THE FRIEND WHO SPEAKS THE TRUTH: The few people who still believe in Tony Blair's spine like to suggest that his role in the US-UK partnership is a positive one, providing a steadying, calm counterpoint to the White House's beligerance.

If that's the case, why was he forced to change his Georgetown University lecture to keep the possibility of attacks on Iran live?

No wonder it doesn't matter that someone as useless as Beckett has been made Foreign Minister. It's not like we're making any policies in Whitehall any more.

 
STEADY AS SHE GOES: BBC News report:

Volunteer workers in the Lothians have been banned from issuing condoms to under-16s despite a rise in the number of teenage pregnancies.

NHS Lothian ruled that only staff on the official payroll could hand out contraceptives and advice to under-16s.

It said restricting contact to "suitably trained people" would ensure the safety and protection of children.

... by increasing their chances of STDs and unwanted pregnancy.

 
A CHANGING TIDE?: Even hooting right-wing radio hosts are lining up to kick Bush:

"Bush created a giant new entitlement, the prescription drug plan. He lied to his own party to get it passed. He lied to the country about its true cost. It was written by and for the pharmaceutical industry. It helps nobody except the multinationals that lobbied for it. So much for smaller government. In fact, virtually every tentacle of government has grown exponentially under Bush. Unless, of course, it was an agency to look after the public interest, or environmental protection, and/or worker’s rights."

You'll soon be able to buy "Okay, blame me, I voted Bush" bumper stickers at this rate...

 
MY GOODNESS, THAT IS NEAR MILTON KEYNES: Expansion is a big issue in Milton Keynes right now, with the Milton Keynes Partnership directing new build ordered by the now-defunct John Prescott in a way that threatens the well-planned city.

We wondered how many of the members of this Partnership actually lived in the city, and how many had ever been elected to represent anyone - and who they were, so we sent them an email to ask.

A nice sounding woman called Sue Williams emailed back (oddly, from an email account in the name Sara LeSurf) promising to get back to me with the details within a week.

It's not an unreasonable request, as a citizen of the New Town, to ask who the people shaping my environment are. And, you'd have thought, it would be pretty easy for English Partnerships to provide that information.

It was April 19th that I was promised a reply within a week.

Nothing yet. We'll let you know.

milton keynes english partnerships