Layla Moran: "Make 2020 the year that we finally scrap the Vagrancy Act"Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran will today urge the Government to adopt her legislation this year and "finally scrap the Vagrancy Act" during a homelessness debate in Parliament. The MP will warn that "even one person sleeping rough in this country in 2020 is a disgrace" as she brings back to Parliament her campaign to scrap the Vagrancy Act. Layla Moran is also expected to warn against the "out of sight, out of mind mentality'" shown in the installation of a new gate close to MPs' and peers' private entrance to Westminster tube station. Speaking ahead of the debate, Liberal ... (more) |
Overtaken by eventsFrom the Introduction to Gimson's Prime Ministers (publ. 2018, thereby stopping at Theresa May): "There are very few complete duds in this book, for the Commons can detect a dud as soon as he or she begins to speak. For the same reason, it is virtually impossible for a criminal, or a demagogue, to become prime minister. Someone like Donald Trump could not get to 10 Downing Street." (more) |
Kushner aims to divert attention from domestic investigations into Trump and NetanyahuResponding to the news that Donald Trump has released his plan for the Middle East, Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran, the first UK MP of Palestinian descent, said: "The first step of an effective and meaningful negotiation is to include all parties. The exclusion of Palestinian representatives from the negotiation of this settlement is evidences enough that this is nothing more than a sham. "Trump and Netanyahu are motivated by a desire to distract from domestic problems, rather than by the desire to build real consensus. It's clear that this is about scoring points, rather than a genuine attempt to ... (more) |
28 January 2020 - today's press releasesTory proposals to end free movement will make it harder to recruit teachers, nurses and doctors Liberal Democrats: Huawei decision shows no regard for its human rights record Davey calls for 'Net Zero' department to slash UK greenhouse gas emissions Liberal Democrats: Trump's negotiations a sham Tory proposals to end free movement will make it harder to recruit teachers, nurses and doctors Responding to the publication of the Migration Advisory Committee report which has advised against against a full points-based system for UK, Liberal Democrat Home Affairs spokesperson Christine Jardine said: The Conservative Government wants to impose an entirely new ... (more) |
Steve Winwood and Traffic behind the Iron CurtainFrom the Budapest Business Journal: Traffic, the U.K. foursome famous for their flower-power hit "Hole in My Shoe", were one of the first Western rock acts to play in communist Hungary. It was 1968, and even though they had sanctioned it, the authorities were less than happy with the band's presence. As the musicians took to the stage, police, uniformed and plain clothed, watched intently for any sign of "irregular behavior" among the crowd, straining to catch the merest whisper of an anti-government utterance. But after a couple of numbers, the mood relaxed a little: the crowd, it seemed, knew ... (more) |
Tory proposals to end free movement will make it harder to recruit teachers, nurses and doctorsResponding to the publication of the Migration Advisory Committee report which has advised against against a full points-based system for UK, Liberal Democrat Home Affairs spokesperson Christine Jardine said:"The Conservative Government wants to impose an entirely new immigration system in less than 12 months, without any proper consultation and managed by the discredited Home Office. That is a recipe for disaster."The Conservatives' proposals to end free movement will make it harder for our schools and NHS to hire the teachers, nurses and doctors they need."As the Migration Advisory Committee makes clear, these plans will make the crisis in social care ... (more) |
Davey calls for 'Net Zero' department to slash UK greenhouse gas emissionsActing Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey has today called for a new governmental department to get the UK to Net Zero as soon as possible.In comments today at the Institute for Government, Ed Davey said the new department would take on all the powers of the previous Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) but would have "much more teeth and responsibility", with influence over transport, housing and finance.Speaking at the Institute for Government today, Ed Davey, Acting Leader of Liberal Democrats said:"When Liberal Democrats ran the Department for Energy and Climate Change we managed to more than ... (more) |
Reporting Back: Full CouncilLast week was the regular 'Full Council' meeting for Bury Council – the main meeting of all 51 councillors. Almost all the meeting this time was taken up by policy motions proposed by the different political parties. The Liberal Democrat Group proposed a policy motion on Loneliness and Isolation, an important issue that we wanted the Council to take more proactive action on. Councillor Michael Powell, who proposed the motion said: "(our) motion this evening seeks to address the growing trend of loneliness and isolation felt amongst many individuals in our various communities. To give you an idea of how ... (more) |
December 2004 books and 2004 reading roundupDecember 2004 was a quieter month, celebrating little U's second birthday and then Christmas at home with just the five of us; I cooked boar as usual, and we watched the extended versions of the Lord of the Rings DVDs during the holiday. No Crisis Group publications, though I was working hard on the big Kosovo report for early 2005, and I did have the thrill of being quoted by the prosecutor in the trial of Slobodan Milošević (at end here and then again here). I don't even seem to have travelled - cancelled a planned trip to Albania at ... (more) |
Feel better in Feburary -News of communnity events (text from Abbotswood Action)Supporting Feel Good February, Take 5 4 U is coming to Abbotswood! Every Friday in February, 10 - 11am take a little break from reality and let us look after you. Free refreshments and activities available at every session! Come and join in the fun or simply have a few minutes breathing space from the stresses of every day life. 7th - Healthy snacks and lunches. Pop in for some new recipe inspiration to liven up your lunchbox and take a tasty treat away with you to nibble on the way home. 14th ... (more) |