Thanks to Liberal History for pointing out on Twitter that today is the 112th anniversary of a by-election in the Harborough constituency: 17th June 1904 The Liberals hold the Harborough by-election The Hon. Philip Stanhope, the younger son of the 5th Earl, wins the Harborough by-election in Leicestershire following the resignation of the sitting Liberal MP, J.W. Logan, increasing the Liberal majority by over 400 votes. Stanhope had previously been Liberal MP for Wednesbury (1886-92) and Burnley (1893-1900). He was strongly anti war, opposing British participation in the Boer War and was sometime president of the National Peace League. He ...
Embed from Getty Images Margaret Thatcher, quoting Clement Attlee, once described referendums "a device of dictators and demagogues". She was right. A referendum on Britain's membership of the European Union was always a bad idea and it has had an unlovely effect on our politics - or at least revealed a side of it that is usually well buried. For a discussion of that effect I recommend articles by Alex Massie and the great Neil Ascherson. Reader's voice: Come off it! You are only saying this because you are afraid your side is going to lose. Not so. I have ...
Gerard Manley Hopkins wrote my favourite poem, Pied Beauty. "GLORY be to God for dappled things— For skies of couple-colour as a brinded cow; For rose-moles all in stipple upon trout that swim; Fresh-firecoal chestnut-falls; finches' wings; Landscape plotted and pieced—fold, fallow, and plough; And all trades, their gear and tackle and trim. All things counter, original, spare, strange; Whatever is fickle, freckled (who knows how?) With swift, slow; sweet, sour; adazzle, dim; He fathers-forth whose beauty is past change: Praise him." This is my Britain, a land of dappled things. A land of beauty, a land where some things ...
This week has seen some of the best and worst of people and politics. My own week started on Leith Links, campaigning with the Edinburgh North, East and Leith Liberal Democrats. Given that the EU referendum is coming up, we decided to put our efforts into supporting the Remain campaign. Always the party with the greatest enthusiasm for the European Union, I found it a real pleasure engaging people on the subject. Even those who didn't want to know the Libdems (I know, hard to believe!) were usually willing to talk on Europe. My approach was straightforward. Those who were ...
It's right that Jo Cox was a great campaigner for important causes. I just hope the media remembers that when 'normal' political news coverage returns and judgements are being made about what stories to feature. It's right that Jo Cox was a fantastically hard worker in her constituency. I just hope the media remembers that when the next story about MP 'holidays' comes round when recess times are set. It's right to be cautious about judging the motives of her killer and what triggered the action. I just hope the media remember that the next time when someone with a ...
I'm voting Remain in the EU Referendum not because I think it's good for jobs, businesses, our housing market, our industries, cheaper travel, not climate change, or trade. All of those things are incredibly and massively important, and the poorest and most vulnerable in our society and our communities will pay the price if we [...]
Second paragraph of third chapter: "Gerber's a good fellow," Botnik said. "But he hates being kept in the dar. So tell me - why are we keeping him in the dark?" Botnik was a big man with a deep voice, a tight stomach, farmer's hands, and sandy hair - attractive, had she the energy to think about such things. Ten years younger than her, she guessed, but neither inexperienced nor a dummy. This is quite a long way down the list of well-known works by Greg Bear, fifteenth on LibraryThing and twentieth on Goodreads. Published in 2006, set around now, ...
As part of our tributes to Jo Cox, we're linking to this article in the Yorkshire Post, published last Friday. In it, Jo Cox very persuasively argues that Brexit will not solve concerns over immigration. She accepts that those concerns are genuine – sincere worries about pressures on GP surgeries or schools. But she explains that Brexit will not answer the concerns and calls for practical steps to improve the situation. You can read the full article here. * Newshound: bringing you the best Lib Dem commentary published in print or online.
Hate. Racism. Now murder. This cannot stand. Whether you're In or Out, there are values the great, decent majority of British people agree on. We've all got to take responsibility now. Because Britain is better than this, and we can't just leave it to somebody else. Last night I was so appalled, so upset and so angry that I just recorded what I felt. What the campaign's turned into - and why they're not "all the same." Racism and very different experiences I remember from growing up. How I contrast Nigel Farage with my Mum. How very British is immigration. ...
Cookies are much talked about and are the trigger for all sorts of annoying pop up messages on websites, but what really are they?
The tragic killing of Jo Cox tells us three things about this campaign. First, that it has become bad natured. We are perhaps all guilty: I tweeted a picture of the England-Russia Sebastopol replay last Saturday under the headline 'English nationalists in France show the other side of Vote.Leave'. In the end, demeaning our opponents demeans us too. It's time to tone down the rhetoric, as Paddy Ashdown reminded us on Twitter a few hours ago. The second thing it tells us is that MPs' security needs review. Jo is the third victim in recent years, after Andy Pennington of ...
Meols Ward Lib Dem Councillors John Dodd, Nigel Ashton and Jo Barton are holding their next advice centre in Churchtownn We will be at BoxTree Kitchen for Queenscourt café, Manor Road/Cambridge Road, roundabout, from 10:30 to 11.30am on Thursday 23rd June, 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 Crossens, at St John's School, Rufford Road, Crossens every month (except August) on the second Saturday of the month from 11:00 am to 12:00.
Our party leader, Tim Farron has just sent this moving message to Liberal Democrat members: This morning with my kids all I could think about was the family who've woken up with their lives changed forever. Yesterday a mum, who left home to do her job to serve her constituents, was cruelly and brutally taken from them. Her husband and their children are in my thoughts and prayers. When something terrible happens, I feel it. I am not one of those who shies away from emotion. And I, like so many others, am really feeling it today. In Orlando, when ...
Arguments about gun control devoid of meaningful data and attempts to sow division based on misrepresentation highlight failures of science and democracy that we must fix together Last weekend, we saw the darkest side of humanity. Omar Mateen, an American citizen, driven by (perhaps internalized) homophobia, took 49 lives and destroyed the lives of hundreds more. This massacre, and its aftermath, point to multiple failures of science and democracy that together we can and must fix. Continue reading...
A woman is dead. Her husband is a widower, her children are motherless, her colleagues and friends are mourning. The vast majority of the profession to which she belonged is mourning, because we recognise that it could have been any of us. And yet, and yet... There's something unspeakable about certain of the tabloids, you know the ones I mean, the ones who use this to decide how they are going to cover an atrocity, who are today saying "don't politicise this". Quite apart from the fact that everything's political, when a politician gets assassinated in the act of being ...
Exhibit A: a phalanx of coffee connoisseurs telling us how important and beautiful simple design is.
Durham County Council won a Municipal Journal Achievement Award last night for Excellence in Governance and Scrutiny. This prestigious national award was in recognition of our innovative approach to engaging people, through overview and scrutiny, our 'slow to 20' campaign, and through the area action partnerships and the recent consultation and poll on devolution. From the Chief Executive today Arrangements for scrutiny by political and senior leaders are not sufficiently robust. Ofsted May 16th 2016
Embed from Getty Images Readers may have noticed that we suspended normal posting yesterday, as soon as news came through of the tragic death of Jo Cox MP. As a mark of respect, for 24 hours after that cruel blow to the operation of democracy, we have carried only material related to tributes to (and vigils for) Jo Cox MP. This has been a profoundly shocking event. We are still numbed by it. A bright light has been brutally extinguished. Our hearts and our thoughts go out to Jo's husband, Brendan, their two small children, their extended family, friends and ...
Called into the drop-in at Batley Methodists to meet the wonderful volunteers who offer such an important service pic.twitter.com/SzPeGCG6Um — Jo Cox MP (@Jo_Cox1) June 10, 2016 Led the assembly at the wonderful Batley Parish School, we focused on good citizenship, democracy and aspiration pic.twitter.com/hQY1rHFwfX — Jo Cox MP (@Jo_Cox1) June 14, 2016 Paid a visit to Heckmondwike's Yorkshire Chippy – home of glutten free fish and chips! Delicious @YshireChippy pic.twitter.com/SQxnA6KOsH — Jo Cox MP (@Jo_Cox1) June 14, 2016 Great day in Cleckheaton campaigning to #remain in the EU with @KathPinnock and our team supporting #StrongerIn pic.twitter.com/d5T6NYjwGX — Jo Cox ...
Fri 17th
11:58
Building on Green Belt – The Echo story is about Knowsley but it could just as easily be about...
The Liverpool Echo has the story – see link above As an environmental campaigner I despair at the approach of many Labour politicians to green issues like this. Frankly, and quite surprisingly, I have come across politicians on the right of local politics who have better green credentials than some Labour members! Claiming to support green/environmental issues then voting to trash them is beyond the pale in my book.
Embed from Getty Images There will be vigils held tonight across the country in memory of Jo Cox MP: In Parliament Square, Westminster, London at 7pm until 10pm. In George Square, Glasgow starting at 7pm until 11pm. In Manchester, there will be a vigil in Piccadilly Gardens from 7pm until 8.30pm. Please use the comments fields to tell us about any other vigils for Jo Cox MP.
Twitter RT @SzoWhat: This Evil Dead fan poster belongs in every library. #horror @GroovyBruce The appalling Philip Green is just part of the system. That's the real scandal | Owen Jones | Opinion | The Guardian RT @OwenJones84: We blame those at the bottom of the pile - and the Sir Philip Greens are left laughing: For 50 years voters have been denied a genuine debate on immigration. Now we're paying the price | Gary Younge | Opinion | The Guardian RT @mmegannnolan: This is the "the left needs to have a real conversation about immigration" which manages to actually ...
Message from the District Council The responses to the residents parking survey have now been reviewed. It has taken some time to review the responses as large area was considered to ensure that all residents that could potentially be affected by parking issues could provide feedback. The overall response rate was 73% with 47% wanting [...]
Fri 17th
10:00
Competition for images of the fields to the north of Brinsham Park before they are developed!
Yate Town Council has announced a competition to photograph, paint or draw for posterity the fields to the north of Brinsham Park before they are developed. Record a snap shot in time...capture the sense of place...what makes it special and unique? Fields.. gateways.. hedgerows.. ponds.. tracks.. wild life ..birds.. butterflies.. insects.. trees.. wild flowers.. streams.. rabbits.. Consider the obvious and common place and not so obvious! All entries will be compiled into a historic record. A small prize will be given to the winner to be judged on creative and imaginative observation capturing the essence of the area. To enter: ...
As a simple tribute to Jo Cox MP, here, on video first and then in text form, is her sparkling maiden speech in the House of Commons from 3rd June 2015: Here from Hansard, is the text of the speech in full: Thank you, Mr Speaker; it is a great privilege to be called to make my maiden speech in this most important of debates, and I congratulate many others who have made outstanding maiden speeches today. I am sure that many right hon. and hon. Members will claim that their constituencies consist of two halves or numerous parochial parts; ...
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! A Day of Infamy | Coffee House "I cannot recall ever feeling worse abt the UK & its politics than is the case right now" http://bit.ly/1Q8PaVE I'm sitting on my bus home red-eyed. — Medium Well said, @twlldun: "We've embraced a callow cynicism and called it wisdom." http://bit.ly/1W1Kems The final week: safety first – The Politics Counter "Can Remain make its economic ...
Yesterday I had a very pleasant morning litter-picking with Groundwork, fourteen year five pupils from St Patrick's junior school, fellow councillor, neighbourhood wardens and a teaching assistant. The children were terrific. I asked one if he was a volunteer or a pressed man. He grinned and insisted he was a volunteer, supported by the statement, "I love the environment." Another girl, teased about taking the opportunity to get out of class replied indignantly, "But it's break-time" – and then it turned out that she and three others in the group litter-picked in the school every day. As so often when ...
Fri 17th
09:09
Good politics like good religion should seek to break down barriers not build new ones and encourage...
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 ...
As a mark of respect to Jo Cox, and with regard to the current overheated political atmosphere, it has been decided not to proceed with campaigning. In particular, the street stall planned for the Lidl store in Bryncoch South this weekend will not now take place. - Frank Little, Secretary
REST IN PEACE. ENOUGH SAID. Please tweet messages of thanks and support to your MP using the hashtag #ThankYourMP Libdemhame.org will return after the weekend.
From Dundee City Council : THE ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 : SECTION 14(1) THE DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL AS TRAFFIC AUTHORITY being satisfied that traffic on the road should be prohibited by reason of gas service connection works being carried out HEREBY PROHIBIT the driving of any vehicle in Seabraes Lane (from no.11 for a distance of 30metres or thereby in a westerly direction), Dundee. This notice comes into effect on Monday 20 June 2016 for 5 working days. Pedestrian thoroughfare will be maintained. No alternative route is available. For further information contact 433168. Executive Director of City DevelopmentDundee City ...
Forgot the titles and the position a woman, mother and wife has been attacked and shot dead on the streets of Britain. For me, the fact that she is an MP is an incidental point and this would have been no more shocking if she had been a teacher, accountant or banker. We've also had the shocking scenes across the pond in Orlando at the start of the week. It's at times like this, when the world seems a lonely, dark, dangerous place that we sometimes give into the temptation to believe it is - and if my social media ...
Britain flirts with economic insanity I wish the Washington Post would say what they really think! (tags: ukpolitics eu ) The Rock of remain: why Gibraltar is rejecting Brexit Funny how those who bang on about sovereignty ignore the views of those most affected! (tags: ukpolitics eu ) The Guardian view on Jo Cox: an attack on humanity, idealism and democracy | Editorial | Opinion | The Guardian Amen. (tags: ukpolitics death ) The unspeakable truth - Charlie's Diary "I've been saying a while that when fascism comes to Britain it will be wearing a tweed jacket and a cheeky ...
I never met the young Labour MP Jo Cox but for some time I had been aware of her campaigning — on International Development, Syrian refugees and, most recently, for the Remain side in the EU Referendum. The image of her that will ways stick in my mind was of her and her husband Brendan [...]
While the murder of Jo Cox is deeply shocking, our thoughts should be with her young family. But we shouldn't forget that this is not a unique event. Stephen Timms was seriously assaulted at an advice surgery in 2010 as was Cheltenham Lib Dem MP, Nigel Jones in 2000 - where his assistant Andy Pennington was killed. Andy was also an elected representive - a local councillor for Hester's Way ward - which has somewhat been forgotten in all the outpouring of grief in the Westminster bubble. The Guardian provides a history of attacks on UK MPs and it is ...
