I'll start by saying that I think it is quite reasonable for MPs who represent constituencies away from London to be able to claim sufficient allowances to enable them to stay in reasonable accomodation in London during the week.
There are issues with how they do that, but some allowance for it is reasonable.
But the idea that an MP representing Brent, a few stops up the Jubilee Line from Westminster, can claim for a second home while also owning a family home in Stratford, beggars belief.
And as my old mate Hywel Morgan has found out, the comparison between different MPs who all represent constituencies near each other in my old stamping ground of North London makes very interesting reading.
One of the issues here is that if they are using the allowance to pay off a mortgage the taxpayer is effectively buying a second home for them which they will be able to either rent out or sell off.
Whether or not this is technically within the rules, it certainly isn't right.
[Declaring my interest: I work for an MP outside London for 25% of my working week]
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Thursday, March 19, 2009
It's Mark v. Mike (and they've both got a point)
It's psephological handbags at dawn over at Lib Dem Voice where one of my friends, Mark Pack, has taken another, PoliticalBetting's Mike Smithson, to task ove his criticism of David Laws.
Mike's general point is that too many pundits compare current polls with those in the mid-nineties without taking account of the changes in methodology that have happened since then.
He is quite right in this. Many of the polls in the run up to the '97 election gave Labour a massive lead, way ahead of the actual result. Several pollsters changes their methodolgy as a result.
However in his criticism of David Laws he overeggs the pudding a little.
He said: "It also does the Lib Dems no good to be undermining, in however a roundabout way, ICM polls. This is the firm that yesterday had Clegg’s party on 20% compared with just 14% that a MORI poll taken at the same time recorded. It’s all down to the methodology and the former has the track record with LD shares. "
The table in his own article shows that ICM got it right one month before the '97 election (the main parties were each within 1% of ICM's figures) with a Labour lead over the Tories of 14%.
The most recent ICM poll has the Tories' lead over Labour at 12%, and looking back at recent polls and those in the run up to '97 it is clear that the Tories' leads now tend to be lower than Labour leads were in the run up to '97.
This chimes with the general mood that I am picking up.
In the run up to '97 there was a strong national mood that it was time for the Tories to go. The only question was when and by how much. they were hated, and there was a genuine enthusiasm for Blair. (In fact I remember wondering what it was I was missing about Blair, so taken in were so many people I knew).
Now it is a bit different. I do think there is a general mood that Labour should go, but it is not as visceral as it was in '96/'97. And as far as I can tell there is nothing like the positive vibe about Cameron that there was about Blair, possibly because there is a suspiscion that he is not that different from him.
I still think there is a lot to play for, particularly for us.
Mike's general point is that too many pundits compare current polls with those in the mid-nineties without taking account of the changes in methodology that have happened since then.
He is quite right in this. Many of the polls in the run up to the '97 election gave Labour a massive lead, way ahead of the actual result. Several pollsters changes their methodolgy as a result.
However in his criticism of David Laws he overeggs the pudding a little.
He said: "It also does the Lib Dems no good to be undermining, in however a roundabout way, ICM polls. This is the firm that yesterday had Clegg’s party on 20% compared with just 14% that a MORI poll taken at the same time recorded. It’s all down to the methodology and the former has the track record with LD shares. "
The table in his own article shows that ICM got it right one month before the '97 election (the main parties were each within 1% of ICM's figures) with a Labour lead over the Tories of 14%.
The most recent ICM poll has the Tories' lead over Labour at 12%, and looking back at recent polls and those in the run up to '97 it is clear that the Tories' leads now tend to be lower than Labour leads were in the run up to '97.
This chimes with the general mood that I am picking up.
In the run up to '97 there was a strong national mood that it was time for the Tories to go. The only question was when and by how much. they were hated, and there was a genuine enthusiasm for Blair. (In fact I remember wondering what it was I was missing about Blair, so taken in were so many people I knew).
Now it is a bit different. I do think there is a general mood that Labour should go, but it is not as visceral as it was in '96/'97. And as far as I can tell there is nothing like the positive vibe about Cameron that there was about Blair, possibly because there is a suspiscion that he is not that different from him.
I still think there is a lot to play for, particularly for us.
Monday, March 09, 2009
Harrogate gets my vote
I'm very fond of Harrogate.
My first conference was there - the last full Liberal Assembly in September 1987 that agreed to go ahead with merger.
It is a lovely town, it is in Yorkshire and the Conference Centre is ideal for our Spring Conference.
Overall I found the experince slightly odd, as it is the first conference for sixteen years that I have attended as an ordinary representative rather than having a packed diary of training and meetings. This did mean I had plenty of time to simply sit around and chat to folk.
Children & Education
And it was good conference. The policy theme was children and education, a theme that unites the party on all but some detail.
We agreed a coherent set of policies that will lead to investment at every level with a clear focus on providing better opportunities to those who start with the least life chances.
Importantly we also reaffirmed our clear opposition to Tuition Fees without a murmur of dissent and with several emphatic speechedin favour of the policy. Even better we have widened the policy to include part-time students and adult returners to FE.
Governor Dean
The highlight of the conference for me was watching Governor Howard Dean speak to an enthusiastic welcome and then to discuss his campaign strategy at a smaller meeting.
Having followed Governor Dean's campaign for the nomination last time, and his work as Chair of DNC, I was really excited to see him in the flesh and delighted to be able to ask him a question in the later meeting.
There are a lot of lessons we can learn from him (although we have to understand that not everything that worked for him and then Obama will necessarily transfer straight across)
The key points for me were:
My first conference was there - the last full Liberal Assembly in September 1987 that agreed to go ahead with merger.
It is a lovely town, it is in Yorkshire and the Conference Centre is ideal for our Spring Conference.
Overall I found the experince slightly odd, as it is the first conference for sixteen years that I have attended as an ordinary representative rather than having a packed diary of training and meetings. This did mean I had plenty of time to simply sit around and chat to folk.
Children & Education
And it was good conference. The policy theme was children and education, a theme that unites the party on all but some detail.
We agreed a coherent set of policies that will lead to investment at every level with a clear focus on providing better opportunities to those who start with the least life chances.
Importantly we also reaffirmed our clear opposition to Tuition Fees without a murmur of dissent and with several emphatic speechedin favour of the policy. Even better we have widened the policy to include part-time students and adult returners to FE.
Governor Dean
The highlight of the conference for me was watching Governor Howard Dean speak to an enthusiastic welcome and then to discuss his campaign strategy at a smaller meeting.
Having followed Governor Dean's campaign for the nomination last time, and his work as Chair of DNC, I was really excited to see him in the flesh and delighted to be able to ask him a question in the later meeting.
There are a lot of lessons we can learn from him (although we have to understand that not everything that worked for him and then Obama will necessarily transfer straight across)
The key points for me were:
- The internet is only a tool, it won't do any good if you haven't got something to say
- It is important to invest in a basic organisation across the board, but to still target extra resources into winnable races once you have identified them
- The internet community is a community and we have engage with it and treat it with respect
- We need to ask everyone to vote for us and to discuss issues with them based on where there is common ground, even if they are not traditional supporters or likely to support us initially
- There are thousands of good ideas out there amongt our supporters and we have to be willing to take some risks in order to allow the good ideas to surface
Happy Birthday Oadby & Wigston and Vale of White Horse
The Lib Dem LGA group organised a 'Birthday Party' to celebrate our 18 years control of Oadby & Wigston and our 14 years control of the Vale.
I was delighted to attend this event as I had helped a lot during the 1991 campaign in Oadby, specifically organising the student campaign in the Leicester Uni Halls of Residence in Oadby and writing and prnting leaflets) and ran the campaign in the Vale in 1995.
My old friend and now Lib Dem LGA chief staffer Ed Fordham was organising the vent and I was as chuffed as cheese when he asked me if I would say a few words about my memories of the two campaigns.
It was also lovely to catch up with the Oadby & Wigston crowd that I hadn't seen for years.
Well done Reading
My good friends in Reading Lib Dems picked up a prize for top growth in membership. This is well deserved by Gareth Epps and his team and it is particularly good to see that the student branch there is doing so well too.
There were a lot of young people and students at the conference and it is good to see that there seems to be something of a growth in the number of active student branches. Our decision on Tuition Fees can only help that growth continue.
It was also good to hear that Liberal Youth are planning to reinitiate Activate weekends (the first of which was run by Hywel Morgan and myself too many years ago to remember and featured the excellent Jo Swinson as one of its participants) and an Executive Training weekend.
And finally ...
I got a sense that there is a renewed confidence in the party.
This is partly due to Vince's credibility, partly due to Nick steadily finding his feet, partly because we went with our instincts on education and fees, and partly because, whatever the polls say, we have more people fighting stronger campaigns in more places than ever before.
Keep at it folks!
Friday, March 06, 2009
The Scottish Executive should think carefully
One of the most consistent principles that has marked out the Liberal Democrats is our belief in natural justice.
That means treating people fairly, defending the rights of the individual against those who hold institutional power, basing judgements on all the evidence and allowing people who have had accusations made against them to know what those accusations are and what the evidence against them is.
It is for that reason that I have become increasingly concerned about the Scottish Party's approach to the problems in Aberdeenshire.
For a very useful background to the history of the situation see Bernard Salmon's blog here.
Several other bloggers have also commented and I would like to associate myself with their views here, here and here.
For an insight into the thinking of the Scottish Executive when they discussed the proposal to suspend the three see ruaraidhdobson's blog here. If I had any doubts about the situation his account of the meeting - particularly his comments about the original planning decision - confirmed my view that the Scottish Executive have got this badly wrong.
By deciding to suspend three party members who are quite clearly on one side of a very complex situation, whilst refusing to investigate complaints made by those members, the Scottish Executive have acted inconsistently.
By deciding to look at the recent behaviour of the three, but not properly investigate all the issues that led to that recent behaviour, they are acting unjustly.
If they have any sense of justice at all the Scottish Executive will put the expulsion process on hold and instigate a full investigation into the history of events that have led to the current situation.
Once that has been done the Scottish Executive should then look at the various options which may include disciplinary action against one or more members, recomendations about how the Aberdeenshire group should be run and a mediation and/or reconciliation process.
If the Scottish Executive continue on their current course they not only risk losing four of the most experienced and committed campaigners in the party, but also diverting many other active Lib Dems into an ongoing campaign to win justice.
I hope the members of the Scottish executive will think again.
That means treating people fairly, defending the rights of the individual against those who hold institutional power, basing judgements on all the evidence and allowing people who have had accusations made against them to know what those accusations are and what the evidence against them is.
It is for that reason that I have become increasingly concerned about the Scottish Party's approach to the problems in Aberdeenshire.
For a very useful background to the history of the situation see Bernard Salmon's blog here.
Several other bloggers have also commented and I would like to associate myself with their views here, here and here.
For an insight into the thinking of the Scottish Executive when they discussed the proposal to suspend the three see ruaraidhdobson's blog here. If I had any doubts about the situation his account of the meeting - particularly his comments about the original planning decision - confirmed my view that the Scottish Executive have got this badly wrong.
By deciding to suspend three party members who are quite clearly on one side of a very complex situation, whilst refusing to investigate complaints made by those members, the Scottish Executive have acted inconsistently.
By deciding to look at the recent behaviour of the three, but not properly investigate all the issues that led to that recent behaviour, they are acting unjustly.
If they have any sense of justice at all the Scottish Executive will put the expulsion process on hold and instigate a full investigation into the history of events that have led to the current situation.
Once that has been done the Scottish Executive should then look at the various options which may include disciplinary action against one or more members, recomendations about how the Aberdeenshire group should be run and a mediation and/or reconciliation process.
If the Scottish Executive continue on their current course they not only risk losing four of the most experienced and committed campaigners in the party, but also diverting many other active Lib Dems into an ongoing campaign to win justice.
I hope the members of the Scottish executive will think again.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Freedom of Speech
Geert Wilders holds extremly unpleasant views with which I disagree fundamentally and which many people will find very offensive.
He has produced a film which links various verses of the Qur'an with various terrorist outrages in an attempt to unfairly tarnish the Muslim faith as a whole with a belief in terrorism.
Unfortunately the Government appears to believe that because they find his views unacceptable and/or offensive, or they fear that some people may find it so, they have stopped him from entering the UK.
Strangely though they have not banned the film itself.
In my view freedom of speech is only worth having if one supports it for people one most strongly disagrees with.
The line we should draw, in my view, is when it comes to actual incitement to violence. If a film actually incites violence, or someone speaking at the showing of a film actually incites violence, then they should feel the full weight of the law.
However, offensive as it is, the film does not incite violence at all.
You can see it here and judge for yourself.
Please do let me know, if after watching the film, you have been incited to violence.
There was a very good debate on newsnight about this last night which you can see here. Maajid Nawas of the moderate Muslim Quillam Foundation argues the liberal case very effectively alongside Christian writer Rev Jay Smith.
As Maajid argues, I want to be able to hear arguments I disagree with, have the opportunity to argue against them, and have enough confidence in my arguments that they will prevail.
I do not want or need Government Ministers to decide what arguments I am capable of judging sensibly. I can decide that for myself, thanks very much.
(Oh - and Keith Vaz is an idiot.)
He has produced a film which links various verses of the Qur'an with various terrorist outrages in an attempt to unfairly tarnish the Muslim faith as a whole with a belief in terrorism.
Unfortunately the Government appears to believe that because they find his views unacceptable and/or offensive, or they fear that some people may find it so, they have stopped him from entering the UK.
Strangely though they have not banned the film itself.
In my view freedom of speech is only worth having if one supports it for people one most strongly disagrees with.
The line we should draw, in my view, is when it comes to actual incitement to violence. If a film actually incites violence, or someone speaking at the showing of a film actually incites violence, then they should feel the full weight of the law.
However, offensive as it is, the film does not incite violence at all.
You can see it here and judge for yourself.
Please do let me know, if after watching the film, you have been incited to violence.
There was a very good debate on newsnight about this last night which you can see here. Maajid Nawas of the moderate Muslim Quillam Foundation argues the liberal case very effectively alongside Christian writer Rev Jay Smith.
As Maajid argues, I want to be able to hear arguments I disagree with, have the opportunity to argue against them, and have enough confidence in my arguments that they will prevail.
I do not want or need Government Ministers to decide what arguments I am capable of judging sensibly. I can decide that for myself, thanks very much.
(Oh - and Keith Vaz is an idiot.)
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
What planet are they on?
According to this mornings papers, Ministers are 'trying to negotiate' a cap on RBS bonuses of £25,000.
This is 'a bid to silence the public outcry over the City's culture of huge rewards and dangerous risk-taking'.
What planet are the Government on?
We OWN 68% of RBS. Ministers shouldn't be negotiating, they should be telling RBS to take a running jump, preferably from a very high floor.
The fact that RBS are even suggesting bonuses in the current situation shows that they still have not got the first clue about their culpability for the financial crisis nor any idea of how they are seen by the rest of the population who have had to bail them out.
The fact that a Labour Government thinks a cap on bonuses, set at a level higher than most people earn in a year, is in any way acceptable, shows how comepletely out of touch they are with reality too.
And is it really too much to ask that there might be at least a hint that the Government's motives might have something to do with what is right, rather than what is expedient?
Bankers should not be getting any bonuses at all, for several years if ever again.
Senior Executives, whose massive salaries were justified on the basis that high salaries were needed to attract 'the best people' have blown that theory right out of the water. They trousered millions in the good times, and they should be taking salary cuts now.
And we, or at least anyone who is still feeding the profits of these numpties, because we share the blame for letting them get away with it, should move our accounts to the nearest mutual building society.
This is 'a bid to silence the public outcry over the City's culture of huge rewards and dangerous risk-taking'.
What planet are the Government on?
We OWN 68% of RBS. Ministers shouldn't be negotiating, they should be telling RBS to take a running jump, preferably from a very high floor.
The fact that RBS are even suggesting bonuses in the current situation shows that they still have not got the first clue about their culpability for the financial crisis nor any idea of how they are seen by the rest of the population who have had to bail them out.
The fact that a Labour Government thinks a cap on bonuses, set at a level higher than most people earn in a year, is in any way acceptable, shows how comepletely out of touch they are with reality too.
And is it really too much to ask that there might be at least a hint that the Government's motives might have something to do with what is right, rather than what is expedient?
Bankers should not be getting any bonuses at all, for several years if ever again.
Senior Executives, whose massive salaries were justified on the basis that high salaries were needed to attract 'the best people' have blown that theory right out of the water. They trousered millions in the good times, and they should be taking salary cuts now.
And we, or at least anyone who is still feeding the profits of these numpties, because we share the blame for letting them get away with it, should move our accounts to the nearest mutual building society.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
The Democrats have just about won another one
Despite Obama's victory feeling like old news, November's US elections are still not quite finished.
The recount in Minnesota has now been certified unanimously by the state canvassing board and this puts Democrat Al Franken ahead by a handful of votes.
But he is not home and dry. Republican Norm Coleman has issued a legal challnge (having previously opposed such tactics when he was ahead!) which means that Franken cannot be officially declared the winner just yet.
hat tip: MyDD
The recount in Minnesota has now been certified unanimously by the state canvassing board and this puts Democrat Al Franken ahead by a handful of votes.
But he is not home and dry. Republican Norm Coleman has issued a legal challnge (having previously opposed such tactics when he was ahead!) which means that Franken cannot be officially declared the winner just yet.
hat tip: MyDD
For me, it's about investing in people's potential
I was delighted to be amongst those supporting the retention of our position on tuition fees at last night's FPC meeting.
For me this issue is not about the detail, but about sending a clear message that the Liberal Democrats believe that it is the role of the state to help each individual fulfil their own potential.
Large levels of student debt, attached to the individual, make it hard for people to make a free choice about their own development.
Rather than saying that education is about personal fulfilment, individual debt makes it about repayment.
By taking a clear position on tuition fees, we make it clear that we are on the side of investing in people's potential, and that individuals should be able to make choices about their higher education based on their ambitions, not their bank balance.
It is also important for me that we should treat adults as adults, rather than base their entitlement on the income of their parents.
Our message on tuition fees at the last two elections, and on the penny on income tax for education before that, struck a real chord with people because it clearly identified the Lib Dems as the party that believed in investing in education and in opportunities for all.
I'm now confident that the raft of policies that are being developed from early years through to Higher education will do just that.
For me this issue is not about the detail, but about sending a clear message that the Liberal Democrats believe that it is the role of the state to help each individual fulfil their own potential.
Large levels of student debt, attached to the individual, make it hard for people to make a free choice about their own development.
Rather than saying that education is about personal fulfilment, individual debt makes it about repayment.
By taking a clear position on tuition fees, we make it clear that we are on the side of investing in people's potential, and that individuals should be able to make choices about their higher education based on their ambitions, not their bank balance.
It is also important for me that we should treat adults as adults, rather than base their entitlement on the income of their parents.
Our message on tuition fees at the last two elections, and on the penny on income tax for education before that, struck a real chord with people because it clearly identified the Lib Dems as the party that believed in investing in education and in opportunities for all.
I'm now confident that the raft of policies that are being developed from early years through to Higher education will do just that.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Santa Claus is Coming to Town ...
Jonathan over at Liberal England has already wished us a merry christmas with one of my favourite christmas songs - Solstice Bells by Jethro Tull - whose folksy sound is somehow appropriate at this time of year.
For anyone else still up waiting for children to settle down so that they can perform their Santa duties, here's another of my favourites:
For anyone else still up waiting for children to settle down so that they can perform their Santa duties, here's another of my favourites:
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Will the real David Cameron please step forward
'Dave' seems a might confused.
Writing in The Daily Mail on December 8th he said:
"Work gives life shape. It gives people esteem and responsibility. It powers our economy. So we’re going to end the something-for-nothing culture. If you don’t take a reasonable offer of a job, you will lose benefits. No ifs, no buts."
But speaking earlier he said that it was 'not right' for the government to expect the mothers of pre-school children to be forced into work.
That sounds like quite a big 'but' to me.
Of course the more important point is that forcing single mothers of pre-school or primary school aged children into work by threatening to take their benefits away will do little to 'heal our broken society'.
Treating people with a bit of dignity might be a good start though.
Writing in The Daily Mail on December 8th he said:
"Work gives life shape. It gives people esteem and responsibility. It powers our economy. So we’re going to end the something-for-nothing culture. If you don’t take a reasonable offer of a job, you will lose benefits. No ifs, no buts."
But speaking earlier he said that it was 'not right' for the government to expect the mothers of pre-school children to be forced into work.
That sounds like quite a big 'but' to me.
Of course the more important point is that forcing single mothers of pre-school or primary school aged children into work by threatening to take their benefits away will do little to 'heal our broken society'.
Treating people with a bit of dignity might be a good start though.
Monday, December 08, 2008
Neil Trafford's Memorial Service
A series of videos of the Memorial Service which was held in Manchester on Friday is now up on You Tube here.
It is very moving and a wonderful tribute to Neil.
It is very moving and a wonderful tribute to Neil.
And these people think they can run the country?
For most of the 20 years I've been involved in politics I have never been able to work out how the party that has generally been the worse at managing its own budget seemed to believe itself best able to manage the economy.
Now it seems that despite having been doing better in the polls for many years, they have still managed to make a balls up of their own finances.
Conservative Home has the full story.
I particularly enjoyed this comment:
"The Board of the Conservative Party needs to start acting like a Board, not like (as former Australian Labor leader Mark Latham once said) a conga line of suckholes."
Hat tip: Lib Dem Voice
Now it seems that despite having been doing better in the polls for many years, they have still managed to make a balls up of their own finances.
Conservative Home has the full story.
I particularly enjoyed this comment:
"The Board of the Conservative Party needs to start acting like a Board, not like (as former Australian Labor leader Mark Latham once said) a conga line of suckholes."
Hat tip: Lib Dem Voice
Sunday, December 07, 2008
Sod politics, here' some rock n roll ...
The last fortnight for me has been dominated by the sad loss of a friend and colleague.
Politics by doom and gloom of various kinds.
But I spent Friday wondering if I was in the mood to go and see The Wildhearts who were playing at the Oxford Academy (or The Zodiac, as I like to think of it).
Well I did go, anf boy I'm glad I did.
The reformed A, with new addition John Mitchell on bass, were as superb as ever.
And the mighty Wildhearts were sensational.
They played a set chock full of their best live songs from across their career, starting with the more recent hit Vanilla Radio and ending with their classic mid nineties chart botherer, I Wanna Go Where The People Go.
The place was a sweatbox by the end of the gig and I felt a heck of a lot better for the experience.
If you like lively, loud rock you will love the Wildhearts.
There's still time to catch them at Wolverhampton tomorrow and in London on Wednesday.
In the meatime, here's one to liven up your Sunday evening:
Politics by doom and gloom of various kinds.
But I spent Friday wondering if I was in the mood to go and see The Wildhearts who were playing at the Oxford Academy (or The Zodiac, as I like to think of it).
Well I did go, anf boy I'm glad I did.
The reformed A, with new addition John Mitchell on bass, were as superb as ever.
And the mighty Wildhearts were sensational.
They played a set chock full of their best live songs from across their career, starting with the more recent hit Vanilla Radio and ending with their classic mid nineties chart botherer, I Wanna Go Where The People Go.
The place was a sweatbox by the end of the gig and I felt a heck of a lot better for the experience.
If you like lively, loud rock you will love the Wildhearts.
There's still time to catch them at Wolverhampton tomorrow and in London on Wednesday.
In the meatime, here's one to liven up your Sunday evening:
Thursday, December 04, 2008
Saying Good-bye to Neil Trafford
It is now eight days since I was told that Neil Trafford had died, and to be honest, I'm still struggling with the news.
I have made a few comments in other places but have found it quite difficult to write a full post.
I think I first met Neil in about 1994 when he was getting involved in the Lib Dem Youth & Students, who I then worked for. I have known him ever since as he worked in his various roles in the party and particularly these last few years as he worked as North West Campaigns Officer.
I can't really add much to what has already been said about Neil except to add my name to the long list of people who are proud to have counted him as a friend.
Neil's funeral was held yesterday in Swindon at Swindon Evangelical Church where Neil was and his family are members.
It was a bright sunny afternoon, just as it should be for Neil, and the Church was full.
Neil's parents, Mark and Lynne, spoke very movingly about Neil. They clearly loved him very much and were very proud of him. His father said that they had received many letters and phone calls and had seen the various comments posted about Neil online.
They spoke with great dignity, courage and compassion.
Hannah Trafford read from John 14.
Neil's close friend Emily also spoke about Neil, what a great friend he was, how much fun he was and how much he cared for everyone.
Neil's Pastor, Paul Williams, spoke about Neil and his memories of Neil's lobbying for a more democratic and inclusive church!
The hymns were some of Neil's favourites, Lord Be my Vision, My Jesus My Saviour, Great is the Lord and The Lords My Shepherd.
The service finished with a recording of 'Run' sung by Hannah Trafford, which beautifully sung and very moving.
The service was followed by a reception at a local hotel.
A lot of Neil's family and friends were there, along with many of us from the party. Several of the party's MPs were present, along with party staff, local members from the Swindon area and lots from Manchester.
I never find funerals easy, but it was good to see so many people that Neil had touched during his far too short but incredibly positive life.
If anyone would like to make a donation in Neil's memory please do so to the TEAR Fund - www.tearfund.org - a charity that Neil supported himself.
Good-bye Neil, and thanks for being you.
I have made a few comments in other places but have found it quite difficult to write a full post.
I think I first met Neil in about 1994 when he was getting involved in the Lib Dem Youth & Students, who I then worked for. I have known him ever since as he worked in his various roles in the party and particularly these last few years as he worked as North West Campaigns Officer.
I can't really add much to what has already been said about Neil except to add my name to the long list of people who are proud to have counted him as a friend.
Neil's funeral was held yesterday in Swindon at Swindon Evangelical Church where Neil was and his family are members.
It was a bright sunny afternoon, just as it should be for Neil, and the Church was full.
Neil's parents, Mark and Lynne, spoke very movingly about Neil. They clearly loved him very much and were very proud of him. His father said that they had received many letters and phone calls and had seen the various comments posted about Neil online.
They spoke with great dignity, courage and compassion.
Hannah Trafford read from John 14.
Neil's close friend Emily also spoke about Neil, what a great friend he was, how much fun he was and how much he cared for everyone.
Neil's Pastor, Paul Williams, spoke about Neil and his memories of Neil's lobbying for a more democratic and inclusive church!
The hymns were some of Neil's favourites, Lord Be my Vision, My Jesus My Saviour, Great is the Lord and The Lords My Shepherd.
The service finished with a recording of 'Run' sung by Hannah Trafford, which beautifully sung and very moving.
The service was followed by a reception at a local hotel.
A lot of Neil's family and friends were there, along with many of us from the party. Several of the party's MPs were present, along with party staff, local members from the Swindon area and lots from Manchester.
I never find funerals easy, but it was good to see so many people that Neil had touched during his far too short but incredibly positive life.
If anyone would like to make a donation in Neil's memory please do so to the TEAR Fund - www.tearfund.org - a charity that Neil supported himself.
Good-bye Neil, and thanks for being you.
Monday, December 01, 2008
Doctor Who 45th Anniversary – Why Was 1977 Brilliant?
Alex - hope it's not too serious and you get well soon.
I was looking forward to your take on 1977 so I hope you don't mind if I put my two-penneth in;-)
1977 was a simply fantastic year of Who.
To this then eight/nine year old boy it was compulsive viewing and much playground talk each week would be about the previous Saturday's episode and the one coming up.
Having said goodbye to Sarah Jane Smith at the end of 1976 and seen off the Master, January 1977 saw the arrival of the lovely Leela. This scantily clad 'savage' was something of a contrast with previous well turned out companions but made for a great double-act with Tom Baker's Doctor.
The show was in good hands with Producer Philip Hinchcliffe and Script Editor Robert Holmes taking the series in a more gothic direction. Storylines and scripts were strong - it doesn't get much better than Robots of Death, Talons of Weng Chiang and Horror of Fang Rock one after the other. I can still remember the drama of every one of these stories. It was during this period that Mary Whitehouse's criticism of the show was at its most strident - clear evidence that the show was doing well!
The scripts did not lose their humour, however, and Leela, in particular, had some great one liners.
My favourite, in The Face of Evil (I think):
The Doctor : "Would you like a Jelly Baby?"
Leela : "It's true then. They say the Evil One eats babies."
What to watch:
I'd recommend getting the DVD of The Talons of Weng Chiang. A strong story and script, and if, like me, you've got kids who love the new series, they'll love this one too. (And it's cheap on Amazon at the moment too).
I was looking forward to your take on 1977 so I hope you don't mind if I put my two-penneth in;-)
1977 was a simply fantastic year of Who.
To this then eight/nine year old boy it was compulsive viewing and much playground talk each week would be about the previous Saturday's episode and the one coming up.
Having said goodbye to Sarah Jane Smith at the end of 1976 and seen off the Master, January 1977 saw the arrival of the lovely Leela. This scantily clad 'savage' was something of a contrast with previous well turned out companions but made for a great double-act with Tom Baker's Doctor.
The show was in good hands with Producer Philip Hinchcliffe and Script Editor Robert Holmes taking the series in a more gothic direction. Storylines and scripts were strong - it doesn't get much better than Robots of Death, Talons of Weng Chiang and Horror of Fang Rock one after the other. I can still remember the drama of every one of these stories. It was during this period that Mary Whitehouse's criticism of the show was at its most strident - clear evidence that the show was doing well!
The scripts did not lose their humour, however, and Leela, in particular, had some great one liners.
My favourite, in The Face of Evil (I think):
The Doctor : "Would you like a Jelly Baby?"
Leela : "It's true then. They say the Evil One eats babies."
What to watch:
I'd recommend getting the DVD of The Talons of Weng Chiang. A strong story and script, and if, like me, you've got kids who love the new series, they'll love this one too. (And it's cheap on Amazon at the moment too).
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
The Olbermeister does it again
I was delighted to read that Keith Olbermann's contract with MSNBC has been renewed for another cycle.
MSNBC in general, and Keith Olbermann specifically, have had a real impact during the last few years in rebalancing US news following an unhappy period when FOX dominated the airwaves.
Keith's best moments have been his Special Comments - hard-hitting straight to camera statements on issues of the day. On several occaisions he has taken Bush to pieces, and this time he has nailed those who support the ban on gay marriage in California and other states.
It's very emotional, very strong and very clear, and answers anyone who doesn't beleive there are real liberals in the US:
MSNBC in general, and Keith Olbermann specifically, have had a real impact during the last few years in rebalancing US news following an unhappy period when FOX dominated the airwaves.
Keith's best moments have been his Special Comments - hard-hitting straight to camera statements on issues of the day. On several occaisions he has taken Bush to pieces, and this time he has nailed those who support the ban on gay marriage in California and other states.
It's very emotional, very strong and very clear, and answers anyone who doesn't beleive there are real liberals in the US:
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
History is made
Well he's done it!
Possibly the most historic US Presidential result of all time, and he'll take office almost exactly 100 years after the founding of the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People.
This could radically change the perception of race across the US and of the US across the globe.
Let's hope so.
In the meantime, another beer, in celebration ;-)
Possibly the most historic US Presidential result of all time, and he'll take office almost exactly 100 years after the founding of the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People.
This could radically change the perception of race across the US and of the US across the globe.
Let's hope so.
In the meantime, another beer, in celebration ;-)
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
How long would you wait in line to vote?
It seems pretty bizarre to me that the wealthiest country in the world doesn't seem able to organise itself to run an election properly - but such is the enthusiam generated by the campaign this time that it doesn't seem to be stopping folk from voting.
The Obama campaign have done a terrific job of making his supporters want to get out and vote for him, as the polling of early voters shows.
Such is the enthusiasm that 1,000 students in Pennsilvania were queuing up at 7am this morning ready to vote!
CNN's Jack Cafferty asked viewers how long they would stand in line to vote and I found the responses quite inspiring.
Amongst my favorites were:
Michelle from New Hampshire:
I am prepared and willing to wait all day. I have cleared my calendar to make sure I can spend the whole day. And the time I don’t spend waiting or voting, I will spend poll watching and holding signs. This is far too important not to make a personal sacrifice to make sure my vote counts. And, as an Army wife, one day of work loss is meaningless compared to the days my husband has and will spend on deployment. To all within the sound of your voice: Get out and vote!
LaShunda from Mobile, Alabama:
I am seven months pregnant and standing for long periods of time hurts my back tremendously, but in spite of my pain I plan on standing in line as long as it takes to exercise my right to vote, especially when those before me endured even greater hardships to have this right.
Joe St Louis, MO:
I have been waiting 8 years to vote…….
And this comment from a Candian reflects my own view:
Marie, Ontario:
Well Jack I’ve been voting here in Canada for over 40 years and can’t remember more than a half dozen people being in front of me in a line to vote.
This makes me wonder how a country that can send a man to the moon can’t organize and run elections without having so much turmoil and such lengthy delays at the polls.
Anyway to answer your question if I was an American I would wait all day and half the night to cast my vote for Obama as I feel it is just that important.
The Obama campaign have done a terrific job of making his supporters want to get out and vote for him, as the polling of early voters shows.
Such is the enthusiasm that 1,000 students in Pennsilvania were queuing up at 7am this morning ready to vote!
CNN's Jack Cafferty asked viewers how long they would stand in line to vote and I found the responses quite inspiring.
Amongst my favorites were:
Michelle from New Hampshire:
I am prepared and willing to wait all day. I have cleared my calendar to make sure I can spend the whole day. And the time I don’t spend waiting or voting, I will spend poll watching and holding signs. This is far too important not to make a personal sacrifice to make sure my vote counts. And, as an Army wife, one day of work loss is meaningless compared to the days my husband has and will spend on deployment. To all within the sound of your voice: Get out and vote!
LaShunda from Mobile, Alabama:
I am seven months pregnant and standing for long periods of time hurts my back tremendously, but in spite of my pain I plan on standing in line as long as it takes to exercise my right to vote, especially when those before me endured even greater hardships to have this right.
Joe St Louis, MO:
I have been waiting 8 years to vote…….
And this comment from a Candian reflects my own view:
Marie, Ontario:
Well Jack I’ve been voting here in Canada for over 40 years and can’t remember more than a half dozen people being in front of me in a line to vote.
This makes me wonder how a country that can send a man to the moon can’t organize and run elections without having so much turmoil and such lengthy delays at the polls.
Anyway to answer your question if I was an American I would wait all day and half the night to cast my vote for Obama as I feel it is just that important.
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