Catherine Bearder writes... 100 days to stop the Tories or Labour neglecting the environmentThe countdown starts today. Just 100 days left to ensure that any future government has a strong Liberal voice in it. That means a strong voice for social justice and economic responsibility, ensuring that we finish the recovery and do so fairly. But it also means a voice that will continue to stand up for a radical approach on issues like drugs policy, indiscriminate snooping and constitutional reform. Crucial issues, but ones that both Conservatives and Labour would happily sweep under the carpet and forget about altogether if they were given the chance. Top of these issues for me is ... (more) |
The Election Law Handbook goes online!As a member benefit ALDC have posted the entire Election Law Handbook ( and a bit more besides) on the AskALDC section of the ALDC website. There are now searchable articles on 1.1 The Role of the Agent 1.2 Why Have an Agent? 1.3 Appointing an Agent 2.1 Who Can be a Local Government Candidate? [...] (more) |
Free electric blankets at Golden Age eventPensioners can exchange faulty electric blankets for new ones at a multi-agency event on Friday (30) in Cambridge. Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS) has teamed up with Age UK Cambridgeshire to run the winter safety Golden Age event from 10.30am until 3pm at Cambridge's Parkside Place Community Fire and Rescue Station. Residents aged 60 or over can take advantage of the offer. Pensioners are encouraged to bring their old electric blankets along to be tested to check it is safe and any electrical blanket that fails will be disposed of in exchange for a new one. To book an ... (more) |
Council investment into Royal Victoria Park beginsBath & North East Somerset Council's plans to invest almost £500,000 in improvements to Bath's Royal Victoria Park will get underway on January 19. The park, which attracts many thousands of visitors every year, features Botanical Gardens, lakes, floral and historical features as well as one of the biggest children's play areas in the South West. Work to improve the play area starts next week, and will include installation of a new slide and tower unit replacing the triple slide. This is part of a total investment of £255,000 into 11 play parks across the area. The work should be ... (more) |
Car ParkingThe Bath and NE Somerset Council aims to substantially increase jobs and support local businesses through the Bath City Riverside Enterprise Area, which is designated as a key zone for economic growth by the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership. To deliver the jobs requires an integrated approach to managing traffic flow in the city - including providing improved parking opportunities such as expanding long stay capacity at Park and Ride - enabling greater emphasis to be given to walking, cycling and bus services in the historic core and on key corridors. Reduction of city centre parking will not take ... (more) |
Connect TrainingLots of our members have been asking about Connect training. Obviously there will training available at Liverpool Federal conference 13-15th March and any remaining State and Regional conferences still to be held before the election. But for those who might not be able to get to these "Webinars" are a great way to build your [...] (more) |
'Open up!' - Digital democracy in the House of Commons[IMG: Digital Democracy] 'Open up!' was published yesterday and is the report of the Speaker's Commission on Digital Democracy. Liberal Democrats should pay it some attention, even though, sadly, we do not appear to have had any representation on the Commission itself. Its remit was to explore how to use digital technology to improve parliamentary democracy in the House of Commons, and increase democratic participation, which is surely something that we care about deeply. After a year of consulting with a huge range of organisations and listening to expert witnesses (including some familiar names like Richard Allan, Archy Kirkwood and ... (more) |
Control Freakery?Just in case anyone outside the Palace of Westminster has been fooled by the recent deceitful diatribes that "MPs are lazy and given up on their Parliamentary duties" or "this final fifth year has turned us into a Zombie Parliament" I offer the following exchanges in the Lords today: Lord Grocott: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact on Parliament of the next general election date having been fixed as 7 May 2015 since the enactment of the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011. Lord Wallace of Saltaire (LD): My Lords, it is a little too ... (more) |
What do the academics say? Contacting voters, especially in person, worksWelcome to the latest in my occasional series highlighting interesting findings from academic research. Today, David Cutts, Ed Fieldhouse, Justin Fisher, Ron Johnston and Charles Pattie with data from the British Election Study on the impact of contacting voters. Our analyses of the 2010 election, using data supplied to us by the individual candidates' agents, found that the more people canvassing for a party in a constituency - both members and volunteer non-member supporters - the better its performance there. Canvassers having conversations with potential voters apparently wins them over. Other evidence sustains that. The 2010 British Election Study questioned ... (more) |
90% mortgages available for affordable homes in Pendeen[IMG: Affordable homes for sale in Pendeen] Terrace of 3 two bed homes for sale at £116,500 to those with local connection 90% mortgages available for affordable homes in Pendeen. Lands End Peninsula CLT Ltd are proud of their first housing scheme for local people. The six 2 bed homes are excellent value at £116,500 and have to be viewed to be fully appreciated. I and fellow Board members would love to see you at the end of Moorland close, Pendeen on Saturday 31st January between 11 a.m and 2 p.m. The new homes form a new, small development called ... (more) |