There is an article on the Party website encouraging members to apply to be candidates for the Party. It is, obviously, the sort of thing that I approve of. At the end, it notes that the advert for the European Parliamentary selection will be published almost immediately after the Referendum. What it doesn't say is that applications are currently scheduled to close on 22 July, and that, if Article 17 of the Selection Rules is to be believed (and trust me, as a Returning Officer, it will be), applicants must be approved European candidates by that date. This offers an ...
Embed from Getty Images This seems a good day to explore Kate Hoey's long-lost Trotskyist past. Brian Deer wrote in 1993: Although she admits the details only under protest, before she joined the Labour Party in 1972, she had been a member of a Trotskyite outfit called the Spartacus League - at the time perhaps the most loony of British extremists. The league followed the Russian revolutionary Rosa Luxemburg in expecting a spontaneous workers revolt, and was so notoriously penetrated by MI5, people joked that if security service agents raised their hands en bloc they could win every vote at ...
The ITV documentary that gave rise to the revelations about Clement Freud is on ITV tonight at 11.05. You can find a full preview on the Radio Times site: The programme is being broadcast in the Exposure strand, the ITV documentary series that first exposed the seriousness of the crimes of Jimmy Savile.
The Liberal Democrats have been running an excellent scheme to incentivise local party activity in the European referendum with cash prizes for the local parties who are gathering the most new data. It's a nice riff on the local membership scheme, where the introduction of cash in return for hitting membership growth targets generated a significant upswing in local party membership activity levels. The first round of cash prizes have just been announced, and so congratulations are due to Cardiff for taking number one slot, with Hazel Grove, Hull and Wiltshire local parties in the runners' up slot. More information ...
Brexit summed up in one photo#Flotilla #Thames pic.twitter.com/IJXqy6U9Yg — Andrew Bloch (@AndrewBloch) June 15, 2016 You can sign up to back the Liberal Democrat In campaign here, and the official Remain (In) Campaign is here. 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.
My nominations for Best Novelette for the 1941 Retro Hugos were: "It!", by Theodore Sturgeon (finalist) "Farewell to the Master", by Harry Bates (finalist) "New York Fights the Termanites", by Bertrand L. Shurtleff "Into the Darkness", by Ross Rocklynne "The Sea Thing", by A.E. van Vogt I admit that I deliberately avoided Heinlein in my pre-nomination reading; I knew he would need little help from me, and indeed he got two stories on the final ballot in this category as well as three in Best Novella. My own vote is as follows: 6) "Blowups Happen" by Robert A. Heinlein Second ...
You may have read, seen, giggled at reports of the Leave and Remain camps taking to the Thames today. Nigel Farage led a flotilla of "fishermen for leave" from Southend to the Houses of Parliament. This is particularly interesting because, as Catherine Bearder points out, Nigel is spending more time showboating on the Thames than he has ever spent actually standing up for the British fishing industry at the European Parliament Fisheries Committee which it's part of his job to be on. Because Nigel cares so much about UK fishermen #floatilla pic.twitter.com/31RjhuvQVf — Catherine Bearder (@catherinemep) June 15, 2016 Yet ...
I found this on Facebook. I make no claims about it, but as a "Remainer" I found it amusing .... Here are a few that strongly believe the UK should remain a member of the EU: • Governor of the Bank of England • International Monetary Fund • Institute for Fiscal Studies • Confederation of British Industry • Leaders/heads of state of every single other member of the EU • President of the United States of America • Eight former US Treasury Secretaries • President of China • Prime Minister of India • Prime Minister of Canada • Prime Minister ...
The horrific murders in Orlando on Sunday have upset me greatly. To see one particular group of people targeted only for who they are is just awful. On a typical Saturday night, many of my friends will be in gay clubs and bars, enjoying themselves in exactly the same way those people were in Pulse. Euan and Jenny have already written about their reactions to this crime of homophobic hatred. It gets me very time I see those texts from the young man to his mother from his hiding place. She must have felt so powerless to help her child. ...
I acknowledge that people who are "concerned about immigration" think that the immigrants are causing the housing crisis. I acknowledge that people who are "concerned about immigration" think that the immigrants are causing people to have zero hours contracts in low paid shitty jobs. I acknowledge that people who are "concerned about immigration" think that the immigrants are swamping the NHS. I acknowledge that people who are "concerned about immigration" think that the immigrants are bleeding the benefits system dry. The problem is they are completely, objectively, provably wrong about all of those things. The problem is that in "acknowledging ...
[IMG: Pledge card01] Liberal Democrats across the country are campaigning hard for a Remain vote, with hundreds of events from Cornwall to the Highlands. With the polls leaping from squeaky bum territory to something much worse, we have all the motivation we need to work even harder over the next few days. My experience is that it's not been very difficult to persuade people from undecided to Remain and secure a commitment to vote. We need to speak to many, many people over the next few days. It's difficult to imagine a greater motivation than avoiding handing our country over ...
The government wants to overhaul the UK's research system. But a persuasive case for change has not been made. We should shelve the Nurse review proposals As we saw in debates on the Queen's Speech, parliamentary scrutiny of the government's higher education and research bill is likely to focus on student fees, the quality of university teaching, and the role and degree-giving powers of private providers. But as the bill approaches its second reading, and particularly when it reaches the House of Lords, it will be important that the proposed upheaval in the bodies that fund research receives equal scrutiny. ...
The letter below has been written by Maghull resident Malcolm Gore in response to an article in the Aintree and Maghull Champion newspaper regarding the dangerous (for pedestrians) nature of the junction of Hall Lane and Damfield Lane outside Maricourt RC High School in Maghull. Dear Editor, After reading the article on safety at Maricourt High School, ( Champ 8th June), I feel there is one major relevant point to be made. This has been a problem for years and my sympathies are with any family that has suffered due to an accident here. Sefton's huge planned urbanisation of Maghull ...
On the Mayoral Blog I has writing about the visit of Formby U3A to Bootle Town Hall. Among the items of interest were the maces and admiralty oar that are carried in front of the Mayor at Council meeting and on other civic occasions The maces we were looking at were from the former Bootle Council and Crosby and Waterloo Council. They were heavily decorated with royal emblems. My mind went back to an occasion a couple of decades ago when I was a member of Congleton Borough Council and I was being shown the town's treasurers by a local ...
We Liberal Democrats are used to not getting our fair share of media attention. Since last year's general election, that has got even worse. However, we still aren't getting anything like the coverage we should have based on our size. Research carried out by the University of Loughborough during the EU referendum campaign shows that we are only being included in 1% of both press and broadcast media. Mind you, the official opposition doesn't fare that much better, although that has definitely changed in the last few days. [IMG: Coverage by party during EU Ref] If you were thinking that ...
As far as choices go it's right up there with when Ant & Dec ask you if you'd rather eat a live slug or a vomit fruit. I'm sure that both taste awful but at least the vomit fruit won't wriggle around in your mouth and so I guess you'd go for that. Apologies if [...]
In Southfield there are lots of Neighbourhood Watch schemes covering a lot of streets. However not every street is covered and it would be great to have more volunteers. Neighbourhood Watch coordinators tend to inform neighbours of any recent crimes to residents in their street. Some hold meetings with the police and ward Councillors to pass on tips about reducing crimes such as theft from motor cars and burglary. Smart Water! Quite simply they are the eyes and ears of the street which can help the police gain information of when potential criminals might be planning a crime (such as ...
[IMG: Europe] This final week is going to be vital to the battle to stay in the European Union and every campaigner should be focusing on making the extra effort to go out and tell people the basic and positive reasons for us to stay in. It is really important that we pick up our efforts and [...]
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn's 7 out of 10 rating for the EU seems to me about right. Even its most enthusiastic supporters don't rate the EU as perfect, but that makes it difficult to defend as, like a dog with a bone, the Brexit speakers worry and worry at the bits that aren't right. The major weak spots they identify a seem to be: Sovereignty, or, as they skilfully phrase it, "taking back control." Sure, we have to knuckle down and do as the EU says on certain issues, but these comprise only about 13% of our legislation. And of ...
Fuck Your Prayers for Orlando — Medium RT @HClaytonWright: Powerful read. We must remain in the EU for peace and prosperity. - BarristerBlogger RT @Barristerblog: I was on the fence, now I'm for Remain. #Brexit: a long, expensive, unhappy divorce & the children will suffer most. Four reasons why it could still be a Remain vote after all RT @leftoutside: The baby boomer is one of the few mammals that eats its own young. Britain flirts with economic insanity - The Washington Post RT @PaulbernalUK: Britain flirts with economic insanity - The Washington Post not mincing its words. #EUref The ...
Yesterday, Sally Hamwee introduced her Private Members' Bill which would enable guardianship orders to be made for missing people so that their affairs could be managed. Earlier she wrote for the Missing People website: With no legal system for managing a missing person's affairs, they can fall into disarray with disconcerting speed. Salaries may stop being paid into a bank account, but direct debits, mortgage payments and rent will continue to be paid out - until the funds run out. However sympathetic a bank may be, it needs the signature of its account holder to change arrangements. Some may even ...
MOBILE phone users can now send a text message to opt out of nuisance calls. The 'text-to-register' service allows mobile users to add their number to the Telephone Preference Service (TPS) 'do not call' database. Those wanting to sign up need to text 'TPS' followed by their email address to the shortcode 78070. They will receive a text reply from the TPS confirming their number has been successfully added to its database. Registrants should notice a gradual reduction in unsolicited sales and marketing voice calls after a few days, although it can take up to 28 days for the service ...
Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP Mike Rumbles today slammed the Scottish Government today for failing to get to grips with overdue farm payments. In a reply to written questions from Mr Rumbles from the rural affairs minister, the Scottish Government confirmed that staff in the Rural Payments department worked a total of 3567 hours in overtime [...]
Scottish Liberal Democrat energy spokesman Liam McArthur MSP said yesterday that the Scottish Government cannot pass the buck on additional carbon emissions that would be caused by SNP plans to cut tax for airlines. Following a statement on Scotland's carbon emission targets, Mr McArthur pressed the Cabinet Secretary on SNP proposals to slash Air Passenger Duty (APD) that experts [...]
This week, upon advice from strategists and pollsters, David Cameron is taking a step back from the Stronger In campaign. This is not how DC saw things going down a few months ago – by this stage, Remain were going to be 20 points up in the polls, all down to his magnetic popularity. Instead, he is starting to be seen as increasingly toxic to the Labour voters who are going to swing this referendum. Politics is like that. It makes me think that David Cameron has one last card to play if Leave are still ahead in the final ...
[IMG: INtogether] With just over a week to go until the Referendum on Britain's membership of the European Union, here is a look at what some of our teams from across the country have been doing. The team in Norwich have been hitting the doorsteps to talk to people about why it is so important that we [...]
One of the first things I tell people about myself, really as a warning, is that I cry a lot. At good news, bad news, RSPA appeals. Even a particularly nostalgic Hovis advert will do it. Since Orlando, I've cried on public transport. In the office. In a car park. At home. In response to eye witness accounts, doctor's stories, and politician's reactions. I suppose like many I've been grieving. But what with it this time is a physical reaction. A need to reach out my arms and hug the relatives, the police, the victims. To run and be there, ...
I recently had complaints from residents that the grass areas in front of the flats on the south side of Saggar Street are needing reinstatement. See photo below of me at the location :I contacted the City Council about it and have been advised that the City Development Department has requested that its lighting contractor (who recently installed the new street lights) undertake reinstatement work.
My Chaplain during my year as Mayor is Canon Dr, Rod Garner . His most recent column in the Southport Visiter explains why he will being voting to remain in the European Union. THE QUESTION OF IDENTITYIt's 25 years since Dr. Helen Sharman became the first British female astronaut to go into space. In a recent radio interview she was asked if the original journey felt a long time ago. Without hesitation she replied that it was all still wonderfully fresh and real. The enthusiasm in her voice left me in doubt that this was so. In particular she recalled ...
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