EXCLUSIVE! The Commons Clock Tower Cuts Protester they denied knowing about

My Twitter Followers may recall having seen a "BREAKING" tweet from me yesterday at around 18:50 in which I shared information received that there was a protester who "climbed on the tower".

I was on my way somewhere so couldn't hang about to dig out further details, but I asked Lobby colleagues, and a major news channel to investigate. On my train home, I called the Met Police Press guys and asked them for comment. They said there was nothing recorded.

The TV News Producer I passed the story to got back to me last night and said s/he had looked in to it and got "Sweet FA". All lines of inquiry came back with no trace of an incident.

Now I knew my source was solid, and I doubted the official line, and now I have more details.

A tour group of MP's Constituents were touring the Clock Tower yesterday. When they reached the top, one young woman sat down and refused to move, stating that she was protesting against coalition cuts. Not only did the young lady surprise the Big Ben Tour Guides, she surprised her sister who was also on the tour, since as I understand it, she didn't share her crazy plan ahead of time.

Anyway, to cut a long story short, the Old Bill were called, presumably having finished with their mammoth investigation in to the case of the half drunk booze but at first, the lady was refusing to budge. Droves of Police Officers were called, but still Mrs X refused to move, or to give Police Officers her details. Rather stupid really since anyone going on a Big Ben Tour these days requires a PNC (Police National Computer) check so they had her details all along. Eventually, informed that she would be arrested if she didn't immediately move, the young lady made her way down with some lovely Police Officers.

The incident is something and nothing really... but I am truly staggered that anyone would want to deny it. It's a non-incident!


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My stint on the Skid Pan & in the BSM Driving Seat

Last Sunday, I spent a day at Northweald Airfield in Essex driving cars and experiencing all types of skids in the BMW 318 pictured above.

I'll come on to the BSM Experience, but a VERY flash driver and trainer called Mark from ATC, Advanced Driver Training in Essex took me on the pan to experience overstear and understear. I'm not easily thrilled by cars... it's just not my thing - but wow - everyone should experience this.

Check out their site - give them a google, and if you can, get out and have a go.

The other incredibly exciting experience was driving a brand new Fiat car about an airfield, with an extremely nice and down to Earth BSM Instructor called Richard. With about a quarter of a mile to go, I knew we wouldn't be in any danger. After signing the 'Richard Hammond waver' form, we were off like a rocket!

Both BSM and ATC donated their time for free to Guide Dogs - and participants raised a minimum of £100 to train and support the independence of blind and partially sighted people across the land.

I have more than hit the £100 target - but if you would like to chuck a few quid guide dogs way, do check out the Justgiving site at www.justgiving.com/Sean-Dilley

An amazing experience, in aid of an amazing charity. BIG thanks to ATC Driver Training in Essex, to BSM and to Northfield Airfield. You were all fantastic.

Your MUST read political digest: The week ahead

Good evening one and all,


Here's your look at some of the flashpoints of the political week ahead.


Monday

The Prime Minister will be making a speech on starting up small businesses.

Alochol prices rise today. The more observant will have noticed the "no change" line to alcohol duty in last Wednesday's Budget. This still means a pint of beer will rise by about 4p, weak beer will rise 2p, and strong beer, above 7.8% in volume will rise by just over 5p a pint. The British Beer and Pub Association are saying we should expect a 7.2% rise in all alcohol prices.

It's day three of the Budget Debate after IDS has taken the box for DWP Questions. Over in the Lords, the Public Bodies Bill is on Day 2 of the Report Stage, and the Treasury Select Committee hears Evidence today from Paul Johnson, Director of the IFS.

Today is the day for "Official Notice" of Elections to English Local Authorities - Polling Day is May 5th.

Sharon Shoesmith is in the Royal Courts of Justice in London, Appealing against the recent Judicial Review Ruling in her former department's handling of the Baby P Case.

Paddy Ashdown launches a Government review in how we react and deal with emergency aid situations.


Tuesday

**** George Osborne **** is up before the Treasury Select Committee discussing the 2011 Budget.

The Justice Secretary is in the Commons for Justice Questions (if he can manage to stay awake when cued), then Charlie Elphicke has a *** VERY IMPORTANT *** 10 Minutes Rule Bill on Children's Access to their Parents... And it's the last day of the Budget Debate. In Westminster Hall, Jim Murphy has a debate on the West Lothian Question. In the Lords, it's the third day of the Committee (entire House) on the Fixed Term Parliament Bill.

Stats are released on pupil absence. Expected at 9:30am. Stats are also out on lending to individuals.

Football Governance is still rolling on. FA General Secretary Horne, and Chairman David Bernstein are up before the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee... meanwhile, the Director of Public Prosecutions, Kier Starmer is up before the Joint Committee on Human Rights, giving Evidence on the UK's extradition olicy.

Police Minister Nick Herbert is at a Policy Exchange Event on Policing the Big Society.

*** Acting Deputy Met Commissioner John Yates *** and Chris Bryant are up before the Home Affairs Select Committee offering phone-hacking Evidence.


Wednesday

It's PMQ's of course. Ed Miliband and David Cameron will be two and a half sword lengths apart, arguing about the pace of cuts, and last Saturday's TUC demo in London. Dr Sarah Woolaston (a GP of course) has a 10 Minute Rule Bill on Alcohol marketting... And it's Day 1 of the Policing Reform and Social Responsibilities Bill. In the Lords, it's the Report Stage of the Pensions Bill.

The Justice Select Committee Reports on Government plans to reform Legal Aid in the UK. The Government argue that Legal Aid needs chopping down. If I remember correctly, we spend about £27 per year, per head of the population on Legal Aid, as opposed to other countries who pay more like £7-£13.

Q4 2010 Productivity Stats are out today.

Jeremy Hunt is giving Evidence to the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee on the responsibilities of his department... remember of course that he has taken on many of Vince Cable's responsibilities.


Thursday

**** Convicted former Livingston MP Jim Devine is Sentenced **** for two Counts of Theft by False Accounting for dishonestly claiming nearly £9,000. This is the lowest figure of all MP's convicted so far.

Oliver Letwin is speaking in his capacity as Cabinet Office Minister at a Reform Think-tank Event entitled "Building the Big Society".

Vince Cable is up for Biz Questions - Sir George Young makes his weekly Business Statement as Leader of the House of Commons, and it's Day 2 of the Policing Reform and Society Responsibilities Bill. MP's will also vote on Legislation to enact measures needed to make the 2011 Budget work.

Vince Cable is also up before the Biz Select Committee giving Evidence on the Government's Stratergy for Growth.


Friday

It's a Sitting Friday... Backbenchers have the chance to show-boat a bit, but little chance sadly of getting their Legislation on to the law books... meanwhile in the Lords, they're chatting over the situation in Libya and the Middle East.

The Government Equalities Office officially joins with the Home Office today.

In London, a new parking and penalties system comes in to effect.

The Welsh Assembly rises for Easter Recess... also in Wales, HRH the Queen visits RAF Valley.

Your PACKED Weekly Digest W/S March 21

Here's your weekly digest, and what a packed week Ladies and Gentlemen:



Monday

Attorney General Dom Grieve's Legal Advice is placed in the Commons Library today, available to all Members, their staff, and Lobby hacks like me who ask an MP to get it for us :).

The Commons will hold a lengthy debate on the military and diplomatic Coalition strikes on Libya until the House rises at 10pm. Meanwhile, the EU Foreign Affairs Council will meet in Belgium to discuss Libya and Japan. Later in the day, the EU General Affairs Council meeting will hold a nice little get together too! But Libya's likely to dominate.

Other matters on the Business Paper for Monday is Education Questions with Michael Gove, The Budget Responsibility and Audit Bill, which gets it's third reading and a Motion by Sir George Young, Leader of the Commons asking MP's to give up their 1% pay rise. I think it is wrong to take MP's right to vote themselves a pay rise only to try and bully them in to voting themselves a real terms pay cut. On principle, I hope Members will let their anger be felt.

In the Lords, it's day 2 of the Committee stage (entire House) on the Fixed Term Parliament Bill.

The Scottish Affairs Select Committee Report on the Scotland Bill is out today. Bad news Scotland, you're unlikely to get too many headlines in the current climate.

The DCMS Consultation on the bSkyB takeover closes today.


Tuesday

*** My Total Politics feature is published today ***

Q&A's with Prime Minister David Cameron, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, and Labour Leader Ed Miliband all feature in my Total Politics piece published today. I don't think I can pre-plug what the feature is about, but I think you'll like it.

David Chaytor will likely be present at the Royal Courts of Justice for his Appeal against the length of his Sentence for Theft by False Accounting.

Public Sector Finances are published today. This is a quartarly reports by the ONS and HM Treasury.

Andrew Lansley is giving Evidence to the Health Select Committee today.

The Reform Think tank will have a Budget Policy briefing today ahead of tomorrow's Budget.

In the Commons, it's Treasury Questions. I think it will go something like this;

"We'll have to wait until tomorrow, but my Rt. Hon. Friend will update the House then".

Also in the Commons today, Andrea Leadsom has a Ten Minute Rule Bill on dangerous and reckless cycling. Go Andrea, go Andrea, go Andrea! Then it's the closing stages of the Budget Responsibility and Audit Bill. In the Lords, it's the Third Reading of the National Insurance Contributions Bill.

Former FA Chief Ian Watmore, and former Aston Villa Manager Martin O'Neill are giving Evidence to the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee on Football Governance.


Wednesday

It's budget day!!!

The Chancellor will stand up at 12:30 after PMQ's and deliver his annual budget. If last year is anything to go by, the PM will likely hint at a few announcements in PMQ's, but I would be staggared if we didn't have a very Libya based time, which by necesity will be low-key. My guess would be that we'll have three questions on Libya / the Middle East at least.

The Lords are debating the extradition of Autistic computer hacker Gary Mckinnon

It's London Mayor's Question Time of course.

Work and Pensions Secretary IDS is giving a speech at a Theos event today.

Lord Chancellor Ken Clarke attends a Macmillan think-tank event in the evening.



Thursday

The Business, Innovation and Skills Select Committee takes Evidence from Jeremy Browne and Damian Green.. Mr Green will hot-foot it across to Keith Vaz's Home Affairs Select Committee to give Evidence to them also... what a Select Committee tart eh!

The IFS hold a post Budget Briefing today. Expect this to get good coverage.

David Cameron is up before the EU Council today. Libya is of course likely to lead the agenda.

Chris Huhne is up at the Box for Energy and Climate Change Questions - then the Budget Debate continues after...and Commons Leader Sir George Young makes his weekly Business Statement.

Ed Miliband will make a speech at a Policy Forum discussion in Nottingham today, in which he will respond fully to the Chancellor's Budget.

BBC Publicity are proudly confirming that George Osborne will appear on the Today Programme. I sincerely hope, and expect that he'll be appearing on talkSPORT too!


Friday

*** Gordon Brown Speaks today at the 2011 Brussels Forum *** as does Defence Secretary Dr Liam Fox.

************
Here's one for my MP readers, IPSA (The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority) publishes their amended scheme governing MP's expenses.
************

Operational Honours will be announced by the Ministry of Defence today.

The Plaid Cymru Spring Conference kicks off in Cardiff today.... I know, but Friday would look very quiet if I didn't pad it out a bit.

... And Happy 50th Birthday Foreign Secretary William Hague!!!


*** And on Saturday, the TUC and friends will be holding one of the LARGEST protests we've ever seen in Central London, protesting against the Coalition's cuts.

Afternoon all,

I am not a well bunny today. I've lost my voice, and I feel like the PM felt when he found out what "Downing Street sources" had told the BBC about Prince Andrew :)

... but every cloud has a silver lining, and I've taken the opportunity to have a play with the new Sky iPad App.

The iPad App is uniquely different to the iPhone App, online content or even Sky Interactive because it's key function is to provide video content to your fingertips. For instance, I've just finished watching Adam Boulton's interview with former SAS man David Davis MP, and earlier I caught up with Joey Jones thoughts on Libya and the no fly zone debarkle.

The App launches in landscape mode on the iPad and allows users to pick the report, interview or content they want, and to pinch the video outwards to expand to full screen, or pinch in to contract to window status. Clearly this function doesn't effect me either way, but the concept is pretty sexy.

You can also watch Sky News Live as you can with the iPhone App, but with the iPad App, you can rewind live streams.

I'm not on the Sky payroll, but I'm happy to shout about this from the rooftops. What a handy innovation guys... well done!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Why you must download Sky's iPad App

The slightly earlier weekkly digest

Good evening all,

A slightly earlier 'weekly digest' this week, and the usual health warning that there are some things I have not, and cannot cover due to security / operational info only reasons, but below are a few of the building blocks of the upcoming week in Westminster.



Monday

It''s Commonwealth Day today!

Bojo and Coe will launch the Olympics Countdown clock in Central London.

There's a televised press conference tomorrow, which I will be at, but that I cannot trail just yet.

Chris Huhne and Caroline Spellman are in Luxembourg for a meeting of EU Environment Ministers, and William Hague is at a meeting of the G8 Foreign Ministers, including Hillary Clinton, in Paris.

Philip Hammond is giving evidence to the Transport Select Committee.

Liam Fox is in the Commons for Defence Questions at 2:30, and the entire House sits in Committee on the Scotland Bill. In the Lords, there's one for geeks like me, with the unelected Lords discussing whether a future PM could be a Member of the reformed and elected House of Lords... and it's the Report stage of the National Insurance Bill, which will sit in Committee later on the Postal Services Bill.

The Centre for Policy Studies publishes Charlie Elphike's report in to stimulating the economy - that's out at midday.



Tuesday

*** IDS will be giving the Joseph Memorial Lecture entitled "Welfare Reform, the wider context".

*** It's Foreign Office Questions in the Commons, but it seems likely that William Hague will not be at the Despatch Box since he's supposed to be in Paris for day 2 of the G8 Foreign Ministers' meeting... And it's day three of the Scotland Bill. Meanwhile, the Energy Bill gets it's third reading in the Lords today, and the entire House sits in Committee on the Fixed Term Parliament's Bill.

Wil Hutton reports today on Public Sector Pay and how to ensure that top earning public sector workers earn no more than 20 times the lowest paid public sector worker. This was a Conservative Commitment, certainly announced in 2009 in Cheltenham for starters. The report will be published by the Treasury.

Chris Huhne is up before the Energy Select Committee giving evidence on electricity prices.

The Office of National Statistics announces the goods it considers to calculate the Retail Price Index (RPI). Recipients of RPI linked pensions accuse the ONS of picking low value items to keep increases in pay-outs to a minimum - but last year, cheese and MP4 players were included.

Big Society Minister Nick Hurd is in Liverpool speaking on "The Big Society in the North". I wonder whether Liverpool City Council will be attending?

EU Finance Ministers will meet in Belgium today. I'll look in to whether George Osborne is attending, but one would assume he is.

The National Audit Office will report today on points based immigration reforms.



Wednesday

It's PMQ's of course, and both David Cameron and Ed Miliband are scheduled to attend! In the Lords it's Day Three of the Postal Services Bill Committee of the entire House.

Employment / unemployment stats are out today, as seperately are Public Sector Worker figures.

Ed Miliband attends the Official Launch of the Labour Party's "Yes to AV" campaign alongside Ken (I'm a uniting figure) Livingston, Oona King, Neil Kinnock and Ben Bradshaw.

There's a Hansard Society event with outgoing NUS President Aaron Porter, and former Education Secretary David Blunkett entitled "politics v young people". I'm sure there'll be plenty of fire-fighting, but students, can you please leave your extinguishers at home and on the walls?

Sir Hugh Orde, President of the PUBLICALLY FUNDED, ***PRIVATE COMPANY*** ACPO, or the Association of Chief Police Officers is speaking at a RUSI event.


Thursday

Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEAT) Statistics are out today.

Caroline Spellman is up for DEFRA Questions in the Commons, and Sir George Young makes his weekly Business Statemeent as Leader of the House.



Friday

It's a sitting Friday... you lucky Backbenchers you!

Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls speaks at the "Unions 21" Conference, and Brendan Barber of the TUC will respond.

Clegg Compares Tories to the BNP and Communists

In his speech to Conference today, Lib Dem Leader, and David Cameron's Deputy in Government said,

"On the Yes campaign we have the Liberal Democrats, Labour party supporters, the Green Party, UKIP,  Plaid Cymru, the SNP, Friends of the Earth, Colin Firth, Eddie Izzard and Helena Bonham Carter.


On the No side of the argument are the BNP, the Communists, the Conservative Party.
John Prescott, Norman Tebbit and David Owen.

Tricky one."

I'm not going to comment on this one, but you should feel free.

Police looking in to missing cash

Police are used to investigating politicians for nicking taxpayers' money, but politicians physically dipping in to the pockets of hard-working old Bill is virgin teritory.

This is why every Officer I've spoken with are urging Home Secretary Theresa May to ignore recommendations by the former RAIL regulator Tom Winsor, and former BLAIR Cabinet boy 'Lord' Hutton.

The Police Federation of England and Wales tell me they have hope that the Coalition Government will make good on their previous supportive words and say they hope Mrs May will reject suggestions that coppers should work longer, pay more and get less at the end of the day.

Everyone must take the hit, including Police Officers and including the Police Federation - and I'm pleased to hear that they accept this - but every right-thinking person I know agrees that Winsor and Hutton are asking too much.

Take a listen to my report for talkSPORT radio.

2016 and the SAS can't get up the stairs

It's 2016 and Lord Hutton's pension reforms have been implemented by the last coalition government.

Of course, things are very different now that we have an SNP Home Secretary, and of course because the police, fire-service workers and military all have to work through till 60.

Earlier today, the SAS were stair-lifted in to Afghanistan where violence has broken out on a mass scale, and all 93 British soldiers have been deployed to the region.

The entire Royal Lagistics Corps were called out to assist the SAS whose arthritis prevented them from picking up their adapted M16's.

Lt. Col Jarman said both of his men performed well under pressure, not letting their age related macular degeneration stop them from doing their job. The only unfortunate moment came when they accidentally handed an M16 to terrorists given that at their time of life, both of his men are only able to see shadows

A meals on wheels mini-van was also deployed to the region to cater for the army, and the left-over food is being shipped back to Britain and donated to Homeless charities.

PC Paul Blyth said,

"I've been sleeping rough ever since my rent aid, which was red-lined in 1993 was stopped and when the withdrawal of free travel and proper pension provisions meant that I lost my home. This food will come as a welcome relief to all of the Officers on D Division.

He continued,

"I only wish the nurses at St. Mary's Hospital weren't all occupied giving colleagues bed baths. It would be good if someone could cut the meat up. It's hard to chew with false teeth you know.

In other news, the local boy-scouts were drafted in to rescue the Green Watch from Waterloo fire station earlier after fire damage meant their only route of escape was down a ladder.

Fire Chief Simmons said,

"Of course a few of my ladies and gentleman have already had their hip replacements, but for the rest of us, I daren't think of the reaction if we were late for the Derby and Joan Dominos night."

*** A sign of things to come? ****
I hope not.

Dear Government,
ignore Lord Hutton.

Sincerely yours,

a taxpayer!

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Time to scrap Council Tax

I'm sure Council Tax Payers all over will welcome the confirmation by Eric Pickles that Council Tax is frozen this year, but if the senior partner in the government would like their criticisms of the doubling of Council Tax from 1997 to 2010 to be meaningful, they will either reduce it by half, minus actual inflation increases, or more practically, they should scrap council tax and come up with a new system.

The current system punishes the poorest workers in our society, and ALL political parties have ownership of this inconvenient truth.

Council Tax adds over 10% to the tax bills of the lowest earners in the UK. The suggestion that it is progressive because higher value property earners pay more is frankly nonsense. It's squeezing everyone to an extent, but it is particularly regressive because any non-Council Tax Benefit Claimant on the average income, below the average income or even above it are struggling to pay their Council Tax. It's no wonder then that Council Tax Debts are at their highest.

Have a word with yourselves!


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Foreign Secretary doesn't answer the Question

Foreign Secretary William Hague has updated the House on the situation in Libya and the Middle East - which he describes as a logistical emergency, which the West must take action upon to avoid a humanitarian emergency.

So far, around 600 Brits have been evacuated from Libya, and 180 remain, including Journalists. Most of this last group say they do not wish to leave.

The key message from the Foreign Secretary was that HMG does not regard it's job as being to influence regime change, but rather to show those who advocate freedoms that we are their friends.

I'll put a rider on the pin-head upon which I am about to dance, because frankly, on the grander scale, this REALLY doesn't matter, and the key thing for politicians, journalists and the public from all political persuasions is to show support for our military and diplomats deployed in the region... but here we go anyway. Journalists (this one included) are obsessing on whether the PM knew that the SAS were to be deployed "to protect our diplomatic interests" or for any other reasons. This is a silly thing to focus upon because common sense and experience tells me that of course he knew... but the Prime Minister's Spokesman, understandably refused this morning and this afternoon to confirm what the PM knew, and when he knew it, but the question is one that has caught the interests of the Opposition too.

Shadow Foreign Secretary Douglas Alexander asked Mr Hague to clarify this point, but the Foreign Secretary merely said that the PM was aware that we were sending in diplomats, and did not comment on whether the PM knew the SAS were to be deployed.

I tweeted during the Statement that certain people seem to want to politicise the failed operation that saw 7 SAS troopers and 1 diplomat arrested by Libyan Farmers. Perhaps this is a political issue, but to me, it doesn't feel like it should be until things quieten down a little.


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Prince Andrew has the Pm's full confidence: but Number 10 is spinning in opposite directions

Downing Street are being forced to wash their dirty laundry in public after the Prime Minister's Spokesman (a senior and competent Civil Servant) has apparently contradicted his political colleague.

These things are entirely easily done in spinning circles, and I don't blame any spinner for making their views clear to journalists, but it does appear to be unfortunate, to be charitable about the situation for the left hand to be punching the right hand in the gut.

The Prime Minister's Spokesman has made it entirely clear that the PM has full confidence in Prince Andrew, despite briefings to the BBC at the weekend that just one more revelation about the Trade Envoy would see him forced to stand down.

The clear message from government is that the Prime Minister simply will not officially sack Prince Andrew, and number 10 won't be drawn in to whether it is within the PM's gift to sack the Prince since they say the PM has no intention of dismissing him, so the issue doesn't come up.

The bottom line here is that the PM cannot be seen to be sacking a Member of the Royal Family from an unpaid role, but I would frankly be staggered if the PM wasn't applying high pressure through unofficial channels.

The Official line is that the PM has full confidence in the excellent job Prince Andrew is performing... the unofficial position seems to be that the PM has the political pathologist standing by to clear the carcass of the contentious Prince!

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The Weekly Digest

It'ssssssssssss


The weekly digest Ladies and Gentlemen.

... And we'll kick off with a report out at mitnight on Monday morning by the Home Affairs Select Committee on the use of taser guns - by police not the Speaker I quickly add! Perhaps a topic for Theresa May who' s up at the Despatch Box answering Home Office Questions.

Harriet Harman is at a Foreign Policy Centre event marking International Women's day, linking in extremely nicely with the Official Launch of Cherie Blair's "Labour Women and development policy review group".

the lovely Dane Anne Begg will chair a DWP Select Committee meeting on the important matter of welfare reforms, to consult on the migration of incapacity benefit to the Employment and Support Allowance Scheme, which is being piloted in Burnely, following the recent success of their 'round-table' event covered in a previous week's digest.



Tuesday

*** The first part of a review in to police pay and conditions *** is out today. The first part of the Winsor report looks at short-term "improvements" to the service.

*** David Miliband **** is giving a political lecture at the LSE, examining the election of right of centre parties in the UK and across Europe.

Ed Richards, the highly paid boss of Communication Regulator Ofcom is giving the Cambridge Union Address. Richards is well known to have been in David Cameron's target when the PM was in Opposition - and it seems possible this may come up, as might the proposed bSkyb take-over.

In Scotland, Alex Salmond is holding an emergency summit with the cops and the FA on the disorder at the Old Firm.

Work and Pension Secretary IDS is delivering a speech to the Age UK Conference in London.

Andrew Lansley takes Health Questions in the Commons, meanwhile in the Lords, it's day 2 in the report stage of the Energy Bill, and day 1 in the Committee of the entire House on the Postal Services Bill.


Wednesday

Michael Howard is giving his Cambridge Union Address today.

It's PMQ's of course... Yay. I must admit, perhaps childishly to looking forward to PMQ's. I don't know whether it's as lively as it could be at the moment, but I feel sure it will be again soon.

The Lords are sitting in Committee on the Public Bodies Bill today, and importantly, in the Commons, the Welfare Reform Bill gets it's Second Reading.

There's a Westminster Hall debate all day on reform to the higher rate of mobility for the Disability Living Allowance. This is important because amongst other reforms, the DWP want to remove the upper mobility rate for anyone who has a TOTALLY GOVERNMENT UNFUNDED GUIDE DOG because they're mobile. Now I don't claim DLA even though I absolutely could, but it's this kind of attitude designed to make every claimant feel guilty that, probably by design, drives some people including myself away.

*** BIG FLASH POINT **** William Hague, Liam Fox, Oliver Letwin and Andrew Mitchell are giving Evidence to the Defence Select Committee on the SDSR.


Thursday

*** Bank of England meets to decide on the Rate of Interest ***

Philip Hammond is at the Despatch Box for Transport Questions in the Commons, Sir George Young makes his weekly Business Statement, and there's a debate on the future of the Coastguard service, and *** Chris Bryant *** has an Adjournment Debate on the interception of Mobile Communications.

The EU Foreign Affairs Council holds an "emergency" meeting on the situation in Libya.

The Public Accounts Committee reports today on errors in the benefits system.


Friday

The Transport Select Committee reports today on the very important subject of motor insurence costs. This is a personal comment, but it seems that insurence companies are taking motorists for a ride, and charging them for it.

**** Former Senior Prime Minister Lord Mandelson is making a speech on the "new case for globalisation" at the London Stock Exchange.

EU Foreign Ministers meet today and tomorrow.

The Lib Dems Spring Conference kicks off in Sheffield.

The Police are VERY angry with the government

The Police are very angry that they are to face greater than average punishment than the average punter at the hands of the Home Secretary.

Theresa May has said that it's wrong for cops to assume that they have a job for life when so many don't, and she has said she'll take a close look at police pay and perks, including rent aid, travel benefits and bonuses for Police.

Did you know that the police are highly opposed to bonuses for all police officers, from constable to Chief Constable?

I have been informed tonight by a reliable source that the £5,000 bonus paid to PC's, in the Met at least, and as I understand it, nationwide is simply misreported. The MAX payment in this category to Met Officers is just £500.

Yes... well it surprised me too.

Did you know that the Police are considering marching with protesters on March 26th when the TUC and others will be making their views known on public sector cuts?

Did you know that cops who will be responsible for policing the March 26th protests are considering listening to the Home Secretary and taking on board that they are no longer a special case and since they are only employees in 2011, they are considering doing no more than any other employee is required to do?

Did you know for example that, as one serving Met Officer put it, "the way we're thinking now is that if we're just employees, we'll let them climb the gates of Parliament if they want to. We'll push them back twice, and if they climb the gates, why should we stop them if we're just employees?".

I'm sure that this Officer, and their colleagues WOULD in fact stop anyone climbing the gates of Parliament, but when the good guys feel picked on... and by picked on, I mean to say attacked more than say nurses or firemen, then the Home Office need to look again.

Theresa May has an impossible task to find 20% cuts without effecting frontline services, but PLEASE look again at cutting police pay and perks. They already earn awful money. I don't know anyone who says they are overpaid. There are a handful of Officers earning £100,000 a year, but these are a very small number who are the exception, and who are travelling abroad protecting, amongst others, the Home Secretary. Don't pick on the ONLY people who will protect you against angry protesters.

Home Secretary, look at this again, please!

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Location:St Margaret St,London,United Kingdom

Sponsor me for Guide Dogs if you like: No Pressure!

Ok,
First thing to say is that I won't be offended in the slightest if you don't sponsor me for this event, but let me tell you what it is, and if you fancy donating - thank you for your support.

Many of you know that I raise funds for Guide Dogs in my spare time. My motiviation is just that I benefit so much from Guide Dog Chipp, and Brandy before him, and I'm sure I'll benefit from many more doggies. When you think that each guide dog partnership costs Guide Dogs around £50k, and that they receive no government funding, I feel it my duty to do all I can to raise money.

... But that doesn't mean I expect everyone else to :).

So the event is a sponsored blind drive on an airfield, plus as I understand it, a bit of a spin around on a skid track. BSM Instructors are kindly giving their time for free - and I'm sure they're in for a bit of a scaring with me behind the wheel.

I've set up a fundraising page at http://www.justgiving.com/Sean-Dilley where donations are welcome. I've a very modest £200 fundraising target, and any help you can give in helping me reach this goal is very much appreciated.

Sean

Would you be interested in audio boo reports?

Journalists in 2011 must be multi-platform if they wish to survive.

I hope listeners, viewers and readers of my ramblings will judge me to engage in the spirit of my preaching - but here's where I definitely need your feedback.

I have of course been aware of audioBoo for some time, but have yet to dabble. Frankly this is a failing on my part because I see real potential in exploiting the medium to bring audio reports to readers who aren't unfortunate enough to stumble across me on the radio, or occasionally on the TV here and there.

So here's where I need your help, either by comment below, or judging from experience, more likely by twitter to @seandilley .

1. Would you be interested in short reports on political, and very occasionally other matters?

2. I think audioBoo can be used either for what we call in broadcasting "as lives" of anywhere between a minute and three minutes, and I believe it can be used for short pithy thoughts of say 30-60 seconds. Do you agree or have any suggestions on how this can be used differently?

I recorded a short comment piece earlier, as much as anything else, to get used to the audioBoo app. Thanks to @jerryhayes1 for his kind words on that recording. Unfortunately, that 'boo' was a little windy for my liking, but we live and learn!


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Local government nutters

Listening to Iain Dale's radio show in the back of my taxi this evening made me truly angry!

Westminster Council have decided to spend many thousands of pounds in this age of austerity taking taxi company Adison Lee to Court in an attempt to force them to remove Adison Lee Litter Bins.

For those readers outside of London, businesses all around London - thousands of them have litter bins for fags and the like affixed to the wall outside their property. This promotes clean living and has been shown to reduce litter on the streets. In return for siting and maintaining these bins, Adison Lee advertise their name and booking number on the bins. These have been about for years, they've been praised by the Mayor and the contribute greatly to keeping London tidy.

... But at a time when Council services are being throttled, Westminster Council have decided to take legal action of the daftest nature.

This isn't frankly the first bit of cretiness behaviour by WCC. They decided to spend millions of council taxpayer funds on ripping up Exhibition Street , replacing it with ghastly shared level surfaces, which studies have shown present particular dangers to elderly, disabled, blind and partially sighted people.

A Tory CLLR from WCC, who I choose NOT to identify here (but you might find out his name if you go back far enough on this blog), argued drunkenly with me at Conference in Birmingham last year - and to clarify, he was drunk... I was not, about plundering the council's budget to introduce a type of pedestrian, cycle shared roadway that literally endangers life. The idiot compared the safety risk of blind and elderly people to the interests of cyclists.

This is the kind of cretin responsible for this decision.

Local Government is important, and there are some genuinely dedicated, sensible local politicians, but mark my words, the disgraceful scoundrels who are taking Tommy Taxpayer for a ride are next on the spit list for journalists.

You have been warned!


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A run-down of PMQ's as it happened

I'm blogging rather than tweeting because I can't quite get twitter to work on my iPad yet.. my own stupidity.. so below are notes, as I might usually tweet.

Ed M 1 - On Libya, what support is the PM offering to multilateral organisations in dealing with refugee emergencies on the Libyan border.

DC: We have people out there helping with the humanitarian situation, and we are in touch with multilateral organisations, and this will be coordinated from Palestine.

Ed M 2: We both agreed on Monday that the international community should pile pressure on Europe, can the PM tell us how the no fly policy is going?

DC - We are pressuring Gadaffi in a number of ways including financially and diplomatically. We will take very touch action if Gadaffi continue's to unleash violence on his own people. We are still "actively considering" a no fly zone and chatting with Mrs Clinton on this.

Ed M 3: It has been agreed that sanctions should be followed through. Can the PM assure the House that we can deal with military commitments when force numbers are being cut.

DC: I can give the House that assurance. We are not short of troops for operational purposes, but we inherited chaos and a black hole in the nation's finances.

** NOTE ** PMQ's today is a very laid back, chilled out affair thus far. It was always going to be, but it's interesting that proper knock about today is coming only from the back benches. This could be entirely the right call by Ed Miliband - I don't know!

PM asked about policing in London. Didn't hear who was called, and don't recognise the voice, but we're talking policing in numbers - does the PM believe the London Mayor who says we have enough cops on the streets, or serving cops who say we don't.

PM replies robustly quoting the former Chair of the Police Federation Jan Berry who has backed greater efficiencies in Policing.

Ed M 4 - The PM is adamant that there is no need for cuts in council services, so why are Bromley cutting 13 of 16 children's service centres?

PM doesn't address Bromley specifically, but he attacks authorities who are failing to cut responsibly without cutting important services.

Ed M 5 - We are getting used to the Prime Minister's U-turn, we've seen it on school sport, we've seen it on forests and we've seen it on housing benefits.. can he u-turn on S-start cuts.

PM - Next he'll be giving me a lesson on family loyalty. DC attacks Labour planned cuts, which are £2Bn less than the coalition cuts - says it's time he gets off the opportunistic bandwagon and to come up with his own policies.

Ed M "This is a guy who has made a career out of opportunistic"

** THINKING OF HITCHIKERS GUIDE - Zaephod Beadlebrox (or however it's spelt) "He's JUST this guy!".

PM Attacks Labour deficit once again.

SPEAKER INTERJECTS - I want to get to the bottom of the order paper and the House must help with that process.

PM - Money is there, S-start centres do not need to shut. Next he'll be giving us a lesson in Brother, where art thou.

*** Notes ***

PMQ's today was a game of two halves. Ed M and DC were genuinely working together to discuss the Middle East, though the first half was FAR from political point-scoring free.

Ed M's second batch of questions, and DC's answers had some very real punch and judy in it.

Who won? Blimey, I honestly don't know - but I certainly hope we see more knock about next week.


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Pickles email to party supporters

Dear XXX

Transparency and openness must underpin every decision your council makes for you.


Fifty years ago this month, Margaret Thatcher's maiden speech championed a Private Members' Bill which would ultimately make councils open up their meetings to the press and public. As she argued at the time, 'The public has the right... to know what its elected representatives are doing'. Indeed, local people should be able to hold politicians and public bodies to account over how their council tax is being spent, and decisions made on their behalf.

We are ushering in a new era of transparency, where every aspect of council business is open to democratic scrutiny and an army of armchair auditors can shine a spotlight on waste and unnecessary cost to help protect frontline services.

For too long, Labour let councils spend your hard-earned cash without proper local accountability. For too long, Labour took local taxpayers for a ride.

You wouldn't spend your money without knowing what you were buying - so why let the Government?

With greater power for local councils must come greater local accountability. We are committed to increasing transparency across Whitehall and local authorities in order to make data more readily available to you, the citizen, and allow you to hold service providers to account. I recently called on every council in the country to publish all of their spending data over £500 online - and only Labour-run Nottingham are yet to deliver, with their Labour leader arrogantly saying 'we have much better things to be doing'. What have they got to hide?

Not only will transparency allow you to see where your money goes and what it delivers, throwing open the council books will also unlock the door to new businesses and encourage greater innovation and entrepreneurship.

When the new Government is giving unprecedented power and freedom to councils, it's more important than ever that local residents can keep tabs on what their town hall is up to. We're bringing the full glare of the public's eye onto spending. I invite you to scrutinise where your money goes and help us make sure it is spent on the right priorities. It's time to put the council receipts at your fingertips.