This year will be the twelfth Christmas I spend in Minnesota. When I married my wife, in January 2006, I promised her parents that I would make sure that no matter what, she would be with them every Christmas. So ... Continue reading →
I was one of the contributors to Great Liberal Speeches. Here is my introduction to the selected speech from Charles James Fox speech, followed by the speech itself. Charles James Fox, 1749-1806, was one of the leading orators of his generation, easily able to hold his own against other such talents and opponents such as the Tory Prime Minister William Pitt the Younger. He was born into the political establishment with a mother who was the great-granddaughter of Charles II and a father who had served Walpole for many years. From an early age he mixed an aptitude for hard ...
The ghost sign would have done me, but the terracotta panels were a wonderful surprise. As one of the city council's heritage boards, which I was impressed to find at the end of the road explains, 55 Britannia Street was a lodging house opened in 1889 to accommodate 129 working men in large communal bedrooms. It was run by the Wilkinson family until it closed in 1946. The panels show rather stereotyped representatives of the four nations of the British Isles, inspired by the name of the street or to emphasise that all were welcome within.
"The problem with a strategy of invalidating the referendum is that it looks to most people like an attempt to cheat or win on a technicality. It's not a political win, where you persuade people by the strength of your ideas but a dirty one, where you manage to rig the system to your advantage." Nick Barlow says that if we're going to stop Brexit, then we have to stop refighting the referendum. Mark Mills explains how he became a reluctant monarchist. The perennial interest in the Jack the Ripper murders represents the commodification of sexual violence, argues Caroline Jones. ...
This budget offers nothing for the future of young people and it is infuriating. Austerity is implemented for the supposed sake of "of our children" but, after spending days poring over budget analysis I can safely say that children from ordinary homes can only look after to more austerity. Austerity and no hope is what Tories have gifted "our children". I didn't have vastly optimistic expectations for this budget anyway. However, the glaring absence of meaningful policy makes me even more pessimistic about our future. The only policies geared towards young people were tokenistic and ineffective I cannot possible overexaggerate ...
At the end of the week, liberals from across Europe come to Amsterdam to meet, debate policies, attend fringe meetings and elect new members of the ALDE (Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe) Party's Bureau. There'll be approximately one hundred Liberal Democrats present, and Liberal Democrat Voice will be covering events as usual. Our coverage this year starts with a review of the resolutions to be considered, and it will come as no surprise that one of the subjects for debate is Brexit, and that's where we'll start. It might surprise readers to discover that the resolution is not ...
Second paragraph of third chapter: 'Did Mr Wonka do it, Grandpa?'When I first read this book, aged 7 or so, I was expecting horror - good old Puffin Post had published an excised chapter, "Spotty Powder", back in 1973, concerning the fate of another obnoxious child visitor, Miranda Piker, and it is much darker than any of the bits that made it into the final book. The chill that went down my back as I read it has stayed with me for 43 years: There was a moment's silence. Then, far off in the distance, from somewhere deep underground, there ...
As a mixed race person, once divorced and a Catholic, I think that Meghan Markle will add a bit of diversity to our Royal Family, and she seems pretty grounded (she'll need to be with our tabloid press!). Vince Cable has added his thoughts via Twitter; Absolutely delighted for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Good to see some cheery news #RoyalWedding — Vince Cable (@vincecable) November 27, 2017 But what do our readers think? Over to you, everyone...
The lovely Wallington Arms is once again inviting our local senior residents to celebrate Christmas with them on Tuesday 12th December 2017. The pub will be providing a free festive lunch for Wallington's older people. Please do call and reserve your place so the pub knows how many to expect: call 0208 773 0404 or email wallingtonarms@anticlondon.com. [...]
Remainers, 48 percenters, proud Europhiles, gather round and listen to me when I tell you that if we're going to stop Brexit, then we have to stop refighting the referendum. There's lots of people who seem to think there's a short cut to stopping Brexit by invalidating the referendum. There are several reasons and ways presented for doing this, but it boils down to a simple argument: Because of (spending irregularities/lies on buses/it was only advisory/Russian trolls/insert your favourite argument here) the referendum was wrong, therefore we should all pretend it didn't happen and stop doing Brexit. Unfortunately for people ...
Monarchy is both a stupid idea and a good choice The Prince of Wales has announced the engagement of Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle. pic.twitter.com/rtlAnFCWTf — Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) November 27, 2017 Author's note: This article first in May 2017. Reposting it today in light of the announcement of the Royal engagement. On days [...]
People join political parties because they are interested in politics. That may seem an obvious thing to say, but those of us engaged in the grind of day-to-day campaigns must regularly remind ourselves. Because, while lots of us are passionate about our community activism, a large majority of our members are more motivated by values and bigger ideas. If we want to galvanise them into a campaigning force – helping our community campaigns in the process – we need to remind them why they joined. That means talking about our liberal values and giving our members an opportunity to campaign ...
Are you, or is someone you know looking for work and in need of help with transport? Contact your local Job Centre (South Glos only) for a referral before 4 December. For just £20 you could get a reconditioned bike, lights, and a lock. What's the catch? No catch, but you must be eligible for the Wheels to Work scheme - see below for details. The nitty gritty - you will be eligible for this scheme if you are: • recently placed, or currently not in education, training or employment; • aged over 16 years old • living or studying ...
MPs are seemingly getting more of a say on Brexit than local councillors on highways matters, say Hertfordshire Lib Dems, after their motion to allow for councillor-led scrutiny of the highways contract was quashed by the Conservatives at full council earlier this week. Liberal Democrat County Councillors slammed the Conservative-run council's plans to award a [...]
Sun, 12:56: The hard-won kinship between Britain and Ireland is threatened by Brexit idiocy https://t.co/BvzqF9aGwa Fintan O'Toole explains just how b... Sun, 17:06: Sunday reading https://t.co/5otnnFjzWl Sun, 17:44: RT @mwarne: This photo was posted in a Facebook group I belong to. It's in Morlande, a district of Avallon, Burgundy, France. #JoCox https:... Sun, 19:45: Crucial point of a good thread. https://t.co/rXz4iRzy1M Sun, 20:48: Excellent on Ireland/Brexit from former Taoiseach John Bruton. https://t.co/Gwj8VvYCTO Sun, 21:14: RT @M44Tweet: We shall call it 'winter' https://t.co/Bb599lJfez Mon, 10:45: Yet again, thread. https://t.co/JvlPtB6Hb6
I had thought that by the time I reached my 50s the bullying would stop This is a post everyone should read. [IMG: comment count unavailable] comments
Welcome once again to our regular preview of events in the Upper Chamber, and it's another low-key week for the denizens of the red benches. The only legislation up for consideration on Monday is the European Union (Approvals) Bill, which has its Third Reading. Now, to give you an idea as to how uncontroversial this is, the Committee Stage lasted just one minute, with a solitary intervention by the relevant Minister, Lord Henley. There are two debates and a short debate, with Malcolm Bruce leading for the Liberal Democrats on DfID's Economic Development Strategy, Archy Kirkwood on lifelong training and ...
[IMG: Featured on Liberal Democrat Voice] a double dose of recognition this week as this posting was also included in Liberal England Six of the Best and it also got the seal of approval from Roy Connell For decades, in the post-war era, there was not a budget day when the Liberal Party did not move an amendment to promote employee ownership and industrial democracy. Jo Grimond and Richard Wainwright were always looking for opportunities to make the case for the redistribution of ownership. Not only did they believe that this would lead to a fair distribution of wealth and ...
Many commentators in the foreign media of Western Europe and the USA are in bewilderment. A country once known for its pragmatism, disdain for extreme ideologies, and essentially common sense approach to politics appears to be suffering an existential crisis. A country torn between a potential far right or far left vision of itself has [...] The post The first whiff of a new centrist movement – and from Parliament too appeared first on Radix.
Last Friday was International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, also known as White Ribbon Day. It is followed up until the 10th December by 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence. I marked the day by visiting Swansea's Domestic Abuse One Stop Shop which offers information, advice and support if you are affected by domestic abuse. They had a fair in which organisations associated with their work were offering information about their services. The timing of this news therefore could not be more devastating (and crass). The Guardian says that abuse survivors and charities believe that the ...
DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - WEEKLY ROAD REPORT REPORT FOR WEST END WARD - WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 27 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 2 weeks for works to the sea wall. Prohibitions will only be in place when required. A85 Riverside Drive (at Railway Station) - eastbound nearside lane closure for 2 weeks for SGN essential valve maintenance.
Sometimes, opportunities come along unexpectedly, and when, two weeks ago, the opportunity to go to Timişoara came along, I grabbed at the chance, without really stopping to consider what I might find when I got there. And Eastern Europe does, beyond the classic cities such as Budapest and Prague, have a bit of an image problem given the effects of war and communism on the architectural heritage. I was there because a new Românian political party, the Uniunea Salvați România (Save România Union), was hosting a conference entitled "The Future of Europe is the Future of România", and the morning ...
This is a press release I have sent out this morning following the further bailing of Ged Fitzgerald last week: Press Release for immediate use Liverpool's Liberal Democrat Group have repeated the call they made last March at the Council's ... Continue reading →
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-42085145 The BBC has the uplifting story on its web site but the author clearly had not been told about the magnificent Maghull Station, made to look stunning by Maghull Station Volunteers. Let's remind ourselves of what they have done in recent years, whilst winning many, many prestigious awards:- The award winning work of the Maghull Station Volunteers literally on display at Maghull Station. Beautiful award winning flower displays at Maghull Station by Maghull Station Volunteers. Have a read on the train My thanks to Roy Connell for the lead to this posting
There is a certain irony that, after a week which saw controversy over the question of UK eligibility for the award of the 2023 European Capital of Culture, that Liberal Democrat Voice is brought to you today from Timişoara, România's third city. I'm here having taken part in a conference on Europe organised by a new political party here in Romania, the Uniunea Salvați România (Save România Union), and I'll be offering my impressions of the event, and reporting on the speech given there by Ros Scott. Otherwise, what else do we have for you? As reported yesterday, Max Wilkinson ...
Can China find aliens? Can the DPRK survive South Korean pop culture? Can Dan Brown write for toffee? good job at philosophy, Heart. https://t.co/RGiEqhoNud pic.twitter.com/9uFgQVO08s — the Awkward Yeti (@theawkwardyeti) December 4, 2015 Dan Brown is a very bad writer by Matthew Walther (The Week) "The novel's most crucial scene is the stunning almost-but-not-quite-too-late moment [...]
