Reform civil war?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 ... (more) |
Right to Roam plans mass trespass in Andy Burnham's MakerfieldThe Right to Roam campaign is panning a mass trespass in the prime minister's Makerfield constituency to publicise its call for a public right to access the countryside on our doorsteps and roam responsibly over England's land and water. The trespass will take place on Sunday 13 December. Its location will be revealed nearer the date. You can sign up for more information on Eventbrite. Right to Roam says: There's a right to roam over just 1 per cent of the constituency. Despite big swathes of Makerfield being Green Belt land, local residents are shut out of the countryside that's ... (more) |
An old canal warehouse at Ellesmere in ShropshireThis former canal warehouse, with its thumping great ghost sign, is to be found by the canal basin at Ellesmere in Shropshire. The basin is at the end of a short arm off what is now called the Llangollen Canal. I took plenty more photos of the town and its canal, which I'll post another day. (more) |
TinderboxStaring at ash, we cried for rain to wash away the summer's dust but neither cleanse nor sully us. We shrank in our complacency. We danced and called to the domains of mystery and rainmakers pretending to have influence – while pipes ran dry, resources drained. (more) |
Diversity, standards, and the treatment of Professor Jason ArdayAn Open Letter from BLAC Lib Dems The tragic story surrounding Professor Jason Arday has left many of us deeply troubled. Let us be clear: plagiarism is unacceptable. Academic standards matter, and allegations of academic misconduct must be investigated properly and fairly. But we also need to ask a bigger question about the culture in which this controversy has unfolded. There is a growing anti-inclusion movement in Britain — one that has imported much of the American culture war and increasingly portrays diversity, equality, and inclusion as threats to standards rather than essential parts of a healthy society. At its ... (more) |
Horse Nell 'stable' after canal rescuePhoto: Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service I may be in Shropshire, but our Headline of the Day comes from the BBC News Leicestershire pages: Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service said they were called to Aylestone Meadows after Nell "must have decided to cool-off in the canal near the Packhorse Bridge" but suddenly became stuck in the waterway. A technical rescue team from Southern Station and a crew from Wigston Fire Station were dispatched to the scene on Saturday evening, and working alongside local farmers they lifted the animal out and had her checked over by a vet. A statement from ... (more) |
Labour has the promise on business rates - We have the planWhat just happened The new Prime Minister has put business rates at the heart of his first Budget on 28 October: 20 per cent relief for pubs and clubs, and a promise to "look at business rates more broadly for high street businesses". An uncomfortable truth first: ask on any high street who stands up for the shopkeeper, and few will say the Liberal Democrats. Yet on business rates we have carried the best answer for eight years. Labour is now campaigning on ground that has been ours for years, though the message has never reached most voters. Why this ... (more) |
The climate change dilemma facing BurnhamThe Times reports that Andy Burnham faces a potential showdown with Labour MPs after suggesting faster extraction of North Sea oil and gas could help pay for the transition to clean energy. They are referring to the decision by the prime minister over whether to approve the Rosebank oilfield and Jackdaw gasfield after consultations on both projects closed: Industry sources have told The Times they believe Burnham will approve Jackdaw but may resist calls to go ahead with Rosebank because of opposition from MPs. Matthew Pennycook, the housing minister, said on Monday the government had never intended to "turn the ... (more) |