An amiable travel video that appeared on YouTube today. The 1985 Liberal Party Assembly was organised from two semi-converted narrow boats moored at Foxton. That mooring was through the brick bridge you see at about 1:03 when they stop to open the swing bridge.
The old boy goes on about that cordial so much that, despite his complaints at its cost, I would not be surprised if he were on a percentage from the Elves of Rockingham Forest. Friday Vince "High Voltage" Cable keeps himself lithe and limber with his ballroom dancing, but if he is determined to be leader - and there does not seem to be anyone else prepared to pick up the mantle - then he needs to look to his health. I stop him in a Westminster corridor today to give him some advice. "You need to bathe annually in ...
In December 2015, the House of Commons voted on whether to carry out airstrikes in Syria. Had I been a Liberal Democrat MP, I'd have voted against. However, Tim led 75% of ours through the voting lobbies in support of the Government's plans. I wrote about my mixed feelings at the time: Yesterday, though, I could totally understand and empathise with our leader's stance, driven as it was by the best of liberal, humanitarian and internationalist motivations. He made an absolute cracker of a speech, delivered with passion and confidence I was glad, however, that my views were represented in ...
Embed from Getty Images This blog takes an interest in the emergence of young English spin bowlers. Both Adil Rashid and Mason Crane featured here early in their careers. Today's Guardian introduced us to another bright prospect: Last month Hamidullah Qadri did much more than become the first person born in the 21st century to play county cricket when, at the age of 16, he was picked for Derbyshire against Glamorgan. Qadri did much more than inspire Derbyshire to their first four-day victory in two years when, as an off-spinner, he opened the bowling in the final innings of a ...
Embed from Getty Images Philip Hollobone, the Conservative MP for Kettering, has met the local Ukip branch, reports the Northamptonshire Telegraph: The local UKIP branch and long-standing Brexiteer Philip Hollobone agreed a memorandum of understanding in April whereby UKIP didn't put up a candidate against Mr Hollobone because of their shared views on certain issues. Senior UKIP member locally Jonathan Bullock said: "Philip Hollobone kept his promise from the General Election and met with senior members of UKIP's Kettering branch recently to discuss the progress of Brexit and his support for outlawing face coverings in public, reducing overseas aid and ...
This time it is ICM: ICM told respondents that the Brexit talks were taking place and asked which of three options they would prefer to see. The results were: The UK leaving the EU regardless of what happens: 46% (down 7 from ICM in January) MPs to decide whether or not the UK leaves: 11% (down 1) A second referendum to allow people to decide whether the UK leaves or not, based on the outcome of the negotiations: 32% (up 6) [The Guardian] Get polling news and analysis by email Sign up here if you would like to receive the ...
Tue 18th
19:58
Brexiteers Bearing Broken Promises should not underestimate the iceberg threatening their Titanic
I know British media and voters are less used to coupling the behavior of European Parliament grandees and domestic, Westminster Parliamentary Parties but it is high time they did. At least the Dutch media pay close attention to how the group(s) of MEP(s) from each Dutch political party behave and vote in Brussels and Strasbourg. If they diverge from the line their national parliamentarians behave and vote (or the other way around), a big stink can follow, embarrassing national party leaders. In France the link is even stronger. Their MPs from the Assemblee and even national party leaders like Marine ...
At midnight on Wednesday night, the mantel of Liberal Democrat leadership will pass from Tim Farron to Vince Cable. Over the next day or so, in the tradition of our finest reality tv shows, we'll remind ourselves of some of Tim's best bits. The frist is that amazing speech he made the night he became leader, just two years and two days ago. The text is below. For years, I sat where you are now. I joined this party when I wFor years, I sat where you are now. I joined this party when I was 16 years old. I've ...
A Lib Dem motion calling for anti-idling zones in St Albans was passed by Councillors at the full council meeting on Wednesday, with technical amendments from other groups. Chris Davies, who moved the motion, said: 'The statistics tell us air-pollution is harmful to everyone, in particular to those classed as vulnerable: young, elderly, those with respiratory [...]
Tue 18th
15:27
On why assisted dying/suicide is a human rights and liberal issue the Lib Dems should take up...
This is back in the news as Noel Conway is challenging the 1961 Suicide Act that by stopping his right to die in a dignified manner breeches his human rights. It is an extremely emotive issue for many. MPs debated it just two years ago and the eight Lib Dem Members of Parliament split three ways with three voting for the bill, three against and two sat on the fence. Back then it was Alistair Carmichael, John Pugh and Norman Lamb who supported the bill. The latter even commenting during the debate that he had changed his mind in recent ...
I have not actually seen the film "The Sense of an Ending" but was sufficiently intrigued by the adverts to buy Julian Barnes's book. There I was delighted to read, put in the mouth of the first person narrator, Tony Webster, sentiments that coincide exactly with my own: Do you know something I dread? Being an old person in hospital and having nurses I've never met calling me Anthony, or worse, Tony. Let me just pop this in your arm Tony. Have some more of this gruel, Tony. Have you done a motion, Tony?* Of course, by the time this ...
Shortly after the General Election Tim Farron resigned as leader of the Liberal Democrats. He said that it was impossible to maintain his Christian faith and be party leader. He was echoing a complaint from many practising Christians that they feel excluded from the party and in wider liberal circles. Muslims feel exclusion too, though often from different people. ... Continue reading Modern liberals have a religion problem →
Mon, 13:47: RT @AndrewSparrow: Michel Barnier sits down with David Davis with huge wodge of notes. Davis - with nothing - https://t.co/1eLT5nXRfU https... Mon, 15:39: RT @epc_eu: EVENT | The new #Macedonian government - Plans and prospects for #EUaccession w/ @Dimitrov_Nikola Live tweeting from 3:30 w/... Mon, 15:39: Great to see @Dimitrov_Nikola speaking on Macedonia's path to the EU at @epc_eu. Mon, 15:59: JFK quote from @Dimitrov_Nikola at @epc_eu: "Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate... https://t.co/tRgjtQkur8 Mon, 16:06: RT @epc_eu: #Macedonia could be a lesson for the whole region. #engagement necessary #EUaccession ...
There is a job opportunity for a Campaigns Intern, which is working with the Liberal Democrats in Bury and our sister party in Oldham. The job is based in city centre Manchester, but involves up to 2 days a week in Prestwich. A good opportunity for someone who wants to work in this sort of area. More information here (the second job).
Tue 18th
10:15
The fact is, this isn't a choice between May and Corbyn, and May must know that already
'Tis summer reception season in Westminster; the time of year when magazines, newspapers and think tanks crack out the Prosecco and pray that most of the cabinet turns up. One of them this week saw the prime minister issue a stark warning to her colleagues: "No backbiting, no carping. The choice is me or Jeremy Corbyn – and no one wants him." It's amazing that so many untruths can be packed into so few words. First off, just to get it out of the way, while I certainly don't want Jeremy Corbyn to be PM and I think all of ...
There's been a few times in Doctor Who's history where the show has done stories that have featured thinly-veiled features of its own fans. However, some (and I stress some, most definitely not all, not even a majority) of the reactions I've seen to the announcement that Jodie Whittaker is the new Doctor have crystallised an idea for me that by the far the most accurate of them – whether it's intentional or not – was Full Circle, a story from Tom Baker's final series. Now, you may not be familiar with the details of this 37-year old story, so ...
Children are invited to sign up to the Funimals Reading Challenge at their local library. It's easy and free to take part - simply register in the library, pick up your collector's card and start reading and collecting stamps. Youngsters must read six books and collect one stamp per book on their collector's card for a chance to enter a prize draw to win an Amazon Fire tablet or book tokens. The challenge will take place during the summer holidays up until Friday 9 September, with the prize draw winners notified shortly afterwards.
Bury Council is proposing a 25 year lease on the St Joseph's Fields area off Sandgate Road to Prestwich Marauders Football Club. A similar lease is being proposed for the Clifton Road football pitch. The two sites are currently 'self-managed' by Marauders. What is proposed is a 25 year lease which will allow the club to attract external funding to improve the site for football at grass roots level. There is not going to be a loss open space, the agreement put in place will in fact protect this valuable asset and allow the club to manage it better for ...
The change in tone was absolutely striking and, to be honest, it pre-dated the terrorist attack on Borough Market. It began with the Manchester bomb during the general election campaign. In fact, it began with an emphasis among journalists of the courage and fortitude of the general public in the face of terror. The Liverpool [...] The post Who shifted the mood of the election? Actually, it was Cressida Dick appeared first on Radix.
Statement from Inspector Derek Quinn following concerns about crime a Prestwich Metrolink stations: "We have noted there is a perception that the area has been subjected to a high number of knifepoint robberies and Anti-social behaviour, Local Police responded (that) weekend and there will continue to be a heightened presence in the area (last) weekend. To put out some basic facts, we have recorded 4 offences of teen on teen robbery in the Prestwich area in the last 4 weeks. One was where a pen-knife was seen, one where a weapon was intimated and two where force was used without ...
From Sheena Wellington : Bruce Davies - The Other Great American SongbookWighton Heritage Centre, Central LibrarySaturday 22nd July at 11am (doors open 10.30am) Bruce Davies, award winning singer/songwriter, whose rich voice and guitar style has won him friends on three continents, is delighted to present this celebration of songs and stories that shaped an inspired him! Expect to hear the songs of Bob Dylan; Tom Paxton; Peter, Paul & Mary; Judy Collin; Phil Ochs; Joan Baez; John Denver; Gordon Lightfoot and many more. Admission £5. Tea/coffee available for a small donation.
As Jeremy Corbyn and his leadership team cosy up to the Prime Minister in pursuit of a hard Brexit, it is becoming evident that his position is not shared by many of those who voted Labour last month nor by his party members. The Guardian reports that support for Britain to remain in the EU single market and customs union is overwhelming among Labour party members. Research carried out as part of the Party Members Project funded by the Economic and Social Research Council shows that more than eight out of 10 think the UK should stay in Europe's key ...
