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Random Thoughts: A catch up for the rest of June 2013
No comments on Random Thoughts: A catch up for the rest of June 2013In this edition we have a birthday chimp, a couple of Russells, and a lot of Boyle. Another unscheduled gap in blogging and a fair bit to catch up on. Although we are (to my surprise) well in to July, here is a catch for June. This 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 19 June…
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Random Thoughts for 11th February 2013
This 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 4th February 2013 and 11th February 2013: Rare tiger unveiled at Whipsnade Zoo The latest arrival at Whipsnade is a incredibly handsome Russian tiger named Botzman. The Bailey Hill Water Tower, Luton Hoo Memorial Park, Luton LU1, 4 bedroom property for sale One of Luton’s more unusual landmarks…
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Random Thoughts for 12th October 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 between 3rd October 2012 and 12th October 2012: 10 things the Lib Dem conference has taught us Ten things we learned from the Labour party conference Ten things we’ve learned from the Conservative party conference We’ve reached the end of the party conference season for 2012 and these are…
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Does Prof Ebdon read Thomas Hardy? And if not, does it matter?
The whiff of snobbery that I was detecting in the row over Vince cable’s choice of Prof Les Ebdon as the new director of the Office of Fair Access seems to becoming a stench. Witness this extraordinary article from Charles Moore in the Telegraph. Apparently the retiring University of Bedfordshire Vice Chancellor, Prof Ebdon, is unsuitable to be the head of this body designed to ensure the as wide a range of people as possible…
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Supporting Professor Ebdon in getting some access
I had previously made a passing reference to the “retirement” of Prof Les Ebdon from his post as Vice Chancellor of the University of Bedfordshire. If we were wondering what Les would do next it wasn’t long before we found out. Business secretary Vince cable has chosen to appoint him as the new director of the Office for Fair Access, a watchdog designed to ensure that people from all backgrounds are able to benefit from…
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Two parties, one majority: a view from the Clerk of the House
I was catching up on my podcasts recently and I came across an interview with Robert Rogers, the new Clerk of the House of Commons, on Radio 4’s Westminster Hour. He has an interesting, possibly unique, perspective being very much a Commons insider, he is one of the chaps in grey wigs who sit in front of the Speaker when the House is in session, but also, by definition, being neutral and outside of the…
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Bedford sees the other cabinet reshuffle this week
It seems that cabinet reshuffles are the flavour of the week. Bedford’s Liberal Democrat elected Mayor Dave Hodgson has had to sack the Conservative member of his cabinet and reshuffle portfolios. This follows an extraordinary act of cowardice by the Conservative group in Bedford. They chose to withdraw their support from this year’s budget that had been negotiated with all political groups by the Mayor. Despite being members of Dave’s all-party cabinet and being fully…
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Why I will support this extraordinary coalition government
I started an interesting and challenging new job this week. Yet, while trying to get to grips with a new organisation, new tasks, and new colleagues I have been acutely aware of those other Liberal Democrats also starting new jobs. Admittedly their new roles are an order of magnitude more interesting and challenging than mine. However, the urge to be home watching the news channels, reading the web and blogging about it all has been…
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That lot over there!
I thought I’d note the death of ultra-Thatcherite former Tory MP David Evans last week. He was the MP for Welwyn Hatfield in the late 80’s and early 90’s but Luton people will remember him as the controversial chairman of Luton Town Football Club. Do LTFC have anything other than controversial chairmen? One of the more, er, colourful figures of politics during the Thatcher period he was an almost stereotypical working class Tory. I remember…
