Embed from Getty ImagesMy impression that Keir Starmer possesses vanishingly few of the qualities required of a good prime minister is reinforced by a story from this afternoon's Politico Cheat Sheet: Scoop Scoop - not helping matters: Playbook PM has picked up anger among the ex-junior ministers sacked in the reshuffle that Starmer did not wield the knife himself. Tony Blair, David Cameron and Boris Johnson are all said to have sacked ministers themselves, in person wherever possible or on the phone if needed. But Starmer left the task to his new Chief Whip Jonathan Reynolds and his new minister ...
GDP: Govt must scrap their growth-crashing jobs tax Mandelson: Lib Dems call for Parliament to vet next US Ambassador Lib Dems reveal rate of agricultural, forestry and fishing business closures is increasing GDP: Govt must scrap their growth-crashing jobs tax Responding to the latest GDP figures showing 0% growth for July, Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesperson Daisy Cooper MP said: The Government talks of going full throttle on growth but the reality is they have left the handbrake on. Their growth-crushing jobs tax risks hollowing out our high-streets and ministers' refusal to jettison their short-sighted red lines on cutting red tape ...
This week, there were six by-elections, of which four had a Liberal Democrat candidate. In Dorset, we were able to secure a convincing victory, with Reform UK and the Conservatives left trailing behind in a battle for second and third place. Congratulations to Councillor Dawn Logan and the local team for ensuring that we were able to gain this seat. Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole UA, Talbot and Branksome Woods Liberal Democrats (Dawn Logan): 910 (32.4%, -4.0) Reform UK: 791 (28.2%, new) Conservative: 770 (27.4%, -4.9) Labour: 170 (6.1%, -5.7) Green: 165 (5.9%, -6.6) Liberal Democrats GAIN from Conservative Turnout: 28.36% ...
An exhausted firefighter responds to yet another cowardly attack on the children of Ukraine by the savagery of the Putin regime. Tomorrow (13th September) Erica and I will be attending a special Divine Liturgy on Saturday 13 September at St Sebastian's RC Church (Lockerby Rd, L7 0HG) at 17:30. The service will be used, in part, to draw attention to the problems faced by the Children of the Ukraine some of whom have lived in the Liverpool area for the past 3 years. This service is being held as children begin a new school year, to remember the millions of ...
Yesterday Adrian Ashton raised some questions about Carer's Allowance. Today I want to focus on another anomaly that affects people with disabilities and their carers, relating to access to adapted vehicles. People of working age can apply for Personal Independence Payment (PIP). We know that the eligibility criteria for PIP is controversially under scrutiny by the Government at the moment but that is not my issue in this post. PIP is not means tested, is tax free and is meant to cover the additional expenses that a person may have because of their disability. The PIP Daily Living Allowance is ...
Six principal authority council by-elections this week and here are the results, starting with a nice run-up to the Liberal Democrat conference in Bournemouth at the end of next week courtesy of a by-election for Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Council: Talbot & Branksome (Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole) Council By-Election Result: [IMG: 🔶] LDM: 32.4% (-2.1) [IMG: ➡] RFM: 28.2% (New) [IMG: 🌳] CON: 27.4% (-4.9) [IMG: 🌹] LAB: 6.1% (-5.7) [IMG: 🌍] GRN: 5.9% (-6.6)No HER (-5.5) or Ind (-3.4) as previous.Liberal Democrat GAIN from Conservative.Changes w/ 2023. — Election Maps UK (@electionmaps.uk) 2025-09-12T10:41:54.407Z For what all this means for ...
And so a new week at Bonkers Hall begins. A few months ago, the old boy was on the roof of St Asquith's in case Kemi Badenoch turned up: this time we find him on the roof of the Hall itself. And he's no happier about Freddie and Fiona's weekend cottage on his estate. Monday You will rarely hear me defend Donald Trump. As far as I'm concerned, the sooner he visits Dallas and its notorious School Book Suppository the better. Nevertheless, I declined to join the Dutch concert of ridicule that greeted his appearance on the roof of the ...
Residents will recall that we have previously raised with the City Council the fact that the mosaic in Tay Square in front of The Rep is sadly badly damaged - see photo. We recently sought an update from the council's Head of Planning and Economic Development on the likelihood of repairs being viable and have now been advised as follows : "Unfortunately, following assessment it has been concluded that the artwork is beyond repair. We have been working with colleagues in Roads Maintenance to identify a workable solution. Trials earlier this year of a new material to fit into the ...
There was a certain inevitability about Peter Mandelson being sacked from his role as UK ambassador to the US following mounting pressure over his newly revealed links to convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. The Independent reports that the sacking came after it was revealed that Mandelson had maintained ties with Epstein after the disgraced former banker was jailed for a child sex offence: Responding to an urgent question in the House of Commons, foreign minister Stephen Doughty said Lord Mandelson had been sacked after leaked emails showed that his relationship with Epstein, who died in 2019, was "materially different from that ...
