My perfect day is a simple day. It will be in the same room. The room I've dreamed about. With its minimalist grey walls, hard, oak stained wooden floors, fluffy grey rug covering a huge square space. There is a glass coffee table in the centre of the room surrounded by a huge L-shaped sofa and another suite of a three-person sofa and two armchairs, all in cream with an array of cushions. I sat on the rug, leaning back against the sofa with my laptop on my lap, surrounded by my scatter scribbles and notes. Writing is my life ...
The Liberal Democrats set out what they want Theresa May to say this weekend in order to secure a safe future for the UK in the face of Brexit. There always seems to be three things on any Lib Dem action plan on any leaflet you might care to mention so it's no surprise that the party has set out three things that we want her to include in her speech if she truly wants to reassure European allies that the UK remains committed to the security of Europe. The three commitments that the Prime Minister must make are: Confirm ...
As Chris Power once wrote in the Guardian: What a strange bird Saki is. His stories, written between 1900 and his death at the Somme in 1916, bear the hallmarks of Oscar Wilde and Henry James, are as funny as Wilde, Wodehouse and Waugh, possess plotting exquisite enough to bear significant elaboration but rarely last longer than three pages, and are brought off with a wonderfully light touch, while presenting a disturbingly chilling portrait of humankind.
Embed from Getty Images This blog has followed Adil Rashid since he made his debut for Yorkshire - overhyping young English spinners is part of what Liberal England is about. So I was sorry to hear that he has decided to concentrate on white-ball cricket and give the County Championship and even tests a miss. But Tim Wigmore has argued - persuasively - that he is not the first to do so and will not be the last: If Rashid is exceptional, it is only because he was an international T20 player who had still been attempting to play Test ...
[IMG: A Bertram Prance illustration for The Neglected Mountain by Malcolm Saville (detail)] I have remarked before - when writing about Leicestershire's hated sprout police - that Conservative councils are very keen on petty regulations. Often it is Liberal Democrat and Labour councillors who argue for freedom. Take Wandsworth, which always used to be seen as the Thatcherites' flagship borough in London. According to the Evening Standard: It has always been seen as one of the most innocent of childhood pursuits, a rite-of-passage physical challenge fondly recalled in adult life. But now killjoy councillors in London are threatening a clampdown ...
Our hotel, amongst its many virtues, offered a walking tour of the city as part of our stay, and the next morning, we were greeted by Cynthia, who has been leading walking tours in Valparaíso for seven years or so. We started with a gentle stroll around Cerro Alegre, our own area of the city, before taking the ascensor down to Plaza Sotomayor. The highlights of the square were duly noted, but we were then led to the side of a building to take a ride on the city's trolleybus route. Alright, I can sense your thought - why a ...
It's not only this week's council by-elections which have shifted the political balance in places. There's also been two cases of councillors changing political allegiance. In South Norfolk, Des Fulcer has joined the Lib Dems. As the local party says, Des Fulcher, one of two District Councillors for South Norfolk Council's Stratton ward, has joined the Liberal Democrat Group at the Council. Des had been elected as a Conservative in 2015, but resigned from the Conservatives in 2017, since when he had been an Independent. The Liberal Democrat Group at South Norfolk Council therefore increases from six to seven councillors, ...
Local environment groups are organising tree and hedge planting events over the next few weeks. New volunteers are always welcome - you can bring your children or grandchildren too. Major tools are provided. Wapley Bushes Conservation Group has work mornings on Sunday 18 February (this coming Sunday) and Saturday 17 March. Volunteers will be planting a mixture of native trees in the main woodland as part of a three-year planting project. They will also be pruning the local variety fruit trees and doing a litter pick - there are different types of work to suit everyone. Meet at the Shire ...
Second paragraph of third chapter:But I resolved to put the words and the letter out of my head.I don't know how this ended up on my Amazon wishlist; but you can get it for a penny plus postage. Clearly it did very well when first published in 2006 and then had a successful TV movie in 2013 (in which the dodgy brother Charlie is played by Michael Jibson, who I recently saw on stage in Hamilton). But this had all completely passed me by. I guess, as often happens, someone recommended it to me on Facebook, or maybe in the ...
Embed from Getty Images Vince Cable says: I would like to wish a Happy New Year to our friends and members of the Chinese community in the UK and to all who celebrate Lunar New Year during this time of year. May it be a time of great joy and celebration with family and friends. The Chinese community have long established roots in the UK, whether coming from Hong Kong, South East Asia or from the People's Republic of China. Your contributions enrich the cultural life of all Britons, enhance our professions and bolster our economy. It is said that ...
I've lived in London for almost six years now, and I've been to the Tate Modern more times in the past three months than I have done the whole time I've been in this wonderful city! Exploring on the way to Tate Modern Participant Observation refers to both an etic observation of others participation, but also an emic perspective gained by participation in an activity yourself. So, I took myself around the Tate Modern on a gloomy afternoon, and observed-as-participant, those who were participating in an artistic, cultural experience. Bubbles outside Tate Modern We were encouraged to look at the ...
Vince's Valentine's Day column for Times Red Box contrasted the consistency of the Liberal Democrats on Brexit with the split Labour and Conservative parties. He said that our party was "open to refugees." For some MPs, I do anticipate that the myopia of the Labour and Conservative parties could drive them away from their folds. Liberal Democrats, unsurprisingly, have a liberal policy on refugees and will welcome with open arms and an open mind anyone from a different political tradition who wants to join our party. However, many aghast rebels will retain old tribal loyalties but nonetheless choose to vote ...
Despite what some Remainers may have you believe, Brexit looks pretty set to happen. With both the government and the official opposition wedded to it taking place (while taking up over 80% of the available vote), it is hard to see what blows it off course. Unless, of course, it is actually impossible for the UK to leave on anything other than really terrible terms and there is a massive, last moment swerve by the UK government as a result. I don't think this will happen, but of course, you never know about anything in politics these days. Yet the ...
The rise of poverty shaming in schools There are some bloody horrific things going on these days. 'You can't say anything nowadays' sighs man mistaking criticism for censorship 'Free speech defenders', not liberals, are the ones shutting down debate A more serious version of the article linked above If you like what you see here (or even if you don't) please consider dropping me a tip: [IMG: Paypal Donate Button] [IMG: Buy Me an uncaffeinated beverage (because I'm allergic to coffee) at ko-fi.com] [IMG: comment count unavailable] comments
Thu, 12:47: RT @EU2018BG: 🇧🇬 Minister @EZaharievaMFA welcomes @FedericaMog, fellow foreign ministers to National Palace of Culture for the #Gymnich mee... Thu, 12:56: Serbia must accept Kosovo independence to join EU: German foreign minister https://t.co/rCUCHpQcyO This is importan... https://t.co/pQ5XqZtRgP Thu, 16:05: How to govern Europe better: Reflections on reform of the European Parliament, Commission and Council... https://t.co/zQ5oc6T5sO Thu, 16:25: RT @apcoworldwide: The Risk of Being Left Behind: APCO CEO @BradStaples previews and shares his thoughts on the #MunichSecurityConference h... Thu, 18:18: A quirk in Slovakia https://t.co/6HrDsqEejB Thu, 19:54: RT @EU2018BG: .@BorisJohnson made an appearance to remember at the Foreign Affairs ...
Fri 16th
10:25
Beyond the European Union: Inequality in British society is the biggest Issue that we face
I am a solid "Remainer," believing that the United Kingdom is better off inside the European Union, particularly in terms of the economy but also because of the standards which the EU upholds in terms of consumer protection, human rights, commitment to protecting the environment and assuring our security. In fact, I would like to push towards a more equal society in Britain – an idea which seems to escape the majority of the right wing and, unbelievably, some of the extreme left wing as well. Although I am not an economist, it appears fairly obvious to me that the ...
Everything's a bit manic at the moment. Too many things! Still, have ticked off a massive eight tasks so far this morning AND been to the dentist (I need a filling redone. Boooo...). Hope you lot are all good. [IMG: comment count unavailable] comments
In contrast to our previous reading, this week we reduced our focus to the oeuvre of a single artist, Tehching Hsieh, a 'Life Artist', or 'Endurance Artist' who worked on year-long performances during the 1980's. In contrast to Body Art, which uses the body as canvas and tests the limits of what a body can do or be, Life Works question what it means to live in a body, and provide a frame in which to explore, and play with, art, time, and life. Naming his output 'Life Works' troubles what we take for granted; both in terms of what ...
This morning's Guardian contains news of an Institute for Fiscal Studies report that underlines the extent by which young people have been let down by housing policies across the UK. They conclude that the chances of a young adult on a middle income owning a home in the UK have more than halved in the past two decades, with Wales suffering one of the biggest declines in home ownership amongst the 25-34 age group, from 56% to 34%.. The Institute for Fiscal Studies research shows how an explosion in house prices above income growth has increasingly robbed the younger generation ...
t was a "little difficulty in the Balkans" in the summer of 1914 that resulted in the deaths of 16 million European soldiers by November 1918. It was the break-up of the Yugoslav federation that led to a Balkan civil war from 1991 until the turn of the millennium that caused 140,000 deaths and 4.4 million refugees and internally displaced people. Two very good lessons from history to encourage the European Union to welcome the six Balkan states—Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Albania and Macedonia– to join the European club. The EU Foreign Affairs Commissioner, Federica Morgherini, has for over a ...
Last night was a good night for Lib Dems across the country: Dawlish Central & North East (Teignbridge) result: LDEM: 70.6% (+52.4) CON: 29.4% (+5.6) Liberal Democrat GAIN from Conservative. — Britain Elects (@britainelects) February 16, 2018 Unfortunately, there were a few by-elecitons in Falkirk and Halton Castle where we didn't have a candidate, which is why it's so good that Ben Marshall flew our flag in Grassmoor in North East Derbyshire. * Caron Lindsay is Editor of Liberal Democrat Voice and blogs at Caron's Musings
I have received complaints about blocked street drains on Perth Road west of Harris Academy. As one constituent recently said : "... the drain grating at bus stop on Perth Road (north side) just east of Arnhall Drive is completely blocked so water backs up in the roadway when it rains heavily. Last time I checked most of the gratings between there and West Park Road were also part/all blocked by gunge." I raised this with the council's Roads Maintenance Partnership and have been advised : "The Road Maintenance Partnership inspector has asked the gully machine to inspect and clear ...
Sefton Council's contractors are in the process of refurbishing the 'Lydiate' boundary sign on Bells Lane where you come out of West Lancashire. My previous posting refers:- You can make out the two new posts for the Lydiate sign to be fixed to next to the large tree. Bet it won't be as 'posh' as the West Lancs sign facing the other way though:-). We hope the new posts will have a 'Lydiate in Flower flower' flower trough placed on them in due course to welcome folks to the community. Click on the photo to enlarge it
And so to Valparaiso, Chile's primary port, via a brief but pleasant stop at a vineyard in the Casablanca Valley for a bite of lunch and a sensational Syrah. I had found a recommended hotel but, you know how it is, the guidebooks and the website don't always tell you the full story. And so it was with a little trepidation that our driver pulled up at the end of a dead-end street. A cheery greeting from the desk clerk was a promising start, and we were shown to our room, all dark wood and comfy furniture. And then I ...
So the cat is out of the bag. Or maybe it is. A document has been leaked about Brexit scenarios, prepared it would seem by the UK Treasury, probably using a wider cross-Whitehall set of experts, which suggests the negative economic impacts of the three main likely ones. It is not an impact assessment as [...] The post Why the radical centre can't just ignore migration appeared first on Radix.
The Southport Visiter has the story on its web site – it's accessible via the link above This is a really positive story of progress on Merseyrail which I have been 'tracking' (yes I know) for some time now. Lynne Thompson on I on Ainsdale Station back in 2011. I was Leader of Sefton Council when Lynne Thompson, now Cllr. Lynne Thompson, was campaigning for the rebuild, that was back in 2011. Oh yes and have you noticed an 'Americanism' creeping into every day use – 'Train Station' is a term used in the USA, they have always been ...
Fri 16th
00:50+++Three stonking by-election gains from the Tories plus whopping vote share increases - "something ...
Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP's tweet nicely summarises the good news tonight: Wow, just wow. @LibDems changes in vote share in tonight's council by-elections. Something happening out there: [IMG: 🕺🏻] [IMG: 🕺🏻] [IMG: 🕺🏻] Teignbridge +52% North Norfolk +39% Teignbridge 2 +32% Morecambe +22% York +20% West Oxon +18% Tendring +8%#LibDemFightback #ExitFromBrexit #FBPE — Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP (@agcolehamilton) February 16, 2018 * Paul Walter was a supply chain manager with a leading international IT firm from 1981 to 2016. Paul is a Liberal Democrat activist. He is one of the Liberal Democrat Voice team. He blogs at Liberal Burblings.
