 |
In this section
- Section Home
Archive
- September 2010
- August 2010
- July 2010
- June 2010
- May 2010
- April 2010
- March 2010
- February 2010
- January 2010
- December 2009
- November 2009
- October 2009
- September 2009
- August 2009
- July 2009
- June 2009
- May 2009
- April 2009
- March 2009
- February 2009
- January 2009
- December 2008
- November 2008
- October 2008
- September 2008
- August 2008
- July 2008
 Blog RSS feed
|
|
Saturday, 28 February, 2009
 | “Today’s database state is not R2 D2, it is closer to Frankenstein’s Monster, but less subtle.” |
 |
Parliamentary spokesman, Richard Normington, commented,“Today I attended the debate on civil liberties for the Cambridge part of the Convention on Modern Liberty. My main thought is that not only is 'Big Brother' intrusive and sinister, as you’d expect me to say, but he’s pretty thick too.
It’s not just the obvious points - that the government databases are riddled with errors, prone to abuse and will always be one step behind the criminals – but the surprise expressed by the politicians who champion curbs on freedom that the ministries can get things wrong. Of course they get things wrong. And when an institution with great powers gets it wrong, it can go wrong dramatically.
Anti-terror powers were never expected to be used against Icelandic banks, youngsters who want to be paperboys, or counting the homeless, but they have been. If you give powers to government officials, you should not be surprised to find them being used.
Friday, 20 February, 2009
| Help Delayed is Help Denied |
|
Once again we see how Labour puts the press release before the policy.
"A scheme to stop people from losing their homes if they are hit by a sudden drop in income has been delayed until April, the communities department says. The Home Owner Mortgage Support Scheme was announced by Prime Minister Gordon Brown in December. But the government is still locked in talks with participating lenders about how it will work. " BBC News.
Tuesday, 17 February, 2009
| George Orwell yesterday, Frank Field today |
|
This is an unlikely pairing, but both Frank Field and George Orwell, coming from the left side of politics, have managed to put into words key beliefs and aspirations those of us on the centre right hold dear. Both have a core of left-wing ideology that means they would blench and faint before ever actually turning Tory, but they have said things that make sense if Gordon Brown's 'broken Britain' is to be mended:
“We are caught up in believing that it is the State that ensures social progress. History teaches otherwise. Secure social advance has been achieved by freeing up the basic impulses of human beings to do good, and to improve the conditions of their families and friends. For politicians to learn that getting off the back of families and communities might be the best way to drive a social advance may be the hardest lesson that the new politics demands.” Frank Field MP, The Independent, 17th February 2009.
Tuesday, 03 February, 2009
 | Congratulations to Camfed |
 |
 I am delighted that Cambridge University chose Camfed as Charity of the Year. Education is the surest route out of long-term poverty, and if you want to support an overseas charity this year then Camfed is my recommendation. I know from personal experience that it does excellent work with dedicated, professional staff. See www.camfed.org
Richard Normington
University of Cambridge Names Camfed as Charity of the Year.
The University of Cambridge is celebrating its 800-year anniversary this year, and as part of the celebrations it has chosen Camfed as its Charity of the Year. Throughout 2009, the University of Cambridge will use its influence as a preeminent global institution to raise awareness about Camfed's work in Africa and the vital role of girls' education in the fight against global poverty.
"When a group of farsighted individuals established the University of Cambridge in 1209, they were part of a tiny educated elite in the world," said Camfed's Founder and Executive Director Ann Cotton.
"Today, 800 years later, the University of Cambridge is a global leader in higher education. We are delighted to partner with the University for this special anniversary year to expand access to education for girls in Africa."
|
Next Page
| |
