Something I had never expected, being amused in Stowmarket

I have, in the past, remarked on the lack of a obvious cultural life in Stowmarket. So, you can imagine my surprise when my stepdaughter, Sally, invited us to the inaugural Comedy Club at the Regal, Stowmarket's premier entertainment venue.

Compered by James Redmond, formerly of Hollyoaks and Casualty, comedians Ali Cook, Diane Spencer and Robin Ince had the responsibility of trying to make Stowmarket laugh.

Ali Cook does a comedy magic act, and the magic is pretty good, at least from the perspective of a sceptic like me. Alright, some of the references to obscure(ish) sexual acts might have been a bit cosmopolitan for mid-Suffolk (at least he avoided the obviously tempting sheep gags), but he was good enough.

After the interval (very impressed by the bar prices, I must say), Diane Spencer told jokes about her former career as a drama teacher in Yeovil, her acting career in New Zealand TV adverts and kept the momentum going.

However, the best was saved for last, our headline act, Robin Ince, whose stream of consciousness, delivered at high speed, mixed politics and children, the sadness of those women who moon out of the windows of stretch limos and much, much more.

The Regal is a great venue for a comedy club, just big enough to be economically viable, but small enough to feel fairly intimate and allow the performers to work the audience. The next comedy night will be on 29 August and, if you're in Stowmarket, or even close by, I would recommend it. For more information about films and live shows at the Regal, click here.

Liberal Youth: Facebook pages for the candidates for Chair

I do feel that I should do something to publicise the various candidates for the Liberal Youth elections so, over the next day or so, I will publish links to websites, Facebook groups and Twitter feeds, so that you can find out more about them. Hopefully, they will use these media to encourage turnout and engage members so.

We'll start with the candidates for Chair...

Facebook

• Matthew Folker
• Phil Jarvest and Richard Heinrich
• Adam Parsons
• Martin Shapland
• Richard Wilson

Twitter

• Matthew Folker
• Phil Jarvest and Richard Heinrich
• Adam Parsons
• Martin Shapland
• Richard Wilson

Soon, the candidates for the Vice Chair positions...

Liberal Youth: building a better democracy one ruling at a time

I'm feeling rather better today, for reasons which will become clear later. The primary beneficiaries have been the various Liberal Youth candidates and, hopefully, the membership at large. So, here's a summary of recent events;

• I have issued an e-mail to all candidates advising them of the key election rules, as defined by Article 9.15 of the Liberal Youth constitution.
• I have issued stern warnings to three candidates for breaching them, as well as reminding all candidates of the implications of doing so.
• I have proposed that links to the various websites and social media used for candidate campaigning be advertised on the Liberal Youth website - they'll also appear here as they reach me.
• I intend to allow each candidate one e-mail to those members for whom an e-mail address is held.

You see, there are rules to be upheld. Nonetheless, this is a democracy, and members should be encouraged to vote, to question candidates and generally engage in the campaign. Besides, this is meant to be fun too, n'est-ce pas?

Liberal Youth: an organisation in the market for a new Returning Officer

As regular readers will be aware, my term as Liberal Youth's Returning Officer has been a challenging one. With a host of resignations leading to co-options and by-elections, the role has been rather more time-consuming than I had envisaged originally.

After the last round of annual elections, and the criticism I took from a number of sub-optimally informed individuals, there were those who questioned my judgement in staying on. My response was that Liberal Youth needed some stability, and that having a battle-hardened Returning Officer might help achieve it.

However, I have now changed my mind. Firstly, with a new Executive Commmittee due to take up their positions on 1 July, this is an opportunity for them to decide upon the type of Returning Officer that Liberal Youth needs but, secondly and more personally, I'm not enjoying it - it has become a bit of a chore - and that can't be a good thing.

So, with effect from 1 July, I will be another ex-Returning Officer of Liberal Youth (I understand that there are quite a few out there). May the Gods give strength to my successor, as I retire to Suffolk to spend more time with my new office...

Commemorating the 'Miracle of Dunkirk'

Sometimes, just sometimes, being the Presidential consort gets you to some unexpected places. And today, I find myself on the 'Maersk Dover', with a vehicle deck full of vintage military vehicles, veterans of the Dunkirk evacuations and representatives of military charities, the Royal British Legion and the War Graves Commission.

This is, in its way, a rather poignant event. The youngest of those who lived through the horror of Dunkirk are now in their late-eighties and early nineties, and there probably won't be many such gatherings in the future. However, those who have made it are a remarkably spry bunch, and Ros has taken great delight in chatting with them.

Of course, there is pageantry, with the Parachute Regimental Band, a speech by the Lord Lieutenant and the newly-elected MP. Photographers are on hand to take shots of saluting or waving veterans, and there are flags to be waved.

On arrival in Dunkirk, our ferry will moor in the Eastern Dock to await the flotilla of Little Ships, and there will be the formal ceremony of commemoration. It should be rather special...

Academies - no taxation without representation?

As a relative newcomer to the world of local government, I am still of the perhaps romantic view that, as a councillor, I would have the ability to influence change in, and delivery of, services. So, when I see any proposal which appears to take responsibility away from local government, I am wary about what happens next.

'Academies for all' does worry me. Yes, I accept that some Local Education Authorities need a good kick up the backside, but they are at least democratically accountable. What hasn't become clear to me is how a school, newly independent from 'the Council', will be dealt with if it fails. Who will be accountable, what is the penalty for failure? And, most importantly of all, who will make the decision to intervene?

You see, as a taxpayer, I fund the education system, and I want my money to be spent wisely. And whilst I don't have children of my own (I can't take any credit for Sally and Jamie), my community relies on our schools to produce well-rounded, well-educated young people. If none of my elected representatives is responsible for anything other than ensuring that the school gets its regular funding cheque, what means do I have of conveying an opinion?

I could, I suppose, become a school governor. However, that option isn't open to most people, and would make me part of the democratic deficit, not necessarily part of any accountability solution.

I'm not opposed to the concept of local empowerment. In rural areas like mine in mid-Suffolk, giving villages more influence over how their schools are run might act to reinvigorate their sense of civic society, helping to reverse the slow decline in local services that threatens their future. However, I strongly believe that, where public money is spent, there must be a way to allow proper scrutiny, the rewarding of success and the penalising of failure.

As a Liberal Democrat, how the Coalition deal with questions of accountability and democratic engagement will provide an indicator of the future prospects for the administration. I shall watch the squaring of this particular circle with interest...

Liberal Youth: the first ruling - external media

In an attempt to make life more interesting, there has been a bid to break into the media by a candidate. As a result, a member of the Editorial Board of Liberal Democrat Voice has sought my view on publication of pieces by candidates.

This is my response...

The advantage of Liberal Democrat Voice not being an official party organ is that I can't insist upon its neutrality. Therefore, I won't say that you can't publish it, leaving it to you to judge whether or not publication would be consistent with your editorial policy in respect of internal party elections.

I am advised that the piece will be published shortly, and that all candidates will be free to submit articles for publication, subject to Liberal Democrat Voice's editorial policy.

Perhaps I should place this decision in context. I believe in offering candidates the fullest opportunity to campaign, as by doing so, they can give the election, and Liberal Youth, a higher profile beyond simply its own membership. This will, hopefully, increase member participation and enhance the credibility of Liberal Youth within the wider Liberal Democrat family as a positive force for new ideas and new ways of thinking. And that can only be a good thing...

Liberal Youth: England, my England!

With much thanks to Richard Gadsden, I am now in possession of a copy of the Constitution of Liberal Youth England. The most immediately salient point is this;

11.5. The Returning Officer for the Federal Organisation shall be entitled to be the Returning Officer for all elections; if he or she does not wish to be the Returning Officer for this Organisation, then the English Executive shall appoint a Returning Officer.

So, if I understand this correctly, and I have a nasty feeling that I do, it's up to me to organise an election for the position of English Convenor. Without further ado, I can announce that the candidates are;

• Thomas Hemsley
• James Nelson

I'll be talking to Katy Pritchard in the Liberal Youth office about how we can do this and ensure that only eligible voters can take part...

Liberal Youth: I think that, maybe, I'm certain I have the final list of candidates (probably)

It has been a long, and occasionally bewildering, road for this Returning Officer. I have to admit that, after the General Election campaign, I was weary in a way that I have never been before, and somewhat disorientated, not perhaps the most optimal state for taking on the organisation of a Liberal Youth election.

Luckily, with the accession of the coalition, my life has calmed down a little bit, and I have found myself rather enjoying having to deal with a bunch of charmingly enthusiastic young people, most of whom are polite, appropriately (but not overly) respectful and keen to make their case. One presumes that I was like that when I was their age but, somehow, I doubt it.

So, before we start on the details of when, how and where, one last candidate to announce. It is clear that I must, in future, insist that all nominations come to one place, as I found this one in my work e-mail...

• Rosie Rutter is the final candidate for the position of Vice Chair Membership Development

And with that, I hereby declare the nomination phase of the 2010 Liberal Youth annual elections to be at a close.

A short diversion from talk of elections and constitutions

I'm on my way home to Creeting St Peter for a Parish Council meeting, where I get to meet up with my Conservative County and District Councillors. What that means is that I won't be doing Liberal Youth stuff for a few hours but, more importantly, I get to return to being a Parish Councillor for a little while.

I know that, by the standards of most politicians, being a Parish Councillor barely counts. However, politics doesn't get any more basic than grass-cutting and planning consultation, and if people don't engage with regard to their own village, they're hardly likely to travel to Needham Market or even Ipswich, to tell their representatives what they think.

And so I value the opportunity to talk about bus stops and grit bins, of fly tipping and damaged fences next to footpaths. But I must dash, the community bus is waiting to take me home...

Liberal Youth: eats, shoots and leaves - yes, it's another round of corrections and amendments!

Oh yes, the tidal wave of 'general stuff' continues, which is I suppose what happens when a whole bunch of enthusiastic people are let loose on an organisation. And yes, that's a good thing... So, here are the most recent changes;

• Chris Richards is not a candidate for Vice Chair Communications
• Jason Alecock is an additional candidate for the position of General Executive Member
• Charlotte Harris is an additional candidate for the International Committee, and is duly elected.

There is still one last query, I think, but we'll see how that ends up...

Liberal Youth: what do you mean, we have some winners?

Article 9.4 of the Liberal Youth Federal Constitution states;

"Elections for positions under 6.1 a) - e) above shall include RON as a candidate.  If RON is elected, the Returning Officer shall call a by-election by all member ballot within 28 days of the previous election."

I therefore believe that, in the absence of RON (these are positions under 7.5 d) and 7.7 d)), those nominated for the Conference and International Committees are deemed to be elected. I congratulate the successful candidates;

Conference Committee

• Alan Belmore
• Ramon Chiratheep
• Sarah Harding

International Committee

• Harriet Ainscough
• Callum Leslie
• Jack Stephens

That's two less elections to count...

Liberal Youth: no organisation is complete without committees

Ah yes, committees (puts on that voice that Homer Simpson uses when he's thinking about beer), the things that either make things happen, or stop them, depending on your taste and level of cynicism.

My role as Returning Officer is to organise the election of four members of each of three committees, Conference, International and Policy. As it stands at the moment, with one outstanding query, the successfully nominated candidates are;

Conference Committee

• Alan Belmore
• Ramon Chiratheep
• Sarah Harding

International Committee

• Harriet Ainscough
• Charlotte Harris
• Callum Leslie
• Jack Stephens

Policy Committee

• Duncan Crowe
• Sarah Harding
• Richard Morgan-Ash
• James Nelson
• Stephen Rule

I don't think that I've missed anyone else...

Liberal Youth: there'll always be an England... but not yet...

I had been wondering about my role in connection with the position of English Convenor. And, at 1.47 a.m. this morning, I have come to a conclusion...

As best as I can tell, Liberal Youth England must elect at least a Convenor and a number of members of the Party's English Council. Having not seen a copy of any constitution that Liberal Youth England might have, I can ascertain no more than that. So, if someone can demonstrate that they have any authority in this area, and can provide me with a copy of their constitution, I might be able to help. Therefore, for the time being, there will not be a contest for the position of English Convenor.

Sorry about that, ladies and gentlemen...

Liberal Youth: checking, and double checking, pays dividends. Yes, there are more candidates!

I've been going back through the mounds of e-mail to double check my lists. And lo, there are some more names to add;

• Kieren Moss is a candidate for Vice Chair Membership Development
• Nicholas Doropoulos is a candidate for General Executive Member

It might not be over yet, I've still got one or two late breaking stories to resolve...

Liberal Youth: we're living in a federal world, and I am a federal RO...

I'm sure that it would have sounded better if Madonna had sung that, but you can't have everything. However, the federal nature of Liberal Youth presents me with an interesting dilemma.

I have received a nomination for the position of English Convenor. It meets all of the requirements except one - I'm not the Returning Officer of Liberal Youth England. The constitution of Liberal Youth states that I shall organise elections to fill vacancies provided for under Article 6.1 (a) to (f). None of these are the English Convenor, and therefore, I'm loathe to interfere with the constitutional settlement of Liberal Youth by running such an election.

It is quite curious. There is a Scottish organisation, well-established and active, as I saw in Perth a few months ago, campaigning on issues of personal liberty. There is a Welsh organisation, perhaps not quite as high profile but still visible through Freedom Central. However, the English state organisation, rather like the English Party as a whole, is rather less obvious. Does it meet, does it have a focus for its activity, can it be defined as being something distinctive from Liberal Youth federally? Who speaks for Liberal Youth England?

I can see that this might be a tricky one...

Liberal Youth: will you be there when your ballot paper arrives?

Young people present an interesting challenge to membership databases. They are, in relative terms, highly mobile, and in the case of students, prone to having two addresses, one for term time, the other during the holidays.

It has been brought to my attention that, with ballot papers due to go out fairly soon, there may be those who will be somewhere other than the address held by Liberal Youth HQ. If you are affected, please contact Katy, the Liberal Youth Administrator as soon as possible.

Also, please retweet this to anyone who might be interested...

* hat tip to Richard Morgan-Ash for getting in touch to warn me about this...

Liberal Youth: and that's why you publish the names in advance...

One of the things that you can be certain about is uncertainty, and publishing the lists of candidates tends to demonstrate that theory. So, we've had some corrections...

1. Matthew Folker isn't running for the post of Vice Chair Campaigns but is running to be Chair.
2. Elizabeth Gawen isn't running to be Vice Chair Communications, but is running to be Vice Chair Campaigns.
3. Sean Barnes is an additional candidate for General Executive Member.
4. I'm trying to clarify the position of another candidate who apparently has a Facebook group but hasn't actually lodged a nomination form.

More news as we have it...

'Liberal Bureaucracy' by the numbers - April 2010

I've been rather occupied elsewhere, and it suddenly dawned on me that I hadn't produced my monthly report. So, here goes...

April was, I have to confess, a bit disappointing, partly because I was so busy travelling around with Ros on the campaign trail, I didn't have much time to blog. I'll warn you now, the May figures are going to show a major improvement...

Anyway, here are the numbers. Well, on the positive side, readership was down, with just 2,255 visits in April, compared to 2,602 in March (down 13.3%, or 10.4% adjusting for the uneven number of days), and (only barely) 2,257 in April 2009 (down 0.1%).

Income from advertising has rebounded a bit, increasing to 31p, up from a penny last month, but is massively lower than last April's £4.01. As a result, my first cheque from AdSense is now expected to arrive in June 2015.

Oh yes, an additional feature to add in, my Wikio ranking is 188 (General), 102 (Politics), so I'm lurking just below the point when Mark Pack needs to mention me in his monthly Wikio report...

Liberal Youth: you can never have enough General Executive Members, can you?

The drama continues here at Bureaucrat Towers or, to be more precise, the 20:00 service from Liverpool Street to Norwich, calling at Colchester, Manningtree, Ipswich, Stowmarket (change here for Creeting St Peter), Diss and Norwich.

Since you left us, 'Liberal Bureaucracy' has been dealing with one candidate whose e-mail says he is running for one post, and his manifesto another, a candidate with a Facebook page but no valid nomination (as far as I can tell) and the receipt of a lot of sympathy (no tea so far, but I have beer...). I'm also exchanging e-mails with a member who seems determined to demonstrate his lack of self-awareness and courtesy (congratulations, you've succeeded... but I have beer... and a Melton Mowbray pork pie...)

But you don't want to hear me complain, do you? Or maybe you do. Anyway, here are the valid nominations for the position of General Executive Member. Bear in mind that there are eight vacancies...

• Jason Alecock
• Sean Barnes
• Sophie Bertrand
• Fergus Blair
• Stuart Brown
• Oliver Constance
• Duncan Crowe
• Nicholas Doropoulos 
• Sarah Harding
• Charlotte Harris
• Jade Holden
• Ben Jones
• Nathan Khan
• Douglas Oliver
• Matt Platts
• Mo Saqib
• Catherine Smith
• Terence-Jonathan White

Of course, there are still the Committees and a question about the post of English Convenor, but I'll get to those tomorrow, I guess...