I posted this on Liberal England back in March to mark Cliff Michelmore's death. It was broadcast 50 years ago tonight.
Embed from Getty Images Don't take my word for it: read Stephen Bush in the New Statesman: One thing is clear: the "Liberal Democrat fightback" is not just a hashtag. The party has been doing particularly well in affluent Conservative areas that voted to stay in the European Union. (It's worth noting that one seat that very much fits that profile is Theresa May's own stomping ground of Maidenhead.) It means that if, as looks likely, Zac Goldsmith triggers a by-election over Heathrow, the Liberal Democrats will consider themselves favourites if they can find a top-tier candidate with decent local ...
Fri 21st
21:06
Gary Lineker "needs to decide if he's a political activist or BBC sports journalist - he can't be bo...
Embed from Getty Images So said Alec Shelbrooke, a Tory MP who has hitherto flown beneath the radar of this blog, of Gary Lineker. But he can be both. There are plenty of precedents. The great John Arlott fought Epping for the Liberal Party at the 1955 and 1959 general elections. Not only that: he was a regular panelist on Any Questions? which made him about the best known Liberal in the country before the party's revival under Jo Grimond. A second member of the Test Match Special team, Alan Gibson, was a supporter of the Liberals. He fought Falmouth ...
We end the day as we began it by paying tribute to the people, past and present, of Aberfan. Here is a newsreel of the day from British Movietone: * Paul Walter is a Liberal Democrat activist. As part of the Liberal Democrat Voice team he helps with photos and moderation on the site, as well as occsionally contributing articles. He blogs at Liberal Burblings.
What is happening to my Country, it gets more like a place I feel ashamed of by the day. Brexit Britain is hardly a tolerant, welcoming place and we are all the worse off for that. My thanks to Roy Connell for the lead to this appalling story which shines the UK Government in a terrible light. In a free Country we should be celebrating people of all beliefs, sexual orientation and progressive outlooks. This is not the 1950's!!!!
The delay in the electrification of the Midland main line from St Pancras is going to cause problems. In the summer of 2015 the government announced a pause in the project. It was soon restarted, but that good news was accompanied by the news that it will take four years longer than originally planned. The electrification will reach now Kettering and Corby by 2019, and be extended to Leicester, Derby, Nottingham and Sheffield (and, indeed, Market Harborough) by 2023. This will cause problems. East Midlands Trains, which runs the service on this line, is due to phase out its High ...
BT wants to close 214 payphones around Shropshire. Thirteen of these are in the Ludlow and Clee area. One is the second most used phone on the countywide closure list and is used on average once a day. But, in an age of mobile phones, do we still need phone boxes? I think we do... Continue reading Do we need payphones anymore? BT wants to axe 13 local phone boxes →
My colleagues Cllr Andrew Bond, Cllr Julia Davidson and myself have now handed the Gunthorpe Ridings petition in to the City Council, calling for road safety measures to be introduced. Why have you done that? Over the decades, residents living along Gunthorpe Ridings have had Conservative councillors, they've had Labour councillors, They've had independent Councillors, [...]
The Liberal Democrats pride themselves on being the most internationalist of Britain's political parties and a liberal, internationalist voice is going to be needed more than ever as the United Kingdom and several other parts of the world seem to be heading towards narrow nationalism and illiberal tendencies. Buoyed by last night's result in the [...]
The area around The Meadows (formally the Closes) areaRedcar will get the opportunity to learn new skills and get their voices heard as a week of activities take place as part of the 'Redcar and Cleveland Love It' campaign. Coming as the result of work done in Neighbourhood Action Partnership meetings chaired by ward councillors Chris Abbott and Billy Wells, residents on The Meadows estate will lead on tackling issues affecting the estate including anti-social behaviour and general cleanliness. They will also be forming their own residents' group to continue this week of action in the future. Starting on Monday ...
This is essentially my 'hot take' on the Witney by-election. At time of writing it's almost 10pm here in South Korea. So I'm prioritising speed over things like finding links to support my assertions, redrafting and proofreading. If that leads to problems, please point it out in the comments and I will try to rectify [...]
In 100 years this building will still be standing as an asset to our City whereas most of what we are building today will have been demolished Lib Dems are seriously concerned about the type of development taking place in ... Continue reading →
(Photo: BBC) So, the Tories held Witney while Labour easily topped the poll in Batley and Spen. No real surprises there. However, there's a bigger picture. A much bigger picture. Let's take Witney first - a by-election held because of the resignation of former Prime Minister David Cameron as the local MP. In 2015, just seventeen months ago, Cameron secured a majority of 25,155 with over 60% of the vote. Yesterday that majority was slashed to 5,702. You might argue that's still pretty comfortable for the Tories. Indeed, asked yesterday by a former party member what I genuinely thought the ...
Embed from Getty Images Commenting on Theresa May's first European Council summit, where her short statement on Brexit was reportedly met with silence from other EU leaders, Liberal Democrat Leader Tim Farron said: Given the haphazard way May is dealing with Brexit in her own cabinet, it's not surprising she is struggling to convince other European leaders that this will be anything like the 'smooth withdrawal' her office is briefing. Instead of putting the views minority of hardline Tory Brexiteers first, our Prime Minister should be doing what's right for the British people. This means remaining in the Single Market, ...
Friday night was awards night at the Gild Hall in Formby. This is a new and most important initiative from Formby Parish Council and got off to a brilliant start. There were twelve awards including Good Neighbour, Carer, Fundraisers, for Courage, Teacher, Young Person, Community Hero and Lifetime Achievement. The businesses of Formby had rallied around to sponsor the awards and local residents John Parrot, David Fairclough, and Elite Super Heavyweight Champion Alex Dickenson joined me in handing out the awards. The evening was expertly compered by Sandgrounder Radio's Neil Newton. A full report can be found on the Formby ...
Proposals have been published by Greater Manchester Councils for massive plans to build on green belt land in Bury. Proposals include: – the release of 255 hectares of green-belt land south of the M62 around Simister extending westwards towards Prestwich for 2,300 homes. – the release of 62 hectares of green belt land around Pole Lane and Mode Hill Lane in Whitefield for 600 homes. – the release of 500 hectares of green belt land to the east of the M60 as part of a massive industrial/employment site known as the 'Northern Gateway' (bigger in size that Trafford Park). – ...
A new prize is launched today for thinkers and writers who want to ask big questions and solve social problems. Here's what the judges are looking for Should a songwriter have scooped the Nobel prize in literature? In the debate over this year's surprise award to Bob Dylan, it is easy to lose sight of the long history of prizes being used to recognise great writing (in whatever form), great research and other outstanding achievements. The use of prizes dates back furthest in the sciences. In 1714, the British government famously offered an award of £20,000 (about £2.5 million at ...
Embed from Getty Images Hillary Clinton has apparently had "psychology experts" advising her on how, among other things, to "needle" Donald Trump in the Presidential debates. Those experts deserve a medal for services to the USA. Clinton's debate strategy has been a masterclass which will be written about for decades. Those experts have helped smoke out Donald Trump's true colours in the debate theatre, rather than leaving it to when he might have become President. The fact that in Wednesday evening's debate he was reduced to saying "Such a nasty woman" and "You're the puppet! ...No you're the puppet" betokens ...
The results of yesterday's by-election are set out below: Green Party 98 UKIP 16 Ellie Hudspith – Liberal Democrat 916 ELECTED Labour 193 Conservative 388 Chris White said: 'I am delighted to welcome Ellie to the team. She has been an excellent candidate and I am sure she will be an excellent councillor. 'The Conservatives [...]
I have been striking a note of caution for a while now about the potential for the Lib Dems to rise from the ashes. Local by-election results have been seized upon by both Lib Dem supporters and detractors as proof of the party being born again – I have been less convinced. Despite the Brexit vote and the meltdown of the Labour Party, the national polls have not favoured the Lib Dems, at least not as yet. This, to me, is more indicative of where things stand for the party as opposed to local election results, which after having lost ...
Twitter RT @po8crg: We should build a high-capacity electric freight railway across Asia. That would replace over a third of this. Twitter RT @fifiharoon: A pardon implies that you're being pardoned for something you did wrong. An apology is an admission that the convic... Instagram Disney princess blanket & mummy's leg = Spike heaven (403) RT @nickreeves9876: Reminder: The academic evidence regarding immigration is overwhelmingly positive #Remain #YesEU #Brexit Twitter RT @hollyamory: It'd be easiest to give him (and the Brexiters!) a little Truman-Show world where they think they got what they want Twitter RT @ireland: Ball is the ...
Embed from Getty Images There was another parliamentary by-election last night. Batley and Spen in Yorkshire was contested to elect an MP to replace Jo Cox, who was murdered going about her MP's duties in June this year. The Liberal Democrats, UKIP and the Conservatives did not fight the by-election, as a mark of respect to the late Jo Cox. Labour's Tracy Brabin won with 17,506 votes – a majority of 16,537. Sal Brinton, President of the Liberal Democrats, said: I want to congratulate Tracy Brabin for her victory in the Batley & Spen by-election. This is an election we ...
Fri 21st
09:55
Working-class misrepresentation by middle-class journalists and the hatred they create - MA Essay
George Orwell in 1937 wrote, "Every middle-class person has a dormant prejudice which needs only a small thing to arouse it ... The notion that the working class have been absurdly pampered, hopelessly demoralised by doles, old-age pensions, free education etc. ... is still widely held; it has merely been shaken perhaps, by the recent recognition that unemployment does exist." (page 123). He wrote that in chapter 8 of The road to Wigan Pier, in which he discussed how class was viewed in England at that time. On the portrayal of the working class, Orwell wrote, "An attitude of sniggering ...
Embed from Getty Images At this moment fifty years ago, disaster hit a mining village in Gwent, Wales, as the BBC remembers: It took just five minutes for the coal tip above Aberfan to slide down the mountain and engulf a farm, several houses and a school. Pupils at Pantglas Junior School were just beginning their first lessons of the day when the rushing landslide of mud and debris flooded into their classrooms. Some children were able to escape, but 116 were killed. Another 28 adults also died. The local community was devastated by the tragedy and the whole country ...
Thousands of People have taken part in Your Liberal Britain's online consultation saying what kind of country they wanted the Lib Dems to fight for. You can find the full report here.
As Plaid Cymru gather in Llangollen for their annual conference all the media speculation centres on whether they will finally bite the bullet and enter into another formal coalition with Labour in the Welsh Assembly. One of the reasons Dafydd Elis Thomas walked away from Plaid was his perception that they are not serious about exercising power and their failure to form such an alliance. He certainly has backers for that view remaining within his former party. The BBC quote Leanne Wood as saying that there is "ongoing discussion" about whether it is better to formally share power, with members ...
Well, that was a great result at Witney. Congratulations to Liz Leffman who was an astonishingly brilliant candidate. This was the biggest swing from the Conservatives to the Lib Dems since the Winchester by-election in 1997. We moved from 4th to 2nd. In 2015 the Guardian described the 25,155 Tory majority at Witney as "ultra safe". Liz and team reduced that majority to just 5,702 with a very high turnout for a by-election – 47%. Labour were pushed into third place with both the Greens and UKIP losing their deposits. This really is an exceptional result. It was staggering to ...
Embed from Getty Images The huge swing to the Liberal Democrats of 19.3% per cent would wipe out Theresa May's majority and hand 26 seats from the Conservatives to Tim Farron's party. The swing rivals many that were seen in famous by-election wins under the leadership of Paddy Ashdown and Charles Kennedy. Tim Farron, Leader of the Liberal Democrats, said: The result not only signals that the Liberal Democrats are back in the political big time and the return to three party politics, it is a clear rejection of the Conservative Brexit government's plan to take Britain out of the ...
Why we lost the Brexit vote Long, bitter but well-founded analysis by Cameron aide @DanielKorski. I think he is right about the Spitzenkandidaten. (tags: ) London Is Still Paying Rent to the Queen on a Property Leased in 1211 ...and you won't believe what the rent is... (tags: london history ) Germany Shuts Door on Brexit Back Channels "Germany must now put the interests of the remaining 27-member EU ahead of Britain's" (tags: ukpolitics germany brexit eu ) Croatia's new conservative government voted into office - The Washington Post My old friend @AndrejPlenkovic takes the helm. (tags: croatia ) Theresa ...
St Mary's (E. Riding of Yorks.): LD: 40.0% (+28.7) CON: 25.3% (-3.2) LAB: 18.4% (+0.6) BEV: 9.7% (-1.2) IND: 3.8% (+3.8) UKIP: 2.7% (-10.3) — Britain Elects (@britainelects) October 20, 2016 * Paul Walter is a Liberal Democrat activist. As part of the Liberal Democrat Voice team he helps with photos and moderation on the site, as well as occsionally contributing articles. He blogs at Liberal Burblings.
Clarence (St Albans) result: LDEM: 56.9% (+6.0) CON: 24.1% (+2.9) LAB: 12.0% (-5.2) GRN: 6.1% (-3.7) UKIP: 1.0% (+1.0) — Britain Elects (@britainelects) October 20, 2016 Lib Dem hold. Many congratulations to Councillor Ellie Hudspith! * Paul Walter is a Liberal Democrat activist. As part of the Liberal Democrat Voice team he helps with photos and moderation on the site, as well as occsionally contributing articles. He blogs at Liberal Burblings.
Con 17,313 Lib Dem Liz 11,611 [IMG: 😃] Labour 5,765 UKIP 1354 Green 1363 CON: 45.1% (-15.1) LDEM: 30.2% (+23.5) LAB: 15.0% (-2.2) GRN: 3.5% (-1.5) UKIP: 3.5% (-5.6) Turnout 47% 19.3% swing from the Tories to the Lib Dems. The Greens and UKIP lost their deposits. The Tory majority was slashed from 25,155 of "ultra safe" for the Tories to 5,702! Lib Dems rise from 4th to 2nd. Via Neil Fawcett's Live Facebook broadcast, Liz Leffman said: This is a really great result. Thank you to everyone who helped in any way. This is a beginning for us – ...
Liz got just over 30% of the vote. Con 17,313 Lib Dem Liz 11,611 [IMG: 😃] Labour 5,765 UKIP 1354 Green 1363 * Paul Walter is a Liberal Democrat activist. As part of the Liberal Democrat Voice team he helps with photos and moderation on the site, as well as occsionally contributing articles. He blogs at Liberal Burblings.
So much for the "low turnout" that was forecast earlier! * Paul Walter is a Liberal Democrat activist. As part of the Liberal Democrat Voice team he helps with photos and moderation on the site, as well as occsionally contributing articles. He blogs at Liberal Burblings.
