Lib Dems file papers to use "Liberal Democrats - To stop Brexit" on the Euro ballot papersPolitical parties have the choice of using on ballot papers either their official name or one from a set of official party descriptions registered with the Electoral Commission. (more) |
Conservative MP fined £1,500 for false expense claimAn MP, who submitted false expenses, has been fined £1,500 and ordered to carry out unpaid community service. Christopher Davies, the Conservative MP for Brecon and Radnorshire, pleaded guilty to providing false or misleading information for allowances claims, and attempting to do so. The 51-year-old was told he had committed "two very serious offences" which were "absolutely intended to deceive". [ITV] This level of punishment does not trigger an automatic Parliamentary by-election as it is not sufficient to disqualify him from being an MP. Instead, if he decides not to resign anyway, he will now face a recall petition. If ... (more) |
Where two oceans meet, debunked: Cape ReingaCape Reinga, at the very northern tip of New Zealand, is known for being where the Tasman Sea meets the Pacific Ocean, where two oceans collide. The truth, though, is a little more complicated than that. (more) |
The last aerial ropeway in EnglandThis is the last surviving industrial aerial ropeway in the country. They used to be common - a cheaper way of transporting heavy loads than building a railway. You found them in the Northamptonshire iron ore fields. One crossed the Market Harborough to Northampton road just south of Brixworth. Another passed closed to Rushton Triangular Lodge. And as any reader of Malcolm Saville's Seven White Gates will know, you found them in the Shropshire lead mining country too. So enjoy this one while you can. There is something satisfying about the way the loaded buckets negotiate the pylons. (more) |
Zero-carbon houses in NeathAlerted by our local Lib Dem candidate, Sheila Kingston-Jones, I found the site where a group of self-powered houses is being built in Neath. Sheila had been on a visit with Welsh party leader Jane Dodds to an experimental house in Bridgend. For more on a zero-carbon Britain, visit the Centre for Alternative Technology's website. (more) |
Press Release: Cross-Party Climate Change StatementOn Tuesday 23rd April 2019, sparked by the visit of Greta Thunberg to the UK, the Westminster leaders of the UK political parties, except for the Prime Minister and the DUP (both invited), took part in a private round-table with a number of the leaders of the youth climate strikes to discuss the UK's response to the deteriorating ecological crises. At that meeting, the Westminster Leaders present agreed to three actions. These actions mark a significant cross-party response to Greta's visit to the UK; the UK youth climate strikes and ongoing climate protests; the IPCC's Special Report on 1.5 Degrees; ... (more) |
General von Haynau and Donald Trump: London used to know how to deal with unwelcome visitorsSo Donald Trump has been invited to pay a state visit to Britain. There is a long history of unsavoury characters paying such visits and of good people protesting against them. I hope there will be mass protests against Trump when he comes. Even I took to the streets last time he was here. But the best way to deal with such visitors was demonstrated by the people of London back in 1850. The Southwark News introduces us to General von Haynau: Julius Jacob von Haynau was an Austrian general who, due to his brutal suppression of Hungarian forces during ... (more) |
Pointless offers a warning to Change UKChange UK - or the Tiggers, as I still think of them - announced their Euro candidates today. There are some names I recognise, notably the former Conservative cabinet minister Stephen Dorrell. I note, however, that he is standing in the West Midlands rather than the East Midlands, where he was an MP for 36 years. With Dorrell and a few other people we politicos have heard of - Rachel Johnson, Gavin Esler - the Tiggers must be feeling pleased with themselves. But they should not feel too pleased. Last year I pointed out how little most people know about ... (more) |
The Chris Davies forgeriesBrecon and Radnorshire Liberal Democrats have issued the following statement following the sentencing of the Conservative MP for the constituency: The people of Brecon and Radnorshire have been deeply disappointed to see their MP embroiled in such an unnecessary controversy. Chris Davies has put Brecon and Radnorshire on the map for all the wrong reasons. Instead of plunging local people into yet more uncertainty with a six week recall process, Chris Davies should resign immediately and give Brecon & Radnorshire the chance to elect a new voice to represent them in Parliament. (more) |
Tuesday readingCurrent Dark Lord of Derkholm, by Diana Wynne Jones A Sunless Sea by Anne Perry Last books finished The Botany of Desire, by Michael Pollan Spinning Silver, by Naomi Novik The Day She Saved the Doctor, by Jacqueline Rayner, Jenny T. Colgan, Susan Calman and Dorothy Koomson Dread Nation, by Justine Ireland Doctor Who Episode Guide, by Mark Campbell Next books Feersum Endjinn, by Iain M Banks The Ginger Man, by J. P. Donleavy (more) |