Monthly Archives: May 2010
Lib-Dems caught Short
This fascinating little story on Michael Crick’s blog a few days ago seems to have gone virtually unnoticed. It appears that the Liberal Democrats are trying to get money meant for parties in opposition even though they are now part … Continue reading
Filed under Labour Party
The Death and Life of Charlie St Cloud by Ben Sherwood
Despite the resignation of David Laws, I have decided to go back to my tradition of book reviews over the weekend. Others will have much to say on Mr Laws. My only commment is that he clearly was in the … Continue reading
Filed under Labour Party
Please get blogging!
I was very pleased to receive the following from my old friend Mee Ling Ng, one of the founders of Chinese for Labour. Mee Ling has written this to Chinese for Labour members: “The Government intends to reduce the number … Continue reading
Filed under Labour Party
Education, Education, Education
The Queen’s Speech highlighted only one specific aspect of the educational system, local authority involvement. Having been a local authority school governor for over 20 years, I am not in favour of encouraging schools to opt our of local authority control. The … Continue reading
Filed under Labour Party
Reform of the House of Lords?
Following yesterday’s pomp and circumstance, what could be more apt than considering the promised reform of that most august institution, host to the state opening of parliament, the House of Lords itself? (By the way, did you know peers have … Continue reading
Filed under Labour Party
Goodbye and Good Riddance to Griffin
I was delighted today to see that Nick Griffin has announced his plans to step down as leader of the BNP. Any development that lessens the exposure of this man and his odious party should be welcomed. The election … Continue reading
Filed under Labour Party
More Tory than Reform
While not on the same scale as the MPs’ expenses disk, the Sunday Telegraph didn’t do badly in getting hold of the Queen’s Speech prior to the event. (As an aside, I’m not at all sure I approve of leaking … Continue reading
Filed under Labour Party
Military Solutions will not tackle the Root Causes of Military Based Extremism in Pakistan
Speaking at a hearing last week organised by London Green MEP Jean Lambert, Shama Mall, the Deputy Director of Church World Service – Pakistan/Afghanistan, stated her firm belief that the current focus on military solutions in Pakistan is incapable of tackling the root … Continue reading
Filed under Labour Party
It’s a Coalition World (or is it?)
As we come to the end of the May Strasbourg plenary session of the European Parliament, I ask myself, “What difference has the change in government UK made?” and more specifically, “Looking at the European Parliament, would you know the … Continue reading
Filed under Labour Party
Not even a small Change to the Strasbourg Circus
Earlier today we voted on an amendment to the 2011 European Parliament calendar which sought to combine the two Strasbourg sessions proposed for September 2011 into one week. This would mean that MEPs and staff would only come to Strasbourg once … Continue reading
Filed under Labour Party
