Liberal Vision

Hats off to Norman Baker

Stephen Tall, Research Associate at Centre Forum and Editor of Lib Dem Voice, has kindly posted my choice for Liberal Hero of the Week on the Centre Forum blog.

So (ahem!) hats off to Norman Baker, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport with responsibility for cycling, who described as his “libertarian right” to cycle without a helmet on.

And if you want to find out why, you can read the full article on the Centre Forum blog.

(PS: Do I win a prize for squeezing the most links into my opening sentence?)

Breaking news: The Speaker’s not for going

A ludicrous statement from the Speaker today. An ackowledgement that the House has let the country down.  A declaration that ALL are to blame. A sincere apology for his part in that. A call to meet with the leaders of all parties (including “minority parties” ) to agree expenses reform. A request that no further claims are submitted until blah blah blah….

The House was hostile. The MPs angry. There were questions about when the House will be allowed to debate the vote of no confidence. There were questions about if and when he will indicate his retirement. All “batted away”. He simply refused to entertain any discussion about his own future.

MPs were not happy – understandably. An extraordinary low point in UK politics.

UPDATE: BEST COMMENT OF THE THE DAY FROM NORMAN BAKER…”THE SPEAKER JUST SIGNED HIS OWN POLITICAL DEATH WARRANT”