Not flying the flagOver the weekend, the above leaflet was delivered in my ward, along with lots of other leaflets about gardening services and pizza home delivery. The back page is shown above. Disregarding the completely incorrect imprint, people were encouraged to display the poster. I have seen one across the whole ward. It seems the flags aren't out for Reform. (more) |
Magazine deliveredI am delighted to announce that we finished delivery of our election magazine today! The whole of the ward is now done. (more) |
Alan Bennett on Northern culture and his creative processThree years ago Alan Bennett visited the BFI Southbank to discuss the influence of his northern roots in a conversation that formed part of the BFI's Northern Voices season. The blurb on YouTube says: Few writers have successfully mined Northern culture and specific northern speech patterns as Alan Bennett. Growing up in Leeds, he listened in on the chatter of his relatives, absorbing the patter of domestic conversation, which would emerge across a glittering and much-loved range of plays, particularly those written for television. Here, Bennett explores the way Northern culture is so integral to his creative process. (more) |
How the Guardian flattered Morgan McSweeney and why it did soThose hoping to be impressed when Morgan McSweeney made a rare public appearance, courtesy of the Commons' foreign affairs select committee, will have been disappointed. A No. 10 led by him and Keir Starmer really was a case of the bland leading the bland. But how did the Guardian's Whitehall editor greet Morgan McSweeney when he was appointed? Those of you with strong stomachs, read on: As the brains behind Keir Starmer's leadership campaign, McSweeney is credited with having brought the prime minister to power. He entered No 10 as head of political strategy, in charge of charting the party's ... (more) |
Lloyd George Society Weekend 2026 - A Meeting ReportThe weekend of 6 March 2026 signalled a change in the Lloyd George Society. For the first time in many years, we held our meeting at a new venue – the Lake Country House Hotel & Spa in Llangammarch Wells. The venue change reinvigorated the Weekend school. First of all, the accommodation was a marked change, spacious and luxurious in feeling. The food was outstanding throughout, with the staff being beyond compare. From conversations that I had with the other members, I noted that they were very positive about these aspects of the weekend. Also, as an added bonus, those ... (more) |
#interrail2026 - day 1: a detour with my family on the way to AntwerpSo, having retrieved my wallet, it was time to start my journey. Ipswich to Liverpool Street was easy enough - I even won the "Greater Anglia lottery" with the first class carriages actually on the 09.41. It's all becoming a bit cheapskate these days, as Greater Anglia don't offer free hot drinks and biscuits to first class passengers at weekends any more, but the new Stadler rolling stock is comfortable enough. And then things started going a little haywire. My plan was to take the Elizabeth Line to Farringdon and then Thameslink to Brent Cross West, but, as it turned ... (more) |
What is the economy for? Liberalism already knows the answerWhat is the economy for? It's a simple question. But how we answer it underpins everything else in politics. We created the economy to serve us – to make life easier, safer, better. It is a human system, designed to help people thrive. But somewhere along the way, that relationship has become inverted. Too often, it feels as though people and communities are expected to bend themselves around the demands of the economy, rather than the other way round. For decades, we have treated GDP growth as the ultimate measure of success. If the number goes up, we assume things ... (more) |
Labour MPs plotting against StarmerIt used to be the Tory Party that was able to ruthlessly discard leaders when they ceased to be an electoral asset, but now it seems that Labour is getting in on the act as well. The Guardian reports that Labour figures from across rival factions have begun circulating informal proposals for an "orderly transition" of power away from Keir Starmer. The paper says that MPs have shifted discussions from speculating about whether the prime minister could be removed to how - including timelines, potential triggers and the mechanics of forcing a leadership contest: One Labour MP said: "There have ... (more) |