Compare and contrast

Last week, in a show of openness prior to the commencement of the ‘Freedom of Information Act’ next year, MPs released the details of their expenses for public review. In yesterday’s Kilburn Times, part of the Archant London Group of newspapers, Kristina Pedersen reports on the disclosure. The paper has published tables comparing the MPs that serve the constituencies that their paper is published in: - Tony McNulty (Harrow East), Paul Boateng (Brent South), Barry Gardiner (Brent North), Gareth Thomas (Harrow West), Mark Field (Cities of London & Westminster), Karen Buck (Regent’s Park & Kensington North), Clive Soley (Ealing, Acton & Shepherd’s Bush), Glenda Jackson (Hampstead & Highgate), Iain Coleman (Putney), Sarah Teather (Brent East) and Michael Portillo (Kensington & Chelsea)....

October 29, 2004 · 3 min · Rob Dyke

MP’s expenses

I wrote the post below last weekend - but I didn’t have time to post it until today. Sorry. I was sure I was going to have something to say on this topic after I saw the manner which the placater of the commuting masses ‘Metro’ covered the story: “UK pay is dwarfed by MP’s expenses” (Frontpage, Fri 22 Oct). Here we have an example of the media creating a frenzy....

October 29, 2004 · 2 min · Rob Dyke

Progressing, developing, growing

The QPWC is live. We are currently working on the final few elements of the club formation and then all you prospective members can start signing up. The equipment used to connect home desktop PC’s will be arriving with Comwifinet early next week, along with the hardware for more network nodes to increase coverage and quality of service in area. Also, a colaborative self-assistance forum will go live early next week....

October 22, 2004 · 1 min · Rob Dyke

And relax....

And breath in… So. I last had something to ‘show and tell’ over a month ago (and that wasn’t particularly big or clever…) Been busy. Enrolled on BA Politics Economic and Public Policy at Goldsmiths University. Getting my teeth stuck in. Substantial stuff. Satisfying. And then there is [And breath in… So. I last had something to ‘show and tell’ over a month ago (and that wasn’t particularly big or clever…)...

October 22, 2004 · 1 min · Rob Dyke

Privacy and SPAM

I wrote to Sarah last week after reporting on her questioning of the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on the subject of unsolicited telecommunications. I asked her what steps would the Liberal Democrats take to combat SPAM? Would the LD’s advocate OPT-IN or OPT-OUT measures? Would LD’s toughen up privacy laws to protect my contact details or will they be relaxed? Sarah was prompt in her response. I wrote using her direct @parliament....

October 20, 2004 · 3 min · Rob Dyke