The Boar, a student newspaper from the University of Warwick, has an interview with Vince Cable. It ends as follows: Finally, I asked the party leader about the naughtiest thing he had done as a student, to which he replied: "Well, I did quite a lot of naughty things, unlike Theresa May. "I wrote a personal biography called Free Radical in which I described an episode in my youth where I discovered an air rifle in the wardrobe and started playing Second World War snipers with my friend, aiming the air rifles at the windows of all our neighbours. We ...
A new Tumblr site, Lib Dems Too, has been set up to share accounts of sexism and worse within the Liberal Democrats and useful links for taking action. It describes its purpose as follows: Sexism in UK politics is nothing new to those of us involved in it. Following the #metoo discussion and the Westminster allegations, we created this website inspired by the Everyday Sexism Project to detail some of the instances of sexism within our party and to help people find the support they may need. Too many brilliant people are driven out of politics through no fault of ...
Richard Jefferies - nature writer, novelist and an a huge influence on later writing for children - was born at Coate Farm, Swindon, on 6 November 1848. Today Coate Farm is home to the newly thriving Richard Jefferies Museum and the Richard Jefferies Society has been running since 1950. I wrote my Masters dissertation on Jefferies in the 1990s and also gave the Richard Jefferies Society's Birthday Lecture in those days. There are lots of posts on this blog's Richard Jefferies label.
Vince Cable and Jo Swinson have attended a joint meeting with the Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition and other party leaders to address sexual harassment in Westminster. The Liberal Democrats have agreed to cross party proposals which will see an independent grievance process, improved HR support, and the establishment of a cross party working group to implement these changes. Following the meeting Vince Cable, Leader of the Liberal Democrats, said:"These are the right first cross party steps to address harassment and abuse in Westminster. There needs to be a robust, independent complaints system across Parliament that offers victims a ...
Commenting on reports that Priti Patel has been forced to apologise by Theresa May for holding undisclosed meetings in Israel, Shas Sheehan, Liberal Democrat International Development Spokesperson, said: "It is now apparent that Patel knowingly ignored ministerial rules, and that makes her position untenable. "Just because May's government is in meltdown doesn't give the Prime Minister an excuse to ignore this serious infraction. "Patel must resign, or be fired. Either way, she cannot remain Secretary of State for International Development."
Last month saw the second meeting of the new Greater Manchester Combined Authority Scrutiny Committees. A scrutiny process is established in the laws which establish the city region Mayor (Andy Burnham), and in Greater Manchester these are just now taking shape. Three Scrutiny Committees have been established, each is made up of 15 councillors from across Greater Manchester (11 Labour, 3 Conservative and 1 Lib Dem). Under the legislation the Chair has to be from a political party that is different from the elected Mayor, so that is two conservatives and one Lib Dem. Councillor Tim Pickstone is the Liberal ...
Just to let residents know about recent planning applications in your area on Ferndene Road, Sandgate Road, Guest Road and Tamworth Avenue. Please just let me know if you have any queries. Two storey extension at side; External alterations including bi-fold doors at rear 33 Ferndene Road, Whitefield, Manchester, M45 6RB Ref. No: 62111 | Received: Thu 02 Nov 2017 | Validated: Fri 03 Nov 2017 | Status: Registered Prior notification of proposed single storey rear extension 8 Tamworth Avenue, Whitefield, Manchester, M45 6UL Ref. No: 62101 | Received: Mon 30 Oct 2017 | Validated: Mon 30 Oct 2017 | ...
Applications now open for funding of up to approx £2000 towards sports clubs – Any Club, youth group or organisation working with young people aged 14-19. The core audience among this age group being those who are inactive or generally less active on a regular basis. 'Satellite Clubs' are local sport and physical activity clubs that are designed to make it easier for young people to get active - and stay active. They provide opportunities to take part regularly in sport and activity through the creation of enjoyable, appealing and convenient opportunities for young people that are based around their ...
Our ancestors were hunter-gatherers who rarely met anyone they didn't know, and were probably wise to be cautious when they did. In modern cities we are used to seeing strangers by the thousand, but our genetic inheritance is still there, and it is easy to re-awaken the atavistic fear that people who look or sound different might be dangerous. Stirring up racism is part of a simple principle of leadership; tell people there is an external threat and set yourself up as a powerful and angry leader. If the people fear the external threat they will welcome an aggressive masterful ...
Second frame of third page of each book: Épisode 2 Kim: "You called me?" Ashley: "Come in, Miss Keller." Épisode 3 Maï Lan:"What? You arrive on an unknown planet after a long journey, and instead of sharing in the exploration, breathing fresh air, looking at the sky and feeling the wind, you let yourself get shut in a dungeon and you don't care? I don't get it!"Lorna:"You don't get it because you have privilege. You can't understand how it feels to be like me, with my father a total asshole and my mother a moron!" Épisode 4 Ashley: "Can you ...
In Brexit Britain, there seem to be few aspects of human behaviour that do not seem to be in some form of crisis. The return of the Conservative party to the sleazy days of yore is not exactly a surprise. What is a surprise is that it the rather clumsy Sir Michael Fallon who was forced out, rather than the considerably more predatory Boris Johnson. The fact is that with sleaze, as with everything else, the Conservatives are engaging in a vicious kin strife. Fallon had to go because he was loyal to Theresa May. Johnson stays because he isn't. ...
Liberal Democrat leader and former Business Secretary Vince Cable has revealed that then prime minister David Cameron went back on a plan to clamp down on off-shore tax havens. It comes as international controversy grows over the publication of the so-called "Paradise Papers". Vince Cable said: "Tax should not be an optional extra for the global elite. Citizens who dutifully pay their taxes need confidence that the system is fair. But the Paradise Papers suggest that a small number of wealthy individuals have been able, entirely legally, to put their money beyond the reach of the Exchequer. "In the coalition ...
Early years gymnastic sessions are taking place at Castle Leisure Centre from 16 November 2017. The sessions aim to help develop coordination, balance and body awareness. First session free, but you need to email to book. More information sports.development@bury.gov.uk
When I wrote my first novel, Leaves the World to Darkness, I had been determined to write a novel for grown-ups about fairies. A serious subject, after all. The consternation and confusion the whole idea seemed to cause was irritating and finally rather amusing. One fiction editor, interested in publishing the book, asked me if I was prepared to excise the fairies out of the plot - the whole purpose of the story. I nearly lost one ghostwriting job because the subject (actually the subject's father-in-law) saw I had written a book about fairies, and they weren't his cup of ...
Nominations close on Friday 1 December 2017 for Bury Council's 'STAR' Awards. The awards are to recognise people who work or volunteer for Bury Council who have gone the 'extra mile' in their work? For more information and how to nominate here.
I was in Rowlands Gill yesterday and spotted something that was a blast from the past. Tucked away in a side street was a campervan with a Labour banner draped over the back, set up as a street stall. It was not just any Labour banner but something of great historic interest - a banner with the logo that predated the rose. Popular back in the 70s and early 80s, this was an icon of the Militant
In yesterday's Independent, William Wallace took the opportunity to remind Conservatives that Remembrance Sunday is not just about the British repelling our enemies in two world wars, it's about Commonwealth troops, about those from Occupied Europe who fought under British colours, and those who supported us with troops, weapons and other fighting equipment. He notes how this is part of a pattern of Conservative thinking, downplaying our interdependence; Conservative ministers have determinedly resisted giving publicity to British military cooperation. Liam Fox suppressed information on the extent of Franco-British defence joint operations, and would not invite the media to visit the ...
Mon 6th
12:10
Theresa May is hazy about when Brexit transition plans will be finalised, which is worrying
Theresa May made a speech this morning at the CBI conference which was centred on sexual harassment and Westminster. The Prime Minister sounded a lot more confident on this topic than on Brexit, which popped up in the questions afterwards. Asked when the public would get to know if the transitional deal with the EU that is intended by the logic of the Florence speech to follow the March 2019 departure of Britain from the European Union was indeed going to happen and if so, what it might look like, May said this: "First of all, as everybody will appreciate, ...
Yes, another week, albeit a short one, and I can't honestly say that it will be a gripping one. Monday sees the second day of the Committee Stage of the Data Protection Bill. This stage doesn't usually see anything more than probing as to the Government's intent, plus the airing of Opposition concerns, but it will be interesting to see what Lords Clement-Jones and Paddick have to raise. On Tuesday, Brian Cotter has an oral question on digital resilience programmes and young people. There is plenty of concern in the Lords about the issue of privacy in an age where ...
I am now the carer for my friend Richard, and have been since the start of the summer. Alas, he has had to go back into hospital. It means I am, yet again, doing daily visits to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. And that inevitably will lead to a daily visit to the Costa Coffee on level 2 of the hospital. We have dubbed the place Costa Fortune, for obvious reasons. I am hoping that this current
Last Monday plans for 2,600 homes at Yate and Chipping Sodbury and 1,800 at Coalpit Heath were discussed by the West of England Joint Committee in Bath. Local councillors Claire Young and Pat Hockey attended, with Claire speaking out on the plans. Despite the concerns raised, and despite both the Leader of North Somerset and the Mayor of Bristol saying they hadn't had time to read the document, the West of England leaders voted to recommend the Joint Spatial Plan (JSP) to the four councils. The BBC asked if anyone would be available for filming the next day in Coalpit ...
Sun, 12:56: EU needs a smarter response to the Catalonia crisis https://t.co/qnAhErsnUt Richard Youngs is right, again. Sun, 17:40: Sunday reading https://t.co/7Cbr3q6IDG Sun, 20:45: Great by @StevenErlanger. https://t.co/iuxxiFsRLQ?amp=1 Sun, 20:48: Looking for Laura https://t.co/dLbDRsrMXp Virginia Woolf and Vanessa Bell's oldest sister, who had a learning disability. Mon, 11:09: RT @julianHjessop: Good example of how #Brexit uncertainty is biting, and underlines importance of giving businesses some clarity soon. htt... Mon, 11:16: Sorry to miss this evening's #EUTweetup! https://t.co/T7XjLsnmmb
Carl Cashman The Liverpool Echo has the story on its web site – see link above Carl is a friend of mine and a more dedicated community campaigner you would do well to find. He steps into matters that other politicians shy away from. Every community needs a councillor like Carl.
I can see three possible conclusions to the Brexit debacle. First, we'll crash out the EU without a deal. Second, Brexit will become untenable and we'll have to end up staying in the EU. And third, we'll be stuck in a transitional limbo with a debilitated leadership and endless bureaucratic wrangling that may further weaken our economy and global reputation. Nevertheless, if we ever get through this mess, we will most certainly hit rock bottom. However good this imaginary deal might be, relations with our European partners will have been broken beyond repair. We need to prepare ourselves for any ...
Today's newspapers and all the media are full of new about the so-called Paradise Papers, a leaked set of documents detailing the financial details of the wealthy and powerful. Inevitably there will be calls for action by the UK Government, whilst Prime Minister's questions on Wednesday will be especially interesting, given the alleged revelations about Lord Ashcroft. In the Independent, Vince Cable has given us another of those invaluable insights into the workings of the Coalition Government. He tells us that David Cameron vetoed attempts to clamp down on tax havens: "In the Coalition Government I introduced the register of ...
That's a big number. Probably too big for anyone to comprehend. It's more than three times global GDP. And it's the amount of outstanding global debt – governments, corporations and households combined. In so-called 'mature economies', debt is now a staggering 390 per cent of GDP. Debt growth continues easily to outstrip GDP growth. Our [...] The post Two hundred and fifteen trillion dollars appeared first on Radix.
Many drivers from our area go through Frampton Cotterell on their way to and from Bristol. At the moment the stretch of the B4058 Bristol Road from the Church Road traffic lights almost to the Swan is 40 mph. The proposal is to reduce the speed limit to 30 mph in order to cut the number of accidents. You can see the information and respond to the consultation here - it's open until 17th November.
I came across this lovely building dating from 1864 recently whilst walking around Southport town center with old chum Roy Connell and thought it must have an interesting history. Internet searches commenced:- I soon found an article on the Southport Visiter newspaper web site (originally from 2008) which gives an insight into this unique building and its history. Here's the article:- A quote from the Visiter article says:- 'John Ruskin, the esteemed Victorian essayist, once described Trinity Chapel [which stood next to the School House] as "the most beautiful church in Methodism".' Well certainly the surviving School House must ...
DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - WEEKLY ROAD REPORT REPORT FOR WEST END WARD - WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 6 NOVEMBER 2017 A85 Riverside Drive - prohibition of right turn from westbound lane of Riverside Drive into Riverside approach and prohibition of right turn from Riverside Approach in to Riverside Drive for 5 weeks for works to the sea wall. Prohibitions will only be in place when required. A85 Riverside Drive (at Railway Station) - east bound nearside lane closure for 4 weeks for SGN essential value maintenance.
When I returned to Liberal Democrat Voice, I expected it to be fairly quiet, given that the key issues were Brexit, Brexit and, oh yes, Brexit. The events of the past week have been depressing to say the least, and it isn't going to get any better this week, given the accusations that are flying around concerning individuals in most political parties. Liberal Democrat Voice will continue to cover these issues as far as is possible, and moderation will be automatic, and cautious, on all articles linked to such events. To be blunt, gentle readers, we don't want to fall ...
