Heart and MusicIn a recent report from Tes, schools stated that, if they were to cut subjects entirely from their curriculum, music would be the most likely to be the first to go; closely followed by a couple of languages and drama. Southbank Centre, London I've written previously about how important the UK's soft power is around the globe; and with this latest revelation, it is increasingly likely that this cultural capital will be reduced in the future. The arts are always seen as 'soft' subjects; the connotation here that softness equates to ease; but speak with any artist from any discipline ... (more) |
Who are the runners and riders in the Tory leadership race?It is telling that despite there being no vacancy, Theresa May's position is so precarious newspapers and others are already speculating on her successor. The Telegraph is no exception and they have an exclusive this morning in which they reveal what is described as an explosive internal memo suggesting the Prime Minister will be forced to "stand down soon after March 2019" and detailing the pros and cons of her potential successors. They say that the excruciating dossier is being widely circulated among Tory MPs and analyses the leadership prospects of her cabinet colleagues and other contenders, including leading Brexiteers ... (more) |
Watch: Ian Kearns tell Conference why he joined the Lib Dems from LabourOn Saturday, Ian Kearns electrified the Conference rally with a brilliant speech explaining why, in June, he left the Labour Party and joined the Liberal Democrats. You can watch his speech above from around 10:49 in and the text is below. Good evening conference. My name is Ian Kearns, and after many months of soul-searching, I joined the Liberal Democrats in June of this year, from Labour. I'm here on the stage tonight to tell you why. I'm here because I could no longer tolerate the sight of a Leader of the Opposition, a Leader of the Opposition, portraying himself ... (more) |
A roof over ones headAsk practically any Conservative what they believe is the first duty of government and they will reply: "To protect the realm". The response from most Labour politicians and Lib Dems would be "to take care of the people" or "of the community". However, even the driest Troy would not admit to being easy about Britons starving to death en masse for the sake of Queen and Country. To be fair, this does not happen even under the current administration, though it relies on community enterprise in the form of food banks to achieve this. I believe that in addition to ... (more) |
Getting things done - Seabraes bridge lift #dundeewestendLast week, following complaints to me from residents that the lift at the Seabraes lift was again out of action, I reported this to the City Council. The lift was swiftly repaired but I have asked for - and been given assurances - that signage will be provided with the contact phone number for reporting when the bridge is not working. (more) |
New details of Foldgate Lane housing development publishedYesterday, Shropshire Council published more details of the Foldgate Lane application (18/02413/REM). They include revised landscaping and planting plans, a change to the location of the pedestrian and cycle access by the retail park and details of the play area and house designs. One of the significant changes is to the pedestrian and cycle link to Foldgate Lane. This has been moved further north to provide an opportunity for a future link into the retail park between Pets at Home and Ludlow Nut Company. This is very welcome as it will improve safety. People will no longer need to walk ... (more) |
Councillors Advice Centre - Thursday 27th SeptemberLib Dem Councillors John Dodd, Daniel Lewis, Nigel Ashton and Yaso Sathiy, Focus Editor are holding their next advice centre in Churchtown. We will be at BoxTree Kitchen for Queenscourt café, Manor Road/Cambridge Road, roundabout, from 10:30 to 11.30am on Thursday 27th September. We also hold a monthly advice centre in Crossens, at St John's School, Rufford Road, Crossens every month (except August) on the second Saturday of the month from 11:00 am to 12:00. We will be there to meet you and discuss any Council problems you may have. No appointment necessary. Just pop in. (more) |
Lost bookshops and Iain Sinclair in StamfordIn Stamford the other day I mourned the loss of secondhand bookshops. I could think of three that have disappeared from the town (though one of them has moved to Uppingham). These days, when most trade in books is done online, there is less point in paying the rent on a shop. Another of those lost shops was to be found in the Wharf Road part of town. I seem to remember an old warehouse that you entered from the yard at the rear. When you don't visit town often the buildings tend to shuffle themselves, making individual shops hard ... (more) |
Layla Moran questions some of Vince Cable's party reformsThe conventional wisdom holds that once a political leader starts to talk about standing down, he or she is drained of authority. In the case of Vince Cable (whom I have always rather admired as a political operator) the conventional wisdom is being proved right. Suddenly he looks his age and his leadership is being openly questioned. Business Insider (which normally gets its Liberal Democrats stories from 12-year-old workers at party HQ) has an interview with Layla Moran: Moran said that while she supported "really well-respected" non-MPs from inside the movement leading the party — like councillors, or parliamentarians from ... (more) |
The Liberal Democrat prospects in LondonAfter years as being described by the media as a blogger, they then upgraded me occasionally to being a strategist. But as you can see from my appearance on the BBC Politics Show in London... (more) |