Dissatisfied with bank's response over Student Branch closureFollowing my writing to Royal Bank of Scotland last month following concerns about possible closure of the student branch at Balfour Street, I've expressed disappointment at a response I have received from the bank to reject calls to think again over the proposed closure of its branch at the university's student union. The response I have received from Jeffrey Hartley, RBoS's Head of Group Customer Relations, confirms the branch is indeed earmarked for closure and it appears the Royal Bank is adamant that it will not reprieve the well-used branch. In his letter Mr Hartley says : "I acknowledge that ... (more) |
If you agree with Nick Clegg ....... that the income tax threshold should increased to £10,000 more rapidly, there is now an e-petition on the HM Government website. It says: "Please sign this to persuade George Osborne to fast track the Lib Dem policy to increase ... Continue reading → (more) |
America 2012, part 1: Obama vs RomneyI've been following the run-up to the American election this November more casually than many of my fellow political aficionados. To be frank, I'm not yet embedded enough into party politics to be the sort of person who views the ... Continue reading → (more) |
LGBT History Month 2012As a foolish thing to do for the BiMedia bisexual news website, I'm trying to mark LGBT History Month this year by giving a little dash of visibility to a different bit of bi history each day of February. Like a lot of LGBT work, History Month resources and events in my experience tend to be good on the LG bits and frequently good on the T strand but often the B is weak. But there has been plenty of bi history:albeit sometimes things we need to (re)claim. I have an assortment of ideas of things to highlight, and at ... (more) |
Paul Burstow Champions Coalition WinsWhen Nick Clegg planned a Liberal Democrat parliamentary away-day in Eastbourne this week he could hardly have known that the media hordes would descend on that seaside town, not to quiz MPs and Ministers about policy but rather about the fate of Chris Huhne. But if Plan A was to carry on as normal had the ... (more) |
Friday favourite 44Given today's events I couldn't resist... (more) |
Congratulations Edward DaveyThe self destruction of Chris Huhne has not been edifying. But the appointment of Ed Davey as his replacement is unalloyed good news for the Lib Dems. Ed is a formidable campaigner - fighting the 'unwinnable' Kingston and Surbiton seat in 1997 - with no central help and a 15,000 Tory majority. The selection for the Tory nomination (between Richard Tracey and Norman Lamont) was seen by the media as the decisive contest. In the end Ed won by just 56 votes, but carried on campaigning so just four years later romped home with a majority of more than 15,000. ... (more) |
The WRB - What have we done?I ask this question because I think a serious mistake has been made. The bill as it stands punishes those in serious need, and also those who try and help them. Many people will see their mobility allowance cut (meaning ... Continue reading → (more) |
Best venue for a councillor's surgery everHeather Kidd is holding a surgery at the Stiperstones Inn on 13 February. (more) |
What I said to Channel 4 News about Chris HuhneI was interviewed today by Sonia Rathwell for Channel 4 News for a profile of now-former Lib Dem cabinet minister Chris Huhne. Here's some of what I said: It could be said that the former secretary of state for energy and climate change has a rather chilly public persona – but despite something of a "grey man" image, Chris Huhne has a warm, devoted fanbase according to Stephen Tall, the editor of the Lib Dem activists' newspaper, Lib Dem Voice. ... "After the leadership battle, he could have gone away and sulked but he didn't, he backed Nick Clegg all ... (more) |