I had to chuckle this morning...
When the debate was raging over whether the UK should apologise for its part in the slave trade, or alternatively concentrate on the laudable efforts of Wilberforce took to end the practice, there was not an insignificant amount of people saying things to the effect, "well should we ask the Danes to apologise for Viking raids?"
Well they have.
Alright, only to Ireland, but still I'm sure the people of Lindisfarne will be getting their apology soon enough
Thursday, 16 August 2007
Wednesday, 8 August 2007
Is someone from Team Boris reading this blog?
Yesterday I posted a story about the Tory London Mayoral Primary and commented that all Tory candidates other than Boris Johnson responding to my two email questions than this afternoon Rebecca Mellotte from the 'Back Boris Campaign' emailed me.
"Dear James,
Thank you for your email and I apologise for the delay in replying. We have been inundated with letters of support and Boris and the campaign team have been reading each one.
We will put your questions to Boris and come back to you in due course.
Apologies again for the delay in replying. My contact details are shown below, should you need to contact the office at any stage."
Could be a coincidence I suppose
"Dear James,
Thank you for your email and I apologise for the delay in replying. We have been inundated with letters of support and Boris and the campaign team have been reading each one.
We will put your questions to Boris and come back to you in due course.
Apologies again for the delay in replying. My contact details are shown below, should you need to contact the office at any stage."
Could be a coincidence I suppose
Tuesday, 7 August 2007
Tory Mayoral Primary
For a newbie Londoner I think I'm taking an unhealthy interest in the Mayoral race, but as we could have a Mayor as the next US President I hope it's at least in part understandable.
Nominally, the Conservative Party is having a primary for all London party members, and those who want to contribute £1.50 via text message; though you would be forgiven for thinking that Boris was already the candidate.
He is being challenged by Andrew Boff, Victoria Borwick and Warwick Lightfoot after two unsuccesful bids from Steve 'Shagger' Norris.
I emailed all four candiates asking them two questions, well to complete two sentences
I am the only Conservative candidate....
The one thing that Ken Linvingstone has done as Mayor that I wish I had...
Andrew Boff said:
"I am the only candidate who will be letting London voters have the right to draw up their own policies and have them voted on by fellow Londoners . “Voters' initiatives” resemble the “Citizens' initiative” procedures written into the constitutions of many U.S. States and Switzerland.Under my proposals, on raising a petition of a proportion (10% to 30%) of voters on the electoral register, voters would be able to placea proposition to Londoners at the next ordinary election. The result would be binding on the Mayor and the GLA."
"The one thing that Ken Livingstone has done as Mayor that I wish I had is to introduce ward based policing. It enables the police service to more understand local priorities and breaks down the barriers between young people and the law."
Warwick Lightfoot said:
""I am the only Conservative candidate..I believe with a serious worked up and practical agenda to make London a safer and more attractive city, where the £10 billion spent through City Hall delivers value for money, who is both a fresh face and has substantial experience in local government and national government as a London borough councillor and an adviser at the Treasury ."
""The one thing that Ken Livingstone did as Mayor that I wish I had the opportunity to do with the platform of City Hall, is his opposition to Gordon Brown's complex, expensive and unworkable Public Private Partnership for the modernisation of the London underground, although I think the present Labour Mayor was wrong to express his opposition to the scheme through a futile exercise in judicial review proceedings."
Victoria Borwick did email me back but did not exaclty answer the questions as posed I have reposted the closest whole paragraphs to specifically answering my questions
"I was born in London and have lived here all my life. I have a family of four so am very focussed on the day to day issues of living in London – getting around, finding somewhere to live, getting to work, not being mugged or worse and all the things that really get us through the day"
"I think the Oyster card has been useful, but it has come at a cost, and I do not know the exact policies of the other candidates as we have not seen them yet, but I know that my priorities are tackling crime and reducing costs, whilst making sure we have investment in transport, and improving the quality of life for living in London."
Boris Johnson was perhaps too busy defending his race relations record to take the time out to email me, I will update this should he be in touch.
On a related note Warwick actually called me to see whether I had received his email I thought that was a very nice touch. Shame I was travelling on a train at the time and my signal ran out
Nominally, the Conservative Party is having a primary for all London party members, and those who want to contribute £1.50 via text message; though you would be forgiven for thinking that Boris was already the candidate.
He is being challenged by Andrew Boff, Victoria Borwick and Warwick Lightfoot after two unsuccesful bids from Steve 'Shagger' Norris.
I emailed all four candiates asking them two questions, well to complete two sentences
I am the only Conservative candidate....
The one thing that Ken Linvingstone has done as Mayor that I wish I had...
Andrew Boff said:
"I am the only candidate who will be letting London voters have the right to draw up their own policies and have them voted on by fellow Londoners . “Voters' initiatives” resemble the “Citizens' initiative” procedures written into the constitutions of many U.S. States and Switzerland.Under my proposals, on raising a petition of a proportion (10% to 30%) of voters on the electoral register, voters would be able to placea proposition to Londoners at the next ordinary election. The result would be binding on the Mayor and the GLA."
"The one thing that Ken Livingstone has done as Mayor that I wish I had is to introduce ward based policing. It enables the police service to more understand local priorities and breaks down the barriers between young people and the law."
Warwick Lightfoot said:
""I am the only Conservative candidate..I believe with a serious worked up and practical agenda to make London a safer and more attractive city, where the £10 billion spent through City Hall delivers value for money, who is both a fresh face and has substantial experience in local government and national government as a London borough councillor and an adviser at the Treasury ."
""The one thing that Ken Livingstone did as Mayor that I wish I had the opportunity to do with the platform of City Hall, is his opposition to Gordon Brown's complex, expensive and unworkable Public Private Partnership for the modernisation of the London underground, although I think the present Labour Mayor was wrong to express his opposition to the scheme through a futile exercise in judicial review proceedings."
Victoria Borwick did email me back but did not exaclty answer the questions as posed I have reposted the closest whole paragraphs to specifically answering my questions
"I was born in London and have lived here all my life. I have a family of four so am very focussed on the day to day issues of living in London – getting around, finding somewhere to live, getting to work, not being mugged or worse and all the things that really get us through the day"
"I think the Oyster card has been useful, but it has come at a cost, and I do not know the exact policies of the other candidates as we have not seen them yet, but I know that my priorities are tackling crime and reducing costs, whilst making sure we have investment in transport, and improving the quality of life for living in London."
Boris Johnson was perhaps too busy defending his race relations record to take the time out to email me, I will update this should he be in touch.
On a related note Warwick actually called me to see whether I had received his email I thought that was a very nice touch. Shame I was travelling on a train at the time and my signal ran out
Thursday, 2 August 2007
"Pro Lifers"
Sorry just had to get this one off my chest, someone I know works for an abortion charity, she does so voluntary as an intern, and complete fucking morons ringing up people they don't know spewing death threats in the name of being "pro life" (read: anti-choice) is just about the most idiotic thing I have ever heard.
I really do wish they would find a suitable bridge to throw themselves off.
I really do wish they would find a suitable bridge to throw themselves off.
Sheffield University Students' Union
I love students' unions, and I have a lot of respect for Students' Union officers (being a former one myself), but sometimes you just have to throw your hands in the air and wonder what kind of self congratulatory nonsense is pumped into these young fertile minds.
Mark Willoughby, the new President of 'Sheffield Union' quite modestly points out that his union is "already the best Students' Union in the country."
Wow... but let's give him credit
"as with any organic institution, not resting on its laurels and desiring continued excellence, we're reaching out for a higher ground."
No, not resting on your laurels at all given that the "Best Students' Union" award was given in 2004, and based on data collected in 2003/4 academic year, when young Mark was probably revising for his A-levels.
And someone better inform Bath Students' Union
Mark Willoughby, the new President of 'Sheffield Union' quite modestly points out that his union is "already the best Students' Union in the country."
Wow... but let's give him credit
"as with any organic institution, not resting on its laurels and desiring continued excellence, we're reaching out for a higher ground."
No, not resting on your laurels at all given that the "Best Students' Union" award was given in 2004, and based on data collected in 2003/4 academic year, when young Mark was probably revising for his A-levels.
And someone better inform Bath Students' Union
Boris... Boris... Boris
I know that Boris might not be taking his candidacy for London Mayor very seriously, but there's no need to lie on your application 
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