Lib Dem love-in IS on its wayWell, Well.. No sooner is my ink dry stating that a Cameron Mockumentary is on its way, I am told that we are to get a Cleggfest too, courtesy of good old ITV. Having deployed Piers Morgan and Sir Trevor to cover the other party leaders, we must surely expect an interrogator of the fairer sex to cover Nick Clegg's softer side (might as well tick gender balance while you are at it ITV). So will it be the uber sexy Katie Derham or Mary Nightingale perhaps? No tx date yet but watch this space.... (UPDATE: Word is its Mary ... (more) |
Harriet falls victim to the jargon policeToday's Daily Telegraph reports that Harriet Harman's buzzword to describe "a new cohort of well, active, healthy older people" has made the list of 250 words used by central government, councils and quangos that baffle people. They say that along with 'wellderly', other banned words include 'webinar', or an online seminar, 'goldfish bowl facilitated conversation', or having a conversation round a circular meeting table; and 'low hanging fruit', or going for an easy win: The equality minister and deputy Labour leader said earlier this year: "The change in the number of well older people demands a change in public policy. ... (more) |
Colin Ross chosen to stand as next Liberal Democrat MP for Wolverhampton North EastWolverhampton North East Liberal Democrats have selected Colin Ross as their candidate at the General Election. (more) |
Why Vote? Book reviewWhy Vote? by Jo Phillips and David Seymour is one in a series just published by biteback. Whilst the others promote voting for a particular party, such as the Liberal Democrat title reviwed here, this book is simply about encouraging people to take part in elections. It takes a rather curious approach because, as the book itself explains: [This book] wants to persuade you to vote but gives dozens of very good reasons why you shouldn't. On the positive side, it should give you a few laughs and provide enough trivial information to amaze your friends ... What we hope ... (more) |
Hardcore porn director stands as Lib Dem PPC[IMG: anna] I couldn't see this story elsewhere on LD blogs*, so thought it was worth a posting. Reports local meeeja Kent Online: "Britain's first female director of hardcore porn films is aiming to become Gravesham's MP. Anna Arrowsmith, 38, has been selected as the Liberal Democrat candidate ... at the looming general election." Quoted by The Sun, Anna says: "In this day and age people who live in a democratic society should be able to choose what they want to watch." "Personally the reason I have gone into politics is I was rather disgusted at the expense issues. "I ... (more) |
SCANDAL OF £1.3m ID CARD MARKETING CAMPAIGNI received a nice letter from HM Government/Identity & passport agency yesterday. The letter and accompanying leaflet was extolling the virtues of the Governments Identity card scheme which is currently being piloted in Manchester and London. Of course they do make it clear its voluntary and they do eventually mention that they would like you to part with £30 for the privilege. Of course they don't mention the fact that the marketing campaign across Manchester and London is estimated at costing £1.3 million of taxpayers money. Money that could pay for 50 more Police officers (on basic starter pay) at ... (more) |
What should you be doing at 8pm on Friday evening?Why, talking politics of course: Make authoritarian MPs pay at the ballot box 8pm, Hall 8b, Birmingham ICC (Lib Dem spring conference) Many MPs have a record of repeatedly voting for authoritarian measures in Parliament. But will they suffer for that at the ballot box? Come and hear how we can make authoritarian votes in Parliament a vote loser for MPs on general election day - and see the new Liberal Democrat Voice website which will help do just that. Speakers: Paul Burstow MP (Chief Whip) Bridget Fox (PPC Islington South and Finsbury) Mark Pack (Co-editor, Lib Dem Voice) Alex ... (more) |
Pornography and violence: what does the evidence show?Is there a link between the availability of pornography in a society and sex crimes like rape? And does watching more pornography lead men to see women as mere sex-objects? It's a debate that's bounced back and forth for decades. Both sides have plausible explanations as to how their claims can be true. Perhaps, after watching pornography, men are more likely to feel agressive and commit sex crimes. If the increased availability of pornography over the last thirty years has led to more rapes and sexual assaults, surely there's a good case for our society being more censorious. Or maybe ... (more) |
Second view: blaming the surplus nations too much?I have on this blog drawn (favourable) attention to Martin Wolf's long-held view that not everyone can be Germany. In his latest: But Germany can be Germany - an economy with fiscal discipline, feeble domestic demand and a huge export surplus - only because others are not. To my initial surprise, I have read some kickback against ... (more) |
What IS on at conference at party Website?Just been looking at the party website, acting as an interested visitor would. In particular the pages on the spring conference. Lots of easily available information about conference in geneal but where are the easy clicks to find the Spring agenda, the reports and the speeches that may be made? Yes I do know where to link to the reports (and by the way at the time of writing the clearprint version of the agenda is in fact the plain text file repeated) but the only click-on link at present says 'training programme now available' or words to that efefct. ... (more) |