Baroness Walmsley (Liberal Democrat Education and Children spokesperson in the House of Lords) today presented the case for the amendment tackling homophobic bullying to the Education and Inspections Bill. Sadly, lacking the cross-party support needed, it fell without a vote.
The publication (24th July 2006) of the Atkins Report by Rochdale Council into asbestos and non-asbestos contamination at the former TBA site at Spodden Valley has been welcomed by Rochdale MP Paul Rowen.
The Electoral Administration Act was passed earlier this month after a protracted battle between the government and the House of Lords. The new law follows cases of electoral fraud in 2004 - when an elections judge in Birmingham said he had heard evidence which would disgrace a banana republic. The new laws mean election officials have to check signatures and dates of birth of postal voters - something they say cannot be done in one night. In Wolverhampton on election night in May there was an unexplained two hour holdup while election officials checked postal votes.
Liberal Democrat Leader, Sir Menzies Campbell, today wrote to the Prime Minister to ask him to suspend any further arms exports to Israel. Sir Menzies said "In light of disproportionate military action by Israel in Lebanon and Gaza the UK Government must suspend any further arms exports to Israel."
Unlike the hugely successful and inclusive EuroPride event in London two weeks ago, or the many smaller Pride festivals around the UK this summer, authorities in Riga, the capital of Latvia which since 2004 is an EU member state, refused permission for the 'Riga Pride 2006' march on Saturday.
This evening Christine started her Summer Village Tour. Christine is holding a Mobile Surgery at each location and carrying out a survey of local residents.
