Friday, December 23, 2005
Merry Christmas!
I'm about to go off to visit my parents and just want to wish all the readers of this blog a very Merry Christmas.
Thanks to tracksy.com I'm able to see the cities where this blog is being viewed for, so an especial greeting to all of you in:
LONDON, CARDIFF, BELFAST, BANGKOK, LUTON, FLORENCE, BROOKLYN, DULLES, NOTTINGHAM, SOUTHAMPTON, OXFORD, BRADFORD, ATLANTA, BIRMINGHAM, HOUSTON, BRUSSELS, COVENTRY, READING, FLORIANóPOLIS, EDINBURGH, NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, THE COLONY, NEW YORK, SINGAPORE, WILMINGTON, SALFORD, MANASSAS, CINCINNATI, PRESTON, TRENTON, ELLENDALE, DEARBORN, MINNEAPOLIS, DONCASTER, LANCASTER, SHEFFIELD, YORK, WELLINGTON, DURHAM, TRURO, MILTON KEYNES, HACIENDA HEIGHTS, AVON, WREXHAM, ORLANDO, KISSIMMEE, HUDDERSFIELD, ARAPAHOE, HORSHAM
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
A victory for common sense
A court in the US has ruled against the teaching of the theory of "intelligent design" alongside Darwinian evolution. A school board in Dover, Pennsylvania has been firmly told that their attempts to disguise their reasoning with secular arguments simply won't wash and that their attempts to impose a religious view through state education is illegal.
Now let's hope that in this country we can have an end to the attempt to impose the ghastly "one size fits all" philosophy of selection in our schools.
Now let's hope that in this country we can have an end to the attempt to impose the ghastly "one size fits all" philosophy of selection in our schools.
Monday, December 19, 2005
"Gay weddings" begin here
The first "gay weddings" in the UK took place today as the Civil Partnerships Act took effect.
I'm honestly not sure what I think of civil partnerships. It is indisputably good that same sex couples can have their partnership recognised in law, given how often they are locked out, but fundamentally they are not marriages. Legally they are transacted by contract, not public affirmation (although a public signing ceremony can take place), whilst also they can only be conducted by registrars and not by clergy. This is very much a two tier system and the calls for civil partnerships to be extended to heterosexual couples (who don't need them - they can get married) will only serve to undermine the institution of marriage. It would have been far simpler and a better step to equality to remove the gender distinctions in marriage law and to hell with the bigots who cling to ancient dictionaries.
I'm honestly not sure what I think of civil partnerships. It is indisputably good that same sex couples can have their partnership recognised in law, given how often they are locked out, but fundamentally they are not marriages. Legally they are transacted by contract, not public affirmation (although a public signing ceremony can take place), whilst also they can only be conducted by registrars and not by clergy. This is very much a two tier system and the calls for civil partnerships to be extended to heterosexual couples (who don't need them - they can get married) will only serve to undermine the institution of marriage. It would have been far simpler and a better step to equality to remove the gender distinctions in marriage law and to hell with the bigots who cling to ancient dictionaries.
Friday, December 16, 2005
Charles Kennedy in the last chance saloon
The turmoil in the Liberal Democrats continues to grow, following David Cameron's invitation to Liberal Democrats to switch to the real alternative to Labour and help build a modern, mainstream, and progressive opposition. Meanwhile Charles Kennedy has continued to offer the laid-back, uninspired leadership that has been the hallmark of his tenure and the voices of discontent have grown.
The Lib Dems have purported to be the "Real Alternative" to Labour. At the moment they are a squabbling party, with the front bench falling over backwards in public to make it clear they support the leader whilst sharpening the knives, and endless speculation about potential successors. Compared to the Tony Blair & Old Man Brown show that's not an alternative at all!
The Lib Dems have purported to be the "Real Alternative" to Labour. At the moment they are a squabbling party, with the front bench falling over backwards in public to make it clear they support the leader whilst sharpening the knives, and endless speculation about potential successors. Compared to the Tony Blair & Old Man Brown show that's not an alternative at all!
Friday, December 09, 2005
Boris gets a job
In another good appointment Boris Johnson rejoins the frontbench, in a portfolio that will bring him much contact with his greatest fanbase. I can think of no better position he could be appointed to.
William is back!
William Hague returns to the Conservative frontbench. Hague's stature has rocketed in the last four years, both for his statesmanlike contributions to political debate and for his brilliant biography of William Pitt the Younger. Now he's back as Shadow Foreign Secretary. But he's also been designated "Senior Member of the Shadow Cabinet." In the absence of a Deputy Leader, it will be Hague who stands in for Cameron at Prime Minister's Question Time.
William Hague vs John Prescott.
How long will Prezza last?
William Hague vs John Prescott.
How long will Prezza last?
And now it's over
There's an interesting final post on the toryleadership blog about "How Cameron Won... And Davis Lost", putting the events of the last seven months in a new light.
At the time Howard's staggered resignation was greeted with astonishment, with many commentators and party members believing that he had made a great mistake, giving the party a seemingly eternal period with no full authoritive leadership and endless campaigning for the leadership. Many were angry with a sudden resignation announcement. Yet now we know it was a tactical move, designed to forestall an instant leadership election, instead allowing the party a time to reflect and really think through what it needs in a leader. And it has worked. There was no kneejerk charge for the candidate who seemed to fit the immediate mood or a dive to block any individual. Instead we've had a good contest that has allowed all the candidates to demonstrate their true potential and really shine. This time I think the party's done it right.
And so now to the future...
At the time Howard's staggered resignation was greeted with astonishment, with many commentators and party members believing that he had made a great mistake, giving the party a seemingly eternal period with no full authoritive leadership and endless campaigning for the leadership. Many were angry with a sudden resignation announcement. Yet now we know it was a tactical move, designed to forestall an instant leadership election, instead allowing the party a time to reflect and really think through what it needs in a leader. And it has worked. There was no kneejerk charge for the candidate who seemed to fit the immediate mood or a dive to block any individual. Instead we've had a good contest that has allowed all the candidates to demonstrate their true potential and really shine. This time I think the party's done it right.
And so now to the future...
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
Cameron wins!
The results:
DAVID CAMERON: 134,444 68%
DAVID DAVIS: 64,398 32%
Today the Conservative Party has made David Cameron its leader. Now let's make him the country's leader.
Truly a great day.
DAVID CAMERON: 134,444 68%
DAVID DAVIS: 64,398 32%
Today the Conservative Party has made David Cameron its leader. Now let's make him the country's leader.
Truly a great day.
Sunday, December 04, 2005
Two faced hypocrisy of the most naked kind
Gerry Adams has declared against plans to grant an amnesty to British soldiers and security agents on the fugitive bill. He states that this "will cause deep hurt to victims of their alleged crimes". Has he forgotten that the legislation also grants an amnesty to terrorists on the run? Where is his concern about the hurt that this bill is causing to their victims? Instead he welcomes the amnesty for IRA members.
Members of the armed and security forces operate in difficult circumstances and have no choice but to do what they do for the protection of the people and country. Sometimes the consequences are devastating to individuals and families, but to suggest that somehow the work they do is worse than those of terrorist scum is atrocious. The double standards of condemning an amnest for the security forces whilst supporting one for UDA, IRA and UVF terrorists shows Adams to be a pure two faced hypocrite.
Members of the armed and security forces operate in difficult circumstances and have no choice but to do what they do for the protection of the people and country. Sometimes the consequences are devastating to individuals and families, but to suggest that somehow the work they do is worse than those of terrorist scum is atrocious. The double standards of condemning an amnest for the security forces whilst supporting one for UDA, IRA and UVF terrorists shows Adams to be a pure two faced hypocrite.
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