CAMPAIGN FOR GENDER BALANCE
Bringing Balance through Support
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CAMPAIGN FOR GENDER BALANCE Bringing Balance through Support |
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| CAMPAIGN FOR GENDER BALANCE | <info@genderbalance.org.uk> | 30th July 2010 |
Don't know what blogging is? Check out the BBC's webwise website. Campaign for Gender Balance Blog AwardsThe Campaign for Gender Balance has announced the shortlists for its Blog Awards, to be announced at the Liberal Democrat Spring Conference. The shortlists are as follows: 
Best Blog by a Woman Liberal DemocratThis shortlist will form the basis of two awards - the Judge's Choice and the Peoples' Choice. To vote in the People's Choice category, follow this link: http://cgbblog.notlong.com/ 
Best Blog Post by a Woman Liberal Democrat
Best Blog by a Woman Non-Liberal DemocratWe are sad to report that Rose Hacker died on 4 February, one month before her 102nd birthday. Her remaining columns are continuing to be published by the Camden New Journal. Congratulations to everyone who has been shortlisted and commiserations to everyone who was not. The final results will be announced at the Campaign for Gender Balance Blog Awards' Drinks Reception, taking place on Saturday 8th March 2008, between 8.00pm and 9.30pm, at Canada Suite, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Liverpool. The awards will be decided by a prestigious team of judges:
To read blogs by Liberal Democrats (women and men), see the Lib Dem Blogs website (http://www.libdemblogs.co.uk). Latest Lib Dem BlogsFri 30th Jul 2010: Announcements about making it easier for people to get back to work are interesting. One of the big issues I had raised with me during the election was people in low paid employment who were being penalised by the system where they were worse off in work. It isn't just benefits people lose when starting to work, it is free school meals, free health entitlements such as prescriptions and so on. ... Ed Miliband Supports Marriage Equality. The final piece of the puzzle falls into place. Ed Miliband has, in a Twitter message to me, confirmed his support for marriage equality. "@JaeKay Got asked abt this today &made clear I support principle of gay marriage. Need to consult on how to implement." That is now all five Labour leader candidates on board the marriage equality bus. UPDATE: Here's earwicga's actual question and answer earlier. If you feel benevolent and particularly generous, this writer always appreciates things bought for him from his wishlist Apologies for a couple of days with no bloggings. Or, if you prefer, apologies for returning when you may have thought I'd gone for good. I haven't gone for good, although things might be a bit sporadic over the next few weeks as I get hitched and then disappear off on honeymoon. My own wedding (coincidentally taking place at precisely the same time as my fiancee's) is next Saturday, but tomorrow is a dummy run in the form of another wedding to which we've been invited. I did consider dressing in next weekend's clothes to get a practice session in, ... Labour reveals its true nature - hypocritical, disingenuous and tribal. I have to admit it. There have been a few times in my life when this thought has crossed my mind: "Why don't I join the Labour party?" The last time this thought occurred to me, for example, was in 1989. I have since had a team of scientists measuring the duration of that thought. Using measurement systems normally used to measure flashes of light which are so brief that they are invisible to the naked eye, they have recorded that thought in 1989 as being of 0.0000000000000000000000000000101 nanoseconds in duration. But, I have to say, the behaviour of the ... The New Statesman arriving on a Friday is now a mixed blessing, given the unflinchingly hostile line it has taken to the coalition from day 1. The only way is seems able to treat the new government is with retro 80s-style anti-Thatcherite rhetoric. The theme of this week's issue is 'Politics and comedy' and includes an article on arts funding by alleged comedian Stewart Lee. Deploring the likelihood of cuts in state arts budgets, he comments: 'Artists are sensitive souls who may feel compromised by sponsorship' (article not available online so far as I can tell). But in that case ... Been researching the parking problem today. I've had a look at the Excel car park off Cavendish Street today and found a notice with a lot of conditions written on it. In amongst the blurb was a very small wheelchair icon, about 1" high and lettering about half an inch high saying that disabled drivers were not exempt from paying the normal fee. There are some very big objections to that. In the first place I had to get out of my car to read the wording, it was so small. That's not easy for a disabled driver. Secondly the only place their conditions are displayed ... Motorbikes in Transport for London bus lanes. TfL have just started the second trial of allowing motorbikes in its bus lanes across London. The first trial was a failure in that motorbikes were found to break the speed limit more and have more collisions and more serious collisions. By any measure the trial has shown this idea should end. Repeating a failed trial is abject failure in political leadership by Boris. By repeating the trial he will presumably keep the motorbike lobby happy but at what cost to London. The first trial suggests no increase in cyclist casualties. I suspect many cyclists have voted with their bikes. ... "Ultimately The Way You Lead Can Be No Better Than The Way You Live" Judah Smith I often sing the praises of the Audit Committee. It's a good example of councillors working together in robust inquiry into the way the county council is run. And in Wednesday's council meeting its chair gave a very honest appraisal of how things stand. You can judge it for yourself: For 2009-10, the responsibility for approving the Annual Statement of Accounts, which includes the Annual Governance Statement, has been discharged to the Audit Committee. I would like to thank the Committee members for the commitment they have given to meeting this responsibility, and in particular the robust challenge they have ... Walk Score helps people live a carfree lifestyle by measuring how walkable a place is - not just how pretty the area is for walking. The Walk Score uses data and mapping from Google Maps to provide coverage of the walkability of any address in the world. Although it only gives an approximation of walkability, Walk Score believes it is useful tool to motivate people to get out and walk. Walk Score shows amenities within walking distance - such as restaurants, shops, parks, schools or libraries - and awards points depending on the closeness of the amenity, with the most ... Parliamentary privilege doesn't protect against criminal trial. Three former Labour MPs and a Conservative peer lost their appeals this morning, over last month's ruling that they could not avoid trial for alleged expenses fraud by claiming Parliamentary privilege. From the BBC: Elliott Morley, David Chaytor, Jim Devine and Lord Hanningfield had argued at the Court of Appeal that only Parliament could hear their case. The four all deny charges of false accounting over their expenses. The charges carry a maximum sentence of seven years' imprisonment. The men had appealed against a ruling in June by Mr Justice Saunders sitting at Southwark Crown Court in central London. The ... High Leicestershire knife terror probed. From the Harborough Mail website: An 11-year-old boy has been excluded from school after brandishing a knife in front of horrified fellow pupils. The boy was found with the knife while on a school bus which was parked at Uppingham Community College waiting to take pupils home to villages in the north of Harborough district, including Skeffington, Tilton on the Hill and Tugby. Worrying stuff, particularly when you read the quote from a parent: "Children on the bus were absolutely horrified by it. My children came home frightened to death. "There are a lot of worried parents as a result ... A whirlwind tour of the best of the blogosphere: Terence Eden talks about how he nearly got sued by the BPI Tom Harris' podcast with Doctor Who producer Steven Moffatt could just as easily be titled "Two smug boys on the Terrace". They are smugger than a cat who's managed to get the entire country's supply of cream but the podcast is very funny even if it doesn't tell you that much. Spidey tackles Labour accusations that we've sold our soul to the devil. Dib Lemming is sad that the press are making political capital out of the tragic suicide ... Came across this term and was mystified until I read on..... www.carfreewalks.org Idea is that many ramblers drive to the start of a walk and then walk. In fact many cyclists drive to a great start for cycle. Terrible for the environment and for me would ruin the whole point of going for a walk or cycle. Take a look at the website. Try a walk via public transport. @stephentall's weekly Twitter updates for 2010-07-30. RT @libdig Tories Disrespect Vince By Repeating What He Said Last Week | @achinton sets the record straight http://libdig.co.uk/2096 # RT @libdig New Tory/Ashcroft poll shows Lib Dems suffering badly | Beau Bo D'Or http://libdig.co.uk/2097 < Joke didn't work well for Thatch. # @jamesgraham But well what? [IMG: :)] in reply to jamesgraham # @nextleft re 'coupon election' interesting post but unconvinced by LG/Asquith parallels. LDs don't have 2 warring alternative leaders (yet!) in reply to nextleft # RT @libdemvoice Nick Clegg meets ... Abingdon. Live now on Sky News http://news.sky.com/skynews House Points: We should enjoy being in government. This week's heartfelt, if disgustingly loyalist, House Points column from Liberal Democrat News. World Wide Words has a short article on these Dutch expressions. Interestingly, it seems that the one you hear most often today - "Dutch auction" - originally had no pejorative sense but has acquired it by association over the years. Going Dutch The English language embodies our history, and there is a little group of expressions that remind us of a forgotten corner of it. 'Dutch courage,' 'Dutch treat' and 'Dutch concert' were all coined in the latter half of the 17th century when we were fighting ... Political Earthquake in North East Somerset. Congratulations to Councillor Simon Allen and Keynsham Town Councillor Andy Halliday. Both Liberal Democrats were elected last night with significant majorities after energetic campaigns. These two elections were held in what until recent times have been rock solid Labour strongholds with Independents challenging in Radstock and Conservatives in Keynsham South. A by-election for Radstock ward on B&NES was called after the death of an Independent member; Labour had expected to win the seat in this former mining town. However, Simon was an excellent local candidate, backed up by the best Liberal Democrat campaign team in the West. The Liberal Democrats ... This week the Government announcemed a key Liberal Democrat policy of the Pupil Premium next September. This will make a big difference for many children in our area. It will mean that funds will be provided for local schools to allow children from disadvantaged backgrounds to receive the extra support they deserve, allowing them to have an equal chance for a good education, no matter which school they go to in our area and across the country. In Southwark we've seen an incredibly rapid rise in pupil achievement over the last seven years while Lib Dems ran the council, but ... Lib Dem Voice carries a press release from Ming Campbell on Trident. (and for those who saw BBC2's 5 days I wonder if Ming has a pet-and does he look like it?): 'If fierce cuts are to be made in Britain's conventional forces, surely we have to consider whether replacing Trident can be justified' I don't really care if the Tories come round to our way of thinking on the grounds of cost, or because of a more sensible recognition of our strategic needs or for moral reason. Labour failed to make the right decision on any grounds. Mind you ... Elephant & Castle regeneration. The Labour leader in Southwark has signed an agreement to redevelop the Elephant & Castle area. This agreement is considerably revised version of the draft agreed with the Lib Dems but the local elections this year got in the way of it being signed. By my estimates it will result in between £100M and £200M less for the residents of Southwark in reduced social housing and overage. It also rips up the award winning proposal of Combined Heat and Power for the scheme. This makes the scheme far more carbon damaging. It also means no plans are in place to ... @DMiliband Comes Out In Support Of Marriage Equality. David Miliband has undergone a Damascene conversion, and today came out in support of equal marriage, becoming the fourth (of five) Labour leader candidate to support it. His brother Ed Miliband remains the only hold out. Please rate up my question to him on Yoosk in the hopes of encouraging him to join the equality club. In other news, Angela Eagle (Labour MP) supports anti-marriage Penny Wong and Elton John first besmirches straight marriage (by divorcing) then says no to gay marriage. Nice guy. If you feel benevolent and particularly generous, this writer always appreciates things bought for him from ... The B&NES planning is currently considering an application to generate power from the river at Iford Manor using an archimedian screw hydopower installation. It is a great scheme and I have put in a comment in support to the application. It is great to see mini generating solutions coming through to generate green clean energy. The main document can be read at this LINK It's 20 years since I was last in Algiers. In the interim, Algeria's capital was often plagued by terrorist violence and kidnappings. Mercifully, that is all over and the city itself is being restored to its former glory. Although some of the post-independence suburbs are pretty horrid, the city centre is glorious and deservedly bears the ... The "Evening Telegraph" tonight covered the challenging situation facing Dundee City Council in relation to its future budgets. Today, the City Council's Chief Executive has confirmed to him that he is to bring a report about the 2011/12 council budget to the City Council's Policy and Resources Committee on 23rd August. I had asked Chief Executive David Dorward about the budget situation following this week's publication of Scotland's Independent Budget Review. He replied today : "The chief officers have been working quite extensively on preparing for the 2011/12 Revenue Budget and the implementation of the Corporate Improvement Plan that was ... Looks like we'll soon be getting our kitchen back. Hooray! We've had to have a new roof put on because the old one was leaking. Of course as soon as the guys started the job our lovely summer weather turned a "bit back-endish" as we say ... High luxury portaloos for Clinton wedding. The New York Times reports that all suppliers to the Chelsea Clinton wedding have signed confidentiality agreements. So, despite tramping around all the shops and businesses in Rhinebeck, New Jersey (close to the location of the wedding), the Times' intrepid reporters couldn't get a squeak out of any of those business owners who are supplying anything to the wedding. But that hasn't stopped celebrity chin-waggers like those on Fox 5, a local New York station (which, from my viewing seems quite a good station, with none of the dodginess of its more famous sister station, Fox News) from breathlessly putting ... Michael Moore's Capitalism: A Love Story review‏. I recently watched Michael Moore's documentary Capitalism: A Love Story. I always enjoy Michael Moore's films but I do always have problems wrestling with the agenda of his stories. Although often don't disagree with the agenda I don't like have it smacked in my face every five minutes. This of course does happen in Moore's films. This film covers how capitalism is not working for the working people of America and goes on to say all the problems with it. Its not offering alternatives just suggests that it needs control. there is plenty of ammo for him to get his ... I always had a laugh when I saw "Poughkeepsie" on the TV weather map. Of course, it is highly tempting to pronounce it "Poohkeepsie" but it is actually pronounce "PUH KIP SEE" - apparently. Schenectady is another good one – also in New York state. It's pronounced "Skinny Atlas", believe it or not. But my favourite is Throgs Neck Bridge. It's quite a beautiful bridge in Queens – here's a photo from the Metropolitan Transport Authority's site: The fact that George Osborne has placed the cost of Trident within the Defence budget is quite an interesting gamble. It's bound to enrage MoD types, and it's made Dr Liam Fox, our esteemed Secretary of State for Defence, even more of a pariah than he already is. The odds on Liam Fox being the ... Gulf oil spill - has over-hype led to actual economic damage? On Tuesday, the front page of the New York Times showed a series of map graphics of the Gulf oil spill, under the title "Gulf surface oil is vanishing fast; Concerns stay". (it is typical of the NYT, bless them, to have a headline which is so well balanced and contains a semi-colon). Those graphics are available as an excellent time-phased online tool which shows the impact of the spill since it started. What was remarkable about the NYT maps is that, as of now, the sea surface oil in the gulf is minimal. Just a few small, light patches ... Reading comes alive in Stockport. From the Council: People of all ages can explore the world of books and learning with Stockport Council's week long 'Reading Comes Alive' celebrations between 31st July- 6th August. A series of lively and informative free events will be taking place throughout the week in Merseyway Shopping Centre precinct, including: · Saturday 31st July 10am-4pm and Sunday 1st August 11am-4pm - "Summer Reading" - what's hot and what's not; find out about the best of summer reading · Monday 2nd August - "Help yourself to better health" - help and support from organisations such as Stockport Health Trainers, stop smoking, ... My aversion to Follow Friday on Twitter continues at full speed this week so brace yourself for the full on Spidey's web treatment and see if you or your blog caught in the web! Top 10 tweeters CTerry1985 – Called ... Continue reading → Ming: Trident must be included in Strategic Defence Review. A press release arrives in the Lib Dem Voice in-tray: Commenting on George Osborne's announcement that the Ministry of Defence will be responsible for the cost of replacing Trident, Liberal Democrat MP, Sir Menzies Campbell said: "This confirmation of what had already been predicted makes it essential that the case for like-for-like replacement of Trident should, as the Liberal Democrats have agreed, be part of the Strategic Defence Review. "How can you possibly take on such a large financial commitment as Trident without considering the military and political implications? "If fierce cuts are to be made in Britain's conventional forces, ... Concessionary Fares - Is there a future? As the County Council prepares to take on the running of the National Concessionary Travel Scheme from the eleven district and borough councils in Hampshire, it is asking residents how they use their entitlement to a free bus pass.The transfer of concessionary fares from district authorities to county authorities was announced at the very end of the last Government. The transfer will take effect US States change law to avoid Al Gore 2000 situation. In many ways this is quite an extraordinary development. When you consider how the states of the US have fought over the years to keep their independence within the union, it is remarkable that Massachusetts has passed this law, following Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey and Washington. The law will mean that the state's electoral votes would be assigned to the presidential candidate who wins the national popular vote – regardless of whom Massachusetts voters preferred. So, a situation such as Al Gore in 2000 (when he had about a million more votes cast in his favour than George Bush, ... Anti-Trident campaigners should today be lauding George Osborne, who has knocked back Liam Fox's claim that the capital costs for the replacement of Trident would be met from outwith the defence budget. This makes it much more likely that Trident will not be replaced at all – Fox knows that in order to find the ... There are a lot of stories doing the rounds about disquiet within the Liberal Democrats over the state of the coalition. The disquiet exists, but runs nowhere near as deep as is sometimes played up in the media. And it has to be set against some clear realities. Reality check 1 - there was no choice for the Lib Dems after the general election With the arithmetic produced by our crazy electoral system, there was really no choice but to accept David Cameron's offer of a coalition. The maths wouldn't have made a deal with Labour work (Labour didn't want ... House of Twits Top 200 Tweeters poll - A Thank You. My day was brightened somewhat by and unexpected flurry of mentions on my twitter timeline pointing me to the House of Twits Top 200 political tweeters poll. I think you can imagine my surprise and (vast embarrassment) when i found ... Continue reading → Raising the green flag in Stockport. From the Council: Stockport has been awarded nine Green Flag Awards and one Green Pennant Award for 2010-11, in recognition of the high standard of its parks and open spaces. Three parks were entered for the first time and all were successful: Diamond Jubilee Park, North Reddish Park and Shaw Health Park. The following parks retained their Green Flags: Adswood Park, Brinnington Park, Hallam Gardens, Heaton Norris Park, Oak Meadow and Reddish Vale Country Park. This brings the total number of sites that are at Green Flag standard across the borough to 20. To be eligible for a Green Flag ... Total Politics best blog poll 2010: voting ends tomorrow! A final reminder that time is running out: voting ends tomorrow in the Total Politics Blog Award... We hope readers may be inclined to list Lib Dem Voice somewhere, alongside many of the other fabulous Lib Dem blogging talent listed on Ryan Cullen's Aggregator. It's that time of year again, when Total Politics asks you to vote for your Top 10 favourite blogs. This is the fifth year of the poll. The votes will be compiled and included in the forthcoming book, the Total Politics Guide to Blogging 2010-11, which will be published in September. For the second year running, ... Southwark Council complaints praise. The Local Government Ombudsmans has just released their report on Southwark Councils performance for the last financial year April 2009 to March 2010. This was the last year of the Lib Dem led administration. 332 complaints received. Many were upheld. With a population of around 300,000 people all using a multitude of Southwark Council services things go wrong. That they weren't resolved to a residents satisfaction or quickly enough is food for thought and action. What I found reassuring that things were getting much better was that the turnaround of complaints by Southwark has dramatically improve. Yesterday Boris announced the Olympic "fat cats" segregated car lanes to usher all those self important Olympic officials, sponsors and media people around - and the much fewer athletes of course. Why? So not only is every Londoner paying extra £20 council tax every year to over a dozen years exclusively to subsidise the Olympics but our roads will be barred from us on pain of a £200 per incursion. Why are these and why do they think they are more important than any other human being? This is not the egalitarian ethos I'd have presumed the Olympics was all ... Time now to phase out Trident. The decision by the Treasury that Trident submarine replacement should be paid for from within the existing defence budget means the Ministry of Defence must now look seriously at whether or not a Trident replacement is needed. The Treasury has now significantly undermined the argument that Trident is in the national interest. Some of us go further and argue that Trident is not in the national Privilege and today's judgment - Chaytor & Ors, R v [2010] EWCA Crim 1910. I link to today's judgment impressively quickly uploaded onto Bailii.This relates to the question as to whether expenses fraud is covered by parliamentary privilege (readers of this weblog will know that I believe that it is not).The judgment is worth reading for those interested in the law of parliament.There are some interesting precedents that I have not heard of before such as Att-Gen of Two elections in the same year. A while back the BBC parliament channel devoted an evening to the night the government fell in 1979 on which we reported at the time. Well they are at it again, this time looking at the two elections of 1910 (details here). Readers will recall that Southport Lib Dems held a big dinner to mark that election and the candidacy of Baron de Forest last year Conservative Future elections. Conservative Future are holding their annual (by which I mean whenever CCHQ tells them to) elections. There's three main candidates: Ben Howlett, Simon Cavalier-Jones and Criag Cox. I've only met Ben and he seems like an alright guy but I suppose anyone can be over a few drinks. Out of the three of them he seems more likely to support the current coalition rather than fight against it every step of the way. This is important and hopefully it will curb some of the mad right-wingers still present in CF. At the moment their leadership election is probably more interesting ... MOD to pay (or not) for Tridant. George Osborne has gone ahead and made it clear that if the MOD wants Trident then it will have to fork out the money itself where it has previously been paid for by the treasury. Considering that Trident would take up approximately Half of the Defence budget (based on the current budget being around £40 billion and trident being £20 Billion though this is debated) this would be a serious pay out Birkdale Allotment anniversary? I was talking with a fellow plot holder at the Birkdale Irrigation Allotment site and our conversation turned to when the site was established. More that ten years ago I spent a happy few hours reading the back minutes of the old Birkdale Urban District Council and the Southport Guardian to track down that information. as is the way with my filing system I cannot find my notes now but I recall the outlines. (Health warning my memory is not as good as it once was and I think the temporary Library has the minute books in storage) The 1906 ... North Cornwall rover ticket will continue - but in another name. I've just been involved in a discussion on the Laurence Reed show on BBC Radio Cornwall about the proposed new parking charges in Cornwall. The discussion was prompted by Town Councillor Connie Geach who was particularly annoyed at the proposal to scrap the rover ticket which allows people to park in any long stay car park in the former NCDC area for £190 a year. Local people accepted that the price might have to rise, but the Council's proposal was for a rise to £800 a year - with the right to park in any long stay car park across ... Commentary: 10 weeks on the Lib Dems have had huge influence in Government. Briefing note: 10 weeks on the Lib Dems have had huge influence in Government In just 10 weeks since the start of the Coalition Government, the Liberal Democrats have exerted a huge influence over its agenda. Going into the election the Liberal Democrats made clear that they had four key priorities: fairer taxes; a fair start for children with extra funding for disadvantaged pupils; a comprehensive clean up of our politics, including a fairer voting system; and a green, sustainable economy. Thanks to Lib Dem involvement, the Government will deliver on each of these. There are also a large number ... Camborne Community Fire Station Open Day. On Tuesday this week, Camborne Town councillors were invited to visit the town's fire station ahead of their open day this Saturday, to have a look round. I'd not visited the station since I was at school, and needless to say there had been a few changes since then! Everyone is aware of the day-to-day duties of the Fire and Rescue Service, such as house fires, arson, animal rescue etc. It was fascinating to learn just how many other responsibilities our station undertakes though - from youth education to community work. Camborne is one of the busiest and largest stations ... Earlier Stories Complete archive on the official site.
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