Beating the flu bugLast night we had the Gateshead West Lib Dem dinner at the Soho Tavern in Kibblesworth. Throughout the day I received a steady stream of messages from people apologising for not being able to make it to the dinner. The culprit was the flu bug that is circulating at the moment. Nevertheless, some of us made it to the restaurant. An excellent meal. (more) |
Three new Lib Dem Peers announced - and two more get to stayThree new Lib Dem peers have been announced today. Party Chief Exec Mike Dixon, Ed Davey's Chief of Staff Rhiannon Leaman and former MP and winner of an epic by-election in Brent East Sarah Teather will be joining our Group in the House of Lords in the very near future. Sarah was also Children's Minister during the first couple of years of the Coalition Government. In addition, two of our hereditary peers, who would otherwise have been kicked out, get to stay. Dominic Addington and John Russell, have also been granted life peerages so they can continue their important contributions ... (more) |
Taliban warn Afghans who wore 'un-Islamic' Peaky Blinders outfitsEmbed from Getty ImagesOnce again, BBC News wins our Headline of the Day Award. (more) |
Federal Conference Committee reportThe newly elected Federal Conference Committee (FCC) met on the evening 8 December, following the most recent round of Federal Elections. I would like to begin by offering warm congratulations to all newly elected and re-elected members of the Committee. I look forward to working with you over the coming years. I also extend commiserations to those who were not not successful on this occasion, and a heartfelt thank you to members who were not re-elected or who chose to stand down. Their contribution to delivering our conferences over the last term has been exceptional. The new FCC members are: ... (more) |
Those Labour MPs who voted for (and against) the Lib Dem customs union bill in fullEmbed from Getty ImagesLabour List has helpfully printed the names of the 13 Labour MPs who voted for the Liberal Democrat customs union bill yesterday and the 3 who voted against. For the bill Sadik Al-Hassan (North Somerset)Fleur Anderson (Putney)Tonia Antoniazzi (Gower)Richard Burgon (Leeds East)Dawn Butler (Brent East)Marsha de Cordova (Battersea)Meg Hillier (Hackney South and Shoreditch)Imran Hussain (Bradford East)Afzal Khan (Manchester Rusholme)Peter Lamb (Crawley)James Naish (Rushcliffe)Simon Opher (Stroud)Bell Ribeiro-Addy (Clapham and Brixton Hill) Against the Bill Jonathan Brash (Hartlepool)Luke Myer (Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland)Josh Newbury (Cannock Chase) It's interesting that there are some old lags of the left on ... (more) |
The Peggie case and the problem of shadow fundingAn employment tribunal recently dismissed almost all claims in the closely-watched Peggie v Fife Health Board case. Sandie Peggie, a nurse with gender-critical beliefs, sued her employer over its policy allowing a trans woman doctor to use the female changing room. The tribunal found no direct discrimination, no indirect discrimination, and no victimisation. Only one narrow procedural claim succeeded. For many, this reads as vindication of trans-inclusive policies. But there's a bigger story liberals need to understand. This case is part of a coordinated litigation campaign operating largely in the shadows, bankrolled by wealthy individuals and organisations whose funding remains ... (more) |
The cruelty is the point: ruscism and Russia's war on civiliansI read a lot of posts and articles from people who try to dissect the reasoning behind Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine. Some conclude that it is simply a geopolitical squabble between two post-Soviet states. Others suppose that NATO and/or the EU must have "provoked" Russia into invading a completely separate nation that is not formally a member of either international organisation, despite both organisations allowing nations to join or leave as they please; see Brexit for the EU and the most recent threats of US departure from NATO. However, I propose a much simpler, albeit darker, reason for Russia's ... (more) |
Final day of the West End Christmas Fortnight #dundeewestendToday marks the last day of the West End Christmas Fortnight and here's what is on : 10am to 4pm - DJCAD Design and Craft Pop-Up Shop - Matthew Building, 13 Perth Road - unique Christmas presents made by DJCAD graduates, plus art materials for gifts and making cards or decorations. 10.15am - Pilates - Blackness Library - for further information contact pilatesforyou3@gmail.com 11.30am - Baby Bookbug - at Blackness Library and also 2.30pm - Bookbug - same location - all welcome! 4pm to 5.15pm - Social Knitting Group - at The Wardrobe, 112 Nethergate. All abilities welcome, free and ... (more) |
Covid fraud under the Tories cost the taxpayer £10.9 billionThe BBC reports on the report of the Covid Counter Fraud Commissioner, Tom Hayhoe, which concludes that much of the £10.9bn in taxpayer money lost to fraud and error in Covid support schemes is now "beyond recovery". Hayhoe's report says that the response to the pandemic had led to "enormous outlays of public money which exposed it to the risk of fraud and error", with employment support schemes set up by the previous Conservative government, including furlough and help for the self-employed, suffering £5bn of fraud: Many of the support measures were credited with propping up the economy throughout the ... (more) |
Michael Slater reveals the origins of A Christmas CarolThe great Dickens scholar Michael Slater, who died last month, explains the background to A Christmas Carol, reveals Dickens' reasons for writing it and discusses its monumental success. (more) |