Progressive London: Live Blogging

Lets see how this one goes..... Kenfest, or a broader progressive political dialogue...

First talk:

Progressive policies for a progressive London

Mike Tuffrey (Lib Dem) spoke well on lifting low paid workers out of taxation. Then went on to say that Progressives need to learn to love religion. Not so sure, and I doubt the Lib Dems are either.

Jenny Jones (Green Party) very broad discussion of Green issues, a rambling and broad Green 10 issues, and something about living in the countryside (which in many ways is the least green way to live). Not too impressive.

Progressive London Conference

Is this a serious attempt to build a progressive political alliance in London, or is this the Ken show.

There's a good range of people from the Liberal left attending. I'm particularly keen to hear Streatham PPC Chuka Umunna - get used to spelling that name. Chances are you'll be hearing alot more of it.

Anyway, if I decide to go, I'll be live-blogging it. At least it's cheaper than the Fabian conference last week.

£30 for a conference about fairness? Irony bypass.....

Why does anyone bother with christmas cards??

Waste of card and ink peddaling sugary false sentiments at ridiculous prices to simpletons.

How many trees have to die every year for this shit?

And why turkey? It's dry and bland

Merry winterval everyone!! ;)

It's good to be back

And I have so much to say.

Watch this space.....

Backing Shan Oakes for Haltemprice and Howden

After minimal umming and ahhing, I've decided to "back" Shan Oakes for Haltemprice and Howden. There's no labour candidate running (and despite being a party member, they don't get my vocal support anymore unless they earn it), and Shan is a dedicated activist who could put up a good show and finish a strong second to David.

She's the real civil liberties candidate in the by-election and I'm clearly not the only one who feels the same way. Sunny has listed several blogs in support of Shan over at Liberal Conspiracy

Bye Bye Wendy

Wendy Alexander has resigned as leader of the Labour group of MSP's. I can' say she'll be a great miss - although she has an embarrassingly high opinion of herself.

What impact will this have on the desire of Labour MSPs to force a referendum? And judging by recent anti-labour voting in by-elections, could this spectacularly backfire?

Percentages

The all important percentage count for the Zimbabwe "Presidential run-off" isn't the total Mugabe will get (that's inevitably going to be something slightly north of 90%.

The real question is, how big will the turnout be? Have ordinary Zimbabweans found a way around the "Pink Finger Problem"?

North Korea - Now a happy shiny land of joy?

So North Korea is off the Axis of Evil list then? Not really sure what this whole thing acheived - except teach any other nation that wants to throw its weight around that the best way to get the better of the Americans is to...develop nuclear weapons (albeit briefly).

This would be the careful nuclear diplomacy everyone has been talking about...