The number of repeats on TV this Christmas has increased by a quarter since last year, according to research by the Liberal Democrats. The study found that 44% of all programmes shown between Christmas Eve and Boxing Day will be repeats, up from 35% a year ago. Channel Five was the worst offender, as almost 60% of its output had been seen before and Christmas Day repeats were up on all networks except Channel 4.
The European Union has threatened to boycott a summit in the US of the top greenhouse gas emitting nations, accusing Washington of blocking goals for emissions cuts during UN talks in Bali. The EU and the US are accusing each other of holding up a deal in Bali, which is seeking to agree terms for two years of negotiations on a pact to succeed the Kyoto Protocol, the current plan for cutting greenhouse gases.
The largest police federation in the UK has declared that its officers are now "at war" with the Government over a pay dispute. The Metropolitan Police Federation today accused ministers of attempting to "trample on the well-being" of rank-and-file police officers, It follows an unprecedented call for Jacqui Smith, the Home Secretary, to resign over her refusal to fulfil a promise to backdate a pay rise.
As we approach Christmas, if you still have gifts to buy, why not do a little online shopping and support Shepway Lib Dems at the same time? At www.shepwaylibdems.org.uk/amazonshop/ there are some gift suggestions for the political types in your life, or visit http://tinyurl.com/3ajuxf to see the whole range available at Amazon.
Chelmsford Liberal Democrats are celebrating another stunning victory after James Gardner won the Moulsham & Central by-election. The result was
A controversial decision to limit drugs for a major cause of blindness has been reversed by the NHS drug watchdog in England and Wales. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) reconsidered its guidance after 13,000 complaints.
