Actually not my comments, but that of Nick Clegg who aspires to be the next leader of the Liberal Democrats at Westminster.
It seems that whilst Nick Clegg does not want ID cards he is also calling on Lib Dem Councils "to ensure that no local public services require an identity card".
Erm, no identity cards, at all? Does that mean that council staff in Lib Dem councils are no longer wearing ID cards? I guess any Lib Dem councillor visiting a school, a children's centre, a home, are not going to wear ID cards, that council workers calling on the elderly to do repairs will not be wearing or producing ID cards? And of course, I presume at the Lib Dem gatherings that their members at the conferences will no longer be wanting to wear ID badges?
And this idea of a people's veto and referendums? How two-faced can you get?
Both Clegg and Chris Hulme have come out against a referendum on Europe. And, much as we may agree on areas of civil liberties, given some of the views of people after 9/11 and the London Transport bombings, the Lib Dems will find themselves having to enact policies that some of them would find hard to accept. And how about a referendum on the reintroduction of the death penalty and leaving Europe, both of which the Lib Dem, because if there were referendums we'd have hanging back and be out of Europe.
This shows why the Lib Dems cannot be trusted to be in power and why they will not win power. You can't have it both ways, well unless you're a Lib Dem I suppose...
Friday, 2 November 2007
Saturday, 13 October 2007
Bring back.... Into the Labyrinth on DVD!!
As some of you know, I like some of the golden oldies telly.
Thanks to our wonderful friends at NetworkDVD, BBC Worldwide and 2|Entertain, we have been able to see again many classic tv shows digitally remastered (and all that stuff). As a Dr Who fan (didn't you know...?) it's been a great pleasure to see again so many classic episodes.
However, some programmes still await their DVD and one such programme which was shown by ITV in 1981 and 1982 was a children's programme called Into the Labyrinth, made by HTV (the Welsh ITV channel - oh for the days of Thames Television, but that's another story and blog...)
The programme ran for three series and starred Ron Moody for the first two series as Rothgo, the lovely Pamela Salem as the evil witch Belor, Simon Beal as Phil and Chris Harris in the third series as Lazlo. Even the tv tie-in magazine "Look-In" did an Into the Labyrinth story or two. The search fot the Nidus went through time and space and was a jolly 30 minutes for each episode. Sadness has to tell you that I have the final four episodes on video from the first series and the book of the first series. However, it has not come out to DVD yet.
A couple of years ago I was fortunate to meet Ron Moody at a function at Alexandra Palace and he bemoaned how he always seemed to play parts of evil or bad men. I reminded him of his time as the kindly Rothgo, and just like the show, his eye twinkled as he said "Rothgo!? Yes, I was Rothgo!" A magical moment.
So may the campaign begin and deny us the Nidus no more. Bring back Into the Labyrinth.
Thanks to our wonderful friends at NetworkDVD, BBC Worldwide and 2|Entertain, we have been able to see again many classic tv shows digitally remastered (and all that stuff). As a Dr Who fan (didn't you know...?) it's been a great pleasure to see again so many classic episodes.
However, some programmes still await their DVD and one such programme which was shown by ITV in 1981 and 1982 was a children's programme called Into the Labyrinth, made by HTV (the Welsh ITV channel - oh for the days of Thames Television, but that's another story and blog...)
The programme ran for three series and starred Ron Moody for the first two series as Rothgo, the lovely Pamela Salem as the evil witch Belor, Simon Beal as Phil and Chris Harris in the third series as Lazlo. Even the tv tie-in magazine "Look-In" did an Into the Labyrinth story or two. The search fot the Nidus went through time and space and was a jolly 30 minutes for each episode. Sadness has to tell you that I have the final four episodes on video from the first series and the book of the first series. However, it has not come out to DVD yet.
A couple of years ago I was fortunate to meet Ron Moody at a function at Alexandra Palace and he bemoaned how he always seemed to play parts of evil or bad men. I reminded him of his time as the kindly Rothgo, and just like the show, his eye twinkled as he said "Rothgo!? Yes, I was Rothgo!" A magical moment.
So may the campaign begin and deny us the Nidus no more. Bring back Into the Labyrinth.
Friday, 24 August 2007
And the weather forecast is....
I shall be doing my surgery tomorrow then catching the train to head up to Manchester for the weekend for their Pride Weekend.
My main hope is that the weather stays good and it doesn't rain. Hopefully the sun will shine (finally) and I shall do my best not to do a repeat of Brighton Pride a few weeks back and go as red as a lobster.
Which has got me thinking...... I seem to recall from some of those involved in climate change issues warning of one of the hottest summers. Excuse me, but where would this be, certainly not North London. Thankfully some of those spreading doom and gloom about climate change and the weather weren't around during the Ice Age, no planes to blame there me thinks, indeed one wonders who would have been to blame for the ice melting... Perhaps this is the reason why I've never held the climate change and environment portfolio, I'd be asking questions all round.
Anyhow, whatever you're doing, here's hoping you have a good Bank Holiday weekend!!
My main hope is that the weather stays good and it doesn't rain. Hopefully the sun will shine (finally) and I shall do my best not to do a repeat of Brighton Pride a few weeks back and go as red as a lobster.
Which has got me thinking...... I seem to recall from some of those involved in climate change issues warning of one of the hottest summers. Excuse me, but where would this be, certainly not North London. Thankfully some of those spreading doom and gloom about climate change and the weather weren't around during the Ice Age, no planes to blame there me thinks, indeed one wonders who would have been to blame for the ice melting... Perhaps this is the reason why I've never held the climate change and environment portfolio, I'd be asking questions all round.
Anyhow, whatever you're doing, here's hoping you have a good Bank Holiday weekend!!
BIG BROTHER AXED!!
Right, well that has caught your attention!
It's been announced that the (so-called) celebrity Big Brother for 2008 has been axed by Channel 4 "in the wake of the race row which engulfed the show's last run".
Obviously, C4 are wanting good points for that. It's just a shame that the current series of Big Brother wasn't axed.... not so much for the race reasons, but because it has been awfully dire this year.
I must admit I am a bit of a BB fan, yet other than the first series which I hardly watched, this year after Day One when all the women went into the House I'm afraid it was not so much Big Brother, but Big Turnoff.
It's been announced that the (so-called) celebrity Big Brother for 2008 has been axed by Channel 4 "in the wake of the race row which engulfed the show's last run".
Obviously, C4 are wanting good points for that. It's just a shame that the current series of Big Brother wasn't axed.... not so much for the race reasons, but because it has been awfully dire this year.
I must admit I am a bit of a BB fan, yet other than the first series which I hardly watched, this year after Day One when all the women went into the House I'm afraid it was not so much Big Brother, but Big Turnoff.
Saturday, 11 August 2007
Hello
What can I talk about?
Is it really that long since I last blogged? And so much has taken place!!
Elections and polls..... Lots of talk about whether there will be an early general election, depending on what happens during the remainder of August, my money is still on for Thursday 25th October. Recent by-elections, both Parliamentary and Council have been mixed, however the Ealing Southall by-election which saw Labour win by 5,000 votes is a massive boost, especially when you think about the Lib Dems pulling off by-elections wins, so well done to the Comrades there, however anyone looking at Joan Ryan's face at the Count would have thought we'd lost our deposit!
I have spent some time over in Tower Hamlets for the Council by-election in Shadwell ward followingn the resignation of a Respect Councillor. Unfortunately, Labour failed to regain the seat by 97 votes despite a 6% swing to us. Interesting is that since the Council elections last year, another Respect Councillor has defected to Labour, whilst other Respect Councillors seem more concerned about getting their allowances and how much the Leader of the Opposition gets.
Was down in Brighton last Saturday for the Brighton Pride, just a tad hot for me and I had a head like a tomato by the end of play, nuff said there me thinks......
Meanwhile, back at the Ranch, just finished my surgery. Was pleased to attend a couple of local events in Noel Park recently, firstly our Residents' Association held a really good Summer Social, nice to see so many neighbours turning out and meet one another - the whole aim of the event. Also attended the Sky City Health and Community Day - being the flats above Shopping City. All good fun!
Finally, last Friday night having been down to Vauxhall for a party with friends, had to dash back to go out with Haringey Enforcement Officers and visit the night clubs and bars on Wood Green High Road. Only when I saw the Officers wearing their protection stuff did I suddenly relise how dangerous their job can be.... and there's me in a tee-shirt not wanting to look too formal, ooops.
So much that I want to say, and promise that I will try and blog just a little bit more!
And the sun is shining!!!!
Is it really that long since I last blogged? And so much has taken place!!
Elections and polls..... Lots of talk about whether there will be an early general election, depending on what happens during the remainder of August, my money is still on for Thursday 25th October. Recent by-elections, both Parliamentary and Council have been mixed, however the Ealing Southall by-election which saw Labour win by 5,000 votes is a massive boost, especially when you think about the Lib Dems pulling off by-elections wins, so well done to the Comrades there, however anyone looking at Joan Ryan's face at the Count would have thought we'd lost our deposit!
I have spent some time over in Tower Hamlets for the Council by-election in Shadwell ward followingn the resignation of a Respect Councillor. Unfortunately, Labour failed to regain the seat by 97 votes despite a 6% swing to us. Interesting is that since the Council elections last year, another Respect Councillor has defected to Labour, whilst other Respect Councillors seem more concerned about getting their allowances and how much the Leader of the Opposition gets.
Was down in Brighton last Saturday for the Brighton Pride, just a tad hot for me and I had a head like a tomato by the end of play, nuff said there me thinks......
Meanwhile, back at the Ranch, just finished my surgery. Was pleased to attend a couple of local events in Noel Park recently, firstly our Residents' Association held a really good Summer Social, nice to see so many neighbours turning out and meet one another - the whole aim of the event. Also attended the Sky City Health and Community Day - being the flats above Shopping City. All good fun!
Finally, last Friday night having been down to Vauxhall for a party with friends, had to dash back to go out with Haringey Enforcement Officers and visit the night clubs and bars on Wood Green High Road. Only when I saw the Officers wearing their protection stuff did I suddenly relise how dangerous their job can be.... and there's me in a tee-shirt not wanting to look too formal, ooops.
So much that I want to say, and promise that I will try and blog just a little bit more!
And the sun is shining!!!!
Friday, 22 June 2007
It's all go!
Well, Rhodes was fun, Turkey was interesting, be quite happy to go back there.
Since returning, had a couple of days back home, did an extra surgery to make up for postponing one whilst I was away. Attended Hornsey & Wood Green's Labour selection meeting last Sunday where UNISON's head of health, Karen Jennings, was selected on the first ballot to be our candidate to fight the sitting Lib Dem MP. Karen lives in Muswell Hill, so it will be good to have another local candidate fighting for the seat.
After that I headed straight down to Bournemouth for the Amicus Policy Conference. Some may know that we are merging with the Transport & General Workers Union (TGWU) to become Unite. Very interesting debates took place, I was able to speak on equality for young people with the national minimum wage, highlighting what I believe to be one of Labour's proudest achievements since being elected in 1997, however falling short by the fact that younger workers get a lower minimum wage than older workers. I also spoke in the debate on the BNP, reminding colleagues how the BNP had come within 5,000 votes of winning a seat on the London Assembly and the very risk of them winning a seat next year.
Let's be clear, the BNP do not only hate black and gay people, they hate the unions as well. It is all too easy to fall under the BNP spell if people are unhappy with job losses, but a swing to the far right is not the answer.
We also heard from Gordon Brown, PM-in-waiting and some of us who work in the health service were able to have a private meeting with him after his speech. Around 8 of us met Gordon and I had the chance to tackle him about how admin work from the North Middlesex Hospital is being sent to India, leading to job losses.
Attended the Noel Park Residents Association meeting last night, where my colleague, Cllr. Brian Haley, Cabinet Member for the Environment was able to discuss local residents concerns about buses in Gladstone Avenue (a long story) and the CPZ.
Off to Manchester tomorrow for Labour's Leadership Conference on Sunday (more on Monday).
Oh and with all that, still had time to pop into work for a couple of times, only to find out that my blood pressure is currently sky-high. But don't expect a by-election in Noel Park on the Labour side and to answer a couple of questions to me; I have been elected to serve as a Labour Councillor in Noel Park for four years and serve as a Labour Councillor I will. End of.
Have a good one till later xx
Since returning, had a couple of days back home, did an extra surgery to make up for postponing one whilst I was away. Attended Hornsey & Wood Green's Labour selection meeting last Sunday where UNISON's head of health, Karen Jennings, was selected on the first ballot to be our candidate to fight the sitting Lib Dem MP. Karen lives in Muswell Hill, so it will be good to have another local candidate fighting for the seat.
After that I headed straight down to Bournemouth for the Amicus Policy Conference. Some may know that we are merging with the Transport & General Workers Union (TGWU) to become Unite. Very interesting debates took place, I was able to speak on equality for young people with the national minimum wage, highlighting what I believe to be one of Labour's proudest achievements since being elected in 1997, however falling short by the fact that younger workers get a lower minimum wage than older workers. I also spoke in the debate on the BNP, reminding colleagues how the BNP had come within 5,000 votes of winning a seat on the London Assembly and the very risk of them winning a seat next year.
Let's be clear, the BNP do not only hate black and gay people, they hate the unions as well. It is all too easy to fall under the BNP spell if people are unhappy with job losses, but a swing to the far right is not the answer.
We also heard from Gordon Brown, PM-in-waiting and some of us who work in the health service were able to have a private meeting with him after his speech. Around 8 of us met Gordon and I had the chance to tackle him about how admin work from the North Middlesex Hospital is being sent to India, leading to job losses.
Attended the Noel Park Residents Association meeting last night, where my colleague, Cllr. Brian Haley, Cabinet Member for the Environment was able to discuss local residents concerns about buses in Gladstone Avenue (a long story) and the CPZ.
Off to Manchester tomorrow for Labour's Leadership Conference on Sunday (more on Monday).
Oh and with all that, still had time to pop into work for a couple of times, only to find out that my blood pressure is currently sky-high. But don't expect a by-election in Noel Park on the Labour side and to answer a couple of questions to me; I have been elected to serve as a Labour Councillor in Noel Park for four years and serve as a Labour Councillor I will. End of.
Have a good one till later xx
Saturday, 9 June 2007
Hello from Rhodes
I am currently having a few days break being away from everything, but I don't know, one just can't stay away!!
Been in very sunny Rhodes since Wednesday and earlier whilst having lunch by the harbour watching the ships and people go by (and not a sailor in sight, let me tell you!), I was taken by how clean things are, despite very few little bins, and one wonders what can we learn back in England?
There are some big bins for the locals to dump their rubbish, similar to that seen by Sheila Peacock and myself over the new year in Verona, so perhaps there is something we can learn from our European neighbours in terms of cleansing, who knows?
Despite being away, still can't avoid key matters, like watching England beat Estonia 3-0 on Wednesday and checking up on the Big Brother information, now some men have arrived, my interest will have picked up!!
Anyway, popped out on the local "train" for a tour around Rhodes Town for 4 Euros earlier which lasted for around an hour and some lovely sights, this was followed by my lunch on the harbour.
And as a Religous person, it has also been nice to visit some of the local Churches, indeed, I have just been to Mass where the service was conducted in both Latin and English. Strange to know the English words suddenly become all romantic in Latin.
I'm off to visit Turkey on Monday, which is just 12 miles away! Sad fact time, I collect key-rings, so Rhodes and Turkey have now been added to my list, I mean just how sad is that?
Anyway, my time on the internet is fast running out, so tet-ta for now. (Oh and yes, I'm missing what looks like a good episode of Dr. Who.........)
Now, where's my drink??? xx
Been in very sunny Rhodes since Wednesday and earlier whilst having lunch by the harbour watching the ships and people go by (and not a sailor in sight, let me tell you!), I was taken by how clean things are, despite very few little bins, and one wonders what can we learn back in England?
There are some big bins for the locals to dump their rubbish, similar to that seen by Sheila Peacock and myself over the new year in Verona, so perhaps there is something we can learn from our European neighbours in terms of cleansing, who knows?
Despite being away, still can't avoid key matters, like watching England beat Estonia 3-0 on Wednesday and checking up on the Big Brother information, now some men have arrived, my interest will have picked up!!
Anyway, popped out on the local "train" for a tour around Rhodes Town for 4 Euros earlier which lasted for around an hour and some lovely sights, this was followed by my lunch on the harbour.
And as a Religous person, it has also been nice to visit some of the local Churches, indeed, I have just been to Mass where the service was conducted in both Latin and English. Strange to know the English words suddenly become all romantic in Latin.
I'm off to visit Turkey on Monday, which is just 12 miles away! Sad fact time, I collect key-rings, so Rhodes and Turkey have now been added to my list, I mean just how sad is that?
Anyway, my time on the internet is fast running out, so tet-ta for now. (Oh and yes, I'm missing what looks like a good episode of Dr. Who.........)
Now, where's my drink??? xx
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