Government refuse to address evictions loophole leaving 55,000 households at risk Short-term plans no replacement for full Budget Government refuse to address evictions loophole leaving 55,000 households at risk Today, the Conservatives blocked the Liberal Democrats' attempt to close the loophole in the Government's legislation to end the eviction ban, which has left an estimated 55,000 households at risk of being evicted since Monday. The motion, put forward by the Liberal Democrat Housing spokesperson in the House of Lords, Baroness Grender, would have effectively abolished the Government's Statutory Instrument, forcing Ministers to address the issue. The motion was defeated 126 ...
Ros has been keen to play her part in the Liberal Democrat response to the Agriculture Bill, so it wasn't a surprise to see her contribute to the debate on land management. In this speech on 9 July, she wanted to note how important biodiversity was to thriving countryside... Baroness Scott of Needham Market (LD) [V] My Lords, I am pleased that my noble friend Lord Greaves tabled these amendments, because it has given us a chance for debate and for the Minister to give us an idea of the Government's thinking on this particular form of land management. I ...
In this 1935 colour film we follow the tidal Thames downstream from Teddington through the Pool of London to Docklands and beyond. (A comment on YouTube identifies the locations and vessels for us.) It all looks beautiful, though I doubt the river was terribly clean in 1935, but the choice of music makes the film seem even longer older than it is. I recall a series of videos (now vanished) that showed footage of the last days of British steam accompanied by Motown classics and other music that was in the charts in those years. As so much of that ...
One of the best things about our party is that we are so sensitive to the many reasons that people can suffer discrimination. Yet I cannot recall any Liberal Democrat blogger or tweeter noting that, after two consecutive Lib Dem leaders educated in state schools, this year saw a contest in which both candidates has been privately educated. Is social class the elephant in the Liberal Democrat room? At least 2020 did not see a contest where the two candidates had been to the same expensive school. This happened when Nick Clegg and Chris Huhne disputed the party leadership in ...
Today, the Conservatives blocked the Liberal Democrats' attempt to close the loophole in the Government's legislation to end the eviction ban, which has left an estimated 55,000 households at risk of being evicted since Monday. The motion, put forward by the Liberal Democrat Housing spokesperson in the House of Lords, Baroness Grender, would have effectively abolished the Government's Statutory Instrument, forcing Ministers to address the issue. On 18 March, the Government promised "no renter who has lost income due to coronavirus will be forced out of their home". The Government's Statutory Instrument (Statutory Instrument Civil Procedure (Amendment No. 4) (Coronavirus) ...
This weekend we have the first online Liberal Democrat conference. As a party we are committed to one member one vote, and this gives even more members the opportunity to participate. Although it won't be able to replicate the atmosphere and interactions of an in person conference I'm looking forward to it. The post Lib Dem Conference first appeared on David Watts.
This really is another astonishing Brexit moment at the despatch box, following on from Brandon Lewis' breaking international law admission https://t.co/qsOGI5fk8k — Adam Payne (@adampayne26) September 23, 2020 Today's news that, as far as hauliers are concerned, there will be customs posts at the Kent border is not news as far as readers of this blog are concerned. Because I wrote about it at the start of last month:That's right. Brexit won't just introduce a hard border with our European neighbours: it will, as far as hauliers are concerned. introduce borders within the UK. Why didn't business leaders speak out ...
Today we said goodbye to Elaine Earl, councillor for Winlaton and High Spen 2008-2012. Elaine passed away earlier this month. Due to covid restrictions we could not attend the funeral service but individual residents and friends lined the the route of the funeral procession so we could pay our respects. Sadly, with social distancing in action, we were unable to chat and share memories of Elaine
AN OPEN LETTER TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE MICHAEL GOVE, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER, MP Dear Mr Gove, "TRUCK QUEUES COULD BE 7,000 VEHICLES LONG WHEN TRANSITION ENDS" - MICHAEL GOVE – THE GUARDIAN. Thank you for responding so quickly to my earlier open letters,(posted on the Facebook Lib Dem Chat Group) albeit not in person. You are to be congratulated for your candour – albeit somewhat late in the day. You do, I take it, clearly understand the implications of what you have said. As a retired bean counter, I spent my career eliminating the need for holding inventory by promoting ...
On Saturday, 19 September the Federal Conference Committee met to review the amendments, late motions, emergency motions, topical issues, questions to reports and appeals for next weekend's Autumn Conference. As you will be aware, this is the first time that are holding our Conference completely online. The Federal Conference Committee would like to thank the Conference and wider HQ team for all of the hard work in bringing our Conference online. Throughout a really difficult period we have all worked together to offer a fully online Conference. You can see the introduction video from Geoff Payne, FCC Chair, and Hannah, ...
This is the latest post in a series I started last November, anticipating the twentieth anniversary of my bookblogging which will fall in 2023. Every six-ish days I've been revisiting a month from my recent past, noting work and family developments as well as the books I read in that month. I've found it a pleasantly cathartic process, especially in recent circumstances. If you want to look back at previous entries, they are all tagged under bookblog nostalgia.I started the month with a trip to Cyprus, and the following weekend went to Dublin for P-Con and on to Limerick to ...
In the past few weeks Labour, led by Joe Anderson, has committed three huge U-turns in Liverpool. In all three of them Mayor Anderson finally made the right decision but only after creating much misery, upset and annoyance in the ... Continue reading →
Wed 23rd
17:00
New Journal of Liberal History just published - including Jo Swinson's reflections on her time as le...
The autumn issue of the Journal of Liberal History has just been published in time for conference. Its contents include: Jo Swinson as leader. Interview with Jo Swinson on her political beliefs, her career as a coalition minister, and her five months as leader of the Liberal Democrats. Read the interview to find out how she thinks the party could have handled the tuition fees issue better, why calling for an early election in 2019 was the right thing to do, why the revoke policy was adopted, and what she thinks is the most important characteristic of a Lib Dem ...
[IMG: Standing water on development site] Standing water on Romney Avenue site in July A proposal to build 8 houses on a plot of land on Romney Avenue in Sandgate was given planning permission last night at Folkestone and Hythe's Development Control Committee. The proposal was opposed by ward Councillor Tim Prater after discussions with a number of local residents, who said that while he accepted it was better than a previously rejected application for the site, there were still too many questions that remained unanswered. A neighbour from nearby Turner Court Bev Zalcock made a video presentation to the ...
Please consider voting for our emergency motion: "The exam fiasco of August 2020 makes a case for exam reform", and let's begin the debate about putting trust back in our teachers, and avoiding education by an algorithm. Schools closing to all but the most vulnerable students opened the eyes of many in school communities. Those with children learning at home developed a new appreciation for the patience and resilience of their child's teachers, as well as their ability to explain a fronted adverb. Students missed the one-on-one support of their teachers and the routine of the school day, and teachers ...
Yesterday Folkestone and Hythe dirtect Council (F&HDC) published an article on Facebook suggesting a move from the Civic Centre in Castle Hill Avenue, Folkestone. "We are to investigate a possible move from the Civic Centre as a way of reducing our impact on the environment." So, what's the story? Has a decision been made? How much will this all cost? Simply: last week the idea was floated at a number of members, and asked if it was a thought worth doing any more research on to form into an actual proposal. The Civic Centre (one of the area's worst examples ...
Traditionally the Conservative Party has been the party of government thrift, and the Labour Party the one of flinging money at problems and hoping for the best. Hence the Tory MP who was on the radio a few mornings ago (I didn't catch his name but he was a "Sir" ) was true to form when he explained that he and some 40 other Conservative MPs and Peers objected to taking part in "Unconscious Bias" training because of the huge cost to the public purse of £700 000. If I heard heard correctly he certainly has a point. There are ...
The Irish Border was always going to be the stumbling block to BREXIT. Part of the problem is that the House of Commons is not representative as the 7 Sinn Fein MPs have not taken up their seats as it would mean them taking the oath of allegiance to the Queen. The people of Northern Ireland voted to "remain" whereas the 10 Democratic Unionist Party MPs favour BREXIT. A border down the Irish Sea would not be acceptable to the DUP any more than a border in Ireland would be acceptable to Sinn Fein. All parties agree that a "no-deal ...
The Coronavirus possibly poses a greater threat to the human-race than did the second world war and the unleashing of nuclear bombs. The UK should have locked down earlier, worn masks earlier, had test and trace earlier, stopped admissions to care homes earlier, admitted people in care homes with symptoms to a hospital where they could have benefitted from oxygen, ventilators and intensive care. However, we are where we are and quite rightly when announcing further measures to combat Coronavirus (on Tuesday 22nd September) the Prime Minister put saving lives first (and I am delighted that people working in restaurants ...
Gender recognition reform is urgently needed to end discrimination against transgender and non-binary people. Sadly, the Conservatives have abandoned reform. While Lib Dems and Labour support reform nationally, there is a significant number of Labour councillors in Gateshead who are with the Conservatives on this issue and oppose reform. They must be rubbing their hands with glee with what the
Tue, 12:56: Why the first black British prime minister is likely to be a Conservative https://t.co/3CJlPb9aFx Very interesting analysis from @StephenKB - basically, the Conservatives are better at diversity and at winning elections. Tue, 17:05: RT @MehreenKhn: This week's European Council has been delayed by a week to Oct 1-2 because @eucopresident is in quarantine after having c... Tue, 18:50: Bruges-la-morte, by Georges Rodenbach https://t.co/vCRGgKtUj3 Tue, 20:48: Europe's next Pandora's Box https://t.co/K2no1dACfr Good reality check from @alex_owski on why QMV isn't coming in for CFSP decisions any time soon. Wed, 09:30: Whoniversaries 23 September https://t.co/JKbApowldG Wed, 10:45: RT @aryngbeck: Wanna ...
This story is a few days old but nevertheless, I felt it was worth highlighting it. The Times reports that up to 40 Conservative MPs are expected to say no to unconscious bias training intended to tackle racism in the Commons, accusing parliamentary authorities of "pandering to the woke agenda". This training, which has existed for parliamentary staff since 2016, is being piloted for MPs. It focuses on addressing prejudices people may have absorbed without knowing it. However, Tories in the European Research Group and "Common Sense Group" of right-leaning MPs have said most of their colleagues would not take ...
Here's my latest report back from the party website on what the Federal Board and Steering Group are up to. As previewed, the September meeting of the party's Steering Group concentrated on how we can maximise our chances of success in the May elections. Our grassroots campaigners are on the frontline for that, but what we do centrally can help (or hinder!) their chances. So as well as agreeing on priorities for next year's budget, we're also ensuring that ahead of that, our financial figures are given a really thorough shakedown to identify if any extra funds can be squeezed ...
As I hurtled uncontrollably towards my 30th birthday at the beginning of January and felt as though I was stuck in a rut, I decided that this milestone year would be the year my life would change - and that would start with me finally being open and proud of who I am. I realised that I was bisexual when I was a teenager, thinking first that I was straight, and then gay, before finally recognising that I did not fit into either monosexual identity. I told some of my friends at the time, while for others it was an ...
i) births and deaths 23 September 1949: birth of Floella Benjamin (now Baroness Benjamin of Beckenham) who played the recurring character Professor Rivers in the first three seasons of the Sarah Jane Adventures. 23 September 1959: birth of Frank Cottrell Boyce, who wrote In the Forest of the Night (Twelfth Doctor, 2014) and Smile (Twelfth Doctor, 2017). (And much ese, including the 2012 Olympics opening ceremony.) ii) broadcast anniversaries 23 September 1967: broadcast of fourth episode of Tomb of the Cybermen. The Cybermen kill Kaftan; Toberman helps the others to freeze the Cybermen again, at the cost of his own ...
Wed 23rd
07:00
Single coronavirus case at Ludlow CE School - Year 7 sent home - it was the right move
As many people in the town will know by now, there had been a single case of a Year 7 pupil at Ludlow School testing positive for Covid-19. This was always going to happen. It will undoubtedly happen again. Yesterday, the way the report of a positive test was dealt with at Ludlow School was exemplary. As soon as the positive test was confirmed, Year 7 was sent home. That decision was difficult for the students. It was difficult for their parents. But it was the right thing to do as we fight the pandemic locally and across the world. ...
A great flower update appears in the excellent Ninewells Community Garden blog and can be viewed here.
Today, Liberal Democrat Housing Spokesperson Tim Farron has secured an Urgent Question in the House of Commons following a loophole in the Government's legislation to end the eviction ban, which has left an estimated 55,000 households at risk of being evicted since Monday. It comes the same day as Liberal Democrat Housing Spokesperson in the House of Lords Olly Grender will use a motion in an attempt to try and block the legislation from going ahead. Ahead of the Urgent Question, Liberal Democrat Housing Spokeperson Tim Farron said:"With a second wave of virus infections spreading through the country, now is ...
