Jun

12

Six weeks

Category: Christianity, Politics | Leave a Comment | Trackback

I’m not sure that I have ever in my life been truly impressed by the actions of a serving Tory MP (the Blue in the title of this blog refers to my footballing affiliations and has no connection with my political thoughts). However, as the Government continue to turn their backs on the dream that […]

Jun

7

Peddling fiction rather than fact

Category: Politics | Leave a Comment | Trackback

I was surprised this morning to receive an unsolicited letter from my MP, Mr Mark Hendrick, accusing me of posting unfair criticisms of him. He claims to have been assiduous in responding to my communications and asks that I be big enough to accept that [he has] been responsive to [my] enquiries. He then suggests […]

Dec

23

Fuel for thought

Category: Politics, Travel | Comments Off | Trackback

Via Steve’s blog, which has sourced its information in turn from Better Transport, I am reminded that the fuel tax has, in percentage terms, not been so low since 1993.
Even though I am reminded elsewhere elsewhere that VAT is payable on fuel, it appears that the VAT element actually serves to stabilise fuel prices.
I […]

Nov

1

“After running onto a train, he is shot dead.”

Category: Politics | Comments Off | Trackback

Before you read the following, think back to July 2005 and the day you heard of the death of Jean Charles de Menezes. The BBC news website still has a contemporary timeline of the 2005 London alerts which features the following:
1: Jean Charles de Menezes leaves a house under surveillance in south London and arrives […]

Jun

30

Korean War over

Category: Politics | Comments Off | Trackback

More than two months ago, I asked my local MP to intervene regarding proposed changes to the Highway Code which could have effectively banned cyclists from many roads in the UK.
This week I finally saw a sign of action: Mark Hendrick has forwarded my letter to the Secretary of State for Transport. Perhaps someone should […]

May

30

Bingo

Category: Cycling, Politics | Comments Off | Trackback

Following a lacklustre campaign from the CTC and thousands of letters to MPs from individual cyclists, the CTC report today that we may have managed to get the Government to see sense in permitting cyclists to use the road even when substandard cycle facilities are available.
Rules 61 and 63
The Department for Transport is proposing the […]

May

24

You’ll never guess

Category: Cycling, Politics | 2 Comments | Trackback

It is now Thursday, 24th May, one month and three days after I wrote to Mark Hendrick about the contentious subject of cyclists being allowed to use actual roads rather than dangerous, substandard cyclepaths.
He’s still not replied.
I’m reminded of this by yesterday’s debate in the House of Commons on this very subject.

May

11

Early days…

Category: Cycling, Politics | Comments Off | Trackback

A propos of the proposed changes to the Highway Code which would drive cyclists off the road, I’ve asked Mark Hendrick to sign. I don’t hold out much hope but never say die.
Road Traffic 09.05.2007
Campbell, Menzies
That the alterations in the provisions of the Highway Code proposed to be made by the Secretary of State for […]

May

10

’stupid northern’

Category: Lancashire, Politics, Television | Comments Off | Trackback

Commenting on the BBC drama The Amazing Mrs Pritchard, Andy Crick asks, why oh why did the lead character have to be Jane Horrocks putting her best stupid northern accent? Why not give her a bit of depth at least, instead of the usual **** family stuff? How patronising is that?
The show, which is currently […]

May

8

Self-importance

Category: Cycling, Politics | Comments Off | Trackback

A few days ago I noted that my local MP had not replied to my letter about the new Highway Code’s potential impact on cycling in Britain. In the interests of fairness, I should note that I have this evening received a reply from him to inform me that his researcher is looking into the […]

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