Welsh Liberal Democrats Councillor for Cwmbwrla Ward, City and County of Swansea - Please buy my novels at Author Page
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Nation Cymru carries an extensive review of the new book by Luke Harding and its various revelations about former Wales UKIP leader. UKIP Welsh Assembly Member, Farage buddy and Reform UK leading light, Nathan Gill. In Betrayal: Trump, Putin and The New Age of Conquest, Harding, who has described Putin’s Russia as a “Mafia state”, suggests that Nathan Gill was part of a bigger pro-Russian network…
The Guardian reports that Andy Burnham has dropped his support for capping political donations, causing anger among activists and Labour MPs who have long campaigned for change to the way parties are funded. The paper says that the prime minister has decided not to back amendments to the elections bill, which would cap the amount a person or an organisation can give in a single donation: The…
The Independent reports that Andy Burnham has pledged a £10bn package to build tens of thousands of homes, marking the first indication of how the new prime minister plans to grapple with Britain’s housing crisis. The paper says that the initial wave of funding will build 70,000 homes across England, at least 60 per cent of which will be social rented houses, though the funding has not just been…
Reform UK have been floundering of late. Not only are they slipping in the polls, but Farage is a much diminished figure after his little resignation stunt left him humiliated by a man with a bin on his head, and the attempt to nullify the investigation into his finances ended in failure. As a result he appears to have gone into hiding. Now the Mirror reports that the party can't even organise a…
What exacctly does Reform UK offer to cryptocurrency investors that comepels them to give their money to the party? The Independent reports that Nigel Farage’s party has received £20m in donations from cryptocurrency investors since the general election. The paper says that an analysis of Electoral Commission data shows that a staggering 60 per cent of the right-wing eurosceptic group’s funding…
The Guardian reports that MPs have been accused of failing to learn their lesson over freebies after taking almost £400,000 of hospitality to concerts, sport matches and other events this year, with Louise Haigh, Lucy Powell and Wes Streeting among those accepting tickets. The paper says that despite the outcry in 2024 over Keir Starmer accepting football tickets and gifts of clothing, MPs appear…
Oystermouth library in Mumbles was built in 1935 and is a classic example of the architecture of that period. But what was on the site before then? An article on the story of Mumbles site by Carol Powell provides some insight. She tells us that there had been a school on the site since 1813, but the British ‘Non-Denominational’ School took over the premises in Dunns Lane in July 1835, when it…
The Guardian reports on the comments by the UK equalities minister, Bridget Phillipson that racism and sexism have become normalised in Britain, as she warned that young men are being sucked into violent misogyny by the “cesspit” of social media. Phillipson told the Guardians Politics Weekly Podcast that she was increasingly worried about how commonplace misogyny and racism had become, fuelled by…
The Independent reports that green campaigners have accused the Conservatives’ of “living in fantasy land” after the party laid out plans to ditch net zero and prioritise cheap energy over decarbonising Britain’s power grid. They were commenting on plans by the shadow energy secretary Claire Coutinho to ditch net zero, insisting that the UK “should focus all our attention on making electricity…
The Mirror reports that Reform UK has suspended one of its highest-profile supporters as cracks start to show in Nigel Farage's party. The paper says that Tim Montgomerie criticised Mr Farage after he refused to attend the Clacton by-election count on Friday. They add that he also hit out at combative frontbencher Zia Yusuf, suggesting people "cannot behave like a child" in politics and lifting…
The Times reports that Andy Burnham faces a potential showdown with Labour MPs after suggesting faster extraction of North Sea oil and gas could help pay for the transition to clean energy. They are referring to the decision by the prime minister over whether to approve the Rosebank oilfield and Jackdaw gasfield after consultations on both projects closed: Industry sources have told The Times they…
The Guardian reports that water companies could be allowed to raise bills for customers during periods of drought under proposals being considered by the sector’s regulator for England and Wales. The suggestion is that suppliers would be permitted to factor “water scarcity” into bills as part of efforts to reduce consumption under Ofwat’s plans, which are being likened to surge pricing – the…
The Guardian reports that university leaders are warning of financial turmoil in British higher education after new figures suggested a collapse in international student numbers would deprive the sector of vital income and undermine its future. The paper says that the sector’s leaders have called on the government to rethink the levy on international student fees imposed under Keir Starmer, as a…
When I was a student Clyne Castle was student accommodation and one that hosted legendary summer balls, that often ended up on the beach at 5am the next day. It is now luxury flats, a victim of the trend by universities to cash in on their assets and contract out student digs to outside providers. Wikipedia , describes the Castle as a Grade II*-listed building situated on a hill overlooking…
It doesn't seem as if elected Reform officials can keep out of trouble. The Independent reports that a Reform councillor has been suspended after resurfaced social media posts appeared to show him calling for the Commons speaker to be hanged. The paper says that in response to a post about then Commons speaker John Bercow, an account linked to Kirklees councillor David Rowan wrote on social media…
The Times reports that the convicted fraudster who secretly bankrolled Nigel Farage has moved his company’s address to the same building as Reform UK’s headquarters, amid questions over how close he remains to the party. The paper says that Geostrategy International Unlimited, set up by George Cottrell last year, has changed its registered company address from the address of a company formation…
The Guardian reports that the businessman and Reform UK backer Arron Banks is facing calls to lay out the extent of his surveillance of journalists, described by an industry body as an “attack on our democracy”. The paper says that the News Media Association (NMA), which represents regional and national media, has raised concerns after Banks appeared to admit over the weekend to hiring private…
I've already blogged a few times here about Ianto's memorial wall, a place in Cardiff Bay where devotees have posted momentos concerning a fictional character from the Torchwood TV series. The posts are here , here , here , and here . Now there is another example of how seriously people take their entertainment. Metro News reports that Harry Potter fans have proven there’s clearly power in…
