My photography, as regular readers will know, tends to feature derelict and decrepit buildings. So let's celebrate restoration for once. Close to Brighton's West Pier is a modernist block of flats. A decade or more ago it looked in a bad way, yet you suspected it had been quite a building in its day. That block turns out to be Embassy Court, once home to Rex Harrison, Terrence Rattigan, Max Miller and Keith Waterhouse. You can read a discussion of its celebrated residents and visitors on the Embassy Court site. That page also explains the building's decline: Embassy Court's decline ...
After he lost his seat at the last election, Danny Alexander - Sir Daniel Alexander - was found a new job by his old boss George Osborne. He was appointed vice president of China's new Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and went out to Beijing to work - much in the way we used to send teenagers out to the furthest outposts of the Empire to make men of them. But is Danny happy out there? Take a look at the tweet above, which he retweeted a couple of days ago. Could it be that Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey are ...
Yesterday I blogged about the difficulty in finding out about the politics of Neil O'Brien, the new Conservative candidate for Harborough. But Ukip think they know all about him. The party is fighting only three of Leicestershire's ten seats on 8 June, says the Leicester Mercury, but Harborough is one of them. Why? In the words of David Sprason, Ukip's national welfare spokesman and defeated county councillor: "The Tories have picked a big Remainer for Harborough so we'll stand there. They also begged us not to stand in Leicester West because it would help them beat Liz Kendall but we ...
Welcome to the Golden Dozen, and our 479th weekly round-up from the Lib Dem blogosphere ... Featuring the five most popular stories beyond Lib Dem Voice according to click-throughs from the Aggregator (30 April – 6 May, 2017), together with a hand-picked seven you might otherwise have missed. Don't forget: you can sign up to receive the Golden Dozen direct to your email inbox — just click here — ensuring you never miss out on the best of Lib Dem blogging. As ever, let's start with the most popular post, and work our way down: 1. This is the critical ...
Here's the new film from the Liberal Democrats, a handy guide to getting on the electoral register (which, despite many media reports, is the trendy thing to do these days as the register has recently reached a record level).
In 2010 the Labour Party ridiculed me because I asked a question about bus regulation in Prime Ministers Question Time. Buses are an important way of getting around the city that are often ignored by middle class people who call themselves socialists. The issue of bus regulation which is basically that the London system allows sector tendering, but other cities are not allowed this, is behind
15,430 pensioners living in Yardley will receive at least an extra £772 per year under Liberal Democrat manifesto plans to protect the 'triple lock' for state pensions. Thanks to the triple lock guarantee, secured by the Liberal Democrats when they were in government, the basic state pension has risen in each year by whichever is the higher of earnings, prices or a rate of 2.5%. However,
There are three meetings of Blyth Town Council on the calendar for May Thursday May 1tth - Annual Meeting of the Full Council ( "The Mayor making ") * Thursday 18th May - Planning & Development Committee * Tuesday 30th May - Events Committee All meetings start at 6:30 pm and will be at Arms Evertyne House These meeting dates are different to those previously advertised, due to the late declaration of the results of the elections
Sun 7th
18:38
Tory supporters seriously dislike the Lib Dems and Labour supporters expect Corbyn to help deliver B...
Two encounters with opposition voters this weekend and both were illuminating! Firstly, a lady was disappointed that I was not delivering a Tory leaflet and was even more disappointed when she realised I was delivering a Lib Dem one. The conversation which followed was cordial, even pleasant, but what came out was that she was not really bothered about Labour as she could not work out whether they were for or against Brexit (she was obviously for). She dislikes the Lib Dems because she knows exactly where we stand. A good encounter then as our message is clearly getting through ...
Thank you everyone. Our Ludlow team has been re-elected with increased majorities. This post gives the detailed results for Ludlow and Clee and a summary of the results for Shropshire unitary council. Ludlow East. Tracey Huffer re-elected for the Liberal Democrats with 64% of the vote - up from 50% in 2013. Turnout: 35%. Ludlow North. Andy Boddington re-elected for the Liberal Democrats with 69% of the vote - up from 45% in 2014. Turnout: 43%. Ludlow South. Vivienne Parry re-elected for the Liberal Democrats with 66% of the vote - up from 47% in 2013. Turnout: 44% Clee. Richard ...
Current Watchmen, by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons (a chapter a month) A Suitable Boy, by Vikram Seth Short Trips: Ghosts of Christmas, ed. Cavan Scott and Mark Wright Last books finished The Obelisk Gate, by N.K. Jemisin The Parrot's Theorem, by Denis Guedj All The Birds In The Sky, by Charlie Jane Anders A Taste of Honey, by Kai Ashante Wilson The Dream Quest of Vellitt Boe, by Kij Johnson The Ballad of Black Tom, by Victor LaValle This Census-Taker, by China Miéville Lavondyss, by Robert Holdstock Butterscotch, by Milo Manara Ms. Marvel Volume 5: Super Famous, by G. ...
Embed from Getty Images Our ninth and penultimate update from the LDV Fantasy Football League. Congratulations to LDV team member Alan Muhammed, our Manager of the Month for April. His Shantastic XI scored an impressive 377 points, just edging out long-term league leader (and prospective MP for Islington North and Finsbury) Alain Desmier's Mountgrove Maulers (374) and David Boynton's Bev Rangers (373). Here's the overall league table: There are 202 players in total. * Stephen was Editor (and Co-Editor) of Liberal Democrat Voice from 2007 to 2015, and writes at The Collected Stephen Tall.
The other day I wrote a blog that concluded that a theist's relationship with their God is a celestial form of domestic abuse. It ticked many of the signs we see in an abusive relationship. However, once I wrote it, I stepped back and considered that it may have crossed the line and been too harsh. It is why I only published it today and not three days ago. But why did I still publish it? I picked up a book that my Christian friend had lent me. Grill A Christian by Roger Carswell. I have read many different books ...
22,280 pensioners living in Ribble Valley will receive at least an extra £772 per year under Liberal Democrat manifesto plans to protect the 'triple lock' for state pensions. Thanks to the triple lock guarantee, secured by the Liberal Democrats when they were in government, the basic state pension has risen in each year by whichever is the higher of earnings, prices or a rate of 2.5%. However, the Conservatives have refused to guarantee whether the triple lock will continue, raising fears it could be scrapped. The Liberal Democrats have committed today to keeping the triple lock, meaning the state pension ...
Responding to John McDonnell's speech today, Liberal Democrat Shadow First Secretary of State Alistair Carmichael said: "John McDonnell seems to think it's 1917, not 2017. "But the Marxism we're seeing in the Labour party right now has more in common with
Theresa May and her camp followers have adopted with gusto the rather tiresome mantra "Strong and Stable". I wonder if they realise that it was Adolf Hitler who brought that phrase to prominence, in Mein Kampf. Now, I am not suggesting Mrs May is a neo-Nazi, like Marine Le Pen. But apart from the fact [...]
Sun 7th
13:30
I tried to oppose plans to remove housing benefit for local 18-21 year olds but #FAILED :(
What's this to do with? The Conservatives have quietly published legislation that will scrap housing benefit for 18-21 year olds. So at a meeting of Full Council earlier this year, I called on the Tory leader of the City Council to write a formal letter on behalf of this authority to the Prime Minister and Secretary for [...]
Ross, Skye and Lochaber Liberal Democrats have selected Jean Davis to fight the seat held for 32 years by the much-missed Charles Kennedy: From the Press and Journal: The party has selected Jean Davis to fight for the Ross, Sky and Lochaber seat, who leader Willie Rennie said had the tenacity of a Highland terrier. Mr Rennie said Ms Davis exemplified Lib Dem values of openness, tolerance and a united Britain. She said: "I want to win back the seat for Charles Kennedy. "Just like Charles I will passionately argue against independence and fight for the UK's place in the ...
If illness does not disprove the existence of God to you, it should at the very least make you question your devotion to him. Last weekend, I was ill. It was something very minor, which lasted a few days. It was a real annoyance and a horrible experience. Nowhere near as horrible as the heart attack my aunt suffered, or the stroke my great-aunt suffered or the breast cancer my godmother is currently dealing with. Now with these illness striking my family, I have heard much talk of prayers and praying. I do after all come from a religious family. ...
There is an interesting article in the Independent in which they report on a poll that reveals one third of people are prepared to vote tactically at next month's general election in order to prevent a hard Brexit. The paper says that the survey by ORB found that 46 per cent of people who backed Remain in last year's EU referendum would consider voting for someone who was not their first choice in order to stop a hard Brexit. They add that this high figure suggests that the country has not united behind Ms May's version of Brexit outside the ...
One of the biggest surprises of this week was Brexiteer Tory commentator Tim Montgmerie's criticism of May for her Downing Street statement. This is irresponsible from Theresa May. Naked electioneering, not based in fact and only likely to make #Brexit negotiations trickier https://t.co/jnSXzrMf4O — Tim Montgomerie ن (@montie) May 3, 2017 In the Sunday Times (£), today, Sky's Adam Boulton says we could be in for a bumpy ride because of the so-called strong and stable leadership: Her ruthlessness certainly fulfils the first part of her "strong and stable" mantra. But her ad hoc style, exploiting circumstances over which she ...
gallifrey_times | GT for Saturday the 6th of May 2017 I posted GT for Saturday the 6th of May 2017 to the Gallifrey Times Whoniverse Newsletter Ukip may be over but the Brexit party goes on and on | Marina Hyde | Opinion | The Guardian Biting political column from @MarinaHyde, complete with Nightmare On Elm Street references weekly_food_challenge | my variation on Nigella Lawson's hangover breakfast I went to the Visit Wakefield Wakey Tweetup last night and am a teeny bit delicate. If you have a hangover, you need protein and you need vitamins. Therefore Eggs In Purgatory is ...
A few people have been posting AMAs today: a reminder that mine is here if you want it :) [IMG: comment count unavailable] comments
I have written in praise of Polly Bolton before. Here she is singing with the band Dando Shaft on their second, eponymous album. The Wikipedia entry for the band, citing Richie Unterberger, says: Bolton's contributions to the band received praise with her voice described as pure and expressive and Bolton herself has been described as a half-forgotten female vocalist of the era ranking alongside Pentangle's Jacqui McShee as well as other contemporary legends like Shirley Collins, Sandy Denny, and Maddy Prior.
The Greens have stepped down in Oxford West and Abingdon, which will help Lib Dem Layla Moran who is in second place in this heavily Remain voting area. From the Oxford Mail The Green Party will now be telling supporters that the main aim is to try and prevent a Conservative victory in Oxford West and Abingdon, and Layla Moran of the Liberal Democrats is the candidate who stands most chance of defeating the Conservative candidate Nicola Blackwood. Ms Briggs said: "I'm a Green Party member to the core, but we need to be prepared to put the greater good ...
Well, the dust is beginning to settle, and I'm looking at a few free evenings over the next 4 years !! I knew I had no chance in the Northumberland County Council elections in Cowpen Ward, and so it was no real surprise that I came a distant 4th there. It is important to stand in the "no chance wards" as every one should have the opportunity to have Lib Dem candidates on the ballot I was defending my seat on Blyth Town Council in South Blyth ward, but came third, three votes behind second place. The overall political balance ...
Responding to plans to be set out by the Labour Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell, Lib Dem Shadow Chancellor, Susan Kramer said: "Labour's so-called tax pledges aren't worth the paper they're written on, given their inability to form a proper opposition, let alone a government. "McDonnell and his party have voted to rip Britain out of the Single Market, yet has no credible plan for the future of our economy and no guarantee to employers that they won't be hit with a new jobs tax. Labour has a spending list as long as your arm yet does not explain how to ...
Pensioners will receive at least an extra £772 per year by 2021 under Liberal Democrat manifesto plans to protect the Triple Lock. The party are making the commitment to older people unlike the Conservatives who have repeatedly refused to give the guarantee. This guarantee means the state pension is expected to be worth at least £137.15-a-week by 2021, up from £122.30 in 2017. Thanks to the Liberal Democrats' triple lock guarantee, the basic state pension has risen in each year by whichever is the higher of earnings, prices or 2.5%. The triple lock was a key demand from the Liberal ...
Find out about why people go canvassing and what happens when you knock on someone's door in my latest election briefing video.
Lib Dems penny for NHS would raise £146.8m extra for Birmingham The Liberal Democrats have announced they would plug funding gaps for the NHS and social care by putting a penny on income tax, in their first major manifesto commitment of the election campaign. The tax would raise an additional £146.8m for Birmingham, with £108m for the NHS and £38.8m for social care each year. This is the party's flagship spending commitment and its first major policy announcement for the election. The Liberal Democrats manifesto will also set out a 'five-point recovery plan' for NHS and social care services in ...
Theresa May has been reticent about whether the Conservatives will commit to keeping the pensions triple lock which was introduced by then Liberal Democrat pensions minister Steve Webb. Today, the Liberal Democrats are committing to keep it for the duration of the next Parliament. Vince Cable explains why: Liberal Democrats believe that an important test of a civilised society is the way in which it cares for the elderly. We will protect the Triple Lock unlike the Conservatives. The guiding principle of the pensions system must be to ensure that none are left unable to meet their basic needs for ...
I was delighted to be invited to the Lady in Red art exhibition at John Stoa's studio (17a Menzieshill Road in the West End) and Janet and I popped in yesterday. There are superb paintings on the "Lady in Red" theme as well as John's Scottish landscape paintings as well as some still life studies. The exhibition finishes today but is open from 11am until 5pm, so it is not too late to make a visit. Here's examples of the excellent exhibition :
The vast Maghull East site as seen from Poverty Lane, Maghull Dear Sir, Your headline 'Plan to Build 1,650 Homes On Farm land' (Aintree & Maghull Champion 26 04 17) was one of the saddest I have read in a long time. Sad because the building is to take place on some of the 2% highest grade of agricultural land in England. How on earth can it be environmentally sustainable to build on land that grows our crops and our food? Yes I know we need housing but surely building on the very best agricultural land is just ridiculous. I ...
Dear France: You Just Got Hacked. Don't Make The Same Mistakes We Did. Wise words. (tags: elections france hacking )
Responding to the Campaign for Better Transport's report calling for a reform of rail franchising and improvements in ticketing, Lib Dem Transport Spokesperson, and former Cardiff AM, Baroness Randerson said: "Liberal Democrats are on the side of the customer when it comes to needing more guarantees, and sanctions where necessary for failing franchises. The rail network could desperately do with modernising from top to bottom, including the way in which we pay inconsistent fares with outdated technology." The party believes that a greater focus on passengers is needed to improve performance and would like to see the Department for Transport ...
