The latest edition of the email newsletter for my podcast, Political Fictions, is out and you can also read it in full below. But if you'd like to get future editions emailed direct to you as soon as they are published, sign up now: First Among Equals: the TV version of Jeffrey Archer's novel After last time's novel, this time we're back to TV – with the first episode of the televised version of a novel: Cory and Mark are joined by Shane Whaley of the Spybrary podcast this week. Shane has picked for us to watch First Among Equals, ...
I fancied a train ride today, so I went down to Newport in South Wales. I even managed to cover some track that was new to me - Hereford to Newport. One reason for going there was St Woolos' Cathedral. Ever since I learnt that it isn't the Victorian rebuild I had imagined and has a history dating back to the sixth century, I have wanted to see it. The photo above shows its twelfth-century Romanesque portal and the arches from the same period in the nave. The building is no larger than many parish churches, but it still impresses. ...
What is Defence for? Recent governments seems reluctant to define national security goals. There are needs around the Home Islands, the Falklands, Cyprus, Ascension, Diego Garcia, Gibraltar, the Caribbean, and various nations that the government has given "iron clad" security guarantees. There are also commitments to NATO and the Northern Group, in Europe. For a politician there is a large and vocal demand for defence, but we are told there is no more money. And industry will want certainty - for investment - to start large capital investment and skills pipelines. People around government talk of there being no headroom. ...
Thu 20th
10:52
Getting people off the streets is the easy bit, keeping them in their accommodation is much harder
Earlier this week the Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, promised more than £420 million to deal with the problem of street homelessness nationally by Christmas. I welcome the fact that the Prime Minister thinks this is a is a problem and the fact that he is putting new money into the Liverpool City region with £12 million for local use. My first 'job' within the council 51 years ago was to chair a newly formed homelessness committee and I think his plans are doomed to failure unless he thinks through the issues differently. As the Liberal Democrat housing spokesperson in Liverpool, ...
Thu 20th
07:26
Reform councillor who said she 'received no training' sent resignation letter to wrong council
The Independent wins our Headline of the Day Award. After they had announced their verdict, I told the judges I didn't receive any training when I was a councillor all those years ago. They asked if I lived in a shoebox in the middle of the road.
The Independent reports that green campaigners have accused the Conservatives' of "living in fantasy land" after the party laid out plans to ditch net zero and prioritise cheap energy over decarbonising Britain's power grid. They were commenting on plans by the shadow energy secretary Claire Coutinho to ditch net zero, insisting that the UK "should focus all our attention on making electricity cheap, and then let consumer choice be king": A report commissioned by the Conservatives, written by Tory-leaning think tank Onward and advisory firm Transira Energy, suggested focusing on cheap power could save families £540 a year from their ...
"If there is one consistent theme running through Farage's political career, it is his striking ability to make enemies out of friends. He seems to be running out of allies. That helps to explain why rumours about his own future, including speculation that health concerns could eventually force him to step back, carry so much weight." Nigel Farage won his by-election but, says Zoe Grunewald, that victory has failed to reinvigorate his party. Xueyu Geng asks if Britain's railways can cope with ever‑more extreme heat: "Railway assets have very long lives: a track, bridge or embankment built or substantially renewed ...
On my way to see the ruins of Wenlock Abbey this morning, I met these fine creatures. Perhaps they are on a religious retreat?
If you happen to be visiting Edinburgh in the next few days, you'll find that choosing the Fringe show you want to go to is even more challenging than working out your Conference diary. Over the four weeks, 3649 shows take place over 268 venues, for a total of 53000 performances in the biggest cultural festival in the World. And that's before you start on the Book Festival. Two Scottish Lib Dems are performing in shows this week and beyond. Fife Council candidate Eliza Twaddle appears in The Real Housewives of the Zombie Apocalypse. The dead have risen! But that ...
On 27th August 2006, LDV burst onto the blooging scene with a post suggesting that Simon Hughes was "certain to be challenged for the party presidency." Word reaches the Voice that weeks before the position had been advertised in Lib Dem News, party officials in Cowley Street received a call requesting a copy of the nomination papers for party President - the caller was not acting on behalf of Simon Hughes. Word also reaches us that one potential candidate is positioning himself to blitz Autumn Conference with an army of supporters bearing nomination papers, to seize the momentum. A Presidential ...
The Creation sound good today and all sorts of prominent musicians cite them as an inspiration, but they failed to make it big in the Sixties. It's a shit business.
The Mirror reports that Reform UK has suspended one of its highest-profile supporters as cracks start to show in Nigel Farage's party. The paper says that Tim Montgomerie criticised Mr Farage after he refused to attend the Clacton by-election count on Friday. They add that he also hit out at combative frontbencher Zia Yusuf, suggesting people "cannot behave like a child" in politics and lifting the lid on internal rows: Mr Montgomerie has previously been critical over the way Mr Farage has responded to questions about an undeclared £5million 'gift' from crypto billonare Christopher Harborne. It is understood the Reform ...