Monthly Archives: June 2011

TweetInteresting news via Mark Pack on Liberal Democrat Voice: Labour MPs yesterday split three ways in a Commons vote on one of the government’s key environmental proposals The committee vote came in the House of Commons on the statutory instrument … Continue reading →

TweetCross posted from Liberal Democrat Voice: A bit of a surprise at Prime MInister’s Questions. I expected Ed Miliband to ask about public sector pensions and the strike tomorrow. It was a bit odd when he asked about the NHS. … Continue reading →

TweetI have belatedly realised that my heroine, Melanie, was at Glastonbury. Here’s a rather shaky clip which shows her on the Spirit of ’71 stage with her son Beau-Jarred on guitar beside her. She’s a legend. Of course, the song … Continue reading →

TweetOf late, I have found much to disapprove in the government’s performance. Michael Gove would be one quick example. The man drives me nuts. But on public sector pensions I believe the government has got it right. It has been … Continue reading →

TweetI was talking to a friend last night about split infinitives. – As you do. The chat included the views of Ms Ann Widdecombe on the matter (she is very hot on correct use of the infinitive). But it reminded … Continue reading →

TweetHere is a comment from Robin Teverson, member of the House of Lords, in response to my post here on the recent Commons debate on the subject. I am reproducing it here to give it a tad more prominence that … Continue reading →

There are three reasons for optimism to take away from last night’s Commons debate on Lords reform. Continue reading →

TweetFrom Hansard: David Miliband (South Shields) (Lab): I apologise to the House for having to absent myself for a short period this evening. It is nice to be able to speak in the House in full and enthusiastic support of … Continue reading →

TweetFrom PoliticsHome: Liberal Democrat grassroots members are mounting a rebellion against the Coalition’s policies on academies and free schools, PoliticsHome has learned. Members of the Social Liberal Forum, a left-leaning group within the party, are developing a set of proposals … Continue reading →

TweetFrom Dot Commons on Politics Home: This morning Michael Gove railed against pupils being able to re-sit GCSE exams if they failed to make the grade the first time. He told Andrew Marr: “The problem that we had was instead … Continue reading →

Tweet It was great to see the Market Place in Newbury today. It’s the second day of the making of the Newbury Coat. Alongside the Farmer’s Market and traditional music beneath the wonderful sunshine it was idyllic. Tweet This Post … Continue reading →

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TweetFrom the front page pictured here. I am using special squint technology to to read the text: Police have won a court order to obtain a tape recording and signed statement in which the estranged wife of the Cabinet minister … Continue reading →

TweetDon McLean and his band are appearing on the Pyramid (Main) stage at Glastonbury tomorrow from 1.30pm-2.30pm. Good luck to Don and his excellent players. I am sure the audience will give them a great reception and really let fly … Continue reading →

TweetTwo weeks ago I blogged about Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) in relation to the Baby Peter inquiries. Now the hospital has been at the receiving end of a “stinging rebuke” in the esteemed medical journal The Lancet (free registration … Continue reading →

TweetWell, I am only reporting what happened. A regular reader and commenter, Mark Clark, has asked me to keep the world updated with regular Rick Santorum updates. Rick Santorum was on Glenn Beck’s Fox show. Glenn Beck said: “I could … Continue reading →

TweetHis Columbo character was a work of his genius. My favourite bit was when he would go to leave a suspect, then turn round at the door and say amiably: “oh….just one more thing….”. It always caught the suspect with … Continue reading →