Following yesterday's pair of unusually early by-elections, Thursday brings the final polls of 2017: eight further council by-elections plus a bonus City of London contest. Those eight are made up of five Labour defences, two Liberal Democrat defences and one Conservative defence. First up, a ward in Salford which the Liberal Democrats won back in 2008, but then lost in 2010 and then stopped contesting in 2014. This time, however, for the first time the most recent four outings there was a Lib Dem again: Langworthy (Salford) result: LAB: 58.0% (+8.9) CON: 17.7% (+11.2) LDEM: 12.1% (+12.1) GRN: 6.9% (+1.0) ...
In the days when I went on long walking holidays I used to lay out everything I wanted to take and find it was too much for my rucksack. Often my camera was one of the things that was sacrificed. But I did take it with me sometimes. And one of the times I did was 1997, when I walked from Plymouth to Brixham, missed out the area around Torbay on the advice of my guidebook as there was too much road walking, and then continued from Exmouth to Weymouth. This photograph was taken that summer, as Tony Blair enjoyed ...
Today was an historic day. Twenty years and three months ago, the Scottish people voted to have a Scottish Parliament with tax raising powers. In his annual Budget, Scottish Finance Minister Derek Mackay increased the basic rate of income tax to 21p for those earning above £24,000. He also decreased it to 19p for the lowest earners up to £13,850. He put up the higher rate to 41p and the top rate to 46p. It's all pretty modest and it represents the sort of moves we were calling for in the Scottish elections last year and since. We wanted to ...
Regular readers will have heard of the Elves of Rocking Forest, with whom Lord Bonkers has a relationship of wary friendliness. ("It's best to keep on the right side of these fellows.") Back from the Brink is a conservation project that aims to save 20 species from extinction and benefit over 200 more through 19 projects spread across England. And one of those projects is taking place in Rockingham Forest. The project's Rockingham Roots page lays out its ambitions there: Rockingham Forest covers more than 200 square miles, and has long been part of the natural and cultural heritage of ...
Ironically, the new interview with Nick Clegg on PoliticsHome starts: The problem with writing anything about Brexit is that in the few days between first draft and pressing send the entire picture can change, multiple times. Ironic, because the interview itself has been overtaken in some respects by the government defeat in Parliament. But there's still plenty to it that makes it worth a read: "Part of the elixir of democracy is the ability to adapt and evolve your opinion as the facts adapt and evolve," [Nick Clegg] says. "This weird sort of 'Daily Mail Old Testament' view that a ...
Embed from Getty Images The restoration of direct trains between Oxford and Cambridge moved closer today with the launch of the East West Railway Company. This, says Rail News, will oversee the reconstruction of the link, which exists in some form from Oxford as far as Bedford. The report goes on: When the line opens, it will have interchange stations with four main railway lines radiating out of London, but it will run under or over each, minimising any risk of delay. The aim is to build a route that allows future upgrades to be incorporated with as little disruption ...
Second paragraph of third chapter:Pound began attending Yeats's Monday dinner gatherings in London. He dashed about with his wild mane of hair, flung himself into fragile chairs, and leaned back in luxuriant repose. His black velvet jacket and facial hair — a long mustache and a tuft on his chin trimmed to a point — were part of his poetic regalia. His flowing capes, open-necked shirts and billiard-green felt trousers rankled London's staid sensibilities. At one of Yeats's gatherings, Pound began plucking the petals off the red tulips on the table and, one by one, he ate them. When the ...
Merseyrail Class 508 EMU at Maghull Station The Liverpool Echo has the story – see link above Folk using the Merseyrail Northern Line between Liverpool & Ormskirk may soon be using the 'Miseryrail' phrase as 3 car trains are yet again the order of the day due to power shortages at Aughton Park. This first manifested itself a few weeks back but here we go again it seems. 3 car trains at rush hours are bad for passengers and they are letting their feelings be known! Network Rail are in the dock over this continuing problem.
Thu 14th
16:15
Is there a best time to take a position if you know that doing so will cost you support?
The Labour frontbench's decision not to support a Liberal Democrat amendment which would hold open membership of the Single Market was an interesting one. If, as is reported, it was simply an attempt to keep the option on the table, then one might reasonably argue that, by allowing it to be defeated, Labour reduced their own wriggle room in the eventuality that they become the Government. And they're entitled to do that, if they see that it is to their political advantage. But, as a political party seeking to gain the support of those voters who wish to remain in ...
The tiny majority in favour of ensuring Parliament gets a vote on any Brexit deal not seem an obvious thing to label 'easy'. But there's a pretty solid rule of politics: it's easier to secure agreement to have a vote than it is to win the subsequent vote. Overdosing your attention, dreams, efforts and hopes on securing agreement for the vote can all so easily be followed by heavy defeat when the vote comes. Think of Liberal Democrats - and electoral reform campaigners more widely - in the run up to securing the alternative vote referendum. Getting one was the ...
Following on from previous discussion on this site around the interaction between faith and being a Liberal Democrat, I thought I'd share my story and, hopefully, encourage others to do the same. I am writing in a personal capacity, but happen to be Vice-Chair of the Liberal Democrat Christian Forum. I am only a Liberal Democrat because of my Christian faith. I'd better unpack that. My faith has been a journey, brought up in a protestant household, with my childhood and teenage years in the Assemblies of God, and then working as a musician in the Methodist Church. When I ...
Well, maybe things are just taking a turn or the better. The defeat of the Republican candidate in the election for a senator for Alabama shows that the US electorate might, just might, be beginning to see the light about the awfulness of President Trump's attitudes and policies. Here in the UK the House of Commons has defeated the May Government's arrogant attempt to force through whatever Brexit deal they achieve without any serious possibility of parliament's having any meaningful say. How the new situation will work out in practice is yet to be seen but the significance is that, ...
Lydiate's newest volunteer group held another meeting on Monday night in the Scotch Piper Pub. The draw was made for raffle prizes, tickets for which were sold at the Lydiate Christmas Fayre held in Lydiate Village Centre last Saturday. Donations and expressions of interest in sponsorship are starting to come in. The group now has a constitution and is fully set up to be able to apply for grants. The logo of the group looks great and is at the head of this posting.
Since late 2016, the English Party has been reviewing its structure and governance. This was initiated following the consultation conducted by the Federal Party following the 2015 General Election, which revealed some considerable criticism of the English Party for a lack of transparency and accountability. The English Party established the English Review Group towards the end of 2016, with members drawn from each of the 11 English Regions. This is chaired by Sally Symington, who has not previously been a member of any of the English Party committees. She was recommended for her common-sense approach, her fresh eye, and her ...
A few days ago, the New Yorker published a short story called "Cat Person", written by Kristen Roupenian. It tells the tale of a twenty-year-old woman named Margo and her brief affair with a man named Robert, whom she initially thinks is in his mid-twenties, but actually turns out to be 34. He is also a terrible kisser, a terrible lover and appears to know little about women generally. After a night of less than ideal sex, Margot decides she doesn't want to see him again. A month later, he spots her in a bar and she leaves. The next ...
Wed, 16:41: RT @MichelBarnier: Good #Brexit discussion w/ 27 ministers. Negotiations in phase 2 will progress only if joint report commitments are ref... Wed, 17:51: RT @grahamkw: Incredibly prescient photo shoot from 2006. https://t.co/cy7osK4Nv8 Wed, 18:51: The Bounty Trilogy, by Charles Nordhoff and James Norman Hall https://t.co/QEckyeZZEZ Wed, 20:48: What are think tanks for? Policy research in the age of anti-expertise https://t.co/7uzN35ZrrK Good question, answered by @RosaBalfour. Thu, 09:53: RT @BrigidLaffan: For all those who want to understand the #Politics of #Ireland just published - 6th edition -editors grateful that there... Thu, 10:45: Belgium's Lavish Energy Use Sheds Light on ...
weekly_food_challenge | Challenge #24: Slow Cooked Food This week's challenge is live, live, live! Does Peppa Pig encourage inappropriate use of primary care resources? Tongue planted firmly in cheek here, I think. siderea | [Patreon] Paypal's Micropayments Rate Useful for those looking for an alternative to Patreon Hammer House of Podcast I have listened to the episode 0, the introductory ep, and am genuinely excited about this. To the extent that I am sad that there is going to be Patreon exclusive content, having JUST THIS WEEK junked my Patreon account and found other ways of funding the other creators ...
Yesterday the European Parliament voted in favour of a Resolution to allow Brexit talks to progress to the next stage. Both the Commission and Parliament have now recommended to the European Council that progress has been made in the three key areas: on citizens' rights, Northern Ireland and the financial settlement. This Resolution is the last piece in the puzzle to allowing the Brexit talks to progress to the next stage. It effectively moves the UK one step further away from a disastrous "no deal" situation which would risk thousands of jobs, our economy and position on the world stage. ...
The Guardian reports that UKIP is to face a tribunal over its use of analytics during the EU referendum after refusing to cooperate with an investigation by the Information Commissioner's Office. The Information Commissioner says that inquiry has been launched because she is concerned about invisible processing of data 'behind the scenes', including 'algorithms, analysis, data matching, profiling that involves people's personal information'. She adds: "When the purpose for using these techniques is related to the democratic process, the case for a high standard of transparency is very strong," The ICO had issued four information notices, formally ordering organisations to ...
This Parliamentary democracy thing is an interesting concept, isn't it? The idea that we, the people, after a campaign in which candidates attempt to persuade us to support them and their ideas, send our chosen tribune to Westminster to listen to arguments and sift data before taking the decisions that affect our lives seems like quite a good one. Of course, this is the theory. It relies on a number of increasingly heroic assumptions;That voters actually have an open mind.That candidates tell the truth, or are at least honest about the options.That media coverage is objective.That, once elected, Members of ...
I have just spent a couple of days in Paris. It was raining much of the time. But Paris is still Paris. In my meetings here, the contrast with London could not be greater. Macron's election has infused the normally grumpy and hyper-critical French with a sense of optimism. Macron has not done much yet, but investment is rising [...] The post Is low regulation actually bad for business? appeared first on Radix.
Wednesday by-elections may be rare and weird but they are very welcome when they result in a Lib Dem GAIN. Paul Follows took the Waverley, Surrey seat of Godalming Central an Ockford. We didn't even stand a candidate there in 2015. We had a reasonable record there, pulling in 400-500 wards in previous years but this is a very good leap forward for us. Godalming Central & Ockford (Waveney) result: LDEM: 37.8% (+37.8) CON: 35.0% (-6.5) LAB: 21.5% (-4.6) GRN: 5.7% (+5.7) No 'Something New' party (-17.0) and UKIP (-15.4) as prev. — Britain Elects (@britainelects) December 14, 2017 * ...
I raised with the City Council's Roads Maintenance Partnership the condition of the pavements in Milnbank Road, following complaints from residents. I have since received the following positive feedback : "Milnbank Road footways from Rosefield Street to Easson's Angle, both sides, are included in the 2018-2019 Footway Resurfacing Programme. An inspection will be carried out in the meantime and any actionable defects repaired to ensure safety is maintained."
Although it was only Wednesday yesterday, two by-elections had their polling day, a Conservative and a Labour seat. Both, hooray, had a Liberal Democrat candidate. By-elections are only usually on Thursday by convention. The law does not require it. Although not common, by-elections can happen on any other weekday, with last year seeing both Tuesday and Wednesday used, for example. But back to yesterday. First up, Exeter and a by-election caused by a Labour councillor who is under police investigation resigning: Labour HOLD Newtown and St Leonards (Exeter). — Britain Elects (@britainelects) December 13, 2017
A technique has been devised that allows electricity to flow directly from solar panels to electrified train tracks to the trains themselves making solar powered trains more feasible than ever before Last week, my 10:10 colleague Leo Murray co-authored a new report on solar-powered trains with Nathaniel Bottrell, an electrical engineer at Imperial College. It's exciting stuff. We think solar could power 20% of the Merseyrail network in Liverpool, as well as 15% of commuter routes in Kent, Sussex and Wessex. There's scope for solar trams in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Nottingham, London and Manchester too, and there's no reason it should ...
Our Vince is off to Ireland tomorrow, where he'll meet leading Irish politicians to discuss Brexit. Vince will be discussing the implications of the end of the first phase of Brexit negotiations, set to be approved by EU leaders, which failed to find a long-term solution to the Irish border issue. He said: The Conservative government has so far botched Brexit, and amongst the people who stand to be most affected are those living on the island of Ireland. Even after the 'divorce settlement' and the agreement to proceed with trade talks, it isstill unclear how a hard border will ...
