Linkblogging For 13/03/10Apologies for the radio silence for the last few days (Tilt, I'll try to get that track to you at some point...) but I've been suffering from exhaustion – not just tiredness, but proper unable-to-function-in-any-coherent-way, barely-able-to-stand,unable-to-focus-the-eyes exhaustion – for the last week. For that reason today's post will just be linkblogging. I hope I'm coherent ... (more) |
Another Problem with missing #ldconf which just occurred to me...I told Steve the hot bag check dude in Bournemouth that I'd see him in Birmingham, and maybe we could go for a drink, and now he's going to think I didn't mean it. Dammit. If he's there, can somebody tell him I am financially embarrassed, but will be at Liverpool? Cos, you know, he was hot. Mat got very amused by me rearranging my position in the bag check queue in Bournemouth so I'd get Steve LOL (more) |
Recycling facility now in place for Lochee Road areaLast month, I proposed to the City Council that a neighbourhood recycling centre be provided at Mitchell Street/Lochee Road. The Council's Recycling Projects Officer responded positively and I am very pleased to note that it is now in situ. (more) |
Clegg's Q&Arestored my faith a bit. Conference is not always a morale-boosting experience; the crystal clarity of this particular policy wonk is muddied by exposure to so many local interests, so much single-issue passion, and the sheer raucous chaos of party activism. But Nick Clegg's informal Q&A with the conference restored my confidence. I cannot on this ... (more) |
The Mood at Lib Dem ConferenceJust got a bit of down time here in Birmingham and I'm reflecting on the mood of party members. Back in Bournemouth last autumn there were unhappy undertones – not least because of the media narrative for the whole period. Birmingham is quite the opposite. Members are upbeat and positive and definitely ready for the fight ... (more) |
Can conference exhibitors find a little sparkle?The exhibition hall is an important part of conference, along with the debates in the main hall, fringe events, training and, of course, the conference bar. So why are so many of the stands so dull? [IMG: Exhibition, Lib Dem Spring Conference 2010, Birmingham] (not necessarily these ones, I hasten to add). I know it's not easy to come up with a novel and interesting stand, especially on a limited budget, and I'll certainly plead guilty to being as unimaginative as the next man (probably more). But conference after conference the stands look much the same, in many cases just ... (more) |
Liberal Democrats - Federal Party Conference - BirminghamA message from Vince Cable MP : Dear Fraser I have a very simple message for you. We, the Liberal Democrats, were right about the financial crisis. We warned of the dangers and led the debate when the crisis came. And now we have a clear vision for the future of the British economy. Now the public wants to know who can guide the country out of the present crisis. Who's going to deal with the broken, discredited banking system. Who's going to lead Britian out of the longest recession since the War. And who will deal with the unsustainable ... (more) |
'Freedom, creativity and the internet' debate to go ahead tomorrowI got the glad tidings by phone at 11am but have not had the chance to sit down and blog about it until now. I have however been busy in my constituency, counting cats and playing 'Where's Wally', of which maybe more anon. Anyway, I am now back in Birmingham, where my colleague Ruth Polling had ... (more) |
All the Blue Peter theme tunesI don't know why, but I was assailed by a desire to listen to the original Blue Peter theme tune. It's below at the start of a compilation of all the Blue Peter theme tune versions. Quite frankly, the original was the best and the only one to hold a candle to it is the Mike Oldfield version. (more) |
Lights, Camera, FAILThere are sometimes you just want to have a little cry... What the hell is this? I'll tell you: this is a video from the "LibDems" official YouTube channel and that is our leader. He's probably saying something important but who knows, you can't tell because you're distracted by the background noise which outdrowns him. He doesn't seem to be wearing a microphone. And then there's the delegates being ushered out of the way of the camera's field of vision. It's just so unprofessional. This is our official Youtube Channel, one of the few avenues we can control completely and ... (more) |