London, Sydney and Amsterdam, would enable Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) ...
Stockport beer and cider festival runs 2nd to 4th June 2016 just down the road at Edgeley Park. As the organisers say: The Festival is held each year the weekend after the late May Bank Holiday at Edgeley Park and is amongst the largest CAMRA organised festivals in the North of England. The number of beers and ciders on offer during the festival runs into the hundreds with up to one hundred and fifty British cask and bottled conditioned beers, plus foreign bottled conditioned beers and ciders and perries on offer to tantalise the taste buds. However the festival is ...
The repercussions of Neil Hamilton's sexist rant in the Senedd last week continue to be felt in the Welsh media as the party;s Welsh Leader and MEP, Nathan Gill took to the airwaves yesterday to chastise his group leader. The BBC report that Mr. Gill told one of their journalists that Hamilton reinforced stereotypes about the party when he described two senior female AMs as "political concubines" in Carwyn Jones' "harem". He added that the party's seven newly-elected AMs had to be "professional". And said that UKIP wanted to "shake up politics", but Mr Hamilton's jibe was was not the ...
