It could be so much worse than having Gordon Brown as PMWe've all been complaining a lot about the pig's ear the Labour Government is making of the economy, of civil liberties, of, well, everything. Is there anything they are actually doing well? Anyway, Bernie Ecclestone offered us a vision of an alternative which made me realise just how lucky we are. There are very few people I'd prefer Gordon Brown over, but Max Mosley is somewhere near the top of that list. Bernie's interview was quite extraordinary - saying that Hitler was "able to get things done" - sure, it takes some organisational ability to carry out the detention and ... (more) |
I'm Glad We Don't Need This In EssexI see the Weather Channel gives mosquito forecasts in the US.... (more) |
Keighley Gala and Portsoy FestivalKeighley Gala day today. Everything seems to have gone well. A great day out! However I myself have been taking it easy at the Portsoy Boat Festival - interesting and fun. (more) |
Is there fire in Norwich Labour's belly?I ask because I was interested in viewing how the main contenders were presenting themselves online. First up, I find the Conservatives are doing an excellent job of it – their website is fresh, clean-looking and can be found at the top of the list by googling `Chloe Smith`. There is also a Tory blogger third [...] (more) |
Community PayBackSome offenders are given Community Orders instead of fines or imprisonment. This means they can continue to work, but much of their spare time is taken up working for the local community, under the PayBack scheme. They have to do a minimum of 6 hours a week, supervised by the Probation Service. In South of the Borough we have booked the team for two days each week, and it has proved... (more) |
More splits in the anti-conservative vote in Norwich NorthI turned to Craig Murray's blog to see what his reaction, as a former insider, was to the announcement that United Kingdom foreign aid was to be "rebranded". Instead, I find that he is yet another candidate in the by-election on July 23rd caused by the resignation of Dr Ian Gibson. As a very credible contender, no doubt fighting on a platform of human rights and for honesty in government, he is bound to take votes away from the Liberal Democrat candidate, April Pond. No doubt the Greens, with whom Joanna Lumley has associated herself, and who are strong in ... (more) |
The mess in Cameron's backyardThe Telegraph expenses machine grinds relentlessly onward. It is taking me some time to overcome my distress at the news that Jeffrey Donaldson MP is having to repay £555 which he claimed for hotel pay-for-view films. Will he let us know the titles of these films? As taxpayers I think we are entitled to know, given that we have loaned him 555 quid for months. In the absence of such a list, we can only assume that dear Jeffrey watched the film "Room Service 2" multiple times. That it is the only itemisation which appeared on some of thebills. "Room ... (more) |
Enjoy a Credit Crunch Lunch in Ladywood!{Great British Eatery} The Birmingham Post carries a glowing review of the Great British Eatery on Francis Street, part of Broadway Plaza – the development on the site of old Children's Hospital near Five Ways. The chips here are heaven sent. If angels eat battered fish, they must swoop down to Francis Road. Every piece of fish is cooked to order and it shows in the crispness. No grease, no clag, just lightness and flavour. Fed up with hours-old, dried out fish? It doesn't have to be that way. Solid local beers from Holdens, in Dudley and Freedom lagers from ... (more) |
Our MP has resignedThe big local news this week has been the decision by Derek Wyatt, our Labour MP, not to stand at the next election. He has been MP for Sittingbourne and Sheppey since 1997, although he only held on in 2005 with a majority of 79. He has said it is for family reasons following his divorce and I think the fact that he has to defend a tiny majority against what looks like will be a nasty Conservative campaign was too much. Like most MPs he got hit by the expenses scandal and his decision to take the second home ... (more) |
Batman RebornSo, we're now a month through the Batman Reborn 'event', it might be time to take stock of what's been going on in the bat-titles ( I have of course reviewed a few of these titles here and here earlier...) I've read all the 'Batman Reborn' titles except 'Red Robin', and it's very obvious that despite [...] (more) |