Has Christine Jardine been sacked from Lib Dem Front Bench?Patrick Maguire, the Times lead political commentator, has reported tonight that Christine Jardine has been fired from her positions as spokesperson on Women and Equalities and on Scotland for defying the Lib Dem whip and voting against rather than abstaining on a Tory amendment to the Universal Credit and PIP Bill. He said: Christine Jardine has been sacked from the Lib Dem frontbench for voting against Tory amendment to the welfare bill - Ed Davey whipped MPs to abstain LD source: "We are not in the business of dancing to the tune of the Conservatives through symbolic votes and virtue ... (more) |
Electrification of the Midland Mainline is paused yet againYesterday the news was full of stories about government investment in the railways: today we heard a familiar story in this part of the world. As BBC News reports: East Midlands council leaders have said they are dismayed at the government's decision to indefinitely pause the northwards electrification of the Midland Mainline. The London to Sheffield railway line has been upgraded to take electric trains as far as South Wigston in Leicestershire, but the Department for Transport (DfT) confirmed on Tuesday the further extension of the project was on hold. The story goes on to quote the Grand Poobah of ... (more) |
The Peatling Parva by-election sounds like an episode of a sitcomHarborough is a large rural district council taking in all or part of three parliamentary constituencies. In the mid-1980s the only organised branch of the Liberal Party in the district was in Market Harborough, which meant that large parts of it were a bit of a mystery to us. It sounds like an episode from a sitcom on local politics, but the effect of this was that when we heard the Liberal candidate had won a Harborough District Council in Peatling Parva, we were delighted but had no clear idea where Peatling Parva was. Soon afterwards, I won a by-election ... (more) |
Government should stop using "working people" and audit income inequality and povertyWhen will the Government drop the phrase "working people" which excludes "retired people", "children", "people with long term illnesses or disabilities" and people who have had to give up work to become full time carers and adopt something more inclusive. Until they do, they will continue to shoot themselves in the foot. Congratulations on the Lib Dem stand against cuts to disability benefit. In my experience most people who are off work due to sickness or disability would give anything within reason to be able to work. However, if Government wrongly believes that a financial incentive is required then the ... (more) |
What's on at Bournemouth? FCC's agenda selection reportThe Federal Conference Committee met on Saturday to review submissions and finalise the agenda for Autumn Conference in Bournemouth, taking place from 20 to 23 September 2025. We're very much looking forward to returning to Bournemouth; a venue many members know and love. Motion Submissions and Agenda Planning As ever, we received a strong volume of submissions, reflecting the wide engagement across the party. In total, we received: 36 policy motions 3 business motions 4 constitutional amendments 2 standing order amendments Following detailed discussion and several rounds of selection, the FCC agreed to include: 20 policy motions 1 business motion ... (more) |
Manfred Mann: Semi-detached, Suburban Mr JamesThis song was written by Geoff Stephens and John Carter as Semi-Detached Suburban Mr Jones. As it became the first single issued by Manfred Mann after Paul Jones departed to be a solo artist and film star, the title and lyric had to be changed so the song wasn't taken to be a dig at him. The band's new singer was Mike d'Abo, who who added further possible confusion by looking rather like Jones. I remember liking this song when it came out - I was six. (more) |
Ninewells Community Garden Big Biodiversity Bash #dundeewestendThe Ninewells Community Garden Big Biodiversity Bash will be making a return for 2025. This Saturday - 12th July - all are invited to get up close with nature and think about all the bugs, beasties and creatures that are so important to welcome in our green spaces. Read more on the Ninewells Community Garden Facebook page at www.facebook.com/NinewellsGarden (more) |
UN panel raises concerns about impact of Labour's welfare billThe Guardian reports that the UN organisation for disabled people's rights has asked the UK government for details about the impact of its welfare bill, expressing its concerns about the potential adverse effects. The paper says that n a rare intervention, the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities asked about the legislation after receiving "credible information" that it seemed likely to worsen the rights of disabled people: A letter from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, on behalf of the committee, said it "respectfully requests information" about the bill, and in particular the extent of ... (more) |