Michael questions why the Bikeability test available in England, Wales, and Scotland, seems to be not available in Northern Ireland? Surely we need it here just as much as the rest of the UK? Continue reading Bikeability – when will we get it in Northern Ireland?
Imagine that you are 14 years old, you have just worked hard completing activities including Volunteering, Physical, Skills and Expedition, for over three months as well as additional three months on one of them. During this time you have also carried out a 2 day (and one night) expedition. At the end of it you get an award. It could be with your school, the Scouts, the Guides, the Boys’ Brigade, the Church Lads’ Brigade or any other youth organisation. Having completed this award. you receive a certificate from someone important, along with all the others who have got your … Continue reading Sinn Féin, a youth organisation, and the Duke of Edinburgh… time to grow up.
Once again our esteemed MLAs in the Northern Ireland Assembly have managed to pass a motion with amendments that is not possible to enforce. Continue reading “and they’ve done it again in @niassembly – D’Oh!”
I ought to have been in Birmingham this morning, voting on the motion on Accredtiation for Party Conference and between the amendments to it. This motion was brought to conference as a result of the so-called security measures that were brought in for this conference by the Federal Conference Committee (FCC) and the Constabulary. I know which way I would have voted. But sadly, my vote does not count this year. I am not there. I read from Andy that, and indeed the coverage on BBC Parliament allowed us to hear that, some people do not believe that there are … Continue reading #ldconf and why I stayed away
For many, the idea that a public park could have more than one set of swings and roundabouts is somewhat inconceivable, but that is just one working out of the divided society in which we here in Northern Ireland get used to. For the last 17 years there has been a so-called Peace Wall up the middle of Alexandra Park. This past week has seen a gate installed in it for the first time. And yes, for once, that gate is actually going to be opened – from 0900 to 1500 on weekdays, and currently only for a three month … Continue reading swings and roundabouts in North Belfast
The Total Politics Blogger Top 100 Lib Dem blogs 2011 list is out. Much to my surprise, Gyronny Herald comes out at number 66, the collaborative Liberal Democrats in Northern Ireland blog comes in at number 72 (up from 75 last year), and Stephen Glenn’s Stephen’s Liberal Journal comes romping in at number 5 which is two up from on last year. The full list can be seen here: There are a few quirks in the list including the interloper The Will Patterson Notebook from the SNP! And lucky Craig Murray being in at number 40 and number 100. I suspect that there … Continue reading Today is brought to you by the numbers 72, 66 and 5…
It is very nearly time for Liberal Democrat Autumn Conference, but many of us who would normally know by now that they are attending do not. Some know that the Party that they have served for years does not now … Continue reading the battle for democracy at Lib Dem Conference
As Gareth Epps ‘has not got through the stupid, authoritarian processing process for Lib Dem Conference’, Michael contemplates how to fill in the form to register. It seems with regards to Passports, those who are answering cannot get it right. Continue reading Passport issues for Lib Dem Conference
So HM’s Principal Secretary of State for the Home Department has decided to ban all marches in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets and four neighbouring London Boroughs for a period of 30 days. Why is this felt necessary? Because the Metropolitan Police applied for this ban as they consider that it would result in serious public disorder and that placing restrictions or conditions on such a march – for example its duration, location and size – would not be enough to prevent the disorder Will this really make a difference? And with it all marches are banned because the … Continue reading Is banning all marches really justified? Why not learn from N.Ireland?
Michael tells of the struggle for freedom in Uganda following a talk by Ugandan LGBT activist Kasha Jacqueline Nabagesera in Belfast last night. (originally posted on Lib Dems in NI) Continue reading blogged elsewhere: an email can keep you going…
Gyronny Herald 