Reform have mutated into the Truss/Johnson Tory Party Mark IIAfter Robert Jenrick joined Reform I made a comment on a Facebook post by a despairing former Tory MP, I suggested that he should look on the bright side, 'most of those responsible for crashing the economy under Liz Truss are now in Reform. You have an almost fresh start'. Readers of the Independent seem to agree. The paper says that they now see the party as little more than a refuge for self-serving ex-Tories. Commenters on the paper's site have argued that high-profile figures such as Robert Jenrick, Nadhim Zahawi, and Nadine Dorries switched allegiance to protect their political ... (more) |
Mathew on Monday: when Britain needed Love Actually, It Got Mr BeanThere are moments in politics when symbolism matters as much as substance, when tone, posture and moral clarity speak louder than any communique or briefing note. This morning should have been one of those moments. Following Donald Trump's latest intervention over Greenland – part territorial fantasy, part geopolitical bullying – Britain was presented with a rare opportunity. A chance for a UK Prime Minister to look a reckless American President in the eye and say: no. Calmly. Firmly. Clearly. In defence of international law, allied sovereignty, and basic democratic norms. What many of us hoped do was a Love Actually ... (more) |
Bridges action dayOn Sunday, Gateshead Lib Dems held yet another action day, this time in Bridges ward. It looks as though Labour have abandoned Bridges. Cllr John Eagle is stepping down in May. Cllr Robert Waugh was elected in September 2024 and has not yet attended a meeting. I can't imagine his standing again. That leaves Cllr Angela Douglas. I have heard on the grapevine what her intentions are but (more) |
The 19th-century granite trackway along Commercial RoadCommercial Road was constructed at the beginning of the 19th century to connect London's docks with the City. As Jago Hazzard explains in this video, a smooth granite trackway was constructed along the road in 1828 or thereabouts to speed the flow of goods away from the docks. When the trackway was taken up is even less clear, but in 1840 a conventional railway that ran parallel to Commercial Road was opened, reducing the need for it. The road, which was opened as a privately owned toll road, was taken into public ownership in the 1860s. You can support Jago's ... (more) |
The Jenkinsite case for fixing the Carer's AllowanceBritain talks about family, community, and the dignity of work. But if you want to see what we truly value, look at how we treat carers. Ed Davey has spoken about caring for his mother and caring for his disabled son today. That gives the Liberal Democrats credibility. Supporting carers is not a niche "nice-to-have"; it is the natural flagship for a liberal party that believes in dignity, family life, and a state that works. Unpaid carers keep Britain afloat. They keep loved ones out of the hospital, stop social care from collapsing, and hold families together. Yet many live ... (more) |
Ed under attackThe Guardian reports significant numbers of Liberal Democrat MPs are becoming frustrated by what they view as an overly cautious approach under Ed Davey, and the party's failure to spell out a national message to voters. Shortly after merger I was working in the Liberal Whip's Office alongside Ed, Olly (now Baroness) Grender and Norman Baker when we went up to 2% in the polls. We cheered while Paddy joked we are no longer an asterix! Today we are in double figures despite more competition from other parties and forces. I can recall a Parliamentary party meeting immediately after the ... (more) |
The Joy of Six 1463Schuyler Mitchell talks to Mark Bray, a Rutgers University professor and expert on Fascism, who has fled the US with his family after being targeted because of his work: "The next day, we managed to leave - but not before being searched and interrogated by federal officers, despite facing no charges whatsoever. I'm not suspected of any crimes. I'm just a professor." "Ofcom has repeatedly allowed GB News to broadcast biased news. Ofwat allows water companies to jack up prices enormously whilst pouring shit into our rivers and sometimes not even delivering water. And Ofgem allows electricity companies to charge ... (more) |
Vladimir Putin's mob of war-thirsty nuns are infiltrating churches across EuropeMetro wins our Headline of the Day Award and reminds everyone that not all nuns are as benevolent as Lord Bonkers' friends at the Convent of Our Lady of the Ballot Boxes in High Leicestershire. Thanks to a reader for the nomination. (more) |
Greenland crisis should push the UK closer to the EUThe Independent carries an interesting opinion piece in which they quote Spain's prime minister, Pedro Sanchez, as saying that if Trump invaded Greenland it would make Vladimir Putin the "happiest man on earth". They report that the EU and the UK are in emergency talks on how to face Trump's latest threat of a 10 per cent tariff on goods from eight countries unless Greenland is sold to the US, with the tariffs set to rise to 25 per cent on 1st June. What Trump doesn't appear to understand is that if he smashes Nato, the US will be vulnerable ... (more) |