After this, the debate over whether the Liberal Democrats need a new logo will gain new life. Thursday It has become my custom, when the first stirrings of spring are felt here in Rutland, to offer the Bird of Liberty a short holiday. Despite my voluntary isolation, I have maintained the custom this year. More to the point, I have maintained the custom despite the Bird of Liberty. At the best of times it is a foul-smelling creature of uncertain temper, and these are from the best of times. It has taking to swanking about the village telling people that ...
This makes me happy and, God knows, we need cheering up at the moment. The group playing is the Nederlands Blazers Ensemble (NBE) - or Netherlands Wind Ensemble. Thanks to automatic translation and their website, I can tell you:that itis a group of more than 20 top musicians who come together about 80 times a year to play special programmes at home and abroad. ...A thirst for adventure drives the NBE to create theatrical music programs that can seldom be captured under one musical heading; the NBE combines contemporary and early music of all shapes and sizes that stimulates the ...
It is a relief that the Labour Party has chosen Sir Keir Starmer as their new leader. Thank goodness their members have put electability purity of dogma. That is not to say that I think Jeremy Corbyn is anything other than a decent man with reasonable ideas and a record of being right. Unfortunately It was too easy for the hostile press to distort his past record so that, for example, support of the Palestinian cause was too easily twisted into anti-Semitism, and dialogue with the IRA was turned into support of terrorism. I've no doubt that it won't take ...
Our late flowering cherry tree is starting to bloom (photo taken this morning) In today's Observer, Martin Lewis (of moneysavingexpert.com) is quoted as saying: When you watch the news, they're interested in telling you what's happening. I'm interested in telling you what you should do. So when someone's desperate, and it's someone for whom I don't have an answer, that's when I get really upset. That's when I sit at my desk and I have a little cry. I find it really frustrating. I know I'm meant to be the person who can answer questions - but sometimes there isn't ...
I grew up in Doncaster, where the Lib Dems didn't have much of a presence. I couldn't have told you much about the Lib Dems, except one of them dated a Cheeky Girl. But when the first General Election that I could vote in came along, I did those online quizzes that told you which party's policies you most aligned with, and kept getting Lib Dem. So I looked a little bit into the party, thought they seemed okay and cast my vote. Years later, angry in the aftermath of Brexit and wanting to channel my energy into activism, a ...
November 2005 was a heavy month for travel. I started in Montenegro, went from there for Vienna and then on to Kyiv, my first ever visit to Ukraine (I enjoyed visiting the Bulgakov house and the Scythian gold exhibition at the Museum of National Historical Treasures); and then at the end of the month I went to Berlin and from there to New York. I also found time for an informational interview with my current employers; I thought it went rather well, but it was almost eight and a half years before they got back to me! Back at home, ...
Yesterday saw Keir Starmer, the broadly moderate pro-EU MP, elected leader of the Labour Party with more votes in the first round than Jeremy Corbyn got in 2015. This is a welcome change, with the old hardcore socialist vanguard being swept away and replaced with a softer, more broadchurch team. Compared to the past 5 years under Corbyn, the bar is very low for Keir to be successful. However, his election also shows just why who we pick as our next leader is so crucial to the success of our party. No longer do we have two extremes on the ...
Sun 5th
12:50
"We demean our democracy if we fail to ask questions" - an interview with Mathew Hulbert
Mathew Hulbert Mathew Hulbert is a charity Trustee, LGBT+ rights campaigner and parish councillor from Leicestershire in the English East Midlands. He was a Borough Councillor from 2011 to 2015 and chaired the board of the Leicester LGBT Centre from 2017 to 2020. He is active in the Liberal Democrats and is Vice Chair of the constituency party in Bosworth. He says he enjoys writing and listening to cheesy boy band songs. I caught up with Mathew yesterday for a socially distanced interview in which we discussed various issues including Covid-19, the Labour leadership election and Scotland. Thanks for agreeing ...
Julian House domestic abuse refuge is open and taking referrals @JulianHouseUK Now, more than ever, is the time to support your neighbours. If you hear something, report it.
So, we can't go delivering, canvassing or envelope stuffing at the moment so what can we do? What about a bit of thinking!? The coronavirus is making huge changes to the way that the Government, councils, businesses and individuals are doing things. Some of those are good. We welcome increased support to social care and health organisations, more support to emerging businesses and enhanced recognition of the role of councils in terms of service delivery. We welcome the greater respect that is being given to those who work in public services that we are relying on to keep us fed ...
Sat, 12:05: RT @britainelects: Labour leadership result: Keir Starmer: 56.2% Rebecca Long Bailey: 27.6% Lisa Nandy: 16.2% Sat, 12:05: RT @britainelects: Labour deputy leadership result, first round: Angela Rayner: 41.7% Richard Burgon: 17.3% Rosena Allin-Khan: 16.8% Ian M... Sat, 13:42: RT @Emily_Rosina: "It's a show that has always united fans. But now the Doctor is helping people around the world cope with the coronavirus... Sat, 13:49: My week on Twitter 🎉: 29 Mentions, 2.7K Mention Reach, 69 Likes, 27 Retweets, 98.6K Retweet Reach. See yours with... https://t.co/5YCgex9W3A Sat, 15:28: A Clockwork Orange https://t.co/eD4FVNeaiU Sat, 17:23: 17 people in front of ...
As tens of thousands of small businesses struggle to survive, and millions struggle to cope on reduced incomes and an uncertain employment future, at least one business is looking to make huge profits out of the COVID-19 crisis. The Mirror reports that Jacob Rees-Mogg's firm stands to make a fortune out of the turmoil caused by the coronavirus crisis. The MP owns at least 15 per cent of a company investing in businesses hit by falling share values, meaning he was entitled to a reported £1 million share of last year's £19.5million profits.: Somerset Capital Management says investors have a ...
Sun 5th
09:11
Shropshire Council increases funding for domestic abuse services amid concern lockdown will lead to ...
It is a sad reality that many people are forced to live with abusers. To share accommodation with people who dominate, control and use domestic violence. The lockdown means that the casual contact with people on the street, in the playground, maybe a cup of coffee, can't happen anymore. We don't know how long this lockdown will last. For those suffering abuse, it is harder than ever to plea for help. Abusers often monitor internet and phone use. Shropshire Council has increased its funding for domestic abuse services which remain available 24 hours. Telford and Wrekin is making similar provision. ...
As we all stay safe in our homes, we have time to think and reflect. Too much time for some I know but at least we can take a step back and see the wood for the trees. First of all, I want to say that postponing the leadership election was the right thing to do due to the extraordinary and overwhelming nature of the crisis we're facing as a country and as a planet. The focus has to be on saving lives and supporting our communities. But postponing it for so long – another 14 months – puts us ...
Bill Brand tells the story of a left-wing Labour MP, played by Jack Shepherd, in a fictionalised but highly recognisable version of the 1970s. Originally broadcast in 1976 by Thames TV, Bill Brand was unusual – and is still of interest now – thanks to the way individual episodes really dug deep into different aspects of British politics. The episode all about a political party leadership contest does not stand out that much from many other political TV dramas. But an episode all about compositing and possibly referring back a motion at a party conference? That you don't get with ...
Sun 5th
08:30Recycling collections may reduce during the #coronavirus emergency - please don't overload black bin...
This is green waste collection week in Ludlow. It might just be the last for a while. So far it has been possible to keep all collection rounds running but it is getting more difficult as staff numbers fall. If collections are reduced during the Covid-19 emergency, green waste collection will be the first to go. If staffing levels fall further, collection of boxes of dry recyclables and blue bags of paper and card will be paused. There is no threat to black bins but please do not overload your black bins with material you can store until the emergency ...
It's the last day of the tax year, which means that, as of tomorrow, you can start getting ready to complete your 2019/20 Self Assessment tax return – if you've got one to fill in, of course... 2 big stories Are you more likely to catch the Coronavirus if you're a woman, but more likely to die from it if you're male? The Washington Post reports on the evidence from the United States; The disproportionate toll of the virus appears to have deep biological roots. An emerging body of research has revealed that women's bodies are better at fighting off ...
Further update - for Sunday 5th April 2020 from Councillor Fraser Macpherson (West End) and Councillor Craig Duncan (Broughty Ferry) Sadly, the last few days have seen yet more cases of Coronavirus in Scotland and more deaths across the country. That makes it all the more important that we all continue to : • stay at home • only go outside for essential food, health and work reasons • stay 2 metres (6 feet) away from other people • wash our hands regularly • wash our hands as soon as we get home Doing this will help slow the spread ...
