The Lib Dem Press Office has issued a veritable storm of press releases in response to the Queen's Speech today. Here's a round-up of what our key figures said about their areas of expertise. Tim Farron looked at the whole speech and was unimpressed: This slimmed down Queen's Speech shows a government on the edge. Having dropped everything from the Dementia Tax to fox hunting I assume the only reason they have proposed a Space Bill is so they can shoot their manifesto into space and pretend it never existed. People up and down the country are seeing our schools ...
The moment that the European Economic Community decided to form the European Monetary System in 1979, Liberals were advocating it was in our national interest to join. but Labour Chancellor Denis Healey kept Britain out. As this evolved into the Exchange Rate Mechanism with tighter variability we continued to advocate joining. Finally in 1990, John Major as Conservative Chancellor took us in but a disasterously high rate against the Deutsche Mark of 2.95 at the worst point in our economic cycle in comparison to other European Economies. Locked into a 6% variance & with interest rates already eye wateringly high, ...
[IMG: State Opening of Parliament] I noticed a couple of the usual outlets today reporting that the Queen's speech included measures to protect LGBT+ people. So I went to check the text – and that's not quite what it says: My government will make further progress to tackle the gender pay gap and discrimination against people on the basis of their race, faith, gender, disability or sexual orientation. That is a half-complete list of the protected characteristics from the Equality Act 2010. The complete list is race, faith, gender, disability, sexual orientation, age, marriage/civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and gender reassignment. I ...
Peter Harris, who campaigned for Brexit in last year's referendum, has been hit with a record £12,000 fine for breaking the law with his campaigning: He was fined £12,000 for failing to submit returns for pro-Brexit adverts he ran during last year's poll... [The Electoral Commission] said the £12,000 fine was "the highest imposed" in relation to spending at the EU referendum "and reflects the significant sums spent by Mr Harris". This is just the latest in a series of punishments handed out to Brexit campaigners for breaking the law. Two more were fined £1,000 each late last year for ...
In Helsingborg, Sweden, the Museum of Failure has just opened. It's just one room, but inside, curator Samuel West has assembled some of the world's greatest commercial disasters - and also a few things that just didn't work out the way anyone planned.
Perhaps most notable about the Queen's Speech earlier today was that which was omitted, rather than that which was included. No mention of the manifesto pledges on fox hunting, grammar schools, the triple lock on pensions, free school meals or the Winter Fuel allowance, only highlights the weakness of Theresa May's government, not being too controversial ... Continue reading Thoughts on the Queen's Speech
A 507/508 EMU Merseyrail unit at Crescent Road level crossing – Birkdale, Southport. The Liverpool Echo has the story from Monday night on its web site – see link above. Goodness me the use of guns on Merseyside becomes a bigger concern each week that goes by. This may have been 'just' an air rifle incident but sadly it fits into a much wider picture of gun use locally.
The next daie being the twenty-first we went to see the Forte of Smerwicke, five myles from the Dingell to the westward, accompanied by Sir William Wynter, Captain Bingham, and Mr. Greville. The thing itself is but the end of a rocke shooting out into the Baye of Smenvicke, under a long cape, whereupon a merchant of the Dingell, called Piers Rice, about a year before James Fitz-Maurice's landing, built a perty castel under pretence of gayning by the resort of strangers thythir a fishinge, whereas, in very truth, it was to receive James at his landinge, and because at ...
I am delighted that Norman Lamb has been reappointed as Lib Dem Health Spokes although he may soon be called to higher things!! Amongst the wreckage of the Tory Manifesto which was not announced in the Queens Speech today there ... Continue reading →
Wed 21st
16:25
Sarah Olney writes...We should be pleased if the Conservatives can't form a Government
Of all the things I regret about my time in Parliament being so short, one thing I really don't mind is that I never got to hear a Queen's Speech. Cornerstone of our democracy it may be, but it's really just a festival of flummery that I can do without. I can't imagine how it must have been in today's 34 degree heat, dressed in one's best, squashed into the Lords to hear Her Majesty read out the Government's plans for legislation. Hats off to my former Parliamentary colleagues, and those who have recently joined them, for enduring it. But ...
I think the argument boils down to two things: what you earn, and what you picture in your head as a rich person's lifestyle. £70,000 is in the 95th percentile for personal income. This means that if you earn £70,000 you earn more than 94% (or thereabouts) of people. If you're earning more than 94% of your fellow countrymen, you ought to be rich, right? Like, if you're better off than the vast, vast majority of people, you should feel well off, or else how must the poor buggers on less than you feel? The problem is, of course, that ...
Shortly before 00:20 n Monday 19th June a van mounted a pavement and drove into people near Muslim Welfare House and Finsbury Park Mosque. The police have confirmed that all the victims were Muslims and the suspect has been arrested. Nine people were taken to hospital after the attack. Makram Ali, 51, died around the time of the attack, but whether it is directly related is unclear at the time of writing. Thankfully, all of those who were taken to hospital with injuries are now out of critical care, but that doesn't mean the effects won't last with the victims ...
The relevant part (and the reason why I am posting this) will also be made bigger and bolder for those hard of thinking people. I thought I'd post the whole thing again though, just because it's periodically useful to do so. Hello! There now follow some handy hints on how to make the most of your Reading My Blog experience:If you don't like my colour scheme (I am aware that many people don't) add "?style=light" to the end of any url to get a different version, or "?style=mine" if you have a dreamwidth account. For an explanation of why I ...
Air travel is safer than it has ever been. Despite a 60% rise in worldwide passenger numbers in the ten year period to 2015, that year was the safest on record for aviation. The following year was the second safest. So this begs the question of whether we should look to the aviation industry when we consider how to respond to future tragedies like the Grenfell fire. Put quite simply the airline industry is very good at learning from past accidents and near misses to understand why these have happened and what changes need to be made to make flying ...
It is very good news that Yoko Ono is set to officially receive a co-writing credit for "Imagine". I rejoice for the dear old girl! This is all based on what John Lennon said in this 1980 BBC interview:
Embed from Getty Images Many congratulations to Jo Swinson on being elected as Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrat (UK) Parliamentary Party, sometimes referred to as the "Deputy Leader". Well, perhaps that sometimes should be "virtually always". The only reference I can find to creating a Deputy Leader in our constitution is here: 16.1 ... Continue reading Splitting hairs? Jo Swinson is "Deputy leader of the (UK) parliamentary party" ?
The BBC has this fascinating and rather uplifting story on its web site – see link above With thanks to Keith Page for the lead to this posting
We Liberal Democrats are supposed to be the Party of the empowered individual; how can we help people to become that, to build a sense of security and community? And are we doing it? My view is that we could start by articulating the simple liberal ideas behind our campaigns, policies and positions. We must bring change, but we must use this to illustrate what liberalism is about too. In today's public debate there's often seems little attempt to challenge assertions, or argue with points; merely to deny the right of alternative viewpoints to exist, to campaign, or to argue. ...
Embed from Getty Images Many congratulations to Jo Swinson on being elected as Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrat (UK) Parliamentary Party, sometimes referred to as the "Deputy Leader". Well, perhaps that sometimes should be "virtually always". The only reference I can find to creating a Deputy Leader in our constitution is here: 16.1 The Parliamentary Party in the House of Commons shall consist of all Members of that House in receipt of the Party's whip. Its Leader shall be the Leader of the Party elected as provided in Article 17. It shall be entitled to make such regulations (not ...
Tue, 12:56: Why a GNU Might be the Answer https://t.co/sRaYJDO3iC Tue, 14:53: RT @davidallengreen: The significance of the UK's U-turn on day one of the Brexit negotiations, by me at @FT https://t.co/kr7iuEhD1q http... Tue, 14:55: RT @garyyounge: "British officials admit they didn't bring any prepared negotiating papers." What could possibly go wrong? https://t.co/27u... Tue, 17:46: RT @SarkicBojan: Montenegro in its accession talks with the EU, is opening today two and closing one chapter.luxembourg Tue, 17:59: RT @JolyonMaugham: A huge change in the landscape - as yet largely unremarked upon - that no-one serious today is still arguing that Brexit... Tue, ...
miss_s_b | Lib Dem Leadership Candidates: the first one has broken cover I posted Lib Dem Leadership Candidates: the first one has broken cover to my dreamwidth blog London's Tube has been running so long it's literally raising the temperature of the earth around it | CityMetric Either / And: The Election, For Liberals, In Brief Sherlock team promises Dracula will also be completely up its own arse I believe Bill Cosby - Vox "Even in the face of clear statements and corroborating evidence, we so often just don't believe men when they say sexual assault is funny or when ...
Bury continues to be the only town in Greater Manchester to fly a nighttime economy "Purple Flag" a town and city centre award - similar to the Green Flag for Parks and Blue Flag for beaches - which aims to raise the standard and broaden the appeal of town and city centres between 6pm and 6am. Areas awarded the Purple Flag are recognised for providing a vibrant and diverse mix of dining, entertainment and culture while promoting the safety and wellbeing of visitors and local residents. To achieve Purple Flag status renewal, the Bury team had to provide information relating ...
In the final days days leading up to the 2010 General Election we were warned by David Cameron and most of the press that if there were a balanced (actually they said "hung" ) parliament than the sky would fall in, the markets would collapse and the world as we know it would come to an end. So to avoid the calamity of a Labour government dependent on the Scottish Nationalist (horror of horrors) better vote Conservative. Well, Gordon Brown's Labour government lost its majority, Cameron's Tories didn't win one, the Liberal Democrats, with 57 seats (oh happy days) held ...
As the Queen heads to Westminster and delivers a speech which will go something like "My Government is doing, well, not that much actually. Now that it has ditched the bonkers policy nobody liked in its manifesto, there's just Brexit really. Oh, and lots of money to Northern Ireland." So, as the events in Westminster unfold, what would be your big idea for the Queen's Speech. What one piece of legislation would you bring in? I guess the obvious Lib Dem ones are PR and the Standardisation of Letterboxes. I'd like to see putting the International Code on the Marketing ...
... especially to all those of us who fear the filthy day star and can now look forward to inexorably encroaching cool soft darkness for the next 6 whole months :) [IMG: comment count unavailable] comments
'Prestwich Mums' have organised a community picnic in St Mary's Park on Sunday 2 July 2017 2.00-4.00pm Bring some food and drink to share and something to sit on. Craft activities for all the family. More information: www.facebook.com/events/126939504537706??ti=ia Contact: prestwichmums@gmail.com
Do you know someone who is living with dementia? Are you passionate about your local community? Then we need you! Dementia Friendly Communities is a programme which makes sure that people living with dementia feel understood, valued and able to contribute to their community. Our definition of 'community' is a place where people live, work or study. This includes schools, businesses, scout groups and residential care homes. For everyone to enjoy their community we may need to make improvements to areas that others take for granted. Examples of this may include GP surgeries, shopping centres, parks and green spaces and ...
Two party organisations have commented on the resignation of Tim Farron. LGBT+ Lib Dems highlight Tim Farron's record as a friend of LGBT rights but note that his failure to adequately answer the questions on gay sex "cast a shadow on the campaign." Nonetheless, LGBT+ Lib Dems were at the forefront of the efforts to defend Tim based on his proven track record of friendship and support for our rights. During Tim's time as leader, the Liberal Democrats passed the most far reaching policy any party has ever had in favour of trans equality. In addition, he has been vocal ...
Last year South Glos launched the Member Awarded Funding (MAF) scheme that gives Councillors the opportunity to make awards to projects and services that benefit residents in their ward. From 1 April 2017 each councillor has an allocation of £3,000 to award to local projects and services before 31 March 2018. South Glos is offering voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations and Town or Parish Councils the opportunity to drop-in at one of their advice sessions to meet with a Grant Officer for help and support with the MAF process, such as:How to register your organisation on the grants on-line ...
With the Queen's speech due to take place later today, despite the fact that Theresa May has proved incapable of negotiating an agreement with the DUP, it is more important than ever that Jeremy Corbyn's Labour Party turns a lead in the opinion polls into a coherent opposition narrative if the Tories are to be held to account. Unfortunately, for the country and for Labour such coherence remains unattainable. As the Independent reports, more than 30 Labour MPs have reopened the party's split over Brexit by demanding Jeremy Corbyn campaigns to keep Britain in the single market. These rebels have ...
Parade sets off 1pm with a 2.30pm arrival in St Mary's Park. More details on the whole day here.
Today is Brian Wilson's seventy-fifth birthday. I've talked about him often enough on this blog that it almost seems a ludicrous understatement to say I'm a fan. But I'd like to explain, since it's his birthday, what it is that ... Continue reading →
