Random Thoughts

Random Thoughts for 9th May 2013

This is the latest in my series of Random Thoughts posts with links, things found on the web and other stuff that has occurred to me between 30th April 2013 and 9th May 2013:

Historical Figures for the 21st Century – Telegraph

This gallery shows portraits of historical figures updated as if they were alive today. It is a really interesting and thought provoking idea — although I think in most of these examples they’ve got it wrong. For me the one that really does work is Nelson. The updated portrait is striking and seems to make him appear even more heroic.

Liberal Mondays 2: Conrad Russell – The Liberal Cause

Alex has written a cracking second post in this, what I hope will be a sustained, series of articles — although quality writing on liberalism is easier to do when you are quoting extensively from Conrad Russell.

What The Hell Have The Lib Dems Done?

Newly updated with achievements.

What Nick Clegg should have said after Thursday’s elections

An alternative message from the leader via Gareth Epps.

Baby penguins

Hand-reared penguin chicks prove best of friends at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo.

South Shields by-election: Labour wins as UKIP makes big gains

No surprise Labour won. Good result for UKIP — bad result for everyone else. With the outcome not in doubt it was safe for people to use UKIP as a vehicle for protest — and they did.

ALDC Elections Results Service

A summary of the results from last Thursday’s local elections.

How the Liberal Democrats should respond to UKIP

I’d put it more strongly than Mark but he’s one the right lines.

9th May 2013 11:54 am 0 Random Thoughts

Random Thoughts for 29th April 2013

This is the latest in my series of Random Thoughts posts with links, things found on the web and other stuff that has occurred to me between 20th April 2013 and 29th April 2013:

Liberal Democrats for Electoral Reform

The Liberal Democrats for Electoral Reform have set up a new website as part of the Reform Groups Network.

Burn our planet or face financial meltdown. Not much of a choice – Will Hutton

This is one of the more depressing things I’ve read recently. But what is for me more depressing is that current political discourse — including most of the time amongst liberals — is so far away from considering the challenge that Hutton outlines;

“Contemporary capitalism faces both a crisis of legitimacy and effectiveness…..What is needed is a new vision of how to do capitalism in which enlightened self-interest is hard-wired into its operation, saving us from decades of austerity and environmental disaster. There are instruments at hand…and they mesh with larger arguments for stakeholder capitalism. The political task is to bind them together to underpin a new consensus and a new narrative. There is no time to lose.”

Liberal Mondays 1: Alfred Russel Wallace

Alex on the Victorian naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace’s liberalism.

Memorabilia: Kelvin Hopkins MP

My local MP is featured in Total Politics magazine talking about a favourite piece of political memorabilia. Not that he is in any way predictable — but — he has chosen a copy of the Labour Party’s 1945 general election manifesto.

Local elections: it’s not just the Tories who should beware Ukip

The big unknown factor in the forthcoming local will be the impact of UKIP. Andrew Rawnsley looks at what might lie behind their appeal. I thought this part instructive:

“All the main parties have cause to be anxious about Ukip and so all have been trying to understand the rise of the Farageists. One way they do this is to put together focus groups of voters who have switched to Ukip to try to fathom why these people are attracted to Nigel Farage’s gang. One senior party strategist says he listened in some wonderment as his focus group of Ukip voters spent an entire 90-minute session wailing and gnashing their teeth about the state of Britain. Not a good word did they have to say about the country today. At the end of the session, he thanked them for their time, and said he had one more question. Was there anything about Britain that made them feel proud? There was a silence. Then one man leant forward and said: “The past.” The rest of the group nodded in agreement.”

29th April 2013 5:41 pm 0 Random Thoughts

Random Thoughts for 19th April 2013: lemurs and libel

This is the latest in my series of Random Thoughts posts with links, things found on the web and other stuff that has occurred to me between 11th April 2013 and 19th April 2013:

Whipsnade Zoo: Lemur Island welcomes new residents

I know I should be more mature about this — but lemurs are just the coolest things ever!

Naval strategy lessons for the NHS

David Boyle on why Nelson’s “Band of Brothers” leadership style should be applied to the management of public services. Great stuff.

How Liberal Democrat MPs voted against making it far harder for companies to misuse libel | Jack of Kent

Liberal Democrat MPs have been getting themselves in a mess over the reform of libel law that is currently passing through parliament. Another reason to shake ones head in pained embarrassment. IANAL but the case for the extension of the so-called Derbyshire principle to private companies providing public functions seems difficult to argue with.

Simon Singh on why libel reform is needed to stop companies bullying their critics

However, all may not be lost. The Government have given some vague indications that they might re-introduced into the bill the missing measures tackling corporate power. We will find out next week how genuine this is.

Photos: Lady Thatcher’s lasting Downing Street legacy

Mostly been ignoring all the Thatcher stuff – although not entirely. One legacy of Thatcher that I don’t have an argument with is the mark she left on the fabric of Downing Street.

Dr Alun Wyburn-Powell: Want to know the politics of an area? Dig a hole

If you find chalk you are in a Conservative area – that’s the theory. Hang on I thought, not around here. Luton being built on the chalk downland of the The Chilterns. But then I realised Luton’s Labour held constituencies are really the exception that proves the rule.

GOV.UK wins Design of the Year 2013

You might not immediately look to central government for sexy design on the web – but actually the Government Digital Service is doing some pretty impressive stuff.

19th April 2013 10:01 am 0 Random Thoughts

Random Thoughts for 8th April 2013: A late March catch-up

This is the latest in my series of Random Thoughts posts with links, things found on the web and other stuff that has occurred to me between 19th March 2013 and 8th April 2013. This is a catch up of things from the end of March and the beginning April 2013. Probably appears even more random than usual as I am posting it late and have been erratic in adding links.

Look at the tracks of lost railway lines

On the 50th anniversary of the Beeching Report a look at its impact on Bedfordshire.

Why Monty Panesar should be the next leader of the Liberal Democrats

I fully approve of Mark’s inspired idea. Only the best people come from Luton you know!

Early Easter treat for cheetah cubs

Cheetah cubs playing with Easter eggs at Whipsnade Zoo.

A sensible reform to Lib Dem selection rules – giving a warmer welcome to returning lapsed members

Last November Mark Pack was developing some proposals to change the internal rules of the Lib Dems with regard to the rights of lapsed members to vote in selections. Proposals to which I responded. While his proposals haven’t been adopted, Mark reports that the English Candidates Committee has decided on a sensible reform to relax the rules.

Should Britain let go of London?

An interesting and challenging film from the BBC’s economics editor, Stephanie Flanders, looking at the wider consequences for Britain of the power of London. The essential arguments will be familiar to most Liberal Democrats, but I thought it was an interesting way of looking at the issue.

Yes, George, It’s An Elephant….

A good post on the budget from Gareth Epps. Essentially a plague on all your elephants – but Vince is still the biggest beast.

Who won?

Mark D’Arcy argues that the winner in the debate over the Leveson report was Parliament. I think this is right. Whatever your views on the outcome, we have seen an assertion of the will of Parliament against (at least part of) the Executive and the Press barons. This is partly a function of coalition – but also greater assertiveness and willingness to work across party lines amongst members of both houses of Parliament.

Press regulation: who has won?

Guardian columnist Michael White regularly irritates me, but when he is right he is very good. This is a superb summary of where things stand after the parliamentary manoeuvrings over implementing the Leveson Report. a good antidote to some of the ridiculous hyperbole the issue has generated.

House of Lords blocks ‘shares for rights’ plan

Having Liberal Democrats in Government doesn’t stop all Tory nonsense – but sometimes that is what the House of Lords is for. Here I quote, the excellent, cross-bench peer Lord Pannick:

“Employment rights were created and have been protected by all governments – Conservative and Labour – precisely because of the inequality of bargaining power between employer and employee.”

“To allow these basic employment rights to become a commodity that can be traded by agreement frustrates the very purposes of these entitlements as essential protection of the employee who lacks effective bargaining power.”

Watch Paddy Ashdown’s cracking speech to the Lib Dem spring conference

Paddy nails it.

10th April 2013 4:48 pm 0 Random Thoughts

Random Thoughts for 20th February 2013: Richard Briers, Caedmon and Ella Fitzgerald

This is the latest in my series of Random Thoughts posts with links, things found on the web and other stuff that has occurred to me between 12th February 2013 and 19th February 2013:

The Liberal Democrats are the only fair tax party – Danny Alexander

“In government, Labour increased tax on low income households; in government the Lib Dems have led the largest programme of tax cuts for working people for a generation. If it’s fairer taxes you want, the Liberal Democrats are the real thing and Labour a pale imitation.”

New Lib Dem peerages: runners and riders

A good analysis of the potential names in the frame for new Lib Dem peerages from Liberator’s blog.

The educational charities that do PR for the rightwing ultra-rich

Should think tanks have to disclose who funds them in the same way that political parties do? That was the question I was asking after reading this George Monbiot article.

Roobarb and Custard 1974

I’ve been reading various people’s reactions to the news of the death of the actor Richard Briers this week. They seem to be divided between those who want to highlight his theatre and Shakespearian roles, those who remember his various TV sitcom characters, and then those who want to talk about his narration for the children’s series ‘Roobarb and Custard’. Which means I have now had that theme tune in my head for the last day or so. I don’t see why I should suffer alone:

Fathom (1967) – IMDb

For some reason I’ve always remembered Richard Briers role in the silly 60′s Raquel Welch spy caper film “Fathom”. Apart from the set piece girl on a parachute scenes there isn’t anything particularly memorable about this film which I can’t have actually seen for at least 25 years. So I was trying to work out why. I think it might be how Briers’ originally likeable character suddenly and chillingly turns nasty during the course of the film that made an impression. That was the thing about Richard Briers as an actor – there was often something unsettling about him. Even his most loved sitcom characters had an edge to them.

Richard Briers, Tom Good and the rise of Margaret Thatcher

That element of edge was there in Richard Briers portrayal of Tom Good.

Anglo-Saxon Portraits: Caedmon

In a previous ‘Random Thoughts’ post I recommended the Radio 3 Essay series looking at the Anglo-Saxons. Several more episodes have been added recently. Even if you have no interest in this period of history you really should listen to children’s writer David Almond’s deeply evocative depiction of Caedmon “the earliest English poet whose name is known”.

Man admits handling stolen Wenlok Jug

The thieves who stole the (since recovered) historic Wenlok Jug from Luton’s Stockwood Discovery Centre pleaded guilty at Luton Crown Court last week.

~~Ella Fitzgerald Sings ‘Summertime’ by George Gershwin, Berlin 1968~~

~~This is so lovely. There is a moment just over half way through that gave me goosebumps. (Hat tip Open Culture)~~ [Edit: Video was removed ]

20th February 2013 11:46 am 0 Random Thoughts

Random Thoughts for 11th February 2013

This is the latest in my series of Random Thoughts posts with links, things found on the web and other stuff that has occurred to me between 4th February 2013 and 11th February 2013:

Rare tiger unveiled at Whipsnade Zoo

The latest arrival at Whipsnade is a incredibly handsome Russian tiger named Botzman.

The Bailey Hill Water Tower, Luton Hoo Memorial Park, Luton LU1, 4 bedroom property for sale

One of Luton’s more unusual landmarks is up for sale. If you fancy living in a converted water tower you will need a spare £1.5m.

I worked for Adam Afriyie’s Adfero – it was the worst kind of churnalism

“There is a strand within the Conservative party that can’t help themselves when it comes to filling the internet with rubbish….”

The Serif Readability Myth

Thought this was interesting. Serif fonts are more readable than sans serif fonts, right? Apparently not –

“It turns out that, as with so many of the things we ‘know’ are right, the idea that serif typefaces are more readable than non-serif typefaces simply isn’t supported by the evidence. “

11th February 2013 6:04 pm 0 Random Thoughts

Random Thoughts for 2nd February 2013

This is the latest in my series of Random Thoughts posts with links, things found on the web and other stuff that has occurred to me between 28th January 2013 and 2nd February 2013. This is largely catching up on the political news in January.

David Laws announced as chair of manifesto working group

I don’t have as much problem with Laws in this role as I know some will have — However, it does demonstrate either a cavalier attitude to party management or a deliberate provocation of parts of the Party by Nick Clegg. Neither of which are good things. Other than that it is a membership far too biased towards Westminster parliamentarians. Radicalism (of the right kind) in the next manifesto may have to come from the conference floor…

And the winner of our Liberal Voice of the Year award is… Sam Bowman

Thought I better record the result of this poll as I wrote about my choice here. Not sure I learnt much from this result — other than not to take these things too seriously…..I tell a lie, I did learn who Sam Bowman was. Someone who, despite apparently being “positively prolific across 2012“, I hadn’t heard of until the shortlist was announced.

BBC News – ‘Energy efficiency’ Green Deal launched by government

Ed Davey MP writes… The Green Deal goes live

This is very good news and a critical Liberal Democrat achievement.

David Cameron’s great leap into the dark on Europe may prove fatal for him | Andrew Rawnsley | Comment is free | The Observer

There were two comment pieces that I read that I thought nailed the consequences of David Cameron’s recent speech on Europe. The first of these was this one by Andrew Rawnsley.

Cameron’s speech on Europe makes it less likely he will be Prime Minister after the next election – Comment – Voices – The Independent

The second piece I thought worth reading on Cameron’s Europe speech was this from Steve Richards.

London Clubs and Victorian Politics | History Today

Seth Thévoz on the role that the gentleman’s club played in supporting Victorian parliamentarians.

BBC News – Government ‘underestimates resolve’ of MPs to change Parliament

More welcome evidence of the growing assertiveness of parliamentary select committees. The excellent Sir Alan Beith is quoted: “the government does not yet seem to have fully absorbed the extent to which our expectations have changed….We really meant what we said about wanting more effective accountability…”

List of Labour’s 106 target seats for 2015 | Research | PoliticsHome

At the beginning of the month the Labour Party released a list of target seats for the 2015 General Election. No real surprises and all on the old boundaries of course. The only item of local interest is the inclusion of Bedford on the list.

2nd February 2013 8:36 pm 0 Random Thoughts

Random Thoughts for 24th January 2013

This is the latest in my series of Random Thoughts posts with links, things found on the web and other stuff that has occurred to me between 9th January 2013 and 24th January 2013:

150 great things about the Underground

This month we celebrated 150 years of the London Underground. So I am linking to this fantastic blog (hat-tip Liberal England ). Looking through it I was blown away by the richness and extent of the networks heritage. As well as the engineering and transport impact that ‘the Tube’ has had in those 150 years we shouldn’t forget the huge legacy of great design — in architecture and other areas.

BBC Radio 4 – Cabin Pressure

I hope you are all listening to the latest series of the Radio 4 sitcom ‘Cabin Pressure’ about “an airline for whom no job is too small but many, many jobs are too difficult”. An outstanding cast and outstanding writing.

Winterwatch, 1963 – The Big Freeze

I thoroughly enjoyed this showing of an archive documentary about the winter of 1963 that BBC Two’s Winterwatch provided last Saturday. As much for the style of news broadcasting as the story of the fierce winter.

The Real Blog: We need to be able to ‘conquer unemployment’ again

David Boyle lays down a challenge. “The truth is that the Lib Dems badly need a central organising economic idea. They have survived for too long now on a bundle of issues around fairness and civil liberties, which – although important – are not winning reasons for government.”

Managing Twitter: a How to Guide

I thought this guide to using Twitter from Jennie was rather wise, particularly the part about trying harder to be interesting. My use of Twitter is a bit disorganised so I need to follow some of this advice.

Love Me or Leave Me – Emeli Sande

I saw the New Year in, as is traditional, watching Jools Holland’s “Hootenanny” and jigging round the living room into the early hours of the morning. For me this was the highlight of the show. I wonderful version of one of my favourites.

24th January 2013 10:33 am 0 Random Thoughts

Random Thoughts for December 2012

This is the latest in my series of Random Thoughts posts with links, things found on the web and other stuff that has occurred to me. As there haven’t been any for awhile this is a catch up post for December 2012.

A baby yemen chameleon A year of zoo babies

A feature of these Random Thoughts posts throughout 2012 has been new arrivals at Whipsnade Zoo. Here is a round up of all the baby animals born at the zoo — which is really just an excuse to include this picture of a chameleon.

Fifteen years of BBC Online

Also in December the BBC celebrated the fifteenth anniversary of the launch of the bbc.co.uk website. This is one of those things that makes you pause and wonder at the pace of change.

European selection results

The Liberal Democrats selected their candidates for the next set of elections to the European Parliament. In all but one of the seats in England an incumbent MEP won a place at the top of the list. I have a growing concern that being a Liberal Democrat MEP is turning out to be a job for life and that this is not healthy. But other than the introduction of term limits I can’t see a way of preventing it.

Former Lutonian wins Turner Prize

The local papers got a little excited at the beginning of December as the winner of Turner Prize 2012, video artist Elizabeth Price, turned out to be a former Luton Sixth Form college and Putteridge High School pupil.

More about Elizabeth Price here:

ERS AGM – Motions and resolutions

If I hadn’t been attending the November 2012 meeting of the Liberal Democrat’s English Council I think I probably would have gone along to the AGM of the Electoral Reform Society held the same day. Here are the details of what was decided at that meeting. I am pleased to see the Society making the introduction of STV for local government elections in England a priority.

Liberal England: On the Buses explains the Jimmy Savile era

Jonathan Calder writes “Jimmy Savile came to prominence in that odd period between the dawn of the permissive society and the rise of feminism. This era took in the second half of the 1960s and most of the 1970s…And I am increasingly coming to the conclusion that the key texts in understanding this era are the three spin-off films made from the ITV comedy series On the Buses.”

andymstrange’s 2012 Jam Odyssey

In 2012 I started using the music sharing and discovery service This Is My Jam. Although I haven’t spent a huge amount of time on it I like the way it creates varied, often random and surprising playlists for you to listen to. They also have some nicely designed tools for you to use. At the end of the year they created a tool to combine all the tracks you had shared with them into a short mix. This is my ‘Jam Odyssey’ of all the tunes I have posted since I signed up. To be honest it sounds a bit of a mess, but have a listen anyway.

5th January 2013 11:20 pm 0 Random Thoughts

Random Thoughts for 19th November 2012

This is the latest in my series of Random Thoughts posts with links, things found on the web and other stuff that has occurred to me between 9th November 2012 and 19th November 2012:

David who? Bowles beats Cameron in poll of EU’s most influential Britons

Sharon Bowles makes it onto shortlist for Bank of England Governor

More news on Sharon Bowles MEP. Not only does she make it on to the shortlist for Governor of the Bank of England but she’s rated the most influential Brit in Europe. She seems to be having a good couple of months..

Slate Magazine: What happens when a protest candidate wins an election?

I loved this story about how a dead British naturalist got 4,000 write-in votes against a Georgia congressman who denounced evolution and other scientific theories as “lies straight from the pit of hell.” However, I am a bit shocked at how many seats, at both the state and the federal level, were uncontested in the recent US elections.

Liberator magazine now has a blog

A welcome edition to the range of Lib Dem bloggers. I liked Jennie’s description of the Liberator collective; “Liberator are the grumpy old men of the Lib Dems. They can be a bit blokey, but they’re generally amusing and their Liberal instincts are dead on.”

The liberalism of the long-distance runner

Chris Davies MEP is the “over-50 ultra-distance champion for 2012 in the national Runfurther championships”.

Think-tanks RSS feed from Stephen Tall

I wanted to give this good idea from Stephen a quick plug. An aggregator of the RSS feeds from the websites of 20 UK think tanks.

Sarah Teather: Asylum through a child’s eyes

I recently highlighted the cross-party inquiry into whether the current asylum support system provided by the Home Office for those seeking protection in the UK meets the needs of children and families which is to be led by former Children’s Minister Sarah Teather MP. Here Sarah writes for PoliticsHome about the inquiry.

19th November 2012 1:26 pm 0 Random Thoughts