I write these words on Monday afternoon, back in Hinckley and Bosworth after a whirlwind (not even) 48 hours in Bournemouth for days one and two of Autumn Conference, reflecting on how different the feeling is being outside the conference bubble – dare I say it – back in the real world, compared with being inside of it when it can feel like the most important thing in the world and something which, surely, must see the media and the wider public glued to our every utterance from the platform in the main auditorium. Well... not exactly. To say we've ...
There is speculation that Keir Starmer is to be challenged for the Leadership of the Labour Party. This is something of a familiar story. In 2008 there was talk of Gordon Brown being challenged by Peter Mandelson. Yes you read that right! Quite how this would happen is difficult to explain as Mandelson was no longer eligible to stand for the leadership. Not only was he no longer an MP, he was
I expect many LDV readers will by now have seen the interview where Ed was asked the question "can women have penises?" 10 times. He dodges and dances around the point, trying to find the middle ground that will please both sides. He inevitably fails and erodes trust from everyone, who rightfully see a politician trying to avoid saying what he really thinks. Imagine, if you will, an alternate timeline. The first time he's asked, Ed answers Piers with "yes. Trans women are women, and some trans women have not had bottom surgery, therefore some women have penises". The next ...
Next year, the Senedd will take an historic step forward. For the first time, Wales will elect all of its Members of the Senedd (MSs) through a fully proportional system. For too long, Welsh elections have used a mixed-member voting system that has seen votes wasted, smaller parties squeezed, and many voices under-represented. But while the destination is welcome, the route being taken is not the best one. Wales is moving to a closed-list proportional representation system, a model that improves fairness between parties but reduces fairness between voters and the individuals who represent them in the Senedd. If we ...
Friday I arrived early. Good job. The accommodation I had carefully booked because it was near the conference centre turned out to be halfway to Dover. Google Maps had presented me with a chimera when I checked before booking. No matter. Armed with my exciting new senior bus pass I have been enjoying the splendid Morebus 22 service. I met up with what I believe is called "The Awkward Squad" over a superb steak and stilton pie. It is so good to see old faces and new ones. A revelation. The hostelry have Butcombe Goram IPA Zero on draught!!! (See ...
DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - WEEKLY ROAD REPORT REPORT FOR THE WEST END WARD - WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 22 SEPTEMBER 2025 Riverside Avenue (near Wright Avenue) - temporary traffic lights for one week for Network Rail work. Forthcoming Roadworks Perth Road (Hyndford Street to Rockfield Street) - closed Monday 6 October for 5 days for Scottish Water work. Tait's Lane (Hawkhill to No 6) - closed from Wednesday 15 October for 10 days for Scottish Water work. Nethergate (at South Tay Street) - overnight (9pm to 6am) temporary traffic lights Monday 20 October for one week for BT work. West Marketgait ...
I have never been one to embrace flags, the nation state or easy patriotism, so the display of flags at Saturday's Lib Dem conference rally was unsettling, not least as the Welsh, Scottish and Cornish flags were absent, while the claim by Tim Farron that the union flag represents all four nations was clearly mistaken. Wales is not represented on the union flag. Nevertheless, the message that patriotism is about embracing our country while nationalism is about hating our neighbours struck home. During Sunday's Q and A session, Ed Davey, who had inexplicably arrived the day before at the head ...
