And so, this evening saw my first FIRC meeting since my restoration, and interesting it was too. So, what happened, and what did I do? Joining a committee part way through its term can often be challenging - every committee has a dynamic all its own, and if you've been involved in a previous iteration, there is a danger that you respond as though nothing has changed and create something of a culture clash. Frustrating for you, and for the committee you must hope to influence. So, in truth, I tended to stay out of things whilst I get a ...
Writing on his blog A Scottish Liberal, Andrew Page has responded to Alex Cole-Hamilton's declaration that he is cheerful about the future of the Liberal Democrats. Andrew is more fearful than cheerful: When we talk among ourselves we have so many obvious selling points, with progressive, redistributive policies from UBI to federalism. We want to radically overhaul the way the UK works. We believe in a localism that empowers communities. But voters don't hear that and it isn't simply a by-product of limited media coverage but an unwillingness to shout about who we are. It's as if we're scared to ...
Liberal Democrat peer Baroness Jenny Randerson has asked the Government to explain what assessment they have made of the social and economic impacts of disruption to services following the withdrawal of some Hitachi high speed trains from service after defects were discovered. Following the response by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, Baroness Randerson commented: The Government has underestimated the impact of Hitachi on long suffering passengers and totally failed to address the impact of this disruption on individual passengers and regions. There was no answer at all to my suggestion that the Govt should fund a season of ...
Liberal Democrats have renewed calls on the Government to restore community policing and youth services, as new official figures show that police-recorded crime was down by 8% in 2020, but rose sharply when Covid restrictions were first lifted last summer. Responding to the figures, Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson Alistair Carmichael MP said: "As we emerge from lockdown, everyone should be able to feel safe in their homes and walking down their streets. After the crime spike we saw last summer, the Government must act to prevent another surge as restrictions are lifted now. "For far too long, Conservative Ministers ...
Today being a day off work, I took myself off to Mons for two minor attractions which I hopes would together justify the visit. (They didn't quite.) The Mons Memorial Museum is hosting the 14th Mons International Political Posters Triennale, which is a collection of about a hundred posters, plus a couple of dozen more from Portugal, on political themes. It wasn't realy for me, though a few caught my eye for different reasons. This is the overall winner: I liked these two on environmental themes. I am not sure what this commentary on Bart De Wever actually means, but ...
The Urgent Question put by Layla Moran in Parliament yesterday exposed the gulf between government rhetoric and any attempt to deal with the real causes of the horrific violence unleashed in Gaza and elsewhere in Israel and Palestine over the past few days. Asked time and again for the government's response, James Cleverly told the House the government was 'urging restraint' on both sides. Layla's call for clarity on questions like support for UN Security Council resolutions was met with the bland response the government would be trying to "encourage an end to the violence". Asked by Layla when would ...
Here's a link to the updated rules for dogs on public land and highways:- www.sefton.gov.uk/dogs I've not had a dog since I was 14 but I do occasionally look after this lovely old chap called Chester:- I've said it before but I really do wonder how one person can look after 6 dogs. Frankly, keeping Chester out of mischief is a big enough job when he comes to stay with us, another 5 Chesters is utterly mind-boggling to me. Anyway, as Sefton Council has updated its rules which I might add will apply to all parks and gardens in the ...
I wrote recently to Max Caller the Lead Inspector for the recent Best Value Inspection which exposed so many dangerous and serious failings inside our Council systems and political leadership. Much of what he said was absolutely spot but as ... Continue reading →
If anyone who does not come from Newcastle upon Tyne has heard of Walker it will probably be as the birthplace of the singer Eric Burdon of the Animals, and possibly their song "Gonna take you back to Walker" which was a metaphor for serious punishment (i.e. being sent to a very run-down area next to the shipyards). My first council by-election in 1963 was in the Walkergate Ward. The Young Liberals were helping and I remember a young woman in tears coming back from canvassing on Walker Road, shocked by a string of Conservative voters in some of the ...
Wed, 18:31: May 2011 books https://t.co/M5EhekKcPT Thu, 09:30: Whoniversaries 13 May https://t.co/MIp2auGNxw
Since Brexiters told the country to BeLEAVE in Britain there has been a strong line on a particular type of patriotism in British politics. Boris Johnson has exemplified this as Prime Minister and Labour, in desperation to win back the 'Red Wall' constituencies, has attempted to 'embrace the flag' and to match Johnson's brand of patriotism. Liberals on the other hand are known for internationalism, welcoming migrants and eschewing borders in a bid to find a way to connect and work with our fellow man/woman no matter where they were born. But, does that mean Liberals can't be patriots?At its ...
An illustration of the impact of proposed UK voter suppression measures is provided in yesterday's Guardian, where it is reported that local authorities could have to issue up to 3.5 million identity cards as part of plans for mandatory voter ID, prompting warnings over potential high costs and disruption for councils. The government has estimated that only 2 million cards will need to be issued but experience in Northern Ireland indicates that this is an underestimate. They introduced mandatory voter ID in 1985 after sectarian-based attempts to rig elections through multiple votes. When a photo requirement was introduced in 2003, ...
The timing could not have been more aggressive. Derek Chauvin's trial for the murder of George Floyd started and, on the same day, the UK Government press-released the findings of its report into institutional racism: an investigation that had been sparked by the murder and ensuing civil liberties movement. The released findings were incendiary- Britain was free from institutional racism and race was not such an important issue anymore.And then the controversy grew deeper.
As the dust settles from last week's successful local elections, we at the Social Liberal Forum are already looking forward to the next task: supporting (and challenging!) the Liberal Democrats to develop the best possible UBI policy, and get it adopted at this year's Autumn Conference. Working with Lib Dems for Basic Income, we've secured the opportunity to host an event with Paul Noblet, who has been chairing the party's official policy working group. This is due to publish its recommendations and open a short consultation window imminently – and we've got Paul to join us and give you a ...
i) births and deaths 13 May 1938: birth of Milton Johns, who played Benik in The Enemy of the World (Second Doctor, 1967-68), Guy Crayford in The Android Invasion (Fourth Doctor, 1975), and Kelner in The Invasion of Time (Fourth Doctor, 1978) 13 May 1946: birth of Tim Pigott-Smith, who played Captain Harker in The Claws of Axos (Third Doctor, 1971) and Marco in The Masque of Mandragora (Fourth Doctor, 1976). 13 May 1949: birth of Zoe Wanamaker, who played Lady Cassandra in The End of the World (Ninth Doctor, 2005) and New Earth (Tenth Doctor, 2006). 13 May 1957: ...
During the significant snowfall in early February, as part of the snow clearance effort on West Park Road, a JCB was used to remove much of the build up of snow. Regrettably, as residents have since pointed out to me, the JCB caused some damage to the road surface. The damaged part of West Park Road is mainly at the junction of Westpark Gardens and Norwood Terrace. I have since raised this with the City Council's Roads Maintenance Partnership and it has been agreed that a site inspection will take place to check the extent of damage and then get ...
It lasted only 11 years, but the Great Wheel was a sensation in its day and is still remembered at Earl's Court if you look closely at the station's exterior. Jago Hazzard is our guide. He has a Patreon, you know.
