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Random Thoughts for 29th April 2013
No comments on Random Thoughts for 29th April 2013This is the latest in my series of Random Thoughts posts with links, things found on the web and other stuff that has occurred to me between 20th April 2013 and 29th April 2013: Liberal Democrats for Electoral Reform The Liberal Democrats for Electoral Reform have set up a new website as part of the Reform Groups Network. Burn our planet or face financial meltdown. Not much of a choice – Will Hutton This is…
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Random Thoughts for August 2012
This is the latest in my series of Random Thoughts posts with links, things found on the web and other stuff that has occured to me. Not had one for a while so this is the bumper August edition. Lets start with a double helping of baby animals at Whipsnade Zoo: Baby hippo makes debut dip Triple celebrations as lynx kitten triplets are born at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo I found this rather amusing; Charles Kennedy: Gonzo Is…
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Luton Borough Council and climate change
I wrote in a previous post about how during my time as an elected councillor on Luton Borough Council I got the Council to sign up to the Nottingham Declaration on tackling climate change in 2006 and how that was used as a lever to get the Council to take the issue seriously. On two occasions last year I was asked to be a guest speaker and facilitator at the Climate Change Leadership Academy organised…
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Why climate change matters to local government
In writing about climate change I am aware that I am opening myself up to those who want to debate the science of it all and deny that it is happening. I will be honest in saying that I desperately want to avoid getting into that kind of conversation. There is a global scientific consensus that says that climate change is real. As a liberal I am bound to say that people are free to…
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Achievement five: Tackling climate change at Luton Borough Council
On the 5th May 2011 I failed in my attempt to be re-elected to Luton Borough Council after eight years serving as an elected councillor. This article is part of a series of posts where I attempt to process what those eight years have meant for myself by asking the question “what did I achieve?” in that time. Looking back one of the things that I am clear that I have done during my time…
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Ed Miliband stops funding for solar power
The Government have closed its grant programme for solar energy. Part of the Low Carbon Buildings Programme provides grants for solar photovoltaic projects on public buildings. This has been so successful that the allocated share of the £50m for these projects has been used up. So what does the government do? Invest more money into the programme so that they can build on its success? No. It closes the scheme to new applications. As the…
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Susan Kramer, Heathrow and the cup cakes
A little while ago I expressed some concern about Susan Kramer MP‘s plans to attend a particular London event. To add a bit of balance I am reporting on a different event that she has attended. One that I heartily approve of. Last week we heard that Susan had stood down from the Shadow Cabinet to “take up a new role leading the party’s campaign against the expansion of Heathrow Airport”. Not a moment too…
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Climate Change Leadership Academy
In my time as a councillor I have had some success in using my influence to get Luton Borough Council to take climate change seriously. But I am still frustrated at how poorly it is addressing the issue. While there are examples of good practice in places, there are far too few councils, and far too few councillors, providing the level of leadership we need. So the IDeA, the local government improvement agency, should be…
