A bit of hopeIn recent weeks I have found myself in a WhatsApp group with a flood of photos coming in from sun-drenched climes. Pictures of lovely people, cloudless skies and a most astonishing array of urban cafes! Where is this paradise? Have my in-laws been messaging me from the glorious Philippines? Have I stumbled into an exhibition of Mark Valladares photos of European capitals staging Liberal International meetings? No, the travelogue I have been enjoying is from North Acton ward, London Borough of Ealing where a by-election takes place on June 25. Arguably, in my 35 years of witnessing council by-elections, one ... (more) |
More missing scientists: Remembering the GEC-Marconi deaths panic of the late EightiesThe "disappearing scientists" panic sweeping the US has led to a rediscovery of a spoof television programme along similar lines that was broadcast in Britain in June 1977. It had originally been scheduled for 1 April. And it has reminded me that there was similar concern here, 10 years after that broadcast, about a spate of deaths among GEC-Marconi scientists. There are some not very good podcasts about it, but the video above is a contemporary news report of one shocking death that refers to several others. It's from Thames Television and dates from 1987, so the conspiracy theory had ... (more) |
Cameron Thomas was arrested on suspicion of controlling and coercive behaviour and assaultFurther information about the arrest of the Liberal Democrat MP Cameron Thomas have emerged today. BBC News quotes a statement from Gloucestershire Police: "On Wednesday, a man in his 40s from Tewkesbury was arrested on suspicion of controlling and coercive behaviour and assault. "The man was interviewed by officers before later being released on police bail." That report also quotes a spokesperson for the Liberal Democrats: "Cameron Thomas MP has had the party whip suspended pending the outcome of a police investigation. "Allegations of this nature are extremely serious, and it is important that the police are able to investigate ... (more) |
Forced adoptions - not quite what it seemsYesterday the Church of England apologised for the part it played in forced adoptions in the past. Some years ago the Catholic Church issued a similar apology. Earlier this week we heard that the Government is also planning to issue an apology, when the Education secretary, Bridget Phillipson, told the Education Select Committee: The prime minister will have more to say on this shameful period in our history, reflecting the gravity of what has happened. But here and now, let me say to all of those affected, you will get the apology that you so profoundly deserve. It is quite ... (more) |
Ed Davey's bold stepEd Davey's call for Labour to drop its 'torpor and timidity' and rejoin the single market is welcome and shows the EU's one consistent supporter in UK politics, the Lib Dems (and the Liberals before them). The first thing to say is that his statement puts paid to all those ideas about Lib Dems having no policies (beyond mending the local church roof, of course) while other parties at least make it clear where they stand. Really? Is that how Starmer's Labour Party behaves? Ed Davey is right to say that the Labour Party's talk of a 'reset' just seems ... (more) |
The Joy of Six 1535"When news of the arrests of the three Ukrainians broke, a rumour soon began to spread online that the alleged perpetrators were, in fact, Ukrainian male sex workers employed by Starmer and that the arson attack was revenge for unpaid bills. Perhaps unsurprisingly, one of the most influential online figures involved in spreading this 'Rent Boys' conspiracy theory was Stephen Lennon." Joe Mulhall and Nick Lowles argue that Tommy Robinson is Putin's useful idiot. Theo Rodwell fears the Liberal Democrats are being held hostage by Conservatives who have lent them their votes. "The mayor of New York, Zohran Mamdani, announced ... (more) |
That by-electionAt the end of our weekly council by-election reports from ALDC they usually thank the Lib Dem candidates for flying the flag in unwinnable wards. And that is what we must do today. So a big thank you to Jake Austin (Makerfield), Mel Sullivan (Aberdeen South) and Tanvir Ahmad (Arbroath and Broughty Ferry) for putting up with all the hoo-ha and making sure Lib Dems were on the ballot papers. This now provides our readers with an opportunity to discuss the results and their wider implications, in the comments below. * Mary Reid is a contributing editor on Lib Dem ... (more) |
Oakham Town Council has "lost control of everything" according to "worst ever" reportOakham Nub News wins our Headline of the Day Award for a worrying story from Rutland. Ever fair-minded, the judges point out that though the document exposes pervasive administrative backlogs, repeated statutory failures, severe asset mismanagement, and critical operational risks.everything else about the body is tickety-boo. (more) |
Makerfield: we can breathe again.Three cheers for the voters of Makerfield: they have delivered the best possible result. Andy Burnham's resounding majority of over 9 000, with 54% of the vote against Reform's 35%, should puncture Farage's balloon and push talk of his becoming our next prime minister into the realms of fantasy. Reform can't even claim that they were robbed because the even-further-to the-right Restore split their vote. Their candidate received only 7% of the vote so both together were still 12% behind Labour. Congratulations to the Liberal Democrats and Greens (and presumably many Tories) who accurately "read the runes" and had the ... (more) |
Brexit has cut trade in almost every sector of the UK economyThe Independent reports on findings by researchers at the Centre for European Reform think tank that almost every sector of the economy has been hit by Brexit. The paper says that the study found that exports of chemicals and pharmaceuticals have fallen by 21 per cent since the UK left the EU, while those classed as "agrifood" are down 29 per cent: The report argues that many of the economic costs of Brexit stem from Britain's departure from the bloc's single market, suggesting recent calls for a new customs union with the EU would only have a limited impact. Almost ... (more) |