There are two sides to being a minister. Reactive - you read briefings, take advice and make a decision. Proactive - set your policy objectives, be curious, ask questions, and make a decision. Starmer seems to be a passive, uncurious man, in office without purpose.
Wishing the Jewish community in Bristol and the West of England, and across Britain a peaceful, happy and healthy Passover
Chag Sameach!
Gave a talk at Westbury on Trym library on genealogy earlier this week so today took myself to Bridgwater to visit St Mary’s church where two of my great great grandparents married on Christmas Day in 1871.
Enjoyed meeting several refugees and asylum seekers who are making Bristol their home and the place for their future lives. Thanks MShed Museum, Bristol Mind, SARI and others for putting on the event. My colleague Andrew Varney was reunited with Saboor, who he taught English.
Lovely sunny day to be at the preview opening of the new gorilla enclosure at Bristol Zoo Project
Back from short break in York for a combination of Liberal Democracy and heritage site seeing. Fairfax house plus three great churches, Selby Abbey, Beverley Minster and of course York Minster.
About 40 years ago I remember being interested in a news story about the rescue of Calke Abbey mansion, which was also featured on Blue Peter. Today I finally got round to visiting, on my way to the Lib Dem spring conference. Thoroughly enjoyed it, including almost being blown over by the high wind.
Bristol marks Commonwealth Day. Our city is home to people from many of the 56 member states.
Been attending Bristol’s International Women’s Day. Met lots of groups doing important work in the city. On a panel incl Police Commissioner Clare Moody on “smashing the patriarchy” My answer was to dismantle and disempower it and to replace with much more diverse leadership in politics and society
The T20 Women’s World Cup comes to Bristol in 100 days. It felt like summer already at Gloucestershire county ground at the launch event. Bristol will host West Indies, Pakistan and New Zealand, among others, bringing thousands of visitors to the city and encouraging more women and girls into sport.
Purim Sameach! Happy Purim to all my Jewish friends in Bristol and across the country.
Happy St David's Day to all my fellow Welsh people in Bristol and around the world.
Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus, pawb! 🏴🏵
Graphic saying 'Protect SEND kids from private profiteering'
It is time that SEND services are designated as critical infrastructure to put our kids first and stop offshore companies raking in millions in profit.
Read about our calls to protect SEND kids and prevent our services being used as a cash cow by investment firms 👇
Well done Team GB on the silver medal in curling. Interesting to see that the IOC member presenting the medals was Hugh Robertson, who when he was a DCMS minister I worked with closely for the Liberal Democrat side of the Coalition on the Same Sex Marriage legislation.
Spending time with Bristol’s Ukrainian refugee community, at an event marking the 4th anniversary of the Russian invasion. Over a thousand refugees have been housed by Bristolians. Many Ukrainian children have now been born here. Slava Ukraini!
Lent and Ramadan coincide this year, for the first time in three decades. Best wishes to everyone in Bristol and beyond marking the next few weeks. There is much that unites us, let’s put out of our minds those that want to divide us.
79.4% of Bristolians think the conditions of the roads are a problem.
That's why the Liberal Democrats have secured an additional £1m for potholes and road repairs over the forthcoming year - giving our roads the boost they need.
www.bristollibdems.org/news/article...
Twenty years ago today MPs voted for a comprehensive ban on smoking in enclosed public spaces. Controversial at the time but quickly seen as a major public health advance. Proud to have played a key part, as remembered here with other MPs of the time ash.org.uk/media-centre...
Ahead of next week’s HIV testing campaign, as Bristol’s Public Health lead, I took a test with our sexual health service, Yuno. It was quick and easy, with my result being negative. Full details attached about how to access free testing and advice. news.bristol.gov.uk/press-releases…
Our input to Bristol City's Council annual budget has secured additional money for cleaner streets, local community groups, better planning enforcement, and more.
Read about the other areas we have secured money for below ⬇️
www.bristollibdems.org/news/article...
With rumours of a Government u-turn on planned business rates rises, it is “absolutely urgent” for Ministers to provide clarity to pubs, hospitality, and high street businesses.
www.bristollibdems.org/news/article...
Best wishes for Hanukkah to all my Jewish friends in Bristol and beyond.
Chanukah Sameach!
Community groups are facing astronomical increases in fees to hire council venues.
Liberal Democrat Councillor @cllr-andrew-varney.bsky.social has been campaigning to restore fair fees for our vital local community groups ⬇️
Graphic saying: Motion Passed, Fairer Funding for Council Tax Exemptions
We have sent the Government a clear message:
It's time to step up and fairly fund councils for providing Council Tax exemptions.
This week, Bristol City Council backed our calls for the Government to fund the value of student council tax exemptions - totalling £25m this year.
Flu spreads more easily in autumn when we spend time together indoors. If you are eligible the flu vaccine can help protect you from getting seriously ill. Find out more about the free NHS flu vaccine at grabajab.net or watch this film www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8tz... #winterstrong
On Politics West this morning, discussing the political scene, the continued sinking of both Tories and Labour, with me promoting the rising orange Liberal tide and Carla Denyer a Green surge. We agreed that local government is underfunded. Nice to meet Simon Opher MP for Stroud.
Our hospices have been pushed to the brink.
Hundreds of beds lie empty because there is not enough funding or staff. Services across the country have been pared back and 4 in 10 of hospices say they will have to make cuts this year.
Protect our hospices: sign our petition ⬇️
Joined council and community colleagues for the raising of the flag on College Green to mark Hate Crime Awareness Week. Bristol is a city that values and cherishes everyone, where racism, homophobia and hateful comments or actions to anyone are unacceptable.
Saddened by the death of former Liberal Democrat leader Ming Campbell. He was an outstanding parliamentarian with a great personal back story in the law and athletics. To me he was a much cherished avuncular mentor and friend. RIP 😢
Great turnout of donors at Bristol Museum and Art Gallery to see the new exhibition of rarely seen Turner water colours and other pictures and objects associated with Hotwells and the Avon Gorge. Pleased to thank donors and friends on behalf of the council.