This autumn conference could be the last before the next General Election. If Tony Blair finally goes, voluntarily or otherwise, then his successor is likely to 'cut and run' in an attempt to cash in on any honeymoon factor before political reality reasserts itself. Especially if that successor is Gordon Brown.
Members of the Scottish Parliament have backed giving parliamentary time to legislation to allow same-sex couples to adopt children. Members voted 103 - 8 to allow the bill to proceed. Although it is already legal for lesbian, gay and bi people to adopt, same-sex partners lacked co-parenting rights, and children were not recognised as the legal children of same-sex partners.
It is just a week until the Borough of Rochdale makes history and hosts the UK's first Official observance of the UN Peace Day. The event will happen on Thursday, 21st September and will feature a variety of events including a 'Peace Parade' featuring over 500 schoolchildren from over 50 schools. The event has captured the imagination of the people of Rochdale and each school has made a 'Peace Dove' that they will be displaying at the parade. There will then be 2 minutes silence to observe the day at the Town's Cenotaph, this will be followed by a Peace Rally in the historic ballroom of Rochdale Town Hall.
Birmingham Ladywood MP and former Cabinet minister Clare Short says she will be stepping down as an MP at the next General Election. Ms Short blamed Tony Blair's foreign policy and said: "I have reached a stage where I am profoundly ashamed of the government."
A campaign by local residents backed by Knighton Councillor's Joan Garrity and Gary Hunt has ended in success when new toilet blocks for Knighton Park opened late last month.
Leicester has won two top awards, the East Midlands in Bloom Award and the Institute of Leisure and Amenity Management (ILAM) Open Space Innovation Award for 2006.
