This is the latest Spectator Books podcast.
FIDO - "Fog, Intensive, Dispersal Of" (originally "Fog Investigation and Dispersal Operations")- was the Royal Air Force's strange but brilliant scheme that saved thousands of air crew lives.
"The Liberal Democrat vote fell in June because too few voters believed we were the party on their side and fighting for them on the issues they cared about." Some home truths from Iain Roberts. Neil Monnery says we should be glad Vince Cable wants to be Lib Dem leader: "When your constitution says one of only 12 people can do the job and the other 11 say they don't want it then what choice do we have? Do you attempt to force someone to do a job they don't want or do you just back the person that does?" ...
Thu 29th
20:53
Jeremy Corbyn sacking Labour MPs who voted against Conservatives to protect Britain's place in Singl...
Jeremy Corbyn's Labour has been showings its true colours on Brexit: less than 1 in 5 Labour MPs voted against the Conservatives to protect Britain's position in the Single Market.
The Financial Times has an interesting story saying that the majority of new Conservative MPs voted Remain in last year's referendum. Even more interesting to me is the fact that only one of those new Tory members has declined to tell anyone how he voted. Step forward Harborough's Neil O'Brien. The evidence is mixed. Ukip decided he was a "massive Remainer" and put up against him at the general election. While the FT reminds us that: He worked on a campaign against the euro in the early 2000s, and was a special adviser to George Osborne during the referendum.My guess ...
Tracey Huffer, Shropshire Councillor for Ludlow East and a practising nurse, responds to the decision today by SaTH to close the rural midwifery-led maternity units at Ludlow, Oswestry and Bridgnorth for up to 24 weeks. "This is disgraceful. This is disgusting. "If Ludlow and the other rural maternity units are closed for nearly six months, they will never reopen. "SaTH says that the closure will not affect the ongoing review of rural maternity units. I don't believe that. The review will see the closed units as easy savings to be made at a time when neither the CCG or SaTH ...
The Liberal Democrats have accused Jeremy Corbyn of failing Labour voters who wanted a different approach to Brexit, after he imposed a three-line whip on his MPs to abstain on a cross-party amendment to keep the UK in the single market. Only 49 Labour MPs voted for the amendment, fewer than a fifth, while the rest abstained. In total 101 MPs voted for the amendment including all Liberal Democrat MPs, while 322 MPs voted against. Cllr Allan Knox said: "Millions of people who voted for Jeremy Corbyn were hoping for a new approach to Brexit. "They will be feeling utterly ...
The last day:The twenty-ninth we marched to Corke, where the Maiour and citizens receive the Lord Justice after their best manner. We met there with the wheat and malte which your lordship sente for the provision of the army, to their grete comfort ; and here I must lette your Lordship to understand, that your grete care and providence in sending hither of said shippes and good store is gretely commended, for it is gretely murmurred that the same is miserably misused and delayed by the victuallers and their ministers both before and after it cometh thyther, besydes the length ...
It is just over a year since the Southern Rail service unravelled completely, after heading more steadily in that direction for some time. And I'm pleased to say that the Association of British Commuters have scored something of a coup in their court action against the Department of Transport. It isn't exactly an outright victory. The judge ordered Chris Grayling to come up with a report on the state of the franchise within a fortnight, or to face a full-scale judicial review. It is an important step forward, though not yet a solution. But then one element of their failure ...
'Nobody wants Vince Cable' so says a vast twitter echo chamber. Oh to be sure that you and your friends speak for everyone. I wish I had that type of certainty in life. Yet still Vince Cable is all but assured of being the next leader of the Liberal Democrats. No doubt some will decide that is it for them and they will leave the party. That happens whenever a new leader takes over in any party. The thing is even you are aren't exactly sucking at the teat of the former Business Secretary, you have to at least admire ...
Thu 29th
15:56
"An insight into the very essence of our democracy": Thoughts on Martin Williams' Parliament Ltd.
This morning I finished reading Parliament Ltd by Martin Williams, albeit earlier than I expected due to the over 60 pages of endnotes (which is only indicative of how well researched the book is). I just wanted to share a few thoughts and encourage you to read it. Parliament Ltd gives an insight into the very essence ... Continue reading "An insight into the very essence of our democracy": Thoughts on Martin Williams' Parliament Ltd.
[IMG: Sandgate Fun Day 2017 poster] Sunday 6th August 2017 at Sandgate Park, Military Road Mums and Dads bring a picnic and relax to the fabulous live sounds of Electric Tortoise plus DJ music all day whilst the kids enjoy the Bouncy Castles, Folkestone Owls, Circus Skills Demo and free Circus Skills sessions, Party Mascots, Bouncy Assault Course, Pillow Bash, Fun Dog Competition, Refreshments, Sweets and Candy Floss, Tug o War, Dance Demos, Bungy Run, Clown Slide and lots more.... ITINERARY 11.00 Open 12.00 Official opening - announcements 12.05 Dog Competition 12.45 Nepalese Dancing 1.30 Band - Set 1 2.30 ...
As the Lords prepared to vote this week on the Queen's Speech, I have been asked often about whether the so-called "Salisbury-Addison Convention" applies during this Parliament, to proposals from a Government which did not obtain a majority in the Commons. Briefly, the Convention holds that the Lords does not reject Bills predicated on manifesto commitments, nor introduce "wrecking amendments". The convention was first formulated in 1945 between the post-war Labour Government and Conservative leaders in a heavily Tory- and hereditary- dominated House. The Liberal group was never party to it. Speaking in the Queen's Speech debate, I urged Peers ...
On Saturday the damaged section of the footbridge over the A695 will be replaced. Expect lots of disruption to the road as the east bound carriageway will be closed. The bridge was damaged when it was hit by a lorry last year. I did ask about who is paying for the repair (surely the lorry driver's insurance should cover it) at a council meeting recently but I haven't yet had an answer.
Yesterday Tory Brexiteer rebuked Lib Dem MP Tom Brake for not wearing a Tie in the Commons, and breaching parliamentary rules. It has it appears allowed Speaker Bercow to amend the rules to allow a Liberalisation in dress code. We think that this Liberal Revolution sparked by Tom Brake should not stop here. We urge Tom to consider making the Liberal Democrat Leadership choice - a democratic election rather than a coronation. We need a Leader who will stand for Liberal principles - especially Free Movement of people, EU Citizens Rights, and especially oppose Brexit as a point of principle. ...
I had a great time spending 48 hours with Erica and no politics. I hope she enjoyed it as much as I did!! There has been a lot of press attention in the last few days about the fact that ... Continue reading →
Sal Brinton has explained that: There will be a series of official Leadership hustings around the country (they are currently being arranged, so watch out for details near you), as well as some online or streamed events. In the last Leadership Election these hustings were very popular, as well as the SAOs who may also have social media Q&As with the candidates.In the event that there is only one nominated candidate we will discuss with them continuing with some of these dates as Meet the New Leader events. The Social Liberal Forum has been quick off the mark. Our annual ...
The deluge of awful news is just too much for me right now. Sorry. [IMG: comment count unavailable] comments
Wed, 14:47: RT @ceps_ech: Interested in today's #NordStream2 event and debate? Follow us live on Twitter Periscope @ceps_ech! https://t.co/F6fbAjVqdp Wed, 16:32: Paddington Bear author Michael Bond dies aged 91 https://t.co/IMTkFkJ9BP Damn. Wed, 18:47: Dingle of the Husseys, Part 16 https://t.co/UixfI7iVth Wed, 20:04: RT @_katie_low: Advice on networking from the ever-excellent @nwbrux with @YPFPBrussels. https://t.co/q84Koe7T8n Wed, 20:04: RT @fabauer: Thank you @nwbrux for sharing your time and insights with @YPFPBrussels! Wed, 20:48: EU exploring invisible border in Ireland post Brexit https://t.co/FoAI5NQ2Xq Fingers crossed. Wed, 21:29: RT @davidallengreen: This is golden, from 2007. Theresa May on Gordon Brown's first six months as ...
Couple blocked from adopting 'due to cultural heritage' - BBC NewsEurgh. I Don't Know How To Explain To You That You Should Care About Other PeopleThis is basically the major problem I have with political debate too. UK pharmacy regulator abandons proposal to strip conscience protectionsEurgh eurgh eurgh [IMG: comment count unavailable] comments
'Can I put these back in the garage yet?' I was once elected as a Liberal Democrat leader without a contest. Long term readers of this blog (I like to pretend there are some) or those few with memories of Colchester politics of more than four years will remember that I was leader of the Liberal Democrat group on the Borough Council in 2013-14, and when I was elected to that role it was without anyone else standing against me. It's not an uncommon thing to happen in local politics (in all parties) as often senior positions within groups and ...
As nominations open for the sixth leader of the Liberal Democrats, the Liberal Democrat History Group's meeting next Monday takes a look back at the record of its second: Charles Kennedy. In many ways Kennedy's period as leader, from 1999 to 2006, was a success. His opposition to the Iraq War - heavily criticised at the time by both the Labour government and the Tory opposition - proved entirely justified and in the 2005 general election he led the party to its highest vote since 1987 (22.0 per cent) and its highest number of seats since 1923 (62). He was ...
Public consultation has opened on a new joint strategy to guide the work of the South Gloucestershire Health and Wellbeing Board (HWB) over the next four years to improve the health of everyone living and working in South Gloucestershire. The JHWS sets out four key priorities where the Board feel their work can improve the health and wellbeing of people living and working in South Gloucestershire. These are: Improve educational attainment and raise aspirations through promotion of health and wellbeing in schools and collegesPromote and enable positive mental health and wellbeing at every stage of lifePromote and enable good nutrition, ...
With the schools closing for the holidays at lunchtime today, my surgery at Blackness Primary School does not take place tonight and my usual weekly ward surgeries do not recommence until after the school summer holidays. However, I can still be contacted on any local issues or concerns through my e-surgery - just e-mail esurgery@frasermacpherson.org.uk. Surgeries recommence on Thursday 17th August - surgery details are available here. I can also be contacted at home at any time on 459378 and also during office hours at my Dundee City Council office on 434985.
Thu 29th
06:45
Poyner Close - affordable bungalow plans scrapped by housing group for open market bungalow
This is quite a surprising change. In March, Shropshire Housing Group (SHG) submitted an application for two social housing bungalows on Poyner Close, off Gravel Hill in Ludlow. These proposals received 14 objections, including from Ludlow Town Council. Now, SHG - a social housing supplier - has rescinded the plans for the social bungalows, replacing them with a single bungalow for sale on the open market (17/01372/FUL). The new scheme The abandoned scheme No explanation is given for the changes to the plans. No statement has been issued by SHG. The revised plans are submitted to a reconsultation, not a ...
These two ducklings were hatched in one of our incubators last month. They aren't lame but I couldn't resist the temptation to name them Theresa and May. As you would expect, they are very messy and there's a great deal of cleaning to do after them.
