So, last week, the Lib Dems won the Richmond Park by-election. Some context for foreigners, or those who don't follow politics very much — the Lib Dems were, until about ten years ago, a formidable by-election fighting machine. We didn't ... Continue reading →
Many people say that love is the greatest thing on Earth and what they mean by that is romantic love. The love between partners that can last decades. I disagree. Some may say I disagree because I have never truly felt it and that may be true. But I believe friendship is a far greater gift than that. I believe this because I have had some amazing friends over my life and in fact, I have three of the most amazing friends right now. I would never trade them in for any shot at romantic love. Here are a few ...
I am in many respects a stoic. I also suffer from depression and anxiety. These are not complaints, but statements of truth. Whilst stoicism is far more complex than I think I could describe, I will give you a simple definition. A stoic is "a person who can endure pain or hardship without showing their feelings or complaining." I have done this for years without actually realising it. I have always been aware that my problems are my own and that others have issues they themselves need to deal with without having to listen to mine. This has resulted as ...
Polling day on Thursday in the Sleaford and North Hykeham by-election brings to an end a run of three clustered Parliamentary by-elections, all of which so far has been of wider political impact, and with Thursday likely to continue that trend. But what next? Here are three other Parliamentary by-elections which may happen in the next few months, even leaving aside what the police may do over those Conservative election expenses. Bath Ben Howlett, the Conservative MP for Bath, has been questioned by the police about a serious assault allegation. Questioning is not the same as prosecuting and prosecuting is ...
More comedy genius from Australia's Clarke and Dawe as Malcolm Turnbull, Prime Minister, looks back on 2016.
"His answers to Marr was like me at the despatch box pissed out of my skull at the Oxford Union. And I have done that a few times. But I am not the Foreign Secretary." Jerry Hayes on Boris Johnson there. Peter Wrigley has been to see I am Daniel Blake. "Those harking back to 'when Britain was great' perhaps forget that it was also characterised by our opening our doors to those in need." Barbara Fox draws parallels between wartime evacuation and the plight of refugees today. As diggers move in to demolish 200-year-old buildings on Dalston Lane, Katharina ...
We live in an age where knowledge has never been so widely or cheaply available. The results are all around us: the computer device you are reading this on, the artificial fabric which keeps most of us warm either in the house or on the street, the car or bus that most take to work. All fruits of knowledge and the labour of teams of experts who wrought this knowledge into material goods. Knowing and doing is how most people earn their living. There is one area of life however where knowledge seems to be unwelcome and that is the ...
This is still as funny as it was when it first appeared. It's those moments of peace and birdsong at the start that do it.
Political clickbait. Like cookie-dough ice cream, I know it's not good for me or society, and yet I find myself unable to resist mouthful after creamy mouthful. This is particularly true when it's from The Spectator, a magazine that's really ... Continue reading →
In November the transport minister Paul Maynard refused to confirm that the Midland main line will be electrified north of Kettering. Today came news that as a result the long-promised access improvements at Market Harborough station have been postponed. The news is contained in a letter from Maynard to Sir Edward Garnier, the Conservative MP for Harborough. You will find the letter on Sir Edward's website, though he has not been moved to offer a comment on it. We will see more disappointing news like this around the country as HS2 eats up all the funding for rail investment. What ...
Embed from Getty Images 1. Brexit means Brexit. 2. Brexit will be red, white and blue. 3. Errr ... 4. That's it. The post Exclusive: Theresa May's Brexit plan in full appeared first on ten pence piece.
One hundred years ago today David Lloyd George became Prime Minister. He was Britain's greatest radical leader. His liberal radicalism was unchecked by any vestiges of class background and little dimmed by religion. He is, so far, the only Welshman to lead our country (though Cromwell was of Welsh descent) and was the first from [...]
Lydiate's famous Scotch Piper Pub has gone up in flames within the last hour and it's the second fire involving its thatched roof in a matter of weeks. [IMG: img_9354] The first fire was thought to have been caused by a chimney fire but it was nowhere near as extensive as this afternoon's blaze. [IMG: img_9363] I counted 5 fire engines and a Merseyside Fire and Rescue control vehicle and as I post this news the fire is still burning in the thatch. Such a sad event to strike such an historic building. Note:- Click on the photos to enlarge ...
Sir 'AP' McCoy, Aintree Chair Rose Paterson and IBB Saturday morning dawned bright and clear but very cold. I was booked to be at Aintree (which is in Sefton rather than Liverpool) to open the Jockey Club's new Aintree Community Hub. The Aintree Community Programme has five themes - Health & Wellbeing; Mental Wellbeing; Community Engagement; Disability; Riding in the Community. All programmes have been designed to ensure we focus on the important issues in our community whilst being aligned to racing and Jockey Club roots. Most recently, the Aintree Community Programme received funding from the Sir Peter O'Sullevan Trust ...
[IMG: York from City Walls] York Liberal Democrats welcome all ALDC members to York for the Liberal Democrat Spring Conference in March. Some of our members are offering rooms in their houses to conference goers, for a donation of £40 per person per night, which will build our campaign funds for Council elections in 2019. A lower payment would apply [...]
Liberal Democrats at County Hall have slammed the Herts Valley CCG for its sudden announcement that it is terminating its support for anti-bed blocking measures in the west of the County. Lib Dem Health Spokesperson Chris White (St Albans Central) said: 'This is a shocking decision. No warning was given of what amounts to a [...]
"There are certain indispensable qualities essential to the Chief Minister of the Crown in a great war. . . . Such a minister must have courage, composure, and judgment. All this Mr. Asquith possessed in a superlative degree. . . . But a war minister must also have vision, imagination and initiative—he must show untiring assiduity, must exercise constant oversight and supervision of every sphere of war activity, must possess driving force to energize this activity, must be in continuous consultation with experts, official and unofficial, as to the best means of utilising the resources of the country in conjunction ...
Last night Kingston Liberal Democrats hosted a very successful Bulgarian evening at the Bulgarian House restaurant in Surbiton. This is one of a whole series of social events initiated by former MP Ed Davey to celebrate different member states of the European Union. Those of us who felt bruised by the outcome of the EU [...]
We have won the battle of Richmond Park. No, let's be honest, we routed the opposition, beat them into the ground and then stomped on them. Quite a feat for the nice people's party. Richmond Park was an upset of historic proportions of which every Lib Dem can be justifiably proud. BUT, it is still only the first battle in what will be a long, hard and bloody war. Just how difficult it will be was demonstrated during the BBC's by-election night coverage when plucky Baroness Susan Kramer skilfully parried vicious attacks from every other person in the room, including ...
Last week Liberal Democrat Sarah Olney sent a strong message to Government when she overturned Zac Goldsmith's 23,000 majority to become the new MP for Richmond Park in London. [IMG: 15385347_10158057656595647_7982949023740585106_o] The Lib Dem campaign in Richmond focussed on two issues, which clearly rang true with voters: the underfunding by Government of NHS services, which is leading to severe problems for care services for elderly and other vulnerable residents worry about a Government heading for a so-called 'Hard Brexit', without free trade with the rest of Europe, with huge concerns on what this means for people's jobs and livelihood. Many ...
As politics is just too nasty at the moment, I thought it would be worth posting the dignified note everyone here in Richmond Park has received from Zac Goldsmith this morning. Whatever your politics, Zac has been a diligent constituency MP who has responded to all my missives (and I am one of those people who write to their MP a lot) promptly, and politely, even if we seldom agreed. I made a point earlier in the year, shortly after the sad events surrounding Jo Cox, to respond to the 'thank your MP' campaign on Twitter, and I'm happy to ...
Tue 6th
10:31
Why it's inevitable that Momentum will eventually split - and what may happen afterwards
It was the big story for anyone who attended this year's Labour conference in Liverpool: the energy at the Momentum World Transformed thing versus the feeling of death warmed over at Labour conference itself. Another narrative around this emerged, post-conference: how long until Momentum itself splits, taking down the Labour Party with it? After all, as we all know, left-wing groups always split; it's part of their DNA. An interesting article appeared yesterday afternoon, written by Laura Murray, someone who has been involved with Momentum at a high level since its inception, entitled "Momentum v Inertia". It is a fascinating ...
Christmas TreeSwitch onRoseberry Shopping Centre, RedcarThursday 8th December 2016at 5pm .Supported by Scrumptious,Sainsbury's, Cleveland Police and Redcar andCleveland Borough CouncilChristmas CarolsFree hot chocolate and mince piesCome along and join in the fun
[this is specifically UK oriented, but most of it will apply in any country where end-of-year greeting cards and gifts are a big deal] Okay, now that the Christmas card season is underway, allow me to offer some first-hand tips aimed at stopping your cards getting lost or damaged in the massive crush the Royal Mail endures at this time of year. Every day I see the stack of damaged cards in the mail centre, and I try not to think about the wasted effort, and possibly even heartbreak that it represents. It's easily avoided. The less expensive cards have ...
Taken a couple of hours before University of Leicester archaeologists found the skeleton of Richard III.
Kingsgate Park Christmas Event in Kingsgate Park on Friday 16th December 2016 at 6pm. This is an event for all the family, so please come along for a sing along, mince pie and glass of mulled wine (soft drinks will also be served)
Questions by Bury's team of Liberal Democrat councillors have revealed an increase the number of long term empty properties in across the Bury area. Although the total number of empty properties in the borough has been decreasing slightly over the last four years and stands at around 2500. However, the number of long term empty properties ( i.e. empty for six months or more) has increased from 2015 to 2016 from just over 900 properties to 1050. [IMG: screenshot-2016-12-06-08-42-05] The question was raised by Lib Dem Councillor Tim Pickstone: "We're extremely concerned that the number of empty properties int he ...
Sometimes a holiday is all that is needed to put things into persepective. Alas it may take more than a week in the sun to put right the travails of 2016. You will forgive me therefore if I ease myself back into blogging. Nevertheless, in the week I was away, there were two victories for the forces of progress. The Liberal Democrats stormed from behind to take Richmond Park off pro-Brexiteer and erstwhile Tory, Zac Goldsmith and a far-right candidate was soundly beaten in the re-run race for the Austrian Presidency. Meanwhile, it is business as usual for UKIP. Within ...
First Manchester buses yesterday announced plans to close their depot in Bury. Buses based there would be run from neighbouring depots (e.g. Manchester or Bolton). First Manchester say that closing the Rochdale Road depot in Bury is the "best solution to enable us to further invest in front line services". They say they are "not proposing significant changes to the number of vehicles or drivers operating those services". The proposals are now being consulted on, and are due to be introduced in April 2017. We have written to First Manchester asking them for more information on how that change will ...
A few local Christmas events this week – let us know if you have something coming up and we're always happy to circulate information about local events and groups. 8 December, 7pm - 9pm Carol Concert : Longfield Suite With children from Butterstile Primary School and Bury Music Service Admission: £5, Concessions: £4. 0161 253 7227. longfieldsuite@bury.gov.uk www.buryvenues.co.uk 11 December, 10am - 4pm Prestwich Winter Fair : Longfield Suite The perfect place to find a place to find that unique festive gift! Showcasing local retailers, designers, crafts and gifts with great food, drink and family entertainment! FREE entry with charitable ...
Tonight's finale for the West End Christmas Fortnight will see a candlelit Community Carol Concert at Logie St John's (Cross) Church at 6.30pm. This is a perfect way to round off West End Christmas Fortnight and all residents welcome!
Seasonal stories, songs and crafts for little ones and their grown-ups await at Prestwich Library on Saturday 10 December (10-11.30am). The cost £1.50 per child, and youngsters must be accompanied by a responsible adult. And on 17 December – get into the festive spirit at Prestwich Library with readings from Charles Dickens's "A Christmas Carol", including Cratchit's Christmas Dinner. The storytime is on Saturday 17 December from 10am to 11.30am, and is a family session for children aged 10-plus accompanied by an adult. There may even be a small taste of Christmas pudding to get you into the mood. The ...
Six maps that show the anatomy of America's vast infrastructure What will Trump build? (tags: maps uspolitics ) Trump's Presidency: It's Been this Bad Before - Medium A Harding retrospective. (tags: history uspolitics )
This week with two weeks' comics, reviewing Wacky Raceland, Jughead, The Unworthy Thor, No Angel, Goddamned: Before The Flood, and Groo: Fray of the Gods. The comics review posts are free to Patreon backers.
