So, Steven Woolfe, so committed to the UKIP cause he aspired to lead, has abandoned them to go it alone, citing the ungovernable mess and the "rotten" state of the party. A rather sorry state of affairs but sadly for UKIP, one of their unique selling points now seems to be under threat from the Conservatives. Previously, UKIP had been the home to all the swivel-eyed loonies, obsessive,
Click on the image about to view this film on the British Film Institute site. The blurb there says: Here are station names as familiar and reassuring to users of this line as the shipping forecast area names are to sailors and radio listeners: Bynea, Llandeilo, Llandovery, Cynghordy (and viaduct), Llanwrtyd Wells, Llangammarch, Garth, Llandrinod Wells, Dolau, Llanbister Road (where a single sheep stands on the line as the train approaches), Llangunllo and the Knucklas Viaduct.
Got some of my test results today. ( cut for potential TMI ) I'm still in in lots of pain, every day. But I'm also not dead. More updates as they come. [IMG: comment count unavailable] comments
Liz Leffman winning, obviously. There's also plenty of scope short of winning for the Witney by-election to count as an excellent result for the Liberal Democrats, so how to judge the result when it comes through? One factor to bear in mind is just how poor Liberal Democrat results in Parliamentary by-elections have been for a long period of time. A mere 2% increase in the Lib Dem vote in such a contest was last achieved... way back in 2007 in Ealing Southall. In fact, since the 2005 general election there have only been two by-elections in which the Liberal ...
In his latest 'Brexit Challenge' paper setting out the details of what leaving the European Union really means, Nick Clegg has turned to the pitfalls facing the UK's food and drink industry: Former Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has warned that leaving the European single market would lead the UK "off a cliff towards higher food prices". He said items like chocolate, cheese and wine would be hit by a "triple whammy" of tariff checks, customs checks and workforce shortages. [BBC] Here is what Nick Clegg had to say on launching his latest Brexit Challenge paper: Today I am launching ...
Yesterday I became a godfather for the second time. My cousin L had a baby boy, E, in June. He was christened in the same robe worn by Sean Murray, grandfather to both me and L, when he was baptised over a century ago, in an Ireland still under British rule. (Many later additions to his family subsequently wore the robes for their baptisms, including me.) Our grandfather lived to become the second most important civil servant in the Irish state and died suddenly in October 1976, leaving nine children by two marriages. My grandmother had died in 1946, shortly ...
Mon 17th
19:47
Ludlow councillors call for Stretton Ward at Ludlow Hospital to be reopened immediately after matern...
On Friday, Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust announced that the midwifery-led unit at Ludlow will close indefinitely while its structural integrity is investigated. Ludlow's unitary councillors are now calling for Stretton Ward at Ludlow Community Hospital to be reopened to accommodate maternity cases. Stretton Ward was closed without notice in July 2015 shortly after... Continue reading Ludlow councillors call for Stretton Ward at Ludlow Hospital to be reopened immediately after maternity closure →
Mon 17th
19:47
Man stole 13 blocks of cheese from Leicester supermarket - but 'didn't know what to do with it'
Thanks to the Leicester Mercury, we have our Headline of the Day.
Nick Clegg has published the third of his Brexit Challenge papers. This one looks the potential challenges facing the UK's food and drink industry after Brexit and has already received considerable media coverage. Nick writes: UK membership of the EU affects almost every aspect of the food chain, from the pesticides that can be used on our crops, to the profitability of our farms, to the labelling of products in our shops; from the employment conditions of agricultural workers to hygiene standards in factories; and from the subsidies paid to farmers to the quantity of fish that can be caught. ...
Now that I have your attention let me explain what I mean. In 1982 I was part of an "elite squad" of Liberals and Social Democrats who campaigned in the Queens Park by-election. It was not the most fertile of territory and despite having an excellent candidate (one Graham Watson, sorry Sir Graham) we finished, I think, a "good fourth". For me it was the first taste of what was to become a minor obsession, namely campaigning in parliamentary by-elections. Since then I have seen the good, the bad and the indifferent. A "good by-election" is like nothing else. If ...
It's a bugbear of mine that in Durham County Council too much business goes on behind closed doors – decision making on your money and mine which is kept hidden from the press and public. Wednesday's Cabinet Meeting will cast an interesting light on it. Back in 2009, and again in 2013, the County Council loaned money to Durham Cricket Club, behind closed doors, but I can assure you (I was there in 2009) that assurances were given that these were commercial loans backed by a sound business case. The details of the loans were not published (press and public ...
Monday: Today Captain Clegg launched his third pamphlet on the challenges facing the UK due to Brexit. This one is about food and drink. Nick Clegg at the National Liberal Club If you're still watching POLDARK on the BBC you will know it's a tale of noble-but-impoverished workers of mine and land, ground down by the machinations of sinister bankers who manipulate the laws and the local dimwit Tory MP for their own ends, and so must turn to smuggling to get goods past the exorbitant import tariffs. What you might NOT realise is that this is a BOLD sci-fi ...
I've lost at least one presumed friendship already today. I say "presumed" because the person in question apparently has such a low opinion of me that he thinks I support firebombing one's political opponents, and cares so little about that ... Continue reading →
Embed from Getty Images Nick Clegg has given a speech at the National Liberal Club today to launch his third report in the Brexit Challenge series. In this one he looks at the impact of hard Brexit on food prices. Here is his speech in full: Nearly 4 months on from the vote to leave the European Union, we are finally starting to understand the early consequences of Brexit. In the last week we have seen the government on the back foot, pressed by Conservative MPs to give parliament a say ahead of the triggering of article 50. We have ...
From October 3rd 2016, it has been possible to pay rent to Six Town Housing using your phone's keypad, following feedback from their tenant led Customer Review Group (CRG). Six Town Housing's automated telephone line is being updated after the CRG asked if it could be easier and quicker for tenants to access the services they need. The CRG also provided feedback that some tenants do not realise when they call Six Town Housing that the following services are delivered by Bury Council; Housing Applications, Pest Control, Council Tax and Bin Collections. The automated phone line will be updated to ...
Grants are available for community groups to apply for in Bury from I Will if You Will. I Will If You Will (IWIYW) is a female fitness movement, delivered by Bury Council with National Lottery funding from Sport England. The project aims to help women and girls in Bury to get more active, more often. What is the I Will If You Will community fund? The IWIYW community fund offers constituted community groups and voluntary organisations grants of up to £1,000 to support projects in Bury that encourage women and girls (aged 14+) to take part in sport or physical ...
[IMG: Leeds Liverpool Canal from the Stanley Road Bridge in Bootle] Leeds Liverpool Canal from the Stanley Road Bridge in Bootle www.llcs.org.uk/html/bicentenary_events.html I am indebted to the excellent Lydiate World web site for tracking down more detail (from the Leeds Liverpool Canal Society) about the historic voyage taking place this very week along our 200 year old Leeds Liverpool Canal. Please use the link above to access further information which looks like it will be updated throughout the week of sailing. [IMG: Looking north along the canal from the Waddicar Lane road bridge through Melling.] Looking north along the canal ...
Nearby residents and others will no doubt have noticed the closure of Heywood Road (between Heys Road and Bury Old Road). A deep hole appeared in the middle of the carriageway near 186/188 Heywood Road, Prestwich overnight on Sunday night. Currently, the collapse of a United Utilities 300mm (1 ft) diameter foul sewer is suspected as the cause. An emergency closure has been put in place and the diversion route will utilise Bury New Road and Bury Old Road via Scholes Lane. Bus companies and emergency services have been notified. UU anticipate the closure will remain in place for 2-3 ...
Here's another encouraging story from Liz Leffman's campaign in Witney. Absolutely amazing to have Dillie Keane in today to help out with my campaign! pic.twitter.com/Ojwb9FayJh — Liz Leffman (@lizleffman) October 14, 2016
Residents recently made contact with my FOCUS Team colleagues and I, regarding the fact that Cissbury Ring and Fulbridge Road were still awaiting the introduction of the new LED street lights, despite nearby roads having already had new lights in recent times. Some residents had seen the recent Peterborough City Council announcement that it was starting [...]
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-37677973 Just when you think the Tories can't get any more fascist-like one of their number goes and does this! The BBC has the sad story on its web site – see link above. Many Brexiters want us Remainers to shut up, indeed they often tell us to. I have always thought they feel uncomfortable with our reminding them that they have beggared up the UK's prospects for generations to come so telling us to shut up is their way of sticking their fingers in their ears. [IMG: 13511053_1614311592194015_4578317925991669418_n] Well, now it goes to a whole new level as this ...
"Ridiculous" you no doubt think, this is another of the Liberal elite trying to spread scare stories. Well, if that is what you think then take a look at the Government Petitions website today. A Conservative Councillor has launched a petition calling on the Government to amend the Treason Felony Act to make supporting UK membership of the EU a crime. The petition states: Amend the Treason Felony Act to make supporting UK membership of the EU a crime. The Treason Felony Act be amended to include the following offences: 'To imagine, devise, promote, work, or encourage others, to support ...
Has the FA done enough to ensure that its new artifical pitches are safe? I have written to the Mayor of Liverpool asking him to suspend the installation of artificial 3G football pitches that the Council is planning to install ... Continue reading →
[IMG: This is the present condition of the Sandy Lane Park tennis courts surface. ] This is the present condition of the Sandy Lane Park tennis courts surface. We had a discussion at the September Parish Council meeting about how or even if we should to take forward the long talked about project to upgrade the rather down at heel tennis courts at Lydiate's Sandy Lane Park. I have blogged about this matter before and the link to that posting is here:- The issue is the cost of the surfacing – it is in the many thousands of Pounds. ...
Welcome to the latest in my series of tips and advice for Liberal Democrat members, which appear first in the email bulletin run by London Region for party members. What do the academics say? Delivering lots of leaflets worksVoters who recalled receiving six of more leaflets from the Lib Dems outside of election time were much more likely to vote for the party. more Delivering leaflets is such an apparently straight-forward activity that you don't see any training sessions or briefing materials in the party about how to do it. But there's more to smart and successful leaflet delivery than ...
Embed from Getty Images We don't see many posts on Lib Dem Voice about Northern Ireland – maybe because we don't have many Liberal Democrat members there. So this is an invitation to discuss the increasingly worrying impact of Brexit – and the threat of Brexit – on the economy and security of that beautiful, but little known, part of the UK where 56% voted to stay in the EU. Martin McGuiness has been telling the media that Northern Ireland should be pressing for a special status within the EU. In The Guardian article today: "As things sit at the ...
Stunning photo of 12 year old boy standing up to 11000 homophobes RT @donor_whisperer: The power of the pic - the 12-year-old boy who took on the homophobes. Respect. via @PinkNews Taking a pounding | The Economist RT @IanDunt: Economic analysis of the UK now sounds like a friend trying to do an intervention to stop his mate's alcohol problem It's NOT the economy, stupid: Brexit as a story of personal values | British Politics and Policy at LSE RT @ZoeJardiniere: Accepted narrative is that it's the "left behind" who voted leave, but this study suggests it's more complicated /5 ...
Mon 17th
10:55
Membership up, by-elections won but national polling flat: Liberal Democrat Newswire #85
Surging membership and regular council by-election victories have not translated into gains in the national opinion polls for the Liberal Democrats.
[IMG: P112912PS-0444 - President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney in the Oval Office - crop] How a Presidential election concession normally looks – Mitt Romney and Barack Obama meet in the Oval Office after the latter's election I should declare an interest. I am a great Woody Harrelson fan. He could read out passages from the New York phone directory and I would think it is great. There's a scene in the film "Game Change" with our Woody at his best. "Game change" is the film that looks at Sarah Palin's selection and campaign as Vice Presidential nominee in the ...
I spent yesterday watching the re-enactment of the Battle of Hastings, 48 hours beyond its 950th anniversary, in the grounds of Battle Abbey, and an extraordinary event it was. I was there partly to take my children and partly to sell my detective story based in 1119-20, Regicide: Peter Abelard and the Great Jewel. It was also a moving experience, and I've been trying to put my finger on exactly why. I believe it was because it was such a pan-European event. There was no doubt that the crowd was on Harold's side. But there was also a sense that ...
Priti Patel said in an interview over the weekend that anti-Brexit MPs were, quote, "using Parliament to subvert the will of the British public". I wish she and other Brexiteers could see that this statement makes absolutely no sense and contains an obvious logical error in its intended meaning. The whole point of the unwritten British constitution is that the House of Commons is the supreme legislative body across the relevant territory. You might have heard about the "primacy" of the Commons before; ironically enough, the same Tory MPs who are going on about MPs subverting the will of the ...
Bankers are not the most popular of people in this country but it is an unavoidable fact that the UK's financial services sector employs 1.9m people and is the key to maintaining a balance of payments surplus. Without it the pound would depreciate even further and we would have further increases in the cost of living, increases which will hit the poorest sections of our society the most because they spend the highest proportion of their income on basics such as food. It is not good news therefore to read in the Guardian that banks could start making decisions to ...
Sabine Fuss and Jan Minx: The world's governments have agreed to ambitious climate goals. But if we are to hit our new targets, scientists and innovators need to move quickly to close the gap between hope and reality. The Paris Agreement on Climate Change has been a big surprise to many. All countries agreed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, keeping the world "well below" 2°C or even at 1.5°C of warming. By including the 1.5°C target, the Agreement has become more ambitious than many observers had expected. And the party is still not over: against the odds, countries required less ...
This view of the Hawkhill in Dundee below was taken from the West Port, looking west. Thomas Aitken's public house, The Globe, is listed in the Dundee Directory as Nos. 57 and 59 West Port, and is still so named today. Behind it is Johnston's Lane. No. 1 Hawkhill is listed in the Dundee Directory as John Mathieson, broker, which may have been the West Port Loans Office. M. Boland & Co.'s clothiery was Nos. 20 and 24 Hawkhill.
Wonderlab, the new interactive gallery for children at the Science Museum, is a mess of ethical and science communication contradictions. "What do you wonder?" That is the question the Science Museum has been asking for many months now, in posters, celebrity videos and in online images. It's been part of the museum's strategy to ramp up excitement around its new "Wonderlab" gallery, a space full of interactive science exhibits designed to inspire children. But what many have been wondering is how Statoil, a major oil and gas company with plans to drill up to seven new wells in the Arctic, ...
Three Brexiteer wheeze unravels. Is May up to it? Good question. (tags: brexit ukpolitics ) What would a Trump presidency mean for the rest of the world? Brendan Simms forecasts "unmitigated catastrophe". (tags: Uspolitics ) From the publisher: A response to threats about our presidential endorsement The Arizona Republic's answer. (tags: uspolitics ) Irish leaders fear Brexit will bring economic disaster First in a series. (tags: ireland ukpolitics northernireland eu brexit )
