Archive for August, 2010

I genuinely do have stuff to write about, I swear. I’m just waiting for the time. Back in service soon. Also, another redesign, let me know what you think? This is my fave so far. »

Some parents are struggling to afford school uniforms for the start of the school year, according to the Citizens’ Advice Bureau. In some cases, children may not attend school unless they are wearing a uniform purchased from the school shop. A CAB saw a parent on a low income with two children. In September,... »

Young women are doing disproportionately well in this recession. Girls have outperformed boys at GCSE and A-level for the tenth consecutive year, and along with the cursory smattering of articles bemoaning the educational fate of our nation’s masculi... »

Stoa-reader JW tells me to look in the 31 August 1861 edition of the British Medical Journal, p. 241: THE REGENT’S PARK BEAVER. This beaver seems perpetually happy. He has constructed his own abode with materials thrown over into his enclosure, and goes on thus reconstructing and altering it for ever. The superintendent communicates... »

This time next month, we will know who the new leader of the Labour movement will be. We’ve been discussing it since May, and I know we’re more than ready to get behind whoever gets elected. Naturally, I and many other people are working ha... »

Despite an international outcry, Iran seems determined to have Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, 43, stoned to death for adultery. Her plight has become a test case for the global community's response to Iran's barbaric, institutional misogyny. Tehran has re... »

“Red Ken”, as my mum always refers to him, is one of seven high profile candidates looking to be elected at the Labour Party Conference next month. Being the first ever Mayor of London, Ken defined the role. Throughout his eight year stint, London for Londoners, commuters and tourists became a greener and fairer... »

One of the many people backing Ken Livingstone’s candidacy for the Labour nomination for Mayor of London is the leader of my local council, Ann John. Ann led Labour’s campaign in Brent to win back the the council after a tough night in the local elections four years ago. The previous Labour administration in Brent – also led by... »

Thing #1: “But he did not take into account that the best of men, free from all wickedness, would join together the better to accomplish their goal, just as birds flock together the better to travel in company. Or as beavers congregate by the hundreds to construct great dams, which could not be achieved... »

Today is the anniversary of the Peterloo massacre, when pro-democracy and anti-poverty protesters in Manchester were brutally murdered by mercenaries and cavalrymen in the service of the British government. The aftermath of the day led to an accelerati... »

It took a matter of minutes for the Twitterati, bloggers and social networkers along with their sanctimonious journalist pals to begin decrying Tony Blair’s decision to donate the advance and all susequent royalities for his autobioraphy to the Royal British Legion. No-one was surprised by this reaction, it comes from those who spend most of... »

Jonathan Mills, Director of the Edinburgh International Festival has made this short film for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The Festival is a wonderful example of the UK as one of the multicultural centres of the world. Fabulou... »

The problem with property One of the ideas that Tony Blair originally built his platform on is one that was quickly abandoned, but that I felt a profound empathy for – the stakeholder society. I think it’s something from Labour’s 1997-2001 term that really needs resurrecting as a notion. So I was glad to read Laurie... »

A quick answer for Douglas Carswell: Comedy is definitely not left wing. I mean, has anyone else seen Chris Grayling? I wonder if his ‘culturally right leaning’ office will publish it? »

Labour will be heading down a road to nowhere if it sets its mentality to criticising every appointment made by the government (those carping about appointments of advisers to the government should put their moaning into perspective), as official opposition we must criticise policy decisions and proposals and be willing and ready to propose... »

Please watch Hannah Nicklin‘s excellent video, visit the site, and circulate: The coalition has painted their way as the only way. It’s not, and a great deal hangs on winning that argument. »

by Kathy Hopkin, Secretary of Sustainable Moseley (SusMo) The Green Streets project being run by British Gas and local sustainability group SusMo is now well underway, and a number of properties in Moseley have already benefited from loft insulation an... »

The Telegraph today covers the problems faced by community pubs whose future is threatened by the closure of a £3.3 million fund set up by the last Labour government to help stem the closure of local pubs. It reports: Critics said last night that ministers were “turning their back” on rural communities. More than 80 groups have... »

Yup, I haven't even managed to cross-post this week, because I became homeless *again* and had to scrabble for a place to live whilst finishing deadlines, and a dog ate my homework. But you should all read this, because I suffered for this one, godsdam... »

The nominations for the constituency section of the Labour party NEC are now starting to be published. Ken Livingstone has received 235 nominations, with only current party chair Ann Black securing more. Paul Waugh has tweeted that this means ‘Newt Labour’ is set for a national comeback. Of course the outcome will be decided on... »

There has been some ill-informed nonsense written about the Euro since Greece was bailed out with the help of Eurozone members. Some economists, who should know better, claimed that the crisis would spread to other vulnerable euro countries like Italy ... »

And a small tear ran from my eye. Now, I never need to feel again. Ever. »

Former Medway councillor Bill Esterson has stood down from his seat since he was elected as MP for Sefton Central. That has left a by-election in the River Ward of Medway Council. The BNP are standing and this is particularly galling as the ward covers... »

On of the most important things about Ken Livingstone’s bid to become London Mayor is that he has the overwhelming backing of the city’s Assembly Members. There has been some concern about what seemed to be Oona’s plan to means test the Freedom Pass, citing Prince Charles as an example of a pensioner who would... »

I have been to a music festival every year since 1999, and have sampled a fair few of them: Big Day Out; Reading; Leeds; Glastonbury; V (Stafford); Summer Sundae; and Latitude. I also tried to go to Heineken Jammin’ in Italy, but it got hit by th... »

By Tracey and Tim Cheetham This week has seen Cameron jetting around, trying to bolster his reputation as an International Statesman, while at the same time, clocking up an impressive list of nations to insult, including his own. His most recent vi... »

By Tracey and Tim CheethamThis week has seen Cameron jetting around, trying to bolster his reputation as an International Statesman, while at the same time, clocking up an impressive list of nations to insult, including his own. His most recent visit w... »

It's the first day of August. Among the items in my 'Ward Work' file for this month I have an email telling me that work will begin on a new play area for older kids. I have maps and pictures, the results of the public consultation we insisted on and m... »

There are plenty of options for both columns. If I have to pick one to be most proud of then it has to be the one that will have the biggest impact on every part of Barnsley. The Building Schools for the Future programme will see the first new secondar... »