tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58583602009-03-01T17:20:11.397ZIan Ridley's blog<br> <i>"I am a Liberal because I prefer progress to stagnation; because I place the happiness of the many above the privileges of the few; and because I believe that disastrous revolutions are best averted by timely reforms" - <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Osborne_Morgan">George Osborne Morgan</a></i>Ian Ridleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06804460062639661335noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858360.post-8679719567077527752007-05-04T12:38:00.000+01:002007-05-04T12:40:25.163+01:00

I am putting these on the Harborough Lib Dems site as I get them from BBC Radio Leicester (sadly I can't be at the count)

Ian Ridleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06804460062639661335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858360.post-9597725797528881142007-05-03T14:13:00.000+01:002007-05-03T14:14:40.433+01:00

Strange Borough elections for me this year as I am not a candidate this time - family and work take up most of my time at the momentTypically, Thomas (5 and a half months) chose Polling Day to have a very rare lie-in and so did his dad (not deliberately - who sets an alarm clock when you have 2 children under 3 years old?).10 am vote with Sarah - first time I've voted in person for many years but

Ian Ridleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06804460062639661335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858360.post-88763236747780830272007-01-10T14:26:00.000Z2007-01-11T12:12:07.806Z

More Parliamentary voting patterns, this time from our unelected legislators in the Lords.Last night a move to throw out the Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 was defeated by 199 to 68. The Regulations prohibit discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation in provision of goods and services in Northern Ireland and have been in force since 1st Jan in the

Ian Ridleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06804460062639661335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858360.post-1162899643347899672006-11-07T10:39:00.000Z2006-11-07T11:40:43.800Z

We now know a little more about two absentee MPs from last week's Iraq Inquiry vote.As I suspected, the Conservatives are not what you'd call united on the issueTory MP Quentin Davies abstained in the vote. The a former defence frontbencher described Conservative support for the motion as "absolutely crazy".According to the BBC, Mr. Davies "added the credibility of the party as an alternative

Ian Ridleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06804460062639661335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858360.post-1162413236293641642006-11-01T23:07:00.000Z2006-11-01T23:22:50.280Z

So Labour won the vote to reject last night's motion in the Commons on whether to have an enquiry into the Government's conduct in the run-up to the Iraq war.But Labour's majority of 25 disguises several interesting voting patterns.Firstly, this was an Opposition Day debate. Labour MPs who do not agree with Blair are more reluctant to vote for a motion led by an opposition party. This was

Ian Ridleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06804460062639661335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858360.post-1157409185674574362006-09-04T22:55:00.000+01:002006-09-04T23:33:06.106+01:00

I have been a little taken aback at some dissenting voices from fellow liberals on environmental policies such as:charging people for the weight of recyclable waste they produce;taxing high polluting cars;introducing a system to discourage a wasteful "standby" mode on electrical appliancesLiberals need to position themselves somewhere on the divide between allowing people to become voluntarily

Ian Ridleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06804460062639661335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858360.post-1151581138226191902006-06-29T13:21:00.000+01:002006-06-29T13:26:59.596+01:00

Bromley & Chislehurst polls today, as does Blaenau Gwent. Both are electing new MPs to replace Eric Forth (Con) & Peter Law (Ind) who recently passed away. Blaenau Gwent is also electing a new Member of the Welsh Assembly.Blaenau Gwent appears to be a contest between the Independents and Labour, with the latter throwing everything they can into the constituency. The Lib Dems came 3rd in 2005 and

Ian Ridleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06804460062639661335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858360.post-1148078883755494992006-05-19T23:37:00.000+01:002006-05-20T14:20:28.100+01:00

This week's by-elections saw the Lib Dems gain Gainsborough Lea ward from an Independent. The result means that West Lindsey DC is now LD 19, Con 17, Ind 1 and the Lib Dems have majority control of a council that until May 4th was Tory.As the (volunteer) Local Elections Officer for the East Midlands Lib Dems I can tell you that the Lib Dems now have majorities on 3 councils in the region. Also

Ian Ridleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06804460062639661335noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858360.post-1147990927818655652006-05-19T23:29:00.000+01:002006-05-20T00:51:01.413+01:00

Back to the 4x4 /SUV issue (and I see the Lib Dem VED and indeed air travel policies have got some publicity today)I was accused of demonising all 4x4 drivers. Well I wouldn't quite call it that but perhaps I could have been more precise:- Not all 4x4s are the top polluters;- so it follows that not all 4x4 drivers are selfish. And of course some 4x4s are essential for professional use.But there

Ian Ridleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06804460062639661335noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858360.post-1147942783280455082006-05-18T09:46:00.000+01:002006-05-19T22:34:53.860+01:00

Alex has left a comment about my Get Your Tanks Off Our Roads article. I am a little taken aback by the robustness of the comments but it raises several important points about my views that need clarifying, to the extent that they deserve a blog article or two rather than a comment back.I'll have to do this in two parts because I don't have the time to answer all Alex's points in one go:1) I

Ian Ridleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06804460062639661335noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858360.post-1147774568242561542006-05-16T10:44:00.000+01:002006-05-16T11:56:22.716+01:00

A Tory councillor in neighbouring Wigston has been snapped parked on the zig-zag lines outside a local school in the morning rush-hour.Alan Cocksedge, Borough councillor for Wigston St. Wolstan's ward was in his 4x4 Range Rover with a personalised number plate. It was this plate that allowed a parent to spot that it was him.Do new Tory values include breaking traffic laws, endangering children

Ian Ridleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06804460062639661335noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858360.post-1145308636977275942006-05-04T14:37:00.000+01:002006-05-18T11:54:06.996+01:00

I've added a link to the Alliance Against Urban 4x4s. The whole SUV/ 4x4 area is the latest example of Labour timidity in the face of Climate Change. An increase in vehicle duty of around the price of half a tank of petrol is not going to deter the selfish and irresponsible people who insist on buy and driving these things.Sadly UK drivers are buying 4x4s at an increased rate, far more than

Ian Ridleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06804460062639661335noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858360.post-1139403709469165312006-02-08T12:58:00.000Z2006-02-14T09:40:15.393Z

I've finally made up my mind!Simon Hughes 1Chris Huhne 2I think all 3 candidates have different qualities they can bring to the leadership and choosing betwen them has been very difficult. They are all good candidates and the Lib Dems will thrive whoever wins.Simon Hughes inspires Liberals. He is committed to social justice and civil liberties and communicates his deeply-held beliefs in a clear

Ian Ridleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06804460062639661335noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858360.post-1138657696169707212006-01-30T21:00:00.000Z2006-01-31T18:47:42.436Z

According to the Dunfermline and West Fife Lib Dems' web site, the "by-election will be a straight choice between Tony Blair's representative and Willie Rennie."Nick Assinder says that a leaflet with the same phrase is also being distributed by the Lib Dem by-election campaign. Lib Dems claim it is an innocent coincidence.

Ian Ridleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06804460062639661335noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858360.post-1138632564507186892006-01-30T13:49:00.000Z2006-01-30T20:58:58.606Z

Went to these "unoffical" hustings in Kirkby-in-Ashfield near Nottingham last night. Because the leadership election timetable is a bit more compressed than usual, not all the regions have offical hustings. For most of our region the Coventry hustings would be OK and would be closer for me. But I have a son who is nearly two years-old and Thomas The Tank Engine is at the Great Central Railway on

Ian Ridleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06804460062639661335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858360.post-1138628928841104602006-01-30T13:22:00.000Z2006-02-01T00:50:27.170Z

All sorts of half-truths and plain lies are doing the rounds in the gutter press and broadsheets. Sometimes I think Murdoch has decided to be Witchfinder General trying to destroy the Lib Dems. The time has come to introduce a little Pravda.Myth 1: The Scotsman reports, "Simon Hughes is now out of the running for the Lib Dem leadership after revelations about his sex life, rival Chris Huhne has

Ian Ridleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06804460062639661335noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858360.post-1138270786787460832006-01-26T10:12:00.000Z2006-01-26T10:19:46.800Z

Is The Sun making a "pejorative reference to an individual's .... sexual orientation" today?Do bears......?"Second limp-dem confesses": looks pretty pejorative to me, as does the Caldwell "cartoon".An email to The Scum's "Editor" is en-route. Followed by a complaint to the PCC.

Ian Ridleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06804460062639661335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858360.post-1138147403131612362006-01-24T23:28:00.000Z2006-01-30T22:14:38.620Z

I'm still undecided on who will get my first and second preferences. It won't be Simon Hughes though. He has a clear style of presentation but was our candidate in a poorly run London Mayoral campaign and has made some odd pronouncements during his term as party President. If he wins he will need to ensure that his leadership of the party is both organised and focussed. A trite point, but I don't

Ian Ridleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06804460062639661335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858360.post-1136678939110442782006-01-07T23:46:00.000Z2006-01-08T00:08:59.120Z

So Charles Kennedy has gone, although he may well be back on the front bench in the future.Meanwhile the Lib Dems need a new Leader (we are not leaderless at the moment as Menzies Campbell is Acting Leader)As I write potential candidates Mark Oaten & Nick Clegg are both backing Ming, who has already declared his intention to stand.We could be heading for a coronation but if someone else throws

Ian Ridleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06804460062639661335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858360.post-1136324409881194952006-01-03T21:39:00.000Z2006-01-03T21:40:09.883Z

As the nights got longer in late November, I finally bought a telescope. I had one loaned to me briefly when I was doing GSCE Astronomy at school and was also able to use the Manor Road observatory when I was Leicester University.My new 'scope is similar to the one I had at school. It's a Skywatcher Explorer 150 - a 6" Newtonian Reflector on an equatorial mount.I've had the 'scope for about 6

Ian Ridleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06804460062639661335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858360.post-1136239902992266952006-01-02T21:40:00.000Z2006-01-02T22:11:43.026Z

There is always room for legitimate debate about any party's leadership and direction. But the anonymous briefings against Charles Kennedy before Christmas have now been followed by an absurd and ill-conceived petition over the New Year.The petition is run by an independent magazine called The Liberal but is being portrayed by the organisers as a groundswell movement of Lib Dem members and

Ian Ridleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06804460062639661335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858360.post-1135425402217808422005-12-24T11:47:00.000Z2006-01-03T21:37:50.306Z

At Christmas we generate more waste than at any time of the year. But the availability of local recycling and composting schemes mean that we can do much better.Where I live I can recycle or safely dispose of the following: kerbside collection: Card, tins, cans, paper and some plastics (Types 1, 2 & 3 also known as PET, HDPE & PVC) Glass in bottle banks Civic Tip: Clean aluminium foil/

Ian Ridleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06804460062639661335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858360.post-1134662642022131502005-12-15T15:40:00.000Z2005-12-15T16:04:02.043Z

Key points for Lib Dem supporters to think about: David Cameron is just another Tory. He has a very long way to go to take the centre ground of British politics and even further to travel to overlap Lib Dem policy and philosophy. Charles Kennedy is not Paddy Ashdown. They both have different styles that happily produce high approval ratings from voters. I am as guilty as the next Lib Dem in

Ian Ridleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06804460062639661335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858360.post-1134038233518772682005-12-08T10:34:00.000Z2006-01-25T00:16:21.033Z

Whilst the new Tory leader grabbed the headlines trying to out-do Blair on selection for schools, an under-reported exchange took place between Charles Kennedy and the Prime Minister at PMQs yesterday (video feed - go to about 8 minutes in to see this bit) :"Mr. Charles Kennedy: .....to what extent, therefore, have the Government co-operated in the transport of terrorist suspects to Afghanistan

Ian Ridleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06804460062639661335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858360.post-1133365394686655562005-11-30T15:09:00.000Z2005-12-08T10:50:34.003Z

Just finished The Algebraist by Iain M. Banks. Not quite as sharp as most of his other books but the concepts and storytelling still made it a page turner. 4/5I also got half-way through If Only by Geri Halliwell. OK so I needed a break from the heavy sci-fi and I usually dip into biographies for this. I found her early life interesting - upbringing, trying out different careers and wanting to

Ian Ridleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06804460062639661335noreply@blogger.com0